Dog Allergy in Children: A Single-Centered Study.

INTRODUCTION: Dogs are among the most commonly allergenic pets for children. Data on risk factors for the development of dog allergy are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of children with dog allergy and identify predictors of symptom development with dog exposure. METHODS: The study included children with dog allergen sensitization demonstrated by skin prick test (SPT) between September 1, 2019, and December 1, 2022. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from the patients' records and interviews with parents. RESULTS: Dog allergen sensitization was detected by SPT in 548 (5.5%) of 9,907 patients. Of these, 507 patients had complete data and were included in the analysis. The patients' median age was 11 (IQR: 8-15) years, 55.8% were male, 97.6% exhibited polysensitization (pollen 75.1%, cat 69.6%), 83.6% had allergic rhinitis, and 46.2% had asthma. Acute dog exposure caused symptoms in 164 patients (32.3%), most commonly sneezing (n = 97) and nasal symptoms (n = 80). Predictors of acute symptoms in dog-sensitized children were male sex (OR: 0.584 [CI: 0.38-0.87]), dog exposure before 1 year of age (OR: 2.35 [CI: 1.18-4.66]), close contact with a dog owner (OR: 2.93 [CI: 1.78-4.8]), and cat allergy (OR: 2.75 [CI: 1.82-4.1]). CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of children with dog sensitization developed symptoms after exposure to the dog. Male sex, direct dog exposure before the age of one, close contact with a dog owner, and cat allergy were identified as predictors of dog allergy.

Monitoring lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage polarization by surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

Macrophages are among the most important components of the innate immune system where the interaction of pathogens and their phagocytosis occur as the first barrier of immunity. When nanomaterials interact with the human body, they have to face macrophages as well. Thus, understanding of nanomaterials-macrophage interactions and underlying mechanisms is crucial. For this purpose, various methods are used. In this study, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is proposed by studying lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced macrophage polarization using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as an alternative to the current approaches. For this purpose, the murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells, was polarized by LPS, and polarization mechanisms were characterized by nitrite release and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and monitored using SERS. The spectral changes were interpreted based on the molecular pathways induced by LPS. Furthermore, polarized macrophages by LPS were exposed to the toxic AuNPs doses to monitor the enhanced phagocytosis and related spectral changes. It was observed that LPS induced macrophage polarization and enhanced AuNP phagocytosis by activated macrophages elucidated clearly from SERS spectra in a label-free non-destructive manner.

Influence of intraoral scanner and finish line location on the fabrication trueness and margin quality of additively manufactured laminate veneers fabricated with a completely digital workflow.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Knowledge of the fabrication trueness and margin quality of additively manufactured (AM) laminate veneers (LVs) when different intraoral scanners (IOSs) and finish line locations are used is limited. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the fabrication trueness and margin quality of AM LVs with different finish line locations digitized by using different IOSs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An LV preparation with a subgingival (sub), equigingival (equi), or supragingival (supra) finish line was performed on 3 identical maxillary right central incisor typodont teeth. Each preparation was digitized by using 2 IOSs, (CEREC Primescan [PS] and TRIOS 3 [TS]), and a reference LV for each finish line-IOS pair (n=6) was designed. A total of 90 LVs were fabricated by using these files and urethane acrylate-based definitive resin (Tera Harz TC-80DP) (n=15). Each LV was then digitized by using PS to evaluate fabrication trueness (overall, external, intaglio, and marginal surfaces). Each LV was also qualitatively evaluated under a stereomicroscope (×60), and the cervical and incisal margin quality was graded. Fabrication trueness and cervical margin quality were evaluated by using 2-way analysis of variance, while Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney-U tests were used to evaluate incisal margin quality (α=.05). RESULTS: The interaction between the IOS type and the finish line location affected measured deviations at each surface (P≤.020). PS-sub and TS-supra had higher overall trueness than their counterparts. and the subgingival finish line resulted in the lowest trueness (P≤.005). PS and the subgingival finish line led to the lowest trueness of the external surface (P≤.001). TS-sub had the lowest intaglio surface trueness among the TS subgroups, and PS-sub had higher trueness than TS-sub (P<.001). PS-sub and PS-supra had higher marginal surface trueness than their TS counterparts (P<.001). TS resulted in higher cervical margin quality (P=.001). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the IOS tested, subgingival finish lines resulted in the lowest trueness. The effect of IOS on the measured deviations varied according to the surface evaluated and finish line location. The cervical margin quality of AM LVs was higher when TS was used.

