CAD/CAM and 3D-printing Applications for Alveolar Ridge Augmentation

Abstract

Purpose of Review

CAD/CAM and 3D-printing are emerging manufacturing technologies in dentistry. In the field of alveolar ridge augmentation, graft customization utilizing these technologies can result in significant reduction of surgical time. A review of the literature on materials, techniques, and applications of CAD/CAM and 3D-printing available for alveolar ridge augmentation was performed.

Recent Findings

CAD/CAM applications for milling of customized block grafts of allogeneic, xenogeneic, and alloplastic origins have been reported, and currently only limited products are commercially available. 3D-printing applications are limited to alloplastic graft materials and containment shells, and have been mostly used in animal studies for optimizing biomaterials' properties.

Summary

While current data support the potential use of CAD/CAM and 3D-printing for graft customization for alveolar ridge augmentation procedures, additional research is needed on predictability and long-term stability of the grafted sites.

https://ift.tt/2wcp2FC

Interaction between a MAPT variant causing frontotemporal dementia and mutant APP affects axonal transport

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Neurobiology of Aging, Volume 68
Author(s): Robert Adalbert, Stefan Milde, Claire Durrant, Kunie Ando, Virginie Stygelbout, Zehra Yilmaz, Stacey Gould, Jean-Pierre Brion, Michael P. Coleman
In Alzheimer's disease, many indicators point to a central role for poor axonal transport, but the potential for stimulating axonal transport to alleviate the disease remains largely untested. Previously, we reported enhanced anterograde axonal transport of mitochondria in 8- to 11-month-old MAPT^P301L knockin mice, a genetic model of frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism-17T. In this study, we further characterized the axonal transport of mitochondria in younger MAPT^P301L mice crossed with the familial Alzheimer's disease model, TgCRND8, aiming to test whether boosting axonal transport in young TgCRND8 mice can alleviate axonal swelling. We successfully replicated the enhancement of anterograde axonal transport in young MAPT^P301L/P301L knockin animals. Surprisingly, we found that in the presence of the amyloid precursor protein mutations, MAPT^P301L/P3101L impaired anterograde axonal transport. The numbers of plaque-associated axonal swellings or amyloid plaques in TgCRND8 brains were unaltered. These findings suggest that amyloid-β promotes an action of mutant tau that impairs axonal transport. As amyloid-β levels increase with age even without amyloid precursor protein mutation, we suggest that this rise could contribute to age-related decline in frontotemporal dementia.



https://ift.tt/2w7MgMY

Genetically reducing mTOR signaling rescues central insulin dysregulation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Neurobiology of Aging, Volume 68
Author(s): Antonella Caccamo, Ramona Belfiore, Salvatore Oddo
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. The causes of sporadic AD, which represents more than 95% of AD cases, are unknown. Several AD risk factors have been identified and among these, type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing AD by 2-fold. However, the mechanisms by which diabetes contributes to AD pathogenesis remain elusive. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that plays a crucial role in the insulin signaling pathway and has been linked to AD. We used a crossbreeding strategy to remove 1 copy of the mTOR gene from the forebrain of Tg2576 mice, a mouse model of AD. We used 20-month-old mice to assess changes in central insulin signaling and found that Tg2576 mice had impaired insulin signaling. These impairments were mTOR dependent as we found an improvement in central insulin signaling in mice with lower brain mTOR activity. Furthermore, removing 1 copy of mTOR from Tg2576 mice improved cognition and reduced levels of Aβ, tau, and cytokines. Our findings indicate that mTOR signaling is a key mediator of central insulin dysfunction in Tg2576. These data further highlight a possible role for mTOR signaling in AD pathogenesis and add to the body of evidence indicating that reducing mTOR activity could be a valid therapeutic approach for AD.



https://ift.tt/2HKvI2T

Hydroxychloroquine retinal toxicity in two patients with dermatological conditions

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I6TwNR

Melanoma underreporting among US dermatopathologists: A pilot study

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2jpYWW8

Colloidal bioplasmonics

Publication date: Available online 2 May 2018
Source:Nano Today
Author(s): Ester Polo, María F. Navarro Poupard, Luca Guerrini, Pablo Taboada, Beatriz Pelaz, Ramón A. Alvarez-Puebla, Pablo del Pino
Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of plasmonic nanomaterials for applications in biology and medicine generating a new field, the so-called bioplasmonics. At present, plasmonic nanoparticles can be found in many applications serving as therapeutics, diagnostic or theranostic agents. The rapid advancement of bioplasmonics has gone hand in hand with the multiplication of the synthetic methods to produce finely-tailored plasmonic nanomaterials and the development of their surface functionalization tools, which is key to provide them with colloidal stability and/or specificity in complex biological media. This review aims to highlight basic physicochemical properties in the bioplasmonics context, as well as the most important bioapplications based on the properties of plasmonic colloids. Pioneering works that stimulated the rise of the bioplasmonics field, as well as most recent advances and future directions are discussed.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2w9akir

Weighted Regularized statistical shape space projection for breast 3D model reconstruction

Publication date: Available online 2 May 2018
Source:Medical Image Analysis
Author(s): Guillermo Ruiz, Eduard Ramon, Jaime García, Federico M. Sukno, Miguel A. González Ballester
The use of 3D imaging has increased as a practical and useful tool for plastic and aesthetic surgery planning. Specifically, the possibility of representing the patient breast anatomy in a 3D shape and simulate aesthetic or plastic procedures is a great tool for communication between surgeon and patient during surgery planning. For the purpose of obtaining the specific 3D model of the breast of a patient, model-based reconstruction methods can be used. In particular, 3D Morphable Models (3DMM) are a robust and widely used method to perform 3D reconstruction. However, if additional prior information (i.e., known landmarks) is combined with the 3DMM statistical model, shape constraints can be imposed to improve the 3DMM fitting accuracy.In this paper we present a framework to fit a 3DMM of the breast to two possible inputs: 2D photos and 3D point clouds (scans). Our method consists in a Weighted Regularized (WR) projection into the shape space. The contribution of each point in the 3DMM shape is weighted allowing to assign more relevance to those points that we want to impose as constraints. Our method is applied at multiple stages of the 3D reconstruction process. Firstly, it can be used to obtain a 3DMM initialization from a sparse set of 3D points. Additionally, we embed our method in the 3DMM fitting process in which more reliable or already known 3D points or regions of points, can be weighted in order to preserve their shape information. The proposed method has been tested in two different input settings: scans and 2D pictures assessing both reconstruction frameworks with very positive results.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2rhICv7

Probing the evolutionary conserved residues Y204, F259, S400 and W590 that shape the catalytic groove of human TDP1 for 3′- and 5′-phosphodiester-DNA bond cleavage

Publication date: Available online 2 May 2018
Source:DNA Repair
Author(s): Evgeny Kiselev, Thomas S. Dexheimer, Christophe Marchand, Shar-yin Naomi Huang, Yves Pommier
Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1) is an ubiquitous DNA repair enzyme present in yeast, plants and animals. It removes a broad range of blocking lesions at the ends of DNA breaks. The catalytic core of TDP1 consists in a pair of conserved histidine-lysine-asparagine (HKN) motifs. Analysis of the human TDP1 (hTDP1) crystal structure reveals potential involvement of additional residues that shape the substrate binding site. In this biochemical study, we analyzed four such conserved residues, tyrosine 204 (Y204), phenylalanine 259 (F259), serine 400 (S400) and tryptophan 590 (W590). We show that the F259 residue of hTDP1 is critical for both 3′- and 5′-phosphodiesterase catalysis. We propose that the double π-π interactions of the F259 residue with the −2 and −3 nucleobases serve to position the nucleopeptide substrate in phase with the active site histidines of hTDP1. Mutating Y204 of hTDP1 to phenylalanine (Y204F), as in fly and yeast TDP1 enzymes, had minor impact on TDP1 activity. In constrast, we find that S400 enhances 3′-processing activity while it suppresses 5′-processing activity, thereby promoting specificity for 3′-substrates. W590 is selectively important for 5′-processing. These results reveal the impact of conserved amino acid residues that participate in defining the DNA binding groove around the dual HKN catalytic core motif of TDP1, and their differential roles in facilitating the 3′- vs 5′-end processing activities of hTDP1.



https://ift.tt/2jroFxE

Vertical shift in ciliate body-size spectrum and its environmental drivers in western Arctic pelagic ecosystems

Abstract

As an inherent functional trait, body-size spectrum is widely used as an informative indicator to summarize community structures in taxon-free space. The vertical shift in the body-size spectrum of pelagic ciliates and its environmental drivers were explored at eight depth layers from the water surface to a depth of 100 m in western Arctic pelagic ecosystems. A total of 85 samples were collected at 23 sampling stations during the summer sea-ice reduction period from August 5 to August 24, 2016. Based on equivalent spherical diameter (ESD), six body-size ranks were identified, of which ranks S2 (15–25 μm), S3 (26–38 μm), S4 (39–60 μm), and S6 (79–91 μm) were the top four levels in frequency of occurrence and ranks S2 and S3 were the dominant levels in abundance. The body-size spectrum of the ciliates showed a clear vertical shift, with a significant succession among the dominant body-size units from the water surface to deeper layers in the water column. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant vertical variation in the body-size spectrum of the ciliates among the eight depths, which was significantly correlated with nutrients (phosphate and nitrite + nitrate) and chlorophyll a (Chl a), alone or in combination with dissolved oxygen. Four body-size diversity/distinctness indices were significantly correlated with the levels of phosphate, nitrite + nitrate, ammonium, and Chl a. Our results demonstrated that the body-size spectrum of pelagic ciliates can be shifted by environmental drivers (mainly nutrients and Chl a); thus, we suggest that it may be used to indicate water quality status on a vertical scale in the water column in deep seas.

https://ift.tt/2JOcK8e

Tannerella forsythia‐produced methylglyoxal causes accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts to trigger cytokine secretion in human monocytes

Molecular Oral Microbiology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JNJdLR

