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[The value of total contact casting in treatment of neuropathic foot ulcers in diabetic patients].

Neuropathic foot ulcers in diabetic patients pose great difficulties in treatment. Total contact casting is one of the available methods. It is thought to distribute the pressure evenly over the entire surface of the foot. The purpose of the study was the evaluation of the total contact casting as a method of treatment of neuropathic foot ulcers in diabetic patients. Ten diabetic patients with neuropathic foot ulcers were treated with total contact casting. The inclusion criteria were good arterial blood supply and the absence of bone, joints or surrounding soft tissue infection. The mean area of the ulcers was 1.9 cm2 (1.3-3.6 cm2). The average duration of the ulcer prior to commencement of the treatment was 10 months. Total contact cast was applied after thorough surgical debridement and covering of the ulcer with occlusive dressing. The casts were changed every six to ten days. The ulcers healed in 9 out of 10 treated patients. The healing time averaged two months. In one patient development of soft tissue infection necessitated discontinuation of the treatment and performing open ray amputation. In four patients superficial ulcerations of the skin of the dorsal aspect of the toes developed. They resulted in prolonged duration of the treatment. Total contact casting in adequately qualified and reliable patients is safe and effective method of treatment of neuropathic foot ulcers in diabetes.

Casts, Surgical↗

Femoral-shaft fractures in children: a comparison of immediate casting and traction.

Two hundred fifty-three femoral-shaft fractures in 246 pediatric patients treated between 1976 and 1986 were retrospectively reviewed, and 186 fractures in 181 patients were available for demographic review. Fifty-nine patients underwent spica casting within 48 h of injury, whereas 127 were placed in traction and underwent delayed casting (>48 h from injury). Fifty-five patients in the traction group and 33 in the immediate-casting group were locatable for long-term follow-up of 8.9 years average (range, 4-20 years). There was no clinically significant difference in limb-length inequalities, or rotational or angular deformities between the two groups at initial casting or at final follow-up. Hospital stay averaged 17.3 days in the traction group and 2.2 days in the immediate-casting group (p < 0.001). Total estimated charges, at current rates, demonstrated an 83% greater patient charge in the traction group than in the immediate-casting group.

Adolescent↗

Effect of selected physical properties of waxes on investments and casting shrinkage.

This study evaluated the relationship between flow characteristics, bending strength, and softening temperature of paraffin and dental inlay waxes to casting shrinkage when patterns were invested with a phosphate-bonded investment. This study found that the casting shrinkage decreased as the flow of the wax pattern increased. If a low flow wax is used or if there is a need for a thick pattern, the size of the casting ring should be increased. When wax patterns are formed for cast restorations, it is important to select the type of wax with the most desirable properties for the margin and the occlusal portions. Moreover, to accurately fabricate castings, it is necessary to understand the physical properties of the chosen waxes.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Stabilization investment template for direct casting connection of implant framework segments.

This article presents a procedure whereby a template made of casting investment is used to stabilize a sectioned implant framework that has been adapted in a passive relationship to the implant analogs in a corrected master cast. The joints in the sectioned framework are filled with wax, sprues attached, and the template and sectioned framework are invested in a casting ring. When the casting procedure is completed, the framework will be reconnected by direct metal casting.

Dental Casting Investment↗

The effect of storage time of removable partial denture wax pattern on the accuracy of fit of the cast framework.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Situations may arise in dental laboratories that could result in a time lapse between preparing the wax pattern of the removable partial denture framework and its casting into the cobalt-chromium alloy. PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of storage time of the wax pattern before casting and the influence of the palatal major connector design on the accuracy of its fit on the master casts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two frameworks were prepared with two designs of major connectors, which were divided into three subgroups according to the storage time of the wax patterns: 24 hours, 1 week, and 1 month. Discrepancies in the fit of the connectors to their respective casts were measured at specific locations for both connector designs. RESULTS: In both framework design groups, there was a significant deterioration in fit (p < 0.0005) of the major connectors with the increase in storage time of their wax patterns on their respective refractory casts. Gap discrepancies were more pronounced towards the center of the palate. CONCLUSIONS: The greatest discrepancies appeared at the middle sections of the connectors more than at the lateral section (p < 0.0005). Furthermore, frameworks with modified palatal plate major connectors exhibited greater inaccuracies in their fit than those with the anterior posterior palatal strap design, as evidenced by the increase in mean gap discrepancies under the palatal plate design (p < 0.0005).

