NK and NKT-like cells in granulomatous and fibrotic lung diseases

Clinical and Experimental Medicine - Background The pathogenetic and regulatory roles of natural killer (NK) and natural killer T-like cells in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), fibrotic and...     

“They were just waiting to die”: Somali Bantu and Karen Experiences with Cancer Screening Pre- and Post-Resettlement in Buffalo,NY

BackgroundLittle is known about how pre-resettlement experiences affect refugees’ uptake of cancer screenings. The objective of this study was to characterize Somali Bantu and Karen experiences with cancer and cancer screenings prior to and subsequent to resettlement in Buffalo, NY in order to inform engagement by health providers.MethodsThe study was grounded in a community-based participatory research approach, with data collection and analysis guided by the Health Belief Model and life course framework. Interviews were transcribed, independently coded by two researchers, and analyzed using an immersion-crystallization approach. We conducted 15 semi-structured interviews and six interview-focus group hybrids with Somali Bantu (n = 15) and Karen (n = 15) individuals who were predominantly female (87%).ResultsCancer awareness was more prevalent among Karen compared to Somali Bantu participants. Prior to resettlement, preventative health care, including cancer screening, and treatment were unavailable or inaccessible to participants and a low priority compared with survival and acute health threats. There, Somali Bantu treated cancer-like diseases with traditional medicine (heated objects, poultices), and Karen reported traditional medicine and even late-stage biomedical treatments were ineffective due to extent of progressed, late-stage ulcerated tumors when care was sought. A fatalistic view of cancer was intertwined with faith (Somali Bantu) and associated with untreated, late-stage cancer (Karen). Karen but not Somali Bantu reported individuals living with cancer were stigmatized pre-resettlement due to the unpleasant manifestations of untreated, ulcerated tumors. Now resettled in the U.S., participants reported obtaining cancer screenings was challenged by transportation and communication barriers and facilitated by having insurance and interpretation services. While Somali Bantu women strongly preferred a female provider for screenings, Karen women felt cancer severity outweighed cultural modesty concerns in terms of provider gender.SignificanceOur findings suggest the need for culturally-relevant cancer education that incorporates the life course experiences and addresses logistical barriers in linking individuals with screening, to be complemented by trauma-informed care approaches by healthcare providers.     

Poly(n‐alkyl methacrylate)s as Metallocene Catalyst Supports in Nonpolar Media

In this work, poly(alkylmethacrylates) based on poly(n‐alkyl methacrylate)s (PnAMAs), that is, poly(hexyl methacrylate) (PHMA), poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA), and poly(stearyl methacrylate) (PSMA), with similar molar masses (M_n), are synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer technique using a high‐throughput approach. Analyses by dynamic light scattering (DLS) of PnAMAs in nonpolar solvents show the presence of nanoparticles distributions (unimers or single chains). Interactions of methylaluminoxane (MAO) and MAO/metallocene compounds with PnAMA nanoparticles, lead to self‐assembled micellar‐like structures useful as “nanoreactors” for coordination polymerizations of ethylene. The inverse micellar‐like structures of the three kinds of polymethacrylates, formed in the presence of MAO are confirmed by DLS experiments and by transmission electron microscopy using energy dispersive spectrometry analyzer, in dyed PnAMAs/MAO samples. The encapsulation of the metallocene catalyst into the PSMA/MAO nanoparticles reveals stable catalytic systems that have a clear effect on the morphology of the polyethylenes synthesized through this method.     

Craniofacial distraction osteogenesis en bloc

Bone distraction of the superior and medial thirds of the craniofacial skeleton en bloc, avoiding a frontal craniectomy is presented. We applied this procedure in eight patients who were more than 5 years old with different types of craniofacial synostosis and who had not received previous treatment, and with a normal frontal shape. During monobloc advancement, major complications were encountered in older patients, especially the impossibility of the brain to expand rapidly to fill the retrofrontal dead space. Distraction osteogenesis of the craniofacial skeleton en bloc (without craniectomy) is feasible. Miniplates and screws are avoided as well as the possibility of frontal relapse or fractures of the frontozygomatic region. The patients did not need skull vault remodeling, except for a small cranioplasty at the bregma zone. The results obtained were satisfactory and stable at the time. This procedure avoids any kind of osteosynthesis, there is no extradural dead space, the operative time is brief, and blood loss is minimal. The inconvenience is the necessity of a second operation to remove the distractor.     

The effects of periradicular inflamation and infection on a primary tooth and permanent successor

Primary teeth and the permanent successors must be understood as interdependent units, where each one of them interacts with and depends on each other. Pulpal inflammation/infection of a primary tooth and the spread of this condition over the periradicular tissues can lead to alterations in the dental germ of the permanent successor and to the surrounding structures if no therapy is done, i.e. endodontics or extraction. This work will present cases of permanent teeth that showed alteration in eruption and / or in development, as a consequence of inflammation / infection of the preceding primary teeth, such as: hypoplasia, morphological alteration on the dental crown or total arrest of. radicular formation. The teeth analysed in this study belong to patients who attended the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina Children's Dentistry Clinic. The earlier these lesions are diagnosed, the less were the destructive effects and the consequences on the primary tooth/permanent germ unit.