Lung sounds classification using convolutional neural networks

Publication date: Available online 1 May 2018
Source:Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
Author(s): Dalal Bardou, Kun Zhang, Sayed Mohammad Ahmad
In recent years, the classification of lung sounds has been the topic of interest in the field of bioinformatics. Lung sounds convey relevant information related to pulmonary disorders, and to evaluate patients with pulmonary conditions, the physician or the doctor uses the traditional auscultation technique. However, this technique suffers from limitations. For example, if the physician is not well trained, this may lead to a wrong diagnosis. Moreover, lung sounds are non-stationary, complicating the tasks of analysis, recognition, and distinction. This is why developing automatic recognition systems can help to deal with these limitations. In this paper, we compare three machine learning approaches for lung sounds classification. The first two approaches are based on the extraction of a set of handcrafted features trained by three different classifiers (support vector machines, k-nearest neighbor, and Gaussian mixture models) while the third approach is based on the design of convolutional neural networks (CNN). In the first approach, we extracted the 12 MFCC coefficients from the audio files then calculated six MFCCs statistics. We also experimented normalization using zero mean and unity variance to enhance accuracy. In the second approach, the local binary pattern (LBP) features are extracted from the visual representation of the audio files (spectrograms). The features are normalized using whitening. The dataset used in this work consists of seven classes (normal, coarse crackle, fine crackle, monophonic wheeze, polyphonic wheeze, squawk, and stridor). We have also experimentally tested dataset augmentation techniques on the spectrograms to enhance the ultimate accuracy of the CNN. The results show that CNN outperformed the handcrafted feature based classifiers.



https://ift.tt/2jmRQlg

Erratum to: A Novel Method of Neo-osseous Flap Prefabrication: Induction of Free Calvarial Periosteum with Bioactive Glass

J reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1646944

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents  |  Full text

https://ift.tt/2HNNJcy

Proper Choice of Vessels for Supermicrosurgery Training: An Experimental Animal study

J reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1648221

Background Reconstruction using supermicrosurgery, a technique of microneurovascular anastomosis for smaller vessels (< 0.8 mm), has become popular. Experimental animal studies for supermicrosurgery training have been reported; however, there have been few studies performed according to vessel diameter and pedicle length. In this study, the external diameters of four vessels (femoral, superficial epigastric, axillary, and common thoracic) and pedicle length of two flaps (superficial epigastric and common thoracic–long thoracic) were measured. Methods The inguinal and pectoral regions of Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 19) were dissected anatomically, and the external diameters of the four vessels were measured (right and left, artery and vein measured separately). After elevating the superficial epigastric and common thoracic–long thoracic flaps, the pedicle length of the flaps was also measured. Results Among the 16 vessels examined, the external diameters of 11 and 5 vessels were above and below 0.8 mm, respectively. The external diameters of the superficial epigastric vessel and common thoracic vessel (both arteries and veins) were below 0.8 mm. The external diameters of the femoral and axillary vessels (veins) were above 0.8 mm. The length of the common thoracic–long thoracic pedicle was approximately10 mm longer than that of the superficial epigastric pedicle. Conclusions The external diameters of the superficial epigastric vessel and common thoracic vessel are small enough for supermicrosurgery training. The pedicle lengths of both the superficial epigastric and common thoracic–long thoracic flaps are sufficient to perform free flap experiments. Supermicrosurgical free flaps using these two vessels and a study of the physiology and pharmacology of the flaps will likely be possible in the future.
[...]

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text

https://ift.tt/2jta98N

Vascularized Bone Grafting for Reconstruction of Oncologic Defects in the Spine: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis of the Literature

J reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1642619

Background Resection of primary spinal tumors requires reconstruction for restoration of spinal column stability. Traditionally, some combination of bone grafting and instrumentation is implemented. However, delayed healing environments are associated with pseudoarthrodesis and failure. Implementation of vascularized bone grafting (VBG) to complement hardware may present a solution. We evaluated the use of VBG in oncologic spinal reconstruction via systematic review and pooled analysis of literature. Methods We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus for studies published through September 2017 according to the PRISMA guidelines and performed a pooled analysis of studies with n > 5. Additionally, we performed retrospective review of patients at the Johns Hopkins Hospital that received spinal reconstruction with VBG. Results We identified 21 eligible studies and executed a pooled analysis of 12. Analysis indicated an 89% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75–1.03) rate of successful union when VBG is employed after primary tumor resection. The overall complication rate was 42% (95% CI: 0.23–0.61) and reoperation rate was 27% (95% CI: 0.12–0.41) in the pooled cohort. Wound complication rate was 18% (95% CI: 0.11–0.26). Fifteen out of 209 patients (7.2%) had instrumentation failure and mean time-to-union was 6 months. Consensus in the literature and in the patients reviewed is that introduction of VBG into irradiated or infected tissue beds proves advantageous given decreased resorption, increased load bearing, and faster consolidation. Downsides to this technique included longer operations, donor-site morbidity, and difficulty in coordinating care. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that complication rates using VBG are similar to those reported in studies using non-VBG for similar spinal reconstructions; however, fusion rates are better. Given rapid fusion and possible hardware independence, VBG may be useful in reconstructing defects in patients with longer life expectancies and/or with a history of chemoradiation and/or infection at the site of tumor resection.
[...]

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text

https://ift.tt/2w9j20l

The Neurocognitive and Psychosocial Impacts of Violence and Trauma: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief.

Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, can affect an individual's health and opportunities as an adult and have far-reaching effects on future violence victimization and perpetration. To better understand the impact of violence and trauma on neurocognitive functions and psychosocial well-being, the Forum on Global Violence Prevention convened a 2-day workshop on July 31– August 1, 2017. The workshop approached childhood experiences, violence, and trauma from a broad range of perspectives and participants heard from survivors of trauma, researchers, and practitioners. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.

https://ift.tt/2KrOCtj

A 5-year follow-up study of 633 cutaneous SCC excisions: rates of local recurrence and lymph node metastasis

A 5-year follow-up study of 633 cutaneous squamous cell cancer (SCC) excisions was performed collecting data on rates of local recurrence and nodal metastasis.

https://ift.tt/2KuIbpe

Effects of the chloro-s-triazine herbicide terbuthylazine on DNA integrity in human and mouse cells

Abstract

Terbuthylazine belongs to the chloro-s-triazine group of herbicides and acts primarily as a photosynthesis inhibitor. The mechanisms of action related to its exposure, relevant both in animals and humans, are still insufficiently investigated. This comprehensive study focused on the outcomes of terbuthylazine exposure at cell level in vitro, and a mice model in vivo. Experiments in vitro were conducted on whole human peripheral blood, isolated lymphocytes, and HepG2 cells exposed for 4 h to terbuthylazine at 8.00, 0.80, and 0.58 ng/mL, which is comparable with current reference values set by the European Commission in 2011. Terbuthylazine cytotoxicity was evaluated using dual fluorescent staining with ethidium bromide and acridine orange on lymphocytes, and CCK-8 colorimetric assay on HepG2 cells. The levels of DNA damage were measured using alkaline and hOGG1-modified comet assays. The potency of terbuthlyazine regarding induction of oxidative stress in vitro was studied using a battery of standard oxidative stress biomarkers. The in vivo experiment was conducted on Swiss albino mice exposed to terbuthlyazine in the form of an active substance and its formulated commercial product Radazin TZ-50 at a daily dose of 0.0035 mg/kg bw for 14 days. Following exposure, the DNA damage levels in leukocytes, bone marrow, liver, and kidney cells of the treated mice were measured using an alkaline comet assay. In vitro results suggested low terbuthylazine cytotoxicity in non-target cells. The highest tested concentration (8.00 ng/mL) reduced lymphocyte viability by 15%, mostly due to apoptosis, while cytotoxic effects in HepG2 cells at the same concentration were negligible. Acute in vitro exposure of human lymphocytes and HepG2 cells to terbuthylazine resulted in low-level DNA instability, as detected by the alkaline comet assay. Further characterization of the mechanisms behind the DNA damage obtained using the hOGG1-modified comet assay indicated that oxidative DNA damage did not prevail in the overall damage. This was further confirmed by the measured levels of oxidative stress markers, which were mostly comparable to control. Results obtained in mice indicate that both the active substance and formulated commercial product of terbuthylazine produced DNA instability in all of the studied cell types. We found that DNA in liver and kidney cells was more prone to direct toxic effects of the parent compound and its metabolites than DNA in leukocytes and bone marrow cells. The overall findings suggest the formation of reactive terbuthylazine metabolites capable of inducing DNA cross-links, which hinder DNA migration. These effects were most pronounced in liver cells in vivo and HepG2 cells in vitro. To provide a more accurate explanation of the observed effects, additional research is needed. Nevertheless, the present study provides evidence that terbuthylazine at concentrations comparable with current reference values possesses toxicological risk because it caused low-level DNA instability, both at cellular and animal organism level, which should be further established in forthcoming studies.

https://ift.tt/2FDvKDR

Sa1157 - Salivary Microbiome is Altered in Children with Eosinophilic Esophagitis and is Impacted by Topical Corticosteroids and Severity of Inflammation

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Gastroenterology, Volume 154, Issue 6, Supplement 1
Author(s): Girish S. Hiremath, Meghan Shilts, Sreesandra Rajagopala, Sari Acra, Suman Das




https://ift.tt/2FC14D8

Mo1527 - Increased use of Opioids Among Achalasia type 3 and Esophagogastric Junction Outflow Obstruction (EGJOO) Patients: A Review of 262 Achalasia Patients from a Highvolume Tertiary Referral Center

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Gastroenterology, Volume 154, Issue 6, Supplement 1
Author(s): John W. Jacobs, Wojciech C. Blonski, Ambuj Kumar, Joel E. Richter




https://ift.tt/2jonIpR

Mo1528 - Esophagogastric Junction Outflow Obstruction Clinical and Immunological Characterization of a New Entity

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Gastroenterology, Volume 154, Issue 6, Supplement 1
Author(s): Fernanda Romero-Hernández, Janette Furuzawa-Carballeda, Enrique Coss-Adame, Miguel A. Valdovinos, Angélica Rodríguez-Garcés, Daniel Azamar-Llamas, Raul Chávez-Fernández, Fidel López-Verdugo, Gonzalo Torres-Villalobos




https://ift.tt/2FC5fyF

Sa1077 - Biochemical and Clinical Penetrance of Hereditary Haemochromatosis in C282Y Homozygotes

