The prognostic impact of comorbidity, nutritional and performance status on patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of nutritional status, comorbidity, and performance status on patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 112 DLBCL patients who were diagnosed at our center between 2009 and 2018. Demographic and disease characteristics and laboratory test results were recorded. Assessments were made using the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (CCI-A) for comorbidity, albumin level for nutritional status, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score for performance status. Results: The mean age of the patients was found to be 62.63 ± 15.16 years. The ECOG score of 65 patients (69.1%) was in the range of 0-1. The mean follow-up time of the patients was determined to be 25.24 ± 25.11 months, and at the end of the follow-up period, 64 patients (57.1%) were survivors. The progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and 5-year OS rates of those with CCI-A > 4 were found to be significantly lower than those with CCI-A score ≤4 (P < 0.05). As a result of the Cox-Regression (Backward: LR method) analysis, ECOG and albumin levels were found to be independent risk factors for both OS and PFS (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that CCI-A, ECOG, and nutritional status are independent prognostic markers for DLBCL patients. Initial evaluation of these patients should include all these parameters, which are easily available at the time of diagnosis.

The prognostic significance of blood counts in patients with hodgkin lymphoma.

Background and Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the demographic, clinical features, treatment responses, and outcomes of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients and to investigate the factors affecting their survival. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis was made of patients diagnosed with HL in our department between 2009 and 2019. Treatment regimen, treatment response, and follow-up times were recorded for all patients. Using these data, complete response (CR) rates, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated. The effects of parameters on survival were investigated with Cox regression analysis. Results: Evaluation was made of 60 patients with a median age of 33.5 years [18.0-80.0] and mean follow-up duration of 29.34 ± 23.64 months. Median OS and PFS could not be reached with a mean OS of 85.6 months, and PFS of 71.7 months at the final visit. Only initial leukocyte and neurophil count were determined to have a statistically significant impact on survival (OR = 1.004; P = 0.031 vs OR = 0.996; P = 0.036). Conclusion: In HL patients, in addition to the many prognostic scoring systems, leukocyte and neutrophil count can be used as an independent prognostic parameter. Patients with higher leukocyte and lower neutrophil counts at the time of diagnosis should be managed more carefully.

The frequency of sodium hypochlorite extrusion during root canal treatment: an observational clinical study.

BACKGROUND: To determine the frequency of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) extrusion and evaluate the outcome of the injury. METHODS: A total of 1123 teeth indicated root canal treatment were included. An open-ended needle was used during/after the instrumentation. Acute burning pain during irrigation was considered as NaOCl extrusion. Negative aspiration was applied for patients with extrusion, and appropriate treatment was planned due to the symptoms. The number of patients who experienced extrusion and symptoms were recorded. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), at P < 0.05, was used to compare the data groups. RESULTS: NaOCl extrusion rate was found at 0.89%, and the injury with swelling that differential diagnosis of NaOCl accident caused by extrusion rate was 0.18%. The most common findings besides acute pain, as a sign of extrusion (n = 10), were accompanying apical bleeding (n = 6) and swelling (n = 2). According to the number of visits, a significant correlation was found between the symptoms (P = 0.010). No serious injury such as a neurological sign, tissue necrosis or trismus occurred in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Demographic characteristics of the patients and preoperative condition of teeth were not related to NaOCl extrusion. The increasing number of visits may affect the probability of an accident. Negative aspiration immediately may be crucial in preventing severe injuries.

Evaluation of antimicrobial and thermal effects of diode laser on root canal dentin.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of diode laser and temperature rise on the root surface during application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six teeth were chemomechanically prepared and irrigated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and then autoclaved and incubated with a suspension of Enterococcus faecalis. The specimens were randomly divided into three groups (n = 12): Group 1, irradiated by diode laser at 1.2 W; Group 2, irradiated by diode laser at 2 W; and Group 3, irradiated by diode laser at 3 W. The grown bacteria were counted and the mean numbers of the each test tube were determined. The temperature was measured on the external apical third of the root during laser application. The mean values of results for each group were compared using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test. RESULTS: No significant difference was obtained among the test groups in terms of the colony counts (P > 0.05). According to the temperature changes, there was a significant difference between groups (P < 0.05). Temperature rises were 16.79°C, 10.20°C, and 6.25°C in Group 3, Group 2, and Group 1, respectively. CONCLUSION: Diode laser irradiation with 1.2 W demonstrated comparable performance with 2 W and 3 W power sets for elimination of E. faecalis from root canal with less temperature rise.

Low levels of circulating platelet factor 4 (PF4, CXCL4) in subclinically hypothyroid autoimmune thyroiditis.

