Multi-resolution multi-object statistical shape models based on the locality assumption

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2017
Source:Medical Image Analysis
Author(s): Matthias Wilms, Heinz Handels, Jan Ehrhardt
Statistical shape models learned from a population of previously observed training shapes are nowadays widely used in medical image analysis to aid segmentation or classification. However, providing an appropriate and representative training population of preferably manual segmentations is typically either very labor-intensive or even impossible. Therefore, statistical shape models in practice frequently suffer from the high-dimension-low-sample-size (HDLSS) problem resulting in models with insufficient expressiveness.In this paper, a novel approach for learning representative multi-resolution multi-object statistical shape models from a small number of training samples that adequately model the variability of each individual object as well as their interrelations is presented. The method is based on the assumption of locality, which means that local shape variations have limited effects in distant areas and, therefore, can be modeled independently. This locality assumption is integrated into the standard statistical shape modeling framework by manipulating the sample covariance matrix (non-zero covariances between distant landmarks are set to zero). To allow for multi-object modeling, a method for computing distances between points located on different object shapes is proposed. Furthermore, different levels of locality are introduced by deriving a multi-resolution scheme, which is equipped with a method to combine variability information modeled at different levels into a single shape model. This combined representation of global and local variability in a single shape model allows the use of the classical active shape model strategy for model-based image segmentation.An extensive evaluation based on a public data base of 247 chest radiographs is performed to show the modeling and segmentation capabilities of the proposed approach in single- and multi-object HDLSS scenarios. The new approach is not only compared to the classical shape modeling method but also to three state-of-the-art shape modeling approaches specifically designed to cope with the HDLSS problem. The results show that the new approach significantly outperforms all other approaches in terms of generalization ability and model-based segmentation accuracy.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2l8sJV6

Visfatin correlates with hot flashes in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome: effects of genistein

Abstract

During menopause, an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and central obesity seems to increase hot flashes (HFs). Visfatin is an inflammatory adipokine secreted by visceral fat. We investigated visfatin levels and its relationship with hot flash number and BMI, in postmenopausal women with MetS. We also evaluated the effect of genistein, an isoflavone effective in reducing HFs, on visfatin levels and HFs after 1 year of treatment. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Postmenopausal women with MetS were randomly assigned to receive placebo (n = 60) or 54 mg genistein (n = 60), daily for 1 year. As main outcome measures, hot flashes number and circulating visfatin levels were evaluated. Visfatin significantly correlated with BMI and HFs number in women with MetS at basal. After 6 and 12 months, our results indicate a strong correlation and a significant effect of genistein in reducing both HFs and visfatin in women with MetS. The present study suggests that visfatin plays a role in the vasomotor symptoms, at least in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. Genistein may reduce HFs decreasing the circulating levels of this inflammatory adipokine.

http://ift.tt/2ma5EiH

Thyroid hormone levels in the cerebrospinal fluid correlate with disease severity in euthyroid patients with Alzheimer’s disease

http://ift.tt/1UiB5nX

Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis does not influence the risk of recurrence in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and excellent response to initial therapy

Abstract

Background

This study evaluated the recurrence in patients with papillary thyroid cancer and an excellent response to initial therapy, comparing those with and without chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis.

Methods

This was a prospective study. Patients who met the following criteria were selected: diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer; submitted to total thyroidectomy followed or not by ablation with ¹³¹I; and neck ultrasonography without abnormalities, nonstimulated thyroglobulina (Tg) ≤0.2 ng/ml, and undetectable antithyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) 12–18 months after initial therapy. The patients were divided into two groups: group A, with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis on histology; group B, without chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis on histology.

Results

Groups A and B were similar in terms of sex and age of the patients, characteristics of the tumor, tumor-node-metastase stage and risk category. The time of follow-up ranged from 24 to 120 months (median 66 months). During follow-up, 5 patients of group A (2.6 %) and 9 patients of group B (2 %) developed recurrence (p = 0.77). Patients with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis were more likely to progress to persistently borderline TgAb. No patient had positive TgAb (above the reference value) during follow-up. Recurrences occurred in 12/588 patients (2 %) with undetectable TgAb in all measurements, in 1/32 (3.1 %) with detectable TgAb on some occasion but that returned to undetectable spontaneously, and in 1/13 (7.7 %) with persistently borderline TgAb. These rates did not differ significantly (p = 0.25).

Conclusion

The results of the present study showed the absence of an association between chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and recurrence risk at least in patients with an excellent response to initial therapy.

http://ift.tt/2lwMPJV

Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging in Cushing’s disease

Abstract

Adrenocorticotropin-secreting pituitary tumor represents about 10 % of pituitary adenomas and at the time of diagnosis most of them are microadenomas. Transsphenoidal surgery is the first-line treatment of Cushing's disease and accurate localization of the tumor within the gland is essential for selectively removing the lesion and preserving normal pituitary function. Magnetic resonance imaging is the best imaging modality for the detection of pituitary tumors, but adrenocorticotropin-secreting pituitary microadenomas are not correctly identified in 30–50 % of cases, because of their size, location, and enhancing characteristics. Several recent studies were performed with the purpose of better localizing the adrenocorticotropin-secreting microadenomas through the use in magnetic resonance imaging of specific sequences, reduced contrast medium dose and high-field technology. Therefore, an improved imaging technique for pituitary disease is mandatory in the suspect of Cushing's disease. The aims of this paper are to present an overview of pituitary magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of Cushing's disease and to provide a magnetic resonance imaging protocol to be followed in case of suspicion adrenocorticotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma.

http://ift.tt/2magXXQ

Proopiomelanocortin, glucocorticoid, and CRH receptor expression in human ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas

Abstract

ACTH-secreting pituitary tumors are by definition partially autonomous, i.e., secrete ACTH independent of physiological control. However, only few, small-sized studies on proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and its regulation by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) or glucocorticoids are available. Objective of the present study was to report on constitutive and CRH- and dexamethasone-regulated POMC, CRH (CRH-R1), and glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) gene expression in a large series of human corticotrope adenomas. Fifty-three ACTH-secreting adenomas were incubated with 10 nM CRH or 10 nM dexamethasone for 24 h. POMC, CRH-R1, NR3C1, and its alpha and beta isoforms were quantified and medium ACTH measured. Constitutive POMC expression proved extremely variable, with macroadenomas exhibiting higher levels than microadenomas. POMC increased during CRH in most specimens; conversely, changes induced by dexamethasone were varied, ranging from decrease to paradoxical increase. No correlation between POMC and ACTH was detected in any experimental condition. CRH-R1 expression was not linked to the response to CRH while NR3C1 was expressed at greater levels in specimens who failed to inhibit during dexamethasone; glucocorticoid receptor α was the more abundant isoform and subject to down-regulation by dexamethasone. Our results demonstrate a considerable variability in POMC expression among tumors and no correlation between POMC and ACTH, suggesting that POMC peptide processing/transport plays a major role in modulating ACTH secretion. Further, CRH-R1 and NR3C1 expression were not linked to the expected ligand-induced outcome, indicating that receptor signaling rather than abundance determines corticotrope responses. Our findings pave the way to new avenues of research into Cushing's disease pathophysiology.

http://ift.tt/2lwBDwA

Selective determination of sulfonamides from environmental water based on magnetic surface molecularly imprinting technology

