ß-Carotene improves intestinal barrier function by modulating proinflammatory cytokines and improving antioxidant capacity in ß-lactoglobulin-sensitized mice.

Increased intestinal permeability due to barrier dysfunction is supposed to cause several gastrointestinal diseases. We have previously demonstrated that a single ß-carotene (BC) dose protects against increase in anaphylactic response in ß-lactoglobulin (BLG)-sensitized mice with no effect on the epithelial permeability and weak recovery of villi length. Utilizing the same murine ex vivo intestinal model, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different BC doses on BLG-mediated intestinal epithelial barrier disturbances. Jejunum was harvested from BLG-sensitized mice pretreated with either one of three different doses of BC (5, 10 and 20 mg/ kg body weight) and mounted on Ussing Chambers. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and short-circuit current (Isc) were recorded as indicators of intestinal epithelial barrier function. Histopathological analysis of the intestine was carried out for the control and experimental mice. TNF-α and IL-6 levels were determined in serum using ELISA, and the analysis of antioxidant activity was performed for reduced glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). BC was capable of enhancing the intestinal barrier function, as indicated by the increased TER and the decreased Isc. Intestinal damage characterized by the shortening of villi and infiltration of intestinal lymphocytes was significantly reversed by BC pretreatment. Such effects of BC were accompanied by a reduction in the levels of IL-6 and TBARS and an increase of GSH. TNF-α levels were reduced only at the lowest BC dose. These findings may encourage the use of BC-based therapies for controlling the breakdown of the intestinal barrier in vivo.

Tumour flare reaction in cancer treatments: a comprehensive literature review.

In the past decade, tumour flare reaction (TFR) was considered as a new side effect associated with immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs) and as a condition of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). However, this phenomenon is also observed with immune checkpoint inhibitors in solid tumours. It is still poorly understood and its incidence is underestimated. TFR has been associated with morbidity, therefore, early recognition and management of patients with TFR is critical. An exhaustive literature research between 1985 and 2016 was performed using PubMed; American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Society of Hematology abstracts reporting TFR or pseudoprogression were identified. The incidence of TFR in CLL ranged from 28 to 58%. Tumour response in patients treated beyond progression was reported in 9.7% with ipilimumab, 10% with nivolumab, 6.7 and 12% with pembrolizumab, and in renal cell carcinoma 69% with nivolumab. Rare life-threatening or fatal cases were reported; symptoms were usually mild. Studies showed that treating patients beyond progression yielded tumour responses, considering TFR as predictive of response. Treatment with immunomodulatory agents is associated with TFR, often misinterpreted as progression. Therefore, the identification of appropriate clinical benefit criteria and the use of immune-related response criteria in prospective trials for a better understanding are compulsory.

Cleidocranial dysostosis: a case report / Disostosis cleidocraneal: reporte de caso

Cleidocranial dysostosis is a congenital condition that results from faulty development of membranous bones, mainly the clavicles and skull. The clavicular abnormality may range from a small defect in one clavicle to complete absence of both, but most frequently an absence of the central clavicular segment, as was seen in our patient. A review of the literature has revealed only one previous report a cleidocranial dysostosis syndrome...

La disostosis cleidocraneal es una condición congénita que resulta de un desarrollo defectuoso de los huesos con osificación membranosa, principalmente las clavículas y el cráneo. La anormalidad clavicular puede ir desde un pequeño defecto en una clavícula hasta la total ausencia de ambas, pero con mayor frecuencia se observa la ausencia del segmento clavicular central, como se observó en nuestro paciente. Una revisión de la literatura reveló sólo un caso previo con un síndrome de disostosis cleidocraneal de características similares...

[Third molar and mandibular canal: selection of radiographic techniques]. / Dent de sagesse et nerf alvéolaire inférieur. Choix des examens radiographiques.

Injury of the inferior alveolar nerve during extraction of mandibular third molar is a well recognized, but uncommon, serious complication. It has a serious impact on oral function and its psychological impact on the patient is great. To prevent this complication, several studies have been conducted to identify the high-risk radiological signs associated with intimate anatomic relationships between third molar and infra-alveolar nerve and thereby establish a unified process of radiological exploration. In this paper, the authors present a review of the literature of the recent studies involving radiological exploration of the relation of the third molar with the mandibular canal.

[Bilateral tooth fusion]. / Fusion dentaire bilatérale.

INTRODUCTION: Tooth fusion is the union of two adjacent germs at any stage of their development. It is a rare phenomenon which can present uni- or bilaterally and affects the maxilla more often. OBSERVATION: A male patient, 25 years of age, presented with a bilateral maxillary fusion of tooth 11 and supernumerary tooth 11, as well as teeth 21-22. Retroalveolar images confirmed the bilateral fusion with a bifide crown and a single root for 11 and a bifide crown separated by a central groove with two diverging roots. No esthetic and/or functional impact was noted and no specific treatment was initiated. DISCUSSION: Fusion is a dental development anomaly with a relatively weak esthetic and/or functional impact. But some dental lesions can appear, parodontal diseases, a shortened arcade, a delayed tooth growth, an ectopy of permanent teeth, etc. An adapted treatment should be initiated with the aim of separating fused teeth and restoring their functional and esthetic features.

[Botryoid odontogenic cyst]. / Kyste odontogène botryoïde.

INTRODUCTION: The botryoid odontogenic cyst (BOC) is a developmental cyst of odontogenic epithelial origin considered as a rare multilocular variety of lateral periodontal cyst (WHO 1992). This cystic lesion site is in the periodontal space of vital teeth. OBSERVATION: A 21-year-old woman consulted for a swelling of the anterior maxillary region. The clinical examination revealed bucal swelling extending from the left central incisor to the first left premolar. The mucosa was normal. The adjacent teeth were vital. X-ray revealed a bilocular radiolucency extending between the roots of teeth 21 and 24. The lesion was enucleated, under local anaesthesia via a vestibular approach. Histology was typical of a BOC with cystic spaces lined by squamous epithelium with thickening and clear cells. Forty-eight months after surgery, there was sign of recurrence. DISCUSSION: BOC is known to be a recurrent odontogenic cyst. Several cases of multiple recurrences have been reported up to nine years after the initial surgery. Long-term follow-up is thus mandatory.