Blog Archive

Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Single nucleotide polymorphisms as a predisposing factor for the development of apical periodontitis ‐ an umbrella review

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Background

The interaction between heredity and different environmental factors in the modification of apical periodontitis (AP) susceptibility and prediction of its progression remain poorly elucidated.

Objectives

This umbrella review aimed to (i) analyse the available relevant systematic reviews in an attempt to determine the association between genotype and allelic distribution of different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the development of AP, (ii) report deficiencies and gaps in knowledge in this area, and (iii) present recommendations to conduct future clinical studies and systematic reviews.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, from inception to October 2021, with no language restrictions, including a grey literature search. Systematic reviews with/without meta-analysis evaluating genotype and allelic distribution of different SNPs between adult patients with/ without AP were included. All other type of studies were excluded. The methodological quality was assessed using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) - 2 tool. Two independent reviewers were involved in study selection, data extraction, and appraising the included reviews; disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer.

Results

The current study includes five systematic reviews. Three reviews performed meta-analysis. Three reviews were graded by AMSTAR 2 as 'critically low' quality, whereas other two were graded as 'low' and 'moderate' quality. Two reviews indicated that carriers of specific genotypes and alleles of tumour necrosis factor – alpha (TNF-α) -308 G>A and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) +3954 C/T gene polymorphisms are more susceptible to an acute and persistent form of AP. However, high heterogeneity was observed.

Discussion

The statistical heterogeneity within included systematic reviews was a consequence of clinical and methodological diversity amongst primary studies. Although some of included reviews suggested that carriers of specific genotype and/or allele of TNF-α -308 G>A and IL-1β +3954 C/T SNPs are more susceptible to AP, their conclusions should be interpreted with caution.

Conclusions

No candidate genes could be identified as a definitive genetic risk or protective factor for the development and progression of AP, and further high-quality genome-wide association studies are warranted.

View on the web

Crescent‐shaped skin paddle for a fibular flap: Avoiding skin grafting at the donor site

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

A fibular osteocutaneous flap is the mainstay of oromandibular reconstruction. This report aimed to present a crescent-shaped skin paddle, a novel fibular skin paddle designed to achieve both sufficient intraoral lining and primary closure of the donor site. A 3–5-cm-wide crescent-shaped skin paddle was harvested according to the locations of the distal septocutaneous perforators on preoperative color Doppler sonography. This narrow skin paddle fits well morphologically into the mucosal defect, enabling a reliable intraoral lining. This advantage becomes more evident when the mandibular defect crosses the midline or extends posteriorly to the maxillary tuberosity as the shape of the mucosal defect becomes arcuate. Primary closure of the donor site is easier to achieve because the required width of the crescent-shaped skin paddle is minimized. This method reduces donor-site morbidity associated with skin grafting while ensuring safe intraoral closure with a fibular osteocutaneous flap.

View on the web

Inverse co-expression of EZH2 and acetylated H3K27 in prostatic tissue

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

1-s2.0-S1092913421X0007X-cov150h.gif

Publication date: Available online 27 April 2022

Source: Annals of Diagnostic Pathology

Author(s): Andrii Puzyrenko, Suresh N. Kumar, Cooley G. Pantazis, Kenneth A. Iczkowski

View on the web

Prognostic and therapeutic significance of XPO1 in T-cell lymphoma

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

1-s2.0-S0014482722X00104-cov150h.gif

Publication date: Available online 27 April 2022

Source: Experimental Cell Research

Author(s): Danian Nie, Xiaohui Xiao, Jiaoting Chen, Shuangfeng Xie, Jie Xiao, Wenjuan Yang, Hongyun Liu, Jieyu Wang, Liping Ma, Yumo Du, Kezhi Huang, Yiqing Li

View on the web

Accumulated bladder wall dose is correlated with patient-reported acute urinary toxicity in prostate cancer patients treated with stereotactic, daily adaptive MR-guided radiotherapy

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

1-s2.0-S0167814022X00030-cov150h.gif

Publication date: Available online 28 April 2022

Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology

Author(s): Thomas Willigenburg, Joanne M. van der Velden, Cornel Zachiu, Frederik R. Teunissen, Jan J.W. Lagendijk, Bas W. Raaymakers, Johannes C.J. de Boer, Jochem R.N. van der Voort van Zyp

View on the web

Is inhaled zanamivir non-inferior to oral oseltamivir in the treatment of outpatients with influenza?

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader
View on the web

Airflow patterns in double occupancy patient rooms may contribute to roommate-to-roommate transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader
Abstract
Background
Hospitalized patients are at risk to acquire severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from roommates with unrecognized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We hypothesized that airflow patterns might contribute to SARS-CoV-2 transmission in double occupancy patient rooms.
Methods
A device emitting condensed moisture was used to identify airflow patterns in double occupancy patient rooms. Simulations were conducted to assess transfer of fluorescent microspheres, 5% sodium chloride aerosol, and aerosolized bacteriophage MS2 between patient beds 3 meters apart and to assess the effectiveness of privacy curtains and portable air cleaners in reducing transfer.
Results
Air flowed from inlet vents in the center of the room to an outlet vent near the door, resulting in air currents flowing toward the bed adjacent to the outlet vent. Fluorescent microspheres (212-250 µm diameter), 5% sodium chlor ide aerosol, and aerosolized bacteriophage MS2 released from the inner bed were carried on air currents toward the bed adjacent to the outlet vent. Closing curtains between the patient beds reduced transfer of each of the particles. Operation of a portable air cleaner reduced aerosol transfer to the bed adjacent to the outlet vent but did not offer a benefit over closing the curtains alone, and in some situations resulted in an increase in aerosol exposure.
Conclusion
Airflow patterns in double occupancy patient rooms may contribute to risk for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between roommates. Keeping curtains closed between beds may be beneficial in reducing risk.
View on the web

