Influence of bisphosphonates on the adherence and metabolism of epithelial cells and gingival fibroblasts to titanium surfaces

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of sodium alendronate (SA) and zoledronic acid (ZA), on the adhesion and metabolism of epithelial cells and gingival fibroblasts to titanium surfaces considering cell functions related to an effective mucosal barrier around the implant.

Materials and methods

Cells were seeded onto titanium discs and incubated for 24 h. Then, serum-free DMEM containing selected bisphosphonates (0, 0.5, 1, or 5 μM) was added for 24 and 48 h. Factors related to the achievement of an effective mechanical and immunological barrier—cell adhesion, viability, collagen epidermal growth factor, and immunoglobulin synthesis—were evaluated. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests as well as by ANOVA and Tukey's tests, (α = 0.05).

Results

The presence of bisphosphonates culminated in lower cell adhesion to the titanium discs, particularly for SA at 5 μM (40%) and ZA at all concentrations (from 30 to 50%, according to increased concentrations). Reduced cell viability occurred after exposing these cells to ZA (40%); however, only 5 μM SA-treated cells had decreased viability (30%). Reduced synthesis of growth factors and collagen was observed when cells were reated with ZA (20 and 40%, respectively), while about 70% of IgG synthesis was enhanced.

Conclusion

Bisphosphonates negatively affected the adhesion and metabolism of oral mucosal cells, and this effect was related to the type of bisphosphonate as well as to concentration and period of treatment.

Clinical relevance

The negative effects of bisphosphonates on oral mucosal cells can hamper the formation of an effective biological seal in osseointegrated implants.

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E-cigarette Use and Indicators of Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The aim is to provide a detailed review of literature from studies examining the relation of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use to indicators of risk for cardiovascular disease. In addition to discussing clinical and cell culture studies, we discuss possible mechanisms for the observed effects.

Recent Findings

Studies have compared the effect of e-cigarette use (or vapor) and combustible cigarette smoking on a range of measures. These include heart rate, blood pressure, and vagal tone; aortic stiffness and endothelial function; platelet aggregation and adhesion; expression of genes for antioxidant defense and immune system function; and indices of oxidative stress. The majority of studies found some evidence of a significant risk effect for e-cigarettes, although the evidence was not totally consistent within and between studies. Suggestive evidence also implicates a possible effect of e-cigarettes on inflammation processes. The magnitude of the effect for e-cigarettes was sometimes lower than those found for cigarettes, but several studies showed comparable effects.

Summary

The findings overall provide evidence of some risk to the cardiovascular system from e-cigarettes, but conclusions are qualified because each study was heterogeneous in its design and evidence on cardiac morbidity from prospective human studies is not yet available. The studies have helped to identify possible agents and mechanisms for producing risk, including reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress, fine and ultrafine particles, and nicotine. Longitudinal data from clinical and epidemiological studies are needed to clarify these relationships in healthy populations and investigate the impact of e-cigarette use among persons with pre-existing cardiovascular disease.

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NYU Dentistry's Dr. Nicole N. Scheff Receives $120000-Plus NIDCR F32 Grant to Investigate the Biology of Sex ... - NYU News (press release)

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NYU Dentistry's Dr. Nicole N. Scheff Receives $120000-Plus NIDCR F32 Grant to Investigate the Biology of Sex ... NYU News (press release) The study population will include more than 50 tongue cancer patients (approximately 25 patients of each sex). Dr. Scheff expects that male patients reporting less pain will have a greater number of infiltrating neutrophils in the cancer microenvironment. and more »

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Mass-loss rates from decomposition of plant residues in spruce forests near the northern tree line subject to strong air pollution

Abstract

Mass-loss rates during the early phase of decomposition of plant residues were studied for a period of 3 years in Norway spruce forests subjected to air pollution by Cu-Ni smelters on the Kola Peninsula, northwest Russia. Litterbags were deployed in two main patches of forests at the northern tree line, between and below the crowns of spruce trees older than 100 years. The study results demonstrated the dependence of the decomposition rates on the initial concentrations of nutrients and the C/N and lignin/N ratios in plant residues. Lower rates of mass loss in forests subject to air pollution may be related to low quality of plant residues, i.e. high concentrations of heavy metals, low concentrations of nutrients, and high lignin/N and C/N ratios. The increased losses of Ca, Mg, K, and Mn from plant residues in these forests compared to the reference were, probably, related to leaching of their compounds from the residues. The relatively high rates of heavy metal accumulation in the residues were most likely related to uptake of pollutants from the atmosphere, as well as to the lower mass-loss rates. The present study results demonstrate that the forest patchiness should be taken into account in assessment and predictions of decomposition rates in Norway spruce forests. Mass-loss rates of plant residues below the crowns of old spruce trees were significantly lower than those in the patches between the crowns. This was explained by the high C/N and lignin/N ratios in the residues of evergreens which contribute significantly to litterfall below the crowns and by lower soil temperature during winter and spring below the crowns. In addition, a lower amount of precipitation reaching the forest floor below the dense, long crowns of old Norway spruce trees may result in considerably lower washing out of the organic compounds from the residues. Lower mass-loss rates below the crowns of old spruce trees may be part of the evidence that the old-growth spruce forests can continue to accumulate carbon in soil.

