Multiple primary malignancies involving lung: an analysis of 40 cases

We aimed to assess the incidence of multiple primary malignancies in primary lung cancer patients. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical files of 1038 primary lung cancer patients diagnosed in 2004. Forty patients (3.9 %) had multiple primary malignancies. There were 34 men (85 %) and 6 women (15 %). Their mean age was 62.4 +/- 8.6 years. While 35 cases were smokers, 5 cases were nonsmokers. Tumour pathology of the lung was squamous cell carcinoma in 15 cases, adenocarcinoma in 10 cases, small cell carcinoma in 3 cases and non-small cell carcinoma in 12 cases. There were 2 primary tumours in 37 cases and 3 primary tumours in 3 cases. The first detected tumour was located in larynx in 11 cases, in genitourinary system in 9 cases, in intestine in 5 cases, in lung in 3 cases and in other organs in 12 cases. The mean interval between the first and the second tumour was 77 months with a range of 1 months to 32 years. This interval was shorter than 6 months in 4 cases. Treatment modality for the first detected tumour was surgery in 35 cases. The last primary tumour was treated with surgery in 12 cases. In conclusion, the development of multiple primary tumours is not a rare phenomenon. Patients with a malignancy should be followed for development of a second primary malignancy. The treatment of lung cancer in patients with a previous malignancy should be the same as for lung cancers presenting as the first cancer.     

Endocrine Disruptors and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Phthalates

Objective:We aimed to investigate a possible role of the endocrine disruptors phthalates, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) aetiopathogenesis. We also wished to evaluate the relationship between phthalates and metabolic disturbances in adolescents with PCOS.Methods:A total of 124 adolescents were included. Serum MEHP and DEHP levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Insulin resistance was evaluated using homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index, fasting glucose/insulin ratio, Matsuda index, and total insulin levels during oral glucose tolerance test. Participants were further subdivided into lean and obese subgroups according to body mass index (BMI).Results:Sixty-three PCOS and 61 controls, (mean age 15.2±1.5; range: 13-19 years) were enrolled. Serum DEHP and MEHP concentrations were not significantly different between PCOS and control groups. The mean (95% confidence interval) values of DEHP and MEHP were 2.62 (2.50-2.75) μg/mL vs 2.71 (2.52-2.90) μg/mL and 0.23 (0.19-0.29) μg/mL vs 0.36 (0.18-0.54) μg/mL in PCOS and the control groups respectively, p>0.05. Correlation analysis, adjusted for BMI, showed that both phthalates significantly correlated with insulin resistance indices and serum triglycerides in adolescents with PCOS.Conclusion:Serum DEHP and MEHP concentrations were not different between adolescents with or without PCOS. However, these phthalates are associated with metabolic disturbances such as dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, independently of obesity, in girls with PCOS.     

Effect of Agitation of EDTA with 808-Nanometer Diode Laser on Removal of Smear Layer

Introduction

Near-infrared diode lasers can be used for several applications, which range from disinfection to smear layer removal in endodontics. This study evaluated the efficacy of agitation of 15% EDTA with an 808-nm diode laser on removal of the smear layer.

Methods

Sixty extracted human maxillary central incisor teeth were instrumented up to ProTaper F4 (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballagues, Switzerland) and then randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 10 for each group) according to the different final irrigating protocols as follows: 5% sodium hypochlorite for 120 seconds performed with the NaviTip (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) (control group); 15% EDTA for 120 seconds performed with the NaviTip; and agitation of 15% EDTA with an 808-nm diode laser for 10, 20, 30, and 40 seconds. Specimens were observed under a scanning electron microscope, and open dentinal tubules were counted using Adobe Photoshop software (Adobe Systems, San Jose, CA). The data were analyzed with 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests (P = .05).

Results

The number of open dentinal tubules was higher in the middle thirds than in the apical thirds. The differences between the apical and middle thirds were statistically significant (P < .05). Statistically significant differences were also found between the control group and the other groups in both the middle and apical thirds of the root canals (P < .05).

Conclusions

The results indicated that agitation of 15% EDTA with an 808-nm diode laser for 20 seconds was effective in removing the smear layer in the apical thirds of root canals.     

Autonomic dysfunction detection by an automatic pupillometer as a non-invasive test in patients recovered from COVID-19

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - To recognize dysfunctions in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) with changes in dynamic and static pupillary responses in patients...     

Molecularly engineered electroplex emission for an efficient near-infrared light-emitting electrochemical cell (NIR-LEC)

Electroplex emission is rarely seen in ruthenium polypyridyl complexes, and there have been no reports from light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) to date. Here, for the first time, near-infrared (NIR) emission via the electroplex mechanism in a LEC based on a new blend of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes is described. The key factor in the design of the new complexes is the 0.4 V decrease in the oxidation half-potential of Ru(ii)/Ru(iii) in [Ru(DPCO)(bpy)₂]ClO₄ (DPCO = diphenylcarbazone, bpy = 2,2 bipyridine), which is about one-third of the value for benchmark [Ru(bpy)₃](ClO₄)₂, as well as the long lifetime of excited states of 350–450 ns. The LEC based on the new blend with a narrow band gap (≈1.0 eV) of a Ru(DPCO) complex and Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ can produce an electroluminescence spectrum centred at about 700 nm, which extends to the NIR region with a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 0.93% at a very low turn-on voltage of 2.6 V. In particular, the very simple LEC structure was constructed from indium tin oxide (anode)/Ru(DPCO):Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/Ga:In (cathode), avoiding any polymer or transporting materials, as well as replacing Al or Au by a molten alloy cathode. This system has promising applications in the production of LECs via microcontact or inkjet printing.

Electroplex emission is rarely seen in ruthenium polypyridyl complexes, and there have been no reports from light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) to date. Here, near-infrared (NIR) emission via the electroplex mechanism in a LEC was reported.