Spatial correspondence of cortical activity measured with whole head fNIRS and fMRI: Toward clinical use within subject.

Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) both measure the hemodynamic response, and so both imaging modalities are expected to have a strong correspondence in regions of cortex adjacent to the scalp. To assess whether fNIRS can be used clinically in a manner similar to fMRI, 22 healthy adult participants underwent same-day fMRI and whole-head fNIRS testing while they performed separate motor (finger tapping) and visual (flashing checkerboard) tasks. Analyses were conducted within and across subjects for each imaging approach, and regions of significant task-related activity were compared on the cortical surface. The spatial correspondence between fNIRS and fMRI detection of task-related activity was good in terms of true positive rate, with fNIRS overlap of up to 68 % of the fMRI for analyses across subjects (group analysis) and an average overlap of up to 47.25 % for individual analyses within subject. At the group level, the positive predictive value of fNIRS was 51 % relative to fMRI. The positive predictive value for within subject analyses was lower (41.5 %), reflecting the presence of significant fNIRS activity in regions without significant fMRI activity. This could reflect task-correlated sources of physiologic noise and/or differences in the sensitivity of fNIRS and fMRI measures to changes in separate (vs. combined) measures of oxy and de-oxyhemoglobin. The results suggest whole-head fNIRS as a noninvasive imaging modality with promising clinical utility for the functional assessment of brain activity in superficial regions of cortex physically adjacent to the skull.

Generation of a terahertz quasi-Pearcey beam and its investigation in ptychography.

The terahertz structured beams played a significant role in imaging. We utilized the transmitter with 0.1 THz to generate the quasi-Pearcey beam. The beam is produced by combining the self-designed parabola-slit modulated plate and Fourier lens, showing stripe-shaped pattern and self-focusing property. Based on that, introducing it into the testing of ptychography, we discovered there are decent effects in field reconstruction of the probe and sample with this beam by comparisons both in the simulations and the experiments. The beam has good spatial coherence through the analysis of the spatial frequency spectrums. It suggests that the beam with such features can take advantage of rapid reconstruction in full-field imaging.

Periodontal conditions of teeth adjacent to dental implants with or without peri-implantitis after non-surgical therapy in patients treated for periodontitis: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively assess the periodontal conditions of teeth adjacent to and contralateral to implants presenting with or without peri-implantitis, following non-surgical periodontal and peri-implant mechanical therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and one patients with existing dental implants and chronic periodontitis, who underwent non-surgical periodontal and peri-implant mechanical therapy, were included. The periodontal clinical probing depth (PPD), gingival recession (GR), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded at six sites around the adjacent (Adj-) teeth and the contralateral (CL-) teeth relative to the implant. The potential factors influencing the periodontal conditions of 316 teeth were analyzed by multivariate linear regression models with generalized estimating equation methods and α = .05. RESULTS: The PPD of Adj-teeth was significantly different from that of CL-teeth before and after non-surgical therapy when the implant was diagnosed with peri-implantitis (PI) (p < .05). The PPD of teeth was shown to be affected by neighboring implants diagnosed with peri-implantitis (ß = .825 mm, p < .001), teeth adjacent to implants (ß = .245 mm, p = .004), a molar tooth type (ß = .435 mm, p = .019), and non-surgical therapy (ß = -.522 mm, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Relatively compromised periodontal conditions at Adj-teeth after non-surgical PI therapy were detected. Therefore, clinicians should be aware that non-surgical therapy may be less successful at teeth adjacent to implants with PI.

