Endocrine Disruptors and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Phthalates

Objective:We aimed to investigate a possible role of the endocrine disruptors phthalates, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) aetiopathogenesis. We also wished to evaluate the relationship between phthalates and metabolic disturbances in adolescents with PCOS.Methods:A total of 124 adolescents were included. Serum MEHP and DEHP levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Insulin resistance was evaluated using homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index, fasting glucose/insulin ratio, Matsuda index, and total insulin levels during oral glucose tolerance test. Participants were further subdivided into lean and obese subgroups according to body mass index (BMI).Results:Sixty-three PCOS and 61 controls, (mean age 15.2±1.5; range: 13-19 years) were enrolled. Serum DEHP and MEHP concentrations were not significantly different between PCOS and control groups. The mean (95% confidence interval) values of DEHP and MEHP were 2.62 (2.50-2.75) μg/mL vs 2.71 (2.52-2.90) μg/mL and 0.23 (0.19-0.29) μg/mL vs 0.36 (0.18-0.54) μg/mL in PCOS and the control groups respectively, p>0.05. Correlation analysis, adjusted for BMI, showed that both phthalates significantly correlated with insulin resistance indices and serum triglycerides in adolescents with PCOS.Conclusion:Serum DEHP and MEHP concentrations were not different between adolescents with or without PCOS. However, these phthalates are associated with metabolic disturbances such as dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, independently of obesity, in girls with PCOS.     

Effect of Agitation of EDTA with 808-Nanometer Diode Laser on Removal of Smear Layer

Introduction

Near-infrared diode lasers can be used for several applications, which range from disinfection to smear layer removal in endodontics. This study evaluated the efficacy of agitation of 15% EDTA with an 808-nm diode laser on removal of the smear layer.

Methods

Sixty extracted human maxillary central incisor teeth were instrumented up to ProTaper F4 (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballagues, Switzerland) and then randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 10 for each group) according to the different final irrigating protocols as follows: 5% sodium hypochlorite for 120 seconds performed with the NaviTip (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) (control group); 15% EDTA for 120 seconds performed with the NaviTip; and agitation of 15% EDTA with an 808-nm diode laser for 10, 20, 30, and 40 seconds. Specimens were observed under a scanning electron microscope, and open dentinal tubules were counted using Adobe Photoshop software (Adobe Systems, San Jose, CA). The data were analyzed with 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests (P = .05).

Results

The number of open dentinal tubules was higher in the middle thirds than in the apical thirds. The differences between the apical and middle thirds were statistically significant (P < .05). Statistically significant differences were also found between the control group and the other groups in both the middle and apical thirds of the root canals (P < .05).

Conclusions

The results indicated that agitation of 15% EDTA with an 808-nm diode laser for 20 seconds was effective in removing the smear layer in the apical thirds of root canals.     

Autonomic dysfunction detection by an automatic pupillometer as a non-invasive test in patients recovered from COVID-19

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - To recognize dysfunctions in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) with changes in dynamic and static pupillary responses in patients...     

Molecularly engineered electroplex emission for an efficient near-infrared light-emitting electrochemical cell (NIR-LEC)

Electroplex emission is rarely seen in ruthenium polypyridyl complexes, and there have been no reports from light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) to date. Here, for the first time, near-infrared (NIR) emission via the electroplex mechanism in a LEC based on a new blend of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes is described. The key factor in the design of the new complexes is the 0.4 V decrease in the oxidation half-potential of Ru(ii)/Ru(iii) in [Ru(DPCO)(bpy)₂]ClO₄ (DPCO = diphenylcarbazone, bpy = 2,2 bipyridine), which is about one-third of the value for benchmark [Ru(bpy)₃](ClO₄)₂, as well as the long lifetime of excited states of 350–450 ns. The LEC based on the new blend with a narrow band gap (≈1.0 eV) of a Ru(DPCO) complex and Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ can produce an electroluminescence spectrum centred at about 700 nm, which extends to the NIR region with a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 0.93% at a very low turn-on voltage of 2.6 V. In particular, the very simple LEC structure was constructed from indium tin oxide (anode)/Ru(DPCO):Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/Ga:In (cathode), avoiding any polymer or transporting materials, as well as replacing Al or Au by a molten alloy cathode. This system has promising applications in the production of LECs via microcontact or inkjet printing.

Electroplex emission is rarely seen in ruthenium polypyridyl complexes, and there have been no reports from light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) to date. Here, near-infrared (NIR) emission via the electroplex mechanism in a LEC was reported.     

Evaluation of parafoveal vascular density using optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy

Lasers in Medical Science - Using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), we sought to evaluate parafoveal vascular density (VD) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR)....     

Aromatic L-Amino acid decarboxylase deficiency: A new case from Turkey with a novel mutation

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), a vitamin B6-requiring enzyme that converts L-dopa to dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptophan to serotonin. Deficiency of this enzyme results in developmental delay, muscular hypotonia, dystonia, involuntary movements, autonomic dysfunction, and oculogyric crises. We now report a 2-year-old Turkish boy with AADC deficiency confirmed by greatly reduced AADC activity in the plasma and by genetic studies. Mutation analysis revealed a homozygous mutation c.208C > T (p. His70Tyr) in exon 3 of the AADC gene which has not been described to date.