Vitamin D Levels and Oral Health in Stroke Patients During Inpatient Rehabilitation

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Vitamin D Levels and Oral Health in Stroke Patients During Inpatient Rehabilitation via Journal of Oral Rehabilitation Abstract Background Stroke is a severe that restricts the individual's functions, effects the oral health. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between oral health and vitamin D levels in stroke patients in rehabilitation units. Methods Participants with stroke, and age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited for the study. Oral Health Impact Scale-14 (OHIP-14), Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) Index, Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), Gingival Index (GI), and Plaque Index (PI) were assesed for all participants. Barthel Index (BI), and Brunnstrom Recovery Scale (BRS), and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) assessed for the stroke patients. Vitamin D levels of each participant were recorded. Results The stroke patients' DMFT index and OHIP-14 values were higher than those of the healthy controls (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in terms of CPTIN, PI, or GI scores (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was determined in the DMFT index, OHIP-14 scores, Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), PI (Plaque Index), and GI (Gingival Index) scores according to vitamin D levels among the stroke patients (p>0.05). Stroke patients' functional scores (BRS, MAS, and BI), vitamin D levels, and oral health status (OHIP-14, DMFT, CPITN, PI, and GI) were subjected to correlation analysis. This revealed significant negative correlation between BRS (arm, hand, and leg), and BI and OHIP-14 scores (p<0.05). Conclusion Although the DMFT index and health-related quality of life were adversely affected in stroke patients, no relationship was found between vitamin D and oral health status. View on Web

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Portable Device (Bruxoff®) to Measure Sleep Bruxism

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Diagnostic Accuracy of a Portable Device (Bruxoff®) to Measure Sleep Bruxism via Journal of Oral Rehabilitation Abstract Background Diagnosis of sleep bruxism (SB) challenges clinicians every day due to multiple forms of assessment tools available, including self-reported questionnaires, clinical examinations, portable devices, and laboratory polysomnography (PSG). PSG has become the gold standard for evaluating SB but it can be limited due to cost and restricted accessibility which often is characterized by long waiting times. Hence, there is a need for the development of a reliable method that can assess SB in a simple and portable manner, which would offer acceptable sensitivity and specificity to evaluate SB. Objective To investigate reliability and validity of the Bruxoff® device for the diagnosis of SB compared to the PSG. Methods 49 subjects underwent one night of polysomnographic study with simultaneous recording with the Bruxoff® device. Rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA) index was scored according to published criteria. Pearson correlation, Bland-Altman plot, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve outcomes were used to quantify the agreement between both methods. Results ROC analysis showed an acceptable accuracy for the Bruxoff® with sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 72% when the cut-off was set at 2 events per hour. Pearson correlation analysis showed a nearly significant correlation between PSG and Bruxoff® for RMMA index (r= .282 p= .071) and for total sleep bruxism episodes per night (r=.295 p=.058). Additionally, the Bland-Altman plot revealed a consistent and systematic difference in the measurement of events between devices. Conclusion The Bruxoff® device appears to be a promising diagnostic method for clinical use but further study is needed. View on Web

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adverse events in analgesic trials of third molar removal

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Nocebo response in dentistry: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of adverse events in analgesic trials of third molar removal via Journal of Oral Rehabilitation Abstract Background The nocebo response refers to the phenomenon where nonspecific factors, including negative verbal suggestion and treatment expectations, cause adverse events (AE) following a placebo treatment. Nonspecific factors are also likely to influence AE occurrence following administration of active pharmacological treatments. Objective This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the nocebo response in dentistry by assessing the AEs prevalence in placebo- and active arms of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing analgesic treatment following third molar (M3) surgery. Methods A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Eligible studies had to report the number of patients experiencing at least one drug-related AE (patients with AE ≥ 1) separately for the active and placebo arms. The proportion of patients with AE ≥ 1 and drug-related dropouts were pooled, and risk differences (RDs) between patients in the placebo- and active arm were calculated. Results In 50 independent RCTs of 47 identified articles, the pooled rates of patients with AE ≥ 1 were 22.8% in the placebo arm and 20.6% in the active arm. The pooled rates of drug-related dropout were 0.24% in the placebo arm and 0.08% in the active arm. There were no significant RDs in patients with AE ≥ 1 and drug-related dropouts. Conclusion These results show that patients in the placebo arm reported AEs to the same extent as patients receiving active treatment, suggesting that most AEs in analgesic medication following M3 surgery may be attributed to the nocebo phenomenon. View on Web

