Introduction: This study reports the results of surgical anatomic reconstruction of torn coracoclavicular ligaments with an autogenous semitendinosus graft and temporary Kirschner wires (K-wires) in chronic acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations. Materials and methods: Nineteen shoulders underwent surgical anatomic reconstruction of torn coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments with an autogenous semitendinosus tendon graft and temporary K-wires for Rockwood grade III, IV and V chronic AC joint dislocations. Pre-operative data included patients’ demographic characteristics, injury characteristics and surgical histories. The primary outcome measures were the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder rating scale and visual analogue pain scoring (VAS), and the complications were noted for each patient. Results: Surgical anatomic reconstruction of torn CC ligaments was performed in 19 patients with a mean age of 41.6±16 years (range 21–72 years). All of the patients were satisfied and felt better after CC ligament reconstruction. The average UCLA shoulder rating scale score was good/excellent: 29.4 (range 23–34) out of 35 points. The average pre-operative VAS score was 7.7 points out of 10 and improved to 1.1 points post-operatively (p<0.05). None of the patients experienced failure during the follow-up. One patient had a mild subluxation, but the patient was satisfied with the result. Conclusions: This technique is simple, reliable, and biologic without major complications. It is also a cost-effective procedure since it can be performed with Kirschner wires and autogenous grafts. It has a major advantage of leaving no implants inside the joint, which can lead to hardware complications, and it can be performed in basic operating room settings.

Objective: Recent evidence suggests that oxidative stress contributes to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This study aimed to compare thiol-disulphide homeostasis in acute and stable phases of schizophrenia for the first time. Methods: Among the patients with schizophrenia, 61 in the acute-phase and 61 in the stable phase of their illness were enrolled in the study. Native thiol (NT), total thiol (TT), disulphide (SS), disulphideative thiol, disulphide/total thiol, and native thiol/total thiol for thiol-disulphide homeostasis were compared between the groups. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Scale for the Assessment of Positive/Negative Symptoms (SAPS/SANS), Clinical Global ImpressionSeverity Scale (CGI-S), Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale, and Simpson-Angus Scale were used to assess symptoms. Results: After controlling for age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status there were significant differences in NT, TT, SS/NT, SS/TT, and NT/TT, but not SS. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis has shifted in favour of the oxidative side in patients with acute-phase compared to that in stable schizophrenia. BPRS, SAPS, and CGI-S scores were significantly correlated with all six thiol-disulphide parameters, but not SANS, when controlling for age and sex. Significant receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were obtained for all thiol-disulphide homeostasis parameters. Discriminant analysis was found to be statistically significant in discriminating between groups. Conclusion These results show that oxidative status increases thiol-disulphide homeostasis in patients with acute-phase schizophrenia compared to those with stable schizophrenia. These findings suggest that thiol-disulphide parameters can be used as biomarkers for the acute exacerbation of schizophrenia.

Purpose: This study investigated the impact of the field of view (FOV), voxel size, and exposure parameters on the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: A SedentexCT phantom was scanned using 3D Accuitomo 170 across 3 FOVs (40 × 40 mm, 60 × 60 mm, 80 × 80 mm). Each FOV had 4 settings for kVp and 3 for mA. Volumes were reconstructed with voxel sizes from 80 to 250 μm. The CNR was calculated using ImageJ (ver. 1.41, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda). Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation coefficients and regression (R2 ). Results: Positive correlations were observed in the 40 × 40 FOV between voxel size, kVp, mA, rotation degree, and CNR. The 60 × 60 FOV showed positive correlations between mA, kVp, and CNR, while the 80 × 80 FOV exhibited correlations for voxel size, kVp, and mA. In the 40 × 40 (R2 = 0.551) and 80 × 80 (R2 = 0.550) FOVs, mA, kVp, and voxel size influenced CNR. For the 60 × 60 FOV, mA and kVp were significant contributors (R2 = 0.389).Using a constant 80-μm voxel size, both mA and kVp significantly influenced CNR (R2 = 0.467); neither FOV nor rotation degree had substantial impacts. Conclusion CNR increased with higher mA, kVp, and larger voxel sizes for 40 × 40 and 80 × 80 FOVs. mA wasthe most influential factor across all FOVs. Regression models showed significant effects of mA and kVp on CNR with 80-μm voxels, while FOV had no effect.

