Santamarine Inhibits NF-κB Activation and Induces Mitochondrial Apoptosis in A549 Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells via Oxidative Stress

Santamarine (STM), a sesquiterpene lactone component of Magnolia grandiflora and Ambrosia confertiflora, has been shown to possess antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. However, no study has yet been conducted to investigate the molecular mechanism of STM-mediated anticancer activity. In the present study, we found that STM inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells through induction of oxidative stress. STM induces oxidative stress by promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, depleting intracellular glutathione (GSH), and inhibiting thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity in a dose-dependent manner. Further mechanistic study demonstrated that STM induces apoptosis by modulation of Bax/Bcl-2 expressions, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-3, and cleavage of PARP in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, STM inhibited the constitutive and inducible translocation of NF-κBp65 into the nucleus. IKK-16 (I-κB kinase inhibitor) augmented the STM-induced apoptosis, indicating that STM induces apoptosis in A549 cells at least in part through NF-κB inhibition. Finally, STM-induced apoptosis and expressions of apoptosis regulators were effectively inhibited by thiol antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), indicating that STM exerts its anticancer effects mainly through oxidative stress. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report providing evidence of anticancer activity and molecular mechanism of STM.

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How a wave of your coffee cup or spoon could switch TV channels

Everyday objects could soon be used to control your television thanks to a new technique that uses a webcam to recognise movements

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Salt inducible kinase wikipedia

Synonyms: Kid2, Protein kinase KID2, SIK-1, Salt-inducible kinase 1, ... "Serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 mediates salt sensitivity of ...

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E2F6 protein levels modulate drug induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Cellular Signalling, Volume 40
Author(s): Jennifer L. Major, Maysoon Salih, Balwant S. Tuana
The E2F/Rb pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, and death. In particular, E2F1 promotes apoptosis in all cells including those of the heart. E2F6, which represses E2F activity, was found to induce dilated cardiomyopathy in the absence of apoptosis in murine post-natal heart. Here we evaluate the anti-apoptotic potential of E2F6 in neonatal cardiomyocytes (NCM) from E2F6-Tg hearts which showed significantly less caspase-3 cleavage, a lower Bax/Bcl2 ratio, and improved cell viability in response to CoCl2 exposure. This correlated with a decrease in the pro-apoptotic E2F3 protein levels. In contrast, no difference in apoptotic markers or cell viability was observed in response to Doxorubicin (Dox) treatment between Wt and Tg-NCM. Dox caused a rapid and dramatic loss of the E2F6 protein in Tg-NCM within 6h and was undetectable after 12h. The level of e2f6 transcript was unchanged in Wt NCM, but was dramatically decreased in Tg cells in response to both Dox and CoCl2. This was related to an impact of the drugs on the α-myosin heavy chain promoter used to drive the E2F6 transgene. By comparison in HeLa, Dox induced apoptosis through upregulation of endogenous E2F1 involving post-transcriptional mechanisms, while E2F6 was down regulated with induction of the Checkpoint kinase-1 and proteasome degradation. These data imply that E2F6 serves to modulate E2F activity and protect cells including cardiomyocytes from apoptosis and improve survival. Strategies to modulate E2F6 levels may be therapeutically useful to mitigate cell death associated disorders.



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Bayesian Model Averaging with Change Points to Assess the Impact of Vaccination and Public Health Interventions

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) prevent invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia. However, some low-and middle-income countries have yet to introduce PCV into their immunization programs due, in part, to lack of certainty about the potential impact. Assessing PCV benefits is challenging because specific data on pneumococcal disease are often lacking, and it can be difficult to separate the effects of factors other than the vaccine that could also affect pneumococcal disease rates. Methods: We assess PCV impact by combining Bayesian model averaging with change-point models to estimate the timing and magnitude of vaccine-associated changes, while controlling for seasonality and other covariates. We applied our approach to monthly time series of age-stratified hospitalizations related to pneumococcal infection in children younger 5 years of age in the United States, Brazil, and Chile. Results: Our method accurately detected changes in data in which we knew true and noteworthy changes occurred, i.e., in simulated data and for invasive pneumococcal disease. Moreover, 24 months after the vaccine introduction, we detected reductions of 14%, 9%, and 9% in the United States, Brazil, and Chile, respectively, in all-cause pneumonia (ACP) hospitalizations for age group 0 to

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Number of Offspring and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Men and Women: The Role of Shared Lifestyle Characteristics

Background: Previous studies of the number of offspring and cardiovascular disease (CVD) report conflicting findings. We re-examined this association in both sexes to clarify the role of the cardiometabolic changes that women experience during pregnancy versus shared lifestyle characteristics. Methods: We studied 180,626 women and 133,259 men participating in the UK Biobank cohort who were free of CVD at baseline. CVD events were obtained from hospital and death registers. Analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: The incidence rates of overall CVD were six per 1000 person-years for women and nine per 1000 person-years for men. Number of children showed an association with risk of CVD among women; the adjusted HR (95% CI) was 1.2 (1.1, 1.3) for one, 1.1 (1.0, 1.2) for two, 1.2 (1.1, 1.3) for three, and 1.2 (1.1, 1.4) for four or more as compared to none. Number of children was also associated with CVD among men; the adjusted HR (95% CI) was 1.1 (1.0, 1.2) for one, 1.0 (0.96, 1.1) for two, 1.1 (1.0, 1.2) for three, and 1.1 (1.0, 1.3) for four or more as compared to none. There was no evidence of heterogeneity in the associations between sexes (Pinteraction = 0.80). Number of offspring also showed similar associations with ischemic heart disease and hypertensive disorders in both sexes. Conclusions: We observed similar associations between number of offspring and CVD in both sexes. The association among women might therefore be largely explained by unobserved behavioral and lifestyle characteristics.

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On a Square-Root Transformation of the Odds Ratio for a Common Outcome

No abstract available

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Declining US Life Expectancy: A First Look

No abstract available

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Increased Incidence Rate of Trauma- and Stressor-related Disorders in Denmark After the Breivik Attacks in Norway

Background: On 22 July 2011, Anders Breivik killed 77 adults and children in Norway. Having recently documented increases in the incidence of trauma- and stressor-related disorders in Denmark after the 9/11 attacks, we hypothesized that the Breivik attacks—due to their geographic proximity—would be followed by even larger increases in Denmark. Methods: Using population-based data from the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register (1995–2012), we conducted an intervention analysis of the change in the incidence of trauma- and stressor-related disorders after the Breivik attacks. Results: The incidence rate increased by 16% over the following 1½ years after the Breivik attacks, corresponding to 2736 additional cases. In comparison, 9/11 was followed by a 4% increase. We also present evidence of a subsequent surge in incidence stimulated by media attention. Conclusion: This study bolsters previous findings on extra-national consequences of terrorism and indicates that geographic proximity and media coverage may exacerbate effects.

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Longitudinal Associations of Local Cigarette Prices and Smoking Bans with Smoking Behavior in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Background: Few studies have examined associations of geographically proximal cigarette prices with within-person changes in smoking outcomes or assessed interactions between cigarette prices and smoking bans. Methods: We linked neighborhood cigarette prices (inflation-adjusted) at chain supermarkets and drug stores and bar/restaurant smoking ban policies to cohort participants (632 smokers from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, 2001–2012, baseline mean age 58 years) using geocoded retailer and participant addresses. We used fixed-effects models to investigate associations of within-person changes in price and ban exposures with within-person changes in five smoking outcomes: current smoking, heavy (≥10 cigarettes) smoking, cessation, relapse, and intensity (average number of cigarettes smoked per day, natural log transformed). We assessed intensity associations among all smokers, and heavy (≥10 cigarettes per day) and light (

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Is a Person’s Place in the Home (Neighborhood)?

No abstract available

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The “Residential” Effect Fallacy in Neighborhood and Health Studies: Formal Definition, Empirical Identification, and Correction

Background: Because of confounding from the urban/rural and socioeconomic organizations of territories and resulting correlation between residential and nonresidential exposures, classically estimated residential neighborhood–outcome associations capture nonresidential environment effects, overestimating residential intervention effects. Our study diagnosed and corrected this "residential" effect fallacy bias applicable to a large fraction of neighborhood and health studies. Methods: Our empirical application investigated the effect that hypothetical interventions raising the residential number of services would have on the probability that a trip is walked. Using global positioning systems tracking and mobility surveys over 7 days (227 participants and 7440 trips), we employed a multilevel linear probability model to estimate the trip-level association between residential number of services and walking to derive a naïve intervention effect estimate and a corrected model accounting for numbers of services at the residence, trip origin, and trip destination to determine a corrected intervention effect estimate (true effect conditional on assumptions). Results: There was a strong correlation in service densities between the residential neighborhood and nonresidential places. From the naïve model, hypothetical interventions raising the residential number of services to 200, 500, and 1000 were associated with an increase by 0.020, 0.055, and 0.109 of the probability of walking in the intervention groups. Corrected estimates were of 0.007, 0.019, and 0.039. Thus, naïve estimates were overestimated by multiplicative factors of 3.0, 2.9, and 2.8. Conclusions: Commonly estimated residential intervention–outcome associations substantially overestimate true effects. Our somewhat paradoxical conclusion is that to estimate residential effects, investigators critically need information on nonresidential places visited.