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Banter in psychotherapy: Relationship to treatment type, therapeutic alliance, and therapy outcome

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Banter in psychotherapy: Relationship to treatment type, therapeutic alliance, and therapy outcome via Journal of Clinical Psychology Abstract Introduction The use of humor in psychotherapy is widely considered to improve therapy outcomes and typically depends on context, patient sensitivity, and the therapist's humor style. Different types of humor may impact treatment type, therapeutic alliance, and therapy outcome; however, evidence from psychotherapy sessions on the role of banter has been sparse to date. Therefore, the study aims to examine banter in a secondary analysis of psychotherapy sessions. Method The sample consisted of 68 depressed outpatients treated with one of three treatment types: psychoanalytic therapy (PA), psychodynamic therapy (PD), and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Banter and therapeutic alliance were rated for therapy sessions taken from the middle phase of treatment, outcome was assessed at the end of treatment. Results The main findings were (1) clinical examples of banter in psychotherapy were found in 62 from 68 sessions, (2) significantly more bantering in the main bantering category of facilitation for CBT sessions as compared to other treatment types, (3) facilitative banter as a significant predictor for the positive introject, (4) a significant correlation between bantering and bond between therapist and client. Furthermore, based on these results, psychometric properties of the Klagenfurt Bantering Instrument (KBI) are reported. Conclusion From a bantering perspective, this study emphasizes the need to consider session context, client response, and sarcastic markers when categorizing negative banter using the KBI. View on Web

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Prediction and validation of microbial community function from normal pulp to pulpitis caused by deep dentinal caries

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Prediction and validation of microbial community function from normal pulp to pulpitis caused by deep dentinal caries via International Endodontic Journal Abstract Introduction Microbial function changes may be responsible for dental pulp transformation from normal to diseased. However, studies on the prediction and verification of the function of the microbial community in the deep dentine and pulp of caries-induced pulpitis are lacking. Methods This study included 171 cases of deep dentinal caries divided into normal pulp (NP), reversible pulpitis (RP), and irreversible pulpitis (IRP). In Experiment I, the microbial-community composition was identified in 111 samples using 16S ribosomal DNA. Function prediction was performed through phylogenetic investigation of communities by PICRUSt prediction and qPCR. In Experiment II, different microbiome functions were confirmed in 60 samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results In Experiment I, microbial abundance significantly differed in the IRP group compared to the other two groups. The RP and NP groups had the same microbiome composition, but the predicted functional difference between the RP and NP groups pertained to membrane transport (P<0.010). The predicted functional difference between the IRP and NP groups pertained to amino-acid, co-factor, and vitamin metabolism (P<0.010). In Experiment II, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional annotation revealed that the differential metabolites between the RP and NP groups did not participate in membrane transport; however, the differential metabolites between the IRP and NP groups participated in amino-acid metabolism. Conclusions The near-pulp microbiome in RP and NP with deep dentinal caries had the same differential function. However, amino acid metabolism in near the pulp microbial community differed between IRP and NP with deep dentinal caries. View on Web

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Βeta‐glucan suppresses high‐fat‐diet‐induced obesity by attenuating dyslipidemia and modulating obesogenic marker expressions in rats

