Evaluation of Systemic Levels of Neutrophilic Enzymes in Patients With Hypertension and Chronic Periodontitis

Background: Inflammation stimulates neutrophils to release their enzymes into the extracellular matrix. The aim of the present study is to investigate the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8, MMP‐9, tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)‐1, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and neutrophil elastase (NE) in patients with hypertension and chronic periodontitis (CP). Methods: A total of 95 patients were included in the study. Patients were categorized into three groups: healthy control (n = 29), hypertensive control (n = 32), and hypertensive CP (n = 34). Periodontal parameters were recorded, and serum samples were collected from each participant. Serum MMP‐8, MMP‐9, TIMP‐1, MPO, and NE levels in circulation were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The hypertensive CP group had significantly higher serum MMP‐8, MMP‐9, and NE levels than the healthy control group (P <0.05). All study groups had similar serum TIMP‐1 levels (P >0.05). Significantly higher serum MPO levels were detected in patients with hypertension and CP than healthy controls and hypertensive controls (P <0.05); however, the difference in serum MPO levels was not significant between the healthy controls and hypertensive controls (P >0.05). There was no significant difference in MMP‐8/TIMP‐1 ratio among the study groups (P >0.05). MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 ratio was significantly higher in patients with hypertension and CP than healthy controls (P <0.05). Conclusions: The presence of hypertension along with CP has a considerable effect on serum neutrophilic enzyme levels, except TIMP‐1. However, the levels of these enzymes do not seem to be affected by the presence of hypertension only. Further studies including patients who have only CP might help illuminate the effect of CP on these enzymes in patients with hypertension.     

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma combined with hydroxyapatite bone graft substitutes in the treatment of intra-bony defects in maxillofacial region

Objective. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) clinically and radiographically when combined with bovine derived hydroxyapatite (HA) bone grafting materials and resorbable collagen membranes for the treatment of intra-bony defects frequently seen at the distal aspect of mandibular second molars following the surgical extraction of fully impacted mandibular wisdom teeth. Study design. Eighteen patients were scheduled for post-operative visits at 1, 3 and 6 months post-operatively, probing depths were measured and digital panoramic radiographs were taken. Results. There were no significant differences on probing depths among two groups. Radiographic assessment also showed no significant difference among groups at 1st and 6th month intervals, while 3 months post-operatively the amount of radiographic density at the PRP side was significantly higher. Conclusion. Combined use of PRP and bovine-derived HA graft materials for the treatment of intra-bony defects might be an appropriate approach when the main goal is providing earlier bone regeneration.     

Percutaneous management in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: A sum of single center experiences and a brief overview of the literature

BACKGROUND Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis(HAE) is a serious zoonotic infection that affects humans. It may have a tumor-like appearance at times. Percutaneous treatment of HAE patients is extremely relaxing for them. HAE is a significant human zoonotic infection caused by the fox tapeworm Echinococcus Multilocularis larvae. It possesses the characteristics of an invasive tumor-like lesion due to its infiltrative growth pattern and protracted incubation period. The disease is endemic over centra...     

Management of orthopedic oncology patients during coronavirus pandemic

The new measures implemented in hospitals also altered the operation of orthopedics and traumatology departments. The main purpose of this article is to discuss how orthopedic oncology clinics should be organized during the pandemic and to present the process management scheme for patients requiring orthopedic surgery, including trauma surgery, from diagnosis to treatment, together with our experiences. Instead of thinking about the global emergence of the epidemic, it is time to act decisively. At first glance, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and orthopedics may seem to be unrelated disciplines, but the provision of healthcare services to patients who require them proves that these two fields are parts of the same whole. Our experiences in treating neutropenic, lymphocytopenic, and chemotherapy patients seem to have proven beneficial during this process. We operated on 10 biopsy patients, 15 primary bone sarcomas, 9 soft tissue sarcomas, and 82 trauma patients within this time frame. Only three patients were suspected to have COVID-19 before admission. The early identification, strict isolation, and effective treatment of these patients prevented any nosocomial infections and disease-related comorbidities. This success is the result of the multidisciplinary cooperation of the Ministry of Health, our hospital, and our clinic.     

