Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the os calcis in Saudi women: defining Saudi reference value for the diagnosis of low bone mass

Summary

One thousand healthy Saudi Arabian females underwent bone mass measurement using ultrasonography (Achilles Express, GE), which indicated that the Saudi reference values for diagnosis of osteopenia and osteoporosis using QUS is different from the standard Middle East and US reference values.

Objectives

As bone mineral density differs among different ethnic groups, the use of same reference data for different populations may lead to under or over diagnosis of low bone mass. The aim of this study is to determine a Saudi women reference population data of stiffness index (SI) in quantitative ultrasound (QUS) for the diagnosis of low bone mass.

Methods

One thousand healthy Saudi women between the ages of ≥20–90 years were screened for the diagnosis of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Demographic data were recorded. SI was measured using Achilles Insight ultrasonography of right calcaneus. Data was separated into seven Excel workbooks containing age and SI measurements. After the initial fit, points with residuals greater than three times the standard error of estimate were excluded.

Results

The average age was 59.32?±?24.6 years. The calculated mean SI reference value for young age of 22–39 years is (92.2?±?16.3). The Saudi values depart significantly from Middle East and US reference values by retaining higher mean SI values till later age.

Conclusions

Findings from this study suggest that the Saudi Reference curve for stiffness index using QUS is different from the standard Middle East and US reference curve.     

Caries risk profiles in orthodontic patients: A 4-year follow-up study using the Cariogram model in governmental vs. private clinics

Objectives

To (1) analyze caries-related factors and (2) evaluate caries risk using the Cariogram model for governmental and private orthodontic patients at de-bonding and 4?years after de-bonding.

Differences in in vitro invasive capacity induced by differences in Ki-Ras protein mutations.

The p21 proteins encoded by N-, Ki-, and H-ras are small guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that act as switches in several signal transduction pathways. Recently, evidence has been accumulating to suggest that valine-12 mutation in the Ki-Ras protein is associated with lung and colorectal tumours that are more aggressive than those carrying aspartate-12 mutation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cells transfected with different Ki-ras codon-12 mutants have different biological behaviours in vitro that could reflect the differences in behaviour in vivo. For that reason, Rat-1 fibroblasts transfected with the valine-12 or aspartate-12 mutant or the wild-type Ki-ras gene were assessed in terms of in vitro invasion, transformation, and VEGF production. Both mutants demonstrated equal abilities to transform Rat-1 cells and induce VEGF production, while cells transfected with wild-type Ki-Ras failed to do so. Most significantly, the valine-12 mutants demonstrated a greater ability to invade Matrigel than cells expressing the aspartate-12 mutant or wild-type Ki-Ras proteins. This study complements previous experimental data that specific Ras mutations differ in their effects in vivo and shows, for the first time, a significant difference in Matrigel invasion in vitro. The precise mechanisms behind these biological differences in vivo and in vitro should now be investigated.     

Prise en charge des séquelles après greffe de cellules souches hématopoïétiques chez l’enfant : recommandations de la SFGM-TC

In this report, we address the issue of late-effects after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in children. In an effort to harmonize clinical practices between different French transplantation centers, the French Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy (SFGM-TC) set up the fourth annual series of workshops which brought together practitioners from all member centers and took place in September 2013 in Lille.     

Novel mutation in the DSG1 gene causes autosomal‐dominant striate palmoplantar keratoderma in a large Syrian family

Palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) is a heterogenous group of skin disorders characterized by a persistent thickening of the palms of the hands and sometimes soles of the feet. PPK can be classified into many types, including diffuse, transgradient, and focal or striate, where the areas of palmoplantar skin are alternatively thickened. Mutations in four main genes, keratin 9 (KRT9), keratin 1 (KRT1), desmoglein (DSG1), and desmoplakin (DSP), have been associated with PPK. Striate PPK (SPPK) is commonly caused by mutations in DSG1. However, DSP and KRT1 gene mutations have been identified in some cases. In this study, fragment and sequencing analysis were performed for a large Syrian family with dominant SPPK. Segregation analysis showed a linkage with DSG1 gene. Direct Sanger sequencing identified a new mutation c.dup165_168AGCA. This frameshift mutation was heterozygous in all affected family members and absent in all normal individuals.     

Antifungal Activity of Endosequence Root Repair Material and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antifungal activity of Endosequence Root Repair Material (ERRM; Brasseler USA, Savannah, GA) as compared with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) using Candida albicans.

Methods

All materials were packed into sterilized intravenous tubing to obtain standardized samples and allowed to set for 3 or 24 hours and then exposed to a suspension of C. albicans for incubations of 24 or 48 hours. To analyze the mechanisms of the material's antifungal activity, additional samples of each test material were prepared in the same manner and allowed to set for 24 hours; these were then incubated in a culture medium for 24 hours. The pH of each conditioned media was measured before transferring to wells containing C. albicans. The development of biofilm was analyzed after 24 and 48 hours with 2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-([phenyl amino] carbonyl)-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide reduction assay.

Results

Materials in both experimental groups significantly limited biofilm formation at each interval (ie, 24 and 48 hours). After incubating for a 24-hour period in the presence of C. albicans, ERRM in both experimental groups showed a reduction in biofilm formation that was statistically significant in comparison with MTA. However, when set for 24 hours and incubated for 48 hours, gray MTA and white MTA showed a more substantial reduction in biofilm formation than comparable samples of ERRM. Cultured media conditioned with test materials showed statistically significant antifungal biofilm activity after 48 hours.

Conclusions

All materials tested have comparable antifungal biofilm activity. It appeared that changing the environment, such as the pH, contributed to this activity.