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Βeta‐glucan suppresses high‐fat‐diet‐induced obesity by attenuating dyslipidemia and modulating obesogenic marker expressions in rats via Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology Abstract The current study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Βeta-glucan (BG) which is a key bioactive compound predominantly present in mushrooms and cereals against high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity, and to understand its mechanism of action. Obesity was induced in rats by supplementing the diet with HFD and BG (40mg/kg bodyweight) for a period of 6 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the body weight, as well as hyperglycemic, dyslipidemia and obesogenic marker expressions were assessed in the control group and in the experimental obese rats. Administration of BG to obese rats significantly reduced body weight gain and attenuated hyperglycemia which was confirmed by the decreased blood glucose and insulin resistance. At the same time, BG mitigated dyslipidemia by altering expressions of PPAR-γ, SREBP-1c, FAS, HMG-CoA reductase, and Fab-4 in HFD-induced obese rats. In conclusion, this study revealed that BG is a potential candidate to ameliorate HFD-induc ed obesity by modulating obesogenic marker expressions, especially by regulating the master regulator PPAR-γ. View on Web

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Impact of peri‐implant soft tissue characteristics on health and esthetics

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Impact of peri‐implant soft tissue characteristics on health and esthetics via Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry Abstract Objective To review the impact of key peri-implant soft tissue characteristics on health and esthetics. Main Considerations The keratinized mucosa width (KMW), the mucosal thickness (MT), and the supracrestal tissue height (STH) are essential components of the peri-implant soft tissue phenotype. An inadequate KMW (<2 mm) has been associated with local discomfort upon oral hygiene performance and increased risk for the onset of peri-implant diseases. A minimum buccal MT (≥2 mm) is generally required to prevent esthetic issues related to the effect of transmucosal prosthetic elements on the color of the mucosa and can also contribute to long-term mucosal stability. STH is directly related to marginal bone remodeling patterns during the early healing process that follows the connection of transmucosal prosthetic components. Short STH, generally defined as <3 mm, has been consistently associated with marginal bone loss resulting from the physiologic establishment of the mucosal seal. Insufficient STH may also derive into the fabrication of unfavorable transmucosal prosthetic contours, which f requently results in unpleasing esthetic outcomes and predisposes to submarginal biofilm accumulation. Peri-implant soft tissue dehiscences (PISTDs) are a type of peri-implant deformity that are associated with esthetic issues and often occur in sites presenting KMW, MT, and/or STH deficiencies. PISTDs should be correctly diagnosed and treated accordingly, usually by means of multidisciplinary therapy. Conclusion Understanding the impact of different dimensional and morphologic features of the peri-implant mucosa on health and esthetic outcomes is fundamental to make appropriate clinical decisions in the context of tooth replacement therapy with implant-supported prostheses. View on Web

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vonoprazan and tetracycline dual therapy for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader A real‐world exploratory study on the feasibility of vonoprazan and tetracycline dual therapy for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in special populations with penicillin allergy or failed in previous amoxicillin‐containing therapies via Helicobacter Abstract Background The treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a challenge for those who cannot use amoxicillin. Objective To evaluate the eradication rate and adverse effects of vonoprazan and tetracycline dual therapy as first-line and rescue treatment regimens used in special populations with penicillin allergy or failed in previous amoxicillin-containing therapies. Design Patients enrolled were those who were H. pylori-positive with selected conditions: (1) allergic to penicillin, either naïve to treatment or had failed before; or (2) failed in previous amoxicillin-containing therapies. All enrolled patients accepted 14-day vonoprazan and tetracycline dual therapy (VT dual therapy) as follows: vonoprazan (20 mg b.i.d.) and tetracycline (500 mg t.i.d. [body weight < 70 kg] or 500 mg q.i.d. [body weight ≥ 70 kg]). H. pylori status was evaluated by 13C-urease breath test 6 weeks after treatment. All adverse effects were recorded. Some patients underwent bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Results A total of 62 patients were enrolled; 18 of them received VT dual therapy as first-line treatment, 44 patients received VT dual therapy as rescue treatment. Overall, 58 of 62 patients achieved successful eradication (93.5%), while all involved (100%,18/18) succeeded in the first-line treatment group and 40 cases (90.9%, 40/44) succeeded in the rescue treatment group. Sixty-one (61/62, 98.4%) patients completed the whole course of treatment. Adverse events occurred in 6 patients (6/62, 9.7%), while one patient quit because of skin rash. All adverse effects were mild and relieved spontaneously after H. pylori treatment. Five patients achieved successful H. pylori culture, and all strains isolated were sensitive to tetracycline. Conclusions For the treatment of H. pylori infection in special populations with penicillin allergy or failed in previous amoxicillin-containing therapies, a 14-day vonoprazan and tetracycline dual therapy was effective and safe as first-line and rescue treatment in our study. Further study is warranted to verify its efficacy, especially for those who cannot use amoxicillin. View on Web

