Repair of schneiderian membrane perforation through membrane fixation with simultaneous implant placement: a case report.

Perforation of the maxillary sinus membrane is a common complication during maxillary sinus elevation. Intraoperative perforation of the maxillary sinus membrane may complicate the procedure and indirectly lead to implant failure. Timely repair of the perforated maxillary sinus membrane can effectively improve the implant survival rate. This case describes a method of repairing a maxillary sinus membrane perforation with a suture-attached collagen membrane and shows stable repair results at a 31-month follow-up.

A high-performance surface acoustic wave sensing technique.

We present a superheterodyne-scheme demodulation system that can detect the amplitude and phase shift of weak radio frequency signals with extraordinarily high stability and resolution. As a demonstration, we introduce a process to measure the velocity of the surface acoustic wave using a delay-line device from 30 K to room temperature, which can resolve <0.1 ppm velocity shift. Furthermore, we investigate the possibility of using this surface acoustic wave device as a calibration-free, high sensitivity, and fast response thermometer.

Probing Quantum Phases in Ultra-High-Mobility Two-Dimensional Electron Systems Using Surface Acoustic Waves.

Transport measurement, which applies an electric field and studies the migration of charged particles, i.e., the current, is the most widely used technique in condensed matter studies. It is generally assumed that the quantum phase remains unchanged when it hosts a sufficiently small probing current, which is, surprisingly, rarely examined experimentally. In this Letter, we study the ultra-high-mobility two-dimensional electron system using a propagating surface acoustic wave, whose traveling speed is affected by the electrons' compressibility. The acoustic power used in our Letter is several orders of magnitude lower than previous reports, and its induced perturbation to the system is smaller than the transport current. Therefore we are able to observe the quantum phases become more incompressible when hosting a perturbative current.

Redescription and phylogenetic affinities of the Early Cretaceous enantiornithine Dapingfangornis sentisorhinus.

Dapingfangornis sentisorhinus, a small to medium-sized enantiornithine from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in Western Liaoning, China, stands as one of the earliest known enantiornithines with well-preserved ornamental tail feathers. However, the original holotype description was limited due to damage and matrix interference, which obscured crucial osteological details. Therefore, we provide an updated description of the holotype specimen of D. sentisorhinus with the aid of CT scanning to reveal new and revised osteological information. Furthermore, a phylogenetic analysis of newly acquired data situates Dapingfangornis within the Enantiornithes, closely aligned with Pterygornis and a few other taxa, which may represent a previously unrecognized clade of Early Cretaceous enantiornithines.

Long-term prognostic analysis of children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid carcinoma based on therapeutic response to initial radioiodine therapy.

Background: The clinical features and prognosis of children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (caDTC) are different from that of adults. Postoperative radioiodine therapy (RIT) was recommended for some intermediate and high risk caDTC patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term prognosis of pediatric caDTC patients with different responses to initial RIT and to explore the related influencing factors. Methods: All subjects were assigned to no clinical evidence of disease (NED) group, biochemical persistent disease (BPD) group, or structural/functional persistent disease (S/FPD) group based on the therapeutic response to initial RIT. Then, disease status was evaluated in all three groups at the last follow-up using ATA guidelines. Meanwhile, disease-free survival (DFS) for NED group and the progression-free survival (PFS) for the BPD and S/FPD groups were also assessed. Results: 117 subjects were divided into NED group (n=29), BPD group (n=48) and S/FPD group (n=34) after initial RIT. At the last follow-up, excellent response (ER), indeterminate response (IDR), biochemically incomplete response (BIR) and structurally incomplete response (SIR) rates were 93.10%, 6.90%, 0% and 0% in NED group; 29.17%, 25.00%, 43.75% and 2.08% in BPD group; and 11.77%, 2.94%, 0%, and 85.29% in S/FPD group. The 5-year DFS rate in NED group was 95.5%. The 5-year PFS rates in BPD and S/FPD groups were 79.2% and 48.6%, respectively. For children with structural or functional lesions, longer PFS were found in male children with 131I-avid lesions, and post-operative stimulated serum thyroglobulin (sti-Tg) < 149.80 ng/ml. Conclusion: The response to initial RIT could be helpful for defining subsequent treatment and follow-up strategies for caDTC patients. Post-operative sti-Tg and 131I-avidity of lesions are correlated with PFS.

