Publication date: 2017
Source:Cereal Grains
Author(s): Colin Wrigley, Walter Bushuk
Rye is an important crop in regions where rye breads are popular, especially in Poland, Germany, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. However, world rye production is only about 3% that of wheat. Traditional rye bread is made exclusively from rye flour or rye wholemeal, but rye bread is more often made from a grist of wheat and rye flours, because of the need for wheat gluten to compensate for the weakness of rye gluten. Nevertheless, the analytical and management procedures for rye are similar to those for wheat. Nutritionally, the thick cell walls of rye aleurone and endosperm cells are a rich source of fibre, including pentosans and β-glucan.
http://ift.tt/2jinqC1
Παρασκευή 13 Ιανουαρίου 2017
Chapter 7 Rye: Grain-Quality Characteristics and Management of Quality Requirements
Chapter 7 Rye: Grain-Quality Characteristics and Management of Quality Requirements
Publication date: 2017
Source:Cereal Grains
Author(s): Colin Wrigley, Walter Bushuk
Rye is an important crop in regions where rye breads are popular, especially in Poland, Germany, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. However, world rye production is only about 3% that of wheat. Traditional rye bread is made exclusively from rye flour or rye wholemeal, but rye bread is more often made from a grist of wheat and rye flours, because of the need for wheat gluten to compensate for the weakness of rye gluten. Nevertheless, the analytical and management procedures for rye are similar to those for wheat. Nutritionally, the thick cell walls of rye aleurone and endosperm cells are a rich source of fibre, including pentosans and β-glucan.
http://ift.tt/2jinqC1
The role of bone marrow aspirate cells in the management of atrophic mandibular fractures by mini-invasive surgical approach: Single-institution experience
The treatment of fractures involves addressing the biology of fracture repair and the mechanical stability of fracture fixation. Traditionally it has included the addition of bone graft to enhance healing. New advances in the understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of fracture repair have led to the use of growth factors to accelerate bone healing. This study aimed to assess the advantages of autologous stem cell use for atrophic mandibular fracture treatment in comparison to standard technique.
http://ift.tt/2iSqRMQ
Diagnostic accuracy of fractional exhaled nitric oxide in predicting cough variant asthma and eosinophilic bronchitis in adult patients with chronic cough: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide has a diagnostic potential as a 'rule in' test for cough variant asthma in patients with chronic cough.
http://ift.tt/2jOVu9Z
A review of short naps and sleep inertia: Do naps of 30 min or less really avoid sleep inertia and slow wave sleep?
Napping is a widely used countermeasure to sleepiness and impaired performance caused by sleep loss and circadian pressure. Sleep inertia, the period of grogginess and impaired performance experienced after waking, is a potential side-effect of napping. Many industry publications recommend naps of 30 minutes or less in order to avoid this side-effect. However, the evidence-base for this advice has yet to be thoroughly reviewed.
http://ift.tt/2jOWgE5
Disinhibition in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Changes in [oxy-Hb] on near-infrared spectroscopy during “rock, paper, scissors” task
Source:Brain and Development
Author(s): Sayaka Ishii, Yoshimi Kaga, Tomoko Tando, Kakuro Aoyagi, Fumikazu Sano, Hideaki Kanemura, Kanji Sugita, Masao Aihara
ObjectiveAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) is a common developmental disorder. Many reports have suggested that symptoms of AD/HD are related to frontal lobe dysfunctions, particularly disinhibition. However, measuring neurological findings with biomarkers during frontal functional tasks has sometimes been difficult in children with AD/HD. This study aimed to investigate frontal inhibitory function objectively in children with AD/HD during "rock, paper, scissors" (RPS) tasks, as a familiar game for Japanese children, using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).Subjects and methodsEighteen children with AD/HD were compared with 27 typically developing children (TDC). Children from each group were divided into two age groups: younger, 6–10years; and older, 11–16years. Changes in oxygenated hemoglobin [oxy-Hb] were measured in the prefrontal region using NIRS during a 'to lose' RPS task, in which subjects were asked to present the RPS signal that would lose in response to one of the three signals displayed randomly on a computer screen every 2.0s.ResultsThe rate of correct performance with both TDC and AD/HD increased with age. Only in the older group, the rate of correct performance was significantly higher with TDC than with AD/HD. However, children with AD/HD in both age groups showed significantly lower [oxy-Hb] activity in the prefrontal region during the 'to lose' RPS task, particularly in the dorsolateral area.ConclusionsOur results suggest that prefrontal region activation during the 'to lose' RPS task could offer a biomarker for diagnosing AD/HD, and may help in the early treatment of AD/HD.
http://ift.tt/2jHjojw
A case of generalized lymphatic anomaly causing skull-base leakage and bacterial meningitis
Source:Brain and Development
Author(s): Kenichi Suga, Aya Goji, Miki Inoue, Masami Kawahito, Masako Taki, Kazuhiro Mori
Generalized lymphatic anomaly is a multifocal lymphatic malformation that affects the skin, thoracic viscera, and bones. A 3year-old Japanese boy presented with right facial palsy due to cystic tumors in the ipsilateral petrous bone. Pericardial effusion had been found incidentally and generalized lymphatic anomaly had been diagnosed by pericardial biopsy. Petrous bone tumor had been followed up without surgery. At the age of seven he presented with fever and disturbance of consciousness, and bacterial meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae was diagnosed. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed middle skull-base leakage due to lymphatic malformation. He achieved complete recovery under intensive care with antibiotics and mechanical ventilation. One year later, he presented with multiple cystic formations in bilateral femora. At the 3-year follow-up, the patient was healthy with no recurrence of meningitis and osteolytic lesions in the femora were non-progressive. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are useful for demonstration of skull-base leakage by generalized lymphatic anomaly. We should consider generalized lymphatic anomaly among the differential diagnoses for skull-base leakage.
http://ift.tt/2jhubEL
Suppressive effect of Spirulina fusiformis on diclofenac-induced hepato-renal injury and gastrointestinal ulcer in Wistar albino rats: A biochemical and histological approach
Publication date: April 2017
Source:Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 88
Author(s): Jerine Peter S, Kadar Basha S, R. Giridharan, Udhaya Lavinya B, Evan Prince Sabina
ContextThe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), diclofenac causes hepato-renal toxicity and gastric ulcer. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Spirulina fusiformis on Diclofenac-induced toxicity in Wistar albino rats.MethodsRats were treated as follows: normal control (group I); diclofenac (50mg/kgb.w., i.p.) treated rats (group II); diclofenac-induced (50mg/kgb.w., i.p.) rats treated with Spirulina fusiformis (400mg/kgb.w., p.o.) (group III); diclofenac-induced (50mg/kgb.w., i.p.) rats treated with silymarin (25mg/kgb.w., p.o.) (group IV); Spirulina fusiformis (400mg/kgb.w., p.o.) alone treated rats (groupV). Biochemical (liver and kidney functional markers) and antioxidant parameters (enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants) were measured in the blood and tissue homogenates of the rats. Evaluation of intestinal ulcer score and assessment of liver and kidney histology were also done.DiscussionAlterations in the levels of biochemical and antioxidant assays and histopathological changes in liver and kidney proved the toxic effect of diclofenac. The ulcer score was significantly increased in the diclofenac treated rats. Spirulina fusiformis showed to reduce such changes and was able to restore normal antioxidant status in the rats.ConclusionOur study proves the hepato-renal and gastroprotective activity of Spirulina fusiformis in diclofenac-treated rats.
Graphical abstract
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Phytochemical study and protective effect of Trigonella foenum graecum (Fenugreek seeds) against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity in liver and kidney of male rat
Publication date: April 2017
Source:Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 88
Author(s): Sakhria Mbarki, Hichem Alimi, Hafsia Bouzenna, Abdelfettah Elfeki, Najla Hfaiedh
Liver and kidney diseases are a global concern, therefore considerable efforts to obtain fine herbs useful as drugs from medicinal plants are currently in progress. The aim of this work was to study the antioxidant effects of previous supplementation with fenugreek seeds (FS) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) toxicity in the liver and kidney. CCl4 toxicity was induced by one dose (i.g. 5ml CCl4/kg of body weight, 50% CCl4 in olive oil) after 7 weeks of normal diet or diet rich in 10% of grinded fenugreek seeds (20g of pellet rat food/rat/day). 24h after the treatment with CCl4, all animals were scarified and biological analyses were performed. A phytochemical study of fenugreek seed extract (FSE) was also carried out. The phytochemical analysis of FS and FSE revealed the presence of polyphenols (5.92±0.02mg EGA/g DM), flavonoids (0.44±0.19mg ER/g DM), polysaccharides and trace elements. DPPH radical-scavenging activity of FSE showed an EC50 of 285.59±2.01μg/ml. In vivo, CCl4 administration significantly (p<0.05) induced an increase liver and kidney biomarkers. A significant (p<0.05) alteration of the antioxidant enzyme activities was also observed. In animals pretreated with FS, the studied parameters were much less shifted. These results indicate that the supplementation with fenugreek seeds is significantly effective in protecting the liver and kidneys from CCl4 toxicity.
http://ift.tt/2iuT6mU
Blocking TGF-β1 by P17 peptides attenuates gastric cancer cell induced peritoneal fibrosis and prevents peritoneal dissemination in vitro and in vivo
Publication date: April 2017
Source:Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 88
Author(s): Zhi-Dong Lv, Wei-Jun Zhao, Li-Ying Jin, Wen-Juan Wang, Qian Dong, Na Li, Hui-Mian Xu, Hai-Bo Wang
Our previous study demonstrated that the peritoneal stroma environment favors proliferation of tumor cells by serving as a rich source of growth factors and chemokines known to be involved in tumor metastasis. In this study, we investigated the interaction between gastric cancer cells and peritoneal mesothelial cells, and determined the effects of TGF-β1 in this processing. Human peritoneal tissues and peritoneal wash fluid were obtained, which examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining or ELISA for measurements of TGF-β1 levels. The peritoneal mesothelial cells were co-incubated with the supernatants of gastric cancer, the expression of TGF-β1, collagen and fibronectin was observed by ELISA and western blot. We then investigated the effects of serum-free conditioned media from HSC-39 gastric cancer cells on the peritoneum of nude mice, and the effects of peritoneal fibrosis on the development of peritoneal metastasis in vivo. The peritoneum from gastric patients were thickened and contained extensive fibrosis. After co-culture both gastric tumor cells and mesothelial cells, we found that TGF-β1 expression was greatly increased in the co-culture system compared to individual culture condition. Serum-free Conditioned Media from HSC-39 was able to induce extracellular matrix expression in vitro and in vivo, and tumorigenicity in mice with peritoneal fibrosis was greater than in mice with normal peritoneum, while blocking TGF-β1 by peptide P17 can partially inhibit these effects. In conclusion, these results indicated that the interaction of gastric cancer with peritoneal fibrosis and determined that TGF-β1 plays a key role in induction of peritoneal fibrosis, which in turn affected dissemination of gastric cancer.
