Is hand-wrist radiography still necessary in orthodontic treatment planning?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to compare the relationship between hand-wrist and cervical vertebra maturation stages with chronological age and to investigate the effect of malocclusion type on the relationship between these methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hand-wrist and cephalometric radiographs of 1000 patients (526 females, 474 males) with a mean age of 13.41 ± 1.83 were analyzed. The methods of Bacetti et al. were used for the cervical vertebra maturation stage, and Björk, Grave and Brown's methods were used for the hand-wrist maturation stage. One-way ANOVA test was applied to compare skeletal classes between them. Tukey post hoc test was used to determine the differences. The relationship between the malocclusion type, cervical vertebra and hand-wrist maturation stages was evaluated with the Spearman correlation test. RESULTS: Spearman's correlation coefficient was 0.831, 0.831 and 0.760 in Class I, II and III females, respectively. In males, it was calculated as 0.844, 0.889 and 0.906, respectively. When sex and malocclusion were not differentiated, the correlation was found to be 0.887. All were statistically significant (P < 0.001). The highest correlation was observed in class III males, while the lowest was found in class III females. CONCLUSION: Cervical vertebrae can be used safely to assess pubertal spurt without hand-wrist radiography. Diagnosing growth and development stages from cephalometric images is important in reducing additional workload and preventing radiation risk.

Short-Term Efficacy of Kinesiotaping versus Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis is a degenerative condition that is one of the most common causes of heel and foot pain. Among noninvasive management of plantar fasciitis, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been extensively studied and found to be effective, but few studies have assessed the effectiveness of kinesiotaping (KT) method. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to show the effectiveness of KT compared with ESWT in the management of plantar fasciitis. METHODS: A total of 84 patients with plantar fasciitis were enrolled from a single center and randomized into KT and ESWT treatment groups in a 1:1 ratio (i.e., 42 patients in each group); only one foot was considered for each patient. Both KT and ESWT were applied once a week for 6 weeks. Patients' pain, functional status and quality of life were evaluated with the visual analog scale (VAS), Foot Function Index (FFI) and the Short-Form-36 (SF-36) health survey, respectively. Patients' fat pat and plantar fascia thickness were measured using ultrasonography. All evaluations were performed before and immediately after the 6-week intervention. RESULTS: In the KT group, six patients were lost to follow-up; therefore, the final analysis only included 36 patients. After the intervention, there was a statistically significant improvement in the VAS and SF-36 scores of both groups (P = 0.001), but the FFI score improvement was statistically significant only in the KT group (P = 0.001). In both groups, the mean thickness of plantar fascia decreased after treatment and the mean thickness of the fat pat increased; however, the change was not statistically significant (P = 0.935 and P = 0.832, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both KT and ESWT treatments improved pain levels and quality of life in patients with plantar fasciitis, but KT also improved functionality. Multicentered studies with larger sample size and longer follow-ups are required to further validate these findings.

Effect of mouthwashes on the discoloration of bracket-bonded tooth surfaces: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: This in vitro study aimed to investigate the color changes of the bracket-bonded tooth surfaces after the use of 4 different mouthwashes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 human premolar teeth were randomly divided into 10 equal groups. Color values (L*a*b*) of the buccal surfaces of each tooth were assessed using a digital spectrophotometer. Then the brackets were bonded. The groups were put either in sterile saline (4 test+1 control) or artificial saliva (4 test+1 control) solutions, and test groups were immersed in their mouthwashes (Colgate Plax, Listerine Cool Mint, Klorhex, and Tantum Verde) for 1 min each in the morning/evening to simulate the mouth washing for 21 days after the bonding. After the debonding and finishing procedures, final color measurements were performed. Color changes (∆E) were calculated. RESULTS: All of the parameters showed statistically significant differences among the groups. The least noticeable color changes were detected in the control groups. The most noticeable color change (ΔE) was observed in the Tantum Verde + artificial saliva group, followed by Tantum Verde + sterile saline and Klorhex + artificial saliva groups, all of which were significantly higher than the control groups. CONCLUSION: The use of mouthwashes during orthodontic treatment may cause noticeable changes in tooth color. Listerine Cool Mint may be the choice of mouthwash with its less discoloring effects. Artificial saliva should be preferred in similar in vitro studies to reflect the oral environment better. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mouthwash use during orthodontic treatment may result in different levels of enamel discoloration.