Guided Bone Regeneration in a Periodontally Compromised Individual with Autogenous Tooth Bone Graft: A Radiomics Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Autogenous tooth bone graft material (AutoBT) has been advocated as a bone substitute when conducting alveolar ridge preservation. This study is aimed at using a radiomics approach in order to evaluate and testify whether AutoBT can stimulate bone growth during socket preservation in severe periodontal cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, 25 cases with severe periodontal diseases were selected. The patients' AutoBTs were inserted into the extraction sockets and covered with Bio-Gide® collagen membranes. 3D CBCT scans and 2D X-rays were taken of the patients before surgery and after 6 months post-surgery. For the retrospective radiomics analysis, the maxillary and mandibular images were compared in different groups. Maxillary bone height was analyzed at the buccal, middle, and palatal crest sites, while the mandibular bone height was compared at the buccal, center, and lingual crest sites. RESULTS: In the maxilla, the alveolar height was increased by -2.15 ± 2.90 mm at the buccal crest; -2.45 ± 2.36 mm at the center of the socket, and -1.62 ± 3.19 mm at the palatal crest, while the height of the buccal crest was increased by 0.19 ± 3.52 mm, and the height at the center of the socket was increased by -0.70 ± 2.71 mm in the mandible. The three-dimensional radiomics analysis demonstrated significant bone growth in the local alveolar height and high density. CONCLUSION: Based on clinical radiomics analysis, AutoBT could be used as an alternative bone material in socket preservation after tooth extraction in patients with severe periodontitis.

Effect of Lugol's solution on 131I therapy efficacy in Graves' disease.

PURPOSE: Lugol's solution could control thyroid function and suppress 131I uptake in hyperthyroidism. This study aimed to investigate the appropriate time to withdraw Lugol's solution before 131I therapy (RIT) in Graves' disease (GD) patients, and how this should influence 131I uptake and RIT outcome. METHODS: Two groups (125 cases and 1805 cases) of GD patients received RIT, who were pre-treated with and without Lugol's solution (RI-CI group and RI group). The RI-CI group was further divided into the following sub-groups depending on the duration span between Lugol's solution withdrawal and RIT: sub-group A, 4-7 d (n = 49); sub-group B, 8-14 d (n = 41); and sub-group C, 15-30 d (n = 35). The highest radioactive iodine uptake rate (RAIUmax), effective half-life (Teff), TRAb, and free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were compared, and therapeutic outcome was evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in RAIUmax, TRAb, and Teff among the four sub-groups (P > 0.05). Both FT3 and FT4 levels in sub-groups A and B were lower than those in group RI and sub-group C (P < 0.05). The outcome of non-hyperthyroidism (euthyroidism + hypothyroidism) in groups RI-CI and RI was significantly different at post-RIT month 1 and 3 (P < 0.05). However, intergroup differences at 6 and 12 months were not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Withdrawal of Lugol's solution 4-7 or 8-14 d before RIT does not influence 131I uptake and RIT efficacy in GD. Moreover, in order to avoid a rapid increase in thyroid hormone levels at the same time, Lugol's solution should be withdrawn 4-7 d before RIT.

A new confuciusornithid bird with a secondary epiphyseal ossification reveals phylogenetic changes in confuciusornithid flight mode.

The confuciusornithids are the earliest known beaked birds, and constitute the only species-rich clade of Early Cretaceous pygostylian birds that existed prior to the cladogenesis of Ornithothoraces. Here, we report a new confuciusornithid species from the Lower Cretaceous of western Liaoning, northeastern China. Compared to other confuciusornithids, this new species and the recently reported Yangavis confucii both show evidence of stronger flight capability, although the wings of the two taxa differ from one another in many respects. Our aerodynamic analyses under phylogeny indicate that varying modes of flight adaptation emerged across the diversity of confuciusornithids, and to a lesser degree over the course of their ontogeny, and specifically suggest that both a trend towards improved flight capability and a change in flight strategy occurred in confuciusornithid evolution. The new confuciusornithid differs most saliently from other Mesozoic birds in having an extra cushion-like bone in the first digit of the wing, a highly unusual feature that may have helped to meet the functional demands of flight at a stage when skeletal growth was still incomplete. The new find strikingly exemplifies the morphological, developmental and functional diversity of the first beaked birds.

Predictive Value of Clinical and Pathological Characteristics for Metastatic Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A 16-year Retrospective Study.

