Co-exposure to PVC microplastics and cadmium induces oxidative stress and fibrosis in duck pancreas.

PVC microplastics (PVC-MPs) are environmental pollutants that interact with cadmium (Cd) to exert various biological effects. Ducks belong to the waterfowl family of birds and therefore are at a higher risk of exposure to PVC-MPs and Cd than other animals. However, the effects of co-exposure of ducks to Cd and PVC-MPs are poorly understood. Here, we used Muscovy ducks to establish an in vivo model to explore the effects of co-exposure to 1 mg/L PVC-MPs and 50 mg/kg Cd on duck pancreas. After 2 months of treatment with 50 mg/kg Cd, pancreas weight decreased by 21 %, and the content of amylase and lipase increased by 25 % and 233 %. However, exposure to PVC-MPs did not significantly affect the pancreas. Moreover, co-exposure to PVC-MPs and Cd worsened the reduction of pancreas weight and disruption of pancreas function compared to exposure to either substance alone. Furthermore, our research has revealed that exposure to PVC-MPs or Cd disrupted mitochondrial structure, reduced ATP levels by 10 % and 18 %, inhibited antioxidant enzyme activity, and increased malondialdehyde levels by 153.8 % and 232.5 %. It was found that exposure to either PVC-MPs or Cd can induce inflammation and fibrosis in the duck pancreas. Notably, co-exposure to PVC-MPs and Cd exacerbated inflammation and fibrosis, with the content of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α increasing by 169 %, 199 %, and 98 %, compared to Cd exposure alone. The study emphasizes the significance of comprehending the potential hazards linked to exposure to these substances. In conclusion, it presents promising preliminary evidence that PVC-MPs accumulate in duck pancreas, and increase the accumulation of Cd. Co-exposure to PVC-MPs and Cd disrupts the structure and function of mitochondria and promotes the development of pancreas inflammation and fibrosis.

CAD-CAM Hollow Obturator Prosthesis: A Technical Report.

An obturator with a hollow bulb can decrease the overall weight of the prosthesis, stress on the underlying tissues, and patient discomfort. Although many techniques and materials have been proposed in the literature for hollowing the obturator prosthesis, they are often time consuming and technique sensitive. This proposed technique used an open-source software program to hollow a digital design of a solid obturator base from a commercially available software in one single convenient step. The hollowing process allowed precise control of prosthesis thickness at the hollow space area for desirable hermetic seal and prosthesis strength.

Use of intraoral scan for implant-supported dental prosthesis to design and fabricate a CAD-CAM verification device: A dental technique.

This technical report describes a digital process to design and fabricate a verification device directly from an intraoral scan for nonsegmental implant-supported dental prostheses. By using an open source computer-aided design software program, this technique provides an economical option for dentists and dental laboratory technicians to fabricate a computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) verification device. This technique is particularly beneficial for a long scanning span and large edentulous space with multiple scan bodies, and a verification device can be used to confirm the accuracy of a CAD-CAM implant definitive cast.

Use of an open-source CAD software program and additive manufacturing technology to design and fabricate a definitive cast for retrofitting a crown to an existing removable partial denture.

This technical report describes a digital process for designing and fabricating a stackable definitive cast and die system to facilitate the fabrication of a new surveyed crown to retrofit to a removable partial denture (RPD). By using an open-source computer-aided design (CAD) software program, this technique provides an economical option for dental clinicians and laboratory technicians to use intraoral scans and design a stackable definitive cast and die system with minimal financial investment in the CAD software. In addition, this technique provides the advantage of a conventional indirect technique in that it can create a definitive cast with an RPD clasp assembly ready for the dental technician to properly contour the new surveyed crown, but without the need for the patient to be without the RPD during the process.

Prophylactic transanal decompression tube versus non-prophylactic transanal decompression tube for anastomotic leakage prevention in low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Transanal decompression tube (TDT), an alternative intervention believed to have potential equivalent efficacy in reducing anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery and lower complication rates compared to protective stoma, was sporadically applied in some medical centers during recent decade. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of the TDT in preventing the anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection for rectal cancer. METHODS: The studies comparing TDT and non-TDT in rectal cancer were researched up to March 22, 2016 without language preference, in databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and National Clinical Trials Registry. The rates of anastomotic leakage, bleeding, and re-operation were separately calculated and compared between TDT and non-TDT groups using RevMan 5.3. Funnel plots, and Egger's tests were used to evaluate the publication biases of the studies. RESULTS: Two prospective randomized controlled trial studies and five observational cohort studies with 833 participants in TDT group and 939 participants in non-TDT group were finally included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that the TDT group had lower anastomotic leakage rate than non-TDT group with significant RR (RR 0.44; 95 % CI 0.29-0.66; P < 0.0001) and heterogeneity (I 2 = 33 %; P = 0.18). So did the re-operation rate, with RR (RR 0.16; 95 % CI 0.07-0.37; P < 0.0001) and heterogeneity among the studies (I 2 = 0 %; P = 0.80). There was no significant difference in anastomotic bleeding rates (RR 1.48; 95 % CI 0.79-2.77; P = 0.22) (I 2 = 58 %; P = 0.09). No publication bias was found by Egger's test (anastomotic leakage rate, Pr > |z| = 0.224; re-operation rate, Pr > |z| = 0.425). CONCLUSIONS: TDT might be an efficient and economic intervention in preventing anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery.