Dietary habits affect fatty acid composition of visceral adipose tissue in subjects with colorectal cancer or obesity.

PURPOSE: Aim of this study was to identify a possible relationship among dietary fatty acids (FA) intake, FA adipose tissue (AT) profile and cancer condition in lean vs obese subjects affected or not by colorectal cancer (CRC). Actually, inadequate dietary habits together with physical inactivity are primary determinants of obesity and cancer risk. Changes in lipid metabolism play a crucial role in different types of cancer and key enzymes involved in lipid-metabolic pathways, such as stearoyl-coA-desaturase 1 (SCD-1), are differentially expressed in normal and cancer tissues. METHODS: Food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) were analyzed by Winfood software. FA were assessed by gas-liquid chromatography in visceral AT samples. Estimated desaturase activities were calculated as precursor FA/product FA ratio. Desaturase gene expressions were evaluated by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Lean and obese CRC subjects showed inadequate dietary habits. In particular, lean CRC subjects showed increase in the intake of saturated FA, specifically palmitic (p = 0.0042) and stearic acid (p = 0.0091), and a corresponding reduction of monounsaturated FA consumption, in particular oleic acid (p = 0.002) with respect to lean without CRC. Estimated SCD-1 activity in AT was increased in all the groups vs lean without CRC (pANOVA = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Unhealthy eating habits, characterizing obese and CRC subjects, may influence the visceral AT profile and contribute to the alteration of the metabolic pathways. The quality of the diet, other than the quantity, can have a main role in the establishment of inflammatory microenvironment and in metabolic changes favouring CRC.

A Randomized Double-blind Clinical Trial of Dentin Surface Treatments for Composite Restorations in Noncarious Cervical Lesions: A 36-month Evaluation.

OBJECTIVE:: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial aimed to evaluate the influence of different dentin surface treatments in noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs). METHODS AND MATERIALS:: Twenty-nine patients participated in this study. One hundred sixty-five NCCLs were selected and randomly assigned to three groups: G0 (control group) with phosphoric acid etching for 15 seconds; G1: phosphoric acid etching for 30 seconds; and G2: ultrasound probe applied for 30 seconds on the dentin surface. Class V composite resin restorations were performed (Z350, 3M ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA). The restorations were evaluated at baseline and at six, 12, 24, and 36 months according to the World Dental Federation criteria. Survival curves were obtained using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Comparisons between groups and times were performed using the McNemar and Chi-square tests (α =0.05). RESULTS:: The presence of failures due to retention was statistically different among the groups ( p=0.012), and G0 and G2 showed better clinical performance than did G1. Sensitivity decreased over time in all groups. Marginal discoloration, postoperative sensitivity, and marginal adaptation were not different among the groups ( p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:: The studied dentin surface treatments showed similar clinical performance to the conventional technique at 36 months in terms of marginal discoloration, marginal adaptation, and postoperative sensitivity. In contrast, increased acid-etching time resulted in a higher risk of failure due to retention over time in composite Class V restorations.

Oral glucose tolerance test unravels circulating miRNAs associated with insulin resistance in obese preschoolers.

BACKGROUND: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) may act as biomarkers of metabolic disturbances. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify serum miRNAs signature of early insulin resistance in obese preschoolers. METHODS: Twelve obese children, aged 2-6 years, six insulin resistant (IR) and six controls were selected being age-matched, sex-matched and body mass index-matched. Profiling of 179 circulating miRNAs, known to be widely expressed in the bloodstream, was investigated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction at fasting and 120 min following a standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). RESULTS: Twenty-one miRNAs were differentially regulated in IR obese preschoolers. miR-200c-3p, miR-190a and miR-95 were differently regulated both at fasting and 120 min after the OGTT. In controls, the fold changes of some miRNAs were correlated with Δglucose0-120 (miR-660, miR-26b-5p and miR-22-3p: p = 0.005 for all) and Δinsulin0-120 (miR-660 and miR-22-3p: p = 0.02 for both and miR-423-5p: p = 0.042). In IR patients, miR-1 fold changes were correlated with Δglucose0-120( r = -0.786; p = 0.036) and Δinsulin0-120( r = -0.821; p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Our study identifies circulating miR-200c-3p, miR-190a and miR-95 as biomarkers of insulin resistance in obese preschoolers, being differentially regulated in IR patients both in fasting condition and after the OGTT. Expression of some circulating miRNAs seems reflecting glucose and insulin excursion following the OGTT differently in controls and IR obese preschoolers.

