The Effectiveness of Individualized Oral Hygiene Education in Preventing Dental Diseases: A Clinical Study.

: Without mechanical cleaning, gingivitis can develop within three weeks. The first clinical sign is bleeding on positive probing. The accumulation of dental biofilm triggers an inflammatory gingival response.

Prediction of individual differences in non-iridescent structural plumage colour from nanostructural periodicity and regularity.

Non-iridescent structural plumage reflectance is a sexually selected indicator of individual quality in several bird species. However, the structural basis of individual differences remains unclear. In particular, the dominant periodicity of the quasi-ordered feather barb nanostructure is of key importance in colour generation, but no study has successfully traced back reflectance parameters, and particularly hue, to nanostructural periodicity, although this would be key to deciphering the information content of individual variation.

Tissue-based T cell activation and viral RNA persist for up to 2 years after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The mechanisms of postacute medical conditions and unexplained symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection [Long Covid (LC)] are incompletely understood. There is growing evidence that viral persistence, immune dysregulation, and T cell dysfunction may play major roles. We performed whole-body positron emission tomography imaging in a well-characterized cohort of 24 participants at time points ranging from 27 to 910 days after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection using the radiopharmaceutical agent [F]F-AraG, a selective tracer that allows for anatomical quantitation of activated T lymphocytes.

An Enhanced Role of Innate Immunity in the Immune Response After Kidney Transplant in People Living With HIV: A Transcriptomic Analysis.

Background: Although kidney transplantation (KT) has become the standard of care for people living with HIV (PLWH) suffering from renal failure, early experiences revealed unanticipated higher rejection rates than those observed in HIV- recipients. The cause of increased acute rejection (AR) in PLWH was assessed by performing a transcriptomic analysis of biopsy specimens, comparing HIV+ to HIV- recipients.

Methods: An analysis of 68 (34 HIV+, 34 HIV-) formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) renal biopsies matched for degree of inflammation was performed from KT recipients with acute T cell-mediated rejection (aTCMR), borderline for aTCMR (BL), and normal findings.

The Cocktail Effects on the Acute Cytotoxicity of Pesticides and Pharmaceuticals Frequently Detected in the Environment.

Xenobiotics never appear as single, isolated substances in the environment but instead as multi-component mixtures. However, our understanding of the ecotoxicology of mixtures is far from sufficient. In this study, three active pharmaceutical ingredients (carbamazepine, diclofenac, and ibuprofen) and three pesticides (S-metolachlor, terbuthylazine, and tebuconazole) from the most frequently detected emerging micropollutants were examined for their acute cytotoxicity, both individually and in combination, by bioluminescence inhibition in (NRRL B-11177).

In vivo estrogenicity of glyphosate, its formulations, and AMPA on transgenic zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos.

In this study, the disrupting effects of glyphosate (GLY), aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and three glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) on vitellogenesis in a non-concentration-dependent manner are reported for the first time in 120 h of acute exposure of zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations. GBHs are commonly used worldwide in weed control management. Due to their extensive application, they frequently occur in aquatic ecosystems and may affect various organisms.

Plumage color degradation indicates reproductive effort: an experiment.

Plumage color has traditionally been regarded as a static ornamental trait, but evidence is accumulating for significant color changes without molt that typically reduce the conspicuousness of ornamentation. In some species, the social partner seems to increase its reproductive investment if the color trait is experimentally enhanced, suggesting that color change could act as a signal. However, the information content of this signal is so far unclear.

Multimodal Molecular Imaging Reveals Tissue-Based T Cell Activation and Viral RNA Persistence for Up to 2 Years Following COVID-19.

The etiologic mechanisms of post-acute medical morbidities and unexplained symptoms (Long COVID) following SARS-CoV-2 infection are incompletely understood. There is growing evidence that viral persistence and immune dysregulation may play a major role. We performed whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in a cohort of 24 participants at time points ranging from 27 to 910 days following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection using a novel radiopharmaceutical agent, [F]F-AraG, a highly selective tracer that allows for anatomical quantitation of activated T lymphocytes.

Use of the Tissue Common Rejection Module Score in Kidney Transplant as an Objective Measure of Allograft Inflammation.