Total-and lipid-associated sialic acid in serum and thrombocytes in patients with chronic heart failure

ObjectivesTo investigate and discuss the total-, lipid-associated, and thrombocyte-sialic acid levels in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients.Design and methodsThirty-one chronic heart failure patients and 38 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum total sialic acid (TSA), lipid associated sialic acid (LASA), thrombocyte sialic acid (TrSA) were determined together with the traditional inflammation and prognostic markers.ResultsSerum TSA levels were significantly higher in patient group (3.08 ± 0.33 mmol/L) than control group (2.60 ± 0.17 mmol/L). Serum LASA, homocysteine, high-sensitivity CRP, brain natriuretic peptide and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were also significantly higher in patient group. TrSA levels were not significant between the groups.ConclusionTSA and LASA levels increase in CHF, independent from coronary artery disease. TrSA levels were not found to be a prognostic or valuable marker for CHF patients. Acute phase response and lipid associated portions of SA are thought to be responsible for SA rise in CHF.     

Riga‐Fede disease in the upper jaw in an infant

Riga‐Fede disease is a benign and uncommon mucosal disorder. This illness is an ulceration of the oral mucosa and arises from repetitive traumatic injuries. The disease is usually caused by the sharp edges of new erupted teeth. The aim of the present case report is to present Riga‐Fede disease and its treatment. We reported a 11‐month‐old healthy female infant diagnosed as Riga‐Fede disease based on clinical features. After the conservative treatment that focused on eliminating the source of trauma, total healing was observed. Riga‐Fede disease is rare. This illness can be confused with malignancies. Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment of this disease are very important for physicians and patients.     

Albendazole Therapy in the Treatment of Hydatid Liver Disease

Hydatid disease, a common health problem in Turkey as in many countries, should be included in the differential diagnosis of all patients presenting with a cystic mass in the abdominal or thoracic cavity. Previously, surgery had been the main form of treatment. But with the introduction of preoperative medication with albendazole, treating this disease medically is now growing in popularity. We report herein the findings of ten patients with two lung and 20 liver hydatid cysts ranging from 3 to 20 cm in diameter, who were successfully treated with medical therapy. Multiple organ involvement and multiple cysts in an organ are the main indications for medical treatment with albendazole, but the indications should not be limited to certain situations such as small-sized cysts, since even huge-sized cysts responded well to the therapy in this series. Received: August 7, 2000 / Accepted: January 9, 2001     

Shall We Inject Superficial or Deep to the Plantar Fascia? An Ultrasound Study of the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis

We compared the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)-guided corticosteroid, injected superficial or deep to the fascia, in patients with plantar fasciitis. Thirty patients (24 females [75%] and 6 males [25%]) with unilateral chronic plantar fasciitis were divided into 2 groups according to the corticosteroid injection site: superficial (n = 15) or deep (n = 15) to the plantar fascia. Patient heel pain was measured using a Likert pain scale and the Foot Ankle Outcome Scale (FAOS) for foot disability, evaluated at baseline and repeated in the first and sixth weeks. The plantar fascia and heel pad thicknesses were assessed on US scans at baseline and the sixth week. The groups were similar in age, gender, and body mass index (p > .05 for all). Compared with the baseline values, the Likert pain scale (p < .001 for all) and FAOS subscale (p < .01 for all) scores had improved at the first and sixth week follow-up visits in both groups. Although the plantar fascia thickness had decreased significantly in both groups at the sixth week (p < .001 for both), the heel pad thickness remained unchanged (p > .05 for both). The difference in the FAOS subscales (pain, p = .002; activities of daily living, p = .003; sports/recreational activities, p = .008; quality of life, p = .009) and plantar fascia thickness (p = .049) showed better improvement in the deep than in the superficial injection group. US-guided corticosteroid injections are safe and effective in the short-term therapeutic outcome of chronic plantar fasciitis. Additionally, injection of corticosteroid deep to the fascia might result in greater reduction in plantar fascia thickness, pain, and disability and improved foot-related quality of life.