Effects of intranasal 17beta-estradiol and raloxifene on lipid profile and fibrinogen in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

AIM: To compare the effects of 17beta-estradiol given intranasally (intranasal E2) and raloxifene on serum lipid profile and fibrinogen in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. METHODS: The study population consisted of 46 women after menopause. The placebo group (n = 11) was given calcium, while the intervention groups were given intranasal E2 (Aerodiol; Servier, Chambray-les-Tours, France) (n = 16) or raloxifene (Evista; Lilly SA, Madrid, Spain) (n = 19). Blood lipids and fibrinogen were compared between groups at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. RESULTS: The group receiving intranasal E2 showed a significant decrease in triglyceride levels (p<0.05) and a marked increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p<0.05). No changes in lipid profile were observed in the raloxifene and placebo groups. Raloxifene caused a significant decrease in fibrinogen levels (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Intranasal E2 exerts significant effects on lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Raloxifene has a greater impact on fibrinogen than intranasal E2 application.     

The role of nebulised budesonide in the treatment of exacerbations of COPD.

The present study was designed to evaluate the hypothesis that nebulised budesonide (NB) might be an alternative to systemic corticosteroids (SC) in the treatment of patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ECOPD). Patients hospitalised with ECOPD (n = 159) were randomised into three groups. Group 1 received only standard bronchodilator treatment (SBDT), group 2 received SC (40 mg prednisolone) plus SBDT, and group 3 received NB (1,500 microg q.i.d.) plus SBDT. Improvement during 10-day hospitalisation was compared with exacerbation and rehospitalisation rates after discharge. While mean+/-sd age was 64.1+/-8.9 yrs (female/male = 0.1), mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) at admission was found to be 37.2+/-12.2% predicted. Arterial blood gases and spirograms recovered faster in groups 2 and 3. While improvements in arterial oxygen tension (P(a,O(2))) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in group 2, and improvements in P(a,O(2)), FVC and FEV(1) in group 3, became significant at 24-h control, the first significant improvement in group 1 appeared in arterial oxygen saturation at 72-h control. The mean improvement of P(a,O(2)) after 10 days was 1.20 and 1.06 kPa (9 and 8 mmHg) higher in group 2 and 3, respectively, than in group 1. Blood glucose exhibited an upward trend only in group 2. The study demonstrates that nebulised budesonide may be an effective and safe alternative to systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.     

Late right ventricular reconstruction following valvotomy in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum

Experience over two decades in the surgical management of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum demonstrates that eventual right ventricular (RV) reconstruction is possible in the majority of patients surviving valvotomy in infancy. Ten of 17 operative survivors of early valvotomy have eventually received a patch graft to the RV outflow tract, with no reoperative deaths (mean follow-up, 7.4 years). RV systolic pressures, suprasystemic prior to reoperation, are near normal after outflow patch reconstruction. Serial cineangiograms show evidence of RV growth by measurement of tricuspid annulus diameter (TAD), and demonstrate a rate of growth [d(TAD)/d(body length)] greater than a normal rate derived from autopsy data. The mean TAD growth rate is significantly greater than that of patients with less favorable ventricle types treated with a systemic-pulmonary shunt alone. Measurement of TAD is a useful method for following RV growth, and may aid in selecting patients for RV reconstruction.     

Amyloidaceous ulcerated gingival hyperplasia: a newly described entity related to ligneous conjunctivitis

Gingival hyperplasia may be genetic, may be acquired as a consequence of exposure to drugs and other agents or may appear as part of a more widespread disorder. Five patients who acquired gingival hyperplasia due to amyloidaceous deposits staining only for fibrin are presented. This appears to be a new entity related to ligneous conjunctivitis.     

Effect of surface conditioning methods on the bond strength of luting cement to ceramics

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of three different surface conditioning methods on the bond strength of a Bis-GMA based luting cement to six commercial dental ceramics. METHODS: Six disc shaped ceramic specimens (glass ceramics, glass infiltrated alumina, glass infiltrated zirconium dioxide reinforced alumina) were used for each test group yielding a total number of 216 specimens. The specimens in each group were randomly assigned to one of the each following treatment conditions: (1) hydrofluoric acid etching, (2) airborne particle abrasion, (3) tribochemical silica coating. The resin composite luting cement was bonded to the conditioned and silanized ceramics using polyethylene molds. All specimens were tested at dry and thermocycled (6.000, 5-55 degrees C, 30 s) conditions. The shear bond strength of luting cement to ceramics was measured in a universal testing machine (1 mm/min). RESULTS: In dry conditions, acid etched glass ceramics exhibited significantly higher results (26.4-29.4 MPa) than those of glass infiltrated alumina ceramics (5.3-18.1 MPa) or zirconium dioxide (8.1 MPa) (ANOVA, P<0.001). Silica coating with silanization increased the bond strength significantly for high-alumina ceramics (8.5-21.8 MPa) and glass infiltrated zirconium dioxide ceramic (17.4 MPa) compared to that of airborne particle abrasion (ANOVA, P<0.001). Thermocycling decreased the bond strengths significantly after all of the conditioning methods tested. SIGNIFICANCE: Bond strengths of the luting cement tested on the dental ceramics following surface conditioning methods varied in accordance with the ceramic types. Hydrofluoric acid gel was effective mostly on the ceramics having glassy matrix in their structures. Roughening the ceramic surfaces with air particle abrasion provided higher bond strengths for high-alumina ceramics and the values increased more significantly after silica coating/silanization.     