PURPOSE: Chemokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Platelet factor 4 (PF4, CXCL4) released from activated platelets is a chemokine. However, its clinical importance in autoimmune thyroiditis remains unknown. This study is intended to determine circulating levels of PF4 levels in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). METHODS: Circulating levels of PF4 were measured in 34 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed AIT and 18 euthyroid controls. Among AIT group, 16 patients were euthyroid and 18 had subclinic hypothyroidism. Controls and individuals with AIT were similar in terms of age. RESULTS: Serum levels of PF4 were comparable in patients with AIT and in controls. Among patients with AIT, PF4 was significantly lower in those with subclinical hypothyroidism than in euthyroid individuals (p = 0.001). In correlation analysis, PF4 was negatively correlated with TSH (r = -0.663, p = 0.000) and positively correlated with free T4 (r = 0.428, p = 0.012). There was not any significant correlation between PF4 and AbTPO, AbTg. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated for the first time that circulating PF4 levels are decreased in subclinically hypothyroid AIT. This result draws attention to the circulating PF4 levels in subclinically hypothyroid AIT and may shed light on further researches at this topic.

Comparison of ProTaper Next and HyFlex instruments on apical debris extrusion in curved canals.

AIM: To evaluate the amount of apically extruded debris after root canal instrumentation with ProTaper Next and HyFlex instruments in curved root canals. METHODOLOGY: Forty extracted mandibular first molar teeth with curved mesial roots and of similar lengths were instrumented using ProTaper Next or HyFlex instruments. The extruded debris was collected into pre-weighed Eppendorf tubes. The tubes were stored in an incubator at 68 °C for 5 days. The tubes were weighed to obtain the final dry weight of the extruded debris. The weight of the extruded debris was determined by subtracting the initial weight from the final weight. Distribution of data was determined by Shapiro-Wilk test. Continuous variables were compared with the Independent Sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. The significance level was set at P = 0.05. RESULTS: Both instruments were associated with apical debris extrusion. The HyFlex group had significantly less debris extrusion than the ProTaper Next group (P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: HyFlex CM was associated with significantly less apical extrusion than ProTaper Next.

Evaluation of the amount of apically extruded debris during retreatment of root canals filled by different obturation techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the amount of apically extruded debris during retreatment (with or without solvent) of root canals filled by two obturation techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight root canals were prepared using ProTaper Universal F3 and filled with Gutta-percha and AH 26 sealer using single cone or lateral condensation techniques. The root canal fillings were removed using ProTaper Universal Retreatment system with or without solvent, and the canals were further prepared with ProTaper F4. The operating time was measured. The debris extruded was collected into preweighed Eppendorf tubes. The dry weight of the extruded debris was calculated by subtracting the weight of the empty tube from that of the tube containing debris. Statistical analysis was performed with two-way analysis of variance test, with Bonferroni correction at a 95% confidence level. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the amount of extruded debris between the two obturation techniques (P=0.332). The mean amount of debris was higher in the nonsolvent groups than the solvent groups, particularly with the single cone technique (P=0.013). There was a significant difference between groups with regard to the retreatment time (P<0.001). Gutta-percha removal took less time in the single cone group than in the lateral condensation group (P<0.001). Gutta-percha removal in the nonsolvent groups took significantly less time than that in the solvent groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The amounts of apically extruded debris were similar in both obturation techniques. A greater amount of apically extruded debris was observed in the nonsolvent groups than the solvent groups.

Apical extrusion of debris using ProTaper Universal and ProTaper Next rotary systems.

AIM: To assess and compare the amount of extruded debris after canal preparation using ProTaper Universal and ProTaper Next files. METHODOLOGY: Forty extracted mandibular premolars with single canals and of similar lengths were instrumented using the ProTaper Universal F3 or the ProTaper Next X3. The extruded debris during instrumentation was collected into pre-weighed Eppendorf tubes. The tubes were stored in an incubator for 5 days. The tubes were weighed to obtain the final dry weight of the extruded debris. The amount of apically extruded debris was calculated by subtracting the initial weight of the tube from the final weight. The distribution of the data was examined using the Shapiro-Wilks test. Continuous variables were compared with an independent-samples t-test for two groups. RESULTS: All specimens were associated with apical debris extrusion. The ProTaper Universal group produced a significantly greater amount of debris extrusion (P < 0.001). The lowest and highest amounts of debris for PTU and PTN groups were recorded as 0.00117-0.00165 g and 0.00017-0.00067 g, respectively. CONCLUSION: ProTaper Next files was associated with significantly less extruded apical debris when compared to ProTaper Universal files.

Placental expression of a novel primate-specific splice variant of sFlt-1 is upregulated in pregnancies complicated by severe early onset pre-eclampsia.

sFlt-1 is increased in the placenta and serum of women with pre-eclampsia. A novel primate-specific splice variant has recently been discovered, but its expression in severe pre-eclampsia has yet to be reported. We investigated placental expression of the previously described variant, sFlt-1/sFlt-i13, and the novel variant, sFlt-e15a, in pregnancies complicated by severe early onset pre-eclampsia (n = 14) and HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and a low platelet count) syndrome (n = 8). There was significant upregulation of both variants in pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome compared with normotensive term (n = 35) and preterm controls (n = 8). We conclude that the novel primate-specific splice variant of sFlt-1 is highly expressed in both severe pre-eclampsia and HELLP.