http://ift.tt/2iq9dyW
Therapeutic effects of bach1 siRNA on human breast adenocarcinoma cell line
Publication date: April 2017
Source:Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 88
Author(s): Mansoor Aletaha, Behzad Mansoori, Ali Mohammadi, Mehdi Fazeli, Behzad Baradaran
BackgroundDespite the great improvements in clinical and therapeutic techniques in recent years, many advanced breast cancer patients still died of the postoperative recurrence and metastasis of disease. Bach1 plays a role in the development of the invasive phenotypes of cancer, cell division and apoptosis in tumor cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of specific bach1 siRNAs, on the proliferation, migration, invasive, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and alter EMT related miRNA of MDA-MB-468 cells (breast cancer).MethodssiRNA transfection was performed with transfection reagent. The expression levels of Bach1 mRNA and protein were measured by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. The survival of cells was determined using MTT assay cells, apoptosis using Tunel assay, Cell migration using scratch assay and Cell cycle analysis by Propidium Iodide (PI) DNA staining method by using flow cytometry on the MDA-MB-468. The expression levels of MMP-9 and CXCR4 were measured by qRT-PCR.ResultsTransfection with siRNA significantly suppressed the expression of bach1 gene in dose dependent manner after 48h (p<0.0001). Surprisingly, treatment with bach1 siRNA arrest cell cycle in S phases (p<0.0001). Moreover siRNA transfection had effects on breast adenocarcinoma cells and inhibits the migration (p<0.0001), proliferation (p<0.0001), cell cycle arrest (p=0.03) and induces apoptosis (p<0.0001) and reduces the expression of miR-21 (P=0.0014).ConclusionOur results suggest that the bach1 can be considered as a potent adjuvant in breast cancer therapy.
http://ift.tt/2iuVWbA
Enhanced effect in combination of curcumin- and ketoconazole-loaded methoxy poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (ε-caprolactone) micelles
Publication date: April 2017
Source:Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 88
Author(s): Fangfang Teng, Peizong Deng, Zhimei Song, Feilong Zhou, Runliang Feng
In order to enhance water-solubility and realize controlled release while keeping synergistic effects of ketoconazole and curcumin, drug-loaded methoxy poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly (ε-caprolactone) micelles were prepared through thin membrane hydration method. Transmission electric microscopy and dynamitic light scattering characterization revealed the formation of ketoconazole- and curcumin-loaded micelles with an average size of 44.70nm and 39.56nm, respectively. The drug-loaded micelles endowed the two drugs' slow controlled release with water-solubility enhanced to 85 and 82000 folds higher than the corresponding raw drugs, respectively. In vitro antifungal activity test, chequerboard test and inhibition zone test indicated that efficacy of ketoconazole-loaded micelles was improved by introduction of curcumin-loaded micelles with a low fractional inhibitory concentration index (0.073). Biofilm formation inhibition assay also demonstrated that participation of curcumin-loaded micelles obviously strengthened the inhibition of fungal biofilms formation induced by ketoconazole-loaded micelles. The high synergistic activity of combinations is encouraging and the MPEG-PCL micelle is a potential drug delivery system for the combination of ketoconazole and curcumin.
Graphical abstract
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Effect and mechanism of Sorbus pohuashanensis (Hante) Hedl. flavonoids protect against arsenic trioxide-induced cardiotoxicity
Publication date: April 2017
Source:Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 88
Author(s): Xiaojin Yu, Zhenyu Wang, Zunpeng Shu, Zhengqing Li, Yuan Ning, Keli Yun, Haina Bai, Ruihai Liu, Wenli Liu
The cardiotoxicity of arsenic trioxide (ATO) limits its clinical application in cancer treatment. Evidences suggest that sorbus has antioxidant activity and its consumption has been linked with improved cardioprotection. In this study, we investigated the cardio-protective effect and mechanisms of Sorbus pohuashanensis (Hante) Hedl. flavonoids (SPF) against ATO in BALB/c mice and H9c2 cells. Eleven major flavonoids were confirmed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS). SPF recovered the ATO-induced disordered electrocardiogram (ECG) and abnormal cardiac structure in the heart of mice. At the same time, SPF significantly reduced levels of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) against ATO-induced injury and inhibited ATO-induced apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, SPF regulated ATO-induced oxidative stress damage by increasing the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in vivo and in vitro, and reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Analysis of the oxidative stress pathways showed that SPF prevented the ATO-induced downregulation of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) in vivo and in vitro. Pre-treatment of H9c2 cells with SPF inhibited attenuation of nuclear factor (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase (HO-1). Hence, SPF could be used as a preventive and therapeutic plant ingredient against ATO-induced cardiotoxicity.
Graphical abstract
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Cinnamaldehyde potentially attenuates gestational hyperglycemia in rats through modulation of PPARγ, proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress
Publication date: April 2017
Source:Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 88
Author(s): Ahmed A. Hosni, A. Adel Abdel-Moneim, Eman S. Abdel-Reheim, Samah M. Mohamed, Hamdi Helmy
Cinnamon has a history of use for medicinal purposes and its major benefits have been linked to cinnamaldehyde. The present study aimed to investigate the hypoglycemic action of cinnamaldehyde against fatty-sucrosed diet/streptozotocin (FSD/STZ)-rat model of gestational diabetes. Female albino rats were divided into three groups. Group I fed with normal diet (ND) while group II and III were fed with FSD for eight weeks (five weeks pre-gestational and three weeks gestational). Rats of group III were administered with a daily oral dose of 20mg/kg cinnamaldehyde one week before mating onward. At the 7th day of gestation, FSD-fed rats were injected intraperitoneally with STZ (25mg/kg b.wt.) to induce gestational diabetes. Pre-mating treatment of cinnamaldehyde controls hyperphagia and glucose intolerance during the gestational period than in diabetic rats. It also reduced levels of fructosamine, total cholesterols, triglycerides, leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), while it significantly increased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, adiponectin, liver glycogen, reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase activity at term pregnancy. In addition, cinnamaldehyde administration up-regulated the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferated activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) and also ameliorated the number of viable fetuses, implantation loss sites, fetal glucose and insulin levels. In conclusion, cinnamaldehyde has safe hypoglycemic action on gestational diabetes by potentiating insulin secretion and sensitivity through activating the antioxidant defense system, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines production, upregulating PPARγ gene expression and alleviating the reproductive performance.
Graphical abstract
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Use of nano-sized clay crystallites to restore adhesion among tumor and aging stem cells - a molecular simulations approach.
| Related Articles |
Use of nano-sized clay crystallites to restore adhesion among tumor and aging stem cells - a molecular simulations approach.
Am J Stem Cells. 2016;5(4):107-115
Authors: Ahmed HU, Abduljauwad SN
Abstract
Adhesion of cells to the ECM is key to the regulation of cellular morphology, migration, proliferation, survival, and differentiation. The decrease in or loss of the cell's ability of mutual adhesiveness has been considered as one of the specific abnormalities in the surface properties of malignant cells. A change in the association of plasma membrane with cytoskeletal structures also seems to have a close relation with these abnormalities. Similar to the role of adhesions in tumor cells, stem cells' self-renewal is also tightly controlled by the concerted action of stem cell-intrinsic factors and signals within the niche. This study has demonstrated through molecular simulations the potential use of smectite (Na-montmorillonite) clay crystallites to create adhesions among tumor and stem cells. High electrostatic energies and cohesive energy densities measured in the simulations after the sorption of clay crystallites on cell-cell and cell-ECM complexes validate the concept of using these crystallites for the purposes. As results of this study are quite promising and clay crystallites could be considered as an option to restore adhesions in tumor and stem cells, other confirmatory tests and live cell culture studies are in process for the final validation.
PMID: 28078181 [PubMed]
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Presentation of a Conserved Adenoviral Epitope on HLA-C*0702 Allows Evasion of Natural Killer but Not T Cell Responses
Viral Immunology , Vol. 0, No. 0.
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Implementation of Elastography Score and Strain Ratio in Combination with B-Mode Ultrasound Avoids Unnecessary Biopsies of Breast Lesions
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
Author(s): Kristina Bojanic, Natasa Katavic, Martina Smolic, Marija Peric, Kristina Kralik, Miroslav Sikora, Kristina Vidačić, Mirta Pacovski, Damir Stimac, Gordana Ivanac
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the combination of B-mode ultrasound, elastography score (ES) and strain ratio (SR) improves diagnostic performance with respect to breast lesions. One hundred thirty lesions were prospectively evaluated by B-mode ultrasound and strain elastography, followed by fine-needle aspiration cytology/biopsy in 117 woman who were scheduled for regular breast BUS. The median ES (4.5 vs. 2.9, p < 0.001) and SR (4.9 vs. 2.3, p < 0.001) were significantly higher for malignant than for benign lesions. A sensitivity of 90.5% and specificity of 93.2% for the ES (cutoff point = 3.8) and a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 87.6% for the SR (cutoff point = 3.5) were obtained. Elastography combined with B-mode ultrasound improved the specificity, accuracy and positive predictive value. Receiver operating characteristic curves yielded a higher value for the combined technique for diagnosis of breast lesions. Routine use of such a diagnostic algorithm could reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies.
