The Lipid-Soluble Forms of Choline Enhance Ex Vivo Responses from the Gut-Associated Immune System in Young Female Rat Offspring.

Background: In humans, the development of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) occurs in the first years of life and can be influenced by diet.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary choline on the development of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT).

Methods: Three feeding trials were conducted in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Radiographic perception of anatomical structures and bony changes in oncologic patients under antiresorptive therapy.

Purpose: To assess radiographic presentation of anatomical structures, bony changes and soft tissue calcifications on panoramic radiographs of oncologic patients under high dose antiresorptive drug therapy (ART) before exposure to dental extraction.

Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 57 patients under ART, taken previously to tooth extraction, and 57 control patients were evaluated by two oral radiologists regarding bone pattern, anatomical structures visibility, estimation of cortical width, mandibular cortical index (MCI), and presence of soft tissue calcifications. Parameters were compared between ART and age- and gender-matched healthy control groups.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the EAST and CASE screening tools for elder abuse in South Africa.

Elder abuse is globally considered a hidden problem with great variations in its conceptualization across cultures, non-uniformity in understanding, and manifestations of abuse and neglect. Currently, there are no validated or culturally adapted screening measures for elder abuse in South Africa. The aim of this study was to test the cultural appropriateness of the Elder Abuse Screening Tool (EAST) and the Caregiver Abuse Screen (CASE) in two regions and four languages in South Africa.

As low as diagnostically acceptable dose imaging in maxillofacial trauma: a reference quality approach.

Objectives: As-low-as-diagnostically-acceptable (ALADA) doses are substantially lower than current diagnostic reference levels. To improve dose management, a reference quality approach was tested in which phantom quality metrics of a clinical ALADA dose reference protocol were used to benchmark potential ALADA dose protocols for various scanner models.

Methods: Spatial resolution, contrast resolution, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and subjective noise and sharpness were evaluated for a clinical ALADA dose reference protocol at 80 kV and 40 mA (CTDIvol 2.

Postoperative complications in asthmatic patients following orthognathic surgery: A two-year follow-up study.

Background: Lack of evidence exists related to the incidence of postoperative complications in asthmatic patients following orthognathic surgery. The present study aimed to assess the incidence and risk factors of postoperative complications in asthmatic patients following orthognathic surgery.

Material And Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted which consisted of two groups of patients i.

How to isolate a high output enteroatmospheric fistula in the open abdomen with negative pressure therapy: an institution's step by step guide to the VAC donut.

There is multiple evidence to suggest that isolation techniques of high output enteroatmospheric fistulas (EAF) in open abdomens can be advantageous in controlling fistula effluent while allowing time for abdominal wall to granulate. The large loss of proteins, electrolytes and fluid, and the distressing nature of the open abdomen for both patients and doctors, make managing these EAFs a clinical challenge. We present our experience with a high output mucosal protruding EAF and the creation of a 'VAC donut' allowing a successful diversion of the enteric content whilst promoting granulation of the tissue bed.

Evolutionary history of transformation from chronic lymphocytic leukemia to Richter syndrome.

Richter syndrome (RS) arising from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) exemplifies an aggressive malignancy that develops from an indolent neoplasm. To decipher the genetics underlying this transformation, we computationally deconvoluted admixtures of CLL and RS cells from 52 patients with RS, evaluating paired CLL-RS whole-exome sequencing data. We discovered RS-specific somatic driver mutations (including IRF2BP2, SRSF1, B2M, DNMT3A and CCND3), recurrent copy-number alterations beyond del(9p21)(CDKN2A/B), whole-genome duplication and chromothripsis, which were confirmed in 45 independent RS cases and in an external set of RS whole genomes.

Local radiographic risk factors for MRONJ in osteoporotic patients undergoing tooth extraction.

Objective: To identify local radiographic risk factors for Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws (MRONJ) in osteoporotic patients treated with antiresorptive drugs (ARD) and undergoing tooth extraction.

Material And Methods: Patients were included in this retrospective, longitudinal, case-control study, if having at least one administration of ARD, underwent tooth extraction(s), and had pre- and post-operative panoramic radiographs. Additionally, a matched control group was selected.

