Nutritional Epidemiology of Antenatal Smoking Cessation Among Japanese Women

This study compared the nutritional status before pregnancy, as well as dietary profiles and biomarkers during first trimester, between never-smokers and antenatal quitters among Japanese women. One hundred fifty pregnant women (79 never-smokers and 71 antenatal quitters) from two obstetrics and gynecology clinics were recruited in Japan. Subjects' prepregnancy nutritional status was indicated by their body mass index (BMI). In the first trimester, their dietary profiles were assessed by the Brief Diet-History Questionnaire (BDHQ) and pregnancy outcomes were screened by biomarker tests. Generalized linear regression was used to examine the differences of energy-adjusted dietary intakes and biomarker results between the two smoking groups, with adjustment of maternal age, BMI, gestation week, and parity. The results showed that antenatal quitters were more likely to have a prepregnancy underweight status than never-smokers. During the first trimester, antenatal quitters had significantly higher intakes of unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants (vegetable lipids and isoflavone), and lower intakes of total cholesterol than never-smokers. Moreover, antenatal quitters had a significantly higher level of serum homocysteine (6.36 nmol/mL vs 4.88 nmol/mL) than never-smokers. In conclusion, antenatal quitters are more likely to have a poor nutritional status before pregnancy than never-smokers. Quitting smoking before pregnancy and having a good nutritional profile during the trimester may not sufficiently reverse the adverse effects of former smoking behaviors on pregnancy outcomes.     

Integrating oxalate desensitizers with total-etch two-step adhesive

Compromised bonding of total-etch adhesives to dentin treated with oxalate desensitizers results from the interference of a surface layer of acid-resistant crystals of calcium oxalate. We hypothesize that effective tubular occlusion and dentin bonding may be simultaneously achieved by depleting dentin surfaces of calcium with acids before desensitizer application. Dentin specimens treated with 4 oxalate desensitizers before or after being acid-etched were bonded with a two-step adhesive. Microtensile bond strengths ( micro TBS) were significantly lower, compared with the control, when oxalates were used before the specimens were acid-etched; in contrast, when oxalates were used after acid-etching. micro TBS were similar to nonoxalate-treated controls. Dentin surfaces and tubular orifices were covered with a surface layer of crystals when desensitizers were applied to fractured dentin and smear-layer-covered dentin before specimens were acid-etched. However, when the dentin was acid-etched prior to the application of oxalate desensitizers, the crystals were largely limited to the subsurface of dentinal tubules, where they did not interfere with subsequent resin bonding.     

Incisor root resorption due to ectopic maxillary canines: a long-term radiographic follow-up

OBJECTIVE: To document the long-term fate of maxillary incisors with resorbed roots after correction of the associated ectopic canines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were recruited from 107 children and adolescents age 9-15 years (mean 12.5 years) at initial registration, with 156 ectopically positioned maxillary canines. The children were referred to the specialist orthodontic clinic for consultation because of the risk of incisor root resorption. Of 51 patients contacted, 16 failed to attend. Eight of the remaining 35 were excluded because their lateral incisors had been extracted, leaving 27 subjects for follow-up registration. At initial consultation, all subjects had undergone radiographic examination, including computed tomography (CT) scans. At the follow-up consultation, the radiographic examination was limited to intraoral films. RESULTS: No resorbed incisor was lost during the 2- to 10-year follow-up period. The resorptive lesions had undergone repair in 13 teeth, remained unchanged in 12 teeth and progressed in 7 teeth. In the 13 teeth exhibiting signs of repair, no resorption was detectable in 11 teeth and minor resorption was detected in 2 lateral incisors. At the initial registration, severe or moderate resorption had been diagnosed in 12 lateral and 5 central incisors, compared with 11 lateral and 6 central incisors at follow-up. In 10 subjects initially diagnosed with resorption of 13 incisors, the lesions were no longer discernible on intraoral radiographs at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Even in cases of severe resorption, the incisor roots show good long-term healing. Incisors with root resorption can be used in an orthodontic appliance system.     

Window of opportunity treatment in breast cancer

Window of opportunity therapies, which involve short‐term administration of systemic therapy between cancer diagnosis and surgery, have raised significant interest in recent years as a mean of assessing the sensitivity of a patient's cancer to therapy prior to surgery. There is now compelling evidence that in patients with early stage hormone‐receptor positive breast cancer, a 2‐week preoperative treatment with standard hormone therapies in a preoperative window period provides important prognostic information, which in turn helps to aid decision‐making regarding treatment options. Changes in short‐term biomarker endpoints such as cell proliferation measured by Ki‐67 can act as surrogate markers of long‐term outcomes. Paired tissues obtained pre‐ and post‐investigational treatment, without having to subject the patient to additional biopsies, can then be used to conduct translational research to investigate predictive biomarkers and pharmacodynamics. In this review, we will examine the utility and challenges of window of opportunities therapies in breast cancer in the current literature, and the current Australian and international trial landscape in this clinical space.     

Co-inhibitory Molecule B7 Superfamily Member 1 Expressed by Tumor-Infiltrating Myeloid Cells Induces Dysfunction of Anti-tumor CD8+ T Cells

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Okur‐Chung neurodevelopmental syndrome: Eight additional cases with implications on phenotype and genotype expansion

Okur‐Chung syndrome is a neurodevelopmental condition attributed to germline CSNK2A1 pathogenic missense variants. We present 8 unreported subjects with the above syndrome, who have recognizable dysmorphism, varying degrees of developmental delay and multisystem involvement. Together with 6 previously reported cases, we present a case series of 7 female and 7 male subjects, highlighting the recognizable facial features of the syndrome (microcephaly, hypertelorism, epicanthic fold, ptosis, arched eyebrows, low set ears, ear fold abnormality, broad nasal bridge and round face) as well as frequently occurring clinical features including neurodevelopmental delay (93%), gastrointestinal (57%), musculoskeletal (57%) and immunological (43%) abnormalities. The variants reported in this study are evolutionary conserved and absent in the normal population. We observed that the CSNK2A1 gene is relatively intolerant to missense genetic changes, and most variants are within the protein kinase domain. All except 1 variant reported in this cohort are spatially located on the binding pocket of the holoenzyme. We further provide key recommendations on the management of Okur‐Chung syndrome. To conclude, this is the second case series on Okur‐Chung syndrome, and an in‐depth review of the phenotypic features and genomic findings of the condition with suggestions on clinical management.