Determination of the ecological status of an Aegean river (Türkiye) using benthic macroinvertebrates as an indicator of water quality.

Bakirçay is one of the important rivers of Western Anatolia, Türkiye. The objectives of this study are (a) to determine the diversity of benthic invertebrates distributed in Bakirçay, (b) to evaluate the obtained data using various biological indices, (c) to determine the interactions of species with environmental variables, and (d) to estimate the water quality level of the river using BMWP and ASPT analyses. Samplings were carried out at 15 stations between October 2017 and July 2018, seasonally. A total of 11,897 specimens belonging to 136 benthic macroinvertebrate taxa were determined. Diptera and Oligochaeta were the dominant groups with 32 (24%) and 25 taxa (18%), respectively. Station 4 has the highest species richness with 49 taxa (36%). The highest individual number (3421) was at the 14th station. Tubifex tubifex and Physella acuta have the highest dominancy (25.76%) and frequency (51.67) values, respectively. Diversity (H') values of the stations fluctuated between 1.367 (st. 13) and 3.154 (st. 12). Similarity analysis showed that the 3rd and 11th stations have the highest similarity (> 90%), while the 14th station was an outgroup and has 28% similarity ratio. BMWP and ASPT scores gave similar results, and there was no 1st class water quality in the river. On the other hand, the results of the TR-BMWP score suggested that the 1st, 4th, and 6th stations had 1st class water quality. Although some stations are classified as "good conditions," the adverse effects of pollution were mainly observed in the main channel and downstream of the river.

Oral health status in a group of the elderly population residing at home.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the oral health status and treatment needs of subjects aged 65 years and older residing in different districts of Ankara. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1300 patients, 751 females and 549 males, age 65 and over with a mean age of 72.8 ± 6.34 were included in this study. The subjects were visited at home and toothbrushing habits, visiting the dentist, tooth loss, denture needs were questioned and body mass index values were recorded. RESULTS: 52.5% of the subjects were completely edentulous, 83.3% subjects reported wearing a removable denture. Females had a higher total tooth loss frequency when compared to males (p < 0.05). Total tooth loss between 65 and 69 ages was 47.3%, and increased to 62.4% among those aged 75 and over (p < 0.05). 16.2% of the subjects had not visited a dentist in the last 10 years, and only 3% visited a dentist for control check-ups; no gender-based difference was observed as to the frequency of dental visits (P > 0.05). No significant relationship was found between tooth loss and BMI values (P > 0.05). 46.3% of the subjects had chewing problems. CONCLUSIONS: The subjects included in this study showed high tooth loss frequency and poor oral hygiene habits. Education regarding maintenance of oral hygiene and regular dental check up should be stressed for the elderly.

Morphological evaluation of rat incisor enamel and dentin induced by pregnancy and lactation using a scanning electron microscope.

This study assessed the effects of pregnancy and lactation on the morphology of the dentine tubules and external enamel surface of rat incisor teeth using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) system. Twenty-four female Wistar rats were divided into three groups; group A rats were at the end of pregnancy, group B rats were in the post-lactation period and group C rats, the control group, were unmated. The outer enamel surface and openings of the dentine tubules at the neck regions of the incisors were observed under the SEM and photographed. Examination of the incisor teeth of pregnant and post-lactation rats revealed scratches on the enamel surface. There were few eroded areas and slight changes and the dentine tubules of the pregnant group were fully or partially occluded on the entire surface of the enamel in the lactating rats. Almost all dentine tubules of the rats in this group were open. During the study, EDX analysis of calcium, phosphate and magnesium was also performed at 20 kV and 0 degree tilt. The results of EDX analyses of magnesium were significantly lower in the pregnant group compared with the lactation and control groups for the dentine in the neck region (p<0.05). The calcium values increased in the lactation group compared with those of the rats in the other two groups (p<0.05). These results might indicate that changes during pregnancy and lactation affect the content and morphology of mineralized dental hard tissue.

