The relationship of serum ferritin with malondialdehyde concentration in patients with coronary artery disease: Ferritin and oxidative stress in CAD

It has been suggested that the risk of coronary heart disease increased with increasing body iron stores. Free iron catalyzes the generation of free radicals and free radicals promote the oxidation of lipids. The aim of this study was to determine the association of serum ferritin levels with coronary artery disease (CAD) and to establish the relation of ferritin to the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA). The study included 188 patients. Thirty-eight patients (mean age: 55±9 years) had angiographically normal coronary arteries and 150 patients (mean age: 54±10 years) had significant stenosis at least in one coronary artery. Serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), MDA levels, lipoprotein variables and CAD risk factors were determined in all patients. Serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in patients with CAD compared with control groups (105±65 ng/ml versus 83±71 ng/ml) (p<0.01). TIBC was lower in patients with CAD (333±62 µg/dl) versus 348±48 µg/dl), (p<0.05). In patients with CAD, serum MDA levels were significantly higher when compared with control groups (8.1±2 nmol/ml versus 5.9±1.8 nmol/ml), (p<0.001). There were positive correlation between ferritin and MDA levels (r=0.20, p=0.02) and negative correlation between TIBC and MDA levels (r=0.22, p=0.001). These findings support the concept that iron, being an important transition metal, might contribute to atherogenesis, along with the classic risk factors. The results are also in agreement with the concept that iron overload would elevate the risk of CAD by promoting the lipid peroxidation.     

Lack of association of heart rate variability parameters with head-up tilt-test responses in patients with syncope

BACKGROUND: Neurocardiogenic syncope is the most common type of syncope. Head-up tilt testing is the investigation of choice for diagnosis of patients with neurocardiogenic syncope. In this study, we aimed to findout any association between heart rate variability parameters and type of tilt-test response in patients with syncope. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-nine cases with unexplained syncopal attacks were enrolled into our study and were grouped according to the tilt-test responses. Tilt test was performed in all patients after excluding other causes of syncope. In case of a negative basal tilt-testing, pharmacological tilt testing was performed after 30 min of 5 mg sublingual isosorbide dinitrate. Holter monitoring was done from the beginning of tilt testing upto two hours post-procedure. The heart rate variability parameters analyzed were the mean of all coupling intervals between normal beats, the standard deviation about the mean of all coupling intervals between normal beats, the mean of all 5-min standard deviations of mean of all coupling intervals between normal beats, the proportion of adjacent normal R-R intervals differing by > 50 ms, the root mean square of the difference between successive RRs, and the standard deviation of 5-min mean of all coupling intervals between normal beats and ratio between low and high frequencies. CONCLUSIONS: In 35 patients, the tilt-test was positive, 16 were cardioinhibitor type (Group 1), four cases had a vasodepressor type response (Group 2) and 15 were mixed type (Group 3). Fourteen patients had a negative test result. The heart rate variability measures did not significantly differ among the study groups. The heart rate variability measures were compared between the tilt-test negative (Group 4) and the tilt-test positive groups (Groups 1, 2 and 3) and no statistically significant difference was found.     

Photodynamic therapy in dentistry: a literature review

Objectives

The purpose of this review was to summarize recent developments regarding photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the field of dentistry.

Materials and methods

A review of pertinent literature was carried out in PubMED to determine the current position of PDT applications in dentistry. One hundred thirteen relevant articles were retrieved from PubMED by inserting the keywords “photodynamic therapy”, “dentistry”, “periodontology”, “oral surgery”, and “endodontics”. It is anticipated that this overview will create a specific picture in the practitioner’s mind regarding the current status and use of PDT.

Results

In spite of different results and suggestions brought about by different researchers, PDT can be considered as a promising and less invasive technique in dentistry.

Conclusion

PDT seems to be an effective tool in the treatment of localized and superficial infections. Within the limitations of the present review, it can be concluded that although PDT cannot replace antimicrobial therapy at its current stage, it may be used as an adjunctive tool for facilitating the treatment of oral infections.

Clinical relevance

Oral infections (such as mucosal and endodontic infections, periodontal diseases, caries, and peri-implantitis) are among the specific targets where PDT can be applied. Further long-term clinical studies are necessary in establishing a more specific place of the technique in the field of dentistry.     

Direct Pyrolysis ‐ Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Thermal Degradation of Thio‐Click‐Modified Poly(2‐oxazoline)

Poly(2‐(3‐butenyl)‐2‐oxazoline)s (PBOX) with glucose‐S‐butyl (Glc) and perfluoroalkyl‐S‐butyl (F) side chains (three samples: Glc/F = 100/0, 0/100, and 88/12) are synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐butenyl‐2‐oxazoline and thiol‐ene click photochemistry, and their thermal properties are analyzed by direct‐pyrolysis mass spectrometry. Significant changes in the thermal stability and thermal‐degradation products are observed depending on the structure of the side chain. The thermal degradation of PBOX‐Glc and PBOX‐F homopolymers starts with loss of side chains at relatively low temperatures and successive cleavage along the side and main chains follows. The stability of the glucose units of the PBOX‐Glc/F copolymer is significantly increased by the presence of perfluoroalkyl groups, attributable to OH···F hydrogen bonding interactions during pyrolysis.

