Composite-to-composite microtensile bond strength in the repair of a microfilled hybrid resin: effect of surface treatment and oxygen inhibition

PURPOSE: To compare the 24-h microtensile bond strength of a microfilled hybrid composite to the same material after mechanical and/or chemical treatment and assess the effect of oxygen inhibition on the composite-composite bond. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty composite cylinders of Gradia Direct Anterior (GC) were prepared and stored 24 h prior to the following surface treatments: 50-microm aluminum oxide air abrasion and 37% phosphoric acid etching (group 1); hydrochloric acid and 6.9% hydrofluoric acid etching (group 2); diamond bur roughening and 37% phosphoric acid etching (group 3); diamond bur roughening (group 4). In all groups, Prime & Bond NT (Dentsply De Trey) was applied and light cured in air or under a nitrogen atmosphere, prior to layering a buildup of the repairing resin composite. Microtensile bond strength measurements were performed. Data were statistically analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: The curing atmosphere did not significantly influence the interfacial strength (p < 0.05). Surface treatment significantly affected the composite-composite bond (p > 0.05). Air abrasion, regardless of curing atmosphere, resulted in the strongest bond (p < 0.05). The other treatments were comparable. CONCLUSION: Air abrasion and the application of a bonding agent offer satisfactory bond strengths for composite repair. The oxygen inhibition layer on a light-cured adhesive is not crucial to the success of the 24-h composite-composite bond.     

Low-Dose Acetazolamide in the Treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A Case Series

The treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is far from satisfactory, as there is a high proportion of patients who do not respond to conventional treatment. The antidiuretic sulfonamide, acetazolamide, inhibits carbonic anhydrase and potentiates GABAergic transmission; the latter is putatively involved in PMDD. We therefore tried acetazolamide in a series of women with intractable PMDD. Here, we describe a series of eight women diagnosed with DSM-IV-TR PMDD, five of whom had comorbidity with a mood disorder and one with an anxiety disorder, who were resistant to treatment and responded with symptom disappearance after being added-on 125 mg/day acetazolamide for 7-10 days prior to menses each month. Patients were free from premenstrual symptoms at the 12-month follow-up. We suggest that acetazolamide may be used to improve symptoms of PMDD in cases not responding to other treatments. GABAergic mechanisms may be involved in counteracting PMDD symptoms.     

Procedure and step-based analysis of the occupational radiation dose during endovascular aneurysm repair in the hybrid operating room

Objective

This study measured the cumulative occupational X-ray radiation dose received by support staff during endovascular aortic procedures and during additional intraoperative steps in the hybrid operating room.

Immune hemolytic anemia associated with teicoplanin

BACKGROUND: Several drugs can cause immune hemolytic anemia. Here a patient who developed hemolytic anemia after treatment with teicoplanin is described. CASE REPORT: Owing to a two-vessel disease, a 68-year-old white man underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. He was readmitted for superficial sternal wound infection and sternal instability. Rewiring was required and worsening anemia characterized the course after the reoperation. Drugs used in the second admission were gentamycin, teicoplanin, paracetamol, and codeine. They were considered as a possible cause of drug-induced hemolytic anemia. RESULTS: The DAT was positive for complement and IgG. Autoanti-e was identified in the patient's undiluted serum sample. The eluate was reactive with all RBCs tested only after adding teicoplanin; when diluted 1:4, anti-e specificity was observed in the presence of teicoplanin. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of immune hemolytic anemia owing to teicoplanin.     

An Eight-Year Survey on Aflatoxin B1 Indicates High Feed Safety in Animal Feed and Forages in Northern Italy

Aflatoxins (AFs) remain the main concern for the agricultural and dairy industries due to their effects on the performances and quality of livestock production. Aflatoxins are always unavoidable and should be monitored. The objective of this paper is to bring to light a significant volume of data on AF contamination in several animal feed ingredients in Northern Italy. The Regional Breeders Association of Lombardy has been conducting a survey program to monitor mycotoxin contamination in animal feeds, and in this paper, we present data relating to AFB1 contamination. In most cases (95%), the concentrations were low enough to ensure compliance with the European Union’s (EU’s) maximum admitted levels for animal feed ingredients. However, the data show a high variability in AF contamination between different matrices and, within the same matrix, a high variability year over year. High levels of AFs were detected in maize and cotton, especially in the central part of the second decade of this century, i.e., 2015–2018, which has shown a higher risk of AF contamination in feed materials in Northern Italy. Variability due to climate change and the international commodity market affect future prospects to predict the presence of AFs. Supplier monitoring and control and reduced buying of contaminated raw materials, as well as performing analyses of each batch, help reduce AF spread.     

IL-17 and its role in inflammatory,autoimmune, and oncological skin diseases: state of art

Recent data support the theory of the involvement of IL-17 in the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory skin diseases (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa) and autoimmune skin diseases (alopecia areata, vitiligo, bullous diseases). Even if the role of IL-17 in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases has been reported extensively, its role in tumor is still controversial. Some reports show that Th17 cells eradicate tumors, while others reveal that they promote the initiation and early growth of tumors. Herein, we review the role of IL-17 in the involvement of some common dermatologic diseases: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, acne, vitiligo, melanoma, and nonmelanoma skin cancers.