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A woman in her 20s presented to dermatology clinic with a four year history of a mildly itchy hypopigmented patch in her natal cleft, and similar itchy lesions that had gradually appeared on the back of both knees over the past six months (fig 1, fig 2). The lesions ranged from white to brown. Fig 1 Hypopigmented atrophic plaques in upper part of natal cleft Fig 2 Hypopigmented atrophic plaques in popliteal fossae Treatment with topical antifungal creams for suspected candidal intertrigo was unsuccessful. Cutaneous examination revealed multiple ill defined hypopigmented plaques in the upper part of the natal cleft and both popliteal fossae. On close inspection, the affected skin showed fine wrinkling and increased translucency (not clear in the figure) …

Objectives The present narrative review was focused on the optical properties, surface treatment, adhesion, and clinical indications of zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramics (ZLS) for Computer-aided design / Computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technologies. Data/Sources A literature search was performed by 3 calibrated independent researchers on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, Dynamed, and Open Grey. The criteria for inclusion were: 1) papers addressing at least one of the following variables about ZLS: optical properties, surface treatment, adhesion, and clinical indications; 2) in vitro, in silico, or in vivo studies; 3) case reports; 4) systematic reviews. The exclusion criteria were: 1) animal studies; 2) non-dental studies; 3) studies only focusing on ZLS used in the heat-pressed process. Study Selection 98 records among in vitro studies and case reports were included. Conclusions Despite the promising microstructure characteristics of ZLS, increased translucency compared to lithium disilicate ceramics (LS2) was not proven, but acceptable color changes and stability were reported. Mechanical polishing was the most effective method to reduce surface roughness. Moreover, machinability and handling of ZLS resulted harder than LS2. Conventional acid etching procedures seemed effective in conditioning ZLS surface, but no protocol has been established yet. Besides, silane-coupling and dual-curing resin cements were recommended. Clinical Significance ZLSs can be used for anterior and posterior fixed single-unit CAD/CAM restorations onto both natural teeth and implants, but do not seem to represent a viable treatment option for endocrowns onto posterior teeth or fixed dental prostheses.

This study evaluated the masking ability of different porcelain thicknesses and combination of enamel and/or dentin porcelain layers over simulated background dental substrates with higher (A2) and lower (C4) color values. Combination of the enamel (E) and dentin (D) monolayer porcelain disks with different thicknesses (0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, and 1 mm) resulted in the following bilayer groups (n=10): D1E1, D1E0.8; D1E0.5; D0.8E0.8; D0.8E0.5, and D0.5E0.5. CIELAB color coordinates were measured with a spectrophotometer. The translucency parameter of mono and bilayer specimens and the masking ability estimated by color variation (ΔE*ab) of bilayer specimens over simulated dental substrates were evaluated. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate the relationships translucency parameter × ΔE*, translucency parameter × porcelain thickness, and ΔE* × porcelain thickness. Data were analyzed statistically (α= 0.05). Thinner porcelain disks were associated with higher translucency. Porcelain monolayers were considerably more translucent than bilayers (enamel + dentin). Dentin porcelain was less translucent than enamel porcelain with same thickness. ΔE* was always lower when measured over A2 background. Higher ΔE* was observed for the C4 background, indicating poorer masking ability. Increased ΔE* was significantly associated with increased translucency for both backgrounds. Decreased translucency and ΔE* were associated with increased total porcelain thickness or increased dentin thickness for both backgrounds. In conclusion, increased porcelain thickness (particularly increased dentin layer) and increased porcelain opacity resulted in better masking ability of the dental backgrounds.

Goldfish eggs retained in the ovarian cavity become overripe within 24 h after ovulation. Three stages of an overripening process could be identified. The overripe egg is characterized by increased translucency, movement of cytoplasm with cortical alveoli and unfused oil droplets to the animal pole, partial breakdown of the cortical alveoli, and finally the intermingling of these cell components with yolk granules in later stages. It is also larger than the newly ovulated egg and its chorion is thinner with surface modifications involving the recessing or disappearance of the pore plugs.