Bond strength of additively manufactured composite resins to dentin and titanium when bonded with dual-polymerizing resin cements.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Additively manufactured composite resins for definitive restorations have been recently introduced. The bond strength between these composite resins and different substrates has not been extensively studied. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to measure the shear bond strength (SBS) between additively manufactured composite resins and dentin and titanium substrates and compare those with the SBS between subtractively manufactured polymer-infiltrated ceramic and the same substrates (dentin and titanium), when different dual-polymerizing resin cements were used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and eighty cylinder-shaped specimens (Ø5×5 mm) were prepared from 3 materials recommended for definitive restorations: an additively manufactured composite resin (Crowntec [CT]); an additively manufactured hybrid composite resin (VarseoSmile Crown Plus [VS]); and a subtractively manufactured polymer-infiltrated ceramic (Enamic [EN]) (n=60). Specimens were randomly divided into six subgroups to be cemented to the two substrates (dentin and titanium; n=30) with 1 of 3 resin cements (RelyX Universal, Panavia V5, and Variolink Esthetic DC) (n=10). The restoration surface to be bonded was treated according to the respective manufacturer's recommendations. Dentin surfaces were treated according to the resin cement (Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive for RelyX Universal, Panavia V5 Tooth Primer for Panavia V5, and Adhese Universal for Variolink Esthetic DC), while titanium surfaces were airborne-particle abraded, and only the specimens paired with Panavia V5 were treated with a ceramic primer (Clearfil Ceramic Primer Plus). SBS was measured in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Failure modes were analyzed under a microscope at ×12 magnification. Data were analyzed by using 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significant difference tests (α=.05). RESULTS: When SBS to dentin was considered, only restorative material, as a main factor, had a significant effect (P<.001); EN had the highest SBS (P<.001), while the difference in SBS values of CT and VS was not significant (P=.145). As for SBS to titanium, the factors restorative material and resin cement and their interaction had a significant effect (P<.001). Within each resin cement, EN had the highest SBS to titanium (P<.001), and within each restorative material, Variolink resulted in the lowest SBS (P≤.010). Overall, EN and RelyX were associated with the highest SBS to titanium (P≤.013). Mixed failures were predominant in most groups. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the substrate or the resin cement used, the subtractively manufactured polymer-infiltrated ceramic had higher shear bond strength than the additively manufactured composite resins. The SBS of the additively manufactured composite resins, whether bonded to dentin or titanium, were not significantly different from each other. Regardless of the restorative material, Variolink DC resulted in the lowest SBS for titanium surfaces.

