Efficacy of concentrated growth factor versus collagen membrane in reconstructive surgical therapy of peri-implantitis: 3-year results of a randomized clinical trial

Clinical Oral Investigations - To compare the 3-year clinical and radiographic outcomes of two different reconstructive surgical management of peri-implantitis using a bone substitute in...     

Effectiveness of favipiravir in COVID-19: a live systematic review

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis for the effectiveness of Favipiravir on the fatality and the requirement of mechanical ventilation for the treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. We searched available literature and reported it by using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Until June 1, 2021, we searched PubMed, bioRxiv, medRxiv, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Google Scholar by using the keywords “Favipiravir” and terms synonymous with COVID-19. Studies for Favipiravir treatment compared to standard of care among moderate and severe COVID-19 patients were included. Risk of bias assessment was performed using Revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) and ROBINS-I assessment tool for non-randomized studies. We defined the outcome measures as fatality and requirement for mechanical ventilation. A total of 2702 studies were identified and 12 clinical trials with 1636 patients were analyzed. Nine out of 12 studies were randomized controlled trials. Among the randomized studies, one study has low risk of bias, six studies have moderate risk of bias, and 2 studies have high risk of bias. Observational studies were identified as having moderate risk of bias and non-randomized study was found to have serious risk of bias. Our meta-analysis did not reveal any significant difference between the intervention and the comparator on fatality rate (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.64–1.94) and mechanical ventilation requirement (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.13–1.95). There is no significant difference in fatality rate and mechanical ventilation requirement between Favipiravir treatment and the standard of care in moderate and severe COVID-19 patients.

     

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of an Aerobic Exercise Program and the Personality Characteristics of Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Pilot Study

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a 6-week aerobic exercise program on pain, physical function, and psychological status, and to evaluate the personality characteristics of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients. [Subjects and Methods] Fourteen women with FMS were enrolled. They were trained for a 6-week home-based aerobic exercise program. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, the visual analog scale of pain and sleep quality were measured at baseline and at the end of week 6. The personality profiles were evaluated using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). [Results] After the exercise program, significant improvements were determined in pain, sleep quality, physical function, depression and FMS symptoms compared to baseline. In addition, the hysteria item (71.21±8.84) of the MMPI was significantly higher in FMS. [Conclusion] Our findings indicate that home-based aerobic exercise may be a useful treatment in the management of FMS. Personality characteristics should be considered during the planning process of the treatment of FMS. Personality is a filter between life events and psychological responses. It is defined to be the integration of effective and behavioral patterns. Long-term studies involving larger clinical samples are needed to define the role of personality characteristics in FMS.Key words: Fibromyalgia syndrome, Aerobic exercise, Personality characteristics     

Nonoperative Management of Leaks After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy With Endoscopic Stents in a Tertiary Referral Center

BackgroundLaparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a frequently performed operation. Leaks are formidable complications; however, the optimal management of these leaks is controversial.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 15 patients referred to our tertiary center between 2012 and 2016 with leaks after LSG.ResultsIn 12 patients with whom ongoing leaks were identified, stents were inserted with the intent of definitive therapy. In addition to attempts at source control, percutaneous drainage was carried out for intraabdominal collection in 9 patients and pleural effusion in 4 patients. The length of stay in the intensive care unit was significantly shorter in patients referred earlier or in those without any intervention.ConclusionLSG leaks can be treated nonoperatively in well-organized centers under meticulously designed protocols, depending on the clinical condition of the patient.     

Neo-chordae length adjustment in mitral valve repair.

Appropriate length adjustment of neo-chordae using PTFE sutures for mitral valve repair in degenerative valve disease has a crucial impact on both early and late outcomes of the repair. Herein we describe an adjuvant approach to facilitate the length adjustment.     

