Evaluation of the influence of various restoration techniques on fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth with different cavity wall thicknesses.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of different restoration techniques on fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth with different wall thicknesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extracted and endodontically treated 210 premolars were randomly divided into three thickness groups [2 mm (A), 1.5 mm (B), and 1 mm (C)] and, each group was further divided into seven restoration subgroups (n = 10): direct composite (control) (K), composite with fiber on cavity floor (KT), composite with fiber on occlusal level (KO), fiber post and composite (FP), inlay (L), fiber on cavity floor and inlay (LT), and inlay and fiber on occlusal level (LO). Fracture test was performed, and data were compared with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: There were no differences between the subgroups in A and C statistically (P > 0.05). However, in B, KO subgroup showed statistically higher values (P = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Wall support of 2 mm was adequate, and support of 1 mm was completely insufficient. When the wall thickness was 1.5 mm, direct restoration with fiber at the occlusal level significantly improved resistance.

Chitosan gel formulations containing egg yolk oil and epidermal growth factor for dermal burn treatment.

In the present study chitosan based gel formulations containing Egg Yolk Oil (EYO) and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) were formulated successfully aiming at enhanced topical treatment of dermal burns the combination of traditional approaches with modern drug delivery systems. Physicochemical properties of the formulations were analyzed and efficacy of the formulations prepared were evaluated versus a commercial product; Silverdin (1% silver sulfadiazine) in vivo on Wistar rats. Burns were generated on the back of the rats and at predetermined time intervals tissue samples were collected and evaluated histologically. The analyses showed that chitosan based gel formulations containing Egg Yolk Oil (E1) and chitosan based gel formulations containing EYO and EGF (M1) formulations seem to be better alternatives for Silverdin with a significant difference (p < 0.05) considering healing ranks of tissue samples.

Alternative non-femoral accesses for intra-aortic balloon pumping.

Access from the femoral arteries to the thoracic aorta for intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion may not be feasible in a substantial number of patients with severe peripheral vascular disease. Since using an alternative access is inevitable in a certain number of patients requiring IABP support, all alternative accesses should be added to the surgical armamentarium. Herein, we present our 27-year experience with different alternative accesses for IABP insertion following failed contraindication to femoral artery cannulation. The alternative techniques described below were: transthoracic insertion with a tube graft, transthoracic insertion - direct, transaxillary/subclavian insertion and transbrachial insertion.

Electrical and optical properties of an organic semiconductor based on polyaniline prepared by emulsion polymerization and fabrication of Ag/polyaniline/n-Si Schottky diode.

The electrical, optical, and metal-semiconductor contact properties of the polyaniline prepared by emulsion polymerization have been investigated to obtain an organic semiconductor material. The obtained results suggest that the polyaniline (PANI) studied is an organic semiconductor material with optical band gap (E(g) = 2.21 eV) and room electrical conductivity (sigma(25) = 3.12 x 10(-2) S/cm) values. A Schottky diode with configuration Ag/PANI/n-Si was fabricated. The ideality factor and barrier height of Ag/PANI/n-Si diode at room temperature were found to be 4.59 and 0.38 eV, respectively. The obtained diode parameters change with temperature. The Richardson constant A* value for the Ag/PANI/n-Si diode was found to be 3.81 x 10(-4) A/cm(2).K. The Ag/PANI/n-Si diode is a metal-insulator-semiconductor-type device. The standard deviation, which is a measure of the barrier homogeneity, was found to be 0.14, indicating the presence of interface inhomogeneities. It can be concluded that the polyaniline prepared by emulsion polymerization is an organic semiconductor and Ag/PANI/n-Si configuration shows a Schottky contact.

Histological and immunofluorescence findings of non-follicular papulopustular lesions in patients with Behçet's disease.

BACKGROUND: Papulopustular lesions (PPL), the most common type of cutaneous lesions in Behçet's disease (BD), clinically may not be differentiated from ordinary acne. Disagreement exists as to the exact nature of these acneiform and folliculitis-like lesions and whether to include them as a major criterion. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether PPL can be a useful tool for the diagnosis of BD when non-follicular lesions over the trunk or extremities were selected, and were correlated with histological and/or immunofluorescence study. METHODS: Seventeen patients with BD (five women, 12 men; mean +/- SEM age, 32 +/- 7.9 years), were enrolled in the study with blind histopathological and immunofluorescence studies. Biopsies of the PPL and adjacent (approximately 2 cm distant) normal-appearing skin were performed from the extremities and trunk. Follicle-based acneiform lesions and those lesions over face were excluded. Histological evaluation primarily included epidermal and dermal alterations, cellular infiltration and vascular changes. We also performed direct immunofluorescence studies, using polyclonal antibodies for IgA, IgG, IgM, C3 and fibrin. RESULTS: Lesional specimens of the patients with BD revealed a significant leucocytoclastic vasculitis as compared with non-lesional skin (P<0.05). The vessels of the lesional skin showed a higher IgM deposition than non-lesional skin (52.9% and 17.6%) (P<0.05). IgG, C3 and fibrin deposits on the vessels of the lesional skin were also higher than non-lesional skin (35.3, 11.8%; 41.2, 17.6%; and 47.1, 17.6%, respectively), but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that non-follicular PPL over the trunk or extremities are more specific, and immune complex-mediated vasculitis is likely to be the main feature of these lesions, as they are in other cutaneous lesions of BD.

