Comparing treatments for basal cell carcinoma in terms of long‐term treatment‐failure: a network meta‐analysis

Although many variations of guidelines have been released, there is limited research that compares multiple treatment strategies for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The aim of this study was to systematically review the studies reporting on multiple treatments for BCC with systematic review and network meta‐analyses. Search formulas for databases, such as PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, were created with the support of Cochrane Japan. The patient‐level and tumour‐level meta‐analyses were performed for both the long‐term treatment‐failure and treatment‐success. Of the 1464 studies identified from the database and hand searches, 14 met our inclusion criteria. These 14 studies included 2524 patients and 1738 tumours. Our study indicated that the incidence of treatment‐failure of invasive treatments such as surgery and Mohs micrographic surgery was significantly lower than that of superficial therapies such as cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy, radiotherapy or topical therapies, in the patient‐level and the tumour‐level analyses, despite histological‐type and pretreatment. Relapse of BCC may be a low life‐threatening risk, and there are merits of non‐surgical treatment. However, the significant difference in the recurrence rate is essential. Our study can provide useful guidance to clinicians in selecting treatment options for BCC.     

Neural properties of fundamental function encoding of sound selectivity in the female avian auditory cortex

Zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) use their voices for communication. Song structures in the songs of individual males are important for sound recognition in females. The caudomedial mesopallium (CMM) and nidopallium (NCM) are known to be essential higher auditory regions for sound recognition. These two regions have also been discussed with respect to their fundamental functions and song selectivity. To clarify their functions and selectivity, we investigated latencies and spiking patterns and also developed a novel correlation analysis to evaluate the relationship between neural activity and the characteristics of acoustic factors. We found that the latencies and spiking patterns in response to song stimuli differed between the CMM and NCM. In addition, our correlation analysis revealed that amplitude and frequency structures were important temporal acoustic factors for both regions. Although the CMM and NCM have different fundamental functions, they share similar encoding systems for acoustic factors.     

Replacing sedentary time with physical activity: effects on health-related quality of life in older Japanese adults

Background

The isotemporal substitution (IS) approach can be used to assess the effect of replacing one activity with the equal duration of another activity on relevant outcomes. This study examined the associations of objectively assessed sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older Japanese adults, using the IS approach.

Methods

Participants were 287 older Japanese adults (aged 65–84?years) who wore accelerometers for at least 7 days. We calculated the average daily time spent in SB (≤1.5 METs); light-intensity PA (LPA: >?1.5 to <?3.0 METs); and moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA: ≥3.0 METs) per day. HRQOL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-8 questionnaire.

Results

The IS models showed replacing SB or LPA with MVPA to be significantly associated with better physical component summary scores. Replacing SB with MVPA was marginally associated with better mental component summary scores.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that replacing SB with the same amount of MVPA may contribute to better physical HRQOL in older adults.

     

PGE2 activates cementoclastogenesis by cementoblasts via EP4

Destruction of cementum and alveolar bone is the main causative event for the exfoliation of teeth as a consequence of periodontitis. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and PGE receptor subtypes (EPs) play an important role in modulating osteoblast-mediated osteoclastogenesis; however, no information is available on the role of PGE(2) and EPs in regulating cementoblast-mediated cementoclastogenesis. We hypothesized that the PGE(2)-EPs pathway also regulates cementoblasts' ability to activate cementoclasts. For these studies, OCCM-30 cells (a mouse cementoblast cell line) were exposed to PGE(2) and specific EP agonists. PGE(2) (100 ng/mL) and EP4 agonist (1 microM) up-regulated RANKL and IL-6 mRNA levels, while they down-regulated OPG mRNA expression. The EP4 antagonist (1 microM) eliminated these effects of PGE(2). PGE(2) treatment of co-cultures of OCCM-30 cells with bone marrow cells induced TRAP-positive cells via the EP4 pathway. These findings suggest that PGE(2) promotes cementoblast-mediated cementoclastogenesis by regulating the expression of RANKL and OPG via the EP4 pathway.     

A standardized method of X-ray CT for sagittal splitting osteotomy of the mandibular ramus

A useful standardized method of X-ray computed tomography (CT) was proposed for the preoperative examination of sagittal splitting osteotomy of the mandibular ramus. In our assessment conducted for cases of mandibular prognathism operated on by a modified technique, the most informative CT image of the mandibular ramus was provided by the scans between the upper and lower dentitions in the open mouth position at which the scan-plane angulation was given as parallel to the dentition in each jaw. These sections enabled preoperative assessment on the mesio-lateral thickness of the marrow space and the positional relationship between the ramal cortices and the mandibular canal together with other geography of the ramal bone structure. Using these CT images, the plane of sagittal osteotomy is predictable. A technique for obtaining standardized CT slice is proposed in this report.