Effect of novel pre-sintered zirconia surface treatment on shear bond strength between zirconia and veneering porcelain compared to conventional surface treatments: an in-vitro study / Efeito de um novo tratamento de superfície de zircônia pré-sinterizada na resistência ao cisalhamento entre zircônia e porcelana em comparação com os tratamentos de superfície convencionais: estudo in vitro

Objective: to evaluate the effect of novel zirconia surface treatment method on shear bond strength between zirconia and veneering porcelain compared to air abrasion and CoJet surface treatment methods. Material and Methods: twenty-one zirconia ceramic discs were fabricated with diameter of 7mm and 3mm thickness and divided according to surface treatment into three subgroups, control group I: Air Abrasion (n=7), group II: CoJet (n=7) and group III: Z-etch (n=7). Porcelain was built over the zirconia specimens with a customized mold and fired in a ceramic furnace. All specimens were thermocycled (20000 cycles) between 5°C ­ 55 °C with a dwell time of 30 seconds in distilled water and shear bond strength of veneering porcelain to each zirconia specimen was tested using a universal testing machine. Results: numerical data were explored for normality by checking the distribution of data and using tests of normality (Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests). One-way ANOVA test was used to compare between the groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the three groups (P-value = 0.002, Effect size = 0.503). Pair-wise comparisons between groups revealed that Z-etch showed the statistically significantly highest mean shear bond strength. Conclusion: zirconia coating using z-etch is showing promising results in promoting higher bond strength than conventional surface treatment methods as air abrasion and silica coating (AU)

Objetivo: avaliar o efeito do novo método de tratamento de superfície de zircônia na resistência ao cisalhamento entre a zircônia e a porcelana de cobertura em comparação com os métodos de abrasão a ar e jateamento com CoJet. Material e Métodos: vinte e um discos de zircônia foram confeccionados com diâmetro de 7mm e espessura de 3mm e divididos de acordo com o tratamento de superfície em três subgrupos, grupo controle I: Abrasão a ar (n=7), grupo II: CoJet (n=7) e grupo III: Z-etch (n=7). A porcelana foi aplicada sobre os espécimes de zircônia com um molde personalizado e sinterizada em forno de cerâmica. Todos os espécimes foram termociclados (20.000 ciclos) entre 5°C - 55°C com um tempo de permanência de 30 segundos em água destilada e a resistência ao cisalhamento da porcelana de cobertura foi testada através de uma máquina de ensaio universal. Resultados: os dados numéricos foram avaliados quanto à normalidade, verificando a distribuição dos dados e utilizando testes de normalidade (testes de Kolmogorov-Smirnov e Shapiro-Wilk). O teste ANOVA de um fator foi utilizado para comparar os grupos. Houve uma diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os três grupos (P-valor = 0,002, tamanho do efeito = 0,503). As comparações pareadas entre os grupos revelaram que o Z-etch apresentou a resistência de união ao cisalhamento estatisticamente significativamente mais alta. Conclusão: o revestimento de zircônia utilizando Z-etch mostrou resultados promissores para o aumento da resistência de união em comparação aos métodos convencionais de tratamento de superfície, como abrasão a ar e revestimento de sílica (AU)

Therapeutic effects of an ethanolic olive leaves extract or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells against liver injury induced by gamma radiation

Background: Ionizing radiation absorption causes immediate biochemical, sub cellular and cellular damage, while its morphological expression and organ dysfunction are often considerably delayed. This study was aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of ethanolic olive leaves extract or bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cells [BM-MSCs] transplanted in the liver of rats exposed to gamma radiation. For this purpose, hematological and biochemical parameters were determined

Materials and methods: 50 adult male albino rats [Sprague dawely strain] were used in this study. They were divided into 5 groups [C group: Untreated control rats; R group: rats exposed to a single dose of gamma-radiation [6 Gy], OLE group: rats treated with olive leaves extract [15 mg /kg body weight / day for 30 days], R+OLE group: animals of this group were irradiated with 6Gy then treated with OLE [15 mg /kg body weight/ day] after 3 hours post irradiation for 30 days. and R+MSCs group: Mesenchymal stem cells-irradiated animals [MSCs +R]: animals of this group were irradiated with 6Gy then injected after 6hours post irradiation with [BM-MSCs] 3x10[6] cells/ml suspension through caudal vein. All these groups were subjected to hematological and biochemical investigations

Results: Hematological and liver function changes were shown in gamma irradiated rats, these changes included a significant depression in hematological parameters of blood such as [RBCs, Hb, Hct and WBCs] and a significant increase in liver parameters [ALT,AST and ALP] at different intervals of the experiment in comparison with the control group. These changes manifested good amelioration in the exposed groups by using either olive leaves extract [OLE] or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells [BM-MSCs]

