Differential avidity determination of IgG directed towards the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of SARS‐CoV‐2 wildtype and its variants in one assay: Rational tool for the assessment of protective immunity.

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Differential avidity determination of IgG directed towards the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of SARS‐CoV‐2 wildtype and its variants in one assay: Rational tool for the assessment of protective immunity. via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract The avidity (binding strength) of IgG directed towards the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike protein has been recognized as a central marker in SARS-CoV-2 serology. It seems to be linked to increased infection-neutralization potential and therefore might indicate protective immunity. Using a prototype line assay based on the established recomLine SARS-CoV-2 assay, supplemented with RBD of the delta and the omicron variant, differential avidity determination of IgG directed towards RBD of wild-type (WT) SARS-CoV-2 and distinct variants was possible within one assay. Our data confirm that natural SARS-CoV-2 infection or one vaccination step lead to low avidity IgG, whereas further vaccination steps gradually increase avidity to high values. High avidity is not reached by infection alone. After infection with WT SARS-CoV-2 or vaccination based on mRNA WT, the avidity of cross-reacting IgG directed towards RBD of the delta variant only showed marginal diffe rences compared to IgG directed towards RBD WT. In contrast, the avidity of IgG cross-reacting with RBD of the omicron variant was always much lower than for IgG RBD WT, except after the third vaccination step. Therefore, parallel avidity testing of RBD WT and omicron seems to be mandatory for a significant assessment of protective immunity towards SARS-CoV-2. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Cancer cells corrupt normal epithelial cells through miR-let-7c-rich small extracellular vesicle-mediated downregulation of p53/PTEN

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Cancer cells corrupt normal epithelial cells through miR-let-7c-rich small extracellular vesicle-mediated downregulation of p53/PTEN via International Journal of Oral Science - Issue International Journal of Oral Science, Published online: 19 July 2022; doi:10.1038/s41368-022-00192-2 Cancer cells corrupt normal epithelial cells through miR-let-7c-rich small extracellular vesicle-mediated downregulation of p53/PTEN View on Web

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The accuracies of three intraoral scanners with regards to shade determination: An in vitro study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader The accuracies of three intraoral scanners with regards to shade determination: An in vitro study via Journal of Prosthodontics Abstract Purpose : To compare the accuracy of three intraoral scanners for shade determination function in vitro, and to preliminarily investigate the shade-matching characteristics of the three intraoral scanners. Materials & Methods The shade of the middle third region of each shade tab on the Vita Classical A1-D4 shade guide (VC) was measured by a spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade V, VE) and three intraoral scanners, including CEREC Omnicam (OM), 3Shape TRIOS 3 (T3), and TRIOS 4 (T4). A conversion table between VC values and CIELAB values was established from the database of VE to analyze the trueness. The reproducibility of the instruments was then compared by repeating the measurements five times. Results : The mean color difference for each instrument was highest in the OM, followed by the T4, and lowest in the T3 and VE, repectively. The L* and a* value for OM, and the b* value for T4, were significantly different from those for VE (p <0.05). The reproducibility of the instrument was highest in the VE (Fleiss' kappa: 0.95), followed by the T3 (Fleiss' kappa: 0.89), T4 (Fleiss' kappa: 0.87), and OM (Fleiss' kappa: 0.78). Conclusions : Of the three intraoral scanners, the trueness was best on the T3. The reproducibility of all the instruments was excellent. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved View on Web

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A higher tumor volume and undernutrition at diagnosis adversely affect the survival of children with Wilms tumor: A study of 200 patients