Purpose: To assess predictive value of clinical and pathological characteristics for metastatic radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma (RAIR-DTC) in early stage retrospectively. Methods: We studied 199 metastatic DTC patients who were divided into two groups (TgAb negative and TgAb positive). The stimulated Tg (Sti-Tg) at the first and second radioiodine therapy (RIT) were defined as Sti-Tg1 and Sti-Tg2, the suppressed Tg (Sup-Tg) were designated as Sup-Tg1 and Sup-Tg2, while the TgAb were defined as TgAb1 and TgAb2, respectively. Univariate analysis and Logistic regression were used to investigate the effects of 13 observed factors to predict RAIR-DTC. Results: In TgAb negative group, ROC curve analysis showed that cut-off values of age, Sti-Tg2/Sti-Tg1 and Sup-Tg2/Sup-Tg1 to predict RAIR-DTC were 40 years old, 57.0% and 81.0%, respectively. Age, extrathyroid invasion, Sti-Tg2/Sti-Tg1, Sup-Tg2/Sup-Tg1 and BRAF gene mutation were proved to be independent factors predicting RAIR-DTC. In TgAb-positive group, ROC curve analysis showed that cut-off values of age, TgAb1 and TgAb2/TgAb1 to predict RAIR-DTC were 55 years old, 297 IU/ml (14.8 times higher than the upper limit) and 53.6%, respectively. Conclusions: For TgAb-negative DTC, age over 40, extraglandular invasion, mutated BRAF gene, Sti-Tg decreased less than 43%, and Sup-Tg decreased less than 19% after the first two courses of RIT were independent predictors for RAIR-DTC. For TgAb-positive DTC, age over 55, extraglandular invasion, mutated BRAF gene, distant metastasis before RIT, TgAb level 14.8 times higher than the upper limit, TgAb dropped less than 46.4% after two courses of RIT were influencing factors.

Engineering a HEK-293T exosome-based delivery platform for efficient tumor-targeting chemotherapy/internal irradiation combination therapy.

Exosomes are nanoscale monolayer membrane vesicles that are actively endogenously secreted by mammalian cells. Currently, multifunctional exosomes with tumor-targeted imaging and therapeutic potential have aroused widespread interest in cancer research. Herein, we developed a multifunctional HEK-293T exosome-based targeted delivery platform by engineering HEK-293T cells to express a well-characterized exosomal membrane protein (Lamp2b) fused to the αv integrin-specific iRGD peptide and tyrosine fragments. This platform was loaded with doxorubicin (Dox) and labeled with radioiodine-131 (131I) using the chloramine-T method. iRGD exosomes showed highly efficient targeting and Dox delivery to integrin αvß3-positive anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) cells as demonstrated by confocal imaging and flow cytometry in vitro and an excellent tumor-targeting capacity confirmed by single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography after labeling with 131I in vivo. In addition, intravenous injection of this vehicle delivered Dox and 131I specifically to tumor tissues, leading to significant tumor growth inhibition in an 8505C xenograft mouse model, while showing biosafety and no side effects. These as-developed multifunctional exosomes (denoted as Dox@iRGD-Exos-131I) provide novel insight into the current treatment of ATC and hold great potential for improving therapeutic efficacy against a wide range of integrin αvß3-overexpressing tumors.

Retrospective study of the influence of hypothyroidism on liver function before radioiodine therapy in China: a comparison analysis based on patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study is to investigate the risk factors for hepatic dysfunction before radioiodine therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). METHODS: 996 patients (314 men, 682 women; age of 45.07±12.98 years) with postoperative DTC were recruited and divided into two groups including patients with and without hepatic dysfunction. The changes in baseline data and traced liver function levels, together with other metabolic profiles, were compared between the two groups. RESULT: Overall, 31.6% of patients had hepatic dysfunction. Higher aspartate aminotransferase and/or alanine aminotransferase was the most common abnormality (the prevalence rate was 47.5%). The percentages of mild and moderate hepatic dysfunction were 80.0% and 20.0%, respectively. Univariate analyses demonstrated that the most prominent risk factors for hepatic dysfunction (OR=0.324-3.171, p<0.01) were male sex with levothyroxine discontinuation and free triiodothyronine <2.01 pmol/L, free thyroxine (FT4) <4.78 pmol/L, thyroid-stimulating hormone >78.195 µIU/mL, total cholesterol >5.17 mmol/L, triglycerides (TG) >1.71 mmol/L and more than 21 days of thyroid hormone withdrawal. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that for men, FT4 <3.80 pmol/L and TG ≥1.28 mmol/L were the most prominent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with minor hepatic dysfunction and ortholiposis are more likely to recover to normal liver function. Patients with moderate hepatic dysfunction should be treated with hepatoprotective drugs. For men, FT4 and TG levels tended to be associated with hepatic dysfunction, and the prognosis of hepatic dysfunction was closely related to the TG level.

