Comparison of plasma and salivary meteorin-like protein levels in patients with newly diagnosed Type-2 diabetes and treated with metformin.

OBJECTIVE: The present study compares the plasma and salivary Metrnl levels of patients newly diagnosed with type-2 diabetes who were treated with metformin for three months with those of a healthy volunteer group and immunohistochemically analyzes Metrnl in salivary glands. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 30 healthy volunteers and 30 newly diagnosed type-2 diabetes patients were included in the study. The newly diagnosed diabetes patients were treated with metformin for three months, and the plasma and salivary metformin levels of both groups were measured at baseline and after the three months of metformin treatment in the patient group. Plasma HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and Triglyceride (TG) values of all groups were also measured at baseline following three months of metformin treatment. Biopsies were taken from the parotid and submandibular glands and immunohistochemical staining was performed to show Metrnl immunoreactivity. RESULTS: Plasma Metrnl, HbA1c, LDL-C and TG levels were higher in the newly diagnosed diabetes group than in the other group, and salivary Metrnl levels were higher than in the control group after three months of metrformin treatment. An examination of the immunohistochemical staining of salivary gland biopsies under light microscope revealed Metrnl immunoreactivity in the intralobular and interlobular ducts of the parotid gland, while Metrnl immunoreactivity was observed in the acinar cells in the intralobular striated duct and interlobular ducts in the submandibular gland. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma Metrnl, HbA1c, LDL-C and TG levels were higher in the newly diagnosed diabetes group than in the other group. Metrnl immunoreactivity was detected in the parotid and submandibular glands. The relationship between Metrnl and DM should be investigated in larger groups.

Assessment of plasma microRNA potentials as a non-invasive biomarker in patients with axial spondyloarthropathy.

OBJECTIVE: It is assumed that abnormally expressed MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may be present in the plasma of patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthropathy (rad-AxSpA). Thus, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the expression profile of miRNAs in patients with rad-AxSpA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 15 patients diagnosed with rad-AxSpA according to the Assessment of the SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) classification criteria and nine healthy controls matched for age and gender were included in the study. Demographic data were collected, and disease activity was evaluated using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Peripheral blood samples were collected, and miRNAs were extracted. The expression of microRNAs was analyzed using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) by the miScript miRNA PCR Array Human Inflammatory Response and Autoimmunity. RESULTS: A total of 84 miRNA profiles were evaluated, and expressions in the study and control groups were compared. When compared to the control group, 6 miRNAs (miR-125b-5p, miR-144-3p, miR-19a-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-29c-3p, miR-30b-5p) were detected to be upregulated, and 42 miRNAs were detected to be downregulated in the rad-AxSpA group. A p-value < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. A significant association was found between miR-145-5p and BASDAI (p = 0.04941). MiR-144-3p, miR-302b-3p, miR-381-3p, miR-497-5p, miR-511-5p, and miR-9-5p were found to be significantly upregulated in the HLA-B27+ patients (p = 0.03063). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal miRNA expressions were detected in the plasma of the patients with rad-AxSpA. It was concluded that comprehensive studies should be continued to define these miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for rad-AxSpA in order to detect its association with Ankylosing Spondylitis disease activity.

The differential impact of COVID-19 on the work conditions of women and men academics during the lockdown.

That the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the work conditions of large segments of society is in no doubt. A growing body of journalistic accounts raised the possibility that the lockdown caused by the pandemic has affected women and men in different ways, due mostly to the traditionally gendered division of labour in society. We attempt to test this oft-cited argument by conducting an original survey with nearly 200 academics. Specifically, we explore the extent to which the effect of the lockdown on childcare, housework and home-office environment varies across women and men. Our results show that a number of factors are associated with the effect of the lockdown on the work conditions of academics at home, including gender, having children, perceived threat from COVID-19 and satisfaction with the work environment. We also show that having children disproportionately affects women in terms of the amount of housework during the lockdown.

