Risk of cardiovascular disease among head and neck cancer survivors: A population-based matched cohort study.

Background: In the United States, approximately 63,000 Americans develop head and neck cancer (HNC) annually. Our study aims were to investigate cardiovascular complications and risk factors for development of CVD among HNC survivors.

Methods: Utilizing the Utah Populations Database, a total of 1,901 HNC patients diagnosed and 7,796 birth year, sex, and birth state matched individuals from the general population were identified.

Circulating extracellular vesicle-derived miR-1299 disrupts hepatic glucose homeostasis by targeting the STAT3/FAM3A axis in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed structures containing lipids, proteins, and RNAs that play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication. However, the precise mechanism through which circulating EVs disrupt hepatic glucose homeostasis in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains unclear.

Results: Circulating EVs isolated from human plasma were co-cultured with mammalian liver cells to investigate the potential induction of hepatic insulin resistance by GDM-EVs using glucose output assays, Seahorse assays, metabolomics, fluxomics, qRT-PCR, bioinformatics analyses, and luciferase assays.

Evaluating the Accuracy of ChatGPT in Common Patient Questions Regarding HPV+ Oropharyngeal Carcinoma.

Objectives: Large language model (LLM)-based chatbots such as ChatGPT have been publicly available and increasingly utilized by the general public since late 2022. This study sought to investigate ChatGPT responses to common patient questions regarding Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC).

Methods: This was a prospective, multi-institutional study, with data collected from high volume institutions that perform >50 transoral robotic surgery cases per year.

Excessive palmitic acid disturbs macrophage α-ketoglutarate/succinate metabolism and causes adipose tissue insulin resistance associated with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Abnormal polarization of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) results in low-grade systemic inflammation and insulin resistance (IR), potentially contributing to the development of diabetes. However, the underlying mechanisms that regulate the polarization of ATMs associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to determine the effects of abnormal fatty acids on macrophage polarization and development of insulin resistance in GDM.

Effects of simulated long-term exposure to bottled, neutral pH electrolyzed oxidizing water on the properties of denture base resins.

Statement Of Problem: Denture stomatitis can pose serious health risks, especially to older people. Chemical denture cleaning agents must be effective, yet not adversely affect the longevity of removable dentures. Ready-to-use (RTU) neutral pH electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) is an effective biocide against Candida albicans biofilms on denture resins, but the effects of daily disinfection with EOW on the physical and mechanical properties of resins have not been established.

Early ambulation after fibular free flap surgery is associated with reduced length of stay, increased mobility independence, and discharge to home.

Background: Fibula free flaps (FFF) are one of the most common bony flaps utilized. This paper describes a quality improvement project aimed at increasing early ambulation.

Methods: A review of FFF patients at an academic hospital was completed (2014-2023).

Adaptive Nanoparticle-Mediated Modulation of Mitochondrial Homeostasis and Inflammation to Enhance Infected Bone Defect Healing.

Infected bone defects (IBDs) exhibit impaired healing due to excessive inflammation triggered by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) from bacteria. As a vital factor in orchestrating immune responses, mitochondrial homeostasis maintenance is central to inflammation blockade. This research developed a chameleon-like nanoplatform by covering hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with a cerium ion coordinated tannic acid supramolecular network (HA@Ce-TA), which adaptively functions to regulate mitochondrial homeostasis based on intra- and extracellular environments.

The genetic background determines material-induced bone formation through the macrophage-osteoclast axis.

Osteoinductive materials are characterized by their ability to induce bone formation in ectopic sites. Thus, osteoinductive materials hold promising potential for repairing bone defects. However, the mechanism of material-induced bone formation remains unknown, which limits the design of highly potent osteoinductive materials.

Electrolysed oxidising water as a multi-purpose biocide in dental healthcare-A scoping review.

Objectives: The objective of this scoping review was to map evidence of electrolysed oxidising water (EOW) as a biocide for dental applications of relevance to older people and identify research gaps.

Background: EOW is an emerging, "green," and cost-effective biocide. There are no reviews on the landscape of EOW research as either an antiseptic or disinfectant in dental healthcare or its suitability for the oral healthcare of older people.