On the molecular and morphological evolution of continental and insular Cryptorchestia species, with an additional description of C.garbinii (Talitridae).

Semi-terrestrial talitrid amphipods of the genus Cryptorchestia (sensu Lowry and Fanini 2013) associated with freshwater-soaked leaf litter were known to occur in inland lakes of Turkey and at the shores of the Black Sea. Before 2013 they had been reported as Orchestiacavimana and later as Cryptorchestiacavimana. In our phylogenetic tree, inferred from a mitochondrial and nuclear gene dataset (cytochrome oxidase I (COI), and histone H3 (H3), respectively), we show that these Turkish populations belong to Cryptochestiagarbinii, a common and widespread continental species, which is closely related to C.cavimana (endemic to Cyprus) and C.ruffoi (endemic to Rhodes). For the Turkish and European populations of C.garbinii, we found low levels of both genetic differentiation and morphological variation, and an age-related size variability (increasing at each moult) of the small lobe in the male gnathopod I merus, the main taxonomically diagnostic character for Cryptorchestia. A mainland (C.garbinii) versus insular isolation and in situ speciation (C.cavimana, and C.ruffoi) in the two east Mediterranean islands of Cyprus and Rhodes is discussed in relation to terrestrial Cryptorchestia species endemic to North East Atlantic volcanic islands (Azores, Canary Islands, and Madeira). The incorporation of five Mediterranean and Atlantic Orchestia species in the Bayesian analysis of the two genes (COI, and H3) indicated that both genera Orchestia and Cryptorchestia are not monophyletic.

Oral findings and health status among hospitalized patients with physical disabilities, aged 60 or above.

The purpose of the study was to determine oral health status and the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among hospitalized elderly patients with physical disabilities. The study group consisted of 111 (43 male and 68 female) elderly patients with physical disabilities. Clinical examination and interview methods were employed. Clinical examination revealed that 45.9% of the elderly patients had one or more oral mucosal lesions. Xerostomia (58.6%), coated-hairy tongue (54.1%) and halitosis (46.8%) were the most frequently encountered oral findings and mucosal lesions. As the most interesting finding discovered in elderly patients, macroglossia (30.6%) seems to depend on physical disability. Coated or hairy tongue was commonly related to poor oral hygiene, with both crude odds ratio (OR) of 3.25 (95% CI: 1.26-8.36) (P=0.021) and the logistic regression OR of 3.36 (95% CI: 1.21-9.33) (P=0.020). Halitosis and bruxism were commonly related to dentate patients [logistic regression OR of 0.29 (95% CI: 1.12-0.74) (P=0.009) and 0.21 (95% CI: 0.06-0.74) (P=0.016); respectively]. Increase in dental problems may have negative impacts on chewing, nutrition, aesthetics and phonation in elderly patients. It is particularly noteworthy that physical disability in elderly patients limits their ability to effectively follow oral hygiene procedures.

[Terminology and classification of condylar hyperplasia: Two case reports and review]. / Kondiler hiperplazinin terminolojisi ve siniflandirilmasi: Iki olgu sunumu ve derleme.

Condylar hyperplasia is characterized by the growth of mandibular condyle. Its etiology and pathogenesis remain controversial. It often occurs unilaterally and leads to facial asymmetry and malocclusion. In the literature, it was also classified according to anomalies accompanied by the growth of other components of the mandible. Differential diagnosis of condylar hyperplasia usually includes tumors of temporomandibular joint. In this article, we discuss the term "condylar hyperplasia" and its classification considering two patients with condylar growth.

Accidental sodium hypochlorite-induced skin injury during endodontic treatment.

A case of accidental skin injury caused by leakage of sodium hypochlorite solution from the rubber dam during root canal preparation is reported. After placement of a rubber dam and initiation of root canal treatment, the patient complained of a burning sensation with sodium hypochlorite irrigation. The complaints were ignored by the practitioner, and a skin rash developed on and around the patient's chin, followed by scab formation. The patient required medical treatment with topical Hamamelis virginiana extract for 2 weeks, with full recovery.