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Gastroenterology, Volume 154, Issue 6, Supplement 1
Author(s): Dennis R. Lim, Mark Borgaonkar




https://ift.tt/2jonHlN

Qualified immunity: Pure heart and empty head

Publication date: April 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 4
Author(s): Laurance Jerrold




https://ift.tt/2JJyNwT

Editorial Board

Publication date: May 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 5





https://ift.tt/2I8Px3f

Comparison of digital intraoral scanners and alginate impressions: Time and patient satisfaction

Publication date: April 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 4
Author(s): Jennifer A. Burzynski, Allen R. Firestone, F. Michael Beck, Henry W. Fields, Toru Deguchi
IntroductionRecent technological advances have made intraoral scans and digital models a possibility and a promising alternative to conventional alginate impressions. Several factors should be examined when considering an intraoral scanner, including patient acceptance and efficiency. The objectives of this study were to assess and compare patient satisfaction and time required between 2 intraoral scanners and conventional alginate impressions.MethodsAn initial pilot study was completed to create a valid and reliable survey instrument that would measure 3 areas of patient satisfaction with the impression experience. A visual analog scale survey was developed and administered to 180 orthodontic patients receiving 1 of 3 types of impressions: (1) iTero Element intraoral scan (Align Technologies, San Jose, Calif), n = 60; (2) TRIOS Color intraoral scan (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark), n = 60; and (3) conventional alginate impression (imprEssix Color Change; Dentsply Sirona, York, Pa), n = 60, and the time required to obtain the impressions was recorded.ResultsReliability was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficient values for 17 paired questionnaires, and all questions were found to be reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient, ≥0.65). For the main study, 180 subjects completed timed impressions and surveys. Data indicated that subjects receiving intraoral scans preferred the digital impressions, and subjects receiving alginate impressions were neutral regarding impression preference, and that efficiency varied based on the impression method.ConclusionsIntraoral scanners are accepted by orthodontic patients, and they have comparable efficiency with conventional impression methods depending on the type of scanner.



https://ift.tt/2JPCe5h

Information for readers

Publication date: May 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 5





https://ift.tt/2rg79AH

Table of Contents

Publication date: April 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 4





https://ift.tt/2JNBqhg

Principles of ethical practice

Publication date: May 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 5
Author(s): Edward "Chopper" Snyder




https://ift.tt/2I87RtE

Epidemiologic study of orthodontic retention procedures

Publication date: April 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 4
Author(s): Jens A.D. Padmos, Piotr S. Fudalej, Anne Marie Renkema
IntroductionThe aims of this study were to survey current retention procedures applied by Dutch orthodontists and to examine their acquaintance with "unintentionally active retainers."MethodsA questionnaire was sent to all 306 Dutch orthodontists involved in patient treatment. Questions were clustered in 4 parts: (1) general information, (2) retention procedures, (3) characteristics of wire materials for bonded retainers, and (4) acquaintance with "unintentionally active retainers."ResultsThe response rate was 98%. The most applied retention modality in the maxillary arch was a combination of a removable and a bonded retainer (54%); in the mandibular arch, mainly a bonded retainer without a removable retainer was used (83%). Bonded retention was aimed to be lifelong for the maxillary arch (90%) and the mandibular arch (92%). Mean removable retention duration was 2 years. Vacuum-formed retainers were used more frequently and Hawley-type retainers less frequently. The wire materials used for bonded retainers were diverse. All orthodontists were familiar with unintentionally active retainers; 44% believed this phenomenon is caused by the properties of round multistrand wires. The opinion that unwanted changes in tooth position can arise due to the properties of round multistrand wire material was associated with changing the wire material (P <0.005).ConclusionsLifelong retention with bonded retainers continues to increase. All orthodontists were acquainted with unintentionally active retainers and their impact. There is a need to identify all causative factors of inadvertent tooth movement in relation to bonded retainers and to prevent the onset of unintentionally active retainers.



https://ift.tt/2JJyGkX

Prevalence of gingival recession after orthodontic tooth movements

Publication date: May 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 5
Author(s): Samuel A. Finkleman, Burcu Bayirli




https://ift.tt/2I87NtU

Contemporary Class II Division 2 nonextraction adult treatment

Publication date: April 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 4
Author(s): Roberto Hernández-Orsini, Juan Silva-Coll
Achieving ideal results when treating a difficult malocclusion is a challenge that orthodontists frequently encounter. Maintaining those results is sometimes more challenging than the correction itself. As specialists in orthodontics, we should be able to apply bone physiology concepts during the diagnosis and treatment planning process and predict how bone will react after biomechanical stimuli. Understanding bone physiology and the biology of tissue response during orthodontic tooth movement should allow us to develop the proper mechanical design and consequently the therapeutic procedures necessary to achieve the expected tooth position and bone architecture. Surgically facilitated orthodontic therapy uses basic bone biology and physiologic bone turnover procedures as well as basic orthodontic biomechanical principles to correct dental malocclusions in the shortest, safest, and most conservative manner. The correction of such malocclusions with this approach is expected to be functional and stable.



https://ift.tt/2JNZ11f

Authors' response

Publication date: May 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 5
Author(s): Jason W. Morris, Phillip M. Campbell, Larry P. Tadlock, Jimmy Boley, Peter H. Buschang




https://ift.tt/2re12gs

Table of Contents

Publication date: May 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 5





https://ift.tt/2JJyBxF

Residents' journal review

Publication date: May 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 5
Author(s): Dan Grauer




https://ift.tt/2rfZCSA

Information for readers

Publication date: April 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 4





https://ift.tt/2JLcnev

On being human

Publication date: May 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 5
Author(s): Peter M. Greco




https://ift.tt/2rfZCC4

Finite element analysis of slot wall deformation in stainless steel and titanium orthodontic brackets during simulated palatal root torque

Publication date: April 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 4
Author(s): Varadaraju Magesh, Pandurangan Harikrishnan, Devadhas Kingsly Jeba Singh
IntroductionTorque applied on anterior teeth is vital for root positioning and stability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the detailed slot wall deformation in stainless steel (SS) and titanium (Ti) edgewise brackets during palatal root torque using finite element analysis.MethodsA finite element model was developed from a maxillary central incisor SS bracket (0.022 in). The generated torque values from an SS rectangular archwire (0.019 × 0.025 in) while twisting from 5° to 40° were obtained experimentally by a spine tester, and the calculated torque force was applied in the bracket slot. The deformations of the slot walls in both SS and Ti brackets were measured at various locations.ResultsThere were gradual increases in the deformations of both bracket slot walls from the bottom to top locations. In the SS bracket slot for the 40° twist, the deformations were 9.28, 36.8, and 44.8 μm in the bottom, middle, and top slot wall locations, respectively. Similarly, in the Ti bracket slot for the 40° twist, the deformations were 39.2, 62.4, and 76.2 μm in the bottom, middle, and top slot wall locations, respectively. The elastic limits were reached at 28° for SS and at 37° for Ti.ConclusionsBoth SS and Ti bracket slots underwent deformation during torque application. There are variations in the deformations at different locations in the slot walls and between the materials.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2JJyu5d

Influence of antibiotic prophylaxis on the stability of orthodontic microimplants: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Publication date: May 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 5
Author(s): Jan Łyczek, Beata Kawala, Joanna Antoszewska-Smith
IntroductionThe aims of this 2-arm parallel pilot randomized controlled trial were to investigate the influence of antibiotic prophylaxis on the stability of orthodontic microimplants and to evaluate the efficacy of systemic inflammatory marker measurements in detecting infections in tissues surrounding microscrews.MethodsOrthodontic patients requiring en-masse distalization in the maxilla received antibiotics or a placebo before microimplant placement. Eligibility criteria included 13 years of age, and good general and oral health. Exclusion criteria comprised allergy to antibiotics, severe systemic allergy, heart and kidney diseases, and recent antibiotic treatment. Stability of the microimplants was the primary outcome; inflammation of the tissues surrounding the microscrews, pain related to the microimplantation, and serum levels of inflammatory markers were the secondary outcomes. Randomization in a 1:1 ratio was performed by auxilliary staff via a flip of a coin between 2 participants of the same sex and developmental stage, and the "winner" was allocated to the intervention group. Pharmaceutically prepared identical capsules with either amoxicillin (intervention) or glucose (control) given 1 hour before microimplant placement according to the allocation provided blinding of the participants. Subsequently, 1 clinician unaware of the allocation inserted the microimplants and assessed the outcomes, which simultaneously blinded the operator-assessor. Blood samples for laboratory analysis of inflammatory markers were collected a day before and 1, 3, and 7 days postoperatively.ResultsOut of 80 participants initially assessed for eligibility, 41 received the randomized allocation. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Eventually, data of 18 and 20 participants (mean age, 20.4 ± 5.9 years) were available for analysis in the intervention and control groups, in which 1 and 2 patients lost a microimplant, respectively, resulting in odds ratio of 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0084-11.23; P = 1.0). The odds ratio for inflammation development was 1.22 (95% CI, 0.34-4.38), and the odds ratio for feeling milder pain was 1.174 (95% CI, 0.350-3.941) in the intervention compared with the control group, but the result was not statistically significant (P = 0.758; P = 0.795, respectively). The inflammatory marker levels did not increase due to either microimplantation (procalcitonin, P = 0.445; C-reactive protein, P = 0.4) or peri-implantitis. Antibiotic prophylaxis slightly decreased the levels of the biomarkers in the intervention group; however, the results were not statistically significant (P = 0.68; P = 0.908, respectively). No harms caused by the microimplantation procedure or drug intake were noted.ConclusionsAntibiotics provided no benefit in terms of microimplant stability, inflammation of soft tissues, or postoperative pain in our pilot sample. Measurements of serum levels of inflammatory markers were inefficient in detecting soft tissue inflammations. These initial results should be interpreted with caution until validated by a large multicenter definitive trial.RegistrationThis trial was not registered.ProtocolThe protocol was not published before trial commencement.FundingThe trial was funded by Wroclaw Medical University; grant number pbmn91 and supported by Diagnostyka.