Effects of isotretinoin on new bone formation after maxillary sutural expansion.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of isotretinoin on new bone formation after maxillary sutural expansion in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 male Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into four groups. The isotretinoin group was treated with 7.5 mg/kg isotretinoin, and the soybean group was treated with 2 ml/kg soybean oil for 57 days. The substances were applied via oral gavage. The expansion-only and the control groups were not treated with any substance. In the experiment groups, expansion springs were applied on day 41 of the experiment, and after day 5 of expansion, a 12-day retention period was established. At the end of the experiment, all the animals were sacrificed, and their maxillae were dissected for histological evaluation. The numbers of osteoclasts, osteoblasts and formation of new bone and capillaries were evaluated on slides centered around the suture. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed significant differences between the groups for the number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts (p < 0.001). In the experiment groups, higher numbers of osteoblasts and osteoclasts were detected in comparison to the control group (p < 0.001), while there was no significant difference between the experiment groups. Capillary formation and new bone formation in the isotretinoin group were found to be on a higher level than in the other groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Isotretinoin had no negative effects on bone formation following the expansion of the maxillary suture in rats.

Human exposure to trace elements via farmed and cage aggregated wild Axillary seabream (Pagellus acarne) in a copper alloy cage site in the Northern Aegean Sea.

Axillary seabream (Pagellus acarne) farmed in a copper alloy mesh pen and wild individuals of P. acarne aggregated near the copper-alloy cages presented higher concentrations of trace metals in the liver, skin and gills than in fish muscle tissues in two batches of small and large fish sizes. Elevated mean levels of metals (mg kg-1) in muscle tissues in both small and large fish size groups were observed in the rank order of Zn(3.43) > Fe(3.01) > Cu(0.59) > Mn(0.13) and Fe(3.82) > Zn(3.32) > Cu(0.62) > Mn(0.17) for copper cage-farmed fish, relative to ranked mean levels for Zn(2.64) > Fe(1.95) > Cu(0.25) > Mn(0.09) and Fe(5.79) > Zn(3.58) > Cu(0.58) > Mn(0.28) for the copper cage-aggregated wild fish. Nevertheless, trace metal concentrations in fish harvested from the copper cage or those of the cage-aggregated wild individuals in both size groups were far below maximum levels of seafood safety recommended by USEPA and FAO/WHO. Target hazard quotients, calculated to estimate the non-carcinogenic health risks of metals by consuming these fish, were below "1″ (THQ < 1), indicating that there were no potential health risks for humans when consuming copper-caged fish or wild-caught individuals aggregated around the copper mesh pen, with respect to the limits suggested by US Food and Drug Administration and EU Regulations for Seafood Consumption.

Usefulness of admission gamma-glutamyltransferase level for predicting new-onset heart failure in patients with acute coronary syndrome with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to determine whether there is a relationship between admission gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and subsequent heart failure hospitalizations in patients with acute coronary syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: We selected 123 patients with newly diagnosed acute coronary syndrome of ejection fraction (EF) <45%. Patients were followed 15±10 months, and the relationship between admission GGT level and hospitalization because of heart failure during the follow-up was examined. RESULTS: Twenty-three (18.7%) patients were hospitalized during the follow-up of 15±10 months. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the cut-off point of admission GGT related to predict hospitalization was 49 IU/L, with a sensitivity of 81.7% and specificity of 65.2%. Increased GGT >49 IU/L on admission, presence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), right ventricular dysfunction, moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation, alanine aminotransferase level, and antiplatelet agent usage were found to have prognostic significance in univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis. In multivariate Cox proportional-hazards model, increased GGT >49 IU/L on admission (hazard ratio [HR] 2.663, p=0.047), presence of hypertension (HR 4.107, p=0.007), and LVEF (HR 0.911, p=0.002) were found to be independent factors to predict new-onset heart failure requiring hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Hospitalization in heart failure was associated with increased admission GGT levels. Increased admission GGT level in acute coronary syndrome with heart failure should be monitored closely and treated aggressively.

Deficiency of a new protein associated with cardiac syndrome X; called adropin.

