The response of gingiva monolayer,spheroid, and ex vivo tissue cultures to collagen membranes and bone substitute

Collagen membranes and bone substitute are popular biomaterials in guided tissue regeneration for treatment of traumatized or diseased periodontal tissue. Development of these biomaterials starts in monolayer cell culture, failing to reflect in vivo tissue organization. Spheroid cultures potentially mimic in vivo tissues in structure and functionality. This study aims to compare gingiva cell (GC) monolayers and spheroids to ex vivo gingiva. Human GC monolayers, spheroids and gingiva ex vivo tissues were cultured on plastic surfaces, collagen membranes or bone substitute. Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry for KI67 and caspase 3 (CASP3), resazurin‐based toxicity assays, quantitative polymerase chain reaction for collagen I (COL1A1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin (ANG), interleukin (IL)6 and IL8 and ELISA for COL1A1, VEGF, ANG, IL6 and IL8 were performed in all cultures. Morphology was different in all culture set‐ups. Staining of KI67 was positive in monolayers and staining of CASP3 was positive in spheroids. All culture set‐ups were viable. COL1A1 production was modulated in monolayers and ex vivo tissues at mRNA levels, VEGF in monolayers and ex vivo tissues at mRNA levels and in spheroids at protein levels, ANG in spheroids at mRNA levels and in monolayers and spheroids at protein levels, IL6 in monolayers and spheroids at mRNA levels and in spheroids and ex vivo tissues at protein levels and IL8 in monolayers and ex vivo tissues at mRNA levels. Modulations were surface‐dependent. In conclusion, each culture model is structurally and functionally different. Neither GC monolayers nor spheroids mimicked gingiva ex vivo tissue in all measured aspects.     

The Effect of Artificial Sweeteners Use on Sweet Taste Perception and Weight Loss Efficacy: A Review

Excessive consumption of sugar-rich foods is currently one of the most important factors that has led to the development of the global pandemic of obesity. On the other hand, there is evidence that obesity contributes to reduced sensitivity to sweet taste and hormonal changes affecting appetite, leading to an increased craving for sweets. A high intake of sugars increases the caloric value of the diet and, consequently, leads to weight gain. Moreover, attention is drawn to the concept of the addictive properties of sugar and sugary foods. A potential method to reduce the energy value of diet while maintaining the sweet taste is using non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS). NNS are commonly used as table sugar substitutes. This wide group of chemical compounds features high sweetness almost without calories due to its high sweetening strength. NNS include aspartame, acesulfame-K, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (neohesperidin DC), neotame, taumatin, and advantame. The available evidence suggests that replacing sugar with NNS may support weight control. However, the effect of NNS on the regulation of appetite and sweet taste perception is not clear. Therefore, the review aimed to summarize the current knowledge about the use of NNS as a potential strategy for weight loss and their impact on sweet taste perception. Most studies have demonstrated that consumption of NNS-sweetened foods does not increase sweetness preference orenergy intake. Nonetheless, further research is required to determine the long-term effects of NNS on weight management.     

Post‐traumatic stress disorder mistaken for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: case series and recommendations of care

In late life, traumas may act cumulatively to exacerbate vulnerability to post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is also a risk factor for cognitive decline. Major neurocognitive disorder (MND) can be associated with worsening of already controlled PTSD symptoms, late‐life resurgence or de novo emergence. Misidentifying PTSD symptoms in MND can have negative consequences for the patient and families. We review the literature pertaining to PTSD and dementia and describe five cases referred for consultation in geriatric psychiatry initially for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which were eventually diagnosed and treated as PTSD in MND subjects. We propose that certain PTSD symptoms in patients with MND are misinterpreted as BPSD and therefore, not properly addressed. For example, flashbacks could be interpreted as hallucinations, hypervigilance as paranoia, nightmares as sleep disturbances, and hyperreactivity as agitation/aggression. We suggest that better identification of PTSD symptoms in MND is needed. We propose specific recommendations for care, namely: clarifying diagnosis by distinguishing PTSD symptoms coexisting with different types of dementia from a specific dementia symptom (BPSD), gathering a detailed history of the trauma in order to personalise non‐pharmacological interventions, adapting psychotherapeutic strategies to patients with dementia, using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as first‐line treatment and avoiding antipsychotics and benzodiazepines. Proper identification of PTSD symptoms in patients with MND is essential and allows a more tailored and efficient treatment, with decrease in inappropriate use of physical and chemical restraints.     

