Maternal epigenetic responsibility: what can we learn from the pandemic?

Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy - This paper examines the construction of maternal responsibility in transgenerational epigenetics and its implications for pregnant women. Transgenerational...     

Temperature rise and shear bond strength of bondable buccal tubes bonded by various light sources

The objective of the present investigation was to determine the intrapulpal temperature changes and to compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of bondable buccal tubes bonded by high-intensity light sources. Ninety caries-free human first molar teeth extracted for periodontal reasons were used. For the temperature measurement test, 30 teeth were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10) whereas 60 teeth were used in three groups (n = 20) for SBS testing. Three light sources, high-intensity halogen, blue light-emitting diode (LED), and xenon plasma arc (PAC), were used for polymerization of Transbond XT. Temperature variations (Delta T) were recorded by a K-type thermocouple wire connected to a data logger. For SBS testing, a universal testing machine was used at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute until buccal tube bonding failure occurred. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The high-intensity halogen light resulted in significantly (P < 0.01) higher intrapulpal temperature changes than the LED or PAC. The results of the shear bond test revealed significant (P < 0.05) differences only between the halogen and LED groups. The findings of the present investigation showed that high-intensity curing devices can safely be used in bonding buccal tubes to molar teeth without causing a deleterious effect on the dental pulp.     

Whortleberry protects kidney against the cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity: an experimental study

Purpose: This study investigated the antioxidant effects of whortleberry against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Material and methods: This study included 48 female Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 263.68?±?8.29?g. The rats were divided into the following six groups, with eight rats in each group: control, ethanol control, whortleberry control, cisplatin control, 16?mg/kg cisplatin +100?mg/kg whortleberry, and 16?mg/kg cisplatin +200?mg/kg whortleberry groups. Biochemical analysis was performed by measuring total oxidant status and total antioxidant status, histopathological analysis was performed by calculating proximal and distal tubule areas (μm²), and immunohistochemical analysis was performed by determining anti-Caspase-3 immunostaining. Differences among the groups were examined using one-way analysis of variance, and p?Results: Cisplatin treatment decreased the total antioxidant status and increased the total oxidant status and Caspase-3 level. Moreover, it resulted in the dilatation, vacuolization and loss of tubular epithelial cells; and glomerular degeneration and edema in the kidney tissues (p?p?Conclusions: Our results indicate that the antioxidant effects of the whortleberry decrease cisplatin-associated nephrotoxicity.     

Echocardiography‐Guided or “Sided” Pericardiocentesis

Echocardiography‐guided pericardiocentesis is the first choice method for relieving cardiac tamponade, but the exact role of the echocardiography at the moment of the puncture is still controversial. In this report, detailed echocardiographic evaluation was performed in 21 consecutive patients with cardiac tamponade just before the pericardiocentesis. Appropriate needle position was determined according to the probe position using imaginary x, y, and z axes. Pericardiocentesis was performed successfully using this technique without simultaneous echocardiography and no complications were observed. We concluded that bedside echocardiography with detailed evaluation of the puncture site and angle is enough for pericardiocentesis instead of real time guiding.     

Attenuation of ethanol withdrawal syndrome by extract of Hypericum perforatum in Wistar rats

The effects of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) on ethanol withdrawal syndrome have been investigated in ethanol-dependent rats. Adult male Wistar rats were subjects. Ethanol (7.2% v/v) was given to rats by a liquid diet for 15 days. Hypericum perforatum extract (HPE) (25-200 mg/kg) and saline were injected to rats intraperitoneally just before ethanol withdrawal. After second, fourth and sixth hour of ethanol withdrawal, rats were observed for 5 min, and withdrawal signs that included locomotor hyperactivity, stereotyped behavior and tremors were recorded or rated. A second series of injections was given at 6 h after the first one, and subjects were then tested for audiogenic seizures. HPE (25-200 mg/kg) produced some dose-dependent and significant inhibitory effects on locomotor hyperactivity at second and sixth hour of ethanol withdrawal. In addition, it significantly reduced the number of stereotyped behaviors at the same dose range. HPE (50 and 100 mg/kg) produced some significant inhibitory effects on tremor and audiogenic seizures during withdrawal period. These results suggest that HPE has some beneficial effects on ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats.     

Radiomics of 18F-FDG PET/CT images predicts clinical benefit of advanced NSCLC patients to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging - Immunotherapy has improved outcomes for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), yet durable clinical benefit (DCB) is...     

Eggs,ethics and exploitation? Investigating women’s experiences of an egg sharing scheme

There is a growing global demand for human eggs for the treatment of sub‐fertile women and for stem cell‐related research. This demand provokes concerns for the women providing the eggs, including their possible exploitation, whether they should be paid, whether they can give properly informed consent and whether their eggs and bodies are becoming commodified. However, few of the debates have benefitted from insights from the women themselves. We address this gap in knowledge by reporting on a study investigating women’s views and experiences of a scheme in which they can volunteer, in their capacity as fertility patients, to ‘share’ their eggs with researchers and receive a reduction in in vitro fertilisation fees. We focus our discussion on the question of exploitation, a concept central to many sociological and ethical interests. In brief, our analysis suggests that while interviewees acknowledge the potential of this scheme to be exploitative, they argue that this is not the case, emphasising their ability to act autonomously in deciding to volunteer. Nonetheless, these freely made decisions do not necessarily take place under circumstances of their choosing. We discuss the implications of this for egg provision in general and for understandings of exploitation.