Validation of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Assessment of Experimental Gout Synovitis

The objective of this study was to validate musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) in a rabbit model of acute gout. Acute gout was induced by intra-articular injection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in 10 rabbits; the 3 controls received vehicle. Rabbit knees were assessed by B-mode and power Doppler (PD) US 24 and 72?h after injections. After 72?h, all rabbits were euthanized. US discriminated between the MSU-injected and control groups with respect to the different inflammatory findings at both at 24 and 72?h and for MSU crystal-related findings after 24?h of injection. US synovial thickening, intra-synovial power Doppler signal and global joint distension significantly correlated with the synovial global histopathological score (r?=?0.47, p?=?0.0188), tissue vascularization measured by CD31 immunohistochemical-positive staining (r?=?0.46, p?=?0.0172) and tissue levels of interleukin-1β (r?=?0.53, p?=?0.0078), respectively. US is a valid method for assessment of synovial inflammation in experimental gouty arthritis in rabbits.     

Reflections on MUC1 glycoprotein: the hidden potential of isoforms in carcinogenesis

Mucin 1 (MUC1) has been described as the renaissance molecule due to the large set of functions it displays in both normal and neoplastic cells. This membrane‐tethered glycoprotein is overexpressed and aberrantly glycosylated in most epithelial cancers, being involved in several processes related with malignant phenotype acquisition. With a highly polymorphic structure, both in the polypeptide and glycan counterparts, MUC1 variability has been associated with susceptibility to several diseases, including cancer. Biochemical features and biological functions have been characterized upon the full‐length MUC1 protein, remaining to clarify the real impact on cell dynamics of the plethora of MUC1 isoforms. This review aims to encompass a detailed characterization of MUC1 role in carcinogenesis, highlighting recent findings in cell differentiation and uncovering new evidences of MUC1 isoforms involvement in malignant phenotype.     

Use of cyanoacrylate in the coaptation of edges of surgical wounds

Cyanoacrylate has been used in several fields of different surgical specialties as an adhesive for closure of gingival flaps and in mucous and cutaneous lacerations. One of its advantages is that it has an excellent immunological response. In view of aesthetic needs, cyanoacrylate has been applied with satisfactory results, when compared with sutures. It presents better coaptation of edges of cutaneous and mucosal lesions, smaller residual scars, and biocompatibility. However, it is limited to areas of little tissue tension. This work attempts to provide a literature review with the aim of revealing the advantages of using tissue adhesives, especially cyanoacrylates, in wound coaptation in comparison with conventional methods.     

Effects of auditory training in individuals with high-frequency hearing loss

OBJECTIVE:To determine the effects of a formal auditory training program on the behavioral, electrophysiological and subjective aspects of auditory function in individuals with bilateral high-frequency hearing loss.METHOD:A prospective study of seven individuals aged 46 to 57 years with symmetric, moderate high-frequency hearing loss ranging from 3 to 8 kHz was conducted. Evaluations of auditory processing (sound location, verbal and non-verbal sequential memory tests, the speech-in-noise test, the staggered spondaic word test, synthetic sentence identification with competitive ipsilateral and contralateral competitive messages, random gap detection and the standard duration test), auditory brainstem response and long-latency potentials and the administration of the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit questionnaire were performed in a sound booth before and immediately after formal auditory training.RESULTS:All of the participants demonstrated abnormal pre-training long-latency characteristics (abnormal latency or absence of the P3 component) and these abnormal characteristics were maintained in six of the seven individuals at the post-training evaluation. No significant differences were found between ears in the quantitative analysis of auditory brainstem responses or long-latency potentials. However, the subjects demonstrated improvements on all behavioral tests. For the questionnaire, the difference on the background noise subscale achieved statistical significance.CONCLUSION:Auditory training in adults with high-frequency hearing loss led to improvements in figure-background hearing skills for verbal sounds, temporal ordination and resolution, and communication in noisy environments. Electrophysiological changes were also observed because, after the training, some long latency components that were absent pre-training were observed during the re-evaluation.     

Influence of Surface Area and Geometry of Specimens on Bond Strength in a Microtensile Test: An Analysis by the Three‐Dimensional Finite Element Method

Purpose: This study employed three‐dimensional (3D) finite element analysis to investigate the stress distribution patterns in a microtensile test with the goal of evaluating the effects of the bond surface area and geometry on bond strength. Materials and Methods: Finite element models of six specimens were generated: three stick models and three hourglass models. All models simulated the bond strength between dentin and ceramic. The mechanical properties of the materials—the modulus of elasticity and Poisson's coefficient—were defined according to a literature review. The base of each specimen was considered inserted (constrained area) and possessed nodes with displacements restricted in all directions. A traction load, which was calculated to generate a uniformly distributed stress of 20 N/mm² at the bond interface, was applied to the top of the specimen. The distribution pattern of the generated stress was qualitatively and quantitatively measured based on color scales ranging from blue to red, according to the von Mises equivalent stress. Results: Specimens with similar shapes demonstrated similar stress distributions. Ceramic specimens had a higher stress value (30.35 MPa) compared to specimens consisting of resinous cement (23.59 MPa) and dentin (19.77 MPa). At the bond interface, the specimens with square sections demonstrated stress values ranging from 22.00 to 24.20 MPa. For the circular section, the stress values ranged from 23.40 to 27.00 MPa. Conclusion: The maximum stress values determined for the circular and square sections were similar among specimens with the same interface area. At the bond interface, the highest stress values were observed in hourglass‐shaped specimens.     

Odor Hedonic Capacity and Anhedonia in Schizophrenia and Unaffected First-Degree Relatives of Schizophrenia Patients

Objective: There is increasing evidence that schizophrenia patients have difficulties in the hedonic appraisal of odors. In a prior study, we assessed olfactory hedonic perception birhinally and found that males with schizophrenia failed to attach the appropriate hedonic valence to a pleasant odor, despite correctly perceiving changes in odor intensity. Female patients, in contrast, exhibited normal responses. The current study extends this work by examining odor valence processing in unaffected first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients, to determine the extent to which this abnormality may be genetically mediated. We also examine odor valence processing unirhinally, rather than birhinally, to probe possible lateralized differences in patients’ hedonic processing deficits. Method: Individuals with schizophrenia (n = 54), first-degree unaffected family members (n = 22), and demographically matched controls (n = 45) were administered the Suprathreshold Amyl Acetate Odor Intensity and Odor Pleasantness Rating Test. Results: In contrast to family members and controls, both male and female schizophrenia probands underevaluated the hedonic characteristics of amyl acetate at lower concentrations and overevaluated its pleasantness at concentrations perceived as unpleasant by both controls and relatives. These patient-specific differences could not be explained by differences in smoking habit, medication use, or subjective ratings of odor intensity. However, they were associated with increased levels of anhedonia/asociality and negative symptomatology. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that both male and female schizophrenia patients have difficulties in the unirhinal appraisal of hedonic valence. Normal responses in unaffected first-degree relatives suggest that this is an environmentally, rather than genetically, mediated abnormality denoting negative symptomatology.