https://ift.tt/2rgOSTP

Incisor malalignment and the risk of periodontal disease progression

Publication date: April 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 4
Author(s): Ahmed A. Alsulaiman, Elizabeth Kaye, Judith Jones, Howard Cabral, Cataldo Leone, Leslie Will, Raul Garcia
IntroductionThe objective of this study was to investigate the association between incisor crowding, irregularity, and periodontal disease progression in the anterior teeth.MethodsData collected over 35 years from men enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study included information concerning pocket depth and alveolar bone loss. Plaster casts of the maxillary (n = 400) and mandibular (n = 408) arches were available for baseline measurements. Periodontal disease in the anterior teeth was defined as per arch sum of pathologic pocket depth and sum of teeth with any alveolar bone loss in the anterior sextants. Incisor malalignment status was defined by the anterior tooth size-arch length discrepancy index and Little's Irregularity Index. Adjusted mixed effects linear models computed the beta (β) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the amounts of change in periodontal disease outcomes by the level of malalignment.ResultsIn the anterior maxillary arch, crowding and spacing were significantly associated with an increased per-arch sum of pathologic pocket depth (β, 0.70 mm; 95% CI, 0.20-1.21, and β, 0.49 mm; 95% CI, 0.06-0.91, respectively). In the anterior mandibular arch, incisor crowding and irregularity were significantly associated with an increased per-arch sum of pathologic pocket depth (mild crowding: β, 0.47 mm; 95% CI, 0.01-0.93; severe irregularity: β, 0.94 mm; 95% CI, 0.50-1.38), and the sum number of teeth with alveolar bone loss (mild and moderate-to-severe crowding: β, 0.45 teeth; 95% CI, 0.08-0.82; and β, 0.45 teeth; 95% CI, 0.13-0.83, respectively; moderate irregularity: β, 0.34 teeth; 95% CI, 0.06-0.62).ConclusionsCertain incisor malalignment traits (ie, maxillary incisor crowding, maxillary incisor spacing, mandibular incisor mild crowding, mandibular incisor moderate-to-severe crowding, mandibular incisor moderate irregularity, and mandibular incisor severe irregularity) are associated with significant periodontal disease progression.



https://ift.tt/2JJysu7

Age-dependent biologic response to orthodontic forces

Publication date: May 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 5
Author(s): Mani Alikhani, Michelle Y. Chou, Edmund Khoo, Sarah Alansari, Rachel Kwal, Tali Elfersi, Abdullah Almansour, Chinapa Sangsuwon, Mohammed Al Jearah, Jeanne M. Nervina, Cristina C. Teixeira
IntroductionOrthodontic tooth movement results from increased inflammation and osteoclast activation. Since patients of all ages now routinely seek orthodontics treatment, we investigated whether age-dependent biologic responses to orthodontic force correlate with the rate of tooth movement.MethodsWe studied 18 healthy subjects, adolescents (11-14 years) and adults (21-45 years), with Class II Division 1 malocclusion requiring 4 first premolar extractions. Canines were retracted with a constant force of 50 cN. Gingival crevicular fluid was collected before orthodontic treatment and at days 1, 7, 14, and 28 after the canine retraction. Cytokine (IL-1β, CCL2, TNF-α) and osteoclast markers (RANKL and MMP-9) were measured using antibody-based protein assays. Pain and discomfort were monitored with a numeric rating scale. The canine retraction rate was measured from study models taken at days 28 and 56.ResultsAlthough the cytokine and osteoclast markers increased significantly in both age groups at days 1, 7, and 14, the increases were greater in adults than in adolescents. Interestingly, the rate of tooth movement in adults was significantly slower than in adolescents over the 56-day study period. Adults also reported significantly more discomfort and pain.ConclusionsAge is a significant variable contributing to the biologic response to orthodontic tooth movement. Adults exhibited a significantly higher level of cytokine and osteoclasts activity but, counterintuitively, had a significantly slower rate of tooth movement.



https://ift.tt/2rfXwCe

Orthodontic treatment in patients with aggressive periodontitis

Publication date: April 2018
Source:American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Volume 153, Issue 4
Author(s): Cássio Volponi Carvalho, Luciana Saraiva, Flávio Paim Falcão Bauer, Rui Yoshio Kimura, Maria Luisa Silveira Souto, Carlos Cheque Bernardo, Cláudio Mendes Pannuti, Giuseppe Alexandre Romito, Francisco Emílio Pustiglioni
IntroductionAggressive periodontitis (AP) is a condition that promotes breakdown of the periodontal tissues in a short time. In severe cases, pathologic migration of teeth and tooth loss can occur, producing esthetic and functional problems for the patient. Orthodontic treatment may be recommended to restore esthetics and masticatory function. We assessed the effects of orthodontic movement in the periodontal tissues of treated patients with AP.MethodsTen subjects (ages 25.0 ± 5.22 years) with AP received periodontal treatment followed by orthodontic treatment. Maintenance sessions were performed monthly under a strict dental biofilm control. They were compared with 10 periodontally healthy subjects (ages 22.9 ± 5.23 years) who received orthodontic treatment. Probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, and dental plaque index were measured at baseline, after orthodontic treatment, and after 4 months.ResultsStatistical analysis showed improvement in all clinical parameters between baseline and 4 months after orthodontic treatment: probing pocket depth (0.29 mm), clinical attachment level (0.38 mm), bleeding on probing (4.0%), and dental plaque index (11%).ConclusionsThe periodontal parameters of the AP patients remained stable during orthodontic treatment under strict biofilm control.



https://ift.tt/2JPmleP

A review on the engine performance and exhaust emission characteristics of diesel engines fueled with biodiesel blends

Abstract

Biodiesels have gained much popularity because they are cleaner alternative fuels and they can be used directly in diesel engines without modifications. In this paper, a brief review of the key studies pertaining to the engine performance and exhaust emission characteristics of diesel engines fueled with biodiesel blends, exhaust aftertreatment systems, and low-temperature combustion technology is presented. In general, most biodiesel blends result in a significant decrease in carbon monoxide and total unburned hydrocarbon emissions. There is also a decrease in carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and total unburned hydrocarbon emissions while the engine performance increases for diesel engines fueled with biodiesels blended with nano-additives. The development of automotive technologies, such as exhaust gas recirculation systems and low-temperature combustion technology, also improves the thermal efficiency of diesel engines and reduces nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions.

https://ift.tt/2riQ88b

Co-existing colloidal phases in artificial intestinal fluids assessed by AF4/MALLS and DLS: A systematic study into cholate & (lyso-) phospholipid blends, incorporating celecoxib as a model drug

Publication date: 30 July 2018
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 120
Author(s): Philipp A. Elvang, Ann-Christin Jacobsen, Annette Bauer-Brandl, Paul C. Stein, Martin Brandl
Colloidal phases (self-assemblies) in aqueous dispersions of selected binary bile salt/phospholipid blends were studied utilizing the combined analytical approach of asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) and multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) in order to resolve the co-existence of different colloidal assemblies. The binary blends were prepared by freeze-drying from tert-butanol/water co-solvent solutions. The blends contained one of two bile salts (sodium taurocholate (TC) or sodium glycodeoxycholate (GDX)) and a mono- or di-acyl phospholipid (lyso-phosphatidylcholine (L-PC) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), respectively). Bile salt and phospholipid (PL) concentrations and their respective ratios were varied systematically within the physiological range found in human intestinal fluids. Furthermore, the BCS class II drug Celecoxib was incorporated in selected blends to assess its potential impact on colloidal phases. To further investigate the smallest self-assemblies observed in AF4/MALLS analysis, dispersions of TC and GDX, respectively, were prepared and analyzed by dynamic light scattering (DLS).AF4/MALLS analysis revealed that binary bile-salt/phospholipid blends form three distinct particle fractions, when the concentration of bile-salt was sufficiently high (≥3.5 mM). Those fractions were assumed to be very small pure bile-salt dimeric/oligomeric self-assemblies (Ø ≈ 2–3 nm), mid-sized mixed micelles (Ø ≈ 10–50 nm) and large liposomes/aggregates (Ø ≈ 150–280 nm). If present, Celecoxib was found solubilized within the structures, but at the lowest TC concentration triggered the formation of an additional (vesicular) phase.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2JKpZH4

An animal's sex influences the effects of the excipient PEG 400 on the intestinal P-gp protein and mRNA levels, which has implications for oral drug absorption

Publication date: 30 July 2018
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 120
Author(s): Yang Mai, Liu Dou, Sudaxshina Murdan, Abdul W. Basit
There is a growing body of evidence which suggests that formerly regarded "inert" pharmaceutical excipients have the potential to influence oral drug bioavailability. The solubilizing agent polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400), for instance, has a sex-specific effect on P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated drug bioavailability. We hypothesized that such an effect could be via PEG-induced alteration of P-gp activity and/or expression to different extents in males and females. To test this hypothesis in vivo, we investigated the influence of orally administered PEG 400 on the protein content and mRNA expression of P-gp in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract in male and female rats. Fasted rats received an oral dose of PEG 400 and at different time intervals, rats were sacrificed and their intestines were collected. The P-gp protein and mRNA expression in different intestinal segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon) were measured by Western blotting and PCR, respectively. It was found that P-gp protein and mRNA levels increased along the gastrointestinal tract in control animals (i.e. without PEG administration), and was higher in males compared to the female rats. The oral administration of PEG 400 decreased the P-gp expression in the jejunum, ileum and colon of males but not in the corresponding segments in females. This sex-dependent influence of PEG 400 on P-gp levels reflects and explains the sex-related effect of PEG 400 on oral absorption of certain drugs. The data further adds to the growing literature on the importance of taking into consideration an individual's sex for optimal drug administration.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2rfhXir

A 3D printed bilayer oral solid dosage form combining metformin for prolonged and glimepiride for immediate drug delivery

