Alternative impression technique for a speech-aid prosthesis.

OBJECTIVE: Prosthetic treatment for speech disorders attributable to surgically acquired soft palate defects are introduced. CASE: A patient who underwent soft palate resection for cancer is presented. The resected portion of the soft palate was confined to the posterior segments. A prosthesis with a speech bulb was adapted to the patient. CONCLUSION: Excellent restoration of speech and improvement of velopharyngeal function was achieved following placement of the special prosthesis.     

Effects of human amniotic fluid on cartilage regeneration from free perichondrial grafts in rabbits.

After the chondrogenic potential of free grafts of perichondrium was shown in several experimental studies, perichondrium has been used to reconstruct cartilage tissue in various clinical situations. This study investigates the effects of human amniotic fluid on neochondrogenesis from free perichondrial grafts in a rabbit model. Since this fluid contains high concentrations of hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid-stimulating activator, growth factors, and extracellular matrix precursors during the second trimester, it may have a stimulating effect on neochondrogenesis. Perichondrial grafts, measuring 20 x 20 mm2 were obtained from the ears of 144 New Zealand young rabbits and were sutured over the paravertebral muscles. The rabbits were randomly divided into three groups with 48 rabbits per group. In group 1, 0.3 ml human amniotic fluid, and in group 2, 0.3 ml saline were injected underneath the perichondrial grafts. Group 3 formed the control group in which no treatment was given. Histologically, neochondrogenesis was evaluated in terms of cellular form and graft thickness at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after surgery. In group 1, the mature cartilage was generated quickly and the cartilage plate in this group was significantly thick and extensive when compared with groups 2 and 3 at 8 weeks ( p<0.05 ANOVA). In conclusion, our study shows that human amniotic fluid enhances neochondrogenesis from free perichondrial grafts. The rich content of hyaluronic acid and growth factors possibly participate in this result.     

Misdiagnosed fibrosarcoma of the mandible mimicking temporomandibular disorder: a rare condition.

The jawbones can be sites of various neoplastic conditions. Given the variety of processes affecting this particular anatomical area, formulation of a precise diagnosis can be challenging to clinicians. Limited jaw movement, pain, and facial asymmetry are common signs among patients, especially those with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This paper reports a case of primary fibrosarcoma affecting the mandible and surrounding structures in a 14-year-old girl presenting signs and symptoms similar to TMD. Her condition was misdiagnosed, and she was treated for TMD over an extended period before the correct diagnosis was made for fibrosarcoma. The patient underwent surgical resection with postsurgical radiotherapy and chemotherapy and now is being followed up. Although malignant lesions are rare in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region, dentists are advised to be aware of the condition and to keep in mind that patients who are admitting for TMD can also possibly be affected from neoplasms. Hence, those patients have to be examined meticulously to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment.     

Time-dependent changes in distribution of basic fibroblast growth factor immunoreactive cells in hippocampus after kainic acid injection in rat pups

Five-day-old Wistar albino rats were injected with kainic acid (KA) or saline i.p. to investigate time-dependent alterations in morphology and number of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) immunoreactive (-ir) astrocytes and neurons in hippocampus at 15, 30, and 90 days after the injections. Sections were stained with cresyl violet for morphological evaluation and bFGF immunohistochemistry was used for quantitative evaluation of bFGF-ir cell density. Fifteen days after KA injection, there was gliosis but no neuronal loss although disorganization in CA1, CA3, CA4 pyramidal layers and neuronal loss were evident 30 and 90 days after the injection. KA injected rats demonstrated significantly increased number of bFGF-ir astrocytes throughout the hippocampus and pyramidal neurons in CA2 after 15 days and decreased number of bFGF-ir cells after 30 and 90 days. The decrease in the number of bFGF-ir astroglia and neurons in long term after KA injection may indicate a decrease in the production of bFGF and/or number of bFGF-ir cells suggesting that protective effects of bFGF may be altered during epileptogenesis in hippocampus.     

Molecular genetic methods in the diagnosis of hematologic neoplasms

Leukemias and lymphomas are monoclonal neoplasms that arise as a result of molecular abnormalities. These abnormalites are diverse but can be grouped into two general categories, chromosomal translocations that usually result in oncogene activation and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Recent advances in our understanding of chromosomal translocations have led to improved classification of leukemias and lymphomas. For example, the t(9;22)(q34;q11) is now considered a defining feature of chronic myeloid leukemia, and the t(2;5)(p23;q35) defines a clinically and biologically unique subset of anaplastic large cell lymphomas. In this review, we focus on chromosomal translocations in hematologic neoplasms and the techniques used for their detection. We also briefly discuss tumor suppressor genes and assessment of clonality in lymphoid neoplasms.     

