EPA Consensus Project Paper: Optical Impression Accuracy of Preparations for Fixed Prosthodontics: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the accuracy of different optical impressions of tooth preparations. METHODS: An electronic search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Medline Complete, and ScienceDirect was performed to identify articles comparing the accuracy of different optical impressions (OI) published up to the 1st of March 2022. The inclusion criteria enclosed the accuracy of optical impressions acquired for tooth-supported fixed prosthodontics. Exclusion criteria were defined as studies focused on orthodontic impressions and implant-supported restorations. This review was registered to Prospero; CRD42021287758. RESULTS: Eleven included studies had in vitro design and a low risk of bias. Considering scanned objects, 5 studies evaluated the accuracy based on a single preparation, 2 studies evaluated the accuracy of OIs based on fixed partial denture (FPD) restoration, 3 studies included both single preparation and preparations to receive FPD restorations, and 1 article included a fullarch scan. Mean values of the trueness and precision of OI systems varied according to methodological differences. CONCLUSIONS: Optical impression has certain advantages. However, stating a particular optical impression system as the most accurate or superior to conventional impression is not feasible because of the heterogeneity of the accuracy results presented in this systematic review.

Influence of Different Finishing-Polishing Procedures and Thermocycle Aging on the Surface Roughness of Nano-Ceramic Hybrid CAD/CAM Material.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different finishing-polishing (FP) procedures on reducing surface roughness of nanoceramic hybrid CAD/CAM material before and after thermocycle (TMC) aging. Materials and Methods: Nano-ceramic hybrid CAD/CAM specimens were subjected to 8 different (2-glaze and 6-mechanical) FP procedures as follows (n=20): 1. Optiglaze (OG) 2. Diamond glaze (DG), 3. Vita Enamic Polishing Set (VE), 4. VE+Gradia Diapolisher paste (VE-G) 5. VE+Super-Snap SuperBuff (VE-S) 6. Sof-Lex Disc kit (SL) 7. SL+Gradia Diapolisher paste (SLG) 8. SL+Super-Snap SuperBuff (SL-S). Surface roughness of each specimen was measured by using a contact profilometer. All specimens were artificially aged with TMC (5000 cycles, 5°C/55°C) and surface roughness measurements were repeated. One extra specimen from each group before and after TMC was examined with SEM. Surface roughness data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA, dependent t-test and Tukey test. Results: Significantly higher mean Ra values were found for groups OG and DG compared to other groups (P<0.05). Differences between glaze groups and differences between mechanical FP groups were not significant (P>0.05). Groups SL-S and DG demonstrated comparable results before and after TMC (P>0.05). SEM analysis revealed that surfaces of VE-S and SL-S groups were smooth and free of scratches. Conclusions: Mechanical FP procedures were more effective in reducing surface roughness of nanoceramic hybrid CAD/CAM material than glaze applications. Sof-Lex kit followed by Super-Snap SuperBuff disc application can be recommended as the mechanical FP procedure of choice considering that this method provided smooth surfaces that were maintained after TMC.

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopaenia in a single-centre cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from Turkey: clinical associations and effect on disease damage and survival.

INTRODUCTION: Thrombocytopaenia and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) have considerable impact on prognosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated the frequencies of these haemocytopaenias, along with their associations and effect on outcome in a single-centre cohort of patients with SLE. METHODS: Demographic characteristics, clinical features, autoantibody profiles, damage and mortality data were compared between patients with and without each haematological abnormality. Variables displaying significant differences between the groups were entered into logistic regression. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients had AIHA and 215 had thrombocytopaenia. Both were associated with neuropsychiatric (NP) involvement, with each other, leucopaenia, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and antiphospholipid antibodies. More patients in both groups had organ damage, and their damage scores were higher. Association to NP damage was discernible. In addition, cardiovascular and renal damage and diabetes were more pronounced in patients with thrombocytopaenia. At logistic regression analysis, younger age, anticardiolipin antibody IgM positivity, leucopaenia and thrombocytopaenia were associated with AIHA whilst lupus anticoagulant activity, AIHA, leucopaenia, APS and NP involvement were associated with thrombocytopaenia. Among damage items, peripheral vascular damage, diabetes, NP damage, renal and ocular damage displayed significant associations with thrombocytopaenia, whereas none of the items did with AIHA. Patients with AIHA had significantly reduced survival rates at 10 and 20 years. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that AIHA and thrombocytopaenia were associated with severe lupus, affecting major organs and causing end organ damage. Thus, they may be considered as prognostic markers. Furthermore, AIHA and especially thrombocytopaenia may also be a marker for a subgroup of lupus patients who have or may develop APS.

