Effect of Agavins and Agave Syrup Use in the Formulation of a Synbiotic Gelatin Gummy with Microcapsules of Saccharomyces Boulardii.

Agavins are reserve carbohydrates found in agave plants; they present texture-modifying properties and prebiotic capacity by increasing the viability of the intestinal microbiota. Through its hydrolysis, agave syrup (AS) can be obtained and can be used as a sweetener in food matrices. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the variation in the content of agavins and AS on the physical, structural, and viability properties of Saccharomyces boulardii encapsulates incorporated into gelatin gummies. An RSM was used to obtain an optimized formulation of gelatin gummies. The properties of the gel in the gummy were characterized by a texture profile analysis and Aw. The humidity and sugar content were determined. A sucrose gummy was used as a control for the variable ranges. Alginate microcapsules containing S. boulardii were added to the optimized gummy formulation to obtain a synbiotic gummy. The viability of S. boulardii and changes in the structure of the alginate gel of the microcapsules in the synbiotic gummy were evaluated for 24 days by image digital analysis (IDA). The agavins and agave syrup significantly affected the texture properties (<1 N) and the Aw (>0.85). The IDA showed a change in the gel network and an increase in viability by confocal microscopy from day 18. The number of pores in the gel increased, but their size decreased with an increase in the number of S. boulardii cells. Agavins and cells alter the structure of capsules in gummies without affecting their viability.

Clinical and morphological features of large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas and small-cell lung carcinomas expressing the DLL3 and ASCL1 oncoproteins

Abstract Intratumoral similarities and differences between large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs) and small-cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs) are determined partially by the Notch signaling pathway, which controls the switch from neuroendocrine to slight/non-neuroendocrine cell fate. LCNECs are divided into two subgroups according to genomic alterations: type I LCNECs exhibit a neuroendocrine profile characterized by achaete‐scute homolog 1 (ASCL1)high/delta-like protein 3 (DLL3)high/NOTCHlow and type II LCNECs show the pattern ASCL1low/DLL3low/NOTCHhigh. Here, we used immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy, and digital analysis to examine the role of the Notch ligand DLL3 as an immunomarker of the neuroendocrine state and ASCL1 as a regulator of cell-cell interactions in SCLCs and LCNECs. High DLL3 and ASCL1 expression was associated with atypical submicroscopic characteristics involving nuclear size, chromatin arrangement, Golgi apparatus, and endoplasmic reticulum, and was characteristic of type I LCNECs with similarity to SCLCs, whereas low DLL3 and ASCL1 expression was found in both SCLCs and type II LCNECs. In patients diagnosed at an early stage who did not have metastasis and who underwent chemotherapy, DLL3high and ASCL1high SCLCs and type I LCNECs were associated with a better prognosis and a lower risk of death. The present findings suggested that DLL3/ASCL1 are potential therapeutic targets and prognostic indicators in patients with SCLCs or LCNECs.

Clinical Impact of Pathological Features Including the Ki-67 Labeling Index on Diagnosis and Prognosis of Adult and Pediatric Adrenocortical Tumors.

Adrenocortical tumors (ACT) in the adult and pediatric population are generally considered distinct entities due to differences in molecular events related to tumorigenesis, clinical presentation, and outcome. Furthermore, pathological criteria used for diagnosis and prognostication of ACT in adults are usually inadequate for predicting the biological behavior of ACT in children. Here, we analyzed 146 adult and 44 pediatric (< 15y/o) ACT with long-term clinical follow-up and furthered current evidence on the clinical and pathological differences between pediatric and adult tumors. Predilection for female over male gender was observed in both cohorts, but more so in adults (84% vs. 61%, p = 0.003). Cushing syndrome was more frequent in adults (p < 0.001), whereas virilization, either isolated (p < 0.001) or combined to Cushing (p = 0.047), was more common in children. The Ki67 labelling index (LI) of pediatric adenomas and carcinomas was much higher than their corresponding tumors in adults (p < 0.001). Despite these differences, pathological analyses including the evaluation of Ki67 greatly improved patient prognostication in both age cohorts. Indeed, increased Weiss scores and Ki67 indexes correlated with poor overall- and disease-free survival in adult patients with carcinoma. Among the proliferative indexes tested, Ki67 LI ≥ 10% showed the highest hazard ratio (HR) for recurrence and the Ki67 LI ≥ 3% showed the highest HR for survival. In pediatric tumors, the Wieneke score (p < 0.001) and the Ki67 LI (p < 0.001) showed high accuracy for predicting biological behavior, and increased scores/indexes correlated with worse overall and disease-free survival. In this age cohort, Ki67 LI < 10% was able to rule out malignant behavior, whereas Ki67 LI ≥ 15% may be used to predict the patients with higher risks of recurrence and/or poor outcome.

