Comprehensive analysis of lateral nasal wall anatomy to optimize the osteotomy in different skeletal patterns.

PURPOSE: Variations in nasal wall anatomy are crucial in patients with dentofacial deformities undergoing Le Fort I osteotomy. These structural variations heighten the potential for complications during surgical procedures. Hence, the study focused on evaluating the differences in the lateral nasal wall anatomy across different skeletal Classes. METHODS: This study evaluated 86 patients aged 18-43 years with different skeletal Classes. In the axial images acquired from coronal sections, two angulations and the linear distances of the lateral nasal wall were measured in Class I, II, and III patients. The measurement between the piriform opening and the most anterior point of the greater palatine foramen was evaluated in three parts regarding the osteotomy line. Differences between the skeletal patterns were analyzed using an independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test with a significance level of 0.05. The intra-class correlation coefficient was calculated for inter-observer and intra-observer agreement. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between Class I and Class II subjects regarding the anterior lateral nasal wall (p = 0.011) and anterior nasal thickness (a) (0.004). There was a significant difference between Class I and Class III patients regarding anterior nasal thickness (a) (p < 0.001) and total lateral nasal wall length (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: For instance, the measurements of Class III and Class II patients were relatively different from those of the Class I patients. Therefore, preoperative Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic analysis should be performed for each patient prior to Le Fort I osteotomy to ensure that the procedure is performed safely.

Peripapillary and macular vascular densities in healthy, ocular hypertensive, and different stages of glaucomatous eyes.

AIM: To investigate vascular changes in different stages of glaucoma and to evaluate the role of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in the early diagnosis of glaucoma. METHODS: Glaucoma patients and healthy controls (n=29 eyes) were investigated in this cross-sectional comparative study. Glaucoma patients were grouped as ocular hypertension (n=44 eyes), preperimetric glaucoma (PPG; n=32 eyes), early glaucoma (EG; n=35 eyes), moderate stage glaucoma (MG; n=36 eyes), and advanced glaucoma (AG; n=35 eyes). Peripapillary and macular vascular densities (VDs) of all participants were compared and correlations of VDs and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), ganglion cell analysis (GCA), and visual field (VF) tests were evaluated. Area under the receiver operation characteristic curves (AUC) of the peripapillary and macular VD parameters were obtained. RESULTS: VD values decreased with the progression of glaucoma. Most peripapillary and macular VD parameters of PPG and EG groups were lower than healthy controls (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in RNFLT between the PPG and EG groups, but most peripapillary and macular VDs were found to be lower in EG group than in PPG group (P<0.05). In most disease group, VDs were significantly correlated with OCT parameters (P<0.001) and VF index (P<0.05). There were no significant correlations between VF and RNFLT indices in the AG group, but significant correlations were found between VF and VD values (P<0.05). AUC for discriminating between healthy and glaucomatous eyes were highest in whole image peripapillary VD (AUC: 0.865, 0.929, and 0.986, respectively in EG, MG, and AG groups). CONCLUSION: OCTA can be used in the early diagnosis of glaucoma and can be useful in follow-up of the advanced disease. In cases where limitations or suspicions in structural and functional tests are present, OCTA can be used as a supportive diagnostic test, both in EG and AG.

Effects of 16% Carbamide Peroxide on Optical Properties of Thermally Aged Monolithic CAD-CAM Glass Ceramics with Different Surface Treatments.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of 16% carbamide peroxide (CP) on the relative translucency parameter (RTP) and color stability of thermally aged CAD-CAM glass-ceramics with glazing or polishing. Three different CAD-CAM blocks-feldspathic (VM), lithium disilicate (IPS), and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic (VS)-were used in this study. The specimens were divided into two groups (n=10) according to surface treatments (glazing or polishing). Bleaching treatment with 16% CP was applied to the thermally aged specimens. A spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade Advance) was used to measure the CIE L*a*b*coordinates of the specimens on white and black backgrounds, and RTP and color difference (ΔE00) values were calculated. The surface topography of the specimens and the atomic weight of the elements were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray. The data were analyzed by using the two-way ANOVA test for ΔE00 values and two-way repeated measures ANOVA test for RTP and color parameters values (a=0.05) and the Tukey post-hoc test was used for multiple comparisons of the groups. RTP values were statistically influenced by material type, bleaching, and finishing technique, and the interaction among these factors was found to be significant (p<0.05). ΔE00 values were statistically influenced by material type, finishing technique, and the interaction among these factors was also found to be significant (p<0.05). IPS presented significantly lower RTP and ΔE00 values for both glazed and polished surfaces (p<0.05). 16% CP bleaching agent caused changes in translucency of aged VM and IPS at different levels. Glazed surfaces presented higher color stability in comparison to mechanically polished surfaces for VS (p<0.05).

