Effect of piezoincision on the rate of mandibular molar mesialization: A randomised clinical trial.

Background and Aim: The aim of this clinic study was to investigate the effect of piezoincision on the rate of mandibular molar mesialization using clinical, radiological, and biochemical methods. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients requiring mandibular first molar extraction and second molar mesialization were included in the study which was designed as split-mouth study. Piezoincision was performed on the buccal surface of alveolar bone following regional alignment to the randomly selected side. 150 g of force was applied to the second molar teeth using mini-screw-supported anchorage after the piezoincision. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and digital model records of the patients were obtained. Two- and three-dimensional measurements were performed and compared on the CBCT images in a study which lasted 24 weeks. Results: According to the model analysis, the canine-second molar distance was consistently reduced and a greater decrease was measured on the experimental group (p < 0.05). Second molar mesial rotations increased in both groups (p < 0.001). Two-dimensional measurements on CBCT images showed increased mesial and buccal tipping of second molars in experimental group (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in mesialization measurements of experimental group (p < 0.001). Three-dimensional measurements on the CBCT images showed a decrease of root length in both groups (p < 0.001), and a greater decrease was found in the experimental group (p < 0.001). When intra-group changes in GCF results were examined, it was observed that there was no significant change in osteoprotegerin (OPG) values over time in experimental group (p = 0.148). Conclusion: The piezoincision technique provided acceleration of mandibular molar mesialization and did not cause further damage to the buccal alveolar bone. Piezoincision can be used as a safe method in the mandibular molar region.

Which one predicts mortality better? Hemogram and ST elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of hematological parameters measured at the moment of admission to the emergency room in predicting in-hospital mortality and to determine cut-off values of strongly predictive values. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study began with approval of the ethics committee. In total, 1,929 patients over 18 years of age, whose date could be obtained, were included in the study. From the hemogram parameters, white blood cells (WBC), red cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, and ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes (NLR) values were determined and recorded. CK-MB and high-sensitive Troponin T values were recorded as cardiac markers. For statistical analysis, "SPSS for Windows Version 21" package program was used. FINDINGS: About 71.7% (n = 1384) of the patients were male and 28.3% (n = 545) of the patients were female. About 92.5% of the patients (n = 1785) were discharged from the hospital, whereas the remaining 144 patients (7.5%) were exitus in the hospital. When the efficacy of hematological parameters and cardiac markers in predicting mortality was examined by receiver operating charecteristics analysis, NLR was found to be the strongest predictor (area under the curve [AUC], 0.772, standard deviation [SD] = 0.022, 95% confidence interval [CI]). It was found that the WBC value came in second place after NLR as a strong predictor of mortality (AUC, 0.749, SD = 0.024, % 95 CI). CONCLUSION: The use of predictors for the prediction of mortality for ST elevation myocardial infarction patients is of great importance for faster implementation of treatment modalities. We found that WBC and especially NLR values obtained with a simple method can be used as powerful predictors.

Obesity and oxidative stress in patients with different periodontal status: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Obesity has become an important global health concern as obesity-associated adiposity is supposedly related to systemic immunologic and inflammatory alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of obesity on periodontally healthy and diseased tissue according to the changes in malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) levels in gingival crevicular fluid as biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample comprised systemically healthy normal-weight (n = 45) and obese (n = 48) adults. Obesity was diagnosed according to body mass index, waist circumference and waist/hip ratio. Periodontal status was evaluated according to plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, probing depth and clinical attachment level. Participants were distributed among six groups according to obesity and periodontal status, as follows: normal weight+periodontally healthy (NH); normal weight+gingivitis (NG); normal weight+generalized chronic periodontitis (NCP); obese+periodontally healthy (OH); obese+gingivitis (OG); and obese+generalized chronic periodontitis (OCP). MDA, PC and TAOC levels were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: The MDA and PC levels in gingival crevicular fluid varied among groups, as follows: NCP > NG > NH (p < 0.01) and OCP > OG > OH (p < 0.01). Conversely, the levels of TAOC in gingival crevicular fluid varied as follows: NCP < NG < NH (p < 0.01) and OCP < OG < OH (p < 0.01). Paired comparisons conducted according to periodontal status showed MDA and PC levels to be higher, and TAOC levels to be lower, in the OCP group than in the NCP group, in the OG group than in the NG group and in the OH group than in the NH group. However, only the differences between the OCP and NCP groups were significant (p < 0.01). In both obese and normal-weight individuals, clinical assessments showed significant, positive correlations with MDA and PC levels and negative correlations with TAOC levels (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Obesity may influence periodontal tissue destruction and disease severity by increasing the level of oxidative stress in the presence of periodontal disease.

