Exploring patterns in mental health treatment and interests of single adults in the United States: a secondary data analysis.

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine mental health treatment utilization and interest among the large and growing demographic of single adults in the United States, who face unique societal stressors and pressures that may contribute to their heightened need for mental healthcare. Method: We analyzed data from 3,453 single adults, focusing on those with possible mental health treatment needs by excluding those with positive self-assessments. We assessed prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of mental health treatment, including psychotherapy and psychiatric medication use, and interest in attending psychotherapy among participants who had never attended. Results: 26% were in mental health treatment; 17% were attending psychotherapy, 16% were taking psychiatric medications, and 7% were doing both. Further, 64% had never attended psychotherapy, of which 35% expressed interest in future attendance. There were differences in current psychotherapy attendance and psychiatric medication use by gender and sexual orientation, with women and gay/lesbian individuals more likely to engage in both forms of mental health treatment. Additionally, interest in future psychotherapy among those who had never attended varied significantly by age, gender, and race. Younger individuals, women, and Black/African-American participants showed higher likelihoods of interest in psychotherapy. Conclusion: Our research highlights a critical gap in mental health treatment utilization among single adults who may be experiencing a need for those services. Despite a seemingly higher likelihood of engagement in mental health treatment compared to the general population, only a minority of single adults in our sample were utilizing mental health treatment. This underutilization and the observed demographic disparities in mental health treatment underscore the need for targeted outreach, personalized treatment plans, enhanced provider training, and policy advocacy to ensure equitable access to mental healthcare for single adults across sociodemographic backgrounds.

Perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic low anterior resection using ArtiSential® versus robotic approach in patients with rectal cancer: a propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Total mesorectal excision using conventional straight fixed devices may be technically difficult because of the narrow and concave pelvis. Several laparoscopic articulating tools have been introduced as an alternative to robotic systems. The aim of this study was to compare perioperative outcomes between laparoscopic low anterior resection using ArtiSential® and robot-assisted surgery for rectal cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study included 682 patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic low anterior resection  for rectal cancer from September 2018 to December 2021. Among them, 82 underwent laparoscopic surgery using ArtiSential® (group A) and 201 underwent robotic surgery (group B). A total of 73 [group A; 66.37 ± 11.62; group B 65.79 ± 11.34] patients were selected for each group using a propensity score matching analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics between group A and B. Mean operative time was longer in group B than A (163.5 ± 61.9 vs 250.1 ± 77.6 min, p < 0.001). Mean length of hospital stay was not significantly different between the two groups (6.2 ± 4.7 vs 6.7 ± 6.1 days, p = 0.617). Postoperative complications, reoperation, and readmission within 30 days after surgery were similar between the two groups. Pathological findings revealed that the circumferential resection margins were above 10 mm in both groups (11.00 ± 7.47 vs 10.17 ± 6.25 mm, p = 0.960). At least 12 lymph nodes were sufficiently harvested, with no significant difference in the number harvested between the groups (20.5 ± 9.9 vs 19.7 ± 7.3, p = 0.753). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic low anterior resection using ArtiSential® can achieve acceptable clinical and oncologic outcomes. ArtiSential®, a multi-joint and articulating device, may serve a feasible alternative approach to robotic surgery in rectal cancer.

Imaging findings of granular cell tumours of the head and neck.