Effect of different surface treatments on the biaxial flexural strength of zirconia ceramics.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Different surface treatments have been applied to zirconia restorations in clinical practice to increase the bond strength between zirconia and cement, but their effect on flexural strength is unknown. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of different surface treatments before and after sintering on the flexural strength of zirconia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty disk-shaped specimens with an initial diameter of 18.6 ±0.1 mm and thickness of 2 ±0.1 mm were prepared from preshaded presintered 3Y-TZP blocks. The specimens were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=20) according to surface treatments (Group Laser, Group APA, Group Rocatec), and the groups were then divided into 2 subgroups (n=10) according to surface treatment before and after sintering. The phase compositions of the groups were examined by using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) with 3 randomly selected specimens from each group. Biaxial flexural strength testing was conducted using a universal testing machine to examine the flexural strength of the zirconia specimens. Two-way ANOVA and post hoc least significant difference tests were performed (α=.05). RESULTS: According to the XRD analysis, no monoclinic phases were determined on the surface of the presintered laser-treated specimens, but tetragonal phases were observed on the surface of the postsintered specimens. Surface treatment type and application stage (presintering to postsintering) have a significant effect on the biaxial flexural strength of the specimens (P<.05). The lowest biaxial flexural values were observed in the Laser group, and postsintered specimens showed higher biaxial flexural strength than presintered specimens (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Postsintered specimens showed higher monoclinic content than presintered specimens. Laser-treated specimens showed the lowest biaxial flexural strength for both presintered and postsintered specimens.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 pandemic in Turkey: A single-centre experience.

AIM: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may result in a life-threatening hyperinflammatory condition named multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). We aimed to assess demographics, clinical presentations, laboratory characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with MIS-C. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients with MIS-C managed between August 2020 and March 2021 at Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity Child Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital in Turkey. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients (23 male, 51%) with a median age of 8.7 years (interquartile range: 5.6-11.7 years) were enrolled to study. The SARS-CoV-2 serology was positive in 43 (95%) patients. Organ-system involvement included the dermatologic in 41 (91%), cardiovascular in 39 (87%), hematologic in 36 (80%) and gastrointestinal in 36 (80%) patients. Acute anterior uveitis was diagnosed in nine (20%) patients. Two patients presented with clinical findings of deep neck infection such as fever, neck pain, trismus, swelling and induration on the cervical lymph node. One patient presented with Henoch-Schonlein purpura-like eruption. Coronary artery dilatation was detected in five (11%) patients. For treatment of MIS-C, intravenous immunoglobulin was used in 44 (98%) patients, methylprednisolone in 27 (60%) and anakinra in 9 (20%) patients. The median duration of hospitalisation was nine days. All patients recovered. CONCLUSIONS: Children with MIS-C might have variable clinical presentations. Acute anterior uveitis might be a prominent presentation of MIS-C and require ophthalmological examination. It is essential to make patient-based decisions and apply a stepwise approach for the treatment of this life-threatening disease.

Bilateral Acute Anterior Uveitis and Corneal Punctate Epitheliopathy in Children Diagnosed with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Secondary to COVID-19.

Purpose: To report bilateral anterior uveitis and corneal punctate epitheliopathy in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) secondary to coronavirus disease (COVID-19).Participants and methods: Five patients who were positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies and diagnosed with MIS-C were evaluated. Ophthalmologic examinations were performed in order to reveal ocular findings in MIS-C disease.Results: Slit lamp examinations showed bilateral non-granulomatous acute anterior uveitis in all patients and severe corneal punctuate epitheliopathy in three of the patients. These ocular findings mostly disappeared with treatment in about one week.Conclusion: Bilateral non-granulomatous acute anterior uveitis and dry eye can be detected in patients diagnosed with MIS-C secondary to COVID-19. Even if generally, COVID-19 is not a life threatening disease in children by itself, inflammatory ocular manifestations can be detected in MIS-C secondary to COVID-19.

Peripapillary and Macular Vessel Density Measurement With Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Exfoliation Syndrome.

