CAD/CAM single-retainer monolithic zirconia ceramic resin-bonded fixed partial dentures bonded with two different resin cements: Up to 40 months clinical results of a randomized-controlled pilot study.

PURPOSE: This pilot study was part of a larger study planned for the future which aimed to compare the clinical success of two different resin cements used in the cementation of CAD/CAM single-retainer monolithic zirconia ceramic resin-bonded fixed dentures (RBFPDs). METHODS: Twenty-four RBFPDs were fabricated with monolithic zirconia (Katana™ Zirconia HT, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc, Tokyo, Japan). Panavia F2.0 (PF2.0; n = 12) and Panavia V5 (PV5; n = 12) were used for cementation. The survival period was defined as the time when the restoration was placed in the mouth and lasted until an irreparable damage occurred. The repairable failures were identified as relative and irreparable failures were identified as absolute failure. The survival rate of the RBFPDs was determined by the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean observation times of the PF2.0 group and the PV5 group were 40.45 ± 6.15 months and 40.18 ± 6.41 months, respectively. Four failures occurred in the PF2.0 group. No failure was observed in the PV5 group. The curves of survival rate (PF2.0 = 80%, PV5 = 100%) showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.031), although success rate (PF2.0 = 66.7%, PV5 = 100%) showed statistically significant difference (p = 0.317). CONCLUSION: Up to 40 months mean follow-up period, performance of RBFPDs bonded with PV5 was better than with PF2.0. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: For clinicians, it is a matter of hesitation to apply single-retainer RBFPDs. This study contains results of 40 months (minimum 32, maximum 50.47 months) clinical follow-ups of single-retainer RBFPDs. These results will enlighten clinicians about the clinical success of the resin cement type for single-retainer monolithic zirconia ceramic RBFPDs.

Crocin attenuates oxidative and inflammatory stress-related periodontitis in cardiac tissues in rats.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the supporting tissues around the teeth, causes significant inflammatory and oxidative changes in cardiac tissue. Crocin is the active constituent of Crocus sativus (saffron) which has antioxidant properties and is protective against cardiovascular disturbances. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of crocin on periodontitis-induced oxidative/inflammatory cardiac degeneration in rats in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, periodontitis group (PD) and periodonditis plus crocin group (PD+Cr). Experimental periodontitis was induced by placing silk ligatures on the maxillary second molar teeth for 30 days. Afterward, crocin (100 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered to the PD+Cr group and saline was administered to the PD group and the control group for 15 days. The subjects were sacrificed on the 45th day. RESULTS: Histological and biochemical analyses demonstrated that inducing periodontitis caused obvious damage to cardiac tissues which was significantly ameliorated by crocin (p < 0.05). Significant improvements in bone resorption parameters (cross-linked C-telopeptide of type I collagen and bone alkaline phosphatase) were also observed in the PD+Cr group (p < 0.05). In addition, crocin caused significant reductions of malondialdehyde levels and total oxidant score while antioxidant levels (glutathione, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant score, and catalase) were significantly higher in PD+Cr group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that periodontitis may cause oxidative damage in cardiac tissue and crocin improves periodontitis-induced degenerative changes in heart tissue, which is associated with its antioxidant properties.

Peripheral Blood Smear Findings of COVID-19 Patients Provide Information about the Severity of the Disease and the Duration of Hospital Stay.

BACKGROUND: Data about the morphological changes in peripheral blood smears during COVID-19 infection and their clinical severity association are limited. We aimed to examine the characteristics of the cells detected in the pathological rate and/or appearance and whether these findings are related to the clinical course by evaluating the peripheral blood smear at the time of diagnosis in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Clinical features, laboratory data, peripheral blood smear of fifty patients diagnosed with COVID-19 by PCR was evaluated at diagnosis. Peripheral smear samples of the patients were compared with the age and sex-matched 30 healthy controls. Pictures were taken from the patient's peripheral blood smear. Patients were divided into two groups. Mild and severe stage patient groups were compared in terms of laboratory data and peripheral smear findings. The relationship between the laboratory values of all patients and the duration of hospitalization was analyzed. RESULTS: The number of segmented neutrophils and eosinophils were low, pseudo-Pelger-Huet, pseudo-Pelger-Huet/mature lymphocyte ratio, atypical lymphocytes, monocytes with vacuoles, bands, and pyknotic neutrophils rates were higher in the peripheral blood smear of the patient group (p <0.05). Increased pseudo-Pelger-Huet anomaly, pseudo-Pelger Huet/mature lymphocyte ratio, a decreased number of mature lymphocytes, and eosinophils in peripheral blood smear were observed in the severe stage patients (p <0.05). A negative correlation was observed between hospitalization duration and mature lymphocyte and monocytes with vacuoles rates (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: A peripheral blood smear is an inexpensive, easily performed, and rapid test. Increased Pseudo-Pelger-Huet anomaly/mature lymphocyte rate suggests a severe stage disease, while high initial mature lymphocyte and monocytes with vacuoles rates at the time of diagnosis may be an indicator of shortened duration of hospitalization.