Conclusion: Ethanolic olive leaves extracts and mesenchymal stem cells have ameliorated hematological and biochemical parameters changes in liver of the irradiated group. Their actions may be due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

Superiority of D-zone testing method over standard method to detect inducible resistance in gram positive bacteria: a prospective surveillance from a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia

In this prospective study, we determined phenotypic resistance to erythromycin among gram positive bacteria. Bacterial isolates were identified by conventional methods and by the Micro Scan: D-test zone was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards institutes [CLSI] recommendations to determine inducible resistance to clindamycin on gram positive bacteria isolated from different clinical specimens. Bacterial isolates included: group A streptococci [GAS], group B streptococci [GBS], viridans streptococci, S pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus [S.aureus] [both methicillin susceptible [MSSA] and methicillin resistant [MRSA]. A total of 1072 gram positive bacterial isolates were tested. The majority was from swabs collected from outpatient clinics. Erythromycin resistance was 8/23 [35%] for S. pneumoniae, 12/91 [13%] for GAS and 17/300 [5.7%] for GBS. All GAS and viridans streptococci possessed the efflux phenotype only. 8[8.8%] and 1[20%], respectively. For GBS, cMLS[B] phenotype. Seventy five isolates [16.3%] of MSSA were resistant to erythromycin compared to 160[83%] of MRSA. The majority of MSSA, 31/460 [6.7%] had an efflux phenotype while 26/460 [5.6%] were of cMLS[B] and 19/460[4%] iMLS[B] phenotypes. Constitutive MLS[B] was the most predominant resistant phenotype, 152/193 [78.8%] among MRSA. D-test zone should be considered for routine testing to detect inducible clindamycin resistance among significant gram positive bacteria

Ciprofloxacin resistance among bacterial isolates in a teaching hospital in Riyadh Saudi Arabia 2001-2005

To present trends of resistance to ciprofloxacin among common organisms isolated at King Khalid University Hospital [KKUH] between 2001-2005. Ciprofloxacin susceptibility of all isolates of Gram negative and Gram positive organisms were retrospectively obtained during the period from 2001-2005 in KKUH. Data from intensive care unit [ICU] and non-ICU patients were separately analyzed. Escherichia coli [E.coli] resistance increased from 10% in 2001 to 22% in 2005. Enterobacter cloacae [Ent.cloacae] resistance decreased from 11-14% in 2003 -2004 to 7% as in 2001 and 2005. Klebsiella pneumoniae [K.pneumoniae] resistance fluctuated from 6% in 2002 and 2003, 13% in 2004 to 6% in 2005. Pseudomonas aeruginosa [P.aeruginosa] resistance ranged from 7% - 8% during this study period while that of Acinetobacter spp. ranged between 45% to 62% and Staphylococcus aureus [S.aureus] resistance doubled from 18% in 2001 to 39% in 2005. None of Streptococcus pneumoniae [S.pneumoniae] isolates showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. Isolates of E .coli, Acinetobacter spp. and S.aureus from non-ICU patients showed higher resistance to ciprofloxacin than isolates from ICU patients while K.pneumoniae and P.aeruginosa showed higher resistance from ICU patients than isolates from non-ICU patients. Ciprofloxacin resistance among many Gram negative species and S.aureus is an increasing threat among many Gram negative species and S.aureus in our hospital in both ICU and non-ICU patients

