Influence of photodynamic therapy on bond strength and adhesive interface morphology of MTA based root canal sealer to different thirds of intraradicular dentin.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used as an adjunct to endodontic treatment to enhance microbial reduction in the root canal system. However, studies evaluating the impact of PDT on the bond strength of the canal sealer to intraradicular dentin are scarce. Thus, this in vitro study aimed to evaluate the influence of photodynamic therapy with methylene blue (MB) photosensitizer (PS) on the bond strength and morphology of the interface between mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) based endodontic sealer and different thirds of intraradicular dentin. METHODS: Fifty-five bovine incisors were used to simulate experimental endodontic treatments. Biomechanical instrumentation was performed in all root canals and teeth were divided into 5 groups (n = 11): deionized water (control), methylene blue 50 mg/L (MB50WL), methylene blue 100 mg/L (MB100WL), methylene blue 50 mg/L + red laser (MB50L), and methylene blue 100 mg/L + red laser (MB100L). The push-out bond strength of canal sealer to intraradicular dentin was measured using a universal testing machine (n = 8). Representative scanning electron microscopy images were obtained to qualify the fracture patterns. Images of the adhesive interface morphology were obtained using confocal laser scanning microscopy (n = 3). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare data on bond strength between groups, and the Friedman test between thirds (α = 0.05). RESULTS: When comparing root thirds for the MB group with the higher concentration activated by red laser, higher bond strength values was found for the apical third than for the middle third (P = 0.0302). MB in different concentrations, activated by red laser or not, had no influence on the bond strength of distinct thirds of the intraradicular dentin (P > 0.05). As for the adhesive interface morphology, the MB100L group showed a lower qualitatively sealer penetration into the intraradicular dentin. CONCLUSIONS: PDT with MB PS at 50 mg/L had no negative impact on the bond strength of MTA Fillapex canal sealer to intraradicular dentin, being a suitable antisepsis protocol for endodontic treatments.

Radiotherapy-induced miR-223 prevents relapse of breast cancer by targeting the EGF pathway.

In breast cancer (BC) patients, local recurrences often arise in proximity of the surgical scar, suggesting that response to surgery may have a causative role. Radiotherapy (RT) after lumpectomy significantly reduces the risk of recurrence. We investigated the direct effects of surgery and of RT delivered intraoperatively (IORT), by collecting irradiated and non-irradiated breast tissues from BC patients, after tumor removal. These breast tissue specimens have been profiled for their microRNA (miR) expression, in search of differentially expressed miR among patients treated or not with IORT. Our results demonstrate that IORT elicits effects that go beyond the direct killing of residual tumor cells. IORT altered the wound response, inducing the expression of miR-223 in the peri-tumoral breast tissue. miR-223 downregulated the local expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF), leading to decreased activation of EGF receptor (EGFR) on target cells and, eventually, dampening a positive EGF-EGFR autocrine/paracrine stimulation loop induced by the post-surgical wound-healing response. Accordingly, both RT-induced miR-223 and peri-operative inhibition of EGFR efficiently prevented BC cell growth and reduced recurrence formation in mouse models of BC. Our study uncovers unknown effects of RT delivered on a wounded tissue and prompts to the use of anti-EGFR treatments, in a peri-operative treatment schedule, aimed to timely treat BC patients and restrain recurrence formation.

Somatostatin as a regulator of first-trimester human trophoblast functions.

We have tested the hypothesis that human early trophoblast is a target for somatostatin (SRIF) regulatory actions. We report for the first time that SSTR2A and 2B transcripts and proteins are present in first-trimester human chorionic villi and the trophoblast-derived HTR-8/SVneo and JAR cells. In both cell lines, SSTR are functional since SRIF inhibits cyclic AMP pathway, stimulates arachidonic acid release and enhances cell proliferation. Moreover, in HTR-8/SVneo cells, considered a good model of first-trimester EVT, SRIF also enhances migration. An involvement of the cyclic AMP pathway in mediating SRIF effects on proliferation and migration is suggested. Our data support the idea that SRIF regulates early trophoblast functions mainly through an interaction with SSTR2.

p27(kip1) functional regulation in human cancer: a potential target for therapeutic designs.

The mitotic cell cycle is a tightly regulated process that ensures the correct division of one cell into two daughter cells. Progress along the different phases of the cell cycle is positively regulated by the sequential activation of a family of serine-threonine kinases called CDKs (Cyclin Dependent Kinases). Their activity is counteracted by small proteins known as CDK inhibitors (CKI) that ensure the correct timing of CDK activation in the different phases of the cell cycle. The present review will deal with the role of one of this CKI, p27(kip1), in human cancer, focusing in particular on the mechanisms underlying its functional inactivation in tumor cells. p27(kip1) protein downregulation is usually achieved by proteasomal degradation and is often correlated to a worse prognosis in several types of human cancers, resulting in the reduction of disease free and overall survival. More recently, it has been proposed that p27(kip1) protein, rather than degraded, can be functionally inactivated. The mechanisms and the implications of these two types of p27(kip1) deregulation will be discussed and some potential therapeutic approaches targeting p27(kip1) functions will be proposed.

Education for outpatients with rheumatic diseases. Evaluation of short-term and medium-term results.

This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the short- and medium-term impact of the outpatient education sessions that have been available at the Cochin Teaching Hospital since 1992. Each patient was asked to complete a ten-item anonymous questionnaire at the beginning of the education session (evaluation 0), immediately after the session (evaluation 1), after six months (evaluation 2) and after 12 months (evaluation 3). Mean numbers of correct answers per patient were calculated. Eight education sessions were evaluated (osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, conservative treatments, surgical treatments, low-calorie diets and high-calcium diets). One hundred twenty-four patients completed the first two questionnaires, 94 (75.80%) completed the six-month questionnaire and 75 (60.5%) completed the 12-month questionnaire. Mean numbers of correct answers were as follows: 5.7 before the session, 7.3 after the session (p = 0.0001), 7.2 after six months (p = 0.0001), and 7.9 after 12 months (p = 0.0001). These results demonstrate that the education sessions significantly improved patient knowledge in the short and medium term. Their impact on quality of life is being evaluated.