Effect of three different remineralizing agents on artificial erosive lesions of primary teeth.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of three remineralizing agents on dental erosion in primary teeth. METHODS: Forty primary molars were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 each): self-assembling peptide (P11-4 ), casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (CPP-ACFP), sodium fluoride (NaF) and artificial saliva (AS; control). The erosion-like formation was created by immersing the samples in citric acid (4 × 2 min, pH 2.3) and AS (4 × 2 h, pH 7). The eroded samples were then treated with remineralizing agents and subjected to further erosion consisting of 15 cycles (3x/8-h interval) of immersion in citric acid and AS for 6 s each. Alterations in the mineral content and morphology of the samples were quantified using a microhardness tester and atomic force microscope. RESULTS: All agents had a significant remineralization effect on eroded primary tooth enamel. After further erosive challenge, enamel loss in the CPP-ACFP group was found to be significantly lower than in all other groups, and no significant difference was found between the P11-4 and NaF groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that all tested materials had remineralization ability, and CPP-ACFP had a superior effect in inhibiting enamel loss due to dental erosion in primary teeth. © 2022 Australian Dental Association.

Effects of habitual knuckle cracking on metacarpal cartilage thickness and grip strength.

Joint cracking involves a manipulation of the finger joints resulting in an audible crack. This study aimed to determine whether habitual knuckle cracking (KC) leads to an alteration in grip strength and metacarpal head (MH) cartilage thickness. Thirty-five habitual knuckle crackers (cracking their joints ≥5times/day) (20 M, 15 F, aged 19-27 years) and 35 age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched non-crackers were enrolled in the study. MH cartilage thickness was measured with ultrasound and grip strength was measured with an analog Jamar hand dynamometer. Grip strength was similar between groups (P>0.05). Habitual knuckle crackers had thicker MH cartilage in the dominant and non-dominant hands than those of the controls (P=0.038 and P=0.005, respectively). There was no correlation between MH cartilage thickness and grip strength in both groups (P>0.05). While habitual KC does not affect handgrip strength, it appears to be associated with increased MH cartilage thickness.

Human Brucellosis Trends: Re-emergence and Prospects for Control Using a One Health Approach in Azerbaijan (1983-2009).

Brucellosis is one of the most common and widely spread zoonotic diseases in the world. Control of the disease in humans is dependent upon limiting the infection in animals through surveillance and vaccination. Given the dramatic economic and political changes that have taken place in the former Soviet Union, which have limited control, evaluating the status of human brucellosis in former Soviet states is crucial. We assessed annual spatial and temporal trends in the epidemiology of human brucellosis in Azerbaijan, 1983-2009, in conjunction with data from a livestock surveillance and control programme (2002-2009). To analyse trends, we used a combination of segmented regression and spatial analysis. From 1983 to 2009, a total of 11 233 cases of human brucellosis were reported. Up to the mid-1990s, the incidence of human brucellosis showed a pattern of re-emergence, increasing by 25% annually, on average. Following Soviet governance, the incidence rates peaked, increasing by 1.8% annually, on average, and subsequently decreasing by 5% annually, on average, during the period 2002-2009. Despite recent national declines in human incidence, we identified geographic changes in the case distribution characterized by a geographic expansion and an increasing incidence among districts clustered in the south-east, compared to a decrease of elsewhere in the country. Males were consistently, disproportionately afflicted (71%) and incidence was highest in the 15 to 19 age group (18.1 cases/100 000). During the period 2002-2009, >10 million small ruminants were vaccinated with Rev1. Our findings highlight the improving prospects for human brucellosis control following livestock vaccination; however, the disease appears to be re-emerging in south-eastern Azerbaijan. Sustained one health measures are needed to address changing patterns of brucellosis in Azerbaijan and elsewhere in the former Soviet Union.

