Is Interleukin‐17 Involved in the Interaction Between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Gingival Inflammation?

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder of females of reproductive age that impacts their oral and systemic health. The aim of this study is to evaluate interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A), IL‐17F, IL‐17A/F, and IL‐17E (IL‐25) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), saliva, and serum of non‐obese females with PCOS and with either a clinically healthy periodontium or gingivitis. Methods: Thirty‐one females with PCOS, 30 females with PCOS and gingivitis, and 12 systemically and periodontally healthy females participated in the study. Clinical periodontal measurements, body mass index, and Ferriman‐Gallwey score (FGS) (a measure of hirsutism in females) were recorded. Circulating levels of sex hormones, cortisol, and insulin were also determined. Levels of IL‐17 cytokines were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The general linear model multivariate analysis, adjusting for age or plaque index, showed that the two groups with PCOS had higher concentrations of IL‐17A, IL‐17F, and IL‐17A/F in serum and higher levels of IL‐17A and IL‐17F in GCF and saliva but lower serum IL‐17E than systemically healthy females. Levels of IL‐17E were lowest in females with PCOS and gingivitis who also had the highest FGS. Serum IL‐17A and IL‐17F levels correlated positively with FGS and periodontal probing depth (all ρ >0.33; P <0.005). Serum IL‐17E showed the reverse relationship and also correlated negatively with IL‐17A (ρ >?0.28; P <0.05). Conclusions: IL‐17 levels are altered in non‐obese females with PCOS and may influence gingival inflammation. Additional studies are warranted to clarify the relationship between PCOS and gingivitis.     

Effects of different surface treatments on shear bond strength in two different ceramic systems

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of different surface treatments (sandblasting, acid etching, and laser irradiation) on the shear bond strength of lithium disilicate-based core (IPS Empress 2) and feldspathic ceramics (VITA VM 9). One hundred ceramic discs were divided into two groups of 50 discs each for two ceramic systems: IPS Empress 2 (group I) and VITA VM 9 (group II). Each of the two groups was further divided into five surface treatment groups (ten each) as follows: group SB, sandblasting with alumina particles (50 μm); group HF, 5 % hydrofluoric acid etching; group L, Er:YAG laser irradiation (distance, 1 mm; 500 mJ; 20 Hz; 10 W; manually, noncontact R14 handpiece); group SB–L, sandblasting + Er:YAG laser; and group HF–L, 5 % hydrofluoric acid + Er:YAG laser. Luting cement (Panavia 2.0) was bonded to the ceramic specimens using Teflon tubes. After 24 h of water storage, a shear bond strength test was performed using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The data were analyzed with a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's honestly significant difference tests (α?=?0.05). The two-way ANOVA indicated that the shear bond strength was significantly affected by the surface treatment methods (p?<?0.05), but there was no significant interaction between the ceramic systems. Group SB–L had the highest mean values for each ceramic system. Sandblasting, followed by Er:YAG laser irradiation, enhanced the bond strength, indicating its potential use as an alternative method. The atomic force microscopic evaluation revealed that group SB had the most distinct sharp peaks among the groups.     

Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in familial Mediterranean fever patient with E148Q mutation: the first case report

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease characterized by recurrent attacks of fever, usually accompanied by sterile polyserositis. Although amyloidosis is the most common renal involvement, non-amyloid renal lesions, such as glomerulonephritis, have been described in patients with FMF. In this report, we present the first case of an FMF patient with heterozygous mutation of E148Q, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, and no amyloidosis. While the association of mutation E148Q with renal involvement is still obscure, colchicine treatment is useful in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis with FMF.     

Simple and new technique to assess left internal mammary artery function by left ventriculography

The aim of this study was to demonstrate an assessment of left internal mammary artery (LIMA) patency and anatomy by standard left ventriculography, and to define a proposal for predicting LIMA function according to left ventriculography outcome. A total of 335 patients with an indication of coronary angiography were included. Standard coronary angiography and left ventriculography were performed initially. Visualization of LIMA occurred in the late phase of ventriculography and the LIMA visualization frame rate was counted for each patient. Then selective LIMA angiography was performed and LIMA diameter, LIMA course and anatomy, and subclavian artery anatomy were noted. Finally, the results of left ventriculography and LIMA angiography were compared by statistical analysis. During left ventriculography, LIMA was visualized in 96.4% of the patients. The mean LIMA visualization frame rate was 53.8 ± 17.7 and the mean LIMA diameter was 2.60 ± 0.36 mm. There was a strong correlation between LIMA visualization frame rate and LIMA diameter, LIMA course, and also asymptomatic subclavian artery disease (P < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that LIMA visualization frame rate is the major independent determinant for LIMA diameter prediction (P < 0.001); LIMA diameter, LIMA course, proximal LIMA side branch, and subclavian artery disease are the major predictors of LIMA visualization on left ventriculography (P < 0.001). LIMA patency and anatomy can be evaluated accurately with a simple method using left ventriculography. Besides direct visualization of LIMA, the visualization frame rate may constitute a reliable parameter for assessing LIMA function. A LIMA visualization frame rate of less than 50 is associated with a healthy and well-sized LIMA.     

