Evaluation of perceived acceptability, beauty and value of different orthodontic brackets

Although different types of aesthetic brackets are introduced to orthodontic profession to reduce the complaints about the metallic braces, little studies have been done to assess patient's views regarding the attractiveness and acceptance of such brackets. The goal of this study was to evaluate the perceived acceptability, beauty and value of different orthodontic brackets.In a cross-sectional study, three groups of subjects consisting of dental school clinic patients, specialty clinic patients, and art students were interviewed. Sample size was decided 116 in each group. The photographic images of six types of brackets which were placed in an adult mouth were shown to the subjects and they were asked to answer the questions that evaluate attractiveness by visual analog scale [VAS], acceptability of different brackets, and willingness to pay [WTP] for an aesthetic bracket in comparison to a regular bracket. Reliability was measured by giving questionnaires to 20 respondents by a two-week interval. VAS rating was compared by ANOVA. Mann U Whitney and Chi-square tests were used to compare the acceptability between groups when necessary.The reliability measurement results performed by ICC were 0.86 for attractiveness, 0.6 for acceptability, and 0.93 for WTP questions. Lingual brackets had the highest attractiveness rating while metal brackets were considered the lowest aesthetic appliance by all groups of the study. The acceptability of ceramic bracket was highest in all groups. While most appliances evaluated had average acceptability, the large metallic brackets were rated very low. WTP for aesthetic braces was higher in art students than other groups.Lingual brackets were the most attractive but had very low acceptability rate. Small metal brackets had a good acceptability rate. Large metal brackets were the least attractive and had the lowest acceptability. Parents accepted aesthetic brackets for their children even when it cost more

[Evaluation of the association of NOD2 gene polymorphisms with the occurrence of GVHD in acute myelogenous leukemia patients]

Graft-versus-host disease [GVHD] is one of life-threatening post-transplantation complications. Several recent studies have described a significant correlation between transplantation outcome and three single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] in the NOD2 gene. This study was conducted to evaluate the association of NOD2 gene polymorphisms with the occurrence of GVHD in acute myelogenous leukemia patients who underwent HSCT from their HLA-matched sibling donors. We examined retrospectively NOD2 genotypes by PCR-SSP both in 124 patients who underwent HSCT and in their donors; then, the association of the genetic polymorphisms on acute and chronic GVHD was evaluated. Median follow up of patients was 40 months [range of 28-77 months]. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square test and SPSS software. Mutation incidence were the same between donors and recipients as 12.1%. In three of the patient-donor pairs [2.4%] SNPs occurred in both resulting in an overall frequency of 21.8% in patient-donor pairs. There weren't any significant differences between aGVHD and cGVHD incidence rates when donor/recipient pairs with SNPs were compared with the pairs without SNPs. aGVHD and cGVHD incidence rates in the former pairs were 52% and 56% and in the latter pairs 50.5% and 55%, respectively. No impact of NOD2 SNPs on incidence of acute and chronic GVHD was observed. Further studies are required to ascertain whether the findings of this study can be extended to other disease groups. In addition, further studies are required to identify the relevance of other SNPs

[Cross-resistance to anticancer drugs in acute myeloblastic leukemia Pgp expressing K562 cell line]

Drug resistance remains one of the most important clinical obstacles in the treatment of some cancers. This drug resistance referred to as Multidrug Resistance [MDR] induces cross-resistance to many chemotherapy agents such as anthracyclines, vinca alkaloides, epipodophyllotoxins and Taxol. MDR is most likely due to the reduction of drug accumulation with an energy-dependent drug efflux pump. This drug pump is a 170 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein [Pgp]. We developed a resistance subline of K562 by stepwise increase in concentration of Doxorubicin, and Pgp expression was verified by flowcytometry and RT-PCR methods. Cross resistance of the resistant cell line to Etoposide, Vincristine and Taxol was analyzed by MTT assay. IC[50] [the level of drug concentration inhibiting 50% of cell growth] of Doxorubicin, Etoposide and Taxol of parental K562 came out to be 100ng/ml and it was 50 ng/ml for vincristine. IC[50] levels of these drugs on resistant K562 were 500, 500, 450 and 450ng/ml. These drugs also displayed 5-, 5-, 4.5-, and 9- fold resistance respectively. According to the results, expression of Pgp confers MDR phenotype to the K562 cell line and makes it resistant to most of anticancer drugs including anthracyclines, vinca alkaloides, epipodophyllotoxins and taxans. This MDR phenotype is a major obstacle of cancer treatment and in recent years investigators are trying to reverse it by gene therapy

[Assessment of Wilms tumor gene [WT1] in acute myeloid leukemia patients as a new marker to detect minimal residual disease [MRD]]

WT1 gene encodes a transcription factor that is involved in differentiation and proliferation of hematopoietic precursor cells as well as some other tissues like kidney, ovary, heart, etc. Quantitative assessment of WT1 gene expression is proposed as a useful marker in MRD detection and leukemia management. To assess the relevance of this gene, we analysed peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 62 AML patients [new cases] for the expression level of WT1 mRNA using Real-time quantitative RT-PCR. We followed the analysis up to 3 years, depending on patient availability. This study as a fundamental and applicable one was done cross-sectionnaly. Samples were obtained randomly from the AML patients referred to the BMT center, and selection was based on the diagnostic criteria defined by clinical wards. WT1 expression in MNCs of patients was compared with 24 healthy individuals [K562 cells considered to express WT1 gene equivalent to 10[6]]. Samples for diagnosis showed significantly high levels of WT1 expression [>80%]. After chemotherapy, its expression decreased [diminished about 1-2 log within induction therapy and around 3-4 log after consolidation therapy]. There was a noticeable correlation between the relative expression levels of WT1 and prediction of relapse [lower than gray zone versus higher than]. Patients whose WT1 expression levels remained lower than the gray zone benefit from a better compete remission. On the contrary, 1-6 months prior to overt clinical relapse in 6 patients, their WT1 expression raised to levels upper than gray zone. This study revealed that WT1 is a useful marker for detecting minimal residual disease, assessing chemotherapy effects, and predicting relapse in AML patients