Probiotic Nissle 1917-derived outer membrane vesicles modulate the intestinal microbiome and host gut-liver metabolome in obese and diabetic mice.

Introduction: Obesity and diabetes are common chronic metabolic disorders which can cause an imbalance of the intestinal flora and gut-liver metabolism. Several studies have shown that probiotics, including Nissle 1917 (EcN), promote microbial balance and metabolic health. However, there are no studies on how EcN outer membrane vesicles (EcN-OMVs) influence the intestinal microflora and affect the metabolic disorders of obesity and diabetes.

Dual Photo-Enhanced Interpenetrating Network Hydrogel with Biophysical and Biochemical Signals for Infected Bone Defect Healing.

The healing of infected bone defects (IBD) is a complex physiological process involving a series of spatially and temporally overlapping events, including pathogen clearance, immunological modulation, vascularization, and osteogenesis. Based on the theory that bone healing is regulated by both biochemical and biophysical signals, in this study, a copper doped bioglass (CuBGs)/methacryloyl-modified gelatin nanoparticle (MA-GNPs)/methacrylated silk fibroin (SilMA) hybrid hydrogel is developed to promote IBD healing. This hybrid hydrogel demonstrates a dual-photocrosslinked interpenetrating network mechanism, wherein the photocrosslinked SilMA as the main network ensures structural integrity, and the photocrosslinked MA-GNPs colloidal network increases strength and dissipates loading forces.

The effect of surface roughening of orthodontic elastomers on hydrophobicity and in vitro adherence of Streptococcus gordonii.

Objectives: Biofilm formation around orthodontic appliances causes gingivitis, enamel decalcification and caries. Bacteria adhere less readily to superhydrophobic surfaces. The aim of this study was to determine whether a superhydrophobic surface could be generated on orthodontic elastomers by surface modification in order to reduce bacterial adhesion.

Focused ultrasound-mediated small-molecule delivery to potentiate immune checkpoint blockade in solid tumors.

In the last decade, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has revolutionized the standard of treatment for solid tumors. Despite success in several immunogenic tumor types evidenced by improved survival, ICB remains largely unresponsive, especially in "cold tumors" with poor lymphocyte infiltration. In addition, side effects such as immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are also obstacles for the clinical translation of ICB.

Vascular permeability in HPV+ oropharyngeal cancers aids in fluorescent image-guided transoral robotic surgery using indocyanine green.

Background: Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent image (FI)-guided surgery has demonstrated success in improving intraoperative visualization and tumor resections. The objectives were to evaluate the use of IGC in FI-guided transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and the underlying molecular mechanism.

Methods: HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCCa) patient (n = 10) undergoing TORS were enrolled in this prospective study.

The nano-windmill exerts superior anti-inflammatory effects via reducing choline uptake to inhibit macrophage activation.

Macrophages' activation plays a central role during the development and progression of inflammation, while the regulation of metabolic reprogramming of macrophages has been recently identified as a novel strategy for anti-inflammatory therapies. Our previous studies have found that tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (tFNA) plays a mild anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting macrophage activation, but the specific mechanism remains unclear. Here, by metabolomics and RNA sequencing, choline uptake is identified to be significantly repressed by decreased slc44a1 expression in tFNA-treated activated macrophages.

An All-in-One "4A Hydrogel": through First-Aid Hemostatic, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Angiogenic to Promoting Infected Wound Healing.

Currently used wound dressings are ineffective. Hence, there is a need to develop introduce a high-performance medicament with multiple functions including rapid hemostasis and excellent antibacterial activity to meet the growing worldwide demand for wound healing products. Here, inspired by the strong adhesion of mussels and the enzyme-mimicking activity of nanometallic biomaterials, the authors developed an injectable hydrogel to overcome multiple limitations of current wound dressings.

Effect of the Rho-Kinase/ROCK Signaling Pathway on Cytoskeleton Components.

The mechanical properties of cells are important in tissue homeostasis and enable cell growth, division, migration and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Mechanical properties are determined to a large extent by the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton is a complex and dynamic network composed of microfilaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules.

