Impact of Prophylactic Bilateral Central Lymph Nodes Dissection in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma; Short Term Outcome

Background:Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common thyroid carcinoma. There is a debate on prophylactic removal of central lymph nodes. Some authors advise it to avoid recurrence while other investigators condemn it due to its higher risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and/or hypoparathyroidism. Aim of the Work:The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and morbidity of central lymph nodes dissection during total thyroidectomy in the management of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Patients and Methods: Twelve patients were confirmed by histopathological evaluation to have papillary thyroid examination. Total thyroidectomy was done through transverse neck incision followed by removal of bilateral central group of lymph nodes. Patients were examined postoperatively for recurrent laryngeal nerve injury or hypoparathyroidism. Follow up was done 6 months later with neck ultrasonography,thyroglobulin and antithyroglobulin antibodies. Results: Thirty four percent of the studied cases proved to have lymph nodes metastasis. temporary hypocalcemia occurred in only one patient in this study and was temporary. Recurrent laryngeal nerve affection happened in 17% of the studied cases and was reversible by medical treatment. No evidence of recurrence happened in the first 6 months after operation. Conclusion:The risk of postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve injury or hypoparathyroidism is minimal after prophylactic CLND. Postoperative hypocalcemia and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury are usually reversible

Therapeutic use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder [ASD] is neurodevelopment disorder, characterized by impairment in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and the presence of restricted and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. The condition manifests within the first 3 years of life and persists till adulthood. At present, the etiology of ASD is largely unknown, but genetic, environmental, immunological, and neurological factors are thought to play a role in the development of ASD. The prevalence of ASD has increased dramatically in the past few decades. According to current estimates from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] as many as 1 in 91 children have ASD in USA. Studies from the Middle East on this topic are limited. Autism in Saudi Arabia is slightly higher than reported in the developed countries. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy [HBOT] has been growing in popularity for the treatment of ASD over recent years. However, few studies of its effectiveness have been reported. This article reviews important publications regarding the physiologic and clinical influence of HBO on ASD. Several case series and randomized trials have all proposed that low pressure/ low oxygen concentration hyperbaric treatment can improve the clinical manifestations of autism

Características tecnológicas de farinhas de arroz pré-gelatinizadas obtidas por extrusão termoplástica / Technological properties of pre-gelatinized rice flour obtained by thermoplastic extrusion

A farinha de arroz tem sido um ingrediente atrativo para a indústria de extrusados, devido à suas qualidades como sabor suave, cor branca e hipoalergenicidade. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, produzir e analisar farinha de arroz pré-gelatinizada (FPG) por extrusão termoplástica. As FPG foram produzidas num extrusor termoplástico monorosca Brabender, variando-se a umidade (19,2 a 24,8 por cento) e a temperatura de extrusão (108 a 192ºC). As características de torque, índice de expansão, propriedades viscoamilográficas, índice de absorção em água (IAA) e índice de solubilidade em água (ISA) das FPG foram analisadas por metodologia de superfície de resposta (MRS) e análise de componentes principais (ACP). Os resultados analisados por MRS e ACP indicaram que o torque e o índice de expansão dos extrusados apresentaram os maiores valores quando foram usados os menores teores de umidade. As FPG apresentaram, dentro das propriedades viscoamilográficas, a viscosidade inicial de pasta maior em temperaturas mais altas, já a viscosidade a 95ºC e a 50ºC foram maiores quando temperatura e umidade estavam em extremos opostos. O IAA foi menor quando se usaram baixas temperaturas e maiores teores de umidades; no entanto, o ISA, quando analisado pela MRS, não apresentou influência da temperatura e umidade, mas quando analisado pela ACP, foi maior quando as temperaturas estavam entre 120 - 150ºC e os teores de umidade entre 19,2 e 22 por cento. Concluindo, as análises de MRS e de ACP mostraram que a variação das propriedades tecnológicas das FPG foram relacionadas aos extremos de temperatura e/ou umidade utilizados durante o processo de extrusão, e a ACP foi capaz de complementar a análise feita através da MRS.

The rice flour has become an attractive ingredient in the extrusion industry due to its unique attributes such as bland taste, white color and hypoallergenicity. The purpose of this research was to produce and analyze pre-gelatinized rice flour (GRF) for thermoplastic extrusion. The GRF was extruded using a Brabender single screw extruder, varying moisture (19.2 - 24.8 percent) and extrusion temperature (108 - 192ºC). Torque, expansion index (EI), viscographic properties, water absorption index (WAI), and water solubility index (WSI) characteristics of GRF were analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM) and main component analysis (PCA). The results, analyzed by MRS and PCA, indicated that during the process, the values of torque and EI increased when lower moisture was used. Considering viscographic properties, GRF presented a higher initial viscosity of the starch paste when in higher temperatures, while viscosities at 95ºC and at 50ºC increased when temperature and moisture were at extreme opposites. WAI decreased when lower temperatures and higher moisture were used. WSI was not influenced by temperature and moisture when analyzed using MRS, but with PCA, there was an increase when temperatures ranged between 120 - 150ºC and moisture between 19.2 - 22 percent. In conclusion, both MRS and PCA analysis showed that a variation in the technological properties of GRF were related to the use of opposite extremes of temperature and/or moisture during the extrusion process, and the PCA was able to complete the analysis done using MRS.