Cord blood nesfatin-1 and apelin-36 levels in gestational diabetes mellitus

To assess maternal serum and cord blood apelin-36 and nesfatin-1 concentrations in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Thirty pregnant women with GDM and 30 gestational age matched healthy pregnant subjects participated to the study. Maternal serum and cord blood nesfatin-1 and apelin-36 levels were measured with ELISA, at the time of birth. The relationships between maternal serum and cord blood nesfatin-1 and apelin-36 levels, anthropometric and metabolic parameters were also assessed. Maternal serum apelin-36 levels were found higher (13.5?±?8.3 vs. 9.6?±?5.9?ng/ml, P?=?0.001) and nesfatin-1 levels were found lower (5.5?±?8.1 vs. 8.1?±?23.9?ng/ml, P?=?0.001) in patients with GDM compared with control pregnant women. However, the cord blood apelin-36 levels (8.8?±?4.3 and 8.2?±?1.9?ng/ml, P?=?0.618) and nesfatin-1 levels (5.4?±?4.0 and 6.2?±?10.3?ng/ml, P?=?0.688) were similar in the GDM and control groups, respectively. Maternal serum apelin-36 and nesfatin-1 levels correlated positively with their respective cord blood levels. Maternal serum and cord blood apelin-36 levels correlated negatively with the gestational age and birth weight. Similarly maternal serum and cord blood nesfatin-1 levels correlated negatively with the gestational age, but there was no correlation with the birth weight. We did not find a correlation between maternal serum apelin-36 and nesfatin-1 levels, maternal age, BMI, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR. Also cord blood apelin-36 and nesfatin-1 levels did not correlate with the maternal age, BMI, HOMA-IR, cord blood glucose, and cord blood insulin levels. Our results indicate that apelin-36 concentrations increase and nesfatin-1 concentrations decrease in maternal serum of women with GDM.     

Atrial conduction time and atrial mechanical function in patients with impaired fasting glucose

Background

Prolonging atrial conduction time, as measured by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), is an independent predictor of new onset or recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated atrial conduction time and cardiac mechanical function in patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) using echocardiography.

Methods

Thirty patients with IFG (19 males and 11 females; age, 46.9?±?9.5?years) and 30 control subjects (18 males and 12 females; age, 46.7?±?8.2?years) were included. Atrial conduction time was determined from the lateral mitral annulus (PA lateral), septal mitral annulus (PA septal), and lateral tricuspid annulus (PA tricuspid) by TDI. Inter- and intra-atrial electromechanical delays (EMDs) were calculated. Left atrial (LA) volumes were determined according to the biplane area?Clength method. LA mechanical function parameters were calculated.

Results

LA passive emptying volume and LA passive emptying fraction decreased significantly in patients with IFG as compared with control subjects (p?<?0.001 and p?<?0.001, respectively). PA lateral and PA septal durations were significantly higher in patients with IFG than in the control group. However, no difference in PA tricuspid duration was observed between the two groups. Inter- and intra-atrial EMDs were significantly higher in patients with IFG as compared with the control subjects (median [interquartile range], 34.0 [17.0] vs. 17.0 [4.0], p?<?0.001 and 15.0 [8.5] vs. 7.5 [2.0], p?<?0.001, respectively). Positive correlations were detected between both inter- and intra-atrial EMD and glucose levels (r?=?0.76, p?<?0.001 and r?=?0.68, p?<?0.001, respectively). Additionally, a multiple linear regression analysis revealed that glucose levels were independently associated with inter-atrial EMD (???=?0.753, p?<?0.001).

Conclusion

We showed that IFG was associated with inter- and intra-atrial EMD. Our findings suggest that IFG is an etiological factor for the development of AF.     

Aortitis in a patient with psoriatic arthritis

Aortitis, inflammation of the aortic tissue, is most commonly caused by vasculitic rheumatic conditions, and less frequently infectious organisms. Involvement of the aorta is well defined in HLA-B27-associated spondyloarthropathies such as long-standing ankylosing spondylitis and Reiter's syndrome. However, unlike other spondyloarthropathies, aortic involvement or true aortitis is not a feature of psoriatic arthritis and has been reported in only a few cases. Herein, we report the case of a 22?year-old woman with psoriatic arthritis who developed descending aortitis while using tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.     

Complete blood count parameters to predict retinopathy of prematurity: when to evaluate and what do they tell us?

International Ophthalmology - To evaluate the relationship of novel inflammatory markers neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with retinopathy of prematurity...     

The effects of aging on the central nervous system steroid profiles and myelin basic protein in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aging on the central nervous system steroid and myelin basic protein (MBP) profiles. Forty-seven male Sprague-Dawley rats (newborn, 1, 6, 12 and 24-monthsold) were studied. Tissues were obtained from the cerebellum and parietal, frontal, temporal cortex of the central nervous system of the rats for steroid extraction. The estradiol, progesteron, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The average levels of estradiol (pg/g), progesteron (ng/g), DHEA (ng/g) and testosterone (ng/g) in the brain tissues were respectively 24.29, 4.59, 0.27, 0.92 in the newborn-rats; 4.18 ± 1.10, 1.54 ± 0.30, 0.28 ± 0.01, 0.57 ± 0.10 in the 1 month-old-rats; 11.02 ± 1.10, 2.96 ± 0.30, 0.27 ± 0.01, 0.61 ± 0.10 in the 6 month-old-rats; 15.80 ± 1.10, 4.80 ± 0.30, 0.28 ± 0.10, 0.67 ± 0.10 in the 12 monthold- rats; 20.07 ± 1.10, 4.12 ± 0.30, 0.28 ± 0.01, 0.55±0.10 in the 24 month-old-rats. The myelin basic protein levels were determined by immunohistochemical staining and an elevation was observed in conjunction with the aging process. The results of the study indicate that the alterations in MBP, DHEA, progesterone, testosterone and estrodiol concentrations in the central nervous system of the rats during aging can be considered fundamental for future animal and human studies.