Effects of occupational exposure to metal fume PM2.5 on lung function and biomarkers among shipyard workers: a 3-year prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the associations of α1-antitrypsin, inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain (ITIH4), and 8-isoprostane with lung function in shipyard workers exposed to occupational metal fume fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is known to be associated with adverse respiratory outcomes. METHODS: A 3-year follow-up study was conducted on 180 shipyard workers with 262 measurements. Personal exposure to welding fume PM2.5 was collected for an 8-h working day. Pre-exposure, post-exposure, and delta (∆) levels of α1-antitrypsin, ITIH4, and 8-isoprostane were determined in urine using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Post-exposure urinary metals were sampled at the beginning of the next working day and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Lung function measurements were also conducted the next working day for post-exposure. RESULTS: An IQR increase in PM2.5 was associated with decreases of 2.157% in FEV1, 2.806% in PEF, 4.328% in FEF25%, 5.047% in FEF50%, and 7.205% in FEF75%. An IQR increase in PM2.5 led to increases of 42.155 µg/g in ∆α1-antitrypsin and 16.273 µg/g in ∆ITIH4. Notably, IQR increases in various urinary metals were associated with increases in specific biomarkers, such as post-urinary α1-antitrypsin and ITIH4. Moreover, increases in ∆ α1-antitrypsin and ∆ITIH4 were associated with decreases in FEV1/FVC by 0.008% and 0.020%, respectively, and an increase in ∆8-isoprostane resulted in a 1.538% decline in FVC. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that urinary α1-antitrypsin and ITIH4 could indicate early lung function decline in shipyard workers exposed to metal fume PM2.5, underscoring the need for better safety and health monitoring to reduce respiratory risks.

First Report of Fusarium annulatum Causing Blight on Bletilla striata (Baiji) in China.

Bletilla striata (Thunb. ex A. Murray) Rchb (known as baiji in Chinese), a herbal plant distributed mainly in China, has become a focus of scientific attention recently due to its medicinal value (He et al. 2017). In May 2023, blight symptoms on leaves and stems were observed approximately 60% of Bletilla striata in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (29.80° N, 119.67° E). Brown spots initially appear on the infected leaves, which gradually decay as the spots expand. The wilting is accompanied with fading and yellowing, and eventually leading to defoliation. The infected stem initially appears brown spots, which gradually decay as the spots expand, resulting in the death of the whole plant, affecting the yield and quality of the herbs ultimately. To isolate the pathogen, small symptomatic leaves and stems (5×5 mm) were surface-disinfected with 75% ethanol for 30 s and 1% NaClO for 2 min, then rinsed in distilled water 3 times. Subsequently, the disinfected tissues were placed on PDA and incubated at 27 ℃ for 3 days. A total of 8 fungal isolates with similar morphological characteristics were obtained. The colony by single-spore purification was light purple to dark purple with abundant aerial mycelium. Macroconidia were relatively slender with a curve, mainly three to five septate and measuring 24.34 to 54.64 µm (average 40.29 µm) × 3.59 to 5.45 µm (average 4.49 µm) (n=30). Microconidia appeared obovoid to pyriform, with sizes of 5.31 to 8.43 µm (average 7.12 µm) × 2.30 to 4.29 µm (average 3.22 µm) (n=30). The morphological characteristics were consistent with Fusarium annulatum (Yilmaz et al. 2021). To further confirm the isolate's identification, the genomic DNA of isolates were extracted and identified by phylogenetic analyses of multilocus sequences of the RNA polymerase largest subunit (rpb1, primers Fa and G2R), RNA polymerase second largest subunit (rpb2, primers 7cf and 11ar) and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1, primers EF1 and EF2) (O'Donnell et al. 2022). The sequences were deposited in GenBank (rpb1: OR493933, OR493934, OR753402; rpb2: OR753398, OR753399, OR753400; tef1: OR493935, OR493936, OR753401). BLAST searches of the rpb1, rpb2, and tef1 sequences revealed 99.83% (1775/1778 nt), 99.79% (957/959 nt), and 98.98% (678/685 nt) homology with those of Fusarium annulatum CBS:258.54 from New Caledonia (rpb1: MT010944; rpb2: MT010983; tef1: MT010994). To confirm pathogenicity, one-year-old B. striata leaves and stems were disinfected with 75% ethanol, wounded with a sterile syringe on 3 healthy leaves and stems, inoculated with 5 × 5 mm mycelial discs of strain BJ-L1 and BJ-S1, respectively. And the control were treated similarly except that they were inoculated with PDA discs. The experiment was replicated 3 times. After 5 days, all inoculated leaves and stems showed similar symptoms to those initially observed on infected plants. The same pathogen was re-isolated and identified by morphological characterization and molecular analysis, confirming Koch's postulates. Thus, the pathogen causing blight of B. striata was determined to be F. annulatum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. annulatum causing blight on B. striata in China. F. annulatum has a wide range of hosts and has been reported to infect a wide range of crops, fruits and vegetables (Bacon et al. 1991). This study provides the basis for further research on this disease and is important for the management of this disease and the improvement of the economic benefits of B. striata.