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Lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (KDM1A/LSD1) inhibition attenuates DNA double strand break repair and augments efficacy of temozolomide in glioblastoma

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (KDM1A/LSD1) inhibition attenuates DNA double strand break repair and augments efficacy of temozolomide in glioblastoma via Neuro-Oncology Advance Access Abstract Background Efficient DNA repair in response to standard chemo and radiation therapies often contribute to GBM therapy resistance. Understanding the mechanisms of therapy resistance and identifying the drugs that enhance the therapeutic efficacy of standard therapies may extend the survival of GBM patients. In this study, we investigated the role of KDM1A/LSD1 in DNA double strand break (DSB) repair and combination of KDM1A inhibitor and TMZ in vitro and in vivo using patient derived GSCs. Methods Brain-bioavailability of the KDM1A inhibitor (NCD38) was established using LS-MS/MS. Effect of combination of KDM1A knockdown or inhibition with TMZ was studied using cell viability and self-renewal assays. Mechanistic studies were conducted using CUT&Tag-seq, RNA-seq, RT-qPCR, Western blot, HR and NHEJ reporter, immunofluorescence, and comet assays. Or thotopic murine models were used to study efficacy in vivo. Results TCGA analysis showed KDM1A is highly expressed in TMZ treated GBM patients. Knockdown or knockout or inhibition of KDM1A enhanced TMZ efficacy in reducing the viability and selfrenewal of GSCs. Pharmacokinetic studies established that NCD38 readily crosses the BBB. CUT&Tag-seq studies showed that KDM1A is enriched at the promoters of DNA repair genes and RNA-seq studies confirmed that KDM1A inhibition reduced their expression. Knockdown or inhibition of KDM1A attenuated HR and NHEJ-mediated DNA repair capacity and enhanced TMZ mediated DNA damage. Combination of KDM1A knockdown or inhibition and TMZ treatment significantly enhanced survival of tumor bearing mice. Conclusions Our results provide evidence that KDM1A inhibition sensitizes GBM to TMZ via attenuation of DNA DSB repair pathways. View on Web

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Cholinergic Boutons are Distributed Along the Dendrites and Somata of VIP Neurons in the Inferior Colliculus

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Cholinergic Boutons are Distributed Along the Dendrites and Somata of VIP Neurons in the Inferior Colliculus via JARO - Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology via MedWorm.com AbstractCholinergic signaling shapes sound processing and plasticity in the inferior colliculus (IC), the midbrain hub of the central auditory system, but how cholinergic terminals contact and influence individual neuron types in the IC remains largely unknown. Using pharmacology and electrophysiology, we recently found that acetylcholine strongly excites VIP neurons, a class of glutamatergic principal neurons in the IC, by activating α3β4* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Here, we confirm and extend these results using tissue from mice of both sexes. First, we show that mRNA encoding α3 and β4 nAChR subunits is expressed in many neurons throughout the IC, including most VIP neurons, suggesting that these subunits, which are rare in the brain, are important mediators of chol... View on Web

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