Category Archives: Original Research

The Behaviour of Composites, Glass Ionomers and Compomers in Erosive Conditions – In Vitro Study

Borş Andreea, Molnar-Varlam Cristina, Székely Melinda

Department of Morphology of Teeth and Dental Arches; Technology of Dental Prosthesis and Dental Materials, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2014-0042

Objective: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of erosive conditions on the wear resistance of aesthetic direct restorative materials.
Methods: Six dental filling materials were tested: two composites (Filtek Z550 and X-tra fil), two compomers (Dyract Extra and Twinky Star) and two glass ionomers (Ketac Molar and Fuji II LC). Twenty disks (10mm×2mm) of each material were prepared (n=120) and kept in artificial saliva at 37˚C for 24 hours. Specimens were cycled in acidic soft drink (Coca-Cola) 5×/day, for 5’, over 30 days. Initial surface roughness ISR (Ra-μm) and final surface roughness FSR were measured using a profilometer. The wear rate was calculated as difference of final minus the initial roughness (ΔSR=FSR-ISR). For statistical analysis t-test and one-way ANOVA test were used by GraphPad Prism version 5.03 statistical software. The level of significance was set at p<0.05.
Results: The erosive wear rates (mean±SD, µm) after exposure to acidic beverage were: 0.30±0.03 (Ketac Molar), 0.28±0.04 (Fuji II LC), 0.27±0.00 (Filtek Z550), 0.23±0.01 (X-tra fil), 0.20±0.00 (Twinky Star) and 0.14±0.01 Dyract Extra, respectively. There were significant differences between the tested materials (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Dental filling materials had different behaviour under the same erosive condition, however all investigated aesthetic restorative materials showed surface degradation. These findings suggest that erosive wear resistance of tooth coloured restoratives could influence their longevity in intraoral acidic conditions. Acknowledgements: The study was supported by the Internal Research Grant no. 5/30.01.2013 of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureş.

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Intra-operator Reliability of a 2D Image Analysing Method for Tooth Dimension Measurements

Kerekes-Máthé Bernadette1, Mártha Krisztina2, Székely Melinda1

1 Department of Morphology of Teeth and Dental Arches, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
2 Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2014-0024

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra-operator reliability of a 2D image analysis method for tooth dimension measurements.
Methods: Occlusal and vestibular surfaces of teeth from ten study models were captured with a digital camera. Images were transferred on a computer and different tooth dimensions (mesio-distal, occluso-gingival, vestibulo-oral and perimeter) were measured using the Image Pro Insight software. Measurements were repeated after two weeks. Fleiss’ coefficients of reliability were calculated.
Results: A high degree of reliability has been established for every type of measurement: all coefficient values of reliability being not less than 0.95.
Conclusions: The 2D image analyzing system is an adequate alternative for measuring tooth dimensions. All measurements were in the excellent category of reliability. The method allows precise and repeatable measurements, generating an image database as well, available for future studies.

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Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Psoriatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Crăciun Lucia1, Crăciun P2, Buicu F3

1 County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Tîrgu-Mureș , Clinic of Rheumatology
2 Chronic Haemodialysis Center of Tîrgu-Mures
3 University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu-Mureș

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2014-0041

Introduction: The psoriatic patients have an increased number of associated comorbidities. Of these, cardiovascular diseases present the highest incidence and severity. The understanding of the cardiovascular risk in patients with psoriatic arthritis was supported from the rheumatoid arthritis studies that suggested that patients with psoriatic arthritis have a risk of cardiovascular diseases similar to patients presenting rheumatoid arthritis. The presence of the metabolic syndrome further increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in two groups of patients: those presenting psoriatic arthritis and those with rheumatoid arthritis.
Material and method: The study included two groups of patients: group one – 40 patients with psoriatic arthritis defined by Moll and Wright criteria, respectively the group two – 51 patients with rheumatoid arthritis defined by American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the consensus definition (incorporating IDF and American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute -AHA/NHLBI definitions).
Results: We enrolled in the study 91 patients having a mean age of 57.7±10.4SD (54.7±10.2 SD psoriatic arthritis, 60.01±10.0 SD rheumatoid arthritis). The mean disease duration (years) was 4.12±4.1SD for psoriatic arthritis and 6.7±7.8SD for rheumatoid arthritis. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 67.5% in the group with psoriatic arthritis and 37.2% in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The psoriatic patients had a higher prevalence of impared fasting glucose (52.5% vs 27.4%, p=0.018), and elevated trygliceride values as compared with those presenting rheumatoid arthritis (25% vs 11% p=0.0004).
Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increased in patients with psoriatic arthritis as compared to patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

