Hayal Boyacioglu

Mandibular bone changes in sickle cell anemia: fractal analysis

OBJECTIVES The radiographic changes of mandibular bone texture was evaluated in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and healthy controls. Fractal analysis was employed. STUDY DESIGN Thirty-five individuals (age range 11 to 40 years) who had been diagnosed as having homozygous SCA were enrolled as the patient group. Twenty-six healthy individuals within the same age range constituted the controls. Panoramic radiographs of all subjects were obtained using analog film and then digitized. All procedures for calculation of the fractal dimension were performed using Image J version 1.34s software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD). ROIs were selected as 64 x 64 pixel-sized squares, which were located between the first molar and second premolar teeth of the right mandibular segment. The fractal dimension (FD) was calculated by using the box-counting function. FD values of SCA and control groups were analyzed statistically by using Student t tests; alpha was set at 0.05. RESULTS The FD values for SCA patients were different from those of the healthy controls (mean FD SCA = 1.6855; mean FD controls = 1.7196); with a significance of P = .050. FD values for the SCA group had higher standard deviations (SD) than was the case for the healthy controls (SCA SD = 0.0859, control SD = 0.0459). When individuals were subclassified according to their age being younger than 20 or 20 years and over, the mean FD values of patients under 20 years of age were significantly lower than both the SCA patients over 20 years of age and all of the healthy controls (P < .05). CONCLUSION SCA patients under age 20 years showed lower FD values than the controls and this finding pointed to scarcity of trabecular bone in this group.

Effects of hydroxychloroquine on salivary flow rates and oral complaints of Sjögren patients: a prospective sample study

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate whether hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) therapy effects subjective and/or objective complaints and salivary flow rates of patients with primary Sjögrens syndrome (PSS). STUDY DESIGN Thirty women recently diagnosed with PSS, scheduled for HCQ treatment (400 mg daily), participated and were clinically examined before initiation of 30 weeks of HCQ treatment. During baseline evaluation, both the objective and/or subjective oral findings were recorded. Unstimulated (uSFR) and stimulated salivary flow rates (sSFR) were determined. After initiation of HCQ treatment, study parameters were assessed at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 weeks. Each patient served as her own control; measurements of the baseline and control times were analyzed by ANOVA. RESULTS uSFR values increased significantly with HCQ treatment, but sSFR values, objective and/or subjective complaints did not change considerably. CONCLUSION A positive impact of 30 weeks of HCQ treatment only on uSFRs of SS patients was revealed.

A comparison of p21 and p27 immunoexpression in benign glands, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and prostate adenocarcinoma

To assess the immunoexpression of p21 and p27 proteins in consecutive areas of benign glands, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and prostate adenocarcinoma.

Efficacy of topical benzydamine hydrochloride gel on oral mucosal ulcers: an in vivo animal study

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of benzydamine hydrochloride bioadhesive gel on healing of oral mucosal ulceration in an animal model. For in vivo determination of the effects of the bioadhesive gel, 36 rabbits were separated into three groups: the first group was treated with the gel formulation without active agent, the second group with the gel formulation containing benzydamine, and the third group received no treatment. Clinical healing was established by measuring the area of the ulcer in each test group on days 3, 6, 9 and 12. Histological healing was determined on the same days. Benzydamine containing gel applications resulted in a decrease in the ulcer area in 12 days (p=0.000). Histological evaluation showed that the benzydamine group had a higher mean histological score than the base and the control groups during the whole test period, and the difference between the benzydamine group and the control group was significant (p=0.04). The bioadhesive gel formulation of benzydamine hydrochloride showed a statistically significant increased rate of mucosal repair in this experimental standard mucosal wound animal study. It is a candidate for the topical treatment of oral mucosal ulcerative lesions.

The Influence of Bonding Agents on the Decision to Replace Composite Restorations

UNLABELLED This in vitro study evaluated the validity of the decision to replace of a restoration based upon the radiolucent zone beneath a resin composite. MATERIALS AND METHODS Class II cavities were prepared on the approximal surfaces of 40 molars. The teeth were divided into four groups. Clearfil SE Bond, PQ1 or Single Bond was applied in the experimental groups. No bonding agent was used in the control group. Following the restorations, digital radiographs were obtained and independently evaluated by two oral radiologists and two specialists in restorative dentistry to determine the need for replacement. The coronal portions of the teeth were then sectioned and the interfaces between the restorations and cavity walls were examined using an optical light microscope. Possible adhesive pooling and voids were examined under a light microscope. Inter-examiner reliability was evaluated with the Cohens kappa (kappa) test. Sensitivity, specificity and negative and positive predictive values were calculated. Kruskal-Wallis, followed by the Mann-Whitney U-test, determined differences among the pooling thicknesses of the different adhesives. RESULTS Various sensitivity and specificity degrees were obtained from the groups in which different adhesive systems were used. The PQ1 adhesive system was the best for identifying well-adapted restorations with the highest true non-replacement diagnosis (TND = 0.70). Clearfil SE Bond had the highest false positive scores. Adhesive pooling was significantly different in the experimental groups of the current study (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Replacement decisions for a resin composite restoration based upon digital images frequently resulted in false-positive or negative decisions.

Toluidine blue color perception in identification of oral mucosal lesions.

