Protective effects of resveratrol against osteonecrosis at the extraction site in bisphosphonate-treated rats.

Resveratrol (RSV) is a phytoestrogen with a wide range of therapeutic effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study was performed to evaluate the protective role of RSV against osteonecrosis after tooth extraction in rats treated with bisphosphonates. Thirty-nine male Wistar rats, weighing 300-350 g, were divided into three groups (n = 13) according to the planned drug regimen: alendronate + dexamethasone (AL/DEX), alendronate + dexamethasone + RSV (AL/DEX/RSV), and no drugs (control group). The first and second molars of each rat were extracted and the extraction sites were analysed histologically 14 days later. The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis by means of Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, χ2, and Fisher's exact tests using IBM SPSS software at a significance level of 0.05. The incidence of osteonecrosis was significantly lower in the AL/DEX/RSV group (P = 0.001) and control group (P = 0.041) than in the AL/DEX group, while the amount of new bone formation did not differ significantly between the AL/DEX/RSV and AL/DEX groups (P > 0.05). RSV showed a protective effect by significantly reducing osteonecrosis, which could be due to its antioxidant effects.

Is arthrocentesis of temporomandibular joint with corticosteroids beneficial? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are musculoskeletal conditions that can inhibit the normal function of temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and affect the patient's quality of life, negatively. Arthrocentesis (AC) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used for treating TMDs. The aim of present paper is to evaluate the advantages of administrating corticosteroid (CS) during AC by reviewing high quality released articles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Searching on Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, ProQuest, and Scopus databases were performed with focusing on proper key words. Related titles and abstracts, up to December 2017, were screened and selected based on inclusion criteria. The full text of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was extensively read and subjected to quality assessments. RESULTS: After initial search, a total of 2067 articles were included into the study. Finally, 7 studies were reliable enough in methodology and randomization to be included into the study. All of the observed studies showed improvements in jaw functions and pain relief with no statistical differences in both AC and control groups. One study reported painless maximum incisal opening in CS group than the control group. CONCLUSION: Based on available RCTs, the AC of TMJ with CS seems to result in similar findings to other therapeutic drugs, with no significant differences.

Adaptive Response Induced by Pre-Exposure to 915 MHz Radiofrequency: A Possible Role for Antioxidant Enzyme Activity.

BACKGROUND: Over the past few years, the rapid use of high frequency electromagnetic fields like mobile phones has raised global concerns about the negative health effects of its use. Adaptive response is the ability of a cell or tissue to better resist stress damage by prior exposure to a lesser amount of stress. This study aimed to assess whether radiofrequency radiation can induce adaptive response by changing the antioxidant balance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to assess RF-induced adaptive response in tissues, we evaluated the level of GSH and the activity of GR in liver. 50 rats were divided into 5 groups. Three groups were pre-exposed to 915 MHz RF radiation, 4 hours per day for one week at different powers, as low, medium and high. 24 hours after the last exposure to radiation, they were exposed to 4 Gy sublethal dose of gamma radiation and then sacrificed after 5 hours. Their livers were removed, washed and were kept at -80o C until used. RESULTS: Our finding showed that pre-exposure to 915 MHz radiofrequency radiation with specific power could induce adaptive response in liver by inducing changes in the activity and level of antioxidant enzymes. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that pre-exposure to microwave radiation could increase the level of GSH and the activity of GR enzyme, although these increases were seen just in low power group, and the GR activity was indicated in medium power group. This increase protects tissue from oxidative damage induced by sublethal dose of gamma radiation.

Selective microwave sensors exploiting the interaction of analytes with trap states in TiO2 nanotube arrays.

Sensing of molecular analytes by probing the effects of their interaction with microwaves is emerging as a cheap, compact, label-free and highly sensitive detection and quantification technique. Microstrip ring-type resonators are particularly favored for this purpose due to their planar sensing geometry, electromagnetic field enhancements in the coupling gap and compatibility with established printed circuit board manufacturing. However, the lack of selectivity in what is essentially a permittivity-sensing method is an impediment to wider adoption and implementation of this sensing platform. By placing a polycrystalline anatase-phase TiO2 nanotube membrane in the coupling gap of a microwave resonator, we engineer selectivity for the detection and differentiation of methanol, ethanol and 2-propanol. The scavenging of reactive trapped holes by aliphatic alcohols adsorbed on TiO2 is responsible for the alcohol-specific detection while the different short chain alcohols are distinguished on the basis of differences in their microwave response. Electrodeless microwave sensors which allow spectral and time-dependent monitoring of the resonance frequency and quality factor provide a wealth of information in comparison with electrode-based resistive sensors for the detection of volatile organic compounds. A high dynamic range (400 ppm-10,000 ppm) is demonstrated for methanol detection.

Mitral valve repair for ischemic mitral regurgitation: review of current techniques.