Purpose: This study investigated the impact of the field of view (FOV), voxel size, and exposure parameters on the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: A SedentexCT phantom was scanned using 3D Accuitomo 170 across 3 FOVs (40 × 40 mm, 60 × 60 mm, 80 × 80 mm). Each FOV had 4 settings for kVp and 3 for mA. Volumes were reconstructed with voxel sizes from 80 to 250 μm. The CNR was calculated using ImageJ (ver. 1.41, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda). Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation coefficients and regression (R2 ). Results: Positive correlations were observed in the 40 × 40 FOV between voxel size, kVp, mA, rotation degree, and CNR. The 60 × 60 FOV showed positive correlations between mA, kVp, and CNR, while the 80 × 80 FOV exhibited correlations for voxel size, kVp, and mA. In the 40 × 40 (R2 = 0.551) and 80 × 80 (R2 = 0.550) FOVs, mA, kVp, and voxel size influenced CNR. For the 60 × 60 FOV, mA and kVp were significant contributors (R2 = 0.389).Using a constant 80-μm voxel size, both mA and kVp significantly influenced CNR (R2 = 0.467); neither FOV nor rotation degree had substantial impacts. Conclusion CNR increased with higher mA, kVp, and larger voxel sizes for 40 × 40 and 80 × 80 FOVs. mA wasthe most influential factor across all FOVs. Regression models showed significant effects of mA and kVp on CNR with 80-μm voxels, while FOV had no effect.

Purpose: This study investigated the impact of the field of view (FOV), voxel size, and exposure parameters on the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: A SedentexCT phantom was scanned using 3D Accuitomo 170 across 3 FOVs (40 × 40 mm, 60 × 60 mm, 80 × 80 mm). Each FOV had 4 settings for kVp and 3 for mA. Volumes were reconstructed with voxel sizes from 80 to 250 μm. The CNR was calculated using ImageJ (ver. 1.41, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda). Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation coefficients and regression (R2 ). Results: Positive correlations were observed in the 40 × 40 FOV between voxel size, kVp, mA, rotation degree, and CNR. The 60 × 60 FOV showed positive correlations between mA, kVp, and CNR, while the 80 × 80 FOV exhibited correlations for voxel size, kVp, and mA. In the 40 × 40 (R2 = 0.551) and 80 × 80 (R2 = 0.550) FOVs, mA, kVp, and voxel size influenced CNR. For the 60 × 60 FOV, mA and kVp were significant contributors (R2 = 0.389).Using a constant 80-μm voxel size, both mA and kVp significantly influenced CNR (R2 = 0.467); neither FOV nor rotation degree had substantial impacts. Conclusion CNR increased with higher mA, kVp, and larger voxel sizes for 40 × 40 and 80 × 80 FOVs. mA wasthe most influential factor across all FOVs. Regression models showed significant effects of mA and kVp on CNR with 80-μm voxels, while FOV had no effect.

Renal cell cancer (RCC) has the ability to metastasize to various organs, including the anal canal which is reported to be the rarest location. An 88-year-old male patient who had previously been treated for right RCC subsequently developed distant metastases to the prostate, lungs, and small bowel. Four years following nephrectomy, the patient presented with a bleeding anal mass which was excised and has been proven to be an anal canal metastasis of RCC. Eight months post excision, regrowth occurred. The patient underwent stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy resulting in satisfactory regression during the 2-month follow-up period, without episodes of bleeding. The treatment options for metastatic post-nephrectomy disease should be considered with a multidisciplinary approach in order to achieve satisfactory symptom relief.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the marginal and internal fit of 3-unit monolithic zirconia restorations that were designed by using the data obtained with the aid of intraoral and laboratory scanners. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the fabrication of 3-unit monolithic zirconia restorations using impressions taken from the maxillary master cast, plaster cast was created and scanned in laboratory scanners (InEos X5 and D900L). The main cast was also scanned with different intraoral scanners (Omnicam [OMNI], Primescan [PS], Trios 3 [T3], Trios 4 [T4]) (n = 12 per group). Zirconia fixed partial dentures were virtually designed, produced from presintered block, and subsequently sintered. Marginal and internal discrepancy values (in µm) were measured by using silicone replica method under stereomicroscope. Data were statistically analyzed by using 1-way ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis tests (P <.05). RESULTS: In terms of marginal adaptation, the measurements on the canine tooth indicated better performance with intraoral scanners than those in laboratory scanners, but there was no difference among intraoral scanners (P <.05). In the premolar tooth, PS had the lowest marginal (86.9 ± 19.2 µm) and axial (92.4 ± 14.8 µm), and T4 had the lowest axio-occlusal (89.4 ± 15.6 µm) and occlusal (89.1 ± 13.9 µm) discrepancy value. In both canine and premolar teeth, the D900L was found to be the most marginally and internally inconsistent scanner. CONCLUSION Within the limits of the study, marginal and internal discrepancy values were generally lower in intraoral scanners than in laboratory scanners. Marginal discrepancy values of scanners were clinically acceptable (< 120 µm), except D900L.

