The prognostic value of ischemia-modified albumin in patients with sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a significant contributor of mortality all over the world. Emergency departments have a critical role for diagnosing a suspected sepsis in a patient, since early and proper administration of antibiotics may decrease mortality significantly. But, the unavailability of an objective and reliable diagnostic test is the major challenge of this critical issue. AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of a novel biomarker, the ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) in patients with sepsis and septic shock in emergency department. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This prospective, observational study included 81 patients with sepsis or septic shock and 75 controls. Sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, site of infection, IMA levels, other biomarkers (procalcitonin, pH, lactate), mortality at 24-h and 28-day were evaluated. RESULTS: The serum IMA levels in patient and control groups were 117.8 ± 85 IU/g and 115.8 ± 134.0 IU/g, respectively (P = 0.072). There was a weak but statistically significant positive correlation between IMA and lactate levels (P = 0.009). The mortality rates of patient group at 24-h and 28 days were 21% and 79%, respectively, but serum IMA levels were not found to be a prognostic marker to predict mortality. CONCLUSION: The main reason for the similarity between groups regarding IMA levels was thought to be associated with the distribution of the acute and chronic health problems other than sepsis in the control group. Emergency department physicians should not only depend on serum IMA levels for predicting the prognosis of patients with sepsis or septic shock.

Comparison of the postoperative stability after repositioning of the maxilla with Le Fort I osteotomy using four- versus two-plate fixation.

INTRODUCTION: Le Fort I osteotomy procedures requires miniplates fixation in both the aperture piriformis and zygomaticomaxillary buttress. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative stability of the Le Fort I osteotomy using four-plate versus two-plate fixation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study involved 39 Class III patients who underwent one-piece Le Fort I osteotomy with bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy. In group I, four miniplates were placed at the apertura piriformis and the zygomaticomaxillary buttress, whereas, in group II, fixation was achieved with two miniplates bilaterally placed at the piriform apertura with no posterior fixation. Linear and angular measurements included maxillary sagittal and vertical positions. The primary outcome of this study was stability, as recorded by lateral cephalometric measurements of the preoperative, immediately postoperative and late postoperative periods. RESULTS: Significant immediate postsurgical changes were found in both groups. In the late postoperative cephalometric measurements, all skeletal parameters showed significant stability in groups I and II. In terms of vertical and sagittal relapse, there was no significant difference between the four-plate and two-plate groups (p1=0.686 and p2=0.513, respectively). CONCLUSION: A good postoperative stability can be obtained with a two-plate fixation after one-piece Le Fort I osteotomy.

Comparison of locking and non-locking reconstruction plate-screw system in lateral mandibular defects by finite element analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze and compare stress distribution on bone screws and plate systems in locking and non-locking screw-plates design in lateral mandibular defects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Solid mathematical model of mandible was created by three-dimensional finite elements analysis and 25 mm length of lateral resection (L defect) was performed on the model. Models were reconstructed with 2.4 locking and non-locking reconstruction plate system. Each masticator muscles attached to mandible were simulated as direction, attachment area and magnitude on 3D model to compare with reality. The stress formation on bone and hardware system were evaluated. RESULT: The stress values on the cortical bone, plate and screw system were higher in conventional plate model than the locking system model. The highest stress values were measured in the proximal segment especially in conjunction with conventional screw system. Furthermore, the distribution of stress on the bone surface was more homogenous in the locking system. CONCLUSION: It is evident that the use of the locking system in 25 mm length lateral mandibular defects provides an additional advantage over conventional systems in reconstruction models.

Experimental assessment of histological and biological properties of the induced membrane and the membrane formed around the d-PTFE membrane: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective pilot study is to find answers to the following question: In the treatment protocol of open membrane technique defined by Funakoshi, do the histological and biological properties of the tissue that has already covered the graft surface following the removal of the d-PTFE membrane resemble those properties of induced membrane? MATERIAL AND METHODS: 4 male, white Vienna rabbits were used for experiments. Bicortical and 10mm in diameter four bone defects were created on each calvarial bone. 2 rabbits (8 defects) were accepted as group I and other 2 rabbits (8 defects) were accepted as group II. Bone cement was placed into the all-defect in group I. 8 defects were filled with Bi-Oss graft material and covered with d-PTFE membranes in group II. After 8 weeks, sacrifice of the rabbits was performed. In group I, without damaging the formed membrane around it, the bone cement was removed from the defects and the achieved membrane was sent to the pathology department. In group II, the thin film layer that formed under the d-PTFE membrane was sent for histological evaluations. Inflammation, edema, foreign body reaction, synovial-like epithelium existence, thickness, vascularisation (CD31, VEGF), fibrosis were assessed. RESULTS: Inflammation, fibrosis and thickness measurements are significantly different between the groups (P<0,05) and for these parameters, the mean of d-PTFE group (Group II) is significantly higher than the mean of the induced-membrane group (Group I). There isn't any significant difference for other parameters. CONCLUSION: The morphological characteristics of membranes of the two groups were similar. There was a cell-rich, vascularised tissue with fibrous structures; fibroblasts, myofibroblast, and collagen, orientated parallel to the cement.

