Is there an increased risk of complications in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 six months before total knee arthroplasty?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the risk of developing complications between patients who had long-term COVID-19 and those who did not. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study involving a total of 265 patients who had undergone total knee arthroplasty surgery. A cohort of patients (Group 1) who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 six months prior to total knee arthroplasty was established and matched to a cohort of patients who had never been diagnosed with COVID-19 (Group 2). Demographic information such as age and gender, underlying diseases, postoperative complications (surgical site infection, wound problem, periprosthetic fracture, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism, hematoma, pneumonia, urinary tract infection) and exitus were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 265 patients, 217 (81.9%) were females and 48 (18.1%) were males. 41 of these patients (15.5%) previously had COVID-19 (Group 1). The number of people who did not have COVID-19 was 224 (84.5%) (Group 2). There was no difference between group 1 and group 2 in terms of complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the rate of complications, including deep vein thrombosis, in patients who had COVID-19 six months before total knee arthroplasty was not higher than those who did not.

Comparison of ultra-congruent anterior-stabilized vs. a posterior cruciate substituting total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis with severe varus knee deformity: comparable 2 year outcomes with two design.

OBJECTIVE: In this retrospective study, we compared the functionality and clinical outcomes of patients with severe varus knees who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) that used prostheses with either a posterior stabilized (PS) design or an ultra-congruent (UC) design. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Primary TKA was performed in 161 patients; the UC device was used in 82 (51%) cases and the PS device in 79 (49%). Preoperatively and at the final follow-up examination, all patients were evaluated by orthoroentgenography. The mechanical axis angle and radiolucent lines were evaluated according to the Knee Society Roentgenographic Evaluation System on preoperative and 5-year follow-up radiographs. Total Knee Society Score (KSS) (knee score/function score) and Visual Analog Scale scores were obtained at the final follow-up examination. Demographic and surgical data and revision rates were evaluated for all patients. RESULTS: Postoperative angle values were significantly decreased in both the UC and PS groups (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Postoperative flexion range of motion values were significantly increased in both the UC and PS groups (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The postoperative KSS function scores were not significantly different between the groups (p=0.194). The mean surgical time of the PS group (54.99±4.18 minutes) was significantly higher than that of the UC group (46.02±4.48 minutes) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: No notable differences were found between the UC and PS groups with respect to the clinical and functional parameters examined. Based on these results, UC TKA can be considered a safe alternative to PS TKA in severe varus knees.

Efficacy of using erbium, chromium-doped: Yttrium scandium gallium garnet laser-treated dentine in a dentine barrier test device.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of using erbium, chromium-doped:yttrium scandium gallium garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser-treated dentine in a dentine barrier test device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The test materials (G-Bond™ and Vitrebond™) were applied onto laser-treated or laser-untreated dentine discs. After 24 h of exposure with perfusion of the test chamber, cell survival was evaluated based on enzyme activity and compared to a nontoxic control material. The mean of the control was set to 100% viability. Data were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance and the Tukey's honest significant difference tests. RESULTS: The responses of bovine pulp-derived cells after exposure to G-Bond and Vitrebond on Er,Cr:YSGG laser-treated and laser-untreated dentin were statistically different from negative control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment was not successful enough in decreasing the cytotoxic effects of the dental materials. Different parameters of Er,Cr:YSGG laser or different laser types could be investigated as an alternative to minimizing the cytotoxic effects of dental materials.

Evaluation of the permeability of five desensitizing agents using computerized fluid filtration.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the permeability of five desensitizing agents using computerized fluid filtration (CFF) test method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty dentin discs of 500 ± 200-mm-thick were prepared from middle dentin of bovine incisors without exposed the pulp and then randomly divided into five groups (n = 12). The permeability of the discs was measured using the CFF test method before and after application of the following desensitizers: Admira Protect (Voco, Cuxhaven, Germany), Seal and Protect (Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany), Sensi Kill (DFL, Brazil), Systemp Desensitizer (Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein), BisBlock (Bisco, USA). Fluid movement measurements were made at 2-min intervals for 8 min, and a mean of the values obtained was calculated for each specimen. The results were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon signed ranks tests with a significance threshold of P < 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in permeability among desensitizing agents (P > 0.05); however dentin permeability was reduced in all groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The in vitro fluid conductance of dentin discs were reduced by treating with these five desensitizing agents.