Lycopene has a protective effect on septic shock­induced cardiac injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to investigate the cardioprotective effect of lycopene, known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, in a rat sepsis model induced by lypopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: The oxidative stress parameters, antioxidant parameters and cytokine levels with or without lycopene treatment in LPS­induced septic rats as well as in controls were measured in serum and tissue. Histologic examinations of the cardiac tissues were also performed. The Kruskal-Wallis and the Bonferroni-adjusted Mann-Whitney U Test was used for analysis. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The data of this study showed that lycopene pretreatment reduced the oxidative stres parametersand , proinflammatory cytokines as well as increased the antoxidant enzyme activities in both serum and cardiac tissues in LPS­induced septic rats.. Moreover, hyperaemia and haemorrhage in the epicardium, myocardium and endocardium were lower in the lycopene pretreated group as compared to the LPS alone group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lycopene could be beneficial for the prevention of cardiac injury caused by sepsis through reducing the cytokine levels and oxidative stress parameters (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 35).

The effect of different irrigation protocols on elastic modulus of dentine and biomechanics of single-rooted premolar tooth: A nano-indentation and finite element analysis study.

AIM: This study evaluated the effect of different irrigation protocols on elastic modulus and biomechanics of single-rooted premolar tooth using with nano-indentation and finite element analysis (FEA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Root canals of single-rooted human teeth were prepared, divided into eight groups, and irrigated with (1) 2.5% NaOCl + 17% EDTA; (2) 2.5% NaOCl + 17% EDTA + 2.5% NaOCl; (3) 2.5% NaOCl + SmearClear; (4) 2.5% NaOCl + 2% chlorhexidine; (5) 1.3% NaOCl + MTAD; (6) 5.25% NaOCl; (7) 17% EDTA; and (8) saline. The roots were vertically sectioned, and elastic modulus of the root dentine was measured using nano-indenter device at coronal, middle, and apical third. Data were recorded as megapascal and statistically analyzed (one-way analysis of variance, Tukey tests). Three-dimensional FEA model of a premolar tooth was created, and the inner root dentine was modified to simulate the effect of irrigation protocols on root dentine. The elastic properties of inner root dentine layer in the FEA models were modified for each group according to the data obtained with nano-indentation. A 300-N load was applied at the buccal cusp and central fossa of the models with a 45° angle. The stresses were calculated using von Mises stress criteria. RESULTS: All irrigation protocols affected the elastic modulus of root dentine. Groups 2 and 3 showed similar elastic modulus values (P > 0.05), whereas the lowest values were obtained in group 7 (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between groups 4, 5, and 8 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite the effect of different clinically used irrigation protocols on elastic modulus of the inner dentine, this does not affect the biomechanics of the roots.

The effects of lycopene on methotrexate-induced liver injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lycopene (Lyc) on methotrexate (Mtx) induced liver toxicity in rats. METHODS: Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups: control, Lyc, Mtx and Mtx-L: Control group: Rats were given only the vehicle. Lyc group: Rats were given Lyc (10 mg/kg) with corn oil by oral gavage for ten days. Mtx group: Rats were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of 20 mg/kg of Mtx and given corn oil by oral gavage. Mtx-L group: Rats were post-treated with Lyc (10 mg/kg) for ten days after a single dose of Mtx (20 mg/kg). RESULTS: Mtx administration increased histopathological damage, TNF-α, IL-1ß, TOS, TAS and OSI levels in tissues; AST, ALT levels in the blood. Sinusoidal dilatation, inflammatory cell infiltration and congestion were significantly improved in the Mtx-L aon histopathologic examination of the rats.In Mtx-L group that were treated at the Lyc, TNF-α and IL-1ß levels of liver tissue were decreased significantly compared to Mtx group whereas the decrease in OSI was not significant. Lyc treatment improved the AST and ALT values in Mtx-L group. But only AST improvement was significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealed that Lyc might be useful in protecting the liver from injury due to Mtx in rats by reducing the increased proinflammatory cytokine levels (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 44).

