Peri‐implant soft tissue inflammatory parameters and crestal bone loss among waterpipe (narghile) smokers and never‐smokers with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus

1 Background

Peri‐implant soft tissue inflammatory parameters and crestal bone loss (CBL) among waterpipe smokers (WS) with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains uninvestigated. The aim of the present study was to assess peri‐implant soft tissue inflammatory parameters and CBL among WS and never smokers (NS) with and without T2DM.

2 Methods

Demographic data and information regarding duration of implants in function, daily frequency of smoking, duration and treatment of T2DM, and daily toothbrushing was collected using a questionnaire. Peri‐implant plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) ≥4 mm, CBL, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were assessed in all individuals. Level of significance was set at 5%.

3 Results

Seventy‐nine male individuals (39 patients with T2DM [20 WS and 19 NS] and 40 systemically healthy individuals [21 WS smokers and 19 NS]) were included. The mean age was comparable among individuals in all groups. The mean HbA1c levels were significantly higher among patients with T2DM compared to controls (P < 0.01). Peri‐implant PI, BOP, PD, and CBL were comparable among WS and NS with T2DM. Among patients without T2DM, PI (P < 0.05), PD ≥4 mm (P < 0.05) and mesial and distal CBL (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in WS than NS. Among individuals without T2DM, BOP was significantly higher among NS (P < 0.05) than WS. In patients with T2DM, BOP was comparable among WS and NS.

4 Conclusions

Peri‐implant soft tissue inflammatory parameters and CBL were comparable among WS and NS with T2DM. Among individuals without T2DM, these parameters were worse among WS than NS.     

Bioresource derived porous carbon from cottonseed hull for removal of triclosan and electrochemical application

Biomass-derived porous carbon materials have drawn considerable attention due to their natural abundance and low cost. In this work, nitrogen enriched porous carbons (NRPCs) with large surface areas were designed and prepared from cottonseed hull via simultaneous carbonization and activation with a facile one-pot approach. The NRPCs were tunable in terms of pore structure, nitrogen content and morphology by adjusting the ratio of the carbon precursor (cottonseed hull), nitrogen source (urea), and activation agent (KOH). The as-synthesized NRPCs exhibited three-dimensional oriented and interlinked porous structure, high specific surface area (1160–2573 m² g⁻¹) and a high level of nitrogen-doping (6.02–10.7%). In a three electrode system, NRPCs prepared at 800 °C with the ratio (cottonseed hull : KOH : urea) of 1 : 1 : 2 (NRPC-112) showed a high specific capacitance of 340 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹ and good rate capability (∼80% retention at a current density of 10 A g⁻¹) with 6 M KOH as electrolyte. In a two electrode cell, NRPC-112 demonstrated a high specific capacitance of 304 F g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹ and an excellent rate capacity (∼71% retention at current density of 10 A g⁻¹) as well as excellent cycling stability (∼91% retention at 5 A g⁻¹) after 5000 cycles. Furthermore, the NRPCs exhibited an extraordinary adsorption capacity up to 205 mg g⁻¹ for emerging pollutant triclosan. The work provided a sustainable approach to prepare functional carbon materials from biomass-based resource for environment remediation and electrochemical applications.

Biomass derived nitrogen-enriched porous carbon materials from cottonseed hull for emerging pollutant triclosan removal and electrochemical application.     

A DFT study on nanocones,nanotubes (4,0), nanosheets and fullerene C60 as anodes in Mg-ion batteries

In this article, we studied the interactions between Mg atom and Mg²⁺ ion and four nanostructures, including a nanocone, nanotube (4,0), nanosheet, and C₆₀ nanocage, to obtain the cell voltages (V) for Mg-ion batteries (MIBs). Total energy, geometry optimization, frontier molecular orbital (FMO) and density of states (DOS) analyses have been performed using the ωB97XD level of theory and the 6-31G(d) basis set. The DFT calculations clarified that the changes in energy adsorption between Mg²⁺ ion and the nanostructures, E_ad, are in the order tube > cone > sheet > cage. However, V_cell for the nanocone is the highest. The changes in V_cell of the MIBs are in the order cone > tube > sheet > cage. This study theoretically considers the possibilities of Mg as an anode in batteries due to its high V_cell values.