Apoptotic rate in peripheral T-cell lymphomas. A study using a tissue microarray with validation on full tissue sections

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas with a wide spectrum of clinicopathologic features, and apoptosis mechanisms may have a role in lymphomagenesis. We assessed apoptotic rate (AR) in 112 PTCLs using a tissue microarray developed in our laboratory and a modified terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay. The mean AR was 1.47% +/- 1.38% for the entire group of PTCLs (range, 0.06%-5.15%), and AR varied significantly among different tumor types. In mycosis fungoides, the mean AR was 0.74%; angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, 1.02%; PTCL, not otherwise specified, 1.38%; cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), 1.41%; anaplastic lymphoma kinase protein (ALK)-negative ALCL, 1.43%; extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma of nasal type, 2.04%; ALK-positive ALCL, 2.95%; and enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma, 3.06%. Mean AR was higher in PTCL with large cell vs small/medium cell morphologic features (1.66% +/- 1.1% vs 0.99% +/- 1.0%). In a subset of 33 PTCLs, the tissue microarray results comparedfavorably with those obtained in full tissue sections. We conclude that the highest ARs in PTCLs are found in enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma and ALK-positive ALCL, and that AR can be assessed reliably by using a tissue microarray.     

Satisfaction among women: differences between current users of barrier (male condom) and non-barrier methods.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the differences in and factors related to satisfaction between barrier (male condom) and non-barrier method users. METHODS: A semi-structured questionnaire was used for collecting data for this cross-sectional survey. The questionnaires were completed via one-on-one interviews by the researchers. The study group was selected using stratified random sampling. Exclusion criteria were, being unmarried, pregnant, in postmenopausal status and using traditional methods. A total of 434 currently married women using modern contraceptive methods participated in the study. Contraceptive users were dichotomized into two groups as non-barrier method users and barrier method users. RESULTS: About half of the participants (n = 191, 44%) were barrier method users. Their mean age was 33.7 +/- 7.3 years, 66.6% (n = 131) were well educated and reported significantly less pregnancies, given births, living children and abortions (reproductive history events) than non-barrier users. Barrier method users were significantly more likely to be satisfied with their contraceptive method of choice (OR: 2.4; 95% CI 1.2-5.2). Among barrier method users, deciding the type of the contraceptive method themselves had significant effect on satisfaction.CONCLUSION: In our study, satisfaction was mostly affected by heavy side effects and health risks of the methods resulting in less satisfaction with the contraceptive method among non-barrier method users. Other factors which may influence satisfaction deserve further investigation.     

Historical and pathological overview of Castleman disease

Castleman disease consists of several lymphoproliferative subtypes that share some histological features in the lymph nodes. On the other hand, numerous clinical findings and etiologies make the disease challenging to understand. The origin of the disease is the hyaline vascular-type unicentric Castleman disease (UCD), first reported by Benjamin Castleman et al. in 1954. Although UCD is characterized by localized lesions and lack of symptoms, multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) with multiple lesions and systemic symptoms was reported by Frizzera in 1983. MCD is further divided according to KSHV/HHV8 infection status. In KSHV/HHV8-related MCD, viral infection signals lead to excessive cytokine production, and cause clinical and pathologic abnormalities. Some cases of plasma cell-type KSHV/HHV8-negative MCD can be found in association with POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-proteins, and skin changes), which is a paraneoplastic syndrome. The others are idiopathic MCD, which are currently considered a heterogeneous group of diseases with overlapping pathological and clinical features. In this article, we summarize the historical evolution of Castleman disease to help understand the disease concept. We also review the latest ideas and definitions of the subtypes within the MCD spectrum and summarize the histopathological findings.     

Effects of Different Over – the - Counter Whitening Products on the Microhardness,Surface Roughness,Color and Shear Bond Strength of Enamel

ObjectiveThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of four over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products on the microhardness, surface roughness, color, shear bond strength (SBS) and surface charecteristics of human enamel compared with a product used for dentist-supervised home whitening.Materials and methodsSeventy eight enamel specimens allocated into 6 groups (n=13): 1-Opalescence PF 10% (OP) dentist prescribed home whitening product, 2-Opalescence Go prefilled tray (PT), 3-Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste (WT), 4-Listerine Healthy White whitening mouth rinse (WMR), 5-Cavex Bite&White whitening pen (WP) and 6- no treatment (Con). The microhardness (VHN), surface roughness (Ra) and color of the specimens were measured (T₀). The specimens were then subjected to whitening protocols for 14 days (T₁.) followed by artificial saliva storage for 14 days (T₂). The measurements were repeated at T₁ and T₂. The SBS test was done after the application of 35% phosphoric acid (Scotchbond Universal Etchant), followed by a universal adhesive (G-Premio Bond) and a micro hybrid/universal resin composite (Essentia) into a Teflon tube attached to the enamel surface (p<0.05). Surface morphologies of the enamel surfaces were examined by SEM. p value was set at 0.05ResultsApplication of OP, PT and WP decrased the microhardness of enamel specimens (p<0.05) whereas, no significant changes were seen in the microhardness of enamel specimens treated with WT and WMR (p>0.05). Ra values of enamel specimens increased with the application of OP, PT and WT (p<0.05); whereas no changes were observed after the applications of WMR and WP (p>0.05). OP, PT, WMR, and WP changed the color of the enamel(p<0.05). There were not any significant differences among the SBSs groups, apart from OP applied enamel specimens. OP showed the least SBS values (p=0.001). SEM observations revealed smooth enamel surfaces.ConclusionsThe whitening products affected the microhardness, surface roughness, color of enamel differently. Only OP decreased the SBS of the enamel.