The effect of calcium dobesilate on venous function following saphenectomy in coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether prophylactic use of calcium dobesilate (CD) can improve venous function after saphenous vein harvest in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients who underwent elective CABG were divided into four equal groups. In Group A, the greater saphenous vein (GSV) was harvested below the knee and, in Group B, through the knee till the groin. These patients remained untreated. Group C received CD in a dosage of 1500 mg po daily after the GSV was harvested below the knee. Group D received same dosage of CD after the GSV was harvested through the knee till the groin. Venous function of ipsilateral leg was evaluated clinically and by Doppler ultrasonography in the postoperative first week and second month. RESULTS: Clinical findings of venous insufficiency were observed with a similar rate between groups at both early and late periods. In Groups A and B, after 2 months, flow velocities decreased and reflux periods increased significantly. In groups C and D, treatment with CD for 2 months after saphenectomy resulted in a significant increase in flow velocities and a significant decrease in reflux periods. Patients in Groups B and D have significantly more impaired venous functions. CONCLUSION: Saphenectomy results in ipsilateral leg venous dysfunction, which seems to be unrelated to leg swelling and to be more prominent in patients with high-level saphenectomy. In addition, to be careful about the restriction of the saphenectomy procedure into the most appropriate level, prophylactic use of CD can prevent this deterioration when it was added to varice socks.     

Middle ear pathology in day-care centre children

BACKGROUND: Middle ear pathology, either otitis media with effusion or tubal dysfunction, is frequently seen in day-care centre children. Recognition and early treatment of this condition is crucial to the prevention of chronic otitis media, which is a major cause of hearing loss in later life. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to reveal the incidence of silent otitis media in day-care centre children and to determine the predisposing factors, risk factors and the awareness of the parents of the middle ear disease of their children. METHOD: Two hundred and thirteen children, aged 3-6 years, were screened in four daycare centres. A questionnaire was prepared that would reveal the predisposing factors. Information was gathered from both the parents and teachers. Children were examined by otoscopy, pneumotoscopy, tympanometry and X-rays for sinus pathology. RESULTS: Forty-three of 213 children had middle ear pathology; 39 of them were confirmed by tympanometry; 56.1 % of children had some degree of sinus pathology. We revealed that, although most of the children do not have the risk factors, they develop middle ear pathology. Among the parents, 81.4% of them were unaware of the condition. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of middle ear pathologies is necessary for prevention of future complications. In early stages the condition is silent. We emphasize the importance of the primary care physician's role in diagnosing the early stages of middle ear pathologies and recommend that teaching of otoscopic and pneumotoscopic skills should be part of the training for family physicians.      

Recurrent retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma

Retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma is a rare congenital malformation. The majority of lymphangiomas are present at birth and nearly all present before the age of two years. We report a case of giant cystic retroperitoneal lymphangioma in a patient who first presented with symptoms at the age of 7, underwent surgery, and who then suffered a recurrent mass 11 years later.     

Assessment of changes in penile sensation by electrophysiological study after radical prostatectomy: A pilot study

Background:To evaluate the changes in penile sensation by electrophysiological tests in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) and to demonstrate the role of dorsal penile nerve injury in postoperative erectile dysfunction.Materials and methods:Twenty-six volunteer patients who were eligible for RP were included in the study. Preoperative penile sensory electromyography and the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire were done for each patient. Erectile function assessment and electrophysiological evaluation of penile sensation were repeated at postoperative 3rd and 6th months.Results:Postoperative IIEF-5 scores and electromyography values were significantly lower than preoperative findings (p < 0.05). The IIEF-5 scores in the nerve sparing-RP (NS-RP) group were significantly higher than the non-nerve sparing-RP (NNS-RP) group in the postoperative period. Nerve conduction velocity values in the NS-RP group were also higher than the NNS-RP group at the postoperative 3rd and 6th months. However, these changes were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).Conclusions:Patients who underwent RP have decreased penile sensation due to cavernous nerve damage and a possible dorsal penile nerve injury. The decrease of penile sensation may be associated with postoperative erectile dysfunction.