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Spatial Memory Deficits in Juvenile Rats With Pilocarpine Induced Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Orbán-Kis K, Mihály I, Lukács I, Kiss Rita-Judit, Izsák Júlia, Száva Iringó, Metz Júlia, Szilágyi T

Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu Mures

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2014-0040

One of the most frequent forms of epilepsy in humans is temporal lobe epilepsy. Characteristic to this form of the disease is the frequent pharmacoresistance and the association with behavioural disorders and cognitive impairment. The objective of our study was to establish the degree of cognitive impairment in a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy after an initial epileptogenic exposure but before of the onset of the effect of long-duration epilepsy.
Methods. For the experiment we used 11 rats. Status epilepticus was induced by systemic administration of a single dose of pilocarpine. The animals were continuously video-monitored to observe the occurrence of spontaneous recurrent seizures; during weeks 9-10 we performed eight-arm radial maze testing in order to assess the cognitive impairment.
Results. Animals developed spontaneous recurrent seizures after a 14-21 day latency with a daily average seizure density of 0.79±0.43 during weeks 9-10. Epileptic rats had significantly more working memory errors per session, more reference memory errors and the number of visited arms was also significantly higher. Accuracy was also lower in the pilocarpine treated group. Interestingly significant differences disappeared after six days of trials.
Conclusions. Our study shows behavioural deficits occurring after 9-10 weeks of epilepsy in the pilocarpine model of epilepsy applied to juvenile rats. In contrast to previous studies, we showed that juvenile rats with short duration of epilepsy are able to learn the behavioural task, therefore a morphopathological and/or behavioural “no-return point” regarding the development of severe cognitive impairment is not reached by status epilepticus alone.

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Development of a Capillary Electrophoresis Method for the Separation of Fluoroquinolone Derivatives in Acidic Background Electrolyte

Rusu Aura, Hancu G, Gyéresi Á

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2014-0023

Introduction: Antibacterial quinolones class comprises a series of synthetic antibacterial agents, following the model of nalidixic acid. Because of their common 6-fluorosubtituent on the quinolone ring, fluroquinolones are the most potent analogues with extended spectrum of activity and great pharmacokinetic properties. The applicability of capillary zone electrophoresis for the separation of fluoroquinolones in acidic background electrolyte has been studied, our aim being the development of a capillary zone electrophoresis method for the simultaneous separation of six fluoroquinolones and also to optimize the analytical conditions. The six studied fluoroquinolones were ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, enrofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin and sarafloxacin.
Material and methods: Preliminary, we studied the electrophoretic behavior of six fluoroquinolones in an acidic pH, which highlighted the possibility of developing a separation method in this area of pH. Electrophoretic parameters influencing separation performance
were studied and optimized.
Results: A fast and reliable method has been developed, using a background electrolyte containing 100 mM phosphoric acid and the following conditions: applied voltage: + 25 kV, temperature: 20°C, injection pressure 30 mbar – 5 sec, UV detection at 280 nm, capillary: 60 cm (52 cm effective length) x 50 μm, analyte concentration: 167 μg/ml. The separation of the studied fluoroquinolones was achieved in less than 8 minutes.
Conclusions: Capillary zone electrophoresis using an acidic background electrolyte proved to be an efficient tool in the separation of fluoroquinolones from different generations. Also the proposed methods are particular environment-friendly replacement and improvement of a common high performance liquid chromatography determination with rapid analysis time without using any organic solvents.

