An investigation of the tear energy of five soft lining materials

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the tear energy of three silicone rubber materials and two acrylic resin soft lining materials in different solutions and times of storage. The tear energy of specimens stored in artificial saliva, denture cleanser and distilled water was measured over 1, 4, and 16 weeks, using a tensile testing machine. Data were analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance and a Duncan multiple comparison test. Silicone rubber materials had the least tear energy. The type of material, time of storage and solution were statistically significant factors affecting on tear energy. The ability of the material to resist rupture during normal use (including constantly being in saliva and usually immersed in denture cleanser or water for storage) is of practical importance.     

Thermal and pH changes,and dimensional stability in irreversible hydrocolloid impression material during setting

Present study the relation between pH, thermal changes and dimensional stability during setting of irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials was investigated. Ten specimens of each product were prepared for different measurements: Thermal, pH changes and dimensional stability (mass and linear). Thermal and pH readings for 20 min and dimensional measurements for a 2 hr period were taken after mixing. It was observed that pH and thermal values changed in relation to different materials, while they did not change with the time according to variance analysis results. On the other hand, dimensional stability showed significant differences with time in all tested impression materials. A continuous pH change was observed with the time of gelation in all irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials tested. Dimensional stability also showed significant differences with time in all impression material and as a result hydrocolloids with a high pH showed better dimensional stability than those with a low pH.     

Short-term isotretinoin-induced elkonyxis and median nail dystrophy

Elkonyxis and median nail distrophy are very rare nail fold disorders due to the damage in nail matrix and proximal nail fold. Herein, we report a patient with both elkonyxis and median nail distrophy occured two months into a treatment course of isotretinoin that is to our knowledge for the first time.     

The effects of soft-start vs continuous-light polymerization on microleakage in Class II resin composite restorations

PURPOSE: Despite the different light sources and polymerization techniques developed to eliminate it, microleakage of resin composite still remains a problem. This in vitro study was designed to compare the effects of exponential mode soft-start polymerization with those of standard and high-intensity continuous light polymerization on microleakage in Class II resin composite restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standardized Class II cavities (4 mm wide, 4 mm long, 5 to 6 mm high, 2 mm deep) were prepared in 50 extracted human molars. Specimens were divided into 5 groups (n = 10) and restored using the same hybrid resin composite (Z250), but separately polymerized by one of five different methods: group 1: continuous halogen light polymerization for 40 s; group 2: continuous high-intensity halogen light polymerization for 10 s; group 3: exponential mode soft-start halogen light polymerization for a total of 40 s; group 4: continuous LED light polymerization for 40 s; Group 5: exponential mode soft-start LED light polymerization for a total of 40 s. All specimens were thermocycled for 1000 cycles at 5 degrees C to 55 degrees C and then placed in 0.5% basic fuchsin dye for 24 h. Specimens were then rinsed, embedded in resin and sectioned longitudinally. Dye penetration at occlusal and cervical margins was rated using a scale of 0 to 4. Data was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests. RESULTS: Significantly lower marginal leakage was recorded with exponential mode soft-start polymerization when compared to continuous light polymerization. No significant differences in microleakage were observed between LED and halogen light polymerization. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this in vitro study, the use of the soft-start exponential mode of LED and/or halogen light units in the polymerization of hybrid composite was found to produce significantly lower microleakage at both occlusal and cervical margins when compared to continuous light polymerization methods.     

Urinary methylmalonic acid levels in patients with acute ischemic stroke

ObjectivesVitamin B-12 and folate deficiency are common, especially in people aged 55 or over, and accompanied by elevated methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine concentrations. The aims of the study were to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin B-12, homocysteine, folate, erythrocyte folate and urinary MMA in patients with ischemic stroke, and to develop a simple screening HPLC method for the measurement of urinary MMA.Design and methodsTwenty-eight patients aged 55 years and over with ischemic stroke and 23 age- and sex- matched healthy controls were included in the study. Serum vitamin B-12 and folate were measured by immunoassay; serum total homocysteine and urinary MMA concentrations by HPLC.ResultsThere was no significant difference in vitamin B-12, folate and homocysteine concentrations between the patient and control groups. Urinary MMA concentrations and erythrocyte folate levels were significantly higher in patients than controls. There was a significantly negative correlation between vitamin B-12 and MMA.ConclusionsIncreased urinary MMA excretion is associated with ischemic stroke and it may more robustly reflect vitamin B-12 deficiency in patients with ischemic stroke. The method used in this study is eligible for routine urinary MMA measurements.     