Analysis of Variance↗

Bronchial casts in children with cardiopathies: the role of pulmonary lymphatic abnormalities.

Expectoration of bronchial casts, a condition also called plastic bronchitis, is very rare in children. Bronchial casts may be associated with bronchopulmonary diseases associated with mucus hypersecretion, bronchopulmonary bacterial infections, congenital and acquired cardiopathies, or pulmonary lymphatic abnormalities. A classification based on anatomy and pathology has been proposed which identifies an "acellular" group associated with congenital cardiopathies and palliative surgery. We report on 3 cases with bronchial casts associated with cardiopathy. Observations suggest that the formation of bronchial casts may result from lymphatic leakage into the bronchi. The 3 cases on which we report were immunodeficient and had pulmonary lymphatic abnormalities. The bronchial casts contained lymphocytes and lipids, as determined by histologic examination. In the absence of congenital pulmonary or diffuse lymphatic dysplasia associated with cardiopathy, the principal factors resulting in the formation of bronchial casts appear to be surgical trauma to the lymphatic channels surrounding the bronchi, pleural adhesions, and high systemic venous blood pressure. The prognosis for these patients is poor, and possibilities for treatment are limited.

Bronchial Diseases↗

Digital dermatoglyphics of three caste groups of Mysore.

An analysis of digital pattern types and digital ridge counts was made for samples of three endogamous Mysore castes, viz., Lingayat, Vokkaliga and Adi Karnataka. The pattern types exhibit significant variations between Lingayat and Vokkaliga, and between Adi Karnataka and Vokkaliga, though, in general, distributional trend of the three principal pattern types are of the same order in all the three castes, having high frequency of loops, moderate whorls and low arches. In pattern types, differences between sexes are highly significant. The total ridge count (TRC) in both males and females is lower in the Adi Karnataka than in the Lingayat and Vokkaliga and the same holds good for the counts on each hand. Bimanual differences among the groups are small, and left hand counts in almost all the digits are consistently smaller than those of the right hand in all the castes irrespective of sex. TRC differences between sexes are not significant. It is striking that by contrast with the pattern type frequency data very little difference among the three Mysore castes emerges from the analysis of finger quantitative features, i.e., in total ridge count and pattern intensity index. Overall finger pattern frequencies of the present caste samples fit generally with those observed in other caste groups of Mysore but differ from the frequencies in Madras samples.

Adolescent↗

Active zone protein CAST is a component of conventional and ribbon synapses in mouse retina.

CAST is a novel cytomatrix at the active zone (CAZ)-associated protein. In conventional brain synapses, CAST forms a large molecular complex with other CAZ proteins, including RIM, Munc13-1, Bassoon, and Piccolo. Here we investigated the distribution of CAST and its structurally related protein, ELKS, in mouse retina. Immunofluorescence analyses revealed that CAST and ELKS showed punctate signals in the outer and inner plexiform layers of the retina that were well-colocalized with those of Bassoon and RIM. Both proteins were found presynaptically at glutamatergic ribbon synapses, and at conventional GABAergic and glycinergic synapses. Moreover, immunoelectron microscopy revealed that CAST, like Bassoon and RIM, localized at the base of synaptic ribbons, whereas ELKS localized around the ribbons. Both proteins also localized in the vicinity of the presynaptic plasma membrane of conventional synapses in the retina. These results indicated that CAST and ELKS were novel components of the presynaptic apparatus of mouse retina.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Casting properties of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy.

