Electrochemically Reduced Water Delays Mammary Tumors Growth in Mice and Inhibits Breast Cancer Cells Survival In Vitro.

Electrochemical reduced water (ERW) has been proposed to have beneficial effects on human health due to its rich content of H2 and the presence of platinum nanoparticles with antioxidant effects. Many studies have demonstrated that ERW scavenging properties are able to reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress in different experimental models. Although few in vivo studies have been reported, it has been demonstrated that ERW may display anticancer effects by induction of tumor cells apoptosis and reduction of both angiogenesis and inflammation. In this study, we show that ERW treatment of MCF-7, MDA-MB-453, and mouse (TUBO) breast cancer cells inhibited cell survival in a time-dependent fashion. ERW decreased ErbB2/neu expression and impaired pERK1/ERK2 and AKT phosphorylation in breast cancer cells. In addition, ERW treatment induced apoptosis of breast cancer cell lines independently of the status of p53 and ER and PR receptors. Our in vivo results showed that ERW treatment of transgenic BALB-neuT mice delayed the development of mammary tumors compared to the control. In addition, ERW induced a significant prolongation of tumor-free survival and a reduction in tumor multiplicity. Overall, these results suggest a potential beneficial role of ERW in inhibiting cancer cells growth.

Bone density assessments of dental implant sites: 2. Quantitative cone-beam computerized tomography.

PURPOSE: Bone density was evaluated in designated implant sites using a novel volumetric computerized tomographic device. Those measurements were then compared with traditional quantitative computerized axial tomography and subjective bone density evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three potential sites for implant placement in jaws from 9 human cadavers were used. Indicator rods 2 mm in diameter were placed in all sites. Radiographic images representing 1-mm buccolingual slices immediately mesial and distal to the rods were selected. Bone density in Hounsfield units was assessed using quantitative cone-beam computerized tomography (QCBCT) and quantitative computerized tomography (QCT) in a standardized implant area superimposed on the images. Bone density was also subjectively evaluated by 2 independent examiners using the Lekholm and Zarb classification. RESULTS: The QCBCT bone density values were generally found to be higher than the corresponding QCT measurements. The correlations between the QCT and QCBCT values, however, were very high in spite of this systematic difference between the 2 methods. The Lekholm and Zarb ratings for the 2 examiners showed correlation coefficients ranging between 0.46 and 0.60 for the relationships with the QCBCT values. For each of the scores used for the subjective classification, however, a wide range of corresponding QCBCT values was observed. DISCUSSION: High dosage has been the major impediment to the utilization of CT in implant dentistry. The development of a reliable volumetric CT alternative with reduced radiation should provide an effective method for the assessment of both bone quantity and bone density. CONCLUSIONS: Access to objective radiographic bone density values should constitute a valuable supplement to subjective bone density evaluations prior to implant placement. QCBCT could be considered an alternative diagnostic tool for preoperative bone density evaluation, especially since the reported radiation dose is minimal.

3-D volume imaging for dentistry: a new dimension.

The use of computed tomography for dental imaging procedures has increased recently. Use of CT for even seemingly routine diagnosis and treatment procedures suggests that the desire for 3-D imaging is more than a current trend but rather a shift toward a future of dimensional volume imaging. Recognizing this shift, several imaging manufacturers recently have developed 3-D imaging devices specifically for dental purposes using cone-beam computerized tomography. This technology allows for 3-D imaging similar to CT, but at lower equipment cost, simpler image acquisition and lower patient radiation dose. Herein, an overview of these devices is provided such that potential users can be better informed about this emerging technology.