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Interrelationships Between Walkability, Air Pollution, Greenness, and Body Mass Index

Background: Recent studies have linked urban environmental factors and body mass index (BMI); however, such factors are often examined in isolation, ignoring correlations across exposures. Methods: Using data on Nurses' Health Study participants living in the Northeastern United States in 2006, we estimated associations between neighborhood walkability (a composite of population density, street connectivity, and business access), greenness (from satellite imagery), and ambient air pollution (from satellite-based spatiotemporally resolved PM2.5 predictions and weighted monthly average concentrations of NO2 from up to five nearest monitors) and self-reported BMI using generalized additive models, allowing for deviations from linearity using penalized splines. Results: Among 23,435 women aged 60–87 years, we observed nonlinear associations between walkability and BMI and between PM2.5 and BMI in single-exposure models adjusted for age, race, and individual- and area-level socioeconomic status. When modeling all exposures simultaneously, only the association between walkability and BMI remained nonlinear and nonmonotonic. Increasing walkability was associated with increasing BMI at lower levels of walkability (walkability index 1.8). A 10 percentile increase in walkability, right above 1.8 was associated with a 0.84% decrease in log BMI. The relationship between walkability and BMI existed only among younger participants (

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Big Data and Population Health: Focusing on the Health Impacts of the Social, Physical, and Economic Environment

We are at the dawn of a data deluge in health that carries extraordinary promise for improving the health of populations. However, current associated efforts, which generally center on the precision medicine agenda, may well fall short in terms of its overall impact. The main challenges, it is argued, are less technical than the following: (1) identifying the data that matter most; (2) ensuring that we make better use of existing data; and (3) extending our efforts from the individual to the population by exploiting new, complex, and sometimes unstructured, data sources. Advances in Epidemiology have shown that policies, features of institutions, characteristics of communities, living and environmental conditions, and social relationships all contribute, together with individual behaviors and factors such as poverty and race, to the production of health. Examples are discussed, leading to recommendations that focus on core priorities for data linkage, including those relating to marginalized populations, better data on socioeconomic status, micro- and macro-environments, collaborating with researchers in the fields of education, environment, and social sciences to ensure the validity and accuracy of multilevel data, aligning research aims with policy decisions that must be made, and heightening efforts to protect privacy.

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Patterson Companies, Inc. (PDCO) Receives Consensus Recommendation of "Hold" from Brokerages

Shares of Patterson Companies, Inc. have been given a consensus rating of "Hold" by the sixteen brokerages that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company.

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Impact of the Chronic Repetitive Leg Ischemia on Left Ventricular Function and Severity of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the concomitant presence of the peripheral arterial disease (PAD) on left ventricular function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) presented with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Subjects and Methods: The medical records of the patients who were referred to Ankara Bayindir Hospital, Ankara, Turkey due to the first episode of ACS were reviewed. Patients with concomitant PAD and CAD (Group1) were compared with those who had CAD alone (Group 2). Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests were used to compare of continuous variables and categorical variables respectively Results: Base line demographic data of 53 patients with PAD+CAD (group 1) (42 men and 11 women, mean age 62.5  9.5) and a CAD-alone group of 60 patients (41 men and 19 women, mean age 59.9  9.8) were similar except the serum creatinine level which was higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (1.32  0.34 vs. 1.03  0.22, p

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Clinical Outcomes and Predictors for Satisfaction in Patients with Improved Lithium Disilicate All-Ceramic Crowns

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes and predictors of satisfaction in patients with lithium disilicate (LD) ceramic crowns. Subjects and methods: Clinical outcomes were assessed in 47 patients with 88 LD crowns using modified United States Public Health Service evaluation (USPHS) criteria and survival rates. The questionnaire for predictors included three aspects; a) socio-demographic characteristics; b) oral health habits (tooth brushing frequency, flossing frequency, and dental visits) and c) satisfaction of the restorations (aesthetics, function, fit, cleans ability and chewing ability of the crowns and overall satisfaction). Frequency distributions were computed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Student t-test and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare the means among the variables. Correlation analysis was done to assess the association between continuous variables. Results: The age of crowns was 34.7 ± 9.7 months. The survival rate was 96.6% at 35.9 ± 9.2 months. There was significant association between successful crown function and oral hygiene measures (tooth brushing (p˂0.001), dental visits (p=0.006) and flossing (p=0.009)). A strong negative correlation was observed between aesthetics satisfaction (r= -0.717, p-value ˂0.001) and chewing ability (r= -0.639, p-value ˂0.001) with crown age. The linear regression model was significant for all predictors (p0.05). Conclusion: The LD crowns had long survival rates of 96.6% up to 35.9 ± 9.2 months and provided satisfactory clinical performance (low risk of failure). Oral hygiene habits, such as brushing, flossing and regular dental visits influenced patient satisfaction with LD crowns.


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Comparative Results of External Fixation, Plating or Nonoperative Management for Diaphyseal Clavicle Fractures

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the treatment outcomes of mid-diaphyseal clavicular fractures between external fixator and more widely selected treatment options such as plate osteosynthesis or conservative methods. Material and Method: From 2009 and 2013, the medical records of 64 patients were reviewed. İnclusion criterion was mid-diaphyseal closed clavicular fractures with shortening of more than 2 cm . The Constant and (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand DASH) scores at the final follow-up, initial displacement, non-union and complication rates were compared. Statistical differences between groups were assessed with Kruskal-Wallis test and pairwise comparison analysis was used to evaluate the difference within the groups. Results: Of the 64 patients 24(37.5%) were treated with plate osteosynthesis (Group 1); 11(17.2)% with external fixator (Group 2) and 29(45.3%) conservatively with a figure-of-eight bandage (Group 3). The mean follow-up periods were Group 1: 37±10.4 months; Group 2: 33±7 months; and Group 3: 35±9.4 months . The initial amount of displacement and DASH score were Group 1: 89.1±7.8; Group 2: 89.1±7.8 and Group 3: 6.1±6.6) (p=0.079). Constant score of (93±6.1) Group 2 was significantly higher than Group 3 scores: (85±8.4) (p=0.013). No statistical difference was found in the distribution of non-union (p=0.387) However in Group 3, the number of malunion (11/29, 37.9%) was significantly higher compared to the other 2 groups (Group 1: 1/24,4.2% Group 2 : 2/11. 18.2%) (p=0.006). Conclusions: This study revealed that treatment of acute clavicular fractures with external fixator was a good alternative to plate osteosynthesis or conservative treatment.


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Hundreds of Manawatu children with rotting teeth cost big bucks

More than 300 children are put under general anaesthetic each year to have the teeth pulled, costing about $4000 each, Phil Marshall, clinical director of MidCentral DHB school dental services said. National Ministry of Health figures show the teeth of 6600 children were so diseased, they needed intervention under general anaesthetic last year.

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Ongoing debate of benefits of #prostate screening needs resolving & acting upon swiftly read @Uroweb @euapmbrussels … https://t.co/ATfJQ1xsfr

Ongoing debate of benefits of #prostate screening needs resolving & acting upon swiftly read @Uroweb @euapmbrussels … https://t.co/ATfJQ1xsfr

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Inhibition of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1b induces hepatic steatosis through DPP4/NOX1-mediated regulation of superoxide

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Volume 113
Author(s): Zi Long, Meng Cao, Shuhao Su, Guangyuan Wu, Fansen Meng, Hao Wu, Jiangzheng Liu, Weihua Yu, Kamran Atabai, Xin Wang
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disorder that is closely associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have suggested that hepatocyte nuclear factor 1b (HNF1b) ameliorates insulin resistance. However, the role of HNF1b in the regulation of lipid metabolism and hepatic steatosis remains poorly understood. We found that HNF1b expression was decreased in steatotic livers. We injected mice with lentivirus (LV) expressing HNF1b shRNA to generate mice with hepatic knockdown of HNF1b. We also injected high fat (HF) diet-induced obese and db/db diabetic mice with LV expressing HNF1b to overexpress HNF1b. Knockdown of HNF1b increased hepatic lipid contents and induced insulin resistance in mice and in hepatocytes. Knockdown of HNF1b worsened HF diet-induced increases in hepatic lipid contents, liver injury and insulin resistance in mice and PA-induced lipid accumulation and impaired insulin signaling in hepatocytes. Moreover, overexpression of HNF1b alleviated HF diet-induced increases in hepatic lipid content and insulin resistance in mice. Knockdown of HNF1b increased expression of genes associated with lipogenensis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. DPP4 and NOX1 expression was increased by knockdown of HNF1b and HNF1b directly bound with the promoters of DPP4 and NOX1. Overexpression of DPP4 or NOX1 was associated with an increase in lipid droplets in hepatocytes and decreased expression of DPP4 or NOX1 suppressed the effects of knockdown of HNF1b knockdown on triglyceride (TG) formation and insulin signaling. Knockdown of HNF1b increased superoxide level and decreased glutathione content, which was inhibited by downregulation of DPP4 and NOX1. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) suppressed HNF1b knockdown-induced ER stress, TG formation and insulin resistance. Palmitic acid (PA) decreased HNF1b expression which was inhibited by NAC. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that HNF1b plays an essential role in controlling hepatic TG homeostasis and insulin sensitivity by regulating DPP4/NOX1mediated generation of superoxide.

Graphical abstract

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Foreign Body Aspiration in Northern Ghana: A Review of Pediatric Patients

Background. Foreign body (FB) aspiration requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis and prompt management to avoid morbidity and mortality. This retrospective study was conducted to review pediatric foreign body aspiration at the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). Materials and Methods. The theater records of children managed for foreign body aspiration from January 2010 to December 2016 at the ENT Unit of TTH were retrieved and data summarized with respect to age, gender, indications for bronchoscopy, nature of foreign body, location of foreign body, and outcome of the bronchoscopy procedure. Results. A total of 33 children were managed within the five-year study period and comprised 16 (48.5%) males and 17 (51.5%) females. The commonly aspirated FBs were groundnuts (13, 39.4%) and metallic objects (7, 21.1%). The peak incidence occurred in children aged ≤ 3 years. The foreign bodies (FBs) were commonly localized to the right (24.2%) and left (24.2%) main bronchi, respectively. One patient had emergency tracheostomy for failed bronchoscopy. Conclusion. Groundnuts were the most commonly aspirated foreign body with most of the FBs localized in the bronchi.