PRECIS: Although peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLTs) and vessel density (VD) values were similar to healthy group, eyes with exfoliation syndrome had significantly lower superficial macular VDs and minimum ganglion cell analysis values. PURPOSE: To compare peripapillary and macular perfused capillary densities with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) between patients with eyes having exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and normal age-matched healthy controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with XFS from December 2017 to January 2020 at the Glaucoma Department. Peripapillary and parafoveal superficial VDs were obtained using OCT-A. The RNFLTs and ganglion cell analysis values were compared. RESULTS: Thirty-nine eyes of 39 XFS patients (26 women; mean age, 69.0±8.1 y) and 39 eyes of 39 healthy patients (25 women; mean age, 68.0±8.6 y) were enrolled. There were no statistically significant differences in sex or age distribution, central corneal thickness measurements, refractive errors, or intraocular pressures between both groups (all P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the peripapillary VD or peripapillary RNFLT between XFS eyes and healthy eyes (P>0.05 for all). In the macular region, most superficial VD parameters were significantly reduced in the XFS group (P=0.02 for parafoveal VD, P=0.04 for both hemifields). While the average ganglion cell and internal plexiform layer (GCL+IPL) values were similar between groups (P=0.19), the minimum GCL+IPL value was lower in the XFS group than in the healthy group (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: Although structural test results, especially peripapillary RNFLT and mean GCL+IPL, were similar between the healthy and XFS groups, macular VD values were lower in XFS eyes. Our findings implicate microvascular damage can be the mechanism underlying XFS-related changes and indicate that it precedes significant structural damage.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible effects of (ankylosing spondylitis) AS on choroidal thickness (CT) and other retinal layers using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: This cross-sectional study group comprised 41 AS patients and age and sex-matched 46 control subjects. None of our patients had active anterior uveitis during the measurements. We evaluated and compared CT, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness, focal loss volume (FLV) and global loss volume (GLV) of the participants. RESULTS: The CT of the patients at 1500 µm (286.20 µm ± 65.81), 1000 µm (309.55 µm ± 85.33) nasally to the fovea and subfoveal layer (339.93 µm ± 69.93) were thicker than in controls (p = 0.007, p = 0.037, p = 0.008). Except nasal layer, all RNFL layers were significantly thinner than controls (p < 0.001). GCC and macular thickness were also thinner than controls (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, present findings may suggest that the AS disease may affect the choroidal, RNFL and GCC thickness by disease's own inflammatory effect, independently from the uveitis history.

Influence of bleaching agents on the color change and translucency of resin matrix ceramics.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the color change, translucency, and whiteness index of three different resin matrix ceramics and a resin composite subjected to different bleaching agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty disc-shaped specimens (A2 shaded) for three different resin matrix ceramic brands (Groups Ena, Ulti, and Cera) (totally 60) were prepared using the CAD/CAM technique and 20 nanofiller composite specimens (Group Comp) (A2 shaded) with the same dimensions were prepared as the control group. The color change (∆E00 ), relative translucency parameter (RTP), and whiteness index (WID ) of the specimens initial and after different bleaching procedures (home-bleaching and office-bleaching) were calculated using ∆E00 , TP00 , and WID formulas. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparison test with Bonferroni correction (α = .05) at the significance level of P < .05 were performed for the comparisons of ∆E00 values. The RTP and WID values were evaluated by using repeated measures ANOVA and multiple-comparison test with Bonferroni corrections (α = .05) at the significance level of P < .05. RESULTS: Bleaching procedure and material type were found to be significant regardless of bleaching type for RTP and WID values. Material type has a significant effect on the ∆E00 values. The highest color change values were determined in Group Comp (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Bleaching procedures significantly affected the RTP values of Groups Ulti and Cera (P < .05). ∆E00 values for the resin matrix ceramics after the bleaching procedures were below the clinically acceptable values, regardless of the bleaching agent. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Optically, materials such as resin matrix ceramics have properties different from not only enamel and dentin but also among themselves. The possible effect of bleaching agents on these materials should be considered carefully while choosing the restorative material.

