Are the flowable composites suitable for orthodontic bracket bonding?

The study aims to determine the shear bond strength (SBS) values of different flowable composites (Pulpdent Flows-Rite, 3M Filtek Flow, and Heraeus Kulzer Flow Line) in comparison with a conventional orthodontic adhesive and the bond failure sites of these composites. Eighty extracted human premolars were divided into four groups of 20 teeth each. Brackets were bonded to the teeth in each test group with different composites, according to the manufacturer's instructions. SBS values of these brackets were recorded (in MPa) using a universal testing machine. Adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores were determined after the failure of brackets. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey honestly significant difference, and chi-square tests. SBS values of groups 1 (Transbond XT), 2 (Flows-Rite), 3 (Flow), and 4 (Flow Line) were found to be 17.10 +/- 2.48 MPa, 6.60 +/- 3.2 MPa, 7.75 +/- 2.9 MPa, and 8.53 +/- 3.50 MPa, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate that the orthodontic adhesive (Transbond XT) had higher SBS values than the flowable composites. Results of ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences among the groups (P < .05). The SBS values were significantly lower in all flowable composite groups than the orthodontic adhesive. ARI scores were significantly different between the orthodontic adhesive and all the flowable groups investigated. The use of flowable composites is not advocated for orthodontic bracket bonding because of significantly lower SBS values achieved.     

The influence of experimental hyperthyroidism on responsiveness in rabbit aortic smooth muscle

This study investigated the responsiveness of hyperthyroid and control (euthyroid) rabbit aortic rings to vasoconstrictor agents. There was no significant difference between the responsiveness of hyperthyroid and control tissues to KCl. Maximum responses (E(m)) to noradrenaline and serotonin were reduced in hyperthyroid rabbit aortic rings compared to those euthyroid rings. The sensitivity (i.e., EC(50)) of hyperthyroid aortic rings to noradrenaline and serotonin compared to euthyroid controls was unchanged. The K(b) value of prazosin against 10(-6) M noradrenaline-induced contractions in eu- and hyperthyroid states was 1.97 ± 0.59 · 10(-9) M and 1.92 ± 0.79 · 10(-9) M, respectively. The K(b) value of methisergide against 10(-6) M serotonin-induced contractions in eu- and hyperthyroid states was 1.46 ± 0.80 · 10(-9) M and 1.10 ± 0.16 · 10(-9) M, respectively. These data indicate that vascular reactivity is altered in experimental hyperthyroidism and this alteration, if any, do not occur at the receptor level.     

Anglomyofibroblastoma of the vulva: Case report

Anglomyxomas are a group of relatively rare mesenchymal myxold tumors. Three types of angiomyxomas have been Identltled: superflciat anglomyxoma, aggresslve anglomyx-oma and anglomyoflbroblastoma. These tumors have a predllection for occurring in the perineum of middie-aged femaies and are often clinically diagnosed as Bartholin's cyst A case of a 42-year-old female with a perineal angiomy-ofibrobtastoma mimicking a Bartholin's cyst is presented. The pathological and clinical characteristics of this tumor are discussed.     

Clinical predictors of incipient vertebral fractures and bone mineral density in kidney transplant patients

Purpose

Kidney transplant recipients are prone to metabolic bone diseases and consequent fractures. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of incipient vertebral fractures, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and the clinical factors associated with incipient vertebral fractures in a group of kidney transplant patients.

Methods

Two hundred sixty-four patients (F/M 124/140, 45.3 ± 13 years) who had undergone kidney transplantation in tertiary care centers were included. Vertebral fractures were assessed semiquantitatively using conventional thoracolumbar lateral radiography in 202 of the patients.

Results

Vertebral fractures were observed in 56.4% (n = 114) of the study group. The frequency of osteoporosis was 20.0% (53 of 264 patients), and osteopenia was 35.6% (94 of 264 patients). Bone mineral density (BMD) levels were in the normal range in 40.3% (n = 46) of the subjects with vertebral fractures. It was in the osteoporotic range in 20.1% (n = 23) and the osteopenic range in 40.3% (n = 46). Vertebral fractures were associated with age, duration of hemodialysis, BMI, and femoral neck Z score (R² 37.8%, p = 0.027).

Conclusion

As incipient vertebral fractures can be observed in patients with normal BMD levels in kidney transplant recipients, conventional X-ray screening for vertebral fractures may be beneficial for a proper therapy decision of metabolic bone disease in kidney transplant recipients.

