Evaluation of the effect of bruxism on mandibular cortical bone using radiomorphometric indices on panoramic radiographs.

BACKGROUND: This prospective study was designed to evaluate the effects of bruxism on mandibular cortical bone using radiomorphometric indices on digital panoramic radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mandibular cortical index (MCI), mental index (MI), and panoramic mandibular index (PMI) were measured on digital panoramic radiographs and evaluated for 128 bruxers (66 female, 60 male) and 128 control subjects. The data were analyzed statistically using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Kappa statistics, Chi-square test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent t-test, and Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups in terms of MCI type (P > 0.05). While mean MI values were significantly higher in bruxers than the control group (P = 0.007), the difference between groups in mean PMI values was nonsignificant (P > 0.05). In both groups, the C1 type was more prevalent in females than in males (P = 0.001). Females showed significantly lower mean MI values than males in both groups (P ≤ 0.040). However, the difference between genders in mean PMI values was not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MI measurements may be useful when radiomorphometric indices are to be used for the diagnosis or follow-up of bruxism in the mandible. Among radiomorphometric indices, MI and MCI values are affected by gender differences.

Association of soluble ST2 with functional capacity in outpatients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers play an important role in the risk stratification of patients with heart failure (HF). Recent studies have shown that soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), a member of the interleukin 1 receptor family, is associated with disease prognosis in acute and chronic HF. In this study we aimed to investigate the relation between sST2 level and functional capacity in outpatients with systolic HF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 120 HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; EF ≤ 40%). The mean age of patients was 66 ± 11 years. Advanced HF (New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class III-IV) was observed in 35 patients (29%). RESULTS: sST2 levels were on average higher in patients with NYHA functional classes III and IV than in patients with NYHA functional classes I and II (51 [9-198] vs. 25 ng/ml [9-118], p < 0.001). In a multiple logistic regression model, sST2 level (OR: 1.044, p = 0.004, 95% CI: 1.014-1.075), hemoglobin level (OR: 0.590, p = 0.001, 95% CI: 0.433-0.805), total cholesterol level (OR: 0.977, p = 0.004, 95% CI: 0.962-0.993), and age (OR: 1.066, p = 0.047, 95% CI: 1.001-1.136) were associated with poor functional capacity. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the optimal cut-off value of sST2 for predicting poor functional capacity was >42 ng/ml, with 63% sensitivity and 88% specificity (AUC: 0.810, 95% CI: 0.728- 0.875). CONCLUSION: Higher sST2 levels were strongly associated with poor NYHA functional class, independent of cardiac risk factors, in outpatients with HFrEF.

The histopathological and morphometric investigation of the effects of systemically administered humic acid on alveolar bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Humic acid is a soil extract found widely around the world. This product includes some trace elements important for human's health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphometric and histopathological changes associated with an experimental periodontitis model in rats in response to systemic administration of humic acid. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into five experimental groups: non-ligated (NL, n = 6) group; ligature-only (LO, n = 8) group; ligature + systemic administration of humic acid (20, 80 and 150 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 d respectively) (S-20, S-80 and S-150) groups. 4/0 silk ligatures were placed at the gingival margin of lower first molars of the mandibular quadrant. The animals were killed at the end of 15 d. Changes in alveolar bone levels were clinically measured, using a stereomicroscope (× 25), as the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar bone crest. Tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the differences of osteoclast numbers, osteoblastic activity and inflammatory cell infiltration among the study groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-10 levels in serum and gingival homogenates were evaluated. RESULTS: At the end of 15 d, the alveolar bone loss was significantly higher in the LO group compared to the NL, S-80 and S-150 groups (p < 0.05). In addition, the alveolar bone loss in the S-80 group was significantly lower than the LO and S-20 groups (p < 0.05). The osteoblastic activity in the S-80 and S-150 groups was significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). The osteoclast number in the LO group was significantly higher than the NL, S-80 and S-150 groups (p < 0.05). Inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly higher in LO and S-20 groups than the other groups (p < 0.05). The highest serum and gingival homogenate IL-10 levels were determined in the S-80 group (p < 0.05). The serum and gingival homogenate IL-1ß levels in the LO group were significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). Both 80 and 150 mg/kg dosages of humic acid significantly reduced the periodontitis-related bone loss and inflammation, but the differences between these two groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, it can be suggested that humic acid, when administered systemically as an 80 mg/kg dose, may prevent alveolar bone loss and reduce inflammation in the rat model.

The infrared, Raman, NMR and UV spectra, ab initio calculations and spectral assignments of 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidine.

The 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidine abbreviated as ACMP have been investigated by both the experimental and theoretical methods; through this work we provide the essential fact about the structural and vibrational insights. The optimized molecular structure, atomic charges, vibrational frequencies and ultraviolet spectral interpretation of ACMP have been studied by performing DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(df,pd) level of theory. The FT-IR, FT-Raman spectra were recorded in the region 4000-400 cm(-1) and 4000-50 cm(-1) respectively. The UV absorption spectrum of the compound that dissolved in ethanol and water solution were recorded in the range of 200-400 nm. The scaled wavenumbers are compared with the experimental values. The difference between the observed and scaled wavenumber values of most of the fundamentals is very small. Based on the UV spectrum and TD-DFT calculations, the electronic structure and the assignments of the absorption bands were carried out. The (1)H, (13)C and DEPT 135 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated using with the Gauge Including Atomic Orbital (GIAO) method and compared with experimental results. Besides, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) analysis were investigated using theoretical calculations.

FT-IR, FT-Raman, NMR and UV-vis spectra, vibrational assignments and DFT calculations of 4-butyl benzoic acid.

The solid phase FTIR and FT-Raman spectra of 4-butyl benzoic acid (4-BBA) have been recorded in the regions 400-4000 and 50-4000cm(-1), respectively. The spectra were interpreted in terms of fundamentals modes, combination and overtone bands. The structure of the molecule was optimized and the structural characteristics were determined by density functional theory (DFT) using B3LYP method with 6-311++G(d,p) as basis set. The vibrational frequencies were calculated for monomer and dimer by DFT method and were compared with the experimental frequencies, which yield good agreement between observed and calculated frequencies. The infrared and Raman spectra were also predicted from the calculated intensities. (13)C and (1)H NMR spectra were recorded and (13)C and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated using the gauge independent atomic orbital (GIAO) method. UV-visible spectrum of the compound was recorded in the region 200-400nm and the electronic properties HOMO and LUMO energies were measured by time-dependent TD-DFT approach. The geometric parameters, energies, harmonic vibrational frequencies, IR intensities, Raman intensities, chemical shifts and absorption wavelengths were compared with the available experimental data of the molecule.