Mandibular dental arch changes with active self-ligating brackets combined with different archwires.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare mandibular arch and incisor inclinational changes by comparing active self-ligating brackets used with different forms of archwires with a control group in nonextraction cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample of 50 patients with Class I malocclusion was divided into three groups: Group I was treated with active self-ligating brackets (Nexus, Ormco/Orange, CA, USA) used with Damon arch form copper nickel-titanium (Cu-NiTi) and stainless steel (SS) wires; Group II was treated with interactive self-ligating bracket system (Empower, American Orthodontics, Sheboygan, Wis, USA) used with standard Cu-NiTi and SS wires; and Group III was treated with Roth prescribed conventional brackets (Forestadent, Pforzheim, Germany) with standard Cu-NiTi and SS wires which was designed as a control group. Changes in dimension of mandibular arch and inclination of incisors were assessed on dental models and lateral cephalometric radiographs at pretreatment (T1) and posttreatment (T2) periods. Paired-t test and one-way analysis of variance were used to perform intragroup and intergroup comparisons, respectively. RESULTS: In all groups, an average increase of transversal distances occurred from pretreatment to the posttreatment period (P < 0.05). However, mandibular arch length increase was significantly different among the Groups I-III (P = 0.008) and I-II (P = 0.006). No significant intergroup difference was found with regard to incisor inclinational changes. CONCLUSIONS: Bracket type had no significant effect on the mandibular dimensional or incisor inclination changes. Besides this, archwire type had only little effect on the treatment results as active self-ligating bracket with Damon archwires increased mandibular arch length greater than other groups.

Immunohistochemical analysis of thyroid follicular neoplasms and BRAF mutation correlation.

BACKGROUND: The accurate diagnosis of benign and malign thyroid tumors is very important for the clinical management of patients. The distinction of thyroid papillary carcinoma follicular variant and follicular adenoma can be difficult. AIM: To investigate the alternative methods like immunohistochemistry and exon 15 in the BRAF gene 1799 T/A mutation analyses for distinguishing thyroid tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We applied immunohistochemical markers; CK19, HMWCK, Galectin-3, HBME-1 and Fibronectin and mutant allele-specific PCR amplification technique was used to determine 1799 T/A mutation within the BRAF gene. Formalin-fixed parafin embedded tissues from 45 surgically total resected thyroids, included 26 thyroid papillary carcinoma follicular variant (FV-TPC), 8 Follicular Adenoma (FA), 6 Minimal invasive follicular carcinoma (MIFC) and 5 Follicular Carcinoma (FC). Statistical Analyses Used: Pearson Chi-Square and Kruskal Wallis tests were performed. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between FV-TPC and HMWCK, CK 19, HBME1, Galectin 3, fibronectin (P < 0.05), but there was no correlation with FV-TPC and BRAF gene mutation (P > 0.05). HBME-1 and CK 19 stained strong and diffuse positive in FV-TPCs but weak and focal in FAs. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that morphologic features combined with immunohistochemical panel of HMWCK, CK19, HBME-1, Galectin-3 and fibronectin can help to distinguish benign and malign thyroid neoplasms and FV-TPC from follicular adenomas. BRAF gene 1799 T/A mutation has been non-specific but its detection can be a useful tool combined with immunohistochemistry for diagnosing FV-TPC.

Characterization of immunohistochemical markers in triple negative breast carcinomas.

PURPOSE: Triple negative (TN) breast carcinomas (estrogen receptor/ER, progesterone receptor/PR and HER-2/neu negative) constitute 15-25% of all breast carcinomas and have been correlated with aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. Our aim was to describe and characterize the immunophenotype of these tumors in a group of patients from Turkey. METHODS: We used the immunohistochemical markers CK5/6, CK14, EGFR, E-cadherin, p53 and androgen receptor. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 51 breast carcinoma patients (36 TN and 15 non TN) were included into this study. RESULTS: The mean values of the distribution of immunohistochemical markers in TN vs non-TN groups were as follows: CK5/6 78.4 vs 5.3%, CK14 84.8 vs 8%, EGFR 87.2 vs 8%, E-cadherin 96.9 vs 53.2%, p53 87.3 vs 7.3% and androgen receptor 89.5 vs 33.3% (all p-values<0.001). CK5/6 stained significantly different in the grade 2 and 3 cases (p=0.035) in the TN group.The other markers demonstrated no significant differences between grades. CONCLUSION: TN breast carcinomas in Turkish patients express basal cytokeratins, and have high levels of p53 compared to non-TN breast carcinomas.

The neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of diltiazem in spinal cord ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

The protective effects of diltiazem were examined in a rabbit model of spinal cord ischaemia-reperfusion induced by infrarenal aortic occlusion for 30 min. In the diltiazem group (n = 6), an intravenous infusion (2 microg/kg per min) was started 10 min before ischaemia induction; normal saline solution was infused in the control group (n = 6). Neurological function was assessed using modified Tarlov criteria 24 h after surgery. Plasma samples were analysed for interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. Spinal tissue was analysed for malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and reduced glutathione activities. Tarlov scores of the diltiazem-treated rabbits indicated significantly improved hind-limb motor function compared with the control group. The diltiazem group also had better quantitative and qualitative histopathological findings. Diltiazem infusion significantly reduced IL-6 levels 3 and 24 h after reperfusion compared with the control group. The mean IL-10 level in the diltiazem group was significantly higher than in the control group 24 h after reperfusion. It is concluded that diltiazem has cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, leading to reduced spinal cord injury.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester accelerates cutaneous wound healing in a rat model and decreases oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous injury causes a depression in antioxidant status, as reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in response to injury. AIM: To determine the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, on wound healing in rats. METHODS: In total, 40 male rats were divided into two groups: one group treated with CAPE (n = 20) and a second untreated control group (n = 20). A linear full-thickness incision was performed on the back of each rat and sutured. After incision, CAPE was given to the treatment group and saline to the control group. On days 1, 3, 7 and 14, five animals in each group were killed, and wound tissues dissected for biochemical and histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Wound tissues showed a significant increase in glutathione and nitric oxide levels, and a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels and superoxide dismutase levels in the CAPE group compared with the control group. Histopathology of the wound tissues displayed rapid epithelium development in the CAPE group compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated that CAPE partly accelerates full-thickness wound healing by its antioxidant and ROS-scavenging capabilities.

Basal cell adenoma of prostate.

A case of basal cell adenoma of the prostate accompanying benign prostatic hypertrophy is presented. This is an uncommon, benign lesion which is usually mistaken for a carcinoma. In order to emphasize the importance of differential diagnose and to better define this entity, we present a case report.

The Laugier-Hunziker syndrome.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is a rare, acquired, benign hyperpigmentation of the lips, oral mucosa and nails. Although it is a benign disorder, other pigmentary disorders affecting the oral mucosa and nails must be considered in the different diagnosis. We presented a case of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome, showed clinical and histopathologic features of the disease.

Uhl's anomaly. Differential diagnosis and indication for cardiac transplantation in an infant.

We report the case of an 8-month-old female infant with Uhl's anomaly, who underwent successful cardiac transplantation. The clinical findings, complementary laboratory tests, anatomic findings, and differential diagnosis of the anomaly are discussed.