AIM: To review the imaging characteristics of granular cell tumours in the head and neck and assess their associations with pathological findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients (10 [91%] women, mean age 43 years) with histopathologically confirmed granular cell tumours were included in this study. Preoperative imaging studies were performed, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound. The location of the tumours, their imaging features, and histopathological findings were analysed. RESULTS: Among the 11 granular cell tumours, four (36%), three (27%), and two (18%) tumours were found in the submucosal layer, subcutaneous layer, and intramuscular area, respectively. On CT, all tumours exhibited homogeneous iso-attenuating enhancement compared with adjacent muscle, and nine out of the 11 tumours (81%) demonstrated well-defined margins. On T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), four out of five tumours (80%) demonstrated iso-signal intensity compared with adjacent muscles, and four tumours (80%) exhibited homogeneous signal intensity. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values ranged from 0.68-0.81 × 10-3 mm2/s. Histopathological examination revealed densely packed tumour cells with variable amounts of fibrous stroma. CONCLUSION: Granular cell tumours were characterised by well-defined and iso-signals on T2WI and low mean ADC values, and were predominantly located in the submucosal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular areas in middle-aged women. The characteristic locations, demographic characteristics, and imaging findings can help to differentiate granular cell tumours from other soft-tissue tumours in the head and neck.

Valence state switching and reversible emission tunability of A2SiO4 (A = Ba, Sr, and Ca) with two-site substitution of Eu ions through simple thermal treatment.

We investigated the changes in the structural and luminescent properties of Eu-ion-doped A2SiO4 (A2SiO4:Eu, A = Ba, Sr, and Ca) by annealing in oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The initially synthesized samples displayed distinct, intense red emissions at approximately 600 and 700 nm, which can be attributed to the presence of Eu3+ ions. The emission intensity of Eu3+ was the strongest in Ca2SiO4:Eu, which exhibited the lowest lattice symmetry among the three samples. Remarkably, following annealing in a reducing atmosphere (H2), the previously observed red emission vanished, and instead, a strong green emission at around 500 nm, which is characteristic of Eu2+ ions. Because of the two occupation sites of the Eu ions in A2SiO4, the emission of Eu2+ strongly depends on the excitation wavelength, which is the most evident in Ca2SiO4:Eu. Conversely, after annealing in an oxidizing atmosphere (O2), the emission in the green region was suppressed and the emission in the red region returned. The reversible transition between two oxidation states occurred repeatedly by alternating H2 and O2 annealing, resulting in good color tunability in wide visible region with a simple ambient annealing process in a single compound.

Enhanced charge density wave with mobile superconducting vortices in La1.885Sr0.115CuO4.

Superconductivity in the cuprates is found to be intertwined with charge and spin density waves. Determining the interactions between the different types of order is crucial for understanding these important materials. Here, we elucidate the role of the charge density wave (CDW) in the prototypical cuprate La1.885Sr0.115CuO4, by studying the effects of large magnetic fields (H) up to 24 Tesla. At low temperatures (T), the observed CDW peaks reveal two distinct regions in the material: a majority phase with short-range CDW coexisting with superconductivity, and a minority phase with longer-range CDW coexisting with static spin density wave (SDW). With increasing magnetic field, the CDW first grows smoothly in a manner similar to the SDW. However, at high fields we discover a sudden increase in the CDW amplitude upon entering the vortex-liquid state. Our results signify strong coupling of the CDW to mobile superconducting vortices and link enhanced CDW amplitude with local superconducting pairing across the H - T phase diagram.

Sleep impairment in patients with empty nose syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is characterized by paradoxical nasal obstruction that usually occurs after turbinate surgery. Patients with ENS may also experience significant psychiatric symptoms and sleep dysfunction, which negatively affect the quality of life of affected subjects. This study aimed to evaluate sleep impairment and sleepiness in patients with ENS. METHODS: Patients with ENS and control participants were recruited prospectively. The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25), Empty Nose Syndrome 6-item Questionnaire (ENS6Q), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (EpSS), and modified sleep quality index (MSQI) were used to evaluate the participants before and after nasal surgery. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients with ENS and forty-eight age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled. The SNOT-25, ENS6Q, EpSS, and MSQI scores in the ENS group were all significantly higher than those in the control group before and after surgery. After surgery, ENS patients all exhibited significant improvements in SNOT-25, ENS6Q, EpSS, and MSQI scores. Regression analysis revealed that SNOT-25 score was a significant predictor of EpSS and MSQI in preoperative evaluations. ENS patients experiencing daytime sleepiness suffered from significantly more "dryness of nose" and "suffocation" than those not experiencing daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ENS experienced significantly impaired sleep quality and sleepiness. Nasal reconstruction surgery improved the sleep quality of ENS patients. The severity of sleep dysfunction is associated with the severity of ENS symptoms. Recognizing individuals with significant sleep impairment and sleepiness and providing appropriate management are critical issues for ENS patients.