http://ift.tt/2jhfukM
Differential Intensity Projection for Visualisation and Quantification of Plaque Neovascularisation in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Images of Carotid Arteries
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
Author(s): Wing Keung Cheung, Benoy N. Shah, Antonio Stanziola, Dorothy M. Gujral, Navtej S. Chahal, David O. Cosgrove, Roxy Senior, Meng-Xing Tang
Studies have reported that intraplaque neovascularisation (IPN) is closely correlated with plaque vulnerability. In this study, a new image processing approach, differential intensity projection (DIP), was developed to visualise and quantify IPN in contrast-enhanced non-linear ultrasound image sequences of carotid arteries. DIP used the difference between the local temporal maximum and the local temporal average signals to identify bubbles against tissue non-linear artefact and noise. The total absolute and relative areas occupied by bubbles within each plaque were calculated to quantify IPN. In vitro measurements on a laboratory phantom were made, followed by in vivo measurements in which 24 contrast-enhanced non-linear ultrasound image sequences of carotid arteries from 48 patients were selected and motion corrected. The results using DIP were compared with those obtained by maximum intensity projection (MIP) and visual assessment. The results indicated that DIP can significantly reduce non-linear propagation tissue artefacts and is much more specific in detecting bubble signals than MIP, being able to reveal microbubble signals that are buried in tissue artefacts in the corresponding MIP image. A good correlation was found between microvascular area (MVA) (r = 0.83, p < 0.001)/microvascular density (r = 0.77, p < 0.001) obtained using DIP and the corresponding expert visual grades, comparing favourably to r = 0.26 and 0.23 obtained using MIP on the same data. In conclusion, the proposed method exhibits great potential in quantification of IPN in contrast-enhanced ultrasound images of carotid arteries.
http://ift.tt/2jGU1i2
Determination of the total cadmium, copper, lead and zinc concentrations and their labile species fraction in apple beverages by flow-through anodic stripping chronopotentiometry
Publication date: 15 June 2017
Source:Food Chemistry, Volume 225
Author(s): Dominika Jedryczko, Paweł Pohl, Maja Welna
An analytical procedure for operationally defined speciation of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in apple beverages by anodic stripping chronopotentiometry (ASCP) is presented. Optimal measurement conditions were set down to reliably determine the fraction of the labile metals species. The mean total concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn were 69±20, 7.3±3.3, and 129±59μgL−1 in apple juices, and 18±3, 4.2±0.1, 53±5μgL−1 in apple drinks, respectively. The contributions of the fraction of the ASCP-labile species varied from 43 to 63% (Cu), from 32 to 42% (Pb) and from 38 to 58% (Zn). The Cd content in all analyzed samples was below 0.02μgL−1. The detection limits (DLs) achieved for Cu, Pb and Zn were 0.04μgL−1 (Cu), 0.02μgL−1 (Pb), and 0.10μgL−1 (Zn).
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Distribution of RET Mutations in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia 2 in Denmark 1994–2014: A Nationwide Study
http://ift.tt/2jtQlAV
Distribution of RET Mutations in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia 2 in Denmark 1994–2014: A Nationwide Study
http://ift.tt/2jtQlAV
Vegfd modulates both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis during zebrafish embryonic development [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) control angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis during development and in pathological conditions. In the zebrafish trunk, Vegfa controls the formation of intersegmental arteries by primary angiogenesis and Vegfc is essential for secondary angiogenesis, the formation of veins and lymphatics. VEGFD has been largely thought of as dispensable for vascular development in vertebrates. Here, we generated a zebrafish vegfd mutant by genome editing. vegfd mutants display significant defects in facial lymphangiogenesis independent of vegfc function. Strikingly, we find that vegfc and vegfd cooperatively control lymphangiogenesis throughout the embryo, including during the formation of the trunk lymphatic vasculature. Interestingly, we find that vegfd and vegfc also redundantly drive artery hyperbranching phenotypes observed upon depletion of Flt1 or Dll4. Epistasis and biochemical binding assays suggest that during primary angiogenesis Vegfd influences these phenotypes through Kdr (Vegfr2) rather than Flt4 (Vegfr3). These data demonstrate that, rather than being dispensable during development, Vegfd plays context specific indispensible and also compensatory roles during both blood vessel angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
http://ift.tt/2ji9tnG
Intrinsic properties of limb bud cells can be differentially reset [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
An intrinsic timing mechanism specifies the positional values of the zeugopod (i.e. radius/ulna) and then autopod (i.e. wrist/digits) segments during limb development. Here we have addressed if this timing mechanism ensures that patterning events occur only once by grafting GFP-expressing autopod progenitor cells to the earlier host signaling environment of zeugopod progenitor cells. We show that early and late autopod progenitors fated for the wrist and phalanges, respectively, both contribute to the entire host autopod indicating that the autopod positional value is irreversibly determined as revealed by Hoxa13 expression. We provide evidence that Hoxa13 provides an autopod-specific positional value that correctly allocates cells into the autopod, most likely through the control of cell-surface properties as shown by cell-cell sorting analyses. However, we demonstrate that only the earlier autopod cells can adopt the host proliferation rate to permit normal morphogenesis. Therefore, our findings reveal that the ability of embryonic cells to differentially reset their intrinsic behaviors confers robustness to limb morphogenesis. We speculate that this plasticity could be maintained beyond embryogenesis in limbs with regenerative capacity.
http://ift.tt/2jtP0tw
RB controls growth, survival, and neuronal migration in human cerebral organoids [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
Retinoblastoma (RB) is a tumor suppressor gene which regulates cell cycle entry to S phase via E2F transcription factors. Using knockout (KO) mice, it has been described that Rb plays a role in cell migration and differentiation in developing and adult brain as well as apoptosis. In addition, the RB family is required for the self-renewal and survival of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). However, little is known about the role of this gene in human brain development. Here, we investigated the role of RB in cerebral organoids from human ESCs deficient for RB. We showed that RB is expressed abundantly in neural stem/progenitor cells in organoids at 15 and 28 days in culture. Our results revealed that the loss of RB promotes S phase entry of DCX+ cells and increases apoptosis of Sox2+ neural stem/progenitor cells, DCX+ and Tuj1+ neurons, which was associated with the upregulation of CYCLIN A2 and BAX genes. Moreover, we observed aberrant Tuj1+ neuronal migration in RB-KO organoids, and upregulation of the VLDLR gene, a receptor important in Reelin signaling. Interestingly, ectopically localized Tuj1+ cells were also found in teratomas from RB-KO human ESCs. These results suggest that RB gene has critical roles in human brain development.
http://ift.tt/2ji6pbd
Retinoic acid receptor regulation of epimorphic and homeostatic regeneration in the axolotl [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
Salamanders are capable of regenerating amputated limbs by generating a mass of lineage-restricted cells called a blastema. Blastemas only generate structures distal to their origin unless treated with retinoic acid (RA), which results in proximodistal (PD) limb duplications. Little is known about the transcriptional network that regulates PD duplication. In this study, we target specific retinoic acid receptors (RARs) to either PD duplicate (RA treatment or RAR agonist) or truncate (RARβ antagonist) regenerating limbs. RARE-EGFP reporter axolotls showed divergent reporter activity in limbs undergoing PD duplication versus truncation suggesting differences in patterning and skeletal regeneration. Transcriptomics identified expression patterns that explain PD duplication including upregulation of proximal homeobox gene expression and silencing of distal-associated genes whereas limb truncation was associated with disrupted skeletal differentiation. Rarβ antagonism in uninjured limbs induced a loss in skeletal integrity leading to long bone regression and loss of skeletal turnover. Overall, mechanisms were identified that regulate RAR's multifaceted roles in the salamander limb including regulation of skeletal patterning during epimorphic regeneration, skeletal tissue differentiation during regeneration, and homeostatic regeneration of intact limbs.
http://ift.tt/2jhXQwY
R-spondin-1 is required for specification of hematopoietic stem cells through Wnt16 and Vegfa signaling pathways [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the therapeutic component of bone marrow transplants, but finding immune-compatible donors limits treatment availability and efficacy. Recapitulation of endogenous specification during development is a promising approach to directing HSC specification in vitro, but current protocols are not capable of generating authentic HSCs with high efficiency. Across phyla, HSCs arise from hemogenic endothelium in the ventral floor of the dorsal aorta concurrent with arteriovenous specification and intersegmental vessel (ISV) sprouting, processes regulated by Notch and Wnt. We hypothesized that coordination of HSC specification with vessel patterning might involve modulatory regulatory factors such as R-spondin (Rspo1), an extracellular protein that enhances β-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling and has previously been shown to regulate ISV patterning. We find that Rspo1 is required for HSC specification through control of parallel signaling pathways controlling HSC specification: Wnt16/DeltaC/DeltaD and Vegfa/Tgfβ1. Our results define Rspo1 as a key upstream regulator of two critical pathways necessary for the HSC specification.
http://ift.tt/2jtLVcX
Genome-wide identification of regulatory elements in Sertoli cells [TECHNIQUES AND RESOURCES ARTICLE]
A current goal of molecular biology is to identify transcriptional networks regulating cell differentiation. However, identifying functional gene regulatory elements has been challenging in the context of developing tissues where material is limited and cell types are mixed. To identify regulatory sites during sex determination, we subjected Sertoli cells from mouse fetal testes to DNaseI-seq and ChIP-seq for H3K27ac. DNaseI-seq identified putative regulatory sites around Sertoli- and pregranulosa-enriched genes; however, active enhancers marked by H3K27ac were enriched proximal only to Sertoli-enriched genes. Sequence analysis identified putative binding sites of known and novel transcription factors likely controlling Sertoli differentiation. As a validation of this approach, we identified a novel Sertoli enhancer upstream of Wt1, and used it to drive expression of a transgenic reporter in Sertoli cells. This work furthers our understanding of the complex genetic network underlying sex determination and identifies regions potentially harboring non-coding mutations underlying Disorders of Sexual Development.
http://ift.tt/2jtQjsH
Sequential organogenesis sets two parallel sensory lines in medaka [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
Animal organs are typically formed during embryogenesis by following one specific developmental programme. Here we report that neuromast organs are generated by two distinct and sequential programmes that result in parallel sensory lines in medaka embryos. A ventral posterior lateral line (pLL) is composed of neuromasts deposited by collectively migrating cells while a midline pLL is formed by individually migrating cells. Despite the variable number of neuromasts among embryos, the sequential programmes that we describe here fix an invariable ratio between ventral and midline neuromasts. Mechanistically, we show that the formation of both types of neuromasts depends on the chemokine receptor genes cxcr4b and cxcr7b, illustrating how common molecules can mediate different morphogenetic processes. Altogether, we reveal a self-organising feature of the lateral line system that ensures a proper distribution of sensory organs along the body axis.