Ba3.5Cu7.55In1.15Se9: A Wide-Bandgap Copper Indium Selenide Reveals Strong Luminescence and Third-Harmonic Generation.

A new copper indium selenide, Ba3.5Cu7.55In1.15Se9, was synthesized by the KBr flux reaction at 800 °C. The compound crystallizes with orthorhombic Pnma, a = 46.1700(12) Å, b = 4.26710(10) Å, c = 19.8125(5) Å, and Z = 8. The structural framework mainly consists of four sites of cubane-type defective M4Se3 (M = Cu, Cu/In) units with disordered Cu+/In3+ ions present at the part corner of each unit. The single crystal emits intense photoluminescence at 657 nm with a relative quantum yield (RQY) 0.2 times that of rhodamine 6G powder. The compound belongs to a direct band gap at 1.91 eV, analyzed by Tauc's plot, and the energy is close to the PL position. The Hall effect measurement on a pressed pellet reveals an n-type conductivity with a carrier concentration of 3.358 × 1017 cm-3 and a mobility of 24.331 cm2 V-1 s-1. Furthermore, the compound produces a strong nonlinear third-harmonic generation (THG), with an χS(3) value of 1.3 × 105 pm2/V2 comparable to 1.6 × 105 pm2/V2 for AgGaSe2 measured at 800 nm.

Occupational health surveillance and detection of emerging occupational diseases among Taiwan farmers, through analysis of national-based farmers' and medico-administrative databases.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify occupational injuries and diseases associated with agriculture in Asia, to provide a reference for prevention and hypotheses for future research. METHODS: We matched data on agricultural workers (n = 963,124) enrolled in Taiwan's national Farmers Health Insurance since its inception in 1989, to general population controls of the same age, gender, and township. The study population was linked to the National Health Insurance Research Database from 2001 to 2016 for inpatient cases. Logistic regression was used to assess odds ratios for outcomes. RESULTS: Farmers had 2.76 times the risk of mycotic corneal ulcer (95% CI: 1.96-3.87) and 1.65 times the risk of typhus fever infections (95% CI: 1.47-1.85) compared to the general population. The odds ratio for poisonous animal bites was 2.22 (95% CI: 2.07-2.38), for falling into a storm drain or manhole was 2.04 (95% CI: 1.30-3.20), and for toxic effects from pesticides was 2.01 (95% CI: 1.92-2.11). The toxic effects of organophosphate and carbamate insecticides were correlated with the cultivation of rice, fruit trees, and flowers. Q fever and motorcycle accidents were associated with fruit tree cultivation. CONCLUSIONS: The study identifies agricultural occupational injuries and diseases that may inform occupational health policy and the development of prevention priorities to prevent occupational hazards for farmers.

Revealing the Structural Organization of Gamma-irradiated Starch Granules Using Polarization-resolved Second Harmonic Generation Microscopy.

