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This in vitro study evaluated the flexural strength, fluoride release, water sorption, and solubility of a high-viscosity hybrid glass ionomer cement (HVGIC, Equia Forte HT, GC Europe) over 28 days following six surface treatments: Equia Forte Coat (light-cured, 20s), bonding agent (Clearfil SE Universal Bond, 20s), light-curing alone as thermal treatment (20s or 60s), petroleum jelly, and untreated control. Specimens were stored in artificial saliva at 37 °C. Flexural strength (three-point bend test, ISO 4049:2019) and fluoride release were assessed at 24, 48, 96 h and 28 days. Sorption and solubility were measured at 28 days. Statistical analysis included bivariate tests, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, Tukey’s post-hoc, and Weibull regression. Proprietary coat and bonding agent reached the minimum required strength (MRS = 80 MPa) fastest (< 2 days), followed by petroleum jelly (2.5 days), 60s light curing (3 days), 20s (4 days), and control (5.5 days). Control showed the highest fluoride release initially, while at 28 days, 60s light-curing released the most fluoride. Proprietary coat and bonding agent showed minimal release. No significant differences in water sorption or solubility were found. These findings suggest that specific coatings or prolonged light curing can improve HVGIC performance and longevity of restorations.

InAs 1− x Sb x material with an alloy composition of the absorber layer adjusted to achieve 200-K cutoff wavelengths in the 5- μ m range has been grown. Compound-barrier (CB) detectors were fabricated and tested for optical response, and J dark – V d measurements were taken as a function of temperature. Based on absorption coefficient information in the literature and spectral response measurements of the midwave infrared (MWIR) nCBn detectors, an absorption coefficient formula α ( Ε , x , T ) is proposed. Since the presently suggested absorption coefficient is based on limited data, additional measurements of material and detectors with different x values and as a function of temperature should refine the absorption coefficient, providing more accurate parametrization. Material electronic structures were computed using a k · p formalism. From the band structure, dark-current density ( J dark ) as a function of bias ( V d ) and temperature ( T ) was calculated and matched to J dark – V d curves at fixed T and J dark – T curves at constant V d . There is a good match between simulation and data over a wide range of bias, but discrepancies that are not presently understood exist near zero bias.

Paraovarian cysts are a rare pathology, constituting 10-20% of the adnexal masses. The origin can be represented by paramesonephric ducts (Hydatid cysts of Morgagni), vestiges of mesonephric ducts also represented by mesothelium, or neoplastic (cystadenomas or cystadenofibromas) that are mostly benign. Borderline or malignant paraovarian tumors are encountered less often. This article presents a case of paraovarian cyst in a 37-year-old patient, with a history of 2 pregnancies, completed by cesarean. The patient sought medical attention for an asymptomatic voluminous ovarian cyst, detected in a routine ultrasound scan. Laboratory tests and tumor markers were within normal limits. Transvaginal ultrasound and color Doppler revealed a cystic adnexal mass with 10 cm transonic, smooth, homogeneous content, avascular walls with no internal papillary projections, with a \"hyperechoic line\" sign of delimitation from the ovarian capsule, mostly visible when the adnexa was mobilized. The diagnostic and curative laparoscopic surgery was successful, followed by a quick recovery. The histopathological exam confirmed the benignity and the origin of the paraovarian cyst. The case was discussed in the context of the literature review concerning this pathology, drawing attention to the real possibility of differentiating ovarian from paraovarian cysts by ultrasound.

A velamentous umbilical cord is characterized by membranous umbilical vessels at the placental insertion site that are prone to compression and rupture, especially when they are located in the membranes covering the cervical os (vasa praevia). The velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord, with a reported incidence of 1% in singleton pregnancies and 15% in monochorionic twin gestations, has been associated with obstetric complications: fetal growth restriction, prematurity, congenital anomalies, low Apgar scores, fetal bleeding with acute fetal distress and placental retention. The pathogenesis is unknown, but the trophotropism theory is the most common and supported by the association of velamentous cord insertion and placenta praevia. The prevalence of vasa praevia is of approximately 1/ 2500 deliveries; the risk factors include the use of assisted reproductive technologies, low-lying placenta or placenta praevia, bilobed or succenturiate lobe placenta and multiple gestation. The diagnosis is rarely established before delivery and consequently the fetal mortality is extremely high. We report two cases of velamentous marginal umbilical cord insertion associated with vasa praevia (type 1 vasa praevia) and placenta praevia diagnosed during a routine mid-trimester fetal 2D ultrasound scan, color and power Doppler transvaginal ultrasound cervical assessment. The ultrasound examination revealed one umbilical vessel crossing the internal os of the cervix entering the placental margin and connecting to the subchorionic vasculature, remaining immobile when the uterus was shaken, the color Doppler imaging enhancing the identification of the vessel. The patients were admitted to the hospital in the third trimester and deliveries were planed and successfully performed at 38 weeks gestation, being confirmed by a macroscopic examination ultrasound diagnostic.

Aim: Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is the most common brain malformation. A wide spectrum of anatomical variants are characterized by a lack of midline separation of the cerebral hemispheres. The aim of this study was to assess the ultrasound diagnostic criteria for HPE.Material and method: A database of 175 fetuses with central nervous system anomalies identified by ultrasound was collected retrospectively from 2006 to 2016 in this multicenter, retrospective, observational study. Among them 18 cases (10.2%) with HPE were identified.Results: The prevalence of HPE was 2.5:10.000 with the sex distributionmale:female of 1:1.6. Six cases were alobar subtype, 3 were semilobar, 7 were lobar and 2 were middle interhemispheric variant. In the second trimester, we consider that the abnormal fusion of the lateral ventricles and the absence of the cavum septum pellucidum are the most important landmarks for HPE. Facial abnormalities varied considerably.Conclusion: This study illustrates the heterogeneity of HPE with different cerebral and facial appearances.