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Verification for Different Contrail Parameterizations Based on Integrated Satellite Observation and ECMWF Reanalysis Data

Aviation induced cloud termed contrail plays a more and more important role in the climate change, which makes a significant contribution to anthropogenic climate forcing through impacting the coverage of cirrus in the intersection of troposphere and stratosphere. In this paper, we propose one novel automatic contrail detecting method based on Himawari-8 stationary satellite imagery and two kinds of potential contrail coverage (PCC1 and PCC2) from contrail parameterization in ECHAM4 and HadGEM2. In addition, we propose one new climatological index called contrail occurrence and persistence (COP). According to the algorithm identification (AI) and artificial visual inspection (AVI), COP measured from Himawari-8 stationary satellite imagery is related to upper tropospheric relative humidity over ice (RHI) computed with the ECMWF reanalysis data by simple linear regression. Similarly, we compared the linear correlation between COP and PCCs fractions and found that PCC1 has better correspondence with COP than PCC2.

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A novel PAX9 mutation causing oligodontia

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Archives of Oral Biology, Volume 84
Author(s): Eiman Mohammed Daw, Christian Saliba, Godfrey Grech, Simon Camilleri
IntroductionAn extended family presenting with several members affected by developmentally missing teeth was investigated by analysis of the MSX1 and PAX9 genes.Materials and methodsSaliva samples were collected and DNA extracted. Primers were designed to span the exons and intron-exon junctions of the MSX1 and PAX9 genes. These primers were optimised using gradient Polymerase Chain Reaction. The amplified fragments were sent for Sanger sequencingResultsa novel heterozygote missense mutation in exon 3 of PAX9 (c.296G > C, p.A99P), was found in two severely affected members of the family as well as a potentially pathogenic heterozygote variant (c.119C > G, p.A40G) in exon 1 of the MSX1 gene.ConclusionThe PAX9 A99P mutation is in the DNA binding domain and is predicted to be pathogenic.



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Designing a Control System for an Airplane Wing Flutter Employing Gas Actuators

The wing flutter is a dynamic instability of a flight vehicle associated with the interaction of aerodynamic, elastic, and inertial forces (aeroelastics phenomena). In this study, just the primary control is investigated. Also, in order to control the two-dimensional wing flutter, the force jet and pulse width pulse frequency (PWPF) are suggested. The PWPF modulator has the advantage of almost linear operation, low jet gas consumption, flexibility in addressing various needs, and good accuracy in presence of oscillations. This scheme makes use of quasi-steady dynamic premises and incompressible flow, as well as the thin airfoil theory. It should be noted that, to justify the application of the aerodynamic theory, we have speculated that the thruster jet ejected through a nozzle with a diameter smaller than several millimeters has a supersonic regime (with Mach number of the order of ). Consequently, the interference of the thruster jet in the boundary layer, flow, and circulation around the airfoil which are characterized by low speed would be negligible. The operation of the jet as a thruster is handled by the PWPF modulator, and the process output is fed back to the system via a PD controller. In order to control the wing flutter oscillation, the location of installing the actuator on the airfoil is investigated.

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Late Onset Streptococcus agalactiae Meningitis following Early Onset Septicemia: A Preventable Disease?

We report a neonate who presented with early onset Streptococcus agalactiae or group B streptococcus (GBS) septicemia within 24 hours of birth. After discharge at day 14, she went on to develop late onset GBS meningitis at 36 days of age. The infant was treated with intravenous antibiotics on both occasions and eventually discharged home with no apparent sequelae. We address issues associated with GBS infection in infancy including the demographics, risk factors, and the risk of late onset GBS meningitis following an early onset GBS infection. The major source of GBS in early onset GBS disease is maternal birth canal GBS colonization. On the other hand, nosocomial cross-infection is an important source of GBS in late onset disease. Penicillin remains the current treatment of choice for GBS infection. Given the rapid onset and progression within hours of birth and lack of an effective solution for preventing late onset GBS, administration of an effective GBS vaccine in pregnancy could provide a sensible and cost-effective solution in all settings.

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Patient Satisfaction with Occlusal Scheme ofConventional Complete Dentures: A Randomized Clinical Trial (Part I)

Abstract

Bachground

Occlusal scheme can affect denture retention, stability, occlusal force distribution, esthetics, masticatory function, patient comfort, and general patient satisfaction with dentures.

Objectives

This study aimed to compare the patient satisfaction with three types of complete denture occlusion including fully bilateral balanced occlusion (FBBO), newly presented buccalized occlusion (BO), and lingualized occlusion (LO).

Methods

In this parallel randomized clinical trial, new conventional complete dentures (CCDs) were fabricated for 86volunteers. Participants were randomly allocated to three groups with three different occlusal schemes. All patients were recalled at one and thre emonths after delivery for data collection. The 19-item version of Oral Health Impact Profile for Edentulous Patients (OHIP-EDENT) questionnaire was used in this study.The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for assessment of the prosthodontist's attitude towards denture quality, patient's attitude towards different occlusal schemes and evaluation of patient satisfaction. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, the Kruskal Wallis test and the post-hoc Dunn test via SPSS version 18.0 (P≤0.05).

Results

Eighty-sixpatients completed the study and their data were analyzed (mean age ± standard deviation=57.78 ± 9.98 years). The only significant difference when comparing the three groups was physical pain, which was significantly higher in FBBO group. No significant differences were found for the VAS scores of patient and prosthodontist satisfaction or the domain scores among the three occlusal schemes either at one or at three months post-delivery. The VAS score of patient satisfaction and prosthodontist satisfaction increased at three months compared to one month after delivery.

Conclusion

The results of this randomized clinical trial provided evidence that BO is as effective as LO for the fabrication of complete dentures.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Seasonally Feed-Related Aflatoxins B1 and M1 Spread in Semiarid Industrial Dairy Herd and Its Deteriorating Impacts on Food and Immunity

To comparatively determine the levels of aflatoxin (AF) B1 in feedstuffs and of AFM1 in milk from semiarid industrial cattle farms in northeastern Iran during four seasons and to elucidate the effects of mixed AFB1 and AFM1 on bovine granulocytes, 72 feedstuffs (concentrate, silage, and totally mixed ration (TMR)) and 200 bulk milk samples were simultaneously collected for ELISA-based AFs detection. Isolated blood and milk neutrophils (/treatment) were also preincubated with mix of 10 ng/ml AFB1 and 10 ng/ml AFM1 for 12 h; the impact was assessed on neutrophils functions. AFB1 levels in feedstuffs averaged 28 μg/kg (4–127 μg/kg), with TMR maximal ( μg/kg), concentrate ( μg/kg), and silage ( μg/kg). The levels of AFB1 and AFM1 in feedstuffs and milk averaged , , , and  μg/kg and , , , and  ppb μg/kg in winter (maximal), autumn, spring, and summer, respectively. Mix of AFB1 and AFM1 weakened various functions of granulocytes. It adds new reason why during winter semiarid raised food-producing animals show more immune-incompetence.

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Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy in a Patient with Pigment Dispersion Syndrome: A Possible Correlation

Chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a progressive chorioretinopathy with widespread atrophic RPE abnormalities and serous retinal detachments (SRDs) present for 6 months or longer. We report a case of CSCR in a 38-year-old patient with Pigment Dispersion Syndrome (PDS). In the presented case of CSCR, the chronic course of the disease may in part be associated with an underlying generalized degenerative dysfunction of the pigmented cells of the eye on grounds of PDS. We suggest that a chronic course of disease may be suspected in the setting of CSCR with concurrent RPE pathology, such as what is found in PDS.

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These parents will do anything to get their kids to a dentist

Today's tycoons-in-training are savvy negotiators - holding out for big-ticket offers, such as trips to Disney World, sporting events and $2,500 go-karts - before they agree to settle into the dentist's chair. One local parent feels the only way to get her kid to cooperate is to take him to the Ferrari store.

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Foreign Body Aspiration in Northern Ghana: A Review of Pediatric Patients

Background. Foreign body (FB) aspiration requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis and prompt management to avoid morbidity and mortality. This retrospective study was conducted to review pediatric foreign body aspiration at the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). Materials and Methods. The theater records of children managed for foreign body aspiration from January 2010 to December 2016 at the ENT Unit of TTH were retrieved and data summarized with respect to age, gender, indications for bronchoscopy, nature of foreign body, location of foreign body, and outcome of the bronchoscopy procedure. Results. A total of 33 children were managed within the five-year study period and comprised 16 (48.5%) males and 17 (51.5%) females. The commonly aspirated FBs were groundnuts (13, 39.4%) and metallic objects (7, 21.1%). The peak incidence occurred in children aged ≤ 3 years. The foreign bodies (FBs) were commonly localized to the right (24.2%) and left (24.2%) main bronchi, respectively. One patient had emergency tracheostomy for failed bronchoscopy. Conclusion. Groundnuts were the most commonly aspirated foreign body with most of the FBs localized in the bronchi.