The vascular actions and mechanisms of taurine were investigated in the isolated human radial artery (RA). RA rings were suspended in isolated organ baths and tension was recorded isometrically. First, a precontraction was achieved by adding potassium chloride (KCl, 45 mM) or serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT, 30 µM) to organ baths. When the precontractions were stable, taurine (20, 40, 80 mM) was added cumulatively. Antagonistic effect of taurine on calcium chloride (10 µM to 10 mM)-induced contractions was investigated. Taurine-induced relaxations were also tested in the presence of the K⁺ channel inhibitors tetraethylammonium (1 mM), glibenclamide (10 µM) and 4-aminopyridine (1 mM). Taurine did not affect the basal tone but inhibited the contraction induced by 5-HT and KCl. Calcium chloride-induced contractions were significantly inhibited in the presence of taurine (20, 40, 80 mM) (p<0.05). The relaxation to taurine was inhibited by tetraethylammonium (p<0.05). However, glibenclamide and 4-aminopyridine did not affect taurine-induced relaxations. Present experiments show that taurine inhibits 5-HT and KCl-induced contractions in RA, and suggest that large conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels may be involved in taurine-induced relaxation of RA.
4-Aminopyridine ; Baths ; Calcium ; Calcium Chloride ; Glyburide ; Humans* ; Potassium Channels* ; Potassium Chloride ; Potassium* ; Radial Artery* ; Relaxation ; Serotonin ; Taurine* ; Tetraethylammonium ; Vasodilation

Patients with Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) have an increased incidence of vascular anomalies as well as vertebral artery (VA) anomalies. In this article, we presented imaging findings of a 15-year-old female patient with KFS with a rare association of extraforaminal cranially ascending right VA that originated from the ipsilateral carotid bulb. Trifurcation of the carotid bulb with VA is a very unusual variation and to the best of our knowledge, right-sided one has not been reported in the literature.
Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Klippel-Feil Syndrome* ; Vertebral Artery*

Objective To investigate the effects of plant-derived phenolic compounds (i.e. caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid and vanillic acid) on the production of quorum sensing regulated virulence factors such as pyocyanin, biofilm formation and swarming motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) isolates. Methods Fourteen clinical P. aeruginosa isolates obtained from urine samples and P. aeruginosa PA01 strain were included in the study. The antibacterial effects of phenolic compounds were screened by well diffusion assay. Pyocyanin and biofilm activity were measured from culture supernatants and the absorbance values were measured using a spectrophotometer. Swarming plates supplemented with phenolic acids were point inoculated with P. aeruginosa strains and the ability to swarm was determined by measuring the distance of swarming from the central inoculation site. Results Tested phenolic compounds reduced the production of pyocyanin and biofilm formation without affecting growth compared to untreated cultures. Moreover, these compounds blocked about 50% of biofilm production and swarming motility in P. aeruginosa isolates. Conclusions We may suggest that if swarming and consecutive biofilm formation could be inhibited by the natural products as shown in our study, the bacteria could not attach to the surfaces and produce chronic infections. Antimicrobials and natural products could be combined and the dosage of antimicrobials could be reduced to overcome antimicrobial resistance and drug side effects.