Potentiation of antibiotic activity, and efflux pumps inhibition by (2E)‐1‐(4‐aminophenyl)‐3‐(4‐fluorophenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

In recent years, bacterial resistance to traditional drugs has increased, and the need to find new effective antibiotics to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria has consequently become more important. The current study aimed to evaluate the potentiation of antibiotic activity and efflux pumps inhibition by (2E)-1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (PA-Fluorine) against the standard and resistant bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The association between PA-Fluorine and ampicillin reduced the MIC, showing a synergistic effect against Staphylococcus aureus. For Escherichia coli, PA-Fluoride did not show any significant results when associated with ampicillin. Ciprofloxacin and chlorpromazine showed synergy with PA-Fluorine on the two studied strains. An efflux pump mechanism was involved in the mechanism of action of chlorpromazine, norfloxacin, and ethidium bromide. PA-Fluorine synerg istically modulated norfloxacin and bromide. It was thus concluded that PA-Fluorine has the potential to enhance antibacterial activity when combined with antibiotics. Molecular docking studies showed the effect of intermolecular interactions of PA-Fluorine on the NorA and MepA efflux pumps. Physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties were also obtained by ADMET studies for this chalcone, which presents be a strong candidate as an efflux pump inhibitor.

View on the web

Cochlear Fluid Spaces and Structures of the  Gerbil High-Frequency Region Measured Using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader
In this study, optical coherence tomography was employed to obtain volumetric images of the high-frequency hook region of the gerbil cochlea, as viewed through the round window, with far better resolution capability than had been possible before. The anatomical structures and fluid spaces of the organ of Corti were segmented and quantified in vivo and over a 90-min postmortem period. We find that the arcuate-zone and pectinate-zone widths change very little postmortem. The volume of the scala tympani between the round-window membrane and basilar membrane and the volume of the inner spiral sulcus decrease in the first 60-min postmortem. While textbook drawings of the  mammalian organ of Corti and cortilymph prominently depict the tunnel of Corti, the outer tunnel is typically missing. This...
View on the web

Electrical and Immunohistochemical Properties of Cochlear Fibrocytes in 3D Cell Culture and in the Excised Spiral Ligament of Mice

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader
AbstractFibrocyte degeneration in the cochlear lateral wall is one possible pathology of age-related metabolic hearing loss (presbycusis). Within the lateral wall fibrocytes play a role in potassium recycling and maintenance of the endocochlear potential. It has been proposed that cell replacement therapy could prevent fibrocyte degeneration in the CD/1 mouse model of hearing loss. For this to work, the replacement fibrocytes would need to take over the structural and physiological role of those lost. We have grown lateral wall fibrocytes from neonatal CD/1 mice in a 3D-collagen gel culture with the aim of assessing their functional similarity to native lateral wall fibrocytes, the latter in a slice preparation and in excised spiral ligament pieces. We have compared cultured and native fib...
View on the web

Evidence for Loss of Activity in Low-Spontaneous-Rate Auditory Nerve Fibers of Older Adults

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader
This study is the first to successfully assess forward-masked recovery functions in both younger and older adults and provides important insights into the structural and functional changes occurring in the AN with increasing age. (Source: JARO - Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology)
View on the web

Intracochlear Sound Pressure Measurements in Normal Human Temporal Bones During Bone Conduction Stimulation

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader
AbstractBone conduction (BC) is heavily relied upon in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss, but is poorly understood. For example, the relative importance and frequency dependence of various identified BC sound transmission mechanisms that contribute to activate the cochlear partition remain unknown. Recently, we have developed techniques in fresh human cadaveric specimens to directly measure scalae pressures with micro-fiberoptic sensors, enabling us to monitor the input pressure drive across the cochlear partition that triggers the cochlear traveling wave during air conduction (AC) and round-window stimulation. However, BC stimulation poses challenges that can result in inaccurate intracochlear pressure measurements. Therefore, we have developed a new technique described here tha...
View on the web

gom1 Mutant Mice as a Model of Otitis Media

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader
AbstractOtitis media (OM) disease is a common cause of hearing loss that is primarily the result of middle ear infection. At present, our understanding of the mechanisms leading to OM is limited due to the lack of animal models of OM with effusion (OME). Here, we report that the mice withgenetic otitis media one (gom1) mutants are prone to OM.gom1 Mice were produced by theN-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis program as an animal model to study OM. These mice demonstrate many common features of OM, such as middle ear effusion and hearing impairment. We revealed thatgom1 mice display various signs of middle ear and inner ear dysfunctions, including elevated thresholds of auditory-evoked brainstem response (ABR) and lack of cochlear microphonic responses. Decreased compliance in  tympanom...
View on the web