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Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Periodontitis is associated with the development of fungal sinusitis: A nationwide 12‐year follow‐up study

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Abstract

Aims

The incidence of fungal sinusitis is increasing; however, its pathophysiology has not been investigated previously. This study investigated the effect of periodontitis on the incidence of fungal sinusitis over a 12-year follow-up period using nationwide, population-based data.

Materials and Methods

The periodontitis group was randomly selected from the National-Health-Insurance-Service database. The non-periodontitis group was obtained by propensity score matching considering several variables. The primary end point was the diagnosis of sinonasal fungal balls and invasive fungal sinusitis.

Results

The periodontitis and non-periodontitis groups included 12442 and 12442 individuals, respectively. The overall adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for sinonasal fungal balls in the periodontitis group was 1.46 (p=0.002). In subgroup analysis, the aHR for sinonasal fungal balls was 1.59 (p=0.008) for those with underlying chronic kidney disease (CKD), 1.58 (p=0.022) for those with underlying atopic dermatitis, 1.48 (p=0.019) for those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and 1.36 (p=0.030) for those with diabetes mellitus (DM), but these values are only applicable when considering the relationship between periodontitis and SFB. The aHR for invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS) in the periodontitis group was higher than in the non-periodontitis group (2.80; p=0.004).

Conclusions

The risk of sinonasal fungal balls and IFS increased after diagnosis of periodontitis. This trend is often more severe in patients with DM, COPD, or CKD, but this association with underlying diseases is only applicable when considering the association between periodontitis and fungal sinusitis.

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Association between periodontitis and chronic kidney disease by functional atherosclerosis status among older Japanese individuals: a cross‐sectional study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Aims

This study aimed to clarify the influence of functional atherosclerosis on the association between periodontitis and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 998 older Japanese individuals aged 60–99 years who participated in an oral health check-up was conducted. Early and advanced periodontitis were defined as periodontal pocket depth 4.0–5.9 mm and ≥6.0 mm, respectively. Functional atherosclerosis was defined as cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) ≥9.0.

Results

Of the 998 study participants, 238 (23.8%) had CKD. No significant associations between periodontitis and CKD were observed in participants without functional atherosclerosis. After adjusting for known cardiovascular risk factors, the odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 1.31 (0.81, 2.11) for early periodontitis and 0.74 (0.41, 1.34) for advanced periodontitis. Significant positive associations were observed for participants with functional atherosclerosis; the adjusted ORs (95%CIs) were 1.76 (1.04, 3.01) for early periodontitis and 1.95 (1.05, 3.63) for advanced periodontitis, respectively.

Conclusions

A significant positive association between periodontitis and CKD was established for older participants with functional atherosclerosis. No significant associations were observed for those without functional atherosclerosis. These results can help clarify the influence of periodontitis on systemic circulation.

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Subjective and objective evaluation of masticatory function in patients with bimaxillary implant‐supported prostheses

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Background

People perform poorly in masticatory function tests despite well-functioning prostheses. However, it is unclear whether there is an agreement between subjective and objective measures of mastication.

Objectives

To investigate the association between subjective and objective measures of masticatory function in patients with bimaxillary implant-supported prostheses.

Materials and methods

An experimental group (n=25, age=70.6 ±7.5 years, 8 women) with bimaxillary implant-supported fixed prostheses and a control group (n=25, age=69.0 ±5.3, 13 women) with natural dentition were recruited. The participants in the experimental group were included if they had been using the prosthesis for at least a year and had no obvious complaints with their prostheses. The control group was people with natural dentition and without any prostheses or complaints related to the masticatory system. The masticatory function was evaluated objectively with food comminution and mixing ability tests, and subjectively with jaw function limitation scale (JLFS) and oral health impact profile (OHIP).

Results

The experimental group performed poorly in both objective tests (P<.001). However, there was no significant differences between the two groups in total JFLS (P=0.114) and OHIP (P=0.312) scores. Though, there were certain positive correlations between the food comminution test and JFLS subdomains in the control group, and a positive correlation between food comminution test and specific subdomains of OHIP in the experimental group indicating poor correlation between the subjective and objective measures.

