Development of amyloidosis in Behçet's syndrome with isolated mucocutaneous involvement

Development of secondary amyloidosis is an infrequent complication in patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS). It has been reported that multiple systemic involvement, long disease duration, and male gender are major clinical factors accompanying the development of amyloidosis in BS. We report a case of secondary amyloidosis in a patient diagnosed as having BS with a positive pathergy test 9 years previously and who had isolated mucocutaneous involvement. Regular use of colchicine since the diagnosis and somewhat mild progress of the disease could not prevent the development of secondary amyloidosis in this patient. He is alive and receives hemodialysis regularly.     

Ectasia and severe atherosclerosis: relationships with chlamydia pneumoniae, helicobacterpylori, and inflammatory markers

To date, there has been no convincing evidence for an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae or Helicobacter pylori and ectasia. In this case-control study, we have investigated the association of H. pylori and C. pneumoniae seropositivity with ectasia, severe coronary atherosclerosis, and normal vessels, which were so classified by coronary angiography. We have also evaluated the influence of these infections on inflammatory markers such as high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Of the 796 patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected ischemic heart disease, 244 patients were recruited. Of these, 91 had normal vessels, 88 had 3 or more obstructed vessels, and 65 had ectatic vessels without atherosclerosis. Eighty-seven atherosclerotic patients (98.9%) were positive for C. pneumoniae IgG, as were 64 ectatic patients (98.5%) and 76 controls (83.5%) (P < 0.001). Forty-two atherosclerotic patients (47.7%) were positive for C. pneumoniae IgM, as were 43 ectatic patients (66.2%) and 43 controls (47.3%) (P = 0.036). Seventy-two atherosclerotic patients (81.8%) were positive for H. pylori IgA, as were 26 ectatic patients (40.0%) and 44 controls (48.4%) (P < 0.001). High-sensitive CRP levels were significantly higher in ectatic patients (5.639 mg/L) than in controls (4.390 mg/L) (P = 0.032), and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in atherosclerotic patients (33.92 U/L) than in controls (14.01 U/L) (P < 0.001). Interleukin-6 levels were higher in H. pylori seropositive patients, and hsCRP levels were higher in C. pneumoniae seropositive patients, when compared with seronegatives. We suggest that, as in atherosclerosis, C. pneumoniae infection is related to ectasia, with raised CRP levels.     

Effects of simvastatin only or in combination with continuous combined hormone replacement therapy on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolaemic post-menopausal women.

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of simvastatin only or combined with continuous hormone replacement therapy on the serum lipid profile in hypercholesterolaemic post-menopausal women. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred hypercholesterolaemic post-menopausal women were given either simvastatin 10 mg daily together with oestrogen 0.625 mg and medroxyprogesterone 2.5 mg daily (HRT+simvastatin group) (n:50) or simvastatin 10 mg daily (simvastatin only group) (n:50) in a prospective manner. Serum total, low density lipoprotein, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured at baseline, at 3 and 6 months. The initial mean (+/-SD) cholesterol values were as follows for the HRT+simvastatin group and the simvastatin only group, respectively: total cholesterol 240. 0+/-28.0 and 248.9+/-28.2 mg x dl(-1); low density lipoprotein cholesterol 174.7+/-25.6 and 175.1+/-25.9 mg x dl(-1); high density lipoprotein cholesterol 37.2+/-5.0 and 39.9+/-7.3 mg x dl(-1). Compared with the baseline, total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased; and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased significantly at 3 and 6 months in both groups. However, the mean percent reduction in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly greater in the HRT+ simvastatin group compared with the simvastatin only group both at 3 months (12.3+/-7.0% vs 8.9+/-6.2%;P<0.01; and 19.0+/-10.6% vs 13.2+/-10.4%;P< 0.005, respectively) and at 6 months (14.6+/-7.7% vs 11.3+/-7.4%;P<0.05 and 23.3+/-9.7% vs 15.8+/-12.3%;P<0.005, respectively). The mean percent increase in serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations was also significantly greater in the HRT+simvastatin group compared with the simvastatin only group at both times (14.6+/-11.8% vs 9.8+/-11.8%;P<0.005, at 3 months, and 21.3+/-15.2% vs 11.1+/-12.5;P<0.005, at 6 months, respectively). Furthermore, significantly more patients in the HRT+simvastatin group than in the simvastatin only group attained their target treatment goals dictated by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel II Guidelines. Although the mean percent decrease in triglyceride levels was significantly greater in the HRT+simvastatin group at 3 months, the significance disappeared at 6 months. CONCLUSION: The combination of simvastatin and continuous combined hormone replacement therapy seems to be more effective than simvastatin only in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia in post-menopausal women.     

