Erbium, chromium:Yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er, Cr:YSGG) laser versus diode laser in the treatment of pericoronitis.

Background: There are limited number of studies about the lasers used for the treatment of pericoronitis infection. Aim: To compare the Er, Cr:YSGG laser and diode laser applications clinically in the treatment of pericoronitis infection. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients with pericoronitis infection were divided into three groups using block randomization: Er, Cr:YSGG + antibiotic group, n = 20 (mean age: 24.20 ± 6.13; 14 females, 6 males); diode group + antibiotic, n = 20 (mean age: 23.45 ± 2.96; 14 females, 6 males); and antibiotic, n = 20 (mean age: 22.45 ± 3.02; 11 females, 9 males). In addition, laser application was performed for patients in the Er, Cr:YSGG and diode laser groups on the 1st and 2nd days until the extraction day. Tooth extractions were performed on the 3rd day for all patients. Patients' pain (with visual analog scale [VAS]), lymphadenopathy, and local edema were clinically evaluated in the first 3 days and on the 7th day of treatment. Results: Pain score on the 2nd day of treatment was determined to be significantly lower in the Er, Cr:YSGG + antibiotic laser group as compared with the other two groups (P = 0.019). Although regression of lymphadenopathy on the 3rd day was highest (P = 0.025) in the Er, Cr:YSGG group, there was no significant difference between the groups regarding local edema. Conclusion: Er, Cr:YSGG laser improved the healing process in the treatment of pericoronitis and made an important contribution to the treatment.

CD27 expression on lymphocyte and sCD27 levels in children with asthma

Background: CD27, a lymphocyte specific member of the Tumour Necrosis Factor- Receptor (TNF-R) family is expressed on the majority of peripheral blood T cells. Activation of T cells via TCR/CD3 induces high CD27 surface expression and release of a soluble form (sCD27) of the molecule. sCD27 level increases in patients suffering from a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases. In the present study we aimed to measure both the serum sCD27 levels and CD27 expression on T cells in asthmatic patients, to evaluate the state of this molecule in allergic inflammation. Methods: Forty-three patients with asthma were included in to the study. CD27 molecule expression and soluble form of this molecule were analysed in atopic asthmatic (n:17) and non-atopic asthmatic (n:13) patients receiving inhaled corticosteroid treatment, in asthmatic patients whose treatment ceased at least for 6 months (n:13) and healthy control subjects (n:14). Results: There were no differences in the expression of CD27 molecule on peripheral blood lymphocyte nor in its soluble form sCD27 levels in sera between the atopic asthmatic and non-atopic asthmatic patients receiving ICS treatment, treatment free asthmatic patients and healthy control subjects. Conclusions: Neither the soluble form of CD27 nor its expression on T cells seem to be a reliable marker of atopic or non-atopic asthmatic inflammation

CD27 expression on lymphocyte and sCD27 levels in children with asthma.

BACKGROUND: CD27, a lymphocyte specific member of the Tumour Necrosis Factor- Receptor (TNF-R) family is expressed on the majority of peripheral blood T cells. Activation of T cells via TCR/CD3 induces high CD27 surface expression and release of a soluble form (sCD27) of the molecule. sCD27 level increases in patients suffering from a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases. In the present study we aimed to measure both the serum sCD27 levels and CD27 expression on T cells in asthmatic patients, to evaluate the state of this molecule in allergic inflammation. METHODS: Forty-three patients with asthma were included in to the study. CD27 molecule expression and soluble form of this molecule were analysed in atopic asthmatic (n:17) and non-atopic asthmatic (n:13) patients receiving inhaled corticosteroid treatment, in asthmatic patients whose treatment ceased at least for 6 months (n:13) and healthy control subjects (n:14). RESULTS: There were no differences in the expression of CD27 molecule on peripheral blood lymphocyte nor in its soluble form sCD27 levels in sera between the atopic asthmatic and non-atopic asthmatic patients receiving ICS treatment, treatment free asthmatic patients and healthy control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Neither the soluble form of CD27 nor its expression on T cells seem to be a reliable marker of atopic or non-atopic asthmatic inflammation.

Epidural blood patch with allogeneic blood for post-dural puncture headache.

A parturient suffered post dural puncture headache following accidental dural puncture during attempted epidural anesthesia for cesarean section. Post partum fever was regarded as a contraindication to autologous epidural blood patch; compatible and infection-free allogeneic blood was therefore used with good effect and without apparent complications.

Comparison of prophylactic anti-emetic effects of ondansetron and dexamethasone in women undergoing day-case gynaecological laparoscopic surgery.

