Volumetric Assessment of Apical Periodontitis Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography-A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aimed to investigate the scientific literature on volumetric studies concerning the diagnosis and treatment of apical periodontitis using CBCT. A systematic review protocol was written following the preferred reporting items for the systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Four electronic databases were searched for relevant publications in English, which were published up to 21 January 2023. The inclusion criteria and corresponding search keys were applied. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistic Assessment and Review Instrument. The search strategy identified 202 studies, with 123 studies excluded during the title and abstract screening and 47 studies left for full text screening. A total of 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. The lesion volume was measured and classified according to different indices which compared the effectiveness of their diagnostics. Moreover, the volume of AP lesions increased with the thickness of the maxillary sinus mucosa in primary and secondary infections and decreased due to endodontic treatment. Volumetric measurements using CBCT are useful in the correct definition of periapical tissue pathosis using a CBCT periapical volume index and assessment of the dynamics of the treatment of apical lesions.

Circulating endothelial cells in coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: endothelial damage and dysfunction play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD). The quantification of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) in the peripheral blood is a novel method for assessing endothelial damage. AIM: to evaluate the possible diagnostic use of single quantification of CEC in peripheral blood by flow cytometry in patients with CAD. METHODS: we examined 48 patients with CAD, including 23 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 25 patients with stable angina (SA). The control group consisted of 20 healthy subjects without symptoms of CAD. The CEC count was evaluated by flow cytometry using antibodies against CD31, CD146, and CD45. Plasma biochemical markers of endothelial damage (von Willebrand Factor [vWF], thrombomodulin [TM]) were measured by ELISA. Serum concentrations of troponin I (TnI) and lipid parameters were also included in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: A significant increase in the CEC count was found in patients with AMI compared to the control group (p < 0.05) and SA patients (p < 0.05). However, no difference was found in the CEC count between patients with SA and the control group. Increased vWF activity was found in both groups of CAD patients compared to the control group (AMI: p < 0.001, SA: p , 0.01), and vWF activity was significantly higher in AMI patients compared to SA patients (p < 0.001). Thrombomodulin concentration did not differ significantly between any patient groups and the control group. The CEC count correlated positively with vWF activity (r = 0.3852, p < 0.05) and the atherogenic index TC/HDL-C (r = 0.3844, p < 0.05) in all patients with CAD (AMI + SA). The sensitivity of CEC count for the diagnosis of an acute coronary syndrome was lower than that of TnI level on admission (39% vs 69%). CONCLUSIONS: we confirmed that CEC count in peripheral blood can be determined by flow cytometry in CAD patients with both AMI and SA. The CEC count in AMI was increased in comparison to healthy subjects and SA patients in one third of all cases. To determine whether CEC count could be used to improve the diagnosis of an acute coronary syndrome in patients with CAD, additional studies in larger patient groups would be required.

[The concentrations of homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 in alcohol dependent male patients]. / Stezenia homocysteiny, kwasu foliowego i witaminy B12 u mezczyzn uzaleznionych od alkoholu.

UNLABELLED: Metabolism of homocysteine (sulphur-containing amino acid) is accomplished in the remethylation cycle where vitamin B12 and folic acid are essential coenzymes. Markedly elevated homocysteine concentrations have been observed in patients with nutritional deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folate. Hyperhomocysteinemia in alcohol abusers may result from malnutrition and disorder of intestine absorption. AIM: The aim of the study was the estimation of homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 concentrations in alcohol dependent male patients. METHOD: 71 males with a clinical diagnosis of alcohol dependence (ICD-10) have been examined. The investigated parameters have been determined in the blood serum, the homocysteine by means of immunochemical method, vitamin B12 and folic acid by means of immunoenzymatic assay. RESULTS: Serum homocysteine concentration was significantly higher and serum folic acid concentration was lower in alcohol dependent men than in controls. Mean concentrations of folic acid and vitamin B12 were significantly lower in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia than in men with normal homocysteine concentration. The highest correlation was indeed noticed between folate deficiency and the intensity of hyperhomocysteinemia. CONCLUSIONS: The development of hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with alcohol dependence that is also a probable cause of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency.