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.     

Interaction between Smad1 and p97/VCP in rat testis and epididymis during the postnatal development

Members of the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) superfamily are expressed in the testis and epididymis and are believed to have different biological functions during testicular and epididymal development. Smad1 is one of the signal transducers of BMP signaling and binds to several proteins involved in ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Valosin-containing protein (p97/VCP) is required for the degradation of some UPS substrates. Although p97/VCP has been indicated in different cellular pathways, its association with BMP signaling in male reproductive system has not been elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cellular localization of Smad1, phospho-Smad1, and p97/VCP and the interaction of proteins in the postnatal rat testis and epididymis. Testicular and epididymal tissues from 5-, 15- and 60-day-old rats were examined by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation techniques. In 5-day-old rat testis, Smad1, phospho-Smad1, and p97/VCP were mainly expressed in gonocytes. In 15- and 60-day-old rat testis, proteins were overlapped in spermatogonia, Sertoli cells, and spermatocytes. Expression of proteins in the epithelial cells of epididymis was gradually increased from 5 to 15 days of age. Smad1 and phospho-Smad1 expressions showed uniformity in the different regions of epididymis, however p97/VCP immunoreactivity was higher only in caput epididymis compared to corpus and cauda epididymis in 15- and 60-day-old rat epididymis. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments further confirmed the Smad1-p97/VCP and p-Smad1-p97/VCP interactions. The overlap between Smad1 and p97/VCP expressions in the postnatal rat testis and epididymis suggests that p97/VCP may play important roles in mediating BMP signaling during spermatogenesis.     

Maternal type 1collagen N-terminal telopeptide levels in severe hyperemesis gravidarum

Background

Nausea and vomiting occur 50–90% during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, patients with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) may be hospitalized at an incidence rate of 0.8–2% before the 20th week of gestational age. The symptoms generally start during the 5–6th gestational weeks, reaching the highest degree during the 9th week, and decline after the 16–20th weeks of gestation. Clinical findings are proportional to the severity of the disease and severe HG is characterized with dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and nutritional deficiency as a result of vomiting.

Methods

The study population consisted of two groups of pregnant volunteers at 5–12?weeks of gestation: a severe HG group and a control group. The HG severity was scored using the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (and nausea) (PUQE).The serum levels of the maternal Ca, parathyroid hormone (PTH), Na, K, blood urea nitrogen(BUN), creatinine, vitamin D(25OHD3), and the maternal urine NTx levels were compared between the groups.

Results

In total, 40 volunteers were enrolled in this study: 20 healthy pregnant volunteers and 20 with severe HG. There were no statistically significant differences between the maternal characteristics. The first trimester weight loss of ≥5?kg was significantly higher in the severe HG group (p?<?0.001), while the control group had a significantly higher sunlight exposure ratio than the severe HG group (p?=?0.021). The urine NTx levels were significantly higher in the severe HG group (39.22?±?11.68NTx/Cre) than in the control group(32.89?±?8.33NTx/Cre) (p?=?0.028).The serum Ca, PTH, Na, K, BUN, and creatinine levels were similar between the groups (p?=?0.738, p?=?0.886, p?=?0.841, p?=?0.957, p?=?0.892, and p?=?0.824, respectively). In the severe HG group, the serum 25OHD₃ levels were significantly lower than in the control group (p?<?0.001).

Conclusions

The data from this study indicated that severe HG is associated with increased urine NTx levels. However, large-scale studies are required to understand the clinical significance of this finding, as well as the long-term consequences of elevated urine NTx levels and the underlying mechanisms.

Trial registration

NCT02862496 Date of registration: 21/07/2016.

     

Perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated late preterm pregnancies with borderline oligohydramnios

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the adverse perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated late preterm pregnancies with borderline oligohydramnios.

Methods: A total of 430 pregnant women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy at a gestational age of 34?+?0–36?+?6 weeks were included. Borderline oligohydramnios was defined as an amniotic fluid index (AFI) of 5.1–8?cm, which was measured using the four-quadrant technique. Adverse perinatal outcomes were compared between the borderline and normal AFI groups.