Effect of polishing and denture cleansers on the surface roughness of new-generation denture base materials and their color change after cleansing.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of polishing and denture cleansers on the surface roughness (Ra ) of new-generation denture base materials that are additively, subtractively, and conventionally fabricated, while also assessing their color change after cleansing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty disk-shaped specimens (Ø10 × 2 mm) were prepared from five denture base materials (one subtractively manufactured nanographene-reinforced prepolymerized polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) (SM-GC), one subtractively manufactured prepolymerized PMMA (SM-PM), two additively manufactured denture base resins (AM-DT and AM-ND), and one heat-polymerized PMMA (CV) (n = 30). The Ra of the specimens was measured before and after conventional laboratory polishing, while color coordinates were measured after polishing. Specimens were then divided into three subgroups based on the denture cleanser: distilled water, 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and effervescent tablet (n = 10). The Ra and color coordinates were remeasured after nine cleansing cycles over a period of 20 days. The CIEDE2000 formula was used to calculate the color differences (ΔE00 ). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the Ra values before (n = 30) and after (n = 10) cleansing, while repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the Ra of material-time point pairs within each denture cleanser (n = 10). ΔE00 data after denture cleansing was also analyzed by using two-way ANOVA (n = 10) (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Before polishing, Ra varied significantly among the materials. SM-GC and SM-PM had the lowest and AM-ND the highest Ra values (P < 0.001). Polishing significantly reduced Ra of all materials (P < 0.001), and after polishing, Ra differences among materials were nonsignificant (P ≥ 0.072). Regardless of the denture cleanser, the Ra of AM-DT, AM-ND, and CV was the highest before polishing when different time points were considered (P < 0.001). After cleansing, AM-ND had the highest Ra of all the materials, regardless of the cleanser (P ≤ 0.017). AM-DT had higher Ra than SM-PM when distilled water (P = 0.040) and higher Ra than SM-GC, SM-PM, and CV when NaOCl was used (P < 0.001). The type of cleanser significantly influenced the Ra of AM-DT, AM-ND, and CV. For AM-DT, NaOCl led to the highest Ra and the tablet led to the lowest Ra (P ≤ 0.042), while for AM-ND, distilled water led to the lowest Ra (P ≤ 0.024). For CV, the tablet led to lower Ra than distilled water (P = 0.009). Color change varied among the materials. When distilled water was used, SM-GC had higher ΔE00 than SM-PM and AM-DT (P ≤ 0.034). When NaOCl was used, AM-ND had higher ΔE00 than SM-GC, SM-PM, and AM-DT, while CV and SM-GC had higher ΔE00 than SM-PM and AM-DT (P ≤ 0.039). Finally, when the tablet was used, AM-ND and CV had the highest ΔE00 , while AM-DT had lower ΔE00 than SM-GC (P ≤ 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The tested materials had unacceptable surface roughness (>0.2 µm) before polishing. Roughness decreased significantly after polishing (<0.2 µm). Denture cleansers did not significantly affect the surface roughness of the materials, and roughness remained clinically acceptable after cleansing (<0.2 µm). Considering previously reported color thresholds, AM-ND and CV had unacceptable color change regardless of the denture cleanser, and the effervescent tablet led to perceptible, but acceptable color change for SM-GC, SM-PM, and AM-DT.

Discrimination of Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering.

Cellular energy required for the maintenance of cellular life is stored in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Understanding cellular mechanisms, including ATP-dependent metabolisms, is crucial for disease diagnosis and treatment, including drug development and investigation of new therapeutic systems. As an ATP-dependent metabolism, endocytosis plays a key role not only in the internalization of molecules but also in processes including cell growth, differentiation, and signaling. To understand cellular mechanisms including endocytosis, many techniques ranging from molecular approaches to spectroscopy are used. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is shown to provide valuable label-free molecular information from living cells. In this study, receptor-mediated endocytosis was investigated with SERS by inhibiting endocytosis with ATP depletion agents: sodium azide (NaN3) and 2-deoxy-d-glucose (dG). Human lung bronchial epithelium (Beas-2b) cells, normal prostate epithelium (PNT1A) cells, and cervical cancer epithelium (HeLa) cells were used as models. First, the effect of NaN3 and dG on the cells were examined through cytotoxicity, apoptosis-necrosis, ATP assay, and uptake inhibition analysis. An attempt to relate the spectral changes in the cellular spectra to the studied cellular events, receptor-mediated endocytosis inhibition, was made. It was found that the effect of two different ATP depletion agents can be discriminated by SERS, and hence receptor-mediated endocytosis can be tracked from single living cells with the technique without using a label and with limited sample preparation.