Glutathione levels in plasma, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid after periodontal therapy in obese and normal weight individuals.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of obesity on reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG) levels in the gingival crevicular fluid, plasma and saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis and to evaluate the changes after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 60 patients: 30 patients with chronic periodontitis (15 obese patients and 15 normal weight patients) and 30 healthy control subjects (15 obese patients and 15 normal weight patients). Gingival crevicular fluid, plasma and saliva samples were collected, and clinical periodontal measurements were recorded at baseline and at the first month after periodontal therapy from patients with chronic periodontitis. GSH and GSSG levels were analyzed with spectrophotometry. RESULTS: The GSH levels in the plasma, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid in obese individuals with chronic periodontitis were lower than in normal weight individuals at baseline (p < 0.01). There was a significant difference in the GSH/GSSG ratio in plasma and gingival crevicular fluid between the obese and normal weight groups at baseline (p < 0.01). The GSH levels in plasma, gingival crevicular fluid and saliva were significantly increased in both chronic periodontitis groups after nonsurgical periodontal therapy (p < 0.01). A significant positive correlation was found between GSH levels in saliva, plasma and gingival crevicular fluid in all groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that obesity in patients with chronic periodontitis is associated with decreased GSH levels and the GSH/GSSG ratio. Moreover, nonsurgical periodontal therapy may be helpful for improvement in glutathione values in obese and normal weight individuals with chronic periodontitis.

Assessment of periostin levels in serum and gingival crevicular fluid of patients with periodontal disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Periostin, a secreted adhesion molecule essential for periodontal tissue integrity, is highly expressed in the periodontal ligament and plays a critical role in tooth and bone development. The purpose of this study was to investigate periostin levels in the gingival crevicular fluid and serum of patients with periodontal disease and compare them with those of healthy individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty individuals (41 males and 39 females; age range: 25-48 years) were enrolled in the study. Individuals were divided into three groups following clinical and radiographic examinations: the periodontal-healthy group (n = 20), gingivitis group (n = 30) and chronic periodontitis group (n = 30). Gingival crevicular fluid and serum samples were collected and periostin levels were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The total amount and concentration of periostin decreased in gingival crevicular fluid with the progression and severity of the disease from healthy controls to gingivitis and to chronic periodontitis groups and differed significantly (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum periostin concentration within all groups (p > 0.05). Periostin in gingival crevicular fluid negatively correlated with the gingival index in the periodontal disease groups, whereas it is inversely correlated with the clinical attachment level only in the periodontitis group (p < 0.05). When all the clinical groups were examined together, the periostin concentration negatively correlated with clinical attachment level and gingival index; moreover, total periostin positively correlated with periostin concentration and clinical attachment level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The periostin levels in gingival crevicular fluid decreased proportionally with the progression and severity of periodontal disease, and negatively correlated with the clinical parameters. Within the limits of the study, the periostin level in gingival crevicular fluid can be considered a reliable marker in the evaluation of periodontal disease susceptibility and activity.

Vascular endothelial growth factor and endothelin-1 levels in normal pregnant women and pregnant women with pre-eclampsia.