     

Pharyngeal colonization dynamics of Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus haemolyticus in healthy adult carriers

Haemophilus influenzae is an important cause of respiratory infections, including acute otitis media, sinusitis, and chronic bronchitis, which are preceded by asymptomatic H. influenzae colonization of the human pharynx. The aim of this study was to describe the dynamics of pharyngeal colonization by H. influenzae and an intimately related species, Haemophilus haemolyticus, in healthy adults. Throat specimens from four healthy adult carriers were screened for Haemophilus species; 860 isolates were identified as H. influenzae or H. haemolyticus based on the porphyrin test and on dependence on hemin and NAD for growth. Based on tests for hemolysis, for the presence of the 7F3 epitope of the P6 protein, and for the presence of iga in 412 of the isolates, 346 (84%) were H. influenzae, 47 (11%) were H. haemolyticus, 18 (4%) were nonhemolytic H. haemolyticus, and 1 was a variant strain. Carriers A and B were predominantly colonized with nontypeable H. influenzae, carrier C predominantly with b(-) H. influenzae mutants, and carrier D with H. haemolyticus. A total of 358 H. influenzae and H. haemolyticus isolates were genotyped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) following SmaI or EagI digestion of their DNA, and the carriers displayed the following: carrier A had 11 unique PFGE genotypes, carrier B had 15, carrier C had 7, and carrier D had 10. Thus, adult H. influenzae and H. haemolyticus carriers are colonized with multiple unique genotypes, the colonizing strains exhibit genetic diversity, and we observed day-to-day and week-to-week variability of the genotypes. These results appear to reflect both evolutionary processes that occur among H. influenzae isolates during asymptomatic pharyngeal carriage and sample-to-sample collection bias from a large, variable population of colonizing bacteria.     

Management of cervical root fracture using orthodontic extrusion and crown reattachment: a case report

Root fractures involve damage to pulp, cementum, dentin, and periodontal ligaments. These injuries affect 0.5% to 7% of permanent teeth. Cervical root fractures are less frequently seen and have a worse prognosis compared with the fractures in the apical or middle third of the root. This case report describes the treatment of a cervical root fracture in a maxillary central incisor. After removal of the coronal fragment, the root was filled temporarily with calcium hydroxide and orthodontic extrusion was initiated. The remaining root portion was elevated above the epithelial attachment and a successful coronal restoration was made using the natural crown of the traumatized tooth.     

Gonadal brucellar abscess: imaging and clinical findings in 3 cases and review of the literature

We report the cases of 3 patients with brucellar gonadal abscess who were examined with gray-scale and color Doppler sonography. In these 3 cases, sonography revealed a thick-walled avarian (n = 2) or testicular (n = 1) abscess. Duplex Doppler sonography indicated a low-resistance type of flow in all 3 patients. The diagnosis of brucellar gonadal abscess is difficult, because it may have a misleading tumor-like appearance. Awareness of the imaging findings of gonadal abscess in patients with brucellosis and correlation with the results of serologic testing can allow early diagnosis, especially in endemic areas.     

Crohn＇s disease complicated by multiple stenoses and interna fistulas clinically mimicking small bowel endometriosis

We report a 31-year-old woman with Crohn＇s disease complicated by multiple stenoses and internal fistulas clinically misdiagnosed as small bowell endometriosis, due to the patient＇s perimenstrual symptoms of mechanical subileus for 3 years; at first monthly, but later continuous, and gradually increasing in severity. We performed an exploratory laparotomy for small bowel obstruction, and found multiple ileal strictures and internal enteric fistulas. Because intraoperative findings were thought to indicate Crohn＇s disease, a right hemicolectomy and partial distal ileum resection were performed for obstructive Crohn＇s ileitis. Histopathology of the resected specimen revealed Crohn＇s disease without endometrial tissue. The patient made an uneventful recovery from this procedure and was discharged home 10 d post-operatively. The differential diagnosis of Crohn＇s diease with intestinal endometriosis may be difficult pre-operatively. The two entities share many overlapping clinical, radiological and pathological features. Nevertheless, when it is difficult to identify the cause of intestinal obstruction in a woman of child- bearing age with cyclical symptoms suggestive of small bowel endometriosis, Crohn＇s disease should be included in the differential diagnosis.     

Evaluation of allergic sensitization and gastroesophageal reflux disease in children with recurrent croup

Background:  Croup, which is seen commonly in childhood, is a disorder that can be recurrent and progress to bronchial asthma. In the present study the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and atopy and the response to therapy were investigated in children with recurrent croup.
Methods:  Between October 2003 and June 2004, 57 patients with acute stridor were admitted to the emergency room. The patients who had at least three croup episodes and patients with first croup episode were compared.
Results:  Thirty-two children had recurrent croup history, GER was found in of 62.5%, and atopy in 17.2%. Atopy was not found in any children with first croup episode. The difference was significant. In addition it was found that atopic dermatitis, previous history of wheezing and established atopy increased the risk of croup recurrence. Alone or combined inhaled corticosteroids and GER therapy were administered, and 77.7% of the patients responded very well.
Conclusion:  GER and atopy should be investigated in patients with recurrent spasmodic croup. Recurrent croup is a non-specific manifestation of atopy. Patients with atopy should be followed closely for developing bronchial asthma.