The clinical course of COVID-19 in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients

Background/aim The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 was named as COVID-19. There is as yet insufficient information about the effects of HSCT on the clinical course of COVID-19. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the clinical course of COVID-19 in patients who had undergone HSCT. Materials and methods We analyzed baseline characteristics, clinical course and findings of COVID-19, hospitalization and death rates, overall survival, and case fatality rates of HSCT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 retrospectively. Results 57.6% of the patients underwent AHSCT, and 42.4% underwent allo-HSCT. 60.6%, 27.3%, and 12.1% of the patients had mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 or critical illness, respectively. Overall, 45.5% were hospitalized, 12.1% required intensive care, and 9.1% necessitated invasive mechanical ventilation. The total CFR was 9.1% in HSCT recipients, 22.2% in patients with active hematologic malignancy, and 4.2% in patients without active hematologic malignancy. Conclusion It can be concluded that mortality of HSCT recipients is lower in patients whose primary disease is in remission compared to ones that are not in remission. Further studies with larger group patients are needed in order to delineate the effects of COVID-19 on HSCT patients.     

Follicular fluid concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-3, VEGF, AMH, and inhibin-B in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using GnRH agonist or GnRH antagonist

Objective

To compare follicular fluid concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-3, inhibin-B, VEGF, and AMH in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with a long-luteal GnRH agonist protocol or multiple-dose GnRH antagonist protocol.

Study design

A total of 80 cycles were included; long-luteal GnRH agonist group (n = 40) and multiple dose GnRH antagonist group (n = 40). All follicular fluid samples were obtained from mature follicles during oocyte retrieval. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations were measured by immunoradiometric assay. IGF-II, VEGF, AMH, and inhibin-B concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

There were no significant differences in the concentrations of the studied follicular fluid markers, cycle parameters, and treatment outcomes between GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist protocols.

Conclusions

The long-luteal GnRH agonist protocol and multiple-dose GnRH antagonist protocol seem to have similar effects on the follicular microenvironment in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.     

Embolization of peripheral vascular malformations with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx)

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of endovascular embolization of peripheral congenital vascular malformations (VMs) with use of a nonadhesive liquid embolic agent, Onyx. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients with a mean age of 20.8 years had local low-flow (n = 4), local high-flow (n = 3), or diffuse high-flow (n = 2) VMs located in the upper or lower extremities. In all patients, endovascular embolization was performed via the superselective catheterization of arterial feeders of VMs with use of microcatheters in a coaxial technique. A total of 15 embolization procedures were performed with Onyx, which was composed of 6%, 8%, or 20% ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide. RESULTS: In two of four patients with local low-flow VMs, the lesions were embolized completely. In the other two patients with local low-flow VMs, embolizations were incomplete. The remaining five high-flow lesions of local (n = 3) or diffuse (n = 2) types were also embolized incompletely. In all patients with local low-flow VMs and in one patient with a local high-flow VM, clinical signs and symptoms were resolved significantly. Other patients did show clinical benefit from embolization to varying degrees. CONCLUSION: In our experience in a limited number of cases, Onyx promises and provides important advantages over conventional embolic agents in the endovascular transcatheter embolization of congenital peripheral VMs. However, as with other embolic agents, it is far from perfect.     

Analysis of Repetitive Flash Stimulation Frequencies and Record Periods to Detect Migraine Using Artificial Neural Network

Different kind of methods has been applied to detect the migraine by using flash stimulation. Especially frequency analysis of EEG signal is the most preferred method to detect the migraine by using flash stimulation. Different flash stimulation frequencies at wide frequency range have been used in migraine detection. But the effects of these flash stimulation frequencies and the most effective frequency can be determined by analyzing these frequencies separately. Since each stimulation frequency has been implemented in different time periods, it is necessary to determine the time period to detect magnitude increase in migraine patients. The aim of this study is to determine the most effective flash stimulation frequency and time duration to detect the migraine. In this study, we analyzed the flash stimulation frequencies and time duration separately for detecting migraine. Performance of each flash stimulation frequency has been determined to detect the migraine by analyzing the power spectrums obtained under 2 Hz, 4 Hz and 6 Hz and artificial neural network has been used to determine the which data has a superior performance. Afterwards we analyzed the 2 s, 4 s, 6 s, 8 s and 10 s of flash stimulation periods separately by observing the power spectrums and the results are verified by using artificial neural network. As a result of this study we proposed the 4 Hz of flash stimulation frequency is the most effective frequency and 8 s time period is necessary to detect the migraine at the beta band of EEG’s T5-T3 channel.