In this article, we studied the interactions between Mg atom and Mg²⁺ ion and four nanostructures, including a nanocone, nanotube (4,0), nanosheet, and C₆₀ nanocage, to obtain the cell voltages (V) for Mg-ion batteries (MIBs).     

Clinical and obstetric characteristics of pregnant women with Covid-19: A case series study on 26 patients

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women with Covid-19.Materials and methodsThis case series study was performed to investigate demographic, clinical and obstetric characteristics of 26 pregnant women with COVID-19 referring to a university hospital of Kashan during the epidemic of COVID-19 (March to May 2020).ResultsThe mean gestational age of the patients at admission and delivery was 31.8 ± 5.2 and 36.3 ± 3.4 weeks, respectively. The most common symptoms were fever (96.2%) followed by dyspnea and cough (30.8%). The findings of lung CT scan showed abnormalities confirming the pneumonia in 22 patients (84.6%). Cesarean section was performed in 69.2% of the mothers. The most common maternal–fetal outcome was preterm delivery (38%). Two mothers were transferred to the ICU due to deterioration in clinical condition and they underwent mechanical ventilation without any maternal death. The most common neonatal outcomes were prematurity (38%) and low birth weight (34.6%). No cases of confirmed COVID-19 were observed in the neonates.ConclusionClinical manifestations and laboratory and radiographic findings in pregnant women with COVID-19 are similar to the general population. Common outcomes of pregnancy and delivery in mothers included increased rate of preterm delivery and cesarean section. The most prevalent neonatal outcomes included prematurity and LBW. Careful monitoring of pregnant women with COVID-19 is recommended.     

Mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament: frequently under-diagnosed entity in MRI

Objective

The purpose of our study was to describe the MR appearance of mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament and to address its clinical significance.

Patients and methods

A database search of 2000 knee MRI examinations revealed 32 examinations (Chart 1) with reported mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Results

Of 32 examinations that met imaging criteria, all patients (100%) had different degrees of mucoid degeneration. Associated ganglia were seen in eight patients; located in the proximal ligament in four examinations (12.5%) and the distal ligament in two (6%) and involved the mid-portion of the ligament in two (6%).Intra-osseous cysts were noted distally in 15 examinations (47%), proximally in four (12.5%) and on both sides in six (19%). All our patients had accessible medical records; no clinical evidence of instability was reported.Four patients who underwent arthroscopy had an intact anterior cruciate ligament at that time.

Conclusion

Anterior cruciate ligament mucoid degeneration has specific MRI features and should not be misdiagnosed as partial or total tear, and typically not associated with ligament instability.     

Correction: prevalence and socioeconomic correlates of overweight and obesity among Pakistani primary school children

ABSTRACT: Since the publication of our article [1], we have noticed some errors in the final published version, for which the corresponding author accepts full responsibility. Page references are to the final PDF version. Page 3: Results, second paragraph Lines 1-2: "BMI... 20.7 (5.02) kg/m2..." should read "BMI... 16.0 (3.0) kg/m2..." Lines 6-8: "According to the IOTF cut-offs, overweight and obesity prevalence was 33% (95% CI 31.1-35.3) and 24% (95% CI 22.4-26.2) respectively" should read "According to the IOTF cut-offs, overweight and obesity prevalence was 8.3% (95% CI 7.1-9.6) and 4.7% (95% CI 3.8-5.7) respectively" Page 4: Table 1 The values for mean and standard deviation (SD) for BMI (kg/m2) are revised. Page 4: Table 2 The values for mean BMI (SD) and overweight and obesity prevalence according to the IOTF cut-offs are revised. Page 5: Figure 2 The values for grade- and gender- specific mean BMI are revised. Page 6: Second paragraph Lines 1-8: "Prevalence of overweight by the IOTF cut-offs was twice the prevalence by the WHO 2007 reference (33% versus 17%) and prevalence of obesity by the IOTF cutoffs was three times higher than that calculated by the WHO 2007 reference (24% versus 7.5%). Using IOTF cut-offs for overweight and obesity in Pakistani schoolaged children would result in higher estimates than the WHO 2007 reference." should read "Prevalence of overweight by the IOTF cut-offs was half the prevalence by the WHO 2007 reference (8% versus 17%) and prevalence of obesity by the IOTF cutoffs was two-third of that calculated by the WHO 2007 reference (5% versus 7.5%). Using IOTF cut-offs for overweight and obesity in Pakistani schoolaged children would result in lower estimates than the WHO 2007 reference. A relatively lower overweight and obesity prevalence with use of the IOTF cut-offs as compared to the WHO reference had been reported elsewhere [2-3]." In present study, the estimates for overweight included obese children.     