Conclusion

Although patients with implant prostheses show poor masticatory performance, there is no agreement in the objective and subjective measures of mastication.

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Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and peripheral blood biomarkers correlate with survival outcomes but not response among head and neck and salivary cancer treated with pembrolizumab and vorinostat

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Background

Associations between peripheral blood biomarkers and oncologic outcomes were explored in recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HN) and salivary gland cancer (SGC) treated with pembrolizumab and vorinostat on a phase II trial (NCT02538510).

Experimental Design

Twenty-five HN and 25 SGCs were treated with pembrolizumab and vorinostat. Baseline peripheral blood was available in 21 HN and 20 SGCs and evaluated for associations with grade ≥3 adverse events (G ≥ 3AE) by CTCAEv4, objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

Higher pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and neutrophils, as well as lower pretreatment lymphocytes and T helper cells correlated with worse OS and PFS. Higher NLR further predicted increased rates of G ≥ 3AEs. No correlations with ORR were observed.

Conclusions

In a prospectively evaluated cohort of HN and SGCs treated with pembrolizumab and vorinostat, we observed novel associations between peripheral blood biomarkers and oncologic outcomes and toxicities.

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Characterization of FA1654: a putative DPS protein in Filifactor alocis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

The survival/adaptation of Fillifactor alocis, a fastidious gram positive asaccharolytic anaerobe, to the inflammatory environment of the periodontal pocket requires an ability to overcome oxidative stress. Moreover, its pathogenic characteristics are highlighted by its capacity to survive in the oxidative-stress microenvironment of the periodontal pocket and a likely ability to modulate the microbial community dynamics. There is still a significant gap in our understanding of its mechanism of oxidative stress resistance and its impact on the virulence and pathogenicity of the microbial biofilm. Coinfection of epithelial cells with F.alocis and P.gingivalis, resulted in the upregulation of several genes including HMPREF0389_01654(FA1654). Bioinformatics analysis indicates that FA1654 has a "di-iron binding domain", and could function as a DNA Starvation and Stationary Phase Protection (DPS) protein. We have further characterized the FA1654 protein to deter mine its role in oxidative stress resistance in F.alocis. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress there was a ∼1.3 fold upregulation of the FA1654 gene in F.alocis. Incubation of the purified FA1654 protein with DNA in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and iron resulted in the protection of the DNA from Fenton-mediated degradation. Circular Dichroism (CD) and Differential Scanning Flourimetry (DSF) studies have documented the intrinsic ability of rFA1654 protein to bind iron, however the rFA1654 protein is missing the intrinsic ability to reduce hydrogen peroxide. Collectively, the data may suggest that FA1654 in F.alocis is involved in oxidative stress resistance via an ability to protect against Fenton-mediated oxidative stress-induced damage.

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Effects of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100 on experimental periodontitis in rats

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100 on experimental periodontitis (EP) in rats.

Methods

Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups: control, C-HD100 (B. bacteriovorus), EP, and EP-HD100. On day 0, EP was induced by placement of cotton ligatures around the mandibular first molars (MFMs) in the EP and EP-HD100 groups. In the C-HD100 and EP-HD100 groups, suspensions containing 1 × 109 PUF/mL of B. bacteriovorus HD100 were topically administered to the subgingival region of MFMs on days 0, 3, and 7. Animals were euthanized on day 14. Morphometrics analysis were performed in hemimandibles. The levels of Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin (IL)-6, Monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, IL-10, IL-1β, Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and Regulated on activation and normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) were determined by enzymatic immunoassays in gingival tissues. Beta Defensin (BD)-1, BD-2 and BD-3, Toll Like Receptors (TLR)-2 and TLR-4, and Cluster Differentiation ( CD)-4, CD-8 and CD-57 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in hemimandibles. Data were statistically analyzed.

Results

The EP group showed greater alveolar bone loss than EP-HD100 (p < 0.05). The EP-HD100 group showed higher levels of MCP-1, RANTES, IL-10, and TGF-β, lower levels of TNF-α than the EP group (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in IL-1β, IL-6, and M-CSF levels between EP and EP-HD100 groups. The C-HD100 group had higher IL-6, TNF-α, RANTES and MCP-1 levels than the control group (p < 0.05). Regarding BD, the EP-HD100 group showed a larger immunolabeling pattern for BD-1, BD-2, and BD-3 than the EP group (p < 0.05). No significant differences in the immunolabeling pattern were observed for TLR-2, TLR-4, CD4, CD8, and CD57 between EP and EP-HD100 groups.

