Trace Element (TE) Release from Two Different Base Alloys Unde Conditions Imitating Oral Saliva

Electrochemical conditions in the oral cavity lead to a release of metal ions into the patient\u27s saliva. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the types andquantities of metal ions released from two base alloys: Co-Cr-Mo alloy (WironitR, Bego, Germany) and Ni-Cr alloy (Wiron 99, Bego, Germany) under in vitro conditions imitating artificial saliva. We soaked ten sets of each alloy having 497 mm2 exposure surface for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days (six pieces each set) in phosphate buffered saline (pH 6.0). TE in the phosphate buffered saline (saliva) were assessed by ICP-AES (JY 50P, Jobin-Ywon, France) with the detection limit of 10 mg/L. We found detectable amounts (mg/L) of TE (Mean SD) released from Co-Cr-Mo alloy (Mean SD): Co 337 (170), Fe 21 (15) Zn 87 (56), Ni 41 (68), and Cr 49 (42) and detectable amounts of TE released from Ni-Cr alloy (Mean SD): Co 265 (300), Fe 247 (256) Zn 92 (46), Ni 542 (668), and Cr 396 (410). The manufacturer did not indicate the presence of Fe, Zn, and Ni in the Co-Cr-Mo alloy and the presence of Fe, Co and Zn, in the Ni-Cr alloy. A significantly higher amount of Fe, Ni and Cr was released from Ni-Cr alloy (p<0.05), and a considerably higher amount of Co was released from Co-Cr-Mo alloy, although it did not reach a statistically significant level (p>0.05), while there was no significant difference between the two alloys for Fe ion release (p>0.05). We must keep in mind that the amount of the released TE may be much higher than the reported values in this study, after the laboratory procedures (casting, polishing, etc.) and allergenic essential TE Cr, Co, and Ni may be present locally in a considerably higher amount

A survey among dermatologists: diagnostics of superficial fungal infections - what is used and what is needed to initiate therapy and assess efficacy?

BACKGROUND: Superficial fungal infections are common. It is important to confirm the clinical diagnosis by mycological laboratory methods before initiating systemic antifungal treatment, especially as antifungal sensitivity and in vitro susceptibility may differ between different genera and species. For many years, the gold standard for diagnosis of superficial fungal infections has been direct fungal detection in the clinical specimen (microscopy) supplemented by culturing. Lately, newer molecular based methods for fungal identification have been developed. OBJECTIVE: This study was initiated to focus on the current usage of mycological diagnostics for superficial fungal infections by dermatologists. It was designed to investigate whether it was necessary to differentiate between initial diagnostic tests and those used at treatment follow-up in specific superficial fungal infections. METHODS: An online questionnaire was distributed among members of the EADV mycology Task Force and other dermatologists with a special interest in mycology and nail disease. RESULTS: The survey was distributed to 62 dermatologists of whom 38 (61%) completed the whole survey, 7 (11%) partially completed and 17 (27%) did not respond. Nearly, all respondents (82-100%) said that ideally they would use the result of direct microscopy (or histology) combined with a genus/species directed treatment of onychomycosis, dermatophytosis, Candida- and Malassezia-related infections. The majority of the dermatologists used a combination of clinical assessment and direct microscopy for treatment assessment and the viability of the fungus was considered more important at this visit than when initiating the treatment. Molecular based methods were not available for all responders. CONCLUSION: The available diagnostic methods are heterogeneous and their usage differs between different practices as well as between countries. The survey confirmed that dermatologists find it important to make a mycological diagnosis, particularly prior to starting oral antifungal treatment in order to confirm the diagnose and target the therapy according to genus and species

Mal de Meleda: A Report of Two Cases In One Family

Mal de Meleda is a rare autosomal recessive skin disorder, characterized by transgressive palmoplantar keratoderma, lichenoid skin lesions, perioral erythema, brachydactyly and nail abnormalities. We are reporting two cases of a clinically typical disease in a family. No consanguineous relationship between the parents was known and cases could not be detected in three generations of the patient's family

A survey among dermatologists: diagnostics of superficial fungal infections – what is used and what is needed to initiate therapy and assess efficacy?