http://ift.tt/2ji5l6X
The Abl pathway bifurcates to balance Enabled and Rac signaling in axon patterning in Drosophila [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
The Abl tyrosine kinase signaling network controls cell migration, epithelial organization, axon patterning and other aspects of development. While individual components are known, the relationships among them remain mysterious. We now use FRET measurements of pathway activity, analysis of protein localization and genetic epistasis to dissect the structure of this network in Drosophila. We find that the adaptor protein Disabled stimulates Abl kinase activity. Abl suppresses the actin regulatory factor Enabled, and we find that Abl also acts through the GEF Trio to stimulate the signaling activity of Rac GTPase: Abl gates the activity of the spectrin repeats of Trio, allowing them to relieve intramolecular repression of Trio GEF activity by the Trio N-terminal domain. Finally, we show that a key target of Abl signaling in axons is the WAVE complex that promotes formation of branched actin networks. Thus, we show that Abl constitutes a bifurcating network, suppressing Ena activity in parallel with stimulation of WAVE. We suggest that the balancing of linear and branched actin networks by Abl is likely to be central to its regulation of axon patterning.
http://ift.tt/2jtLD5T
Jmjd2c/Kdm4c facilitates the assembly of essential enhancer-protein complexes at the onset of embryonic stem cell differentiation [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
Jmjd2/Kdm4 H3K9-demethylases cooperate in promoting mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) identity. However, little is known about their importance at the exit of ESC pluripotency. Here, we uncover that Jmjd2c facilitates this process by stabilizing the assembly of Mediator-Cohesin complexes at lineage-specific enhancers. Functionally, we show that Jmjd2c is required in ESCs to initiate appropriate gene expression programs upon somatic multi-lineage differentiation. In the absence of Jmjd2c, differentiation is stalled at an early post-implantation epiblast-like stage, while Jmjd2c-knockout ESCs remain capable of forming extra-embryonic endoderm derivatives. Dissection of the underlying molecular basis revealed that Jmjd2c is re-distributed to lineage-specific enhancers during ESC priming for differentiation. Interestingly, Jmjd2c-bound enhancers are co-occupied by the H3K9-methyltransferase G9a/Ehmt2, independently of its H3K9-modifying activity. Loss of Jmjd2c abrogates G9a recruitment and furthermore destabilizes loading of the Mediator and Cohesin components Med1 and Smc1a at newly activated and poised enhancers in ESC-derived epiblast-like cells. These findings unveil Jmjd2c-G9a as novel enhancer-associated factors, and implicate Jmjd2c as a molecular scaffold for the assembly of essential enhancer-protein complexes with impact on timely gene activation.
http://ift.tt/2jibEI3
PAPC couples the segmentation clock to somite morphogenesis by regulating N-cadherin dependent adhesion [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
Vertebrate segmentation is characterized by the periodic formation of epithelial somites from the mesenchymal presomitic mesoderm (PSM). How the rhythmic signaling pulse delivered by the Segmentation Clock is translated into the periodic morphogenesis of somites remains poorly understood. Here, we focused on the role of Paraxial protocadherin (PAPC/Pcdh8) in this process. We showed that in chicken and mouse embryos, PAPC expression is tightly regulated by the Clock and Wavefront system in the posterior PSM. We observed that PAPC exhibits a striking complementary pattern to N-Cadherin (CDH2), marking the interface of the future somite boundary in the anterior PSM. Gain and loss of function of PAPC in chicken embryos disrupt somite segmentation by altering the CDH2-dependent epithelialization of PSM cells. Our data suggest that clathrin-mediated endocytosis is increased in PAPC expressing cells, subsequently affecting be here the intro and it cuts the flow is is o th PAPC since it is not the same vector that has been electroporated CDH2 internalization in the anterior compartment of the future somite. This in turn generates a differential adhesion interface, allowing formation of the acellular fissure that defines the somite boundary. Thus periodic expression of PAPC in the anterior PSM triggers rhythmic endocytosis of CDH2, allowing for segmental de-adhesion and individualization of somites.
http://ift.tt/2jtUDrS
Reconstitution of Torso signaling in cultured cells suggests a role for both Trunk and Torsolike in receptor activation [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
Formation of the Drosophila embryonic termini is controlled by the localized activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase, Torso. Both Torso and Torso's presumed ligand, Trunk, are expressed uniformly in the early embryo. Polar activation of Torso requires Torsolike, which is expressed by follicle cells adjacent to the ends of the developing oocyte. We find that Torso expressed at high levels in cultured Drosophila cells is activated by individual application of Trunk, Torsolike or another known Torso ligand, Prothoracicotropic Hormone. In addition to assays of downstream signaling activity, Torso dimerization was detected using bimolecular fluorescence complementation. Trunk and Torsolike were active when co-transfected with Torso and when presented to Torso-expressing cells in conditioned medium. Trunk and Torsolike were also taken up from conditioned medium specifically by cells expressing Torso. At low levels of Torso, similar to those present in the embryo, Trunk and Torsolike alone were ineffective but acted synergistically to stimulate Torso signaling. Our results suggest that Torso interacts with both Trunk and Torsolike, which cooperate to mediate dimerization and activation of Torso at the ends of the Drosophila embryo.
http://ift.tt/2ji4pQl
ID4 levels dictate the stem cell state in mouse spermatogonia [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
Spermatogenesis is a classic model of cycling cell lineages that depend on a balance between stem cell self-renewal for continuity and formation of progenitors as the initial step in production of differentiated cells. However, the mechanisms guiding the continuum of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) to progenitor spermatogonial transition and precise identifiers of subtypes in the process are undefined. Here we used an Id4-eGfp reporter mouse to discover that EGFP intensity is predictive of the subsets with the ID4-EGFPBright population being mostly, if not purely, SSCs while the ID4-EGFPDim population is in transition to the progenitor state. These subsets are also distinguishable by transcriptome signatures. Moreover, using a conditional overexpression mouse model, we found that transition from the stem cell to immediate progenitor state requires down-regulation of Id4 coincident with a major change in the transcriptome. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the level of ID4 is predictive of stem cell or progenitor capacity in spermatogonia and dictates the interface of transition between the different functional states.
http://ift.tt/2ji9dFe
Inhibition of cell polarity establishment in stomatal asymmetric cell division using the chemical compound bubblin [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
Stem-cell polarization is a crucial step in asymmetric cell division, which is a universal system for generating cellular diversity in multicellular organisms. Several conventional genetics studies have attempted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying cell polarization in plants, but it remains largely unknown. In plants, stomata, which are valves for gas exchange, are generated through several rounds of asymmetric divisions. In this study, we identified and characterized a chemical compound that affects stomatal stem-cell polarity. High-throughput screening for bioactive molecules identified a pyridine-thiazole derivative, named bubblin, which induced stomatal clustering in Arabidopsis epidermis. Bubblin perturbed stomatal asymmetric division, resulting in the generation of two identical daughter cells. Both cells continued to express the stomatal-fate determinant SPEECHLESS, and then differentiated into mispatterned stomata. Bubblin-treated cells had a defect in the polarized localization of BREAKING OF ASYMMETRY IN THE STOMATAL LINEAGE (BASL), which is required for asymmetric cell fate determination. Our results suggest that bubblin induces stomatal lineage cells to divide without BASL-dependent pre-mitotic establishment of polarity. Bubblin is a potentially valuable tool for investigating cell polarity establishment in stomatal asymmetric division.
http://ift.tt/2jtLGP5
Snail2 and Zeb2 repress P-Cadherin to define embryonic territories in the chick embryo [RESEARCH REPORT]
Snail and Zeb transcription factors induce epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in embryonic and adult tissues by direct repression of E-Cadherin transcription. The repression of E-Cadherin transcription by the EMT inducers Snail1 and Zeb2 plays a fundamental role in defining embryonic territories in the mouse, as E-Cadherin needs to be downregulated in the primitive streak and in the epiblast concomitant with the formation of mesendodermal precursors and the neural plate, respectively. Here we show that in the chick embryo, E-Cadherin is weakly expressed in the epiblast at pre-primitive streak stages where it is substituted by P-Cadherin. We also show that Snail2 and Zeb2 repress P-Cadherin transcription in the primitive streak and the neural plate, respectively. This indicates that E- and P-Cadherin expression patterns evolved differently between chick and mouse. As such, the Snail1/E-Cadherin axis described in the early mouse embryo corresponds to Snail2/P-Cadherin in the chick, but both Snail factors and Zeb2 fulfill a similar role in chick and mouse in directly repressing ectodermal Cadherins to promote the delamination of mesendodermal precursors at gastrulation and the proper specification of the neural ectoderm during neural induction.
http://ift.tt/2ji94Sm
Faithful mRNA splicing depends on the Prp19 complex subunit faint sausage and is required for tracheal branching morphogenesis in Drosophila [RESEARCH REPORT]
Morphogenesis requires the dynamic regulation of gene expression, including transcription, mRNA maturation and translation. Dysfunction of the general mRNA splicing machinery can cause surprisingly specific cellular phenotypes, but the basis for these effects is not clear. Here we show that the Drosophila faint sausage (fas) locus, implicated in epithelial morphogenesis and previously reported to encode a secreted immunoglobulin domain protein, in fact encodes a subunit of the spliceosome-activating Prp19 complex, which is essential for efficient pre-mRNA splicing. Loss of zygotic fas function globally impairs the efficiency of splicing, and is associated with widespread retention of introns in mRNAs and dramatic changes in gene expression. Surprisingly, despite these general effects, zygotic fas mutants show specific defects in tracheal cell migration during mid-embryogenesis when maternally supplied splicing factors have declined. We propose that tracheal branching, which relies on dynamic changes in gene expression, is particularly sensitive for efficient spliceosome function. Our results reveal an entry point to study requirements of the splicing machinery during organogenesis and provide a better understanding of disease phenotypes associated with mutations in general splicing factors.
