Stereomicroscope-Based in Vitro Study Evaluating the Marginal and Internal Fit of PEEK and PEKK Crowns.

Purpose: The aim of the in vitro study was to compare the internal merge and marginal perfection of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) crowns under a stereomicroscope. Methods: All-ceramic preparation is done on the maxillary first premolar which is mounted on the wax block which was scanned using 3Shape scanner and duplicated into 30 acrylic CAD/CAM dies (n = 15) for the placement of PEEK and PEKK crowns. The YENADENT milling system was used to fabricate 15 samples from Group A PEEK crowns and to fabricate 15 samples from Group B PEKK crowns. According to the manufacturer's instructions, an equal amount of the dual-cure resin luting agent (Rely X U200 Self-Adhesive resin, 3M, Germany) was dispensed on the mixing pad before being mixed with cement and painted on the internal surfaces of the copings with the finger pressure crowns which were luted. The values were then analyzed using one-way ANOVA (post hoc) followed by Dunnett's t-test. Results: Among those two groups, PEEK group materials showed the lowest mean value of (28.73.3 ± 4.01) for marginal fit and (26.72 ± 2.53) for internal gap, whereas PEKK group showed a mean value of (32.85 ± 4.63) and (33.06 ± 4.14), respectively. Conclusion: Among these two groups, comparatively less marginal fit and internal adaptation is seen in PEKK when compared to the PEEK crowns. While the marginal fit and internal adaptation of both PEEK and PEKK copings were in acceptable clinical range.

Yoga is effective in treating symptoms of Gulf War illness: A randomized clinical trial.

Many Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War report symptoms of Gulf War Illness, a condition involving numerous chronic symptoms including pain, fatigue, and mood/cognition symptoms. Little is known about this condition's etiology and treatment. This study reports outcomes from a randomized controlled single-blind trial comparing yoga to cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain and other symptoms of Gulf War Illness. Participants were Veterans with symptoms of GWI: chronic pain, fatigue and cognition-mood symptoms. Seventy-five Veterans were randomized to treatment via selection of envelopes from a bag (39 yoga, 36 cognitive behavioral therapy), which consisted of ten weekly group sessions. The primary outcomes of pain severity and interference (Brief Pain Inventory- Short Form) improved in the yoga condition (Cohen's d = .35, p = 0.002 and d = 0.69, p < 0.001, respectively) but not in the CBT condition (d = 0.10, p = 0.59 and d = 0.25 p = 0.23). However, the differences between groups were not statistically significant (d = 0.25, p = 0.25; d = 0.43, p = 0.076), though the difference in an a-priori-defined experimental outcome variable which combines these two variables into a total pain variable (d = 0.47, p = 0.047) was significant. Fatigue, as indicated by a measure of functional exercise capacity (6-min walk test) was reduced significantly more in the yoga group than in the CBT group (between-group d = .27, p = 0.044). Other secondary outcomes of depression, wellbeing, and self-reported autonomic nervous system symptoms did not differ between groups. No adverse events due to treatment were reported. Yoga may be an effective treatment for core Gulf War Illness symptoms of pain and fatigue, making it one of few treatments with empirical support for GWI. Results support further evaluation of yoga for treating veterans with Gulf War Illness. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: clinicaltrials.gov Registration Number NCT02378025.

Traditional systems of medicine.

Traditional ways of healing illnesses originating in ancient societies are called complementary medicine today. Many of the traditional medical systems are based on sound fundamental principles and centuries of practices by healers. This article reviews some of the most commonly practiced traditional medical systems. A common factor noted in several traditional systems is a holistic approach to the well-being of a person's body, mind, and spirit.

Yoga: a therapeutic approach.

Yoga, practiced widely in the East, is now popular in the West as part of a healthy lifestyle. This article brings a medical perspective to the practice of yoga. Selected yoga postures that are believed to benefit certain medical conditions are highlighted. In addition, the philosophy, general guidelines, and medical benefits of yoga practice are described.