Numerical assessment of bone remodeling around conventionally and early loaded titanium and titanium-zirconium alloy dental implants.

The aim of this study was to investigate conventionally and early loaded titanium and titanium-zirconium alloy implants by three-dimensional finite element stress analysis. Three-dimensional model of a dental implant was created and a thread area was established as a region of interest in trabecular bone to study a localized part of the global model with a refined mesh. The peri-implant tissues around conventionally loaded (model 1) and early loaded (model 2) implants were implemented and were used to explore principal stresses, displacement values, and equivalent strains in the peri-implant region of titanium and titanium-zirconium implants under static load of 300 N with or without 30° inclination applied on top of the abutment surface.

Elevated baseline plasma phospholipid protein (PLTP) levels are an independent predictor of long-term all-cause mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus and known or suspected coronary artery disease.

Objectives: To investigate the long-term prognostic significance of baseline plasma PLTP levels in a group of well-characterized male patients with diabetes mellitus and known or suspected coronary artery disease referred for coronary angiography.

Background: PLTP is a plasma protein that mediates the net transfer and exchange of phospholipids between lipoproteins. It has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and elevated plasma levels have been reported in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Aortic arch calcification is strongly associated with coronary artery calcification.

Background: We aimed to investigate the association between aortic arch and coronary artery calcification (CAC). We postulated that low- and high-risk CAC scores could be predicted with the evaluation of standard chest radiography for aortic arch calcification (AAC).

Patients And Methods: Consecutive patients who were referred for a multidetector computerized tomography (MDCT) examination were enrolled prospectively.

Identification and Active Exploration of Deformable Object Boundary Constraints through Robotic Manipulation.

Robotic motion planning algorithms for manipulation of deformable objects, such as in medical robotics applications, rely on accurate estimations of object deformations that occur during manipulation. An estimation of the tissue response (for off-line planning or real-time on-line re-planning), in turn, requires knowledge of both object constitutive parameters and boundary constraints. In this paper, a novel algorithm for estimating boundary constraints of deformable objects from robotic manipulation data is presented.

Frontal delta event-related oscillations relate to frontal volume in mild cognitive impairment and healthy controls.

Amnesic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), but not all MCI subjects progress to dementia of AD type. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cortical and hippocampal atrophy supports early diagnosis of AD in MCI subjects, while frontal event-related oscillations (EROs) at delta frequencies (<4Hz) are appealing markers for this purpose, as they are both cost-effective and largely available. The present study tested the hypothesis that these EROs reflect cortical frontal neurodegeneration in the continuum between normal and amnesic MCI subjects.

Petrous apex cephalocoele: contribution of coexisting intracranial pathologies to the aetiopathogenesis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to show the MRI findings of petrous apex cephalocoele (PAC) and the other intracranial pathologies that coexist with PAC, and to discuss the contribution of the co-existing pathologies to aetiopathogenesis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of our imaging archive for the period from January 2012 to October 2013 revealed 13 patients with PAC (12 females and 1 male; age range, 26-69 years). 11 patients underwent MRI examination of the cranium, and 2 patients underwent MRI examination of the sellar region.

Relation of baseline plasma MMP-1 levels to long-term all-cause mortality in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease referred for coronary angiography.

Objectives: To investigate the long-term prognostic significance of baseline plasma MMP-1 levels in a group of well-characterized male patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease, including those presenting with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: MMP-1 is an interstitial collagenase that is considered the primary enzyme responsible for collagen degradation. In addition, MMP-1 can lead to platelet activation through the PAR1 pathway that is independent of thrombin.

Faecal calprotectin levels in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura: is this a new marker for gastrointestinal involvement?

Aim: We aimed to investigate the significance of faecal calprotectin (FC) levels in children diagnosed with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and examine its relationships with gastrointestinal system (GIS), renal involvement and with clinical findings.

Patients And Methods: In total, 66 children diagnosed with HSP for the first time and a control group of 25 healthy children were included. The cases were divided into mild and severe groups on the basis of GIS findings.

Ambulatory arterial stiffness index is associated with impaired left atrial mechanical functions in hypertensive diabetic patients: A speckle tracking study.

Objective: The ambulatory arterial stiffness index has been proposed as an indicator of arterial stiffness. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that increased ambulatory arterial stiffness index might be related with impaired left atrial function in hypertensive diabetic patients with no previous history of cardiovascular disease.

Methods: Inclusion criteria included office systolic BP> 130 mm Hg or diastolic BP> 80 mm Hg and absence of secondary causes of HT, whereas exclusion criteria LV ejection fraction <50%, history of significant coronary artery disease, chronic renal failure, atrial fibrillation/ flutter, second or third-degree atrioventricular block, moderate to severe valvular heart disease, history of cerebrovascular disease, non-dipper hypertensive pattern and sleep apnea.

Examining the perceived social support and psychological symptoms among adolescents with leukemia.

Purpose: The purpose was to determine the perceived social support and psychological symptoms of adolescents with leukemia.

Design And Methods: The sample consisted of 70 adolescents with leukemia. The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSSS), and a demographical data form were used for data collection.

Assessment of tuberculosis infection during treatment with biologic agents in a BCG-vaccinated pediatric population.

Biologic therapies, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blockers, are commonly used to treat rheumatological diseases in childhood. Screening patients for tuberculosis (TB) is highly recommended before starting therapy with TNF-α blockers. Despite appropriate screening, TB still remains a problem in patients receiving anti-TNF therapy in countries where TB is not endemic.

