Measurement of polarization observables T, P, and H in π0 and η photoproduction off quasi-free nucleons.

The target asymmetry T, recoil asymmetry P, and beam-target double polarization observable H were determined in exclusive π0 and η photoproduction off quasi-free protons and, for the first time, off quasi-free neutrons. The experiment was performed at the electron stretcher accelerator ELSA in Bonn, Germany, with the Crystal Barrel/TAPS detector setup, using a linearly polarized photon beam and a transversely polarized deuterated butanol target. Effects from the Fermi motion of the nucleons within deuterium were removed by a full kinematic reconstruction of the final state invariant mass. A comparison of the data obtained on the proton and on the neutron provides new insight into the isospin structure of the electromagnetic excitation of the nucleon. Earlier measurements of polarization observables in the γp→π0p and γp→ηp reactions are confirmed. The data obtained on the neutron are of particular relevance for clarifying the origin of the narrow structure in the ηn system at W=1.68GeV. A comparison with recent partial wave analyses favors the interpretation of this structure as arising from interference of the S11(1535) and S11(1650) resonances within the S11-partial wave.

Can adjunctive corticosteroid therapy improve patient-centered outcomes following third molar surgery? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Third molar surgery is frequently associated with postoperative discomfort such as pain, edema and trismus. We aimed to evaluate the current evidence on the efficacy of adjunctive corticosteroid therapy in improving patient-centered outcomes following third molar surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This systematic review assessed and searched PubMed, Google scholar, Scopus, web of science, clinicaltrials.gov and Cochrane central for controlled trials, up to May 2021. The primary outcome measures were patient-centered outcomes such as quality of life following the use of adjunctive corticosteroid therapy in third molar removal. Only randomized controlled trials published in English language were included. RESULTS: A total of 355 studies were initially identified, and 12 studies were finally included. The results showed that both methylprednisolone and dexamethasone decreased postoperative side effects such as pain, trismus, and edema and consequently were improving patient reported outcomes. In this regard, none of the included papers reported any significant statistical difference between these two drugs (p > 0.05). The analysis regarding the route of administration for the corticosteroids showed that local and intravenous injection of dexamethasone had equivalent effects, and both methods showed better results as compared to simple oral administration. CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive use of corticosteroid drugs may improve patient-centered outcomes following third molar surgery. However, there is no significant difference between drugs and routs of administration. Comparing various administration routs, local submucosal injection of dexamethasone seems to be a straightforward, painless and cost-effective adjunctive therapy.

Efficacy of a topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol for pain and inflammation control after third molar surgery: A randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the postoperative effect of a topic gel containing chlorhexidine, chitosan, allantoine and dexpanthenol versus a placebo for pain and inflammation control after third molar surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A gel combining 0.2% chlorhexdine, 0.5% chitosan, 5% dexpanthenol, 0.15% allantoin and 0.01% sodium saccharin was selected for this split mouth randomized controlled and double-blind trial including 36 patients with bilaterally and symmetrically impacted lower third molars. The teeth (n=72) were randomly divided into two groups before surgical removal: control group (CG; in which a placebo was given) and experimental group (EG). Swelling, trismus, postoperative pain, wound healing and complications were measured and recorded in order to evaluate differences between the placebo and experimental product. RESULTS: Five patients suffered from an alveolitis in the CG (13.9%), and none in the study group (0%), but no statistically significant difference was found (p=0.063). From day 0 to day 7, trismus and swelling were significantly less pronounced in the EG, and wound healing was considered 'good' in 22.2% for the CG and 97.2% for the EG (p<0.001). Mean VAS scores during the seven postoperative days were statistically lower in the study (2.56±1,19) compared to the placebo group (3.25±1.6) (p=0.002). The mean consumption of analgesic pills during the first 92 hours was also statistically lower in the EG (0.26±0.51) in comparison to the CG (0.56±0.67) (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The use of an experimental gel containing chlorhexidine, chitosan, allantoine and dexpanthenol seems to significantly reduce postoperative pain, trismus and signs of inflammation. Future studies should further evaluate, if the gel is effective in dry socket preventing after third molar removal.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) in cancer patients treated with denosumab VS. zoledronic acid: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to analyse the incidence, risk ratio (RR) and prognoses of two types of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ): denosumab-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (DRONJ) and Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws (BRONJ) in cancer patients under treatment with denosumab or zoledronic acid (ZA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic and manual search was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) until May 2019. Assessment of the identified studies, risk of bias and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. The incidence of DRONJ and BRONJ and the RR to develop MRONJ were calculated at 1 year, 2 years and 3 years of exposure. It was also calculated the odds ratio (OR) of their respective prognoses. They were calculated normalizing the values of the individual studies to 1 year, 2 years or 3 years when necessary through robust regression models using a statistical program. RESULTS: From 1.277 references identified, 8 RCTs were included, which comprised a total of 13.857 patients with a variety of neoplasms. The incidence of DRONJ in cancer patients under treatment with denosumab ranged from 0.5 to 2.1% after 1 year, 1.1 to 3.0% after 2 years, and 1.3 to 3.2% after 3 years of exposure. The incidence of BRONJ in cancer patients under treatment with ZA ranged from 0.4 to 1.6% after 1 year of exposure, 0.8 to 2.1% after 2 years, and 1.0 to 2.3% after 3 years of exposure. Statistically significant differences were found between denosumab and ZA in the risk of developing MRONJ after 1, 2 and 3 years of exposure. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in terms of patient prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Denosumab is associated with a significantly higher risk of developing MRONJ compared to ZA. Nevertheless, no differences were found in its prognoses.