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Diagnostic Challenges of Antrochoanal Polyps: A Review of Sixty One Cases

Abstract

Antrochoanal polyps (ACP) are benign, large, inflammatory polyps which originate from within the maxillary sinus and extend through the natural or accessory ostia, into the nasal cavity, with extension into the choana. They are relatively uncommon, accounting for just 3 – 6% of all nasal polyps, although they are much more frequently encountered in children, affecting upto 35% of the paediatric population ¹. Even among adults, they usually present at a younger age, as compared with usual nasal polyps with a mean age at diagnosis of 27 and 50 years respectively ².

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells for Treating Diabetic Neuropathy in Metabolic Syndrome

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common and serious complications of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. The current therapy strategies, including glucose control and pain management, are not effective for most patients. Growing evidence suggests that infiltration of inflammation factors and deficiency of local neurotrophic and angiogenic factors contribute significantly to the pathologies of diabetic neuropathy. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMCs) therapy represents a novel and promising strategy for tissue repair through paracrine secretion of multiple cytokines, which has a potential to inhibit inflammation and promote angiogenesis and neurotrophy in diabetic neuropathy. In this review, we discuss the clinical practice in diabetic neuropathy and the therapeutic effect of BMC. We subsequently illustrate the functional impairment of autologous BMCs due to the interrupted bone marrow niche in diabetic neuropathy. We anticipate that the functional restoration of BMCs could improve their therapeutic effect and enable their wide applications in diabetic neuropathy.

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Evaluating Reservoir Risks and Their Influencing Factors during CO2 Injection into Multilayered Reservoirs

Wellbore and site safety must be ensured during CO2 injection into multiple reservoirs during carbon capture and storage projects. This study focuses on multireservoir injection and investigates the characteristics of the flow-rate distribution and reservoir-risk evaluation as well as their unique influences on multireservoir injection. The results show that more CO2 enters the upper layers than the lower layers. With the increase in injection pressure, the risks of the upper reservoirs increase more dramatically than those of the low reservoirs, which can cause the critical reservoir (CR) to shift. The CO2 injection temperature has a similar effect on the injection flow rate but no effect on the CR's location. Despite having no effect on the flow-rate distribution, the formation-fracturing pressures in the reservoirs determine which layer becomes the CR. As the thickness or permeability of a layer increases, the inflows exhibit upward and downward trends in this layer and the lower layers, respectively, whereas the inflows of the upper layers remain unchanged; meanwhile, the risks of the lower layer and those of the others decrease and remain constant, respectively. Compared to other parameters, the reservoir porosities have a negligible effect on the reservoir risks and flow-rate distributions.

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Decomposition Technique and a Family of Efficient Schemes for Nonlinear Equations

Various problems of pure and applied sciences can be studied in the unified framework of nonlinear equations. In this paper, a new family of iterative methods for solving nonlinear equations is developed by using a new decomposition technique. The convergence of the new methods is proven. For the implementation and performance of the new methods, some examples are solved and the results are compared with some existing methods.

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5-Oxoprolinuria in hyperammonemic encephalopathy: Coincidence or worsening factor?

Publication date: Available online 30 September 2017
Source:Clinical Biochemistry
Author(s): Guillaume Rousseau, Isabelle Signolet, Marie-Christine Denis, Juan Manuel Chao de la Barca, Rafaël Mahieu, Franck Letournel, Pascal Reynier, Gilles Simard




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Cisplatin chemotherapy impairs the peri-implant bone repair around titanium implants: an in vivo study in rats

Abstract

Aim

The purpose of this study in animals was to evaluate the peri-implant bone repair against systemic administration of the antineoplastic agent

Material and methods

Were used 84 male rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus – Wistar), divided in two groups, Cisplatin (CIS) and saline solution (SS). The titanium implants were inserted into the right tibia at day 0 in all animals from both groups. Group SS: Received SS via intraperitoneal at 15 and 17 days postoperatively. Group CIS: Received 5mg/kg and 2.5mg/kg of cisplatin via intraperitoneal, at 15 and 17 days, postoperatively and respectively. The euthanasia were at 22, 30 and 60 days postoperatively. Twenty-four undecalcified specimens were prepared for histometric analysis of bone/implant contact (BIC). Sixty specimens were selected to: bone area (BA) measurement, histological analysis, and immunohistochemical analysis of RUNX-2, osteocalcin (OCN) and tartrate resistant acid-phosphatase (TRAP). BIC and BA were considered to be the primary outcome parameters

Results

Group CIS showed lower BIC (11.87±0.97 mm; 19.19±0.8 mm; 17.69±1.05 mm; p≤0.05) and BA (3.68±1.29 mm²; 3.05±0.88 mm²; 3.23±0.67 mm²; p≤0.05), as well as decreased number of RUNX-2 (102.8±27.35 cells/mm²; 100.04 ±8.61 cells/mm²; 118.82 ±21.38 cells/mm²; p≤0.05) and OCN-positive cells (120±24.5 cells/mm²; 102±27.73 cells/mm²; 100±14.23 cells/mm²; p≤0.05) at 22, 30 and 60 days respectively. The animals in group CIS also showed increased number of TRAP-positive cells (86.8±6.37 cells/mm²; 71.5±4.72 cells/mm²; 92.8±9.52 cells/mm²; p≤0.05) and a persistent and exacerbated inflammatory response in all experimental periods

Conclusion

Within the limits of the present study was concluded that the chemotherapeutic cisplatin negatively affects the bone repair at peri-implant areas, jeopardizing the osseointegration of titanium implants.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Healing of 2-wall intrabony defects treated with a novel EMD-liquid. A preclinical study in monkeys

Abstract

Aim

To investigate the effect of a novel enamel matrix derivative formulation (EMD-liquid or Osteogain) combined with an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) on periodontal wound healing in intrabony defects in monkeys.

Materials and Methods

Chronic 2-wall intrabony defects were created at the distal aspect of 8 teeth in 3 monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). The 24 defects were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: (1) Open flap debridement (OFD) + ACS alone, (2) OFD + Emdogain + ACS (Emdogain/ACS), (3) OFD + Osteogain + ACS (Osteogain/ACS), or (4) OFD alone. At 4 months the animals were euthanized for histologic evaluation.

Results

Osteogain/ACS resulted in more consistent formation of cementum, periodontal ligament and bone with limited epithelial proliferation compared to OFD alone, Emdogain/ACS, and OFD + ACS. Among the 4 treatment groups, the Osteogain/ACS group demonstrated the highest amount of regenerated tissues. However, complete periodontal regeneration was not observed in any of the defects in the 4 groups.

Conclusions

The present findings indicate that in 2-wall intrabony defects, reconstructive surgery with Osteogain/ACS appears to be a promising novel approach for facilitating periodontal wound healing/regeneration, thus warranting further clinical testing.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Survival rates vary alarmingly from country-to-country for #prostate cancer. Read new WP @Uroweb @euapmbrussels … https://t.co/GUHU6wFfjz

Survival rates vary alarmingly from country-to-country for #prostate cancer. Read new WP @Uroweb @euapmbrussels … https://t.co/GUHU6wFfjz

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Photo-Induced Cell Damage Analysis for Single- and Multifocus Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopy

In this study, we investigated photo-induced damage to living cells during single- and multifocus excitations for coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging. A near-infrared pulsed laser (709 nm) was used to induce cell damage. We compared the photo-induced cell damage in the single- and the multifocus excitation schemes with the condition to obtain the same CARS signal in the same frame rate. For the evaluation of cell viability, we employed 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) fluorophores that predominantly stained the damaged cells. One- and two-photon fluorescence of DAPI fluorophores were, respectively, excited by an ultraviolet light source and the same near-infrared light source and were monitored to evaluate the cell viability during near-infrared pulsed laser irradiation. We found lower uptake of DAPI fluorophores into HeLa cells during the multifocus excitation compared with the single-focus excitation scheme in both the one- and the two-photon fluorescence examinations. This indicates a reduction of photo-induced cell damage in the multifocus excitation. Our findings suggested that the multifocus excitation scheme is expected to be suitable for CARS microscopy in terms of minimal invasiveness.

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Glucosinolates, Carotenoids, and Vitamins E and K Variation from Selected Kale and Collard Cultivars

Glucosinolates, carotenoids, and fat-soluble vitamins E and K contents were analyzed from various kale and collard cultivars at mature stage. We found a significant difference in these phytonutrients among cultivars. Among kale cultivars, "Beira" and "Olympic Red" were the highest in the total glucosinolate and "Toscano" kale was the highest in total carotenoid content. "Scarlet" kale was highest in tocopherols. For collard, total glucosinolate was the highest in "Top Bunch" while carotenoids were the highest in "Green Glaze." An accession PI261597 was the highest in phylloquinone. In addition to the total content of each phytonutrient class, their composition differed among cultivars, indicating that each cultivar may have differential regulatory mechanisms for biosynthesis of these phytonutrients. Our result indicates that cultivar selection may play an important role in consumption of kale and collard with greater nutritional benefit. Therefore, the result of this study will provide a more thorough profile of essential and nonessential phytonutrients of kale and collard cultivars for consumers' choice and for future research on nutritional value of these crops.

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Synchronization of Time Delayed Fractional Order Chaotic Financial System

The research on a time delayed fractional order financial chaotic system is a hot issue. In this paper, synchronization of time delayed fractional order financial chaotic system is studied. Based on comparison principle of linear fractional equation with delay, by using a fractional order inequality, a sufficient condition is obtained to guarantee the synchronization of master-slave systems. An example is exploited to show the feasibility of the theoretical results.

