Tag: pubmed

Acta Odontol Scand. 2024 May 3;83:219-229. doi: 10.2340/aos.v83.40260.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Health complaints attributed to dental amalgam fillings comprise both intraoral and general health complaints. There are data suggesting that patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) attributed to amalgam fillings show improvement in symptoms after removal of all amalgam fillings. However, data indicating changes of specific health complaints are limited. This study evaluated the changes of health complaints after removal of amalgam restorations in patients with health complaints attributed to dental amalgam fillings.

METHOD: Patients with MUPS attributed to dental amalgam (Amalgam cohort) had all their amalgam fillings removed. The participants indicated an intensity of 11 local and 12 general health complaints on numeric rating scales before the treatment and at follow-up after 1 and 5 years. The comparison groups comprising a group of healthy individuals and a group of patients with MUPS without symptom attribution to dental amalgam did not have their amalgam restorations removed.

RESULTS: In the Amalgam cohort, mean symptom intensity was lower for all 23 health complaints at follow-up at 1 year compared to baseline. Statistically significant changes were observed for specific health complaints with effect sizes between 0.36 and 0.68. At the 5-year follow-up, the intensity of symptoms remained consistently lower compared to before the amalgam removal. In the comparison groups, no significant changes of intensity of symptoms of health complaints were observed.

CONCLUSION: After removal of all amalgam restorations, both local and general health complaints were reduced. Since blinding of the treatment was not possible, specific and non-specific treatment effects cannot be separated.

PMID:38699922 | DOI:10.2340/aos.v83.40260

Biotechnol Prog. 2024 May 3:e3477. doi: 10.1002/btpr.3477. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Media preparation parameters contribute significantly to media quality, cell culture performance, productivity, and product quality. Establishing proper media preparation procedures is critical for ensuring a robust CHO cell culture process. Process analytical technology (PAT) enables unique ways to quantify assessments and improve media quality. Here, cell culture media were prepared under a wide range of temperatures (40-80°C) and pH (7.6-10.0). Media quality profiles were compared using three real-time PATs: Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy. FTIR and Raman spectroscopies identified shifts in media quality under high preparation temperature (80°C) and at differing preparation pH which negatively impacted monoclonal antibody (mAb) production. In fed-batch processes for production of three different mAbs, viable cell density (VCD) and cell viability were mostly unaffected under all media preparation temperatures, while titer and cell specific productivity of mAb decreased when cultured in basal and feed media prepared at 80°C. High feed preparation pH alone was tolerated but cell growth and productivity profiles deviated from the control condition. Further, charge variants (main, acidic, basic species) and glycosylation (G0F, afucosylation, and high mannose) were examined. Statistically significant differences were observed for one or more of these quality attributes with any shifts in media preparation. In this study, we demonstrated strong associations between media preparation conditions and cell growth, productivity, and product quality. The rapid evaluation of media by PAT implementation enabled more comprehensive understanding of different parameters on media quality and consequential effects on CHO cell culture.

PMID:38699906 | DOI:10.1002/btpr.3477

Euro Surveill. 2024 May;29(18). doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.18.2300558.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundTick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a severe, vaccine-preventable viral infection of the central nervous system. Symptoms are generally milder in children and adolescents than in adults, though severe disease does occur. A better understanding of the disease burden and duration of vaccine-mediated protection is important for vaccination recommendations.AimTo estimate TBE vaccination coverage, disease severity and vaccine effectiveness (VE) among individuals aged 0-17 years in Switzerland.MethodsVaccination coverage between 2005 and 2022 was estimated using the Swiss National Vaccination Coverage Survey (SNVCS), a nationwide, repeated cross-sectional study assessing vaccine uptake. Incidence and severity of TBE between 2005 and 2022 were determined using data from the Swiss disease surveillance system and VE was calculated using a case-control analysis, matching TBE cases with SNVCS controls.ResultsOver the study period, vaccination coverage increased substantially, from 4.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.1-5.5%) to 50.1% (95% CI: 48.3-52.0%). Reported clinical symptoms in TBE cases were similar irrespective of age. Neurological involvement was less likely in incompletely (1-2 doses) and completely (≥ 3 doses) vaccinated cases compared with unvaccinated ones. For incomplete vaccination, VE was 66.2% (95% CI: 42.3-80.2), whereas VE for complete vaccination was 90.8% (95% CI: 87.7-96.4). Vaccine effectiveness remained high, 83.9% (95% CI: 69.0-91.7) up to 10 years since last vaccination.ConclusionsEven children younger than 5 years can experience severe TBE. Incomplete and complete vaccination protect against neurological manifestations of the disease. Complete vaccination offers durable protection up to 10 years against TBE.