BACKGROUND: Superficial fungal infections are common. It is important to confirm the clinical diagnosis by mycological laboratory methods before initiating systemic antifungal treatment, especially as antifungal sensitivity and in vitro susceptibility may differ between different genera and species. For many years, the gold standard for diagnosis of superficial fungal infections has been direct fungal detection in the clinical specimen (microscopy) supplemented by culturing. Lately, newer molecular based methods for fungal identification have been developed. OBJECTIVE: This study was initiated to focus on the current usage of mycological diagnostics for superficial fungal infections by dermatologists. It was designed to investigate whether it was necessary to differentiate between initial diagnostic tests and those used at treatment follow-up in specific superficial fungal infections. METHODS: An online questionnaire was distributed among members of the EADV mycology Task Force and other dermatologists with a special interest in mycology and nail disease. RESULTS: The survey was distributed to 62 dermatologists of whom 38 (61%) completed the whole survey, 7 (11%) partially completed and 17 (27%) did not respond. Nearly, all respondents (82-100%) said that ideally they would use the result of direct microscopy (or histology) combined with a genus/species directed treatment of onychomycosis, dermatophytosis, Candida- and Malassezia-related infections. The majority of the dermatologists used a combination of clinical assessment and direct microscopy for treatment assessment and the viability of the fungus was considered more important at this visit than when initiating the treatment. Molecular based methods were not available for all responders. CONCLUSION: The available diagnostic methods are heterogeneous and their usage differs between different practices as well as between countries. The survey confirmed that dermatologists find it important to make a mycological diagnosis, particularly prior to starting oral antifungal treatment in order to confirm the diagnose and target the therapy according to genus and species

Emerging antifungal treatment failure of dermatophytosis in Europe: take care or it may become endemic

Background: Dermatophytosis is a world-wide distributed common infection. Antifungal drug resistance in dermatophytosis used to be rare, but unfortunately the current Indian epidemic of atypical widespread recalcitrant and terbinafine-resistant dermatophytosis is spreading and has sporadically been reported in Europe. Objectives: To explore the occurrence of clinical and mycological proven antifungal drug resistance in dermatophytes in Europe. Methods: A standardized questionnaire was distributed through the EADV Task Force of Mycology network to dermatologists in Europe. Results: Representatives from 20 countries completed the questionnaires of which 17 (85 %) had observed clinical and/or mycological confirmed antifungal resistance, two countries published cases of antifungal resistance and one country had no known cases. Conclusions: This pilot study confirms that both clinical and mycological antifungal resistance exist in Europe

Hydrochemical properties of transition zone between fresh groundwater and seawater in karst environment of the Adriatic islands, Croatia

Eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea consists of karstified carbonates. It belongs to the well-known Dinaric karst region. The coast is extremely indented and there are 718 islands with numerous rock crags and reefs. Some of the inhabited islands use their own water resources for public water supply, or plan to do it in the future. Since karst rocks are extremely permeable, the seawater intrudes into underground water resources, thereby forming the wedge. A wide transition zone occurs between this seawater wedge and fresh water aquifers. Consequently, island groundwater reserves turn brackish to a certain extent. In this study, 77 water samples were collected from a wide variety of water resources. Comprehensive statistical and mathematical multivariate analysis of these data was performed. Simple statistical approach showed several useful correlations among some parameters, and more complex multivariate techniques extracted three factors in connection with three natural processes: (1) mixing with the seawater, (2) carbonate dissolution and (3) human influence (pollution) and nitrogen transformation processes. The results of this study demonstrate that in situ measurement of electrical conductivity is adequate for the very rough field estimation of numerous parameters