Maxillary sensory nerve responses induced by different types of dentures

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether different types of dentures induced different responses to stimulations in sensory nerve underlying the denture-supporting mucosa using current perception threshold (CPT).Materials and methodsThe study population comprised 45 complete denture wearers with a mean age of 69.7 years (CD), 30 partial denture wearers (PD) with a mean age of 67.1 years, and 40 dentulous participants with a mean age of 69.0 years (Dent). Current perception threshold (CPT) on the greater palatine nerve at 2000 Hz, 250 Hz, and 5 Hz, corresponding to A-beta, A-delta, and C fibers respectively, were measured by the Neurometer^® NS3000 device. The differences CPTs among CD, PD, and Dent groups were analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U test with adjusting the multiple comparisons’ inflation of type 1 error rate by a Bonferroni correction.ResultsCPTs of CD, PD, and Dent group at 2000 Hz were 61.5 ± 45.8, 53.5 ± 25.3, 33.0 ± 11.4 (10^?2 mA) respectively. CPTs of CD, PD, and Dent group at 250 Hz were 29.2 ± 28.2, 20.1 ± 13.2, 14.3 ± 5.9 (10^?2 mA) respectively. CPTs of CD, PD, and Dent group at 5 Hz were 28.9 ± 23.4, 17.8 ± 12.2, 12.2 ± 5.6 (10^?2 mA) respectively. The CPTs at all frequencies increased in the following order: Dent < PD < CD wearer. The statistical analyses showed that the different types of dentures significantly affected CPTs at 2000 Hz (p < 0.0001), 250 Hz (p < 0.0001), and 5 Hz (p < 0.0001).ConclusionThe different types of dentures induce different responses to stimulations in the sensory nerve underlying the denture-supporting mucosa.     

Secondary pouchitis in a pediatric patient successfully treated by salvage surgery

Apart from primary pouchitis, patients with secondary pouchitis caused by surgical complications require surgical management. The use of abdomino‐anal salvage surgery to treat secondary pouchitis caused by surgical complications in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) has not been reported in detail. A girl was diagnosed with UC at 8 years old. She underwent restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) at 9 years old. She presented at 12 years old because of chronic antibiotic‐refractory pouchitis. The fistula and stricture failed to improve despite multiple local salvage surgeries and ileostomy construction. At 15 years old, she underwent redo IPAA. The patient was well at 20 years old with no signs of pouchitis. Early treatment by abdomino‐anal salvage surgery might be indicated to improve quality of life in pediatric patients with secondary pouchitis caused by surgical complication unresponsive to defunctioning and local salvage surgery.     

Rapid detection of human herpesvirus 8 DNA using loop-mediated isothermal amplification

The reliability of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for the detection of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA was evaluated. Although LAMP products were produced with the DNA sample extracted from BCP-1 cells, LAMP products were not produced with the DNAs from seven other human herpesviruses. The detection limit of the HHV-8 LAMP method was 100 copies of target sequence/tube. To determine whether the HHV-8 LAMP method could be used to quantify viral DNA, threshold times, which are defined as the time (in s) it takes to reach the threshold turbidity level (0.1), were measured for the amplification of serial dilutions of a DNA plasmid containing the target sequence. The standard curve possessed a correlation coefficient of 0.9428 with a slope of -84.079 and y-intercept value of 1936.2. Additionally, an attempt was made to detect viral DNA in 17 specimens collected from Kaposi's sarcomas and two cell lines obtained from primary effusion lymphomas. HHV-8 DNA was detected in 14 of the 17 Kaposi's sarcoma tissue samples and both of the primary effusion lymphoma cell lines. Viral DNA was not detected in HHV-8 LAMP-negative samples using the real-time PCR method.     

Chemoradiotherapy followed by restorative proctocolectomy with partial intersphincteric resection for advanced rectal cancer associated with ulcerative colitis: report of a case

The role of restorative proctocolectomy with ileal J-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is uncertain for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), when advanced lower rectal cancer is diagnosed. We report what to our knowledge is the first documented case of successful preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by IPAA with partial intersphincteric resection of advanced rectal cancer associated with UC. A 59-year-old woman with a 24-year history of extensive UC was found to have advanced rectal cancer located 2 cm from the anal verge. She underwent preoperative conventional chemoradiotherapy followed by restorative proctocolectomy with total mesorectal excision. The procedure included intersphincteric resection of one quadrant and construction of an IPAA with diverting ileostomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the ileostomy was closed 6 months after the initial surgery. The patient was doing well with good pouch function and no evidence of recurrent disease 1 year after her initial surgery.     