Abstract

In the study, a simple and selective method based on magnetic separation technology is presented for the extraction of sulfonamides (SAs) from environmental water, followed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. In this method, magnetic surface molecularly imprinted polymers (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@MIPs) with super-paramagnetic property and high selectivity toward SAs were developed as magnetic adsorbents. The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@MIPs were then applied to the selective extraction of SAs from environmental water. The extraction and enrichment were accomplished simultaneously in a single step by simply stirring the mixture of adsorbents and water samples. The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@MIPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics were employed to study the adsorption mechanism of the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@MIPs. And the matrix effect of the method was evaluated. Calibration curves obtained by analyzing matrix-matched standards show excellent linear relationship (R = 0.9994–0.9999) in the concentration range of 10–1000 ng L⁻¹, and the limits of detection are in the range of 1.4–2.8 ng L⁻¹. The relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day obtained are in the range of 2.8 to 7.8 and 3.1 to 7.9%, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine SAs in six environmental water samples, and SAs were detectable in four of them with the concentration from 10.5 to 120.2 ng L⁻¹.

http://ift.tt/2lxiydH

Factors affecting the variability in the observed levels of cadmium in blood and urine among former and current smokers aged 20-64 and ≥ 65years

Abstract

Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 1999–2012 were used to evaluate factors that affect observed levels of blood cadmium (BCd) and urine cadmium (UCd) among former and current smokers aged 20–64 and ≥65 years. Adjusted levels (AGM) for BCd and UCd were higher among females as compared to males. The order of AGM for BCd by race/ethnicity for 20–64 years old was non-Hispanic white (NHW) < non-Hispanic black (NHB) and NHW > NHB for ≥65 years old. The order of AGMs for UCd for 20–64-year-old current smokers was NHW > NHB and NHW > NHB for former smokers. For 20–64-year-old current smokers, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at home was associated with higher levels of BCd. Levels of both UCd and BCd increased with age, but the rate of increase was as much as seven times higher among ≥65 years old than 20–64 years old. For current smokers, the number of cigarettes smoked inside home was positively associated with the levels of BCd. For current smokers aged 20–64 years, the number of cigarettes smoked inside home was positively associated with the levels of UCd (p < 0.01), and the number of cigarettes smoked every day on the days they were smoked was also positively associated with the levels of UCd (p < 0.01). Among former smokers, levels of both UCd and BCd were positively associated (p < 0.1) with the number of cigarettes smoked per day at the time of quitting smoking and negatively associated with the time since smoking was quitted (p < 0.01).

http://ift.tt/2liLLXb

Baseline trace metals in Patella caerulea in a central Tyrrhenian ecosystem (Pontine Islands archipelago and Lazio region coastal sites, Italy)

Abstract

In this study, we tested the aptitude of the gastropod mollusk Patella caerulea as biomonitor of elemental pollution in seawater of a central Tyrrhenian ecosystem (Pontine Islands archipelago and Lazio region coastal sites, Italy). Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were measured in 120 individuals collected in six strategic locations in two sampling campaigns during 2011 and 2012. Samples of surrounding seawater were also collected in the same sites and tested for the same metals in order to obtain the respective concentration factors (CFs). Then, we analyzed the evolution of contamination in the selected sites and compared our results with the baseline levels (control charts) previously established for Tyrrhenian seas (Conti et al. Environ Sci Pollut R 22:3640–3651,2015). With this purpose, we defined six new variables (one for each metal) and then we applied multivariate statistics, i.e., cluster analysis and discriminant analysis on the principal component analysis factors in order to obtain more reliable results. Patella resulted to be a strong bioaccumulator of Cd (CFs = 8990) and a good accumulator of Cr, Pb, and Zn. The levels of the majority of metals (i.e., Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in Patella decreased in the range from −13.06% of Zn to −42.51% of Ni in Fiumicino harbor, Anzio beach, and Ponza Harbor from 2011 to 2012. In general, the metal levels in these marine areas are low and within the previously established baseline ranges for Tyrrhenian Sea (control charts). Here, we found a not univocal trend of metal bioaccumulation patterns between the two sampling campaigns (2011–2012) in the selected sites. No one site resulted to be clearly more contaminated than another (i.e., harbor sites as expected). For instance, for Cd, we detected a relevant increase of its levels (+118%) in the harbors and Anzio beach sites from 2011 to 2012; however, they remained at lower levels of the lower limit (Q _2.5) of the control chart. Higher Pb levels with respect to the baseline values were observed for the majority of samples in the Ponza Cala Fonte site. Patella confirmed its usefulness as a cosmopolitan trace metal biomonitor in marine Mediterranean areas. The possibility of employing these results as a baseline level for comparative purposes in other marine areas is fully debated.

http://ift.tt/2lx8Qs3

Novel potential scaffold for periodontal tissue engineering

Abstract

Objective

The objective of the study is characterization of novel calcium and zinc-loaded electrospun matrices to be used for periodontal regeneration.

Materials and methods

A polymethylmetacrylate-based membrane was calcium or zinc loaded. Matrices were characterized morphologically by atomic force and scanning electron microscopy and mechanically probed by a nanoindenter. Biomimetic calcium phosphate precipitation on polymeric tissues was assessed. Cell viability tests were performed using oral mucosa fibroblasts. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests or by ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls multiple comparisons.

Results

Zinc and calcium loading on matrices did not modify their morphology but increased nanomechanical properties and decreased nanoroughness. Precipitation of calcium and phosphate on the matrix surfaces was observed in zinc-loaded specimens. Matrices were found to be non-toxic to cells in all the assays. Calcium- and zinc-loaded scaffolds presented a very low cytotoxic effect.

Conclusions

Zinc-loaded membranes permit cell viability and promoted mineral precipitation in physiological conditions. Based on the tested nanomechanical properties and scaffold architecture, the proposed membranes may be suitable for cell proliferation.

Clinical relevance

The ability of zinc-loaded matrices to promote precipitation of calcium phosphate deposits, together with their observed non-toxicity and its surface chemistry allowing covalent binding of proteins, may offer new strategies for periodontal regeneration.

http://ift.tt/2liJICP

Platelet biology and the rationale of PRP therapy in chronic wounds

Abstract

For the past four decades, platelets have been thought to function only in hemostatic processes. With reference to recent research, today, it is known that platelets also play important roles in tissue regeneration and immunological processes. The keystone of the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of chronic wounds lays in the molecular composition of thrombocytes, which are rich in growth factors and other biologically active substances. PRP forms a matrix for cells and thus promotes wound healing processes. Harvesting PRP is relatively uncomplicated, minimally invasive, and potentially available for each patient. In this review, we provide an overview of the biology of the thrombocyte to better understand the effects of PRP. Additionally, we reviewed published studies, analyzing the effectiveness of PRP for the treatment of chronic wounds.