PMID:38699900 | DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.18.2300558

J Vet Intern Med. 2024 May 3. doi: 10.1111/jvim.17081. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dogs with congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (IHPSS) are predisposed to gastrointestinal inflammation, ulceration, and bleeding, unlike dogs with congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (EHPSS). Limited information is available about hematologic differences between dogs with IHPSS and dogs with EHPSS.

OBJECTIVE: Compare hemogram variables between dogs with IHPSS and EHPSS. We hypothesized that hematologic variables would differ between the 2 populations, with a higher frequency and severity of anemia and microcytosis in dogs with IHPSS.

ANIMALS: Twenty-six client-owned dogs with IHPSS and 35 client-owned dogs with EHPSS.

METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Dogs were included if a CBC was performed before shunt attenuation. Contingency analysis was performed to determine if the frequency of clinical signs and of hematologic variables below the reference range differed between groups. Hematologic and selected biochemical variables were compared between groups using an analysis of covariance with age as a covariate.

RESULTS: Gastrointestinal clinical signs (IHPSS, 81% vs EHPSS, 34%; P = .01), anemia (31% vs 6%; P = .01), microcytosis (77% vs 29%; P = .002), and hypochromia (77% vs 49%; P = .03) were more common in dogs with IHPSS than in dogs with EHPSS. Dogs with IHPSS had lower packed cell volume (34% vs 41%, P = .04), hemoglobin concentration (11.5 g/dL vs 13.7 g/dL, P = .03), mean corpuscular volume (57 fL vs 65 fL; P = .001), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (32 g/dL vs 33 g/dL; P = .04) than dogs with EHPSS.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Dogs with IHPSS had a higher frequency of anemia, microcytosis, and hypochromia and exhibited more gastrointestinal clinical signs.

PMID:38699882 | DOI:10.1111/jvim.17081

Chemistry. 2024 May 3:e202401047. doi: 10.1002/chem.202401047. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The ability of light to change the properties of light-responsive polymers opens avenues for targeted release of cargo with a high degree of spatial and temporal control. Recently, we established photoacid polymers as light-switchable macromolecular amphiphiles. In these systems, light-induced excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) causes changes in amphilicity. However, as the intermolecular process itself critically depends on the local environment of the photoacid unit within the polymer, the overall amphiphilicity directly influences ESPT. Thus, understanding the impact of the local environment on the photophysics of photoacidic side chains is key to material design. In this contribution we address both thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of ESPT in oxazoline-based amphiphilic polymers with pyrenol-based photoacid side chains. We will compare the effect of polymer design, i.e. statistical and block arrangements, i.e. in poly[(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-co-(1-(6/8-hydroxyperene)sulphonylaziridine)] and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-block-poly[(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-co-(2-(3-(6-hydroxypyrene)sulphona mide)propyl-2-oxazoline), on the intermolecular proton transfer reaction by combining steady-state and time-resolved absorption and emission spectroscopy. ESPT appears more prominent in the statistical copolymer compared to a block copolymer with overall similar pyrenol loading. We hypothesize that the difference is due to different local chain arrangements adopted by the polymers in the two cases.