Anti-diabetic efficacy of combination treatment with the nitric oxide metabolite nitrite and the endogenous antioxidant glutathione in diabetic mice: glutathione combination does not hamper the anti-diabetic effect of nitrite.

OBJECTIVE: The nitric oxide (NO) metabolite nitrite has been shown to attenuate hyperglycemia via its increase in insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake. However, the oral use of nitrite is limited due to its potential formation of the carcinogenic N-nitrosamines via reaction of acidic nitrite and the secondary amines. We investigated the anti-diabetic effect of sodium nitrite (SN) combined with glutathione (GSH) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice for potential use of GSH as a protective agent in future nitrite therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: STZ-induced diabetic mice were orally treated for 5 weeks with vehicle, SN, GSH or SN + GSH. Oral glucose tolerance test and the measurement of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were carried out to evaluate anti-diabetic effects of SN and SN + GSH. Plasma levels of total NO metabolites (NOx) were measured to confirm nitrite absorption. RESULTS: SN and SN + GSH significantly improved the glucose tolerance (p < 0.05), but GSH alone did not. The efficacy of combination treatment with SN and GSH in improving the glucose tolerance was higher than that of SN alone. Oral treatment with SN or SN + GSH significant reduced FBG and HbA1c levels (p < 0.05). Interestingly, daily oral administration of SN + GSH was more effective in reducing FBG and HbA1c levels than that of SN alone. Administration of SN or SN + GSH significantly increased plasma NOx levels (p < 0.05), and combination treatment with SN + GSH was more effective in increasing plasma NOx levels than that with SN alone. CONCLUSIONS: Combination treatment with SN and GSH is more effective in controlling hyperglycemia and increasing the plasma NOx levels in an experimental mouse model of diabetes. Since oral administration of GSH has been shown to be non-toxic in humans, the combination of SN and GSH may be important in potential future nitrite therapy.

Risk assessment of malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia in patients with previous oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with developing oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) from surgically excised oral leukoplakia (OL) in patients with previous oral cavity cancer. Clinicopathological data of 84 patients who were treated for OL between July 2002 and July 2020 and who had previously received treatment for OSCC were reviewed retrospectively. The follow-up time ranged from 0.69 to 17.99 years (mean 6.78 ± 4.25 years). The overall cumulative malignant transformation rate was 25% and the annual transformation rate was 5.73%. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the log-rank test showed that Candida infection (P = 0.010) was a risk factor associated with malignant transformation. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, tongue and floor of the mouth as the location of the leukoplakia (P = 0.039), multifocal lesions of OL (P = 0.047), and Candida infection (P = 0.018) were the three independent prognostic factors related to the development of OSCC from the treated OL. A cautious approach to OL of the tongue with Candida infection or multifocal disease in this group of patients would be appropriate.

Early cleaving embryos result in blastocysts with increased aspartate and glucose consumption, which exhibit different metabolic gene expression that persists in placental and fetal tissues.