Starch is a semi-crystalline macromolecule with the presence of amorphous and crystalline components. The amorphous amylose and crystalline amylopectin regions in starch granules are susceptible to certain physical modifications, such as gamma irradiation. Polarization-resolved second harmonic generation (P-SHG) microscopy in conjunction with SHG-circular dichroism (CD) was used to assess the three-dimensional molecular order and inherent chirality of starch granules and their reaction to different dosages of gamma irradiation. For the first time, the relationship between starch achirality (χ21/χ16 and χ22/χ16) and chirality (χ14/χ16) determining susceptibility tensor ratios has been elucidated. The results showed that changes in the structure and orientation of long-chain amylopectin were supported by the decrease in the SHG anisotropy factor and the χ22/χ16 ratio. Furthermore, SHG-CD illustrated the molecular tilt angle by revealing the arrangement of amylopectin molecules pointing either upward or downward owing to molecular polarity.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide ameliorates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via restoring estrogen-related receptor α expression in liver.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) showed increasingly recognized hepatoprotective effects and lipid regulation. Because polysaccharides are typically degraded into fragments or short-chain fatty acids in the gut, rather than being absorbed in their intact form, it is worth pondering why ASP can regulate hepatic lipid metabolism and protect the liver from damage caused by lipid accumulation. In vivo and in vitro nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) models with lipid accumulation were established to investigate the effect and potential mechanisms of ASP on hepatic fat accumulation. Our results showed that ASP remodeled the composition and abundance of the gut microbiota in high-fat diet-fed mice and increased their levels of propionate (0.92 ± 0.30 × 107 vs. 2.13 ± 0.52 × 107 ) and butyrate (1.83 ± 1.31 × 107 vs. 6.39 ± 1.44 × 107 ). Sodium propionate significantly increased the expression of estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) in liver cells (400 mM sodium propionate for 2.19-fold increase) and alleviated the progress of NAFLD in methionine-choline-deficient diet model. Taken together, our study demonstrated that ASP can regulate hepatic lipid metabolism via propionate/ERRα pathway and ultimately relieving NAFLD. Our findings demonstrate that ASP can be used as a health care product or food supplement to prevent NAFLD.

Various Types of Facial-Angular Artery-Based Flaps for Reconstructing Oral and Maxillofacial Defects Following Cancer Ablation.

BACKGROUND: The flap based on the facial-angular vessels (FAVs) has several names and cannot capture the hemodynamics. AIMS: This study was performed to assess the reliability of various types of flaps based on the FAVs for reconstructing oral and maxillofacial defects following cancer ablation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-three oral and maxillofacial defects were reconstructed with facial-angular artery island flaps (FAAIF, n =14), including V-Y advancement-type and rotation-type flaps based on FAVs and reverse-flow FAAIFs (R-FAAIF, n =29), including ipsilateral, contralateral rotation, full-thickness, and folded types, based on distal FAVs following cancer ablation. The patients (25 males and 18 females) ranged in age from 18 to 82 years. The lesions included basal cell carcinoma ( n =26), squamous cell carcinoma ( n =8), adenoid cystic carcinoma ( n =3), mucoepidermoid carcinoma ( n =3), verrucous carcinoma ( n =2), and nodular melanoma ( n =1). The tumors were classified as clinical stage I to III in 12, 25, and 6 cases, respectively. Lesions were observed in orbital ( n =4), infraorbital ( n =14), glabellar ( n =2), nasal ( n =4), cheek ( n =10), upper lip ( n =3), palate ( n =4), and lower gingival ( n =2) regions. The defects ranged in size from 2.0×2.5 to 5.0×12.0 cm. The skin paddle ranged in size from 1.5×3.0 to 4.0×12.0 cm. RESULTS: There was 1 flap failure, resulting in a flap success rate of 97.7%. Complications, including hematoma, infection, wound dehiscence, and fistula, occurred in 15 (34.9%) patients. Limitations of mouth opening and ectropion occurred in 12 (28.0%) patients. The esthetic outcomes were satisfactory in 36 (83.7%) patients but were not significantly different between the FAAIF and R-FAAIF groups. The patients were followed up for 6 to 60 months. At the time of the last follow-up, 27 (62.8%) patients were alive with no disease, 9 (20.9%) were alive with disease, and 7 (16.3%) had died due to their disease. There was no significant survival difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Various types of FAV-based flaps are valuable reconstructive options for the treatment of oral and maxillofacial defects following clinical stage I-III cancer ablation.

