Two members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, VEGF-C and -D, are known as lymphangiogenic growth factors and play an important role in tumor lymphangiogenesis via activation of the VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3, which is expressed in lymphatic endothelial cells. D2-40 is a specific antibody for lymphatic vessel density (LVD). In the present study, we have aimed to evaluate whether intraand peri-tumoral D2-40-positive lymphatic vessels affect lymph node metastasis and to investigate the relationship between LVD and lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. We have evaluated the relationships between lymph node metastasis and VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-3 and D2-40 expressions in breast cancer cells using immunohistochemistry. VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 expression were found in tumor cells in the majority of the cases (83.75, 97.5 and 95%, respectively). There was a significant positive relationship between VEGF-D expression and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05) however no significant association was found in VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expressions. It was found that patients with high-expression of VEGF-D have a high level of both periand intra-tumoral LVD compared to those with low expression of VEGF-D (p < 0.05). Our results support that examination of VEGF-D expression in breast cancer cells may be beneficial in the identification of lymph node metastasis.

Objective: The effects of laser on eradication of Enterococcus faecalis in the root canal are unclear. The purpose of this review was to explore the antimicrobial effects of laser radiation on E. faecalis. Methods: Using the combined search terms root canal , laser , antimicrobial , as inclusion and exclusion criteria, eligible articles were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and OVID by hand searching. The initial search yielded 4192 titles, and 162 articles were assigned to full text analysis. Upon classification of the data with regard to laser source, laser energy level and watt, duration of application, initial and final bacterial count, and rate of decrease in bacteria, p values were pooled and data were calculated using Fisher's Z method. The initial and final bacterial count, the standard deviation of data, and data expressed in logarithm were pooled and calculated using standardized difference in means method. In the event homogeneity was found between studies, the outcome of the fixed effect model was used, and if heterogeneity was found, the result of the random effect model was used. Results: A total of 12 articles were included. Er, Cr:YSGG, Nd:YAG, and KTP lasers and 1 and 1.5 W energy levels significantly reduced E. faecalis count. Conclusions: Despite the limited number of publications, the outcome of present meta-analytical assessment suggests that lasers are effective in eradication of E. faecalis .

El?in Sagırkaya, DDS, PhD/Ahmet Serkan Kucukekenci, DDS/Durdu Karasoy, MSc, PhD/Kıvan? Ak?a, DDS, PhD/Steven Eckert, DDS, MS/Murat Cavit ?ehreli, DDS, PhD: Purpose: To evaluate factors that have an influence on histomorphometric bone-to-implant contact (BIC) of dental implants in humans. Materials and Methods: Using inclusion/exclusion criteria, eligible studies were searched in five databases and handsearched in 11 journals. A total of 351 articles were assigned to full text analysis. The extracted data were assigned to comparative statistical assessments and meta-analysis. Results: A total of 55 articles were included in the analysis. The mean BIC found in comparative assessments and meta-analysis of implants in the mandible (70.97 and 69.744 ? 3.304, respectively) was higher than those in the maxilla (53.24 and 56.692 ? 3.598; P = .000 and P = .008, respectively). The mean BIC in the anterior mandible (79.42) and maxilla (74.19) were higher than the posterior mandible (69.14) and maxilla (36.68) (P < .05). Differences were detected in BIC of commercially available implants and experimental micro-implants (P < .05). Comparative assessments and meta-analysis showed that conventionally loaded implants (75.70 and 75.786 ? 4.889, respectively) had higher BIC than unloaded (54.07 and 53.24 ? 4.971, respectively) and immediately loaded implants (58.53 and 68.831 ? 4.972; P = .000 and P = .004, respectively). Conclusions: Based upon a meta-analysis of the literature the following conclusions can be made: The BIC in the mandible is higher than the maxilla. The BIC is higher in the anterior than the posterior regions. The implant design coupled with the anatomical region affects the amount of BIC. Placement of experimental micro-implants with different surfaces in the posterior region always result in low and almost comparable BIC. The loading state and healing period seems to have an influence on BIC. Specific reporting guidelines are required to improve reporting of studies on human BIC.