Swyer-James syndrome is an uncommon disease with unknown aetiology. It is generally discovered on a chest radiograph as increased translucency involving one hemithorax because of diminished vascular markings. Pulmonary vascularization on the affected side is greatly reduced leading to radiological translucency. Myocardial bridging describes an angiographic entity, which is any degree of systolic narrowing of a coronary artery observed in at least one angiographic projection. It is a congenital anomaly of the coronary artery and may occur in 5-12% of the human population. We report a patient suffering from chest tightness and with diagnosed Swyer-James syndrome also having myocardial bridge. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Although the glass-ionomer cements were developed in the 1970s, it is only recently that their clinical use has expanded internationally. Improvements in formulation have resulted in better mechanical strengths, increased translucency and, more importantly, faster setting times. Their use as ‘dentine substitutes’ has expanded the versatility of laminate restorations in anterior and posterior teeth and the introduction of the silver-cermet ionomers provided materials with increased abrasion resistance. Glass-ionomer cements have a number of unique properties, including adhesion to moist tooth structure, biological compatibility, and anticariogenic properties due to their fluoride release. One of their major roles is the treatment of early carious lesions using microcavity preparation. However, like all materials, glass-ionomer cements have their weaknesses, the prime ones being lack of toughness, early water sensitivity, and porosity leading to poor surface polish. Future research should concentrate on correcting these deficiencies.

Cystic testicular tubular dilatation was seen in ducklings fed a ration containing furazolidone at 250, 400, 550, or 700 ppm for 28 days. Gross evidence of cystic testicular dilatation was observed at necropsy in 16% (32/203) of the ducklings that survived to the end of the study. Gross testicular lesions consisted of various degrees of enlargement with increased translucency in moderately to severely enlarged testicles. Histological evidence of cystic testicular dilatation was present in 45% (41/91) of the testicles examined. Histologically, the tubules were in various states of dilatation with attenuation of the seminiferous epithelium proportional to the severity of dilatation. In the most severely affected testicles, tubules were greatly dilated, distorted, and fluid-filled, with extensively flattened epithelium visible on the inner margin of the tubule as a thin rim of cytoplasm with a protuberant nucleus. Interstitial tissues were compressed to thin septa between the dilated tubules.

As a result of serial examinations of two patients with leiomyosarcoma of the stomach, it is felt that the gastroscopic picture at times may be distinctive enough to warrant inclusion of this tumor among the gastroscopically diagnosable diseases. The present findings were those of malignant intramural infiltration with prominent smooth non-ulcerated hemispheric nodules, and increased translucency of the overlying mucosa. The gastroscopic findings may return to normal temporarily following supervoltage roentgen therapy.

An intraperitoneal tumor which on a radiograph produces an increased translucency instead of a density is highly suggestive of a dermoid cyst. This becomes definite if the tumor wall itself is visualized. These findings will not be noted on an ordinary ovarian cyst or uterine fibroid. Differential diagnosis from lipoma and “gas filled ovarian cyst” is discussed.

Involutional ptosis is a ptosis of varying degree. There is good levator function with a high lid fold and increased lid excursion on downgaze. There may be increased translucency of the upper lid. We reviewed all adult ptosis cases over the past three years at Sydney Eye Hospital and found 20 cases to have aponeurotic defects such as a dehiscence or disinsertion. Ninety percent of our cases had a positive 10% phenylephrine test. We recommend that all operations be done under local anaesthesia without adrenaline, overcorrecting by 1-2 mm at the time of surgery.

The occurrence of discrete gray areas, often called plaques, in the sclera just in front of the medial and lateral recti is a common finding in old age. If these areas are excised together with a rim of normal sclera and held before a light, they show increased translucency. They are not pigmented and are not plaques in the usual sense of the word. Their gray color is due to enhanced visibility of the uveal pigment, but occasionally they do contain calcific plaques. Since these focal spots are not known to have clinical significance, they have not attracted much attention and are poorly described in current textbooks and most reviews. The scanty literature up to 1945 was collected by Roper 1 in an article which incidentally presents the best clinical illustrations of the entity in the literature. That article emphasizes the association of the spots with age and points up