Efficacy of Duloxetine With Arthrocentesis in the Management of TMJ Internal Derangement.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrocentesis is one of the most commonly used non-invasive surgical interventions in the treatment of refractory pain and dysfunction associated with internal derangement. Several adjunctive therapies have been used in combination with arthrocentesis in an attempt to increase its efficacy and long-term maintenance. Duloxetine is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor which is used in different chronic pain conditions. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of duloxetine in combination with arthrocentesis compared with arthrocentesis alone. Twenty-eight patients with chronic TMJ pain were included and randomly allocated into 2 groups (control and study groups). The control group included patients who underwent TMJ arthrocentesis only, and the study group included patients who underwent arthrocentesis followed by giving duloxetine (30 mg) orally twice daily for 3 months. Pain, maximum mouth opening, and level of anxiety and depression were assessed preoperatively and followed at regular intervals of 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Pain was significantly reduced in both groups at all postoperative intervals and was significantly lower in the study group than the control group at 6 months. Maximum mouth opening increased significantly in both groups, but the difference between them was not significant. Level of anxiety and depression was significantly decreased in both groups, with no statistically significant difference between them. The results of this study indicate that duloxetine in combination with arthrocentesis may provide effective and long-term pain control; however, its use is associated with a higher risk of adverse events.

Polymerization efficiency of different bulk-fill resin composites cured by monowave and polywave light-curing units: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to evaluate the polymerization efficiency of different bulk-fill resin-based composites cured by monowave and polywave light-curing units, by assessment of the degree of conversion and Vickers microhardness at different depths. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Two commercially available bulk-fill resin-based composites were used: Filtek One Bulk Fill Restorative (3M ESPE) and Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill (Ivoclar Vivadent). The light-curing units utilized were two LED light-curing units: a monowave LED light-curing unit (BlueLEX LD-105, Monitex) and a polywave LED light-curing unit (Twin Wave GT-2000, Monitex). For each test, 20 cylindrical specimens (4 mm diameter, 4 mm thickness) were prepared from each bulk-fill resin-based composite using a split Teflon mold. Ten specimens were light-cured by the monowave light-curing unit and the other ten were light-cured by the polywave light-curing unit according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) was used to assess the degree of conversion, and a Vickers microhardness tester was used to assess Vickers microhardness. Statistical analysis was performed using three-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests (P < .05). RESULTS: The degree of conversion and Vickers microhardness in bulk-fill resin-based composites containing only camphorquinone as photoinitiator were similar when cured with either monowave or polywave light-curing units. However, bulk-fill resin-based composites containing a combination of photoinitiators exhibited significantly higher degree of conversion and Vickers microhardness when cured with a polywave light-curing unit. Although all groups showed statistically significant differences between the top and bottom surfaces regarding degree of conversion and Vickers microhardness, all of them showed bottom/top ratios > 80% regarding degree of conversion and Vickers microhardness. CONCLUSION: The polywave light-curing unit enhanced the polymerization efficiency of bulk-fill resin-based composites especially when the latter contained a combination of photoinitiators, but does not prevent the use of a monowave light-curing unit.

Olive Leaf Extract Attenuates Chlorpyrifos-Induced Neuro- and Reproductive Toxicity in Male Albino Rats.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a common organophosphorus insecticide. It is associated with negative consequences such as neurotoxicity and reproductive injury. This study aimed to observe the ability of olive leaf extract to attenuate chlorpyrifos toxicity, which induced neuro- and reproductive toxicity in male albino rats. Olive leaf extract (OLE) exhibits potent antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties. Twenty-two mature male rats were divided into four groups: control (saline), CPF (9 mg/kg), OLE (150 mg/kg), and CPF + OLE. Treatment was administered orally for 80 days. The CPF significantly reduced serum sex hormones, sperm counts and motility, high oxidants (MDA), and depleted antioxidants (GSH, SOD, TAC) in the brain and testes homogenate; additionally, it decreased serum AChE and brain neurotransmitters, increased Bax, decreased Bcl-2, and boosted caspase-3 immune expression in neural and testicular cells. Immunological expression of Ki 67 in the cerebrum, cerebellum, choroid plexus, and hippocampus was reduced, and α-SMA in testicular tissue also decreased. Histopathological findings were consistent with the above impacts. OLE co-administration significantly normalized all these abnormalities. OLE showed significant protection against neural and reproductive damage caused by CPF.

Peri-parturient hypocalcemia in goats: Clinical, hematobiochemical profiles and ultrasonographic measurements of postpartum uterine involution.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hypocalcemia in goats occurs around the time of parturition and is caused by decreasing level of calcium less than 10 mg/dL. This investigation characterized the hematological and biochemical profiles of peri-parturient hypocalcemia in goats and study the effects of hypocalcemia on uterine involution during the postpartum period on day 0 and then weekly postpartum (day +7, +14, +21, +28, +35, till +42). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five polyparous native breed does age 3-5 years and weighing 40-60 kg were assigned to control and hypocalcemia groups based on their health history, clinical and biochemical findings. The control group included 10 clinically healthy pregnant does, and the hypocalcemia group included 35 late pregnant does that suffered from anorexia, weakness, muscle tremors of the hind limbs, and an inability to stand. Clinical examination and blood sampling in both groups were performed approximately 14 days before the expected time of kidding (day -14), at kidding day (day 0), on day +21, and +42 postpartum. Sonographic measurements were used to monitor uterine involution on day 0 and then weekly once the animal was postpartum (day +7, +14, +21, +28, +35, till +42) in both groups. RESULTS: Results of sonographic measurement revealed that the hypocalcemia group had a greater (p<0.05) size of the uterus as assessed transrectally and retarded uterine involution when compared with the control group. Laboratory findings revealed that does in both groups showed lower red blood cells, packed cell volume%, and hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations on day -14 before kidding and day 0 when compared with postpartum measurements. A significant increase (p<0.05) in total leukocyte counts, neutrophil, serum glucose, and cortisol levels with a significant decrease (p<0.05) in lymphocytes. Significant decreases (p<,0.05) in serum calcium, phosphorous, vitamin D, and total antioxidant capacity levels with significant (p<,0.05) increases in serum malondialdehyde were recorded on day 0 and day -14 in the hypocalcemia group when compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: This investigation provides evidence that hypocalcemia in does causes both metabolic and oxidative stress during peri-parturient periods while also retarding uterine involution during postpartum periods.