     

Clinical Outcome Following the Use of Inadequate Solutions for Continuous Veno-Venous Hemodiofiltration

Backgrounds. A short time ago, commercially available diafiltration and replacement fluids could be found o n the hospital in Turkey. Instead, peritoneal dialysis solution (PDS) for continue veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) therapy and normal saline as replacement fluid are used. In this retrospective study, we investigated the effects of PDS and bicarbonate-buffered hemofiltration solution (Bic-HFS). Methods. We did a retrospective chart review of 24 patients treated with continue renal replacement therapy (CRRT) between January 2004 and February 2008. Peritoneal dialysis solution (PDS) was used in 14 patients, and bicarbonate-buffered hemodialysis solution (bic-HFS) was used in 10 patients. Results. Demographic data, laboratory findings, and mortality rate were similar both groups. Blood glucose and lactate levels were higher in the PD group than the bic-HFS group (p < 0.05). Hyperglycemia occurred more frequent in the PDS group than in the bic-HFS group (64% versus 30%, respectively; p < 0.05). Metabolic acidosis occurred in eight patients (57%) in the PDS group and three patients (30%) in the bic-HFS group (p < 0.05). Hypotension was higher in the PDS group (10, 71%) than in the bic-HFS group (3, 30%; p < 0.05). Conclusion. Using PDS fluid as dialysate for CVVHDF therapy is not a preferable solution because of the metabolic disturbances that it can cause.     

Comparison of the fracture resistance of simulated immature permanent teeth using various canal filling materials and fiber posts

Abstract – Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the fracture resistances of immature teeth treated with MTA along with root canal obturation methods using AH Plus, MetaSEAL, MTA Fillapex sealers + lateral compaction technique, and Unicore quartz fiber posts. Materials and methods: Fifty single‐rooted maxillary anterior teeth were divided into five groups. The crowns were dissected and root canals were enlarged. #6 Peeso reamers were allowed to protrude 1 mm. beyond the apex to simulate immature teeth. The apical 4–5 mm of each tooth was filled using Angelus white MTA. The remaining portions of canals were obturated as follows: Group 1: No backfilling (control), Group 2: AH Plus + gutta‐percha, lateral compaction, Group 3: MetaSEAL + gutta‐percha, lateral compaction, Group 4: MTA Fillapex + gutta‐percha, lateral compaction, Group 5: UniCore Fiber posts luted using PermaFlo DC. The specimens were embedded into self‐curing acrylic poured into identical cylinders which were mounted on a jig providing a 45° angle. A compressive load increasing at 1 mm min^?1 was applied and the maximum load at which fracture occurred was recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn’s multiple tests. Results: The highest fracture resistance was obtained with Group 5 (Fiber posts) whereas Group 4 (MTA Fillapex) yielded the lowest values. The mean fracture resistance value of Group 2 (AH Plus) was significantly higher than Group 4 (MTA Fillapex) (P = 0.001). The mean fracture value of Group 5 (Fiber posts) was significantly higher than Group 2 (AH Plus), Group 3 (MetaSEAL), and Group 4 (MTA Fillapex) (P = 0.02, 0.004, and 0.0001, respectively). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, UniCore quartz fiber posts provided the highest resistance. This methodology may specifically be advantageous for teeth with arrest of development at early stages, as these teeth are more susceptible to fracture owing to their excessively weak dentinal walls.     

Demographic profile and future expectations of students enrolled in a Turkish private dental school

The purposes of this study were to obtain information about the social and demographic profile of students enrolled in the first private Turkish dental school, to gather information regarding the reasons for their preferences, and to obtain data about their career expectations. Questionnaires were distributed to 278 students; 229 returned the survey for an overall response rate of 82 percent. Of the respondents, 145 (65.5 percent) were females and seventy-five (34.5 percent) were males; they had an average age of 21.62±1.58. First degree relative (mother, father, sibling) had the greatest influence on the students in choosing dentistry as a career. Fathers and mothers had similar impact on the students' choice of dental profession (45.9 percent and 46.6 percent, respectively). Humanistic feelings, desire to serve others, and reasonable working hours were the predominant reasons that motivated females to become a dentist (p<0.05). Also, academic interest and interest in a medical field were significantly influencing factors for female students (p<0.05 and p=0.001, respectively). One-hundred and ninety-seven students (86 percent) expressed a goal of specializing in a specific branch of dentistry; orthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery were the top-ranked specialties. Although only 41 percent of the students were of Istanbul origin, 82.5 percent reported that they wish to practice in Istanbul.