The added value of skeletal surveys in the initial evaluation of children diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis in the era of staging 18F‐FDG PET/CT: A retrospective study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader The added value of skeletal surveys in the initial evaluation of children diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis in the era of staging 18F‐FDG PET/CT: A retrospective study via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Objective Currently, there is no consensus protocol on the initial staging evaluation for Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Our institutional protocol consists of a skeletal survey and a whole-body positron emission tomography with 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-D-glucose integrated with computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) study. The utility of the PET/CT lies in its sensitivity in detecting osseous and extra-osseous lesions, and in determining the baseline metabolic activity of LCH lesions to assess treatment response. However, the added utility of the skeletal survey in staging LCH is unclear. Therefore, this study retrospectively assessed the added diagnostic value of skeletal surveys in patients with baseline PET/CTs for initial staging of LCH. Methods We retrospectively searched the medical records of all patients less than or equal to 18 years old at a large children's hospital (May 2013 to September 2021). The inclusion criteria were (a) biopsy-proven diagnosis of LCH and (b) initial staging PET/CT and skeletal survey performed less than or equal to 1 month apart. A blinded pediatric radiologist reviewed the skeletal surveys and another reviewed the PET/CTs in identifying LCH osseous lesions. Results Our study cohort consisted of 49 children with 86 LCH osseous lesions. In non-extremity locations, PET/CT identified 70/70 (100%) osseous lesions, while skeletal surveys detected 43/70 (61.4%) osseous lesions. In the extremities, PET/CT identified 13/16 (81.3%) osseous lesions, while skeletal surveys detected 15/16 (93.8%) osseous lesions. Conclusion Skeletal surveys increased the detection rate of osseous lesions in the extremities, but added no diagnostic value to the detection of osseous lesions in non-extremity locations. Therefore, we propose to abbreviate the skeletal survey to include only extremity radiographs. View on Web

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Histopathologically defined intestinal metaplasia in lesser curvature of corpus prior to Helicobacter pylori eradication is a risk factor for gastric cancer development

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Histopathologically defined intestinal metaplasia in lesser curvature of corpus prior to Helicobacter pylori eradication is a risk factor for gastric cancer development via Helicobacter Abstract Background and Aim Helicobacter pylori eradication has been shown to reduce the risk of gastric cancer (GC), with the number of eradication therapy cases on the rise. However, GC can still occur after successful treatment, and the histological differences prior to eradication in patients with and without GC are unclear. This study investigated the pre-treatment histological risk factors for GC development following eradication therapy. Methods We retrospectively enrolled consecutive adult patients diagnosed as having H. pylori infection between April 2004 and December 2018. Atrophy and intestinal metaplasia (IM) were histologically assessed according to the updated Sydney System. The operative link on gastritis assessment and the operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia (OLGIM) were evaluated as well. Results Of the 247 patients analyzed in this study, 11 (4.5%) experienced GC after eradication therapy. Histological IM scores in the GC group were significantly higher at all gastric biopsy sites (p < .05), and the proportion of OLGIM III/IV stage was significantly greater in GC patients (81.8% vs. 31.8%, p < .01). For GC prediction, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for IM score at the lesser curvature of the corpus was the highest among all biopsy sites and not inferior to OLGIM results. Conclusions Patients with histological IM prior to H. pylori eradication, especially at the lesser curvature of the corpus, may be at elevated risk for GC development after eradication therapy and require close surveillance. View on Web

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Single-dose versus prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis for alveolar bone grafting in cleft patients

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Single-dose versus prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis for alveolar bone grafting in cleft patients via International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery via MedWorm.com This study compared the infection rate between prolonged and single-dose prophylaxis for this procedure, with the null hypothesis of no difference between the two groups. In total, 109 ABG procedures in 94 cleft patients performed by two surgeons were included. (Source: International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) View on Web

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Streptococcus mutans dexA affects exopolysaccharides production and biofilm homeostasis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Streptococcus mutans dexA affects exopolysaccharides production and biofilm homeostasis via Molecular Oral Microbiology Abstract Objectives : The study aimed to evaluate the role of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) dexA gene on biofilm structure and microecological distribution in multi-species biofilms. Materials and Methods : A multi-species biofilm model consisting of S. mutans and its dexA mutants, Streptococcus gordonii (S. gordonii) and Streptococcus sanguinis (S. sanguinis) was constructed, and bacterial growth, biofilm architecture and microbiota composition were determined to study the effect of the S. mutans dexA on multi-species biofilms. Results : Our results showed that either deletion or overexpression of S. mutans dexA had no effect on the planktonic growth of bacterium, while S. mutans dominated in the multi-species biofilms to form cariogenic biofilms. Furthermore, we revealed that the SmudexA+ group showed structural abnormality in the form of more fractures and blank areas. The morphology of the SmudexA group was sparser and more porous, with reduced and less agglomerated exopolysaccharides scaffold. Interestingly, the microbiota composition analysis provided new insights that the inhibition of S. gordonii and S. sanguinis was alleviated in the SmudexA group compared to the significantly suppressed condition in the other groups. Conclusion : In conclusion, deletion of S. mutans dexA gene re-modules biofilm structure and microbiota composition, thereby leading to decreased cariogenicity. Thus, the S. mutans dexA may be an important target for regulating the cariogenicity of dental plaque biofilms, expecting to be a probiotic for caries control. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved View on Web

