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In this work, 25 wheels were cast with three different grain refiners: Al5Ti1B, Al3Nb1B and MTS 1582. Samples were machined from the wheels to check the mechanical properties. It was found that Nb grain refinement had the lowest grain size (260 mm) and highest tensile properties (yield strength of 119-124 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 190-209 MPa). Al5Ti1B and MTS 1582 revealed quite similar results (110 MPa yield and 198 MPa ultimate tensile strength). The fading of the grain refining effect of Al5TiB1 master alloy was observed in both Nb and Ti added castings whereas during the investigated time interval, the fading was not observed when MTS 1582 was used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The assessment of the postoperative viability of vascularized and non-vascularized grafts used in the reconstruction of mandibular defects due to trauma and surgical reasons is a major problem in maxillofacial surgery. AIM: In the present study, we evaluated the feasibility and image quality of blood-pool SPECT, which is used for the first time in the literature here in the assessment of mandibular reconstruction, in addition to non-invasive bone scintigraphy and bone SPECT. We also evaluated whether it would be useful in clinical prediction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Micro-vascularized and non-vascularized bone grafts were used in 12 Syrian men with maxillofacial trauma. Between days 5-7 after surgery, threephase bone scintigraphy, blood-pool SPECT and delayed bone SPECT scans were performed. After month 6, the patients were assessed by control CT scans. RESULTS: Of the non-vascularized grafts, one graft was reported as non-viable at week one. At month 6, graft resorption was demonstrated on the CT images. The remaining nonvascularized grafts and all of the micro-vascularized grafts were considered to be viable according to delayed bone SPECT and bloodpool SPECT images. However, only the anterior and posterior ends could be clearly assessed on delayed SPECT images, while blood-pool SPECT images allowed the clear assessment of the entire graft. CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of blood-pool and delayed SPECT scans could allow for better assessment of graft viability in the early period, and can provide more detailed information to clinicians about prognosis in the follow-up of patients undergoing mandibular graft reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the articular movements in pediatric patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) with joint symptoms through bone scintigraphy as well as the gene mutations within the involved joints. The study investigated 41 pediatric patients diagnosed with joint involvement symptoms. The study reveals that multiple joint involvements were frequently observed in the M694I and M694V gene mutations.

Background: Hepatic stellate cells, the main mediators in the pathogenesis of fibrosis, are triggered by free radicals and produce collagen. Melatonin is a powerful physiologic scavenger of hydroxyl radicals. It is also involved in the inhibitory regulation of the collagen content in tissue. There is no effective treatment available for liver fibrosis. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of melatonin on liver fibrosis induced by bile-duct ligation (BDL) in rats.Methods: We divided male Wistar rats (n = 32) into 4 groups. Two groups received BDL and 2 groups received sham operations. One of the BDL groups and one of the sham groups were administered melatonin (100 mg/kg/day via intraperitoneal injection), and the controls were given vehicle only. After 1 month, we biochemically evaluated the changes in hepatic fibrosis by measuring tissue collagen levels and histopathologic examination. We evaluated the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), luminal and lucigenin in tissue homogenates, and we studied proinflammatory cytokines in serum using commercially available kits.Results: Bile-duct ligation caused hepatic fibrotic changes, whereas melatonin suppressed these changes in 5 of 8 rats (p < 0.001). Bile-duct ligation resulted in increased collagen, MDA, luminal and lucigenin levels and decreased GSH levels, whereas melatonin reversed these effects.Conclusion: We found that melatonin functions as an effective fibrosuppressant and antioxidant, and the results suggest that it can be used as a therapeutic option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study evaluates the effects of halofuginone, a specific inhibitor of synthesis of collagen type 1, on experimental colon anastomoses healing. Thirty rats were divided into four equal groups; jejunal anastomosis group; jejunal anastomoses with halofuginone treatment group; left colonic anastomosis group; left colonic anastomoses with halofuginone treatment group. Halofuginone was administered intraperitoneally, 5 mg/g daily, beginning at the first postoperative day. All rats were sacrified on the 7th day; and the results were evaluated by bursting pressure, hydroxyproline levels. The study sghows that Halofuginone, does not have negative effect on anastomoses healing.