Results: Approximately 107 of the 430 pregnant women were borderline AFI, and 323 were normal AFI. The demographic and obstetric characteristics were similar in both groups. Delivery <37 weeks, cesarean delivery for non-reassuring fetal heart-rate testing, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, Apgar 5?min <7, transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal intensive care unit, and hyperbilirubinemia were not statistically different between the groups (p?=?.054, p?=?.134, p?=?.749, p?=?0.858, p?=?.703, p?=?.320, p?=?.185, and p?=?.996, respectively). Although gestational age was full-term, induction of labor rates were significantly higher in the borderline AFI group (p?=?.040). In addition, fetal renal artery pulsatility index pulsatility index (PI) was significantly lower in the borderline AFI group than in the normal AFI group (p?=?.014).

Conclusion: Our results indicated that borderline AFI was not a risk for adverse perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated, late preterm pregnancies.     

【In Press】 Comparison of total/active ghrelin levels in primary open-angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation syndrome

AIM: To investigate the levels of ghrelin (Gh), acylated-ghrelin (AGh) and AGh/Gh ratio in the humor aqueous (HA) of cases with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG), primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and to compare these with control subjects. METHODS: A prospective examination was made of the total-Gh, and AGh levels of HA of 67 patients undergoing cataract surgery. Patients were divided into 4 groups. HA samples were aspirated at the beginning of the surgery, stored at -70℃ Gh and AGh quantification was performed with ELISA kits, the AGh/total-Gh ratios were calculated. ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-Square and post-hoc tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Total-Gh levels in HA were 189.2±45.6 pg/mL in the control group, 199.2±32.9 pg/mL in PXS, 180.6±20.9 pg/mL in PXG and 176.8±21.4 pg/mL in POAG groups (P>0.05). AGh levels in HA were 23.09±5.01 pg/mL in the control group, 24.13±5.22 pg/mL in PXS, 22.29±1.55 pg/mL in PXG and 19.69±2.93 pg/mL in POAG groups (P>0.05). The ratio of AGh/Gh was 10.3%±2.34% in the control group, 13.03%±2.58% in PXS, 12.3%±1.54% in PXG and 11.79%±1.41% in POAG groups (P=0.044). The difference between the PXS and control groups was significant (P=0.030). CONCLUSION: In spite of statistically insignificant results, the HA total-Gh levels were lower than those of the control subjects but not parallel with the AGh levels in glaucoma patients. The relative increase in the AGh/Gh ratio in glaucoma cases supports the view that proportional increases of AGh might play a role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.     

Determinants of prognosis in geriatric patients followed in respiratory ICU; either infection or malnutrition

Severity of illness, age, malnutrition, and infection are the important factors determining intensive care unit (ICU) survival.The aim of the study is to determine the relations between Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), C-reactive protein/albumin (CAR), and prognosis-mortality of geriatric patients (age of ≥65 years) admitted to intensive care unit.The study with 10/15/2020, 697 approval date, and number retrospectively registered. Between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019, 413 geriatric patients admitted to ICU. The patients were divided into three groups according to their age.The age group, gender, Charlson comorbidity index, intensive care scores (Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment), the infection markers (white blood cell, procalcitonin, CAR levels), malnutrition tools for each patient (body mass index, Nutrition Risk in Critically ill score, and GNRI scores) were analyzed retrospectively. Also length of stay (LOS) ICU, length of stay hospital, and 30-day mortality were recorded.Geriatric patients number of 403 was included in the study. Forty-nine (12.3%) patients had a history of malignancy, 272 (67.5%) patients had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease comorbidity. There was no difference in mortality between age groups.In patients with mortality, body mass index, had being Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease history, GNRI, length of stay hospital, and albumin were significantly lower; malignancy comorbidity rate, inotrope use, modified Nutrition Risk in Critically ill score, mechanical ventilation duration, LOS ICU, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II, Charlson comorbidity index, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and CAR were significantly higher.Both malnutrition and infection affect mortality in geriatric patients in intensive care. The GNRI is better than CAR at predicting mortality.     

Vivax malaria in a blood donor in Spain,relapse or a new infection in a malaria non‐endemic country?

Malaria is a vectorborne disease caused by protozoan of the genus Plasmodium, which can also be transmitted by the transfusion of infected red blood cells. One year after return from a travel to Honduras, a Spanish traveller developed vivax malaria. Prior to the onset of symptoms, the donor made a donation that tested non‐reactive using an immunological test for malaria. Samples from the donor taken before donation and tested by serological and molecular methods were negative but positive at the time of hospital admission. The possible sources of the donors’ infection, imported versus locally acquired, are discussed.