Impact of dysfunctional maternal personality traits on risk of offspring depression, anxiety and self-harm at age 18 years: a population-based longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of underlying parental psychological vulnerability on the future mental health of offspring is not fully understood. Using a prospective cohort design, we investigated the association between dysfunctional parental personality traits and risks of offspring self-harm, depression and anxiety. METHODS: The association between dysfunctional parental personality traits (monotony avoidance, impulsivity, anger, suspicion, and detachment), measured in both mothers and fathers when offspring were age 9 years, and risk of offspring depression, anxiety and self-harm at age 18 years, was investigated in a population-based cohort (ALSPAC) from over 8000 parents and children. RESULTS: Higher levels of dysfunctional maternal, but not paternal, personality traits were associated with an increased risk of self-harm, depression, and anxiety in offspring. Maternal associations were best explained by the accumulation of dysfunctional traits. Associations were strongest for offspring depression: Offspring of mothers with three or more dysfunctional personality traits were 2.27 (1.45-3.54, p < 0.001) times as likely to be depressed, compared with offspring of mothers with no dysfunctional personality traits, independently of maternal depression and other variables. CONCLUSIONS: The accumulation of dysfunctional maternal personality traits is associated with the risk of self-harm, depression, anxiety in offspring independently of maternal depression and other confounding variables. The absence of associations for equivalent paternal traits makes a genetic explanation for the findings unlikely. Further research is required to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Mothers with high levels of dysfunctional personality traits may benefit from additional support to reduce the risk of adverse psychological outcomes occurring in their offspring.

Determination of the occlusal vertical dimension in edentulous patients using lateral cephalograms.

The determination of the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) in edentulous patients is based on clinical assessment with high variability. This study tested the hypothesis: The average OVD in edentulous patients with conventional dentures is too low compared to orthodontic norms, when only clinical parameters are used for the determination of the OVD. Edentulous patients with conventional full dentures were enrolled. Clinical parameters were judged by two senior prosthodontists. Digital lateral cephalograms were taken and served to calculate the OVD according to the lower face height angle (ANS-Xi-D) taking tooth-independent facial growth patterns into account. The ANS-Xi-D angle was compared with reference values by applying one-sample mean comparison tests. Thirty-six participants (17 female, 19 male; mean age 65.3 ± 10.6 years) were enrolled in this study. Clinically, the OVD of four dentures was judged too low, in one case too high, and in the other 31 cases as correct. The mean ANS-Xi-D angle was 48.28°±4.86 and statistically not different to the norm value of 49°±4 (n.s.). There was a tendency that the ANS-Xi-D angle was different between participants with different tooth-independent facial growth patterns (ANOVA, P = .0548). Predominantly, clinically sufficient prostheses show adequate ANS-Xi-D angles. Short-face type denture patients are often restored to comply with mesiofacial norms. The determination of the OVD based on lateral cephalography is not recommendable to be a standard diagnostic parameter. Orthodontic norms are derived from dentate cohorts and might not take the continuing facial growth and other confounding factors of edentulous subjects into account.

Patent nasopalatine ducts: an update of the literature and a series of new cases.