http://ift.tt/2jtM408
Tissue-specific regulation of alternative polyadenylation represses expression of neuronal ankyrin isoform in C. elegans epidermal development [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
Differential mRNA polyadenylation plays an important role in shaping the neuronal transcriptome. In C. elegans, several ankyrin isoforms are produced from the unc-44 locus through alternative polyadenylation. Here, we identify a key role for an intronic polyadenylation site (PAS) in temporal- and tissue-specific regulation of UNC-44/ankyrin isoforms. Removing an intronic PAS results in ectopic expression of the neuronal ankyrin isoform in non-neural tissues. This mis-expression underlies epidermal developmental defects in mutants of the conserved tumor suppressor death-associated protein kinase, dapk-1. We previously reported that the use of this intronic PAS depends on the nuclear polyadenylation factor SYDN-1, which inhibits the RNA polymerase II CTD phosphatase SSUP-72. Consistent with this, loss of sydn-1 blocks ectopic expression of neuronal ankyrin and suppresses epidermal morphology defects of dapk-1. These effects of sydn-1 are mediated by ssup-72 autonomously in the epidermis. We also show that a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase PINN-1 antagonizes SYDN-1 in the spatiotemporal control of neuronal ankyrin isoform. Moreover, the nuclear localization of PINN-1 is altered in dapk-1 mutants. Our data reveal that tissue and stage-specific expression of ankyrin isoforms relies on differential activity of positive and negative regulators of alternative polyadenylation.
http://ift.tt/2jhT6Ya
A p53 based genetic tracing system to follow postnatal cardiomyocyte expansion in heart regeneration [RESEARCH ARTICLE]
For heart regeneration, the proliferative potential of cardiomyocytes in postnatal mice is under intense investigations. However, solely relying on immunostaining of proliferation markers, the long term proliferation dynamics and potential of the cardiomyocytes cannot be readily addressed. Previously, we found that a p53 promoter driving reporter predominantly marked the proliferating lineages in mice. Here, we established a p53 based genetic tracing system to investigate postnatal cardiomyocyte proliferation and heart regeneration. By selectively tracing the proliferative cardiomyocytes, a differential pattern of clonal expansion in p53+ cardiac myocytes was revealed in neonatal, adolescent and adult stages. In addition, the percentage of p53+ lineage cardiomyocytes displayed continuous increase in the first month. Furthermore, these cells rapidly responded to heart injury and greatly contributed to replenished myocardium. Therefore, this study revealed complex proliferating dynamics in postnatal cardiomyocytes and heart repair, and provided a novel genetic tracing strategy to study postnatal cardiac turnover and regeneration.
http://ift.tt/2ji3PlB
Hypermethylation of IFN-γ in oral cancer tissues
Abstract
Objectives
The study aimed to evaluate the methylation pattern of the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) gene in oral cancer tissues compared with normal and benign oral disease tissues.
Materials and methods
The oral tissues were gained from the patients of 85 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), 47 cases of oral dysplastic lesions, and 53 normal biopsies. IFN -γ methylation in oral tissues was verified through methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing analyses, and the expression levels of IFN-γ messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were detected using real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. IFN-γ was localized in macrophages from oral tissues and detected via immunostaining.
Results
IFN-γ mRNA and protein expression levels were evidently decreased in oral cancer tissues, whereas the IFN-γ methylation rate was significantly higher in malignant tumors than in benign and normal tissues (normal, 22.6%; benign, 38.3%; and cancer, 55.3%; P < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of IFN-γ mRNA was significantly downregulated in oral tumors with methylation compared with tumors without methylation, as determined by real-time RT-PCR (4.76-fold difference; P < 0.05). Likewise, mRNA expression was downregulated by 6.79-fold in oral epithelial dysplasia tissues with methylation compared with those without methylation (P < 0.01). Co-immunostaining to detect MAC2 and IFN-γ demonstrated that macrophages comprised the main source of IFN-γ in oral tissues. IFN-γ methylation demonstrated a significant association with the clinical stage, histopathology grade, and primary tumor.
Conclusions
Aberrant IFN-γ promoter methylation may be involved in the process of tumorigenesis of oral cancer.
Clinical relevance
IFN-γ hypermethylation during the process of oral carcinogenesis could be useful for the clinical diagnosis and treatment for OSCC.
http://ift.tt/2itRbPE
The influence of dental treatment on the development of osteoradionecrosis after radiotherapy by modern irradiation techniques
Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of dental treatment on the development of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaw.
Methods
This study included the data of 776 patients who underwent 3D-CRT or IMRT because of head and neck cancer. Sex, dental status before and after radiotherapy (RT), tumor site, bone surgery during tumor operation, concomitant chemotherapy, and the development of an advanced ORN were documented for each patient. The patients' dentitions before and after RT were classified into four groups with regard to the number and localization of the remaining teeth. Differences between the patients with ORN and patients without ORN with regard to the teeth's condition before and after RT, and with regard to the extent of dental treatment were determined descriptively. Cox proportional hazards regression to study the association between dentition and the development of ORN.
Results
The extent of dental treatment in patients with and without ORN did not differ in a clinically relevant way. The highest risk of developing ORN was observed in patients who had undergone primary bone surgery during the tumor operation (HR = 5.58, 95%CI 2.91–10.7) and patients who had a tumor in the oral cavity (HR = 4.84, 95%CI 1.37–17.11).
Conclusions
Based on the results of this study, tumor localization and its required treatment are prognostic factors for the development of ORN.
Clinical significance
After implementing a consequent dental treatment scheme, no influence of dentition on the risk of developing ORN could be demonstrated. Patients with a lower risk could prospectively benefit from a more moderate dental treatment scheme.
http://ift.tt/2ipvHQx
The effect of veneering on the marginal fit of CAD/CAM-generated, copy-milled, and cast metal copings
Abstract
Objective
This in vitro study investigated the marginal fit of metal and zirconia copings before and after veneering on dies with shoulder/chamfer (s/c) finish lines.
Materials and methods
Using CAD/CAM, ten (n = 10) each s/c zirconia (NZ) copings and ten (n = 10) each s/c metal (MM) copings were generated. As controls, ten (n = 10) each s/c zirconia copings were copy-milled (ZZ) and ten (n = 10) each s/c metal copings were cast (CC). The vertical marginal discrepancy of the copings was measured at 20 predefined spots of the circular shoulder and chamfer finish lines in microns (μm) before and after a first and a second veneering firing using a stereomicroscope at ×40 magnification. Data were statistically analyzed, and the comparisons of CAD/CAM-milled (NZ, MM), copy-milled (ZZ), and cast (CC) copings before and after veneering were made at a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results
Gap width at s/c finish lines of ZZ was (91 ± 11/100 ± 28) and increased significantly (109 ± 21/141 ± 18) after the first firing (ZZ1). NZ showed significantly smaller gaps than ZZ (36 ± 6/46 ± 12) and (NZ1) after the first firing (61 ± 16/71 ± 29). Gap widths of CC groups (36 ± 8/25 ± 4) were not significantly different from NZ but were significantly lower after the (CC1) first veneering firing (40 ± 8/42 ± 7). MM copings showed gap values similar to NZ. Second firings did not significantly increase gaps in all groups except ZZ2 of chamfer finish line.
Conclusion
Veneering increased the marginal gap width of copings.
Clinical relevance
Within the limits of this in vitro study, aesthetic ceramic veneering of CAD/CAM-generated copings caused a statistically significant but tolerable loss of marginal fit precision.
http://ift.tt/2iu2Opz
Referrals: Apicectomy
British Dental Journal 222, 2 (2017). doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.2
Author: P. Raftery
http://ift.tt/2jtt4yI
Impacted canines
British Dental Journal 222, 2 (2017). doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.3
Author: M. Wardle
http://ift.tt/2jtAbr9
Empowerment in a model of outreach undergraduate dental education
British Dental Journal 222, 41 (2017). doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.35
Authors: D. R. Radford & P. Hellyer
http://ift.tt/2jtiTu2
Antimicrobial resistance: Refresh your memory
British Dental Journal 222, 3 (2017). doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.5
Author: L. Samaranayake
http://ift.tt/2jtAtOA
Smoking cessation: The role of e-cigarettes
British Dental Journal 222, 3 (2017). doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.6
Authors: R. Holliday, P. Preshaw & L. Bauld
http://ift.tt/2jty5r9
Periodontal evaluation of crown-root fractured teeth following modified crown lengthening surgery
British Dental Journal 222, 21 (2017). doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.25
Authors: M. Zhen, C. Wang, W-J. Hu, H. Zhang, L-S. Li, Y-P. Wei & K-H. Chung
http://ift.tt/2jtqUzm
Safe intrapulpal anaesthesia
British Dental Journal 222, 4 (2017). doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.8
Authors: Saravana Karthikeyan Balasubramanian & Velmurugan Natanasabapathy
http://ift.tt/2jtyzxk
A semi-interpenetrating network of polyacrylamide and recombinant basement membrane allows pluripotent cell culture in a soft, ligand-rich microenvironment
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 121
Author(s): Andrew J. Price, Eva Y. Huang, Vittorio Sebastiano, Alexander R. Dunn
The physical properties of the extracellular matrix play an essential role in guiding stem cell differentiation and tissue morphogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. Existing work to investigate the role of matrix mechanics in directing stem cell proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation has been limited by the poor attachment and survival of human pluripotent cells cultured on soft matrices (Young's modulus E ≲ 1000 Pa). To address this limitation we developed a protocol for generating semi-interpenetrating networks of polyacrylamide and recombinant basement membrane. Using these materials, we found that human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) remained proliferative and pluripotent even when grown in small colonies and on surfaces ranging in stiffness from 150 to 12000 Pa, spanning the range of tissue stiffnesses likely to be encountered in the embryo. Considerable recent attention has focused on the role of the transcriptional coactivator and Hippo effector YAP in regulating differentiation and cell proliferation both in the early embryo and in vitro. We found that while YAP localized to the nucleus on substrates of E ≳ 1000 Pa, its localization was heterogeneous on substrates of moduli ≲ 450 Pa, with predominantly nuclear localization at the colony periphery and mixed cytoplasmic and nuclear localization for cells in the colony interior, a pattern reminiscent of YAP subcellular localization in the inner cell mass (ICM) of the early embryo. In addition, hESC colony dynamics were highly responsive to substrate stiffness, with cells assembling into monolayers, multilayer structures, and transient, hollow rosettes in response to decreasing substrate stiffnesses in the range of 12000 to 150 Pa. We suggest that soft, ligand-rich substrates such as are described here provide a promising means of recapitulating aspects of early mammalian development that are otherwise inaccessible, and more broadly may be useful in the derivation of complex tissues from pluripotent cells in an in vitro setting.