A CBCT based digital analysis of shaping ability of Max Wire® alloy file in the treatment of large and curved root canals

Aim: To evaluate the limits of the shaping ability of MaxWire® alloy file in the treatment of pre-created large and curved root canals with different apical sizes by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: Forty-five permanent maxillary first molars with moderately curved palatal roots (20°-30°) were divided into three groups, and large root canals were created with apical diameter #35 (Group 1), #40 (Group 2) or #50 (Group 3) by using BioRace NiTi System. Then, they were reshaped with the MaxWire alloy file, XP-endo Shaper®. Canals were scanned before and after instrumentation by using the CBCT scanner. Canal transportation (CT), centering ratio (CR), % increased prepared area (PA), and % increased prepared outline (PO) at 2, 3, and 4 mm from the apex were calculated. Data were statistically analyzed at P < 0.05. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean increase in PO in all apical sizes and all three levels. At both 3 mm and 4 mm levels the maximum PA and PO were achieved in apical size 35, while at 2 mm level the maximum values were obtained in apical size 40. There was no statistically significant difference in CT and CR within groups at 2 mm distance from the apex. Conclusion: Max Wire alloy technology of this novel instrument makes it possible to clean and touch the dentin walls of large and curved root canals. Small FOV and small voxel size of CBCT could also be used in shaping ability studies in endodontics.

Anatomical positions of the inferior dental canal and its relationship with impacted lower third molars in 18-to 29-year-old Ecuadorians

The third molars are the dental organs with the most variations in terms of their formation and time of eruption, which can cause several pathologies. The incidence of third molar impaction varies between 20% and 30%, with predominance in females. Through the inferior dental canal, goes the inferior dental nerve to innervate the molars and lower premolars. Recent studies on variations in the position of the lower dental canal have shown a low incidence of variations. Objective: To determine the prevalence of anatomical variations of the inferior dental canal in relation to impacted lower third molars, by means of digital image analysis in patients who attended the X-Ray Imaging Center in Azogues in 2016. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients who attended the center X-Ray Imaging Center in Azogues in 2016. The following variables were analyzed: sex, age, variation of the position of the inferior dental canal in relation to the third impacted molar, the radiographic details according to the Monaco classification, and tooth position according to the Winter classification. In total, 64 radiographs were analyzed. Results: It was found that 5% of participants showed no relation of the inferior dental canal with the lower third molar, 72% had a relation of the dental canal with the third molar, and 23% presented with absence of the third molar. According to the Winter classification, the prevalence was 53% mesioangular, 18% horizontal, 19% vertical, 6% vestibuloversion, and 4% inverted. Conclusion: The third molars present high indexes of relation with the inferior dental canal in 18- to 29-year-old Ecuadorians

In vitro alterations of erythrocyte aggregation by action of Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae.

Possible changes in the erythrocyte membrane, by in vitro interaction with newborn larvae of T. spiralis (NL), were evaluated analyzing the alterations in erythrocyte aggregation by digital image analysis and laser transmission in a new optical chip aggregometer. NL were obtained from CBi mice infected with T. spiralis. RBCs samples from healthy donors where in vitro exposed to NL (concentration (3000 ± 500) larvae/mL) to assess its effect on RBC aggregation. Individual cell Coefficient (CCA) and aggregation parameter (S) were calculated by digitally processing RBC aggregate images, indicating the amount and size of the erythrocyte aggregates present. Also, size distribution of aggregate was analyzed. Kinetic aggregation parameters (Amp750 and t1/2) were calculated with a new optical chip aggregometer. Results show significant alterations in erythrocyte aggregability due the in vitro action of T. spiralis larvae increasing incubation time. These results are possibly related to the loss of surface sialic acid as it is captured by NL. Obtained results suggest that NL could produce hemorheological alterations in the host, which could be related to thrombosis and anemia reported in some patients with trichinosis.