PMID:38699878 | DOI:10.1002/chem.202401047

Electromagn Biol Med. 2024 May 3:1-11. doi: 10.1080/15368378.2024.2348574. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Exposure to electromagnetic fields causes a variety of health problems in living systems. We investigated EMF pollution in Şanlıurfa city center and also investigated anxiety-depression symptoms in individuals (18-40 years old) exposed to this pollution. For this purpose, electric field and magnetic field measurements were taken at Electricity Distribution Center and 44 substations (for each transformer), at 0 points, 1 meter away, 2 meters away and the house/office closest to the transformer. The experimental group was individuals living in electricity distribution center residences and individuals living near transformers (n = 55). The control group was selected from individuals who lived outside the city center of Şanlıurfa, did not have transformers or high transmission lines near their homes, and did not have any chronic diseases that could cause stress (n = 50). Anxiety and depression symptoms of the groups were measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory Scale (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory Scale (BDI). The relationship between EMF pollution and anxiety-depression was evaluated statistically. Maximum MF and EF values were recorded as 0.22 mT and 65.9 kV/m, respectively. All measured MF values were below standards, but EF values were above standards at some points. In conclusion, there is no statistically convincing evidence of a relationship between EMF exposure and anxiety-depression (p > 0.05). This result shows that there may be more meaningful results in places with higher EMF levels. We interpreted the fact that exposure to electromagnetic fields does not cause anxiety and depression in individuals, as the measured values are below the limit values.

PMID:38699873 | DOI:10.1080/15368378.2024.2348574

Coron Artery Dis. 2024 May 3. doi: 10.1097/MCA.0000000000001382. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The SYNTAX score is a score that grades the severity and complexity of coronary lesions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (triglyceride/HDL-C) ratio and SYNTAX scores in patients presenting with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

METHODS: This prospective study included 258 patients who presented at our center with STEMI, and underwent coronary angiography (CAG). The triglyceride/HDL-C ratio was calculated, and the relationship of this ratio with the SYNTAX score was determined with univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses.

RESULTS: The patients were separated into two groups according to the triglyceride/HDL-C ratios as low (<3.88) and high (≥3.88). The SYNTAX scores of the group with a high triglyceride/HDL-C score were determined to be significantly high (P < 0.001). When the SYNTAX scores were separated into two groups as low (≤22) and high (>23), a statistically significant correlation was determined between a high SYNTAX score and a high triglyceride/HDL-C ratio (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis was performed for the SYNTAX score, and the BMI value [odds ratio (OR) = 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85-0.98] and the triglyceride/HDL-C ratio (OR = 6.86, 95% CI: 3.45-13.65) alone were determined to be independent determinants of the SYNTAX score.

CONCLUSION: The most important result obtained from this study was that the triglyceride/HDL-C ratio, which is an index that has recently started to be frequently used, was a marker of greater coronary anatomic complexity (SYNTAX score >22), independently of other parameters in patients who presented with NSTEMI and underwent CAG.

PMID:38699854 | DOI:10.1097/MCA.0000000000001382

Histol Histopathol. 2024 Apr 18:18750. doi: 10.14670/HH-18-750. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The study aims to evaluate corneal healing post amniotic membrane transplantation in controlled corneal defects, justifying its application in routine ophthalmology practice. The objective is to establish a reliable method for assessing the repair process. In three groups of six adult New Zealand rabbits, keratectomy and a monolayer transplant of dehydrated human amniotic membrane (AM) were conducted in the left eye (OS) with the right eye (OD) serving as the control eye. Clinical signs were assessed, and both eyes were enucleated at 1, 2, and 4 weeks for optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements and histological analysis, collecting data from different epithelium, stroma, and limbus regions. This study was conducted using a formula that combines histologic data categorizing their presence and/or type as beneficial for corneal repair. No statistically significant differences were found between the experimental and control eyes regarding all clinical signs and OCT measurements. However, a linear model using histopathological results showed a period-implant mode interaction with statistical significance (p=0.010). The use of the single-layer amniotic membrane resulted in improved corneal recovery with the stromal side showing better performance in the first week and the epithelial side proving to be more effective than the stromal side in the long term. For the first time, a statistical formula employing histopathological data is introduced to determine corneal recovery, potentially offering a more accurate and reliable method compared with the observation of clinical signs and corneal measurements with OCT.