Ethical Perspectives of Therapeutic Human Genome Editing From Multiple and Diverse Viewpoints: A Scoping Review.

Human genome editing has been increasingly explored to determine if it can be used to eradicate genetic diseases like sickle cell disease, but it has also been surrounded by a wide variety of ethical dilemmas. The purpose of this review was to conduct a scoping review of the ethics of therapeutic human genome editing in terms of philosophy, theology, public perspectives, and research ethics. A systemized search of PubMed, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, and Web of Science was conducted.

A Fully Online Research Practicum Curriculum for Undergraduate Medical Students: A Protocol Paper.

Introduction: Research is a critically important skill for medical trainees that helps physicians to advance the state of science and provide optimal healthcare to patients. The number of physician-scientists is decreasing. Competing priorities, limited research faculty, shrinking research budgets, and meeting accreditation standards limit the amount of time and effort needed to train undergraduate medical students sufficiently for them to engage in independent research activities.

Individual "alveolar phenotype" limits dimensions of lateral bone augmentation.

Aim: Alveolar ridge resorption following tooth extraction often renders a lateral bone augmentation inevitable. Some patients, however, suffer from severe early (during graft healing, E ) and/or late (during follow-up, L ) graft resorption. We explored the hypothesis that the "individual phenotypic dimensions" may partially explain the degree of such resorptions.

The Bias of Physicians and Lack of Education in Patients of Color With Melanoma as Causes of Increased Mortality: A Scoping Review.

Minorities, particularly non-White minorities, often encounter implicit biases from healthcare professionals that may impact their standard of care and quality of life. The study of dermatology has long been based on Whites, unintentionally affecting the treatment of non-White patients. Melanoma, although mostly curable, can become fatal in those presenting with advanced stages at diagnosis.

Retrospective cohort assessment of survival and complications of zygomatic implants in atrophic maxillae.

Objectives: To report on zygomatic implant (ZI) survival rate and associated complications through a longitudinal retrospective cohort assessment.

Material And Methods: A total of 940 ZIs (rough: 781, machined: 159; immediate loading: 454, delayed loading: 486) and 451 standard implants (rough: 195, machined: 256; immediate loading: 58, delayed loading: 393) were placed in 302 adult patients with atrophic maxilla from December 1998 till September 2020. Following data collection reported complications were grouped based on their origin as infectious/ non-infectious biological and mechanical.

Bending larva using a microfluidic device enables imaging of its brain and nervous system at single neuronal resolution.

Single neuronal imaging of a fully intact larva is a difficult challenge for neurosciences due to the robust digging/burrowing behaviour of the larva and the lack of intact immobilization methods at single-neuron resolution. In this paper, for the first time, a simple microfluidic device to completely immobilize the brain and the CNS of a live, fully-functioning larva for single neuronal imaging has been demonstrated. The design of the microfluidic device contains a unique clamping feature which pins and bends the body of the larva at 1/3rd of its length from the head.

Transient-State Kinetic Analysis of the RNA Polymerase II Nucleotide Incorporation Mechanism.

Eukaryotic RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is an essential enzyme that lies at the core of eukaryotic biology. Due to its pivotal role in gene expression, Pol II has been subjected to a substantial number of investigations. We aim to further our understanding of Pol II nucleotide incorporation by utilizing transient-state kinetic techniques to examine Pol II single nucleotide addition on the millisecond time scale.

Hepatocyte-derived DPP4 regulates portal GLP-1 bioactivity, modulates glucose production, and when absent influences NAFLD progression.

Elevated circulating dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) is a biomarker for liver disease, but its involvement in gluconeogenesis and metabolic associated fatty liver disease progression remains unclear. Here, we identified that DPP4 in hepatocytes but not TEK receptor tyrosine kinase-positive endothelial cells regulates the local bioactivity of incretin hormones and gluconeogenesis. However, the complete absence of DPP4 (Dpp4-/-) in aged mice with metabolic syndrome accelerates liver fibrosis without altering dyslipidemia and steatosis.