Effects of pregnancy and lactation on the microhardness of rat incisor dentine and enamel.

Pregnancy and lactation affect the rate of maternal dentine apposition and mineralization in the rat. In this study we have measured the effects of pregnancy and lactation on the degree of mineralization of dentine and enamel by using the microhardness method in rat incisors. At incisal sections, pregnant and lactation group enamel values were increased compared to that of a control group; the pregnancy and post-lactation period dentine values decreased slightly compared to the control group. At neck sections, pregnant and lactation group enamel values were decreased compared to that of the control group; the pregnancy and post-lactation period dentine values were also decreased slightly compared to the control group. At the post-lactation period neck section dentine mineralization was decreased compared with the incisal section. As a result, enamel and dentine layers of rat incisors are affected to varying degrees by these changes in mineralization levels during the maternal period.

A study of the dental solid waste produced in a school of dentistry in Turkey.

Dental wastes are regulated under medical waste control regulations in most countries. Even though the quantity of hazardous wastes in dental solid wastes is a small proportion, there is still cross infection risk and potential danger for environment associated with mismanaged wastes. For this reason, knowledge of waste composition and development of proper management alternatives are necessary. In this study, the composition of solid wastes coming from eight clinics of the dental school of a University hospital in Turkey is examined. Although the waste has some variations between the two samplings, the general picture is such that the major components remain pretty much the same (in terms of %) for a fixed clinic. The composition of waste changes from one clinic to the other as expected. However, one can deduce from the data obtained that at about 35%, rubber gloves constitute close to the half of the total solid waste in almost all the clinics. Other major component is paper forming approximately 30% of the solid waste. In general, total waste coming from the clinics is related with the number of procedures conducted on patients at the clinics. Only a small fraction of the waste is hazardous indicating that at Hacettepe University School of Dentistry, hazardous waste collection rules are obeyed in most of the times.

Evaluation of articulation of Turkish phonemes after removable partial denture application.

In this study, the adaptation of patients to removable partial dentures was evaluated related to articulation of Turkish phonemes. Articulation of /t,d.n,l,r/, /g,k/, /b,p,m/ and /s,z,s,v,f,y,j,h,c/ phonemes were evaluated by three speech pathologists, on records taken from 15 patients before the insertion of a removable partial denture, just after insertion, and one week later. The test consisted of evaluation of phoneme articulation of independent syllables in terms of distortion, omission, substitution, mass effect, hypernasality and hyponasality. Data were evaluated with Cochrane Q. McNemar and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The results showed that for some phonemes, problems in articulation occurred after the insertion of a removable partial denture while for others a significant amelioration was observed after the insertion of a removable partial denture. In general, problems in articulation of evaluated phonemes were resolved after one week of use.

Application of Kvaal et al.'s age estimation method to panoramic radiographs from Turkish individuals.

Age estimation of living adult individuals can be accomplished with limited methods. Radiographic dental methods based on the pulpal narrowing with secondary dentin formation have been presented. In the present study, Kvaal et al.'s method, one of the radiographic dental age estimation methods, was applied to panoramic radiographs from Turkish individuals. The correlation between chronological and estimated ages was examined and the feasibility of length and width measurements of pulp cavity was evaluated for age estimation. The study population consisted of 123 patients with ages ranging from 14 to 57 years. The measurements of the length and width of six types of teeth on digitized panoramic radiographs were performed, and the ratios between tooth and pulp cavity measurements were calculated. Age was estimated using the linear regression models presented by Kvaal et al. and Paewinsky et al. High differences were observed between chronological and estimated ages. Measurement ratios showed no significant or weak correlation with age. The linear regression models were derived using variables that were significantly correlated with age. The determination coefficients of the models varied from 0.035 to 0.345. In conclusion, a difference of more than 12 years in the chronological and estimated ages derived using regression models in literature was found on panoramic radiographs in Turkish individuals. The length and width of the pulp cavity, measured according to the method of Kvaal et al. using panoramic radiographs, were insufficient to precisely estimate the age of Turkish individuals.