Conclusion

The topical use of B. bacteriovorus HD100 reduces alveolar bone loss, increases expression of beta defensin, and modulates the cytokines levels on periodontal tissues in rats with EP.

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Role of Natural mTOR Inhibitors in Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common and complex problems in today's society and is responsible for many socio-economic problems. Type 1 diabetes is due to a defect in insulin secretion caused by a destruction of pancreatic β cells. In contrast, the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes is associated with the development of insulin resistance in the liver and peripheral tissues, a decrease in β-cell mass, and a defect in insulin secretion. Various factors such as inflammation, stress, obesity, and lifestyle are involved in diabetes. Long-term or chronic increase in glucose in these patients is the leading causes of secondary disorders such as micro- and macro-angiopathy, weakness of the antioxidant defense system as well as metabolic disorders and altered lipid profile. The above conditions lead to short-term and long-term complications. These complications cause damage to the physical and physiological function of diverse orga ns of the body and threaten human health. Late complications of diabetes, including nephropathy, retinopathy, cardiovascular complications, neuropathy, hypertension, and weight gain are common and more research has been done on them. Numerous drugs such as Meglitinides, Biguanides, and Thiazolidinedione have been proposed to reduce high blood sugar, but due to the lack of complete cure of this disease with the use of existing drugs, the tendency to use alternative and traditional therapies has increased. In the meantime, the role of herbs with hypoglycemic properties in the treatment of diabetic patients cannot be ignored. The consumption of herbs by people with diabetes has become widespread even in Western countries. The use of herbs could be considered when conventional therapies cannot control the disease, and the patient needs to be prescribed insulin. The mammalian target of rapamycin, mTOR, plays a significant role in regulating cell growth, cellular metabolic status in respo nse to nutrients, many extracellular cues and growth factors. Impaired insulin secretion can lead to altered mTOR signaling. The mTOR pathway has shown different behaviors depending on the situation. It has been shown that mTOR can regulate the adaptation of β cells to blood sugar but also chronic inhibition of the mTOR pathway can also induce diabetes. Here, we have reviewed recent findings on the role of mTOR in major metabolic organs, such as the liver, pancreas, brain, and adipose tissue and muscle, and discussed its potential as a diabetes-related drug target.

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An HPV-Vaccinated Patient With Human Papillomavirus-Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

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This case report describes an extremely early-onset case of hu man papillomavirus–positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in a Norwegian woman in her early 20s.
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A Parallel Line of Inquiry Related to Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy and Extraesophageal Reflux

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

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To the Editor Zeleník and colleagues have reported a possible association between inferior turbinate hypertrophy and extraesophageal reflux (EER). They also highlight previously reported associations of EER with chronic rhinosinusitis and chronic otitis media.
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Use of the Toxicity Index in Evaluating Adverse Events in Anal Cancer Trials: Analysis of RTOG 9811 and RTOG 0529

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader
imageNovel toxicity metrics that account for all adverse event (AE) grades and the frequency of may enhance toxicity reporting in clinical trials. The Toxicity Index (TI) accounts for all AE grades and frequencies for categories of interest. We evaluate the feasibility of using the TI methodology in 2 prospective anal cancer trials and to evaluate whether more conformal radiation (using Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) results in improved toxicity as measured by the TI. Patients enrolled on NRG/RTOG 0529 or nonconformal RT enrolled on the 5-Fluorouracil/Mitomycin arm of NRG/RTOG 9811 were compared using the TI. Patients treated on NRG/RTOG 0529 had lower median TI compared with patients treated with nonconformal RT on NRG/RTOG 9811 for combined GI/GU/Heme/Derm events (3.935 vs 3.996, P=0.014). The TI methodology is a feasible method to assess all AEs of interest and may be useful as a composite metric for future efforts aimed at treatment de-escalation or escalation
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