The pre-mir-27a variant rs895819 may contribute to type 2 diabetes mellitus susceptibility in an Iranian cohort.

PURPOSE: The study was aimed at investigating the association between hsa-mir-27a polymorphism rs895819 (T/C) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) susceptibility in a large Iranian cohort. METHODS: In this case-control study, the investigated population consisted of T2DM patients (n = 204) and sex- and age-matched controls (n = 209). We used the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for genotyping. RESULTS: We observed significant differences between T2DM patients and controls for weight (p = 0.002), BMI (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (p < 0.001), triglyceride (p = 0.004) and LDL cholesterol (p = 0.051). Moreover, we found that genotype distributions were significantly different between groups (p < 0.05) and that the rs895819-C allele is more frequent in controls (p = 0.030, OR = 0.72, 95 % CI 0.53-0.97). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that rs895819 in hsa-mir-27a is associated with T2DM susceptibility and that the C allele conveyed a protective role against T2DM. Larger multicentric and specific functional studies will be necessary to obtain a deeper comprehension of the role of rs895819 and hsa-mir-27a and how they are involved in the development of diabetes.

Evaluating the association of common UBE2Z variants with coronary artery disease in an Iranian population.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality worldwide. Genome-wide association studies have discovered several variants associated with CAD. Notably, a recent study has identified UBE2Z rs46522 at 17q21.32 as a CAD-susceptibility variant in Europeans. However, association of this locus with CAD in non-Europeans has not been investigated. Herein, we evaluated the contribution of rs46522 and a variant in high linkage disequilibrium in UBE2Z 3'-UTR (rs1057897) to the CAD susceptibility by performing association study in an Iranian population. This study recruited 300 angiographically-confirmed CAD patients and 300 asymptomatic controls. Genotypes were determined by TaqMan genotyping assay. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that rs46522 was associated with the susceptibility to CAD assuming codominant [TT vs. CC: 2.68 (1.36-5.31), P: 1.1717e-2], dominant [CT+TT vs. CC: 1.74 (1.12-2.69), P: 1.2675e-2], recessive [TT vs. CC+CT: 2.12 (1.13-3.98), P: 1.9369e-2] and log-additive [1.61 (1.17-2.21), P: 2.967e-3] models. However, no association was observed for rs1057897 under any genetic models. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence for association of rs46522 with the susceptibility to CAD in an Iranian population and discussed about regulatory potential and functional role of the studied variants to provide clues for its association with CAD and promote further research.

Do educational methods affect students' ability to remove artificial carious dentine? A randomised controlled trial.

This trial aimed to evaluate the influence of two educational methods on students' ability to remove artificial carious dentine. Traditional lecture and lecture plus a live demonstration of artificial carious tissue removal were compared in a blind two-parallel-group design. Twenty-six students were randomly divided into two groups, and their skills were evaluated according to the following criteria: time spent on the dentine excavation procedure (in min), students' perceived confidence in conducting the procedure (graded assessed on a scale from 0 to 10), and the outcome of artificial carious tissue removal, evaluated by measuring the residual dyed artificial carious dentine layer (in µm). Statistical analyses were carried out using a t-test to compare the students' confidence and time spent on the procedure, and a two-way ANOVA was used to compare residual artificial decayed dentine with educational methods and tooth region (incisal, medium, and cervical thirds) as factors. There were no differences between the methods regarding excavation time (P = 0.898) and students' confidence (P = 0.382). The residual artificial carious dentine results showed that the educational method (P < 0.001) and cavity region (P < 0.001) were statistically significant, as was their interaction (P = 0.040). The lecture plus live demonstration group presented the best results for artificial caries removal. Although there were no differences between the two groups for the cervical region, the best results for the lecture plus live demonstration group was in the other two-thirds of the tooth.

