An in vivo method for microhardness measurements on human teeth

A non-destructive, in vivo method of measuring the enamel hardness directly on patients is described. Normal values on 39 students arc given and compared with those of five patients, one of whom suffered from abnormal oral acid concentration, and the others from the effects of various degrees of hyposialosis caused by radiologic treatment of tumors in head and neck. The difference between the two groups was significant below the 0.1% level. It was suggested that the method may be used to test the degree of salivary gland inactivation after radiologic treatment and the efficiency of different saliva substitutes used to alleviate the effects of hyposialosis.     

Outcome of the treatment of invasive non-transitional cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the treatment outcomes of non-transitional cell carcinoma (non-TCC) cases after radical cystectomy. METHODS: Radical cystectomy was performed in 259 invasive bladder cancer patients in our department and of these, 59 (22.7%) were non-TCC. Primary squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), adenocarcinomas and undifferentiated cancers (UC) were grouped as non-TCC of the bladder. Of the 59 non-TCC; 32 SCC, 20 UC, five adenocarcinoma and two sarcomatoid tumor cases were demonstrated. RESULTS: The 5-year disease-specific survival rate of TCC and non-TCC cases were 48.9 and 28.2%, respectively (P = 0.0016). The 5-year disease-specific survival rates of SCC and UC were 25.1 and 23.4%, respectively. The median survival time of SCC, UC and adenocarcinoma cases were 19, 12 and 6 months, respectively (P = 0.4579). The disease-specific survival rates of TCC and non-TCC cases at stage pT2NoMo were 79.1 and 27.2%, respectively (P = 0.0000). The median survival time of SCC, UC and adenocarcinoma cases were 19, 12 and 13.3 months, respectively, for the same stage. The survival time of TCC, SCC and UC cases at stage pT3NoMo were 23, 26 and 45 months, respectively (P = 0.2307). The median survival time at stages pT2-3N1Mo for the same groups were 18, 16 and 11 months, respectively (P = 0.0939). CONCLUSION: The study presented here demonstrates that both TCC and non-TCC cases have poor survival rates in locally advanced disease and that at the pT2NoMo stage the prognosis of non-TCC cases is poor when compared with TCC cases.     

PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT AFTER TESTICULAR CANCER TREATMENT

Purpose

The high cure rate in testicular cancer has provoked investigations relating to the quality of life in long-term survivors. We determine the psychosocial consequences of the disease especially in regard to sexual and professional performance.

Materials and Methods

Among the testicular cancer patients treated with various treatment modalities 140 rendered free of disease for at least a year were included in this study. General Health Questionnaire 28 and a general survey were used to determine quality of life issues.

Results

Regarding the sexual life of these patients, problems related to libido, erection and ejaculation increased significantly during treatment and subsequently recovered but did not return to baseline after treatment. During treatment the frequency of sexual intercourse and/or masturbation decreased significantly in all patients. Of the single patients 35% thought that medical history would be a concern for the potential spouse. Regarding professional lives, 22.4% thought that they had better performance after treatment compared to before therapy, whereas only 6.1% reported it to be worse. When professional performance was analyzed according to the treatment modalities those who had received radiotherapy did worse. General Health Questionnaire scores indicated that patients with this disease had a positive view of life compared to that of the normal population.

Conclusions

Although we observed a substantial recovery in sexual life after treatment, it was evident that therapy did have a negative effect on sexual functions. There was no effect on occupational performance and perspective of life, which may be related to the fact of having overcome a life threatening disease.     

Ouabain诱导建立大鼠弱精子症模型

目的:建立SD大鼠腹腔注射Ouabain诱导的弱精子症动物模型。方法:健康性成熟SD雄性大鼠40只,随机分为对照组(生理盐水,n=10),低剂量实验组(Ouabain 12.5μg/kg,n=15),高剂量实验组(Ouabain 25μg/kg,n=15),各组大鼠连续每日腹腔注射相应试剂,qd×30 d,观察各组附睾精子活力及活动率的变化,同时观察本实验剂量范围的Ouabain对大鼠生殖系统及全身可能的毒性反应。结果:与对照组相比,实验组大鼠精子数量无明显变化,但精子活力及活动率显著下降。高剂量及低剂量Ouabain组连续给药30 d后大鼠附睾精子活力分别为48.27%和44.73%,与对照组(73.33%)相比有显著性差异(P<0.01),且高、低剂量组间差异显著(P<0.01);高、低剂量组大鼠精子活动率分别为52.26%和49.95%,与对照组(78.70%)相比有显著性差异(P<0.01),高、低剂量组间亦有统计学差异(P<0.01)。本实验剂量范围内,Ouabain对大鼠生殖器官及全身重要脏器未显示明显的毒性反应。结论:Ouabain经腹腔注射给药30 d能成功诱导建立SD大鼠弱精子症模型的,且未见明显的生殖系统和全身毒性反应。     

Microbiological findings and clinical treatment procedures in endodontic cases selected for microbiological investigation

