Investigation of efficacy of two different chemotherapy protocols used in neoadjuvant chemotherapy in clinical stages II-IV canine malignant mammary tumours.

The first aim of this study is to demonstrate the clinical efficacy and reliability of two different neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) protocols consisting of doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC) and paclitaxel in dogs with clinical stages II-IV canine malignant mammary tumours (CMTs). Secondly, to determine the Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2-positive and triple-negative molecular subtypes and their value in predicting clinical response to NAC in biopsy samples, and thirdly, to reveal the changes in Ki-67, human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2), oestrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PgR) expression levels induced by NAC. Thirty dogs with clinical stages II-IV CMTs (T1-3N0-1M0) according to the modified TNM system were included in the study. Dogs in group-1 (n = 15) AC combination and dogs in group-2 (n = 15) were administered paclitaxel. Partial response (PR) was the most common clinical response in both treatment groups (66.66% and 86.66%, respectively). There was no difference between the groups regarding clinical response parameters (p = .001). The rate of treatment responders was higher than the rate of non-responders in both groups (p < .001). The adverse effects observed in both groups were mostly limited to grades 1 and 2 and all were easy to manage. The most frequently detected molecular subtype was Luminal A (59.25%). Complete response (CR) was achieved in 33.33% of dogs with triple-negative CMT in the AC group and 14.29% of the Luminal A subtype in the paclitaxel group. Alterations in Ki-67, HER2, ER, and PgR expressions after chemotherapy were not statistically significant (p > .05). As a result, we have shown that these neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols are effective and safe alternative treatment options for CMTs.

Application of Global Trigger Tools in University Hospital and Comparison to Volunteer Adverse Events Reporting System.

BACKGROUND: A voluntary reporting system (VRS) is still used to detect adverse events (AEs) in health-care services in many countries. We attempted to apply the Global Trigger Tool (GTT) for the first time in our country and searched for an answer to the question of whether there could be new triggers. METHODS: Two hundred and forty inpatient records were selected from total of 1,807 inpatient files in the university obstetrics and gynecology clinic between 2018 and 2020. Twenty files per month were reviewed retrospectively using GTT, an approach developed by the American Institute for Health Development. VRS records of the same period were examined. The data were evaluated according to the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention scale and those in the E, F, G, H, I categories were included. RESULTS: The number of AEs per 1,000 patient days was 47.81, AEs per 1,000 patient hospitalizations was 95.83, and hospitalizations with AEs was 9.58%. In the VRS data, 10 of 85 reporting cases were listed in the E category (Damage is temporary and requires intervention), 6 of them were related to fall of the patient, and 4 of them were related to medical device and material safety. By applying GTT, 45 cases in category E and 35 cases in category F (Damage is temporary and requires hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization) AEs were detected in 23 patients (9.58%). The number of AEs reported was 8.3 times higher in the GTT than with VRS. Healthcare related infection, development of complications from any procedure, APTT>100 Seconds, INR>6, Organ Injury - Repair or Removal, All Kinds of Operative Complications were found to be the most sensitive triggers (PPV = 100). There was no difference between the patients with and without AEs in terms of age and number of hospitalization days (p: 0.707, p: 0.618). The sensitivity rate of vaginal dinoprostone use and CRP elevation (30% and 22%, respectively) was higher than the mean sensitivity rate of GTT triggers (15.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The GTT is more effective than VRS in detecting AEs. Using vaginal dinoprostone (propess) and high CRP levels could be used as a trigger. The GTT is a credible and fruitful instrument for determining AEs when adapted to the departmental practices.

Anti-Müllerian hormone: A novel biomarker for detecting bovine freemartinism.

The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) indicates ovarian reserve in cattle, maintaining a consistent trajectory post-puberty. In heterosexual pregnancies, the development of the Müllerian duct in female foetuses is inhibited, resulting in an anticipated minimal or absent ovarian reserve capacity. This investigation aimed to compare AMH levels in healthy Holstein heifers that had reached puberty with those of freemartin animals of the same breed and age. The study incorporated Holstein heifers reaching puberty between 11 and 15 months of age in Group 1 (G1, n = 20) and freemartin animals in Group 2 (G2, n = 19, 16). AMH measurements (AMH-1/AMH-2) were recorded at 12-day intervals for the study participants. Notably, AMH levels in three freemartin animals could not be detected, prompting statistical analysis based on measurements from the remaining 16 freemartin animals in G2. A statistically significant correlation was observed between two separate measurements in G1 and G2 (p < .001). Furthermore, AMH-1 and AMH-2 levels were statistically higher in G1 than in G2 (p < .001). In G1, AMH-1 levels ranged from 227 to 677 pg/mL, with an average of 367.3 ± 25.5 pg/mL, and AMH-2 levels ranged from 234 to 645 pg/mL, with an average of 380.8 ± 24.4 pg/mL. Conversely, in G2, AMH-1 levels ranged from 10 to 72 pg/mL, with an average of 26.8 ± 4.44 pg/mL, and AMH-2 levels ranged from 12 to 68 pg/mL, with an average of 28.75 ± 4.18 pg/mL. The mean AMH levels in G1 were approximately 14 times higher than in G2 (p < .001). Consequently, ROC analysis utilizing AMH-1 and AMH-2 data established cut-off values of ≤72 and ≤ 68 pg/mL respectively for distinguishing freemartin animals. In conclusion, AMH could be used as a reliable biomarker for identifying Holstein freemartin animals.