Cimetidine therapy for warts: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Cimetidine, an H2-receptor antagonist, has been used successfully to treat patients with mucocutaneous candidiasis, common variable immunodeficiency, herpes simplex, and herpes zoster because of its immunomodulatory effects. Recently, some trials have suggested that cimetidine may also be useful for the treatment of warts. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine whether cimetidine is effective in the treatment of warts. METHODS: Seventy patients with multiple warts were included in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Patients were randomly allocated to treatment groups equally. The groups received cimetidine, 25 to 40 mg/kg daily, or placebo for 3 months. Patients were examined at monthly intervals. RESULTS: At the end of the therapy, 28 cimetidine-treated and 26 placebo-treated patients were examined to determine the efficacy of treatment. Cure rates obtained were 32% (9 of 28) in the cimetidine-treated group and 30.7% (8 of 26) in the placebo-treated group. No significant difference was found between cimetidine and placebo in effectiveness (p = 0.85). CONCLUSION: Our results show that cimetidine is no more effective than placebo in the treatment of patients with common warts.

Comparison of the effects of intralesional interferon alfa-2a, 2b and the combination of 2a and 2b in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

Interferons (IFN), especially alfa-2a and 2b, are potent inhibitors of normal and malignant cell growth and effective choices in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the IFN alfa-2a and 2b, and whether this effect may be increased by their combination. A total of 45 patients with histopathologically confirmed BCC were divided into three groups, equally. Groups 1,2 and 3 were treated with intralesional IFN alfa-2a, 2b, and the combination of 2a and 2b, respectively. Lesions were injected three times weekly in Groups 1 and 2 (total ten injections). IFN alfa-2a and 2b were injected alternately in Group 3 (5 IFN alfa-2a and 5 IFN alfa-2b). Eight weeks after completion of therapy, cytologic specimens were taken, and all cases were evaluated clinically and cytologically. Ten (66.6%) patients had a complete response (CR) and 5 (33.3%) had a partial response (PR) in Group 1. Patients in Group 2 showed 10 (66.6%) CR, 4 (26.6%) PR, and 1 (6.6%) non response. In Group 3, 11 (73.3%) patients had CR and 4 (26.6%) had PR. Follow-up periods ranged from 6-24 months, and no recurrences have been observed. These results suggest that IFN alfa-2a, 2b, and the combination of 2a and 2b appear to be effective choices for the treatment of BCC; the effectiveness is not increased by their combination.

Intermittent therapy with terbinafine for dermatophyte toe-onychomycosis: a new approach.

Terbinafine, an orally active antifungal agent of the allylamine class, is effective in the treatment of dermatophyte onycomycosis. Its pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties give strong support to the possibility that intermittent treatment courses may be equally effective in onychomycosis in general. The present randomized and controlled study was carried out to determine whether intermittent therapy with terbinafine was effective in dermatophyte toe-onychomycosis. Sixty patients with mycologically proven toenail dermatophyte onychomycosis were included in the study. Patients were equally allocated to treatment groups in a random manner. Group 1 was given 250 mg/day of terbinafine for 3 months. Group 2 was given 500 mg/day of terbinafine for 7 days during the first week of each month for 3 months. Nails were examined clinically and mycologically at monthly intervals. All patients were followed up for 48 weeks after starting the treatment. Of the patients who entered the study, 24 in Group I and 23 in Group 2 were evaluable for efficacy. At the end of the follow-up period, the cure rate (negative microscopy and culture) was 79.2% in Group 1 and 73.9% in Group 2; this difference was not significant (p: 0.79). The results indicate that intermittent therapy with terbinafine is as effective as 3-month treatment in dermatophyte toe-onychomycosis.

Keratoderma, hypotrichosis and leukonychia totalis: a new syndrome?

We report three members of a family with congenital hypotrichosis, characterized by trichorrhexis nodosa and trichoptilosis, dry skin, keratosis pilaris and leukonychia totalis. They also developed a progressive transgrediens type of palmoplantar keratoderma, and hyperkeratotic lesions on the knees, elbows and perianal region. As far as we are aware, this combination of clinical features has not been described previously.

Interferon therapy for Behçet's disease.

BACKGROUND: Behçet's disease was first described in 1937 as a trisymptom complex. No standard therapy has been established. Its cause is presumed to be viral or immunologic. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether patients with Behçet's disease benefit from interferon, which has antiviral, immunomodulatory, antiproliferative, and antitumoral properties. METHODS: Fourteen patients were initially given 3 MU interferon alfa-2a subcutaneously three times per week. The doses were gradually increased to 12 MU. Each patient received a total dose of 216 MU during the 2-month study. Therapy with 9 MU interferon alfa-2a once a month was continued in half the patients. All patients were observed before and after treatment for 6-month periods, and all symptoms were recorded. RESULTS: All patients were symptom free by the end of the 2-month treatment period. The frequencies of oral and genital ulcers as well as pustular vasculitis decreased significantly in the posttreatment period as compared with the pretreatment period. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that interferon treatment appears to be effective for patients with Behçet's disease.

Efficacy of silver nitrate pencils in the treatment of common warts.

Common warts are an important issue, especially in children and young adults. The methods proposed for common wart treatment are painful, destructive, and require special experience and devices. The chemical cauterization effect of silver nitrate on warts is noted in the classical pharmaceutical textbooks. In order to test this effect for this purpose, a placebo controlled clinical study was performed on 70 patients. On 35 randomly selected patients, a silver nitrate stick was used, and, on the other 35 patients, black ink was used. At the end of this study, of the patients treated with the silver nitrate stick, 15 (43%) were completely healed, 9 (26%) were partially healed, and 11 (31%) were not healed. Of the patients treated with black ink, 4 (11%) were completely healed, 5 (14%) were partially healed, and 26 (74%) patients were not affected. Thus the silver nitrate stick affected the warts of 24 (69%) patients. Therefore, this method appears to be an effective, economic, and easily applicable treatment for common warts.