INTRODUCTION: Ischemic mitral regurgitation can be defined as moderate to severe mitral leak precipitated by acute myocardial infarction. Valve repair is now the procedure of choice, but some cases can pose difficult anatomy. This review will illustrate current techniques for repairing complex ischemic mitral regurgitation. METHODS: Most patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation have predominant annular dilatation at the posterior commissure and require only ring annuloplasty. Full rigid rings are used preferentially. With leaflet tethering, adjunctive autologous pericardial patches are effective in restoring leaflet coaptation. If papillary muscle elongation or rupture occurs, Gore-Tex artificial chordal replacement performs well. With ischemic mitral regurgitation accompanying posterior ventricular aneurysms, standard trans-atrial mitral repair provides the best results, with associated aneurysms being repaired concurrently. RESULTS: Surgical approaches and technical outcomes of mitral repair in ischemic mitral regurgitation are illustrated in 5 patients using operative images and echocardiograms. Each method is illustrated, including ring annuloplasty, pericardial leaflet augmentation, artificial chordal replacement, and ventricular aneurysm repair. Using these techniques, virtually all ischemic mitral regurgitation can be repaired, with consequential patient benefits, even in the most complex anatomy. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic mitral regurgitation has been shown to have better outcomes when managed with valve repair. Using combinations of annular, leaflet, and chordal procedures, even complex ischemic mitral regurgitation can undergo autologous reconstruction with excellent long-term results.

BRCA1 protein levels and PIK3CA mutations as predictive biomarkers for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer: An exploratory analysis.

BRCA1 overexpression and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PIK3CA) pathway activation are involved in the resistance to DNA damaging agents. Thus, we hypothesized that BRCA1 protein expression and activating PIK3CA mutations are potential tumor biomarkers for the chemotherapeutic response to doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide plus docetaxel in locally advanced breast cancer. Informed consent was obtained and clinical, pathological and response data were collected. BRCA1 protein expression levels were assessed by immunohistochemistry of the archived tissue by two independent pathologists. The PIK3CA mutation status was assessed by nested PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. BRCA1 protein levels and the PIK3CA mutation status were correlated with pathological complete response and a partial response or better using the Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression. Of the 136 eligible participants, 59 samples could be analyzed. There was a trend of relatively low levels of BRCA1 protein achieving a pathological complete response (pCR), although this was not statistically significant [odds ratio (OR)=1.74; p=0.437]. Twenty-eight percent of patients had PIK3CA mutations, but no statistically significant association with pCR (OR=0.977; p=0.971) was noted. Neither BRCA1 protein levels (OR=1.18; p=0.818) nor PIK3CA mutations (OR=1.03; p=0.971) appeared to be associated with the likelihood of achieving a partial response or better from neoadjuvant chemotherapy. PIK3CA wild-type mutation status showed a trend towards an increased likelihood of not presenting with inflammatory disease (OR=5.34; p=0.101). In this exploratory study, neither BRCA1 protein expression levels nor the presence of PIK3CA mutations were significantly associated with chemotherapy response in locally advanced breast cancer. However, the relatively small sample size limits the overall interpretation.

Repression of cancer cell senescence by PKCι.

Senescence is an irreversible growth arrest phenotype adopted by cells that has a key role in protecting organisms from cancer. There is now considerable interest in therapeutic strategies that reactivate this process to control the growth of cancer cells. Protein kinase-Cι (PKCι) is a member of the atypical PKC family and an important downstream mediator in the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI-3-kinase) pathway. PKCι expression was found to be upregulated in a subset of breast cancers and breast cancer cell lines. Activation of the PI-3-kinase pathway by introduction of mutant, oncogenic PIK3CA into breast mammary epithelial cells increased both the expression and activation of PKCι. In breast cancer cells lines overexpressing PKCι, depletion of PKCι increased the number of senescent cells, as assessed by senescence-associated ß-galactosidase, morphology and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. This phenomenon was not restricted to breast cancer cells, as it was also seen in glioblastoma cells in which PKCι is activated by loss of PTEN. Senescence occurred in the absence of a detectable DNA-damage response, was dependent on p21 and was enhanced by the aurora kinase inhibitor VX-680, suggesting that senescence is triggered by defects in mitosis. Depletion of PKCι had no effect on senescence in normal mammary epithelial cell lines. We conclude that PKCι is overexpressed in a subset of cancers where it functions to suppress premature senescence. This function appears to be restricted to cancer cells and inhibition of PKCι may therefore be an effective way to selectively activate premature senescence in cancer cells.

Arterial bypass grafting of the coronary circulation.

Surgical coronary bypass has evolved continually, and recent developments favor performing coronary grafts with all-arterial conduits in order to obtain better long-term graft patencies. With bilateral internal mammary artery grafts and both radial arteries, four excellent arterial conduits exist for revascularization of the majority of multivessel disease patients, including those with valve disorders. Using contemporary surgical techniques, it is possible to obtain greater than 95% overall long-term graft patencies that translate into better outcomes, including improved survival, freedom from myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention , and redo coronary bypass. Two-thirds of patients receive a right internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending , a left internal mammary artery to the circumflex coronary artery system, and a radial artery to the right coronary artery Using newer management techniques, early postoperative complications, including the incidence of sternal infections, are extremely uncommon, and all-arterial grafts currently are used in over 75% of multivessel patients including those with concomitant valve disease. Because patencies and outcomes are so much better than with standard coronary bypass or percutaneous coronary intervention, referring physicians frequently favor all-arterial bypass as the primary therapy for patients with prognostically serious multivessel obstruction. Thus, all-arterial bypass could play an increasingly important role in the future treatment of severe coronary atherosclerosis.