Influence of timing of coronal preparation on retention of two types of post cores

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of coronal preparation on retention of cemented cast (Cr-Ni) and IPS post core systems. METHODS: Cr-Ni and IPS post and cores were placed in 48 extracted single rooted human teeth with two different cements (dual-cure resin and glass-ionomer cement) and randomly divided into four groups of 12 specimens each. twelve of each post-core system were cemented with dual-cure cement and the other 12 of each system were cemented with glass-ionomer cement. Twelve specimens of each post core system were subjected to an axially directed removal force using a universal testing machine. Four groups of 12 specimens were divided into subgroups and subjected to preparation of their cores at 15 minutes and 24 hours after cementation. The specimens were tested at 24 hours having been stored in water at 37 degrees C for the waiting period. The forces required for dislodgement of the posts from their prepared spaces were recorded. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and the Newman-Keuls multiple comparison test. RESULTS: Retention generally increased with time following cementation for both groups. The specimens cemented with glass-ionomer cement revealed less retention compared with specimens cemented with resin cement. Preparation of cemented post cores using a high speed handpiece had a significantly negative effect on retention when carried out 15 minutes and 24 hours after cementation.     

Brain‐dead donor heart conservation with a preservation solution supplemented by a conditioned medium from mesenchymal stem cells improves graft contractility after transplantation

Hearts are usually procured from brain‐dead (BD) donors. However, brain death may induce hemodynamic instability, which may contribute to posttransplant graft dysfunction. We hypothesized that BD‐donor heart preservation with a conditioned medium (CM) from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) would improve graft function after transplantation. Additionally, we explored the PI3K pathway's potential role. Rat MSCs‐derived CM was used for conservation purposes. Donor rats were either exposed to sham operation or brain death by inflation of a subdural balloon‐catheter for 5.5 hours. Then, the hearts were explanted, stored in cardioplegic solution‐supplemented with either a medium vehicle (BD and sham), CM (BD + CM), or LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K (BD + CM + LY), and finally transplanted. Systolic performance and relaxation parameters were significantly reduced in BD‐donors compared to sham. After transplantation, systolic and diastolic functions were significantly decreased, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labeling (TUNEL)‐positive cells and endonuclease G positive cells were increased in the BD‐group compared to sham. Preservation of BD‐donor hearts with CM resulted in a recovery of systolic graft function (dP/dt_max: BD + CM: 3148 ± 178 vs BD: 2192 ± 94 mm Hg/s at 110 µL, P < .05) and reduced apoptosis. LY294002 partially lowered graft protection afforded by CM in the BD group. Our data suggest that PI3K/Akt pathway is not the primary mechanism of action of CM in improving posttransplant cardiac contractility and preventing caspase‐independent apoptosis.     

Propofol with N-Acetylcysteine Reduces Global Myocardial Ischemic Reperfusion Injury More than Ketamine in a Rat Model

Objective: We examined the cardioprotective effects of propofol and ketamine with and without N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Methods: 60 rats were divided into six groups of 10 rats each. Anesthesia induction was produced with an intraperitonal injection of ketamine in Groups 1–3 and propofol in Groups 4–6. NAC (200 mg kg^{? 1}) was given intraperitonally during anesthesia induction in Groups 3 and 6. Groups 2, 3, 5, and 6 were subjected to 90 s of myocardial ischemia by clamping the ascending aorta, and then reperfusion was begun by unclamping the ascending aorta. After 60 min of reperfusion, blood samples were taken from the ascending aorta for biochemical analyses, and heart tissue samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Results: Creatine kinase (CK), myocardial band of creatine kinase (CK-MB), and troponin-I (Tn-I) levels were significantly higher in the ischemia–reperfusion groups (2, 3, 5, 6) compared to the nonischemic groups (1, 4). CK, CK-MB, and Tn-I levels did not differ significantly between the ketamine groups (1–3) and the propofol groups (4–6) p >. 05). Malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in Groups 2 and 3 than in Group 1 and were significantly lower in Groups 4 and 6 than in Group 5 (p <. 05). Malondialdehyde levels in the propofol groups (4–6) were significantly lower than in the ketamine groups (1–3; p <. 05). Catalase levels in propofol groups were higher than ketamine groups. Superoxide dismutase levels were significantly higher in Group 6 than in Group 3 (p <. 05). Conclusions: In this rat model of global cardiac ischemia, propofol with NAC attenuates myocardial injury more than ketamine (with or without NAC).     

Clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of adult patients with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma (PRMS): A 10-year single-centre experience

Introduction:

We report our experience with 8 consecutive adults treated for paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) at a single institution between 2000 and 2010.

Methods:

After primary surgical excision, 7 patients were classified into group I according to the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group (IRSG) Postsurgical Grouping Classification, and 1 patient into group IIB. Retroperitoneal node dissection was not a required staging procedure. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 7 of the 8 patients. No additional radiotherapy was administered.