PMID:38699846 | DOI:10.14670/HH-18-750

J Periodontal Res. 2024 May 3. doi: 10.1111/jre.13230. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND: This research aimed to examine the role of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8; also known as IL-8) in neutrophilic inflammation triggered by peri-implantitis and to shed light on the underlying mechanisms that link them to the development of this condition.

MATERIALS: This study included 40 patients who visited the Department of Periodontology at Kyungpook University Dental Hospital. They were divided into two groups based on their condition: healthy implant (HI) group (n = 20) and peri-implantitis (PI) group (n = 20). Biopsy samples of PI tissue were collected from the patients under local anesthesia. HI tissue was obtained using the same method during the second implant surgery. To construct libraries for control and test RNAs, the QuantSeq 3′ mRNA-Seq Library Prep Kit (Lexogen, Inc., Austria) was used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Samples were pooled based on representative cytokines obtained from RNA sequencing results and subjected to Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis were performed to visually assess expression levels and analyze tissue histology. Student’s t-test was employed to conduct statistical analyses.

RESULTS: Initially, heatmaps were used to examine gene expression variations between the HI and PI groups based on the results of RNA sequencing. Notably, among various cytokines, CXCL5 and CXCL8 had the highest expression levels in the PI group compared with the HI group, and they are known to be associated with inflammatory responses. In the gingival tissues, the expression of genes encoding cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and CXCL5/CXCL8 was assessed via RT-qPCR. The mRNA expression level of CXCL5/CXCL8 significantly increased in the PI group compared with the HI group (p < .045). Contrarily, the mRNA expression level of interleukin 36 receptor antagonist (IL36RN) significantly decreased (p < .008). IHC enabled examination of the distribution and intensity of CXCL5/CXCL8 protein expression within the tissue samples. Specifically, increased levels of CXCL5/CXCL8 promote inflammatory responses, cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion within the peri-implant tissues. These effects are mediated through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the PI sites had higher gene expression level of CXCL8/CXCL5 in the soft tissue than HI sites, which could help achieve more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

PMID:38699841 | DOI:10.1111/jre.13230

J Periodontal Res. 2024 May 3. doi: 10.1111/jre.13256. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis is associated with bone microarchitecture alterations, and the depletion of estrogen during menopause is a major contributing factor to its development. The literature highlights the noteworthy role of gut microbiota in bone metabolism, particularly in the progression of osteoporosis. Periodontal disease leads to alveolar bone loss, which may be influenced by estrogen deficiency, and this mechanism is intricately associated with an imbalance in systemic microbiota. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 (B. lactis HN019) and Lacticaseibacillus casei 01 (L. casei 01) administrations on an osteoporosis animal model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three female rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (C-OVX), C-OVX-HN019 and C-OVX-LC01. All animals were ovariectomized. In groups C-OVX-HN019 and C-OVX-LC01, the probiotics were administered for 4 months. All animals were euthanized after 16 weeks from ovariectomy. Microtomographic, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were conducted on periodontal tissues, whereas histomorphometry, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were carried out on the intestine. The levels of estradiol were assessed in blood using an immunoenzymatic assay. The data were subjected to statistical analyses (p < .05).

RESULTS: The C-OVX-LC01 group exhibited a significant reduction in alveolar bone porosity and an increase in connective tissue density compared to C-OVX (p < .05). The C-OVX-HN019 and C-OVX-LC01 groups presented reduced expression of TRAP and RANKL compared to the C-OVX (p < .05). The C-OVX group presented villi defects, mild neutrophil infiltration, decrease in both villous height and intestinal crypts and reduced expression of intestinal junctional epithelium markers e-cadherin and claudin 01 compared to C-OVX-HN019 and C-OVX-LC01 (p < .05). The C-OVX group had lower estradiol levels than C-OVX-HN019 and C-OVX-LC01 (p < .05).

CONCLUSION: The probiotic therapy promoted a reduction in alveolar bone destruction and intestinal permeability as well as an increase in estradiol levels in ovariectomized rats. Specifically, the probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus casei 01 exhibited greater effectiveness compared to Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019, indicating strain-dependent outcomes.

PMID:38699835 | DOI:10.1111/jre.13256