Level of evidence: Not ratable.

http://ift.tt/2kL0xEB

Visfatin correlates with hot flashes in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome: effects of genistein

Abstract

During menopause, an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and central obesity seems to increase hot flashes (HFs). Visfatin is an inflammatory adipokine secreted by visceral fat. We investigated visfatin levels and its relationship with hot flash number and BMI, in postmenopausal women with MetS. We also evaluated the effect of genistein, an isoflavone effective in reducing HFs, on visfatin levels and HFs after 1 year of treatment. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Postmenopausal women with MetS were randomly assigned to receive placebo (n = 60) or 54 mg genistein (n = 60), daily for 1 year. As main outcome measures, hot flashes number and circulating visfatin levels were evaluated. Visfatin significantly correlated with BMI and HFs number in women with MetS at basal. After 6 and 12 months, our results indicate a strong correlation and a significant effect of genistein in reducing both HFs and visfatin in women with MetS. The present study suggests that visfatin plays a role in the vasomotor symptoms, at least in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. Genistein may reduce HFs decreasing the circulating levels of this inflammatory adipokine.

http://ift.tt/2ma5EiH

Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis does not influence the risk of recurrence in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and excellent response to initial therapy

Abstract

Background

This study evaluated the recurrence in patients with papillary thyroid cancer and an excellent response to initial therapy, comparing those with and without chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis.

Methods

This was a prospective study. Patients who met the following criteria were selected: diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer; submitted to total thyroidectomy followed or not by ablation with ¹³¹I; and neck ultrasonography without abnormalities, nonstimulated thyroglobulina (Tg) ≤0.2 ng/ml, and undetectable antithyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) 12–18 months after initial therapy. The patients were divided into two groups: group A, with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis on histology; group B, without chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis on histology.

Results

Groups A and B were similar in terms of sex and age of the patients, characteristics of the tumor, tumor-node-metastase stage and risk category. The time of follow-up ranged from 24 to 120 months (median 66 months). During follow-up, 5 patients of group A (2.6 %) and 9 patients of group B (2 %) developed recurrence (p = 0.77). Patients with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis were more likely to progress to persistently borderline TgAb. No patient had positive TgAb (above the reference value) during follow-up. Recurrences occurred in 12/588 patients (2 %) with undetectable TgAb in all measurements, in 1/32 (3.1 %) with detectable TgAb on some occasion but that returned to undetectable spontaneously, and in 1/13 (7.7 %) with persistently borderline TgAb. These rates did not differ significantly (p = 0.25).

Conclusion

The results of the present study showed the absence of an association between chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and recurrence risk at least in patients with an excellent response to initial therapy.

http://ift.tt/2lwMPJV

Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging in Cushing’s disease

Abstract

Adrenocorticotropin-secreting pituitary tumor represents about 10 % of pituitary adenomas and at the time of diagnosis most of them are microadenomas. Transsphenoidal surgery is the first-line treatment of Cushing's disease and accurate localization of the tumor within the gland is essential for selectively removing the lesion and preserving normal pituitary function. Magnetic resonance imaging is the best imaging modality for the detection of pituitary tumors, but adrenocorticotropin-secreting pituitary microadenomas are not correctly identified in 30–50 % of cases, because of their size, location, and enhancing characteristics. Several recent studies were performed with the purpose of better localizing the adrenocorticotropin-secreting microadenomas through the use in magnetic resonance imaging of specific sequences, reduced contrast medium dose and high-field technology. Therefore, an improved imaging technique for pituitary disease is mandatory in the suspect of Cushing's disease. The aims of this paper are to present an overview of pituitary magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of Cushing's disease and to provide a magnetic resonance imaging protocol to be followed in case of suspicion adrenocorticotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma.

http://ift.tt/2magXXQ

Proopiomelanocortin, glucocorticoid, and CRH receptor expression in human ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas

Abstract

ACTH-secreting pituitary tumors are by definition partially autonomous, i.e., secrete ACTH independent of physiological control. However, only few, small-sized studies on proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and its regulation by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) or glucocorticoids are available. Objective of the present study was to report on constitutive and CRH- and dexamethasone-regulated POMC, CRH (CRH-R1), and glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) gene expression in a large series of human corticotrope adenomas. Fifty-three ACTH-secreting adenomas were incubated with 10 nM CRH or 10 nM dexamethasone for 24 h. POMC, CRH-R1, NR3C1, and its alpha and beta isoforms were quantified and medium ACTH measured. Constitutive POMC expression proved extremely variable, with macroadenomas exhibiting higher levels than microadenomas. POMC increased during CRH in most specimens; conversely, changes induced by dexamethasone were varied, ranging from decrease to paradoxical increase. No correlation between POMC and ACTH was detected in any experimental condition. CRH-R1 expression was not linked to the response to CRH while NR3C1 was expressed at greater levels in specimens who failed to inhibit during dexamethasone; glucocorticoid receptor α was the more abundant isoform and subject to down-regulation by dexamethasone. Our results demonstrate a considerable variability in POMC expression among tumors and no correlation between POMC and ACTH, suggesting that POMC peptide processing/transport plays a major role in modulating ACTH secretion. Further, CRH-R1 and NR3C1 expression were not linked to the expected ligand-induced outcome, indicating that receptor signaling rather than abundance determines corticotrope responses. Our findings pave the way to new avenues of research into Cushing's disease pathophysiology.

http://ift.tt/2lwBDwA

Determinants of Policy Decisions for Non-Commercial Drivers with OSA: An Integrative Review

Excessive daytime sleepiness and reduced cognitive funcitioning secondary to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been identified as an important health-related risk in commercial transportation with, possibly, an increased chance of road accidents. This has resulted in a variety of policies and restrictions imposed on commercial drivers. Here we review current knowledge to assess whether available data are sufficient to guide policy decisions concerning restrictions for non-commercial drivers. The review shows that there is a lack of uniformity among different consensus conferences and guidelines as to how to deal with drivers with OSA.

http://ift.tt/2luWj87

Thanks to Reviewers 2016

http://ift.tt/2lYSR39

A systematic review of known interventions for the treatment of chronic non-hypovolaemic hypotonic hyponatraemia and a meta-analysis of the vaptans

Abstract

International and national guidelines on the treatment of chronic non-hypovolaemic hypotonic hyponatraemia differ; therefore we have undertaken this systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of interventions for the treatment of chronic non-hypovolaemic hypotonic hyponatraemia.

Following registration of the review protocol with PROSPERO, systematic literature searches were conducted to identify randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials assessing any degree of fluid restriction or any drug treatment with the aim of increasing serum sodium concentration in patients with chronic non-hypovolaemic hypotonic hyponatraemia. Where appropriate, outcome data were synthesised in a meta-analysis.

45,716 bibliographic records were identified from the searches and 18 trials (assessing conivaptan, lixivaptan, tolvaptan and satavaptan) met the eligibility criteria. Results suggest that all four vasopressin receptor agonists ("vaptans"), significantly improve serum sodium concentration. Lixivaptan, satavaptan and tolvaptan were associated with greater rates of response versus placebo. There was no evidence of a difference between each of the vaptans compared with placebo for mortality, discontinuation and rates of hypernatraemia. No RCT evidence of treatments other than the vaptans for hyponatraemia such as oral urea, salt tablets, mannitol, loop diuretics demeclocycline or lithium was identified.

