Do dental calculi predict the presence of renal stones?

Objective: Pathological calcifications that occur in various parts of the body may cause stone formation over time. The structure of these stones is similar in many regions of the body. We have studied the relationship between dental calculi and kidney stones. Material and methods: A total of 183 patients with dental stone complaints or dental calculi were included between April and August 2016 in the Cagri Dental Hospital, Elazig, Turkey. Patients were evaluated with regard to a urinary tract ultrasonography, urinalysis, oral hygiene, and stone and surgical disease history. All information was statistically investigated. Results: The age of the patients in the kidney stones group was significantly higher than the non-kidney stone patients (p < 0.05). In the group with kidney stones, the percentage of dental calculus formation was significantly higher than the group without stones (p < 0.05). In the groups with and without kidney stones, dental stone recurrence rates did not differ significantly (p < 0.05). Urinary pH was significantly lower in the group with stones than the group without stones (p < 0.05). Conclusions: During a physical examination, the formation of a visible stone, such as a dental calculus, may be an indicator of other types of stones, such as kidney stones, and this should be further investigated

Effects of family functions on Opioid Use Disorder patients to remission

Background. Heroin addiction is a problem with individual, social and economic aspects. The main aim of addiction treatment is to achieve and maintain remission. Secondary aims of the present study have been to determine the factors affecting remission in individuals who applied for treatment to counteract heroin addiction and determine whether family function is effective on remission. Methods. The study included 199 patients who were admitted to the alcohol and drug addiction treatment centre for the first were diagnosed with opioid addiction. The sociodemographic data form and Family Assessment Device (FAD), which shows family functions, were both applied. The patients who were included in the study were evaluated for their continuation of treatment month by month, and for opioid use during the first year of treatment. As a remission criterion valid for at least 1 month of treatment, the criteria adopted for addiction or misuse were not met, and the substance metabolite had to give a negative result in the urine analysis. Results. Inverse correlation was found between the amount of heroin used and remission (p = 0.008). The communication subscale score of FAD was found to be higher in non-working individuals compared with working ones, though the difference was not statistically significant (Z= 2.06 p=0.03). FAD's behavioural control subscale score is higher in men. In the group of those showing a history of disciplinary penalties at school, the average score of FAD's general functions was found to be higher than in those who did not receive disciplinary punishment (Z=1.98 p=0.04). When the group in remission and the group that continued to use heroin were compared, the general functions subscale score was lower in the group with remission (Z = 2.01 p = 0.04). Conclusions. It is important to consider familial functions in achieving and maintaining remission in heroin addiction. Taking note of the disadvantages of family interactions and taking them into consideration during the treatment process may bring benefits by increasing treatment success

Changing bulking agent may require change in injection volume for endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux

WOS: 000451852300017PubMed ID: 30325612Introduction: Various bulking agents were utilized for endoscopic correction of VUR. A study reviewing multi-institutional data showed that the amount of injection material has increased over time with the purpose of improving success rates, which also resulted in costs. We noticed an opposite trend in our center since we started using a new bulking agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate evolution of our practice with different bulking agents. Patients and Methods: Records of VUR patients who underwent subureteric injection with polyacrylate polyalcohol copolymer (PPC) and dextronomere hyaluronic acide (DxHA) between 2005 and 2014 were reviewed. Variation of different parameters throughout the study period was evaluated along with the success rate. Success was defined as complete resolution of reflux. Results: A total of 260 patients with 384 refluxing units were included. The success rate was higher in PPC group compared to DxHA group. There was no statistically significant difference between years regarding distribution of VUR grade, body weight, patient height, and age in PPC group. Despite significant reduction in injection volume, success rate did not decrease through the years with PPC. Conclusion: Different bulking agents may require different injection volumes to achieve the same success rate in endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. Habits gained with previous experience using other materials should be revised while using a new went

Changing bulking agent may require change in injection volume for endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux

ABSTRACT Introduction: Various bulking agents were utilized for endoscopic correction of VUR. A study reviewing multi-institutional data showed that the amount of injection material has increased over time with the purpose of improving success rates, which also resulted in costs. We noticed an opposite trend in our center since we started using a new bulking agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate evolution of our practice with different bulking agents. Patients and Methods: Records of VUR patients who underwent subureteric injection with polyacrylate polyalcohol copolymer (PPC) and dextronomere hyaluronic acide (DxHA) between 2005 and 2014 were reviewed. Variation of different parameters throughout the study period was evaluated along with the success rate. Success was defined as complete resolution of reflux. Results: A total of 260 patients with 384 refluxing units were included. The success rate was higher in PPC group compared to DxHA group. There was no statistically significant difference between years regarding distribution of VUR grade, body weight, patient height, and age in PPC group. Despite significant reduction in injection volume, success rate did not decrease through the years with PPC. Conclusion: Different bulking agents may require different injection volumes to achieve the same success rate in endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. Habits gained with previous experience using other materials should be revised while using a new agent