The RNA-binding protein HuR impairs adipose tissue anabolism in pancreatic cancer cachexia.

Background: Cachexia is defined by chronic loss of fat and muscle, is a frequent complication of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and negatively impacts patient outcomes. Nutritional supplementation cannot fully reverse tissue wasting, and the mechanisms underlying this phenotype are unclear. This work aims to define the relative contributions of catabolism and anabolism to adipose wasting in PDAC-bearing mice.

Hepatic signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 signalling drives early-stage pancreatic cancer cachexia via suppressed ketogenesis.

Background: Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) often suffer from cachexia, a wasting syndrome that significantly reduces both quality of life and survival. Although advanced cachexia is associated with inflammatory signalling and elevated muscle catabolism, the early events driving wasting are poorly defined. During periods of nutritional scarcity, the body relies on hepatic ketogenesis to generate ketone bodies, and lipid metabolism via ketogenesis is thought to protect muscle from catabolizing during nutritional scarcity.

The oral microbiota is a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance: resistome and phenotypic resistance characteristics of oral biofilm in health, caries, and periodontitis.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an ever-growing threat to modern medicine and, according to the latest reports, it causes nearly twice as many deaths globally as AIDS or malaria. Elucidating reservoirs and dissemination routes of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) are essential in fighting AMR. Human commensals represent an important reservoir, which is underexplored for the oral microbiota.

Lipocalin 2 mediates appetite suppression during pancreatic cancer cachexia.

Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) was recently identified as an endogenous ligand of the type 4 melanocortin receptor (MC4R), a critical regulator of appetite. However, it remains unknown if this molecule influences appetite during cancer cachexia, a devastating clinical entity characterized by decreased nutrition and progressive wasting. We demonstrate that LCN2 is robustly upregulated in murine models of pancreatic cancer, its expression is associated with reduced food consumption, and Lcn2 deletion is protective from cachexia-anorexia.

Publisher Correction: The TLR7/8 agonist R848 remodels tumor and host responses to promote survival in pancreatic cancer.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

The TLR7/8 agonist R848 remodels tumor and host responses to promote survival in pancreatic cancer.

A priority in cancer research is to innovate therapies that are not only effective against tumor progression but also address comorbidities such as cachexia that limit quality and quantity of life. We demonstrate that TLR7/8 agonist R848 induces anti-tumor responses and attenuates cachexia in murine models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In vivo, tumors from two of three cell lines were R848-sensitive, resulting in smaller tumor mass, increased immune complexity, increased CD8 T-cell infiltration and activity, and decreased Treg frequency.

MyD88 signalling is critical in the development of pancreatic cancer cachexia.

Background: Up to 80% of pancreatic cancer patients suffer from cachexia, a devastating condition that exacerbates underlying disease, reduces quality of life, and increases treatment complications and mortality. Tumour-induced inflammation is linked to this multifactorial wasting syndrome, but mechanisms and effective treatments remain elusive. Myeloid differentiation factor (MyD88), a key component of the innate immune system, plays a pivotal role in directing the inflammatory response to various insults.

Activation of PP2A and Inhibition of mTOR Synergistically Reduce MYC Signaling and Decrease Tumor Growth in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

In cancer, kinases are often activated and phosphatases suppressed, leading to aberrant activation of signaling pathways driving cellular proliferation, survival, and therapeutic resistance. Although pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) has historically been refractory to kinase inhibition, therapeutic activation of phosphatases is emerging as a promising strategy to restore balance to these hyperactive signaling cascades. In this study, we hypothesized that phosphatase activation combined with kinase inhibition could deplete oncogenic survival signals to reduce tumor growth.

In Vitro Investigation of the Antimicrobial Effect of Three Bisphosphonates Against Different Bacterial Strains.

Purpose: Since the first descriptions of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) in 2003, the pathogenesis has remained unanswered. Recent histomorphometric studies have found several microorganisms, including Actinomyces, Bacillus, Fusobacterium, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Selenomonas, Treponema, and Candida albicans in necrotic bone. Polymerase chain reaction studies have recently confirmed the occurrence of 48 genera.

Prevalence of Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis in caries-free and caries-active children in relation to the oral microbiota-a clinical study.

Objectives: The correlation between caries and the oral prevalence of Candida spp. in children is contradictory in literature. Thereby, authors focused on Candida albicans as the most isolated Candida species from the oral cavity.

Comparison of antibacterial-coated and non-coated suture material in intraoral surgery by isolation of adherent bacteria.

Objectives: In general surgery the incidence of postoperative wound infections is reported to be lower using triclosan-coated sutures. In intraoral surgery, sutures are faced with different bacterial species and the question arises whether the antibacterial-coated suture material has the same positive effects.

Materials And Methods: Triclosan-coated and uncoated suture materials were applied in 17 patients undergoing wisdom tooth extraction.

New bacterial composition in primary and persistent/secondary endodontic infections with respect to clinical and radiographic findings.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to analyze the microbiota of primary and secondary/persistent endodontic infections of patients undergoing endodontic treatment with respect to clinical and radiographic findings.

Methods: Samples from the root canals of 21 German patients were taken using 3 sequential sterile paper points. In the case of a root canal filling, gutta-percha was removed with sterile files, and samples were taken using sterile paper points.

Antibiotic resistance and capacity for biofilm formation of different bacteria isolated from endodontic infections associated with root-filled teeth.

Introduction: To date, a variety of microbial species have been isolated from endodontic infections. However, endodontic clinical bacterial isolates have not been sufficiently characterized with regard to their capacity for antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. In this study, antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation of 47 different aerobic and anaerobic bacterial isolates, belonging to 32 different species previously isolated from infected filled root canals, were studied.