Difference between Spinecor brace and Thoracolumbosacral orthosis for deformity correction and quality of life in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Although there are several conservative treatment options, only bracing has been found to be effective in preventing curve progression and a subsequent need for surgery in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The objective of this study is to compare the results of SpineCor brace and thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) for treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis radiologically and clinically. Sixty-four patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated with brace included in this study. Height, T1-Coccygx distance, and gibbosity were measured. Rib hump deformity was evaluated with a scoliometer. An SRS-22 questionnaire was used to determine the quality of life of patients after the first year of brace treatment. Differences in Cobb angles and gibbosity were insignificant for both groups. SRS-22 questionnaire results showed significant differences in pain, self-image and function/activity subgroups. Patients' mental health and satisfaction scores were insignificant. These braces have a similar effect on deformity correction. The surgery rates and success rates of braces are approximately equal. The major difference between SpineCor and TLSO is health-related quality of life.

Serum prolidase levels in Graves' disease without ophthalmopathy and its association with oxidative status.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum prolidase levels and its association with oxidative stress in autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 25 with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) and 25 patients Graves' disease (GD), and 27 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The patients with signs of Graves' ophthalmopathy were excluded from the study. Serum samples were obtained in euthyroid period at the third month of treatment. Serum prolidase, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidative stress (TOS), and total free sulfhydryl (-SH) levels were measured. RESULTS: Serum prolidase levels were significantly higher in the patients with GD compared to the HT and the healthy control group. Oxidative stress index (OSI) and TOS levels of the patients with both GD and HT were significantly higher compared to those of the control group (p < 0.001, for each), while -SH levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001, for each). There was no significant difference between the patients with HT and healthy control group in terms of prolidase levels (p = 0.580). Prolidase levels were positively correlated with TOS and OSI and negatively correlated with -SH (r = 0.565, p = 0.003; r = 0.604, p = 0.001; r = -0.532, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Serum prolidase activity is increased in GD patients without signs of ophthalmopathy, and showed a positive correlation with oxidative stress parameters.

[Investigation of the effect of ibuprofen on wound healing in experimental Staphylococcus aureus soft tissue infections]. / Deneysel Staphylococcus aureus yumusak doku enfeksiyonlarinda ibuprofenin yara iyilesmesi üzerindeki etkisinin arastirilmasi.

Soft tissue infections (STIs) occur as a result of the colonization of pathogenic bacteria upon the destruction of normal skin microbial flora and the skin integrity. Streptococci and staphylococci are the most frequent causes of bacterial STIs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are often used in STIs because of their analgesic and antipyretic effects. However, evidence suggests that these drugs might delay both epithelization and angiogenesis in the early phases of wound healing because of an antiproliferative effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ibuprofen on the wound healing in STIs caused by Staphylococcus aureus in immunosuppressed mice. A total of 120 female Balb/c mice were used in the study and the mice were assigned to four test groups and two control groups. The test groups were defined as follows; B (Bacteria group, n= 23), BI (Bacteria + Ibuprofen group, n= 23), BA (Bacteria + Ampicillin group, n= 23), BIA (Bacteria + Ampicillin + Ibuprofen group, n= 21); and the control groups were defined as follows; S1B2 (only immunosuppressed controls, n= 15) and S2B2 (Sham group). Immunosupression was induced with cyclophosphamide and the experimental infection was generated by subcutaneous inoculation of bacterial suspension (2 x 10(8) cfu/ml) of methicillin-sensitive S.aureus ATCC 25923 to the right hind leg. Ibuprofen was given to the mice by gastric gavage (50 mg/kg/day), and ampicillin (100 mg/kg/day) by intramuscular injection. Wound sizes that appear in the animals were measured on a daily basis. Serum and tissue (epithelial tissue, connective tissue, sebaceous glands, sweat glands) samples were obtained on the first, third and seventh days. The tissue samples were examined histopathologically by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining method and IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) levels were determined in serum samples by ELISA method. The tissue cytokine reactions were also evaluated by immunohistochemical (immunoperoxidase staining) method in tissue samples. In our study, no significant change was detected in the wound sizes of B and BI groups from the second day to the end of study period (p> 0.05). On the other hand the wound dimensions of BA and BIA groups gradually decreased and remained superficial. The average serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1 was detected low in all groups. The mean value of serum IL-6 on the first day in group B was determined to be higher compared to other groups, and when this difference was compared to groups BI and BA, and the control group, it was found statistically significant (p< 0.05). In addition, the VEGF levels which were detected low in all groups in the third day of infection increased significantly at the seventh day. The results of histopathologic and immunohistochemical studies have supported the results of ELISA and yielded similar results with serum cytokine patterns. In conclusion, our data indicated that ibuprofen has no negative effect on the wound healing in soft-tissue infections caused by S.aureus.