The association between the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio and coronary artery disease severity in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) may reflect a systemic inflammatory status. We investigated the association between the LMR and coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with stable angina pectoris. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 221 consecutive patients who had been routinely referred for coronary angiography, for stable angina pectoris and 72 patients with normal coronary arteries were included in the present study. We analyzed the relation between the LMR and the angiographic severity of CAD. The SYNTAX score (SxS) was used for assessing the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. RESULTS: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio), platelet size distribution width (PDW), neutrophil and uric acid levels were significantly higher in the stable angina pectoris group than in the control group. The LMR was significantly lower in the stable angina pectoris group than in the control group (4.5±3.2 vs. 6±2.9, p < 0.001). The MPV/L ratios were similar in both groups. Patients with elevated SYNTAX scores (>32) had lower LMR values (3.2±1.5 vs. 4.6±3, p = 0.002). The monocyte count/HDL-C ratio (MHR) was significantly higher in patients with stable CAD than in the control group (0.015±0.008 vs 0.009±0.004, p < 0.001); however, it was similar in the higher SYNTAX score (>32) and lower SYNTAX score groups (0.018±0.007 vs. 0.014±0.008, p = 0.056). Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found that only the LMR was an independent predictor of the high SYNTAX scores in patients with stable angina pectoris. CONCLUSIONS:  The LMR, an inexpensive and easily measurable laboratory variable, is significantly associated with the presence of CAD and high SYNTAX scores in patients with stable angina pectoris.

[Opacification of hydrophilic intraocular lens after multiple injections of bevacizumab]. / Eintrübung einer hydrophilen Intraokularlinse nach multiplen Bevacizumab-Injektionen.

In the literature various causes of opacification of hydrophilic lenses have been described. Pronounced opacity is a complication that must be taken seriously because it can lead to explantation or exchange of the intraocular lens (IOL). The calcification of hydrophilic IOLs is often made responsible for an explantation. Despite the rapidly increasing number of intravitreal injections, they have so far not been associated with opacification of lenses. This article reports on a female patient where opacification of the hydrophilic lens was obviously associated with multiple intravitreal injections over several years. It involved a secondary calcification with calcium phosphate deposition directly under the surface of the IOL. Possible pathomechanisms are discussed. Due to the increasing number of intravitreal injections the association with IOL opacity should be further evaluated in the future. Generally, with hydrophilic lens materials it must be taken into consideration that these can become opaque following diverse interventions.

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF NIGELLA SATIVA OIL ON MYOCARDIUM IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the protective effect of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on the myocardium in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two 7-8-week-old female Wistar albino rats (300-350 g) were equally divided into 4 groups: nondiabetic untreated animals (control), diabetes mellitus (DM), NSO, and DM+NSO groups. For the induction of diabetes, 45 mg/kg streptozotocin was applied to the rats in the DM and DM+NSO groups as a single intraperitoneal dose. NSO (400 mg/kg) was orally administered through an intragastric catheter once a day over 21 days. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of the myocardium were evaluated histopathologically and immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Compared to the control, NSO, and DM+NSO groups, the myocardial tissue samples from the rats in the DM group had significantly higher myositis, hyaline degeneration, and Zenker's necrosis. Moreover, the Bcl-2 expressions were significantly higher in the control, NSO, and DM+NSO groups than in the DM group. CONCLUSION: NSO has a protective effect on the myocardium of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, most likely via suppressing apoptosis.

Combining clinical predictors to better predict for the no-reflow phenomenon.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether the combination of a CHA2DS2-VASc score (C: Congestive Heart Failure, H: Hypertension, A2: Age ≥ 75 years, D: Diabetes mellitus, S: Stroke history, V: Vascular disease, A: Age ≥ 65 years, Sc: Sex category) and pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) thrombus load score was more sensitive at detecting the no-reflow phenomenon compared to the CHA2DS2-VASc score alone or to the thrombus load score alone in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who had underwent primary PCI (PPCI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 497 patients with acute STEMIs were divided into two groups: no-reflow group (n: 194) and control group (n: 303). The Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grading and Myocardial Blush Grade (MBG) were used together to define angiographic no-reflow as TIMI flow < 3 (with any MBG grade) or TIMI flow 3 with MBG 0 or 1. Successful reperfusion was defined as TIMI flow 3 with MBG 2 or 3. RESULTS: CHA2DS2-VASc score was significantly higher in the no-reflow group than in the control group (2 [1-4] vs. 1 [0-3], p < 0.001]. Compared with the control group, the no-reflow group had a higher pre-PCI thrombus score (5 [4-5] vs. 4 [3-5], p = 0.001). Compared with the CHA2DS2-VASc score alone, the combined use of the pre-PCI thrombus score and the CHA2DS2-VASc score was associated with significant improvements in the ability to predict no-reflow (AUC) (0.65 vs. 0.60, p < 0.05). The addition of the pre-PCI thrombus score to the CHA2DS2-VASc score was related to a significant net reclassification improvement of 6.7% (p = 0.047) and an integrated discrimination improvement of 0.036 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We have found that the combination of a CHA2DS2-VASc score and a pre-PCI thrombus load score was more sensitive in detecting the no-reflow phenomenon than only a CHA2DS2-VASc score in patients who underwent PPCIs for STEMIs.

