Human Gingival Epithelial Growth In Vitro on a Polymer-Infiltrated Ceramic Network Restorative Material.

PURPOSE: To investigate the growth of primary human gingival epithelial (HGE) cells on polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) material (Vita Enamic) with different surface roughnesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PICN material specimens were polished with either silica carbide paper (grit-polished) or the manufacturer's polishing wheels (wheel-polished), and the surface roughness (Ra ) measured. HGE cells were seeded and grown for 1, 3, or 6 days. Growth on tissue culture plastic was used as a control. Non-linear regression analysis was used to examine the effect of surface roughness on cell growth. RESULTS: HGE cell growth on tissue culture plastic fitted an exponential growth model over the 6-day experimental period (R2 = 0.966). Through day 6, cell density on PICN decreased with increasing surface roughness, with a fit to an exponential decay model (R2 = 0.666). A threshold Ra value of 0.254 µm (95% CI 0.177-0.332) was determined as an upper limit for exponential growth. Cell growth was greatest on the group of specimens with Ra value below 0.127µm. Specimens polished by the manufacturer's method produced surface roughness of 0.118 µm and below. CONCLUSIONS: PICN material polished to a smooth surface (Ra < 0.254 µm) resulted in exponential growth of HGE cell growth compared to rough surfaces. Polishing PICN material as smooth as possible (below a Ra of 0.127 µm) was found to maximize epithelial cell growth on the PICN material surface. The manufacturer's polishing method achieved a sufficiently smooth surface. These results are contrary to previous research regarding surface roughness of transgingival implant restoration components. The study results suggest that smoother restorative material surfaces could improve peri-implant soft tissue health.

Conformance to evidence-based treatment recommendations in schizophrenia treatment services.

OBJECTIVE: To assess quality of health care provided in a representative Canadian mental health service using conformance to evidence-based treatment recommendations, and to examine differences from published US results. METHOD: We used a cross-sectional cohort design involving a randomly selected sample of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia attending 1 of 3 mental health clinics in 1 Canadian regional health system. The sample size was calculated to detect differences with the US sample. Conformance criteria were based on a published protocol. Data were collected using patient interviews and a structured review of health records. Conformance to 9 key Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team recommendations was assessed. RESULTS: Conformance ranged between 58% and 90% for pharmacological recommendations, and 0% to 81% for psychosocial recommendations. No patients who met criteria for assertive case management had been referred to an assertive case management team. Significant differences in conformance rates to some treatment recommendations were found between Canadian and published US results. CONCLUSIONS: It proved possible to assess health care quality using process measures of conformance to treatment recommendations. Conformance to clinical recommendations for pharmacotherapy is higher than for psychosocial therapies. The absence of barriers to access for pharmacological therapies likely enhances the higher conformance to these recommendations. Limited or variable access to psychosocial services, specifically assertive community treatment, likely negatively affects conformance to psychosocial treatment recommendations. Methodological limitations preclude drawing conclusions on comparisons between Canadian and US services.

Artesunate induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and iron-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells.

The anticancer effects of artesunate (ART) have been well documented. However, its potential against skin cancer has not been explored yet. Herein we reported that 60 µmol/l ART effectively inhibited A431 (human epidermoid carcinoma cells) growth but not that of HaCaT (normal human keratinocyte cells). Our results revealed that ART induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase through the downregulation of cyclin A1, cyclin B, cyclin D1, Cdk2, Cdk4, and Cdk6. This correlated with the upregulation of p21 and p27. The 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assay also indicated that ART treatment reduced DNA synthesis in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, ART induced mitochondrial apoptosis, as evidenced by annexin V/propidium iodide staining and western blot analysis. Interestingly, ART-induced apoptosis diminished under iron-deficient conditions but intensified under iron-overload conditions. Taken together, these findings demonstrated the potential of ART in treating skin cancer through the induction of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and iron-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis and supported further investigations in other test systems.

Lifestyle characteristics of psychiatric outpatients.

OBJECTIVE: To describe lifestyle characteristics and associated health issues among psychiatric outpatients in 3 diagnostic categories: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety and (or) depression. METHOD: A series of patients (n=182) attending 3 outpatient mental health clinics in Calgary were administered a set of items and instruments to assess: social support, dietary habits, substance use, exercise, and recreational pursuits. In addition, clinical and laboratory parameters including body mass index (BMI) and lipid and glucose levels were compared when available. RESULTS: Satisfaction with social support was comparable across the 3 diagnostic categories. About two-thirds reported predominantly sedentary routine daily activities. No significant differences in fatty food intake were identified, or for other dietary habits. There were no significant differences between diagnostic groups and total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein or low-density lipoprotein levels. According to their BMI, 74% of the entire sample could be described as overweight and 38% as obese; again, differences between the 3 diagnostic categories were not observed. CONCLUSION: Unhealthy lifestyle issues are not restricted to any specific diagnostic group. These data identify a compelling need to develop ameliorative intervention strategies for psychiatric outpatients; however, we could not identify a basis for targeting such interventions specifically in relation to diagnosis.