The nucleus of epidermal keratinocytes (KCs) is a complex and highly compartmentalized organelle, whose structure is markedly changed during terminal differentiation and transition of the genome from a transcriptionally active state seen in the basal and spinous epidermal cells to a fully inactive state in the keratinized cells of the cornified layer. Here, using multicolor confocal microscopy, followed by computational image analysis and mathematical modeling, we demonstrate that in normal mouse footpad epidermis, transition of KCs from basal epidermal layer to the granular layer is accompanied by marked differences in nuclear architecture and microenvironment including the following: (i) decrease in the nuclear volume; (ii) decrease in expression of the markers of transcriptionally active chromatin; (iii) internalization and decrease in the number of nucleoli; (iv) increase in the number of pericentromeric heterochromatic clusters; and (v) increase in the frequency of associations between the pericentromeric clusters, chromosomal territory 3, and nucleoli. These data suggest a role for nucleoli and pericentromeric heterochromatin clusters as organizers of nuclear microenvironment required for proper execution of gene expression programs in differentiating KCs, and provide important background information for further analyses of alterations in the topological genome organization seen in pathological skin conditions, including disorders of epidermal differentiation and epidermal tumors.

Previous studies have reported that the ageing method of Suchey-Brooks (pubic bone) and some of the features applied by Lovejoy et al. and Buckberry-Chamberlain (auricular surface) can be confidently performed on 3D visualizations from CT-scans. In this study, seven observers applied the Suchey-Brooks and the Buckberry-Chamberlain methods on 3D visualizations based on CT-scans and, for the first time, on 3D visualizations from laser scans. We examined how the bone features can be evaluated on 3D visualizations and whether the different modalities (direct observations of bones, 3D visualization from CT-scan and from laser scans) are alike to different observers. We found the best inter-observer agreement for the bones versus 3D visualizations, with the highest values for the auricular surface. Between the 3D modalities, less variability was obtained for the 3D laser visualizations. Fair inter-observer agreement was obtained in the evaluation of the pubic bone in all modalities. In 3D visualizations of the auricular surfaces, transverse organization and apical changes could be evaluated, although with high inter-observer variability; micro-, macroporosity and surface texture were very difficult to score. In conclusion, these methods were developed for dry bones, where they perform best. The Suchey-Brooks method can be applied on 3D visualizations from CT or laser, but with less accuracy than on dry bone. The Buckberry-Chamberlain method should be modified before application on 3D visualizations. Future investigation should focus on a different approach and different features: 3D laser scans could be analyzed with mathematical approaches and sub-surface features should be explored on CT-scans.

INTRODUÇÃO: Na restrição de crescimento intrauterino, a resposta adaptativa a hipóxia, com priorização do fluxo sanguíneo para órgãos nobres, causa vasoconstricção periférica, com aumento da resistência nas artérias renais. Com isso, o desenvolvimento renal é prejudicado e fetos restritos apresentam volumes renais menores. No entanto, a literatura é escassa em estudos que utilizem a ultrassonografia tridimensional na avaliação renal e não descreve a relação desse possível dano renal com desfechos neonatais adversos. Tal técnica tem sido utilizada para mensurar volumes de órgãos e quantificar fluxos sanguíneos de baixa resistência, podendo ser também aplicada para melhorar a avaliação do volume e vascularização renal na restrição de crescimento. OBJETIVOS: Comparar a razão entre o volume renal total e o peso fetal estimado (VRT/PFE) entre fetos com e sem restrição. Além disso, correlacionar o VRT/PFE com a dopplervelocimetria fetal e os índices de vascularização renal e avaliar a associação dos parâmetros renais com eventos neonatais adversos nos fetos restritos. MÉTODOS: O volume total e a vascularização renal de fetos restritos e normais foram avaliados pela ultrassonografia