Infantile spasms: Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pediatricians in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Infantile Spasms Syndrome (ISS) encompasses both West syndrome (WS), comprising epileptic spasms, psychomotor stagnation or regression and hypsarrhythmia, and also infants presenting with epileptic spasms who do not fulfill the triad of WS. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding ISS among Turkish pediatricians and pediatric residents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pediatricians and pediatric residents from all regions of Turkey. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) about ISS were assessed using a questionnaire including 45 questions. RESULTS: Out of 174 participants, 91.4% of respondents thought that ISS was a type of epilepsy. The two most recognized etiologic causes were structural abnormalities (90.8%) and genetic disorders (90.2%). Infantile colic (78.7%) and gastroesophageal reflux (75.9%) were reported to be the most common confusing diagnoses in this study. Almost all the respondents agreed that EEG recordings should be obtained for a patient with suspected ISS. Half of the participants stated that steroids were the first choice for treatment. Nearly all participants agreed on referring a pediatric patient with suspected ISS to a pediatric neurologist. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the importance of medical education as awareness is critical for diagnosing ISS. To facilitate rapid diagnosis, it is also important to combine medical education with public action. To ensure a sufficient level of knowledge about epileptic spasms and ISS, a strategy based on the socio-cultural characteristics of each population should be developed.

Clinical utility of serum tryptase levels in pediatric anaphylaxis.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the preliminary diagnosis, demographic characteristics, and outcomes of patients whose serum total tryptase levels were measured while in a tertiary pediatric hospital and to ascertain the role of serum tryptase levels in the etiology, diagnosis, severity, and course of systemic anaphylaxis. Methods: Patients ages between 1 month and 17 years who were followed up in the pediatric emergency department or as inpatients and with a diagnosis of immediate-type reactions between September 1, 2019, and August 31, 2021, were included in the study. Patient data were obtained retrospectively by examination of medical records and patient observation forms. Results: It was determined that serum tryptase levels were measured in a total of 310 patients during the study period. One hundred and fifty-five patients who met the defined diagnostic criteria were named as the anaphylaxis group and their data were detailed. The serum tryptase elevation was detected in 15.5% of the patients among the samples that met the anaphylaxis diagnostic criteria. No relationship was found between the serum total tryptase levels, the triggering factor, and the severity of anaphylaxis. Discussion: Anaphylaxis is a complex syndrome that involves different phenotypes that develop with various triggers in which different immunologic pathways, cell types, and mediators play a role. Serial measurements, including the basal value measured at least 24 hours after the symptoms disappear, are useful to confirm the diagnosis and guide the diagnostic tests during the follow-up, especially allergy evaluation.

SYNTHETIC CANNABINOID BONZAI RELATED CREATINE KINASE ENZYME ELEVATION: A TURKISH CENTER STUDY.

Synthetic cannabinoid (locally named 'Bonzai' in Turkey) use is increasing worldwide (especially among people with low income). One of its harmful adverse effects is an increase in serum levels of muscle enzymes (i.e., creatine kinase [CK]). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Bonzai use in patients admitted with elevated CK levels and to compare the 1-month survival status of Bonzai users with that of non-Bonzai users. This retrospective study was conducted on a total of 468 patients, median (min-max) age 48±22 (18-93) years. It was found that 10.68% (n=50) of the patients presenting with elevated CK levels were using Bonzai (group 1), while the remaining 418 (89.32%) patients were non-Bonzai users (group 2). Median age was higher in group 2 as compared with group 1 (p=0.001). In group 1, the predominance of male (M) over female (F) patients was interestingly high, yielding a F:M ratio of 1/49 (χ2=110.03, p<0.001). The prevalence of Bonzai use among patients admitted to our center with elevated CK levels was 10.68%. The Bonzai group patients were younger and mostly males, and none of them died at 1 month of admission. These findings may help in the management of such clinical conditions and could be a pathfinder for further studies in this field.