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Knockdown of circGOLPH3 inhibits cell progression and glycolysis by targeting miR‐145‐5p/lysine demethylase 2A (KDM2A) axis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Knockdown of circGOLPH3 inhibits cell progression and glycolysis by targeting miR‐145‐5p/lysine demethylase 2A (KDM2A) axis in oral squamous cell carcinoma via Head & Neck Abstract Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common head and neck malignancies. The aim of this study is to explore the role of circRNA Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) (circGOLPH3) in OSCC. Methods Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot were performed to detect changes in the levels of circGOLPH3, microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p), and lysine demethylase 2A (KDM2A). The functions of circGOLPH3 were assessed using in vitro and in vivo assays. Dual-luciferase reporter assay detected the interaction of miR-145-5p with circGOLPH3 or KDM2A. Results circGOLPH3 expression was upregulated in OSCC. circGOLPH3 downregulation inhibited cell growth, metastasis, and glycolysis in vitro, and in vivo experiments revealed that circGOLPH3 inhibited tumor growth. In addition, circGOLPH3 bound to miR-145-5p and competitively inhibited KDM2A expression, thereby regulating OSCC cell behaviors as well as glycolysis. Conclusion circGOLPH3 exerted pro-oncogenic effects through the miR-145-5p/KDM2A axis to regulate OSCC cell behaviors. View on Web

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Lipopolysaccharides and Hydrogen Peroxide Induce Contrasting Pathological Conditions in Dental Pulpal Cells

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Lipopolysaccharides and Hydrogen Peroxide Induce Contrasting Pathological Conditions in Dental Pulpal Cells via International Endodontic Journal Abstract Abstract Aim To determine the effects of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and both combined on cell proliferation/differentiation, inflammation, mitochondrial dynamics as indicated by mitochondrial fission/fusion, antioxidants as indicated by superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), and apoptosis of human dental pulpal cells (HDPCs). Methodology Pulpal tissues from eight healthy subjects (n=8) were collected from Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University. Isolated HDPCs from healthy donors were divided into four experimental groups: vehicle, 20 μg/mL LPS, 400 μM H2O2, and the two combined. All experimental groups were investigated to assess cell proliferation, mineralization, differentiation, inflammation, mitochondrial dynamics, antioxidants, and apoptosis. Results H2O2 and combined agents decreased cell proliferation of HDPCs equally. LPS, H2O2 and both combined decreased mineralization and differentiation with an increase in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels. Surprisingly, LPS and combined agents increased SOD2 expression and caused an imbalance in mitochondrial dynamics. A significant increase in apoptosis was observed in the case of H2O2 and combined agents. Conclusions These findings suggest that LPS induced inflammation, imbalanced mitochondrial dynamics, and reduced cell differentiation without altering apoptosis and cell proliferation. However, H2O2 decreased cell proliferation, and differentiation, and increased inflammation, and apoptosis without interfering with mitochondrial dynamics. Based on our findings, combining LPS and H2O2 could be potentially used the inducers in in vitro study to mimic the clinical pulpitis. View on Web

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Cytomegalovirus in the transplant setting: where are we now and what happens next? A report from the International CMV Symposium 2021

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Cytomegalovirus in the transplant setting: where are we now and what happens next? A report from the International CMV Symposium 2021 via Transplant Infectious Disease Abstract The CMV Symposium in September 2021 was an international conference dedicated to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after solid organ or haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This review provides an overview of the presentations given by the expert faculty, supplemented with educational clinical cases. Topics discussed include CMV epidemiology and diagnosis, the burden of CMV infection and disease, CMV-specific immunity and management of CMV in transplant settings. Major advances in the prevention and treatment of CMV in the past decade and increased understanding of CMV immunity has led to improved patient outcomes. In the future, management algorithms may be individualised based on the transplant recipient's immune profile which will mark the start of a new era for patients with CMV. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved View on Web

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Waning of first- and second-dose ChAdOx1 and BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccinations: a pooled target trial study of 12.9 million individuals in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Waning of first- and second-dose ChAdOx1 and BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccinations: a pooled target trial study of 12.9 million individuals in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales via International Journal of Epidemiology - Advance Access Abstract Background Several SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been shown to provide protection against COVID-19 hospitalization and death. However, some evidence suggests that notable waning in effectiveness against these outcomes occurs within months of vaccination. We undertook a pooled analysis across the four nations of the UK to investigate waning in vaccine effectiveness (VE) and relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) against severe COVID-19 outcomes. Methods We carried out a target trial design for first/second doses of ChAdOx1(Oxford–AstraZeneca) and BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) with a composite outcome of COVID-19 hospitalization or death over the period 8 December 2020 to 30 June 2021. Exposure groups were matched by age, local authority area and propensity for vaccination. We pooled event counts across the four UK nations. Results For Doses 1 and 2 of ChAdOx1 and Dose 1 of BNT162b2, VE/rVE reached zero by approximately Days 60–80 and then went negative. By Day 70, VE/rVE was –25% (95% CI: –80 to 14) and 10% (95% CI: –32 to 39) for Doses 1 and 2 of ChAdOx1, respectively, and 42% (95% CI: 9 to 64) and 53% (95% CI: 26 to 70) for Doses 1 and 2 of BNT162b2, respectively. rVE for Dose 2 of BNT162b2 remained above zero throughout and reached 46% (95% CI: 13 to 67) after 98 days of follow-up. Conclusions We found strong evidence of waning in VE/rVE for Doses 1 and 2 of ChAdOx1, as well as Dose 1 of BNT162b2. This evidence may be used to inform policies on timings of additional doses of vaccine. View on Web

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