A Ni-45 wt% Ti (Ni-50 at % Ti) alloy was cast into molds of magnesia and silica investments by use of a dental argon-arc pressure casting machine with a copper crucible . The castings exhibited shape memory properties. The shape recovery process was sharper in the specimens cast in magnesia investment molds than in those cast in silica (phosphate-bonded) investment molds. The latter casting had a hard region of the periphery, suggesting that shape recovery process may be affected by reaction of molten metal with silica. Furthermore, the alloy possessed the adequate mechanical properties for consideration as crown-and-bridge prostheses.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Corrosion behavior of cast Ti-6Al-4V alloyed with Cu.

It has recently been found that alloying with copper improved the inherently poor grindability and wear resistance of titanium. This study characterized the corrosion behavior of cast Ti-6Al-4V alloyed with copper. Alloys (0.9 or 3.5 mass % Cu) were cast with the use of a magnesia-based investment in a centrifugal casting machine. Three specimen surfaces were tested: ground, sandblasted, and as cast. Commercially pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V served as controls. Open-circuit potential measurement, linear polarization, and potentiodynamic cathodic polarization were performed in aerated (air + 10% CO(2)) modified Tani-Zucchi synthetic saliva at 37 degrees C. Potentiodynamic anodic polarization was conducted in the same medium deaerated by N(2) + 10% CO(2). Polarization resistance (R(p)), Tafel slopes, and corrosion current density (I(corr)) were determined. A passive region occurred for the alloy specimens with ground and sandblasted surfaces, as for CP Ti. However, no passivation was observed on the as-cast alloys or on CP Ti. There were significant differences among all metals tested for R(p) and I(corr) and significantly higher R(p) and lower I(corr) values for CP Ti compared to Ti-6Al-4V or the alloys with Cu. Alloying up to 3.5 mass % Cu to Ti-6Al-4V did not change the corrosion behavior. Specimens with ground or sandblasted surfaces were superior to specimens with as-cast surfaces.

Alloys↗

Microvascular casting of the lung: effects of various fixation protocols.

Although techniques for preparing specimens for light and electron microscopy are well established, few studies have sought to establish methods for corrosion casting of the microscopic vessels of the lung. The effects of two concentrations of glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, and no fixative (saline control) on the filling and structure of the microvascular casts of the lung were studied. All fixatives were infused 5 minutes before casting. Formaldehyde's fixation effects were intermediate between those of glutaraldehyde and no fixation. Leakage of casting material was increased in the animals that were fixed less. Digestion time was prolonged and more undigested tissue was found in the group receiving the concentrated glutaraldehyde, although the difference in neither of these features alone reached statistical significance. Circumferential bands occurred more frequently in the large vessel casts of the less fixed animals, which may account for the less filling microvasculature in these lungs. However, good quality casts were obtained with each method.

Animals↗

Biochemical changes in articular cartilage after joint immobilization by casting or external fixation.

Knees of mature dogs were immobilized for 6 weeks by long-leg casts allowing 8 degrees-15 degrees of motion, a model studied by others, or with external fixators, a new, more severe model that kept the joints rigid. Some animals were allowed to recover for 1 week after the immobilization period. Articular cartilage was examined histologically and biochemically. After 6 weeks of immobilization, water increased 7% in both casted and fixator-immobilized joints compared with normal knee cartilage, while hexuronic acid was 23 and 28% lower, respectively. The limited motion permitted by the casts resulted in a smaller depression of proteoglycan synthesis and less proteoglycan loss during immobilization than occurred in the rigid external fixator group. The protective effect of limited motion was shown clearly during the recovery period: as measured by hexuronic acid content, cartilage from the casted joints had almost recovered within 1 week, whereas the external fixator group experienced little or no recovery during the week after treatment. In contrast to previous studies by others with casted joints, both newly synthesized [35S]sulfate-labeled and accumulated unlabeled proteoglycans from both casted and fixator-immobilized cartilages were able to form complexes with exogenous hyaluronic acid to the same extent as those from control cartilage. Thus, in immobilized cartilage, failure of the newly synthesized proteoglycan to bind to hyaluronate is not a mechanism of accelerated proteoglycan loss. The accelerated proteoglycan turnover appears to be caused by a combination of decreased synthesis and increased proteolysis of the secreted proteoglycans.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Treatment of cast bronchitis with low-dose oral azithromycin.