Long-term kidney transplant (KT) allograft outcomes have not improved as expected despite a better understanding of rejection and improved immunosuppression. Previous work had validated a computed rejection score, the tissue common rejection module (tCRM), measured by amplification-based assessment of 11 genes from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) biopsy specimens, which allows for quantitative, unbiased assessment of immune injury. We applied tCRM in a prospective trial of 124 KT recipients, and contrasted assessment by tCRM and histology reads from 2 independent pathologists on protocol and cause biopsies post-transplant.

Kisspeptin-8 Induces Anxiety-Like Behavior and Hypolocomotion by Activating the HPA Axis and Increasing GABA Release in the Nucleus Accumbens in Rats.

Kisspeptins (Kp) are RF-amide neuropeptide regulators of the reproductive axis that also influence anxiety, locomotion, and metabolism. We aimed to investigate the effects of intracerebroventricular Kp-8 (an N-terminally truncated octapeptide) treatment in Wistar rats. Elevated plus maze (EPM), computerized open field (OF), and marble burying (MB) tests were performed for the assessment of behavior.

Further Evidence That the Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor Does Not Directly Injure Mice or Human Podocytes.

Background: The role of the soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) as the circulating factor or as a predictor of recurrence after transplantation remains controversial. Previously published studies in mice and isolated podocytes produced conflicting results on the effect of suPAR on podocyte injury, effacement of foot processes, and proteinuria. These discordant results were in part due to diverse experimental designs and different strains of mice.

Changes in striatal dopamine release and locomotor activity following acute withdrawal from chronic nicotine are mediated by CRF1, but not CRF2, receptors.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the participation of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors (CRF1 and CRF2) in the alterations of the dorsal and ventral striatal dopamine release and the vertical and horizontal locomotor activity observed in rats following chronic nicotine treatment and consequent acute withdrawal. In this purpose, male Wistar rats were exposed to repeated intraperitoneal (ip) injection with nicotine or saline solution for 7 days. On the 8th day or the 9th day the rats were injected intracerebroventricularly (icv) with selective CRF1 antagonist antalarmin or selective CRF2 antagonist astressin or saline solution.

Identifying a potential biomarker for primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and its association with recurrence after transplantation.

Background: We investigated circulating levels of individual soluble urokinase plasminogen activation receptor (suPAR) forms to determine if specific circulating fragments of suPAR (II-III) and (I) can better serve as clinical biomarkers for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and the risk of recurrence after transplantation.

Materials And Methods: Serum levels of intact suPAR and its cleaved forms were measured with two assays, ELISA and TR-FIA.

Results: suPAR levels in healthy controls were significantly lower than those who had glomerular diseases but were not significantly different between FSGS patients and glomerular controls.

The effects of the urocortins on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis - similarities and discordancies between rats and mice.

The urocortins (Ucn I, Ucn II and Ucn III) are structural analogues of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). The aim of our present experiments was to compare the effects of the urocortins on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in rats and mice, including the hypothalamic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretagogues, such as CRF and arginine vasopressin (AVP). Therefore, male CFLP mice and male Wistar rats were injected intracerebroventricularly (icv) with 0.

Secondary plasma cell leukemia: a multicenter retrospective study of 101 patients.

This multicenter retrospective study included 101 patients (median age 62 years) with secondary plasma cell leukemia (sPCL). The median time from initial multiple myeloma diagnosis to sPCL was 31 months. Fifty-five out of 72 patients (75%) who received any therapy were treated with immunomodulators (IMiDs) and/or proteasome inhibitors (PIs), and 14/72 (19%) underwent salvage autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).

Kisspeptin modulates pain sensitivity of CFLP mice.

Kisspeptin, a hypothalamic neuropeptide, is a member of the RF-amide family, which have been known to modify pain sensitivity in rodents. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of kisspeptin-13 (KP-13), an endogenous derivative of kisspeptin, on nociception in adult male and female CFLP mice and the possible interaction of KP-13 with morphine on nociception. Mice were injected with different doses of KP-13, 30, 60 and 120 min after of which the nociceptive sensitivity were assessed via the tail-flick test.

Anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like actions of Urocortin 2 and its fragments in mice.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like actions of Urocortin 2 (Ucn2) and its two fragments, Ucn2 (1-21) and Ucn2 (22-38), in mice, in an attempt to identify the biologically active sequence of this 38 amino acid neuropeptide. In this purpose, male C57BL/6 mice were treated intracerebroventricularly (icv) with 0.125, 0.