Task-Space Motion Planning of MRI-Actuated Catheters for Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

This paper presents a motion planning algorithm for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) actuated catheters for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. The MRI-actuated catheters is a new robotic catheter concept which utilizes MRI for remote steering and guidance. Magnetic moments generated by a set of coils wound near the tip are used to steer the catheter under MRI scanner magnetic field.

Positive effects of ceftriaxone on pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion model in rats.

Aims: Many drugs have been associated with seizures as a side effect. Although they are defined as safe for nervous system. The effect on proconvulsant activity of beta lactam antibiotics have been also reported.

The neuroprotective effect of erythropoietin on experimental Parkinson model in rats.

Dopaminergic neuronal loss in Parkinson's disease (PD) results from oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity. Because erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in many previous studies, present study was designed to evaluate the effect of EPO on rotenone-induced dopaminergic neuronal loss. The rats in which PD was induced by stereotaxical infusion of rotenone showed increased MDA and TNF-alpha levels and decreased HVA levels.

Differential expression patterns of metastasis suppressor proteins in basal cell carcinoma.

Background: Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are common malignant skin tumors. Despite having a significant invasion capacity, they metastasize only rarely. Our aim in this study was to detect the expression patterns of the NM23-H1, NDRG1, E-cadherin, RHOGDI2, CD82/KAI1, MKK4, and AKAP12 metastasis suppressor proteins in BCCs.

In vitro pollen viability and pollen germination in cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.).

Pollen quality is important for growers and breeders. This study was carried out to determine in vitro pollen viability and pollen germination in seven genotypes of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.).

Clear cell sarcoma.

Malignant melanoma (MM) of soft tissue, also called clear cell sarcoma (CCS) of tendons and aponeuroses, derives from the neural crest. CCS is similar morphologically to MM but has no precursor skin lesion, and instead, has a characteristic chromosomal translocation. Prognosis is related to the tumor size.

Mycobacterium celeriflavum sp. nov., a rapidly growing scotochromogenic bacterium isolated from clinical specimens.

Six strains of a rapidly growing scotochromogenic mycobacterium were isolated from pulmonary specimens of independent patients. Biochemical and cultural tests were not suitable for their identification. The mycolic acid pattern analysed by HPLC was different from that of any other mycobacterium.

Three Dimensional Modeling of an MRI Actuated Steerable Catheter System.

This paper presents the three dimensional kinematic modeling of a novel steerable robotic ablation catheter system. The catheter, embedded with a set of current-carrying micro-coils, is actuated by the magnetic forces generated by the magnetic field of the MRI scanner. This paper develops a 3D model of the MRI actuated steerable catheter system by using finite differences approach.

Regression of experimental endometriotic implants in a rat model with the angiotensin II receptor blocker losartan.

Aim: Endometriosis is a common disease in women of reproductive age, and many different treatments have been developed, although none has provided a cure. In this study, the efficacy of losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker and an antiangiogenic and anti-inflammatory agent, on regression of experimental endometriotic implants in a rat model was investigated.

Methods: Peritoneal endometriosis was surgically induced in 16 mature female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Application of C-Shaped Osteotomy and Distraction Osteogenesis for Correction of Radial Angulation Deformities of the Hand in Children With Apert Syndrome: Review of 10 Years of Experience.

Apert syndrome is characterized by short, radially deviated thumbs, leading to difficulties in daily life such as holding a fork or a spoon and buttoning up. The main goal of surgery is to achieve thumb to index finger pinch to overcome these difficulties. Seven patients (14 extremities) followed up with Apert syndrome underwent distraction after a C-shaped osteotomy to simultaneously correct the brachydactyly and the angulation deformity of the bilateral thumbs.

Management of postoperative pulmonary hypertension by inhaled nitric oxide in a newborn with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Postero-lateral congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a life threatening anomaly characterized by diaphragmatic defect and intrathoracic herniation of abdominal viscera. In patients with CDH, the lungs are hypoplastic and persistent pulmonary hypertension develops in most cases. Although, inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) results in a reduction in pulmonary hypertension with improvement in oxygenation, its benefit in the patients with CDH remains controversial.

Towards active tracking of beating heart motion in the presence of arrhythmia for robotic assisted beating heart surgery.

In robotic assisted beating heart surgery, the control architecture for heart motion tracking has stringent requirements in terms of bandwidth of the motion that needs to be tracked. In order to achieve sufficient tracking accuracy, feed-forward control algorithms, which rely on estimations of upcoming heart motion, have been proposed in the literature. However, performance of these feed-forward motion control algorithms under heart rhythm variations is an important concern.

Experimental comparison of protective characteristics of enalapril and trimetazidine in diabetic nephropathy.

Abstract Hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and inflammation have been proposed to account for the development of nephropathy in diabetic subjects. The beneficial effects of enalapril on diabetic nephropathy are known. However, the effects of trimetazidine (TMZ) are still unknown.

Evaluation of awareness on radiation protection and knowledge about radiological examinations in healthcare professionals who use ionized radiation at work.

Objective: In this study, we evaluated the knowledge and perception and mitigation of hazards involved in radiological examinations, focusing on healthcare personnel who are not in radiation-related occupations, but who use ionising radiation as a part of their work.

Methods: A questionnaire was applied to physicians, nurses, technicians and other staff working in different clinics that use radiation in their work, in order to evaluate their knowledge levels about ionizing radiation and their awareness about radiation doses resulting from radiological examinations. The statistical comparisons between the groups were analyzed with the Kruskal Wallis test using the SPSS program.