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Purpose: The aim was to analyze the accuracy of digital models and 3D-printed casts from full-arch digital impressions using two intraoral scanners (iTeroTM and PrimescanTM). Materials and methods: A crossover reliability study was designed, scanning children and teenagers with iTeroTM and PrimescanTM. Accuracy was evaluated by measuring intercanine, intermolar, and ipsilateral canine–molar distances intraorally and comparing these measurements with those from plaster casts, digital models obtained with intraoral scanners, and 3D-printed casts. A paired comparison and a general linear model with a one-way repeated measures ANOVA procedure were carried out with a confidence level of 95% (p ≤ 0.05). Results: A total of 51 subjects were analyzed (mean age 12.35 ± 2.57). Statistical differences (p < 0.05) were found in the upper and lower arch regarding accuracy in comparison to intraoral measurements, except for the iTeroTM-printed cast and canine–molar upper right and intercanine lower distances (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Regarding a comparison between reproduction methods, the plaster cast oversized the intercanine upper distance in comparison with both intraoral scanners' digital models and the PrimescanTM-printed cast (p = 0.001), but there were no differences in the lower arch (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Conclusion: Intraoral scanners reproduce tooth structures with similar accuracy to conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of the study is to determine the impact of changing reference standards (RS), namely spirometry vs. whole-body plethysmography (WBP), on estimation of the diagnostic accuracy of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and clinical signs and symptoms (CSS) as index tests regarding asthma diagnosis., Study Design and Setting: This was a diagnostic study conducted in 393 patients attending a private practice of pneumologists with complaints suspicious of asthma. First, the index tests were compared with the diagnostic results of spirometry in terms of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1 ) responsiveness. Second, the index tests were compared with the results of WBP in terms of specific airway resistance and FEV 1 responsiveness. Areas under the curve (AUC) were compared with a generalized estimating equation approach based on binary logistic regression., Results: FeNO values and CSS 'wheezing' and 'allergic rhinitis' showed higher specificities (P < 0.001) and sensitivities (not significant) when evaluated with WBP; also, Youden indices increased in these CSS (P < 0.05). AUC of FeNO in combination with 'wheezing' and 'allergic rhinitis' when WBP was used as RS (AUC = 0.724; 95% confidence interval 0.672 to 0.776) was higher compared with spirometry as RS (AUC = 0.654; 95% confidence interval 0.585 to 0.722) (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: In case of asthma, superior RS led to more favorable assessment of index tests. FeNO measurement might have been underestimated in some previous studies., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: This study examines accuracy of dental impressions and following plaster models taken during treatment with fixed appliances., Materials and Methods: A maxillary typodont was provided with brackets. Three examiners took impressions three times each of the variants: brackets only, archwire fixed by alastics, ligatures or Kobayashi-hooks, and brackets and archwire covered completely or just on the gingival side by protection or impression wax. Casts were scanned using Activity102(®). Virtual models were compared to the scan of the typodont using Comparison(®). Differences were measured and descriptively analyzed. Estimated means with 95% confidence intervals were computed. Significance was assessed using linear mixed models., Results: While pyramidal reference blocks had a mean difference of 0.019 mm (95% CI = 0.017-0.021 mm) to the master model, teeth without attachments showed 0.097 mm (95% CI = 0.082-0.111 mm), and teeth with brackets 0.169 mm (95% CI = 0.156-0.182 mm) (p < 0.001). Smallest mean was found when using protection wax only on the gingival bracket side (0.152 mm (95% CI = 0.113-0.192 mm)). Incisors deviated most (0.258 mm (95 % CI = 0.239-0.277 mm))., Conclusions: Teeth with brackets make impressions more inaccurate because of undercuts. Removing the archwire before taking the impression or covering the brackets on the gingival side shows tendencies toward better precision., Clinical Relevance: Taking impressions during treatment with fixed appliances, some inaccuracy has to be taken into account.

The aim of this study was to examine the biochemical composition of pericardial effusions of different etiology and to evaluate the diagnostic utility of biochemical parameters and tumor markers to discriminate malignant from benign effusion. Pericardial and serum levels of biochemical parameters and tumor markers were compared in 105 patients who underwent pericardiocentesis and pericardioscopy with targeted epicardial biopsy. Etiologic diagnosis was based on pericardial fluid and epicardial biopsy analysis by cytology, histology, immunohistochemistry, microbiology and polymerase chain reaction. The total of 105 patients comprised 29 patients with malignant and 76 patients with non-malignant pericardial effusions (40 autoreactive, 28 viral, 5 postcardiotomy syndromes and 3 associated with systemic diseases). Malignant pericardial effusions had significantly higher pericardial fluid levels of the tumor markers CEA, CA 19-9, CA 72-4, SCC and NSE (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively) as well as higher pericardial fluid hemoglobin (p < 0.001), pericardial fluid white blood cells (p = 0.003), pericardial fluid LDH (p < 0.001) and ratio of pericardial to serum LDH levels compared to benign effusions. None of the biochemical or cell-count parameters tested proved to be accurate enough for distinguishing malignant from benign effusions. However, measurement of pericardial CA 72-4 levels offered a high diagnostic accuracy for malignancy, particularly in bloody pericardial effusions. None of the biochemical parameters tested was useful for the discrimination of malignant from benign effusions. However, measurement of pericardial CA 72-4 levels in bloody pericardial effusions yielded a high diagnostic accuracy and thus offers the potential as a diagnostic tool to distinguish between malignant and benign effusions.