PURPOSE: The objective of this review is to present an update and summary of clinical findings of cases with a patent nasopalatine duct (NPD) reported in the literature from 1881 to 2016. METHODS: Previous articles and reviews about patent NPDs were studied and copies of all original publications were obtained for data verification. Furthermore, a literature search was conducted. In addition, the study sample was complemented with four cases recently seen in our institution. RESULTS: Ten out of 67 published cases were to be excluded for this analysis due to misinterpretation or misreporting in previous articles. Overall, 57 cases with NPD patency could be analyzed. Males outnumbered females in a ratio of 2:1. The mean age (when this information was available) was 34.1 ± 17.6 years (range 6-69 years). NPDs were located bilaterally (60%), unilaterally (20%) or centrally (20%). Complete or partial patency was reported in 73.9 and 26.1%, respectively. 74.1% of patients presented a variety of clinical signs and symptoms. The ability of the patient to produce a squeaky or whistling sound was the most frequent clinical finding (23.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Caution must be exercised when reading review articles about NPD patency since wrong data have been copied in several subsequent publications. Since epidemiological data are missing with regard to patent NPDs, age and gender predilections are not warranted. Bilateral occurrence and full patency were prevailing features in the evaluated case reports of patent NPDs.

The effects of stress on brain and adrenal stem cells.

The brain and adrenal are critical control centers that maintain body homeostasis under basal and stress conditions, and orchestrate the body's response to stress. It is noteworthy that patients with stress-related disorders exhibit increased vulnerability to mental illness, even years after the stress experience, which is able to generate long-term changes in the brain's architecture and function. High levels of glucocorticoids produced by the adrenal cortex of the stressed subject reduce neurogenesis, which contributes to the development of depression. In support of the brain-adrenal connection in stress, many (but not all) depressed patients have alterations in the components of the limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (LHPA) axis, with enlarged adrenal cortex and increased glucocorticoid levels. Other psychiatric disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and depression, are also associated with abnormalities in hippocampal volume and hippocampal function. In addition, hippocampal lesions impair the regulation of the LHPA axis in stress response. Our knowledge of the functional connection between stress, brain function and adrenal has been further expanded by two recent, independent papers that elucidate the effects of stress on brain and adrenal stem cells, showing similarities in the way that the progenitor populations of these organs behave under stress, and shedding more light into the potential cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the adaptation of tissues to stress.

Anti-inflammatory properties of bone morphogenetic protein 4 in human adipocytes.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is characterized by increased adipocyte number and size as well as white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammation, which is fundamental for the development of insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. These processes, regulated by various endocrine, paracrine and autocrine factors, are extensively studied with the hope to interfere and to inhibit weight gain and related complications in obese patients. Recent data suggest an important role of bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) in the regulation of adipogenesis and development of obesity. BMP4 is a growth factor of the transforming growth factor-ß superfamily. Initially, BMPs were identified as inducers of ectopic bone formation. It is now apparent, however, that these proteins have different pleiotropic developmental actions and including playing a role in white adipogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we demonstrate that the expression of BMP4 in human WAT is negatively correlated to body mass index and to the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In vitro, BMP4 expression in cultured human adipocytes is upregulated after induction of differentiation. Cells treated with exogenous BMP4 increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) expression and significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1. TNF-α treatment of fully differentiated adipocytes resulted in downregulation of the expression of adipogenic genes and elevated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Exogenous BMP4 addition significantly reduced the negative effect of TNF-α on the expression profile of adipocytes. Finally, treatment of human adipocytes with exogenous BMP4 reduced the adipocytes' chemoattractant potential and the migration of monocytes toward adipocyte-conditioned medium. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that BMP4 is an important anti-inflammatory molecule, which may act through PPARγ and reduces TNF-α-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine production in human adipocytes. Through its anti-inflammatory potential, BMP4 may serve as a protective factor for inflammation-related diseases such as insulin-tolerance or type-2 diabetes.

Valproic acid enhances neuronal differentiation of sympathoadrenal progenitor cells.

The antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) has been shown to influence the neural differentiation and neurite outgrowth of neural stem cells. Sympathoadrenal progenitor cells share properties with neural stem cells and are considered a potential cell source in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The present study therefore aims at modulating the neural differentiation potential of these cells by treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor VPA. We studied the epigenetic effects of VPA in two culture conditions: suspension conditions aimed to expand adrenomedullary sympathoadrenal progenitors within free-floating chromospheres and adherent cell cultures optimized to derive neurons. Treatment of chromospheres with VPA may launch neuronal differentiation mechanisms and improve their neurogenic potential upon transplantation. However, also transplantation of differentiated functional neurons could be beneficial. Treating chromospheres for 7 days with clinically relevant concentrations of VPA (2 mm) revealed a decrease of neural progenitor markers Nestin, Notch2 and Sox10. Furthermore, VPA initiated catecholaminergic neuronal differentiation indicated by upregulation of the neuronal marker ß-III-tubulin, the dopaminergic transcription factor Pitx3 and the catecholaminergic enzymes TH and GTPCH. In adherent neural differentiation conditions, VPA treatment improved the differentiation of sympathoadrenal progenitor cells into catecholaminergic neurons with significantly elevated levels of nor- and epinephrine. In conclusion, similar to neural stem cells, VPA launches differentiation mechanisms in sympathoadrenal progenitor cells that result in increased generation of functional neurons. Thus, data from this study will be relevant to the potential use of chromaffin progenitors in transplantation therapies of neurodegenerative diseases.

STAT3-Ser/Hes3 Signaling: A New Molecular Component of the Neuroendocrine System?

The endocrine system involves communication among different tissues in distinct organs, including the pancreas and components of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis. The molecular mechanisms underlying these complex interactions are a subject of intense study as they may hold clues for the progression and treatment of a variety of metabolic and degenerative diseases. A plethora of signaling pathways, activated by hormones and other endocrine factors have been implicated in this communication. Recent advances in the stem cell field introduce a new level of complexity: adult progenitor cells appear to utilize distinct signaling pathways than the more mature cells in the tissue they co-reside. It is therefore important to elucidate the signal transduction requirements of adult progenitor cells in addition to those of mature cells. Recent evidence suggests that a common non-canonical signaling pathway regulates adult progenitors in several different tissues, rendering it as a potentially valuable starting point to explore their biology. The STAT3-Ser/Hes3 Signaling Axis was first identified as a major regulator of neural stem cells and, subsequently, cancer stem cells. In the endocrine/neuroendocrine system, this pathway operates on several levels, regulating other types of plastic cells: (a) it regulates pancreatic islet cell function and insulin release; (b) insulin in turn activates the pathway in broadly distributed neural progenitors and possibly also hypothalamic tanycytes, cells with important roles in the control of the adrenal gland; (c) adrenal progenitors themselves operate this pathway. The STAT3-Ser/Hes3 Signaling Axis therefore deserves additional research in the context of endocrinology.

Prevalence, Development, and Significance of Ascochyta Blight Caused by Peyronellaea pinodes in Pisum elatius Populations Growing in Natural Ecosystems.

Wild Pisum populations prevail in Israel in regions with diverse climatic conditions. A comprehensive survey was conducted in the winters of 2007-08 and 2008-09 at two sites in northern Israel, aiming to (i) document the density of Pisum elatius plants in natural ecosystems and elucidate factors related to their initial infection by Ascochyta blight and (ii) determine the factors governing disease development over time on individual plants. The surveyors identified P. elatius plants growing in designated quadrats, inspected each plant visually, and recorded the incidence and severity of its Ascochyta blight symptoms. Ascochyta blight, caused by Peyronellaea pinodes, was ubiquitous in Pisum elatius populations at both survey sites in both seasons. However, the total leaf area exhibiting disease symptoms of individual plants was very low, and stem and pod infections were rarely observed. Based on analyses of the survey data, it was suggested that, in natural ecosystems, the teleomorph stage of Peyronellaea pinodes serves as the main source of the primary and the secondary inoculum of the disease. In addition, it was found that infected leaves dropped off soon after infection, thereby precluding development of stem lesions. The plants continued growing and did not die; thus, they overcame the disease and could be considered "cured". This phenomenon was examined and confirmed in artificially inoculated, potted-plant experiments. It would be worthwhile to exploit the potential of this unique resistance mechanism as a tool for Ascochyta blight management in pea breeding.

Agreement between 2D and 3D radiographic outcome assessment one year after periapical surgery.