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter spp. in live and dressed chicken in Jordan

A total of 140 broiler flocks presented for slaughtering at Amman slaughterhouse were tested for Campylobacter spp. via collection of cloacal swabs from live birds, feathered skin samples at prescalding, and skin samples at postscalding (62°C or 57°C scalding temperature), postevisceration, and postchilling. The results indicated that 40% of the flocks tested by cloacal swabs, 34% at prescalding, 32% at post 57°C scalding, and 32% postevisceration were harboring Campylobacter jejuni. None of the skin samples collected from dressed birds at postscalding (62°C) or postwashing-chilling steps (regardless of scalding temperature) revealed the presence of C. jejuni. Thirty eight isolates were tested for susceptibility to ten antimicrobials by using the microbroth dilution method. Almost 50% of the isolates were multidrug resistant to 9 or 10 out of the ten tested antimicrobials. The other half of tested isolates were sensitive to erythromycin, tetracycline, doxycyclin, chlortetracycline, ciprofloxacin, enorfloxacin, gentamycin, tilmicosin, amoxicillin, and trimethoprim.     

Apolipoprotein E genotypes of fertile and infertile men

Lipid components of spermatozoa have an important role in the functional activity of this cell. The protein, apolipoprotein E (apoE), has a central role in lipid transport. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of APOE genotypes, ?3?3, ?3?4, and ?2?3, and the corresponding alleles in fertile and infertile males, and to assess the semen parameters from the patients carrying the different alleles. In addition, the levels of cholesterol, phospholipid, and triacylglycerol in spermatozoa, isolated by PureSperm gradient and from seminal plasma in samples from infertile males was compared with respect to the APOE genotype. APOE genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP on DNA extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes in 108 fertile and 107 infertile men. There was a significant difference between the distribution of APOE genotypes in fertile as compared to infertile males (χ(2)?=?9.1, df?=?2, p?=?0.011). The presence of genotype ?3?4 conferred a 3.82 risk factor for male infertility {Odds ratio?=?3.82 (1.46-10, p?=?0.006)}. Our findings showed that the distribution of APOE genotypes and alleles differed between fertile and infertile individuals and may be a risk factor for male infertility. We suggest that the effects of APOE genotypes may be linked to differences in the efficacy of the expressed apoE isoforms in promoting sperm maturation during epididymal transit.     

Epidemiological changes of paediatric urolithiasis in Tunisia

Background: The clinical and biological characteristics of urolithiasis in children are still evolving in our country. Since the eighties no study has been conducted to determine incidence of urolithiasis in Tunisia. Aim: To define the current status of urolithiasis inTunisian children. Methods: The records of 414 children with urolithiasis treated between 1983 and 2007 were found in a multi-centric study which took into consideration to age, sex, and history diagnosis and physical, laboratory, and radiologic findings. Clinical and biological date were performed in 344 cases. Stone analysis was performed by spectrophotometry. Results: The incidence of paediatric urolithiasis has steadly decreased from 0.7/ 10 000 of the child population / year in 1991-1994 to 0.1 cases/10 000 children/ year in 2007. There was a continuous decrease in bladder stone over the past 25 years (47.1% in 1982-1986 Vs 10.2% in 2002-2007). Stones were homogeneous in 31.4% of cases. The main component was calcium oxalate stones in 36.4% of the cases. Since the eighties the increase of oxalates stones (15.6% in eighties Vs 51.5% actually) were with depends to purines and struvite stones. Conclusion: Epidemiologic characteristics of the urinary lithiasis (sex, age, localization and composition) have changed in Tunisia, due to the the improvements of standard of living. The occidentalization of the nutritional practices and the receding of the culinary traditions gave birth to new risks of urolithiasis characterized by the emergence of calcium oxalate stones.