The Diagnostic Ability of Ganglion Cell Complex Thickness-to-Total Retinal Thickness Ratio in Glaucoma in a Caucasian Population

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the macular ganglion cell complex-to-total retinal thickness (G/T) ratio in a Caucasian population. Materials and Methods: A total of 86 patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into 4 groups: healthy; ocular hypertension; preperimetric glaucoma; and early glaucoma. Macular ganglion cell complex (mGCC) thickness, total retinal thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) in one randomly selected eye of each patient were measured with measured with Heidelberg HD spectral domain optical coherence tomography (Heidelberg Engineering, Inc., Heidelberg, Germany). G/T ratio (%) was calculated as (mGCC thickness / total retinal thickness) x100. The ability of each parameter to diagnose glaucoma was examined by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) analysis and sensitivity evaluation at a fixed level of specificity. Unpaired t test was used to compare the measured values between the healthy subjects and the different patient groups. Results: The study included 9 healthy individuals, 18 patients with ocular hypertension, 28 with preperimetric glaucoma, and 31 with early glaucoma. Total retinal thickness, mGCC thickness, RNFLT, and G/T ratio were highest in the healthy group and decreased progressively in patients with ocular hypertension, preperimetric glaucoma, and early glaucoma. All comparisons between the groups were significant for these parameters (p<0.001 for all). Average RNFLT, average GCC, and total retinal thickness showed consistently higher AUROC than G/T ratio in the differentiation between healthy individuals and patients with ocular hypertension, preperimetric glaucoma, and early glaucoma. Conclusion: G/T ratio does not contribute to separation of ocular hypertension, preperimetric glaucoma, and early glaucoma patients from the healthy population. Compared to the other parameters investigated, G/T had lower diagnostic value.

Influence of heating rate on the flexural strength of monolithic zirconia.

PURPOSE: Fabrication of zirconia restorations with ideal mechanical properties in a short period is a great challenge for clinicians. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of heating rate on the mechanical and microstructural properties of monolithic zirconia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty monolithic zirconia specimens were prepared from presintered monolithic zirconia blanks. All specimens were then assigned to 4 groups according to heating rate as Control, Group 15℃, Group 20℃, and Group 40℃. All groups were sintered according to heating rates with the sintering temperature of 1500℃, a holding time of 90 minutes and natural cooling. The phase composition was examined by XRD analysis, three-point bending test was conducted to examine the flexural strength, and Weibull analysis was conducted to determine weibull modulus and characteristic strength. Average grain sizes were determined by SEM analysis. One-way ANOVA test was performed at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: Only tetragonal phase characteristic peaks were determined on the surface of analyzed specimens. Differences among the average grain sizes of the groups were not statistically significant. The results of the three-point bending test revealed no significant differences among the flexural strength of the groups (P>.05). Weibull modulus of groups was ranging from 3.50 to 4.74. The highest and the lowest characteristic strength values were obtained in Group 20℃ and Control Group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Heating rate has no significant effect on the flexural strength of monolithic zirconia. Monolithic zirconia restorations can be produced in shorter sintering periods without affecting the flexural strength by modifying the heating rate.

Repair bond strength of composite to Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiated zirconia and porcelain surfaces.

BACKGROUND: Fracture or chipping are major concerning failures of an all-ceramic restoration. Repairing of the failure restoration using intra-oral technique is time saving and cost effective treatment modality. The present study was proposed to evaluate effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation on shear bond strength between zirconia/porcelain and composite resin. METHODS: Thirty zirconia and thirty zirconia based porcelain disc shape specimens were prepared. Three different surface treatment procedure were applied the specimens. For control groups (Group ZC and PC), instruction manual of an intra-oral porcelain repair system was followed. Different pulse rates of Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation (short and long pulses) were applied to zirconia and porcelain surfaces for other groups (Group ZS, ZL, PS, and PL). Porcelain repair kit was used to repair specimens using standard cylindrical teflon mold (2 × 2 mm). Repair bond strength of the repaired specimens was tested using a universal testing machine. RESULTS: Highest mean bond strength value was observed at Group PC that was significantly higher than laser applied porcelain groups. Long pulse laser irradiation illustrated that increased mean bond strength compared to short pulse application on to the porcelain surface. Laser applied zirconia groups showed better mean bond strength than Group ZC, but differences between the groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Different modes of Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation enhanced repair bond strength of the composite resin to zirconia, but these were not significant. Following the instruction manual for surface treatment on the porcelain surface was better method than Er,Cr:YSGG laser surface conditioning.

Gallic and carnosic acids improve quality of frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa.