Vaptans demonstrated superiority over placebo for outcomes relating to serum sodium correction. Few trials documented the potential benefit of vaptans on change in health-related quality of life as a result of treatment. There was also a lack of high-quality RCT evidence on the comparative efficacy of the vaptans and other treatment strategies for the treatment of chronic non-hypovolaemic hypotonic hyponatraemia.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://ift.tt/2lwh8QU

CD49a Expression Defines Tissue-Resident CD8+ T Cells Poised for Cytotoxic Function in Human Skin

Publication date: Available online 14 February 2017
Source:Immunity
Author(s): Stanley Cheuk, Heinrich Schlums, Irène Gallais Sérézal, Elisa Martini, Samuel C. Chiang, Nicole Marquardt, Anna Gibbs, Ebba Detlofsson, Andrea Introini, Marianne Forkel, Charlotte Höög, Annelie Tjernlund, Jakob Michaëlsson, Lasse Folkersen, Jenny Mjösberg, Lennart Blomqvist, Marcus Ehrström, Mona Ståhle, Yenan T. Bryceson, Liv Eidsmo
Tissue-resident memory T (Trm) cells form a heterogeneous population that provides localized protection against pathogens. Here, we identify CD49a as a marker that differentiates CD8⁺ Trm cells on a compartmental and functional basis. In human skin epithelia, CD8⁺CD49a⁺ Trm cells produced interferon-γ, whereas CD8⁺CD49a⁻ Trm cells produced interleukin-17 (IL-17). In addition, CD8⁺CD49a⁺ Trm cells from healthy skin rapidly induced the expression of the effector molecules perforin and granzyme B when stimulated with IL-15, thereby promoting a strong cytotoxic response. In skin from patients with vitiligo, where melanocytes are eradicated locally, CD8⁺CD49a⁺ Trm cells that constitutively expressed perforin and granzyme B accumulated both in the epidermis and dermis. Conversely, CD8⁺CD49a^– Trm cells from psoriasis lesions predominantly generated IL-17 responses that promote local inflammation in this skin disease. Overall, CD49a expression delineates CD8⁺ Trm cell specialization in human epithelial barriers and correlates with the effector cell balance found in distinct inflammatory skin diseases.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Tissue-resident memory T (Trm) cells provide localized adaptive immunity in peripheral tissues. Cheuk et al. identify cytotoxic CD49a⁺CD8⁺ Trm cells and IL-17-producing CD49a⁻CD8⁺ Trm cells in healthy human skin. The functional dichotomy of pathogenic Trm cells based on CD49a expression is preserved in focal skin diseases vitiligo and psoriasis.


http://ift.tt/2kK5xt2

A Relay Pathway between Arginine and Tryptophan Metabolism Confers Immunosuppressive Properties on Dendritic Cells

Publication date: Available online 14 February 2017
Source:Immunity
Author(s): Giada Mondanelli, Roberta Bianchi, Maria Teresa Pallotta, Ciriana Orabona, Elisa Albini, Alberta Iacono, Maria Laura Belladonna, Carmine Vacca, Francesca Fallarino, Antonio Macchiarulo, Stefano Ugel, Vincenzo Bronte, Federica Gevi, Lello Zolla, Auke Verhaar, Maikel Peppelenbosch, Emilia Maria Cristina Mazza, Silvio Bicciato, Yasmina Laouar, Laura Santambrogio, Paolo Puccetti, Claudia Volpi, Ursula Grohmann
Arginase 1 (Arg1) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) are immunoregulatory enzymes catalyzing the degradation of l-arginine and l-tryptophan, respectively, resulting in local amino acid deprivation. In addition, unlike Arg1, IDO1 is also endowed with non-enzymatic signaling activity in dendritic cells (DCs). Despite considerable knowledge of their individual biology, no integrated functions of Arg1 and IDO1 have been reported yet. We found that IDO1 phosphorylation and consequent activation of IDO1 signaling in DCs was strictly dependent on prior expression of Arg1 and Arg1-dependent production of polyamines. Polyamines, either produced by DCs or released by bystander Arg1⁺ myeloid-derived suppressor cells, conditioned DCs toward an IDO1-dependent, immunosuppressive phenotype via activation of the Src kinase, which has IDO1-phosphorylating activity. Thus our data indicate that Arg1 and IDO1 are linked by an entwined pathway in immunometabolism and that their joint modulation could represent an important target for effective immunotherapy in several disease settings.

Teaser

Arginase 1 (Arg1) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) are immunosuppressive enzymes known to operate in distinct immune cells. Mondanelli and colleagues demonstrate that Arg1 and IDO1 cooperate in conferring long-term, immunosuppressive effects to dendritic cells.


http://ift.tt/2kKeSRE

Epitranscriptomic regulation of viral replication

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2017
Source:Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Gene Regulatory Mechanisms
Author(s): Camila Pereira-Montecinos, Fernando Valiente-Echeverría, Ricardo Soto-Rifo
RNA plays central roles in biology and novel functions and regulation mechanisms are constantly emerging. To accomplish some of their functions within the cell, RNA molecules undergo hundreds of chemical modifications from which N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A), inosine (I), pseudouridine (ψ) and 5-methylcytosine (5mC) have been described in eukaryotic mRNA. Interestingly, the m⁶A modification was shown to be reversible, adding novel layers of regulation of gene expression through what is now recognized as epitranscriptomics. The development of molecular mapping strategies coupled to next generation sequencing allowed the identification of thousand of modified transcripts in different tissues and under different physiological conditions such as viral infections. As intracellular parasites, viruses are confronted to cellular RNA modifying enzymes and, as a consequence, viral RNA can be chemically modified at some stages of the replication cycle. This review focuses on the chemical modifications of viral RNA and the impact that these modifications have on viral gene expression and the output of infection. A special emphasis is given to m⁶A, which was recently shown to play important yet controversial roles in different steps of the HIV-1, HCV and ZIKV replication cycles.



http://ift.tt/2ltCTjG

Biohydrogen production from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate: effects of pH, S / X , Fe 2+ , and magnetite nanoparticles

Abstract

Batch dark fermentation experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of initial pH, substrate-to-biomass (S/X) ratio, and concentrations of Fe²⁺ and magnetite nanoparticles on biohydrogen production from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) hydrolysate. By applying the response surface methodology, the optimum condition of steam-acid hydrolysis was 0.64% (v/v) H₂SO₄ for 55.7 min, which obtained a sugar yield of 274 mg g⁻¹. The maximum hydrogen yield (HY) of 0.874 mol (mol glucose⁻¹) was detected at the optimum pH of 5.0 and S/X ratio of 0.5 g chemical oxygen demand (COD, g VSS⁻¹). The addition of Fe²⁺ 200 mg L⁻¹ and magnetite nanoparticles 200 mg L⁻¹ to the inoculum enhanced the HY by 62.1% and 69.6%, respectively. The kinetics of hydrogen production was estimated by fitting the experimental data to the modified Gompertz model. The inhibitory effects of adding Fe²⁺ and magnetite nanoparticles to the fermentative hydrogen production were examined by applying Andrew's inhibition model. COD mass balance and full stoichiometric reactions, including soluble metabolic products, cell synthesis, and H₂ production, indicated the reliability of the experimental results. A qPCR-based analysis was conducted to assess the microbial community structure using Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridium spp., and hydrogenase-specific gene activity. Results from the microbial analysis revealed the dominance of hydrogen producers in the inoculum immobilized on magnetite nanoparticles, followed by the inoculum supplemented with Fe²⁺ concentration.