The objective of this study is to examine observer agreement on the rank of the color tones after toluidine blue staining of a mucosal lesion. Cohort study with repeated measures is the design of the study. Twenty observers ranked and scored 8 specified areas on the color images of a lesion before and after toluidine blue application in two sessions. Inter and intra-observer variations were analyzed with Cohen’s kappa. The L* (the black-white axis), a* (red-green axis), and b* (yellow-blue axis) values were measured and set as the gold standards. Intra and inter-observer agreements were к = 0.86 and к = 0.854. All color parameters were effective on the color ranking order (pL* = 0.00, pa* = 0.007, pb* = 0.00), although L* and b* were more effective on the ranking of the samples than a*. Areas that appeared pale blue visually had a significant blue component, but the observers were confused with the effect of whiteness of the area in clinical decision making.

How many times can we use a phosphor plate? A preliminary study

OBJECTIVES Digital radiography has become a useful tool in daily dental practice due to the advances in imaging technologies. Charge coupled devices (CCDs) and photostimulable phosphor plates (PSPs) are currently in use for dental imaging; however, the longevity of PSPs in dental practice is not yet established. The aim of this study was to determine the service life of PSPs in a clinical setting. METHODS Five unused PSPs were exposed with a conventional X-ray device and converted into digital images with Digora Optime (Soredex, Milwaukee, WI). These were recorded as the baseline images. Subsequent digital images of the plates were obtained after 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180 and 200 exposures. All radiographic images were subtracted from the first digital image (baseline) and the mean grey values (MGVs) of the subtracted images were established using software. The data were grouped in 3 classes according to the number of exposures (20-80; 100-140; 160-200), and were analysed using variance analysis and chi(2) tests. RESULTS The MGVs of the subtracted images varied between 126.25 and 127.59, and the difference was not significant among the groups (P = 0.11). However, the differences between the MGVs of the plates on each exposure settings were significantly different than those of the baseline image (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study revealed that even though a slight deterioration occurred after the first exposure, each plate can be used up to 200 times. Further studies are required to reach a more concrete conclusion.

Molecular typing of Candida albicans strains isolated from denture wearers by repetitive sequence-based PCR

Long-term use of prosthesis is the most important risk factor for the colonization of Candida species on the mucosal surfaces, which can lead to the development of denture-related stomatitis (DRS). Some individuals wearing prosthesis develop DRS and others do not. C. albicans strains isolated from both groups were genotypically compared. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the strain causing prosthesis stomatitis was different from the other strains genotypically. The study included 90 individuals wearing different prostheses and 20 control individuals with natural teeth. In the study 109 C. albicans strains were used which were isolated from the saliva samples and the mucosal surfaces of the tongues and palates of 51 individuals and then defined phenotypically. Phenotypic diagnosis of the isolates was genotypically verified by using species-specific PCR. For molecular typing, repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence polymerase chain reaction (REP-PCR) was employed. The results of the study revealed that REP-PCR had the capability to separate 109 C. albicans strains and six reference strains into 44 genotypes. Whereas C. albicans strains showed heterogenic distribution, C. albicans strains isolated from the individuals suffering from prosthesis stomatitis showed no specific genotypes. REP-PCR is a simple, fast and low-cost method and helped work on a great number of samples.

Impact of Buccotherm® on xerostomia: a single blind study.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this single blind study was to investigate effects of Buccotherm® spray on subjective symptoms of xerostomia patients. METHODS Twenty patients with dry mouth complaint were instructed to use placebo six times a day for 2 weeks. After a wash period, mineral water spray was provided. Patients were asked to reply questions regarding dry mouth using visual analog scale (VAS). Baseline and subsequent subjective findings on 1 hour after the application of the materials at the end of 1st, 7th, and 14th days were recorded. RESULTS At the end of 14-day treatment, no statistically significant differences were observed between the efficacy of placebo and commercial mineral water dental spray (p > 0.05). The VAS scores revealed that difficulty in mastication (p = 0.006), difficulty in swallowing (p = 0.00), need to sip liquids while eating (p = 0.000), difficulty in speech (p = 0.003), and waking up at night to sip water (p = 0.005) were statistically lower for placebo than commercial mineral water spray. CONCLUSION The commercial mineral water dental spray was not more efficient than placebo in the management of dry mouth-related symptoms. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study emphasizes the fundamental role of saliva in oral health and evaluates the clinical utility of a commercial dental spray.

Investigation of priorities in water quality management based on correlations and variations

The development of water quality assessment strategies investigating spatial and temporal changes caused by natural and anthropogenic phenomena is an important tool in management practices. This paper used cluster analysis, water quality index method, sensitivity analysis and canonical correlation analysis to investigate priorities in pollution control activities. Data sets representing 22 surface water quality parameters were subject to analysis. Results revealed that organic pollution was serious threat for overall water quality in the region. Besides, oil and grease, lead and mercury were the critical variables violating the standard. In contrast to inorganic variables, organic and physical-inorganic chemical parameters were influenced by variations in physical conditions (discharge, temperature). This study showed that information produced based on the variations and correlations in water quality data sets can be helpful to investigate priorities in water management activities. Moreover statistical techniques and index methods are useful tools in data - information transformation process.