The purposes of the study were to evaluate the bond strength of bioceramic TotalFill root repair material (RRM) in retrograde cavities prepared using Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG laser and steel bur, and to analyze failure modes. The root canals of 30 single-rooted teeth were endodontically treated, their root-ends were resected using a diamond bur, and the teeth were randomly divided into three groups ( N  = 10) according to the retrograde cavity preparation technique: (1) Er:YAG laser, (2) Er,Cr:YSGG laser, and (3) steel bur. All retrograde cavities were filled with the TotalFill RRM which was prepared according to the manufacturers’ instructions. Push-out test was performed using universal testing machine, and failure mode was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, post hoc analysis with Bonferroni correction, and Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test ( p  < 0.05). In the Er:YAG-, Er,Cr:YSGG-, and steel bur–prepared cavities, mean bond strengths (MPa) were 12.76, 8.44, and 6.01, respectively. The bond strength of the TotalFill RRM to dentin was significantly higher in the Er:YAG laser compared with the steel bur–prepared cavities ( p  = 0.004). The bond strength was not significantly different between the Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG cavities ( p  = 0.074) and between the Er,Cr:YSGG and bur cavities ( p  = 0.648). In the cavities prepared by the Er,Cr:YSGG laser and bur, the failure mode of the TotalFill RRM was predominantly mixed, then adhesive and cohesive. In the Er:YAG laser–prepared cavities, the most common failure mode was adhesive, followed by mixed type and no cohesive failure. The bond strength of the TotalFill RRM to dentin was highest in the group of retrograde cavities prepared by the Er:YAG laser.

Several studies suggested that part of the genetic susceptibility for Type 1 diabetes (TIDM) is encoded by some polymorphisms of CTLA‐4 gene (2q33) and of Vitamin D Receptor gene (VDR; 12q12‐14). Our aim was to assess their contribution to TIDM genetic susceptibility in the Romanian population. We typed CTLA‐4 49 A/G and VDR FokI (F/f), ApaI (A/a) and TaqI (T/t) polymorphisms by Sequence Specific Primer PCR (SSP‐PCR) in 204 Romanian diabetic families (756 individuals: 212 TIDM probands and 544 unaffected parents and siblings). We studied alleles transmission using the Transmission Disequilibrium Test (TDT). We found an increased transmission of CTLA‐4 49G allele to diabetics (54.8%, p=0.11). The transmission of F (56.1%, p=0.063), a (55.7%, p=0.061) and T (51.8%, p=0.37) alleles of VDR gene to diabetics was increased but did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion we found the same increased transmission of CTLA‐4 49 G allele to diabetics as previously reported. VDR FoqI F allele seems to be predisposing while TaqI T allele seems to be protective.

In an attempt to understand the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation in light chain amyloidosis, the properties of amyloidogenic (SMA) and benign (LEN) immunoglobulin light chain variable domains (VL) were compared. The conformations of LEN and SMA were measured using secondary and tertiary structural probes over the pH range from 2 and 8. At all pH values, LEN was more stable than SMA. The CD spectra of LEN at pH 2 were comparable to those of SMA at pH 7.5, indicating that the low pH conformation of LEN closely resembles that of SMA at physiological pH. At low pH, a relatively unfolded intermediate conformation is populated for SMA and rapidly leads to amyloid fibrils. The lack of such an intermediate with LEN, is attributed to sequence differences and accounts for the lack of LEN fibrils in the absence of agitation. A kappa IV-specific monoclonal antibody that recognizes the N-terminal of SMA caused unraveling of the fibrils to the protofilaments and was observed to bind to one end of SMA protofilaments by atomic force microscopy. The antibody result indicates that each protofilament is asymmetric with different ends. A model for the formation of fibrils by SMA is proposed.

The aberrant right subclavian artery or the aberrant right subclavian artery syndrome is a rare anatomical variant of the right subclavian artery origin but it is the most common form of congenital anomaly of the aortic arch. The normal or abnormal appearance of the aortic arch can be explained by the regression or the persistence of one or other of the two embryonic aortic arches. The regression of the right aortic arch after the origin of the right subclavian artery will result in a normal aspect of left aortic arch with normal vascular anatomy. While the right ductus arteriosus is regressing, the left one persists. This anomaly is apparently found in the general population in approximately 0.5-1.4% of the cases and in approximately 3% of cases with congenital heart malformations. The present review is focus on the prevalence of aberrant right subclavian artery in Down syndrome. Until present it is known that ultrasound evaluation in the screening programs for Down syndrome is of uncertain value and studies on larger number of cases are reconsidered. In addition we suggest that the echocardiographic examination in the first and second trimesters should be included as a first step of the diagnosis in such congenital anomalies.

The dynamics of mechanisms associated with the ionization of inner-shell electrons in relativistic collisions involving heavy and highly-charged ions is investigated within a nonperturbative approach formulated explicitly in the time domain. The theoretical treatment is based on the exact numerical solution of the time dependent Dirac equation for two Coulomb centers on a lattice in momentum space. We present results for ionization in encounters between 100 MeV/u Au79+ projectile ions impinging on a hydrogen-like uranium target. By directly visualizing the collision dynamics we identify a new ionization mechanism in which electrons are emitted from the internuclear region preferentially in the transverse direction with respect to the projectile trajectory. A striking characteristic of this ionization mechanism is that the velocity of the electron is higher than the projectile velocity.