Delayed Initial Radioiodine Adjuvant Therapy Does Affect Biochemical Response in Intermediate- to High-Risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Background: There are no definite recommendations on the optimal time of initiating radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients in current relevant guidelines. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the timing of initiating radioiodine adjuvant therapy (RAT) and the clinical outcomes based on dynamic follow-ups and assessments in intermediate- to high-risk DTC patients. Methods: A total of 206 patients with intermediate- to high-risk DTC receiving RAT of 150 mCi were retrospectively reviewed. According to the time interval (TI: between thyroidectomy and initial RAT), the patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1: TI < 3 months (n=148), and Group 2: TI ≥ 3 months (n=58). The RAT therapy response was evaluated as excellent response (ER), indeterminate response (IDR), biochemical incomplete response (BIR), structural incomplete response (SIR). The univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to screen out factors associated with incomplete response (IR= BIR+SIR). Finally, the prognostic nomogram was used to explain IR rates as a valuable tool in clinical practice. Results: Response to initial RAT was significantly different between 2 groups during dynamic follow-ups (all P<0.05). Group 2 had significantly lower ER rates (37.9 vs 63.5, 52.0 vs 73.9, 64.4 vs 80.3, all P<0.05, respectively) and higher IR rates (39.7 vs 14.9, 36.0 vs 9.7, 12.2 vs 3.9, all P<0.05, respectively) than group 1 during dynamic follow-ups. By univariate and multivariate analyses, prolonged TI (HR: 6.67, 95%CI: 2.241-19.857, P=0.001), soft tissue invasion (HR: 7.35, 95%CI: 1.624-33.296, P=0.010), higher sTg (HR: 7.21, 95%CI: 1.991-26.075, P=0.003) were manifested to be independent risk factors for IR. The nomogram showed that soft tissue invasion, sTg, and TI were the top 3 contributors to the IR. Conclusions: Early RAT is associated with greater biochemical response but has no impact on SIR. Delayed initial RAT (≥3 months after thyroidectomy) related to IR in intermediate- to high-risk DTC.

Implant restoration of hypodontia resulting from ectodermal dysplasia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Ectodermal dysplasia is a congenital genetic disorder with a prevalence of 1:10,000 to 1:100,000. The clinical features of ectodermal dysplasia include sparse hair, missing teeth, and abnormal development of the skin, sweat glands, and other tissues and organs. Since 1985, dentists have used implants to correct tooth defects in patients with ectodermal dysplasia with reasonable success rates. However, there is still no widely accepted treatment for the oral defects caused by this disease.Case summary: This report describes a 19-year-old female patient with congenital ectodermal dysplasia, congenital absence of most of her teeth, and mandibular and maxillary dysplasia. The patient and her family were concerned about the patient's growth and development, so she came to our hospital to restore her missing teeth. During several months of treatment, the patient underwent bone augmentation surgery for the maxilla and mandible, implant placement, a root repositioning flap, and free gingival grafting, which was completed in five stages. The patient completed the permanent implant restoration, and the desired results were achieved. CONCLUSION: The patient's mouth was restored through the use of bone augmentation and soft tissue grafting techniques, enabling appropriate function and appearance.

Impacts of bio-stimulants on pyrene degradation, prokaryotic community compositions, and functions.