http://ift.tt/2ijFgFH
Anaesthesia: LA in pregnancy
British Dental Journal 222, 3 (2017). doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.7
Authors: G. Markose & R. M. Graham
http://ift.tt/2jtAvGi
RhoA knockdown by cationic amphiphilic copolymer/siRhoA polyplexes enhances axonal regeneration in rat spinal cord injury model
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 121
Author(s): So-Jung Gwak, Christian Macks, Da Un Jeong, Mark Kindy, Michael Lynn, Ken Webb, Jeoung Soo Lee
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in permanent loss of motor and sensory function due to developmentally-related and injured-induced changes in the extrinsic microenvironment and intrinsic neuronal biochemistry that limit plasticity and axonal regeneration. Our long term goal is to develop cationic, amphiphilic copolymers (poly (lactide-co-glycolide)-g-polyethylenimine, PgP) for combinatorial delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids (TNAs) and drugs targeting these different barriers. In this study, we evaluated the ability of PgP to deliver siRNA targeting RhoA, a critical signaling pathway activated by multiple extracellular inhibitors of axonal regeneration. After generation of rat compression SCI model, PgP/siRhoA polyplexes were locally injected into the lesion site. Relative to untreated injury only, PgP/siRhoA polyplexes significantly reduced RhoA mRNA and protein expression for up to 4 weeks post-injury. Histological analysis at 4 weeks post-injury showed that RhoA knockdown was accompanied by reduced apoptosis, cavity size, and astrogliosis and increased axonal regeneration within the lesion site. These studies demonstrate that PgP is an efficient non-viral delivery carrier for therapeutic siRhoA to the injured spinal cord and may be a promising platform for the development of combinatorial TNA/drug therapy.
http://ift.tt/2ijJSGV
Genetically tailored magnetosomes used as MRI probe for molecular imaging of brain tumor
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 121
Author(s): M. Boucher, F. Geffroy, S. Prévéral, L. Bellanger, E. Selingue, G. Adryanczyk-Perrier, M. Péan, C.T. Lefèvre, D. Pignol, N. Ginet, S. Mériaux
We investigate here the potential of single step production of genetically engineered magnetosomes, bacterial biogenic iron-oxide nanoparticles embedded in a lipid vesicle, as a new tailorable magnetic resonance molecular imaging probe. We demonstrate in vitro the specific binding and the significant internalization into U87 cells of magnetosomes decorated with RGD peptide. After injection at the tail vein of glioblastoma-bearing mice, we evidence in the first 2 h the rapid accumulation of both unlabeled and functionalized magnetosomes inside the tumor by Enhanced Permeability and Retention effects. 24 h after the injection, a specific enhancement of the tumor contrast is observed on MR images only for RGD-labeled magnetosomes. Post mortem acquisition of histological data confirms MRI results with more magnetosomes found into the tumor treated with functionalized magnetosomes. This work establishes the first proof-of-concept of a successful bio-integrated production of molecular imaging probe for MRI.
http://ift.tt/2inBEk0
The interdisciplinary management of hypodontia patients in the UK: a national service evaluation
British Dental Journal 222, 31 (2017). doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.33
Authors: T. P. McSwiney, J. M. Collins, G.S. Bassi & S. Khan
http://ift.tt/2jtyBoW
Multidisciplinary management: Inflammatory bowel disease
British Dental Journal 222, 4 (2017). doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.9
Authors: T. Thomas & J. S. Chandan
http://ift.tt/2jtqUiQ
OMFS: Fortitude and dedication
British Dental Journal 222, 5 (2017). doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.10
Authors: C. Wilson & L. Fryer
http://ift.tt/2jtyXMv
Hand Matters: Left-Hand Gestures Enhance Metaphor Explanation.
http://ift.tt/2iuHX5B
Biologically active recombinant carp LH as a spawning-inducing agent for carp
Currently, spawning is induced in carp species by carp pituitary extract (CPE) and a combination of synthetic agonist of GnRH combined with a dopamine antagonist. The main goal of this study was the production of recombinant gonadotropins (GtHs) on a large scale to serve as an alternative to currently used agents. We produced carp (c) recombinant (r) Lh as a single chain in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. Lha subunit was joined with Lhb subunit with a flexible linker of three glycine–serine repeats and six Histidines to form a mature protein, the β-subunit formed the N-terminal part and the α-subunit formed the C-terminal part. The ability of the rcLh to elicit biological response was tested by in vivo stimulation of estradiol (E2) and 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and by its in vivo potency to induce ovulation and spawning induction. rcLh tested in this work significantly enhanced both E2 and DHP secretion in a dose-dependent manner similar to the results obtained with CPE. E2 levels showed a moderate rise following the priming injection and a subsequent decrease during the rest of the trial. DHP levels were only increased after the resolving injection, approximately 5 h before spawning. At the highest dose of rcLh (350 µg/kg BW), the recombinant protein was more efficient than CPE in terms of both spawning success and fertilization rate. It is shown here that rcLh can elicit the secretion of DHP in vivo and actually trigger spawning. These novel findings introduce the potential of utilizing recombinant gonadotropins in aquaculture.
http://ift.tt/2iS0tT3
Photos That Increase Feelings of Learning Promote Positive Evaluations.
http://ift.tt/2iq6tBp
The role of nutrient sensing in the metabolic changes after gastric bypass surgery
Taste receptors coupled to the gustatory G-protein, gustducin, on enteroendocrine cells sense nutrients to regulate gut hormone release. During Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, the altered nutrient flow to more distal regions can affect gustducin-mediated gut hormone release and hence energy and glucose homeostasis. We studied the role of gustducin-mediated signaling in the metabolic improvements and intestinal adaptations along the gut after RYGB surgery in wild-type (WT) and α-gustducin–/– (α-gust–/–) mice. RYGB surgery decreased body weight in WT and α-gust–/– mice, whereas food intake was only decreased in WT mice. Pair-feeding to the RYGB group improved glucose homeostasis to a similar extent in WT mice. GLP1 levels were increased in both genotypes, PYY levels in α-gust–/– mice and octanoyl ghrelin levels were not affected after RYGB surgery. In WT mice, nutrients act via α-gustducin to increase L-cell differentiation (foregut) and L-cell number (foregut and hindgut) in a region-dependent manner. In α-gust–/– mice, the effect on gut hormone levels is probably tuned via increased peptide sensor and glucose transporter expression in the Roux limb and increased caecal butyrate and propionate levels in the hindgut that activate free fatty acid receptors. Finally, signaling via α-gustducin plays a role in the increased ion transport of the foregut but not in the improvement in colonic barrier function. In conclusion, RYGB surgery decreased body weight in both WT and α-gust–/– mice. Elevated plasma GLP1 and PYY levels might mediate this effect, although α-gustducin differentially affects several regulatory systems in the foregut and hindgut, tuning gut hormone release.
http://ift.tt/2jOAqAh
Recognition Memory for Hue: Prototypical Bias and the Role of Labeling.
http://ift.tt/2iur8rA
Selyes general adaptation syndrome: stress-induced gastro-duodenal ulceration and inflammatory bowel disease
Hans Selye in a note to Nature in 1936 initiated the field of stress research by showing that rats exposed to nocuous stimuli responded by way of a 'general adaptation syndrome' (GAS). One of the main features of the GAS was the 'formation of acute erosions in the digestive tract, particularly in the stomach, small intestine and appendix'. This provided experimental evidence for the view based on clinical data that gastro-duodenal (peptic) ulcers could be caused by stress. This hypothesis was challenged by Marshall and Warren's Nobel Prize (2005)-winning discovery of a causal association between Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcers. However, clinical and experimental studies suggest that stress can cause peptic ulceration in the absence of H. pylori. Predictably, the etiological pendulum of gastric and duodenal ulceration has swung from 'all stress' to 'all bacteria' followed by a sober realization that both factors play a role, separately as well as together. This raises the question as to whether stress and H. pylori interact, and if so, how? Stress has also been implicated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and related disorders; however, there is no proof yet that stress is the primary etiological trigger for IBD. Central dopamine mechanisms seem to be involved in the stress induction of peptic ulceration, whereas activation of the sympathetic nervous system and central and peripheral corticotrophin-releasing factor appears to mediate stress-induced IBD.
http://ift.tt/2iS3F1h
A Goal Bias in Action: The Boundaries Adults Perceive in Events Align With Sites of Actor Intent.
http://ift.tt/2iq2XHx
Growth hormone: a newly identified developmental organizer
The sexually dimorphic expression of cytochromes P450 (CYP) drug-metabolizing enzymes has been reported in all species examined. These sex differences are only expressed during adulthood and are solely regulated by sex differences in circulating growth hormone (GH) profiles. Once established, however, the different male- and female-dependent CYP isoform profiles are permanent and immutable, suggesting that adult CYP expression requires imprinting. As the hormone that regulates an adult function is likely the same hormone that imprints the function, we selectively blocked GH secretion in some newborn male rats, whereas others received concurrent physiologic replacement of rat GH. The results demonstrate that adult male GH activation of the signal transduction pathway regulating expression of the principal CYP2C11 isoform is obligatorily dependent on perinatal GH imprinting, without which CYP2C11 and drug metabolism would be permanently and profoundly suppressed. As there are other adult metabolic functions also regulated by GH, pediatric drug therapy known to disrupt GH secretion could unintentionally impair adult health.
http://ift.tt/2jOwtvB
Effects of Learned Episodic Event Structure on Prospective Duration Judgments.
http://ift.tt/2iuGFYl
Regulation of bone growth via ligand-specific activation of estrogen receptor alpha
Estrogens are well known for their capacity to promote bone maturation and at high doses to induce growth plate closure and thereby stop further growth. High-dose estrogen treatment has therefore been used to limit growth in extremely tall girls. However, recent data suggest that this treatment may have severe side effects, including increased risk of cancer and reduced fertility. We hypothesized that estrogenic effects in bone are mediated via ERα signaling. Twelve-week-old ovariectomized female C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously injected for 4 weeks with E2 or selective ERα (PPT) or ERβ (DPN) agonists. After killing, tibia and femur lengths were measured, and growth plate morphology was analyzed. E2- and PPT-treated mice had shorter tibiae and femur bones when compared to vehicle-treated controls, whereas animals treated with DPN had similar bone lengths compared to controls. Growth plate height and hypertrophic zone height were reduced in animals treated with E2 or PPT but not in those treated with DPN, supporting that the effect was mediated via ERα. Moreover, PCNA staining revealed suppressed proliferation of chondrocytes in the tibia growth plate in PPT- or E2-treated mice compared to controls. Our data show that estrogenic effects on bone growth and growth plate maturation are mainly mediated via ERα. Our findings may have direct implications for the development of new and more selective treatment modalities of extreme tall stature using selective estrogen receptor modulators that may have low side effects than high-dose E2 treatment.
