Specific prebiotics modulate gut microbiota and immune activation in HAART-naive HIV-infected adults: results of the “COPA” pilot randomized trial

Intestinal mucosal immune system is an early target for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, resulting in CD4+ T-cell depletion, deterioration of gut lining, and fecal microbiota composition. We evaluated the effects of a prebiotic oligosaccharide mixture in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-naive HIV-1-infected adults. In a pilot double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 57 HAART-naive HIV-1-infected patients received a unique oligosaccharide mixture (15 or 30 g short chain galactooligosaccharides/long chain fructooligosaccharides/pectin hydrolysate-derived acidic oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS/pAOS) daily) or a placebo for 12 weeks. Microbiota composition improved significantly with increased bifidobacteria, decreased Clostridium coccoides/Eubacterium rectale cluster, and decreased pathogenic Clostridium lituseburense/Clostridium histolyticum group levels upon prebiotic supplementation. In addition, a reduction of soluble CD14 (sCD14), activated CD4+/CD25+ T cells, and significantly increased natural killer (NK) cell activity when compared with control group were seen in the treatment group. The results of this pilot trial highly significantly show that dietary supplementation with a prebiotic oligosaccharide mixture results in improvement of the gut microbiota composition, reduction of sCD14, CD4+ T-cell activation (CD25), and improved NK cell activity in HAART-naive HIV-infected individuals

Evaluation of Surface Properties of Four Tooth-Colored Restorative Materials

The aim of this study is to compare microhardness, roughness and micromorphology of the examined materials of a newly developed glass carbomer dental filling material to two different resin modified glass ionomers and a glass ionomer dental filling material. Specimens tested were prepared from a glass carbomer without gloss (Glass Carbomer, GCP), a glass carbomer (Glass Carbomer, GCP) with gloss, two different resin modified glass ionomers (Fuji II LC, GC and Riva LC, SDI) and a glass ionomer (Equia, GC). Seven specimens of each material were prepared according to manufacturer's recommendations. After setting, samples were polished and stored in 37°C distilled water for 24 h. Indentation microhardness of examined restorative materials was measured using the Vickers indenters. In addition surface roughness of the materials was measured using surface profilemeter. Surface morphology was analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy. There was a significant difference in microhardness and roughness between the restorative materials (p<0.05). The highest microhardness was measured for Equia and lowest for glass carbomer with gloss. The roughness was fully definite for the glass carbomer with gloss and indefinite for the glass carbomer without gloss. Small cracks and voids were observed in all groups. High viscosity glass ionomer cement Equia exhibits the high physical strength than RMGIC. Gloss application does not influence the hardness behavior of GCP

Attitudes toward Wife Abuse of Police Officers and Judiciary Members in Turkey: Profession, Gender, Ambivalent Sexism and Sex Roles

This study examined the attitudes of police officers and judiciary members toward wife abuse in Turkey and the relation between these attitudes and profession, ambivalent sexism (hostile/benevolent sexism), gender, and gender roles. The following instruments were used for the analyses: The Attitudes Toward Wife Abuse Scale (AWAS), the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI), and the Bem Sex Role Inventory. The participants were 300 police officers and 150 judiciary members selected from different regions of Turkey. Results showed that compared to judiciary members, police officers are more tolerant of physical and verbal abuse of women in marriage, but less tolerant of the idea of the victim leaving an abusive marriage partner. Similarly, men were more tolerant than women of those husbands who physically and verbally abuse their wives, but less supportive of the wife leaving the abusive partner. Profession and ambivalent sexism (hostile/benevolent sexism) were found to be the strongest predictors of attitudes toward wife abuse

Effects of Third-generation LED LCU on Nanomechanical Properties of Orthodontic Adhesives

The aim of this study was to compare the hardness and elastic modulus of orthodontic adhesives cured with different light-curing units, based on light-emitting diodes. Standardized samples of orthodontic adhesives, Transbond™ XT, Opal® Bond™ and Light Bond™ were prepared in cylinder blocks and cured for three seconds with Valo Ortho LED (Ultradent Products, South Jordan, Utah) and Valo LED High-Power Mode. After grinding and polishing, specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for one day. Specimens were investigated using nanoindenter. Employment of Valo Ortho unit has resulted in significantly higher elastic modules for Transbond™ XT (p=0.041). The highest nanohardness and elastic modules were measured for Transbond™ XT cured with Valo Ortho (9.47 GPa; 81.85 GPa, respectively) and lowest for Opal® Bond™ for both Valo Ortho (0.44 GPa; 14.52 GPa, respectively) and Valo High-Power groups (0.44 GPa; 11.84 GPa, respectively)

Effects of Third-generation LED LCU on Nanomechanical Properties of Orthodontic Adhesives

The aim of this study was to compare the hardness and elastic modulus of orthodontic adhesives cured with different light-curing units, based on light-emitting diodes. Standardized samples of orthodontic adhesives, Transbond™ XT, Opal® Bond™ and Light Bond™ were prepared in cylinder blocks and cured for three seconds with Valo Ortho LED (Ultradent Products, South Jordan, Utah) and Valo LED High-Power Mode. After grinding and polishing, specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for one day. Specimens were investigated using nanoindenter. Employment of Valo Ortho unit has resulted in significantly higher elastic modules for Transbond™ XT (p=0.041). The highest nanohardness and elastic modules were measured for Transbond™ XT cured with Valo Ortho (9.47 GPa; 81.85 GPa, respectively) and lowest for Opal® Bond™ for both Valo Ortho (0.44 GPa; 14.52 GPa, respectively) and Valo High-Power groups (0.44 GPa; 11.84 GPa, respectively)

Nanomechanical properties of different dental restorative materials

The aim of this study is to determine the hardness and roughness of glass ionomer cement, glass carbomer, and compomer by nanoindentation. Three different dental restorative materials: glass ionomer cement, glass carbomer cement, and compomer were used. Disc specimens (10 mm × 1 mm) were prepared from each material using teflon mold. All specimens were light cured according to the manufacturer's instructions. The specimens were then mounted in polyacrilic resin. After grinding and polishing the specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 1 day. The specimens were investigated using nanoindenter. The highest nanohardness was measured for glass ionomer cement and the lowest for glass carbomer. Regarding roughness, glass ionomer cement and compomer showed the highest mean values. Glass ionomer cement and compomer exhibited similar nanomechanical properties. Glass carbomer had superior ability to be polished up

Conventional and Advanced MRI Features of Pediatric Intracranial Tumors: Posterior Fossa and Suprasellar Tumors

OBJECTIVE. In this article, we review the most common posterior fossa and suprasellar intracranial neoplasms in the pediatric population. We briefly discuss basic MRI concepts used in the initial evaluation of a pediatric brain tumor and then discuss sophisticated MRI techniques that give insight into the physiology and chemical makeup of these tumors to help the radiologist make a more specific diagnosis. CONCLUSION. Diagnosis and treatment of pediatric CNS tumors necessitate a multi-disciplinary approach and require expertise and diligence of all parties involved. Imaging is an essential component has evolved greatly over the past decade. We are becoming better at making a preoperative diagnosis of that tumor type, detecting recurrence, and guiding surgical management to avoid injury to vital brain structures