The aim of the study was to estimate the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in maternal serum from normal pregnant women and women with pre-eclampsia. Serum concentrations of VEGF and ET-1 were measured in maternal blood in control group (n = 40) and in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia (n = 40). Results showed that maternal VEGF levels were significantly raised in women with pre-eclampsia (p < 0.001). ET-1 concentration was not significantly different among women with pre-eclampsia compared with that in the control group. It was concluded that an increase in serum VEGF level was demonstrated in pre-eclampsia, suggesting that VEGF is involved in pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Further studies are needed to determine the serum concentrations of VEGF in pregnant women before the development of pre-eclampsia.

Sutureless vascular anastomoses by N-butyl-2 cyanoacrylate adhesive: an experimental animal study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this animal study was to find out whether sutureless anastomoses using N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate were effective in the suppression of neointimal hyperplasia or not. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten male adult mongrel dogs were used in this animal study. The animals were randomly divided into a control group (n = 5) and a study group (n = 5). The study group underwent sutureless anastomoses using N-buthyl-2-cyanoacrylate adhesive. Infrarenal aortoaortic graft was interposed using polytetrafluoroethylene. RESULTS: In the study group, the mean intimal thickness at the proximal anastomosis was 27.4 +/- 1.94 microm and 27.4 +/- 1.51 microm at the distal anastomosis. In the control group, the mean intimal thickness was 138.4 +/- 5.02 mum at the proximal anastomosis and 67.6 +/- 6.42 microm at the distal anastomosis. Intimal thickness at the proximal and distal anastomoses in the control group was significantly (p < 0.001) greater than in the study group. Also, perianastomotic inflammation was more obvious in the control group compared to the study group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Sutureless anastomoses using with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate adhesive might be a good alternative to conventional suture technique.

Using microwave irradiation in Marchi's method for demonstrating degenerated myelin.

Conventional methods for histological preparation of degenerated myelin are time-consuming and difficult. The purpose of our study was to shorten the time required for the procedure and to obtain better quality results for light microscopic demonstration of degenerated myelin in the central and peripheral nervous systems by using microwave irradiation. Rat brain and sciatic nerve were used for the study. The middle cerebral artery was occluded and the sciatic nerve was cut to produce myelin degeneration. Marchi's method was used for staining degenerated myelin. Fixation for light microscopy that would take two days using the conventional procedure was completed in 16.5-18.5 min using microwave irradiation. While staining of degenerated myelin requires 10 days for the conventional Marchi method, we decreased it to 7 h for brain tissue and 1 h for sciatic nerve by using the microwave oven. Moreover, a better quality preparation was achieved in the groups stained under microwave irradiation than those prepared by the conventional method.

Development of activity standard for 90 Y microspheres.

(90)Y microspheres are important therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals used in the treatment of liver cancer through a process known as selective internal radiation therapy. SIR-spheres is a radiopharmaceutical product that is comprised of (90)Y microspheres suspended in sterile, pyrogen-free water for injection into patients. It is necessary to establish for the SIR-spheres production the capability of accurately measuring the activity of this product to a traceable national measurement standard. An activity standard for SIR-spheres was developed from a standard for (90)Y solution, employing a highly quantifiable chemical digestion process. Calibration factors for the manufacturer's ionisation chambers were determined for 1 and 5 ml of the SIR-spheres product placed in Wheaton vials, for both 34% and 44% of (90)Y microsphere concentration.

Primary hydatid disease of the chest wall: a case report.

Primary hydatid disease of the chest wall is extremely rare. We report a case of a primary chest wall hydatid cyst in a 72-year old woman who had not been operated on before for hydatid disease. Chest wall hydatid disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chest wall mass.

