Effect of flowable composite lining on microleakage and internal voids in Class II composite restorations

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of four flowable composite linings on marginal microleakage and internal voids in Class II composite restorations with the margins above the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Class II cavities were randomly divided into 8 groups (n = 10). Group 1: One Step Plus/Aelite LS Packable; group 2: One Step Plus/Aelite Flow/Aelite LS Packable; group 3: Comfort Bond/Solitaire 2; group 4: Comfort Bond/Flowline/Solitaire 2; group 5: Solobond M/Grandio; group 6: Solobond M/Grandio Flow/Grandio; group 7: Admira Bond/Admira; Group 8: Admira bond/Admira Flow/Admira. After restoration, all teeth were stored for 24 h, thermocycled (at 5 degrees C to 55 degrees C) 500 times, and soaked in 0.5% basic fuchsin dye for 24 h. After soaking, the teeth were sectioned and observed under a stereomicroscope. Gingival marginal microleakage and internal voids (at the gingival wall interface and in the cervical and the occlusal parts) were recorded. Data were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U- and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Statistical analyses indicated that the use of flowable resin composites provided a reduction in microleakage in groups 6 and 8. Groups 2 and 4 showed fewer voids in the cervical area than without flowable composites. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that none of the materials tested was able to eliminate the marginal microleakage on the cervical wall. Flowable resin composites under nanohybrid (group 6) and ormocer (group 8) composites provided a significantly different reduction in microleakage compared to restorations without flowable liners. Fewer cervia voids were observed in packable composites with flowable liner (groups 2 and 4) than without flowable liner (groups 1 and 3s).     

Skeletal, dental and soft-tissue changes induced by the Jasper Jumper appliance in late adolescence

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the skeletal, dental, and soft-tissue changes in late-adolescent patients treated with Jasper Jumpers applied with sectional arches. The study sample consisted of 30 subjects (15 treated, 15 untreated) with skeletal and dental Class II malocclusion. Our study was carried out on 75 lateral cephalometric films. Among these radiograms, 15 were taken before the leveling stage in the treatment group. Half of the remaining 60 were taken before placement and after removal of the Jasper Jumper appliance in the treatment group and the other half at the beginning and six months after in the control group. The patient selection criteria were Class II malocclusion caused by retrognathic mandible, normal or low-angle growth pattern, and postpeak growth period. The statistical assessment of the data suggests that the sagittal growth potential of the maxilla was inhibited. There were no significant changes in the vertical skeletal parameters. The mandibular incisors were protruded and intruded, whereas the maxillary incisors were retruded and extruded. The upper molars tipped distally as the lower molars tipped mesially. Because of these changes, the occlusal plane rotated in the clockwise direction. Overbite and overjet were reduced, and the soft-tissue profile improved significantly. The results revealed that, in late-adolescent patients, the Jasper Jumper corrected Class II discrepancies mostly through dentoalveolar changes. It is suggested that this treatment method could be an alternative to orthognathic surgery in borderline Class II cases.     

Accessory Scrotum: An Unusual Localization of Scrotal Skin

Accessory scrotum is an extremely rare congenital scrotal anomaly defined as the occurrence of scrotal skin outside of its proper location with no testicular tissue. We report a preterm twin male infant who had an accessory scrotum located on the right inguinal and proximal femoral region.     

Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome in a premature infant

Fever, skin reactions, and limb edema because of drug-induced hypersensitivity have been reported in children because of various drugs, mainly aromatic antiepileptic drugs such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepin, and primidone. The skin reactions differ in severity and range from mild maculopapular erythema to exfoliative dermatitis. They have been described in older children but have not been reported in newborn infants. We report a premature newborn infant who developed fever, skin reactions, and edema because of phenytoin while receiving anticonvulsant therapy.     

The effect of L-carnitine in the prevention of ionizing radiation-induced cataracts: a rat model

Background The objective was to determine the antioxidant role of L-carnitine (LC) against ionizing radiation-induced cataracts in lens after total cranium irradiation of rats with a single dose of 5 Gy. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this experiment and were divided into three groups. Group 1 did not receive LC or irradiation (control group). Group 2 received a 5 Gy gamma irradiation as a single dose to the total cranium (RT group). Group 3 received total cranium irradiation plus 100 mg/kg body weight/day LC (RT+LC group). The rats were irradiated using a cobalt-60 teletherapy unit. At the end of the 10th day, the rats were sacrificed and their eyes were enucleated. The lenticular activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were measured. Furthermore, the lenticular content of an indicator of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA), was measured. Results Irradiation significantly increased the MDA level as an end product of lipid peroxidation. Irradiation also significantly decreased SOD activity and increased GSH-Px activity, indicating the generation of oxidative stress and an early protective response to oxidative damage. Irradiation with 5 Gy to the total cranium as a single fraction formed cataracts in the rat lenses. Cataract development was detectable in 9 rats in the RT group, and in only 4 rats in the RT+LC group 10 days after irradiation. LC administration plus irradiation significantly decreased the MDA level and increased the activity of SOD and GSH-Px enzymes, which might indicate the protection of the lenses from gamma radiation-induced cataracts. Conclusions L-carnitine may protect against the damage produced by gamma radiation by increasing the activity of the SOD enzyme and by scavenging free radicals generated by ionizing radiation. As a result of this process, MDA as an indicator of lipid peroxidation may decrease.     

Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials,clinical evaluation,and imaging findings in multiple sclerosis

Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), short-latency electromyographic responses elicited by acoustic stimuli, evaluate the function of vestibulocollic reflex and may give information about brainstem function. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the potential contribution of VEMP to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Fifty patients with MS and 30 healthy control subjects were included in this study. The frequency of VEMP p1–n1 and n2–p2 waves; mean p1, n1, n2, and p2 latency; and mean p1–n1 and n2–p2 amplitude were determined. The relation between clinical and imaging findings and VEMP parameters was evaluated. The p1–n1 and n2–p2 waves were more frequently absent in MS than in control subjects [p1–n1 wave absent: MS, 25 (25 %) ears; control, 6 (10 %) ears; P ≤ 0.02] [n2–p2 wave absent: MS, 44 (44 %) ears; control, 7 (12 %) ears; P ≤ 0.001]. The mean p1–n1 amplitude was lower in MS than in control subjects (MS, 19.1 ± 7.2 μV; control, 23.3 ± 7.4 μV; P ≤ 0.002). A total of 24/50 (48 %) MS patients had VEMP abnormalities (absent responses and/or prolonged latencies). VEMP abnormalities were more frequent in patients with than without vestibular symptoms (P ≤ 0.02) and with brainstem functional system score (FSS) ≥1 than FSS = 0 (P ≤ 0.02). In patients with MS, absence of p1–n1 wave was more frequent in patients with than without vestibular symptoms [absence of p1–n1 wave: vestibular symptoms, 9 (45 %) ears; no vestibular symptoms, 16 (20 %) ears; P ≤ 0.03] and patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≥5.5 [absence of p1–n1 wave: EDSS ≥5.5, 7 (70 %) ears; EDSS <5.5, 18 (20 %) ears; P ≤ 0.001]. Abnormal VEMP may be noted in MS patients, especially those with vestibular symptoms and greater disability. The VEMP test may complement other studies for diagnosis and follow-up of patients with MS.     

Effects of a DNA demethylating agent--5-azacytidine--on testicular morphology during mouse embryo development.

DNA methylation is an epigenetical mechanism that plays crucial roles in cellular differentiation and tissue development in embryogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of a demethylating agent, 5-azacytidine, on testicular development during embryonal life in mouse. Ten pregnant mice were administered 5-azacytidine (5-azaC) (i.p. 2 mg/kg of agent dissolved in 0.1 mg/ml PBS) during 8th (Group 1), 11th (Group 2), 14th (Group 3) and 18th (Group 4) days of pregnancy periods and male siblings of these animals were obtained (experimental groups) whereas the control group animals received no treatment and siblings of this group were also obtained. Testicular tissues from all groups were taken 20 days after birth and examined at the light and electron microscopical levels. All pregnancies were terminated in Group 1 animals, therefore no observations could be done in this group. While Group 2 and 3 siblings showed distinctive kongenital abnormalities such as; anancephaly, growth failure, cleft palate, extremity abnormalities, supernumerary ribs and whirled shaped-tails, no such abnormalities were observed in Group 4 when compared to the control group. Microscopical examination of testicular tissues in groups 2 and 3 demonstrated cellular disintegration of spermatocytes in seminiferous tubules. In addition, cytoplasmic vacuoles and thickening of the basement membrane were also evident in both groups 2 and 3. Apoptotic-like cells were seen especially in group 2 and rarely in group 3. There were no structural alterations in group 4 animals, except a decreased number of spermatocytes in seminiferous tubules when compared to the control group, possibly indicating the completion of embryogenesis in this group. In conclusion, it could be suggested that the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine may trigger an unknown gene reactivation during early embryogenesis possibly affecting the cell and tissue differentiation in developing mammalian embryos.     

Increased cell proliferation and R.Msp1 fragmentation induced by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine in rat testes related to the gene imprinting mechanism.

DNA methylation is one of the crucial mechanisms for cellular and tissue differentiation during developmental stages in mammals. 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, a specific cytosine DNA Methyltransferase inhibitor, is known to cause DNA hypomethylation in CpG, CpNpG and CCGG sequences. Therefore the present study was designed to determine the effects of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine on the germinal cells of the adult rat testicular tissue. Rat testicular tissues from the 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treated experimental and non-treated control groups were processed for light microscopy and also for genomic DNA isolation assays. The isolated genomic DNAs were digested with R.Msp1 in order to determine the methyl pattern differences in the enzyme cognate CCGG sequence. Testicular tissues from treated rats showed increased cell proliferation when investigated at the light microscopical level. On the other hand, genomic DNA of these proliferative tissue showed high fragmentation sizes of R.Msp1 digestion when compared to controls. While the R.Msp1 digested control group DNA fragmentation condensed at approximately 4700-5100 bps size, the experimental group DNA fragmentation was condensed at 700-900 bps size. In addition, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine has effects on increased cell proliferation via the loss of somatic de novo gene imprinting. These results imply that abnormally imprinted normal somatic cells in mammals are susceptible to epigenetic modification. These results also suggest that the genomic DNA of testicular tissues from control rats is resistant to R.Msp1 while DNA from the experimental group testicular cells demonstrating high proliferation rate could not resist to R.Msp1 digestion due to DNA hypomethylation in CCGG sequence. In conclusion, it could be suggested that the reversal of gene imprinting in germinal cells may cause an increased cellular proliferation and R.Msp1 fragmentation when induced by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine.