Sensitivity of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in screening for cognitive impairment in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - Cognitive impairment is frequent in patients with high-grade glioma and requires cognitive follow-up. Cognitive screening tools such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment...     

Tropomyosin-related kinase B/brain derived-neurotrophic factor signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in western countries. Approximately one-quarter of newly diagnosed patients for CRC have metastases, and a further 40%-50% experience disease recurrence or develop metastases after all standard therapies. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of CRC and subsequently developing novel therapeutic targets is crucial to improve management of CRC and patients' long-term survival. Several tyrosine kinase receptors have been implicated in CRC development, progression and metastasis, including epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) and vascular EGFR. Recently, tropomyosin-related kinase B(Trk B), a tyrosine kinase receptor, has been reported in CRC and found to clearly exert several biological and clinical features, such as tumor cell growth and survival in vitro and in vivo, metastasis formation and poor prognosis. Here we review the significance of Trk B and its ligand brain derived-neurotrophic factor in CRC. We focus on their expression in CRC tumor samples, and their functional roles in CRC cell lines and in in vivo models. Finally we discuss therapeutic approaches that can lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents for treating Trk B-expressing CRC tumors.     

A comparison of two chlorhexidine gel brushing regimens and a conventional toothpaste brushing regimen for the development of tooth staining over a 6-week period

Abstract:  Aims:  A single-centre, randomized single-blind parallel study was undertaken to compare staining seen with three brushing regimens and to determine subject perception of side effects such as staining and effects on taste. Methods:  This 6-week parallel study used 157 volunteers who were randomized into one of three treatment groups: (i) brushing in the morning and evening with a normal dose of a 1% chlorhexidine gel, (ii) brushing with a low dose of chlorhexidine gel in the evening and a whitening dentifrice in the morning, and (iii) brushing with a standard fluoride paste in the morning and evening. Following home usage of their allocated products, the study volunteers returned after 3 and 6 weeks to record the amount of stain present. After the 6-week period, subject perception of taste and stain acceptability was determined using a questionnaire. Results:  After 6 weeks of use of the low-dose chlorhexidine gel and whitening dentifrice, significantly more stain was seen compared with the use of a standard dentifrice ( P  < 0.0001). Similarly, significantly more stain was seen with use of the normal-dose chlorhexidine gel compared with the low-dose gel and whitening dentifrice ( P  = 0.0007). Approximately 30% of individuals on the low-dose chlorhexidine gel regimen found the amount of stain unacceptable and 10% noted an effect on their taste perception. Conclusions:  The use of low dose of chlorhexidine gel at night and a whitening paste in the morning produced a significant amount of stain that 30% of subjects considered unacceptable.     

A comparison of enamel erosion by a new sports drink compared to two proprietary products: a controlled, crossover study in situ

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to measure the erosive potential of a prototype sports drink on enamel in a model in situ. METHODS: The study was a single centre, single blind, randomised crossover design balanced for residual effects involving 18 subjects. The drinks were the prototype formulation containing calcium and maltodextrin (test), two sports drink products containing sugars (drink with calcium and positive control) and water (negative control). During each 15-day study period, subjects wore a palatal removable appliance carrying two flat human enamel specimens. Drinks were imbibed as 250 ml volumes over 10 min 4 times per day. Loss of enamel was measured on days 5, 10 and 15 using a contacting profilometer. RESULTS: Very little erosion occurred with the test, drink with calcium and negative control drinks and differences between the test and negative control only reached significance at day 15. The positive control produced progressive erosion over time and significantly more than the test or negative control at all time points. CONCLUSION: The technology of adding calcium with appropriate pH adjustment, which has been applied previously to soft and carbonated drinks to markedly reduce erosive potential, can be applied to sports drinks to the same end. Significant variation in the carbohydrate composition does not influence this outcome.