Evaluation of different platelet-rich concentrates effects on early soft tissue healing and socket preservation after tooth extraction.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to analyze the early soft tissue healing characteristics and Fractal Dimension (FD) of extraction sockets preserved by Leukocyte-platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) and titanium prepared platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 57 single-tooth extraction sockets were included in the study, three groups were prepared: post-extraction sockets filled with L-PRF (n=19) and T-PRF (n=19), and control group; naturally healing sockets (n=19). Three months after tooth extraction, FD measurement was made in the center of the healing socket. The Landry Wound Healing Index (LWHI) and H2O2 bubbling test results for the complete wound epithelization (CWE) rates were recorded 1 and 2 weeks postoperatively. All patients were asked to record a visual analog scale (VAS) value for pain and the number of analgesics taken during the 3 days after the extraction. RESULTS: CWE using H2O2 test result showed a significantly lower rate in the controls than in L-PRF and T-PRF groups at 1st week. At 2nd weeks, both of the test groups showed 100% CWE compared with only 40.7% in the control group. The VAS pain score was significantly higher in the control group than in L-PRF and T-PRF groups on the 1st day. However, no significant difference was found among the groups on 2nd day. FD value of control group was significantly lower than the L-PRF group and T-PRF group. CONCLUSIONS: T-PRF and L-PRF similarly enhanced wound epithelization and reduced postoperative discomfort at extraction sockets. The T-PRF procedure resulted in higher FD compared to the L-PRF and control group.

Diagnosis of intracranial calcification and hemorrhage in pediatric patients: Comparison of quantitative susceptibility mapping and phase images of susceptibility-weighted imaging.

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare the diagnostic capabilities of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) with those of phase images of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in the detection and differentiation of intracranial calcification and hemorrhage in pediatric patients. METHOD: Sixteen pediatric patients (9 girls, 7 boys) with a mean age of 9.4±6.3 (SD) years (range, 6 days-15 years) were included. Fifty-nine calcifications and 31 hemorrhages were detected. Sensitivities and specificities of the two magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques were calculated and compared using McNemar test. RESULTS: QSM had a sensitivity of 84.7% and specificity of 100% for the detection of calcification. SWI phase images had a sensitivity of 49.1% and specificity of 100%. For the detection of hemorrhage, QSM had a sensitivity of 90.3% and a specificity of 98.3% whereas SWI phase images yielded a sensitivity of 64.5% and specificity of 96.6%. Overall, QSM displayed significantly better sensitivity than SWI phase images in identification of calcification and hemorrhage (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: QSM is more reliable than SWI phase images in the identification of intracranial calcification and hemorrhage in pediatric patients using MR imaging.

Blood and semen paraoxonase-arylesterase activities in normozoospermic and azoospermic men.

Paraoxonase and arylesterase enzymes are corner stones of antioxidant defence. We aimed to compare azoospermic infertile men and normozoospermic individuals with respect to total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), paraoxonase and arylesterase levels in the blood and seminal plasma. Two-hundred consecutive infertility patients and voluntarily participated were included. In the normozoospermic group, TAS, PON, arylesterase values were statistically significantly higher when compared with those in the azoospermic group, while lower TOS and OSI levels were observed in the blood and seminal plasma of azoospermic group. In the semen analyses of normozoospermic group, the correlation between semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and morphology and TAS, TOS, OSI, PON and arylesterase values was examined. A negative correlation was determined between semen volume and OSI. Levels of serum oxidative parameters were higher in the azoospermic group relative to normozoospermic group, but antioxidant parameters were lower than those of the normozoospermic group. Oxidative stress performs an essential role in the aetiology of male infertility by negatively influencing sperm quality and function. Assessment of blood and seminal plasma oxidative profiles might be an important tool to better evaluation of sperm reproductive capacity and functional competence.

Brain diffusion tensor imaging in children with tuberous sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate diffusion characteristics of tubers and white matter lesions in children with tuberous sclerosis (TS) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen children (11 male, 7 female; mean age 9.3years, age range 1-16years) with a definite diagnosis of TS were recruited in this study. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD) values in 89 tubers and 37 white matter lesions were measured and compared with those of contralateral normal regions. RESULTS: ADC, AD, and RD values were significantly higher and FA values were lower in lesions, than the ones measured in contralateral normal regions for tubers (P<0.001). Similarly RD values were significantly higher and FA values were lower in white matter lesions (P<0.05). ADC and AD measures were detected to increase in white matter lesions, however no statistically significant difference was observed. The increase in the mean values of RD was significantly greater than the increase in the AD values for tubers and white matter lesions (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: DTI can provide valuable information about the cytoarchitectural changes in TS lesions beyond morphologic MRI findings alone.