Cast or plastic bronchitis is an unusual disorder that is rarely encountered in the pediatric population. It is characterized by the expectoration of large, branching plugs of airway debris. These "casts" conform to the shape of portions of the tracheobronchial tree, and give the disorder its name. Cast bronchitis is typically seen in association with several primary pulmonary disorders and cyanotic congenital heart disease. It can be classified as inflammatory or acellular, based on the histologic characteristics of the casts. The presence of large, obstructive plugs filling the airways of lobes or entire lungs can result in a variety of clinical signs and symptoms, and may ultimately lead to respiratory failure and death. Conventional treatment of cast bronchitis has focused on the clearance of obstructing material from the airways combined with therapy for any underlying cardiopulmonary disease. Unfortunately, this approach has not proven very effective, and patient mortality remains high. We report on a case in which a patient with cast bronchitis was treated with long-term, low-dose oral azithromycin. This therapy resulted in clinical, spirometric, and radiographic improvement of the patient.

Adolescent↗

Accuracy of biplane axial oblique and oblique cineangiographic left ventricular cast volume determinations using a modification of Simpson's rule algorithm.

In order to compare biplane left ventricular cast volume determinations from orthogonal and nonorthogonal axial oblique and standard orthogonal oblique cineangiograms to those that were obtained by water (H2O) displacement, we evaluated 14 human heart specimens in the following projections: 30-degree right anterior oblique and 60-degree left anterior oblique/20-degree cranial (LVa), 45-degree left posterior oblique and 60-degree left anterior oblique/30-degree cranial (LVb), and 30-degree right anterior oblique and 60-degree left anterior oblique (LVc). The correlation coefficients and standard errors of the estimate (SEEs) for the biplane orthogonal and nonorthogonal axial oblique (LVa and LVb, respectively) and standard orthogonal oblique (LVc) cineangiographic left ventricular volume determinations compared with the left ventricular cast volumes obtained by H2O displacement were similar (each r = 0.99 with SEEs = 5 to 7 milliliters (ml)). However, the mean biplane cineangiographic cast volume of 69 +/- 43 ml (SD) by LVa exceeded the average left ventricular cast volume of 60 +/- 35 ml by H2O displacement (p less than 0.01), while the average left ventricular cast volumes obtained with LVb and LVc (63 +/- 35, and 60 +/- 34 ml, respectively) did not differ significantly from the mean left ventricular cast volume obtained by H2O displacement. We concluded that the biplane orthogonal and nonorthogonal axial oblique cineangiographic views of the left ventricle, which have been reported to improve the delineation of cardiac anatomy, left ventricular regional wall motion, and the assessment of mitral regurgitation, also provide accurate determinations of left ventricular volume that are similar to those calculated from standard biplane orthogonal oblique cineangiograms.

Cineangiography↗

Beta-blocker therapy in the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial. CAST Investigators.

The Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST) showed antiarrhythmic drug suppression of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias in survivors of myocardial infarction to be harmful. This study retrospectively searched the CAST results for evidence of mortality and morbidity reduction in patients receiving optional beta-blocker therapy. All enrolled (n = 2,611) and suppressed main study (n = 1,735) CAST patients with an ejection fraction of < or = 40% were examined using univariate analysis, Kaplan-Meier curves, and a Cox proportional-hazards multivariate analysis with respect to optional beta-blocker therapy prescribed at baseline. CAST patients receiving beta-blocker therapy had significantly enhanced survival at 30 days, and at 1 and 2 years of follow-up against all-cause and arrhythmic death or nonfatal cardiac arrest. Multivariate analysis showed beta-blocker therapy to be independently associated with a one-third reduction in arrhythmic death or cardiac arrest (p = 0.036). In CAST patients with a history of congestive heart failure, beta-blocker therapy was independently associated with longer time to occurrence of new or worsened congestive heart failure (p = 0.015). This study supports the secondary preventive benefit of beta-blocker therapy in high-risk post-myocardial infarction patients, and calls attention to the possible preventive benefit of beta-blocker therapy against proarrhythmic events experienced in the CAST.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

A method for determining adequate resistance form of complete cast crown preparations.