Maxillectomy and Flap Reconstruction of Maxillary Defects After Cancer Ablation Through the Lip-Split Parasymphyseal Mandibulotomy Approach in Patients With Advanced-Stage Maxillary Malignant Tumors.

BACKGROUND: The conventional approach for maxillectomy has some common and serious complications. AIMS: The present study evaluated the outcomes of maxillectomy and flap reconstruction after cancer ablation using the lip-split parasymphyseal mandibulotomy (LPM) approach. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with malignant tumors, including squamous cell carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and mucoepidermoid carcinoma, underwent maxillectomy through the LPM approach. Brown classes II and III were reconstructed with the facial-submental artery submental island flap, an extensive segmental pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, and a free anterolateral thigh flap with the use of a titanium mesh, respectively. RESULTS: All proximal margin frozen section specimens showed negative surgical margins. Anterolateral thigh flap failure occurred in 1 patient, whereas ophthalmic and mandibulotomy complications developed in 4 and 7 patients, respectively. In all, 84.6% of the patients had satisfactory or excellent lip esthetic results. Of the patients, 57.1% were alive with no evidence of disease, whereas 28.6% were alive with disease and 14.3% died of local recurrence or distant metastasis. No significant survival difference was evident among the squamous cell carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and mucoepidermoid carcinoma groups. CONCLUSIONS: The LPM approach can provide good surgical access, facilitating maxillectomy in advanced-stage malignant tumors with minimal morbidity. Facial-submental artery submental island flap and anterolateral thigh flap or extensive segmental pectoralis major myocutaneous flap with a titanium mesh are ideal techniques for reconstructing Brown classes II and III defects, respectively.

Reconstruction of Acquired Segmental Mandibular Defects Using Pedicled Mandibular Muscle Flap and Evaluation of Speech Function and Aesthetic Outcomes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effect of pedicled mandibular osteomuscular flap in the reconstouring of repair of acquired segmental mandibular defects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with acquired segmental mandibular defects requiring secondary repair were included into the study. Pedicled mandibular osteomuscular flap was applied with strong internal fixation to repair the mandibular defects. The patients' speech, swallowing function, and aesthetic changes were evaluated upon follow-up. RESULTS: The flaps were viable in all patients. Average speech function score was 7.6±0.6. All patients had a drinking test rating of grade I or II with good masticatory efficiency. The postoperative self-assessment Visual Analog Scale score of appearance was 7.8±0.8. CONCLUSIONS: Pedicled mandibular osteomuscular flap is a viable choice in the secondary repair and reconstruction of mandibular acquired segmental defects. This flap could achieve better oral function with good aesthetic results.

Denosumab Attenuates Glucolipotoxicity-Induced ß-Cell Dysfunction and Apoptosis by Attenuating RANK/RANKL Signals.

Obesity is strongly associated with insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes (T2D), mainly because free fatty acids (FFAs) are released from excess fat tissue. Long-term exposure to high levels of FFAs and glucose leads to glucolipotoxicity, causing damage to pancreatic ß-cells, thus accelerating the progression of T2D. Therefore, the prevention of ß-cell dysfunction and apoptosis is essential to prevent the development of T2D. Unfortunately, there are currently no specific clinical strategies for protecting ß-cells, highlighting the need for effective therapies or preventive approaches to improve the survival of ß-cells in T2D. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that the monoclonal antibody denosumab (DMB), used in osteoporosis, displays a positive effect on blood glucose regulation in patients with T2D. DMB acts as an osteoprotegerin (OPG) by inhibiting the receptor activator of the NF-κB ligand (RANKL), preventing the maturation and function of osteoclasts. However, the exact mechanism by which the RANK/RANKL signal affects glucose homeostasis has not been fully explained. The present study used human 1.4 × 107 ß-cells to simulate the T2D metabolic condition of high glucose and free fatty acids (FFAs), and it investigated the ability of DMB to protect ß-cells from glucolipotoxicity. Our results show that DMB effectively attenuated the cell dysfunction and apoptosis caused by high glucose and FFAs in ß-cells. This may be caused by blocking the RANK/RANKL pathway that reduced mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 (MST1) activation and indirectly increased pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX-1) expression. Furthermore, the increase in inflammatory cytokines and ROS caused by the RANK/RANKL signal also played an important role in glucolipotoxicity-induced cytotoxicity, and DMB can also protect ß-cells by reducing the mechanisms mentioned above. These findings provide detailed molecular mechanisms for the future development of DMB as a potential protective agent of ß-cells.