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The Role of Episodic Context in Retrieval Practice Effects.
http://ift.tt/2ipUZhv
Fiber-spun polypropylene/polyethylene terephthalate microfibrillar composites with enhanced tensile and rheological properties and foaming ability
Publication date: 10 February 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 110
Author(s): Ali Rizvi, Zamil K.M. Andalib, Chul B. Park
Modification of the mechanical and rheological properties of polypropylene (PP) is accomplished through the in-situ generation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibrils via fiber spinning of PP/PET (95/5 wt%). This modification increases the tensile strength of PP fibers by up to 46% and elongation at break by up to seven-folds. The change in the tensile properties is governed by the draw ratio. Uniaxial extensional viscosity measurements show a strain-hardening behavior in the fiber-spun PP/PET, not observed in the neat PP or in the melt-blended PP/PET. The oscillatory shear behavior in the linear viscoelastic region is studied to understand the percolation properties of PET fibrils in PP. When the PET domains are fibrillated, the storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli increase and their slopes decrease at low frequencies compared to neat PP or melt-blended PP/PET, indicating that the fibril network responds elastically over long timescales. The wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) data shows the presence of γ-polymorph crystals of PP in both PP and the fiber-spun PP/PET. Foam extrusion is used as a model polymer process to study the effect of the PET fibrils on the processability of PP. Results reveal that the presence of PET fibrils in PP yields foams that exhibit up to two orders of magnitude higher cell densities and up to a five-fold increase in the expansion ratio relative to the neat PP. Enhancing the foaming ability of polymer blends by fibrillating the dispersed phase using fiber spinning is technologically promising.
Graphical abstract
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Unsaturated polyester resin toughening with very low loadings of GO derivatives
Publication date: 10 February 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 110
Author(s): Siyao He, Nicholas D. Petkovich, Kunwei Liu, Yuqiang Qian, Christopher W. Macosko, Andreas Stein
Graphene oxide (GO) and its derivatives with vinyl and alkyl functional groups (mGO) were synthesized and dispersed into unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) to prepare nanocomposites. Successful chemical modification of the GO sheets was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction. In contrast to unmodified GO, mGO was easily dispersed in UPR, even without sonication, making the process scalable. The few-micrometer GO sheets and aggregates in the resin composite were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and visible light microscopy. Compact tension testing of the resin composites with mGO showed that, with a remarkably low loading of only 0.04 wt% mGO, a 55% improvement in fracture energy (GIC) was obtained with little change in flexural strength or modulus. This high effectiveness renders mGO economically viable. Analysis of fracture surfaces by scanning electron microscopy suggests that mGO particles interact with the propagating crack, the main toughening effect being crack pinning.
Graphical abstract
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Risks in surgery-first orthognathic approach: complications of segmental osteotomies of the jaws. A systematic review
OBJECTIVE: To date, no systematic review has been undertaken to identify the complications of segmental osteotomies. The aim of the present systematic review was to analyze the type and incidence of complications of segmental osteotomies, as well as the time of subjective and/or clinical onset of the intra- and post-operative problems.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search was conducted in two electronic databases (MEDLINE – Pubmed database and Scopus) for articles published in English between 1 January 2000 and 30 August 2015; only human studies were selected. Case report studies were excluded. Two independent researchers selected the studies and extracted the data. Two studies were selected, four additional publications were recovered from the bibliography search of the selected articles, and one additional article was added through a manual search.
RESULTS: The results of this systematic review demonstrate a relatively low rate of complications in segmental osteotomies, suggesting this surgical approach is safe and reliable in routine orthognathic surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: Due to the small number of studies included in this systematic review, the rate of complication related to surgery first approach may be slightly higher than those associated with traditional orthognathic surgery, since the rate of complications of segmental osteotomies must be added to the complication rate of basal osteotomies. A surgery-first approach could be considered riskier than a traditional one, but further studies that include a greater number of subjects should be conducted to confirm these findings.
L'articolo Risks in surgery-first orthognathic approach: complications of segmental osteotomies of the jaws. A systematic review sembra essere il primo su European Review.
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Health-compromising practices of undergraduate college students: Examining racial/ethnic and gender differences in characteristics of prescription stimulant misuse
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 68
Author(s): Sheena Cruz, Stephanie Sumstine, Jocelyne Mendez, Niloofar Bavarian
http://ift.tt/2imrDVV
Association between Low blood lead levels and increased risk of dental caries in children: a cross-sectional study
Abstract
Background
The objective of this study was to examine the association between low blood lead levels of <5 μg/dL and the development of dental caries among children.
Methods
The Children's Health and Environment Research (CHEER) group recruited a cohort of 7,059 school-aged children from six Korean cities. The final study populations in the permanent and deciduous teeth groups were 1,564 and 1,241 children, respectively, after excluding 4 children with blood lead levels of >5 μg/dL. Compared with the children who did not have dental caries, the risk of having dental caries according to blood lead level was estimated by using the zero-inflated negative binomial model.
Results
The geometric mean (geometric standard deviation, maximum) blood lead level was 1.53 μg/dL (1.57, 4.89 μg/dL), and 74.4% of children had a level of <2 μg/dL. Blood lead level was significantly higher in the children with than in those without deciduous dental caries (1.59 vs. 1.51 μg/dL), similarly with permanent dental caries (1.65 vs. 1.51 μg/dL). After adjustment for covariates, deciduous teeth surfaces that were decayed and filled increased significantly with increasing blood lead levels in a dose-dependent manner (prevalence ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.27). However, the risk of having dental caries in permanent teeth was not linearly associated with the increase in blood lead level.
Conclusions
In the sum of decayed and filled surfaces, we found a significant increase in risk of dental caries of the deciduous teeth with an increase in blood lead levels (<5 μg/dL) but found no statistical significance in the association with decayed and filled surfaces of caries separately.
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Management of Dentin Hypersensitivity by National Dental Practice-Based Research Network practitioners: results from a questionnaire administered prior to initiation of a clinical study on this topic
Abstract
Background
Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a common problem encountered in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to identify the management approaches for DH among United States dentists.
Methods
One hundred eighty five National Dental Practice-Based Research Network clinicians completed a questionnaire regarding their preferred methods to diagnose and manage DH in the practice setting, and their beliefs about DH predisposing factors.
Results
Almost all dentists (99%) reported using more than one method to diagnose DH. Most frequently, they reported using spontaneous patient reports coupled with excluding other causes of oral pain by direct clinical examination (48%); followed by applying an air blast (26%), applying cold water (12%), and obtaining patient reports after dentist's query (6%). In managing DH, the most frequent first choice was desensitizing, over-the-counter (OTC), potassium nitrate toothpaste (48%), followed by fluorides (38%), and glutaraldehyde/HEMA (3%). A total of 86% of respondents reported using a combination of products when treating DH, most frequently using fluoride varnish and desensitizing OTC potassium nitrate toothpaste (70%). The most frequent predisposing factor leading to DH, as reported by the practitioners, was recessed gingiva (66%), followed by abrasion, erosion, abfraction/attrition lesions (59%) and bruxism (32%).
Conclusions
The majority of network practitioners use multiple methods to diagnose and manage DH. Desensitizing OTC potassium nitrate toothpaste and fluoride formulations are the most widely used products to manage DH in dental practice setting.
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The influence of adding modified zirconium oxide-titanium dioxide nano-particles on mechanical properties of orthodontic adhesive: an in vitro study
Abstract
Background
The purpose of this in-vitro study was to examine the effect of incorporating different concentrations of Zirconium oxide-Titanium dioxide (ZrO2-TiO2) nanoparticles, which can have antibacterial properties, on the mechanical properties of an orthodontic adhesive.
Methods
ZrO2-TiO2 (Zirconium oxide, HWNANO, Hongwu International Group Ltd, China) -Titanium dioxide, Nanoshell, USA) nanopowder were incorporated into orthodontic adhesive (Transbond XT, 3 M Unitek, Monrovia, USA) with different concentrations (0.5% weight nonofiller and 1% weight nanofiller). The size of nanoparticle was 70–80 nm for ZrO2 and less than 50 nm for TiO2. For measuring the shear bond strength of the three groups of orthodontic adhesives [Transbond (control), Transbond mixed with 0.5% weight ZrO2-TiO2, and Transbond mixed with 1% weight ZrO2-TiO2], 30 freshly extracted human first premolars were used and bonded with stainless steel metal brackets (Dentaurum®, Discovery®, Deutschland), using the 3 orthodontic adhesives and 3 M Unitek; Transbond TM Plus Self-Etching Primer (10 samples in each group). The recorded values of compressive strength and tensile strength (measured separately on 10 samples of orthodontic adhesives (add the 3 D size of sample, light cured for 40 s on both sides) of each orthodontic adhesives), as well as the shear bond strength in Mega Pascal unit (MPa) were collected and exposed to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc tests.
Results
orthodontic adhesive with 1% weight ZrO2-TiO2 showed the highest mean compressive (73.42 ± 1.55 MPa, p: 0.003, F: 12.74), tensile strength (8.65 ± 0.74 MPa, p: 0.001, F: 68.20), and shear bond strength (20.05 ± 0.2 MPa, p: 0.001, F: 0.17).
Conclusions
Adding ZrO2-TiO2 nanoparticle to orthodontic adhesive increased compressive strength, tensile strength, and shear bond strength in vitro, but in vivo studies and randomized clinical trials are needed to validate the present findings.