Planificación endodóncico-restauradora para la rehabilitación funcional y estética de incisivos superiores / Endodontic restorative planning for esthetic and functional rehabilitation of maxillary incisors

En la planificación del tratamiento endodóncico debemos establecer conjuntamente un plan clínico sobre las posibilidades restauradoras. El siguiente caso clínico describe el tratamiento endodóncico y restaurador en dos incisivos superiores ampliamente destruidos por caries. El plan de tratamiento clínico empezó en la terapia periodontal, tratamiento endodóncico y en la reconstrucción coronaria con el empleo de pernos intraconductos de fibra de vidrio. El caso clínico ilustra que la planificación restauradora de un diente endodonciado debe ser realizada a la mayor brevedad posible juntamente con el tratamiento del conducto radicular

In the endodontic planning we should have a clinical plan jointly concerning the restoring possibilities. The case reports the endodontic and restorative treatment in two maxillary incisors with extensive carious lesion. The plan of clinical treatment relapsed in the periodontal therapy, endodontic treatment and for the crown reconstruction with the employment of intraradicular glass fiber post. The clinical case illustrates that the restorative planning of an endodontically treated teeth should be carried out to the endodontic treatment jointly preferable quickly as possible (AU)

Depigmentation therapy in vitiligo universalis with cryotherapy and 4-hydroxyanisole.

Vitiligo is a disease characterized by the loss of melanocytes, resulting in progressive depigmentation of skin, and areas of normally pigmented skin can be of cosmetic concern. Several options have been tried to remove the pigment and make the skin a more even colour. We present an easy and effective therapeutic procedure based on single-session cryotherapy followed by topical 4-hydroxyanisole (4-HA).

Comparison of different commercially available cationic liposome-DNA lipoplexes: Parameters influencing toxicity and transfection efficiency.

Lipid-DNA complexes (lipoplexes) are widely used, since several years, as gene carriers. However, their transfection efficiency, both in vitro and in vivo, depends, in a rather complex way, on different interconnected parameters, ranging from the chemical composition of the lipid components to the size and size distribution of the complexes and, moreover, to the composition of the suspending medium. In this paper, we have investigated the behavior of nine different commercially available transfection agents (liposomal and non-liposomal) and their lipoplexes, at different molar charge ratios and in different experimental conditions. The size and the time stability of the resulting lipoplexes were investigated by means of dynamic light scattering methods and their toxicity and transfection efficiency were assayed in vitro in a model tumor cell line (C6 rat glioma cell line). An attempt to correlate the different parameters governing the complex phenomenology observed has been made. Whereas all the formulations investigated display a low toxicity, that increases with the increase of the lipid-DNA molar charge ratio, the transfection efficiency markedly depends, besides the molar charge ratio, on the lipid composition and on the lipoplex size, in a rather correlated way. The aim of this work is to present, in a wide scenario, an example of the inter-correlation among the different parameters that influence the transfection efficiency of lipoplexes and to suggest the role exerted by the average size of the resulting aggregates in their overall effectiveness as carriers in gene therapy.

Synthesis and characterization of polyethylenimine-based iron oxide composites as novel contrast agents for MRI.

