Enhancing the Carrier Transport in Monolayer MoS2 through Interlayer Coupling with 2D Covalent Organic Frameworks.

The coupling of different 2D materials (2DMs) to form van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) is a powerful strategy for adjusting the electronic properties of 2D semiconductors, for applications in opto-electronics and quantum computing. 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ) represents an archetypical semiconducting, monolayer thick versatile platform for the generation of hybrid vdWH with tunable charge transport characteristics through its interfacing with molecules and assemblies thereof. However, the physisorption of (macro)molecules on 2D MoS2 yields hybrids possessing a limited thermal stability, thereby jeopardizing their technological applications. Herein, the rational design and optimized synthesis of 2D covalent organic frameworks (2D-COFs) for the generation of MoS2 /2D-COF vdWHs exhibiting strong interlayer coupling effects are reported. The high crystallinity of the 2D-COF films makes it possible to engineer an ultrastable periodic doping effect on MoS2 , boosting devices' field-effect mobility at room temperature. Such a performance increase can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the efficient interfacial electron transfer process and the pronounced suppression of MoS2 's lattice vibration. This proof-of-concept work validates an unprecedented approach for the efficient modulation of the electronic properties of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides toward high-performance (opto)electronics for CMOS digital circuits.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Vocal Fatigue, Quality of Life, and Compliance With Vocal Hygiene in Professional Voice Users.

PURPOSE: Intensive voice use may lead to the development of voice disorders or voice complaints, such as vocal fatigue, for professional voice users (teachers, academics, call center workers, actors, singers, speech and language therapists, voice trainers, and religious officials). Vocal fatigue has a detrimental effect on occupational, emotional, and social performance, besides the quality of life of the individual. The effect of voice hygiene interventions on voice fatigue is not fully known. The results of studies conducted with different occupational groups are inconsistent. The present study aims to analyze the relationship between vocal fatigue and voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL) in professional voice users, and the impact of vocal hygiene on vocal fatigue. METHODS: Participants (24 male, 90 female), who were professional voice users without any diagnosis of voice disorders or voice complaints were divided into two groups low vocal hygiene compliance (LVH; n = 66) and high vocal hygiene compliance (HVH; n = 48). In this study, vocal fatigue was measured by the vocal fatigue index (VFI), and V-RQOL was measured by the voice handicap index (VHI-10) and V-RQOL. RESULTS: VFI subscales (tiredness, avoidance, physical discomfort) have a moderate positive correlation with VHI-10 and V-RQOL, which indicates that there is a significant relationship between vocal fatigue and quality of life amongst professional voice users. While there was no significant difference between the LVH and HVH groups in terms of quality of life, it was found that the vocal fatigue level of the LVH group was higher. CONCLUSION: This study of professional voice users with healthy voices reveals a relationship between vocal fatigue and V-RQOL. Vocal hygiene compliance may affect professional voice users' vocal fatigue symptoms; the low-compliant group has higher levels of tiredness, avoidance, and physical discomfort. The findings highlight the importance of raising awareness of the problems of professional voice users, even though they have healthy voices and the need for vocal hygiene education programs that target them.

Adjunctive Systemic Azithromycin with Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatment: Effects on Clinical Parameters in Smokers with Periodontitis.

Objectives: Smokers with periodontitis are therapeutically challenging. Azithromycin (AZM) may be used as an adjunct to periodontal treatment. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study was to determine the effect of azithromycin in shallow, moderate, and deep pocket depths in smokers when combined with non-surgical periodontal treatment. Material and methods: Forty-nine patients who smoked at least 20 cigarettes per day for more than 5 years were included in the study; however only 40 completed it. The number of teeth, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), PPD, CAL, bleeding on probing (BOP) and gingival recession were recorded at baseline and months 1, 3 and 6. The pocket depths (PD) were grouped as shallow, moderate, and deep. Twenty-four patients assigned to the AZM+ (test) group received AZM (500 mg tablets) once a day for 3 days, beginning on the first day of SRP. Results: The decline in the total number of pockets in all groups was statistically significant from baseline to 1st, baseline to 3rd, baseline to 6th; and from 1st to 3rd and 1st to 6th months. There was a statistically significant increase in the number of shallow pockets between baseline and 3rd, baseline and 6th; and 1st and 6th months (p=0.000) for both groups. Conclusion: Antibiotic administration significantly increased the number of shallow pockets at all time points. However, larger scale controlled clinical studies are needed to verify the efficiency of AZM in smoker periodontitis patients.