A Mechanically Reinforced Super Bone Glue Makes a Leap in Hard Tissue Strong Adhesion and Augmented Bone Regeneration.

Existing bone tissue engineering strategies aim to achieve minimize surgical trauma, stabilize the injured area, and establish a dynamic osteogenic microenvironment. The cutting-edge bone glue developed in this study satisfies these criteria. Inspired by the excellent adhesive properties of mussels, herein, a super osteogenic glue (L-DPZ) that integrates poly(vinyl alcohol), L-dopa amino acid, and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 characterized by catechol-metal coordination is used to successfully adhere to hard tissue with a maximum adhesive strength of 10 MPa, which is much higher than those of commercial and previously reported bone glues.

The relationship between hair metabolites, air pollution exposure and gestational diabetes mellitus: A longitudinal study from pre-conception to third trimester.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic condition defined as glucose intolerance with first presentation during pregnancy. Many studies suggest that environmental exposures, including air pollution, contribute to the pathogenesis of GDM. Although hair metabolite profiles have been shown to reflect pollution exposure, few studies have examined the link between environmental exposures, the maternal hair metabolome and GDM.

Investigating the impact of oral health on pregnancy and offspring outcomes: protocol for the Lifetime Impact of ORal heAlth (LIORA) cohort study.

Introduction: Oral health is a fundamental component of well-being, and is closely associated with overall health and quality of life. Oral health may also affect the next generation. The children of mothers with poor oral health are likely to also have poor oral health as they go through life.

Survival outcomes for patients with T3N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottis treated with definitive radiation alone versus chemoradiation.

Background: Given the poor lymphatics of the glottis, we evaluated omission of chemotherapy in patients treated definitely for T3N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the glottis.

Methods: We performed survival analysis of patients with T3N0M0 SCC of the glottis identified in the National Cancer Database treated with radiation alone versus chemoradiation.

Results: A total of 3785 patients were identified.

Adhesion of Yeast and Bacteria to Oral Surfaces.

Colonization of surfaces in the human body by microorganisms is an early, essential, step in the initiation of infectious disease. We have developed in vitro assays to investigate interactions between yeast or bacterial cells and human tissues, fluids, or prostheses. Such assays can be used to identify the adhesins, ligands, and receptors involved in these interactions, for example, by determining which components of the microbe or human tissue/fluid interfere with adherence in the assay.

Voriconazole Treatment Induces a Conserved Sterol/Pleiotropic Drug Resistance Regulatory Network, including an Alternative Ergosterol Biosynthesis Pathway, in the Clinically Important FSSC Species, .

is the species most commonly associated with human infections (fusariosis). Antifungal treatment of fusariosis is often hampered by limited treatment options due to resistance towards azole antifungals. The mechanisms of antifungal resistance and sterol biosynthesis in fusaria are poorly understood.

Nanocarrier-Assisted Delivery of Metformin Boosts Remodeling of Diabetic Periodontal Tissue via Cellular Exocytosis-Mediated Regulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Homeostasis.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction is a potential contributor to the impaired repair capacity of periodontal tissue in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Restoring ER homeostasis is thus critical for successful regenerative therapy of diabetic periodontal tissue. Recent studies have shown that metformin can modulate DM-induced ER dysfunction, yet its mechanism remains unclear.

Extracts from Argentinian native plants reverse fluconazole resistance in Candida species by inhibiting the efflux transporters Mdr1 and Cdr1.

Background: The development of multidrug resistance (MDR) associated with the overexpression of the efflux transporters Mdr1 and Cdr1 in Candida species impedes antifungal therapies. The urgent need for novel agents able to inhibit the function of both pumps, led us to evaluate this property in 137 extracts obtained from Argentinian plants.

Methods: The ability of the extracts to reverse efflux pump-mediated MDR was determined with an agar chemosensitization assay using fluconazole (FCZ) resistant Mdr1- and Cdr1-overexpressing clinical isolates of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata as well as Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains selectively expressing Mdr1 (AD/CaMDR1) or Cdr1 (AD/CaCDR1).