Clinical evaluation of single and repeated sessions of photobiomodulation with two different therapeutic wavelengths for reducing postoperative sequelae after impacted mandibular third molar surgery: a randomized, double-blind clinical study

The effects of the number of photobiomodulation (PBM) sessions on the postoperative inflammatory process remain controversial. The current literature comparing single and repeated PBM sessions is limited. Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of single and repeated PBM sessions, applied at two different therapeutic wavelengths within the infrared spectrum, on postoperative inflammatory response after impacted third molar tooth extraction.Methodology: This randomized, double-blind clinical study included 40 patients with bilateral impacted mandibular third molars (80 teeth). The patients were divided into two groups each including 20 subjects (40 teeth) to receive either single-session laser at 810 nm (20 teeth) and 940 nm (20 teeth) immediately after the surgery or repeated laser sessions at 810 nm (20 teeth) and 940 nm (20 teeth) (immediately after the surgery and on postoperative Day 1). Lasers at 940 nm (power density 0.5 Watt/cm2, energy density 4 J/cm2 for a time until the cumulative energy on the device screen reaches 50 J from 0 J, in continuous mode, spot size 2.8 cm2) and at 810 nm (power density 0.14 Watt/cm2, energy density 4 J/cm2, for 30 seconds, in continuous mode, spot size 2.1 cm2) were applied intra- and extra-orally. Pain, swelling, and trismus were evaluated postoperatively. Results: No significant differences were determined between the groups on the evaluated parameters (p>0.05). Conclusion: Within the study limitations, in PBM, the effects of 810 nm and 940 nm and those of single and repeated applications were similar regarding pain, swelling and trismus. Immediate postoperative PBM could be preferred to repeated applications performed by point application within a 24-hour period

Detecting the interferences in adrenocorticotropic hormone measurement - three cases reinforcing the efficiency of the complementary clinical and laboratory audit

Highlights Comparing test results to clinical data enhances the identification of interferences Misinterpretation of ACTH as a result of interference may lead to unnecessary testing Despite the interference, ACTH concentration can be in the reference interval Accurate measurement of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is crucial in the evaluation of pituitary and adrenal disorders. Although great progress has been achieved in ACTH measurement with immunometric assays, interference may occur and adversely affect the clinical management. The report contributes to compiling the evidence on the clinical challenges with the management of the interferences in the ACTH measurement by presenting three cases: two with clinically overt hypercortisolism and discrepant ACTH concentrations within the reference interval; the third case describes the falsely elevated ACTH in a patient with secondary adrenal insufficiency. In all patients, the results obtained with the two immunometric platforms, chemiluminescence (CLIA) immunoassay (Siemens, Immulite) and electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) immunoassay (Roche, Cobas), were discordant. Serial dilution of plasma samples revealed nonlinearity. After polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation recoveries were less than 22%, 26%, and 3%, respectively, supporting interference. Moreover, a decrease in ACTH concentration after incubation in a heterophile antibody-blocking tube was observed in the second case. In the first case, misinterpretation of ACTH led to inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS), whereas timely detection of assay interference prevented further investigations in other cases. Increasing awareness regarding ACTH interference and comprehensive approach in evaluation could allow timely detection, helping to prevent unnecessary testing and perplexing clinical outcomes

Complications of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in non-traumatic cases and factors affecting complications

AbstractIn this study, bodily injuries related to chest compression were examined in non-traumatic death cases that underwent autopsy. This study aimed to evaluate factors that can affect these injuries.Data were collected retrospectively, and injuries related to chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation were determined over a 10-year period. Age, gender and cause of death were determined, and when cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed, cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration, intubation and the injury that occurred due to chest compression were also determined.The study included data from 203 cases. The most frequent injuries were a single fracture in the left ribs (19.7%). Only the duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was determined to be associated with injuries. Ventricle rupture in 1 case and liver laceration in 2 cases were the most significant injuries.It has been shown that during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, severe injuries can occur due to thoracic compression. Only a positive correlation with the duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was found in our study

Development of a Coherent Bistatic Vegetation Model for Signal of Opportunity Applications at VHF UHF-Bands

A coherent bistatic vegetation scattering model, based on a Monte Carlo simulation, is being developed to simulate polarimetric bi-static reflectometry at VHF/UHF-bands (240-270 MHz). The model is aimed to assess the value of geostationary satellite signals of opportunity to enable estimation of the Earth's biomass and root-zone soil moisture. An expression for bistatic scattering from a vegetation canopy is derived for the practical case of a ground-based/low altitude platforms with passive receivers overlooking vegetation. Using analytical wave theory in conjunction with distorted Born approximation (DBA), the transmit and receive antennas effects (i.e., polarization, orientation, height, etc.) are explicitly accounted for. Both the coherency nature of the model (joint phase and amplitude information) and the explicit account of system parameters (antenna, altitude, polarization, etc) enable one to perform various beamforming techniques to evaluate realistic deployment configurations. In this paper, several test scenarios will be presented and the results will be evaluated for feasibility for future biomass and root-zone soil moisture application using geostationary communication satellite signals of opportunity at low frequencies

