Nevin Manimala

Oper Dent. 2021 Dec 17. doi: 10.2341/20-265-L. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the three-dimensional (3D) changes of three elastomeric impression materials using a novel measurement method for the first 24 hours after preparation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Three impression materials consisting of a low-viscosity polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) (Aquasil LV, Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA) and two vinyl polyether silicone (VPES) materials consisting of a light body (EXA’lence LB, GC America, Alsip, IL, USA) and monophase (EXA’lence Monophase, GC America) materials were used in this study. All materials were prepared following manufacturer’s recommendations with approximately 1-2 millimeters of material placed on the measurement pedestal of a calibrated noncontact, video imaging based, volumetric change measuring device (AcuVol ver 2.5.9, Bisco, Schaumburg, IL, USA). Data collection was initiated immediately, with measurements made every 30 seconds for 24 hours. Each material was evaluated 10 times (n=10). Evaluated parameters included were 24-hour mean shrinkage, mean shrinkage at time of recommended first pour, mean shrinkage between recommended first pour and 24 hours, mean maximum shrinkage, and the time of maximum shrinkage. Mean data, both within and between each group, was evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn’s tests at a 95% level of confidence (α=0.05).

RESULTS: All three materials were found to have significant differences (p<0.001) in volumetric shrinkage over 24 hours. Aquasil LV and EXA’lence LB polymerization shrinkage rates were statistically similar all through the 24-hour evaluation (p=0.92). All three materials demonstrated similar (p=0.19) shrinkage between 10 and 15 minutes after preparation, while between 5 and 16 hours both EXA’lence Monophase and low-viscosity materials demonstrated similar polymerization shrinkage values (p=0.22). EXA’lence Monophase demonstrated significantly greater 24-hour mean shrinkage (p<0.008) as well as shrinkage between recommended first pour time and 24 hours (p=0.003) than Aquasil LV and EXA’lence LB. EXA’lence Monophase demonstrated significantly greater (p=0.002) shrinkage at the recommended time of first pour as compared to Aquasil LV and EXA’lence LB that displayed similar shrinkage (p=0.89). Furthermore, all materials demonstrated increasing polymerization shrinkage values that reached a maximum between 16 for Aquasil LV and 20 hours for EXA’lence LB, after which some relaxation behavior was observed. However, EXA’lence Monophase did not display any relaxation behavior over the 24-hour evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this study, volumetric polymerization shrinkage was observed for one polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) and two vinyl polyether silicone (VPES) materials for up to 24 hours. All impression materials exhibited fast early volumetric shrinkage that continued past the manufacturer’s recommended removal time. Dimensional change behavior was not uniform within or between groups; resultant volume change between the manufacturer recommended pouring time and 24 hours might represent up to from 20% to 30% of the total material shrinkage. It may be prudent to pour elastomeric impressions at the earliest time possible following the manufacturer’s recommendations.

PMID:34919709 | DOI:10.2341/20-265-L

Hum Mol Genet. 2021 Dec 17:ddab361. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddab361. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Understanding the genetic effects on non-coding RNA (ncRNA) expression facilitates functional characterization of disease-associated genetic loci. Among several classes of ncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional gene regulators. Despite its biological importance, previous studies on the genetic architecture of miRNA expression focused mostly on the European individuals, underrepresented in other populations. Here, we mapped miRNA expression quantitative trait loci (miRNA-eQTL) for 343 miRNAs in 141 Japanese using small RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS), identifying 1275 cis-miRNA-eQTL variants for 40 miRNAs (false discovery rate < 0.2). Of these, 25 miRNAs having eQTL were unreported in the European studies, including 5 miRNAs with their lead variant monomorphic in the European populations, which demonstrates the value of miRNA-eQTL analysis in diverse ancestral populations. MiRNAs with eQTL effect showed allele-specific expression (ASE) (e.g. miR-146a-3p), and ASE analysis further detected cis-regulatory variants not captured by the conventional miRNA-eQTL mapping (e.g. miR-933). We identified a copy number variation (CNV) associated with miRNA expression (e.g. miR-570-3p, P = 7.2 × 10-6), which contributes to a more comprehensive landscape of miRNA-eQTLs. To elucidate a post-transcriptional modification in miRNAs, we created a catalog of miRNA-editing sites, including ten canonical and six non-canonical sites. Finally, by integrating the miRNA-eQTLs and Japanese genome-wide association studies of 25 complex traits (mean n = 192 833), we conducted a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS), identifying miR-1908-5p as a potential mediator for adult height, colorectal cancer, and type 2 diabetes (P < 9.1 × 10-5). Our study broadens the population diversity in ncRNA-eQTL studies and contributes to functional annotation of disease-associated loci found in non-European populations.