Publication date: 30 July 2018
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 120
Author(s): Christos I. Gioumouxouzis, Apostolos Baklavaridis, Orestis L. Katsamenis, Catherine K. Markopoulou, Nikolaos Bouropoulos, Dimitrios Tzetzis, Dimitrios G. Fatouros
Fused Deposition Modelling (a.k.a. FDM-3D printing) has been previously employed in the development of personalized medicines with unique properties and release behavior. In the present work, a bilayer dosage form containing two anti-diabetic drugs with different daily dosage regimens; i.e. metformin and glimepiride, was manufactured via FDM 3D printing, studied using a variety of techniques and characterized in vitro. Metformin and glimepiride were embedded in Eudragit® RL sustained release layer and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) layer respectively. Incorporation of more than one API's into the formulation is desirable, as it increases patient compliance and reduces cost of treatment, especially when distinct dosages of API's can be adjusted individually in situ, in order to meet each patient's specific needs, a capability provided by 3D printing. A number of different preparation methods, which involved different plasticizers and extruders, were tested on manufacturing Eudragit® RL drug-loaded filaments for printing the sustained release layer. The properties of the produced filaments were assessed by means of mechanical and physicochemical characterization techniques and the filaments with the optimum properties were used for printing. Microfocus computed tomography (μCT) imaging-based actual/nominal comparison analysis showed a printing accuracy ranging between −100, +200 μm, while X-ray (XRD) diffractograms revealed the incorporation of the (initially crystalline) API's as amorphous dispersions into polymer matrices. Dissolution tests showed sufficient drug release for both drugs in desired time frames (75 min for glimepiride and 480 min for metformin). The results from the current study emphasize the potentiality of 3D printing technology for tailor-made solid dosage forms for combined pharmacotherapy, even at the cases when API's with different desirable release profiles are employed.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2JNlviK

Differential expression of zinc transporters accompanies the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts

Publication date: September 2018
Source:Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Volume 49
Author(s): Amanda L. Paskavitz, Julia Quintana, Daniella Cangussu, Cristina Tavera-Montañez, Yao Xiao, Sonia Ortiz-Miranda, Juan G. Navea, Teresita Padilla-Benavides
Zinc transporters facilitate metal mobilization and compartmentalization, playing a key role in cellular development. Little is known about the mechanisms and pathways of Zn movement between Zn transporters and metalloproteins during myoblast differentiation. We analyzed the differential expression of ZIP and ZnT transporters during C2C12 myoblast differentiation. Zn transporters account for a transient decrease of intracellular Zn upon myogenesis induction followed by a gradual increase of Zn in myotubes. Considering the subcellular localization and function of each of the Zn transporters, our findings indicate that a fine regulation is necessary to maintain correct metal concentrations in the cytosol and subcellular compartments to avoid toxicity, maintain homeostasis, and for loading metalloproteins needed during myogenesis. This study advances our basic understanding of the complex Zn transport network during muscle differentiation.



https://ift.tt/2I7Metj

Seasonal ambient air particulates and metallic elements (Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) pollutants dry depositions fluxes predictions and distributions with appropriate models at a farmland site

Publication date: 15 September 2018
Source:Atmospheric Research, Volume 210
Author(s): Guor-Cheng Fang, Yuan-Jie Zhuang, Wen-Chuan Huang
This study compare dry deposition models to identify the best one for predicting the deposition of ambient metallic elements (Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) at a characteristic farmland sampling site from Aug. 2013 to Jun. 2014.In this study, the collection models of Baklanov and Sorensen, Zhang, and Wood, as well as the vegetation collection model, are used to calculate the dry depositions velocities of 2.5, 10, 20, and 23 μm. These values were used to calculate the seasonal dry deposition fluxes of ambient air particulates and metallic elements.The results thus obtained indicate that the specified collection models are all suitable for predicting the dry depositions of large (10, 20 and 23 μm) ambient air particles and metallic elements (Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb). All of the models yielded better predictions of dry depositions velocities for particles of size 20 and 23 μm in winter than in other seasons than particles of other sizes.The Baklanov and Sorensen, Zhang, Wood and vegetation collection models all predict the least dry deposition of ambient air particles of size at 2.5 μm and all metallic elements. Moreover, this study further revealed that the particle size is the key parameter that influence the modelled dry depositions fluxes and resulted in the calculated/measured fluxes variations ratios for ambient air particles and metallic elements. Another influence parameter is the pollutants (particles, metallic elements) concentrations. When the particle size is fixed, the higher of the pollutants concentrations, the higher the calculated/measured fluxes ratios can be obtained at this farmland sampling site.



https://ift.tt/2JMe1fX

Fabrication and characterization of metal organic frameworks/ polyvinyl alcohol cryogel and their application in extraction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in water samples

Publication date: 31 August 2018
Source:Analytica Chimica Acta, Volume 1022
Author(s): Yudan Wang, Yang Zhang, Jianan Cui, Shuo Li, Ming Yuan, Ting Wang, Qi Hu, Xiaohong Hou
A series of novel MOFs/PVA composite cryogel (MIL-101(Cr)/PVA, MIL-100(Fe)/PVA, ZIF-8(Zn)/PVA, MOF-199(Cu)/PVA and MIL-53(Al)/PVA) were fabricated by using a facile and green freeze-thaw approach for the first time. MIL-101(Cr)/PVA cryogel was selected as a VA-SPE sorbent for extraction of four NSAIDs in environmental water samples. The procedures of condition investigation (synthesis and extraction optimization) and characterization were also performed. And a satisfactory result of methodology validation was obtained by making use of HPLC-MS/MS. Under the optimum conditions, good sensitivity levels were achieved with the limits of detection between 0.007 and 0.037 μg L⁻¹, a linearity of 0.10–10 μg L⁻¹ for phenylbutazone, indomethacin, nimesulide and 0.020–2.0 μg L⁻¹ for benorilate (r² ≥ 0.9934). The relative recoveries of the target analytes were in the range from 78.44% to 105.7% with relative standard deviation (RSD) from 1.33% to 9.85%. In the extraction process, MIL-101(Cr)/PVA cryogel as a whole sheet outperformed the pristine dispersive MIL-101(Cr) in separation from solvent, and the application of cryogel also simplified the operation procedure. Additionally, the combination of PVA with MOFs might strengthen the interaction ability between the sorbent and analytes. This novel pretreatment method had a variety of merits, such as easy operation, high enrichment efficiency and low matrix effect. It looks forward to further optimization or functionalization and application of these MOFs/PVA cryogel in various disciplines.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2rir4iv

Sequential extraction of nickel and zinc in sewage sludge- or biochar/sewage sludge-amended soil

Publication date: 15 September 2018
Source:Science of The Total Environment, Volume 636
Author(s): Aleksandra Bogusz, Patryk Oleszczuk
Fractionation of nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) in sewage sludge-amended soil and in sewage sludge/biochar-amended soil was investigated. The results were compared with ecotoxicological tests in order to determine the contribution of metals to the toxicity of amended soils. The study was conducted as a long-term field experiment. Sewage sludge (SL) or sewage sludge with a 2.5, 5 or 10% addition of biochar (BC) was added to the soil. Samples for analysis were taken immediately after experiment establishment as well as after 12 and 18 months from the beginning of the study. The fractionation analysis of Ni and Zn was performed using the BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) three-step sequential extraction procedure. The following forms were determined: mobile (F1); bound to FeMn oxides (F2); bound to organic matter (F3) and residual (F4). The soil, SL and BC differed in the contribution of individual forms of the metals. The application of SL into the soil resulted in an increased soil content of mobile forms of Ni and Zn by 180 and 103%, respectively. The mobility index (MI) significantly increased, which evidences the risk related to the presence of these metals. Biochar in the sewage sludge significantly reduced the content of Ni and Zn in F1 fraction. The study also demonstrated that biochar amendment promotes the transition over time of available forms of Ni and Zn into their residual forms (F4), which leads to a further reduction in the environmental risk related to their presence in the environment. The conducted statistical analysis revealed only intermittent relationships between the individual forms of the metals and soil physicochemical properties and toxicity, which may indicate more complex mechanisms that occur in the experimental systems investigated. Therefore, the use of SL in combination with BC can be an effective method for reducing the environmental risk related to the presence of metals in SL.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2JJvG8g

Quality of life and neuropsychiatric disorders in patients with Graves' Orbitopathy: Current concepts

Publication date: Available online 2 May 2018
Source:Autoimmunity Reviews
Author(s): Alice Bruscolini, Marta Sacchetti, Maurizio La Cava, Marcella Nebbioso, Angela Iannitelli, Adele Quartini, Alessandro Lambiase, Massimo Ralli, Armando de Virgilio, Antonio Greco
Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune chronic thyroiditis frequently associated with development of Graves' orbitopathy (GO) characterized by proptosis, strabismus, impairment of visual function, ocular surface inflammation and dry eye. As consequence, patients with GO experience impairment of quality of life and social function and could develop a neurobehavioral syndrome, ranging from anxious to depressive or psychotic disorders. To date, the pathogenic mechanism underlying neuropsychiatric disorders in patients with GD has not been clearly understood. In fact, the development of neuropsychiatric disorders in patients with GO has been associated with both the detrimental effects of the altered circulating thyroid hormones on the nervous system, and with the psychological discomfort caused by poor quality of life, reduced social interactions and relapsing course of the disease. This paper summarizes current evidence on neuropsychiatric abnormalities in Graves' disease focusing on its impact on QoL and psychosocial function. We remark the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and we emphasize the potential benefit of neuropsychiatric approach on disease perception, patient compliance to medical and/or surgical treatment and clinical outcomes.



https://ift.tt/2JJqRvB

New use for an old treatment: Hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for systemic vasculitis

Publication date: Available online 2 May 2018
Source:Autoimmunity Reviews
Author(s): Alina Casian, Shirish Sangle, David P. D'Cruz
Antimalarials have been an effective and safe treatment for autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus for more than a hundred years. There are surprisingly few reports of hydroxychloroquine use in the systemic vasculitides. Hydroxychloroquine has antithrombotic, cardiovascular, antimicrobial and antineoplastic effects, making it a potentially valuable treatment for patients with systemic vasculitis who are at risk of infections, malignancy and thrombotic events. We report the successful use of hydroxychloroquine in patients with ANCA vasculitis, Henoch Schonlein purpura/IgA vasculitis, Takayasu's arteritis and polyarteritis nodosa. We review the immunomodulatory mechanisms of action of hydroxychloroquine and the existing evidence for its use in the treatment of vasculitis, with a particular focus on ANCA subtypes.