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader A higher tumor volume and undernutrition at diagnosis adversely affect the survival of children with Wilms tumor: A study of 200 patients via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Background Distinct prognostic factors for Wilms tumor (WT) in low- and middle-income countries need identification. Methods Retrospective study of patients with WT managed by the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) approach for over 11 years (2005–2016) at a single center in Chandigarh, India. Results The study included 200 patients (median age: 33.5 months). The tumor stage (SIOP) distribution included stage I (30%), II (36%), III (14%), IV (17%), and V (3%). The histology-risk groups were low (8%), intermediate (84%), and high risk (9%). At diagnosis, 68 out of 190 (36%) patients were underweight. The median tumor volume at diagnosis was 481 ml (interquartile ratio [IQR]: 306.9, 686.8, n = 146). Following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, it reduced to 110 ml (IQR: 151.2, 222, n = 77). Treatment was abandoned in 20.5% of the patients. Treatment-related mortality occurred in 13 of 179 (7.2%) patients. Relapse occurred in 26 of 158 (16.5%) patients. The 3-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) of patients who completed therapy were 78.3 and 72%, respectively. The stage (p = .013) and histology (p = .023) influenced OS. A lower OS in stage II (75.4%) versus stage III disease (83.7%) suggested understaging. Patients with a higher tumor volume at diagnosis (p = .005; odds ratio [OR]: 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99–1.00) or a lower weight-for-age z-score (p = .002; OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.21–2.33) had an increased risk of death or relapse. Conclusions The 3-year OS and EFS of children who completed therapy were 78.3 and 72%, respectively. A higher tumor volume and lower weight-for-age z-score at diagnosis were identified as distinct adverse prognostic factors. A likely suboptimal lymph node assessment (intraoperative and histopathology) contributed to the understaging of stage III to II disease and reduced survival. View on Web

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TREM2‐induced activation of microglia contributes to synaptic integrity in cognitively intact aged individuals with Alzheimer's neuropathology

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader TREM2‐induced activation of microglia contributes to synaptic integrity in cognitively intact aged individuals with Alzheimer's neuropathology via Brain Pathology Efficient TREM2-phagocytic microglia underlie synaptic resilience in NDAN, removing damaged synpases, contributing to synaptic integrity and protecting from memory deficits. Abstract The existence of individuals who remain cognitively intact despite presenting histopathological signs of Alzheimer's disease (AD), here referred to as "Nondemented with AD neuropathology" (NDAN), suggests that some mechanisms are triggered to resist cognitive impairment. Exposed phosphatidylserine (ePS) represents a neuronal "eat-me" signal involved in microglial-mediated phagocytosis of damaged synapses. A possible mediator of this process is TREM2, a microglial surface receptor activated by ligands including PS. Based on TREM2 role in the scavenging function of microglia, we hypothesize that an efficient microglial phagocytosis of damaged synapses underlies synaptic resilience in NDAN, thus protecting from memory deficits. Using immunofluorescence microscopy, we performed a comparative study of human post-mortem frontal cortices of aged-matched, AD and NDAN individuals. We studied the distribution of activated microglia (IBA1, IBA1+/CD68+ cells) and phagocytic microglia-related proteins (TREM2, DAP12), demonstrating higher microglial activation and TREM2 expression in NDAN versus AD. A study of the preservation of synapses around plaques, assessed using MAP2 and βIII tubulin as dendritic and axonal markers, respectively, and PSD95 as a postsynaptic marker, revealed preserved axonal/dendritic structure around plaques in NDAN versus AD. Moreover, high levels of PSD95 around NDAN plaques and the colocalization of PSD95 with CD68 indicated a prompt removal of damaged synapses by phagocytic microglia. Furthermore, Annexin V assay on aged-matched, AD and NDAN individuals synaptosomes revealed increased levels of ePS in NDAN, confirming damaged synapses engulfment. Our results suggest a higher efficiency of TREM2-induced phagocytic microglia in removing damaged synapses, underlying synaptic resilience in NDAN individuals. View on Web

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Ridge augmentation using autologous concentrated growth factors enriched bone graft matrix versus guided bone regeneration using native collagen membrane in horizontally deficient maxilla: A randomized clinical trial