OBJECTIVES: Using time-lapse microscopy, previous research has shown that IVF mouse embryos that cleave earlier at the first division ('fast') develop into blastocysts with increased glucose consumption and lower likelihood of post-implantation loss as compared to slower cleaving embryos ('slow'). Further, metabolomics analysis employing LC-MS conducted on groups of 'fast' blastocysts revealed that more aspartate was consumed. With the worldwide adoption of single blastocyst transfer as the standard of care, the need for quantifiable biomarkers of viability, such as metabolism of specific nutrients, would greatly assist in embryo selection for transfer. METHODS: Here we describe the development of a targeted enzymatic assay to quantitate aspartate uptake of single blastocysts. RESULTS: Results demonstrate that the rates of aspartate and glucose consumption were significantly higher in individual 'fast' blastocysts. Blastocysts, together with placental and fetal liver tissue collected following transfer, were analysed for the expression of genes involved in aspartate and carbohydrate metabolism. In 'fast' blastocysts, expressions of B3gnt5, Slc2a1, Slc2a3, Got1 and Pkm2 were found to be significantly higher. In placental tissue derived from 'fast' blastocysts, expression of Slc2a1, Got1 and Pkm2 were significantly higher, while levels of Got1 and Pkm2 were lower in fetal liver tissue compared to tissue from 'slow' blastocysts. CONCLUSIONS: Importantly, this study shows that genes regulating aspartate and glucose metabolism were increased in blastocysts that have higher viability, with differences maintained in resultant placentae and fetuses. Consequently, the analysis of aspartate uptake in combination with glucose represents biomarkers of development and may improve embryo selection efficacy and pregnancy rates.

Familial risk for endometriosis and its interaction with smoking, age at menarche and body mass index: a population-based cohort study among siblings.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify familial risk of endometriosis among full siblings and examine interactions between family history and smoking, age at menarche or body mass index (BMI). DESIGN, SETTING AND POPULATION: Population-based nationwide cohort study. METHODS: Using data from the Korean National Health Insurance and Screening Programme databases on kinship, healthcare utilisation, lifestyle and anthropometrics, we identified 2 109 288 women with full siblings and their environmental risk factors from 2002 to 2018. Familial risks were estimated using Cox proportional-hazards models, represented as incidence risk ratios (IRR) with 95% CI. Interaction between family history and smoking, age at menarche or BMI were assessed on an additive scale. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: IRR of endometriosis among women with and without affected siblings. RESULTS: From 19 195 women with affected siblings, 1126 developed endometriosis with an incidence of 35.45/10 000 person-years. Familial risk of endometriosis with versus without affected siblings was increased to IRR 2.75 (95% CI 2.25-3.36), and the highest risk was with affected twins (IRR 6.98; 95% CI 4.19-11.62). Women with both a family history and either smoking, early menarche or low BMI had a significantly higher risk of endometriosis compared with the general population and can be regarded as a high-risk group, the IRRs were 4.28 (95% CI 2.43-7.55), 3.47 (95% CI 2.82-4.26) and 3.09 (95% CI 2.68-3.56), respectively. Substantial effect modification of the associations was noted by smoking and early menarche, as their combined risk with family history exceeded the sum of their individual risks, which was also statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Genetic factors are the primary contributor to the familial aggregation of endometriosis. Significant gene-environment interaction exists between family history and smoking or early menarche. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Significant gene-environment interaction exists between family history of endometriosis and smoking or early menarche.

Prediction of Human Papillomavirus Status and Overall Survival in Patients with Untreated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Development and Validation of CT-Based Radiomics.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Human papillomavirus is a prognostic marker for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. We aimed to determine the value of CT-based radiomics for predicting the human papillomavirus status and overall survival in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-six patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were retrospectively collected and grouped into training (n = 61) and test (n = 25) sets. For human papillomavirus status and overall survival prediction, radiomics features were selected via a random forest-based algorithm and Cox regression analysis, respectively. Relevant features were used to build multivariate Cox regression models and calculate the radiomics score. Human papillomavirus status and overall survival prediction were assessed via the area under the curve and concordance index, respectively. The models were validated in the test and The Cancer Imaging Archive cohorts (n = 78). RESULTS: For prediction of human papillomavirus status, radiomics features yielded areas under the curve of 0.865, 0.747, and 0.834 in the training, test, and validation sets, respectively. In the univariate Cox regression, the human papillomavirus status (positive: hazard ratio, 0.257; 95% CI, 0.09-0.7; P = .008), T-stage (≥III: hazard ratio, 3.66; 95% CI, 1.34-9.99; P = .011), and radiomics score (high-risk: hazard ratio, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.21-11.46; P = .022) were associated with overall survival. The addition of the radiomics score to the clinical Cox model increased the concordance index from 0.702 to 0.733 (P = .01). Validation yielded concordance indices of 0.866 and 0.720. CONCLUSIONS: CT-based radiomics may be useful in predicting human papillomavirus status and overall survival in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Midkine Promotes Odontoblast-like Differentiation and Tertiary Dentin Formation.