PMID:34919704 | DOI:10.1093/hmg/ddab361

J AOAC Int. 2021 Dec 17:qsab165. doi: 10.1093/jaoacint/qsab165. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The NEMIS Technologies N-LightTM L. monocytogenes assay utilizes chemiluminescence designed for the qualitative detection of Listeria monocytogenes from environmental surface samples.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the NEMIS Technologies N-LightTM L. monocytogenes assay as part of the AOAC Performance Tested MethodSM Program for the detection of L. monocytogenes on stainless steel, plastic (polystyrene) and ceramic environmental surfaces.

METHODS: Using the Vitl Life Science Solutions Lu-mini luminometer, the NEMIS Technologies N-LightTM L. monocytogenes assay was compared to the ISO 11290-1:2017: Microbiology of the Food Chain-Horizontal method for the detection and enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes and of Listeria spp. – Part 1 using a 1″ x 1″ stainless steel test area in an unpaired study design.

RESULTS: The NEMIS Technologies N-LightTM L. monocytogenes assay using the Vitl Life Science Solutions Lu-mini luminometer demonstrated no statistically significant differences between presumptive and confirmed results or between candidate and reference method results. Data for additional PTM studies met acceptance criteria requirements.

CONCLUSIONS: The NEMIS Technologies N-LightTM L. monocytogenes assay is an effective method for the qualitative detection of L. monocytogenes from stainless steel, plastic (polystyrene) and ceramic environmental surface samples.

HIGHLIGHTS: The NEMIS method is the first chemiluminescence detection system based on a novel, patented, dioxetane compound.

PMID:34919698 | DOI:10.1093/jaoacint/qsab165

J Anim Sci. 2021 Dec 17:skab368. doi: 10.1093/jas/skab368. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most economically significant disease for cattle producers in the U.S. Cattle with advanced lung lesions at harvest have reduced average daily gain, yield grades and carcass quality outcomes. The identification of biomarkers and clinical signs that accurately predict lung lesions could benefit livestock producers in determining a BRD prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves are graphical plots that illustrate the diagnostic ability of a biomarker or clinical sign. Previously we used the area under the ROC curve (AUC) to identify cortisol, hair cortisol and infrared thermography imaging as having acceptable (AUC > 0.7) diagnostic accuracy for detecting pain in cattle. Herein, we used ROC curves to assess the sensitivity and specificity of biomarkers and clinical signs associated with lung lesions after experimentally induced bovine respiratory disease (BRD). We hypothesized pain biomarkers and clinical signs assessed at specific timepoints after induction of BRD could be used to predict lung consolidation at necropsy. Lung consolidation of >10% was retrospectively assigned at necropsy as a true positive indicator of BRD. Calves with a score of <10% were considered negative for BRD. The biomarkers and clinical signs analyzed were serum cortisol; infrared thermography (IRT); mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT); substance P; kinematic gait analysis; a visual analog scale (VAS); clinical illness score (CIS); computerized lung score (CLS); average activity levels; prostaglandin E2 metabolite (PGEM); serum amyloid A and rectal temperature. A total of 5,122 biomarkers and clinical signs were collected from 26 calves, eighteen of which were inoculated with M. haemolytica. All statistics were performed using JMP Pro 14.0. Results comparing calves with significant lung lesions to those without yielded the best diagnostic accuracy (AUC > 0.75) for right front stride length at 0 h; gait velocity at 32 h; VAS, CIS, average activity and rumination levels, step count and rectal temperature, all at 48 h; PGEM at 72 h; gait distance at 120 h; cortisol at 168 h; and IRT, right front force and serum amyloid A, all at 192 h. These results show ROC analysis can be a useful indicator of the predictive value of pain biomarkers and clinical signs in cattle with induced bacterial pneumonia. AUC values for VAS score, average activity levels, step count, and rectal temperature seemed to yield good diagnostic accuracy (AUC > 0.75) at multiple timepoints while MNT values, substance P concentrations, and CLS did not (all AUC values < 0.75).

PMID:34919697 | DOI:10.1093/jas/skab368

J Nutr. 2021 Dec 17:nxab425. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxab425. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rice biofortification with Zinc (Zn) can improve the Zn status of rice-consuming populations. However, the metabolic impact in humans consuming Zn biofortified rice is unknown.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of Zn biofortified rice on lipid metabolism in normolipidemic men.