Czynnik wzrostu fibroblastów 21 i jego związek z wrażliwością na insulinę u krewnych pierwszego stopnia chorych na cukrzycę typu 2

  Introduction: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF 21) has been suggested as a predictor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Material and methods: We aimed to determine FGF 21 levels in normoglycaemic (Group 1) and prediabetic (Group 2) first-degree relatives (FDR) of patients with T2DM in comparison with normoglycaemic subjects without a history of T2DM in their FDR (Group 3). Results: There was a significant difference between Group 1, 2, and 3 with respect to plasma FGF 21 concentrations (143.3 ± 93.8, 221.9 ± ± 171.7 and 121.2 ± 119.8 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.01). FGF 21 levels were significantly increased in prediabetic FDR of patients with T2DM compared to normoglycaemic subjects without a history of T2DM in their FDR (p = 0.02). FGF 21 levels did not differ between normoglycaemic FDR of patients with T2DM and normoglycaemic subjects without a history of T2DM in their FDR (p > 0.05). In the whole group, FGF 21 correlated positively with age (r = 0.31, p = 0.003), BMI (r = 0.38, p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.38, p = 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.26, p = 0.02), fasting blood glucose (r = 0.24, p = 0.02), HOMA-IR (r = 0.23, p = 0.03), AUC glucose (r = 0.35, p = 0.001), and AUC insulin (r = 0.32, p = 0.003) and negatively with HDL cholesterol (r = –0.24, p = 0.02) and Matsuda ISI (r = –0.33, p = 0.002). In the regression analysis, BMI was the most predictive factor for FGF 21 levels (beta = 0.41, r2 = 0.17, p < 0.001). Conclusions: We showed that FGF 21 concentrations are increased in prediabetic FDR of patients with T2DM and that there is a significant association between FGF 21 and obesity and insulin sensitivity. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (3): 260–264)    Wstęp: Sugerowano, że stężenie czynnika wzrostu fibroblastów 21 (FGF 21) jest czynnikiem predykcyjnym rozwoju cukrzycy typu 2 (T2DM). Materiał i metody: Celem badania było ustalenie stężenia FGF 21 u osób z normoglikemią (grupa 1) i ze stanem przedcukrzycowym (grupa 2) będących krewnymi pierwszego stopnia (FDR) chorych na T2DM w porównaniu z osobami z normoglikemią z ujemnym wywiadem rodzinnym w kierunku T2DM (grupa 3). Wyniki: Stwierdzono istotne różnice między grupami 1, 2 i 3 pod względem stężenia FGF 21 w osoczu (odpowiednio 143,3 ± 93,8; 221,9 ± 171,7 i 121,2 ± 119,8 pg/ml; p = 0,01). Stężenia FGF 21 były istotnie wyższe w grupie krewnych pierwszego stopnia chorych na T2DM ze stanem przedcukrzycowym niż u osób z normoglikemią bez dodatniego wywiadu rodzinnego w kierunku T2DM (p = 0,02). Stężenia FGF 21 nie różniły się istotnie między krewnymi pierwszego stopnia chorych na T2DM z normoglikemią a osobami z normoglikemią bez T2DM u krewnych pierwszego stopnia (p > 0,05). W całej badanej grupie stwierdzono dodatnią korelację między stężeniem FGF 21 a wiekiem (r = 0,31; p = 0,003), BMI (r = 0,38; p < 0,001), skurczowym ciśnieniem tętniczym (r = 0,38; p = 0,001), rozkurczowym ciśnieniem tętniczym (r = 0,26; p = 0,02), glikemią na czczo (r = 0,24; p = 0,02), wskaźnikiem HOMA-IR (r = 0,23; p = 0,03), AUC glukozy (r = 0,35; p = 0,001), AUC insuliny (r = 0,32; p = 0,003) oraz ujemną korelację ze stężeniem cholesterolu frakcji HDL (r = –0,24; p = 0,02) i wskaźnikiem ISI według Matsudy (r = –0,33; p = 0,002). W analizie regresji najsilniejszym czynnikiem prognostycznym stężenia FGF 21 był wskaźnik BMI (beta = 0,41; r2 = 0,17; p < 0,001). Wnioski: Podsumowując, autorzy wykazali, że stężenia FGF 21 są zwiększone u krewnych pierwszego stopnia chorych na T2DM ze stanem przedcukrzycowym i że istnieje silny związek między stężeniem FGF 21 a otyłością i wrażliwością na insulinę. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (3): 260–264)