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Ridge augmentation using autologous concentrated growth factors enriched bone graft matrix versus guided bone regeneration using native collagen membrane in horizontally deficient maxilla: A randomized clinical trial via Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research Abstract Background Facial resorption of maxillary alveolar ridges is a challenging situation for implant rehabilitation, which mandates a preparatory surgery of bone augmentation. Guided bone regeneration using a 1:1 mixture of autogenous particulate and anorganic bovine bone mineral (ABBM) showed reliable outcomes in treating horizontally deficient ridges. Methods Twenty-eight patients were randomly assigned into two groups; in the control group, the 1:1 mixture of particulate autogenous bone and ABBM was covered with native collagen membrane, while in the study group, it was mixed with autologous fibrin glue (AFG) to make a sticky bone that was covered by concentrated growth factor (CGF) membrane. For each proposed implant site, the average bone width gain was calculated preoperatively, immediately after augmentation and after 6 months. Implants were placed after 6 months and the implant stability quotient (ISQ) was measured after insertion and after 6 more months. Results The graft consolidation period went uneventful in both groups; however, two cases in the sticky bone group showed total resorption of the graft upon re-entry. The mean horizontal bone width after 6 months was 9 mm ± 0.71 in the guided bone regeneration (GBR) group which was higher than 7.9 mm ± 0.92 for the sticky bone group. The mean primary stability was higher in the GBR group; 67.19 ± 2.23 compared to 66.7 ± 3.22 for the sticky bone group, while the mean secondary stability was higher in the sticky bone group; 72 ± 2.15 compared to 71.7 ± 2.27 for the GBR group. Results of Shapiro–Wilk's for bone width data and model residuals were both statistically not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion Comparing CGF membrane versus native collagen membrane as barriers for GBR showed no statistically significant difference regarding bone gain. However, from a clinical point of view, CGF membrane is not a predictable barrier for guided bone regeneration. View on Web

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Early marginal bone loss around dental implants to define success in implant dentistry: A retrospective study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Early marginal bone loss around dental implants to define success in implant dentistry: A retrospective study via Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to establish an objective criterion in terms of marginal bone level (MBL) to know the prognosis of an implant. Materials and Methods A group of 176 patients in whom 590 implants were placed were included in this retrospective study. Patients older than 18 years, presenting either Kennedy class I or II edentulous section, or totally edentulous at least in one of the dental arches were included in this study. Those with any type of disturbance able to alter bone metabolism or with nontreated periodontal disease were excluded. Data on radiographic MBL at loading, 6 and 18 months later, age, gender, smoking habits, history of periodontitis, bone substratum, implant, and prosthetic features were recorded. Nonparametric receiver operating curves (ROC) were constructed for the MBL at 18 months in order to establish a distinction among high bone loser (HBL) and low bone loser (LBL) implants. Differences as a function of main variables were also determined, particularly abutment height and periodontal disease. Results HBL implants lost at least 0.48 mm of MBL 6 months after loading; they reached at least 2 mm of MBL 18 months after loading. MBL rate followed a nonlinear trend, except in implants restored over long prosthetic abutments and in patients with history of severe periodontitis; in whom the rate of MBL over the time was nearly zero. Conclusion Implants that lose more than 0.5 mm of marginal bone 6 months after loading are at great risk of not being radiographically successful anymore. Therefore, 0.5 mm of MBL is proposed as a distinctive and objective criterion of success in Implant Dentistry within a 6-month follow-up period. A prosthetic abutment height ≥2 mm resulted the most protective factor in the peri-implant bone maintenance. View on Web

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Camrelizumab plus chemotherapy in advanced non‐squamous non‐small cell lung cancer: Treatment response, survival pattern, and safety