https://ift.tt/2I61Q0q

Animal studies are mandatory to investigate the poorly understood fate and effects of aluminum adjuvants administered to billions of humans and animals worldwide

Publication date: Available online 2 May 2018
Source:Autoimmunity Reviews
Author(s): Romain K. Gherardi, Guillemette Crépeaux, François-Jerome Authier, Lluis Lujan




https://ift.tt/2rg4Iyf

Gammagrafía paratiroidea con 99mTc-MIBI: valor complementario de la paratohormona en el aspirado y análisis histopatológico de los tipos de células en los adenomas paratiroideos

Publication date: Available online 2 May 2018
Source:Revista Española de Medicina Nuclear e Imagen Molecular
Author(s): Semra Ince, Ozdes Emer, Salih Deveci, Kursat Okuyucu, Engin Alagoz, Huseyin San, Aslı Ayan, Ozgur Karacalioglu, Cem Haymana, Bengul Gunalp, Nuri Arslan
ObjetivoLa gammagrafía paratiroidea (GP) puede ser negativa o equívoca (N/E) en un número considerable de casos con alta sospecha clínica y bioquímica de adenoma de paratiroides (AP). Los objetivos de este estudio fueron investigar el papel complementario de la determinación de paratohormona en punción con aguja fina (PTH en PAAF) con la GP en pacientes con hiperparatiroidismo primario (HPTP) y evaluar los aspectos histopatológicos de los AP en comparación con los resultados de GP.Material y métodosFueron incluidos en el estudio 38 pacientes con HPTP remitidos para realizar GP. Diecisiete pacientes tuvieron resultados gammagráficos y ecográficos concordantes con AP (grupo A). Veintiún pacientes con GP N/E pero sospecha de AP en la ecografía formaron el grupo B. Se realizó PTH en PAAF en todos los pacientes y todos fueron operados. Se extirpó un adenoma en cada uno de ellos y en todos los casos se establecieron las características histopatológicas.ResultadosEl tamaño del tumor en la ecografía fue mayor en aquellos pacientes cuyos adenomas se vieron en la GP (p<0,001). Los porcentajes de células principales, oxífilas y claras en AP no fueron estadísticamente diferentes entre los grupos. El nivel de paratohormona sérica y PTH en PAAF no fueron estadísticamente significativos entre los grupos A y B (p=0,095 y p=0,04, respectivamente).ConclusiónAunque no existe un valor umbral definitivo, la sensibilidad de la GP aumenta con el tamaño de la lesión. Mientras que el contenido de células principales y oxífilas tiende a reducirse en los AP con GP N/E EP, la tasa de células claras aumenta sustancialmente. La combinación de GP con la ecografía y la PTH en PAAF aumenta la sensibilidad de detección y localización de los AP.ObjectiveParathyroid scintigraphy (PS) can be negative or equivocal (N/E) in a considerable number of cases with highly suspicious clinical findings and biochemical results for parathyroid adenoma (PA). The aims of this study were to investigate the complementary role of parathormone washout test (PWT) to PS in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and evaluate histopathologic aspects of PAs in comparison with PS results.Material and methodsThirty-eight patients with PHPT referred for PS were included in the study. Seventeen patients had both scintigraphic and ultrasonographic findings concordant with PA (Group A). Twenty-one patients having N/E PS, but suspected lesions for PA on ultrasonography (US) formed Group B. PWT was performed for all patients and they underwent the surgical intervention. An adenoma was removed in all patients and the histopathologic cell characteristics were established.ResultsThe tumor size on US was larger in those patients whose adenomas were seen on the PS (P<.001). The percentages of chief (or principal), oxyphilic and clear cells in PAs were not statistically different between the groups. Serum parathormone level and PWT were not statistically significant between Group A and Group B (P=.095 and P=.04, respectively).ConclusionAlthough there is not a definitive threshold value, the sensitivity of PS increases with lesion size. While chief cell and oxyphilic cell content of PAs tend to deplete in N/E PS, clear cell rate increases substantially. Combining PS with both US and PWT increases the sensitivity of detection and localization of PAs.



https://ift.tt/2I976Ac

Anti-inflammatory and immune response regulation of Si-Ni-San in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin dysfunction

Publication date: 10 August 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 222
Author(s): Hui-Jie Fan, Ze-Ping Xie, Zi-Wen Lu, Zhang-Bin Tan, Yi-Ming Bi, Ling-Peng Xie, Yu-Ting Wu, Wen-Tong Zhang, Kevin Liu-Kot, Bin Liu, Ying-Chun Zhou
Ethnopharmacological relevanceSi-Ni-San (SNS) is a well-known decoction in traditional Chinese medicine. Although studies have indicated that the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of SNS and its components can account for their therapeutic effects, the role and mechanism of SNS in treating skin dysfunction remain unclear.Aim of the studyAtopic dermatitis (AD), a disorder known for its prevalence in infants and adults, severely influences the quality of life of affected patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and immune response modulations of SNS in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like skin dysfunction.Materials and methodsDermatitis was induced in Kunming mice by the topical application of DNCB. SNS or dexamethasone (positive control) was topically applied every day over the course of the 21-day study. The following were assessed: dermatitis severity scores; ear and dorsal skin haematoxylin and eosin staining; interleukin (IL)− 1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α cytokine levels in the serum; spleen index; spleen CD4 + /CD8 + T lymphocyte ratio; and phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs- p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)), IκB-α, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB (p65) in skin lesions.ResultsSNS significantly alleviated the symptoms of AD-like lesions induced by DNCB, decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the ear and dorsal tissues, suppressed the increased cytokine levels in the serum, reduced the CD4 + /CD8 +T lymphocyte ratio in the spleen, and downregulated the activation of MAPKs, IκB-α, and NF-κB (p65) in the dorsal skin. The effects were similar to those of dexamethasone.ConclusionsSNS alleviated the DNCB-induced AD-like skin dysfunction in mice through anti-inflammatory and immune system modulation, indicating that SNS shows potential for AD treatment in clinical settings.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2rhxldh

Cytotoxicity of 18 Cameroonian medicinal plants against drug sensitive and multi-factorial drug resistant cancer cells

Publication date: 10 August 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 222
Author(s): Armelle T. Mbaveng, Hermione T. Manekeng, Gaelle S. Nguenang, Joachim K. Dzotam, Victor Kuete, Thomas Efferth
Ethnopharmacological relevanceRecommendations have been made stating that ethnopharmacological usages such as immune and skin disorders, inflammatory, infectious, parasitic and viral diseases should be taken into account if selecting plants for anticancer screening, since these reflect disease states bearing relevance to cancer or cancer-like symptoms. Cameroonian medicinal plants investigated in this work are traditionally used to treat cancer or ailments with relevance to cancer or cancer-like symptoms.Aim of the studyIn this study, 21 methanol extracts from 18 Cameroonian medicinal plants were tested in leukemia CCRF-CEM cells, and the best extracts were further tested on a panel of human cancer cell lines, including various multi-drug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes. Mechanistic studies were performed with the three best extracts.Materials and methodsResazurin reduction assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity and ferroptotic effects of methanol extracts from different plants. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of extracts from Curcuma longa rhizomes (CLR), Lycopersicon esculentum leaves (LEL), and Psidium guajava bark (PGB).ResultsIn a pre-screening of all extracts, 13 out of 21 (61.9%) had IC50 values below 80 µg/mL. Six of these active extracts displayed IC50 values below 30 µg/mL: Cola pachycarpa leaves (CPL), Curcuma longa rhizomes (CLR), Lycopersicon esculentum leaves, Persea americana bark (PAB), Physalis peruviana twigs (PPT) and Psidium guajava bark (PGB). The best extracts displayed IC50 values from 6.25 µg/mL (against HCT116 p53^-/-) to 10.29 µg/mL (towards breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231-BCRP cells) for CLR, from 9.64 µg/mL (against breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells) to 57.74 µg/mL (against HepG2 cells) for LEL and from 1.29 µg/mL (towards CEM/ADR5000 cells) to 62.64 µg/mL (towards MDA-MB-231 cells) for PGB. CLR and PGB induced apoptosis in CCRF-CEM cells via caspases activation, MMP depletion and increase ROS production whilst LEL induced apoptosis mediated by caspases activation and increase ROS production.ConclusionThe best botanicals tested were CLR and LEL, which are worth to be explored in more detail to fight cancers including MDR phenotypes.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2Kw1GxC

Icones Plantarum Malabaricarum: Early 18th century botanical drawings of medicinal plants from colonial Ceylon

Publication date: 10 August 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 222
Author(s): Tinde Van Andel, Ariane Scholman, Mieke Beumer
Ethnopharmacological relevanceFrom 1640–1796, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) occupied the island of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Several VOC officers had a keen interest in the medicinal application of the local flora. The Leiden University Library holds a two-piece codex entitled: Icones Plantarum Malabaricarum, adscriptis nominibus et viribus, Vol. I. & II. (Illustrations of Plants from the Malabar, assigned names and strength). This manuscript contains 262 watercolour drawings of medicinal plants from Sri Lanka, with handwritten descriptions of local names, habitus, medicinal properties and therapeutic applications. This anonymous document had never been studied previously.Aim of the studyTo identify all depicted plant specimens, decipher the text, trace the author, and analyse the scientific relevance of this manuscript as well as its importance for Sri Lankan ethnobotany.Materials and methodsWe digitised the entire manuscript, transcribed and translated the handwritten Dutch texts and identified the depicted species using historic and modern literature, herbarium vouchers, online databases on Sri Lankan herbal medicine and 41 botanical drawings by the same artist in the Artis library, Amsterdam. We traced the origin of the manuscript by means of watermark analysis and historical literature. We compared the historic Sinhalese and Tamil names in the manuscript to recent plant names in ethnobotanical references from Sri Lanka and southern India. We published the entire manuscript online with translations and identifications.ResultsThe watermarks indicate that the paper was made between 1694 and 1718. The handwriting is of a VOC scribe. In total, ca. 252 taxa are depicted, of which we could identify 221 to species level. The drawings represent mainly native species, including Sri Lankan endemics, but also introduced medicinal and ornamental plants. Lamiaceae, Zingiberaceae and Leguminosae were the best-represented families. Frequently mentioned applications were to purify the blood and to treat gastro-intestinal problems, fever and snakebites. Many plants are characterised by their humoral properties, of which 'warming' is the most prevalent. Plant species were mostly used for their roots (28%), bark (16%) or leaves (11%). More Tamil names (260) were documented than Sinhalese (208). More than half of the Tamil names and 36% of the Sinhalese names are still used today. The author was probably a VOC surgeon based in northern Sri Lanka, who travelled around the island to document medicinal plant use. Less than half of the species were previously documented from Ceylon by the famous VOC doctor and botanist Paul Hermann in the 1670s. Further archival research is needed to identify the maker of this manuscript.ConclusionsAlthough the maker of this early 18th century manuscript remains unknown, the detailed, 300-year-old information on medicinal plant use in the Icones Plantarum Malabaricarum represents an important ethnobotanical treasure for Sri Lanka, which offers ample opportunities to study changes and continuation of medicinal plant names and practices over time.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2rgTh8r