Development of Zoledronic Acid Containing Biomaterials for Enhanced Guided Bone Regeneration.

In recent years, biomaterial-based treatments, also called guided bone regeneration (GBR), which aim to establish a bone regeneration site and prevent the migration of gingival connective tissue and / or peripheral epithelium through the defective area during periodontal surgical procedures have come to the fore. In this report, we have developed a nanoparticle bearing thermosensitive in situ gel formulation of Pluronic F127 and poly(D,L-lactic acid) based membrane to reveal their utilization at GBR by in-vivo applications. In addition, the encouragement of the bone formation in defect area via inhibition of osteoclastic activity is intended by fabrication these biodegradable biomaterials at a lowered Zoledronic Acid (ZA) dose. Both of the developed materials remained stable under specified stability conditions (25 °C, 6 months) and provided the extended release profile of ZA. The in-vivo efficacy of nanoparticle bearing in situ gel formulation, membrane formulation and simultaneous application for guided bone regeneration was investigated in New Zealand female rabbits with a critical size defect of 0.5 × 0.5 cm in the tibia bone for eight weeks. Based on the histopathological findings, lamellar bone and primarily woven bone formations were observed after 8 weeks of post-implantation of both formulations, while fibrosis was detected only in the untreated group. Lamellar bone growth was remarkably achieved just four weeks after the simultaneous application of formulations. Consequently, the simultaneous application of ZA-membrane and ZA-nanoparticles loaded in-situ gel formulations offers enhanced and faster GBR therapy alternatives.

Guided bone regeneration by the development of alendronate sodium loaded in-situ gel and membrane formulations.

Biocompatible materials applied in guided bone regeneration are needed to prevent leakage caused by the invasion of peripheral epithelium. (2.1) The aim of this study is to develop a thermosensitive in situ gel system containing alendronate sodium loaded PLGA nanoparticles and alendronate sodium loaded membranes for guided bone regeneration. Thermosensitive Pluronic F127 gel system was preferred to prevent soft tissue migration to the defect site and prolong the residence time of the nanoparticles in this region. In situ gel system was combined with membrane formulation to enhance bone regenaration activity. Efficacy of combination system was investigated by implanting in 0.5 × 0.5 cm critical size defect in tibia of New Zealand female rabbits. According to the histopathological results, fibroblast formations were found at defect area after 6 weeks of post implantation. In contrast, treatment with the combination of in-situ gel containing nanoparticles with membrane provided woven bone formation with mature bone after 4 weeks of post implantation. As a results, the combination of in-situ gel formulation containing alendronate sodium-loaded nanoparticles with membrane formulation could be effectively applided for guided bone regeneration.

