Causes of dental fractures in the early permanent dentition: a retrospective study

Two hundred eight patients, who applied to the Department of Pedodontics, Dental School, Dicle University between 1995 and 1998, were evaluated in terms of permanent teeth fracture. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the probable causes of the trauma, the effects of age and gender on dental trauma, prevalence of fracture types, and distribution of fracture type according to arch. It was observed that the falls or collisions were the main causes. It was also determined that the age group most frequently suffering fractures was ages 9 to 11 years. The majority of the patients were male. The enamel-dentin-pulp-type fracture and those causing the tooth to become nonvital were the most prevalent, and the majority of the fractures were observed in maxillary central teeth.     

Use of Cortoss as an alternative material in calvarial defects: the first clinical results in cranioplasty

A clinical series of 13 patients who underwent cranioplasty using a new quick setting material, namely Cortoss, was done over 3-year period. Thus, the primary objective of this study is to evaluate the role of Cortoss in the treatment calvarial defects which were mainly due to trauma (4 patients), tumor or tumor-like lesions (5 patients), middle cerebral infarction (3 patients), and gun shot wound (1 patient). The surgical technique was found to be simple and effective. Long-term follow-up (mean 24.3 months) demonstrated satisfactory results in terms of surgical (functional) and cosmetic outcomes.None of the patients developed complications including infections, foreign body reactions or material leakage. The results led us to suggest that the use of Cortoss in the case of calvarial defects seems to be safe, effective, quick, and a feasible method for cranioplasty. We conclude that the mechanical, immunologic, and technical-grafting properties of Cortoss, together with its superior esthetic and psychological effects, probably will make it the best material for cranioplasty.     

Multiscale analysis of SRY-positive 46,XX testicular disorder of sex development: Presentation of nine cases

46,XX testicular disorder of sex development (46,XX TDSD) is a relatively rare condition characterised by the presence of testicular tissue with 46,XX karyotype. The present study aims to reveal the phenotype to genotype correlation in a series of sex-determining region Y (SRY)-positive 46,XX TDSD cases. We present the clinical findings, hormone profiles and genetic test results of six patients with SRY-positive 46,XX TDSD and give the details and follow-up findings of our three of previously published patients. All patients presented common characteristics such as azoospermia, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and an SRY gene translocated on the terminal part of the short arm of one of the X chromosomes. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) height of the patients was 164.78 ± 8.0 cm. Five patients had decreased secondary sexual characteristics, and three patients had gynaecomastia with varying degrees. Five of the seven patients revealed a translocation between protein kinase X (PRKX) and inverted protein kinase Y (PRKY) genes, and the remaining two patients showed a translocation between the pseudoautosomal region 1 (PAR1) of X chromosome and the differential region of Y chromosome. X chromosome inactivation (XCI) analysis results demonstrated random and skewed XCI in 5 cases and 1 case, respectively. In brief, we delineate the phenotypic spectrum of patients with SRY-positive 46,XX TDSD and the underlying mechanisms of Xp;Yp translocations.     

High prevalence of diabetes in Adana, a southern province of Turkey

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of diabetes and glucose intolerance and their relationship with risk factors in Adana, a southern province of Turkey, where risk factors are more prominent, probably because of social and economic reasons. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The study population included 1637 randomly selected adults aged 20-79 years. Diagnosis of diabetes was based on plasma glucose values using the 1999 diagnostic criteria recommended by the World Health Organization. RESULTS: The crude prevalence of diabetes was 12.9% in men and 10.9% in women (P = 0.207). Total prevalence of diabetes was 11.6%. The screening process identified previously undiagnosed diabetes in 4.2% of individuals and impaired glucose homeostasis (consisting of impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose) in an additional 4.3% of subjects. The prevalence of hypertension was 26.4% among men and 36.6% among women (P < 0.0001). Total prevalence of hypertension was 32.9%, and prevalence of obesity was 43.4%. Age, sex, BMI, waist circumference, hypertension, family history of diabetes, and triglycerides were independently associated with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of diabetes in Adana is higher than expected in both urban and rural areas. Obesity and hypertension also seem to be common metabolic disorders in this area. Age, hypertension, obesity, high triglyceride level, and family history of diabetes are independently associated with diabetes. Therefore, primary prevention through lifestyle modifications may have a critical role in the control of diabetes.     

Comparison of Laparoscopic and Microscopic Subinguinal Varicocelectomy in terms of Postoperative Scrotal Pain

Background and Objectives:

In this study, 2 different varicocelectomy methods were compared with regard to postoperative scrotal pain, length of operation, and complications.

Methods:

Forty varicocele patients, who visited our clinic because of infertility or scrotal pain between 2008 and 2009, were enrolled in this clinical study. Microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomy was performed on 20 patients in Group I, and laparoscopic varicocelectomy was performed on 20 patients in Group II. Following surgery, the patients were assessed for postoperative requirements for analgesia; return to normal activity; varicocele recurrence; hydrocele formation; scrotal pain at postoperative days 1, 3, and 7; and other complications.

Results:

Mean age was 24.2±3.4 years in Group I and 25.1±2.1 years in Group II. Mean pain scores at postoperative 1, 3, and 7 days in Group I were (5.20±1.14, 4.60±0.97, and 3.50±0.97, respectively) significantly higher than those of Group II (0.70±0.82, 0.60±0.84, and 0.10±0.32, respectively). Time to return to normal activity was significantly shorter in Group II (3.7±2.1 days) compared with Group I (6.8±3.4 days) (p=0.028). However, the number of recurrences and hydroceles, as a complication of varicocelectomy, was 2 times higher in Group II (10%) than in Group I (5%).

Conclusions:

We believe that laparoscopic varicocelectomy is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive procedure. Furthermore, reduced postoperative discomfort and earlier return to normal activity are additional advantages of this method.