Glossokinetic potential based tongue–machine interface for 1-D extraction

The tongue is an aesthetically useful organ located in the oral cavity. It can move in complex ways with very little fatigue. Many studies on assistive technologies operated by tongue are called tongue–human computer interface or tongue–machine interface (TMI) for paralyzed individuals. However, many of them are obtrusive systems consisting of hardware such as sensors and magnetic tracer placed in the mouth and on the tongue. Hence these approaches could be annoying, aesthetically unappealing and unhygienic. In this study, we aimed to develop a natural and reliable tongue–machine interface using solely glossokinetic potentials via investigation of the success of machine learning algorithms for 1-D tongue-based control or communication on assistive technologies. Glossokinetic potential responses are generated by touching the buccal walls with the tip of the tongue. In this study, eight male and two female naive healthy subjects, aged 22–34 years, participated. Linear discriminant analysis, support vector machine, and the k-nearest neighbor were used as machine learning algorithms. Then the greatest success rate was achieved an accuracy of 99% for the best participant in support vector machine. This study may serve disabled people to control assistive devices in natural, unobtrusive, speedy and reliable manner. Moreover, it is expected that GKP-based TMI could be alternative control and communication channel for traditional electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain–computer interfaces which have significant inadequacies arisen from the EEG signals.     

Influence of different periodontal curette grips on the outcome of mechanical non-surgical therapy

AIM: To determine to whether successful scaling and root planing (SRP) depends upon the grip used on the periodontal curette. METHODS: The hand grips used by dentists for holding periodontal curettes were examined and the dentists were allocated to one of two matched groups, one in which they used a modified pen grip, the other in which they did not. Using a split-mouth technique, patients scheduled for SRP had one quadrant treated by a dentist from each group. Instrument application force was recorded as were periodontal measures at operation and 3-months later. RESULTS: During scaling, forces reached a mean of 0.77N in dentists using a curette with a non-pen grip and 0.54N in those using a pen grip and during root planing, 0.93N and 0.64N respectively. These forces were statistically significantly different between the two groups. Pocket depth reduction in teeth treated by the two groups was similar but attachment levels were statistically significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Instrument grip had a significant effect on response to SRP, suggesting that dentists using a modified pen grip achieved better clinical results.     

Flow-cytometric analysis of T-lymphocyte subsets after different treatment methods in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis

Aim : To determine any change in T‐lymphocyte subsets after applying different treatment methods in smokers and non‐smokers with chronic periodontitis. Participants : 50 adults with chronic periodontitis. Method : The subjects were divided into smokers and non‐smokers. Biopsy samples were taken from the gingival pocket wall tissues at sites with chronic periodontitis before treatment, after initial treatment, after curettage and after flap operation and tested for CD4⁺, CD8⁺ lymphocyte and CD4/CD8 ratio values. Gingival pocket depth, gingival index (Gl‐Löe‐Silness) and plaque index (Pl‐Silness‐Löe) scores were also recorded. Analysis aimed at determining the relation between the clinical measurements and the laboratory results. Results : Flow cytometry findings in both groups showed that CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ lymphocyte values before treatment were under the normal value while the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio was within normal distribution interval. The lymphocyte values observed in the smokers were found to be lower than those in the non‐smokers. After treatment the difference between the lymphocyte values in smokers and non‐smokers was found to be statistically significant. However, the difference between the CD4/CD8 rate obtained in smokers and non‐smokers was not found to be statistically significant. Conclusions : The lymphocyte values observed in smokers were found to be lower than those in non‐smokers after applying different treatment methods and the local immune response was poor in the smokers.     

Clinical, genetic, and biochemical findings in two siblings with Papillon-Lefèvre Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Papillon-Lefèvre Syndrome (PLS) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and severe periodontitis affecting both primary and secondary dentitions. Cathepsin C (CTSC) gene mutations are etiologic for PLS. The resultant loss of CTSC function is responsible for the severe periodontal destruction seen clinically. METHODS: A 4-year-old female (case 1) and her 10-year-old sister (case 2) presented with palmoplantar skin lesions, tooth mobility, and advanced periodontitis. Based on clinical findings, the cases were diagnosed with PLS. Mutational screening of the CTSC gene was conducted for the cases, and their clinically unaffected parents and brother. Biochemical analysis was performed for CTSC, cathepsin G (CTSG), and elastase activity in neutrophils for all members of the nuclear family. The initial treatment included oral hygiene instruction, scaling and root planing, and systemic amoxicillin-metronidazole therapy. RESULTS: CTSC mutational screening identified a c.415G>A transition mutation. In the homozygous state, this mutation was associated with an almost complete loss of activity of CTSC, CTSG, and elastase. Although monthly visits, including scaling, polishing, and 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate irrigation were performed to stabilize the periodontal condition, case 1 lost all her primary teeth. In case 2, some of the permanent teeth could be maintained. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes two siblings with a cathepsin C gene mutation that is associated with the inactivity of cathepsin C and several neutrophil serine proteases. The failure of patients to respond to periodontal treatment is discussed in the context of these biological findings.     

Purification and in vitro toxicity of gamma amanitin

We aimed to obtain gamma amanitin with high purity through a purification process and compare toxic effects of alpha, beta, and gamma amanitin. Specific concentrations of the toxins (25, 10, 1, and 0.1?μg/mL) were applied to the C3A human hepatocytes. A MTT test was performed to determine the level of toxicity. Alpha amanitin showed a higher toxicity in 48?h while the lowest toxicity was observed in beta amanitin. The toxicity level of gamma amanitin was found between the alpha and beta amanitin toxicity. Our method is suitable for obtaining gamma amanitin with high purity (>99%) as well as for obtaining alpha amanitin and beta amanitin. Gamma amanitin has been shown to have equal responsibility for toxicity as alpha amanitin in amanita poisoning.     

Unidirectional communication between the circumflex and right coronary arteries: a very rare coronary anomaly and cause of ischemia

Intercoronary communication is an exceptionally rare congenital malformation. A 43-year-old male was admitted to our cardiology department with symptomatic stable angina. ECG and echocardiography was normal. Exercise electrocardiography showed ST depression in inferior leads. No atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries was detected on coronary angiography. However, a unidirectional intercoronary communication between the circumflex and right coronary arteries, which was leading a coronary steal from right to left, was observed. Although intercoronary communication is generally not related with ischemia, ischemic symptoms and exercise ECG changes of this case suggested that unidirectional flow might cause myocardial ischemia via coronary steal. Consequently, intercoronary communication, a very rare coronary anomaly and a cause of ischemia, is discussed in this case report.