Significance of combined cyclosporine−prednisolone therapy and cyclosporine blood concentration monitoring for idiopathic membranous nephropathy with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome: a randomized controlled multicenter trial

Background

Combined treatment with cyclosporine microemulsion preconcentrate (CyA MEPC) and steroids has been widely used for idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) associated with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Recent studies have shown that once-a-day and preprandial administration of CyA MEPC is more advantageous than the conventional twice-a-day administration in achieving the target blood CyA concentration at 2 h post dose (C2). We designed a randomized trial to compare these administrations.

Methods

IMN patients with SRNS (age 16–75 years) were divided prospectively and randomly into 2 groups. In group 1 (n = 23), 2–3 mg/kg body weight (BW) CyA MEPC was given orally once a day before breakfast. In group 2 (n = 25), 1.5 mg/kg BW CyA MEPC was given twice a day before meals. CyA + prednisolone was continued for 48 weeks.

Results

Group 1 showed a significantly higher cumulative complete remission (CR) rate (p = 0.0282), but not when incomplete remission 1 (ICR1; urine protein 0.3–1.0 g/day) was added (p = 0.314). Because a C2 of 600 ng/mL was determined as the best cut-off point, groups 1 and 2 were further divided into subgroups A (C2 ≥600 ng/mL) and B (C2 <600 ng/mL). Groups 1A and 2A revealed significantly higher cumulative remission (CR + ICR1) (p = 0.0069) and CR-alone (p = 0.0028) rates. On the other hand, 3 patients with high CyA levels (C2 >900 ng/mL) in Group 1A were withdrawn from the study because of complications.

Conclusion

CyA + prednisolone treatment is effective for IMN with associated SRNS at a C2 of ≥600 ng/mL. To achieve remission, preprandial once-a-day administration of CyA at 2–3 mg/kg BW may be the most appropriate option. However, we should adjust the dosage of CyA by therapeutic drug monitoring to avoid complications.     

Simultaneous improvement in electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of PEDOT:PSS by N2 pressure-induced nitric acid treatment

As a thermoelectric (TE) material suited to applications for recycling waste-heat into electricity through the Seebeck effect, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) is of great interest. Our research demonstrates a comprehensive study of different post-treatment methods with nitric acid (HNO₃) to enhance the thermoelectric properties of PEDOT:PSS. The optimum conditions are obtained when PEDOT:PSS is treated with HNO₃ for 10 min at room temperature followed by passing nitrogen gas (N₂) with a pressure of 0.2 MPa. Upon this treatment, PEDOT:PSS changes from semiconductor-like behaviour to metal-like behaviour, with a simultaneous enhancement in the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient at elevated temperature, resulting in an increase in the thermoelectric power factor from 0.0818 to 94.3 μW m⁻¹ K⁻² at 150 °C. The improvement in the TE properties is ascribed to the combined effects of phase segregation and conformational change of the PEDOT due to the weakened coulombic attraction between PEDOT and PSS chains by nitric acid as well as the pressure of the N₂ gas as a mechanical means.

As a thermoelectric (TE) material suited to applications for recycling waste-heat into electricity through the Seebeck effect, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) is of great interest.     

Central pontine myelinolysis after living donor liver transplantation

There are few reports of central pontine myelinolysis after living donor liver transplantation. A 59-year-old male received a right liver graft from his daughter for hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis. Methylprednisolone and tracrolimus were used for immunosuppression. Dysarthria and dysphasia were noted on the second postoperative day. Brain magnetic resonance image taken on the 9th postoperative day revealed a hyperintense area at the center of his pons in T2-weighted images. The symptoms improved spontaneously 1 month after the operation. Central pontine myelinolysis should be included in the differential diagnosis when neurologic manifestations are observed after living donor liver transplantation.     

Low Serum Interleukin-13 Levels Correlate with Poorer Prognoses for Colorectal Cancer Patients

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is an immunosuppressive cytokine produced by several immune cells and cancer cells. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine if serum IL-13 levels have an association with clinical outcome in patients with colorectal cancer. A total of 241 patients with colorectal cancer were enrolled in the present study. Preoperative serum IL-13 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We analyzed the association of serum IL-13 levels with clinicopathological variables. Patients with lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, distant metastases or advanced stage of disease had significantly lower serum IL-13 levels. Low serum IL-13 was significantly associated with both poor recurrence-free and overall survival. Multivariate analysis showed that low IL-13 levels were an independent predictive marker for poor prognosis. In conclusion, our data suggest that low serum IL-13 levels may be a useful predictive marker for poor prognosis in colorectal cancer.Key word: Serum IL-13, Colorectal cancer, Recurrence, Prognosis