Impact of COVID-19 on serum melatonin levels and sleep parameters in children

Background/aim: This study aimed to analyze the serum melatonin levels and changes in sleep patterns in pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and methods: This study was designed as a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Serum melatonin levels and sleep parameters of children with the diagnosis of COVID-19 who had mild and moderate disease (i.e., COVID-19 group) were compared with those of children admitted with non-COVID-19 nonspecific upper respiratory tract infection (i.e., control group). The sleep disturbance scale for children (SDSC) questionnaire was applied to the participants> primary caregivers to analyze their sleep patterns at present and six months before symptom onset and to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on sleep patterns. Results: The entire study cohort consisted of 106 patients. The COVID-19 group included 80 patients, while the control group consisted of 26 patients. The mean serum melatonin levels were 136.72 pg/mL and 172.63 pg/mL in the COVID-19 and control groups, respectively (p = 0.16). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of 6 subcategories of the SDSC questionnaire regarding the present time and 6 months before symptom onset. The total SDSC scores were also similar in two different evaluation time points described above (p = 0.99) Conclusions: We conclude that COVID-19 did not impact the sleep parameters of children. Serum melatonin levels of all patients were higher than the reference range; however, they were higher in the non-COVID-19 patient group than the COVID-19 group. Since serum melatonin levels were higher than the reference values in children with COVID-19, and this disease is significantly less morbid in children, melatonin may have protective effects against COVID-19.

Comparison of serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities between iron deficiency anemia patients and chronic kidney disease patients with anemia.

OBJECTIVE: Altered paraoxonase (PON) and arylesterase (ARE) activities have been shown in anemic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and in iron deficiency anemia (IDA) patients. Whether accompanying anemia alone is responsible for this diminished PON and ARE activities in CKD patients or an additive factor for this is not well studied. Therefore, we tried to clarify this issue here. METHODS: A total of 82 subjects that consisted of 19 patients with IDA (group 1), 23 anemic CKD patients (group 2), and 40 age and sex matched healthy subjects (group 3) were enrolled. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), serum total thiol (-SH), PON, and ARE activities of the participants were analyzed. RESULTS: Group 2 patients had significantly lowest serum levels of Total -SH, PON and ARE. Further comparison showed that total -SH, PON and ARE levels were lower in group 1 than group 3 (p = 0.0001 in both). Regarding comparison of group 1 and 2, only serum ARE levels were significantly lower in group 2 (p = 0.001). PON activity was not different between group 1 and group 2 whereas ARE activity was lower in group 2 than groups 1 and 3. In addition, correlation analysis showed that CIMT was negatively correlated with PON and ARE. CONCLUSIONS: This markedly decreased ARE activity in CKD patients, which could not be explained by the anemia alone, may have a role in the pathogenesis of increased atherosclerosis in such patients. Still further studies are needed to certain this.

A successful desensitization protocol for horse-derived antithymocyte globulin in severe aplastic anemia.

BACKGROUND: Horse antithymocyte globulin (h-ATG) (ATGAM(®) ) is the first choice of treatment in very severe patients with aplastic anemia who do not have any HLA matched sibling donor. h-ATG is a heterologous serum that may cause anaphylaxis. Alternative treatment strategies must be planned in case of hypersensitivity. Desensitization must be considered in patients without an alternative treatment of choice. We aimed to present the h-ATG desensitization protocol and consider its effectiveness in patients with aplastic anemia who are hypersensitized with h-ATG and do not have an alternative treatment of choice. METHODS: Skin prick tests were performed with non-diluted solution in eight very severe patients with aplastic anemia who are followed up in Ege University Children's Hospital. Although skin prick test was found negative in these eight patients, different dilution h-ATG intradermal tests were performed and found positive in all patients. h-ATG desensitization program was started to these hypersensitized patients. RESULTS: Desensitization program was started to six male and two female very severe patients with aplastic anemia whose ages were between seven and 19 yr (median: 12.9 yr). All of the patients completed the desensitization program. While local reaction was seen in two patients, systemic reaction was seen in one patient and late reaction was seen in one patient during and after desensitization program. CONCLUSION: A successful desensitization program with h-ATG in children with aplastic anemia is presented. Even though there is not an exposure before to such high allergy potential heterologous serum, skin tests should be performed and desensitization must be started to patients who are hypersensitized to h-ATG. As the expected effectiveness of the treatment is so much, the desensitization protocol can be carried out safely and effectively with trained stuff although allergic reactions can be seen.