The objective was to determine effects of gallic acid (GA) and carnosic acid (CA), present in carob pods and rosemary extract respectively, on frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa. Thirty ejaculates were collected from five Merino rams, pooled, diluted in Tris-based extender and divided into five equal portions containing: 0.05 or 2 mM of GA; 0.05 or 0.2 mM of CA; or no additive (control). Extended semen was equilibrated at +4°C, loaded into straws, held 5 cm above liquid nitrogen for 12 min then plunged. Computer-aided sperm analysis was used to assess motility, whereas flow cytometry was used to assess high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP) and percentages of spermatozoa with plasma membrane and acrosome integrity (PMAI). Spermatozoa supplemented with 2 mM GA had greater total motility than control spermatozoa (39.9 ± 3.01 vs. 29.2 ± 1.31%, mean ± SEM, p < .05). The PMAI was greatest in 0.2 mM CA (13.3 ± 0.68%), whereas HMMP was highest in 0.05 mM CA but lowest in control (22.9 ± 4.95 and 11.4 ± 3.64% respectively; p < .05). In conclusion, for cryopreservation of ram semen in Tris-based extender, supplementation with 2 mM GA increased post-thaw motility, whereas supplementation with 0.05 mM CA enhanced mitochondrial function.

Evaluation of the fracture resistance of root filled thin walled teeth restored with different post systems.

BACKGROUND: Restoration of the teeth with extensive root canals with different post systems is a challenge for clinicians. Evaluation of these systems is important for clinical success. The aim of this study was to compare the fracture resistance and fracture mode of endodontically treated thin-walled teeth which restored with different post systems. METHODS: Eighty extracted and endodontically treated maxillary canines were divided into 4 groups (n = 20) and the thickness of the radicular dentin walls was reduced by using diamond burs. Each root was embedded in an autopolymerizing resin with a 0.25 mm layer of vinyl polysiloxane material to simulate the periodontal ligament. The subgroups were restored with one of the following post systems: only composite resin (Group 1), cast post (Group 2), glass-fiber post (Group 3), and I-TFC post (Group 4). The samples were subjected to a gradually increasing force (0,5 mm/min). The force required to fracture was recorded, and the data were analyzed with ANOVA, Tukey test's and Chi-Square test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The highest fracture resistance was recorded for Group 2, followed by the Group 3, Group 4, and Group 1. Differences in the fracture resistance of teeth were significant among the groups (p < 0.05). The fracture resistance of Group 4 was significantly different than the other tested post systems (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The lowest fracture resistance was recorded for Group 1, but among all post systems, Group 4 had the lowest fracture resistance. The fracture mode of the fiber posts (Radix and I-TFC posts) would permit repair of the tooth.

DNA damaging effect of paclitaxel in the epididymal sperms as a chemotherapeutic agent and possible remedies to prevent this effect: A study on reproductive potential of male cancer patients of reproductive age.

Cancer is a major public health problem, young cancer patients therefore undergo chemotherapy, and most of them may lose their fertility. DNA damage level provides important clues about the quality and reproductive potential of spermatozoa. In this study, we evaluated the levels of both DNA fragmentation and abnormal DNA integrity in the epididymal sperms of New Zealand rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) after cryopreservation using the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labelling (TUNEL) assay and the toluidine blue (TB) staining methods and assessed the effects of paclitaxel, resveratrol, l-glutamine (LG), and basal medium eagle (BME) solution on DNA damage. Paclitaxel induced the levels of both DNA damages in the sperms, but resveratrol ameliorated this effect. LG and BME supplementation to the extender prevented the sperm samples from DNA fragmentation after cryopreservation. Chemotherapy drugs containing paclitaxel can cause the sperm DNA to be damaged, and hence adversely affect the fertility of male cancer patients of reproductive age. The administration of resveratrol together with paclitaxel may ameliorate the DNA damage inducing effect of paclitaxel. Sperm banking and cryopreservation with the appropriate cryoprotectants such as LG and BME prior to cancer treatment can also be suggested to all male cancer patients of reproductive age facing cancer treatment for fertility preservation.

Influence of different surface finishing techniques on machinable feldspathic and leucite-reinforced ceramics.

The effect of surface finishing techniques on machinable ceramics to obtain optimum smoothness is unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of surface finishing techniques on machinable feldspathic and leucite-reinforced ceramics. Forty specimens were divided into four subgroups according to surface finishing techniques and ceramic structure. A profilometer was used to evaluate surface roughness. A spectrophotometer was used to obtain the CIE L*, a* and b* coordinates. All specimens were subjected to a three-point bending test to determine flexural strength. All data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests (p<0.05). Polishing techniques were found to be more effective than the glazing method to obtain smooth surfaces. Glazing technique increased the flexural strength of leucite-reinforced ceramics. Finishing procedures have different effects on the success of the restorations and must be considered by the clinicians.

