BackgroundHTLV-I associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) carries a dismal prognosis due to chemo-resistance and immuno-compromised micro-environment. The combination of zidovudine and interferon-alpha (IFN) significantly improved survival in ATL. Promising results were reported by adding arsenic trioxide to zidovudine and IFN.ResultsHere we assessed Th1/Th2/Treg cytokine gene expression profiles in 16 ATL patients before and 30 days after treatment with arsenic/IFN/zidovudine, in comparison with HTLV-I healthy carriers and sero-negative blood donors. ATL patients at diagnosis displayed a Treg/Th2 cytokine profile with significantly elevated transcript levels of Foxp3, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and IL-4 and had a reduced Th1 profile evidenced by decreased transcript levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IL-2. Most patients (15/16) responded, with CD4+CD25+ cells significantly decreasing after therapy, paralleled by decreases in Foxp3 transcript. Importantly, arsenic/IFN/zidovudine therapy sharply diminished IL-10 transcript and serum levels concomittant with decrease in IL-4 and increases in IFN-γ and IL-2 mRNA, whether or not values were adjusted to the percentage of CD4+CD25+ cells. Finally, IL-10 transcript level negatively correlated with clinical response at Day 30.ConclusionsThe observed shift from a Treg/Th2 phenotype before treatment toward a Th1 phenotype after treatment with arsenic/IFN/zidovudine may play an important role in restoring an immuno-competent micro-environment, which enhances the eradication of ATL cells and the prevention of opportunistic infections.

No abstract

AimThis study was carried out to assess the reliability of measurements of the remaining dentin thickness under deep carious lesions as estimated from digital radiographs. The goal is to allow clinicians to correlate the radiographic measurement to the exact value of the remaining dentin thickness. The results obtained will be tested further in a study that will evaluate the histopathologic pulpal state according to the caries’ lesion depth.Materials and methodsThe study was conducted in the Pediatric Dentistry Department at the Lebanese University, in collaboration with the research platform of the same university. Fifty deciduous molars with deep caries on proximal surfaces liable to extraction were collected. Before extraction, a digital in vivo periapical radiograph was taken, followed by manual excavation of the caries. After excavation, another radiograph was taken before the tooth was sectioned through the deepest site of the lesion. Another radiograph was then obtained for each tooth fragment. To evaluate the exact thickness of the remaining dentin, each fragment was measured on a histologic macropho-tograph. The measurements were then compared statistically using a paired-samples t-test, and a correlation was sought.ResultsNo significant difference was observed in the radiographs between the measurement of the remaining dentin thickness before and after the excavation of caries. In contrast, the radiographic measurements of remaining dentin thickness were underestimated by an average of 20% compared with those made with macrophotographs.LimitationsInterpretation of radiographs varies from one practitioner to another and is a function of the operator’s visual acuity.ConclusionMeasuring the residual dentin thickness on a radiograph underestimates the actual thickness by about 20%. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.Clinical significanceOur results indicate that remaining dentin thickness is greater in reality than is shown on a radiograph. This information can help clinicians to refine their diagnoses and treatment plans.How to cite this article: Berbari R, Khairallah A, Kazan HF, Ezzedine M, Bandon D, Sfeir E. Measurement Reliability of the Remaining Dentin Thickness below Deep Carious Lesions in Primary Molars. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2018;11(1):23-28.

The study records the exposition of 37% of 421 patients to C. burnetii distributed in five Lebanese provinces with the highest seroprevalence in Bekaa and Akkar provinces and the lowest reported in Mount Lebanon. This difference may be due to the presence of high density of livestock production and of major agricultural areas in these two provinces.

The combination of arsenic, interferonalpha, and zidovudine restores an "immunocompetent-like" microenvironment in patients with adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma. Retrovirology 2014 11(Suppl 1):O4.