AIM: To compare 2D with 3D radiography in assessing the treatment outcome 1 year after periapical surgery. METHODOLOGY: In this prospective study, periapical radiographs (PA) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were performed 1 year after periapical surgery. Three calibrated observers independently evaluated the radiographs for the presence and type of periapical radiolucencies. Ratings in PA were compared to those in bucco-lingual and mesio-distal CBCT images (coronal and sagittal planes), and the ratings of the latter two were also compared between each other. Further, maximum size diameters of radiolucencies were measured on CBCT scans, and the calculated means were correlated with the types of radiolucency. Statistical analysis was completed using Friedman rank sum tests, the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A total of 61 roots in 54 patients were eligible for the final assessment. On average, the intra-observer ratings were identical in 59.6% when comparing PA and CBCT (kappa 0.112 to 0.192). A very high intra-observer agreement (93.4%) was noted when comparing bucco-lingual and mesio-distal CBCT ratings (kappa 0.797 to 1). Interobserver agreement was higher for PA (68.8%) than for CBCT (bucco-lingual 45.9%, mesio-distal 47.5%), but without reaching significant differences. The calculated mean size of persistent radiolucencies in CBCT scans correlated well with the assigned types of radiolucency. CONCLUSION: CBCT images showed in nearly a third of the evaluated cases a worse situation than PA. There is a need to define criteria to assess the 'radiographic healing' in CBCT following periapical surgery.

Efficacy of topical tacrolimus for oral lichen planus: real-life experience in a retrospective cohort of patients with a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Management of oral lichen planus (OLP) is challenging and therapeutic options are limited. The use of topical tacrolimus has shown promising results. We reviewed our daily life experience with topical tacrolimus in OLP patients. METHODS: This retrospective unicentre study included all 21 patients with OLP, which were evaluated over a 53-month period and treated with topical tacrolimus. Patients were initially given a topical preparation of 0.1% tacrolimus twice daily. The response to treatment was assessed using a 4-point scale at month 2 and 6: complete response of affected area (CR), major remission (>50%, MR), partial remission (25-50%, PR) and either no response (<25%) or worsening. The pain score was also assessed using a 3-point scale. RESULTS: Four of 21 patients (19%) showed a CR at month 2, whereas at month 6, 7 (33%) had a CR. For patients who reported MR (n = 2) and PR (n = 8) at month 2, the therapy was continued. Of those, at 6 months, three patients showed a CR, while four maintained a PR. The pain score improved during treatment. After 2 months of therapy, eight of 10 patients with an initial high pain score achieved a significant improvement. In patients starting with moderate pain an improvement was observed in one of seven patients. Overall, for three patients there was a complete loss of pain, while in nine there was a reduction. Except for transitory burning sensation and altered taste sensation, no relevant side-effects were reported. CONCLUSION: This retrospective analysis confirms that topical tacrolimus is a valuable therapeutic option in severe or treatment-resistant OLP. Our findings in daily practice suggested nevertheless that the efficacy of topical tacrolimus is overestimated with regard to both complete response and pain reduction.

Calcium-dependent release of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein from human adipocytes.

BACKGROUND: Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) is a predominantly cytosolic protein of the adipocytes, but also abundantly present in human plasma; its plasma concentrations were linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome. Recent studies have suggested a direct extracellular effect of FABP4 in the regulation of glucose metabolism and heart function independently of its effect as a carrier protein. Interestingly, FABP4 has no secretory signal sequence; hence, the mechanisms how FABP4 is released from adipocytes are unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study we investigated the mechanisms for FABP4 secretion from human adipocytes by using isolated primary pre-adipocytes (PAs) and the human adipocyte cell strain Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome. In undifferentiated PAs, FABP4 expression was barely detectable and increased continuously during differentiation. The increase in FABP4 mRNA expression was accompanied by high levels of FABP4 secretion. In differentiated human adipocytes, FABP4 secretion was not abolished by blocking the Golgi-dependent secretory pathway in vitro, supporting a non-classical secretion mechanism for FABP4. However, raising intracellular Ca(2+) levels enhanced FABP4 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: This study shows that FABP4 is actively released from human adipocytes in vitro via a non-classical, calcium-dependent mechanism.

