Microhardness evaluation of resin composites polymerized by three different light sources

This study examined the surface microhardness of four kinds of resin composites with different fillers and resin matrices. Ten specimens of 2 mm thickness and 4 mm diameter of each resin composite were polymerized using a halogen light, a blue light-emitted diode, and a plasma arc unit. Microhardness evaluation was performed at top and bottom surfaces for each specimen using a Vickers microhardness tester. Furthermore, morphologies of the polished top surfaces of composites cured with blue light-emitted diode were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Results indicated that composites cured with halogen or blue light-emitted diode light yielded higher microhardness values, although it also appeared to depend on the type of composite cured. Plasma arc curing according to manufacturer's instructions yielded the lowest microhardness values for all the materials. Among the materials tested, the nanofilled resin composite displayed the highest microhardness values for each curing regime.     

Grade 2 endometrioid adenocarcinoma arising from adenomyosis of the uterus: report of a case

Adenomyosis is defined by the presence of endometrial tissue (glands and stroma) within the myometrium and malignant transformation of adenomyosis in premenopausal women with normal endometrium is extremely rare. Adenocarcinomas arising within adenomyosis need to be distinguished from endometrial carcinomas which arise from the eutopic endometrium, then extend into preexisting adenomyosis of the uterine wall. We report a case of grade 2 endometrioid adenocarcinoma arising from an adenomyotic focus in the uterus.     

Renal Changes and Apoptosis Caused By Subacute Exposure To Aroclor 1254 in Selenium-deficient and Selenium-supplemented Rats

Aroclor 1254 (A1254), a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls, exerts hepatic, renal, and reproductive toxicity in rodents. This study aimed to determine a protective role of selenium on histopathological changes, oxidative stress, and apoptosis caused by A1254 in rat kidney. It included a control group, which received regular diet containing 0.15 mg/kg Se (C), a Se-supplemented group (SeS) receiving 1 mg/kg Se, a Se-deficient group (SeD) receiving Se-deficient diet of ≤0.05 mg/kg Se, an A1254-treated group (A) receiving 10 mg/kg of Aroclor 1254 and regular diet, an A1254-treated group receiving Se-supplementation (ASeS), and an A1254-treated group receiving Se-deficient diet (ASeD). Treatments lasted 15 days. After 24 h of the last dose of A1254, the animals were decapitated under anaesthesia and their renal antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation (LP), glutathione, protein oxidation, and total antioxidant capacity levels measured. Histopathological changes were evaluated by light and electron microscopy. Apoptosis was detected with the TUNEL assay. Kidney weights, CAT activities, and GSH levels decreased significantly in all A1254-treated groups. Renal atrophic changes and higher apoptotic cell counts were observed in the A and ASeD groups. Both groups also showed a significant drop in GPx1 activities (A – 34.92 % and ASeD – 86.46 %) and rise in LP (A – 30.45 % and ASeD – 20.44 %) vs control. In contrast, LP levels and apoptotic cell counts were significantly lower in the ASeS group vs the A group. Histopathological changes and renal apoptosis were particularly visible in the ASeD group. Our findings suggest that selenium supplementation provides partial protection against renal toxicity of Aroclor 1254.     

The craniofacial morphology and maximum bite force in sleep bruxism patients with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders

Objectives:

The purpose of the present study was to compare craniofacial morphology and bite force of bruxist patients with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders.

Method:

Fourteen subjects with sleep bruxism and 14 healthy subjects participated. The signs and symptoms of the temporomandibular disorders were identified according to the Craniomandibular Index (CMI). Maximum bite force was measured using strain-gage transducers. Lateral cephalometric films were taken, and linear and angular measurements were performed.

Results:

Bite force between bruxist and non-bruxist females was not significant, whereas males with bruxism revealed higher bite forces. None of the linear and angular measurements differed significantly between bruxist and non-bruxist males. However, higher mandibular corpus length and anterior cranial base length, and lower gonial angle were observed in bruxist females compared to non-bruxist females. Negative correlation between bite force and CMI values was found in both genders.

Discussion:

Bruxist females had higher CMI values than bruxist males, which could lead to relatively lower bite forces.     

Tracheal stenosis aftertracheostomy or intubation: review with special regard to cause and management

To investigate the management outcomes of patients who developed tracheal stenosis after tracheostomy or intubation, we reviewed the courses of 45 patients who had experienced tracheal stenosis at a single institution, over 19 years from February 1985 through January 2004. There were 38 tracheal and 7 infraglottic stenoses. Twenty-nine stenoses were associated with the stoma, 12 with the cuff, and 2 with the endotracheal tube resulting in infraglottic lesions; the remaining 2 were double stenoses. Eleven patients were treated by bronchoscopic surgery, and 34 patients were treated by tracheal or laryngotracheal resection. The overall success rate was 93%. The complication rate was 18%. A 2nd operation was required in 3 patients, and 1 of the 3 died of sepsis. Our management strategy of treating tracheal stenosis with resection and end-to-end anastomosis has been associated with good outcomes. Management of infraglottic stenosis is difficult, particularly when there is a large laryngeal defect or when there have been previous surgical attempts at the same site.     

Appropriate approach to bronchobiliary fistulas: a case series with hydatid disease and algorithm of case-based management

Bronchobiliary fistula caused by liver echinococcosis is a relatively unusual but severe complication of hydatid disease. Optimal management of cases is crucially important in establishing rapid recovery and avoiding additional complications. The use of an algorithmic guide is essential because of an ongoing dilemma that involves a large variety of therapeutic options. We present four patients with bronchobiliary fistulas caused by liver hydatid disease to discuss the management of therapeutic options through a case-based approach and an extent review to finally generate an algorithm. In this series, two patients were treated surgically, and the remaining were treated with conservative methods. To date, they have developed neither recurrence nor need for additional intervention. Although treatment of bronchobiliary fistulas is traditionally thought to be surgical, most of the less severe cases can be treated nonoperatively. Making an accurate selection among less invasive methods and/or open surgical interventions seems to be a key component of management.