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Early Renal Involvement in a Girl with Classic Fabry Disease

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder resulting from the deficiency or absence of the enzyme alpha galactosidase A; this defect leads to the systemic accumulation of globotriaosylceramide and its metabolites. Organic involvement in men is well known, but in women it is controversial, mainly due to the random X-chromosome inactivation in each of their cells (Lyon hypothesis). This would explain why women (heterozygotes) present a wide variability in the severity of their phenotype. The manifestations are multisystemic and begin in early childhood, reaching a severe compromise in adulthood. Typical acroparesthesia in hands and feet, gastrointestinal symptoms, angiokeratomas, dyshidrosis, hearing loss, arrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cerebrovascular accidents, and renal failure can be observed. Nephropathy is one of the major complications of Fabry disease. Glomerular and vascular changes are present before progression to overt proteinuria and decreased glomerular filtration rate, even in pediatric patients. A case of incipient renal involvement in a girl with classic Fabry disease is reported.

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Experimental Study of Bilinear Initiating System Based on Hard Rock Pile Blasting

It is difficult to use industrial explosives to excavate hard rock and achieve suitable blasting effect due to the low energy utilization rate resulting in large rocks and short blasting footage. Thus, improving the utilization ratio of the explosive energy is important. In this study, a novel bilinear initiation system based on hard rock blasting was proposed to improve the blasting effects. Furthermore, on the basis of the detonation wave collision theory, frontal collision, oblique reflection, and Mach reflection during detonation wave propagation were studied. The results show that the maximum detonation pressure at the Mach reflection point where the incident angle is 46.9° is three times larger than the value of the explosive complete detonation. Then, in order to analyze the crack propagation in different initiation forms, a rock fracture test slot was designed, and the results show that bilinear initiating system can change the energy distribution of explosives. Finally, field experiment was implemented at the hard rock pile blasting engineering, and experimental results show that the present system possesses high explosive energy utilization ratio and low rock fragments size. The results of this study can be used to improve the efficiency in hard rock blasting.

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A Novel Active Semisupervised Convolutional Neural Network Algorithm for SAR Image Recognition

Convolutional neural network (CNN) can be applied in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) object recognition for achieving good performance. However, it requires a large number of the labelled samples in its training phase, and therefore its performance could decrease dramatically when the labelled samples are insufficient. To solve this problem, in this paper, we present a novel active semisupervised CNN algorithm. First, the active learning is used to query the most informative and reliable samples in the unlabelled samples to extend the initial training dataset. Next, a semisupervised method is developed by adding a new regularization term into the loss function of CNN. As a result, the class probability information contained in the unlabelled samples can be maximally utilized. The experimental results on the MSTAR database demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm despite the lack of the initial labelled samples.

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Transition from Deep Regional Blocks toward Deep Nerve Hydrodissection in the Upper Body and Torso: Method Description and Results from a Retrospective Chart Review of the Analgesic Effect of 5% Dextrose Water as the Primary Hydrodissection Injectate

Deep nerve hydrodissection uses fluid injection under pressure to purposely separate nerves from areas of suspected fascial compression, which are increasingly viewed as potential perpetuating factors in recalcitrant neuropathic pain/complex regional pain. The usage of 5% dextrose water (D5W) as a primary injectate for hydrodissection, with or without low dose anesthetic, could limit anesthetic-related toxicity. An analgesic effect of 5% dextrose water (D5W) upon perineural injection in patients with chronic neuropathic pain has recently been described. Here we describe ultrasound-guided methods for hydrodissection of deep nerve structures in the upper torso, including the stellate ganglion, brachial plexus, cervical nerve roots, and paravertebral spaces. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 100 hydrodissection treatments in 26 consecutive cases with a neuropathic pain duration of months and the mean Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) 0–10 pain level of . The mean percentage of analgesia during each treatment session involving D5W injection without anesthetic was 88.1%  ±  9.8%. The pretreatment Numeric Pain Rating Scale score of improved to at 2 months after the last treatment. Patients received treatments over months from the first treatment to the 2-month posttreatment follow-up. Pain improvement exceeded 50% in all cases and 75% in half. Our results confirm the analgesic effect of D5W injection and suggest that hydrodissection using D5W provides cumulative pain reduction.

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A One-Dimensional Hydrodynamic and Water Quality Model for a Water Transfer Project with Multihydraulic Structures

The long Middle Route of the South to North Water Transfer Project is composed of complex hydraulic structures (aqueduct, tunnel, control gate, diversion, culvert, and diverted siphon), which generate complex flow patterns. It is vital to simulate the flow patterns through hydraulic structures, but it is a challenging work to protect water quality and maintain continuous water transfer. A one-dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality model was built to understand the flow and pollutant movement in this project. Preissmann four-point partial-node implicit scheme was used to solve the governing equations in this study. Water flow and pollutant movement were appropriately simulated and the results indicated that this water quality model was comparable to MIKE 11 and had a good performance and accuracy. Simulation accuracy and model uncertainty were analyzed. Based on the validated water quality model, six pollution scenarios ( = 10 m3/s, = 30 m3/s, and = 60 m3/s for volatile phenol (VOP) and contaminant mercury (Hg)) were simulated for the MRP. Emergent pollution accidents were forecasted and changes of water quality were analyzed according to the simulations results, which helped to guarantee continuously transferring water for a large water transfer project.

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quality of care; +32 new citations

32 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

quality of care

These pubmed results were generated on 2017/10/01

PubMed comprises more than millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.

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A Study on the Manufacturing Properties of Crack Self-Healing Capsules Using Cement Powder for Addition to Cement Composites

We fabricated crack self-healing capsules using cement powder for mixing into cement composites and evaluated the properties of the capsule manufacturing process in this study. The manufacture of the self-healing capsules is divided into core production processing of granulating cement in powder form and a coating process for creating a wall on the surfaces of the granulated cement particles. The produced capsules contain unhardened cement and can be mixed directly with the cement composite materials because they are protected from moisture by the wall material. Therefore, the untreated cement is present in the form of a capsule within the cement composite, and hydration can be induced by moisture penetrating the crack surface in the event of cracking. In the process of granulating the cement, it is important to obtain a suitable consistency through the kneading agent and to maintain the moisture barrier performance of the wall material. We can utilize the results of this study as a basis for advanced self-healing capsule technology for cement composites.

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Validity of Digital Imaging of Fiber-Optic Transillumination in Caries Detection on Proximal Tooth Surfaces

Objective. The aim of our study was to evaluate the validity of the digital imaging fiber-optic transillumination (DIFOTI) method in comparison with clinical visual examination (CV) and bitewing (BW) radiography on detecting caries lesions on proximal surfaces of teeth. Materials and Methods. Proximal tooth surfaces of premolars and molars () of 91 voluntary university students aged from 18 to 30 years were examined with CV, BW radiography, and the DIFOTI method. Results. DIFOTI detected more initial and manifested caries lesions compared with CV and BW. Of the analyzed tooth surfaces, 69.8% were classified as sound by DIFOTI, 80.3% by BW, and 91.6% by CV. Initial caries lesions were found in 21.2% of the surfaces by DIFOTI, in 14.1% by BW, and in 6.2% by CV, whereas the proportions for manifested dental caries lesions were 9.0%, 5.6%, and 2.2%, respectively. The interexaminer agreement regarding the DIFOTI findings between an experienced clinician and a fifth-year dental student was high: for initial and for manifested caries lesions. Conclusions. The noninvasive DIFOTI method seems to offer a potential tool for everyday clinical practice. In clinical use, DIFOTI finds well even initial caries lesions on proximal surfaces, thus providing an instrument for detecting lesions potential for arresting as well as for monitoring the outcome after preventive measures.

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Occurrence of cases with peri-implant mucositis or peri-implantitis in a 21-26 years follow-up study.

Occurrence of cases with peri-implant mucositis or peri-implantitis in a 21-26 years follow-up study.

J Clin Periodontol. 2017 Sep 29;:

Authors: Renvert S, Lindahl C, Persson GR

Abstract
AIM: to determine the prevalence and development of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis and to assess risk factors over time.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is a longitudinal case series assessing the occurrence and diagnosis of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis.
RESULTS: 218/294 patients who had received dental implants between 1988-1992 were examined between 2000-2002 (exam II; 9-14 years after the first exam). At exam III (20-26 years after exam I, on average 23.3 years), 86 individuals were re-examined. The diagnosis of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis at exam III was 23.8% and 13.7% respectively. Surgical treatment of peri-implantitis after exam II resulted in a bone gain for 2/12 individuals. Individuals with ≥ 3 implants at exam II were at risk for peri-implantitis at exam III (χ2=7.9, p <0.01, LR: 11.6, 95%CI: 1.5, 92.5, p < 0.01). A history of periodontitis (p=0.07), a diagnosis of peri-implant mucositis (p =0.77), or smoking (p=0.86) at exam II, were not predictive of peri-implantitis at exam III.
CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis and occurrence of peri-implantitis and peri-implant mucositis was high. Healthy conditions at implants after 9-14 years were predictive of future implant health. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 28963776 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Chemopreventive effects of FITOPROT against 5-fluorouracil-induced toxicity in HaCaT cells.

Chemopreventive effects of FITOPROT against 5-fluorouracil-induced toxicity in HaCaT cells.