Serum 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3), 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) and parathormone levels in diabetic retinopathy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether there is a relationship between serum 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], which is an inhibitor of angiogenesis, concentrations and severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR). DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum 1,25(OH)2D3, 25 hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] and parathormone (PTH) concentrations were measured in diabetic patients (n = 66) and nondiabetic healthy subjects (n = 20). RESULTS: The mean serum 1,25(OH)2D3 concentration in diabetic patients was lower than that in nondiabetics (57.3+/-21.44 vs. 89.4+/-18.01 pmol/L, p<0.001); mean 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations fell with increasing severity of DR [being 63.4+/-17.26 pmol/L for background DR (BDR), 47.7+/-13.27 pmol/L for preproliferative DR (pre-PDR), and 43.1+/-19.45 pmol/L for proliferative DR (PDR)]. Compared with the control group, serum 25(OH)D concentrations were found to be decreased in diabetic patients (p<0.001). There were negative correlations between 1,25(OH)2D3 and age (r = -0.331, p<0.01) and duration of diabetes (r = -0.255, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: From these findings, it was found that there was an inverse relationship between the severity of the retinopathy, i.e., neovascularization, and serum 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations, being the lowest in PDR and the highest in diabetic patients without retinopathy (NDR) patients. The measurement of serum 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations might be helpful to predict severity of DR in patients with diabetes mellitus.

The role of calcium signaling in early axonal and dendritic morphogenesis of rat cerebral cortex neurons under non-stimulated growth conditions.

The effects of depolarizing stimuli on neurite outgrowth have been shown to depend on an influx of extracellular calcium. However, the role of calcium under non-stimulated growth conditions is less well established. Here we investigated the contribution of calcium signaling to early neuronal morphogenesis of rat cerebral cortex neurons at three levels by blocking L-type voltage sensitive calcium channels, by depleting intracellular calcium or by blocking myosin light chain kinase. Detailed quantitative morphological analysis of neurons treated for 1 day revealed that depletion of intracellular calcium strongly decreased the density of filopodia, arrested axonal outgrowth and strongly decreased dendritic branching. Preventing calcium influx through L-type voltage sensitive calcium channels and blocking of myosin light chain kinase activity selectively decreased dendritic branching. Our observations support an essential role for basal intracellular calcium levels in axonal elongation. Furthermore, under non-stimulated conditions calcium entry through L-type voltage sensitive calcium channels and myosin light chain kinase play an important role in dendritic branching.

Should mammographic screening be done in primary ovarian cancer?: A case control study in Turkish women.

Breast cancer is a significant global health problem. It is the most common malignancy in women. Mammographic screening is recommended for women older than 40 yr for early detection of breast cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of screening mammography in ovarian cancer independent of age. Eighty-four patients with ovarian cancer were evaluated with bilateral mammography. Two hundred asymptomatic healthy controls with a similar age distribution were also imaged with screening mammography. Mammography results were classified according to the American College of Radiology criteria in five groups. The median age of the study group was 51.4 (range, 27-77) and 49.3 (range, 30-75) in the control group. Screening mammography detected four cases of malignancy (4.8%) in patients with ovarian cancer; two were the primary breast carcinomas(2.5%) and two were metastatic cancers from the ovary. Five subjects (2.5%) among healthy controls were also found to have breast cancer. Although the incidence of primary breast carcinoma was found to be similar in the two groups (2.5%), mammographic imaging detected metastatic disease to the breast from the ovaries. Mammography should therefore be considered in patients with ovarian cancer independent of age.

Protective effect of CDP-choline on ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial tissue injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: CDP-choline exerts tissue protective effect in several ischemic conditions. Recently we have reported that the drug prevents cardiac arrhythmias and improves survival rate in short-term myocardial ischemia reperfusion in rats. AIM: In the current study, we determined the effect of intravenously administered CDP-choline on myocardial tissue injury induced by 30-min ischemia followed by 3-h reperfusion in anesthetized rats. METHODS: Myocardial ischemia was produced by ligature of the left main coronary artery. CDP-choline (100-500 mg/kg) was intravenously injected in the middle of the ischemic period. Cardiovascular parameters were recorded through the experimental period. At the end of the reperfusion period, the hearts of the animals were removed and stained for the investigation of tissue necrosis and apoptosis. The infarct size was evaluated as the ratio of the infarct area to the risk area. Apoptotic activation was assessed by TUNEL assay. Also the blood samples of rats were collected for the measurement of M30-M65, ADMA, homocysteine, and lactate levels. RESULTS: Ischemia/reperfusion caused serious injury in myocardium, increased blood ADMA and lactate levels without influencing other parameters. CDP-choline significantly reduced the infarct size and the number of apoptotic cells in the risk area. Blood pressure increased after CDP-choline injection; however, it returned back to the basal levels before the onset of reperfusion. CDP-choline failed to alter any other measured parameters. CONCLUSION: The present results demonstrate that intravenously administered CDP-choline is able to protect myocardium from injury induced by long-term coronary occlusion-reperfusion in rats. The inhibition of apoptosis by the drug may contribute to its protective effect. But neither the increase in blood pressure in response to CDP-choline injection nor changes in plasma ADMA concentration appear to mediate the attenuation of the myocardial injury.

