Immunohistochemical evaluation of bcl-2, ER-alpha, caspase -3, -8, -9, PCNA and Ki-67 expressions in canine mammary carcinomas.

We investigated the expression of bcl-2, estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha), caspase-3, -8, -9, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 in canine mammary carcinomas. We used 65 paraffin embedded and re-diagnosed archival canine mammary tumor samples to which we applied the routine streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. Seventeen cases were re-diagnosed as tubulopapillary carcinoma, 31 were re-diagnosed as complex carcinoma and 17 were re-diagnosed as carcinosarcoma. Differences of expression of bcl-2 and PCNA were statistically significant according to tumor type. Differences in expression of ER-alpha, caspase-3, -8, -9 and Ki-67 were not statistically significant. Differences of expression of bcl-2 and PCNA were statistically significant compared to ER-alpha, caspase-3, -8, -9 and Ki-67 in carcinosarcomas. We report the prognostic significance of bcl-2 and PCNA expression in canine mammary carcinosarcomas.

Effects of varying mandibular protrusion and degrees of vertical opening on upper airway dimensions in apneic dentate subjects.

INTRODUCTION: Despite numerous studies investigating the dimensional and therapeutic effects of mandibular advancement splints (MASs), data regarding the effects of differently designed individual and non-adjustable MASs on the upper airway in fully dentate apneic subjects in the sagittal plane including comparison of these effects with a placebo device are sparse. The present study aimed to determine the dimensional changes in the sagittal plane created by differently designed MASs in the upper airway in fully dentate apneic subjects and to compare these changes with the effects of a placebo device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Magnetic resonance (MR) images of 9 dentate apneic subjects with 5 differently designed MASs and without a MAS were obtained. We measured the area of the entire pharynx (velopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx) on these MR images and compared the dimensional changes. RESULTS: The dimensional changes triggered by two specific MASs (75% of the maximum mandibular protrusion with 5 mm vertical opening, and 75% of the maximum mandibular protrusion with 10 mm of vertical opening) in the entire pharynx in the sagittal plane were statistically significant compared to the other MASs (p < 0.05). The MAS effecting 75% of the maximum mandibular protrusion and 10 mm of vertical opening created a significant dimensional increase only in the velopharyngeal area among the three pharyngeal sites (p ≤ 0.003). CONCLUSION: While the degree of mandibular protrusion created by the MAS affects the dimensions of the upper airway, the degree of the vertical opening exerts no significant dimensional effect in the sagittal plane in fully dentate apneic patients. The mandibular protrusion effect is comparatively larger in the velopharyngeal region.

Evaluation of Candida albicans adherence on the surface of various maxillofacial silicone materials.

OBJECTIVES: Fungal infection resulting from Candida adherence on material surface is one of the most important medical risks for maxillofacial prosthesis wearers. Despite wide usage, there is a sparse data evaluating C. albicans adherence on various commercial maxillofacial silicone materials that have different surface contact angles. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between surface contact angle and fungal adherence on widely used maxillofacial silicone materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three maxillofacial silicone materials titled VST-50, A-2006, and A-2186F were used for fabrication of disc-shaped specimens. Surface contact angle of specimens were measured by the goniometric method. Adhesion quantity of two different C. albicans strains was evaluated with a colorimetric method using XTT/Coenzyme Q0. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis of data. RESULTS: The lowest surface contact angle values with the highest Candida adhesion quantity were measured on the specimens fabricated with A-2006 silicone material. Statistically significant differences were found among three maxillofacial silicone materials in terms of both surface contact angle values and adhesion quantity (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: There is a close relationship between surface contact angle and quantity of Candida adherence. However, it should be noted that various factors arising from material properties may affect the complex nature of the Candida adhesion process.

Use of an individual mandibular advancement device for an?obstructive sleep apnoea patient with facial paralysis: a short-term follow-up case report.

This case report aimed to describe the fabrication procedure and treatment efficacy of an individual, one-piece, non-adjustable mandibular advancement device (MAD) for a moderate obstructive sleep apnoea patient with facial paralysis (FP). Mandibular advancement device was fabricated with autopolymerising acrylic resin. The intermaxillary relations were recorded such as to fix the mandible at a protruded position with increased vertical dimension. Initial evaluation of the MAD was made with axial magnetic resonance imaging and polysomnography on the first day of usage. Following evaluations were made on the third and sixth month. After a follow-up period of 6 months, Apnoea/Hypopnea Index (AHI) significantly decreased from 26·7 to 3·0. However, the average oxygen saturation did not improve as expected initially. The MAD therapy decreased the AHI scores of a patient with FP. At the end of a follow-up period of 6 months, the patient did not report any serious complaint except temporary tooth pains.

Financial effects of the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks on the Turkish broiler producers.

This research aimed at assessing the financial effects of the 2005 to 2006 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks on Turkish broiler enterprises. The data were obtained from an interview survey carried out in 499 enterprises randomly selected from 14 provinces that accounted for 79% of the national broiler production. The research revealed that the contracted broiler producers lost on average 1.38 cycles of production and their management fee reduced by 14.7% in 8 mo after the outbreaks. As a result, the broiler production and the enterprise income declined by 34.8 and 44.3%, respectively. The bank loan of the producers rose by 161%. A total of 93% of the producers did not do any other supplementary work during the idle production period in spite of the fact that broiler production was the only business of 36% of them. Furthermore, more than half of the producers (56%) stated that they were considering expanding their business, but suspended this idea due to the outbreak. Approximately 87% of the producers increased the biosecurity measures after the outbreaks. The nationwide effects of the avian influenza outbreaks on the contracted broilers farms were estimated to be US$100.8 million (US$7,967/broiler house). The futures of the contracted broiler producers are fully dependent upon those of the integrated firms. Any negative effects on the latter appeared to be transferred directly to the former. However, the government neglected the integrated firms in the avian influenza compensation programs.

The effect of acquired salivary pellicle on the surface free energy and wettability of different denture base materials.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of salivary coating on the wettability and surface free energy of different denture base materials. METHODS: Five acrylic resin and two metallic denture base materials were investigated. Ten specimens of each material (20 x 15x1.5mm) were fabricated and a standardized method was used for polishing the test specimens. Whole unstimulated saliva was collected from a single healthy donor. The wettability properties of the materials were tested before and after organic layer formation. The wetting forces were determined according to the Wilhelmy Plate Technique. Diiodomethane, ethylene glycol and formamide were used as probe liquids. The contact angles, Lifshitz-van der Waals surface energy components, Lewis acid-base surface energy components and total surface energies were calculated using the equations described in the paper. The significance of the differences in the experimentally determined surface energies of different denture materials are calculated by statistical methods. CONCLUSIONS: Light-cured acrylic resin was the most wettable material with a significant basic character. Organic layers decreased the total surface free energies of all materials and at the same time imparted a more basic character. The coatings had a homogenizing effect in terms of the surface free energy components of the denture materials, nevertheless, their adhesive properties were still influenced by the substrate employed.

Urinary tract injuries during advanced gynecologic laparoscopy.

Urinary tract injuries are important complications of laparoscopic surgery. The intraoperative diagnosis may be delayed, resulting in severe clinical complications, such as fistulas, in the immediate and late postoperative periods. A review of 776 endoscopic procedures revealed 6 urinary tract injuries and postoperative complications during laparoscopy. We believe that surgical experience, intraoperative diagnosis, immediate repair of the lesion, and close follow-up are the main factors contributing to decreased morbidity associated with these injuries.