Cottonseed Meal Protein Hydrolysate Improves the Growth Performance of Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis) by Promoting the Muscle Growth and Molting Performance.

Growth retardation and prolonged marketing cycle have been noticed in the practical aquaculture of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) fed with artificial feed. Plant protein hydrolysates contain a large number of small peptides and free amino acids, which can improve the growth performance of aquatic animals. However, the potential mechanisms are still not well elucidated. In this research, the influences of cottonseed meal protein hydrolysate (CPH) on the growth, feed utilization, muscle growth, and molting performance were investigated in E. sinensis. A total of 240 crabs (mean body weight 37.32 ± 0.38 g) were individually randomly distributed to six diets supplemented with 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.6%, and 3.2% of CPH for 12 weeks. These findings indicated that the addition of CPH at 0.4% significantly increased the survival rate, body protein gain, apparent protein utilization, trypsin and pepsin activities, and the methyl farnesoate content. When the dose reached 0.8%, the weight growth ratio, meat yield, ecdysone concentration, and the transcription of the ecdysteroid receptor all significantly increased, while the transcriptions of both myostatin and molt-inhibiting hormone significantly decreased. When CPH was added at 1.6%-3.2%, the feed conversion ratio, body crude protein content, Na+/K+-ATPase activity, and the molting ratio were all significantly improved, while the opposite was true for the transcription of the transforming growth factor-ß type I receptor. The investigation results indicated that when added above 0.4%, CPH could stimulate the growth performance of E. sinensis and promote the muscle growth and molting performance.

A collision tumor of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and primary mantle cell lymphoma in the nasopharynx: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is more common in men aged 40 to 59, and radiotherapy is an effective treatment. Nasopharyngeal lymphoma (NPL) is rare, and the coexistence of nasopharyngeal mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and NPC is even rarer. A collision tumor is a rare type of tumor that refers to two or more different tumors occurring in the same organ. No reports to date have described a collision tumor of NPC and MCL occurring within the same nasopharyngeal mass. We herein report the successful treatment of a unique case of synchronous coexistence of NPC and MCL occurring in the nasopharynx of a Chinese man. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old man presented with a 5-month history of swallowing discomfort. Biopsy was performed under nasopharyngeal endoscopy, and histopathology revealed NPC. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed lesions in the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and tonsils, as well as enlarged lymph nodes in the parotid gland, posterior ear, and neck. This may be a synchronous dual primary tumor coexisting with NPC and NPL. Pathology consultation confirmed that the biopsy specimen of the nasopharynx was a collision tumor of NPC and MCL. Positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) revealed thickening of the posterior wall of the nasopharynx, which was considered NPC with lymphoma. The enlargement of the pharyngeal lymph ring and multiple hypermetabolic lymph nodes were evaluated as lymphoma infiltration. The patient received two courses of R-CHOP chemotherapy (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) followed by head and neck radiotherapy. At the time of this writing, he had remained alive without recurrence for 61 months since the initial treatment and was still undergoing follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: It is very important to correctly recognize collision tumors. Magnetic resonance imaging helps identify different components of collision tumors. Pathological examination helps to confirm the diagnosis. Histological examination reveals different components, and PET-CT can help determine the extent of the lesion. Dose-adjusted chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy may have promising herapeutic effects, but additional case studies are needed to confirm.

The referral pattern and treatment modality for peri-implant disease between periodontists and non-periodontist dentists.

OBJECTIVES: This study is to investigate the referral pattern and treatment modality of dentists in the management of peri-implant diseases between periodontists and non-periodontist dentists (NPDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 167 validated questionnaires were obtained from periodontists and NPDs, who had experience of placing implants for at least one year. Question I to IV asked how the dentist would respond if a patient came for treatment of their peri-implant diseases with four different scenarios according to resource of patient and disease severity. For each Scenario, dentists also replied which treatment procedures they would use if they decide to treat the patient. RESULTS: Periodontal training, resource of patient, and disease severity were shown to significantly influence the referral pattern and treatment modality in the management of peri-implant disease (p < 0.05). Periodontists were more likely to use variable treatment procedures, including occlusal adjustment (OR = 2.283, p < 0.01), oral hygiene instruction (OR = 3.751, p < 0.001), topical antiseptic agent (OR = 2.491, p < 0.005), non-surgical mechanical therapy (OR = 2.689, p < 0.001), surgical therapy (OR = 2.009, p < 0.01), and remove implant (OR = 3.486, p < 0.001) to treat peri-implant diseases, compared to NPDs. CONCLUSION: The periodontal specialty training, resource of patient, and disease severity significantly influenced the referral pattern and treatment modality of dentist treating an implant diagnosed with peri-implant disease. This study also highlighted the importance of educating basic periodontal and peri-implant disease-related knowledge to all dentists regularly performing dental implant treatments. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Peri-implant diseases are highly prevalent among patients with dental implants. Periodontal specialty training could enhance using variable treatment procedures to treat peri-implant diseases for dentists.

Calf circumference refines sarcopenia in correlating with mortality risk.

BACKGROUND: Recommendations in current guidelines on the use of calf circumference (CC) as a diagnostic measure in sarcopenia is conflicting. In this study, we incorporated CC into conventional models of sarcopenia and compared their predictive scores on mortality. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the predictive capacity of CC-added models of sarcopenia on and establish the correlation of CC with mortality risk. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002, 2,532 participants aged 50-85 and comprising 51.7% male were included. METHODS: Our definitions contained four sarcopenic components, low CC (C), low muscle strength (S), low muscle mass (M) and low gait speed (G). Cox proportional hazard models and the receiver-operator characteristic curves for all-cause, cardiovascular (CV) and cancer mortality were conducted to compare the different sarcopenia definitions. RESULTS: For all-cause mortality, the hazard ratio (HR) of C + S + M + G was 15.062, which was substantially higher than the conventional definition S + M + G (HR = 6.433). Other CC-added definitions such as C + M (HR = 2.260), C + G (HR = 4.978), C + S + M (HR = 5.761) also revealed higher HR than their without-CC counterparts. Similar patterns were observed in CV mortality, for instance, HR of C + S + M + G was 31.812 comparing to the conventional definition S + M + G (HR = 18.434). Concerning accuracy in predicting mortality, the area under the curve (AUC) of CC + S + G + M (AUC = 0.702) and C + S + G (AUC = 0.708) were higher than the conventional definition S + G + M (AUC = 0.697). A significant correlation was found between CC and each of the three conventional components of sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: CC-added definitions of sarcopenia correlated with higher all-cause and CV mortality risks. CC is potentially a simple but valuable screening tool for sarcopenia that could improve diagnostic accuracy when used with other parameters.

Periodontitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, and gastrointestinal tract cancer mortality.

