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We compared the covering behavior of four sea urchin species, Tripneustes gratilla, Pseudoboletia maculata, Toxopneutes pileolus, and Salmacis sphaeroides found in the waters of Malapascua Island, Cebu Province and Bolinao, Panagsinan Province, Philippines. Specifically, we measured the amount and type of covering material on each urchin, and, in several cases, the recovery of debris cover after stripping the animal of its cover.We found that Tripneustes gratilla and Salmacis sphaeroides have a higher preference for plant material, especially sea-grass, compared to Pseudoboletia maculata and Toxopneutes pileolus, which prefer to cover themselves with coral rubble and other calcified material. Only for Toxopneutes pileolus did we find a decrease in cover with depth, confirming previous work that the covering behavior serves UV protection. We found no dependence of particle size on either species or urchin size, but we observed that larger urchins carried more and heavier debris. We observed a transport mechanism of debris onto the echinoid body surface utilizing a combination of tube feet and spines. The transport speed of individual debris items varied between species.We compare our results to previous studies of urchin covering behavior, comment on the phylogeny of urchin covering behavior and discuss the interpretation of this behavior as animal tool use.

A case of central odontogenic fibroma (COF) of the epithelium-rich type (granular cell variant) is reported. A 46-year-old female, demonstrated a multilocular, septated radiolucency below and between the roots of the teeth in 44–47 region. On microscopy the lesion revealed an odontogenic fibroma of the epithelium-rich type with areas characterized by lobules of spherical cells of varying size containing fine S-100 negative granules. In addition, scattered foci of cementoid/osteoid calcified material occurred. Based on several studies, the present authors entertain the hypothesis that supports a histiocystic origin the granular cells. Therapy consisted of curettage of the lesion. The defect was filled with spongeous bone. No recurrence occurred after follow-up of two years.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To describe the sonographic features of senile scleral calcification using ultrasound biomicroscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Four patients in whom senile scleral calcifications were found incidentally on computed tomography studies underwent ultrasound biomicroscopy examination. RESULTS The senile scleral calcification was bilateral in three patients and unilateral in one patient. In all patients, the calcified material created the anterior shadowing typical of calcified lesions. The ultrasound biomicroscopy study localized the senile scleral calcification to the subconjunctival layer, superficially above the sclera, and anterior to the horizontal muscles. CONCLUSIONS This is the first description of the ultrasound biomicroscopy features of senile scleral calcification. Ultrasound biomicroscopy may serve as a good tool for the accurate localization of the plaque. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2007;38:115-117.] AUTHORS From the Department of Ophthalmology (NG-C, IB, DB), Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva; the Sackler Faculty of Medicine (NG-C, IB, DB), Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv; and the Department of Ophthalmology (EN) and the Section of Neuroradiology (YS, IIR-G), Department of Imaging, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. Accepted for publication December 20, 2005. The authors thank Irith I. Reider-Groswasser, MD, for her contributions to this article. Address correspondence to Nitza Goldenberg-Cohen, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, 49100 Israel.

Alkaline encrusted cystitis is a chronic inflammatory condition. It is rare now because of appropriate antibiotics. It is a challenging situation with regard to its diagnosis and management. We are presenting an interesting case of alkaline cystitis post transurethral resection of prostate. The management includes careful acidification of urine, curettage of calcified material, and appropriate antibiotics.

This report describes a 31-year-old female patient with six impacted teeth. The crowns of the impacted teeth were surrounded with cyst-like lesions with a mixed internal structure and well-defined cortical borders. Microscopic examination of the specimen obtained from the follicle of the left mandibular third molar tooth revealed loose to moderately dense collagenous connective tissue with abundant calcified material and sparse epithelial islands. A diagnosis of multiple calcifying hyperplastic dental follicles was made. © 2013 by Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology.

A 35 year-old male presented with multiple asymptomatic, tense, cystic to firm, skin-colored nodules within the scrotal skin with a provisional clinical diagnosis of a sebaceous cysts of the scrotum. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed and a diagnosis of idiopathic calcinosis of the scrotum was suggested as no epithelial cells were found around amorphous, basophilic, calcified material. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. We report this case for its rarity.

A case of a high excitation threshold that occurred 2 years 5 months after the initial implantation of pacemaker electrodes is described in a girl 4 years 3 months of age. This complication was considered to be due to calcification of the platinum-iridium electrode spurs. The calcified material was shown to be a kind of apatite using the X-ray powder diffraction method. This complication is rare, but it must be kept in mind since battery longevity has markedly improved in recent years.