No alteration in the PFA-100 in vitro bleeding time induced by the Ginkgo biloba special extract, EGb 761, in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment.

EGb 761 is widely used in the management of mild cognitive impairment in the elderly population. Elucidation of the effects of EGb 761 on primary haemostasis via PFA-100 could represent an important step for better understanding of the haemostatic safety of EGb 761. The purpose of this prospective study is to assess the effects of Ginkgo biloba special extract, EGb 761, on PFA-100 in vitro bleeding time in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment. A total of 40 elderly patients aged 65-79 years who were referred for geriatric assessment and who were diagnosed as having mild cognitive impairment were included. Patients were started on 80 mg EGb-761 three times daily. The complete set of PFA-100 in vitro bleeding time and coagulation parameters including prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and International Normalized Ratio were assessed before and on the seventh day of treatment with EGb 761. There was no statistically significant prolongation in PFA-100 in vitro bleeding time or coagulation parameters in patients receiving EGb 761 after 7 days. The data about the safety of EGb 761 from the point of primary haemostasis in our elderly patient population with mild cognitive impairment casts hope for the future management of this 'difficult-to-treat' population with the promising Ginkgo extracts.     

Distraction histogenesis of the maxillofacial region

The changes in the surrounding soft tissues during long bone distraction in orthopedic surgery have been the subject of several reports, studies on changes in the craniofacial region, in which various tissues, including the skin, muscle, tendon, blood vessel, and gingiva are rare. Therefore, there is a need for studies on the soft tissue aspects of bone lengthening of the craniofacial region. The aim of this review was to address this issue by reviewing the literature about the distraction histogenesis of various tissues, including skin, muscle, blood vessel, nerve, and gingiva.     

Prepubertal Unilateral Gynecomastia: Report of 2 Cases

Prepubertal unilateral gynecomastia is an extremely rare condition. At present, its etiology and management strategy are not well known. Two unrelated prepubertal boys of ages 8 and 9 who presented with complaints of unilateral enlargement of breast tissue are reported. Physical examination, biochemical, hormonal and oncologic work-up findings were normal. Both patients were treated with peripheral liposuction successfully. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations showed benign fibroglandular gynecomastia and intensive (3+) estrogen receptor expression in 100% of periductal epithelial cells. Although an extremely rare and generally benign condition, patients with prepubertal unilateral gynecomastia should have a full endocrine and oncologic work-up.     

Magnetic and Tunable Sound Absorption Properties of an In-Situ Prepared Magnetorheological Foam

Conventional polyurethane foam has non-tunable sound absorption properties. Here, a magneto-induced foam, called magnetorheological (MR) foam, was fabricated with the feature of being able to tune sound absorption properties, primarily from the middle- to higher-frequency ranges. Three different samples of MR foams were fabricated in situ by varying the concentration of Carbonyl Iron Particles (CIPs) (0, 35, and 75 wt.%). The magnetization properties and tunable sound absorption characteristics were evaluated. From the magnetic saturation properties, the results showed very narrow and small coercivity of hysteresis loops relative to the soft magnetic properties of the CIPs. MR foam with 75 wt.% CIPs showed a higher magnetic saturation at 91.350 emu/g compared to MR foam with 35 wt.% CIPs at 63.896 emu/g. For tunable sound absorption testing, the effect of ‘shifting’ to higher frequency was also observed when the magnetic field was applied, which was ~10 Hz for MR foam with 35 wt.% CIPs and ~130 Hz for MR foam with 75 wt.% CIPs. As the latest evolution of semi-active noise control materials, the results from this study are valuable guidance for the advancement of MR-based devices.     