Autophagy is an intracellular self-degradation process that is essential for tissue development, cell differentiation, and survival. Nevertheless, the role of autophagy in tooth development has not been definitively identified. The goal of this study was to investigate how autophagy is involved in midkine (MK)-mediated odontoblast-like differentiation, mineralization, and tertiary dentin formation in a mouse tooth pulp exposure model. In vitro studies show that MK and LC3 have similar expression patterns during odontoblast-like cell differentiation. Odontoblast-like cell differentiation is promoted through MK-mediated autophagy, which leads to increased mineralized nodule formation. Subcutaneous transplantation of hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate with rMK-treated human dental pulp cells led to dentin pulp-like tissue formation through MK-mediated autophagy. Furthermore, MK-mediated autophagy induces differentiation of dental pulp cells into odontoblast-like cells that form DSP-positive tertiary dentin in vivo. Our findings may provide 1) novel insight into the role of MK in regulating odontoblast-like differentiation and dentin formation in particular via autophagy and 2) potential application of MK in vital pulp therapy.

Development of Novel Continuous and Interval Exercise Programs by Applying the FITT-VP Principle in Dogs.

Although proper exercise training induces positive physiological effects, improper exercise can lead to injury, fatigue, and poor performance. The frequency, intensity, time/duration, type, volume, and progression (FITT-VP) are the essential components of exercise training to maintain or improve physical fitness and health. The purpose of this study was to develop specific exercise programs by applying the FITT-VP principle and to examine the effects on heart rate (HR) and hematological and biochemical parameters in dogs. The healthy male Beagles (n = 4) included in this study performed continuous and interval exercises, comprising 12 protocols. The HR monitoring elicited an affirmative response to activities but varied depending on the protocols. The hematologic parameters (e.g., red blood cell count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) were within the reference ranges both before and after exercise. The creatine kinase level significantly increased, and the cholesterol level decreased after exercises. In conclusion, the continuous and interval exercise program elicits an appropriate HR reaction, has no adverse effects on the serum parameters, and provides valuable insight for healthcare in dogs.

Caries Risk Prediction Models in a Medical Health Care Setting.

Despite development of new technologies for caries control, tooth decay in primary teeth remains a major global health problem. Caries risk assessment (CRA) models for toddlers and preschoolers are rare. Among them, almost all models use dental factors (e.g., past caries experience) to predict future caries risk, with limited clinical/community applicability owing to relatively uncommon dental visits compared to frequent medical visits during the first year of life. The objective of this study was to construct and evaluate risk prediction models using information easily accessible to medical practitioners to forecast caries at 2 and 3 y of age. Data were obtained from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) mother-offspring cohort. Caries was diagnosed using modified International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria. Risk prediction models were constructed using multivariable logistic regression coupled with receiver operating characteristic analyses. Imputation was performed using multiple imputation by chained equations to assess effect of missing data. Caries rates at ages 2 y (n = 535) and 3 y (n = 721) were 17.8% and 42.9%, respectively. Risk prediction models predicting overall caries risk at 2 and 3 y demonstrated area under the curve (AUC) (95% confidence interval) of 0.81 (0.75-0.87) and 0.79 (0.74-0.84), respectively, while those predicting moderate to extensive lesions showed 0.91 (0.85-0.97) and 0.79 (0.73-0.85), respectively. Postimputation results showed reduced AUC of 0.75 (0.74-0.81) and 0.71 (0.67-0.75) at years 2 and 3, respectively, for overall caries risk, while AUC was 0.84 (0.76-0.92) and 0.75 (0.70-0.80), respectively, for moderate to extensive caries. Addition of anterior caries significantly increased AUC in all year 3 models with or without imputation (all P < 0.05). Significant predictors/protectors were identified, including ethnicity, prenatal tobacco smoke exposure, history of allergies before 12 mo, history of chronic maternal illness, maternal brushing frequency, childbearing age, and so on. Integrating oral-general health care using medical CRA models may be promising in screening caries-susceptible infants/toddlers, especially when medical professionals are trained to "lift the lip" to identify anterior caries lesions.