DESIGN: The men consumed a rice-based diet containing 6 mg Zn/d and 1.5 g phytate (phytate:Zn ratio = 44) for 2 weeks (wk) followed by a 10 mg Zn/d diet without phytate for 4 wk. An ad libitum diet supplemented with 25 mg Zn/d was then fed for 3 wk. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and at the end of each metabolic period for measuring plasma zinc, glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), low- and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fatty acids, oxylipins, and fatty acid desaturase activities. Statistical differences were assessed by linear mixed model.

RESULTS: FADS1 activity decreased by 29.1% (P = 0.007) when the 6 mg Zn/d diet was consumed for 2 wk. This change was associated with significant decreases in HDL-c and LDL-c. The alterations in FADS1, HDL-c and TG remained unchanged when Zn intakes were increased to 10 mg/d for 4 wk. Supplementation with 25 mg Zn/d for 3 wk normalized these metabolic changes and significantly increased LDL-c at the end of this metabolic period compared to baseline. FADS1 activity was inversely correlated with FADS2 (rmcorr = -0.52; P = 0.001) and TG (rmcorr = -0.55; P = 0.001) at all timepoints.

CONCLUSION: A low zinc, high phytate rice-based diet reduced plasma HDL-c concentrations and altered fatty acid profiles in healthy men within 2 wk. Consuming 10 mg Zn/d without phytate for 4 wk did not improve the lipid profiles, but a 25 mg Zn/d supplement corrects these alterations in lipid metabolism within 3 wk. Registration: Clinical Trials.gov: NCT02861352.

PMID:34919682 | DOI:10.1093/jn/nxab425

Int J Qual Health Care. 2021 Dec 17:mzab159. doi: 10.1093/intqhc/mzab159. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Quality of care for Chinese patients with heart failure was substandard. It is of utmost value to ascertain the characteristics related to quality of care to narrow the gap.

METHODS: Data from 2,064 heart failure patients between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2015 at a hospital in Fujian Province were analyzed. Bayesian Network was used to assess the regulatory relationships between demographic, clinical characteristics and compliance with quality indicators.

RESULTS: The compliance with quality indicators ranged from 42.5% to 90.2%. The compliance with recommended doses for medications all reached or was close to 100% except indapamide. In Bayesian network, residence place, hypertension, troponin, B-type natriuretic peptide, heart rate, lung disease, number of emergency treatment, ejection fraction directly regulated the compliance and gender, age, medical payment method, myocardiopathy, coronary heart disease, arrhythmia had indirectly effect. The lower compliance was found in patients under emergency treatment, patients with abnormal testing indicators, patients without specific comorbidities and patients with NRCMS or self-paying. Patients with lung disease and those who lived in urban area had longer length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS: The compliance with medication indicators for heart failure were suboptimal, but recommended doses were prescribed in patients who received medications. A series of strategies should be developed to improve the quality of care, such as expanding the scope and depth of knowledge of guidelines and clinical pathway, integrating the reminder and quality assessment model into hospital medical record information system, paying more attention to vulnerable population and improving the medical security system.

PMID:34919681 | DOI:10.1093/intqhc/mzab159

Genome Biol Evol. 2021 Dec 17:evab279. doi: 10.1093/gbe/evab279. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The recent availability of genome-wide sequencing techniques has allowed systematic screening for molecular signatures of adaptation, including in non-model organisms. Host-pathogen interactions constitute good models due to the strong selective pressures that they entail. We focused on an adaptive event which affected the poplar rust fungus Melampsora larici-populina when it overcame a resistance gene borne by its host, cultivated poplar. Based on 76 virulent and avirulent isolates framing narrowly the estimated date of the adaptive event, we examined the molecular signatures of selection. Using an array of genome scan methods based on different features of nucleotide diversity, we detected a single locus exhibiting a consistent pattern suggestive of a selective sweep in virulent individuals (excess of differentiation between virulent and avirulent samples, linkage disequilibrium, genotype-phenotype statistical association and long-range haplotypes). Our study pinpoints a single gene and further a single amino acid replacement which may have allowed the adaptive event. Although our samples are nearly contemporary to the selective sweep, it does not seem to have affected genome diversity further than the immediate vicinity of the causal locus, which can be explained by a soft selective sweep (where selection acts on standing variation) and by the impact of recombination in mitigating the impact of selection. Therefore, it seems that properties of the life cycle of M. larici-populina, which entails both high genetic diversity and outbreeding, has facilitated its adaptation.

PMID:34919678 | DOI:10.1093/gbe/evab279

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 Dec 17:keab931. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab931. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether early therapeutic intervention, compared with delayed intervention, is beneficial for patients with early systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of SSc patients who received cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, or tocilizumab for diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) or interstitial lung disease (ILD) within 6 years after disease onset. The patients were divided into early and delayed intervention groups based on the disease duration of ≤ 18 and >18 months at treatment introduction, respectively. Clinical worsening was defined as the development of any original or revised ACR Composite Response Index in Systemic Sclerosis (CRISS) step 1 event or progressive fibrosing ILD (PF-ILD).

