Water Sorption and Solubility of Highly Aesthetic Single-Shade Nano-Hybrid Resin Composites.

Background A single-shade resin composite is a new type of resin composite that was introduced in 2019. There is not much data regarding the water sorption (Wsp) and water solubility (Wsl) of this type of resin composite. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate Wsp and Wsl and their effects on the surface roughness of a single-shade nano-hybrid resin composite in comparison with a conventional nano-hybrid resin composite in accordance with ISO 4049:2019 (Dentistry - Polymer-based Restorative Materials). Material and methods An in vitro study was performed to investigate the Wsp and Wsl of a single-shade supra-nano-hybrid composite (Omnichroma) and a conventional nano-hybrid composite (Filtek™ Z250 XT) in accordance with ISO 4049:2019. Five disks were prepared of each material with dimensions of 15 ± 1 mm in diameter and 1 ± 0.1 mm in thickness, as per ISO 4049:2019. The results were calculated according to the ISO equations for Wsp and Wsl in µg/mm3. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to analyze the surface roughness (Ra) of test specimens. Results The findings showed that the values of Wsl and Wsp of both materials are comparable and revealed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). The AFM images showed a higher Ra post-solubility testing, and the statistical analysis indicated a significant difference for both materials. Conclusions The study concluded that the single-shade resin composite (Omnichroma) and the conventional nano-hybrid composite (Filtek™ Z250 XT) are following the requirements of ISO 4049:2019. The AFM analysis indicated that resin composite surfaces are significantly affected when exposed to water for a prolonged period of time. However, the Ra variations of Filtek™ Z250 XT were higher than Omnichroma specimens. These results indicate that resin composite surfaces can be significantly impacted by prolonged water exposure. This knowledge is critical for enhancing the long-term clinical performance and durability of these dental restorative materials.

Association Between Uveal Melanoma and Allostatic Load.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Allostatic load (AL) is a measure of chronic stress that is associated with worse cancer outcomes. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the relationship between AL and uveal melanoma (UM) clinical features. PATIENTS AND METHODS: AL score was calculated as a composite of ten biomarkers in 111 patients with UM from the University of Illinois Hospital. One point was assigned to an AL score for each biomarker based on predetermined cutoff values. Linear and logistic regression analyses evaluated the relationship between AL score and several tumor clinical characteristics. RESULTS: High AL score had a significant relationship with extraocular extension (p=0.015). There was also a significant difference in mean blood glucose levels between the different tumor size groups (p=0.029). Higher AL scores also had a trend of being associated with a smaller tumor size (p=0.069). CONCLUSION: AL score was significantly associated with the presence of extraocular extension for uveal melanoma, while the smallest tumor size group was associated with the highest blood glucose level. No other significant correlations were found between AL and other clinical features of UM. The relationship between AL score and extraocular extension warrants further investigation. Additional research is needed to evaluate socioeconomic factors and their effect on the relationship between chronic stress and the clinical features of UM.

Epiretinal Membrane and Vitreomacular Traction Associated With Vasoproliferative Tumor in Macular Telangiectasia Type 2: A Case Report.

We report a case of a 62-year-old man who presented with blurred and distorted vision in both eyes. Fundus examination revealed a fibrous band-like membrane emanating from the disc to the foveal center in the right eye, aneurysmal gray parafoveal lesions in both eyes, and an inferotemporal peripheral vascular tumor in the right eye. The presence of an epiretinal membrane with vitreomacular traction in this patient has led to the diagnosis of an incidental peripheral vascular tumor. To our knowledge, there are no reports describing an association between macular telangiectasia type 2 and epiretinal membrane formation with vitreomacular traction due to a vasoproliferative tumor.

Behavior, knowledge, and attitude of surgeons and patients toward preoperative smoking cessation.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco smoking is a well-known risk factor for postoperative complications. Quitting smoking prior to surgery helps overcome those complications. PROBLEM: Surgeons' attention for educating their patients about the importance of smoking cessation prior to surgery is one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking-related surgical complications. The extent of advised patients by their surgeons has not been identified. METHODS: A descriptive, comparative cross-sectional study using a survey was conducted in 2013 including eligible patients in King Khalid University Hospital. Simultaneously, 69 surgeons were included. All participant data were randomly collected and analyzed using Chi-square analysis. RESULTS: The frequency of smokers is more in surgical patients (37.5%) when compared to ex-smokers (12.5%) and passive smokers (8.3%), which were ex- and passive smokers, and it demonstrated an increased risk (P = 0.001) for surgery group compared to the nonsurgery group (P = 0.001). When comparing with nonsurgery group, most surgical patients agreed to quit smoking before surgery (95.3%). More than half (58.8%) of the patients said that they have been advised by their treating surgeons to quit smoking before surgery. Concerning the surgeons, 66 nonvascular and nonpediatric surgeons responded to the questionnaire (response rate: 22.83%). The majority of the surgeons (60.9%) were interacting with smoker patients. With regard to smoking cessation, 69.6% surgeons have advised smoker patients to stop smoking for more than 2 weeks before surgery. More than half of the surgeons (53.6%) believed that patients quit smoking after preoperative smoking cessation advice. CONCLUSION: The surgeons and patients who participated in this study were aware that smoking cessation improves outcomes, but most of the surgeons did not provide brief advice about time duration to stop smoking.

Purtscher-like retinopathy as a first presentation of systematic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, characterized by the involvement of multiple organ systems. Ocular involvement, being one of the manifestations, contributes to the assessment of disease activity. Purtscher-like retinopathy has been reported as a manifestation of SLE. An otherwise healthy 21-year old female presented with a bilateral rapid decrease in vision for 1 month. Fundus examination revealed multiple cotton wool spots and flame-shaped hemorrhages in both eyes. Optical coherence tomography displayed bilateral severe macular edema. Fundus fluorescein angiography showed multiple retinal arteriolar occlusions. A rheumatologist was consulted for investigation. Based on the American College of Rheumatology 1982 Revised Criteria for diagnosing SLE, a diagnosis of SLE was made. She was subsequently treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medication. Although vaso-occlusive retinopathy is a rare presentation of SLE, it is significant in diagnosing SLE in a patient, to promptly initiate proper treatment.