Impact of multiple substance use on circulating ST2, a biomarker of adverse cardiac remodelling, in women.

CONTEXT: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and heart failure (HF) are major causes of mortality in low-income populations and differ by sex. Risk assessment that incorporates cardiac biomarkers is common. However, research evaluating the utility of biomarkers rarely includes controlled substances, which may influence biomarker levels and thus influence CVD risk assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified the effects of multiple substances on soluble "suppression of tumorigenicity 2" (sST2), a biomarker of adverse cardiac remodelling, in 245 low-income women. Adjusting for CVD risk factors, we examined associations between substance use and sST2 over six monthly visits. RESULTS: Median age was 53 years and 74% of participants were ethnic minority women. An sST2 level > 35 ng/mL (suggesting cardiac remodelling) during ≥1 study visit was observed in 44% of participants. In adjusted analysis, higher sST2 levels were significantly and positively associated with the presence of cocaine (Adjusted Linear Effect [ALE]:1.10; 95% CI:1.03-1.19), alcohol (ALE:1.10; 95% CI:1.04-1.17), heroin (ALE:1.25; 95% CI:1.10-1.43), and the interaction between heroin and fentanyl use. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that the use of multiple substances influences the level of sST2, a biomarker often used to evaluate cardiovascular risk. Incorporating substance use alongside cardiac biomarkers may improve CVD risk assessment in vulnerable women.

In vivo study of antifungal effects of low-molecular-weight chitosan against Candida albicans.

This study investigated the antifungal effects of low-molecular-weight chitosan solution on Candida albicans in denture stomatitis in comparison with nystatin suspension. This randomized, sing-leblind clinical trial included 40 patients diagnosed with denture stomatitis. Patients were divided into two groups, wherein one was treated with chitosan and the other with nystatin for 2 weeks. Changes in the erythematous area were recorded during and after treatment. A palatal smear was obtained for each patient before and after treatment to determine the number of blastospores and mycelia of C. albicans. The results were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test, revealing that the chitosan solution significantly decreased the erythematous surface area, burning sensation, time required for clinical improvement, and number of blastospores and mycelia. The antifungal efficacy of chitosan along with its inherent biocompatibility makes it a promising candidate for use as an antifungal mouthwash.

Shrinkage strain-rates of dental resin-monomer and composite systems.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the shrinkage strain rate of different monomers, which are commonly used in dental composites and the effect of monomer functionality and molecular mass on the rate. Bis-GMA, TEGDMA, UDMA, MMA, HEMA, HPMA and different ratios of Bis-GMA/TEGDMA were mixed with Camphorquinone and Dimethyl aminoethyle methacrylate as initiator system. The shrinkage strain of the samples photopolymerised at Ca. 550 mW/cm2 and 23 degrees C was measured using the bonded-disk technique of Watts and Cash (Meas. Sci. Technol. 2 (1991) 788-794), and initial shrinkage-strain rates were obtained by numerical differentiation. Shrinkage-strain rates rose rapidly to a maximum, and then fell rapidly upon vitrification. Strain and initial strain rate were dependent upon monomer functionality, molecular mass and viscosity. Strain rates were correlated with Bis-GMA in Bis-GMA/TEGDMA mixtures up to 75-80 w/w%, due to the higher molecular mass of Bis-GMA affecting termination reactions, and then decreased due to its higher viscosity affecting propagation reactions. Monofunctional monomers exhibited lower rates. UDMA, a difunctional monomer of medium viscosity, showed the highest shrinkage strain rate (P < 0.05). Shrinkage strain rate, related to polymerization rate, is an important factor affecting the biomechanics and marginal integrity of composites cured in dental cavities. This study shows how this is related to monomer molecular structure and viscosity. The results are significant for the production, optimization and clinical application of dental composite restoratives.