Human Cytomegalovirus pUL11, a CD45 Ligand, Disrupts CD4 T Cell Control of Viral Spread in Epithelial Cells.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes numerous immunomodulatory genes that facilitate its persistence. Previously described mechanisms by which HCMV avoids T cell control typically involve evasion of detection by infected cells. Here, we show that the virus also inhibits T cells directly via an interaction between the pUL11 glycoprotein on infected cells and the CD45 phosphatase on T cells.

3D CRANI, a novel MR neurography sequence, can reliable visualise the extraforaminal cranial and occipital nerves.

Objectives: We aim to validate 3D CRANI, a novel high-field STIR TSE, MR neurography sequence in the visualisation of the extraforaminal cranial and occipital nerve branches on a 3-T system. Furthermore, we wish to evaluate the role of gadolinium administration and calculate nerve benchmark values for future reference.

Methods: Eleven consecutive patients underwent MR imaging including the 3D CRANI sequence before and immediately after intravenous gadolinium administration.

RNA Polymerase I Is Uniquely Vulnerable to the Small-Molecule Inhibitor BMH-21.

Cancer cells require robust ribosome biogenesis to maintain rapid cell growth during tumorigenesis. Because RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) is the first and rate-limiting step of ribosome biogenesis, it has emerged as a promising anti-cancer target. Over the last decade, novel cancer therapeutics targeting Pol I have progressed to clinical trials.

IT and the Quality and Efficiency of Mental Health Care in a Time of COVID-19: Case Study of Mental Health Providers in England.

Background: In England, COVID-19 has significantly affected mental health care and tested the resilience of health care providers. In many areas, the increased use of IT has enabled traditional modes of service delivery to be supported or even replaced by remote forms of provision.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the use and impact of IT, in remote service provision, on the quality and efficiency of mental health care during the pandemic.

Dural Sealants Do Not Reduce Postoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak after Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery.

 The application of cranial tissue sealants to assist with postoperative closure is widespread, but data are lacking regarding its utility in endoscopic endonasal surgery (EEA). A prospective study was conducted to assess the effect of sealant usage on postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak rate following standard reconstruction.  A prospective trial of sealant usage after endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery was performed from May 2016 to June 2019 at a tertiary referral cranial base center.

Convolutional neural network for automated classification of osteonecrosis and related mandibular trabecular patterns.

Objective: The present study aimed to develop and validate a tool for the automated classification of normal, affected, and osteonecrosis mandibular trabecular bone patterns in panoramic radiographs using convolutional neural networks (CNNs).

Methods: A dataset of 402 panoramic images from 376 patients was selected, comprising 112 control radiographs from healthy patients and 290 images from patients treated with antiresorptive drugs (ARD). The latter was subdivided in 70 radiographs showing thickening of the lamina dura, 128 with abnormal bone patterns, and 92 images of clinically diagnosed osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ).

The Role of Mental Health on Workplace Productivity: A Critical Review of the Literature.

Background: Mental health disorders in the workplace have increasingly been recognised as a problem in most countries given their high economic burden. However, few reviews have examined the relationship between mental health and worker productivity.

Objective: To review the relationship between mental health and lost productivity and undertake a critical review of the published literature.

Radiosynthesis of 20-[F]fluoroarachidonic acid for PET-MR imaging: Biological evaluation in ApoE4-TR mice.

Dysreglulated brain arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism is involved in chronic inflammation and is influenced by apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) genotype, the strongest genetic risk factor of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Visualization of AA uptake and distribution in the brain can offer insight into neuroinflammation and AD pathogenesis. Here we present a novel synthesis and radiosynthesis of 20-[F]fluoroarachidonic acid ([F]-FAA) for PET imaging using a convergent route and a one-pot, single-purification radiolabeling procedure, and demonstrate its brain uptake in human ApoE4 targeted replacement (ApoE4-TR) mice.

Rhythm versus rate control for atrial fibrillation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Background: There are few prospective studies assessing the benefits of rhythm control of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which accounts for 50% of all heart failure patients.

Objective: Conduct a meta-analysis to assess the effects of rhythm control (ablation and/or antiarrhythmic medications) vs rate control on all-cause mortality in AF patients with HFpEF.

Methods: Databases were searched for studies reporting the effect of rhythm control vs rate control on mortality in patients with HFpEF (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and EBSCO CINAHL).