Oral trauma, mouthguard awareness, and use in two contact sports in Turkey.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of dental hard and soft tissue injuries during participation in contact sports, and the awareness and use of mouthguards in a young adult sample of semi-professional or amateur boxers and tae kwon do participants in Turkey. The samples consisted of 274 young adults [174 male (63.5%) and 100 female (36.5%)] aged between 17 and 27 years of which 185 (67.5%) were tae kwon do practitioners, and 89 (32.5%) were boxers. The participants answered a standard questionnaire. All answers were evaluated and then statistical analyses were performed. Of the total sample, 61 of the subjects (22.3%) suffered dental trauma. Of these sufferers, 32 (17.3%) were boxers and 29 (32.6%) were tae kwon do practitioners. It was found that 19 (6.9%) athletes lost their teeth post-trauma. Of the 54 subjects (19.7%) suffering soft tissue injuries, 44 were female (81.5%), while only 10 were male (18.5%), of which 40 (74.1%) were tae kwon do practitioners and 14 (25.9%) were boxers. Of the total sample of 274 subjects, 228 (83.2%) were well informed about mouthguard usage. Of the total sample, 153 (55.8%) of the subjects used mouthguards, all of which were boil-and-bite type. The results of our study indicate that dentists and sports authorities in Turkey should promote the use of mouthguards in contact sports such as tae kwon do and boxing, which have a serious risk for dental and oral soft tissue trauma and tooth loss.

Evaluation of mandibular bone density to predict osteoporosis in adolescents with constitutional delayed growth.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between constitutional delayed growth (CDG) and mandibular bone trabeculation as well as bone density on panoramic radiographs using a computer software program. METHODS: Panoramic radiographs obtained from 25 patients with CDG and 25 healthy adolescents were evaluated for this study. Patients were selected from admission to Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Section of Adolescent Medicine in the first half of the year 2002. All panoramic radiographs were taken under standard conditions, and were randomized and then converted to digital images for density analysis using a scanner. The images were transferred to Osiris computer software program for the evaluation of bone density from 4 different regions on the mandible (right and left mandibular angle and condyle). RESULTS: The CDG group had higher values for the risk of osteoporosis considering the right (t=3.360, p=0.002) and the left condyle (t=3.620, p=0.001) (t-test for independent samples). It was also seen that the CDG group was again at higher risk in comparison to the control group when left mandibular angle values were measured (z=-2.447, p=0.014) (Mann Whitney-U test). CONCLUSION: We suggest that panoramic radiographs, which are transformed into digital format, can be valuable and economic tools for detecting the risk of osteoporosis in adolescents with CDG.

Repair of untreated horizontal root fracture: a case report.

We report a clinical case of horizontal root fracture in the mandibular first premolar induced by a traffic accident. The fractured tooth spontaneously healed and diagnosed radiographically after 2 years. Fractured fragments were separated by a narrow radiolucent line and the edges were rounded, and healing of the tooth is likely to be related to interproximal connective tissue healing. Our case is an example of spontaneously healed fracture roots. An interesting finding is that the healing was observed even in the presence of two root canals, the vitality of the pulp was preserved and displacement of fragments were prevented.

Bifid mandibular condyle: a case report.

A case of left bifid mandibular condyle (BMC) is reported in a 36-year-old female. The patient had a history of trauma in childhood. From the radiological examination, the left condyle was seen to have two anterioposteriorly situated heads. BMC is an extremely rare condition, where the condyle is duplicated or lobulated. The literature on BMC is reviewed, and possible cause of trauma and consequences of the anomaly are discussed.