Two distinct types of dying back axonal degeneration in vitro.

AIMS: In many neurodegenerative diseases and following traumas, dying back degeneration is a common phenomenon that aggravates the pathology and may eventually lead to death of the affected neurone. We aimed to investigate the mechanism of dying back degeneration with an in vitro axonal injury model. METHODS: We cultured adult mouse dorsal root ganglion neurones and with a precise laser beam, cut the axons they extended. Preparations were imaged continuously and images were analysed to describe and quantify ensuing events. Potential contributions of calpains and caspases to the degeneration were explored using specific inhibitors and immunohistochemistry. In vivo implications of the results were sought in nerve sections after sciatic nerve cut. RESULTS: The proximal part of the transected axons went under basically two types of dying back degeneration, fragmentation and retraction. In fragmentation the cytoplasm became condensed and with concomitant axial collapse the axon disintegrated into small pieces. In retraction, the severed axon was pulled back to the soma in an organized manner. We demonstrated that fragmentation was associated with a high risk of cell death, while survival rate with retraction was as high as those of uninjured neurones. Regeneration of transected axon was more likely after retraction than following fragmentation. Activities of caspase-3 and calpains but not of caspase-6 were found linked with retraction and regeneration but not with the fragmentation. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes two quite distinct types of dying back degeneration that lead an injured neurone to quite different fates.

Colloidal crystallization in the quasi-two-dimensional induced by electrolyte gradients.

We investigated driven crystal formation events in thin layers of sedimented colloidal particles under low salt conditions. Using optical microscopy, we observe particles in a thermodynamically stable colloidal fluid to move radially converging towards cation exchange resin fragments acting as seed particles. When the local particle concentration has become sufficiently large, subsequently crystallization occurs. Brownian dynamics simulations of a 2D system of purely repulsive point-like particles exposed to an attractive potential, yield strikingly similar scenarios, and kinetics of accumulation and micro-structure formation. This offers the possibility of flexibly designing and manufacturing thin colloidal crystals at controlled positions and thus to obtain specific micro-structures not accessible by conventional approaches. We further demonstrate that particle motion is correlated with the existence of a gradient in electrolyte concentration due to the release of electrolyte by the seeds.

Effects of melatonin on testis histology, oxidative stress and spermatogenesis after experimental testis ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

BACKGROUND: Testicular torsion due to oxidative stress results in infertility and testicular damage which can be preventable an important health problem worldwide. AIM: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) levels; histopathological alterations; morphology, concentration and motilities of the sperm in post ischemic reperfused (I/R) testis tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty adult male Wistar rats were carried out and were randomized to five groups; (1) Control group, (2) Ipsilateral left testis ischemia, (3) Melatonin plus ipsilateral left testis ischemia, (4) Contralateral right testis ischemia, 5. Melatonin plus contralateral right testis ischemia. After 1 h ischemia and 24 h perfusion; MDA, TAS and TOS levels were measured, histopathological alterations were determined using by Johnsen's score (JS) and sperm morphology, concentration, motility were examined. RESULTS: MDA, TAS and TOS levels of the testis tissue did not change in all groups (p > 0.05 for all). JS was decreased in I/R group and melatonin treatment reversed histopathological changes and increased JS both in ipsilateral and contralateral testis. Abnormal sperm rate significantly increased in I/R group and melatonin administration changed abnormal sperm rate to normal. CONCLUSIONS: As a result, the present study demonstrated that testicular damage occurs following I/R without an increase of MDA, TAS and TOS levels. Our results also suggested that melatonin is a potent antioxidant agent in preventing testicular I/R injury, as shown by increased JS and changed abnormal sperm rate.

Affirmative effects of iloprost on apoptosis during ischemia-reperfusion injury in kidney as a distant organ.

