Serum Metal Levels in Maxillofacial Reconstructive Surgery Patients: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: The aim of this pilot study was to assay metal concentrations in the serum of patients who had undergone dental implant placement, orthognathic surgery using rigid metal fixation plates and screws, and total temporomandibular joint replacement (TMJ TJR).

Materials And Methods: Thirty patients were identified and included in this pilot study. Sixteen patients (9 men and 8 women), with an average age of 44 years (range, 19 to 79 yr), provided informed consent to participate and were divided into 3 study groups with 4 patients in each (group 1, orthognathic surgery; group 2, TMJ TJR; and group 3, dental implant placement).

Impaired mitochondrial dynamics underlie axonal defects in hereditary spastic paraplegias.

Mechanisms by which long corticospinal axons degenerate in hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) are largely unknown. Here, we have generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients with two autosomal recessive forms of HSP, SPG15 and SPG48, which are caused by mutations in the ZFYVE26 and AP5Z1 genes encoding proteins in the same complex, the spastizin and AP5Z1 proteins, respectively. In patient iPSC-derived telencephalic glutamatergic and midbrain dopaminergic neurons, neurite number, length and branching are significantly reduced, recapitulating disease-specific phenotypes.

Regenerative Medicine Strategies in Biomedical Implants.

Purpose Of Review: Recently, significant progress has been made in the research related to regenerative medicine. At the same time, biomedical implants in orthopedics and dentistry are facing many challenges and posing clinical concerns. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the clinical applications of current regenerative strategies to the fields of dentistry and orthopedic surgery.

Wear and Corrosion Interactions at the Titanium/Zirconia Interface: Dental Implant Application.

Purpose: Dental implants have been shown to have predictable success, but esthetic complications often arise. To reduce tissue shadowing from titanium, zirconia abutments may be used; however, the literature suggests that the use of zirconia leads to greater destruction of the implant interface that may result in biological complications such as titanium tattoos and heavy metal toxicity. Previous studies have examined the mechanical aspects of this implant/abutment relationship, but they have not accounted for the corrosive degradation that also takes place in the dynamic environment of the oral cavity.

Wear Characteristics and Volume Loss of CAD/CAM Ceramic Materials.

Purpose: In the field of prosthodontics, patients often require complex and extensive restorative care. This can involve the use of dental restorations to restore teeth on both the maxillary and mandibular arch. Current literature has evaluated the wear properties of different dental ceramics against enamel, but studies regarding dental ceramics opposing one another are limited.

Physical activity and masculinity in rural men: a qualitative study of men recruited from churches.

The majority of rural US men fail to meet physical activity (PA) guidelines and are at risk for chronic diseases. This study sought to understand rural men's perceptions about PA and PA engagement and the influence of masculinity and social norms. From 2011 to 2014, 12 focus groups were conducted with men prior to a church-based health promotion intervention.

Glenohumeral osteoarthritis: frequency of underlying diagnoses and the role of arm dominance-a retrospective analysis in a community-based musculoskeletal practice.

Patients with shoulder pain are commonly seen in adult primary care, and are typically referred to musculoskeletal specialists when their symptoms are persistent. Rotator cuff disorders (RCD) most commonly underlie non-traumatic shoulder pain in adults, and glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) has been considered to be relatively uncommon (Nakagawa et al., J Shoulder Elb Surg 8:580-584, 1999).

Systemic and local toxicity of metal debris released from hip prostheses: A review of experimental approaches.

Despite the technological improvements in orthopedic joint replacement implants, wear and corrosion products associated with the metal components of these implants may result in adverse local tissue and perhaps systemic reactions and toxicities. The current review encompasses a literature review of the local and systemic toxicity studies concerning the effect of CoCrMo wear debris released from wear and corrosion of orthopedic implants and prostheses. Release of metallic debris is mainly in the form of micro- and nano-particles, ions of different valences, and oxides composed of Co and Cr.

Comparison of EMT mediated tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance in NSCLC.

In the United States, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in men and women. In 2017, 222,500 new cases and 155,870 deaths from lung cancer are estimated to have occurred. A tyrosine kinase receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), is over expressed or mutated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) resulting in increased cell proliferation and survival.

Plasma microbiome-modulated indole- and phenyl-derived metabolites associate with advanced atherosclerosis and postoperative outcomes.

Objective: Multiple studies have shown that gut microbes contribute to atherosclerosis, and there is mounting evidence that microbial metabolism of dietary nutrients influences pathophysiology. We hypothesized that indole- and phenyl-derived metabolites that originate solely or in part from bacterial sources would differ between patients with advanced atherosclerosis and age- and sex-matched controls without clinically apparent atherosclerosis.

Methods: Plasma from the advanced atherosclerosis cohort (n = 100) was from patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy, open infrainguinal leg revascularization, or major leg amputation for critical limb ischemia.

Mechanism of Action of G-Quadruplex-Forming Oligonucleotide Homologous to the Telomere Overhang in Melanoma.