Graphical abstract

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http://ift.tt/2l5Dpnz

The effect of low-molecular-weight organic acids on copper toxicity in E. fetida in an acute exposure system

Abstract

In the present study, the effects of low-molecular-weight organic acids (OAs) on the toxicity of copper (Cu) to the earthworm Eisenia fetida (E. fetida) were investigated in a simulated soil solution. We exposed E. fetida to soil solution containing Cu and a variety of OAs (acetic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, and EDTA). We found that the addition of OAs reduced the toxicity of Cu to E. fetida, where the reduction was strongest in EDTA and weakest in acetic acid. These compounds decreased the mortality rate of E. fetida that were exposed to Cu and reduced levels of antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde to unexposed control levels. E. fetida were exposed to Cu with OAs had reduced Cu²⁺, which were likely caused by Cu forming complexes with the OAs, reducing the availability of Cu. The presence of OAs also reduced Cu-induced damage on earthworm cellular ultrastructures and changed the subcellular distribution of Cu. These results demonstrated that OAs could reduce the toxicity, as well as the bioavailability, of heavy metals in soil solutions where both OAs and heavy metals often coexist.

http://ift.tt/2l5qW3m

An assessment of strontium sorption onto bentonite buffer material in waste repository

Abstract

In the present study, changes occurring in sorption characteristics of a representative bentonite (WIn-BT) exposed to SrCl₂ (0.001–0.1 M) under the pH range of 1–13 were investigated. Such interaction revealed a significant variation in surface charge density and binding energy of ions with respect to bentonite, and alteration in their physicochemical properties viz., specific surface area, cation exchange capacity, thermal and mechanical behaviour were observed. The distribution coefficients (k _d) calculated for sorption onto virgin (UCBT) and contaminated bentonite (CBT) indicated a greater influence of mineralogical changes occurred with variance of pH and strontium concentration. Notably, the sorption mechanism clearly elucidates the effect of structural negative charge and existence of anionic metal species onto CBT, and depicted the reason behind significant k _d values at highly acidic and alkaline pH. The maximum k _d of UCBT and CBT_{(0.001M SrCl2)} were 8.99 and 2.92 L/kg, respectively, at the soil pH 8.5; whereas it was 2.37 and 1.23 L/kg at pH 1 for the CBT_{(0.1M SrCl2)} and CBT_{(0.01M SrCl2)}, respectively. The findings of this study can be useful to identify the physicochemical parameters of candidate buffer material and sorption reversibility in waste repository.

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High efficiency removal of triclosan by structure-directing agent modified mesoporous MIL-53(Al)

Abstract

In order to expand the potential applications of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), structure directing agents modified mesoporous MIL-53(Al) (MIL-53(Al)-1) was investigated to adsorb triclosan (TCS) with two different initial concentrations. MIL-53(Al)-1 with high mesoporosity and total pore volume exhibited higher adsorption capacity and 4.4 times faster adsorption of TCS at low concentration (1 mg L⁻¹) than that of microporous MIL-53(Al). Also, mesoporous as well as microporous MIL-53(Al) showed significant higher adsorption capacity and two orders of magnitude greater fast uptake of TCS than two kinds of mesoporous-activated carbon. The adsorption of TCS onto MIL-53(Al)-1 released more energy and had higher disorderliness than TCS on MIL-53(Al). The superior adsorption characteristics of MIL-53(Al)-1 were preserved over a wide pH range (4–9), at high concentration of ionic strengths, and in the presence of coexisting compounds (anions, cations, phenol, aniline, and humic acid). The selectivity adsorption and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra revealed that TCS adsorption on MIL-53(Al)s was mainly driven by hydrophobicity interaction assisted with hydrogen bonding on MIL-53(Al)s. MIL-53(Al)s can be effectively regenerated several times by washing with 90% methanol-water (pH 11). All of the above results demonstrated MIL-53(Al)s are promising adsorbents for water purification.

Graphical abstract

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Promotive role of 5-aminolevulinic acid on chromium-induced morphological, photosynthetic, and oxidative changes in cauliflower ( Brassica oleracea botrytis L.)

Abstract

Chromium (Cr) is among the most toxic pollutants in the environment that adversely affect the living organisms and physiological processes in different plants. The present study investigated the effect of 15 mg L⁻¹ of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on morpho-physiological attributes of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea botrytis L.) under different Cr concentrations (0, 10, 100, and 200 μM) in the growth medium. The results showed that Cr stress decreased the growth, biomass, photosynthetic, and gas exchange parameters. Chromium stress enhanced the activities of enzymatic antioxidants, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) in response to oxidative stress caused by the elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and electrolyte leakage (EL) in both roots and leaves of cauliflower. Chromium concentrations and total Cr uptake were increased in leaves, stems, and roots with increasing Cr levels in the culture medium. Foliar application of ALA increased the plant growth parameters, biomass, gas exchange parameters, and photosynthetic pigments under Cr stress compared to the treatments without ALA. Foliar application ALA decreased the levels of MDA, EL, and H₂O₂ while further improved the performance of antioxidant in both leaves and roots compared to only Cr-stressed plant. Chromium concentrations and total Cr uptake were decreased by the ALA application compared to treatments without ALA application. The results of the present study indicated that foliar application of ALA might be beneficial in minimizing Cr uptake and its toxic effects in cauliflower.

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A digital technique for replicating periimplant soft tissue contours and the emergence profile

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Xiaoqiang Liu, Jianzhang Liu, Hong Mao, Jianguo Tan
A novel digital technique is presented that records periimplant soft tissue contours and the emergence profile. The architecture of interim restorations and adjacent teeth, the position of the implant, and the emergence profile of interim prostheses are scanned and registered to design a zirconia frame and to form a digital cast.



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Evaluation of the effect of an offset implant configuration in the posterior maxilla with external hexagon implant platform: A 3-dimensional finite element analysis

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Victor Eduardo de Souza Batista, Fellippo Ramos Verri, Daniel Augusto de Faria Almeida, Joel Ferreira Santiago Junior, Cleidiel Aparecido Araújo Lemos, Eduardo Piza Pellizzer
Statement of problemSlight displacement of the central implant in 3-unit implant-supported prostheses has been reported to improve biomechanical behavior. However, studies that assessed the effects of an offset implant configuration in the posterior maxilla are scarce.PurposeThe purpose of this 3-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis was to assess the effects of splinting in 3-unit implant-supported prostheses with varying implant positions (straight-line or offset configuration) in terms of the stress/strain distribution on bone tissue and the stress distribution on abutment screws.Material and methodsThree 3D models were used to simulate a posterior maxilla bone block (type IV): straight-line implants supporting single crowns (model M1), straight-line implants supporting 3-unit splinted fixed dental prosthesis (model M2), and an offset implant configuration supporting 3-unit splinted fixed dental prosthesis (model M3). The applied forces were 400 N axially and 200 N obliquely. The type of implant platform simulated was an external hexagon. von Mises stress on the abutment screws was measured, and the maximum principal stress and microstrain values were used to perform cortical bone tissue analysis. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey honest significant differences post hoc test were used to determine the significance of the results and interactions among the main variables (α=.05).ResultsIn all models, oblique load increased the stress on abutment screws and bone tissue and the microstrain on bone tissue. Model M3 decreased the stress concentration on the abutment screws and bone tissue. With regard to microstrain distribution, model M3 had the smallest values, and M1 and M2 had similar values.ConclusionsSplinting associated with an offset implant configuration was effective for decreasing the stress on abutment screws and bone tissue and the microstrain on bone tissue.