Cytotoxicity evaluation of dentin contacting materials with dentin barrier test device using erbium-doped yttrium, aluminum, and garnet laser-treated dentin.

OBJECTIVES: The effect of dentin contacting materials on three-dimensional cultures of pulp-derived cells was evaluated in a dentin barrier test device using erbium-doped yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser-treated dentin. METHODS: The test materials (iBond(®), G-Bond™, and Vitrebond™) were applied on laser-treated or untreated dentin discs. After 24 h of exposure with perfusion of the test chamber, cell survival was evaluated by enzyme activity and related to a nontoxic control material. The mean values of control tissues were set to represent 100% viability. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Vitrebond was the most toxic material for both laser-treated and untreated dentin. On untreated dentin, G-bond was cytotoxic to the pulp-derived cells (p < 0.05), and iBond was similar to the negative control group (p > 0.05). However, G-Bond and iBond were not cytotoxic when they were applied to Er:YAG laser-treated dentin (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Er:YAG laser treatment of dentin may protect the pulp cells from toxic substances of dentin contacting restorative materials; however, this effect is material related. Taking into consideration the limitations of this in vitro study, the Er:YAG laser treatment of dentin before restoration might be an option for decreasing the cytotoxic effects of the dental materials. Further research is required for clinical applications.

Antioxidant properties, chemical composition and nutritional value of Terfezia boudieri (Chatin) from Turkey.

Our objectives were to investigate the chemical composition, nutritive value and antioxidant activity potentials of Terfezia boudieri Chatin collected from different areas from Southeast of Turkey. The amounts of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, crude fibre, moisture and ash were 34.00-65.00 (kcal/100 g), 1.40-2.73, 0.86-1.71, 4.84-11.60, 80.86-90.33 (g/100 g, f.w.) and 1.02-1.98 g/100 g dry mass, respectively. Fatty acids and amino acids analyses revealed that linoleic acid and glutamic acid were, respectively the most abundant. Among the essential amino acids leucine was the highest amount and this was followed by threonine. Magnesium was the most abundant element with a concentration value of 182.30 mg/100 g dry mass. T. boudieri exhibited excellent antioxidant activity when compared with standard compounds. In total antioxidant and chelating effect on ferrous ions activity T. boudieri showed the highest activity against the standards. Additionally, at all studied tests antioxidant activity of the mushroom increased with increasing concentration. The total phenolic content of T. boudieri was found as 8.45 mg/g.

Production of random DNA oligomers for scalable DNA computing.

While remarkably complex networks of connected DNA molecules can form from a relatively small number of distinct oligomer strands, a large computational space created by DNA reactions would ultimately require the use of many distinct DNA strands. The automatic synthesis of this many distinct strands is economically prohibitive. We present here a new approach to producing distinct DNA oligomers based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a few random template sequences. As an example, we designed a DNA template sequence consisting of a 50-mer random DNA segment flanked by two 20-mer invariant primer sequences. Amplification of a dilute sample containing about 30 different template molecules allows us to obtain around 10(11) copies of these molecules and their complements. We demonstrate the use of these amplicons to implement some of the vector operations that will be required in a DNA implementation of an analog neural network.

New and remarkable records of microfungi from Turkey.

During a botanical excursion of the University of Essen in the year 2002 to North-, Central- and South-Anatolia we have collected representatives of about 100 genera of microfungi as parasites or saprophytes on crops and wild plants. Some of them are new for Turkey: Passalora dubia on Atriplex hortensis, Pseudocercospora ligustri on Ligustrum ovalifolium, Passalora smilacis on Smilax aspera, Uromyces limonii on Limonium spec., Puccinia jasmini on Jasminim spec., Sawadea bicornis on Acer negundo, Puccinia sii-falcariae on Falcaria vulgaris, Phomia hedericola on Hedera helix, Camorosporium pistaciae on Pistacia terebinthus, Erysiphe bahrii on Silene spec., Ramularia heraclei on Apium graveolens. All specimens are located in the Herbarium ESS, Mycotheca parva, collection G.B. Feige & N. Ale-Agha.