RESULTS: There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the early (n = 25) and delayed (n = 21) intervention groups except forced vital capacity (FVC), which was better in the early vs delayed intervention groups. The early intervention group less frequently had stable pulmonary function over one year than did the late intervention group (odds ratio 0.087, 95% confidence interval 0.0079-0.51, p = 0.003). The active disease was significantly decreased from 79% to 42% in the early intervention group (p = 0.007), but the change in the delayed intervention group was not statistically significant (68% to 42%, p = 0.11). Cumulative rates free from clinical worsening events defined by revised ACR-CRISS and PF-ILD were significantly higher in the early vs delayed intervention groups (p = 0.03 and 0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSION: A therapeutic “window of opportunity” might exist in SSc patients.

PMID:34919668 | DOI:10.1093/rheumatology/keab931

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 Dec 17:keab933. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab933. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To compare treatment retention between biosimilars and their originator products among first starters (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab and rituximab), as well as after non-medical switch.

METHODS: Patients with rheumatic diseases starting, for the first time, an originator or biosimilar etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, and rituximab were identified in the national Swedish Rheumatology Quality register. Moreover, patients switching from an originator to its biosimilar were identified, and individually matched to patients continuing on the originator. One-year treatment retention was calculated, and hazard ratios (HR) for discontinuation with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated, adjusting for comorbidities and socioeconomic factors.

RESULTS: In total, 21443 first treatment courses were identified. The proportion of patients still on drug at one year, and the HR for discontinuation, revealed no differences across adalimumab (Humira, Imraldi, Amgevita and Hyrimoz) nor across rituximab products (Mabthera, Ritemvia/Truxima and Rixathon). The proportions on drug at one year were similar for Benepali (77%) and Enbrel (75%) and the adjusted HR for Benepali compared to Enbrel was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.83-0.99). For infliximab, the proportion still on drug at one year was 67% for Remicade and 66% for Remsima/Inflectra, and the HR in comparison with Remicade was: 1.16 (95% CI: 1.02-1.33).Among 2925 patients switching from an originator drug to one of its biosimilars, we noted no statistically significant or clinically relevant differences in drug survival compared those who remained on originator therapy.

CONCLUSION: This large observational study supports the equivalence of bDMARD biosimilar products and originators when used in routine rheumatology care.

PMID:34919663 | DOI:10.1093/rheumatology/keab933

Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2021 Nov-Dec;36(6):1235-1246R. doi: 10.11607/jomi.8799.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Patients with maxillary defects after a maxillectomy live with a range of functional and social problems. As techniques for functional reconstruction of the maxilla have been applied in a number of these patients, some of them regained confidence in their lives again. Nevertheless, there was still no clear consensus on the connecting and loading patterns of zygomatic implant-supported prosthetics in bilateral maxillary defects. This study aimed to investigate the function of a novel technique using “three-dimensional ring”-supported prosthetics based on zygomatic implants and compared its effects with two other conventional approaches through assessing the quality of the patient’s life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five eligible patients who had different degrees of maxillectomy received treatment of conventional prostheses with a clasp (25 patients, group 1), a regular implant with obturator removal (10 patients, group 2), or a zygomatic implant combined with “three-dimensional ring”-supported prosthetics (10 patients, group 3). A questionnaire that included the indicators of the Obturator Functioning Scale (OFS) and EORTC Head and Neck 35 assessment was employed to evaluate the functional rehabilitation and quality of life (QOL) of patients in the study. The data were then summarized into a worksheet (Excel 2010), and the mean and standard deviation were calculated. The data were processed with SPSS 19.0 for Windows statistical software.

RESULTS: The questionnaire analysis showed a statistically significant difference in the OFS, EORTC H&N 35, and QOL scores between group 3 and group 1 or group 2. Importantly, in the assessment of EORTC H&N 35, the proportion of patients in group 3 who lost weight after the functional restoration of maxillary defection was lower than that of the other two groups. In this research, a new connection device mode, which provided a retentive force between the zygomatic implants and prosthetics through a 3D ring-shaped milling bar with golden galvanized frames, was conducted and proved to be a reliable and feasible functional reconstruction therapy through patients’ questionnaire surveys.

CONCLUSION: This research provided an effective reconstruction strategy for patients with maxillary resection that could remarkably improve the life quality of patients.

PMID:34919626 | DOI:10.11607/jomi.8799