Life Sci. 2017 Sep 26;:

Authors: Dos Santos Filho EX, da Silva ACG, de Ávila RI, Batista AC, Marreto RN, Lima EM, de Oliveira CMA, Mendonça EF, Valadares MC

Abstract
AIMS: This study evaluated the mechanisms involved in the chemopreventive effects of a mucoadhesive formulation (FITOPROT), containing curcuminoids from Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) and Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae) extract, against 5-FU-induced cellular toxicity using an in vitro oral mucositis model.
MAIN METHODS: Effects of FITOPROT on 5-FU-induced cytotoxicity in HaCaT and SSC-4 cells were evaluated by MTT assay. For mechanistic analyzes, HaCaT cells were first pretreated with FITOPROT (0.005%) for 24h followed by treatment with FITOPROT and simultaneously exposed to 5-FU (10μg/mL) for additional 24h.
KEY FINDINGS: FITOPROT was able to protect HaCaT cells from 5-FU-triggered cell damage. Moreover, the FITOPROT+5-FU association showed higher cytotoxic effects on SSC-4 cancer cells. Flow cytometry and/or fluorescence microscopy analysis showed FITOPROT was able to significantly reduce ROS generation and prevent mitochondrial changes in HaCaT cells. In addition, it avoided the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytoplasm in cells exposed to 5-FU, and restored their proliferative activity via Ki-67 expression. Furthermore, FITOPROT regulated 5-FU-induced oxidative stress via Nrf2 involvement. HaCaT cells pretreated/treated with FITOPROT also showed normal expression of TNF-R1 and NF-κB inflammatory proteins and decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8). Moreover, a high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed the presence of flavonoids rutin, glucoronylated quercetin and dimethylquercetin rutenoside in FITOPROT.
SIGNIFICANCE: It was showed that FITOPROT, an antioxidant phytochemicals-rich mucoadhesive formulation, exerts chemopreventive effects against 5-FU-triggered toxicity through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms and restoration of proliferative capacity in HaCaT cells.

PMID: 28962868 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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IMMEDIATELY LOADED IMPLANT-SUPPORTED FULL-ARCHES: PERI-IMPLANT STATUS AFTER 1 TO 9 YEARS IN A PRIVATE PRACTICE.

IMMEDIATELY LOADED IMPLANT-SUPPORTED FULL-ARCHES: PERI-IMPLANT STATUS AFTER 1 TO 9 YEARS IN A PRIVATE PRACTICE.

J Dent. 2017 Sep 26;:

Authors: Cercadillo-Ibarguren I, Sánchez-Torres A, Figueiredo R, Schwarz F, Gay-Escoda C, Valmaseda-Castellón E

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the peri-implant status on the long-term (1-9years) of patients treated with immediately-loaded full-arch prostheses in a private practice.
METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out in patients consecutively treated with immediately loaded full-arch restorations supported with a minimum of 4 implants (Replace(®) Tapered, Nobel Biocare AB) and Multi-Unit conical abutments (MUA(®), Nobel Biocare AB) with a follow-up of over 12 months after placement of the final prosthesis.
RESULTS: A total of 378 implants were placed in 56 patients. Forty upper and 32 lower arches were restored, and 16 patients received bimaxillary rehabilitation. The mean duration of follow-up was 50 months, and the implant and patient peri-implantitis prevalences were 14.3% and 50%, respectively. Mucositis affected 56.9% of the implants and 50% of the patients. The survival rate was 96.4% by patient, but reached 99.5% in the implant-based analysis, and the success rate was 95.5% for implants and 80.4% for patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Immediately-loaded full-arch restorations have an acceptable outcome after 1-9 years of follow-up. However, the incidence of peri-implant diseases is high, and further research is needed to confirm whether these may compromise the predictability of the prostheses over the long-term.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: After a mean follow-up of 50months, the incidence of mucositis and peri-implantitis affected the 96.4% and 50% of patients, respectively. However, these results were reduced almost by half when the threshold of bleeding on probing and peri-implant bone loss applied was less strict.

PMID: 28962843 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1164: Joint Toxicity of Different Heavy Metal Mixtures after a Short-Term Oral Repeated-Administration in Rats

IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1164: Joint Toxicity of Different Heavy Metal Mixtures after a Short-Term Oral Repeated-Administration in Rats

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph14101164

Authors: Hong Su Zhou Li Samuel Fiati Kenston Hongbo Shi Yafei Wang Xin Song Yuanliang Gu Tabatha Barber Joni Aldinger Baobo Zou Min Ding Jinshun Zhao Xialu Lin

The systemic toxicity of different combinations of heavy metal mixtures (HMMs) was studied according to equivalent proportions of the eight most common detectable heavy metals found in fish consumption in the Ningbo area of China. The ion mass proportions of Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cd, Pb, and Hg were 1070.0, 312.6, 173.1, 82.6, 30.0, 13.3, 6.6, and 1.0, respectively. In this study, 10 experimental groups were set as follows: M8 (Pb + Cd + Hg + Ni + Cu + Zn + Mn + Cr); M5 (Pb + Cd + Hg + Ni + Cr); M4A (Pb + Cd + Hg + Ni); M4B (Cu + Zn + Mn + Cr); M3 (Cu + Zn + Mn); Cr; Cu; Zn; Mn; and control. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were orally treated with a single dose of each group every three days (10 times in total) for 34 days. After Morris water maze test, blood and tissue samples were collected to obtain biochemical, histopathological and western blot analysis. Results show abnormalities could be observed in different treatment groups, the M4B combination had the most significant change compared to all other groups. In conclusion, combination HMMs may have adverse effects on the hematologic, hepatic, renal and neurobehavioral function, and may also disturb electrolyte and lipid balance. Why M4B combination generated much higher toxic effects than any other combination mixtures or individual heavy metal needs to be further evaluated.

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Kinetic analysis of human metallothionein and CdTe quantum dot complexes using fluorescence and voltammetry techniques.

Kinetic analysis of human metallothionein and CdTe quantum dot complexes using fluorescence and voltammetry techniques.

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2017 Sep 14;160:381-389

Authors: Guszpit E, Krejčová L, Křížková S, Kepinska M, Richtera L, Kopel P, Adam V, Milnerowicz H

Abstract
Thanks to quantum dots' (QDs) properties, they can be used as selective and sensitive biomarkers in molecular imaging. In a previous paper, we confirmed the possibility of interaction between mercaptosuccinic acid-capped cadmium telluride QDs (MSA-CdTe) and human metallothionein (MT). The aim of this study was to expand on our previous research with an evaluation of the stability of the formed complexes between human MT and four CdTe compounds of the following sizes: 3.4nm (blue QDs), 3.8nm (green QDs), 4.5nm (yellow QDs), and 5.2nm (red QDs). Complexes were evaluated over time using fluorescence intensity and differential pulse voltammetry. Differences between the voltammograms obtained for standard solutions and for CdTe+MT show that complexes were formed. An increase in fluorescence intensity was observed for blue (Δ%≈40 for t=1→120min) and red (Δ%≈30 for t=1→120min) CdTe-MT complexes than CdTe alone, whereas green and yellow CdTe-MT complexes had a lower fluorescence intensity than CdTe alone. A stronger time dependence of the mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) peak height on the timeline and differences in the MSA peak shape (in CdTe, and CdTe+MT complexes) were also observed by voltammetry. Authors noticed a decrease in the Cat2 signal of the red and green CdTe+MT complexes at the time of conjugation. Our results reveal that the size of QDs has an impact on the interaction between CdTe and human MT, as well as on the stability of complexes formed during these interactions. The bioconjugates' stability was also found to depend on the time of interaction.

PMID: 28963959 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in detecting the severity of abnormally invasive placentation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in detecting the severity of abnormally invasive placentation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2017 Sep 30;:

Authors: Pagani G, Cali G, Acharya G, Timor Trisch I, Palacios-Jaraquemada J, Familiari A, Buca D, Manzoli L, Flacco ME, Fanfani F, Liberati M, Scambia G, D'Antonio F

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to elucidate the overall diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in detecting the severity of abnormally invasive placentation (AIP).
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medline, Embase, CINAHL and The Cochrane databases were searched. The ultrasound signs explored were: loss of hypoechoic (clear) zone in the placental-uterine interface, placental lacunae, bladder wall interruption, myometrial thinning, focal exophitic mass, placental lacunar flow, sub-placental vascularity, and uterovescical hypervascularity.
RESULTS: Twenty studies (3209 pregnancies) were included. Ultrasound had an overall good diagnostic accuracy in identifying the depth of placental invasion with a sensitivity of 90.6%, 93.0%, 89.5% and 81.2% for placenta accreta, increta, accreta/increta and percreta respectively; the corresponding figures for specificity were 97.1%, 98.4%, 94.7%, 98.9%. Placental lacunae had a sensitivity of 74.8%, 88.6% and 76.3% for the detection of placenta accreta, increta and percreta respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of loss of the clear zone in identifying placenta accreta were 74.9% and 92.0%, while the corresponding figures for placenta increta and percreta were 91.6% and 76.9% and 88.1% and 71.1%. Lacunar flow had a sensitivity of 81.2%, 84.3% and 45.2% for the detection of placenta accreta, increta and percreta respectively; the corresponding figures for specificity were 84.0%, 79.7% and 75.3%. Sensitivity of uterovescical hypervascularity was low for the detection of placenta accreta (12.3%) while it was high for placenta increta (94.4%) and percreta (86.2%); the corresponding figures for specificity were 90.8%, 88.0% and 88.2% respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound has an overall good diagnostic accuracy in recognizing the depth and the topography of placental invasion. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 28963728 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Proteomic mapping of differentially vulnerable pre-synaptic populations identifies regulators of neuronal stability in vivo.

Proteomic mapping of differentially vulnerable pre-synaptic populations identifies regulators of neuronal stability in vivo.

Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 29;7(1):12412

Authors: Llavero Hurtado M, Fuller HR, Wong AMS, Eaton SL, Gillingwater TH, Pennetta G, Cooper JD, Wishart TM

Abstract
Synapses are an early pathological target in many neurodegenerative diseases ranging from well-known adult onset conditions such as Alzheimer and Parkinson disease to neurodegenerative conditions of childhood such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCLs). However, the reasons why synapses are particularly vulnerable to such a broad range of neurodegeneration inducing stimuli remains unknown. To identify molecular modulators of synaptic stability and degeneration, we have used the Cln3 (-/-) mouse model of a juvenile form of NCL. We profiled and compared the molecular composition of anatomically-distinct, differentially-affected pre-synaptic populations from the Cln3 (-/-) mouse brain using proteomics followed by bioinformatic analyses. Identified protein candidates were then tested using a Drosophila CLN3 model to study their ability to modify the CLN3-neurodegenerative phenotype in vivo. We identified differential perturbations in a range of molecular cascades correlating with synaptic vulnerability, including valine catabolism and rho signalling pathways. Genetic and pharmacological targeting of key 'hub' proteins in such pathways was sufficient to modulate phenotypic presentation in a Drosophila CLN3 model. We propose that such a workflow provides a target rich method for the identification of novel disease regulators which could be applicable to the study of other conditions where appropriate models exist.

PMID: 28963550 [PubMed - in process]

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Preferential sensing and response to microenvironment stiffness of human dermal fibroblast cultured on protein micropatterns fabricated by 3D multiphoton biofabrication.

Preferential sensing and response to microenvironment stiffness of human dermal fibroblast cultured on protein micropatterns fabricated by 3D multiphoton biofabrication.

Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 29;7(1):12402

Authors: Tong MH, Huang N, Ngan AHW, Du Y, Chan BP

Abstract
While cells are known to sense and respond to their niche including the matrix and the mechanical microenvironment, whether they preferentially sense and react to the stiffness of their microenvironment regardless of its intrinsic material properties is unknown. In this work, protein micropillar arrays with independently controllable stiffness via alterations in pillar height and elastic modulus via laser power used during photochemical cross-linking, were fabricated using a recently developed multiphoton-based 3D protein micro-patterning technology. Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured on these micropillar arrays and the specific interactions between cells and the protein micropatterns particularly on the formation and maturation of the cell-matrix adhesions, were investigated via immunofluorescence staining of the major molecular markers of the adhesions and the measurement of their cluster size, respectively. Our results showed that the cluster size of focal adhesions increased as the stiffness of the micropillar arrays increased, but it was insensitive to the elastic modulus of the protein micropillars that is one of the intrinsic material properties. This finding provides evidence to the notion that cells preferentially sense and react to the stiffness, but not the elastic modulus of their microenvironment.

PMID: 28963517 [PubMed - in process]

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Evaluation of irreversible protein thermal inactivation caused by breakage of disulphide bonds using methanethiosulphonate.

Evaluation of irreversible protein thermal inactivation caused by breakage of disulphide bonds using methanethiosulphonate.

Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 29;7(1):12471

Authors: Futami J, Miyamoto A, Hagimoto A, Suzuki S, Futami M, Tada H

Abstract
Many extracellular globular proteins have evolved to possess disulphide bonds in their native conformations, which aids in thermodynamic stabilisation. However, disulphide bond breakage by heating leads to irreversible protein denaturation through disulphide-thiol exchange reactions. In this study, we demonstrate that methanethiosulphonate (MTS) specifically suppresses the heat-induced disulphide-thiol exchange reaction, thus improving the heat-resistance of proteins. In the presence of MTS, small globular proteins that contain disulphides can spontaneously refold from heat-denatured states, maintaining wild-type disulphide pairing. Because the disulphide-thiol exchange reaction is triggered by the generation of catalytic amounts of perthiol or thiol, rapid and specific perthiol/thiol protection by MTS reagents prevents irreversible denaturation. Combining MTS reagents with another additive that suppresses chemical modifications, glycinamide, further enhanced protein stabilisation. In the presence of these additives, reliable remnant activities were observed even after autoclaving. However, immunoglobulin G and biotin-binding protein, which are both composed of tetrameric quaternary structures, failed to refold from heat-denatured states, presumably due to chaperon requirements. Elucidation of the chemical modifications involved in irreversible thermoinactivation is useful for the development of preservation buffers with optimum constitutions for specific proteins. In addition, the impact of disulphide bond breakage on the thermoinactivation of proteins can be evaluated using MTS reagents.

PMID: 28963503 [PubMed - in process]

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Student nurses experience of a "fairy garden" healing haven garden for sick children.

Student nurses experience of a "fairy garden" healing haven garden for sick children.

Nurse Educ Today. 2017 Sep 14;59:88-93

Authors: van der Riet P, Jitsacorn C, Junlapeeya P, Thursby P

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The concept and philosophy of healing environments in health care is not new and there has been recent research into the experience of nurses and families experience of healing environments producing positive outcomes in relieving stress and improving quality of life. However, there is little in-depth information about student nurse's experience of healing environments in support of patients.
AIM: To report on the stories of student nurses who participated in formal and informal activities in a healing haven environment called a Fairy Garden (FG) within a hospital in northern Thailand. Their beliefs about the care of sick children in an environment designed to provide educational and recreational activity during hospital care are explored.
METHODS: Narrative inquiry, a qualitative methodology was selected to capture the main threads of the participants' experience. Clandinin's narrative inquiry framework involving the three commonality dimensions of sociality, temporality and place were used in analysing the data. Sixty-two student nurses from a Thai College of Nursing and from an Australian university were interviewed.
RESULTS: In this study the place of a FG has been investigated as a non-clinical environment providing sick children with exposure to nature, play activities and spaces to explore. Findings include three main threads: freedom to be a child not a sick child, engaging in care and professionalism, a moment in time of living fantasy.
CONCLUSIONS: Student nurses in this study had a broader understanding of health care other than the biomedical model. It transformed their learning and opened their eyes to a more holistic approach to humanising care of sick children.

PMID: 28963920 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Bodies of children in the Institute of Anatomy in Halle (Saale), Germany, between 1920 and 1945.

Bodies of children in the Institute of Anatomy in Halle (Saale), Germany, between 1920 and 1945.

Ann Anat. 2017 Sep 26;:

Authors: Winter F, Stoevesandt D, Schultka R, Viebig M, Moeller K, Steger F, Kielstein H

Abstract
At the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology in Halle (Saale) 74 children's bodies of unknown historical provenance are being held in storage. The aim of this study was the evaluation of their identities, the circumstances of their acquisition, as well as the documentation of their individual characteristics. For these purposes, all bodies were comprehensively examined and photo-documented. Furthermore, CT-scans of 29 bodies were performed and information was collected from various local and national archives. Although most of the bodies were found to be those of stillborn children and infants, five children were between two and twelve years old, according to an age estimate by body-length and carpal bone analysis. The CT-scans revealed the cause of death for some of the children. The embalming method indicates that the bodies date from the first decades of the 20th century, and archival sources containing documents from 1920 to 1960 strongly suggest that these children's bodies were acquired by Institute of Anatomy between 1920 and 1942. During that period, a total of 2,602 children's bodies were delivered to the Institute of Anatomy and registered in the communal burial records. At this point, there is no evidence that these children might have been victims of National Socialist crimes. It is planned to give them a dignified burial.

PMID: 28963045 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Epoetin Alfa: A Cause of Coronary Artery Thrombosis

Introduction. Epoetin alfa is an erythrocyte-stimulating factor. We here present a case of an anemic patient, who was given epogen before a coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery and developed periprocedural myocardial infarction. To our knowledge, there has been no previous case reported of epogen causing myocardial infarction. Case Presentation. 66-year-old female presented with substernal chest pain. EKG showed ST segment elevations in aVf and L-III. Patient underwent left heart catheterization (LHC) and had triple vessel disease. A bare metal stent was placed in RCA. Patient continued to have symptoms after discharge and presented to the ED again with these complaints. She underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Before the procedure, patient's hemoglobin was 11.1 grams/deciliter and was given epogen to raise hemoglobin level. Postoperative day (POD) #1 patient had ST elevations in inferior and anterolateral leads. She was diagnosed with periprocedural myocardial infarction. Patient underwent repeat LHC, which identified obstruction of saphenous vein graft (SVG). Hypercoagulable workup was negative for any disease and the patient was diagnosed with epogen induced early graft occlusion. Conclusion. Epogen administration can cause myocardial infarction and coronary artery thrombosis. We suggest that physicians use epogen very cautiously, especially in population who has underlying coronary artery disease.

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Exploration of Superior Modality: Safety and Efficacy of Hypofractioned Image-Guided Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy in Patients with Unresectable but Confined Intrahepatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypofractioned image-guided intensity modulated radiation therapy (IG-IMRT) for unresectable but confined intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma in comparison with conventional 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT). Methods. Ninety patients with unresectable but confined intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma without distant metastasis and tumor thrombosis received external beam radiation therapy. Of these patients, 45 received IG-IMRT and 45 received 3D-CRT. The IG-IMRT design delivered a median total hypofractionated dose of 54 Gy (2.2–5.5 Gy/fx), and 3D-CRT delivered a median total dose of 54 Gy with a conventional fraction (2.0 Gy/fx). The clinical response, overall survival, and side effects were analyzed. Results. The IG-IMRT group showed significantly higher 1-year survival (93.3 versus 77.8%) and 2-year survival (73.3 versus 51.1%) and longer median survival (44.7 versus 24.0 months) than the 3D-CRT group. Multivariate analysis indicated that the patients with intrahepatic tumors smaller than 8 cm, prior TACE before RT, and IG-IMRT would have a survival benefit. There were no significant differences in the rates of side effects between the two groups. Conclusion. Hypofractioned IG-IMRT could improve the therapeutic response and confer a potential survival of patients with unresectable but confined intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma compared to 3D-CRT with acceptable toxicity.