Sclerostin and Dkk-1 in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the serum Dickkopf-related protein 1 (Dkk-1) and sclerostin levels, and their relationship to structural damage and disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), as well as to compare the serum Dkk-1 and sclerostin levels in patients receiving and not receiving anti-TNF-a treatment. MATERIALS AND METHOds: This cross-sectional study included 44 AS patients and 41 healthy age- and gender- -matched controls. Demographic data, disease activity parameters, and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiologic Index (BASRI) scores were recorded. Serum Dkk-1 and sclerostin levels were measured using commercially available ELISA. RESULTS: Serum Dkk-1 levels were lower (P > 0.05) and sclerostin levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the AS patients than in the controls. Dkk-1 and sclerostin levels were similar in the patients that did and didn't receive anti-TNF-a treatment, and in the patients with active and inactive disease (P > 0.05). There wasn't a correlation between serum Dkk-1 or sclerostin levels, and disease activity indices (P > 0.05). BASRI scores did not correlate with serum Dkk-1 or sclerostin levels (P > 0.05). DISCUSSIOn: Sclerostin expression is impaired in AS, but this is not the case for Dkk-1. The lack of an association between Dkk-1 or sclerostin levels, and anti-TNF-a treatment, disease activity indices, and radiological damage might indicate that neither the Dkk-1 nor sclerostin level induce inflammation and radiological damage in AS patients. Pathologic bone formation in AS might be due to molecular dysfunction of sclerostin and Dkk-1 at the cellular level.

Diffuse osteosclerosis in a patient with prostate cancer.

A 61-year-old man was referred to our outpatient clinic because of severe bilateral upper leg pain for 1 year. On admission, the patient had anemia and a high serum alkaline phosphatase level. Lumbar and femoral neck T-scores were +10.5 and +9.6, respectively. His radius 33 % T-score was -2.8. Plain radiographs of the patient's pelvis, spine, and long bones revealed osteosclerosis. The patient had previously undergone a prostate biopsy, which showed prostate adenocarcinoma (Gleason score 3 + 4). The patient's total and free prostate-specific antigen were very high. According to previous records, the patient did not have anemia, and his serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level was normal. An abdominal radiograph taken 2 years earlier revealed a normal spine and pelvic bone. Bone scintigraphy yielded nontypical findings for prostate cancer metastasis. Computed tomography of the patient's thorax and abdomen showed heterogeneous sclerotic areas in all bones consistent with prostate cancer metastasis. A bone marrow biopsy disclosed disseminated carcinomatosis of bone marrow in association with prostate cancer. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of prostate malignancy as a cause of high bone mineral density (BMD), even in the absence of typical localized findings on plain radiographs.

Association with isokinetic ankle strength measurements and normal clinical muscle testing in sciatica patients.

BACKGROUND: Sensitive muscle strength tests are needed to measure muscle strength in the diagnosis and management of sciatica patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the isokinetic muscle strength in sciatica patients' and control subjects' ankles that exhibited normal ankle muscle strength when measured clinically. METHODS: Forty-six patients with L5 and/or S1 nerve compression, and whose age, sex, weight, and height matched 36 healthy volunteers, were recruited to the study. Heel-walking, toe-walking, and manual muscle testing were used to perform ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion strengths in clinical examination. Patients with normal ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion strengths assessed by manual muscle testing and heel-and toe-walking tests were included in the study. Bilateral isokinetic (concentric/concentric) ankle plantar-flexion-dorsiflexion measurements of the patients and controls were performed within the protocol of 30°/sec (5 repetitions). Peak torque and peak torque/body weight were obtained for each ankle motion of the involved limb at 30°/s speed. RESULTS: L5 and/or S1 nerve compression was evident in 46 patients (76 injured limbs). Mean disease duration was two years. The plantar flexion muscle strength of the patients was found to be lower than that of the controls (p=0.036). The dorsiflexion muscle strength of the patients was found to be the same as that of the controls (p=0.211). CONCLUSIONS: Isokinetic testing is superior to clinical muscle testing when evaluating ankle plantar flexion torque in sciatica patients. Therefore, isokinetic muscle testing may be helpful when deciding whether to place a patient into a focused rehabilitation program.

Outbreak of Ralstonia solanacearum Biovar 2 Causing Brown Rot on Potato in the Aegean Region of Turkey.

Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi, Kosako, Yano, Hotta, and Nishiuchi, the cause of brown rot of potato (Solanum tuberosum), was detected for the first time in Turkey in 1995 in five potato fields in the Nevsehir Province of the central Anatolia Region and was eradicated under measures mandated by the government. Occurrence of the pathogen was not reported in other parts of the country. However, in 2006, brown rot symptoms were observed in potato (cv. Marabel) fields in the Balikesir Province of the Aegean Region. Symptoms and signs included wilting, browning of stem vascular tissues, and ooze exudation from the transversely cut stem. On tubers, brown discoloration of the vascular ring was observed. Creamy bacterial ooze emerged from the vascular ring a few minutes after cutting. In advanced stages, bacterial slime oozed from the tuber heel end (stolon) and "eyes" causing soil particles to adhere. Isolation of bacteria from diseased stem and tuber tissues on mSMSA medium (1) consistently resulted in white, fluid colonies with red coloration in the center. On the basis of biochemical, immunofluorescence (IF), and real-time PCR tests, 10 representative isolates (one per affected field) were identified as Ralstonia solanacearum. They were further identified as biovar 2 according to metabolization of maltose, lactose, and D (+) cellobiose but not mannitol, sorbitol, and dulcitol. In the IF tests, fluorescent cells were observed at antibody dilutions from 200 to 12,800. The expected real-time PCR products were generated using biovar 2-specific primers (2). Pathogenicity tests were performed by injecting a bacterial suspension (106 CFU/ml) into the stem of 2-week-old tomato seedlings (cv. Alta F1). Inoculated plants (five plants per isolate) were incubated for up to 2 weeks at 25°C and 70 to 80% humidity. Wilting symptoms developed within 5 to 10 days. No symptoms were observed on controls inoculated with sterile water. The bacterium was reisolated and identified as R. solanacearum biovar 2 as described above. The incidence of the disease in the affected fields varied between 20 and 40%, and surveys showed that approximately 163 ha were infested. Phytosanitary measures that were taken included a prohibition of production of host plants in the infested areas, tracing and testing programs to identify the source of the bacterium, and measures to prevent any further spread of the bacterium to new areas. To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. solanacearum biovar 2 on potato in the Aegean Region of Turkey. References: (1) J. G. Elphinstone et al. EPPO Bull. 26:663, 1996. (2) M. Ozakman and N. W.Schaad. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 25:232, 2003.

Utilization of hazelnut pellicle in low-fat beef burgers.

Hazelnut pellicle was used as a dietary fiber in the production of beef burgers. The effects of hazelnut pellicle addition on proximate composition, pH, cook loss, dimensional changes, color and sensory characteristics of beef burgers were evaluated. Hazelnut pellicle addition affected some quality parameters of beef burgers. The control samples had the lowest moisture and protein contents (P<0.05). The cooking yield and reduction in diameter and thickness of beef burgers improved by the addition of hazelnut pellicle. Beef burgers formulated with hazelnut pellicle had lower L, a and b values than control samples (P<0.05). There were differences among beef burger samples in respect to sensory properties, control samples and 1% and 2% pellicle added samples had high acceptability. The results indicate that, 1-2% hazelnut pellicle can be used as a suitable dietary fiber source in low-fat beef burger production.

Morgagni hernia: an unexpected cause of respiratory complaints and a chest mass.

Morgagni hernia (MH) is the least common type of congenital diaphragmatic hernias. Although its course is often asymptomatic, it may be associated with various respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. We describe 7 children with MH during a 5-year period in three pediatric centers in Turkey. All children had acute or chronic respiratory symptoms; cough was the most frequent. The diagnosis was made by posterior-anterior (PA) and lateral chest X-rays. The PA chest X-rays showed a homogenous mass in 2 and a gas-filled cystic image in 3 children in the right cardiophrenic angle. A retrocardiac homogeneous density in one child, and bilateral consolidation in lower lung areas in another child were also seen. All lateral chest X-rays showed gas-filled bowel loops above the diaphragm. The diagnosis was confirmed by barium-contrast radiograph. Four patients had five additional anomalies, i.e., ventricular septal defect, right inguinal hernia, congenital hip dislocation, pectus carinatum, and obstruction of the uretero-pelvic junction. All of the hernias were repaired by an abdominal approach. There were no complications or recurrences during follow-up. In conclusion, MH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cases of long-standing respiratory symptoms and/or when an unexplained radiological image, especially on the right cardiophrenic area, is present.

Congenital Agranulocytosis (Kostmann's Syndrome) and G-CSF Therapy in an Infant.

Congenital agranulocytosis (Kostmann's Syndrome) is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder characterised by severe neutropenia, recurrent infections, and death in early life, with the bone marrow showing a maturation arrenst of myeloid cells at the myelocyte stage. The treatment of Kostmann's Syndrome with G-CSF results in rapid improvement. However, a few unexpected results with the use of G-CSF, were reported. Here, we describe a 7-month-old female with Kostmann's Syndrome who had recurrent skin infections and a large pyogenic infection in the supravulvar region. The patient was treated with G-CSF successfully at low doses. The infectious process and the quality of lite of the patient improved. There was no adverse effect due to the dosage and the duration. Currently bone marrow transplantation is the best way to treat Kostmann's Syndrome. Nevertheless, our experience showed that G-CSF treatment in Kostmann's syndrome was highly effective and successfull on a short term basis.