Factors affecting the tuberculosis risk in patients receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor-α treatment.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors are known to increase the risk of tuberculosis (TB). OBJECTIVES: To examine the factors associated with an increased risk of TB in patients receiving anti-TNF-α treatment (aTNF-α-T). METHOD: Of 3,094 patients who received aTNF-α-T between 2003 and 2013, a total of 1,964 subjects with a follow-up time longer than 6 months were identified and included in this retrospective analysis. Potential risk factors for the development of TB in patients receiving aTNF-α-T were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 1,964 patients, 1,009 (51%) were male and 955 (49%) were female, with a mean age of 39.7 ± 13.9 years. The primary conditions requiring aTNF-α-T included ankylosing spondylitis (n = 875), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 711), Behçet's disease (n = 83), and others (n = 295). Sixteen patients [8 (50%) males and 8 (50%) females; 5 (31.2%) with pulmonary TB and 11 (68.8%) with extrapulmonary TB] developed TB, with a corresponding TB incidence of 466/100,000. No significant associations were found between age, gender, smoking history, pack-years of smoking, isoniazid (INH) chemoprophylaxis, type of anti-TNF-α agent, use of other immunosuppressive drugs, and the risk of TB (p > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significantly higher risk of TB in patients diagnosed with Behçet's disease, and a significantly lower risk of TB in patients with a tuberculin skin test wheal ≥10 mm in diameter (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: aTNF-α-T is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB, even when follow-up protocols and INH chemoprophylaxis are implemented, and TB often develops in the later stages of treatment. The risk of TB was higher in patients with Behçet's disease and lower in patients who had a strong tuberculin skin test reaction.

Intrahepatic splenosis after splenectomy performed for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

The term splenosis describes autotransplantation or implantation of ectopic splenic tissue within the abdominal cavity or in any other unusual body compartment. In addition to the diagnostic dilemma it causes, splenosis may also lead to persistence or recurrence of hematologic dysfunctions by its preserved immune activity especially in cases of splenectomy due to hematologic indications. Herein, we present a 40-year-old female who had splenectomy for idiopatic thrombocytopenic purpura, and was identified to have splenic tissue within left lobe of the liver during further assessment of ongoing thrombocytopenia.

Leukapheresis in childhood acute leukemias: single-center experience.

Hyperleukocytosis in patients with leukemia is associated with early mortality, especially due to the pulmonary and neurological complications of leukostasis. The prompt use of leukapheresis may improve patients' survival in the initial treatment period. The medical records of all previously untreated acute leukemia patients were reviewed to determine whether there was hyperleukocytosis at presentation. This study summarizes a single-center experience of leukapheresis that was applied to 12 children with acute leukemia and hyperleukocytosis. The median leukocyte count at diagnosis was 589,000/mm(3) (range: 389,000-942,000/mm(3)) for ALL patients and 232,000/mm(3) (range: 200,000-282,000/mm(3)) for AML patients. A central venous catheter (CVC) was inserted, and leukapheresis procedures were repeated at 12-hour intervals. A total of 29 leukapheresis cycles were performed on 12 children. The median number of cycles of leukapheresis required by each patient was two (range: 1-4). The median absolute and percentage reductions in white blood cell (WBC) count after the first cycle of leukapheresis were 113,000/mm(3) (range: 55,000-442,000/mm(3)) and 36% (range: 16-57.4%), respectively. As a laboratory finding, mild hypocalcemia was the most frequently observed complication. No patients developed any other problem related to the procedure. Our results showed that leukapheresis is a safe and effective procedure if performed by experienced staff.