Does Le Fort I osteotomy have an influence on nasal cavity and septum deviation?

AIMS: Le Fort I (LI) osteotomy has been used for the correction of dento-facial deformities of the midface. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of advancement and impaction of the maxilla with LI osteotomy on the nasal cavity and septum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, 40 adult patients, 23 females and 17 males (mean age 20.52 ± 4.4 years), who underwent single-piece LI advancement and impaction surgery combined with a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) were included. Posterior-anterior (PA) and lateral cephalometric radiographs taken before surgery (T0) and at least three months after surgery (T1) were evaluated. The superior and anterior movements of maxilla, changes of the nasal cavity, nasal septum and maxillo-mandibular parameter were measured on the cephalometric radiographs. Treatment changes were statistically analyzed using paired sample t-test, and Pearson correlation analysis was applied for the determination of the relationship between variables. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant change in the deviation parameters (P > 0,05). However, a statistically significant decrease was found for left and right nasal cavity heights after LI osteotomy (P < 0.05). Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between septal deviation angle and extent of maxillary movement (P > 0.05). Positive correlation was found between nasal cavity width and amount of maxillary impaction. (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The influence of maxillary impaction with LI osteotomy on nasal septum deviation was not found significant but maxillary impaction with LI osteotomy significantly increased the nasal cavity width.

The effect of leptin and resveratrol on JAK/STAT pathways and Sirt-1 gene expression in the renal tissue of ischemia/reperfusion induced rats.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to investigate the possible modifying effects of leptin and combined use of resveratrol on rat renal I/R injury and their relationship on signal pathways and apoptosis-related mechanisms. BACKGROUND: Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is an important cause of acute renal failure. METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: Control, I/R, I/R+leptin, I/R+resveratrol and I/R+leptin+resveratrol. Leptin (10 µg/kg BW) was administered (i.p.) 30 min prior to I/R. Resveratrol was administered by gavage at 20 mg/kg BW per d for 12 d prior to I/R. The left renal artery was exposed to 1 h of ischemia and 1 h of reperfusion. RESULTS: Resveratrol treatment alone increased TNF-α, TNF-α R1, NF-κB, SIRT-1, STAT1 and STAT3 mRNA levels and decreased caspase 3 protein levels. Leptin treatment alone significantly decreased the caspase 3 protein levels. The combined use of resveratrol and leptin significantly increased STAT3, and caspase 3 mRNA levels, and decreased the caspase 3 protein levels. Apoptosis was significantly decreased especially in the leptin and leptin+resveratrol groups. CONCLUSION: The present study suggest that a combined use of resveratrol and leptin has preventive and regulatory effects on renal I/R injury; the mechanism involves decreasing apoptosis, likely by altering the JAK/STAT pathway and SIRT1 expression (Fig. 8, Ref. 24).

Alveolar Ridge Splitting Versus Autogenous Onlay Bone Grafting: Complications and Implant Survival Rates.

PURPOSE: To compare the complications and implant survival rates of localized alveolar ridge deficiencies in the horizontal dimension reconstructed by alveolar ridge splitting (ARS) or autogenous onlay bone grafting (OBG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight ARS and 28 OBG were performed. The survival rate of the all included implants was evaluated using the clinical and radiographical evaluation criteria of Misch et al. Temporary exposure of graft, mild infection, temporary paresthesia, and bad split were defined as minor complications; permanent exposure of graft, loss of graft, and permanent paresthesia were defined as major complications. Major and minor complications of ARS and OBG groups were statistically compared. RESULTS: When the minor and major complication rates are considered, there was not any statistically significant difference between OBG (P = 0.099) and ARS (P = 0.241) groups. The satisfactory survival rate of OBG group was 92% and was 100% in the ARS group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.116). CONCLUSION: When reconstructing vertically sufficient but horizontally insufficient alveolar ridges, ridge splitting technique could shorten the treatment period, decrease postoperative swelling and pain, eliminate the need for a second surgical site, reduce the treatment cost, and ease the patient cooperation to the surgery.