AIM: Periodontitis has been proposed to lead to Helicobacter pylori infection, which could cause many gastrointestinal tract cancers. This study aimed to determine the association or otherwise between periodontitis and survival outcomes in individuals with respect to H. pylori infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population comprised 4955 subjects aged 20-90 who had received both periodontal examination and H. pylori serum test in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) database. Logistic regression models were used to analyse the association between periodontitis and H. pylori seropositivity (H. pylori infection). Survival analysis was performed using the NHANES III linked to mortality data. Cox proportional hazard regression was carried out to investigate the association between periodontitis and gastrointestinal tract cancer mortality in individuals with/without H. pylori infection. RESULTS: Compared to periodontal health, periodontitis was significantly associated with increased odds of H. pylori infection (OR = 1.271, 95% CI = 1.177-1.372). Periodontitis significantly increased the mortality risk from all causes (HR = 1.574, 95% CI = 1.327-1.866) and all cancers (HR = 1.948, 95% CI = 1.701-2.232), including gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancer (HR = 4.140, 95% CI = 3.656-4.687), gastric cancer (HR = 4.288, 95% CI = 3.969-4.632), and colorectal cancer (HR = 4.814, 95% CI = 3.849-6.020) in subjects with H. pylori infection after adjusting for health-related factors. Periodontitis was significantly related to the decreased survival time in subjects with GI tract (p = .001) or colorectal cancer (p = .002) and H. pylori infection. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that periodontitis was significantly associated with higher mortality risk of GI tract, gastric, and colorectal cancer in subjects with H. pylori infection. Owing to an interactive effect between periodontitis and H. pylori infection on cancer mortality, H. pylori infection has a significant moderating effect in regulating the association between periodontitis and mortality due to all cancers, including GI tract cancer and colorectal cancer.

Relationship between Sarcopenia and Cardiovascular Disease Risk among Taiwanese Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing evidence supports sarcopenia as an important parameter for predicting cardiometabolic risks. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance, and cardiovascular risk among older community-dwelling adults. DESIGN: The associations between dynapenia, sarcopenia, and Framingham risk score (FRS) were estimated by multivariate regression models. SETTING: Muscle mass is estimated by skeletal muscle mass index using a bioelectrical impedance analysis. Muscle strength is measured by handgrip strength using an analog isometric dynamometer. Physical performance is measured by gait speed using a 6-meter walking distance. Dynapenia was defined as low muscle strength and/or slow gait speed presents with normal muscle mass. The diagnosis of presarcopenia and sarcopenia was based on criteria proposed by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia in 2014. The FRS was used for evaluating 10-year coronary heart disease risk. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged 65 years and older who attended health examinations from 2015 to 2017 were recruited. RESULTS: There were totally 709 subjects enrolled in this study. Dynapenic men (n=47) had 17.70±5.08% FRS and sarcopenic women (n=74) had 7.74±6.06% FRS. Participants with presarcopenia had the lowest FRS (men: 15.41±5.35%; women: 5.25±3.70%). Men with dynapenia had higher FRS than the presarcopenia group with odds ratio (OR) of 2.52 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.03-6.14). Women with sarcopenia had significantly higher FRS than the presarcopenia group with OR of 2.81 (95%CI: 1.09-7.27). CONCLUSION: Older dynapenic men and older sarcopenic women had higher risks of 10-year coronary heart disease. Presarcopenic older adults had the lowest coronary heart disease risk in both genders.

The relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure and serum klotho among adult population.

BACKGROUND: Klotho is an important factor involving aging process. Recently, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure was reported to have adverse impact on DNA methylation associated with aging. The aim of the current study was to determine the relationship between serum klotho and PAHs exposure in an adult population. METHODS: A total of 2597 participants obtained from NHANES 2015-2016 were included in this cross-sectional study. Serum klotho levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PAHs exposure was estimated by urinary sample using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The relationship between serum klotho and exposure to PAHS was analyzed by a multivariable linear regression model. RESULTS: 2-napthol and 3-fluorene were significantly associated with decreased klotho. After fully adjusting pertinent variables, PAH exposure was significantly associated with decreased klotho, particularly in men. CONCLUSION: In the present study we highlighted the significant association between PAHs exposure and serum klotho levels. The importance of environmental effect on aging process and age-related disorders should be paid more attention and clinical intervention is necessary.