Evaluation of Estrogen,Progesterone, and GCDFP-15 Expression in Uterine Leiomyomas

Approximately, one fourth of women have leiomyomas. Leiomyomas are benign tumors that originated from smooth muscle cells. Estrogen is claimed to relate as a cause but exact mechanism has not fully understood. In this study, 95 leiomyoma cases that have been diagnosed by our department in years between 2010 and 2012 were examined. Age ranges of patients, sizes, locations, and numbers of leiomyomas were identified. Immunohistochemically ER (estrogen), PR (progesterone), and Gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 stains were performed to the paraffin blocks and their percentages of staining were noted. Statistically, submucosal and intramural locations were significantly related to ER and PR (p < 0,001). There were significant relationship between ER and PR in 30–50 years age group (p < 0,001). There were significant relationship between ER, PR and locations (p < 0,001), numbers (p < 0,001), sizes of leiomyomas (below 5 cm; p < 0,001), (between 5 and 10 cm; p = 0,037), larger than 10 cm; p = 0,002). Consequently, relationship between leiomyoma and ER, PR were revealed in this study. Also, relationship between leiomyoma locations and patient ages were identified statistically. There was no immunoreactivity with GCDFP-15 in leiomyomas.     

Periodontitis in Rats Induces Systemic Oxidative Stress That Is Controlled by Bone‐Targeted Antiresorptives

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic, polymicrobial inflammatory disease that degrades connective tissue and alveolar bone and results in tooth loss. Oxidative stress has been linked to the onset of periodontal tissue breakdown and systemic inflammation, and the success of antiresorptive treatments will rely on how effectively they can ameliorate periodontal disease–induced oxidative stress during oral infection. Methods: Rats were infected with polybacterial inoculum consisting of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia, as an oral lavage every other week for 12 weeks. Daily subcutaneous injections of enoxacin, bis‐enoxacin, alendronate, or doxycycline were administered for 6 weeks after 6 weeks of polybacterial infection in rats. The serum levels of oxidative stress parameters and antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, were evaluated in each of the infected, treated, and sham‐infected rats. Results: Rats infected with the periodontal pathogens displayed a five‐fold increase in the oxidative stress index compared with controls as a result of increased levels of serum oxidants and decreases in total antioxidant activity. The overall decrease in antioxidant activity occurred despite increases in three important antioxidant enzymes, suggesting an imbalance between antioxidant macromolecules/small molecules production and antioxidant enzyme levels. Surprisingly, the bone‐targeted antiresorptives bis‐enoxacin and alendronate inhibited increases in oxidative stress caused by periodontitis. Bis‐enoxacin, which has both antiresorptive and antibiotic activities, was more effective than alendronate, which acts only as an antiresorptive. Conclusion: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that the increased oxidative stress induced by periodontal infection in rats can be ameliorated by bone‐targeted antiresorptives.     

Laparoendoscopic single‐site (LESS) vs laparoscopic living‐donor nephrectomy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