Bond strength of esthetic brackets to esthetic substrates

This study was carried out to compare the shear bond strength of esthetic brackets [composite and ceramic] to enamel surface and to two esthetic restorative materials [millable composite blocks [MZ 100] and machinable ceramic blocks [Vita Mark II] using the Bistite II DC adhesive luting agent. This study was classified into three groups, two test groups [millable composite blocks [MZ 100, machinable ceramics [Vita Mark II] and control group [natural teeth extracted upper first premolars] [n=16]. The control group [upper first premolars] was extracted during routine orthodontic treatment. The teeth were washed then stored in 0.1% thymol solution. Small area on the buccal surface was ground flat then, polished with wet 400 and 600-grit silicon carbide abrasive paper. The second group was formed of sixteen blocks of millable composite [MZ 100]]. In addition, the third group was formed of sixteen blocks of machinable ceramics [Vita Mark II]. Each group was divided into two subgroups [A and B] according to the brackets type [composite or ceramic brackets] [n=8]. Adhesive bonding agent [Bistite II DC] was used for bonding of brackets to different substrates of the main three groups. All specimens were stored in water bath at 37 C for 45 days followed by thermal cycling for 500 cycles. Results; There was significant difference between composite brackets bonded to ceramic substrate and composite brackets bonded to composite substrate and vice versa, ceramic brackets bonded to ceramic substrate showed significant higher shear bond strength compared with ceramic brackets bonded to composite substrate. The clinical implication of this study is that the Bistite II DC adhesive can be used clinically for bonding esthetic brackets to esthetic substrates. Moreover, it is preferable to use ceramic brackets in case of ceramic restorations and composite brackets in case of composite restorations to get the highest shear bond strength regardless to the other characteristics of their designs

Microleakage of contemporary all-ceramic crowns

Statement of problem: New dental materials and techniques have been introduced in the past few years of fabricate all ceramic crowns with improved strength, biocompatibility and better fit. However poor marginal fit still considered a common disadvantage of these esthetic crowns

Purpose: This study investigated the influence of different luting agents and thermalcycling on the microleakage of recently developed all-ceramic crowns

Materials and Methods: A hundred twenty human maxillary premolars were prepared for all-ceramic crowns with the following preparation criteria: 6-degree axial taper, 1.5 mm shoulder finish line placed 0.5 mm occlusal to the CEJ, 2 mm occlusal reduction and occluso-gingival height of 5 mm. prepared teeth were restored with Empress 2 all-ceramic crowns. Six luting agents [Superbond C and B; [SB], Rely X ARC; [RX], Mirage FLC; [MF], GC Fuji CEM; [FC], ProTec CEM; [PT] and Zinc phosphate cement; [ZP]] were used for cementation [n=20]. After 1-week storage in water, half of the specimens of each group [n=10] were thermal cycles for 70000 cycles. Specimens were then immersed in 50 wt% aqueous solution of silver nitrate for 2 hours. Each specimen was embedded in clear acrylic resin and aqueous solution of silver nitrate for 2 hours. Each specimen was embedded in clear acrylic resin and sectioned mid mesiodistally and buccolingually using Isomet 1000 Precision Saw. For each section the degree of microleakage was graded 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 starting from the cervical margin using a stereomicroscope at 150 X original magnification. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used first to detect overall significance, followed by Mann-Whitney U tests to identify which pairs of groups had significant differences [alpha = 0.5]

Results: Thermalcycling significantly increased the degree of microleakage for all test groups at tooth/cement [T/C] and ceramic/cement [C/C] interfaces as follow, ZP [T/C, P = 0.0002], [C/C, P=0.0001]; PT [T/C, P = 0.0003], [C/C, P= 0.004]; FC, [T/C, P = 0.001], [C/C, P= 0.003]; SB, [T/C, P=0.002], [C/C, P=0.001]; RX, [T/C, P = 0.004], [C/C, P=0.011] and MF, [T/C, P = 0.008], [C/C, P = 0.009]. However adhesive resin cements and the paste form of hybrid glass ionomer cement significantly decreased the degree of microleakage compared to zinc phosphate cement [P<.05]Conclusion: There was a significant increase in the degree of microleakage after thermal cycling for all test groups at both tooth/cement and ceramic/cement interfaces. Adhesive resin cements and the past form of hybrid glass ionomer cement decreased the degree of microleakage

Clinical implications: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, the use of adhesive resin cements with a compatible dentin bonding agent and the paste form of hybrid glass ionomer cement are preferred for cementation of Empress 2 all ceramic crowns. These luting agents could improve the longevity of Empress 2 all-ceramic crowns