The relationship between bacteriological findings and clinical treatment procedures was investigated in root canal treatment cases that were selected for bacteriological investigation by general dental practitioners in Finland. The cultures were sent to the Oral Microbiological Service Laboratory at the Institute of Dentistry in Helsinki. Two groups of teeth were selected based on the type of infection present in the root canal system. The 'enteric bacteria' group consisted of 40 sequential cases where Enterococcus faecalis and/or other facultative enteric bacteria or Pseudomonas sp. were found in the samples in pure culture (35%) or together with other types of bacteria. The group 'non-enteric bacteria' consisted of 40 sequential cases where only non-enteric bacteria were found. The dentists who had sent the bacteriological samples received a questionnaire where they were asked about the treatment protocol and procedures. A total of 70 out of 80 questionnaires were returned. If the root canals had been unsealed at some point during the treatment, enteric bacteria were found more frequently than in canals with an adequate seal between the appointments. Of cases with enteric bacteria 55% had been open during the treatment, while in the group where only non-enteric bacteria were found 30% had been open. Enteric bacteria were also more frequently isolated in cases with a high number of appointments before sampling. In the enteric bacteria group 35% of the samples were taken at the 10th visit or later, while the corresponding percentage in the non-enteric group was 3%. In addition, the number of retreatment cases was significantly higher, 12 out of 34, in the enteric bacteria group than in non-enteric bacteria group, which was five out of 36. Other clinical parameters showed no differences between the two groups. The results emphasize the importance of controlled asepsis throughout the root canal treatment.     

Peritoneal albumin leakage: 2 year prospective cardiovascular event occurrence and patient survival analysis

Aim: High peritoneal transport status is a determinant of morbidity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. It was hypothesized that 24 h peritoneal albumin leakage predicted 2 year prospective cardiovascular outcome and survival in patients receiving PD. Methods: Sixty‐six patients were included. A simplified peritoneal equilibration test was performed and 24 h peritoneal albumin leakage was calculated. Patients were followed up for 2 years. Patient outcome (alive or dead) and occurrence of a cardiovascular event were recorded. Results: During a 2 year follow‐up period, 10 (15.2%) patients had suffered from a cardiovascular event and seven (10.6%) patients had died. Patients who had suffered from a cardiovascular event during the follow up period were older (54.0 ± 9.4 years vs 44.3 ± 14.5 years, P = 0.025), had lower serum pre‐albumin concentrations (29.3 ± 10.0 g/dL vs 36.0 ± 9.2 g/dL, P = 0.034) and had higher 24 h peritoneal albumin leakage (median, 3.4 g/day (1.66–15.4 g/day) vs 2.4 g/day (0.76–7.31 g/day), P = 0.011) than patients who did not suffer from a cardiovascular event. In the Cox proportional hazards multivariate analysis of factors which differed significantly between patients with and without a cardiovascular event (age, serum pre‐albumin and 24 h peritoneal albumin leakage), only advanced age (hazards ratio, 1.083; 95% confidence interval, 1.023–1.147, P = 0.006) was an independent predictor of a cardiovascular event. Conclusion: In contrast to the hypothesis, 24 h peritoneal albumin leakage is not a predictor of 2 year prospective cardiovascular outcome and patient survival. Only advanced age independently predicts the occurrence of a cardiovascular event in patients receiving PD.     

Large pelvic schwannoma causing bilateral hydronephrosis

Schwannoma is a tumor originating from neural sheath schwann cells. We report here a case of benign retroperitoneal schwannoma that caused bilateral ureterohydronephrosis. The retroperitoneal localization in the present case is unusual. The tumor was 21 x 18 x 11 cm in dimension and reached from the prostate to the umbilical level. Even though the patient had bilateral hydronephrosis, the renal function tests results were in the normal range. Complete surgical excision was achieved by anterior laparotomy. Histological and immunohistochemical studies confirmed the diagnosis. At 6 months follow-up there was no evidence of recurrence and renal function test results were normal.     

Is it Safe to Close ASD with the Guidance of Transthoraxic Echocardiography in Pediatric Population “Ten Years' Experience of a Single Center”

Objective

Main purpose of this study is to emphasize the usage and safety of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in appropriate pediatric cases.

Background

Nowadays, percutaneous closure is preferred as treatment modality for ASD in pediatric age group.

Methods

Between the dates December 2003–August 2013; 340 patients whose ASD were closed included in this study. Physical examination, electrocardiogram, TTE were done before the procedure, at the 24th hour, 1st and 6th month after the procedure. After the 6th month, routine control was done annually. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed in 184 cases with large, multifenestrated ASD and when TTE views were poor in quality. We selected the 201 patients whose ASD diameter between 10–20 mm and formed 2 homogeneous groups according to the type of echocardiography used (TEE or TTE) in order to compare the role of echocardiography.

Results

The demographic features of patients of 2 groups were similar. There was not any statistically difference between ASD, balloon sizing diameters between the groups. No statistically significant difference in the success, complication, and residual shunt rates was found between the groups. Procedure, fluoroscopy time, and amount were significantly higher in TEE group. When hemodynamic variables except pulmonary blood flow to systemic blood flow (Qp/Qs; right–left atrium mean pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and peak‐mean pulmonary arterial pressure) were compared, there was not statistically difference.

Conclusion

TEE is an invasive procedure and requires general anesthesia, therefore, it should not be done routinely in ASD but only in selected cases. If the size and the anatomy of ASD is appropriate, TTE should be preferred primarily in percutaneous ASD closure.