Assessment of Mean Platelet Volume in men with vasculogenic and nonvasculogenic erectile dysfunction.

Mean platelet (PLT) activation has an important role in the development of vascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the PLT volume in patients with vasculogenic and nonvasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) and compare it with the control group. Mean PLT volume (MPV) levels were measured in 50 patients with vasculogenic ED, in 30 patients who developed ED after radical prostatectomy (nonvasculogenic) and in 40 healthy controls. Ages were similar between the three groups. The diagnosis of ED was based on detailed sexual history, physical examination, laboratory assessment and color Doppler ultrasonography and is defined as the inability to attain or maintain a penile erection that is sufficient for successful vaginal intercourse. The results are given as mean ± s.d. of the mean. The mean age of the patients with vasculogenic ED, of patients with ED after radical prostatectomy and of the control group were 53.70 ± 12.39 (range 24-77), 54.60 ± 11.40 (range 43-61) and 53.85 ± 9.5 (range 30-73), respectively (P = 0.853). The MPV and PLT values were significantly higher in patients with vasculogenic ED than in patients with ED after radical prostatectomy and in control groups: 7.49 ± 1.4, 6.43 ± 1.19 and 6.85 ± 1.2 for MPV and 262.97 ± 68, 251.77 ± 78 and 252.89 ± 82 for PLT values, respectively (P = 0.033). The MPV and PLT values were not statistically significant in postprostatectomy ED patients and in control groups (P = 0.663). There was no significant difference among the three groups in terms of white blood cells and hemoglobin levels. PLT count and mean PLT volume were detected to be increased in patients with vasculogenic ED. This finding may suggest a role for PLT volume in the pathogenesis of vasculogenic ED.

The role of advanced oxidation protein products and total thiols in diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the role of protein peroxidation by detecting the serum levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), a novel marker for the degree of oxidative damage to proteins, and total thiol as a marker of antioxidant status in diabetic patients with or without diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to compare the results with those of control subjects. METHODS: The study groups consisted of two separate subgroups: 1) 37 patients (14 male, 23 female) with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) showing diabetic retinopathy (DR) and 2) 20 patients with NIDDM and without any signs of DR (9 male, 11 female); 26 healthy non-diabetic control subjects (15 male, 11 female) were selected from the patients attending our department for refractive disorders. Venous blood samples of all participants were collected in the morning after an overnight fast, and serum samples storedat -70 degrees C until assay for AOPP, and total thiol. RESULTS: AOPP levels were significantly higher in diabetic patients with (210.9+/-73.0 micronmol/L) or without DR (222.7+/-94.4 micronmol/L) when compared to those of controls (152.4+/-72.04 micronmol/L) (p=0.004). Even though the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.095), total thiol levels in cases with DR (278.7+/-139.1 micronmol/L) were lower than those without DR (334.0+/-129.4 micronmol/L) and controls (353.2+/-145.6 micronmol/L). Correlation tests did not reveal any association between these parameters and age, sex, or duration of DM. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that increased protein oxidation may contribute to the pathogenesis of DR.

[Mycosis fungoides of the eyelids. Two case reports]. / Mycosis fongoïde des paupières. A propos de deux cas.

Mycosis fungoides is a distinct variant of cutaneous T cell lymphoma. We describe two male patients presenting with the third stage of the disease at the age of 56 and 67 years. The patients had large, patchy pigmented tumors all over the face and eyelids. Incisional biopsy from the lid skin revealed full-thickness involvement of the dermis by malignant lymphocytes, angiotropism, and rare figures of epidermotropism. Immunohistochemical studies showed that these malignant lymphocytes expressed CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, and CD8 antigens but were negative for CD7 antigen. Multiagent chemotherapy and PUVA treatment were administered with limited successful outcome on their cutaneous lesions. Both patients died from problems related to the progression of the systemic disease. These two cases demonstrate the poor prognosis of the tumor stage because of strong association with widespread systemic involvement and emphasize the need for early diagnosis.