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Interpretation of single and competitive adsorption of cadmium and zinc on activated carbon using monolayer and exclusive extended monolayer models

Abstract

In this work, a modeling analysis based on experimental tests of cadmium/zinc adsorption, in both single-compound and binary systems, was carried out. All the experimental tests were conducted at constant pH (around neutrality) and temperature (20 °C). The experimental results showed that the zinc adsorption capacity was higher than that of cadmium and it does not depend on cadmium presence in binary system. Conversely, cadmium adsorption is affected by zinc presence. In order to provide good understanding of the adsorption process, two statistical physics models were proposed. A monolayer and exclusive extended monolayer models were applied to interpret the single-compound and binary adsorption isotherms of zinc and cadmium on activated carbon. Based on these models, the modeling analysis demonstrated that zinc is dominant in solution and more favorably adsorbed on activated carbon surface. For instance, in single-compound systems, the number of ions bound per each receptor site was n (Zn²⁺) = 2.12 > n (Cd²⁺) = 0.98. Thus, the receptor sites of activated carbon are more selective for Zn²⁺ than for Cd²⁺. Moreover, the determination of adsorption energy through the adopted models confirmed that zinc is more favored for adsorption in single-compound system (adsorption energies equal to 12.12 and 7.12 kJ/mol for Zn and Cd, respectively) and its adsorption energy does not depend on the cadmium presence in binary system. Finally, the adsorption energy values suggested that single-compound and binary adsorption of zinc and cadmium is a physisorption.

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Distribution and evolution of sterols and aliphatic hydrocarbons in dated marine sediment cores from the Cabo Frio upwelling region, SW Atlantic, Brazil

Abstract

We report the distribution of selected lipid biomarkers specifically sterols and aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediment cores from Cabo Frio, SW Atlantic continental shelf, Brazil, corresponding approximately to the last 700 years. In the Cabo Frio region, a costal upwelling occurs as a quasi-seasonal phenomenon characterized by nutrient-rich bottom waters that intrude on the continental shelf and promote relatively high biological productivity compared to other Brazilian continental shelf areas. The results for sterols indicate the predominance of organic matter (OM) inputs related to marine organisms, mainly plankton, in all of the cores along the time scale studied. Principal component analyses show three different groups of variables, which may be associated with (i) the more effective intrusion of the nutrient-rich South Atlantic Central Water, resulting in the increase of marine lipid biomarkers such as sterols and short-chain n-alkanes; (ii) the influence of the Coastal Water with higher surface water temperature and subsequently lower primary productivity; and (iii) OM characterized by high total organic carbon and long-chain n-alkanes related to an allochthonous source. Relatively high concentrations of sterols and n-alkanes between 1450 and 1700 AD, chronologically associated with the Little Ice Age, suggest a period associated with changes in the local input of specific sources of these compounds. The concentrations of lipid biomarkers vary over core depth, but this does not suggest a notably high or low intensity of upwelling processes. It is possible that the climatic and sea surface temperature changes reported in previous studies did not affect the input of the sedimentary lipid biomarkers analyzed here.

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Mechanical loading increases pro-inflammatory effects of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate in human periodontal fibroblasts

Abstract

Objectives

There is increasing evidence that inflammation and biomechanical loading can influence the effects of bisphosphonates (BP). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of tensile strain application combined with IL-1ß and clodronate or zoledronate on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPdLF) in vitro.

Materials and methods

HPdLF were cultured with 10 nM IL-1ß and 5 μM clodronate or zoledronate for 48 h. Cells were applied to cyclic tensile strain (CTS; 3% elongation) for 12 h in vitro. Cell number was analyzed directly after CTS by MTT assay. Gene expression of receptor activator of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was investigated using real-time PCR. MMP-8, TIMP-1, and PGE2 were measured by ELISA. Statistics were performed with SPSS (ANOVA, p < 0.05).