Neuroprotective effects of high-dose human albumin against traumatic spinal cord injury in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Human serum albumin (HA) is a unique multifunctional protein with neuroprotective properties. We aimed to delineate the mechanisms of HA-induced neuroprotection, supresses inflammatory response and lipid peroxidation after spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Adult female Wistar rats weighing 210-250 g were used for the study. The rats were randomly and blindly allocated into five groups. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for parametric data and Shapiro-Wilk test was used for evaluating the normal distribution of the variables. Kruskal-Wallis for nonparametric data was used to compare groups. Electron and light microscopies were used to demonstrate ultrastructural changes in spinal cord. RESULTS: The HA group was significantly different from all the other groups (p < 0.05). Both MPSS and HA treatments decreased the MPO significantly. HA treatment decreased the lipid peroxidation. HA treatment prevented the worsening of clinical results. In the HA treatment group, the ultrastructure was protected significantly. The neuronal bodies and axonal structures were normal except for some limited edematous spaces. CONCLUSIONS: HA improves early clinical results, protects spinal cord ultrastructure, and decreases MPO and LPO levels after spinal cord contusion injury (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 39).

[Optical quality of three trifocal intraocular lens models : An optical bench comparison]. / Optische Qualität dreier trifokaler Intraokularlinsenmodelle : Vergleich an der optischen Bank.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the optical quality of different trifocal intraocular lenses (IOL) is important in customized patient care. OBJECTIVE: Different trifocal IOL were compared regarding their optical quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the FineVision (PhysIOL, Liège, Belgium), the AT LISA tri 839MP (Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany), and the AcrySofIQ PanOptix (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX, USA) with a power of +21D for the distance using the OptiSpheric IOL PRO optical bench (Trioptics, Wedel, Germany). The additions for the near and intermediate distances were as follows: +3.5D/+1.75D (FineVision), +3.33D/+1.66D (AT LISA tri), and + 3,25D/+ 2,17D (PanOptix). We evaluated the modulation transfer function (MTF) at a spatial frequency of 50lp/mm and the Strehl ratio using 3­ (photopic) and 4.5-mm (mesopic) apertures. RESULTS: The MTF at 50 lp/mm (FineVision/AT Lisa tri/PanOptix) at the far focus was 0.373/0.399/0.400 (3-mm aperture) and 0.512/0.311/0.243 (4.5-mm aperture). At the intermediate focus, the MTF was 0.162/0.147/0.153 (3-mm aperture) and 0.092/0.125/0.137 (4.5-mm aperture). The MTF at the near focus was 0.229/0.192/0.404 (3-mm aperture) and 0.217/0.212/0.169 (4.5-mm aperture). The Strehl ratio was 0.335/0.298/0.370 (3-mm aperture) and 0.243/0.180/0.270 (4.5-mm aperture) at the far focus. At intermediate distances, the Strehl ratio was 0.189/0.185/0.162 (3-mm aperture) and 0.099/0.097/0.114 (4.5-mm aperture). The Strehl ratio was 0.305/0.283/0.464 (3-mm aperture) and 0.177/0.181/0.155 (4.5-mm aperture) at the near focus. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of the three trifocal IOL models at the optical bench could show distinct peaks at the far, intermediate, and near focus. The results were comparable in terms of optical performance.