Results:

The median age at diagnosis was 24 years (range: 18–60). Embryonal histology was the most common (75%) subtype. During follow-up, 3 patients experienced local relapse and 5 distant relapse. The median progression-free and overall survival times were 17.0 ± 9.9 months (range: 5–31) and 27.3 ± 1.3 months (range: 16–58), respectively.

Conclusion:

Paratesticular RMS is an uncommon malignancy in adults. We confirm that patients with localized paratesticular RMS may have different prognoses. Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy can be avoided as a treatment for paratesticular RMS after radical inguinal orchiectomy.     

A rare case of multilocus brain abscess due to Entamoeba histolytica infection in a child

Brain abscess due to Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) may pose a diagnostic problem or a therapeutic challenge, as evidenced by the paucity of papers reporting complete recovery after treatment. An 11-year-old girl presented with progressive drowsiness, diminished movements of the left upper limb, and swallowing problems. Cranial MRI showed multiple, contrast-dense masses with fluid content. She was started on meropenem. Surgical drainage was performed. No bacterial or fungal growth was observed in drainage samples. Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites were detected in the tissue sample. Intravenous metronidazole was started and continued for 6 weeks, at the end of which abscesses were found and to have shrunk considerably. Intravenous therapy was switched to oral metronidazole, which was continued for 2 weeks. She regained all her preexisting abilities. Multiple brain abscesses due to E. histolytica is a very rare occurrence, and histopathologic evaluation is important in diagnosis.Brain abscess, a rare form of Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) infection, is characterized by an abrupt onset of symptoms and rapid progression and early death if untreated. Although many erroneously consider it as a disease of economically-developing countries, brain abscess due to E. histolytica may pose a diagnostic problem or a therapeutic challenge as evidenced by the paucity of papers reporting complete recovery after treatment. Extra-abdominal amebiasis, including cerebral amebic abscess, develops as a complication of hepatic amebiasis, rather than direct dissemination from the intestine. Cerebral amebic abscess disease has an incubation period starting from a few days to several months. As cerebral bacterial infections have a medical profile similar to that of protozoans (including partial muscular weakness, lethargy, and headache) differential diagnosis is difficult. The aim of the current study is to present a case of a brain abscess not associated with hepatic amebiasis.1-3 Multiple brain abscesses due to E. histolytica is a rarely seen occurrence. Serological and histopathological evaluations may prove to be very important in the diagnosis.     

Distinct temperament and character profiles in first onset vitiligo but not in alopecia areata

Alopecia areata (AA) and vitiligo (V) are diseases that are correlated with psychiatric disorders before, during and after diagnosis. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) is a well‐established approach for investigating personality traits in various psychosomatic diseases. The aim of this study is to compare and investigate the differences in the TCI between patients with first onset AA, patients with V and healthy controls (HC). Participants in the study included 42 patients with first onset AA, 50 adult patients with V and 60 HC who had no history or diagnoses of psychiatric or dermatological disorders. All participants were assessed with the TCI and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Among the temperament traits, the extravagance, disorderliness and total novelty‐seeking scores were lower, and the worry and pessimism scores were higher in patients with V compared with patients with AA and the HC. The mean score of the enlightened second nature and the total self‐directedness score of the character traits were higher in patients with V compared with patients with AA and the HC group. In the AA group, there was a negative correlation only between the reward dependence total score and the DLQI score. This study suggests that patients with first onset V have a distinct temperament, such as being unenthusiastic and unemotional, and character profiles, such as worry and pessimism, independent of their psychiatric comorbidities, and patients with AA do not have a different personality from the non‐affected population.     

Serum M65 as a Biomarker for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Introduction/BackgroundEffective cancer biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, or therapy response prediction are urgently need in metastatic RCC. M30 and M65 are released during apoptotic cell death and precisely reflect epithelial tumor cell death. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of plasma M30 and M65 levels in predicting survival rates for patients with metastatic RCC.Patients and MethodsThirty-nine patients with metastatic RCC and 39 healthy control subjects were included in this study. Serum M30 and M65 levels were measured by ELISA.ResultsThe median ages of the patients and control subjects were 60 and 58 years, respectively. No difference was detected in the median serum M30 level between the patients and control subjects (53.7 vs. 49.1 U/L; P = .31). The median serum M65 level was significantly higher in patients than in control subjects (334.0 vs. 179.1 U/L; P < .001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that the best cutoff value for serum M65 level for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) was 313.6 U/L. The median PFS of patients whose M65 levels were ≤ 313.6 U/L was better than that of patients whose M65 levels were > 313.6 U/L (P = .03).ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate serum M30 and M65 levels in patients with RCC. Serum M65 levels were significantly elevated in patients with metastatic RCC compared with healthy individuals. In addition, the serum M65 level could be predictive of PFS in patients with RCC.     

Social,Occupational, and Spatial Exposures and Mental Health Disparities of Working-Class Latinas in the US

Grounded in ecosocial theory, this paper discusses the mental health disparities of working-class Latinas from multiple perspectives. An overview of working-class Latinas’ prevalent mental health disorders, barriers to care and suggestions for interventions and future studies are provided.