Consequences of Dale's law on the stability-complexity relationship of random neural networks.

In the study of randomly connected neural network dynamics there is a phase transition from a simple state with few equilibria to a complex state characterized by the number of equilibria growing exponentially with the neuron population. Such phase transitions are often used to describe pathological brain state transitions observed in neurological diseases such as epilepsy. In this paper we investigate how more realistic heterogeneous network structures affect these phase transitions using techniques from random matrix theory. Specifically, we parametrize the network structure according to Dale's law and use the Kac-Rice formalism to compute the change in the number of equilibria when a phase transition occurs. We also examine the condition where the network is not balanced between excitation and inhibition causing outliers to appear in the eigenspectrum. This enables us to compute the effects of different heterogeneous network connectivities on brain state transitions, which can provide insights into pathological brain dynamics.

Azithromycin and Full-Mouth Scaling For the Treatment of Generalized Stage III and IV Periodontitis: A 6-Month Randomized Comparative Clinical Trial.

The effectiveness of azithromycin combined with full-mouth scaling procedures was compared to quadrant-wise scaling combined with the same dosage of azithromycin when treating periodontitis patients over a 6-month period. In this randomized clinical trial study, thirty-four individuals diagnosed with generalized stage III and IV periodontitis underwent baseline, 3-month, and 6-month post-treatment examinations. The study population was randomly assigned to either full-mouth scaling (FMS) or quadrant-wise scaling and root planning (QSRP) in addition to their taking of systemic azithromycin (500 mg/day) for three consecutive days. Periodontal probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival index (GI), and plaque index (PI) were monitored along with the quantification of total bacterial load and red complex bacterial species (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola) in subgingival samples by real time polymerase chain reaction. The volume of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was also monitored over time. The primary outcomes included improvements of PD and CAL. Data was statistically analyzed through a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, multiple least significant difference (LSD) comparisons, Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman, and paired Student t-tests (p<0.05). FMS and QSRP provided similar PD, CAL, GI, PI, and GCF improvements. After treatment, the FMS group displayed lower mean values of total bacterial load and red complex bacterial species in comparison to the QSRP group. FMS and QSRP in conjunction with systemic azithromycin appeared to be an effective and reliable short-term therapeutic approach for the treatment of generalized stage III and IV periodontitis. However, FMD demonstrated superiority in regard to the 6-month antibacterial effects when compared to QSRP.

Azithromycin and full-mouth scaling for the treatment of generalized stage iii and iv periodontitis: a 6-month randomized comparative clinical trial

Abstract The effectiveness of azithromycin combined with full-mouth scaling procedures was compared to quadrant-wise scaling combined with the same dosage of azithromycin when treating periodontitis patients over a 6-month period. In this randomized clinical trial study, thirty-four individuals diagnosed with generalized stage III and IV periodontitis underwent baseline, 3-month, and 6-month post-treatment examinations. The study population was randomly assigned to either full-mouth scaling (FMS) or quadrant-wise scaling and root planning (QSRP) in addition to their taking of systemic azithromycin (500 mg/day) for three consecutive days. Periodontal probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival index (GI), and plaque index (PI) were monitored along with the quantification of total bacterial load and red complex bacterial species (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola) in subgingival samples by real time polymerase chain reaction. The volume of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was also monitored over time. The primary outcomes included improvements of PD and CAL. Data was statistically analyzed through a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, multiple least significant difference (LSD) comparisons, Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman, and paired Student t-tests (p<0.05). FMS and QSRP provided similar PD, CAL, GI, PI, and GCF improvements. After treatment, the FMS group displayed lower mean values of total bacterial load and red complex bacterial species in comparison to the QSRP group. FMS and QSRP in conjunction with systemic azithromycin appeared to be an effective and reliable short-term therapeutic approach for the treatment of generalized stage III and IV periodontitis. However, FMD demonstrated superiority in regard to the 6-month antibacterial effects when compared to QSRP.

Resumo A efetividade da azitromicina combinada com a técnica de desinfecção total da boca (DTB) foi comparada a raspagem por quadrante (RQ) utilizando a mesma dosagem de azitromicina no tratamento de indivíduos com periodontite generalizada estágio III e IV, em um período de 6 meses. Trinta e quatro indivíduos foram submetidos aos exames no baseline, 3 e 6 meses pós-tratamento. A população estudada foi alocada aleatoriamente no grupo DTB ou RQ associado a três dias consecutivos de azitromicina (500 mg/dia). Profundidade de sondagem (PS), nível clínico de inserção (NIC), índice gengival (IG) e o índice de placa (IP) foram monitorados, além da quantificação da carga bacteriana total e das espécies bacterianas do complexo vermelho (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia e Treponema denticola), em amostras subgengivais, a partir da reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real. O volume de fluido crevicular gengival (FCG) também foi monitorado ao longo do tempo. Os resultados primários foram melhorias de PS e NIC. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente por Análise de variância (ANOVA), comparações múltiplas de diferença menor (LSD), Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman e teste t de Student emparelhado (p<0,05). DTB e RQ forneceram melhorias em PS, NIC, IG, IP e FCG semelhantes. Após o tratamento, o grupo DTB apresentou valores médios mais baixos da carga bacteriana total e de espécies bacterianas do complexo vermelho em comparação com o grupo RQ. DTB e RQ associado a azitromicina sistêmica mostraram ser similarmente uma abordagem terapêutica de curto prazo, eficaz e confiável para o tratamento de periodontite generalizada estágio III e IV. No entanto, DTB demonstrou superioridade sobre os efeitos antibacterianos aos 6 meses em comparação com RQ.

Associations of duration of smoking cessation and cumulative smoking exposure with periodontitis.

This cross-sectional study investigated associations of cumulative smoking exposure and duration of smoking cessation with periodontitis and evaluated the effects of biological, behavioral, and social risk variables on these associations. The sample comprised 705 adults of both sexes (age, 35-65 years) who underwent a full-mouth periodontal examination. Subjects were classified according to smoking status as nonsmokers, former smokers, and current smokers, and univariate and multivariate analysis was used to evaluate associations between periodontitis prevalence and potential risk variables. The rates of periodontitis among nonsmokers, former smokers, and current smokers were 25.6%, 29.3%, and 45.1% respectively. After adjusting for other periodontal risk variables the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for periodontitis was 3.09 (1.98-4.92) for former smokers and 5.24 (2.61-8.97) for current smokers. A significant dose-response relationship between pack-years of smoking and periodontitis prevalence was observed, as was a significant decrease in the risk of periodontitis as years of smoking cessation increased. Cumulative smoking exposure and duration of smoking cessation were significantly associated with periodontitis.

Plasma vasopressin concentrations in healthy foals from birth to 3 months of age.

BACKGROUND: Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has received increased attention in equine critical care but there is minimal information of AVP concentration in foals. The clinical usefulness of measuring AVP in ill foals depends on knowledge of age-related changes in AVP concentrations in healthy foals. HYPOTHESIS: Plasma AVP concentrations will be significantly different when measured from birth to 3 months of age in healthy foals. ANIMALS: Thirteen healthy university-owned foals. METHODS: Prospective, observational study. Blood was collected from healthy foals at birth and 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 84 days of age. Plasma was harvested and plasma AVP concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were detected in plasma AVP concentrations over the study period. Plasma AVP concentrations over the entire study period was 6.2+/-2.5 pg/mL. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: There was no age-related variation in plasma AVP concentrations detected in healthy foals from birth to 3 months of age suggesting that AVP concentrations are similar across foals of these ages.