Ability assessment of the craniofacial structures radiological anatomy on panoramic radiography among dental student during pandemic of Covid-19. Ability assessment on OPG among dental student during pandemic of Covid-19.

Orthopantomography (OPG) is a routine imaging method in dental practice and an essential di- agnostic tool in dentistry. However, OPGs are challenging to interpret due to many overlapping structures. Graduates of dental schools should be aware of image distortions caused by various factors and be able to distinguish them from typical structures to make an accurate diagnosis.

Insights and applications of direct neuronal reprogramming.

Direct neuronal reprogramming converts somatic cells of a defined lineage into induced neuronal cells without going through a pluripotent intermediate. This approach not only provides access to the otherwise largely inaccessible cells of the brain for neuronal disease modeling, but also holds great promise for ultimately enabling neuronal cell replacement without the use of transplantation. To improve efficiency and specificity of direct neuronal reprogramming, much of the current efforts aim to understand the mechanisms that safeguard cell identities and how the reprogramming cells overcome the barriers resisting fate changes.

Transcription Factor-Directed Dopaminergic Neuron Differentiation from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

The ability to differentiate pluripotent stem cells and to generate specific cell types is a long-standing goal of regenerative medicine. This can be accomplished by recreating the developmental trajectories using sequential activation of the corresponding signaling pathways, or more recently-by direct programming of cell identities using lineage-specific transcription factors. Notably, to be functional in cell replacement therapies, generation of complex cell types, such as specialized neuronal sub-types of the brain, requires precise induction of molecular profiles and regional specification of the cells.

Tip60-mediated H2A.Z acetylation promotes neuronal fate specification and bivalent gene activation.

Cell lineage specification is accomplished by a concerted action of chromatin remodeling and tissue-specific transcription factors. However, the mechanisms that induce and maintain appropriate lineage-specific gene expression remain elusive. Here, we used an unbiased proteomics approach to characterize chromatin regulators that mediate the induction of neuronal cell fate.

Mapping cis-regulatory elements in human neurons links psychiatric disease heritability and activity-regulated transcriptional programs.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified hundreds of loci associated with psychiatric diseases, yet there is a lack of understanding of disease pathophysiology. Common risk variants can shed light on the underlying molecular mechanisms; however, identifying causal variants remains challenging. We map cis-regulatory elements in human neurons derived from pluripotent stem cells.

Myt1l haploinsufficiency leads to obesity and multifaceted behavioral alterations in mice.

Background: The zinc finger domain containing transcription factor Myt1l is tightly associated with neuronal identity and is the only transcription factor known that is both neuron-specific and expressed in all neuronal subtypes. We identified Myt1l as a powerful reprogramming factor that, in combination with the proneural bHLH factor Ascl1, could induce neuronal fate in fibroblasts. Molecularly, we found it to repress many non-neuronal gene programs, explaining its supportive role to induce and safeguard neuronal identity in combination with proneural bHLH transcriptional activators.

Repeated intravenous cardiosphere-derived cell therapy in late-stage Duchenne muscular dystrophy (HOPE-2): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

Background: Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) ameliorate skeletal and cardiac muscle deterioration in experimental models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The HOPE-2 trial examined the safety and efficacy of sequential intravenous infusions of human allogeneic CDCs in late-stage Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Methods: In this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial, patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aged 10 years or older with moderate upper limb impairment, were enrolled at seven centres in the USA.

Efficient generation of dopaminergic induced neuronal cells with midbrain characteristics.

The differentiation of pluripotent stem cells can be accomplished by sequential activation of signaling pathways or through transcription factor programming. Multistep differentiation imitates embryonic development to obtain authentic cell types, but it suffers from asynchronous differentiation with variable efficiency. Transcription factor programming induces synchronous and efficient differentiation with higher reproducibility but may not always yield authentic cell types.

Neuroligin-4 Regulates Excitatory Synaptic Transmission in Human Neurons.

The autism-associated synaptic-adhesion gene Neuroligin-4 (NLGN4) is poorly conserved evolutionarily, limiting conclusions from Nlgn4 mouse models for human cells. Here, we show that the cellular and subcellular expression of human and murine Neuroligin-4 differ, with human Neuroligin-4 primarily expressed in cerebral cortex and localized to excitatory synapses. Overexpression of NLGN4 in human embryonic stem cell-derived neurons resulted in an increase in excitatory synapse numbers but a remarkable decrease in synaptic strength.

Clinical, genetic, and pathologic characterization of Mexican founder mutation c.1387A>G.

Objective: To characterize the clinical phenotype, genetic origin, and muscle pathology of patients with the c.1387A>G mutation.

Methods: Standardized clinical data were collected for all patients known to the authors with c.

The usefulness of sST2 and galectin-3 as novel biomarkers for better risk stratification in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Estimation of sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk is an integral part of clinical management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Identification of novel biomarkers of this disease can provide additional criteria for SCD risk stratification. Soluble suppression of tumourigenicity (sST2) and galectin-3 (Gal-3) are useful biomarkers for prognosis of heart failure (HF).

ANP and BNP plasma levels in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

Introduction: Atrial (ANP) and B-type (BNP) natriuretic peptides are hormones secreted by the heart as a response to volume expansion and pressure overload.

Aim: To assess the changes of ANP and BNP after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) and to investigate factors associated with endpoints.