Comparison of Nd:YAG laser (532 nm green) vs diode laser (810 nm) photocoagulation in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity: an evaluation in terms of complications.

PURPOSE: To compare the anterior and posterior segment complications of diode (810 nm) laser photocoagulation (LPC) and Nd:YAG (532 nm green) LPC in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 84 eyes of 43 patients treated with diode LPC (group 1) and 58 eyes of 31 patients treated with Nd:YAG LPC (group 2) for ROP in our clinic were enrolled in the study. Medical records of all patients were investigated retrospectively. The patients in each group were examined in terms of birth weights, gestational weeks, stage of retinopathy, number of lasers pots, laser parameters, and anterior and posterior complications of LPC. RESULTS: The mean birth weeks of group 1 patients were postmenstrual 27.7 ± 2.5 (23-33), while the mean birth weights were 1006.0 ± 334.5 (540-1980) grams. The mean birth weeks of group 2 patients were postmenstrual 27.4 ± 2.6 (23-33), while the mean birth weights were 1073.8 ± 329.2 (480-1720) grams. The mean numbers of laser spots were 1036.0 ± 515.2 (430-2410) in group 1 per eye, while the mean numbers of laser spots were 1085.4 ± 526.0 (445-2530) in group 2 per eye (p ≥ 0.05). Additional laser application was performed in four eyes (4.8%) in group 1 and four eyes (6.9%) in group 2. Four eyes (4.8%) treated with diode LPC and one eye (1.7%) treated with Nd:YAG laser developed retinal detachment. Two eyes of a patient (3.4%) applied Nd:YAG LPC developed cataract. CONCLUSION: Cataract may develop when Nd:YAG laser is used; however, posterior segment complications may be more likely to appear with the use of diode laser in these cases.

Effects of noopept on cognitive functions and pubertal process in rats with diabetes.

AIM: Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is a common chronic disease in childhood. Increasing insulin resistance in puberty gives rise to higher doses of insulin usage in treatment. Of this reason new approaches in treatment are needed. Noopept researches suggest it to have anti-diabetic properties. We tried to determine the effects of noopept on pubertal diabetes. MAIN METHOD: The research was made with 60 prepubertal, 28 day-old, male, Sprague Dawley rats. The rats were divided into randomised 6 groups (n = 10/group). i) Control, ii) Diabetes Control, iii) Noopept Control, iv) Diabetes + Noopept, v) Diabetes + Insulin, vi) Diabetes + Insulin + Noopept. T1DM model was induced by streptozotocin on postnatal 28th day. 0.5 mg/kg noopept and 1 IU insulin were administered intraperitoneally for 14 days. Blood glucose and body weight measurements, puberty follow-up and MWM tests were performed. Hippocampus, hypothalamus and testis were evaluated histologically. Hypothalamic GnRH and kisspeptin were studied immunohistochemically. Serum LH, FSH and insulin, hippocampal homogenate NGF and BDNF levels were determined by ELISA. KEY FINDINGS: Delayed puberty was normalized by noopept (p < 0.05). Blood glucose levels were lower in noopept-administered diabetic groups (p < 0.05). Noopept decreased HOMA-IR in insulin administered diabetic group (p < 0.05). Number of degenerated cells in hippocampus and testis were higher in diabetes control group when compared with other groups (p < 0.05). GnRH immunoreactivity in Diabetes + Noopept group was increased when compared to insulin + noopept group (p = 0.018). There was no difference in kisspeptin, serum LH, FSH, hippocampal NGF-BDNF levels and spatial learning assessment among groups (p > 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: Noopept may have positive effect in treatment of pubertal diabetes.