OBJECT: Use of polyethylenimines (PEIs) of different molecular weight and selected carboxylated-PEI derivatives (PEI-COOH) in the synthesis and stabilization of iron oxide nanoparticles, to obtain possible multifunctional contrast agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oxidation of Fe(II) at slightly elevated pH and temperature resulted in the formation of highly soluble and stable nanocomposites of iron oxides and polymer. Composites were characterized and studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometry, AC and DC magnetometry, NMR relaxometry and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: From AFM the dimensions of the aggregates were found to be in the ~150-250 nm size region; the mean diameter of the magnetic core of the compounds named PEI-25, PEI-500 and PEI-COOH60 resulted d approximately 20 +/- 5 nm for PEI-25, d approximately 9.5 +/- 1.0 nm for PEI-500 and d approximately 6.8 +/- 1.0 nm for PEI-COOH60. In PEI-COOH60 TEM and X-ray diffractometry revealed small assemblies of mineral magnetic cores with clear indications that the main constituents are maghemite and/or magnetite as confirmed by AC and DC SQUID magnetometry. For PEI-COOH60, the study of NMR-dispersion profiles revealed r (1) and r (2) relaxivities comparable to superparamagnetic iron-oxide commercial compounds in the whole investigated frequency range 7 < or = nu < or = 212 MHz. CONCLUSION: PEI-25 was studied as possible MRI contrast agent (CA) to map the cerebral blood volume (CBV) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in an animal model obtaining promising results. The reported compounds may be further functionalized to afford novel multifunctional systems for biomedical applications.

[Survey on sports practice and physical activity of primary school children living in the area of Bologna Local Health Unit in relation with some individual and environmental variables]. / Indagine sulla pratica sportiva e le abitudini motorie dei bambini della scuola primaria del territorio dell'Azienda USL di bologna in relazione ad alcune variabili individuali e ambientali.

A randomized stratified sample of 522 children attending the third class of primary schools within the area of Bologna Local Health Unit was analysed for physical activity and sports practice. Information about the children's habits and availability of facilities for physical and sports activities were collected by means of structured questionnaires completed by children (507 respondents), parents (491), reference teachers for physical education (26) and class teachers (46) during the school year 2006-07. At the same time, the children's heights and weights were measured in order to calculate BMI values. Regular sports activity is practised by 80.1% of children (males: 82.4%, females: 77.6%), with significant diferences between genders only in children with at least one non-Italian parent (M>F, p < 0.05); the practice of sports is influenced by the area of residence (metropolitan > plain and hills, p < 0.05) and nationality (Italians > non-Italians, p < 0.01). Children with at least one actively sports practising parent are involved more frequently in sports activities (p < 0.001). In free time, sedentary activities are prevalent for both sports-practising children and not. However children not involved in regular sports activities tend to practise outdoor physical activities with a frequency significantly higher than children involved in sports (17.3% vs 10.4% of respondents). The percentage of completely sedentary children, who stated that they practise neither sports nor physical activity in their free time, is 7.3% (metropolitan area: 4.5%, hills: 8.7%, plain: 10.6%). The prevalence of overweight is 24.4%, of obesity 9.7%, with a better distribution of BMI values in the metropolitan area where there is the highest occurrence of positive conditions and behaviours: availability of sports facilities, the highest prevalence of sports practice, and the lowest prevalence of completely sedentary children.

The aging population and Natural Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs); local government, healthy aging, and healthy-NORCs.

BACKGROUND: The term Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) has been used since the 1980s. NORCs are defined as communities where people remain or move to when they retire. NORCs develop 'naturally', meaning that seniors tend to remain or move there when they retire, although the residences and physical environment were not constructed for a senior population. The term, Healthy-NORC, has been introduced and is associated with healthy aging. OBJECTIVES/METHODS: We describe how demographic trends will facilitate a dramatic growth in NORCs. Acknowledging the 'Determinants of Health' model, we suggest that some determinants impact people differently at different ages. We also suggest that more attention be focused on the impact of physical/social environments on health, and that some determinants of health are particularly relevant for seniors. We argue that NORCs exist on a spectrum, from NORC to H-NORC, and that health benefits for seniors increase as NORCs adopt additional characteristics associated with improved senior health. We also illustrate H-NORC research methods and policy options for local governments. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Compared to the provision of additional medical and social services, H-NORCs represent a low-cost approach to facilitating healthy aging. Municipal governments can promote healthy aging and should pursue policies that will stimulate H-NORC development.