We aimed to determine the effect of ondansetron and dexamethasone on preventing post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Sixty women undergoing laparoscopic gynaecological surgery were randomized to receive ondansetron 4 mg, dexamethasone 8 mg or saline. Drugs were administered 2 min before induction of anaesthesia, and anaesthesia and post-operative analgesic regimens were standardized. The incidence of PONV in the first 24 h after the operation was 35% in the ondansetron group, 55% in dexamethasone group and 85% in the control group. A significant difference between the groups was only seen in the first 3 h post-operatively. In this period, ondansetron was significantly more effective than dexamethasone and saline, but no differences were seen between dexamethasone and saline. In all treatment groups, post-operative visual analogue scale scores, sedation scores and usage of analgesics were similar. In conclusion, ondansetron, but not dexamethasone, prevented PONV in the first 3 h after gynaecological laparoscopic surgery.

Acupressure versus oxybutinin in the treatment of enuresis.

We aimed to assess the efficacy of acupressure for treating nocturnal enuresis, compared with oxybutinin. Acupressure was administered to 12 patients by their parents, who had been taught the technique. Pressure was applied at acupuncture points Gv4, Gv15, Gv20, B23, B28, B32, H7, H9, St36, Sp4, Sp6, Sp12, Ren2, Ren3, Ren6, K3 and K5. Twelve control patients received 0.4 mg/kg oxybutinin. Parents were asked to record incidences of bed-wetting and patients and/or parents completed a questionnaire 15 days and 1, 3 and 6 months after the start of treatment. Complete and partial responses after 6 months of treatment were seen in 83.3% and 16.7%, respectively, of patients treated with acupressure, and in 58.3% and 33.3%, respectively, of children who received oxybutinin. In conclusion, nocturnal enuresis can be partially treated by oxybutinin but acupressure could be an alternative non-drug therapy. Acupressure has the advantages of being non-invasive, painless and cost-effective.

Absence of bacterial growth in the culture from the epidural catheter of a patient with endometrial carcinoma and febrile neutropenia: a case report and review of the literature.

Infection is a potentially serious complication of long-term epidural (EP) catheterization in cancer patients. Although the use of epidural opioid analgesia is an effective and safe means for pain relief in terminally ill patients, these patients are in need of monitorization for possible infection. This is the first report in which EP catheter cultivation has been assessed in an immunocompromised and febrile neutropenic endometrial cancer patient.

The effect of superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione on cardiac performance after coronary occlusion and reperfusion--an experimental study in dogs.

To determine the effect of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Reduced Glutathione (GSH) as free-radical scavengers on cardiac performance in the reperfusion period up to 60 minutes after occlusion of the Left Anterior Descending artery (LAD), 16 dogs were selected for study. In the 30th and 60th minutes of LAD occlusion and reperfusion periods Cardiac Output (CO), Heart Rate (HR), Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP), Coronary Perfusion Pressure (CPP), Rate Pressure Product (RPP) and Triple Index (TI) values were determined. Of the 16 dogs, 7 as controls and 7 treated with SOD and GSH could be included in the study, and 2 had to be excluded because of death. In the 30th and 60th minutes of reperfusion period, the treated dogs had higher CO and CPP (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.01 respectively), MAP values were different (p greater than 0.05, p less than 0.05 respectively) from controls, whereas lower HR (p less than 0.05, p greater than 0.05, respectively), RPP and TI values (p less than 0.05) were determined. It was concluded that the combination of SOD and GSH may improve cardiac performance in the reperfusion period.

Oxygen free radical scavengers and reperfusion injury in dog lung preserved in cold ischemia.

Oxygen-derived free radicals are now considered important contributors to tissue injury associated with ischemia and reperfusion. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of oxygen free radical scavengers on reperfusion injury. The left lower lobes of 15 canine lungs were isolated, preserved, and then reperfused for 120 minutes. Three groups of lobes were studied: Group 1 (n = 5), without ischemia, group 2 (n = 5) four hours of cold ischemia in Euro-Collins solution, group 3 (n = 5) four hours cold ischemia+oxygen free radical scavenger glutathione (0.1 nmol/L) given at the moment of perfusion. Extravascular lung water (grams per gram of blood-free dry lobe weight) after reperfusion was 2.82 +/- 0.32, 5.06 +/- 0.45, 4.21 +/- 0.33 for groups 1 through 3 respectively (p less than 0.001 group 1 versus group 2, p less than 0.001 group 2 versus group 3). Lung tissue lipid peroxidation, measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive material was 125 +/- 11, 270 +/- 30, and 185 +/- 17 nmol/g dry lobe weight for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively (p less than 0.05 group 2 versus 1 and group 3 versus group 2). The data suggest that oxygen free radical scavengers attenuate reperfusion injury.