Effect of Material Thickness and Coffee Thermocycling on the Color Stability and Translucency of Additively and Subtractively Manufactured Resin-Based Materials for Definitive Restorations.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of material thickness and coffee thermocycling on the optical properties of definitive resin-based materials created via additive manufacturing (AM) and subtractive manufacturing (SM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens were prepared in three thicknesses (1, 1.5, and 2 mm) from three AM (3D-CB, 3D-TH, and 3D-CT) and two SM (G-CAM and VE) resin-based materials (n = 15 per material and thickness combination). Color coordinates of each specimen were measured after polishing and after 10,000 cycles of coffee thermocycling. Color differences (ΔE00s) and relative translucency parameter (RTP) values were calculated. After logarithmic transformation, ΔE00 values were analyzed with two-way ANOVA, while RTP values were analyzed with generalized linear model test (α = .05). RESULTS: 3D-TH had the highest pooled ΔE00 and G-CAM had the lowest (P ≤ .004). 3D-CB had higher pooled ΔE00 than VE and 3D-CT (P ≤ .002). For the SM group, the 1.5-mm and 2-mm 3DCT specimens and 1-mm 3D-TH specimens had lower ΔE00 than 1.5-mm and 2-mm 3D-TH specimens (P ≤ .036). Most of the AM specimens and 1-mm VE specimens had higher ΔE00 than 2-mm G-CAM specimens (P ≤ .029). Further, most AM specimens had higher ΔE00 than 1.5-mm G-CAM specimens (P ≤ .006). RTP values increased in order of 3D-CT, G-CAM, VE, 3D-CB, and 3D-TH specimens (P < .001). Increased thickness and coffee thermocycling mostly reduced RTP (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: 3D-TH typically had higher color change values than SM specimens, while G-CAM typically had lower color change values than AM specimens. Only the 1.5-mm and 2-mm 3D-TH specimens had unacceptable color changes. Thickness and coffee thermocycling mostly reduced the translucency.

Fabrication Trueness, Intaglio Surface Adaptation, and Marginal Integrity of Resin-Based Onlay Restorations Fabricated by Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the fabrication trueness, intaglio surface adaptation, and marginal integrity of resin-based onlay restorations made via additive manufacturing (AM) or subtractive manufacturing (SM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An onlay restoration was designed (DentalCAD Galway 3.0) and saved as an STL file to generate a design STL file (DO-STL). Using this design, 45 onlays were fabricated either with AM (3D-printed resin for definitive [AM-D; Tera Harz TC-80DP] and interim [AM-I; Freeprint temp] restorations) or SM (composite resin, Tetric CAD) technologies. Onlays were scanned with an intraoral scanner (CEREC Primescan SW 5.2), and the scans were saved as test STL files (TO-STLs). For trueness evaluation, TO-STLs were superimposed over the DO-STL, and root mean square (RMS) values of overall and intaglio surfaces were measured (Geomagic Control X). For the intaglio surface adaptation and marginal integrity, a triple-scan protocol was performed. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, one-way ANOVA, and post-hoc Tukey honestly significant difference tests were used to analyze data (α = .05). RESULTS: RMS values of intaglio and overall surfaces, intaglio adaptation, and marginal integrity varied among test groups (P < .001). AM-D had the greatest overall surface RMS (P < .001), while SM had the greatest intaglio surface RMS (P < .001). SM had the highest average distance deviations for intaglio surface adaptation and marginal integrity, whereas AM-D had the lowest (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: AM-D onlays showed lower overall trueness than AM-I onlays and SM definitive onlays. However, AM-D onlays presented high intaglio surface trueness, intaglio surface adaptation, and marginal integrity.