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XBP1-Mediated BiP/GRP78 Upregulation Copes with Oxidative Stress in Mosquito Cells during Dengue 2 Virus Infection

Dengue viruses (DENVs) cause dengue fever which is an important mosquito-borne disease in tropical areas. Generally, DENV does not cause cellular damage in mosquito cells. However, alterations in cytosolic calcium ions ([Ca2+]cyt) and the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), as well as accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide anions () and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), can be detected in C6/36 cells with DENV2 infection. Evident upregulation of BiP/GRP78 also appeared at 24 h postinfection in DENV2-infected C6/36 cells. As expression of BiP/GRP78 mRNA was reduced when the transcription factor X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP1) was knocked down in C6/36 cells, it demonstrated that BiP/GRP78 is the target gene regulated by the XBP1 signal pathway. We further demonstrated that the expression and splicing activity of XBP1 were upregulated in parallel with DENV2 infection in C6/36 cells. In C6/36 cells with BiP/GRP78 overexpression, oxidative stress indicators including [Ca2+]cyt, MMP, , and H2O2 were all pushed back to normal. Taken together, DENV2 activates XBP1 at earlier stage of infection, followed by upregulating BiP/GRP78 in mosquito cells. This regulatory pathway contributes a cascade in relation to oxidative stress alleviation. The finding provides insights into elucidating how mosquitoes can healthily serve as a vector of arboviruses in nature.

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Concise Neural Nonaffine Control of Air-Breathing Hypersonic Vehicles Subject to Parametric Uncertainties

In this paper, a novel simplified neural control strategy is proposed for the longitudinal dynamics of an air-breathing hypersonic vehicle (AHV) directly using nonaffine models instead of affine ones. For the velocity dynamics, an adaptive neural controller is devised based on a minimal-learning parameter (MLP) technique for the sake of decreasing computational loads. The altitude dynamics is rewritten as a pure feedback nonaffine formulation, for which a novel concise neural control approach is achieved without backstepping. The special contributions are that the control architecture is concise and the computational cost is low. Moreover, the exploited controller possesses good practicability since there is no need for affine models. The semiglobally uniformly ultimate boundedness of all the closed-loop system signals is guaranteed via Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, simulation results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the investigated control methodology in the presence of parametric uncertainties.

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Management of Head and Neck Burns-A 15-Year Review.

Management of Head and Neck Burns-A 15-Year Review.

J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017 Sep 11;:

Authors: Hamilton TJ, Patterson J, Williams RY, Ingram WL, Hodge JS, Abramowicz S

Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to characterize patients with isolated head and neck burns admitted to the Grady Memorial Hospital (GMH) Burn Center (Atlanta, GA).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective case series of patients admitted to the GMH Burn Center with the primary diagnosis of head and neck burns from 2000 through 2015. Demographic data (gender and age) were recorded. Burn details (etiology, mechanism, percentage of burned total body surface area, depth, and associated injuries) were summarized. Patient management and hospital course were documented. Data were collected using a standardized collection form. Descriptive statistics were computed.
RESULTS: There were 5,938 patients admitted to burn unit at the GMH Burn Center during the study period. Of these, 2,547 patients had head and neck burns and 205 patients met the inclusion criteria. Most (n = 136; 66%) were male, with a mean age of 40 years. The most common burn depth was superficial partial thickness. Flame burns were the most likely mechanism related to full-thickness injury. Approximately one fourth of patients had an associated injury, such as inhalation or ocular injury. Surgical interventions consisted of tangential excision and split-thickness skin grafting, contracture release, excision of hypertrophic scars, and rotational flaps. Mean length of hospital stay for isolated head and neck burns was 4.4 days. Overall mortality was 2%.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that superficial partial-thickness head and neck burns are more likely to occur from accidental exposure to flames in men older than 55 years. Owing to an increase in risk and mortality of inhalation injury associated with head and neck burns, airway protection and respiratory management are critical considerations of head and neck burn management.

PMID: 28963867 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Chairside molecular imaging of aberrant glycosylation in subjects with suspicious oral lesions using fluorescently labeled wheat germ agglutinin.

Chairside molecular imaging of aberrant glycosylation in subjects with suspicious oral lesions using fluorescently labeled wheat germ agglutinin.

Head Neck. 2017 Sep 30;:

Authors: Baeten J, Johnson A, Sunny S, Suresh A, Birur P, Uma K, Kademani D

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Aberrant sialylation is accepted as a carcinogenic biomarker. In previous work, fluorescently labeled wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) distinguished between cancerous and normal oral biopsies. The purpose of this study was to investigate WGA-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) as a point-of-care tool for detecting oral malignant and dysplastic lesions in vivo.
METHODS: Subject recruitment was divided into two groups: (1) the clinically normal oral mucosa group; or (2) the presence of clinically suspicious oral lesion(s) group. A WGA-FITC solution was topically applied to observable lesions or to half the subject's mouth (sagittal plane) if lesions were absent. Fluorescent molecular imaging was used to evaluate WGA-FITC localization.
RESULTS: Fluorescent imaging in 55 subjects demonstrated that WGA-FITC could detect histopathologically-confirmed cancerous and dysplastic lesions with high sensitivity (100% and 81%, respectively) and specificity (82%).
CONCLUSION: This study supports in vivo fluorescent molecular imaging of WGA-FITC to visualize aberrant sialic acid expression associated with carcinogenesis. This technique resulted in the immediate chairside detection of oral cancerous and dysplastic lesions.

PMID: 28963821 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Genomic profiling of intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma reveals subgroups of patients with distinct clinical outcomes.

Genomic profiling of intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma reveals subgroups of patients with distinct clinical outcomes.

Head Neck. 2017 Sep 30;:

Authors: López-Hernández A, Pérez-Escuredo J, Vivanco B, García-Inclán C, Potes-Ares S, Cabal VN, Riobello C, Costales M, López F, Llorente JL, Hermsen MA

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma (ITAC) have an unfavorable prognosis and new therapeutic approaches are needed to improve clinical management.
METHODS: Genetic analysis of 96 ITACs was performed by microarray comparative genomic hybridization and immunohistochemistry and correlated to previously obtained mutation, methylation, and protein expression data, and with pathological characteristics and clinical outcome.
RESULTS: Seven copy number alterations (CNAs) were significantly associated with unfavorable clinical outcome: gains at 1q22-23, 3q28-29, 6p22, and 13q31-33, and losses at 4p15-16, 4q32-35, and 10q24. Unsupervised cluster analysis resulted in 5 subgroups of ITAC with significantly distinct genetic signatures and clinical outcomes, independently of disease stage or histological subtype.
CONCLUSION: These data may guide studies to identify driver genes and signaling pathways involved in ITAC. In addition, the subclassification of genetic subgroups of patients with distinct clinical behavior can aid therapeutic decision making and may ultimately lead to personalized therapy with targeted inhibitors.

PMID: 28963820 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Serum parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase as predictors of calcium requirements after total parathyroidectomy for hypocalcemia in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Serum parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase as predictors of calcium requirements after total parathyroidectomy for hypocalcemia in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Head Neck. 2017 Sep 30;:

Authors: Ge P, Liu S, Sheng X, Li S, Xu M, Jiang J, Chen S

Abstract
BACKGROUND: To prevent hypocalcemia, this study examined the efficiency of a calcium supplement formula guided by predicted calcium requirement in patients with renal failure after parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation.
METHODS: In the first phase, a protocol was followed whereby intravenous calcium gluconate was repeatedly titrated based on serum calcium levels in 22 patients with parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation. In the second phase, the first equation protocol was applied in 74 patients with parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation and revised.
RESULTS: There is a significant correlation between the postoperative amount of calcium requirement and preoperative serum alkaline phosphatase level (r = 0.442; P < .001) and parathyroid hormone level (PTH; r = 0.889; P < .001). For prediction of insufficient calcium supplement, the cutoff point of PTH and alkaline phosphatase level values were calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and modified equations were developed by regression analysis.
CONCLUSION: The preoperative PTH and alkaline phosphatase levels can predict postoperative calcium requirements, such that equations of calcium supplement allow the management of hypocalcemia efficiently in patients on dialysis after parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation.

PMID: 28963816 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Predictors of survival after total laryngectomy for recurrent/persistent laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Predictors of survival after total laryngectomy for recurrent/persistent laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Head Neck. 2017 Sep 30;:

Authors: Birkeland AC, Beesley L, Bellile E, Rosko AJ, Hoesli R, Chinn SB, Shuman AG, Prince ME, Wolf GT, Bradford CR, Brenner JC, Spector ME

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Total laryngectomy remains the treatment of choice for recurrent/persistent laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) after radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT). However, despite attempts at aggressive surgical salvage, survival in this cohort remains suboptimal.
METHODS: A prospectively maintained single-institution database was queried for patients undergoing total laryngectomy for recurrent/persistent laryngeal SCC after initial RT/CRT between 1998 and 2015(n = 244). Demographic, clinical, and survival data were abstracted. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves and hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated.
RESULTS: Five-year overall survival (OS) was 49%. Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 58%. Independent predictors of OS included severe comorbidity (Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 [ACE-27] scale; HR 3.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.56-9.06), and positive recurrent clinical nodes (HR 2.91; 95% CI 1.74-4.88).
CONCLUSION: Severe comorbidity status is the strongest predictor of OS, suggesting that increased attention to mitigating competing risks to health is critical. These data may inform a risk prediction model to allow for focused shared decision making, preoperative health optimization, and patient selection for adjuvant therapies.

PMID: 28963806 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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