Positive effect of platelet rich fibrin on osseointegration.

BACKGROUND: Leukocyte-platelet rich fibrin (L-PRF) is a second generation platelet concentrate clinically used to accelerate tissue healing and bone regeneration. Achieving reduced implant osseointegration time could provide immediate or early loading of implants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the L-PRF-induced osseointegration and bone-implant contact (BIC) in an experimental animal model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve 4-month-old New Zealand white rabbits were used. Following general anesthesia, 3-5 mL of blood was obtained from the central artery in rabbit ear and L-PRF was prepared. Two implant cavities (5 mm long and 3 mm in diameter) were created in each tibia with a total of four cavities in each animal. Two of these cavities were selected and covered with PRF (test group). The remaining L-PRF was used to soak the implants placed into the L-PRF covered sockets. Other cavities were left as controls. In total, 48 implants were placed. Animals were sacrificed after two, three, or four weeks. Histological samples were obtained and peri-implant tissues were histomorphometrically evaluated for bone-to-implant contact and new bone formation. RESULTS: Histomorphometric analyses of the defects revealed that the L-PRF was detectable up to the second week. Application of L-PRF increased the rate and amount of new bone formation in the experimental group compared to the control group. Bone-to-implant contact was enhanced when the surface was pre-wetted with L-PRF (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that L-PRF application may increases amount and rate of new bone formation during the early healing period and provides a faster osseointegration around implants.

Changes in difficult airway predictors following mandibular setback surgery.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of surgical mandibular backward movements on the predictors of a difficult airway. Thirty-seven skeletal class III patients were included in this study. The Mallampati score, body mass index (BMI), maximal inter-incisal distance, and thyromental and sternomental distances of these patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 6 months and 2 years postoperatively. A sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) without genioplasty was performed in all patients by the same surgical team, and anaesthesia was provided by the same anaesthesiologist using nasotracheal intubation. The paired samples t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for statistical comparisons of the data. There were no statistically significant changes in BMI or sternomental and thyromental distances after SSRO. The maximal inter-incisal distance was significantly reduced at 6 months postoperatively (P<0.05), but no statistical difference was found between the values obtained preoperatively and at 2 years postoperative. A statistically significant increase in Mallampati score was observed postoperatively (P<0.05). Both the patient and practitioner should be aware of the risks associated with an increased postoperative Mallampati score in mandibular setback patients. The amount of mandibular setback in skeletal class III patients with a high preoperative Mallampati score should be limited to prevent potential postoperative airway problems.

The influence of bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy on submental-cervical aesthetics.

The effect of orthodontic-surgical treatment on submental-cervical region was evaluated in a very limited number of studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate submental-cervical soft tissue contour changes following mandibular advancement and set-back procedures via bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy. Sixty-seven patients were included in this study. Group 1 consisted of 27 skeletal Class II patients who underwent mandibular advancement surgery, whereas Group 2 consisted of 40 skeletal Class III patients who underwent mandibular set-back surgery. Various linear and angular measurements were performed on pre-operative and sixth month post-operative cephalometric radiographs. A new method was used to evaluate the amount of sagging at submental region. The submental length did not change in Group 1; however, it decreased significantly in Group 2 (P < 0·05). The angle between submental plane and facial plane decreased to 95·9° from 98·8° in Group 1(P < 0·05), whereas it increased to 93·1° from 88·2° in Group2 (P < 0·05). The change of submental soft tissue sag was almost stable in Group 1, while 0·34 mm increase of sag was observed in Group 2. This increase was not statistically significant (P > 0·05). Mandibular set-back and advancement procedures do not remarkably change the submental sag following approximately 6 mm jaw movement. Although mandibular advancement did not significantly effect submental length, soft tissue followed mandibular set-back with a ratio of 1:1 at C-point to projection of soft tissue pogonion and 1:0·7 at C-point to soft tissue menton distances.

Is auditory function affected after Le Fort I osteotomy?

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes to the Eustachian tube and middle ear function and hearing level in individuals undergoing Le Fort I osteotomy. 20 consecutive patients underwent Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy with advancement, impaction or a combination of both. All individuals underwent hearing sensitivity tests, including pure tone audiometry and acoustic impedance measurements (middle ear pressure and compliance), which were carried out by an audiologist 1 week before surgery (t(0)), and then again 1 week (t(1)) and 4 weeks (t(2)) after surgery. Regarding pure tone audiometry, the differences between t(0) and t(2) at a frequency of 125Hz (P=.002), between t(0) and t(1) and between t(0) and t(2) at a frequency of 250Hz, and between t(0) and t(1) at a frequency of 1000Hz (P=.006) were statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference at any other frequency. Regarding middle ear pressure, no statistically significant difference was observed between t(0) and t(1), and t(0) and t(2). Following Le Fort I osteotomy, mild changes in hearing sensitivity and middle ear pressure are possible, but these changes were clinically insignificant.