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Success rate and strength of osseointegration of immediately loaded UV-photofunctionalized implants in a rat model

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Pooya Soltanzadeh, Amirreza Ghassemi, Manabu Ishijima, Miyuki Tanaka, Wonhee Park, Chika Iwasaki, Makoto Hirota, Takahiro Ogawa
Statement of problemDespite its clinical benefits, the immediate loading protocol might have a higher risk of implant failure than the regular protocol. Ultraviolet (UV) photofunctionalization is a novel surface enhancement technique for dental implants. However, the effect of photofunctionalization under loading conditions is unclear.PurposeThe purpose of this animal study was to evaluate the effect of photofunctionalization on the biomechanical quality and strength of osseointegration under loaded conditions in a rat model.Material and methodsUntreated and photofunctionalized, acid-etched titanium implants were placed into rat femurs. The implants were immediately loaded with 0.46 N of constant lateral force. The implant positions were evaluated after 2 weeks of healing. The strength of osseointegration was evaluated by measuring the bone-implant interfacial breakdown point during biomechanical push-in testing.ResultsPhotofunctionalization induced hydrophilic surfaces on the implants. Osseointegration was successful in 28.6% of untreated implants and 100% of photofunctionalized implants. The strength of osseointegration in successful implants was 2.4 times higher in photofunctionalized implants than in untreated implants. The degree of tilt of untreated implants toward the origin of force was twice that of photofunctionalized implants.ConclusionsWithin the limit of an animal model, photofunctionalization significantly increased the success of osseointegration and prevented implant tilt. Even for the implants that underwent successful osseointegration, the strength of osseointegration was significantly higher for photofunctionalized implants than for untreated implants. Further experiments are warranted to determine the effectiveness of photofunctionalization on immediately loaded dental implants.



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Influence of abutment tooth geometry on the accuracy of conventional and digital methods of obtaining dental impressions

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Jeison B. Carbajal Mejía, Kazumichi Wakabayashi, Takashi Nakamura, Hirofumi Yatani
Statement of problemDirect (intraoral) and indirect (desktop) digital scanning can record abutment tooth preparations despite their geometry. However, little peer-reviewed information is available regarding the influence of abutment tooth geometry on the accuracy of digital methods of obtaining dental impressions.PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of abutment tooth geometry on the accuracy of conventional and digital methods of obtaining dental impressions in terms of trueness and precision.Material and methodsCrown preparations with known total occlusal convergence (TOC) angles (−8, −6, −4, 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 22 degrees) were digitally created from a maxillary left central incisor and printed in acrylic resin. Each of these 9 reference models was scanned with a highly accurate reference scanner and saved in stereolithography (STL) format. Then, 5 conventional polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impressions were made from each reference model, which was poured with Type IV dental stone scanned using both the reference scanner (group PVS) and the desktop scanner and exported as STL files. Additionally, direct digital impressions (intraoral group) of the reference models were made, and the STL files were exported. The STL files from the impressions obtained were compared with the original geometry of the reference model (trueness) and within each test group (precision). Data were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA with the post hoc least significant difference test (α=.05).ResultsOverall trueness values were 19.1 μm (intraoral scanner group), 23.5 μm (desktop group), and 26.2 μm (PVS group), whereas overall precision values were 11.9 μm (intraoral), 18.0 μm (PVS), and 20.7 μm (desktop). Simple main effects analysis showed that impressions made with the intraoral scanner were significantly more accurate than those of the PVS and desktop groups when the TOC angle was less than 8 degrees (P<.05). Also, a statistically significant interaction was found between the effects of the type of impression and the TOC angle on the precision of single-tooth dental impressions (F=2.43, P=.002). Visual analysis revealed that the intraoral scanner group showed a homogeneous deviation pattern across all TOC angles tested, whereas scans from the PVS and desktop scanner groups showed marked local deviations when undercuts (negative angles) were present.ConclusionsConventional dental impressions alone or those further digitized with an extraoral digital scanner cannot reliably reproduce abutment tooth preparations when the TOC angle is close to 0 degrees. In contrast, digital impressions made with intraoral scanning can accurately record abutment tooth preparations independently of their geometry.



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Fracture of layered zirconia restorations at 5 years: A dental laboratory survey

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Aous A. Abdulmajeed, Terence E. Donovan, Lyndon F. Cooper, Ricardo Walter, Taiseer A. Sulaiman
Statement of problemThe use of ceramic restorations has significantly increased in recent years because of their esthetic properties and the high cost of noble metals. However, given the lack of long-term clinical trials and the limitations of in vitro studies, the durability of ceramic restorations is still questionable.PurposeThe purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the fracture rate of layered zirconia restorations at up to 5 years of clinical performance by using a dental laboratory survey model.Material and methodsData up to 5 years were collected from 2 commercial dental laboratories. Layered zirconia restorations returned to the laboratory for remaking because of failure (fracture) were identified and included. Restorations were categorized as anterior or posterior. Each category was further divided into complete coverage single crowns (SCs) and multiple unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). Fracture rates were compared and analyzed using the chi-square test (α=.05).ResultsA total of 31594 restoration records were reviewed and included 13419 anterior restorations (10134 SCs and 3285 FDPs) and 18175 posterior restorations (12810 SCs and 5365 FDPs). The overall fracture rate up to 5 years for all restorations (anterior and posterior) was 3.31%. The fracture rates for anterior restorations were less than for posterior restorations. The fracture rates for anterior SCs were approximately half those of the posterior SC fracture rate, and the combined fracture rate (anterior and posterior) was 3.25%. For FDPs, anterior FDPs fractured at a rate similar to that of posterior FDPs. The combined fracture rate (anterior and posterior FDPs) was 3.47%.ConclusionsLayered zirconia restorations displayed relatively low fracture rates in the relatively short term of 5 years.



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Evaluation of die trim morphology made by CAD-CAM technology

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Pratiksha Agrawal, Geoffrey Thompson, Seok-Hwan Cho, Gerald J. Ziebert
Statement of problemThe die contour can affect the emergence profile of prosthetic restorations. However, little information is available regarding the congruency between a stereolithographic (SLA) die and its corresponding natural tooth.PurposeThe purpose of this vitro study was to evaluate the shapes of SLA die in comparison with the subgingival contour of a prepared tooth to be restored with a ceramic crown.Material and methodsTwenty extracted human teeth, 10 incisors, and 10 molars, were disinfected and mounted in a typodont model. The teeth were prepared for a ceramic restoration. Definitive impressions were made using an intraoral scanner from which 20 SLA casts with removable dies were fabricated. The removable dies and corresponding human teeth were digitized using a 3-dimensional desktop scanner and evaluated with computer-aided design software. The subgingival morphology with regard to angle, length, and volume at the buccolingual and mesiodistal surfaces and at zones A, B, C, and D were compared. Data were first analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), using locations (buccolingual and mesiodistal), zones (A, B, C, and D), and model type (SLA and Natural) as within-subject factors and tooth type (molar and incisor) as the between-subject factor. Post hoc analyses were performed to investigate the difference between natural teeth and corresponding SLA models, depending upon the interaction effect from the repeated measures ANOVA (α=.05).ResultsFor angle analysis, the incisor group demonstrated a significant difference between the natural tooth and SLA die on the buccolingual surfaces (P<.05), whereas the molar group demonstrated a significant difference at the mesiodistal surfaces (P<.05). For the evaluation of length and volume, the incisor group showed significant differences in zone D on both the buccolingual (P<.05) and the mesiodistal (P<.05) surfaces. However, significant differences in zones C (P<.05) and D (P<.05) on the buccolingual surfaces and in all zones on the mesiodistal surfaces were observed in the molar group.ConclusionsFor the comparison of angles, SLA dies did not replicate the subgingival contour of natural teeth on the buccolingual surfaces of the incisal groups. For the comparison of length and volume, SLA dies were more concave and did not replicate the subgingival contour of natural teeth in the incisal and molar groups.