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Camrelizumab plus chemotherapy in advanced non‐squamous non‐small cell lung cancer: Treatment response, survival pattern, and safety via Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics This study retrospectively analysed 31 driver-gene-negative advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who received a 21-day therapy cycle for four cycles of camrelizumab (intravenous injection, 200 mg/cycle) plus carboplatin and pemetrexed (CP) chemotherapy, followed by maintenance therapy using camrelizumab or pemetrexed or camrelizumab plus pemetrexed. Another 40 patients who underwent CP chemotherapy were retrieved as control group. Interestingly, objective response rate (ORR) was elevated in camrelizumab plus CP group compared to CP group (58.1% vs. 32.5%), while disease control rate (DCR) was of no difference between those two groups (83.9% vs. 72.5%). Camrelizumab plus CP achieved a prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) compared with CP alone (11.0 (95% CI: 9.1–12.9) months versus 7.2 (95% CI: 5.1–9.3) months), also realized an increasing overall survival (OS) trend (without statistical significance; 19.3 (95% CI: 15.4–23.2) months versu s 15.1 (95% CI: 13.9–16.3) months). Further multivariate Cox's regression analysis exhibited that camrelizumab plus CP (vs. CP) independently related to prolonged PFS and OS. Moreover, the most common adverse events related to camrelizumab plus CP were fatigue (45.2%), peripheral neuropathy (35.5%), nausea and vomiting (35.5%); furthermore, most adverse events were controllable. Collectively, camrelizumab plus chemotherapy exhibits good efficacy and manageable adverse events in treating advanced non-squamous NSCLC patients. Abstract What is known and objective Camrelizumab, a humanized monoclonal programmed cell death protein-1 antibody independently developed by China, is introduced as a treatment selection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of camrelizumab plus chemotherapy in treating advanced non-squamous NSCLC patients. Methods This study retrospectively analysed 31 driver-gene-negative advanced non-squamous NSCLC patients who received a 21-day therapy cycle for four cycles of camrelizumab (intravenous injection, 200 mg/cycle) plus carboplatin and pemetrexed (CP) chemotherapy, followed by maintenance therapy using camrelizumab or pemetrexed or camrelizumab plus pemetrexed. Another 40 patients who underwent CP chemotherapy were retrieved as control group. Results and discussion The objective response rate (ORR) was elevated in camrelizumab plus CP group compared to CP group (58.1% vs. 32.5%, p = 0.031), while disease control rate (DCR) was of no difference between those two groups (83.9% vs. 72.5%, p = 0.255). Camrelizumab plus CP achieved a prolonged PFS compared with CP alone (median: 11.0 (95% CI: 9.1–12.9) months versus 7.2 (95% CI: 5.1–9.3) months, p = 0.026), also realized an increasing OS trend (without statistical significance; 19.3 (95% CI: 15.4–23.2) months versus 15.1 (95% CI: 13.9–16.3) months, p = 0.093). Further multivariate Cox's regression analysis exhibited that camrelizumab plus CP (vs. CP) independently related to prolonged PFS (p < 0.001) and OS (p = 0.027). Moreover, the most common adverse events related to camrelizumab plus CP were fatigue (45.2%), peripheral neuropathy (35.5%), nausea and vomiting (35.5%); furthermore, most a dverse events were controllable. What is new and conclusion Camrelizumab plus chemotherapy exhibits good efficacy and manageable adverse events in treating advanced non-squamous NSCLC patients. View on Web

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Detecting and Managing Partial Shorts in Cochlear Implants: A Validation of Scalp Surface Potential Testing

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Detecting and Managing Partial Shorts in Cochlear Implants: A Validation of Scalp Surface Potential Testing via Clinical Otolaryngology Abstract Objective To investigate the value of scalp surface potentials to identify and manage partial short circuits to ground in cochlear implant electrodes. Design A retrospective review of patients with suspected partial short circuits. Main outcome measure Electrical output of individual electrodes was measured using scalp surface potentials for patients reporting a change in hearing function. Electrical output was compared to functional performance and impedance measurements to determine if devices with suspected partial short circuits were experiencing a decrease in performance as a result of reduced electrical output. Electrical output was checked in an artificial cochlea for two implants following explant surgery to confirm scalp surface potential results. Results All patients with suspected partial short circuits (n=49) had reduced electrical output, a drop in impedances to approximately ½ of previously stable measurements or to below 2 kOhms, an atypical electrical field measurement (EFI) and a decline in hearing function. Only devices with an atypical EFI showed reduced electrical output. Results of scalp based surface potentials could be replicated in an artificial cochlea following explantation of the device. All explant reports received to date (n=42) have confirmed partial short circuits, with an additional 4 devices failing integrity tests. Conclusion Surface potential measurements can detect partial shorts and had 100% correlation with atypical EFI measurements, which are characteristic of a partial short to ground in this device. Surface potentials can help determine the degree to which the electrode array is affected, particularly when behavioural testing is limited or not possible. View on Web

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Bead‐anchored surgical templates for static computer‐assisted implant surgery (s‐CAIS) – A dental technique

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Bead‐anchored surgical templates for static computer‐assisted implant surgery (s‐CAIS) – A dental technique via Journal of Prosthodontics Abstract This technique report describes an alternative method to stabilize surgical templates throughout full-arch static computer-assisted implant surgery (FA s-CAIS). In FA s-CAIS, remaining teeth, mucosa, existing implants, custom occlusal device, bone, or any combination thereof, could be used as an initial positioning mechanism to position surgical templates. Different anchoring mechanisms are then used to stabilize the surgical templates during surgery. In this report, a novel design of surgical templates using remaining dentition and opposing occlusal surfaces as initial positioning mechanism followed by the combination of bone block fixation screw and stainless-steel beads as secondary anchoring mechanisms is described. The advantages, limitations, and comparisons with surgical templates using other anchoring mechanisms are also discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved View on Web

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