Dermatomyositis with a pityriasis rubra pilaris-like eruption: an uncommon cutaneous manifestation in dermatomyositis

A pityriasis rubra pilaris-like eruption has been described in patients with dermatomyositis. We describe an 11-year-old girl with dermatomyositis who had additional clinical findings of pityriasis rubra pilaris. Over a year, she developed muscle weakness, increasing fatigue, and a markedly elevated creatinine kinase level in addition to her cutaneous eruption and was seen in our clinic for these complaints. A year earlier, when a generalized, scaly erythematous eruption had appeared, she had been diagnosed as pityriasis rubra pilaris clinically and histopathologically. Dermatologic examination found scaling erythematous plaques involving the trunk and upper and lower extremities. Islands of unaffected skin were intermingled with erythematous plaques that were characteristic of pityriasis rubra pilaris. A skin biopsy specimen showed the findings of dermatomyositis and that diagnosis was made. The laboratory findings, electromyographic pattern, and muscle biopsy were also consistent with dermatomyositis. Her presentation is interesting, as she had been diagnosed as pityriasis rubra pilaris both clinically and histopathologically 1 year earlier and, although the cutaneous lesions had not changed, a diagnosis of dermatomyositis was made a year later.     

The prevalence of skin diseases in the elderly: analysis of 4099 geriatric patients

BACKGROUND: The geriatric population is composed of persons over 65 years of age, and few studies are available on the dermatologic diseases in this group. METHODS: Data on a total of 4099 geriatric patients admitted between the years 1999-2003 were analyzed. Hospital-based patient registry records were used for data collection. The data were analyzed according to age, sex, and time of admittance. RESULTS: The five most frequently encountered diseases in elderly patients were eczematous dermatitis, fungal infections, pruritus, and bacterial and viral infections. The most common disorders in males were fungal, bacterial, and viral infections, disorders of the feet, cutaneous ulcers, and vesiculo-bullous diseases, whereas, in females, they were immune-rheumatologic diseases and disorders of the mucous membranes. The five most frequently encountered diseases were significantly different in geriatric age subgroups. In the younger age group, pruritus, disorders due to sun exposure, and precancerous lesions and skin carcinomas were less common, whereas eczematous dermatitis was more common. The frequencies of some diseases showed significant seasonal variations. Infestations were more common in spring and summer, fungal infections were more common in summer but less so in winter, pruritus was more common in autumn but less so in spring, disorders due to sun exposure were more common in spring, and benign neoplasia were more common in autumn. In 2003, benign neoplasia, precancerous lesions and skin carcinomas, and immune-rheumatic disorders were more common, but vesicular and bullous diseases, fungal infections, and cutaneous lymphomas were less common when compared with the year 1999. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides important data on the frequency of dermatologic diseases in elderly patients, and shows variations in the frequency depending on age, gender, and season. We believe that this study will create awareness about the extent and patterns of dermatologic problems in geriatric patients.     

Nurses' perceptions of the barriers to and the facilitators of research utilization in Turkey

The aim of this study was to determine nurses' perceptions of the barriers to and facilitators of research utilization in Turkey. Barriers Scale was utilized in the research, and the population was 631 nurses. According to the research results, the first three important barriers were inadequate authority (63.6%), lack of time (54.0%), and insufficient facilities (52.8%). Nurses have perceived the organizational management support as the most important easing factor in their applications (n = 156). It is highly recommended that nurses be trained in research methods and evidence-based practice, that research articles be written more clearly, and that Research and Development centers where nurses could get consultation services be established.     

A case-control study on the effect of exposure to different substances on the development of COPD

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exposure to different substances on the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: The case group consisted of 74 housewives. These were female patients who never smoked who had a diagnosis of COPD and were seen at the Cumhuriyet University Hospital in Sivas, Turkey, between January 1, 2001, and March 31, 2002. The control group consisted of 74 housewives; this group consisted of healthy women who never smoked who came to the hospital as visitors and who did not have the diagnosis of COPD. The control group was chosen by group matching of the age distribution of the women in the case group and the regions and the neighborhoods where they lived. All of the women in the case and control groups were evaluated with a questionnaire for exposure to wood ashes, biomass, and cigarette smoke in closed areas. RESULTS: No difference was found in the groups for exposure to wood ashes (p > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis resulted in the following odds ratio of COPD estimate for women with > or = 30 years biomass exposure, 6.61 (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 2.17-20.18); for women with > or = 30 years cigarette smoke exposure, 4.96 (95% CI: 1.65-14.86). CONCLUSION: A statistically significant correlation was found between the effect of > or = 30 years of exposure to biomass and cigarette smoke exposure and the development of COPD.     

Myocardial bridges of the coronary arteries in the human fetal heart

During the last century, many investigators reported on myocardial bridges in the adult human heart. In the present study, 39 human fetal hearts (the mean gestastional age was 30 weeks) were studied for myocardial bridging, and the results were correlated with adult data. Among the 39 (27 male and 12 female) fetal hearts studied, 26 bridges were observed on 18 fetal hearts (46.2%). Ten of the bridges had one myocardial bridge, whereas double myocardial bridges were observed in eight fetal hearts. The most frequent myocardial bridges were observed on the left anterior descending artery (LAD), which had 13 bridges (50%). Eight (30.7%) myocardial bridges were on the diagonal artery, and on the posterior descending artery there were five (19.3%). Myocardial bridges were not observed on the circumflex artery. The data presented in this study may provide potentially useful information for the preoperative evaluation of the newborn and may have a clinical implication for sudden fetal death.