Simultaneous Measurements of Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Total Testosterone and Associations in Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer.

Objectives: To evaluate the potential relations of simultaneous measurements of basal levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and total testosterone (TT) in clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa).

Materials And Methods: The study included 126 patients who had simultaneous measurements of prostate specific antigen (PSA), FSH, and TT before undergoing radical prostatectomy for clinically localized PCa. Correlations and independent associations between clinical and pathological factors were investigated by statistical methods.

Optimizing Functional Outcomes in Mandibular Condyle Reconstruction With the Free Fibula Flap Using Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Technology.

Purpose: Mandibular defects involving the condyle represent a complex reconstructive challenge for restoring proper function of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) because it requires precise bone graft alignment for full restoration of joint function. The use of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology can aid in accurate reconstruction of mandibular condyle defects with a vascularized free fibula flap without the need for additional adjuncts. The purpose of this study was to analyze clinical and functional outcomes after reconstruction of mandibular condyle defects using only a free fibula graft with the help of virtual surgery techniques.

A fully digital approach to replicate functional and aesthetic parameters in implant-supported full-arch rehabilitation.

Purpose: The aim of this technical procedure was to use a fully digital technique (FDT) for full-arch implant support rehabilitation. The FDT was used to transfer the provisional restoration parameters to definitive restorations using intraoral scanners.

Methods: Three sets of digital impressions were obtained.

Receptor structure-based discovery of non-metabolite agonists for the succinate receptor GPR91.

Objective: Besides functioning as an intracellular metabolite, succinate acts as a stress-induced extracellular signal through activation of GPR91 (SUCNR1) for which we lack suitable pharmacological tools.

Methods And Results: Here we first determined that the cis conformation of the succinate backbone is preferred and that certain backbone modifications are allowed for GPR91 activation. Through receptor modeling over the X-ray structure of the closely related P2Y1 receptor, we discovered that the binding pocket is partly occupied by a segment of an extracellular loop and that succinate therefore binds in a very different mode than generally believed.

The Role of Metabolite-Sensing G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Inflammation and Metabolic Disease.

Great attention has been placed on the link between metabolism and immune function giving rise to the term "immunometabolism." It is widely accepted that inflammation and oxidative stress are key processes that underlie metabolic complications during obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Therefore, identifying the mechanisms and mediators that are involved in the regulation of both inflammation and metabolic homeostasis is of high scientific and therapeutic interest.

Functional diversity of macrophages in vascular biology and disease.

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease and is largely responsible for cardiovascular disease, the most common cause of global mortality. The hallmark of atherogenesis is immune activation following lipid accumulation in the arterial wall. In particular, macrophages play a non-redundant role in both the progression and regression of inflammation in the atherosclerotic lesion.

Decoupling of behavioural and physiological thermal performance curves in ectothermic animals: a critical adaptive trait.

Thermal performance curves (TPCs) represent an increasingly popular tool in ecology for anticipating species responses to climate change. TPC theory has been developed using species that experience similar temperatures during activity and at rest and consequently exhibit thermal ranges for activity that closely coincide with their physiological thermal tolerances. Many species, however, experience other stressors, such as desiccation, that limit active behaviour at temperatures below the maximum values experienced.

α-linolenic acid supplementation prevents exercise-induced improvements in white adipose tissue mitochondrial bioenergetics and whole-body glucose homeostasis in obese Zucker rats.

Aims/hypothesis: While the underlying mechanisms in the development of insulin resistance remain inconclusive, metabolic dysfunction in both white adipose tissue (WAT) and skeletal muscle have been implicated in the process. Therefore, we investigated the independent and combined effects of α-linolenic acid (ALA) supplementation and exercise training on whole-body glucose homeostasis and mitochondrial bioenergetics within the WAT and skeletal muscle of obese Zucker rats.

Methods: We randomly assigned obese Zucker rats to receive a control diet alone or supplemented with ALA and to remain sedentary or undergo exercise training for 4 weeks (CON-Sed, ALA-Sed, CON-Ex and ALA-Ex groups).

[Improving operating room efficiency: an observational and multidimensional approach in the San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome].

Aim: The management of operating rooms (ORs) is a complex process which requires an effective organizational scheme. In order to amore convinient allocation of resources a rigorous monitoring plan is needed to ensure operating rooms performances. All the necessary actions should be taken to improve the quality of the planning and scheduling procedure.

Zirconia-based versus metal-based single crowns veneered with overpressing ceramic for restoration of posterior endodontically treated teeth: 5-year results of a randomized controlled clinical study.

Objectives: The aim of this 5-year randomized controlled trial was to compare the longevity and clinical behavior of single posterior crowns made with pressable ceramic on zirconia and on metal frameworks, and if failures occur, to delineate the contributing factors.

Methods: 72 patients, who needed the covering of at least a molar and/or premolar, were included in the study. All teeth were endodontically treated, with absence of periapical lesion or active periodontitis.

Next-generation Sequencing of the DNA Virome from Fecal Samples.

Herein we describe a detailed protocol for DNA virome analysis of low input human stool samples (Monaco , 2016). This protocol is divided into four main steps: 1) stool samples are pulverized to evenly distribute microbial matter; 2) stool is enriched for virus-like particles and DNA is extracted by phenol-chloroform; 3) purified DNA is multiple-strand displacement amplified (MDA) and fragmented; and 4) libraries are constructed and sequenced using Illumina Miseq. Subsequent sequence analysis for viral sequence identification should be sensitive but stringent.

Interferon Regulatory Factor 5 Controls Necrotic Core Formation in Atherosclerotic Lesions by Impairing Efferocytosis.

Background: Myeloid cells are central to atherosclerotic lesion development and vulnerable plaque formation. Impaired ability of arterial phagocytes to uptake apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) promotes lesion growth and establishment of a necrotic core. The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-5 is an important modulator of myeloid function and programming.

Diabetic Myopathy: current molecular understanding of this novel neuromuscular disorder.

Purpose Of Review: Here we summarize the evidence from human studies of the impairments to the structural, functional, and metabolic capacities in skeletal muscle in those with type 1 diabetes (T1D) - a condition known as diabetic myopathy. Given the importance of skeletal muscle for blood lipid and glucose management, the development and progression of diabetic myopathy would not only lead to increased insulin resistance, but also impact the ability to mitigate dysglycemic/dyslipidemic burdens.

Recent Findings: Despite the importance of skeletal muscle in whole-body metabolic control, studies investigating diabetic myopathy are startling limited.

Deuterium-reinforced polyunsaturated fatty acids protect against atherosclerosis by lowering lipid peroxidation and hypercholesterolemia.

Background And Aims: Oxidative modification of lipoproteins is a crucial step in atherosclerosis development. Isotopic-reinforced polyunsaturated fatty acids (D-PUFAs) are more resistant to reactive oxygen species-initiated chain reaction of lipid peroxidation than regular hydrogenated (H-)PUFAs. We aimed at investigating the effect of D-PUFA treatment on lipid peroxidation, hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis development.

Imaging vulnerable plaques by targeting inflammation in atherosclerosis using fluorescent-labeled dual-ligand microparticles of iron oxide and magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: Identification of patients with high-risk asymptomatic carotid plaques remains an elusive but essential step in stroke prevention. Inflammation is a key process in plaque destabilization and a prelude to clinical sequelae. There are currently no clinical imaging tools to assess the inflammatory activity within plaques.

Marginal Adaptation, Gap Width, and Fracture Strength of Teeth Restored With Different All-Ceramic Vs Metal Ceramic Crown Systems: An in Vitro Study.

This study evaluated marginal adaptation before and after thermomechanical (TCML) loading, gap width and fracture strength of all-ceramic single crowns, as compared to porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM). Thirty extracted premolars were prepared with a round shoulder of 1.0 mm depth.

Different Methods for Inlay Production: Effect on Internal and Marginal Adaptation, Adjustment Time, and Contact Point.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different production methods of resin and ceramic inlays on marginal and internal adaptation, adjustment time, and proximal contacts. Forty premolars were selected, embedded (their roots), and prepared to receive inlays that were made as follows (n=10): LaRe-digital impression with a Lava C.O.

Image-guided thermal ablation of benign thyroid nodules.

Benign thyroid nodules are a common disease in the general population. Most often, they are completely asymptomatic and discovered occasionally during routine ultrasound examinations, and do not require any treatment. When thyroid nodules become symptomatic, surgical excision is still considered standard treatment.

Effects of ocean acidification on the potency of macroalgal allelopathy to a common coral.

Many coral reefs have phase shifted from coral to macroalgal dominance. Ocean acidification (OA) due to elevated CO is hypothesised to advantage macroalgae over corals, contributing to these shifts, but the mechanisms affecting coral-macroalgal interactions under OA are unknown. Here, we show that (i) three common macroalgae are more damaging to a common coral when they compete under CO concentrations predicted to occur in 2050 and 2100 than under present-day conditions, (ii) that two macroalgae damage corals via allelopathy, and (iii) that one macroalga is allelopathic under conditions of elevated CO, but not at ambient levels.

A Modified Approach to Extensive Oromandibular Reconstruction Using Free Fibula Flaps.

In select patients with advanced disease resulting in large composite tissue defects, consideration is often given to multiple flap reconstruction. The authors propose an alternative option. Using virtual surgical planning the authors demonstrate how modest sacrifice in projection translates into a substantial decrease in the volume and surface area of soft tissue needed, in turn maximizing soft tissue coverage with a single fibula free flap.

The Optical Coherence Tomographic Profile of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.

The objective of this study was to describe the changes in the retinal ganglion cell complex (GCC) relative to the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) over time in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) patients. Average RNFL and GCC thickness was measured in seven patients in the early acute (123, 68.4 μm), late acute (113.

Abbreviated environmental enrichment confers neurobehavioral, cognitive, and histological benefits in brain-injured female rats.

Environmental enrichment (EE) promotes behavioral recovery after experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the chronic rehabilitation provided in the laboratory is not analogous to the clinic where physiotherapy is typically limited. Moreover, females make up approximately 40% of the clinical TBI population, yet they are seldom studied in brain trauma.

Clinical, autoimmune, and psychiatric parameters correlate with sleep disturbance in patients with systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Sleep disturbance is an important contributor to poor quality of life in rheumatic disorders. This study aims to test whether clinical, autoimmune and psychological factors are associated with sleep disturbance in systemic sclerosis (SSc) compared to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and controls.

Methods: 101 female subjects (SSc=33, RA=34, healthy controls=34) participated in this observational, cross-sectional, parallel group study.

Long-term, high frequency in situ measurements of intertidal mussel bed temperatures using biomimetic sensors.

At a proximal level, the physiological impacts of global climate change on ectothermic organisms are manifest as changes in body temperatures. Especially for plants and animals exposed to direct solar radiation, body temperatures can be substantially different from air temperatures. We deployed biomimetic sensors that approximate the thermal characteristics of intertidal mussels at 71 sites worldwide, from 1998-present.