Long-term follow-up of pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy and lesion characteristics

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - To investigate conversion of pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE) lesions and the development of other pachychoroid spectrum...     

Effect of different light curing methods on mechanical and physical properties of resin-cements polymerized through ceramic discs

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the polimerization ability of three different light-curing units (quartz tungsten halogen, light-emitting diodes and plasma arc) and their exposure modes (high-intensity and soft-start) by determination of microhardness, water sorption and solubility, and diametral tensile strength of 5 dual-curing resin cements.

Material and methods

A total of 720 disc-shaped samples (1 mm height and 5 mm diameter) were prepared from different dual-curing resin cements (Duolink, Nexus, Bifix-QM, Panavia F and RelyX Unicem). Photoactivation was performed by using quartz tungsten halogen (high-power and soft-up modes), light-emitting diode (standard and exponential modes) and plasma arc (normal and ramp-curing modes) curing units through ceramic discs. Then the samples (n=8/per group) were stored dry in the dark at 37ºC for 24 h. The Vickers hardness test was performed on the resin cement layer with a microhardness tester (Shimadzu HMV). For sorption and solubility tests; the samples were stored in a desiccator at 37ºC and weighed to a constant mass. The samples were weighed both before and after being immersed in deionized water for different periods of time (24 h and 7 days) and being desiccated. The diametral tensile strength of the samples was tested in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Data were analyzed statistically by nonparametric Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests at 5% significance level.

Results

Resin cement and light-curing unit had significant effects (p<0.05) on microhardness, diametral tensile strength, water solubility and sorption. However, no significant differences (p>0.05) were obtained with different modes of LCUs.

Conclusion

The study indicates that polymerization of resin cements with different light-curing units may result in various polymer structures, and consequently different mechanical and physical properties.     

Cytokine profile in murine toxoplasmosis

ObjectiveTo investigate which cytokines are produced after acute infection of mice with Toxoplasma gondii (T. Gondii) RH strain.MethodsMus domesticus domesticus mice in infected group were inoculated with with highly virulent T. Gondii RH strain by intraperitoneally. Serum samples were obtained from infected and non-infected mice for cytokine levels for ELISA assay.ResultsThe concentrations of tumor necrosis factor–α, interferon–γ, interleukin (IL)–10 and IL–12 in the cardiac blood sample of the infected mice were significantly higher than those in uninfected controls (P<0.05). The levels of transforming growth factor–1β decreased in mice infected with T. gondii compared to those of the controls, the decrease was statistically significant (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in levels of IL–4 between infected and healty control groups (P>0.05).ConclusionsAccording to our findings, immune response into T helper type 1 was predominant during acute T. gondii infection. Further characterization and purification of Toxoplasma molecule(s) implicated in the regulation of cytokines could lead to the development of new drug prospects to control Toxoplasma infection.     

Effect of fiber-reinforced composite at the interface on bonding of resin core system to dentin

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) at the interface on bonding of resin core systems to bovine dentin using different adhesive systems. To this end, the labial surfaces of 60 bovine incisors were ground to obtain flat dentin surfaces and then divided into two groups according to the adhesive system used: total-etching (Solobond Plus) versus self-etching (Clearfil SE Bond). Resin core systems were bonded to tooth structure either without or with a FRC layer (everStick Net, StickTech). For groups with FRC layer, a silicon forming aid was used to adapt the latter on the dentin surfaces. After resin core was polymerized with Optilux 501 for 40 seconds, the specimens were tested in a universal testing machine. ANOVA revealed that presence of FRC at the interface had a significantly positive effect on bond strength (p < 0.001). However, differences between groups were not significant for either adhesive system (p = 0.076) or with the use of silicon forming aid (p = 0.348).     

Associated anomalies and outcome of fetal aberrant right subclavian artery

Purpose  

To determine the frequency of aberrant right subclavian artery among the low-risk fetuses and to evaluate its association with chromosomal abnormalities and the other congenital heart diseases.     