Evaluation of maxillary sinus septa: a retrospective clinical study with cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, height, location, orientation, and type of maxillary sinus septa in atrophic, non-atrophic, and partially atrophic maxillary segments using cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a retrospective evaluation of CBCT images of 1000 maxillary sinus with 500 subjects from December 2009 to December 2012. The differences among gender, left and right side of maxillary sinus, type of crest and feature of septa were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 297 septa was recorded in 1000 maxillary sinuses (29.7%) with a mean height was 4.62±2.50 mm. Forty-four (8.7%) septa were located in the anterior area, 123 (24.5%) in the middle area, and 131 (26.4%) in the posterior area. Seventy maxillary sinus septa (26.1%) were observed with a mediolateral type orientation. There were no significant differences between all features of maxillary sinus septa and gender or type of crest. The only significant association identified was between type of crest and type of septa. CONCLUSIONS: The maxillary sinus septa exhibited variable characteristics according to orientation and type of crest. CBCT analysis is very important and should be performed before maxillary sinus surgery to prevent possible complications.

The role of pegaptanib sodium in the suppression of epidural fibrosis in a postlaminectomy rat model.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal epidural fibrosis is a clinical condition that develops after laminectomy and can compress the spine. Many agents have been tried for the treatment, but none has entered clinical use at present. Pegaptanib sodium is an antiangiogenetic drug that prevents the development of new vessels and thus adhesion by inhibiting the effect of VEGF. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 20 Wistar rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into 2 different groups as the control and pegaptanib sodium group. Three levels of laminectomy were performed. Only laminectomy was performed in the control group. A cotton ball soaked with 3 mg/kg Pegaptanib sodium diluted 1: 10 with 0.9 % NaCl was topically applied to the dura in the surgical field for 5 minutes in the pegaptanib sodium group. The rats were sacrificed 3 weeks later and histopathologically examined. The epidural fibrosis was graded. RESULTS: The epidural fibrosis grade in the pegaptanib sodium was significantly lower than in the control group c2 = 11,65; (p = 0.004)CONCLUSION: Pegaptanib sodium blocked the VEGF through its anti-VEGF effect and decreased spinal epidural fibrosis in rats that had undergone laminectomy (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 53).

Urinary Type III Procollagen Is Associated With Chronic Allograft Dysfunction and Predicts Graft Survival.

BACKGROUND: Chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD) is the most important clinical problem in solid organ transplantation. Interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy contribute to long-term renal allograft failure. Urinary type III procollagen N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP), has been shown to associate fibrotic processes. METHODS: One hundred sixty patients with CAD who underwent allograft biopsies were evaluated, and 52 patients with chronic or sclerosing allograft nephropathy were enrolled in the study. The subjects were divided into 2 groups according to the level of urinary PIIINP to creatinine (u-PIIINP-to-Cr): high procollagen group and low procollagen group. The association between u-PIIINP-to-Cr level at the time of biopsy and renal endpoints during 36 months of follow-up was assessed by multivariate Cox analysis. RESULTS: Interstitial fibrosis and proteinuria were higher in the high procollagen group compared with the low urinary procollagen group. Correlation analysis showed that levels of u-PIIINP-to-Cr were positively associated with fibrosis scores. During the follow-up, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreased in both study groups; however, GFR declined more in the high procollagen group than in low procollagen group. Cox regression model showed that the u-PIIINP-to-Cr levels, GFR, and proteinuria were independent risk factors associated with graft survival. CONCLUSION: u-PIIINP-to-Cr level is a potentially useful noninvasive marker for graft survival in patients with CAD.

