Laser-Assisted Vascular Malformation Resection: A Novel Surgical Approach.

Vascular malformations can be treated using sclerotherapy agents like alcohol, polidocanol, or sodium tetradecyl sulfate foam and embolization treatments. These endovascular treatments may cause severe complications as pulmonary embolism and thrombosis. 980-nm diode lasers (DLs) are common devices used by many specialties as plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and vascular surgeons. Laser energy is excellently absorbed in water and hemoglobin, which makes it ideal for adipose tissue and deep lesions. We treated our patient using a DL. Our surgical approach allowed total excision of the arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which decreased the size of the tumor allowing a smaller incision and eased the dissection plane. We believe that lasers will be used more frequently on AVM treatments.

In Vitro evaluation of the bond strength of metal brackets adhered to different dental restorative materials using different orthodontic adhesives.

Background: During orthodontic treatment, teeth with brackets may sometimes be restored with different restorative materials. In this case, the content of the orthodontic adhesive selected for bracket bonding may also be important. Aim: This study compared the bond strength of metal orthodontic brackets adhered to different resin composite and glass ionomer cement (GIC) restoration surfaces with glass ionomer-based and resin-based orthodontic adhesives to determine the best orthodontic adhesive for use in restored teeth. Material and Methods: This study prepared 80 discs. Four material groups of 20 discs were created: reinforced high-viscosity GIC, high-viscosity GIC, flowable bulk-fill resin composite, and nanohybrid resin composite. Specimens in each material group were divided into two subgroups that differed in the orthodontic adhesive used to bond the brackets to the prepared specimens. After 24 hours, the specimens were shear bond strength (SBS) tested at 1 mm/min using a universal tester. Results: The SBS of glass ionomer-based orthodontic adhesive differed significantly between metal brackets adhered to different bases (P < 0.001). The highest SBSs were observed between metal brackets and high-viscosity glass ionomer restorations (6.79 ± 2.38). The highest SBSs observed with a resin-based orthodontic adhesive were between metal brackets adhered to nanohybrid resin composite restorations (8.84 ± 2.10; P = 0.030). Conclusions: Glass ionomer-based orthodontic adhesive provided safer bond strength and demineralization prevention when applying metal brackets to teeth with glass ionomer restorations.

Non-HACEK Gram-negative bacillus endocarditis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical data using 26 diagnosed non-HACEK Gram-negative infective endocarditis cases from nine hospitals in Turkey. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 53 (28-84) years, with a 23% case fatality. Nineteen (73%) of the 26 patients had at least one predisposing factor. The presence of a central venous catheter was the most common predisposing factor (7/26 patients). Pseudomonasaeruginosa (7/26 patients) and Escherichiacoli (7/26 patients) were the most common pathogens. The median duration of the antibiotic therapy was 42 days (range 3-84 days). Surgical procedures were performed in 10 patients. The case fatality was similar in patients who did or did not undergo surgery (20% vs. 25%).

Where we are in the fight against Hepatitis B Infection; Trends in Hepatitis B virus seroprevalence in Black Sea Region of Turkey.

CONTEXT: To determine new strategies for complete coverage of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination, every country needs to take into concern factors of infection transmission in its own region. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B among all age groups in northern Turkey using HBsAg and anti-HBs serological markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The laboratory records of a total of 101648 patients of all ages attending a tertiary level hospital in Samsun, a Black Sea coastal city, between January 2014 and May 2016 were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: HBsAg and anti-HBs seropositivity was found to be 4% and 38.3%, respectively. There was a significant difference between HBsAg (χ2 = 209.08; P = 0.00), anti-HBs (χ2 = 124.12; P = 0.00) seropositivity, and immunization status. Although we found a statically difference between men and women (χ2 = 32.2 P = 0.00) for HBsAg seropositivity, there was no significant difference for anti-HBs (P = 0.22). In 1998, the universal infant immunization program changed the HBV epidemiology in Turkey, and resulted in an apparent trend towards reduced disease levels. However, prevalence of HBV infection is still high in adolescent and young adults. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, a catch-up immunization program, education, and follow-up policy for these groups, in addition to routine infant immunization, will decrease the HBV infection rate, reducing morbidity and mortality rates, and will help to reduce hepatitis B transmission in Turkey.