 

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Romanian Young People’s Drinking Habits

Bucur Pálma1, Fülöp Ibolya2, Croitoru MD2

1 Spital Sovata-Niraj, str. Principala nr. 156, Sovata, Mures, cod 545500
2 Department of Toxicology and Biopharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2014-0039

Objective: Alcohol use can cause social problems. Beside alcoholism the “binge drinking” and the “pre-drinking” could be a harmful form of alcohol use based on scientific literature data. In this study the alcohol use behaviors and associated problems were evaluated among young people aged between 14-30 years.
Methods: The study was carried out using a self reporting questionnaire, containing the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) developed by World Health Organization and 10 more questions. This questionnaire was created in two languages (Romanian, Hungarian) and uploaded to the on-line survey page (www.kwiksurveys.com). The link was shared at different Facebook groups.
Results: The questionnaire was completed by 933 young people. There was a predominance of females (66.99%) and the participant’s average age was 22.12 years (±2.78). The results show that males’ relative risk (RR) for alcoholism is 7.18 (CI95%, 3.47-14.85). Majority (539; 57.77%) of the participants had at least one time binge drinking, from this 36.66% were occasionally binge drinkers and 21.11% were regular binge drinkers. More males binge drinkers were found then females (RR: 1.72; CI95%, 1.55-1.90). The people who participate in pre-drinking have RR of 2.14 (CI95%, 1.89-2.41) for binge drinking. The binge drinkers have RR of 2.58 (CI95%, 1.78-3.37) for drunk driving.
Conclusions: Binge drinking is a really common habit among young people. Measures to reduce the risk or prevent the harmful consequences of this habit should be employed.

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Treatment Evaluation with Mometasone Furoate, Alone or in Combination with Desloratadine/Montelukast in Moderate Severe Allergic Rhinitis

Florincescu-Gheorghe Nona-Aura¹, Popescu Florica², Alexandru DO³

1 Filantropia Municipal Hospital, Craiova, Romania
2 Department of Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova, Romania
3 Department of Medical Informatics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2014-0022

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common allergic diseases, characterized by the inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Eosinophils play a predominant pro-inflammatory role in allergic inflammation. This study assesses the effect of mometasone furoate alone or in combination with desloratadine/montelukast in patients with moderate-severe allergic rhinitis.
Material and method: This is a prospective study that took place over 8 weeks on 70 patients diagnosed with moderate-severe allergic rhinitis with sensitization to the pollen of Ambrosia elatior. The patients were evaluated on the basis of their symptoms using the total score of nasal symptoms, the score of individual nasal symptoms and the number of eosinophils in the nasal secretion.
Results: All 3 groups of patients had an improvement on the total nasal symptoms score. However, the combination of mometasone furoate with desloratadine provided statistically significant benefits on the total score of symptoms and on nasal itching as compared with mometasone furoate alone.
Conclusions: The association of mometasone furoate with desloratadine should be considered first-line treatment of moderate-severe allergic rhinitis due to the benefit both on the total symptom score and on of nasal itching.

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Correlation of Serum and Synovial Osteocalcin, Osteoprotegerin and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha with the Disease Severity Score in Knee Osteoarthritis

Csifo Enikő1, Katona Tímea2, Arseni Juliánna2, Nagy E2, Gergely I3, Nagy Ö3

1 Department of Analytical Chemistry and Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
2 Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
3 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2014-0021