OBJECTIVE: Apoptosis and its regulatory mechanisms take part in renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury which can result in acute renal failure and the inhibition of the caspase is considered as a new therapeutic strategy. In this context, we investigated the antiapoptotic and cytoprotective effects of iloprost, a prostacyclin analog, in kidney as a distant organ. METHODS: Wistar albino rats were randomized into five groups (n = 12 in each) as sham, ischemia, I/R, iloprost (10 µg kg(-1)), and I/R + iloprost (10 µg kg(-1)). A 4 h reperfusion procedure was carried out after 4 h of ischemia. Caspase-8 was evaluated for death receptor-induced pathways, whereas caspase-9 was evaluated for mitochondria-dependent pathways and caspase-3 was investigated for overall apoptosis. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity and nitrite content as an indicator of nitric oxide (NO) production were also analyzed in kidney tissues. RESULTS: Caspases-3, -8, and -9 were all significantly elevated in both ischemia and I/R groups compared to the sham group; however, treatment with iloprost reduced caspases-3, -8, and -9. SOD enzyme activity was attenuated by iloprost when compared to ischemic rats. The different effects of NO were found which change according to the present situation in ischemia, I/R, and treatment with iloprost. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that iloprost prevents apoptosis in both receptor-induced and mitochondria-dependent pathways in renal I/R injury and it may be considered as a cytoprotective agent for apoptosis. Understanding the efficiency of iloprost on the pathways for cell death may lead to an opportunity in the therapeutic approach for renal I/R injury.

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis and ischemic modified albumin levels in isolated oligohydramnios.

OBJECTIVE: Oligohydramnios is defined as amniotic fluid index in ultrasonographic measurement is less than 5 percentile according to gestational age, the amniotic fluid volume is ≤ 5 cm, or if the single deepest dial is < 2 cm. The condition of oligohydramnios that not with fetal structural/chromosomal abnormalities, intrauterine growth retardation, intrauterine infection and maternal disease is described as isolated oligohydramnios (IO). The aim of this study is to examine whether oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a place in the pathophysiology of IO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, a total of 126 participants were included. The patient group consisted of 65 patients who were diagnosed IO, and the control group consisted of 61 healthy normal pregnants. Native thiol (-SH), total thiol (-SH + -SS), dynamic disulfide (-SS), IMA values from maternal serum were measured and compared between groups. RESULTS: Maternal serum -SH and -SH + -SS values were significantly lower in the IO group than in the control group (409.47 ± 55.36 µmol/L vs. 437.40 ± 48.68 µmol/L, p = 0.03 and 457.40 ± 63.01 µmol/L vs. 484.59 ± 52.75 µmol/L, p = 0.01). In the IO group when -SS/-SH and -SS/-SH + -SS ratio was found to be statistically significantly higher than control group (5.84 ± 1.1 vs 5.41 ± 0.71, p = 0.01 and 5.2 ± 0.88 vs 4.8 ± 0.58, p = 0.01), -SH/-SH + -SS ratio was significantly lower (89.56 ± 1.7 vs 90.24 ± 1.16, p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in terms of -SS value (p = 0.66). IMA value was significantly higher in the IO group than control group (0.76 ± 0.10 ABSU vs 0.68 ± 0.06, p < 0.01). It is seen as a result of ROC analysis that -SH, -SH + -SS, -SS/-SH, -SS/-SH + -SS, -SH/-SH + -SS and IMA values have a diagnostic value for IO (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The thiol/disulfide balance shifted towards oxidative stress in IO compared to control group. So oxidative stress and ROS have a place in the pathophysiology of IO.

Transmission electron microscopy study of the effects of cadmium and copper on fetal rat liver tissue.

During the entire period of their pregnancies, three groups of adult pregnant Wistar albino rats were provided with tap water (control; group I) or with tap water containing 10 mg/kg CdCl2 (group II) or 10 mg/kg CdCl2 plus 10 mg/kg CuSO4 (group III). At term, the animals were sacrificed and the fetal livers were removed and examined under electron microscopy. The liver tissue of the fetuses in maternal groups II and III showed degenerative changes to their hepatocytes. In group II, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum tubules showed dilatation, and the mitochondria showed a dense matrix. In group III, some mitochondrial degeneration was also seen, with a diluted matrix and mitochondrial dilatation. There were also more heterochromatic nuclei and an increased number of ribosomes. None of these histopathological changes were present in the fetal liver samples from the maternal group I control animals.