Osteoma of the middle ear.

Osteomas are benign pedunculated tumours of the lamellar bone, which commonly originates from paranasal sinuses. Within the temporal bone they are seen commonly in the external ear canal. Osteomas originating from the middle ear are very rare. There are only 12 cases reported in the medical literature up to now. Five of those cases caused conductive hearing loss and the others were asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally.

Patient selection and surgical results in obstructive sleep apnea.

In recent years, therapeutic methods have been effective in the management of snoring and sleep apnea. Successful results have been possible through conservative and surgical approaches when the nature and site of obstruction is ascertained by careful investigation. Sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the upper respiratory tract has been the most valuable diagnostic tool in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. This has made it possible to measure the dimensions and distance of the hard and soft palate and tongue base to the posterior pharyngeal wall. Surgery is only indicated when a site of obstruction can be completely determined. In this study, surgical approaches and results obtained in 50 patients after surgery for sleep apnea are presented. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) had a higher success rate in patients with obstruction at the level of the soft palate, but this rate decreased when it was associated with hypopharyngeal obstruction or when there was hypopharyngeal obstruction alone. UPPP was found to be beneficial in patients with central apnea. Nasal pathologies also played an important role in sleep apnea. Better results were obtained when UPPP was performed in patients who were young, not obese and an apnea-hypopnea index was below 40. Some unusual pathologies included lingual tonsil hypertrophy in the adult, sublingual dermoid cysts and angioma of soft palate and were found to be the cause of OSA. After surgical excision of these pathologies, apneic periods disappeared.

Lingual tonsil hypertrophy producing obstructive sleep apnea.

The hypertrophy of the lingual tonsil is a rare occurrence in adults. This disorder may cause obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and also may lead to a life-threatening obstruction of the upper airway. Diagnosis of lingual tonsil hypertrophy in patients with OSA requires a careful examination by advanced technologic methods. The sleep apnea is successfully treated by lingual tonsillectomy, with or without tracheotomy. In this study the case of an adult with OSA caused by lingual tonsil hypertrophy which was treated with lingual tonsillectomy is presented, and the diagnosis and the treatment procedure of such cases are discussed.

Laryngeal paraganglioma. A review and report of a single case.

Laryngeal paraganglioma originates in the neural crest cells in the laryngeal paraganglia. Two distinct types may be cited on the basis of clinical features, but biopsy is essential for diagnosis. By light microscopy, the Zellballen pattern appears pathognomonic. The treatment consists of surgical excision. In this article, due to the rareness of the tumour, one case of laryngeal paraganglioma is presented. The general knowledge and the available literature are reviewed. The difficulties in the differential diagnosis are stressed and treatment principles are discussed.

Rosai-Dorfman disease involving the nasal septum.

Rosai-Dorfman disease, or sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML), is a benign, self-limited pseudolymphomatous entity with characteristic histologic features. The disease may be atypically present in the absence of detectable nodal involvement. This is a case of nasal septum involvement of Rosai-Dorfman disease without clinically apparent lymphadenopathy.

A case of Tullio phenomenon in a subject with oval window fistula due to barotrauma.

The Tullio phenomenon is defined as vertigo that occurs as a result of extremely high acoustic stimuli. Stimulation of the system of semicircular canals and otoliths causes nystagmus, reflex head tilt and body sway, and vertigo to occur. This condition is quite rare. The Tullio phenomenon was diagnosed in a patient with a fistula of the oval window due to barotrauma. It was diagnosed after a careful examination by Frenzel's glasses. The complaints of vertigo disappeared after the fistula had been closed surgically.

Undifferentiated carcinoma with lymphoid stroma of the parotid gland.

A rare undifferentiated carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (UCLS) of the parotid gland is described in a white Turkish patient. The raised serum IgG to Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen suggests a causal relationship between Epstein-Barr virus and this type of salivary gland carcinoma. Some clinical features are briefly reviewed.