Bio-stimulation of the indigenous microbial community is considered as an effective strategy for the bioremediation of polluted environments. This examination explored the near effects of various bio-stimulants on pyrene degradation, prokaryotic community compositions, and functions using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and qPCR. At first, the results displayed significant differences (p < 0.05) between the prokaryotic community structures of the control group, PYR (contains pyrene only), and bio-stimulants amended groups. Among the bio-stimulants, biochar, oxalic acid, salicylate, NPK, and ammonium sulfate augmented the pyrene degradation potential of microbial communities. Moreover, the higher abundance of genera, such as Flavobacterium, Hydrogenophaga, Mycobacterium, Rhodococcus, Flavihumibacter, Pseudomonas, Novosphingobium, etc., across the treatments indicated that these genera play a vital role in pyrene metabolism. Based on the higher abundance of GP-RHD and nidA genes, we speculated that Gram-positive prokaryotic communities are more competent in pyrene dissipation than Gram-negative. Furthermore, the marked abundance of nifH, and pqqC genes in the NPK and SA treatments, respectively, suggested that different bio-stimulants might enrich certain bacterial assemblages. Besides, the significant distinctions (p < 0.05) between the bacterial consortia of HA (humic acid) and SA (sodium acetate) groups from NPK, OX (oxalic acid), UR (urea), NH4, and SC (salicylate) groups also suggested that different bio-stimulants might induce distinct ecological impacts influencing the succession of prokaryotic communities in distinct directions. This work provides new insight into the bacterial degradation of pyrene using the bio-stimulation technique. It suggests that it is equally important to investigate the community structure and functions along with studying their impacts on degradation when devising a bio-stimulation technology.

Predictive Value of Thyroglobulin Changes for the Curative Effect of Radioiodine Therapy in Patients With Metastatic Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma.

Background: Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) serves as a sensitive and easily available tumor marker for patients with metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma (m-DTC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the predictive value of suppressed Tg changes (Δsup-Tg) and/or stimulated Tg changes (Δsti-Tg) to evaluate the efficacy of radioiodine therapy (RT). Methods: We studied 117 patients with m-DTC who received RT. Δsup-Tg and Δsti-Tg were compared after the first RT in different therapeutic response groups and a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the cut-off values to predict non-remission. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the effects of 17 observed factors on the efficacy of RT. Results: A total of 218 RT events in 117 patients with m-DTC were analyzed. After the last RT, the remission rate was 70.94% (83/117), and the proportion of remission events accounted for 74.77% (163/218). ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off values for Δsup-Tg and Δsti-Tg after the first RT to predict the non-remission of RT were 21.54% and 27.63%, respectively. Age, the size of the metastasis, the maximum count of target metastatic lesions and the average count of contralateral non-target tissue on tomographic imaging (Tmax/NTmean) of the first RT, and Δsup-Tg after the first RT were identified as independent factors associated with RT efficacy. Conclusions: Tg response was valuable to predict RT efficacy for patients with m-DTC. Age, the size of the metastasis, Tmax/NTmean, and Δsup-Tg after the first RT were verified as independent predictive factors of RT efficacy.

Control of wakefulness by lateral hypothalamic glutamatergic neurons in male mice.

The lateral hypothalamus (LH) plays a key role in the maintenance of cortical activation and wakefulness. In the LH, the two main neuronal cell populations consist of excitatory glutamatergic neurons and inhibitory GABAergic neurons. Recent studies have shown that inhibitory LH GABAergic neurons are wake-promoting. However, the mechanism by which excitatory LH glutamatergic neurons contribute to sleep-wake regulation remains unclear. Using fiber photometry in male mice, we demonstrated that LH glutamatergic neurons exhibited high activities during both wakefulness and rapid eye movement sleep. Chemogenetic activation of LH glutamatergic neurons induced an increase in wakefulness that lasted for 6 hr, whereas suppression of LH glutamatergic neuronal activity caused a reduction in wakefulness. Brief optogenetic activation of LH glutamatergic neurons induced an immediate transition from slow-wave sleep to wakefulness, and long-lasting optogenetic stimulation of these neurons maintained wakefulness. Moreover, we found that LH-locus coeruleus/parabrachial nucleus and LH-basal forebrain projections mediated the wake-promoting effects of LH glutamatergic neurons. Taken together, our data indicate that LH glutamatergic neurons are essential for the induction and maintenance of wakefulness. The results presented here may advance our understanding of the role of LH in the control of wakefulness.

Predictive Value of a Thyroid-Absorbed Dose with a Shorter Effective Half-Life on Efficacy in Graves Disease Patients Receiving Iodine-131 Therapy.