Evaluation of quality of life after implantation of a new trifocal intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the vision-related quality of life (QOL) after implantation of a new trifocal intraocular lens (IOL), by using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-14 (VF-14 QOL questionnaire). SETTING: Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey. DESIGN: Prospective noncomparative case series. METHODS: Consecutive patients who had a new trifocal IOL (PanOptix) bilaterally implanted were included in the study. The vision-related QOL was assessed 3 months after the surgery in the second eye. The VF-14 QOL questionnaire was used, with a grading scale of 0, no difficulty; 1, a little difficulty; 2, moderate difficulty; 3, quite difficult; 4, impossible to perform. A subgroup of 14 patients, with an interval of at least 3 months between the surgery in the first eye and the surgery in the fellow eye, were also interviewed 3 months after the monocular IOL implantation. In this subgroup, the QOL with monocular and binocular implantation was compared. RESULTS: The study comprised 48 patients. Reading small print, driving at night, and doing fine handwork were the most difficult tasks to perform, with the mean values of the VF-14 QOL questionnaire being 0.94 ± 0.81 (SD), 0.89 ± 0.68, and 0.64 ± 0.67, respectively. Binocular implantation was associated with improvement in vision-related QOL when compared with monocular implantation, with significant differences in doing fine handwork such as sewing (P = .02) and using a computer (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: With mean values of 1.00 or lower for each question, the results of the VF-14 QOL questionnaire indicated that patients who have the new trifocal IOL bilaterally implanted have an overall high satisfaction rate and a high vision-related QOL.

Effect of sintering parameters on the mechanical properties of monolithic zirconia.

Background. Zirconia restorations with high mechanical properties are the current treatment options for fixed restorations with advantages of high biocompatibility and low pulp irritation. Although the effect of sintering time and temperature on the optical and mechanical properties of zirconia core material were investigated, the effect of these parameters on the translucent monolithic zirconia is still uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the changes in sintering temperature and holding time on the mechanical and structural properties of monolithic zirconia. Methods. Totally, 340 self-colored (A2) zirconia specimens from two different monolithic zirconia groups (n=170) were prepared, measuring 15.5×12.5×1.2 mm. Then, 17 subgroups (n=10), including the control groups, were sintered according to sintering parameters. XRD analysis was used to determine phase transformations. The surface roughness of the specimens was evaluated using profilometry, and the flexural strength of the specimens was evaluated by the three-point bending test. The data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA and post hoc multiple comparison test with Bonferroni correction (a=0.05) at a significance level of 0.05. Independent-samples t-test was used to compare the subgroups between the control groups (P˂0.05). Results. No tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformation was observed in the groups. Changes in the sintering parameters did not significantly affect the surface roughness and flexural strength of monolithic zirconia. Surface roughness values for all the subgroups were above the clinically critical limit. Conclusion. According to the results of this study, changes in the sintering parameters did not affect the surface phase transformation, surface roughness, and flexural strength of monolithic zirconia.

Bilateral Asymmetric Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment in a Patient with Stickler Syndrome.

Here we present the long-term anatomical and visual outcomes of bilateral asymmetric rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair in a patient with Stickler syndrome. A 17-year-old girl presented with decreased visual acuity in both eyes for more than one year. Her best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.1 in the right eye and 0.05 in the left eye. Slit-lamp anterior segment examination revealed subcapsular cataract in both eyes. Fundus examination showed bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, chronic retinal detachment accompanied by multiple retinal holes, tears and membranous fibrillary vitreous in the peripheral retina. Grade C2 proliferative vitreoretinopathy was observed in the left eye. Scleral buckling surgery was performed initially for both eyes. After the primary surgical procedure, retinal reattachment was achieved in the right eye and the left eye underwent phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and silicone oil injection. After these surgical procedures retinal reattachment was achieved in the left eye. Silicone oil removal was performed six months after PPV surgery. After surgical treatment, BCVA was 0.6 in the right eye at the end of the 3.5-year follow-up period. After silicone oil removal, BCVA reached 0.2 in the left eye after 36 months of follow-up and retinal reattachment was achieved in both eyes. Scleral buckling surgery and PPV are effective and confidential methods for the treatment of chronic retinal detachment cases in Stickler syndrome.