The role of oxidative stress in the relation between fibromyalgia and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the involvement of oxidative and antioxidative parameters and to evaluate the relation between fibromyalgia (FMS) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Oxidative stress was determined by measuring the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidative parameters (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], and glutathione peroxidase [GPx]) in 131 randomly selected patients with OSAS. The control group was composed of 129 subjects with no clinical OSAS symptoms. OSAS was diagnosed by polysomnographic tests. All patients underwent overnight polysomnographic recording. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia was made following the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. The FMS patients used visual analog scales (VAS) to evaluate their pain, and they completed the FMS Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). All subjects completed the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: In the OSAS + FMS group, CAT, SOD, and GDX were found to be statistically significantly lower and MDA was found to be statistically significantly higher than in both the control group and the OSAS group (p = 0.0001). A significant difference was found about gender between the OSAS group and the OSAS+FMS group (p = 0.0001). In the OSAS + FMS group, BDI was found to be statistically significantly higher than in both the control group and the OSAS group (p = 0.0001). In the OSAS + FMS group, SF 36 was found to be statistically significantly higher than in both the control group and the OSAS group (p = 0.0001). No differences were observed between the groups about AHI, minimum O2 saturation, or total sleep time values. About the presence of FMS presence, no differences were detected among the mild, moderate, and severe OSAS groups (p = 0.831). A negative correlation was determined between AHI and VAS and total sleep and sensitive points (p = 0.0001). A negative correlation was shown between CAT and GPX, SOD and apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) (p = 0.0001). A positive correlation was shown between CAT, GPX and SOD (p = 0.0001). A minimum O2 saturation was detected. A positive correlation between MDA and AHI (p = 0.0001), and a negative correlation between MDA and O2 saturation (p = 0.0001) were found. CONCLUSIONS: OSAS and FMS were highly prevalent, which indicated that oxidative stress might play a role in the pathophysiology of both diseases, especially if they co-exist in the same patient.

Radiopacity of bulk fill flowable resin composite materials.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity of currently marketed bulk fill flowable dental composite materials (Beautifil Bulk Flowable, SDR Flow, Filtek Bulk Fill Flow, and x-tra Base Bulk Fill). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six specimens of each material with a thickness of 1 mm were prepared, and digital radiographs were taken, using a CCD sensor along with an aluminum stepwedge and 1 mm-thick tooth slice. The mean gray level of each aluminum stepwedge and selected materials was measured, using the equal-density area tool of Kodak Dental Imaging software. The equivalent thickness of aluminum for each material was then calculated by using the stepwedge values in the CurveExpert version 1.4 program. RESULTS: The radiopacity of bulk fill flowable composites sorted in descending order as follows: Beautifil Bulk Flowable (2.96 mm Al) = x-tra base bulk fill (2.92 mm Al) = SureFil SDR Flow (2.89 mm Al) > Filtek Bulk Fill Flow (2.51 mm Al) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As all materials had a radiopacity greater than dentin and enamel; their adequate radiopacity will help the clinicians during radiographic examination of restorations. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Bulk fill composite materials have greater radiopacity, enabling clinicians to distinguish the bulk fill composites from dentin and enamel.

Effects of Er,Cr:YSGG Laser Pulse Frequency on Microtensile Bond Strength to Enamel.

Literature regarding the influence of Er,Cr:YSGG laser pulse frequency with different output power levels on adhesion properties of adhesive resin to lased enamel is limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of laser pulse frequency (20, 35, and 50 Hz) at two different output power settings (3 and 6 W) of Er,Cr:YSGG on the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of adhesive resin to enamel. Crowns of 35 intact bovine incisors were embedded into self-cure acrylic resin individually, and then flat enamel surfaces were prepared with 600-grit silicon carbide papers under water cooling. Teeth were divided randomly into seven groups. Enamel surfaces were irradiated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser operated at one of six output power-pulse frequency combinations (6 W20 Hz, 6 W-35 Hz, 6 W-50 Hz, 3 W-20 Hz, 3 W-35 Hz, and 3 W-50 Hz) in groups 1-6, respectively. Bur-treated surfaces served as a control in group 7. After surface treatments and bonding procedures, composite build-ups were done in three layers up to a height of 4 mm. Next, all bonded teeth were sectioned into the resin-enamel sticks to be tested in a µTBS testing machine. The µTBS data were analyzed with univariate analysis of variance under a general linear model with the factor 'tooth' added as a random effect to the design. Resin-enamel interfaces were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The µTBS to laser-irradiated enamel in group 1 (6 W-20 Hz) was significantly lower than those of bur-treated enamel (p<0.05). However, group 6 (3 W-50 Hz) showed significantly higher µTBS values than did bur-treated teeth (p<0.05). SEM evaluation revealed enormous morphological alterations of laser-irradiated specimens, such as extensive vertical and horizontal microcracks and gaps, with the exception of group 6. The bonding effectiveness of adhesive resin to laser-irradiated enamel was affected by the pulse frequency of the Er,Cr:YSGG laser. Although the parameters recommended by the manufacturer lowered µTBS, increasing the pulse rate may maintain optimum µTBS.

