THE COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE ABASHEVO BATTLE AXE FROM THE MALO-KIZILSKOE UNFORTIFIED SETTLEMENT

В статье представлены результаты комплексного исследования медного боевого топора абашевской культуры, происходящего с территории Мало-Кизильского селища. Топор исследовался методами нейтронной томографии и радиографии, электронной сканирующей микроскопии; публикуются результаты его исследования методом ОЭСА. В результате установлено, что топор отлит из мышьяковистой меди месторождения Таш-Казган; специального воздействия на процесс охлаждения отливки не зафиксировано, отливка выполнена качественно, вредное воздействие растворимых примесей снивелировано, в металле выявлен малый процент литейных дефектов (0,18 % от его общего объема). Все это позволяет предположить его использование в качестве оружия ближнего боя, о чем косвенно свидетельствует и характер травм, зафиксированных на черепах из Пепкинского кургана. Радиоуглеродная AMS-дата для коллективного захоронения из этого могильника позволяет отнести время распространения подобного оружия в Среднем Поволжье к периоду к концу III или рубежу III-II тыс. до н. э. The paper reports on the comprehensive study of a copper battle axe attributed to the Abashevo culture which was discovered at the Malo-Kizilskoe open settlement. The battle axe was examined by neutron tomography and radiographic analysis, and electron scanning microscopy methods; the paper provides results of its examination by optical emission spectrometry. The analysis established that the axe was cast from the copperarsenic ore coming from the Tash-Kazgan deposit; special treatment during the cast cooling was not recorded, casting is of good quality. Harmful effect of dissoluble impurities was reduced to minimum, the metal shows a small percentage of recorded casting defects (0,18 % of its total volume). All this suggests that it was used as a close combat weapon which is also indirectly confirmed by the nature of injuries documented on the skulls from the Pepkino kurgan. The radiocarbon AMS-date of the multiple grave in this kurgan enables the authors to date the period when such weapons were used in the Middle Volga region to the end of III mill. BC or the transitional period from III to II mill. BC.

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning for Dental Implants – A Review

Establishing and arriving at a diagnosis is the key to treatment planning and often practitioners tend to create a treatment plan overlooking the fundamental principles that must be taken into consideration prior to performing implant surgeries. The sequential process of clinical examination, laboratory tests, radiographic analysis, diagnostic protocols, casts wax ups, along with the treatment needs and desires of the patient have to be factored in for the overall diagnosis and prognosis of implant therapy. A step-by-step methodology has been created to help the implant practitioner with a checklist that aims to create the optimal treatment plan for each case.

Two-dimensional craniometry: morphometry and cephalometry

Over the last twenty years, bone research has raised interest; the function, shape and alterations of bone tissue have been analyzed and reported. Craniometry is a method developed as a tool for the precise measurement of the skull and facial structures and it has been used not only for humans, but for a variety of mammals. Morphometry is used to study and quantitatively compare the shape variation of biological objects, organs and organisms. Cephalometry uses two-dimensional measurements of the head and face involving a radiographic analysis to provide data on soft tissue, dental and skeletal relationships. Papers regarding bone research are difficult to access and usually, craniometry and morphometry are reported separately. The object of this article is to report a two-dimensional craniometry performed in rats, using both morphometry and cephalometry. This specific craniometry is a functional, well established method which involves the entire anatomical aspects of the skull.

Center of rotation analysis for thoracic and lumbar 3-column osteotomies in patients with sagittal plane spinal deformity: insights in geometrical changes can improve understanding of correction mechanics

OBJECTIVE Three-column osteotomy (3CO) is used for severe spinal deformities. Associated complications include sagittal translation (ST), which can lead to neurological symptoms. Mismatch between the surgical center of rotation (COR) and the concept of the ideal COR is a potential cause of ST. Matching surgical with conceptual COR is difficult with pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) and vertebral column resection (VCR). This mismatch influences correction geometry, which can prevent maximum possible correction. The authors’ objective was to examine the sagittal correction geometry and surgical COR of thoracic and lumbar 3CO. METHODS In a retrospective study of patients with PSO or VCR for severe sagittal plane deformity, analysis of surgical COR was performed using pre- and postoperative CT scans in the PSO group and digital radiographs in the VCR group. Radiographic analysis included standard deformity measurements and regional kyphosis angle (RKA). All patients had 2-year follow-up, including neurological outcome. Preoperative CT scans were studied for rigid osteotomy sites versus mobile osteotomy sites. Additional radiographic analysis of surgical COR was based on established techniques superimposing pre- and postoperative images. Position of the COR was defined in a rectangular net layered onto the osteotomy vertebrae (OVs). RESULTS The study included 34 patients undergoing PSO and 35 undergoing VCR, with mean ages of 57 and 29 years and mean RKA corrections of 31° and 49°, respectively. In the PSO group, COR was mainly in the anterior column, and surgical and conceptual COR matched in 22 patients (65%). Smaller RKA correction (27° vs 32°, p = 0.09) was seen in patients with anterior eccentric COR. Patients with rigid osteotomy sites were more likely to have an anterior eccentric COR (41% vs 11%, p = 0.05). In the VCR group, 20 patients (57%) had single-level VCR and 15 (43%) had multilevel VCR. COR was mainly located in the anterior or middle column. Mismatch between surgical and conceptual COR occurred in 24 (69%) patients. Larger RKA correction (63° vs 45°, p = 0.03) was seen in patients with anterior column COR. Patients with any posterior COR had a smaller RKA correction compared to the rest of the patients (42° vs 61°, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS Matching the surgical with the conceptual COR is difficult and in this study failed in one- to two-thirds of all patients. In order to avoid ST during correction of severe deformities, temporary rods, tracking rods, or special instruments should be used for correction maneuvers.

Accuracy of Free Hand Dental Implant Placement in a Private Dental College Setup - A Radiographic Analysis

BACKGROUND The factors that influence the implant accuracy are the anatomy of the patient, the experience of the practitioner and the surgical approach. However, the relative importance of each factor is poorly understood. Favourable function, occlusion, aesthetics and implant loading patterns can be obtained by optimal positioning. The experience of the surgeon is of utmost importance for the skill of placing a dental implant with proper angulation. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the increased accuracy obtained in performing freehand surgical placement of implants. METHODS This study was conducted in the Department of Implantology. A total of 1216 postoperative periapical radiographs from which single implant placement with adjacent straight root morphology was collected from the department in the period of June 2019 to June 2020 and checked for angulation, practitioner’s experience and the site of placement. Mesio-distal angulation was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS method. RESULTS The results showed accuracy in angulation and positioning of implants increased with an increase in experience of the dental surgeon (oral surgeons, prosthodontists, periodontists). Within the limitations of the study, it showed that the freehand dental implant placement angulation was less than a degree for experienced surgeons. The postgraduates had a better understanding and orientation of the angulation than the undergraduates. Moreover, the difficult site was the second and third quadrant to assess the angulation properly. CONCLUSIONS With proper assessment of the anatomy and with experience freehand dental implant placement shows significant results with less angulation which can be prosthetically accepted. KEY WORDS Free Hand Surgery, Guided Surgery, Angulation Of Implants.