Micro-CT Evaluation of the Marginal and Internal Fit of Crown and Inlay Restorations Fabricated Via Different Digital Scanners belonging to the Same CAD-CAM System.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the marginal and internal adaptation of all-ceramic crowns and inlays fabricated by different scanners of the same CAD/CAM system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All-ceramic crown preparations were performed on typodont maxillary first premolars, and mandibular first molars were prepared for ceramic Class II mesio-occlusal inlays. Two intraoral scanners (CEREC Bluecam and Omnicam, Dentsply Sirona) and one model scanner (CEREC inEos X5, Dentsply Sirona) were used to scan the preparations. All restorations were fabricated by milling single-feldspathic ceramic blocks (CEREC Blocks). The marginal and internal discrepancies of restorations were evaluated via micro-CT analyses. RESULTS: For linear crown measurements, the marginal gaps were 63.75 µm, 88.24 µm, and 90.89 µm for Bluecam, Omnicam, and inEos X5, respectively. For crowns at central groove areas, the maximum values for Bluecam, Omnicam, and inEos X5 were found to be 144.78 µm, 165.19 µm, and 129.49 µm, respectively. For inlays, the highest range at the midpoint of the axiopulpal line angle for Bluecam, Omnicam, and inEos X5 were determined as 138.57 µm, 184.33 µm, and 179.71 µm, respectively. In volumetric measurements, inEos X5 showed lower gap for both crowns (11.47 mm3) and inlays (5.65 mm3) compared to both intraoral scanners. These results are within a clinically acceptable range. CONCLUSION: When all-ceramic crowns were evaluated, there were generally no significant differences found between scanners for the regional linear measurements, but more gaps occurred in restorations obtained with intraoral scanners for volumetric measurements. On the other hand, when the inlay restorations were evaluated, significant differences were found between groups except for the midpoint of the axio-pulpal line angle and the midpoint of the mesio-gingival margin. However, marginal and internal gaps of both crowns and inlays presented mean values less than 150 µm in many surfaces, which could be considered clinically acceptable.

Marginal and internal fit of feldspathic ceramic CAD/CAM crowns fabricated via different extraoral digitization methods: a micro-computed tomography analysis.

The aim of this study was to compare the fit of feldspathic ceramic crowns fabricated via 3 different extraoral digitizing methods. Twelve maxillary first premolars were prepared and 36 single crowns were fabricated via 3 extraoral digitizing methods using a laboratory scanner (n = 12): (1) scanning the typodont (ST [control] group); (2) scanning the impression (SI group); (3) scanning the stone cast (SC group). Micro-computed tomography was used to calculate two-dimensional marginal-internal gap and the three-dimensional volumetric gap between the crowns and their corresponding dies. The measured gaps were divided into 6 location categories as follows: marginal gap (MG), finish line gap (FLG), axial wall gap (AWG), cuspal gap (CG), proximal transition gap (PTG), and central fossa gap (CFG). The correlation between each of the 3 extraoral digitizing methods and the adaptation status of the crown margins were also evaluated. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman's rank test, and Chi-square test were used for data analysis (α = 0.05). The marginal gaps in the ST, SI, and SC groups differed significantly (24, 198 and 117.6 µm, respectively) (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found between the groups with regard to internal gap measurements, with SI representing higher gap measurements at FLG, PTG and CFG locations (p < 0.05). 3D volumetric gap measurements did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). Under-extended margins observed in the SI and SC groups were correlated with the digitizing method (Cramer's V-square: 0.14). When performing extraoral digitalization, clinicians should choose to scan the stone cast as scanning the stone cast resulted in better internal and marginal fit compared to scanning the impression.

[Comparison of clinical effectiveness of thoracic epidural and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia for the treatment of rib fractures pain in intensive care unit]. / Toraks travmali hastalarda intravenöz hasta kontrollü analjezi ile torakal epidural hasta kontrollü analjezinin klinik etkinliginin karsilastirilmasi

BACKGROUND: The results of thoracic epidural and systemic patient controlled analgesia practice were evaluated retrospectively in patients with thoracic trauma. METHODS: Patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit between 1997 and 2003, with a diagnosis of multiple rib fractures related to thoracic trauma were evaluated retrospectively. Data were recorded from 49 patients who met the following criteria; three or more rib fractures, initiation of PCA with I.V. phentanyl or thoracic epidural analgesia with phentanyl and bupivacaine. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups concerning injury severity score. APACHE II score (8.1+/-1.6 and 9.2+/-1.7) and the number of rib fractures (4+/-1.1 and 6.8+/-2.7) were higher in thoracic epidural analgesia group (p<0.05). Pain scores of patients who received thoracic epidural analgesia were significantly lower as from 6th hour during whole therapy (p<0.05). Length of intensive care unit stay (15.6+/-5.9 and 12.1+/-4.4 day) was found to be shorter in thoracic epidural analgesia group (p<0.05). There were no differences between the groups regarding mechanical ventilation requirement, pulmonary and cardiac complications. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the use of thoracic epidural analgesia with infusion of local anesthetics and opioids are more appropriate as they provide more effective analgesia and shorten length of intensive care unit stay in chest trauma patients with more than three rib fractures who require intensive care.