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Real-time cardiac magnetic resonance cine imaging with sparse sampling and iterative reconstruction for left-ventricular measures: Comparison with gold-standard segmented steady-state free precession
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Volume 38
Author(s): Gabriel C. Camargo, Fernanda Erthal, Leticia Sabioni, Filipe Penna, Ralph Strecker, Michaela Schmidt, Michael O. Zenge, Ronaldo de S.L. Lima, Ilan Gottlieb
BackgroundSegmented cine imaging with a steady-state free-precession sequence (Cine-SSFP) is currently the gold standard technique for measuring ventricular volumes and mass, but due to multi breath-hold (BH) requirements, it is prone to misalignment of consecutive slices, time consuming and dependent on respiratory capacity. Real-time cine avoids those limitations, but poor spatial and temporal resolution of conventional sequences has prevented its routine application. We sought to examine the accuracy and feasibility of a newly developed real-time sequence with aggressive under-sampling of k-space using sparse sampling and iterative reconstruction (Cine-RT).MethodsStacks of short-axis cines were acquired covering both ventricles in a 1.5T system using gold standard Cine-SSFP and Cine-RT. Acquisition parameters for Cine-SSFP were: acquisition matrix of 224×196, temporal resolution of 39ms, retrospective gating, with an average of 8 heartbeats per slice and 1–2 slices/BH. For Cine-RT: acquisition matrix of 224×196, sparse sampling net acceleration factor of 11.3, temporal resolution of 41ms, prospective gating, real-time acquisition of 1 heart-beat/slice and all slices in one BH. LV contours were drawn at end diastole and systole to derive LV volumes and mass.ResultsForty-one consecutive patients (15 male; 41±17years) in sinus rhythm were successfully included. All images from Cine-SSFP and Cine-RT were considered to have excellent quality. Cine-RT-derived LV volumes and mass were slightly underestimated but strongly correlated with gold standard Cine-SSFP. Inter- and intra-observer analysis presented similar results between both sequences.ConclusionsCine-RT featuring sparse sampling and iterative reconstruction can achieve spatial and temporal resolution equivalent to Cine-SSFP, providing excellent image quality, with similar precision measurements and highly correlated and only slightly underestimated volume and mass values.
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Anti-psoriatic potential of Solanum xanthocarpum stem in Imiquimod-induced psoriatic mice model
Publication date: 23 February 2017
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 198
Author(s): Komal M. Parmar, Prakash R. Itankar, Apurva Joshi, Satyendra K. Prasad
Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe plant Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. (Solanaceae) is one of the members of the dashamula (ten roots) in Ayurvedic system of medicine. The stem and fruits are used as an antipyretic, antiasthmatic and is prescribed in skin infections and for relief in burning sensation in the feet accompanied by vesicular eruptions.ObjectiveTo scientifically validate the anti-psoriatic potential of Solanum xanthocarpum stem in Imiquimod-induced psoriatic mice model.Materials and methodsEthanolic stems extract of Solanum xanthocarpum (ESX) was first subjected to phytochemical screening and quantification of identified phytoconstituents, which was further standardized with the help of HPTLC using chlorogenic acid as a marker. The extract was then subjected to acute oral toxicity and skin irritability study for determining the safety profile of the extract. Imiquimod-induced psoriatic mouse model was then performed to check the efficacy of extract against psoriasis, where treatment was carried out for 15 days both topically (Gel at 2.5%, 5% and 10%) as well as orally (at 100, 200 and 400mg/kg p.o.) and their Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) was calculated. The study also included determination of levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17 in the animal tissues, which further included biochemical evaluations such as total collagen, hexosamine, hyaluronic acid DNA, protein antioxidant profiles such as lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase and catalase along with histopathological studies of the tissues.ResultESX showed the presence of mainly phenols, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and carbohydrates, while chlorogenic acid was reported to be 3.49% w/w. The Imiquimod-induced psoriatic mouse model, depicted a potent anti-psoriatic activity of the extract both topical (10%) and oral (200 and 400mg/kg p.o., as evident through PASI grading The effect was found to be more prominent in case of topically treated as compared to orally treated mice. The results also showed a significant inhibition in the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17 in treated animal tissues and also showed significant restoration of the altered biochemical parameters along with reduced hyperkeratinisation as observed through histopathology.ConclusionThe study scientifically justified the anti-psoriatic activity of the ESX, which may be attributed to inhibition in the expression of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17. Further, the observed antioxidant, antimicrobial and cellular proliferative activities may act as a contributing factor in treatment of psoriasis, which may be attributed to the presence of chlorogenic acid along with other phytochemicals in combination.
Graphical abstract
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Simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fracture following tetanus in a healthy adult
African Journal of Medical and Health Sciences 2016 15(2):100-102
A 45-year-old trader presented to us with 4 weeks history of difficulty in opening his mouth, inability to walk and tonic–clonic seizures with bilateral femoral neck fractures. Three weeks before the onset of problems, the patient had been knocked down by a tricycle and had sustained an open wound over the right medial malleolus; the wound was sutured at a general hospital and the patient discharged home. One week later, the wound started discharging a foul-smelling pus and was dressed at a primary health centre; however, by the second week, the patient started having difficulty in opening his mouth. By the third week, he was bed ridden, developed tonic–clonic seizures and felt a crunching sound associated with severe pain in both hips. He was taken to a traditional bone setter who gave him some herbs, but his symptoms got worse. He was then brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria where a diagnosis of tetanus was made. Further evaluation revealed Gardener-type IV bilateral femoral neck fractures. He was managed for the tetanus, underwent bilateral bipolar hemiarthroplasty and was discharged home. He spent 10 weeks in the hospital.
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A 3-year review of the pattern of contraceptive use among women attending the family planning clinic of a University Teaching Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria
African Journal of Medical and Health Sciences 2016 15(2):69-73
Background: Contraceptives are methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy. In Nigeria, the contraceptive prevalence was reported at 15% in 2013. Aims: This study aimed to determine the pattern of contraceptive use and sociodemographic characteristics of the users of family planning services in a teaching hospital in Lagos. Subjects and Methods: This was a descriptive, retrospective study of women who sought contraceptive services at the family planning clinic over a 3-year period. Relevant information was extracted from the case records of these women. Data were analyzed using Epi Info statistical package for Windows. Results: A total of 594 women opted to use a form of contraception in the study, within an age range of 15–52 years and with mean age of 34.3 ± 4.2 years. Fifty-four percent (54%) of the women users belonged to the Yoruba tribe and 89.4% were of the Christian faith. Married women accounted for 97.6% of the users, with the majority (68.9%) having parity of 2–4. Majority (77.6%) of the women had at least a tertiary level of education, with 46.1% of them involved in a form of skilled occupation. Nurses were the commonest source of referrals (42.9%). A larger proportion of the women (46.3%) preferred Jadelle implant while the least used method is Norplant (0.5%). Conclusion: Equipping medical personnel with the information and skills needed to meet the increasing demand for family planning services is necessary to avert the needless increase in the incidence of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortion, and their sequelae.
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Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis immunoglobulin G antibody in infertile women in Calabar
African Journal of Medical and Health Sciences 2016 15(2):74-79
Background: Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is recognized as the single most common cause of tubal peritoneal damage leading to infertility. Knowledge of the prevalence of Chlamydia antibodies among infertile women will help determine the level of Chlamydial infection and hence its contribution to infertility. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of C. trachomatis immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in infertile patients and the sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors associated with infection in Calabar. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective comparative study conducted among 145 women presenting for infertility in UCTH Calabar. Another 145 women with normal pregnancies attending the antenatal clinic were used as controls. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The prevalence of C. trachomatis IgG antibody was 38.6% in the infertile group and 22.8% in the pregnant controls. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Infertile women aged 30–34 years had the highest positivity rate (36.0%) for C. trachomatis antibody. Thirty-eight (42.7%) of the infertile subjects who tested positive had a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) while 47 (23.4%) who tested negative had a history of PID. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001). Chlamydia infection was not found to be associated with any particular type of infertility (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of C. trachomatis was higher in infertile women when compared to pregnant controls. This finding lends credence to the call for enzyme immunosorbent assay for Chlamydial IgG antibodies to be incorporated into infertility investigation in this environment.
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Marfan syndrome: A case report
African Journal of Medical and Health Sciences 2016 15(2):107-109
Marfan syndrome (MS) is a disorder of the connective tissues characterized by various phenotypical and genetic manifestations. We present this case to show its rarity and to highlight the need of early diagnosis to avert the numerous complications that follow it. A 7-year-old male, who presented with an abnormal body physique that was noticed at age 2 months, poor vision that was noticed 5 years ago, recurrent chest pain that started 3 years ago, and recurrent easy tiredness that started 3 years ago. He developed poor vision 2 years later. Examination revealed an acutely ill-looking child with dyspnea, grade 4 apical positive surgical margins (PSM), grade 2 diastolic murmur (at the aortic area), multiple skeletal abnormalities with lens subluxation and iridodonesis. Diagnosis of MS was made and he was comanaged with ophthalmologists and orthopedic surgeons.
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Health-related quality of life in sickle cell disease subjects in Benin City, Nigeria
African Journal of Medical and Health Sciences 2016 15(2):80-85
Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic disease associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Hemoglobinopathies are the most prevalent genetic disease globally, and SCD is estimated to affect 2–3% of Nigerians. The disease may adversely impact on the quality of life of sickle cell patients. This study aims to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of SCD subjects compared to normal controls living in Benin City, Nigeria. Methodology: The HRQoL of SCD subjects was evaluated using the Medical Outcome Study 36-item survey tool. The outcome was compared with those of a normal non-SCD population. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16 (Chicago, SPSS Inc.). P value was set at 0.05.Results: Sixty-one SCD subjects and 61 normal respondents (controls) participated in the study. The mean ages of the SCD group and controls were 26.7 ± 9.0 years and 23.70 ± 3.1 years, respectively. Fifty-nine (96.7%) of the SCD respondents were hemoglobin (Hb) SS and 2 (3.3%) were Hb SC. The physical function, limitations due to physical health, general health, and pain scores were significantly lower in the SCD population compared to the controls (P = 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, and 0.002, respectively. The social function and limitation due to the emotional problem do not differ significantly between both groups while the vitality (energy/fatigue) score and emotional well-being were higher in the SCD group, but they were not statistically significant (P = 0.066 and 0.127, respectively). Male gender, employment, clinic attendance, and family support impacted positively on the HRQoL of SCD subjects. Conclusion: The physical and general health functions of SCD subjects are significantly impaired by the disease. There is a need for clinicians in our region to review current management trends to include world best practices such as the universal use of hydroxyurea and stem cell transplantation to change the prevailing trend.
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