Hemostatic markers of coagulopathy in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Hemostatic disorders are leading causes of death in patients with acute myeloid leukemia [AML] and particularly those with acute prom yelocytic leukemia [APL]. A contribution of fibrinolytic mechanisms has been claimed in the patho genesis of APL coagulopathy but investigations of the fibrinolytic activity of prom yelocytes have yielded conflicting results, sometimes based on reports of scattered [single] cases. The aim of this work is to study the changes of the different markers of thrombin generation and fibrinolysis in patients with APL and those with other AML subtypes [non APL-A ML], and to clarify the patho genesis of coagulopathy in patients with APL compard with those with non APL -A ML. The study included blood samples of 15 patients with APL and 25 patients with non APL-A ML, as well as 20 apparently healthy children with matched age and sex as a control group. Cases and controls were all subjected to the following investigations: pro thrombin concentration [PC], activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT], thrombin-anti thrombin complex [TAT], prothrombin fragment 1+2 [PF1+2], fibrinopeptide A [FPA], D-dimer, fibrinogen level, plasminogen activator inhibitor [PAI] and alpha 2-antiplasmin [alpha 2-AP]. As regards the markers of thrombosis PC was significantly lower in APL and AML in comparison to controls and in the same time it was significantly lower in APL in comparison to AML. PT, APTT, TAT, PF1+2, FPA and D-dimer levels in plasma of both APL and AML were significantly higher than controls and also it was found that these markers were significantly higher in APL than AML. About the fibrinolytic markers, fibrinogen was significantly lower in the cases of APL and AML than controls and it was found to be significantly lower in APL than AML. PAI and alpha 2-AP were significantly lower in APL and AML than controls but there was no significant difference between APL and AML. In the APL group a positive correlation was found between bone marrow promyelocyte% and D-dimer [r= 0.718, P< 0.003**] and between TAT and prepheral absolute promyelocyte [x10/L] [r=0.677, P< 0.006**]. In conclusion, acute myeloid leukemia in children, either APL or non-APL causes some changes in hemostatic mechanisms leading to acute DIC which was proved by the following tests: * Procoagulant activation which is proved by prolongation of APTT, PT, increased TAT, prothrombin fragment 1+2, fibrinopeptide A plasma levels as well as decreased prothrombin concentration and fibrinogen levels. * Fibrinolytic activation proved by decreased plasminogen activator inhibitor, alpha 2-antiplasmin plasma levels as well as increased plasma level of D-dimer which is a marker of plasmin activation. * Inhibitor consumption, proved by the study showed that the aforementioned laboratorial abnormalities were aggravated among cases with APL than those with non-APL-AML So DIC can be detected before bleeding

Comparison of susceptibility testing methods for the detection of methicillin/oxacillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

To compare the accuracy of disk diffusion method and E-test for the detection of methicillin resistance and low-level methicillin-resistance in Staphylococcus aureus [S. aureus] and the PBP2a latex agglutination test for confirmation. A total of 76 methicillin resistant S. aureus [MRSA] isolates from different clinical specimens were tested by disk diffusion method. Disk d i ffusion method was performed using methicillin [MET] 5microg disk, oxacillin [OX] 1 microg disk, moxalactam [MOX], and cefoxitin [FOX] 30 microg each on Mueller Hinton agar [MHA] plates supplemented with 2% NaCl and incubated at 35 °C for 24 hours. Minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] was performed by E-test for MET and OX on MHA plates containing 2% NaCl. Results for all tests were read according to NCCLS recommendations for zone of inhibition and break points. Low-level MRSA strains were confirmed by PBP2a latex agglutination test. All strains were tested for ?-lactamase production. All MRSA strains were detected by disk diffusion methods using MET, OX and FOX [100%]. Four [5.2%] strains were low-level MRSA by MOX disk. E-test detected 72 [94.7%] using MET and 74 [97.3%] MRSA strains using OX. No heterogeneous growth within the zones of inhibitions was noticed. One MRSA was misclassified as methicillin sensitive by MET E-test [MIC 6 microg /ml], but was 32 microg/ml by OX E-test. Two strains were low-level MRSA by E-tests but showed resistance by MET, OX and FOX disk diffusion method. One strain had MIC of 12 microg/ml both by OX and MET E-tests. All four strains showed low-level resistance by MOX disk and were positive for PBP2a latex agglutination test. All the strains produced ?-lactamase. Conclusion: Disk diffusion method using MET, OX, and FOX can reliably be used to detect methicillin resistance in S. aureus. MOX and E-test can be used to detect lowlevel methicillin resistance and these can further be confirmed by PBP2a latex agglutination test in diagnostic laboratories

Studies on the effect of barley and chromium on diabetic and diabetic hyperchslesterolemic rats

The present study investigated the effect of feeding barley and chromium [Cr] supplement on food intake, body weight gain % and feed efficiency ratio in diabetic and diabetic hypercholesterolemic rats. Blood glucose, blood lipids, Cr, insulin and liver enzymes were also studied. Barley was chemically analyzed and its content of carbohydrate, protein, fat, dietary fibers beta-glucan, ash and Cr were determined. Rats were divided into 9 groups [6 per group], 8 of which were made diabetic by streptozotocin injection. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in half of the diabetic groups. Each of the diabetic [D] and the diabetic hypercholestero!emic [DH] rats were given barley-based diets [BBDs] at 2 levels [100 and 50%] and basal diet with or without Cr supplement in drinking water. The results of this study indicated that BBDs and Cr supplement improved the diabetic state in both D and DH rats. Daily food intake, body weight gain%, food efficiency ratio, serum levels of glucose, insulin, Cr, total cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoproteins and liver enzyme levels were favorably altered. The 100% BBD had the most beneficial effect; while the 50% BBD and the Cr supplement had comparable effects on most of the studied parameters. It was recommended that barley-based food products should be made available for diabetics since barley was shown to improve the diabetic state

