MicroRNAs bind to Toll-like receptors to induce prometastatic inflammatory response

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs, 19-24 nucleotides in length, that regulate gene expression and are expressed aberrantly in most types of cancer. MiRNAs also have been detected in the blood of cancer patients and can serve as circulating biomarkers. It has been shown that secreted miRNAs within exosomes can be transferred from cell to cell and can regulate gene expression in the receiving cells by canonical binding to their target messenger RNAs. Here we show that tumor-secreted miR-21 and miR-29a also can function by another mechanism, by binding as ligands to receptors of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, murine TLR7 and human TLR8, in immune cells, triggering a TLR-mediated prometastatic inflammatory response that ultimately may lead to tumor growth and metastasis. Thus, by acting as paracrine agonists of TLRs, secreted miRNAs are key regulators of the tumor microenvironment. This mechanism of action of miRNAs is implicated in tumor-immune system communication and is important in tumor growth and spread, thus representing a possible target for cancer treatment.     

Hood Colonoscopy in Trainees: A Useful Adjunct to Improve the Performance

Background

The use of a transparent hood to improve colonoscopic performance has recently been proposed.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether using the hood might improve the cecal intubation rate, cecal intubation time, number of attempts needed to intubate the ileo-cecal valve, and polyp detection rate in trainees.

Methods

Patients undergoing colonoscopy (n = 378) were randomized in two groups, one studied with hood colonoscopy (n = 179) and the other (n = 199) with standard examination.

Results

No differences were found between hood and standard colonoscopy with respect to cecal intubation rate (95 vs 92 %), whereas hood colonoscopy significantly shortened the cecal intubation time, the number of attempts needed to intubate the ileo-cecal valve, and the overall polyp detection rate (p < 0.01 for all these variables).

Conclusions

Hood colonoscopy might represent a useful adjunct to standard colonoscopy, especially improving the performance of endoscopic trainees.     

Correlation of different cephalometric measurements to define facial type

The aim of this study was to analyze a possible correlation of different cephalometric measurements to define facial type and to evaluate the best measurement for diagnosis. The sample consisted of 95 lateral cephalograms of caucasian patients with normal occlusion, aged between 15 years and two months and 21 years and four months, of which 54 were male and 41 female. The facial types were divided into dolichofacial, mesofacial and brachyfacial, according to the standards stated by different authors, and a relationship among them was investigated using the Kappa and Total agreement methods. The highest agreement found was between FMA and SN.GoGn; the lowest was between SN. Gn and VERT index. According to literature review and the interpretation of the results, SN.GoGn appears to be the best measurement to define facial type.     

A meta-analysis of cortical inhibition and excitability using transcranial magnetic stimulation in psychiatric disorders

ObjectiveTo evaluate transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measures of inhibition and excitation in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia (SCZ).MethodsParadigms included: short-interval cortical inhibition (SICI), cortical silent period (CSP), resting motor threshold, intracortical facilitation, and motor evoked potential amplitude. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embase Psychiatry and PsycINFO 1990 through April 2012.ResultsA significant Hedge’s g was found for decreased SICI (g = 0.572, 95% confidence interval [0.179, 0.966], p = 0.004), enhanced intracortical facilitation (g = 0.446, 95% confidence interval [0.042, 0.849], p = 0.030) and decreased CSP (g = ?0.466, 95% confidence interval [?0.881, ?0.052], p = 0.027) within the OCD population. For MDD, significant effect sizes were demonstrated for decreased SICI (g = 0.641, 95% confidence interval [0.384, 0.898], p = 0.000) and shortened CSP (g = ?1.232, 95% confidence interval [?1.530, ?0.933], p = 0.000). In SCZ, a significant Hedge’s g was shown for decreased SICI (g = 0.476, 95% confidence interval [0.331, 0.620], p = 0.000).ConclusionInhibitory deficits are a ubiquitous finding across OCD, MDD, SCZ and enhancement of intracortical facilitation is specific to OCD.SignificanceProvides a clear platform from which diagnostic procedures can be developed.     

Effect of water contamination on the shear bond strength of self-ligating brackets

PurposeThe aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of water contamination on the shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) score of self-ligating brackets.Materials and methodsOne conventional bracket and three different self-ligating brackets were bonded onto 160 bovine permanent mandibular incisors, divided randomly into 8 groups. For each type of bracket, 20 samples were bonded on dry enamel and 20 after water contamination. After 24 h, all specimens were tested for SBS using an Instron Universal Testing Machine, and ARI scores were evaluated.ResultsAll groups showed clinically adequate SBSs. Quick brackets bonded onto dry enamel showed significantly higher SBSs than all other groups tested, whereas the lowest shear strength values were recorded for Step, Quick, and Damon 3MX brackets bonded onto contaminated enamel and for Damon 3MX onto dry enamel. Frequency distribution of ARI Scores showed a prevalence of ARI “2” and “3” for all the groups tested.ConclusionsWater contamination reduces the SBS of self-ligating brackets, but significant differences have been found only for Quick brackets. All groups showed a significant higher frequency of ARI Score of “2” and “3”.     

Thyroid function tests in obese prepubertal children: correlations with insulin sensitivity and body fat distribution

Background/Aims: Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations in association with normal/slightly elevated free triiodothyronine (fT(3)) and/or free thyroxine (fT(4)) have been consistently found in obese children. To examine relationships between adiposity, insulin sensitivity, and TSH, fT(3) and fT(4). Methods: 240 overweight/obese prepubertal children were studied. Fasting TSH, fT(3), fT(4), glucose, insulin, C-peptide, lipids, leptin and adiponectin were evaluated. Insulin sensitivity and resistance were estimated [quantitative insulin check index (QUICKI), insulin sensitivity index (ISI), and hepatic insulin resistance index]. Body fat was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The central obesity index was calculated as the ratio of fat tissue in the trunk region to fat tissue in the leg region. Results: The multiple regression analysis with age, gender and measures of fatness as covariates showed that QUICKI was the only significant negative predictor of TSH and central obesity index the strongest positive predictor of fT(3), in association with either age or hepatic insulin resistance index, and that the only positive determinant of fT(4) was hepatic insulin resistance index. Conclusions: Reduced insulin sensitivity is associated with augmented TSH and fT(4), while progressive central fat accumulation is strictly related to a parallel increase in fT(3) levels, independently from total body fat. Further studies are needed to understand mechanisms linking thyroid function to insulin sensitivity and body composition in obese children.