Beta-endorphin in serum and seminal plasma in infertile men / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To access beta-endorphin levels in serum as well as seminal plasma in different infertile male groups.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Beta-endorphin was estimated in the serum and seminal plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in 80 infertile men equally divided into four groups: non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), obstructive azoospermia (OA), congenital bilateral absent vas deferens (CBVAD) and asthenozoospermia. The results were compared to those of 20 normozoospermic proven fertile men.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a decrease in the mean levels of beta-endorphin in the seminal plasma of all successive infertile groups (mean +/- SD: NOA 51.30 +/- 27.37, OA 51.88 +/- 9.47, CBAVD 20.36 +/- 13.39, asthenozoospermia 49.26 +/- 12.49 pg/mL, respectively) compared to the normozoospermic fertile control (87.23 +/- 29.55 pg/mL). This relation was not present in mean serum level of beta-endorphin between four infertile groups (51.09 +/- 14.71, 49.76 +/- 12.4, 33.96 +/- 7.2, 69.1 +/- 16.57 pg/mL, respectively) and the fertile control group (49.26 +/- 31.32 pg/mL). The CBVAD group showed the lowest seminal plasma mean level of beta-endorphin. Testicular contribution of seminal beta-endorphin was estimated to be approximately 40%. Seminal beta-endorphin showed significant correlation with the sperm concentration (r = 0.699, P = 0.0188) and nonsignificant correlation with its serum level (r = 0.375, P = 0.185) or with the sperm motility percentage (r = 0.470, P = 0.899).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The estimation of beta-endorphin alone is not conclusive to evaluate male reproduction as there are many other opiates acting at the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis.</p>

effect of palm date intake during prelabour period on labour outcome among high risky women

Labour and birth are a natural process, they usually progress normally with no problems for mother and baby. Palm date or phoenix dactyl feral [tamr] is the most important source of energy. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of palm date [tamr] intake during the prelabour [two weeks] period on labour outcome among high risky women. This study included two groups: First group [experimental group 60] primigravida women who received antenatal and natal care and were eating for two weeks extra meal palm dates. Second group: [control group 70] primigravida women who received only a routine antenatal and natal care. Three tools were used for collecting data [sheet of general characteristics, Bishop score and partogram chart], which started from January to June 2005 [6 months], women constituted. Finding showed that the means of Bishop Scores of the study sample [experimental and control groups] at tune of their admission for labour were 10.5 +/- 1.1 and 7.2 +/- 1.1 respectively [t = 3.9] with significant difference P<0.05 between the two groups. The means and the S.D of the rate of cervical dilatation during active phase of labour in cm/hours among two groups [experimental and control] were 1.3 +/- 0.3 and 1 +/- 0.1 [t= 3.7]. Mean duration of labour of the two groups [experimental and control] were 5.1 +/- 0.9 and 6.5 +/- 1 respectively [t= 4.1]. The largest percent of the experimental group delivered spontaneous [88.3%] compared to [58.6%] in the control group. One minute Apgar score was >7 for most of the studied women's babies in both groups [90% and 86%]. Results revealed that [51.4%] of the control group need oxytocin augmentation compared to only [8.3%] in the experimental. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups [experimental and control] to the effect of taking palm date [tamr] during the prelabour [two weeks] period on labour outcome of the experimental group, mode and duration of delivery as well as the Apgar score of the newborn. The study recommended that materials as booklets should be available and provided to pregnant women about the importance of palm date intake during a prelabour period. A national program about health nutrition for pregnant women to facilitate labour activity should be provided

Bond strength of contemporary luting agents to human dentin

Purpose: This in-vitro study investigated the durability of shear bond strength [SBS] of recently introduced luting agents to human dentin

Materials and Methods: One-hundred and twenty lower molars were stored in 1% Thymol solution. The occlusal surface was prepared to a flat dentin surface. The molars were divided into six groups each of 20 specimens. Translucent plastic rings were filled with the following luting agents and luted to the prepared specimens, self-adhesive compomer luting cement, hybrid glass ionomer cement in past form and conventional glass ionomer. Bonding procedures were created according to the manufacturer instructions for each luting agent. One day after luting, 20 specimens of each luting agent were stored in water bath for 24 hours. The other 20 specimens of each luting agent were stored in water bath for 3 months and thermocycled for 10000 cycles. Shear force was applied to each specimen at the junction of the plastic ring/dentin interlace using a knife-edge rod at a cross head speed of 0.5mm/min in a universal testing machine. Non parametric methods. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests at p [0.05 were used for statistical analysis

Results: Medians [SBS] in MPa before and after thermalcycling are self-adhesive compomer luting cement, [CLC. 20. 413 MPa]: hybrid glass ionomer cement, [HGI, 22,14,6 MPa] and conventional glass innomer cemnt [CGI, 17.8 8.7 MPa]. There was no statistically significant difference in the median SBS of CLC and GIP before and alter storage in water and thermalcycling, however median SBS of CLC and HGI was significantly higher than median SBS of CGI before and after thermalcycling. On the other hand long term storage in water and thermalcycling significantly decreased SBS of CLC, HGI and CGI to human dentin

Clinical Implication: Hybrid glass ionomer and sell-adhesive compomer luting cements are preferred for luting indirect restorations