MEFV and NLRP3 Inflammasome Expression Is Attributed to Immature Macrophages and Correlates with Serum Inflammatory Proteins in Crohn´s Disease Patients

Inflammation - Inflammasomes are intracellular protein complexes whose activation results in proinflammatory cytokines. Inflammasomes are implicated in Crohn´s disease (CD) pathogenesis, yet...     

Positron emission tomography visualized stimulation of the vestibular organ is localized in Heschl's gyrus

The existence of a human primary vestibular cortex is still debated. Current knowledge mainly derives from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) acquisitions during artificial vestibular stimulation. This may be problematic as artificial vestibular stimulation entails coactivation of other sensory receptors. The use of fMRI is challenging as the strong magnetic field and loud noise during MRI may both stimulate the vestibular organ. This study aimed to characterize the cortical activity during natural stimulation of the human vestibular organ. Two fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)‐PET scans were obtained after natural vestibular stimulation in a self‐propelled chair. Two types of stimuli were applied: (a) rotation (horizontal semicircular canal) and (b) linear sideways movement (utriculus). A comparable baseline FDG‐PET scan was obtained after sitting motion‐less in the chair. In both stimulation paradigms, significantly increased FDG uptake was measured bilaterally in the medial part of Heschl's gyrus, with some overlap into the posterior insula. This is the first neuroimaging study to visualize cortical processing of natural vestibular stimuli. FDG uptake was demonstrated in the medial‐most part of Heschl's gyrus, normally associated with the primary auditory cortex. This anatomical localization seems plausible, considering that the labyrinth contains both the vestibular organ and the cochlea.     

Copy number variation and neuropsychiatric problems in females and males in the general population

Neurodevelopmental problems (NPs) are more common in males, whereas anxiety and depression are more common in females. Rare copy number variants (CNVs) have been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between rare CNVs with NPs, anxiety, and depression in a childhood population sample, as well as to examine sex‐specific effects. We analyzed a sample of N = 12,982 children, of whom 5.3% had narrowly defined NPs (clinically diagnosed), 20.9% had broadly defined NPs (based on validated screening measures, but no diagnosis), and 3.0% had clinically diagnosed anxiety or depression. Rare (<1% frequency) CNVs were categorized by size (100–500 kb or > 500 kb), type, and putative relevance to NPs. We tested for association of CNV categories with outcomes and examined sex‐specific effects. Medium deletions (OR[CI] = 1.18[1.05–1.33], p = .0053) and large duplications (OR[CI] = 1.45[1.19–1.75], p = .00017) were associated with broadly defined NPs. Large deletions (OR[CI] = 1.85[1.14–3.01], p = .013) were associated with narrowly defined NPs. There were no significant sex differences in CNV burden in individuals with NPs. Although CNVs were not associated with anxiety/depression in the whole sample, in individuals diagnosed with these disorders, females were more likely to have large CNVs (OR[CI] = 3.75[1.45–9.68], p = .0064). Rare CNVs are associated with both narrowly and broadly defined NPs in a general population sample of children. Our results also suggest that large, rare CNVs may show sex‐specific phenotypic effects.     

Connective tissue attachment formation following exclusion of gingival connective tissue and epithelium during healing

The present investigation was designed to evaluate the potential for reformation of connective tissue attachment on exposed and planed root surfaces by preventing the dentogingival epithelium and the gingival connective tissue from interfering with healing following periodontal surgery. Following the elevation of soft tissue flaps, the buccal and proximal alveolar bone of 24 teeth (48 roots) was removed to mid-root level in 6 monkeys and the exposed root surfaces were carefully planed in order to remove the root cementum. Before the flaps were repositioned and sutured, a membrane (Millipore® filter) was placed over the denuded part of the root surfaces of 16 teeth (test teeth) in order to prevent the epithelium and the gingival connective tissue from interfering with healing. The membrane was adjusted to cover the tooth surfaces from midcrown level to approximately l mm apical to the bone crest. No membranes were placed around the remaining 8 teeth (control teeth) before flap repositioning. The animals were sacrificed 6 months after surgery. The jaws were removed and histological sections of test and control teeth including their buccal periodontal tissues were produced. Nine of the test teeth had to be excluded from examination due to technical failures in the surgical procedure or tissue preparation. New cementum with inserting collagen fibers was observed on all remaining 14 test roots. The length of this newly formed fibrous attachment corresponded to approximately 50% of the distance from the apical extension of root planing to the cemento-enamel junction. In the majority of the control teeth no new attachment had formed but a “long” junctional epithelium was lining the root surfaces to the apical extension of root planing. In 3 control roots a small amount of new cementum with inserting collagen fibers was found in the most apical area of root planing. The results showed that the reformation of a connective tissue attachment was considerably favored by the placement of membranes which prevented the dentogingival epithelium and the gingival connective tissue from interfering with healing.     

Oral diseases, mycology and periodontal microbiology of HIV-1-infected women

HIV-1 infection is increasing more rapidly among heterosexual women. Relatively limited information is available on HIV-related oral pathoses in these individuals. To gain insight into the type and occurrence of oral lesions in this population, 25 HIV-1 infected women including asymptomatic, symptomatic and AIDS patients were examined clinically and sampled for detection of oral yeast and characterization of their subgingival microbial flora. Sixty percent of the subjects were African-American, with 80% infected via heterosexual contact. Oral candidiasis was the most common nonperiodontal oral lesion, observed in 44% of the patients. Oral yeast was cultured from all women with candidiasis and 76% of the total subjects. Oral hairy leukoplakia was clinically diagnosed in 16% of the subjects. Clinically mild to moderate gingivitis and periodontitis were observed in 84% and 52% of the patients, respectively. Candidiasis and the presence of cultivable yeast were observed in patients with low, intermediate, and high CD4⁺ T lymphocyte numbers. Plaque samples were collected from each subject and enumerated by predominant cultivable methods, selective media and microscopy. No differences were detected in the microflora associated with seropositive women with existing periodontitis relative to those without periodontitis or to seronegative women with periodontitis. Candidiasis was the most notable oral clinical manifestation in the HIV-1-infected women and may be a useful clinical indicator of early immune dysfunction mediated by HIV-1.     

Bone regeneration in orthodontically produced alveolar bone dehiscences

Orthodontic appliances, designed to tip the maxillary second and third incisors in facial direction, were inserted in 3 dogs. During a 5 month period, the incisors on the left side of the jaw were tipped to a facially displaced position. During a further 5 month period these teeth were moved back to their original position while the two incisors on the right side of the jaw were moved to a position corresponding to that previously reached by the incisors of the left side. The orthodontic appliances were then used to retain the teeth In these positions for 5 months. Teeth in three non-treated dogs served as controls. During the study, the animals were subjected to meticulous plaque control. The animals were sacrificed 15 months after the start of the study. The jaws were removed and buccolingually oriented histological sections of the experimental and control teeth were produced. The study has shown (1) that dehiscences can be produced in the alveolar bone by tipping teeth in facial direction and that bone will reform in such defects when the teeth are moved back to their original position and (2) that such tooth movements are not necessarily accompanied by loss of connective tissue attachment.