Relationship of periodontitis and edentulism to angiographically diagnosed coronary artery disease: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to examine the connection between oral status and the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD), which is diagnosed by angiography. BACKGROUND: Periodontitis and tooth loss have been linked to atherosclerosis and CAD in previous studies. However, no distinct connection was revealed due to the diversity of the results and the variety of diagnostic methods. To provide a more consistent data pool and stronger evidence, there is a need for studies with standard measurements and diagnostic criteria. METHODS: 309 patients, who consulted to Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology and had coronary angiography, were enrolled to this study. Individuals were grouped based on their coronary angiography results, as CAD (+) (n = 233) and CAD (-) (n = 76). Studied parameters included cardiovascular risk factors, plaque index (PI), remaining teeth count, bleeding on probing (BOP), and probing pocket depth (PPD). Periapical radiographs were taken from teeth with ≥4 mm PPD. Oral status was categorized as periodontally healthy subjects/patients with gingivitis (Group 1), patients with periodontitis (Group 2), and edentulous subjects (Group 3). RESULTS: PI (P < 0.001), PPD (P = 0.001), BOP (P = 0.004), the number of patients with less than 10 teeth (P = 0.014), and edentulism (P = 0.009) were significantly higher in CAD (+) patients, who were mostly older (P < 0.001) and male (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that Group 2 (odds ratio = 2.48, 95% confidence interval = 1.24-4.95, P = 0.010) and Group 3 (odds ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence interval = 1.14-5.17, P = 0.040) were highly associated with CAD. Two and three stenosed vessels were significantly higher in Groups 2 and 3 compared to Group 1 (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: It was found that both edentulism and periodontitis were related to CAD.

The Turkish Version of the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V): A Reliability and Validity Study.

OBJECTIVE: The Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V) was developed to assess voice quality. The aim of this study was to develop a Turkish adaptation of CAPE-V and to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version. METHODS: To adapt the CAPE-V protocol to Turkish, six sentences were constructed to meet the phonetic requirements. The validity of the Turkish version of the CAPE-V was tested with inter-rater reliability, intrarater reliability, and GRBAS versus the CAPE-V judgments. Ninety-nine dysphonic and 83 healthy subjects were enrolled. RESULTS: High inter-rater and intrarater reliability (ICC > 0.88, r > 0.81, respectively) were obtained for all vocal parameters. The differences in the six CAPE-V parameters between healthy and dysphonic subjects were statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The correlations between CAPE-V and GRBAS scales were high in overall severity-grade and roughness parameters (r = 0.85, r = 0.82, respectively), the lowest correlation was the strain parameter (r = 0.66). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of CAPE-V is a reliable and valid instrument for auditory-perceptual evaluation of the Turkish speaking population.

Acoustic Voice Analysis of Young Turkish Speakers.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: One of the objective assessments of voice is acoustic analysis, particularly, the parameters fundamental frequency (F0), jitter, shimmer, and noise-to-harmonics ratio (NHR). Because the normative data for healthy native Turkish male and female speakers are lacking in the literature, this study aimed to obtain F0, perturbation parameters, and NHR in three sustained vowels (/Λ/, /i/, and /u/) among young Turkish speaking adults. METHODS: The native Turkish speakers with normal voice aged between 18 and 32 years were included in the study (44 women, 39 men). Voice samples were recorded using Computerized Speech Lab, and data were analyzed with the statistics software SPSS Statistics 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: The F0 values of vowels /Λ/, /i/, and /u/ were greater for women (239.78 Hz, 251.97 Hz, and 250.29 Hz, respectively) than for men (127.11 Hz, 137.23 Hz, and 134.15 Hz, respectively). All shimmer values for all vowels and jitter values for /Λ/ and /u/ were found significantly low in men; however, no difference was found for jitter values of /i/ between genders. There is no effect of gender on NHR. Only in women, NHR of high vowels was found to be lower than that of vowel /Λ/. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant difference for F0 values between the genders as expected. Comparisons of perturbation values were significantly different for some pairs of vowels. There was no significant difference between NHR values between the genders. These findings can be compared with Turkish speakers who have different voice disorders for the further studies.

Complementary and alternative medicine use among people with diabetes in Turkey.

The aim of this study was to investigate use of complementary and alternative medicines, and factors that affect use of these agents, in individuals with diabetes. This cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed at the outpatient clinics of four hospitals in Turkey with 396 diabetic individuals between October 2006 and March 2007. In this study, 34.6% of the participants were using complementary and alternative medicine in addition to conventional medicine; 73% of these individuals had not informed their doctors and nurses about their complementary and alternative medicine practice. Nurses, as health care providers, should not ignore complementary and alternative medicine options. Instead, they should try to determine the rate of complementary and alternative medicine use among their patients and understand their effects and the reasons for use of these agents. Nurses should learn more about these medicines and educate their patients.