The pathophysiology of cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is still unclear, but most patients with CSX have endothelial dysfunction. It has been shown that adropin uniquely effects the regulation of endothelial function. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the role of adropin in CSX. Eighty-six consecutive cardiac syndrome X-diagnosed patients and 86 age-sex matched healthy subjects were enrolled into the study. Serum adropin levels, nitrite/nitrate levels were measured in each subject. The adropin levels were significantly lower in patients with CSX than healthy subjects (1.7 ± 0.8 ng/mL and 3.4 ± 1.8 ng/mL, respectively; P < 0.001). The BMI values of patients with CSX were significantly higher than control subjects (28.1 ± 2.4 kg/m(2) and 26.0 ± 3.7 kg/m(2) , respectively; P < 0.001). Plasma nitrite/nitrate levels were lower in patients with CSX than control subjects (15.9 ± 1.6 µmol/L vs. 25.4 ± 2.8 µmol/L, respectively; P < 0.001), and they have a significantly positive correlation with plasma adropin levels (r = 0.463, P < 0.001). In the multiple linear regression analysis, nitrite/nitrate levels, BMI, and adropin were found to be independent risk factors for CSX. A ROC curve is used to identify the ability of adropin levels to predict the cardiac syndrome X. The area under the ROC curve was 0.854 for adropin levels (P = 0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity values of adropin levels were 90.7 and 70.9%, respectively (cut-off value 2.73). In conclusion, lower serum adropin levels were associated with CSX. Adropin is an independent risk factor for CSX.

The investigation of serum vaspin level in atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: It was speculated that fatty tissue originated adipocytokines may play role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. These adipocytokines may alter vascular homeostasis by effecting endothelial cells, arterial smooth muscle cells and macrophages. Vaspin is a newly described member of adipocytokines family. We aimed to investigate whether plasma vaspin level has any predictive value in coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Forty patients who have at least single vessel ≥ 70 % stenosis demostrated angiographically and 40 subjects with normal coronary anatomy were included to the study. The vaspin levels were measured from serum that is obtained by centrifigation of blood and stored at -20 (o)C by ELISA method. The length, weight and body mass index of patients were measured. Biochemical parameters including total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, creatinine, sodium, potassium, hemoglobine, uric acid and fasting glucose were also measured. RESULTS: Biochemical markers levels were similar in both groups. Serum vaspin levels were significantly lower in CAD patients than control group (respectively; 256 ± 219 pg/ml vs. 472 ( 564 pg/ml, P < 0.02). Beside this serum vaspin level was lower in control group with high systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Serum vaspin levels were found significantly lower in patients with CAD than age-matched subjects with normal coronary anatomy. Vaspin may be used as a predictor of CAD. KEYWORDS: Coronary artery disease; Vaspin; Adipokine.

The effect of the duration of clopidogrel use on hsCRP levels after stenting the target vessel in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the duration of clopidogrel use and the inflammation process after acute coronary syndrome in patients who received bare metal stent (BMS) or drug eluting stent (DES). METHOD: Sixty patients with acute coronary syndrome who received a stent were divided into three groups: 20 patients with BMS receiving clopidogrel for one month (BMS1 group), 20 patients with BMS receiving clopidogrel for 6 months (BMS6 group), and 20 patients with DES receiving clopidogrel for 6 months (DES group). High sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP, mg/dL) was measured at baseline, and then at first, third and sixth post-operative month. RESULTS: The inital hsCRP levels were similar and decreased significantly in all groups by one month of clopidogrel treatment (from 7.1±1.9 to 3.8±2.3 in BMS1 group, p=0,002, from 6.5±2.8 to 4.3±2.5 in BMS6 group, p= 0,01 and from 7.7±2 to 3.6±2.4 in DES group, p < 0.001). In the BMS1 group, after termination of the clopidogrel therapy after the first month, hsCRP levels increased again at the third and sixth months. In the BMS6 and DES groups, hsCRP levels continued to show a decrease at the third month and sixth months. CONCLUSIONS: Clopidogrel decreases hsCRP levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome. It might be desirable to lengthen the duration of the clopidogrel therapy to maintain its anti-inflammatory effects.

Immunostimulant effects of Cotinus coggyria on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

In this study, non-specific immune effects of tetra (Cotinus coggyria) on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by dietary intake were investigated. Fish were fed daily ad libitum with diets containing 0.5% and 1.0% tetra for 3 weeks. After this period, fish were switched back to the basal diet for additional 6 weeks. Extracellular and intracellular respiratory burst activities, phagocytosis in blood leukocytes, lysozyme activities, and total plasma protein levels were evaluated at the end of the tetra feeding period and every 3 weeks during the basal diet period. Extracellular and intracellular respiratory burst activities, phagocytic activity, lysozyme activity and total protein level parameters of the groups containing 0.5% and 1.0% tetra were higher than the control group at the end of the 3rd, 6th and 9th weeks, respectively (P < 0.05). The highest values of the non-specific immune parameters were observed in the group fed with 1.0% tetra. Tetra groups did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05) in terms of specific growth rate and average weight of the fish.