Effects of light curing modes and resin composites on temperature rise under human dentin: an in vitro study

The influence of three curing modes of a high-powered LED curing unit on temperature rise under 2-mm-thick dentin was investigated during the polymerization of resin composite samples of Admira, Filtek P60, Premise, Tetric Flow, Tetric Ceram, and Filtek Z250. Ninety standard specimens were prepared. The bonding agents and resin composites were cured with standard, pulse, or soft-start mode (n=5 for each curing mode). Temperature rise was measured using a type L thermocouple. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. Soft-start curing led to statistically higher temperature rises compared than the other two modes. The highest temperature rise was observed for Admira and Tetric Flow cured with soft-start mode. The lowest temperature rise was observed for Premise cured with pulse mode. However, temperature rise did not reach the critical value that can cause pulpal damage by virtue of a prominent safety feature of the high-powered LED LCU, which ensures that no excessive heat is produced by all the three curing modes.     

Nail psoriasis successfully treated with intralesional methotrexate: case report

Psoriasis is a common, chronic disease which affects nearly 3% of the population. The lifetime incidence of nail involvement increases up to 80-90% for psoriatic patients. Nail psoriasis is considered a significant social problem. Many topical agents have been used for psoriatic nails with various side effects and some benefits; management is currently inconclusive. Methotrexate (MTX) is a folic acid analog, which irreversibly binds to dehydrofolate reductase and blocks deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis. It is considered a potential treatment option for rapidly growing cells and has an anti-inflammatory effect through inhibition of the polyamine pathway in autoimmune diseases. Intralesional MTX has been used successfully for various indications. We present a case successfully treated with low-dose intralesional MTX with no observed side effects in a 26-year-old female psoriatic patient suffering from nail dystrophy. In contrast, conventional topical and systemic therapies have various side effects, which limit their use. We conclude that intralesional MTX injection seems to be a safe and effective treatment option for nail psoriasis; however, large controlled studies are needed.     

Thrombopoietin: a novel candidate tumor marker for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer

Objective

To investigate the decisive role of preoperative serum thrombopoietin levels in the discrimination of benign and malignant ovarian pathologies and its value in the evaluation of treatment response.

Methods

Fifty patients with diagnoses of adnexal masses (25 benign, 25 malignant) were included in the study. Blood samples were collected from all cases preoperatively. Age, menopausal status, adnexal mass size, preoperative CA-125 level, platelet count, the stage of the disease (FIGO stage), tumor grade, histologic subgroup, the residual tumor mass, ascites cytology, surgical procedures, and postoperative treatments were recorded for the malignant group. Response to treatment was evaluated based on the revised RECIST guideline.

Results

The preoperative serum thrombopoietin levels of the malignant cases (median, 98; range, 7 to 768) were significantly higher when compared with those of benign cases (median, 27; range, 13 to 131; p=0.004). The positive predictive value of CA-125 was found to be 79%, when it was used as a single marker; however it had risen to 85% when both CA-125 and thrombopoietin levels were used. There was no significant relationship between preoperative serum thrombopoietin levels and tumor grade, ascites cytology, presence of residual mass, and response to treatment. The preoperative serum thrombopoietin levels were significantly higher in stage III-IV cases and cases with serous histology. The post-treatment serum thrombopoietin levels in the malignant group were significantly lower as compared with the preoperative thrombopoietin levels.

Conclusion

Thrombopoietin can play an additive role for prediction of ovarian cancer.     

The influence of the systematic birth preparation program on childbirth satisfaction

Purpose

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the influence of a systematic multidisciplinary birth preparation program on satisfaction with childbirth experience. A secondary aim was to detect factors that affect the childbirth satisfaction.

Methods

In this prospective study, 77 pregnant women who completed the 4-month birth preparation program (Group 1) and 75 women in the control group (Group 2) were asked to fill out two questionnaires with face-to-face interviews within 48 h after labor. One of the questionnaires was the translated form of Salmon’s Item List German (SIL-Ger), and SIL-Ger scores?≥70 was accepted as a satisfactory experience.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of sociocultural and intrapartum characteristics, and obstetric outcome parameters. The women who received antenatal education experienced significantly less pain (p?=?0.01), had a better communication with midwife or obstetrician during delivery (p?=?0.001), and participated more actively in decision-making before, during, and after childbirth (p?<?0.001 for all). SIL score was significantly higher in Group 1 (105.7?±?2.2 vs 80?±?2.5, p?<?0.01), and significantly more women had a SIL score?≥70 (96.1 vs 73.3%, p?<?0.01). In multivariate logistic regression model, attending the birth preparation program and the level of pain perceived during labor were found to have a significant effect on the birth satisfaction.

Conclusion

Systematic birth preparation program improves satisfaction with childbirth experience by enabling women to communicate better with healthcare providers and to participate in decision-making during labor, as well as by decreasing the perception of labor pain.

     

Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. Extract exhibits antiinflammatory activity in the rat

The aim of the present study was to explore the probable antiinflammatory effect of Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. in a rat model of carrageenan induced inflammation. Male Wistar rats were treated intraperitoneally with 0.4% dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) (as control group) and H. triquetrifolium extract (25, 50, 60 mg/kg), 30 min before 0.1 ml 1% carrageenan injection. Paw volume was measured before and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 h after the injection of carrageenan. The results are expressed as the mean±s.e. mean and the statistical significance of differences between groups was analyzed by One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The intraplantar injection of carrageenan caused a time-dependent paw edema in the rat although saline injection caused no swelling. Intraperitoneal administration of H. triquetrifolium extract (25, 50, 60 mg/kg) inhibited paw swelling dose-dependently at 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 h after carrageenan injection (P<0.05). We can conclude that H. triquetrifolium extract may exert an antiinflammatory effect in rats.     

Stent implantation into the patent ductus arteriosus in cyanotic congenital heart disease with duct-dependent or diminished pulmonary circulation

We assessed the efficacy and safety of stent implantation into the ductus arteriosus in infants with cyanotic heart disease. Ten patients with duct-dependent or diminished pulmonary circulation underwent cardiac catheterization with the aim of stent implantation. Coronary stents of 3.5-4 mm in diameter were used and successfully implanted in eight. All patients in whom stent implantation was successful had adequate relief of their cyanosis and were discharged home. During a mean follow-up of 9.3 months (median 10 months), one patient had evidence of restenosis of the stent at five months. Re-dilatation of the stenosed stent was attempted but was unsuccessful and a modified left Blalock-Taussig shunt was placed surgically. Stent implantation of ductus arteriosus in neonates and infants with a duct-dependent pulmonary circulation is an effective and safe palliative procedure. It may be an alternative to surgical systemic-pulmonary artery shunt in a select group of patients.     

A standardized method to create optic nerve crush: Yasargil aneurysm clip

It is often difficult to compare results obtained by different investigators on nerve compression injuries, owing to differences in method of pressure application and noncomparable pressure levels. In the present study, we described a new method to crush the optic nerve by using a specially designed and commercially available device. We think that standardization of the compression methods is necessary to compare interlaboratory results.