Phase III study in stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with two courses of cisplatin/gemcitabine followed by a randomization to three additional courses of the same combination or gemcitabine alone.

BACKGROUND: This randomised phase III study investigated if in responsive and stable disease (SD) stage IV patients after two courses of cisplatin and gemcitabine, single-agent gemcitabine (experimental arm) was not inferior in terms of overall survival (OS) to cisplatin-gemcitabine (standard arm). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Noninferiority was defined as an increase in the hazard of death (HR) < or = 1.33 in the experimental arm. From January 2001 to February 2004, 340 patients were registered and 250 were randomised. Cisplatin was administered on day 1 at 75 mg/m2 and Gemcitabine on days 1 and 8 at 1250 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Response rate after two courses was 29%. The 1-year progression-free survival was 13% in both arms. One-year survival was 52% in the standard and 42% in the experimental arm for an HR of 1.21 [90% confidence interval (CI) 0.97-1.51]. Postprogression survival was in favour of the standard arm (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.99-1.70, P = 0.051). Grades 3-4 toxicity favoured in the experimental arm. CONCLUSION: In responsive and SD patients with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer it was not possible to demonstrate that three courses of gemcitabine alone are not inferior, in terms of OS, to the standard approach of three courses of cisplatin-gemcitabine.

Intracerebral diffusion of paramagnetic cationic liposomes containing Gd(DTPA)2- followed by MRI spectroscopy: assessment of pattern diffusion and time steadiness of a non-viral vector model.

Cationic liposomes are generally considered as the non-viral counterparts of the more common viral vectors used in several gene therapy protocols, but their use as delivery vehicles is limited by their efficiency even if they display a lower toxicity. However, cationic liposomes are promising delivery systems in cell biology due to their ability to incorporate small molecules into their inner aqueous spheres and to deliver them into cells. Additionally, on the external surface they can bind therapeutic molecules such as nucleic acids, oligonucleotides, plasmids, etc. through electrostatic interactions. The aim of this work was to study the diffusion properties of such vehicles in vivo with a non-invasive technique and to monitor their tissue migration in order to collect information to be further used in gene therapy procedures. For this purpose, cationic liposomes containing the paramagnetic contrast agent Gd(DTPA)2- (Gd(III)-diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N",N"-pentaacetic acid) were investigated because of their extended paramagnetic persistency in vivo, compared to the use of the contrast agent alone, and they were used to monitor the diffusion of such vehicles in an animal model (rat model). In particular, these vectors were injected into the rat brain through a stereotactic frame in a preformed cavity mimicking the lesion which had originated after surgical removal of the primary tumor. For the purpose of comparison, the same injection procedure was also applied to a control series of animals without a preformed brain lesion. Pattern diffusion and steadiness of the reported paramagnetic cationic liposomes were studied by means of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) which allowed us to monitor their diffusion and assess their intracerebral time availability up to 24 hours.

Exploring the photocatalytic properties and the long-lifetime chemosensor ability of Cl(2)[Ru(Bpy)(2)L] (L = 2,5,8,11,14-pentaaza[15])-2,2'-bipyridilophane).

In this work a new water-soluble long-lifetime chemosensor, containing a polyamine unit connected to a complexed Ru(II) metal center, is described. Its crystal structure has been characterized by X-ray analysis. The polyamine macrocyclic unit is capable of anchoring cationic or anionic substrates, according to its protonation state. Examples of electron transfer involving the ruthenium complex core and the bound substrate are presented. The photocatalytic ability of such a system is illustrated by the oxidation of iodide to iodine promoted by light absorption at 436 nm.