Potential Alternative Treatment of Ocular Bacterial Infections by Oil Derived from Syzygium aromaticum Flower (Clove).

Purpose/Aim: This study aims to evaluate the predisposing risk factors and antibiotic resistance of bacterial corneal ulcer to commonly used antibiotics. In addition, assess the in vitro efficacy of plant-derived essential oils (EOs) as safe and effective antimicrobial agents. METHODS: Demographic features and predisposing risk factors of corneal ulcer patients were recorded. Isolation and identification of bacteria was performed using conventional microbiological methods. Antibacterial activity was determined by disk diffusion and the micro-dilution broth methods. EOs were extracted by steam distillation and were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry technique. RESULTS: Out of the 200 patients with corneal ulcer evaluated in this study, the main predisposing factor of bacterial corneal ulcer was trauma (26.5%) and 96.7% isolates were multidrug resistant. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant isolate 33 cases. Antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial isolates showed that the fourth-generation fluoroquinolones, gatifloxacin was the most effective antibiotic with sensitivity rate 81.3%. Seven selected EOs showed significant activity against most of the tested bacteria. Syzygium aromaticum oil showed high activity against all tested bacterial species with highest sensitivity rate (97.5%) and low minimal inhibitory concentration values against S. aureus (0.10 µl/ml). The chemical composition of the EOs showed that the monoterpenes were predominant. The main constituent of S. aromaticum oil was eugenol (76%). CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed that S. aromaticum oil had high antibacterial activity that could be helpful in the treatment of ocular bacterial infections to minimizing the possible side effects of commonly used antibiotic.

Circulating adipokines in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: possible noninvasive diagnostic markers.

BACKGROUND: The growing obesity pandemic is the leading cause for increasing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children. Histopathological evaluation of the liver remains the gold standard for NAFLD diagnosis, but it is an invasive procedure with a low but real risk of morbidity and mortality. The current study evaluated circulating chemerin and adiponectin as possible noninvasive diagnostic markers for NAFLD in obese non-diabetic children. METHODS: A prospective case-control study was conducted, which included 101 obese children with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 57 age- and sex-matched controls. The overall mean age of the children was 10.08±3.12 years. All underwent a full clinical assessment, routine laboratory investigation, and abdominal ultrasound. Homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance was calculated and circulating chemerin and adiponectin were evaluated using ELISA. RESULTS: Elevated serum chemerin and decreased serum adiponectin were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of exhibiting NAFLD. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis for differentiation of NAFLD patients from those in the control group demonstrated that chemerin, at a cutoff value of 186.7 ng/mL, yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 56.44% and 87.72% respectively (P<0.001), whereas adiponectin, at a cutoff value of 2.4 µg/mL, had a sensitivity and specificity of 74.26% and 3.51% respectively (P<0.001). Furthermore, body mass index, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, triglycerides, and gamma-glutamyl transferase had significant positive correlations with chemerin and significant negative correlations with adiponectin (P≤0.001). CONCLUSION: Circulating chemerin and adiponectin could serve as simple noninvasive diagnostic markers for NAFLD in non-diabetic obese children.

Two-year clinical evaluation of ormocer, nanohybrid and nanofill composite restorative systems in posterior teeth.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the 2-year clinical performance of an ormocer, a nanohybrid, and a nanofill resin composite with that of a microhybrid composite in restorations of small occlusal cavities made in posterior teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients, each with 4 occlusal restorations under occlusion, were enrolled in this study. A total of 140 restorations was placed, 25% for each material: an ormocer-based composite, Admira; a nanohybrid resin composite, Tetric EvoCeram; a nanofill resin composite, Filtek Supreme; and a microhybrid resin composite, Tetric Ceram. Two operators placed all restorations according to the manufacturers' instructions. One week after placement, the restorations were finished/polished and patients were advised to return for follow-up at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. All patients attended the 2-year visit where the clinical performance of all restorations was evaluated. Two independent examiners made all evaluations according to the USPHS modified Ryge criteria immediately after placement of restorations and at subsequent recall visits. The changes in the USPHS parameters during the 2-year period were analyzed with the Friedman test. Comparison of the baseline scores with those at the recall visits was made using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: All materials showed only minor changes, and no differences were detected between their performance at baseline and after 2 years. Only one ormocer and one microhybrid composite restoration had failed after 2 years. No failure was detected in nanohybrid and nanofill composite restorations. Regarding the clinical performance, there were no statistically significant differences among the materials used (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: After 2 years, the ormocer, nanohybrid, and nanofill composites showed acceptable clinical performance similar to that of the microhybrid resin composite.