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A method of facilitating the fabrication of access openings for implant-supported complete fixed dental prostheses

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Seok-Hwan Cho, Geoffrey A. Thompson
This report describes a method for fabricating access openings for implant-supported complete fixed dental prostheses (ICFP) by using a dental milling machine and silicone putty matrix. The method can help clinicians achieve the accurate and precise fabrication of access openings for ICFPs without excessive grinding.



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Influence of 3 different forms of a commercially available denture adhesive material on the growth of Candida species: An in vitro study

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Anuram Rajaram, Smita Sara Manoj
Statement of problemAlthough different forms of denture adhesives are widely used by the elderly, insufficient information is available for the effect of adhesives on the growth of Candida species.PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the influence of 3 different forms of a commercially available denture adhesive material on the growth of Candida species by monitoring the pH and number of colonies in the growth medium at different incubation periods.Material and methodsA total of 160 specimens of acrylic resin sheets of standard dimensions were fabricated and divided into 4 groups of 40 specimens each. The first group of 40 specimens was used as a control to which no adhesives were added. To the remaining groups, powder, cream, and strip forms of secure denture adhesives were added. After the addition of standard strains of Candida, 10 specimens from each group were then incubated for a specific period of 6 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 120 hours. The pH and the number of colonies in the medium were recorded for each specimen at its specific incubation period. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and the Tukey honest significant differences post hoc test (α=.05).ResultsThe specimens with different forms of adhesive showed a significant (P<.001) increase in the pH of the medium (pH 4.70 to 5.37) compared with the specimens without adhesives (pH 3.83 to 4.65). The specimens with adhesives also showed a reduction in the number of Candida colonies (216.50 to 388.10×10³ cells/μL) compared with the specimens without adhesives (325.90 to 400.50×10³ cells/μL).ConclusionsAll forms of denture adhesives tested exhibited an antifungal effect. Prolonged antifungal effect was shown by the strip form of adhesives.



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Prosthodontic treatment of a retrognathic edentulous maxilla demonstrating limited interarch distance: 3.5-year results with fixed and removable implant prostheses

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Won-suk Oh, Furat George, Ju-mi Park
The prosthodontic treatment of patients with a retrognathic edentulous maxilla should consider the restoration of the lower facial profile and access for oral hygiene. This clinical report describes prosthodontic treatments of a patient with edentulism who presented with repeated fractures of the denture teeth of a maxillary implant-supported complete fixed dental prosthesis (ICFDP) and a mandibular implant-supported overdenture. Considerable plaque accumulation was noted on the ICFDP, which was replaced with an open palatal design implant-supported overdenture. However, the patient experienced difficulty managing the 2 removable prostheses. The patient's mandible was eventually restored with a milled titanium alloy framework ICFDP with metal occlusal surfaces. This combined approach of fixed and removable prostheses was stable at 3.5-year follow-up appointment, without compromising the patient's oral hygiene or comfort.



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Clinical marginal fit of zirconia crowns and patients’ preferences for impression techniques using intraoral digital scanner versus polyvinyl siloxane material

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Nawapat Sakornwimon, Chalermpol Leevailoj
Statement of problemThe use of digital intraoral scanners is increasing; however, evidence of its precision in making crown impressions clinically remains scarce. Patients should also feel more comfortable with digital impressions, but only a few studies evaluating this subject have been performed.PurposeThe purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the marginal fit of monolithic zirconia crowns and patients' preferences for digital impressions versus polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impressions.Material and methodsSixteen participants with indications for single molar crowns were included. After crown preparation, digital impressions by intraoral scanner and PVS impressions were made. The participants were asked to complete a 6-item questionnaire with a visual analog scale related to perceptions of each of the following topics: time involved, taste/smell, occlusal registration, size of impression tray/scanner, gag reflex, and overall preference. Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing monolithic zirconia crowns were fabricated from both impressions. The crowns were evaluated intraorally, and a blinded examiner measured the marginal discrepancy of silicone replicas under a stereomicroscope. Intraexaminer reliability was evaluated by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient. Data for patients' preferences and marginal discrepancies were analyzed using the paired t test (α=.05).ResultsVisual analog scale scores for digital impressions were statistically significantly higher than those for PVS impressions in every topic (P<.05), except for occlusal registration. The results showed excellent reliability of the examiner with an intraclass correlation coefficient of .996. No significant difference was found in marginal discrepancies between the PVS group and the digital group on all sides (P>.05).ConclusionsNo differences were found in the clinical marginal fit of zirconia crowns fabricated from either digital impressions compared with PVS impressions. Furthermore, patients' satisfaction with digital impressions was significantly higher than with conventional impressions.



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Accuracy evaluation of intraoral optical impressions: A clinical study using a reference appliance

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2017
Source:The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Author(s): Mohammad A. Atieh, André V. Ritter, Ching-Chang Ko, Ibrahim Duqum
Statement of problemTrueness and precision are used to evaluate the accuracy of intraoral optical impressions. Although the in vivo precision of intraoral optical impressions has been reported, in vivo trueness has not been evaluated because of limitations in the available protocols.PurposeThe purpose of this clinical study was to compare the accuracy (trueness and precision) of optical and conventional impressions by using a novel study design.Material and methodsFive study participants consented and were enrolled. For each participant, optical and conventional (vinylsiloxanether) impressions of a custom-made intraoral Co-Cr alloy reference appliance fitted to the mandibular arch were obtained by 1 operator. Three-dimensional (3D) digital models were created for stone casts obtained from the conventional impression group and for the reference appliances by using a validated high-accuracy reference scanner. For the optical impression group, 3D digital models were obtained directly from the intraoral scans. The total mean trueness of each impression system was calculated by averaging the mean absolute deviations of the impression replicates from their 3D reference model for each participant, followed by averaging the obtained values across all participants. The total mean precision for each impression system was calculated by averaging the mean absolute deviations between all the impression replicas for each participant (10 pairs), followed by averaging the obtained values across all participants. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA (α=.05), first to assess whether a systematic difference in trueness or precision of replicate impressions could be found among participants and second to assess whether the mean trueness and precision values differed between the 2 impression systems.ResultsStatistically significant differences were found between the 2 impression systems for both mean trueness (P=.010) and mean precision (P=.007). Conventional impressions had higher accuracy with a mean trueness of 17.0 ±6.6 μm and mean precision of 16.9 ±5.8 μm than optical impressions with a mean trueness of 46.2 ±11.4 μm and mean precision of 61.1 ±4.9 μm.ConclusionsComplete arch (first molar-to-first molar) optical impressions were less accurate than conventional impressions but may be adequate for quadrant impressions.



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A clinical trial of intradermal and intramuscular seasonal influenza vaccination in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Related Articles

A clinical trial of intradermal and intramuscular seasonal influenza vaccination in patients with atopic dermatitis.