Effect of Hydrothermal Aging on the Flexural Strength and Microhardness of Materials Used for Additive or Subtractive Manufacturing of Definitive Restorations.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the flexural strength (FS) and microhardness of various CAD/CAM restorative materials intended for definitive use. The effect of hydrothermal aging on the mechanical properties of these materials was also investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 210 bar-shaped specimens (17 × 4 × 1.5 mm ± 0.02 mm) were fabricated via either subtractive manufacturing (SM) methods-reinforced composite resin (SM-CR), polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (SM-PICN), fine-structured feldspathic ceramic (SMFC), nanographene-reinforced polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA; SM-GPMMA), PMMAbased resin (SM-PMMA)-or additive manufacturing (AM) methods with urethane acrylate-based resins (AM-UA1 and AM-UA2). Specimens were then divided into two subgroups (nonaged or hydrothermal aging; n = 15). A three-point flexural strength test was performed, and five specimens from the nonaged group were submitted to microhardness testing. Specimens were subjected to 10,000 thermal cycles, and the measurements were repeated. RESULTS: Regardless of aging, SM-CR had the highest FS (P < .001), followed by SM-GPMMA (P ≤ .042). In nonaged groups, AM-UA2 had a lower FS than all other materials except SM-FC (P = 1.000). In hydrothermal aging groups, AM specimens had lower FS values than other materials, except SM-PMMA. With regard to microhardness, there was no significant difference found between any of the tested materials (P ≥ .945) in the nonaged and hydrothermal aging groups. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of hydrothermal aging on FS varied depending on the type of restorative material. Regardless of aging condition, SM-CR showed the highest FS values, whereas SM-FC had the highest microhardness. Hydrothermal aging had no significant influence on the microhardness of the tested materials.

Fabrication trueness and marginal quality of additively manufactured resin-based definitive laminate veneers with different restoration thicknesses.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how restoration thickness (0.5 mm and 0.7 mm) affects the fabrication trueness of additively manufactured definitive resin-based laminate veneers, and to analyze the effect of restoration thickness and margin location on margin quality. METHODS: Two maxillary central incisors were prepared either for a 0.5 mm- or 0.7 mm-thick laminate veneer. After acquiring the partial-arch scans of each preparation, laminate veneers were designed and stored as reference data. By using these reference data, a total of 30 resin-based laminate veneers were additively manufactured (n = 15 per thickness). All veneers were digitized and stored as test data. The reference and test data were superimposed to calculate the root mean square values at overall, external, intaglio, and marginal surfaces. The margin quality at labial, incisal, mesial, and distal surfaces was evaluated. Fabrication trueness at each surface was analyzed with independent t-tests, while 2-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the effect of thickness and margin location on margin quality (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Regardless of the evaluated surface, 0.7 mm-thick veneers had lower deviations (P < 0.001). Only the margin location (P < 0.001) affected the margin quality as labial margins had the lowest quality (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Restoration thickness affected the fabrication trueness of resin-based laminate veneers as 0.7 mm-thick veneers had significantly higher trueness. However, restoration thickness did not affect the margin quality and labial margins had the lowest quality. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Laminate veneers fabricated by using tested urethane-based acrylic resin may require less adjustment when fabricated in 0.7 mm thickness. However, marginal integrity issues may be encountered at the labial surface.

Exploring sex-specific neuroendocrine influences on the sensorimotor-association axis in single individuals.

Human neuroimaging studies consistently show multimodal patterns of variability along a key principle of macroscale cortical organization - the sensorimotor-association (S-A) axis. However, little is known about day-to-day fluctuations in functional activity along this axis within an individual, including sex-specific neuroendocrine factors contributing to such transient changes. We leveraged data from two densely sampled healthy young adults, one female and one male, to investigate intra-individual daily variability along the S-A axis, which we computed as our measure of functional cortical organization by reducing the dimensionality of functional connectivity matrices. Daily variability was greatest in temporal limbic and ventral prefrontal regions in both participants, and was more strongly pronounced in the male subject. Next, we probed local- and system-level effects of steroid hormones and self-reported perceived stress on functional organization. Our findings revealed modest effects that differed between participants, hinting at subtle -potentially sex-specific- associations between neuroendocrine fluctuations and intra-individual variability along the S-A axis. In sum, our study points to neuroendocrine factors as possible modulators of intra-individual variability in functional brain organization, highlighting the need for further research in larger samples.