Effect of cholinergic pathway disruption on cortical and subcortical volumes in subcortical vascular cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The brain's cholinergic network has various interconnections with the cortical and subcortical structures. Disruption of cholinergic pathways by white matter hyperintensities (WMH) may cause pathologic changes within brain regions. Thus, WMH may represent an important pathological contributor to subcortical vascular cognitive impairment (scVCI). We aimed to investigate associations between the magnitude of WMH and volumetric changes in cortical and subcortical regions innervated by cholinergic neurons in patients with scVCI. METHODS: We enrolled patients with scVCI, defined as moderate to severe WMH or multiple (>2) lacunar infarcts outside the brainstem. Cholinergic Pathway HyperIntensities Scale (CHIPS) scores were used to quantify the magnitude of cholinergic pathway disruptions by WMH. We measured cortical thickness and subcortical volumes of 11 brain regions innervated by cholinergic neurons. Partial correlation of brain region volumes with total CHIPS scores was obtained using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: In total, 80 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 78.4 ± 6.5 years, median Mini-Mental State Examination score was 17 (interquartile range, 13-20) and median CHIPS score was 11 (interquartile range, 7-17). CHIPS scores were positively correlated with subcortical volumes of the putamen (r' = 0.46, P = 0.002) and pallidum (r' = 0.45, P = 0.002), and were negatively associated with inferior temporal (r' = -0.35, P = 0.002) and medial orbitofrontal (r' = -0.32, P = 0.002) cortical thickness. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that WMH in cholinergic pathways may contribute to volumetric structural changes in cortical and subcortical structures innervated by cholinergic neurons.

The association between vaginal bacterial composition and miscarriage: a nested case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To characterise vaginal bacterial composition in early pregnancy and investigate its relationship with first and second trimester miscarriages. DESIGN: Nested case-control study. SETTING: Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London. POPULATION: 161 pregnancies: 64 resulting in first trimester miscarriage, 14 in second trimester miscarriage and 83 term pregnancies. METHODS: Prospective profiling and comparison of vaginal bacteria composition using 16S rRNA gene-based metataxonomics from 5 weeks' gestation in pregnancies ending in miscarriage or uncomplicated term deliveries matched for age, gestation and body mass index. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relative vaginal bacteria abundance, diversity and richness. Pregnancy outcomes defined as first or second trimester miscarriage, or uncomplicated term delivery. RESULTS: First trimester miscarriage associated with reduced prevalence of Lactobacillus spp.-dominated vaginal microbiota classified using hierarchical clustering analysis (65.6 versus 87.7%; P = 0.005), higher alpha diversity (mean Inverse Simpson Index 2.5 [95% confidence interval 1.8-3.0] versus 1.5 [1.3-1.7], P = 0.003) and higher richness 25.1 (18.5-31.7) versus 16.7 (13.4-20), P = 0.017), compared with viable pregnancies. This was independent of vaginal bleeding and observable before first trimester miscarriage diagnosis (P = 0.015). Incomplete/complete miscarriage associated with higher proportions of Lactobacillus spp.-depleted communities compared with missed miscarriage. Early pregnancy vaginal bacterial stability was similar between miscarriage and term pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: These findings associate the bacterial component of vaginal microbiota with first trimester miscarriage and indicate suboptimal community composition is established in early pregnancy. While further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism, vaginal bacterial composition may represent a modifiable risk factor for first trimester miscarriage. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Vaginal bacterial composition in first trimester miscarriage is associated with reduced Lactobacillus spp. abundance and is independent of vaginal bleeding.