Results

Zoledronate reduced the cell number of HPdLF (60.3 vs. 100%), which was significant when combined with IL-1ß. Combined with 3% CTS, this effect was voided and cell number increased over the level of the control cells. IL-1ß led to a 10-fold increase of COX-2 gene expression. Combined with CTS and zoledronate, this increase was enhanced to a gene expression 70-fold that of control cells with related PGE2 synthesis. Clodronate neither reduce the cell number nor enhanced the COX-2 gene expression. CTS increased MMP-8 protein synthesis. Combined with BP, this increase was voided. TIMP-1 protein synthesis was increased at all conditions under CTS.

Conclusions

Mechanical loading might activate cell metabolism and abolish BP- and inflammation-induced reduction of viability. Combination of mechanical loading, inflammation, and nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates can cause pro-inflammatory effects.

Clinical relevance

Periodontal inflammation should be treated initially before BP intake to prevent decreased cell viability of the periodontium and increased inflammation, which might be enhanced by the addition of mastication forces.

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Three-Dimensional Plasmonic Nanostructure Design for Boosting Photoelectrochemical Activity

ACS Nano

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b03633

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The relevance of knowledge transfer for universities’ efficiency scores: an empirical approximation on the Spanish public higher education system

Abstract

This article examines how knowledge transfer (KT) indicators affect analyses on efficiency in the Higher Education sector, taking into account the characteristics of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). After revising the concept of third mission as a field for data development and its importance in assessing university performance, we applied various data envelopment analysis models with different specifications to 47 Spanish public universities to test whether KT indicators are relevant when evaluating the performance of HEIs in terms of their efficiency and, if so, which indicators are most suitable. Our results suggest that the effect of including KT indicators in the efficiency analyses varies from university to university according to their characteristics. The subject mix taught at the university, the focus according to each mission's relative importance within the total range of activities carried out in each university (mission mix), and the mix of their third mission activities affect the increase of the universities' efficiency scores when KT is taken into account in the analysis. This means that these factors affect the universities' position for the different efficiency scores.

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Crossing borders: A citation analysis of connections between Cognitive Science and Educational Research … and the fields in between

Abstract

For decades, there have been calls for bringing the Cognitive Science literature and Educational Research literature into greater and more systematic contact, resulting in the publication of a number of influential papers and the launch of targeted federal funding programs around the turn of the century. This article explores the extent of the integration of Cognitive Science into the Educational Research literature at around that time by means of a citation analysis of journal articles published between 1994 and 2014. Results reveal a marked increase in the citation of Cognitive Science articles by Educational Research articles beginning around the year 2000. They also show a similar increase in citation by Educational Research articles of articles appearing in 'Border field' journals (i.e. Educational Psychology, the Learning Sciences, Human–Computer Interaction, and Applied Linguistics). Border Field articles, in turn, show a relatively high percentage of citation of articles in both Education Research and Cognitive Science, suggesting that they may serve as a pathway for the flow of knowledge between fields. These trends held for papers with US authors as well as those with non-US authors. Limitations of citation analysis are discussed along with suggestions for future research.

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Evaluation for the allocation of university research project funding: Can rules improve the peer review?

Abstract

Evaluation for the allocation of project-funding schemes devoted to sustain academic research often undergoes changes of the rules for the ex-ante selection, which are supposed to improve the capability of peer review to select the best proposals. How modifications of the rules realize a more accountable evaluation result? Do the changes suggest an improved alignment with the program's intended objectives? The article addresses these questions investigating Research Project of National Interest, an Italian collaborative project-funding scheme for academic curiosity-driven research through a case study design that provides a description of how the changes of the ex-ante evaluation process were implemented in practice. The results show that when government tries to steer the peer-review process by imposing an increasing number of rules to structure the debate among peers and make it more accountable, the peer-review practices remain largely impervious to the change.

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Indicators as judgment devices: An empirical study of citizen bibliometrics in research evaluation

Abstract

A researcher's number of publications has been a fundamental merit in the competition for academic positions since the late 18th century. Today, the simple counting of publications has been supplemented with a whole range of bibliometric indicators, which supposedly not only measures the volume of research but also its impact. In this study, we investigate how bibliometrics are used for evaluating the impact and quality of publications in two specific settings: biomedicine and economics. Our study exposes the various metrics used in external evaluations of candidates for academic positions at Swedish universities. Moreover, we show how different bibliometric indicators, both explicitly and implicitly, are employed to assess and rank candidates. Our findings contribute to a further understanding of bibliometric indicators as 'judgment devices' that are employed in evaluating individuals and their published works within specific fields. We also show how 'expertise' in using bibliometrics for evaluative purposes is negotiated at the interface between domain knowledge and skills in using indicators. In line with these results, we propose that the use of metrics we report is best described as a form of 'citizen bibliometrics'—an underspecified term which we build upon in the article.