Concentrations of amoxicillin and clindamycin in teeth following a single dose of oral medication.

Objectives: The main purpose of this study is the detection of amoxicillin and clindamycin concentrations in teeth.

Materials And Methods: Eleven patients received 2 g of amoxicillin, and 11 patients received 600 mg of clindamycin in a single dose of oral medication at least 60 min prior to tooth extraction due to systemic diseases. The concentrations were determined in crowns and roots separately using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS).

Arrays of giant octagonal and square cylinders by liquid crystalline self-assembly of X-shaped polyphilic molecules.

Nanopatterning by molecular self-assembly has been a topic of intense research in pursuit of 'bottom-up' methods of generating structures for use in nanotechnology. The systems most widely studied have been two- and three-dimensional morphologies of block copolymers. However, T- and X-shaped polyphilic liquid crystals have recently been shown to have great potential for generating soft honeycomb-like structures, surpassing those of polymers in both complexity and degree of order.

Airborne microbes in different dental environments in comparison to a public area.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate quantitatively and qualitatively the airborne microbial load in a multi-chair dental clinic, a normal dental practice and a non-dental public area over a time period of four days and at different time points to estimate the risk of infections during dental surgery.

Methods: A multi-chair and a single chair treatment room each were examined in comparison to a non-medical public area over a period of four days. The colony forming units m(-3) (CFUs) were determined and isolated bacteria were characterised by morphological and biochemical analysis, gas chromatography and by 16S rRNA-gene sequencing.

Complex multicolor tilings and critical phenomena in tetraphilic liquid crystals.

T-shaped molecules with a rod-like aromatic core and a flexible side chain form liquid crystal honeycombs with aromatic cell walls and a cell interior filled with the side chains. Here, we show how the addition of a second chain, incompatible with the first (X-shaped molecules), can form honeycombs with highly complex tiling patterns, with cells of up to five different compositions ("colors") and polygonal shapes. The complexity is caused by the inability of the side chains to separate cleanly because of geometric frustration.

The antibacterial effect of gas ozone after 2 months of in vitro evaluation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of HealOzone on two microorganisms, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment, using a tooth cavity model. Four groups of caries-free third molars (n = 12) were used (A, B, C and D). Three cavities were prepared into each tooth.

An antimicrobial effect from silver-coated toothbrush heads.

Purpose: To examine the antimicrobial effect of silver-coated toothbrush heads in vitro.

Methods: Comparisons were made between 62 silver-coated and 62 non-coated toothbrush heads which were contaminated by different standardized microbial suspensions. The following microorganisms were investigated: Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Actinomyces viscosus, Lactobacillus casei and Candida albicans.

New bacterial compositions in root-filled teeth with periradicular lesions.

The aim of this study was to isolate and detect microorganisms of root-filled teeth associated with periradicular lesions. Specimens were sampled from patients undergoing root canal retreatment. The bacteria were characterized by morphologic and biochemical analysis and by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

X-Shaped polyphilics: liquid crystal honeycombs with single-molecule walls.

X-Shaped ternary five-block molecules, composed of a rigid p-terphenyl core, two terminal glycerol groups and two flexible n-alkyl or semiperfluorinated chains fixed laterally to opposite sides of the terphenyl moiety, form liquid crystalline phases built up of honeycomb-like arrays of polygonal cylinders, where the rod-like aromatic cores form cylinder walls with a thickness equal to the width of a single molecule.

Characterization of the first oral vagococcus isolate from a root-filled tooth with periradicular lesions.

Strain Endo-EH was isolated from a root-filled tooth associated with periradicular lesions. After subculturing on Columbia blood agar, phenotypic and genomic characterizations using different biochemical test systems, automated ribotyping, MALDI-TOF mass spectronomy, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis were applied for further analysis. Phenotypic characterization identified this strain as Vagococcus fluvialis.

Analysis of the antimicrobial activity of local anaesthetics used for dental analgesia.

Seven local anaesthetics and their active anaesthetic components [Ultracaine D-S (articaine hydrochloride), Carbostesin (bupivacaine hydrochloride), Scandicaine (mepivacaine hydrochloride), Xylonest (prilocaine hydrochloride), Xylocaine (lidocaine hydrochloride), Hostacaine (butanilicaine phosphate) and Novocaine (procaine hydrochloride)] were tested for their antimicrobial activity against 311 bacterial strains from 52 different species and 14 Candida albicans strains. The tested pathogens were members of the oral flora, and partly members of the skin and intestinal flora. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, sodium disulfite, adrenaline hydrogen tartrate and adrenaline (the preservative and vasoconstrictive components of the anaesthetics) was tested.

NPY Y1 receptor antagonist prevents NPY-induced torpor-like hypothermia in cold-acclimated Siberian hamsters.

Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) undergo bouts of daily torpor during which body temperature decreases by as much as 20 degrees C and provides a significant savings in energy expenditure. Natural torpor in this species is normally triggered by winterlike photoperiods and low ambient temperatures. Intracerebroventricular injection of neuropeptide Y (NPY) reliably induces torporlike hypothermia that resembles natural torpor.

Monosodium glutamate-induced arcuate nucleus damage affects both natural torpor and 2DG-induced torpor-like hypothermia in Siberian hamsters.

Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) have the ability to express daily torpor and decrease their body temperature to approximately 15 degrees C, providing a significant savings in energy expenditure. Daily torpor in hamsters is cued by winterlike photoperiods and occurs coincident with the annual nadirs in body fat reserves and chronic leptin concentrations. To better understand the neural mechanisms underlying torpor, Siberian hamster pups were postnatally treated with saline or MSG to ablate arcuate nucleus neurons that likely possess leptin receptors.