Improving the assessment of polluted sites using an integrated bio-physico-chemical monitoring framework.

Soil - water pollution resulting from anthropogenic activities is a growing concern internationally. Effective monitoring techniques play a crucial role in the detection, prevention, and remediation of polluted sites. Current pollution monitoring practices in many geographical locations are primarily based on physico-chemical assessments which do not always reflect the potential toxicity of contaminant 'cocktails' and harmful chemicals not screened for routinely. Biomonitoring provides a range of sensitive techniques to characterise the eco-toxicological effects of chemical contamination. The bioavailability of contaminants, in addition to their effects on organisms at the molecular, cellular, individual, and community level allows the characterisation of the overall health status of polluted sites and ecosystems. Quantifying bioaccumulation, changes to community structure, faunal morphology, behavioural, and biochemical responses are standard procedures employed in biomonitoring studies in many High-Income Countries (HICs). This review highlights the need to integrate biomonitoring tools alongside physico-chemical monitoring techniques by using 'effect-based' tools to provide more holistic information on the ecological impairment of soil-water systems. This paper considers the wider implementation of biomonitoring methods in Low to Middle Income Countries (LMICs) and their significance in pollution investigations and proposes an integrated monitoring framework that can identify toxicity drivers by utilising 'effect-based' and 'risk-based' monitoring approaches.

APOBEC3G governs the generation of truncated AATF protein to ensure oncogenic transformation.

The oncogenic potential of Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G) was recently appreciated by the finding that revealed its ability to downregulate Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) gene translation through its affinity for 3'UTR of KLF4 mRNA. Keeping in view the fact that KLF4 is known to repress apoptosis antagonizing transcription factor (AATF) gene expression, the present study employed stem cells as archetype model to explore the effect of APOBEC3G over-expression upon AATF gene expression within these cells as well as on the genes involved in oncogenic transformation. Such a study revealed that APOBEC3G had the ability to bind AATF mRNA within its third exon to facilitate the generation of truncated 23 kDa AATF translation product which, in turn, had the inherent capacity to be the crucial mediator of APOBEC3G induced oncogenic transformation within such cells.

APOBEC3G has the ability to programme T cell plasticity.

Recently Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, Catalytic Polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G) biology has assumed importance because of its role in oncogenesis. In this context, the present study was addressed to understand the immune-modulatory role of APOBEC3G through its effect upon the T-cell plasticity phenomenon. Such an attempt revealed that APOBEC3G has the inherent capacity to regulate genes coding for STAT3, NF-κB, CCL5, IL-6, IL-4, IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-17 coupled with downregulation of Treg cells within human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) without any noticeable influence upon CD4(+) and CD8(+) cell number. On the basis of these findings, we propose that APOBEC3G has the ability to induce T cell plasticity and modulate immune response.

APOBEC3G governs to ensure cellular oncogenic transformation.

The oncogenic potential of APOBEC3G gene was recently appreciated by the finding that revealed inhibitory influence of APOBEC3G upon micro-RNA mediated repression of the gene responsible for hepatic metastasis. Here we report for the first time that sustained APOBEC3G expression is the characteristic trait exhibited by various cancer cells of different tissue origins as well as APOBEC3G represses cellular gene coding for tumor suppressor KLF4 by binding to its mRNA. This phenomenon was paralleled by the sustained expression of the cellular SP1 which ensured overexpression of genes coding for c-myc, Bmi-1, BCL-2 and MDM2 coupled with downregulation of tumor suppressor p53 thereby creating a favorable situation for oncogenic transformation.

Midsymphyseal distraction osteogenesis with lingual tooth-supported distractor: a case report.

This report presents the treatment of a patient with severe mandibular anterior crowding caused by anterior transverse deficiency of the mandible. The treatment plan called for midsymphyseal distraction osteogenesis. A tooth-supported distractor placed on the lingual aspect of the mandible was used for mandibular widening.

Neural tube defects and their significance in clinical dentistry: a mini review.

Neural tube defects are common congenital malformations that could be apparent at birth or manifested in later stages of life. Morbidity is high in anencephaly, whereas in spina bifida, there are neurological and motor disorders. These defects deserve paramount importance in clinical dentistry. Latex allergy, dental caries, difficulty in mouth opening, and sitting in a dental chair are common problems. There is a high risk of anaphylactic response during anaesthesia. There could be associated craniosynostosis causing maxillary deficiency, and malformed sella turcica might be seen. An association of the defects has been linked with orofacial clefts and Down syndrome.

Spina bifida and dental care: key clinical issues.

Spina bifida is a birth defect affecting the spinal column, resulting from failure of neural tube closure during the first month in utero. It is associated with varying degrees of neurologic and orthopedic impairment. This article presents an overview of spina bifida discussing its correlation with dental caries, latex allergy, pulmonary function, craniosynostosis, and morphology of sella turcica, and explains the role of the dentist in countering these problems.

Arrowhead elastic for simultaneous correction of overjet and overbite.

Arrowhead elastic may be integrated with fixed appliances to achieve rapid correction of increased overjet and overbite during comprehensive orthodontic treatment. This technique is applicable in routine class II cases involving deep bite, during retention phase in growing children treated with twin block and postsurgically in adult hypodivergent cases.

Hybrid cheek-tongue retractor device.

Moisture control is a mainstay in the practice of dentistry, and orthodontics is no exception. The adjustable cheek retractor system we devised is composed of a cheek retractor, tongue guard, and connecting apparatus that can be installed and removed by the clinician alone. It helps retract the soft tissue of the mouth during dental procedures without the need for chairside assistance or major patient compliance. The clinician can therefore better concentrate on the treatment and procedures at hand.

Forced degradation of fentanyl: identification and analysis of impurities and degradants.

Fentanyl, N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylpropionamide is a rapid-acting, powerful opioid analgesic used extensively for anesthesia and chronic pain management. A forced degradation study of fentanyl active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) was performed using light, acid, base, heat and oxidation. Under acidic conditions, fentanyl was shown to degrade to N-phenyl-1-(2-phenylethyl)-piperidin-4-amine (PPA(1)). Fentanyl was stable to light exposure and base treatment with no degradation observed. Oxidation with hydrogen peroxide produced fentanyl N-oxide by rapidly oxidizing the nitrogen on the piperidine ring. Five degradants were formed during thermal degradation of fentanyl. The two known degradants included propionanilide (PRP(2)) and norfentanyl (NRF(3)). The three unknown degradants were first identified by mass using LC/MS, and postulated compounds were synthesized and confirmed by LC/MS and (1)H NMR. These degradants were identified as 1-phenethylpyridinium salt (1-PEP(4)), 1-phenethyl-1H-pyridin-2-one (1-PPO(5)), and 1-styryl-1H-pyridin-2-one (1-SPO(6)). In addition to the seven degradants, three known process impurities, acetyl fentanyl, pyruvyl fentanyl and butyryl fentanyl were also detected by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. All degradants and impurities were identified and confirmed using authentic materials. Method validation was performed for the assay of fentanyl and its related compounds in accordance to ICH guideline Q2(R1), and the method was demonstrated to be specific, linear (r>0.999 for fentanyl assay and r>0.996 for related compounds), accurate (recovery>99.6% for fentanyl assay and recovery>91.0 for related compounds), precise (%RSD<0.8% for fentanyl assay and <4.8% for related compounds), sensitive (limit of detection=0.08 microg/mL or 0.016% of nominal concentration), robust and suitable for its intended use. The chemical structures for the degradants and impurities were submitted to three in silico toxicity programs to identify any structural alerts.