Interaction and thermal studies on graphene oxide in NC/DEGDN/GO nanocomposites

Before considering the uses of graphene oxide (GO) in nitrate ester-based materials for performance and safety improvement, its interaction, compatibility and dispersion with the host matrices need to be well understood. This work addresses the interaction and dispersity of GO with nitrocellulose (NC)/diethylene glycol dinitrate (DEGDN)-based nanocomposites. The GO and DEGDN were successfully synthesised and characterised. The NC/DEGDN proved to be a good hosting matrix for the dispersion of GO nanosheets. Analysis of atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the thicknesses of dispersed GO were in the range of 1–4 nm suggesting that the GO in the nanocomposite consists of 1–2 layers for a 0.5% w/w GO containing nanocomposite and 2–4 layers for a 0.75% w/w nanocomposite. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy analysis established red-shifting of 744 to 752 cm⁻¹ for the O–NO₂ bond stretching vibrations, indicating bond stabilization by donor electron from the GO. The Raman spectra analysis showed GO peaks blue-shifting and broadening which is attributed to hydrogen bonding interaction between GO sheets and –NO₂ groups. The activation energy of nitrate ester decomposition of NC/DEGDN/GO nanocomposites increases as a function of GO content from 167 kJ mol⁻¹ and reaches a maximum of 214 kJ mol⁻¹ for a 0.5% w/w GO loading. This suggests an improvement of the nitrate ester bond stability. These findings open a new direction to the application of GO in nitrate ester-based materials for increased stability, safety and shelf life.

Before considering the use of graphene oxide (GO) in nitrate ester-based materials for improved safety and performance its interaction, compatibility, and dispersion with the host matrices needs to be well understood.     

Evaluation of 20?years experience of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva in Iran: lessons for early diagnosis and prevention

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic inflammatory disorder characterized by progressive heterotopic ossification presenting as recurrent soft tissue masses and swelling which may cause disabling, restricted joint mobility. Congenital malformations of the hallux are characteristic features of classic FOP, predating the appearance of disabling features. As no definite treatment is available, the early diagnosis and prevention of exacerbating factors may lead to significant benefits in terms of the life quality of patients. A retrospective study of 12 consecutive FOP patients referred to and admitted in the rheumatology unit at an urban tertiary care academic center between 1991 and 2011. Data, such as age, gender, and past medical history, were collected from the medical history, physical examination, and skeletal survey in order to characterize the clinical presentations. All 12 children (six boys and six girls; ages 2.0-13.5 years) had congenital malformations of the great toes (microdactyly and hallux valgus deformity), in addition to heterotopic ossification presenting as multiple soft tissue tumor-like swellings. Spinal involvement, most notably in the cervical region, suggestive of an early FOP, was present in 83.3 %. Eleven patients (91.6 %) had a prior history of direct physical trauma, while 7 of 11 (63.6 %) had undergone invasive diagnostic procedures, both correlating with the exacerbations of their condition. Clinical awareness of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and its early diagnostic features, particularly congenital malformations of the hallux, during a thorough neonatal examination may lead to an early diagnosis preventing the development of disabling, practically irreversible lesions of heterotopic ossification. Genetic and molecular studies can play a considerable role in the diagnosis of FOP in suspected cases. Early institution of prophylactic and precautionary measures, such as categorical avoidance of trauma and invasive procedures, can significantly reduce the debilitating acute exacerbations of the condition.     

Influence of Ankaferd Blood Stopper on shear bond strength of bonding systems

This study investigated the effect of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) contamination on bond strength of total- and self-etching systems. Seventy mandibular third molars sectioned in a mesio-distal direction were mounted in acrylic resin, and flat dentin surfaces were exposed. The specimens were randomly assigned to seven groups (n=20), according to the surface treatment: Group I, ABS contamination+37% phosphoric acid+Solobond M; Group II, ABS contamination+Clearfil SE Bond; Group III, ABS contamination+All Bond SE; Group VI, 37% phosphoric acid+ABS contamination+Solobond M; Group V, Solobond M; Group VI, Clearfil SE Bond; and Group VII, All Bond SE. Next, a resin composite (Grandio) was built up using a plastic apparatus and polymerized. The specimens were tested in shear mode at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. There were significant differences in bond strengths between the control and ABS-contaminated samples. These findings suggest that ABS contamination reduced bond strength of total- and self-etching adhesives.