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Measurement and decomposition of energy efficiency of Northeast China—based on super efficiency DEA model and Malmquist index

Abstract

Nowadays, environment problem has become the international hot issue. Experts and scholars pay more and more attention to the energy efficiency. Unlike most studies, which analyze the changes of TFEE in inter-provincial or regional cities, TFEE is calculated with the ratio of target energy value and actual energy input based on data in cities of prefecture levels, which would be more accurate. Many researches regard TFP as TFEE to do analysis from the provincial perspective. This paper is intended to calculate more reliably by super efficiency DEA, observe the changes of TFEE, and analyze its relation with TFP, and it proves that TFP is not equal to TFEE. Additionally, the internal influences of the TFEE are obtained via the Malmquist index decomposition. The external influences of the TFFE are analyzed afterward based on the Tobit models. Analysis results demonstrate that Heilongjiang has the highest TFEE followed by Jilin, and Liaoning has the lowest TFEE. Eventually, some policy suggestions are proposed for the influences of energy efficiency and study results.

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New way of predicting kidney function could improve chemotherapy dosing

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a new statistical model which estimates kidney function in patients with cancer. This is the most accurate model for estimating kidney function yet developed and should help cancer specialists...

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Court upholds $28M verdict in Connecticut smoker case - Belleville News-Democrat

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Accuracy of Referring Provider and Endoscopist Impressions of Colonoscopy Indication

Background: Referring provider and endoscopist impressions of colonoscopy indication are used for clinical care, reimbursement, and quality reporting decisions; however, the accuracy of these impressions is unknown. This study assessed the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and overall accuracy of methods to classify colonoscopy indication, including referring provider impression, endoscopist impression, and administrative algorithm compared with gold standard chart review. Methods: We randomly sampled 400 patients undergoing a colonoscopy at a Veterans Affairs health system between January 2010 and December 2010. Referring provider and endoscopist impressions of colonoscopy indication were compared with gold-standard chart review. Indications were classified into 4 mutually exclusive categories: diagnostic, surveillance, high-risk screening, or average-risk screening. Results: Of 400 colonoscopies, 26% were performed for average-risk screening, 7% for high-risk screening, 26% for surveillance, and 41% for diagnostic indications. Accuracy of referring provider and endoscopist impressions of colonoscopy indication were 87% and 84%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of the administrative algorithm (45%; P<.001 for both). There was substantial agreement between endoscopist and referring provider impressions (=0.76). All 3 methods showed high sensitivity (>90%) for determining screening (vs nonscreening) indication, but specificity of the administrative algorithm was lower (40.3%) compared with referring provider (93.7%) and endoscopist (84.0%) impressions. Accuracy of endoscopist, but not referring provider, impression was lower in patients with a family history of colon cancer than in those without (65% vs 84%; P=.001). Conclusions: Referring provider and endoscopist impressions of colonoscopy indication are both accurate and may be useful data to incorporate into algorithms classifying colonoscopy indication.

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Reducing the Cost of Cancer Care: When Less Is More

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A Practice-Based Evaluation of Distress Screening Protocol Adherence and Medical Service Utilization

Background: This study examined the extent to which cancer programs demonstrated adherence to their own prescribed screening protocol, and whether adherence to that protocol was associated with medical service utilization. The hypothesis is that higher rates of service utilization are associated with lower rates of adherence to screening protocols. Methods: Oncology social workers at Commission on Cancer–accredited cancer programs reviewed electronic health records (EHRs) in their respective cancer programs during a 2-month period in 2014. Rates of overall adherence to a prescribed distress screening protocol were calculated based on documentation in the EHR that screening adherence and an appropriate clinical response had occurred. We examined documentation of emergency department (ED) use and hospitalization within 2 months after the screening visit. Results: Review of 8,409 EHRs across 55 cancer centers indicated that the overall adherence rate to screening protocols was 62.7%. The highest rates of adherence were observed in Community Cancer Programs (76.3%) and the lowest rates were in NCI-designated Cancer Centers (43.3%). Rates of medical service utilization were significantly higher than expected when overall protocol adherence was lacking. After controlling for patient and institutional characteristics, risk ratios for ED use (0.82) and hospitalization (0.81) suggest that when overall protocol adherence was documented, 18% to 19% fewer patients used these medical services. Conclusions: The observed associations between a mandated psychosocial care protocol and medical service utilization suggest opportunities for operational efficiencies and costs savings. Further investigations of protocol integrity, as well as the clinical care models by which psychosocial care is delivered, are warranted.

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