T-oligo, a guanine-rich oligonucleotide homologous to the 3'-telomeric overhang of telomeres, elicits potent DNA-damage responses in melanoma cells; however, its mechanism of action is largely unknown. Guanine-rich oligonucleotides can form G-quadruplexes (G4), which are stabilized by the hydrogen bonding of guanine residues. In this study, we confirmed the G4-forming capabilities of T-oligo using nondenaturing PAGE, nuclear magnetic resonance, and immunofluorescence.

Arthroscopic Partial Trapeziectomy With Soft Tissue Interposition for Symptomatic Trapeziometacarpal Arthritis: 6-Month and 5-Year Minimum Follow-Up.

Purpose: To determine if arthroscopic partial trapeziectomy (APT) and soft tissue interposition arthroplasty is an effective treatment for symptomatic trapeziometacarpal arthritis.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 30 consecutive patients with symptomatic isolated trapeziometacarpal arthritis, Eaton-Littler stages II and III. Treatment consisted of an APT with soft tissue interposition utilizing an acellular dermal matrix as the interposition material.

Development of binary and ternary titanium alloys for dental implants.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop binary and ternary titanium (Ti) alloys containing zirconium (Zr) and niobium (Nb) and to characterize them in terms of microstructural, mechanical, chemical, electrochemical, and biological properties.

Methods: The experimental alloys - (in wt%) Ti-5Zr, Ti-10Zr, Ti-35Nb-5Zr, and Ti-35Nb-10Zr - were fabricated from pure metals. Commercially pure titanium (cpTi) and Ti-6Al-4V were used as controls.

Pilot Study Comparing 2 Oral Rehydration Solutions in Patients With Short Bowel Syndrome Receiving Home Parenteral Nutrition: A Prospective Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a common indication for home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Oral rehydration solutions (ORSs) have the ability to supplement or reduce HPN dependence. However, ORSs have suffered from poor taste profiles, making long-term consumption and compliance unlikely.

A prospective double blind randomized controlled study on the use of ethanol locks in HPN patients.

Background & Aims: Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) has been shown to reduce the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) in high-risk home parenteral nutrition (HPN) patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether ELT therapy for all patients newly started on HPN would reduce the incidence of CRBSI.

Methods: This study was a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial that was carried out from July 2014 to April 2016.

Severe Preeclampsia in the Setting of Myasthenia Gravis.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune disease that leads to progressive muscle weakness and is common during female reproductive years. The myasthenic mother and her newborn must be observed carefully, as complications during all stages of pregnancy and the puerperium may arise suddenly. Preeclampsia is a common obstetrical condition for which magnesium sulfate is used for seizure prophylaxis.

Three-species biofilm model onto plasma-treated titanium implant surface.

In this study, titanium (Ti) was modified with biofunctional and novel surface by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) and glow discharge plasma (GDP) and we tested the development of a three-species periodontopatogenic biofilm onto the treated commercially-pure titanium (cpTi) surfaces. Machined and sandblasted surfaces were used as control group. Several techniques for surface characterizations and monoculture on bone tissue cells were performed.

Modeling Axonal Defects in Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia with Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Background: Cortical motor neurons, also known as upper motor neurons, are large projection neurons whose axons convey signals to lower motor neurons to control the muscle movements. Degeneration of cortical motor neuron axons is implicated in several debilitating disorders, including hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Since the discovery of the first HSP gene, that encodes spastin, over 70 distinct genetic loci associated with HSP have been identified.

Retropatellar Accessory Portals for Improved Access to the Patella: Anatomic Description and Evaluation of Safety.

Background: Standard knee arthroscopy portals are frequently used to address retropatellar chondral pathology. Alternative portals may offer a safe and simple substitute, particularly when reaching the base of deep lesions is required.

Purpose: To describe and assess the safety of accessory retropatellar portals.

Impact of Levothyroxine in Miscarriage and Preterm Delivery Rates in First Trimester Thyroid Antibody-Positive Women With TSH Less Than 2.5 mIU/L.

Background: Thyroid disease during pregnancy is associated with multiple adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. In particular, multiple observational studies have demonstrated an association between the presence of thyroid antibodies in euthyroid women in the first trimester of miscarriage and an increased rate of spontaneous miscarriage and preterm delivery. The present study is a prospective intervention trial of the effect of levothyroxine on the rate of miscarriage and preterm delivery in euthyroid thyroid-antibody positive women in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Mechanism of c-Met and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance through epithelial mesenchymal transition in non-small cell lung cancer.

According to currently available estimates from Cancer Research UK, 14.1 million new lung cancer cases were diagnosed and a staggering 8.2 million people worldwide died from lung cancer in 2012.

IIAM (important information about me): a patient portability profile app for adults, children and families with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Purpose: To describe the development of important information about me (IIAM), an application (app) used to communicate and organize healthcare information for people with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD).

Methods: Prior to the development of IIAM version 1.0, households with NDD were selected to participate in a focus group.