Removal of nickel from aqueous solution using supported zeolite-Y hollow fiber membranes

Abstract

This work describes the development of supported zeolite-Y membranes, prepared using the hydrothermal method, for the removal of nickel from an aqueous solution. Alumina hollow fibers prepared using the phase inversion and sintering technique were used as an inert support. The supported zeolite-Y membranes were characterized using the field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the water permeation and rejection test. The performance of the supported zeolite-Y membranes for heavy metal removal using batch adsorption and filtration test was studied using the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The adsorption study shows that the removal of nickel was pH-dependent but affected by the presence of α-alumina. The seeded zeolite-Y membrane gave the highest adsorption capacity which was 126.2 mg g⁻¹. This enabled the membrane to remove 63% of nickel ions from the aqueous solution within 180 min of contact time. The adsorption mechanism of nickel onto the zeolite-Y membrane was best fitted to the Freundlich isotherm. The kinetic study concluded that the adsorption was best fitted to pseudo-second-order model with higher correlation coefficient (R² = 0.9996). The filtration study proved that the zeolite-Y membrane enabled to reduce the concentration of heavy metal at parts per billion level.

https://ift.tt/2w9vf54

Editorial Board

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Acta Oecologica, Volume 88





https://ift.tt/2wfrrPZ

Forest snail diversity and its environmental predictors along a sharp climatic gradient in southern Siberia

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Acta Oecologica, Volume 88
Author(s): Michal Horsák, Lucie Juřičková, Veronika Horsáková, Adéla Pokorná, Petr Pokorný, Arnošt L. Šizling, Milan Chytrý
Diversity patterns of forest snail assemblages have been studied mainly in Europe. Siberian snail faunas have different evolutionary history and colonization dynamics than European faunas, but studies of forest snail diversity are almost missing from Siberia. Therefore, we collected snails at 173 forest sites in the Russian Altai and adjacent areas, encompassing broad variation in climate and forest types. We found 51 species, with a maximum of 15 and an average of seven species per site. The main gradient in species composition was related to soil pH, a variable that also positively correlates with snail abundances. The second gradient was associated with climate characteristics of winter. We observed significant differences in both species richness and composition among six forest types defined based on vegetation classification. Hemiboreal continental forests were the poorest of these types but hosted several species characteristic of European full-glacial stages of the Late Pleistocene. A high snow cover in Temperate coniferous and mixed forests, protecting the soil from freezing, allowed the frost-sensitive large-bodied (>10 mm) species to inhabit this forest type. In contrast to most of the European snail assemblages studied so far we found that the factors responsible for the variation in species richness differed from those driving species composition. This may be attributed to the sharp climatic gradient and the presence of the cold-adapted species typical of the Pleistocene cold stages. We suggest that southern Siberian forests hosting these species can serve as modern analogues of full-glacial forests in periglacial Central and Eastern Europe.



https://ift.tt/2I8c54b

TOPSIS-based parametric optimization of compression ignition engine performance and emission behavior with bael oil blends for different EGR and charge inlet temperature

Abstract

The demand for higher fuel energy and lesser exhaust emissions of diesel engines can be achieved by fuel being used and engine operating parameters. In the present work, effects of engine speed (RPM), injection timing (IT), injection pressure (IP), and compression ratio (CR) on performance and emission characteristics of a compression ignition (CI) engine were investigated. The ternary test fuel of 65% diesel + 25% bael oil + 10% diethyl ether (DEE) was used in this work and test was conducted at different charge inlet temperature (CIT) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). All the experiments are conducted at the tradeoff engine load that is 75% engine load. When operating the diesel engine with 320 K CIT, brake thermal efficiency (BTE) is improved to 28.6%, and carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions have been reduced to 0.025% and 12.5 ppm at 18 CR. The oxide of nitrogen (NOx) has been reduced to 240 ppm at 1500 rpm for 30% EGR mode. Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method is frequently used in multi-factor selection and gray correlation analysis method is used to study uncertain of the systems.

https://ift.tt/2joH2mH

Dynamic optical coherence tomography of histamine induced wheals

Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2HIlIr2

Detection of Borrelia in Ixodes scapularis ticks by silver stain, immunohistochemical and direct immunofluorescent methods

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2FyX865

Ubiquinone modified printed carbon electrodes for cell culture pH monitoring

Publication date: 15 August 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 113
Author(s): Craig McBeth, Rajaa Al Dughaishi, Andrew Paterson, Duncan Sharp
The measurement of pH is important throughout many biological systems, but there are limited available technologies to enable its periodical monitoring in the complex, small volume, media often used in cell culture experiments across a range of disciplines. Herein, pad printed electrodes are developed and characterised through modification with: a commercially available fullerene multiwall carbon nanotube composite applied in Nafion, casting of hydrophobic ubiquinone as a pH probe to provide the electrochemical signal, and coated in Polyethylene glycol to reduce fouling and potentially enhance biocompatibility, which together are proven to enable the determination of pH in cell culture media containing serum. The ubiquinone oxidation peak position (Epa) provided an indirect marker of pH across the applicable range of pH 6–9 (R² = 0.9985, n = 15) in complete DMEM. The electrochemical behaviour of these sensors was also proven to be robust; retaining their ability to measure pH in cell culture media supplemented with serum up to 20% (v/v) [encompassing the range commonly employed in cell culture], cycled > 100 times in 10% serum containing media and maintain > 60% functionality after 5 day incubation in a 10% serum containing medium. Overall, this proof of concept research highlights the potential applicability of this, or similar, electrochemical approaches to enable to detection or monitoring of pH in complex cell culture media.



https://ift.tt/2waUq7q

Recent advances on aptamer-based biosensors to detection of platelet-derived growth factor

Publication date: 15 August 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 113
Author(s): Nasrin Razmi, Behzad Baradaran, Maryam Hejazi, Mohammad Hasanzadeh, Jafar Mosafer, Ahad Mokhtarzadeh, Miguel de la Guardia
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), a significant serum cytokine, is an important protein biomarker in diagnosis and recognition of cancer, which straightly rolled in proceeding of various cell transformations, including tumor growth and its development. Fibrosis, atherosclerosis are certain appalling diseases, which PDGF-BB is near to them. Generally, the expression amount of PDGF-BB increases in human life-threatening tumors serving as an indicator for tumor angiogenesis. Thus, identification and quantification of PDGF-BB in biomedical fields are particularly important. Affinity chromatography, immunohistochemical methods and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), conventional methods for PDGF-BB detection, requiring high-cost and complicated instrumentation, take too much time and offer deficient sensitivity and selectivity, which restrict their usage in real applications. Hence, it is essential to design and build enhanced systems and platforms for the recognition and quantification of protein biomarkers. In the past few years, biosensors especially aptasensors have been received noticeable attention for the detection of PDGF-BB owing to their high sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy, fast response, and low cost. Since the role and importance of developing aptasensors in cancer diagnosis is undeniable. In this review, optical and electrochemical aptasensors, which have been applied by many researchers for PDGF-BB cancer biomarker detection, have been mentioned and merits and demerits of them have been explained and compared. Efforts related to design and development of aptamer-based biosensors using nanoparticles for sensitive and selective detection of PDGF-BB have been reviewed considering: Aptamer importance as recognition elements, principal, application and the recent improvements and developments of aptamer based optical and electrochemical methods. In addition, commercial biosensors and future perspectives for rapid and on-site detection of PDGF-BB have been summarized.



https://ift.tt/2rdToCC

In situ detection of microbial c-type cytochrome based on intrinsic peroxidase-like activity using screen-printed carbon electrode

Publication date: 15 August 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 113
Author(s): Junlin Wen, Daigui He, Zhen Yu, Shungui Zhou
C-type cytochromes (c-cyts) facilitate microbial extracellular electron transfer and play critical roles in biogeochemical cycling, bioelectricity generation and bioremediation. In this study, a simple and effective method has been developed to detect microbial c-cyts by means of peroxidase mimetic reaction on screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). To this end, bacteria cells were immobilized onto the working electrode surface of SPCE by a simple drop casting. After introducing 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) solution, microbial c-cyts with peroxidase-like activity catalyze the oxidation of TMB in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The oxidized TMB was electrochemically determined and the current signal was employed to calculate the c-cyts content. This electrochemical method is highly sensitive for microbial c-cyts with a low detection limit of 40.78 fmol and a wide detection range between 51.70 fmol and 6.64 pmol. Moreover, the proposed technique can be universally expanded to detect c-cyts in other bacteria species such as Fontibacter ferrireducens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Comamonas guangdongensis and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the proposed method confers an in situ facile and quantitative c-cyts detection without any destructive sample preparations, complex electrode modifications and expensive enzyme- or metal particle- based signal amplification. The suggested method advances an intelligent strategy for in situ quantification of microbial c-cyts and consequently holds promising application potential in microbiology and environmental science.