Objectives: Study of circulating and synovial levels of osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in patients with different stages of knee osteoarthritis and correlation analysis of these parameters with disease severity.
Methods: We enrolled 20 patients with different stages of knee osteoarthritis. The IKDC score (International Knee Documentation Comittee, 2000) was determined for each patient. Based on these data patients were divided into two groups: group I (advanced osteoarthritis) and group II (early osteoarthritis). Serum and synovial fluid levels of osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin, TNF-α were determined.
Results: For the entire group the level of osteocalcin in the serum showed higher values than in the synovial fluid. We found statistically significant differences in the serum levels of osteocalcin between the two groups (group I: 2.18 ± 0.54 ng/ml, group II: 6.07 ± 1.98 ng/ml, p = 0.019). Serum and synovial osteocalcin in the whole study lot could not be correlated with the disease score, however we observed a tendency towards significant negative correlation between the serum osteocalcin and IKDC score for group I and between synovial osteocalcin and IKDC score in group II. In the entire group, synovial osteoprotegerin concentration was six times higher than the serum osteoprotegerin level (p <0.0001) and TNF-α showed higher circulating levels than local concentrations.
Conclusions: In the advanced osteoarthritis group the serum and synovial osteocalcin show lower values than in the early osteoarthritis group, which means that as the disease progresses, bone anabolism decreases. In the case of osteoprotegerin, no significant difference between the two groups was detected.

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The Loss of Correction in Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Treated by Surgery. Can We Predict It?

Anghel S1,2, Márton D1,2

1 PhD Student, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
2 Clinic of Orthopedics, County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2014-0020

Objective: This paper aims to differentially depict potential patterns of the loss of correction in surgically treated thoraco-lumbar burst fractures. These may eventually serve to foreseeing and even forestalling loss of correction.
Methods: The study focused on 253 patients with surgically treated thoraco-lumbar fractures. This cohort of patients was clustered in four subgroups according to the fracture spine segment (T11–L1 or L1–L2) and surgery type (short segment fixation or anterior approach). Relevant recorded and processed data were the fracture level, post-operative (Kpo) and last follow-up (Kf) kyphosis angle values. Correlation, regression and determination testing were performed for the last follow-up kyphosis angle and post-operative kyphosis angle, and regression equations were determined for each subgroup of patients.
Results: The patterns of loss of correction were described through the following equations: Kf = 0.95*Kpo + 3.2° for the T11–L1 level fractured vertebrae treated by posterior short segment fixation; Kf = 0.98*Kpo + 3.4° for the L1–L2 level fractured vertebrae treated by posterior short segment fixation; Kf = 1.1*Kpo + 1.6° for the T11–L1 level fractured vertebrae treated by anterior approach; and Kf = 0.7*Kpo + 2.8° for the L1–L2 level fracture vertebrae treated by anterior approach.
Conclusions: The loss of correction may be predicted, to a certain extent, for thoraco-lumbar fractured vertebrae treated surgically. The best-fit equations depicted for both type of surgery (short segment fixation and anterior approach) and both spinal segments (T11–L1 and L2–L3) are significantly different than the equations delineated for the collapse of non-surgically treated fractures.

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Evaluation of Inflammatory Markers in Pregnant Women at Risk, for the Prediction of Preeclampsia

Oancea Mihaela Daniela, Costin N, Pop Daria Maria, Ciortea R, Trif Ioana, Mihu D

IInd Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2014-0019

Introduction: A low degree of inflammation has been associated with complications in pregnancies, including preeclampsia (PE). The aim of our study was to determine the serum values of high sensitivity C Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy in pregnant women with risk factors for the development of PE, and to evaluate their relevance for the prediction of this disorder.
Material and methods: We performed a prospective longitudinal study on 120 pregnant women, who were divided based on the pregnancy evolution, into two groups: group I – 26 pregnant women who developed preeclampsia and group II – 94 pregnant women with physiological evolution of pregnancy.
Results: Our study has shown an increase in serum levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 in the first and second trimester of pregnancy in patients from group I, significant values being revealed only in the second trimester of pregnancy. The predictive power of the selected inflammatory markers was significant only for values of hs-CRP in the second trimester of pregnancy, while the association with IL-6 increased the prediction.
Conclusions: Increased values of hs-CRP and IL-6 in the second trimester of pregnancy are associated with higher risk for preeclampsia, however the study provided only a modest efficiency of the prediction capacity.

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