The aim of this study was to provide a systematic review and meta‐analysis of reports comparing laparoendoscopic single‐site (LESS) living‐donor nephrectomy (LDN) vs standard laparoscopic LDN (LLDN). A systematic review of the literature was performed in September 2013 using PubMed, Scopus, Ovid and The Cochrane library databases. Article selection proceeded according to the search strategy based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses criteria. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were used to measure continuous variables and odds ratios (ORs) to measure categorical ones. Nine publications meeting eligibility criteria were identified, including 461 LESS LDN and 1006 LLDN cases. There were more left‐side cases in the LESS LDN group (96.5% vs 88.6%, P < 0.001). Meta‐analysis of extractable data showed that LLDN had a shorter operative time (WMD 15.06 min, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.9–25.1; P = 0.003), without a significant difference in warm ischaemia time (WMD 0.41 min, 95% CI –0.02 to 0.84; P = 0.06). Estimated blood loss was lower for LESS LDN (WMD ?22.09 mL, 95% CI –29.5 to –14.6; P < 0.001); however, this difference was not clinically significant. There was a greater likelihood of conversion for LESS LDN (OR 13.21, 95% CI 4.65–37.53; P < 0.001). Hospital stay was similar (WMD –0.11 days, 95% CI –0.33 to 0.12; P = 0.35), as well as the visual analogue pain score at discharge (WMD –0.31, 95% CI –0.96 to 0.35; P = 0.36), but the analgesic requirement was lower for LESS LDN (WMD –2.58 mg, 95% CI –5.01 to –0.15; P = 0.04). Moreover, there was no difference in the postoperative complication rate (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.65–1.54; P = 0.99). Renal function of the recipient, as based on creatinine levels at 1 month, showed similar outcomes between groups (WMD 0.10 mg/dL, –0.09 to 0.29; P = 0.29). In conclusion, LESS LDN represents an emerging option for living kidney donation. This procedure offers comparable surgical and early functional outcomes to the conventional LLDN, with a lower analgesic requirement. However, it is more technically challenging than LLDN, as shown by a greater likelihood of conversion. The role of LESS LDN remains to be defined.     

Comparison of initial efficacy and long-term follow-up of heparin-coated Jostent with conventional NIR stent

The implantation of heparin-coated stents was reported to be well tolerated, but there are conflicting results about acute in-hospital complications. (sub)acute thrombosis rates, and long-term follow-up compared to uncoated stents. We compared the angiographic and clinical results after coronary placement of two stent models: the heparin-coated premounted Jostent and the uncoated premounted NIR stent. Of 710 patients revascularized, a total of 426 patients received Jostent (n = 230) or NIR stent (n = 196) implantation. The primary end points were acute or subacute thrombosis, urgent CABG, AMI or death, while the secondary end points were the comparison of the restenosis rates of the stents at the 6th month and of the functional angina classification of the stent groups at the 1st, 6th and 12th months. There were no significant differences between the Jostent and NIR stent groups regarding angiographic and procedural success. Acute thrombosis rates in the Jostent and NIR stent groups were similar while no subacute thrombosis was observed in either group. The major adverse cardiac event rates of the groups also did not differ. Angiographic restenosis occurred in 17% of the Jostent group and 16% of the NIR stent group (NS). The combined clinical and angiographic restenosis rate was also similar between the Jo and NIR groups (19% and 18%, respectively). Comparison of functional angina classes at the 1st, 6th and 12th months revealed no significant difference between the study groups. In conclusion, when compared with implantation of an uncoated premounted NIR stent, implantation of a heparin-coated premounted Jostent does not provide any more benefit with respect to initial efficacy, sub(acute) thrombosis and 6-month restenosis rates and 12-month clinical outcomes.     

Ethical decision making in dental education: a preliminary study

Background

In terms of ethical decision making, every clinical case, when seen as an ethical problem, may be analyzed by means of four topics: medical indications, patient preferences, quality of life, contextual features. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of 4^th year dental students on Ethical Decision Making before and after a course on ethics.

Methods

Fourth year dental students (n?=?37) from academic year 2013–2014 participated in the study. A 3-h lecture, which was about four topics approach to clinical ethical case analysis, was given to the students. The lecture was based on case scenarios related with dental ethics. After the completion of lectures,a case scenario was presented to the students to assess their ethical decision making abilities. At the end of the exam, four topics and ethical judgment were evaluated. Their performances on this examination were evaluated before and after lectures. Statistical evaluation was performed with the significance level set at p?<?0.05.

Results

A statistically significant difference was found between the means of four topics (p?<?0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean scores of judgment of ethical decision (p?>?0.05). The mean total score of the students after the course was significantly higher than before course (67.5 and 54.4, respectively; p?<?0.05).

Conclusion

More lectures should be implemented to the curriculum to increase the student awareness of ethical issues and to reach the ultimate goals of dental education.