Supernumerary teeth in a Turkish population.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim in this study was to investigate the frequency, distribution, sex differences, and characteristics of supernumerary teeth in a referred Turkish population. METHODS: A total of 2599 patients' panoramic radiographs (1360 girls, 1239 boys) were evaluated, including children in both the mixed and the permanent dentitions. Their mean age was 8.6 +/- 0.23 years. Number, location, classification, side, and impaction of supernumerary teeth were evaluated. Furthermore, the development of these teeth was evaluated. RESULTS: Eighty-four supernumerary teeth were found on 69 radiographs; 9 were deciduous and 75 were permanent teeth. Most supernumerary teeth were in the premaxillary region (67%). Mesiodens (n = 43) was the most frequent supernumerary tooth (51.2%). This was followed by the maxillary lateral incisor (15.5%), the mandibular premolar (14.3%), the maxillary canine (9.5%), the maxillary premolar (6%), the mandibular lateral incisor (2.4%), and the mandibular canine (1.2%). Sixty-two (73.8%) supernumerary teeth were impacted. The male-female ratio was 1.13:1, which was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of supernumerary teeth in Turkish children was 2.7% in this study.

Appropriate oral hygiene motivation method for patients with fixed appliances.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the most appropriate oral hygiene motivation method (OHMM) for orthodontic patients with fixed appliances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 150 orthodontic patients, scheduled for their regular controls, were included in this study. The patients were divided into five groups (n = 30) according to the verbal OHMM and instructed as follows: only verbal information (V), verbal information with demonstration on model (M), verbal information with demonstration on model and self application by the patient (M+A), verbal information using the illustration catalog (I), and verbal information using the illustration catalog and self application by the patient (I+A). All of the applications of the patients were made under the supervision of the clinicians. The periodontal parameters (plaque index [PI], gingival index [GI], and bleeding on probing [BOP]) were recorded at the baseline (before the instructions of the OHMM), 1 week later, and 4 weeks after the OHMM. RESULTS: All periodontal parameters showed significant decreases after 4 weeks in all OHMM groups (P < .05). I+A group has significantly lower PI scores and BOP percentages than the other groups (P < .05) after 4 weeks. The difference between the V group and M+A, I, and I+A groups in the GI scores were significant (P < .05), and the I+A group has presented the lowest GI score. CONCLUSIONS: The OHMM applied by the patients under the supervision of the clinician seemed to be more successful in the elimination of plaque and inflammatory symptoms in patients with fixed appliances.

Oligodontia in pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an inherited disorder that has both autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant pathways and is characterized by severe malformation of elastic and collagen fibers. Clinically, 3 main groups of systemic findings involving skin, eye, and vessels emerge in the symptoms. In this report, we present the case of a patient with PXE who has agenesis of most of the permanent teeth. No previous reports in the English literature have mentioned oligodontia in PXE. Our treatment plan consisted of extraction of the upper left deciduous canine followed by fixed orthodontic treatment. Further prosthodontic rehabilitation was planned to restore the edentulous area.

Effect of drug physicochemical properties on in vitro characteristics of amphiphilic cyclodextrin nanospheres and nanocapsules.

Nanospheres and nanocapsules of an amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrin, beta-CDC6, were evaluated using a group of steroid drugs to determine the effect of drug physicochemical properties (e.g. partition coefficient, drug:CD association constant k1:1, aqueous solubility) on loading and release profiles of the nanoparticles. Model drugs used were hydrocortisone, testosterone and progesterone. Inclusion complexes were formed between model drugs and beta-CDC6 by the co-lyophilization technique and were characterized by DSC analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. Nanospheres and nanocapsules were prepared directly from these inclusion complexes and alternatively by the conventional preparation technique. It was observed that loading depended highly on the technique used. For nanospheres, drug characteristics played a significant role while for nanocapsules this factor had no significant effect on loading values. Release of drugs from nanospheres was completed in 2h, regardless of drug physicochemical properties with high-loading technique. On the other hand, drug release from nanocapsules was largely dependent on drug properties. Only 30% of progesterone was released in 24h, while hydrocortisone was completely released in 8h. Thus, drug properties are significant for the formulation of nanocapsules and nanospheres. Desired loading and release properties could be achieved by selecting the appropriate drug delivery system and the optimum drug.