The analgesic efficacy of preoperative versus postoperative lornoxicam in varicocele repair.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether intravenous injection of lornoxicam 30 minutes before skin incision provides better pain relief after varicocelectomy than postoperative administration of lornoxicam. DESIGN: Prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical investigation. SETTING: Operating room and postoperative recovery area. PATIENTS: 44 ASA physical status I and II adult male patients undergoing varicocelectomy. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized either to receive 8 mg lornoxicam infusion 30 minutes before skin incision, followed by saline infusion immediately after skin closure (group 1), or to receive the identical injections but in reverse order (group 2). All patients received local anesthesia with bupivacaine. MEASUREMENTS: Postoperative pain scores were evaluated hourly for the first 8 hours after surgery, then at 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours after surgery, using a 10-cm visual analog scale. Time to first analgesic request and patients' global assessments also were recorded. MAIN RESULTS: Patients in group 1 reported significantly lower pain scores (P < 0.05) at all time intervals except at 24 hours and better global assessment (P = 0.001) than did group 2. There were significantly fewer patients in the preemptive group than group 2 who required rescue analgesic within the first 24 hours (0% vs 22.7%; P = 0.024). Mean time to first analgesic request was also significantly longer in the preemptive group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Intravenous lornoxicam administered before surgery has a better analgesic effect for varicocelectomy than when administered postoperatively.

Effects of umbilical cord blood stem cells on healing factors for diabetic foot injuries.

The use of stem or progenitor cells from bone marrow, or peripheral or umbilical cord blood is becoming more common for treatment of diabetic foot problems. These cells promote neovascularization by angiogenic factors and they promote epithelium formation by stimulating cell replication and migration under certain pathological conditions. We investigated the role of CD34 + stem cells from human umbilical cord blood in wound healing using a rat model. Rats were randomly divided into a control group and two groups with diabetes induced by a single dose of 55 mg/kg intraperitoneal streptozocin. Scarred areas 5 mm in diameter were created on the feet of all rats. The diabetic rats constituted the diabetes control group and a diabetes + stem cell group with local injection into the wound site of 0.5 × 106 CD34 + stem cells from human umbilical cord blood. The newly formed skin in the foot wounds following CD34 + stem cell treatment showed significantly improvement by immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining, and were closer to the wound healing of the control group than the untreated diabetic animals. The increase in FGF expression that accompanied the local injection of CD34 + stem cells indicates that FGF stimulation helped prevent apoptosis. Our findings suggest a promising new treatment approach to diabetic wound healing.

The accelerating effects of the microorganisms on biodeterioration of stone monuments under air pollution and continental-cold climatic conditions in Erzurum, Turkey.

The aim of this research was to determine the accelerating effects of microorganisms on the biodeterioration of stone under air pollution and continental-cold climatic region in Erzurum, Turkey. Studies have been carried out on specimens of the Rustempasa Bazaar, the Lalapasa Mosque, the Erzurum Castle Mosque, the Double Minarets-Madrasah, the Great Mosque and the Haji Mehmet Fountain aged from 441 to 823 years old. The results showed that vegetative and reproductive (generative) forms of the microorganisms could develop during the winter months when the night time average temperature was even -25 degrees C. Also the reproductive forms had developed and the whole stone surface was covered with a biofilm caused by the microorganisms. Silicon, aluminum, calcium, potassium, titanium, magnesium, zinc, sulfur, iron, sodium, and niobium were found in the stones of the historical buildings with varying amounts through the SEM-EDS analysis. Some of these elements could be used as an energy resource for the microorganisms together with the air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particles on the stone surfaces. Of 21 isolates, 15 species from 6 bacterium genera and 5 species from 5 fungi genera plus 1 fungi genera were identified on the deteriorated stone surfaces even during the coldest months by microbial identification system (MIS) and these findings were tested by SEM investigations.

A histological study of toxic effects of aluminium sulfate on rat hippocampus.

Aluminium has toxic effects on many organ systems of the human body. Aluminium toxicity also is a factor in many neurodegenerative diseases. We investigated changes in numbers of hippocampal neurons in rats exposed to aluminium using an optical fractionator and we investigated aluminium-induced apoptosis using the transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Twenty-four female rats were divided equally into control, sham and aluminium-exposed groups. The control group received no treatment. The two treatment groups were injected intraperitoneally with 1 ml 0.9% saline without (sham) and with 3 mg/ml aluminium sulfate every day for two weeks. Following the treatments, the brains were removed, the left hemisphere was used for hippocampal neuron counting using an optical fractionator and the right hemisphere was investigated using hippocampal TUNEL assay to determine the apoptotic index. The number of neurons in the stratum pyramidale of the hippocampus was significantly less in the aluminium group than in the control and sham groups; there was no significant difference between the control and sham groups. The apoptotic index also was significantly higher in the aluminium group than in the other two groups. We quantified the toxic effects of aluminium on the rat hippocampus and determined that apoptosis was the mechanism of aluminium-induced neuron death in the hippocampus.