tridimensional e a técnica VOCAL. Os índices de vascularização renal foram corrigidos pela profundidade renal (IVcp, IVFcp and IFcp). Os testes t para amostras independentes e Mann-Whitney foram utilizados para a comparação entre os grupos. Modelos lineares generalizados foram aplicados para avaliar a associação entre as características renais e os eventos neonatais adversos. RESULTADOS: Setenta e um fetos restritos foram comparados a 194 fetos com crescimento normal. O VRT/PFE foi menor no grupo restrito (p < 0,001). Porém essa razão não se correlacionaou com os parâmetros dopplervelocimétricos, os índices vasculares renais ou qualquer evento neonatal adverso. CONCLUSÃO: A razão entre o volume renal total e o peso fetal estimado tende a diminuir na restrição de crescimento intrauterino / INTRODUCTION: In fetal growth restriction, the adaptive response to hypoxia, with prioritization of blood flow to noble organs, causes peripheral vasoconstriction, such as increased resistance in the renal arteries. Then, renal development is impaired and restricted fetuses have lower renal volumes. However, the literature is scarse in studies using three-dimensional ultrasound in renal assessment and does not describe the relationship of this potential renal damage with adverse neonatal outcomes. That technique has been used to mesure volumes and quantify blood flows of low resistance and could also be applied to improve the evaluation of renal volume and vascularization in fetal growth restriction. OBJECTIVES: To compare the ratio of total renal volume to estimated fetal weight (TRV/EFW) among fetuses with and without grown restriction. Fhurthermore, we aim to correlate TRV/EFW with fetal dopplervelocimetry and renal vascularization indexes and to evaluate the association of renal parameters with adverse neonatal events in restricted fetuses. METHODS: Total renal volume and renal vascularization of restricted and normal fetuses were evaluated by three-dimensional ultrasonography and the VOCAL technique. Renal vascularization indexes were corrected for renal depth (VIcd, VFIcd and FIcd). The t-tests for independent samples and Mann-Whitney test were used for comparisons between groups. Generalized linear models were applied to evaluate the association between renal characteristics and adverse neonatal events. RESULTS: Seventy-one restricted fetuses were compared to 194 normally growing fetuses. The TRV/EFW was lower in the restricted group (p < 0.001). However, this ratio did not correlate with Doppler velocimetric parameters, renal vascular indexes or any adverse neonatal events. CONCLUSION: The ratio of total renal volume to estimated fetal weight tends to decrease in intrauterine growth restriction

INTRODUÇÃO: Na restrição de crescimento intrauterino, a resposta adaptativa a hipóxia, com priorização do fluxo sanguíneo para órgãos nobres, causa vasoconstricção periférica, com aumento da resistência nas artérias renais. Com isso, o desenvolvimento renal é prejudicado e fetos restritos apresentam volumes renais menores. No entanto, a literatura é escassa em estudos que utilizem a ultrassonografia tridimensional na avaliação renal e não descreve a relação desse possível dano renal com desfechos neonatais adversos. Tal técnica tem sido utilizada para mensurar volumes de órgãos e quantificar fluxos sanguíneos de baixa resistência, podendo ser também aplicada para melhorar a avaliação do volume e vascularização renal na restrição de crescimento. OBJETIVOS: Comparar a razão entre o volume renal total e o peso fetal estimado (VRT/PFE) entre fetos com e sem restrição. Além disso, correlacionar o VRT/PFE com a dopplervelocimetria fetal e os índices de vascularização renal e avaliar a associação dos parâmetros renais com eventos neonatais adversos nos fetos restritos. MÉTODOS: O volume total e a vascularização renal de fetos restritos e normais foram avaliados pela ultrassonografia tridimensional e a técnica VOCAL. Os índices de vascularização renal foram corrigidos pela profundidade renal (IVcp, IVFcp and IFcp). Os testes t para amostras independentes e Mann-Whitney foram utilizados para a comparação entre os grupos. Modelos lineares generalizados foram aplicados para avaliar a associação entre as características renais e os eventos neonatais adversos. RESULTADOS: Setenta e um fetos restritos foram comparados a 194 fetos com crescimento normal. O VRT/PFE foi menor no grupo