Cost-effectiveness of an HIV prevention intervention for mentally ill adults.

Adults with severe mental illness are at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and transmission. Small-group interventions that focus on sexual communication, condom use skills, and motivation to practice safer sex have been shown to be effective at helping mentally ill persons reduce their risk for HIV. However, the cost-effectiveness of these interventions has not been established. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a 9-session small-group intervention for women with mental illness recruited from community mental health clinics in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We used standard techniques of cost-utility analysis to determine the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) saved by the intervention. This analysis indicated that the intervention cost $679 per person, and over $136,000 per QALY saved. When the analysis was restricted to the subset of women who reported having engaged in vaginal or anal intercourse in the 3 months prior to the baseline assessment, the cost per QALY saved dropped to approximately $71,000. These estimates suggest that this intervention is marginally cost-effective in comparison with other health promotion interventions, especially if high-risk, sexual-active women are preferentially recruited.

Probabilistic cost-effectiveness analysis of HIV prevention. Comparing a Bayesian approach with traditional deterministic sensitivity analysis.

In cost-effectiveness analysis, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is used to measure economic efficiency of a new intervention, relative to an existing one. However, costs and effects are seldom known with certainty. Uncertainty arises from two main sources: uncertainty regarding correct values of intervention-related parameters and uncertainty associated with sampling variation. Recently, attention has focused on Bayesian techniques for quantifying uncertainty. We computed the Bayesian-based 95% credible interval estimates of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of several related HIV prevention interventions and compared these results with univariate sensitivity analyses. The conclusions were comparable, even though the probabilistic technique provided additional information.

Protonation and Zn(II) coordination by dipyridine-containing macrocycles with different molecular architecture. A case of pH-controlled metal jumping outside-inside the macrocyclic cavity.

The synthesis of the macrocyclic ligand 4,4'-(2,5,8,11,14-pentaaza[15])-2,2'-bipyridylophane (L3), which contains a pentaamine chain linking the 4,4'-positions of a 2,2'-dipyridine moiety, is reported. Protonation and Zn(II) complexation by L3 and by macrocycle L2, containing the same pentaamine chain connecting the 6,6'-positions of 2,2'-dipyridine, were studied by means of potentiometric, UV-vis, and fluorescent emission measurements. While in L2 all the nitrogen donor atoms are convergent inside the macrocyclic cavity, in L3 the heteroaromatic nitrogen atoms are located outside. Both ligands form mono- and dinuclear Zn(II) complexes in aqueous solution. In the mononuclear Zn(II) complexes with L2, the metal is coordinated inside the macrocyclic cavity, bound to the heteroaromatic nitrogen donors and three amine groups of the aliphatic chain. As shown by the crystal structure of the [ZnL2](2+) complex, the two benzylic nitrogens are not coordinated and facile protonation of the complex takes place at slightly acidic pH values. Considering the mononuclear [ZnL3](2+) complex, the metal is encapsulated inside the cavity, not coordinated by the dipyridine unit. Protonation of the complex occurs on the aliphatic polyamine chain and gives rise to translocation of the metal outside the cavity, bound to the heteroaromatic nitrogens.

Using cost-effectiveness league tables to compare interventions to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.

Cost-effectiveness information is needed to help public health decision makers choose between competing HIV prevention programs. One way to organize this information is in a 'league table' that lists cost-effectiveness ratios for different interventions and which facilitates comparisons across interventions. Herein we propose a common outcome measure for use in HIV prevention league tables and present a preliminary league table of interventions to reduce sexual transmission of HIV in the US. Fifteen studies encompassing 29 intervention for different population groups are included in the table. Approximately half of the interventions are cost-saving (i.e. save society money, in the long run), and three-quarters are cost-effective by conventional standards. We discuss the utility of such a table for informing the HIV prevention resource allocation process and delineate some of the difficulties associated with the league table approach, especially as applied to HIV prevention cost-effectiveness analysis.