BACKGROUND Although radioiodine therapy (RIT) efficacy is thoroughly validated for Graves disease (GD), there is a lack of research on the predictive factors of RIT, especially the optimal thyroid-absorbed dose (TD) with a shorter effective half-life (Teff ≤5 days). The goal of this study was to explore the predictive value of TD in GD patients receiving RIT with a shorter Teff. MATERIAL AND METHODS We studied 208 GD patients receiving RIT with a shorter Teff. Plotting the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve verified the accuracy of TD for predicting RIT efficacy in GD patients. In addition, we conducted univariate and multivariate analyses to investigate the influence of 14 factors, including thyroid weight, TD, 24-h radioiodine uptake rate (RAIU), the highest RAIU, thyrotrophin receptor antibody level, thyroglobulin antibody level, thyroid peroxidase antibody level, and others, on curative effects of RIT. RESULTS Of the 208 study participants, complete remission and the total effectiveness rates were 68.3% and 92.3%, respectively. The threshold value of TD to predict RIT efficacy was 70.2 Gy, based on ROC analysis. Univariate analysis showed that 24-h RAIU, Teff, total iodine dose, iodine dose per gram of thyroid tissue, TD, and thyrotropin receptor antibody level were significantly associated with RIT efficacy. Multivariate analysis indicated that 24-h RAIU, total iodine dose, iodine dose per gram of thyroid tissue, and TD were significant independent predictors of RIT efficacy. CONCLUSIONS Predicting RIT efficacy from TD with a shorter Teff was feasible in GD patients, and TD above 70.2 Gy had an especially high predictive accuracy.

Removal of Horizontally Impacted Mandibular Third Molars With Large Root Bifurcations Using a Modified Tooth Sectioning Method.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to introduce the method and first results of a modified tooth sectioning technique for the extraction of horizontally impacted mandibular third molars (M3Ms) with large root bifurcation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 300 horizontally impacted M3Ms with large root bifurcation in medically healthy patients were included in this prospective study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the modified method group (test group), in which the M3M was sectioned between the distal root and the remainder of the tooth at the point of root bifurcation; and the conventional method group (control group), in which the M3M was sectioned between the crown and the root at the cementoenamel junction. Operation duration, postoperative reactions, complications, and patient satisfaction were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Each group included 150 M3Ms which were all successfully extracted. Operation durations in the test and control group were 10.48 ± 3.78 and 15.09 ± 4.24 minutes, respectively (P < .05). The test group had significantly better results than the control group with regard to postoperative reactions and complications (P < .05). Patients in the test group had higher satisfaction ratings regarding operation duration and the healing process than those in the control group (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The modified method of tooth sectioning between the distal root and the remainder of the tooth can efficiently eliminate resistance from the bone and adjacent mandibular second molar and allow for just 1 sectioning of the M3M in most cases, which could make the operation straightforward and safe.

Prognostic value and dynamics of antithyroglobulin antibodies for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Background: The clinical value of antithyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) as a tumor marker for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is still controversial. Materials & methods: We studied 110 TgAb positive DTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and 131I therapies. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to analyze the association between prognostic factors and disease outcomes. Results & conclusion: Pre-ablation TgAb levels and the changes of TgAb in 6-12 months after the first 131I therapy were risk factors for disease outcome in patients younger than 55, while extrathyroid extension was a risk factor in patients older than 55. The median TgAb half-life was 7.7 months and the median time for TgAb positivity to become negative was 15.8 months. The dynamics of TgAb within the first year after remnant ablation could predict disease outcome for DTC patients.

Glutamatergic lateral hypothalamus promotes defensive behaviors.

The glutamatergic lateral hypothalamus (LH) has been implicated in a variety of behaviors, such as evasion and feeding, while its role in defensive behaviors and relevant neurocircuits remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that the glutamatergic LH is a critical structure regulating defensive behaviors. Trimethylthiazole (TMT), the odor of mice predator, significantly increased c-Fos expression in the LH. Using fiber photometry technology, we found that TMT exposure increased the activity of LH glutamatergic neurons. Selective activation of LH glutamatergic neurons with optogenetics and chemogenetics promoted a series of defense-related behaviors, including fleeing, avoidance, and hiding, while selective inhibition of LH glutamatergic neurons suppressed the avoidance provoked by TMT. Activation of both the glutamatergic LH terminals in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the glutamatergic projection from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) to the LH elicited defensive behaviors. Finally, by combining the viral-mediated retrograde tracing with anterograde activation, we found that PVN-projecting glutamatergic neurons in the LH were activated by BLA glutamatergic inputs. Taken together, our results illustrate that the glutamatergic LH is a pivotal relay of defensive behaviors and possibly promotes these behaviors through the BLA→LH→PVN pathway.