Decreased Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Levels in Coronary Artery Aneurysmatic Patients

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of arterial aneurysms through increased proteolysis of extracellular matrix proteins. Increased proteolysis due to elevated matrix degrading enzyme activity in the arterial wall may act as a susceptibility factor for the development of coronary aneurysms. Plasmin strongly stimulates pro-MMP enzyme conversion to the active form. Plasmin hyperactivity due to decreased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) may cause MMP over activity and coronary aneurysms. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between PAI-1 and presence of coronary aneurysms. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with aneurysmal coronary artery disease and stable angina were enrolled into study (Group 1). Twenty-two patients without coronary aneurysm were selected as a control group (Group 2). PAI-1 was measured in peripheral venous blood. RESULTS: The plasma PAI-1 level was lower in the coronary artery aneurysmatic patients compared to the control group (8.41 +/- 4.28 vs. 13.32 +/- 10.05 ng/ml, p = 0.037). Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) values were not significantly different between groups (3.83 +/- 1.08 vs. 4.01 +/- 1.35 mg/l, p >0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased matrix degrading enzyme activity can cause arterial wall destruction through increased proteolysis of extracellular matrix proteins. Unregulated plasmin hyperactivity due to decreased inhibition by PAI-1 may play an important role in coronary aneurysm formation.     

The cognitive aspect of formal thought disorder and its relationship with global social functioning and the quality of life in schizophrenia

Purpose

It was expected that using a comprehensive scale like the Thought and Language Disorder Scale (TALD) for measurement of FTD would enable assessing its heterogeneity and its associations with cognitive impairment and functionality. This study has aimed to analyze the relationship between formal thought disorder (FTD) and cognitive functions, functionality, and quality of life in schizophrenia.

Methods

This cross-sectional exploratory study included 46 clinical participants meeting the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia and 35 healthy individuals as the control groups. Data were acquired by means of the Turkish language version of the TALD, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Clinical Global Impression Scale, the Functioning Assessment Short Test, the Social Functioning Scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Short Form, and a neuropsychological test battery on executive functions, working memory, verbal fluency, abstract thinking, and response inhibition. Correlation analyses were conducted to detect significant relationships.

Results

The clinical group scored failures in all cognitive tests. The objective positive FTD was associated with deficits in executive functions and social functioning. The objective negative FTD was associated with poor performance in all cognitive domains, physical quality of life, and social and global functioning. The subjective negative FTD was negatively correlated with psychological quality of life.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that objective FTD factors reflect different underlying cognitive deficits and correlate with different functioning domains. Significant correlation was determined between subjective negative FTD and psychological quality of life. Given the close relationship of FTD with functioning and quality of life, the FTD-related cognitive deficits should be the key treatment goal in schizophrenia.

     

Comparison of conventional,photogrammetry, and intraoral scanning accuracy of complete-arch implant impression procedures evaluated with a coordinate measuring machine

Statement of problemConventional implant impressions by using elastomeric impression material have been reported as a more reliable technique for a complete-arch implant record compared with intraoral scanner procedures. Photogrammetry technology may provide a reliable alternative to digital scanning or a conventional impression; however, its accuracy remains unclear.PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to measure and compare the implant abutment replica positions of the definitive cast with the implant abutment replica positions obtained by the conventional technique, photogrammetry, and 2 intraoral scanners.Material and methodsAn edentulous maxillary cast with 6 implant abutment replicas (RC analog for screw-retained abutment straight) was prepared. Three impression techniques were performed: the conventional impression technique (CNV group) by using a custom tray elastomeric impression procedure after splinting the impression copings at room temperature (23°C), photogrammetry (PG group) technology (Icam4D), digital scans by using 2 different IOSs following the manufacturer′s recommended scanning protocol, namely IOS-1 (iTero Element) and IOS-2 (TRIOS 3) groups (n=10). A coordinate measuring machine (CMM Contura G2 10/16/06 RDS) was used to measure the implant abutment replica positions of the definitive casts and to compare the linear discrepancies at the x-, y-, and z-axes and the angular distortion of each implant abutment replica position by using a computer aided-design software program (Geomagic) and the best fit technique. The 3D linear gap discrepancy was calculated. Measurements were repeated 3 times. The Shapiro-Wilk test revealed that the data were not normally distributed; therefore, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the data, followed by pairwise Mann-Whitney U tests (α=.05).ResultsSignificant y-axis linear and XY and YZ angular discrepancies were found among the CNV, PG, IOS-1, and IOS-2 groups (P<.05). The PG group obtained a significantly higher distortion on the y-axis and 3D gap compared with all the remaining groups (P=.004). The 3D discrepancy of the CNV group was 11.7 μm, of the IOS-1 group was 18.4 μm, of the IOS-2 was 21.1 μm, and of the PG group was 77.6 μm. In all groups, the interquartile range was higher than the median errors from the discrepancies measured from the definitive cast, indicating that the relative precision was low.ConclusionsThe conventional technique reported the lowest 3D discrepancy for the implant abutment position translation capabilities of all the implant techniques evaluated. The intraoral scanners tested provided no significant differences in linear distortion compared with the conventional method. However, the photogrammetry system tested provided the least accurate values, with the highest 3D discrepancy for the implant abutment positions among all the groups.     

Evaluation of polymerization shrinkage of bulk-fill resin composites using microcomputed tomography

This study evaluated the influence of cavity depth on polymerization shrinkage of bulk-fill resin composites with and without adhesive resin. Standardized     

Effects of intra-abdominal pressure on adrenal gland function and morphology in rats

Intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome (IAH/ACS) are life-threatening conditions and caused by several clinical status. Although there is insufficient data regarding its effects on adrenal glands. This study aimed to identify whether elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) caused any alteration on the morphology and function of adrenal glands in a rat model. Twenty four Sprague-Dawley male rats were included in the study. Animals were allocated into 4 groups. IAP was elevated to 15 mmHg for one hour and four hours in group 2 and 4. Group 1 and 3 were sham groups. Blood samples were taken for the assessment of plasma adrenaline, noradrenaline, and corticosterone levels and adrenalectomies were performed to evaluate apoptosis. Blood adrenaline, noradrenaline and corticosterone levels were significantly higher in the study groups compared with the sham groups. However, there were no significant changes in apoptotic index scores in the study groups as compared to sham groups. These results support that increased IAH leads to discharge of catecholamine and corticosterone from the adrenal glands. Failure to demonstrate similar changes in apoptotic index score may be concluded as apoptosis is not a leading pathway for impairment of adrenal glands during IAH period.     

Atypical Presentation of Hashimoto’s Disease in an Adolescent: Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy

Hashitoxicosis is generally differentiated from Graves’ hyperthyroidism by its shorter course and absence of ophthalmopathy. In this case report, we describe an adolescent girl who presented with significant clinical findings of hyperthyroidism, a diffuse goiter with homogenously increased uptake in scintigraphy, and with ocular findings of ophthalmopathy. The thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody test was positive, and the family history revealed thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. Clinical findings supported the diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease (HD) in the follow-up period. Radioactive iodine uptake investigation was found to be a reliable method for differential diagnosis. Attention was drawn to the rarity of pediatric cases of HD who present with ophthalmopathy.