The effects of α-tocopherol on oxidative damage and serum levels of Clara cell protein 16 in aspiration pneumonitis induced by bile acids.

Our aim in this study is to examine the effects of α-tocopherol (AT) on rats with aspiration pneumonitis induced with bile acids (BAs). The animals were divided in to four groups, namely saline group (n = 7), saline + AT group (n = 7), BA group (n = 7), and BA + AT group (n = 7). Saline and BA groups aspirated intratracheally with 1 ml/kg saline and 1 ml/kg bile acids, respectively. AT was given at 20 mg/kg/day dosage for 7 days to the groups. AT group was given 20 mg/kg/day AT for 7 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Clara cell protein 16 (CC-16), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as peribronchial inflammatory cell infiltration, alveolar septal infiltration, alveolar edema, alveolar exudate, alveolar histiocytes, and necrosis were evaluated. The CAT activity of the BA group was significantly lower than the saline group. In the BA + AT group, there was a significant increase in SOD and CAT activities when compared with that of the BA group. The CC-16 and MDA contents in the BA group were significantly higher than in the saline group. The CC-16 and MDA levels of the BA + AT group were significantly lower than BA group. Histopathologic changes were seen in BA group, and there was a significant decrease in the BA + AT group. In conclusion, AT might be beneficial in the treatment of aspiration pneumonitis induced by BAs because AT decreased oxidative damage and resulted in a decrease in CC-16 levels.

Henna (Lawsonia inermis Linn.) induced haemolytic anaemia in siblings.

Henna is a traditional cosmetic agent and is used worldwide. It is used worldwide not only as a cosmetic agent to stain the hair, skin and nails but also is applied to the body on lesions in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis or fungal infections. Different pathologies have been described as caused by henna. The aim of this study is to draw attention to the adverse effects of henna, applied over the whole body, observed in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme deficient siblings. In the present paper, we report on two siblings with G6PD deficiency who developed haemolytic anaemia following topical application of henna to their whole body to treat skin lesions. Their parents were also found to be G6PD deficient. Even though anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects of henna have been shown, it may cause severe side-effects in some cases. For this reason, especially, in the regions where G6PD enzyme deficiency is common, people should be informed about the side-effects of topical henna application and clinicians should be aware of these manifestations.

Sialic acid, transketolase and Na+, K+, ATPase in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

We studied transketolase activity of red blood cell hemolysates, and Na+, K+, ATPase activity and sialic acid concentration in red blood cell membranes from 52 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 24 control subjects. Decreased red blood cell membrane Na+, K+, ATPase activity and sialic acid concentration and decreased transketolase in red blood cell hemolysates were observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with control subjects (p < 0.001). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein values were increased in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with control subjects (p < 0.0001). Significant correlations between sialic acid and Na+, K+, ATPase (r = 0.65, p < 0.001) and between sialic acid and transketolase (r = 0.58, p < 0.001) were observed. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels did not correlate with Na+, K+, ATPase activity or with sialic acid or transketolase in rheumatoid arthritis patients. These data show that decreases in Na+, K+, ATPase, and transketolase activities and sialic acid concentration are present in rheumatoid arthritis patients, and that the decrease in Na+, K+, ATPase and transketolase activities in rheumatoid arthritis might be due to decreased sialic acid.