Accuracy of the hypothetical sky-polarimetric Viking navigation versus sky conditions: revealing solar elevations and cloudinesses favourable for this navigation method.

According to Thorkild Ramskou's theory proposed in 1967, under overcast and foggy skies, Viking seafarers might have used skylight polarization analysed with special crystals called sunstones to determine the position of the invisible Sun. After finding the occluded Sun with sunstones, its elevation angle had to be measured and its shadow had to be projected onto the horizontal surface of a sun compass. According to Ramskou's theory, these sunstones might have been birefringent calcite or dichroic cordierite or tourmaline crystals working as polarizers.

Effects of kisspeptin on diabetic rat platelets.

Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and free radicals result in platelet activation and atherogenesis. Kisspeptin (KP) is able to regulate metabolism, hemostasis, and the development of atherosclerosis. We examined whether platelet aggregation of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats depends on the inducer type and if KP-13 and RF-9 (a kisspeptin receptor modifier) can influence platelet function.

Characterization of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated from Different Tissues with a Potential to Promote Complex Bone Regeneration.

Bone tissue regeneration is a major, worldwide medical need, and several strategies have been developed to support the regeneration of extensive bone defects, including stem cell based bone grafts. In addition to the application of stem cells with high osteogenic potential, it is important to maintain proper blood flow in a bone graft to avoid inner graft necrosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may form both osteocytes and endothelial cells; therefore we examined the combined osteogenic and endothelial differentiation capacities of MSCs derived from adipose tissue, Wharton's jelly, and periodontal ligament.

Selective CRF2 receptor agonists ameliorate the anxiety- and depression-like state developed during chronic nicotine treatment and consequent acute withdrawal in mice.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the selective agonists of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) 2 receptor, urocortin 2 (UCN 2) and urocortin 3 (UCN 3), on the anxiety- and depression-like signs induced by acute nicotine withdrawal in mice. In order to do so, male CFLP mice were exposed for 7 days to repeated intraperitoneal (IP) injection with nicotine or saline solution and 1day of acute withdrawal and then a single intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection with UCN 2, UCN 3 or saline solution. After 30min the mice were observed in an elevated plus-maze test or a forced swim test, for anxiety- and depression-like behavior.

Longitudinal measurement invariance in prospective oral health-related quality of life assessment.

Background: Prospective assessments of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) changes are prone to response shift effects when patients reconceptualize, reprioritize, or recalibrate the perceived meanings of OHRQoL test items. If this occurs, OHRQoL measurements are not "invariant" and may reflect changes in problem profiles or perceptions of OHRQoL test items. This suggests that response shift effects must be measured and controlled to achieve valid prospective OHRQoL measurement.

The effect of kisspeptin on the regulation of vascular tone.

Kisspeptin has been implicated in cardiovascular control. Eicosanoids play a crucial role in the activation of platelets and the regulation of vascular tone. In the present study, we investigated the effect of kisspeptins on eicosanoid synthesis in platelets and aorta in vitro.

The effects of CRF and urocortins on the hippocampal glutamate release.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a hypothalamic neurohormone and an extrahypothalamic neurotransmitter that regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The urocortins (UCN I, UCN II and UCN III) are CRF-related peptides, which may also regulate the HPA axis directly or indirectly, by modulation of extrahypothalamic neurotransmitters, such as amygdalar GABA and hippocampal glutamate. Our previous in vitro superfusion studies have already demonstrated that CRF and UCN I stimulate the amygdalar GABA release in rats.

The effect of obestatin on anxiety-like behaviour in mice.

Obestatin is a 23 amino acid-peptide, derived from the same preproghrelin-gene as ghrelin. Obestatin was originally reported as a ghrelin antagonist with anorexigenic activity, but later it was proven to be involved in multiple processes including sleep, memory retention, anxiety, morphine-induced analgesia and withdrawal. In the present study, in male CFLP mice, by using computerised open field (OF) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests we have investigated the behavioural effects of the acute intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of obestatin alone, and following ghrelin receptor blockage with [d-Lys3]-Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6 ([d-Lys3]- GHRP6) or corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptor 1 antagonism with antalarmin.