Material And Methods: The study included 96 patients (90.

Prognostic value of novel biomarkers compared with detailed biochemical evaluation in patients with heart failure.

Introduction: The assessment of prognosis is crucial for the clinical management of patients with heart failure (HF).

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of novel biomarkers for the assessment of prognosis in patients with HF, compared with a detailed assessment based on routine laboratory tests.

Patients And Methods: The study included 179 patients with HF.

Osteoprotegerin in patients with degenerative aortic stenosis and preserved left-ventricular ejection fraction.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate value of osteoprotegerin (OPG) in patients with degenerative aortic stenosis and preserved left-ventricular ejection fraction.

Methods: We have prospectively followed 70 patients with aortic stenosis (mean aortic gradient ≥15 mmHg) and preserved left-ventricular ejection fraction for 1 year. In all patients, echocardiography and blood tests (OPG, lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) were performed at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up.

Usefulness of Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy (Tc-[HYNIC, Tyr3]-Octreotide) and 123I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine Scintigraphy in Patients with SDHx Gene-Related Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas Detected by Computed Tomography.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) using (99m)Tc-[HYNIC, Tyr3]-octreotide (TOC) and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) in patients with SDHx-related syndromes in which paragangliomas were detected by computed tomography and to establish an optimal imaging diagnostic algorithm in SDHx mutation carriers.

Methods: All carriers with clinical and radiological findings suggesting paragangliomas were screened by SRS and 123I-mIBG. Lesions were classified by body regions, i.

Regulation of chandelier cell cartridge and bouton development via DOCK7-mediated ErbB4 activation.

Chandelier cells (ChCs), typified by their unique axonal morphology, are the most distinct interneurons present in cortical circuits. Via their distinctive axonal terminals, called cartridges, these cells selectively target the axon initial segment of pyramidal cells and control action potential initiation; however, the mechanisms that govern the characteristic ChC axonal structure have remained elusive. Here, by employing an in utero electroporation-based method that enables genetic labeling and manipulation of ChCs in vivo, we identify DOCK7, a member of the DOCK180 family, as a molecule essential for ChC cartridge and bouton development.

DOK2 inhibits EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma.

Somatic mutations in the EGFR proto-oncogene occur in ~15% of human lung adenocarcinomas and the importance of EGFR mutations for the initiation and maintenance of lung cancer is well established from mouse models and cancer therapy trials in human lung cancer patients. Recently, we identified DOK2 as a lung adenocarcinoma tumor suppressor gene. Here we show that genomic loss of DOK2 is associated with EGFR mutations in human lung adenocarcinoma, and we hypothesized that loss of DOK2 might therefore cooperate with EGFR mutations to promote lung tumorigenesis.

Relationship between primary aldosteronism and obstructive sleep apnoea, metabolic abnormalities and cardiac structure in patients with resistant hypertension.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate in patients with resistant hypertension (RHTN) enrolled in the RESIST-POL study the relationship between primary aldosteronism (PA) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and their effect on metabolic abnormalities and cardiac structure.

Material And Methods: We included 204 patients (123 M, 81 F, mean age 48.4 yrs) with true RHTN, eGFR > 60 mL/min/1,73 m(2) and no known diabetes.

Impact of percutaneous coronary intervention on biomarker levels in patients in the subacute phase following myocardial infarction: the Occluded Artery Trial (OAT) biomarker ancillary study.

Background: The purpose of the Occluded Artery Trial (OAT) Biomarker substudy was to evaluate the impact of infarct related artery (IRA) revascularization on serial levels of N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and dynamics of other biomarkers related to left ventricular remodeling, fibrosis and angiogenesis.

Methods: Patients were eligible for OAT-Biomarker based on the main OAT criteria. Of 70 patients (age 60.

Hepatocyte growth factor - the earliest marker of myocardial injury in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) concentration increases in the first few hours of myocardial infarction (MI).

Aim: (1) To illustrate human HGF (hHGF) plasma concentration during the first 24 h of ST segment elevation myocardialinfarction (STEMI); (2) To estimate the odds ratio of STEMI in the context of hHGF measurements; (3) To describe the normalconcentration of hHGF in healthy subjects.

Methods: The study groups consisted of 73 STEMI patients and 11 healthy volunteers.

Potential prevention of pacing-induced heart failure using simple pacemaker programming algorithm.

Introduction: Right ventricular pacing (RVP) causes ventricular desynchronization and may lead to the development of heart failure (HF). Prolongation of atrioventricular delay (AVD) in DDDR pacemakers reduces unnecessary RV stimulation. The aim of the study was to verify the influence of RVP reduction on HF symptoms.

Ischaemia modified albumin in patients with acute coronary syndrome and negative cardiac troponin I.

Background: Approximately 40-60% of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have normal cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations on admission. Ischaemia modified albumin (IMA) has been suggested as a new biomarker of myocardial ischaemia.

Methods: A total of 43 patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of ACS but with normal (< 0.

Concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Unlabelled: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a regulator of vascular formation in physiological and pathological conditions. The aim of our study was to evaluate the value of VEGF as a surrogate marker of myocardial injury in acute ischemic conditions.

Materials And Methods: In 104 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with and without ST segment elevation (STEMI and NSTEMI) the plasma and serum human VEGF (hVEGF) concentration was measured two times i.