The effect of improved periodontal health on metabolic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of improved periodontal health on metabolic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourty-four patients with type 2 DM were selected. Subjects were randomly assigned into two groups. DATA COLLECTION: Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment levels (CALs), gingival recession (GR) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded at baseline at 1st and 3rd months. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h post-prandial glucose (PPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and microalbuminure were analysed at baseline, 3 months following the periodontal therapy. The treatment group received full-mouth scaling and root planing whereas the control group received no periodontal treatment. RESULTS: A statistically significant effect could be demonstrated for PI, GI, PPD, CAL and BOP for the treatment group. HbA1c levels in the treatment group decreased significantly whereas the control group showed a slight but insignificant increase for this parameter. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study showed that non-surgical periodontal treatment is associated with improved glycaemic control in type 2 patients and could be undertaken along with the standard measures for the diabetic patient care.

The influence of occlusal loading location on stresses transferred to implant-supported prostheses and supporting bone: A three-dimensional finite element study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Information about the influence of occlusal loading by location on the stress distribution in an implant-supported fixed partial denture and supporting bone tissue is limited. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of loading at 1 to 3 different locations on the occlusal surface of a tooth on the stress distributions in an implant-supported mandibular fixed partial denture (FPD) and surrounding bone, using 3-dimensional finite element analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 3-dimensional finite element model of a mandibular section of bone (Type 2) with missing second premolar and its superstructures were used in this study. A 1-piece 4.1 x 10-mm screw-shape ITI dental implant system (solid implant) was modeled for this study. Cobalt-Chromium (Wiron 99) was used as the crown framework material and porcelain was used for occlusal surface. The implant and its superstructure were simulated in a Pro/Engineer 2000i program. Total loads at 300 N were applied at the following locations: 1) tip of buccal cusp (300 N); 2) tip of buccal cusp (150 N) and distal fossa (150 N); or 3) tip of buccal cusp (100 N), distal fossa (100 N), and mesial fossa (100 N). RESULTS: The results demonstrated that vertical loading at 1 location resulted in high stress values within the bone and implant. Close stress levels were observed within the bone for loading at 2 locations and 3 locations; the former created the most extreme stresses and the latter the most even stresses within the bone. With loading at 2 or 3 locations, stresses were concentrated on the framework and occlusal surface of the FPD, and low stresses were distributed to the bone. CONCLUSION: For the loading conditions investigated, the optimal combination of vertical loading was found to be loading at 2 or 3 locations which decreased the stresses within the bone. In this situation, von Mises stresses were concentrated on the framework and occlusal surface of the FPD.

Finite element analysis of forces created by root separation and resection modelling.

Natural teeth with a healthy periodontal support exhibit stress transfer when functional forces are applied to them. These stress patterns show considerable variations during differing treatment modalities, which may influence both the tooth and supporting alveolar bone. The purpose of this study was to evaluate variations in the stress transfer under functional loads on first molars with periodontal furcation involvement, which were treated either with by root resection or root separation. This study used a two dimensional mathematical model of a mandibular first molar that was subjected to either a root separation or a root resection procedure. An evenly distributed dynamic load (600 N) was applied on two buccal cusps and distal fossae of the molar in centric occlusion. The analysis was performed using an IBM-compatible computer running standard analysis software. It was found that in the root resection model the stress values were maximum on the centre of rotation, and compressive stresses increased towards the middle of the cervical line. For the root separation model, the maximum shear stress values were observed in the distal portion, and a uniform stress distribution was observed in the mesial portion. Shear stress values for bone increased towards the centre in the bifurcation area. The outcomes of this study may be useful as a guide in clinical restorative procedures.