Detrimental effects of endometriosis on oocyte morphology in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles: a retrospective cohort study

While an association can be addressed among endometriosis and subfertility, the causal relationship has not been elucidated yet. Impaired oocyte quality in endometriosis patients has been accused for the unsuccessful outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques. There are limited studies in literature evaluated association between endometriosis and oocyte morphology. We conducted this retrospective study to evaluate whether morphological abnormalities of oocytes are more common in women with endometriosis than women with diagnosis of male factor infertility as a source of healthy oocytes. Totally 1568 oocytes, 775 (49.4%) in endometriosis groups and 793 (50.6%) in control group were evaluated for morphological parameters before ICSI cycles. Abnormal oocyte morphology was detected in 352 (22.4%) of 1568 oocytes. Of the abnormal oocytes, 208 (59.1%) were in endometriosis group and 144 (40.9%) in control group (p?p?< .05 for all). When morphological parameters for oocytes of endometriosis patients evaluated, the oocyte defects has increased significantly in endometriosis patients. These findings are thought to be useful to clarify the subfertility in endometriosis patient, which needs to be confirmed with further studies.     

Serum decorin measurement in prediction of the risk for preterm birth

Objective

To define serum decorin (sDEC) levels in healthy pregnants and in patients with preterm labor (PTL), and to introduce possible role of sDEC in predicting the risk for preterm birth (PTB).

Efficacy of reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy for central serous chorioretinopathy associated with combined serous retinal detachment and fovea-involving pigment epithelial detachment

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (RFPDT) for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) associated with serous retinal detachment (SRD) and fovea-involving pigment epithelial detachment (PED). Ten eyes of ten patients with chronic CSC associated with combined SRD and PED involving the fovea were included. RFPDT was applied to the hyperfluorescent area identified at the mid-to-late phase of indocyanine green angiography, which indicated the area of leakage. We evaluated the changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography at month 1 and final follow-up visit. The mean age of the participants was 47.4 ± 7 years. The mean follow-up duration was 6.3 ± 4 months. At month 3, the SRD had resolved completely in all ten eyes (100 %), and PED had resolved in seven eyes (70 %). The initial mean BCVA improved from 20/50 at baseline to 20/32 at the last visit (P > 0.05). The mean central retinal thickness was reduced from 534 ± 279 µm at baseline to 194 ± 46 µm at the last examination (P < 0.001). The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased from 461 ± 57 at baseline to 369 ± 75 at the final visit (P < 0.001). Reduced-fluence PDT appears as an effective treatment for chronic CSC cases associated with SRD and fovea-involving PED.     

Late angiographic and clinical follow-up results of 100 consecutive aneurysms treated with Onyx reconstruction: largest single-center experience

We present the long-term clinical and angiographic follow-up results of 100 consecutive intracranial aneurysms treated with Onyx liquid embolic system (MTI, Irvine, Calif.), either alone or combined with an adjunctive stent, in a single center. A total of 100 aneurysms in 94 patients were treated with endosaccular Onyx packing. Intracranial stenting was used adjunctively in 25 aneurysms including 19 during initial treatment and 6 during retreatment. All aneurysms except two were located in the internal carotid artery. Of the 100 aneurysms, 35 were giant or large/wide-necked, and 65 were small. Follow-up angiography was performed in all 91 surviving patients (96 aneurysms) at 3 and/or 6 months. Follow-up angiography was performed at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years in 90, 41, 26, 6 and 2 patients, respectively. Overall, aneurysm recanalization was observed in 12 of 96 aneurysms with follow-up angiography (12.5%). All 12 were large or giant aneurysms, resulting in a 36% recanalization rate in the large and giant aneurysm group. One aneurysm out of 25 treated with the combination of a stent and Onyx showed recanalization. There was also no recanalization in the follow-up of small internal carotid artery aneurysms treated with balloon assistance only. At final follow-up, procedure- or device-related permanent neurological morbidity was present in eight patients (8.3%). There were two procedure-related and one disease-related (subarachnoid hemorrhage) deaths (mortality 3.2%). Delayed spontaneous asymptomatic occlusion of the parent vessel occurred in two patients, detected on routine follow-up. Onyx provides durable aneurysm occlusion with parent artery reconstruction resulting in perfectly stable 1-year to 5-year follow-up angiography both in small aneurysms treated with balloon assistance only (0% recanalization rate) and large or giant aneurysms treated with stent and Onyx combination (4% recanalization rate). Endosaccular Onyx packing with balloon assistance may not be adequate for stable long-term results in those with a large or giant aneurysm. However, the recanalization rate of 36% in these aneurysms is better than the reported results with other techniques, i.e., coils with or without adjunctive bare stents.