Highly Sensitive OFET Based Room Temperature Operated Gas Sensors Using Thieno[3,2-b]thiophene Extended Phthalocyanine Semiconductor

Over the past decades, organic field-effect transistor (OFET) gas sensors have maintained a rapid development. However, the majority of OFET gas sensors show insufficient detection capability towards oxidizing and hazardous gases such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfide dioxide (SO2). In this report, a sustainable approach toward fabrication of OFET gas sensor, consisting of thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (TT) and phthalocyanine (Pc) based electron rich structure (TT-Pc) for detection of both nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfide dioxide (SO2) is disclosed for the first time. Khaya gum (KG), a natural, biodegradable biopolymer is used as the gate dielectric in these OFET-based sensors. Thin film properties and surface morphology of TT-Pc were investigated by UV-Vis, SEM, AFM and contact angle measurements, which indicated a uniform and smooth film formation. The UV-Vis properties were supported by computational chemistry, performed using density functional theory (DFT) for optimizing geometry and absorption of TT-Pc models. Sensitive and selective responses of 90% and 60% were obtained from TT-Pc OFET-based sensors upon exposure to 20 ppm of NO2 and SO2, respectively, under ambient conditions. One of the lowest limits of detection of ~165 ppb was achieved for both NO2 and SO2 using solution-processed TT-Pc sensor with natural, biodegradable dielectric biopolymer. The sensors showed excellent long-term environmental and operational stability with only a 7% reduction of the sensor’s initial response (%) upon exposure to NO2 and SO2 over nine months of operation in air

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Bevacizumab Treatment in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer with PET-CT

Purpose: To evaluate the response to therapy with PET-CT in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with Bevacizumab and chemotherapy.Methods: Twenty-two patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that were treated with bevacizumab and 6 cycles of chemotherapy were evaluated by whole-body PET-CT scan before and after the treatment in accordance with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer criteria.Results: While 31.8% of patients responded to treatment (complete response + partial response), 68.2% did not respond to treatment (stable disease + progressive disease). The mean hepatic, extra hepatic, abdomen, lung and bone metastases SUVmax values were higher after treatment in comparison to the pre-treatment values. There was an increase in SUVmax values in those who did not respond to the treatment, while a decrease was observed in those who responded to the treatment. Survival was significantly increased in all patients that responded to the treatment. The difference in terms of gender, histological subtype, histological grade, primary tumor location, presence of metastases in regional lymph nodes and liver at the time of diagnosis or the response to the treatment was not statistically significant.Conclusions: In this study we detected metabolic response before anatomical response with PET-CT in one third of metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with Bevacizumab and chemotherapy. This finding suggests that PET-CT may be used as a measure to follow therapy response and predict the prognosis in metastatic colorectal cancer patients

Effect Of G2706A and G1051A polymorphisms of the ABCA1 gene on the lipid, oxidative stress and homocystein levels in Turkish patients with polycystıc ovary syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity, insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism, crucial parameters of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) play significant pathophysiological roles in lipidemic aberrations associated within the syndrome. Parts of the metabolic syndrome (low HDL and insulin resistance) appeared to facilitate the association between PCOS and coronary artery disease, independently of obesity. ABCA1 gene polymorphism may be altered this components in PCOS patients.</p> <p>In this study, we studied 98 PCOS patients and 93 healthy controls. All subjects underwent venous blood drawing for complete hormonal assays, lipid profile, glucose, insulin, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, disulfide levels and ABCA genetic study.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In PCOS group fasting glucose, DHEAS, 17-OHP, free testosterone, total-cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol and fibrinogen were significantly different compare to controls. The genotype ABCA G2706A distribution differed between the control group (GG 60.7%, GA 32.1%, AA 7.1%) and the PCOS patients (GG 8.7%, GA 8.7%, AA 76.8%). The frequency of the A allele (ABCAG2706A) was higher in PCOS patients than control group with 13,0% and 23,2%, respectively. In this study, the homocystein and insulin levels were significantly higher in PCOS patients with ABCA G1051A mutant genotype than those with heterozygote and wild genotypes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We found higher percentage of AA genotype and A allele of ABCA G2706A in PCOS patients compare to controls. The fasting insulin and homocystein levels were significantly higher in PCOS patients with ABCA G1051A mutant genotype than those with heterozygote and wild genotypes.</p