Effects of different mandibular fracture patterns on the stability of miniplate screw fixation in angle mandibular fractures.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of horizontally favourable and unfavourable mandibular fracture patterns on the fixation stability of titanium plates and screws by simulating chewing forces. Favourable and unfavourable mandibular fractures on 22 sheep hemimandibles were fixed with 4-hole straight titanium plates and 2.0mm×7mm titanium screws according to the Champy technique. Hemimandibles were mounted with a fixation device in a servohydraulic testing unit for compressive testing. Displacement values under 20, 60, 100, 120, 150, 200N, maximum displacements, and maximum forces the model could resist before breakage were recorded and compared. The authors found no statistically significant differences between the groups for the displacement values in the force range 60-200N (60, 100, 120, 150 and 200N). Statistically significant differences for maximum displacement values (displacement values at the breaking forces) between the groups were found (P<0.05). There was no evidence for the need to apply different treatment modalities to mandibular fractures regardless of whether the factures are favourable or not.

An approach to the detection of lesions in mammograms using fuzzy image processing.

An algorithm was developed in this study, using rule-based fuzzy logic, to enable masses that are hard to recognize or detect in mammograms to become more readily perceptible. Small lesions, such as microcalcifications and other masses that are hard to recognize, especially on film scan mammograms, were processed through segmentation. A total of 40 mammograms were used and they were classified by radiologists into three groups: those with microcalcifications (n=15), those with tumours (n=15), and those with no lesions (n=10). Five mammograms were taken as training data sets from each of the groups with microcalcifications and tumours. The algorithm was then applied to data not taken for training. The algorithm achieved a mean accuracy of 99% compared with the findings of the radiologists.

A comparison of pre-emptive analgesic efficacy of diflunisal and lornoxicam for postoperative pain management: a prospective, randomized, single-blind, crossover study.

Diflunisal and lornoxicam are currently available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that have been shown to be effective to various degrees in pain relief when administered either pre-emptively or postoperatively. The pre-emptive analgesic efficacy of diflunisal 1000 mg was compared with that of lornoxicam 16 mg in 40 ASA I patients undergoing surgical removal of bilateral impacted third molars. The impacted third molar teeth on one side were removed at the first surgical appointment using one of the two drug regimens being assessed and the teeth on the contralateral side were removed at a second appointment using the alternate drug regimen; all operations were performed by the same surgeon. Acetaminophen up to 2000 mg daily was provided as rescue medication. The postoperative rescue analgesic consumption was recorded and pain scores were evaluated with a visual analogue scale at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24h postoperatively. No statistically significant differences were found between groups with respect to rescue analgesic consumption and postoperative pain scores. Pre-emptive administration of both NSAIDs proved to be effective in the management of pain following the surgical removal of impacted third molar teeth.

Digital panoramic radiography: a reliable method to diagnose carotid artery atheromas?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the panoramic radiographs of 4106 patients for carotid artery atheromas (CAAs) and to correlate our findings with the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The digital panoramic radiographs of 4106 dental patients (2428 female, 1678 male) were evaluated. Radiographs of patients 40 years of age or older were randomly chosen from a computer database. CAA findings were defined as radiopaque masses adjacent to the cervical vertebrae at or below the intervertebral space between C3 and C4 on the panoramic radiograph. The patients who had CAA findings were contacted by telephone, and some of them agreed to further evaluation. Evaluation included carotid ultrasound, ECG, echocardiography and treadmill exercise testing at the Department of Cardiology. RESULTS: Of 4106 patients, 88 patients (2.1%; 70 female, 18 male) had one or more radiopaque mass detected on digital images. All 88 patients with CAA findings were contacted by telephone and 23 agreed to further evaluation at the university hospital. Of these 23 patients, 8 (34.7%) had CAAs on carotid ultrasound and 15 (65.3%) had normal carotid arteries. From these eight patients with CAAs on Doppler ultrasound, 7 (30.4%) had plaques that were not haemodynamically significant and only one (4.3%) had significant plaque. The patient with severe carotid artery stenosis consequently underwent endarterectomy operation. There were no statistically significant differences between male and female in CAAs (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Digital panoramic images may have some diagnostic value for detecting CAAs and this early diagnosis could potentially increase the length and quality of life for people with CAAs.