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017 Jan 31;:

Authors: Leung DY, Jepson B, Beck LA, Hanifin JM, Schneider LC, Paller AS, Monti K, David G, Canniff J, Lorenzo MG, Weinberg A

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Antibody responses to the inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have not been carefully characterized.
OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to compare antibody responses to intradermal vaccination in participants with moderate/severe AD with those in nonatopic participants. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the effect of route of administration, Staphylococcus aureus skin colonization, and disease severity on vaccine response.
METHODS: This was an open-label study conducted in the 2012-2013 influenza season at 5 US clinical sites. A total of 360 participants with moderate/severe AD or nonatopic subjects were assessed for eligibility, 347 of whom received intradermal or intramuscular vaccination per label and were followed for 28 days after vaccination. The primary outcome was the difference in the proportion of participants achieving seroprotection (hemagglutination-inhibition antibody titer ≥1:40 on day 28 after vaccination).
RESULTS: Seroprotection rates for influenza B, H1N1, and H3N2 were not different (1) between participants with AD and nonatopic participants receiving intradermal vaccination and (2) between AD participants receiving intradermal and intramuscular vaccination. After intradermal, but not intramuscular, vaccination, participants with AD with S aureus colonization experienced (1) lower seroprotection and seroconversion rates and lower hemagglutination-inhibition antibody titer geometric mean fold increase against influenza B and (2) lower seroconversion rates against influenza H1N1 than noncolonized participants with AD.
CONCLUSION: Participants with AD colonized with S aureus exhibited a reduced immune response to influenza vaccination compared with noncolonized participants after intradermal but not intramuscular vaccination. Because most patients with AD are colonized with S aureus, intramuscular influenza vaccination should be given preference in these patients.

PMID: 28209343 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with Castleman disease: Progression from mucous to mucocutaneous lesions with epitope-spreading phenomena

Abstract

Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is a frequently fatal autoimmune blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes.¹ PNP is commonly associated with malignant neoplasms or haematological disorders like Castleman disease (CD). The eruptions may resemble those seen in various other conditions such as lichen planus (LP), graft-versus-host disease, erythema multiforme (EM), bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris (PV).²

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Dopamine and dopamine receptor D1 associated with decreased social interaction

Publication date: 1 May 2017
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 324
Author(s): Qiang Liu, Jieyun Shi, Rongfei Lin, Tieqiao Wen
Deficits in social interaction are hallmarks of neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, its underlying mechanism is still unclear. Here, we show that the loss of dendritic cell factor 1 (Dcf1) in the nervous system of mice induces social interaction deficiency, autism-like behaviour, and influences social interaction via the dopamine system. Dopamine receptor D1 agonist rescues this social cognition phenotype, and improves short-term plasticity. Together, this study presents a new genetic mechanism that affects social interaction and may provide a new way to improve positive social interaction and treat autism spectrum disorders.



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Biomonitored UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS2 and HPLC-UV thermostability study of the aerial parts of Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski, Asteraceae

Publication date: 15 May 2017
Source:Talanta, Volume 167
Author(s): Keline Lang, Jessica Corrêa, Fellippe Wolff, Gislaine Franciele da Silva, Angela Malheiros, Valdir Cechinel Filho, Ruth Meri Lucinda Silva, Nara Lins Meira Quintão, Louis P. Sandjo, Tiago J. Bonomini, Tania Mari Bellé Bresolin
As the temperature of extraction and processing could impact the biological effects of herbal extracts, which have wide chemical diversity, the aim of this work were to investigate the thermostability of herbal derivatives of the aerial parts of Sphagneticola trilobata, a reputed medicinal plant; to biomonitor its oral anti-hyperalgesic effect; and to elucidate the degradation pathways of the major components by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. The lipophilic markers (kaurenoic acid-KA) and hydrophilic markers [chlorogenic acids; measured as total phenolic compounds (PC), expressed in caffeic acid] were also monitored through a validated HPLC-UV methodology, suitable for quality control and stability studies. The soft extract (drug:solvent ratio of 1:10, ethanol 60% v/v) was exposed to high temperatures (50–180°C). PC showed high thermolability (27.4% of degradation at 150°C), compared to KA (16.5%, at 180°C). These results suggest that the loss of oral anti-hyperalgesic activity observed in the spray-dried extracts (dried at 170°C), compared with the soft and the lyophilized extract may be related to degradation of the active components, especially the polar compounds, i.e. chlorogenic acid derivatives and the four oleanane type triterpenoid saponins. These latter degraded at temperatures above 150°C and vanished at 180°C, as demonstrated in the UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS analyses. These results provide a relevant guide for the extraction process of S. trilobata, aimed at preserving the antinociceptive effect.

Graphical abstract

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An electrochemical sensor device for measuring blood ammonia at the point of care

Publication date: 15 May 2017
Source:Talanta, Volume 167
Author(s): N.T. Brannelly, A.J. Killard
The level of ammonia in blood is relevant in a number of medical conditions. While ammonia is a marker of dysfunction, elevated ammonia is itself a serious medical emergency and can lead to significant and permanent neurological impairment if not addressed quickly. Blood ammonia testing is typically performed in the central laboratory. While a number of point of care devices have been developed, these are based on classical enzymatic or colorimetric principles and have not been widely adopted. In this work, an electrochemical sensor device was developed for measuring blood ammonia. The device was based on the deposition of polyaniline nanoparticle films onto screen printed interdigitated electrodes using inkjet printing and their integration into a polymer microfabricated device with a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. The device required a 52µL serum sample and measured the change in impedance of the sensor with respect to air at 1kHz, 5mV rms. The device was capable of the measurement of ammonia in serum across the physiologically relevant range of 25–200µM (r² =0.9984) and had a limit of detection of 12µM (n =3). The device showed no significant issues with common electrochemical interferences in blood. The device was also validated against a commercial spectrophotometric assay which resulted in excellent correlation (r =0.9699, p<0.0001) between both methods (n =3). When stored under desiccation, devices displayed minimal variation over time (0.64%) with respect to their impedance in air (n =12) and could be stored in desiccant for at least five months.

Graphical abstract

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A flow-batch manipulated Ag NPs based SPR sensor for colorimetric detection of copper ions (Cu2+) in water samples

Publication date: 15 May 2017
Source:Talanta, Volume 167
Author(s): Jingji Peng, Guokun Liu, Dongxing Yuan, Sichao Feng, Tingjin Zhou
Using flow-batch analysis, a highly sensitive and selective method for automatic colorimetric detection of copper ions (Cu²⁺) was produced on the basis of the surface plasma resonance (SPR) of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The Ag NPs were catalytically etched by thiosulfate in the presence of Cu(NH3)4²⁺, resulting in a color change of the solution induced by the absorbance decrease at 401nm of the SPR peak of Ag NPs. The proposed method showed high selectivity for Cu²⁺ over various metallic ions, including Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cd²⁺, Bi³⁺, Sb²⁺, As³⁺, Hg²⁺, Cr³⁺ and K⁺. The linear range was 0.5–35μg/L with a coefficient of 0.9954. The limit of detection was as low as 0.24μg/L. The relative standard deviation (RSD, n=7) for the determination of Cu²⁺ spiked samples at concentrations of 10μg/L was 1.21% and for 25μg/L was 1.03%. The proposed method was successfully applied to analyze Cu²⁺ in lake water, tap water, rainwater and bottled water samples, as well as leaf samples for food packaging. The results were in good agreement with those obtained by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, the classical technique.

Graphical abstract

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Water-based biocompatible inks make printing devices easy

Publication date: Available online 16 February 2017
Source:Nano Today





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CNT transistors push towards the ultimate limit

Publication date: Available online 16 February 2017
Source:Nano Today





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