JAK2 V617F MUTATION SCANNING IN PATIENTS WITH ADRENAL INCIDENTALOMA.

OBJECTIVE: Adrenal incidentaloma are lesions which are stated incidentally by imaging methods when there is no suspicion of any disease in adrenal gland. Inappropriate Jak2 signaling causes some solid and hematological malignancies. But the Jak2 mutation has not been previously evaluated with regard to adrenal tumors. In this study, we aimed to positivity of the Jak2 mutation in patients with non functioning adrenal incidentaloma (NFAI). METHODS: 45 (38 female-7 male) patients, who were followed due to NFAI at Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine between February 2014 and March 2015, and 45 (31 female-14 male) healthy controls were included in the study. RESULTS: The average age was 54.02±11.7 years and 38 patients were female, 7 were men. All patients underwent the following analyses for excluding a functioning adrenal mass, overnight dexamethasone suppression test, 24 hour urinary metanephrine and normetanephrine, plasma aldosterone/ renin activity ratio. Jak2 mutation of the patients who were diagnosed as NFAI was all negative. CONCLUSION: We could not identify the JAK2 gene mutation positivity in any sample. Since other possible mechanisms may throw fresh light on the etiology of adrenal incidentaloma, further clinical studies are needed on this subject.

Evaluation of microtensile and tensile bond strength tests determining effects of erbium, chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser pulse frequency on resin-enamel bonding.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to compare two different bond strength test methods (tensile and microtensile) in investing the influence of erbium, chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er, Cr: YSGG) laser pulse frequency on resin-enamel bonding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred and twenty-five bovine incisors were used in the present study. Two test methods were used: Tensile bond strength (TBS; n = 20) and micro-TBS (µTBS; n = 5). Those two groups were further split into three subgroups according to Er, Cr: YSGG laser frequency (20, 35, and 50 Hz). Following adhesive procedures, microhybrid composite was placed in a custom-made bonding jig for TBS testing and incrementally for µTBS testing. TBS and µTBS tests were carried out using a universal testing machine and a microtensile tester, respectively. RESULTS: Analysis of TBS results showed that means were not significantly different. For µTBS, the Laser-50 Hz group showed the highest bond strength (P < 0.05), and increasing frequency significantly increased bond strength (P < 0.05). Comparing the two tests, the µTBS results showed higher means and lower standard deviations. CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that increasing µTBS pulse frequency significantly improved immediate bond strength while TBS showed no significant effect. It can, therefore, be concluded that test method may play a significant role in determining optimum laser parameters for resin bonding.

Association of apelin, endoglin and endocan with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of type-2 diabetes mellitus. Endocan, apelin and endoglin are thought to be associated with endothelial dysfunction, angiogenesis and inflammation. In this study, we planned to evaluate these markers in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-blind, controlled clinical study was conducted on 99 type 2 diabetic patients with or without diabetic peripheral neuropathy and 53 healthy volunteer controls. Physical and laboratory examinations were done in all groups. In these groups, Endoglin, apelin and endocan levels were measured with ELISA method. RESULTS: Endoglin, apelin and endocan concentrations in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients were higher than other diabetes mellitus patients and healthy controls. Similarly, diabetes mellitus patient's endoglin, apelin and endocan levels were higher than healthy controls. The differences were statistically significant. We detected a significant positive correlation between endoglin, apelin and endocan levels in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Endoglin, apelin and endocan may reflect angiogenesis and endothelial dysfunction in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and they may be used as a marker in the future.

Results of one-stage surgical treatment in children with Tönnis grade 4 developmental dysplasia of the hip: is it worse when it is bilateral?

This retrospective study compared the results of one-stage surgery of unilateral and bilateral Tönnis grade 4 hips (high dislocation in developmental hip dysplasia, DDH) : 41 hips, 30 patients. Mean follow-up was 56 months. Pelvic radiographs were evaluated at three time points. Acetabular inclination angle improved significantly in both groups. Results were satisfactory (Severin classes I-II) in 13 hips (68.5%) (unilateral group) and 21 hips (89.5%) (bilateral group). Functional evaluation (McKay classification) at final follow-up revealed satisfactory results in 94.8% (unilateral group) and 63.6% (bilateral group). One-stage surgery is a reliable method for treating children with unilateral or bilateral DDH.