Screening for human papillomavirus [HPV] in Egyptian females by the second-generation hybrid capture [HC II] test

Human Papillomavirus [HPV] infection is the main cause of cervical cancers and cervical intraepithelial neoplasias [CIN] worldwide. Consequently, it would be useful to evaluate HPV testing to screen for cervical cancer. Recently developed, the second-generation Hybrid Capture [HC II] test is a non-radioactive, relatively rapid, liquid hybridization assay designed to detect 18 HPV types, divided into high and low-risk groups. This test has an additional advantage, as it is also designed to provide quantitative estimates of the viral load .The aim of the present work, is to detect the rate of HPV infection and its various genotypes among the attendants of Kasr El Aini out patient gynecology clinic, using a non-invasive approach and to provide quantitative estimates of viral load. We evaluated 166 Egyptian females for HPV infection with the HC II test. The mean age of the participants was 37.28 +/- 9.16 years. According to cytology, the females were classified into normal cytology, chronic nonspecific cervicitis and squamous intraepithelial lesions [SILs]. The overall prevalence of HPV DNA in the studied groups was 15.06% [25/166], ranging from 6.6% [7/106] in normal cytology to 18% [9/50] in chronic nonspecific cervicitis to 90% [9/10] in squamous intraepithelial lesions. Among the 25 HPV- positive women, 16 [64%] were infected with high-risk HPV types, 4[16%] were infected with low risk HPV types, while 5[20%] had both types. Twenty-one [84%] of the infected woman harbored at least one high risk HPV type while 9[36%] harbored at least one low risk HPV type. Values of HPV viral load for low risk HPV infecton showed no significant difference for normal and chronic nonspecific cervicitis. But when HPV viral load of high risk HPV infecton was compared in normal, chronic nonspecific cervicitis and SIL a significant difference was found between normal and chronic nonspecific cervicitis, and between chronic nonspecific cervicitis and SIL and between normal and SIL, suggesting an association between viral load and risk of SIL and accordingly risk of cancer. Mixed HPV infection gave high viral load values even in normal smears. The viral load was apparently higher in SIL. From this study we may conclude that HPV testing using HC II assay is a useful tool when combined with cytology in diagnosing high-risk HPV viral types in apparently normal tissues. This may decrease greatly the increasing referral rate for colposcopy. This will reduce the cost services and could contribute to cancer prevention. Thus, this test may facilitate the detection of silent carriers of HPV by a sensitive noninvasive technique; leading to the identification of Egyptian women at risk of cervical neoplasia

Adrenomedullin [AM] and rheumatoid arthritis

The study was undertaken to measure the plasma and synovial concentration of AM and to investigate whether AM level is related to biochemical and/or clinical indicators of disease activity in RA. Twenty five adult RA patients and twenty age and sex matched healthy volunteers as a control group, were studied. A full medical history and clinical examination were done. Disease activity for the RA patients was assessed using the modified Disease Activity Score. Synovial fluid [SF] was aspirated from the knee joint of 9 RA patients and 5 subjects undergoing knee arthroscopy for repair of traumatic anterior cruciate ligament injury. Measurement of plasma and synovial fluid AM concentration was done with radio-immunoassay [RIA]. RA patients had significantly [p<0.001] elevated mean plasma AM concentration [16. 26 +/- 2.98 pmoles/ liter] as compared to healthy controls [2.55 +/- 0.42 pmoles/liter]. Plasma AM levels were about 6-fold higher than those detected in controls. Furthermore, the synovial fluid AM concentration was significantly [p<0.001] higher in RA patients [5.64 +/- 7.39 pmoles/liter] than in control subjects [0.85 +/- 1.97 pmoles/liter], showing a 6.5-fold increase than normal values. In fact both plasma and synovial fluid AM concentrations correlated positively with disease activity score, number of swollen and tender joints in the RA group [p<0.005]. Also, there was a positive correlation between plasma AM and SF AM levels in both RA patients and controls. Although the exact significance of elevation of adrenomedullin concentration in RA is not clear, these results suggest that the observed elevation of adrenomedullin in RA patients may be part of a compensatory mechanism to offset further development of inflammatory arthritis. Our results also suggest the possibility that interventions aimed at controlling the balance of adrenomedullin and other vasoconstrictive peptides as endothelin-1 might prove fruitful in preventing synovitis in RA patients. However, further studies will be necessary to clarify the physiological significance of adrenomedullin in RA