restrito (p < 0,001). Porém essa razão não se correlacionaou com os parâmetros dopplervelocimétricos, os índices vasculares renais ou qualquer evento neonatal adverso. CONCLUSÃO: A razão entre o volume renal total e o peso fetal estimado tende a diminuir na restrição de crescimento intrauterino / INTRODUCTION: In fetal growth restriction, the adaptive response to hypoxia, with prioritization of blood flow to noble organs, causes peripheral vasoconstriction, such as increased resistance in the renal arteries. Then, renal development is impaired and restricted fetuses have lower renal volumes. However, the literature is scarse in studies using three-dimensional ultrasound in renal assessment and does not describe the relationship of this potential renal damage with adverse neonatal outcomes. That technique has been used to mesure volumes and quantify blood flows of low resistance and could also be applied to improve the evaluation of renal volume and vascularization in fetal growth restriction. OBJECTIVES: To compare the ratio of total renal volume to estimated fetal weight (TRV/EFW) among fetuses with and without grown restriction. Fhurthermore, we aim to correlate TRV/EFW with fetal dopplervelocimetry and renal vascularization indexes and to evaluate the association of renal parameters with adverse neonatal events in restricted fetuses. METHODS: Total renal volume and renal vascularization of restricted and normal fetuses were evaluated by three-dimensional ultrasonography and the VOCAL technique. Renal vascularization indexes were corrected for renal depth (VIcd, VFIcd and FIcd). The t-tests for independent samples and Mann-Whitney test were used for comparisons between groups. Generalized linear models were applied to evaluate the association between renal characteristics and adverse neonatal events. RESULTS: Seventy-one restricted fetuses were compared to 194 normally growing fetuses. The TRV/EFW was lower in the restricted group (p < 0.001). However, this ratio did not correlate with Doppler velocimetric parameters, renal vascular indexes or any adverse neonatal events. CONCLUSION: The ratio of total renal volume to estimated fetal weight tends to decrease in intrauterine growth restriction

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Introduction: During root canal treatment (RCT), an opening is made through the crown of the tooth to access and to disinfect the root canal system (RCS). Traditional endodontic access (TEA) may sacrifice tooth structure and weaken the tooth. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides information about the exact location of the root canals. This information can be used for the design of a canal-directed endodontic access (CDEA). It may also be used for the 3D printing of an acrylic endodontic stent that could help to create a conservative CDEA. Objective: 1) Evaluate the ability of the Dolphin 3D imaging software to assist in creating a CDEA; 2) Compare tooth structure loss in a CDEA to that in a TEA by measuring the volume of remaining tooth structure, surface area of the access opening at the occlusal, and remaining dentin thickness at the CEJ. Materials and Methods: Thirty extracted human mandibular premolars were used. Teeth with large, wide canals were excluded. CBCT images will be taken for all teeth using Kodak 9000. Fifteen teeth were randomly assigned to the TEA group and 15 teeth were assigned to the CDEA group. The CDEA path was mapped using Dolphin 3D imaging software. Acrylic access stents were designed using Rhino 3D software and printed using a 3D printer. The teeth were accessed through the corresponding stents. The 15 teeth that are part of the traditional access group were accessed without a stent. A CBCT scan was taken post-access for all 30 teeth. Wilcoxon Rank Sum Tests were performed to compare the following outcomes for the two groups: the volume of remaining tooth structure, the surface area of the access opening at the occlusal, and remaining dentin thickness at the CEJ. Results: The remaining dentin thickness (percent loss) was not significantly larger for TEA than for CDEA. The surface area (post-treatment) was significantly larger for TEA than for CDEA, and volume (percent loss) was significantly larger for TEA than for CDEA. Conclusion: The use of the CBCT and Dolphin 3D imaging provided an accurate and more conservative CDEA with the guide of an acrylic stent.