Furcation perforation repair comparing gray and white MTA: a dye extraction study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of gray and white ProRoot MTA to seal furcation perforations in mandibular molars using a dye extraction leakage model. Sixty-four mandibular molars were randomly divided into four experimental groups. Six teeth with perforations were used as positive controls and six teeth without perforations were used as negative controls. Perforations in groups 1 and 2 were repaired with white MTA. Groups 3 and 4 were repaired with gray MTA. Dye leakage was tested from an orthograde direction (groups 1 and 3) and a retrograde direction (groups 2 and 4). After dye extraction, absorbance was measured on a spectrophotometer at 550 nm. No statistically significant difference in leakage was found between gray and white MTA when used as a furcation perforation repair material. However, there was significantly more leakage when the perforations were challenged from the orthograde than the retrograde direction (p < 0.001).     

Prevalence and predictors of postoperative thiamine deficiency after vertical sleeve gastrectomy

Background

As the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) becomes increasingly popular, its effect on postoperative micronutrient levels, such as thiamine, becomes more important. We previously found a 1.8% prevalence of thiamine deficiency in bariatric patients before surgery.

Functional slit lamp biomicroscopy metrics correlate with cardiovascular risk

Purpose

Our aim was to correlate cardiovascular risk factor estimation with bulbar conjunctival blood flow metrics as measured through Functional Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy (FSLB).

Construction,in vitro and in vivo evaluation of an in-house conductance meter for measurement of skin hydration

Different probes are used in dermato-cosmetic research to measure the electrical properties of the skin. The principle governing the choice of the geometry and material of the measuring probe is not well defined in the literature and some device's measuring principles are not accessible for the scientific community. The purpose of this work was to develop a simple inexpensive conductance meter for the objective in vivo evaluation of skin hydration.The conductance meter probe was designed using the basic equation governing wave propagation along Transverse Electromagnetic transmission lines. It consisted of two concentric copper circular electrodes printed on FR4 dielectric material.The performance of the probe was validated by evaluating its measurement depth, its ability to monitor in vitro water sorption–desorption and in vivo skin hydration effect in comparison to that of the Corneometer CM 825. The measurement depth of the probe, 15 μm, was comparable to that of CM 825. The in vitro readings of the probe correlated strongly with the amount of water adsorbed on filter paper. Skin hydration after application of a moisturizer was monitored effectively by the new probe with good correlation to the results of CM 825.In conclusion, a simple probe for evaluating skin hydration was made from off-the-shelf materials and its performance was validated in comparison to a commercially available probe.     

Spontaneous remision of aplastic anemia occurring during a pregnancy

Aplastic anemia is a rare disease caused by destruction of pluripotent stem cells in bone marrow. The occurrence of aplastic anemia during pregnancy is rare and can be fatal for both mother and child. The association is not well explained and there is no consensus on optimal management. We report the case of 30 years-old women treated for aplastic anemia during pregnancy, the evolution is favorable.     

CD8 T cell recognition of endogenously expressed epstein-barr virus nuclear antigen 1

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen (EBNA)1 contains a glycine-alanine repeat (GAr) domain that appears to protect the antigen from proteasomal breakdown and, as measured in cytotoxicity assays, from major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted presentation to CD8+ T cells. This led to the concept of EBNA1 as an immunologically silent protein that although unique in being expressed in all EBV malignancies, could not be exploited as a CD8 target. Here, using CD8+ T cell clones to native EBNA1 epitopes upstream and downstream of the GAr domain and assaying recognition by interferon gamma release, we show that the EBNA1 naturally expressed in EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) is in fact presented to CD8+ T cells via a proteasome/peptide transporter-dependent pathway. Furthermore, LCL recognition by such CD8+ T cells, although slightly lower than seen with paired lines expressing a GAr-deleted EBNA1 protein, leads to strong and specific inhibition of LCL outgrowth in vitro. Endogenously expressed EBNA1 is therefore accessible to the MHC class I pathway despite GAr-mediated stabilization of the mature protein. We infer that EBNA1-specific CD8+ T cells do play a role in control of EBV infection in vivo and might be exploitable in the control of EBV+ malignancies.     

Neuromodulatory effects of green coffee bean extract against brain damage in male albino rats with experimentally induced diabetes

Metabolic Brain Disease - Diabetes mellitus is an increasing metabolic disease worldwide associated with central nervous system disorders. Coffee is a widely consumed beverage that enriched with...     

Anticoagulant-resistant thrombophilia in a patient with polycythemia vera: a case report

Mechanical valve thrombosis is a rare condition in an adequately anticoagulated patient in the absence of underlying thrombophilia. We report a case of a 76-year-old male with mechanical prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis as the presenting feature of polycythemia vera. The patient was treated with thrombolysis at the time of acute presentation and subsequently maintained on low molecular weight heparin, low-dose aspirin, phlebotomy and hydroxyurea. Hemoglobin, leucocytosis and platelet count were controlled for almost 4 years after which the patient suffered a second, fatal episode in the setting of therapeutic anti-Xa level. This case report highlights the thrombotic risks associated with polycythemia vera. The proposed mechanisms of hypercoagulability in polycythemia vera are reviewed. To the best of our knowledge, mechanical valve thromboses as the presenting feature of polycythemia vera has not been reported previously.     

The effect of gabapentin premedication on pain and anxiety during cataract surgery under peribulbar block

BackgroundThe principal goal of sedation during eye surgery is to keep the patient calm and comfortable without depression of the protective airway reflexes or affecting the hemodynamics. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of oral gabapentin premedication on anxiety and pain during cataract surgery done under peribulbar block.Material and methodsIn this double blinded placebo controlled study, 60 patients scheduled for cataract surgery under peribulbar block were randomly allocated into two groups. In the gabapentin group (n = 30), patients were premedicated 2 h before peribulbar block by 1200 mg oral gabapentin capsules. In the placebo group (n = 30), patients were premedicated 2 h before peribulbar block by oral placebo capsules. Verbal pain score (VPS), sedation score, verbal anxiety score (VAS), respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure and side effects were recorded.ResultsVPS was low in the gabapentin group versus the placebo group after the block till discharge (P < 0.01). VAS for anxiety was low in the gabapentin group versus the placebo group 1 h after premedication till discharge (P < 0.01). The heart rate and blood pressure were high in the placebo group versus the gabapentin group from arrival to the operating room till discharge. No side effects were recorded.ConclusionPremedication with 1200 mg oral gabapentin reduces anxiety and pain during cataract surgery done under peribulbar block without producing side effects.