Maternal night-eating pattern and glucose tolerance during pregnancy: study protocol for a longitudinal study.

INTRODUCTION: Coordinating eating schedules with day-night cycles has been shown to improve glucose regulation in adults, but its association with gestational glycaemia is less clear. A better understanding on how eating time can influence glucose levels in pregnancy may improve strategies for gestational glycaemic control. This study aims to examine the association of maternal night-eating pattern with glucose tolerance in the second trimester of pregnancy, and to investigate how lifestyle factors may be related to night-eating pattern. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is an observational longitudinal study that targets to recruit 200 pregnant women at 18-24 weeks' gestation from the KK Women's and Children's Hospital in Singapore. Data collection includes sociodemographics, lifestyle habits and obstetric information. Maternal dietary intake is collected using the 4-day food diary and food frequency questionnaire; while 24-hour physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep and light exposure are captured using the accelerometer at 18-24 weeks' gestation. Continuous glucose monitoring at 18-24 weeks' gestation, oral glucose tolerance test and insulin test at 24-28 weeks' gestation are performed to assess glycaemic outcomes. Multivariable generalised linear models will be used to analyse the association of maternal night-eating pattern (consumption of meal and snack during 1900-0659 hours) with glycaemic measures, and the associated factors of night-eating pattern, controlling for potential confounders. Recruitment began in March 2019 and is estimated to end in November 2020. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been granted by the Centralised Institutional Review Board of SingHealth, Singapore (reference 2018/2529). The results will be presented at conferences and disseminated in journal articles. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03803345.

CPNE7 Induces Biological Dentin Sealing in a Dentin Hypersensitivity Model.

Dentin hypersensitivity commonly occurs due to opened dentinal tubules for many reasons. In our previous study, copine 7 (CPNE7) could induce dentin formation for an indirect pulp-capping model in vivo. This study aims to investigate the formation of tertiary dentin when CPNE7 is applied to intentionally exposed dentin with nothing over it in vivo, whether it affects microleakage of the teeth, and the penetration ability of CPNE7 molecules through dentinal tubules in vitro. Cervical dentin areas of 6 maxillary incisors of 5 beagles were exposed to a class V-like lesion, and 1 side of 3 maxillary incisors was adapted with recombinant CPNE7 protein for 5 min as the experimental group. The other side was the control group, and there was no treatment of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and CPNE7 after preparation. The defects were exposed without any restorations, and all beagles were sacrificed after 4 wk. The fluid penetration of exposed dentin areas was investigated by a microleakage-testing device and confocal laser scanning microscope. Tertiary dentin formation was confirmed with histological scanning electronic microscopic analysis. Tertiary dentin formation reduces dentinal fluid flow due to occluded tubules or discontinuity with primary or secondary dentin. The in vivo hypersensitivity model with the anterior teeth of beagle dogs showed newly formed tertiary dentin at the dentin-pulp boundary in recombinant CPNE7-treated teeth when compared with the untreated control group in histologic analysis. Scanning electronic microscopic analysis revealed occluded sites with mineral deposition of intratubular dentin. In the permeability test, the mean microleakage value of the CPNE7-treated group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The tubular penetration of rhodamine B-combined CPNE7 was confirmed under confocal laser scanning microscope. CPNE7 induces formation of tertiary dentin through shallowly exposed dentinal tubules, which decreases dentin permeability.