https://ift.tt/2waUiEY

Review of diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers in melanoma

Abstract

Melanoma is an aggressive cutaneous malignancy with rapidly rising incidence. Diagnosis of controversial melanocytic lesions, correct prognostication of patients, selection of appropriate adjuvant and systemic therapies, and prediction of response to a given therapy remain very real challenges. Despite these challenges, multiple high throughput, nucleic-acid based biomarkers have been developed that can be assayed from histologic tissue specimens. FISH, CGH, Decision-Dx, and other multi-marker assays have been combined to improve overall predictability. This review discusses some of the most promising nucleic acid based assays that can be obtained from tissue specimens to assist with diagnosis, prognostication, and prediction of treatment response.

https://ift.tt/2HHI2AY

Genetics of metastasis: melanoma and other cancers

Abstract

Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm of melanocytes that accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths despite comprising less than 5% of all cutaneous malignancies. Its incidence has increased faster than that of any other cancer over the past half-century and the annual costs of treatment in the United States alone have risen rapidly. Although the majority of primary melanomas are cured with local excision, metastatic melanoma historically carries a grim prognosis, with a median survival of 9 months and a long-term survival rate of 10%. Given the urgent need to develop treatment strategies for metastatic melanoma and the explosion of genetic technologies over the past 20 years, there has been extensive research into the genetic alterations that cause melanocytes to become malignant. More recently, efforts have focused on the genetic changes that drive melanoma metastasis. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of the genetics of primary cutaneous and ocular melanoma, the genetic changes associated with metastasis in melanoma and other cancer types, and non-genetic factors that may contribute to metastasis.

https://ift.tt/2rhq6Ca

Cystatin C takes part in melanoma-microglia cross-talk: possible implications for brain metastasis

Abstract

The development of melanoma brain metastasis is largely dependent on mutual interactions between the melanoma cells and cells in the brain microenvironment. Here, we report that the extracellular cysteine protease inhibitor cystatin C (CysC) is involved in these interactions. Microglia-derived factors upregulated CysC secretion by melanoma. Similarly, melanoma-derived factors upregulated CysC secretion by microglia. Whereas CysC enhanced melanoma cell migration through a layer of brain endothelial cells, it inhibited the migration of microglia cells toward melanoma cells. CysC was also found to promote the formation of melanoma three-dimensional structures in matrigel. IHC analysis revealed increased expression levels of CysC in the brain of immune-deficient mice bearing xenografted human melanoma brain metastasis compared to the brain of control mice. Based on these in vitro and in vivo experiments we hypothesize that CysC promotes melanoma brain metastasis. Increased expression levels of CysC were detected in the regenerating brain of mice after stroke. Post-stroke brain with melanoma brain metastasis showed an even stronger expression of CysC. The in vitro induction of stroke-like conditions in brain microenvironmental cells increased the levels of CysC in the secretome of microglia cells, but not in the secretome of brain endothelial cells. The similarities between melanoma brain metastasis and stroke with respect to CysC expression by and secretion from microglia cells suggest that CysC may be involved in shared pathways between brain metastasis and post-stroke regeneration. This manifests the tendency of tumor cells to highjack physiological molecular pathways in their progression.

https://ift.tt/2KuvElH

A self‐controlled study of intralesional injection of diprospan combined with topical timolol cream for treatment of thick superficial infantile hemangiomas

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2rfprBn

Spectral changes induced by pH variation of aqueous extracts derived from biomass burning aerosols: Under dark and in presence of simulated sunlight irradiation

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 185
Author(s): Jing Cai, Guorui Zhi, Zhiqiang Yu, Peng Nie, Sasho Gligorovski, Yuzhe Zhang, Like Zhu, Xixiang Guo, Pei Li, Tan He, Youjiang He, Jianzhong Sun, Yang Zhang
Water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) can significantly influence the aerosol optical properties and the aqueous phase chemistry in cloudwater, fogwater and aerosol liquid water. Here, we examine how the changing pH (in acidic range) affects the absorption spectra of aqueous extracts from field biomass burning aerosols, under dark conditions and in presence of simulated sunlight illumination. The observation under dark conditions indicates that pH variation from 2 to 5 induces significantly enhanced light absorbance in the wavelength ranges of 235–270 nm and 300–550 nm, whereas the light absorbance decreased in the range of 270–300 nm, which might be partially ascribed to the deprotonation of carboxylic acids and phenols. During the extract photolysis, light absorption exhibits photo-bleaching below 380 nm and photo-enhancement above 380 nm, indicating that at acidic levels (pH = 2–5), the particle extracts could undergo a significant composition evolution leading to a modification of absorptive properties. Meanwhile, after 12 h-photolysis, the acidity ([H⁺]) normalized by WSOC concentration in aqueous extracts ([WSOCae]) increased with a variation of Δ[H⁺]/[WSOCae]=(3.7 ± 0.7) × 10⁻⁷ mol mgC⁻¹ (mean ± standard deviation), suggesting the formation of new acidic substances. Although these findings were acquired in aqueous solutions more relevant to cloud and fog water, the similar evolution likely occurs in wetted aerosols. This calls more attention to the effect of acidity on the wetted aerosols in order to better estimate the aerosol radiative forcing.



https://ift.tt/2rgwauW

Impacts of anthropogenic source from the nuclear fuel reprocessing plants on global atmospheric iodine-129 cycle: A model analysis

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 184
Author(s): Masanao Kadowaki, Genki Katata, Hiroaki Terada, Takashi Suzuki, Hidenao Hasegawa, Naofumi Akata, Hideki Kakiuchi
The long-lived radioactive iodine (¹²⁹I) is a useful geochemical tracer of radioactivity in the atmospheric environment. Although the behavior of ¹²⁹I in the atmosphere is still not fully known because of lack of continuous monitoring, we recently observed clear seasonal trends in air concentration and deposition of ¹²⁹I in Japan. Using these data, we developed a global atmospheric ¹²⁹I transport model to reveal key processes for the global atmospheric ¹²⁹I cycle. The physical and chemical processes of advection, turbulent diffusion, dry and wet deposition, atmospheric photolysis, gas–particle conversion in the atmosphere, anthropogenic sources of ¹²⁹I discharged from operating nuclear fuel reprocessing plants, and natural sources of ¹²⁹I volatilized from ocean and land were included into the model. The model generally reproduced the observed seasonal change in monthly air concentration and deposition of ¹²⁹I in Japan, and the global distribution of ¹²⁹I concentration in rain as presented in past literature. Numerical experiments changing the intensity of anthropogenic and natural sources were conducted to quantify the impact of anthropogenic sources on the global ¹²⁹I cycle. The results indicated that the atmospheric ¹²⁹I from the anthropogenic sources was readily deposited in winter and can be accumulated mainly in the northern part of Eurasia. In contrast, the atmospheric ¹²⁹I from the natural sources dominated the deposition in summer. These results suggested that the re-emission process of ¹²⁹I from the Earth's surface may be important as a secondary impact of ¹²⁹I in the global-scaled environment. Furthermore, although wet deposition dominated the total deposition in the Northern hemisphere, dry deposition regionally and seasonally contributed to the total deposition over arctic and northern part of Eurasia in winter, suggesting that the dry deposition may play a key role in the seasonal change of ¹²⁹I deposition in the high latitudes of the Northern hemisphere.



https://ift.tt/2HHBLFD

Air quality, primary air pollutants and ambient concentrations inventory for Romania

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 184
Author(s): Gabriel Năstase, Alexandru Șerban, Alina Florentina Năstase, George Dragomir, Alin Ionuț Brezeanu
Air pollution is among the greatest risk factors for human health, but it also poses risks to the food security, the economy and the environment. The majority of the pollutants emitted by human activities derive from the production and use of fossil-fuel-based energy. Most energy-related emissions contain sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The principal source of sulfur dioxide originates from coal, and the main sources of nitrogen oxide emissions are power generation and use of vehicles. Other important pollutants are the inhalable coarse particles (PM10) and the fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which arises from the building sector.Over the last decade, since Romania joined the European Union on the 1st of January 2007, the use of fossil fuels has decreased dramatically, as consumers switched to either natural gas or biomass. This was as a result of the European Commission encouraging the member countries to make use of renewable sources (including biomass). To reduce the PM emissions, in April 2015 EC has extended the EcoDesign Directive to solid-fuel boilers and solid-fuel space heaters. The boilers need to generally meet certain requirements that will be introduced by 1 January 2020. In this article, we are highlighting the fluctuations in air pollution in Romania from the European WebDAB – EMAP database and trends in ambient concentrations of air pollutants using Romania's national air pollution monitoring network.Romania's Air Pollutants/Air Quality Monitoring Network consists of 142 automatic air quality monitoring stations. The results indicate that Romania's annual average mass emissions of CO decreased from 3186 Gg in 1990 to 774 in 2014 (decrease by <76%), SOx decreased from 1311 Gg–176 Gg (decrease by ∼60%), NOx decreased from 546 Gg to 218 (decrease by ∼87%), CO2 decreased from 66.226 Gg/year in 2007 to 38.916 Gg/year in 2014 (decrease by <41%).



https://ift.tt/2rhnRPg

Synthesis and characterization of economical, multi-functional porous ceramics based on abundant aluminosilicates

Publication date: 15 August 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 152
Author(s): Hussam Alghamdi, Akash Dakhane, Absar Alum, Morteza Abbaszadegan, Barzin Mobasher, Narayanan Neithalath
This paper reports synthesis routes and microstructural and performance characterization of a family of economical, multifunctional porous ceramics developed through geopolymerization of an abundant volcanic tuff (aluminosilicate mineral) as the primary source material. Metakaolin, silica fume, alumina powder, and pure silicon powder are also used as additional ingredients when necessary, and activated by potassium-based alkaline agents. The composition and heat treatment regimes are modified to provide the desired pore structure features for percolation, contaminant retention, and thermal conductivity. The treatment temperatures used are lower than those used in conventional porous ceramics synthesis. Extensive microstructural characterization using different techniques to examine the morphology and to quantify the pore volumes, sizes, and connectivity, which are important in dictating the performance characteristics, are reported. Measurements of flow rates and thermal conductivity demonstrate the multifunctionality of the synthesized matrices, which demonstrate adequate strengths for a number of buildings-related applications.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2FBacba