A diagram with various degrees of occlusal convergence, which takes into consideration the length and diameter of complete crown preparations, was designed as a guide to assist the dentist to obtain adequate resistance form. To test the validity of the diagram, five groups of complete cast crown stainless steel dies were prepared (3.5 mm long, occlusal convergence 10, 13, 16, 19, and 22 degrees). Gold copings were cast for each of the 50 preparations. Displacement force was applied to the casting perpendicularly to a simulated 30-degree cuspal incline until the casting was displaced. Castings were deformed at margins except for the 22-degree group. Castings from this group were displaced without deformation, and it was concluded that there was a lack of adequate resistance form as predicted by the diagram. The hypothesis that the diagram could be used to predict adequate or inadequate resistance form was confirmed by this study.

Crowns↗

Cast connectors as cores for ceramometal pontics on removable partial dentures and for splinting anterior crowns.

A cast connector is a solderless union between two metal components, an alternative to soldering. Cast connectors depend upon mechanical retention for their strength and integrity and are mostly used in repairing or adding to prostheses cast in base metal alloys. Two techniques using cast connectors are described. One is for a removable partial denture that requires the replacement of an anterior tooth or teeth incorporating diastemas or unusual surface anatomy and color variations. Stock denture teeth may not adequately replicate such teeth. A solution to the problem is to extend a porcelain-compatible base metal cast connector from the removable partial denture framework onto the pontic site. A ceramometal pontic reproducing the unusual characteristics of the natural teeth may then be placed by vacuum-firing porcelain directly onto the framework. A second technique is described whereby multiple ceramometal anterior crowns may be splinted together by creating interproximal retentive zones in the frameworks, casting connectors into the retentive zones, and proceeding with porcelain application.

Acrylic Resins↗

Capillary diameter and geometry in cardiac and skeletal muscle studied by means of corrosion casts.

Studies of microvascular geometry made from microscope observations of tissues in vivo or after perfusion with a silastic elastomer or india ink are restricted to a two-dimensional field of view. Microvascular corrosion casts, however, if of sufficient rigidity and structural integrity, can yield three-dimensional information when examined under the scanning electron microscope. We have used modified Batson's No. 17 anatomical casting compound (having a shrinkage less than 1% on setting) to prepare casts of the microvasculature of the heart and skeletal muscles in anesthetized rats. In casts from the L. ventricle the capillary network appeared to parallel the arrangement of the muscle fibers, but showed many capillary loops and anastomoses. In skeletal muscles (gastrocnemius and gracilis) held at full extension, in situ, the casts showed long straight capillaries with fewer branchings than in the heart. In shortened skeletal muscle the capillaries exhibited an undulatory configuration. Capillary diameters (mean +/- SD) were 5.14 +/- 1.42 micrometers (N = 202), 5.04 +/- 1.45 micrometers (N = 294) and 4.84 +/- 1.97 micrometers (N = 335) in L. ventricle, gastrocnemius, and gracilis muscles (both shortened), respectively. The mean values for capillary diameter in these three tissues did not differ significantly. Combining our data with those of L. Henquell, P. L. LaCelle, and C. R. Honig on erythrocyte deformability in the rat (Microvasc. Res. 12, 259-274 (1976)) suggests that even when the capillary bed is fully distended the smallest capillaries, amounting to 1-2% of the total number, must be channels for plasma flow alone. In cross-sectional views of the casts from contracted skeletal muscle the capillaries appeared to form a tightly meshed network of convoluted vessels around the fibers, such that in some regions a large fraction of the surface of each fiber was in contact with blood. The Krogh cylinder geometry appears not to be appropriate for modeling O2 transport in maximally shortened skeletal muscle; a more appropriate model may be that of a cylindrical muscle fiber supplied, at any point down its length, by a uniform peripheral O2 supply.

Animals↗