Three-dimensional study of nasopalatine canal morphology: a descriptive retrospective analysis using cone-beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE: For dental implant treatment planning and placement, a precise anatomic description of the nasopalatine canal (NC) is necessary. This descriptive retrospective study evaluated dimensions of the NC and buccal bone plate (BBP) and the tridimensional association of the anatomic variants of NC, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: This study included 230 CBCTs. Sagittal slices were used for measurements of the NC and BBP and to evaluate shape and direction-course of the NC. Coronal slices were used to assess NC shape and axial slices to assess number of incisive foramina and foramina of Stenson. RESULTS: Mean NC length was 12.34 ± 2.79 mm, statistically significant differences were detected between genders (p < 0.001). Mean BBP length was 20.87 ± 3.68 mm, statistically significant differences were found for the dental status (p < 0.001) and mean BBP width was 6.83 ± 1.28 mm, significant differences were detected between genders (p < 0.001). Mean nasopalatine angle was 73.33° ± 8.11°, significant differences were found in sagittal and coronal classifications. The most prevalent canal was: cylindrical sagittal shape (48.2 %); slanted-straight direction-course (57.6 %); Ya-type coronal shape (42.4 %); and one foramen incisive with two Stenson's foramina (1-2) (50.9 %). Sagittal shape was associated with sagittal direction-course (p < 0.001). Coronal shape was associated with axial classification (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The NC anatomy is highly variable. Gender is related to the NC length and BBP width, while dental status is related to BBP length. There was an association between the different sagittal classifications of the NC and between the coronal shape and axial classification.

[Verruciformes Xanthom an der linken Wange bei einer 56-jährigen Patientin - Diagnostik, Therapie und Nachsorge].

The oral verruciform xanthoma (OVX) is a rare, benign lesion that occurs predominantly in the masticatory region of the oral cavity. The OVX is small, slow growing, and mostly free of clinical symptoms. The exact pathogenesis is unknown, and a viral etiology such as from a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has not been proven. Although primarily observed in healthy individuals, there have been cases in patients with autoimmune diseases and with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). The treatment of choice is complete excision of the lesion. This case report showcases a successful surgical removal of an oral verruciform xanthoma on the left buccal mucosa in a 56-year-old patient with GvHD 14 years after allo-genic stem cell transplantation due to a Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Metagenomic sequencing of the human gut microbiome before and after bariatric surgery in obese patients with type 2 diabetes: correlation with inflammatory and metabolic parameters.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has become a prominent therapeutic option for long-term treatment of morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Cross talk and pathogenetic consequences of RYGB-induced profound effects on metabolism and gut microbiome are poorly understood. The aim of the present study therefore was to characterize intra-individual changes of gut microbial composition before and 3 months after RYGB by metagenomic sequencing in morbidly obese patients (body mass index (BMI)>40 kg m(-)(2)) with T2D. Subsequently, metagenomic data were correlated with clinical indices. Based on gene relative abundance profile, 1061 species, 729 genera, 44 phyla and 5127 KO (KEGG Orthology) were identified. Despite high diversity, bacteria could mostly be assigned to seven bacterial divisions. The overall metagenomic RYGB-induced shift was characterized by a reduction of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and an increase of Proteobacteria. Twenty-two microbial species and 11 genera were significantly altered by RYGB. Using principal component analysis, highly correlated species were assembled into two common components. Component 1 consisted of species that were mainly associated with BMI and C-reactive protein. This component was characterized by increased numbers of Proteobacterium Enterobacter cancerogenus and decreased Firmicutes Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Coprococcus comes. Functional analysis of carbohydrate metabolism by KO revealed significant effects in 13 KOs assigned to phosphotransferase system. Spearmen's Rank correlation indicated an association of 10 species with plasma total- or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and 5 species with triglycerides. F. prausnitzii was directly correlated to fasting blood glucose. This is the first clinical demonstration of a profound and specific intra-individual modification of gut microbial composition by full metagenomic sequencing. A clear correlation exists of microbiome composition and gene function with an improvement in metabolic and inflammatory parameters. This will allow to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on metagenomic sequencing of the human gut microbiome.

Chromaffin cells: the peripheral brain.

Chromaffin cells probably are the most intensively studied of the neural crest derivates. They are closely related to the nervous system, share with neurons some fundamental mechanisms and thus were the ideal model to study the basic mechanisms of neurobiology for many years. The lessons we have learned from chromaffin cell biology as a peripheral model for the brain and brain diseases pertain more than ever to the cutting edge research in neurobiology. Here, we highlight how studying this cell model can help unravel the basic mechanisms of cell renewal and regeneration both in the central nervous system (CNS) and neuroendocrine tissue and also can help in designing new strategies for regenerative therapies of the CNS.