Anterior cervical fusion and Caspar plate stabilization for cervical trauma

A technique for anterior cervical iliac graft fusion with standardized, commercially available screw and plate fixation (Caspar plating) has been developed. The step-by-step procedure, as well as the instruments designed to facilitate the procedure, are described in this report. Sixty cases of cervical trauma (fractures, subluxations, ligamentous instability, or a combination of these problems) were treated with Caspar plating. All patients obtained fusion, and stability was achieved immediately after surgery without external stabilization. No unusual surgical complications occurred, and the most dreaded complication of dural penetration by drilling or screw placement was not observed. This report details the neurological presentation, anatomical lesions, surgical therapy, and outcome of these patients. Caspar plating combines the advantage of an anterior surgical approach with immediate postoperative stabilization without external stabilization. This advantage persists even in the presence of posterior ligamentous instability. The technique is an important addition to the surgical treatment of cervical trauma.     

Poly(HEMA)--based embolic material in endovascular surgery of liver

Physico-chemical and medico-biological methods, including hematology and cytology, were used in an evaluation of properties of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (poly(HEMA))-based embolic material indicated in the occlusion of branches of hepatic artery of patients with focal alterations of the liver. The elastographic method helped in predicting mechanical properties of the hydrogel material. Poly(HEMA) was mechanically stable for endovascular applications, exhibited no significant loss in elasticity and possessed consistency resembling the soft tissue of the organism. Analysis of blood in contact with poly(HEMA) hydrogel provided a control of its biological inertness. Recently, 315 patients with focal alterations of the liver, including hemobilic hemorrhages and both primary and metastatic tumors, underwent endovascular occlusion with poly(HEMA) emboli as a pre-surgical step or as a simple occlusive measure. Compared with a direct operation on hemangiomatous injuries in the liver without endovascular occlusion, embolization with poly(HEMA) allowed to reduce 2.5-3 times bleeding in the operational zone. At the same time, the poly(HEMA) embolic material induced activation of general hemostatic reaction in the postembolization period.     

Test-retest reliability of the alcohol use disorder identification test in a general population sample

Background: A number of different screening tests are frequently used in alcohol research, but our knowledge about the reliability of many of them is quite limited. Recently, this problem has received more attention. This article examines the test-retest reliability of one of these instruments—the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT)—in a general population sample.
Methods: A general population sample ( n = 457) was tested and, after approximately 1 month, was retested by using the AUDIT. Correlation between the two tests has been examined with the intraclass correlation coefficient and the κ coefficient in analysis of dichotomous variables. Specificity and sensitivity at a number of different cutoff scores have also been analyzed by using the first test as a criterion.
Results: On the item level, the correlations ranged between 0.6 and 0.8. The overall reliability of total AUDIT scores was 0.84. When stratified by gender, age, and consumer status, the total score reliability approximated 0.80 for all the categories except low alcohol consumers (0.51). Agreement using the recommended cutoff score of 8+ was also examined. The reliability (κ) observed in the whole sample was 0.691, which was interpreted as a substantial agreement. By this cutoff, 91% were correctly classified at retest compared with the first test. AUDIT 8+ showed higher reliability for males, young people, and moderate consumers and low reliability among low consumers. In terms of reliability, the most optimal cutoff for women turned out to be 6 or more.
Conclusions: According to these results, the test-retest reliability of AUDIT is high. The next step might be to examine to what extent the findings apply within health-care settings, which is what the test originally was designed for.     

Oxcarbazepine treatment of bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of oxcarbazepine in bipolar disorder. METHOD: A chart review of naturalistic treatment with oxcarbazepine in 42 outpatients with DSM-IV bipolar disorder (10 males, 32 females; mean +/- SD age = 33.3 +/- 12.4 years; 25 with bipolar disorder type I, 4 with bipolar disorder type II, and 13 with bipolar disorder not otherwise specified) was conducted. Patients had received oxcarbazepine monotherapy or adjunctive therapy between April 2000 and April 2002. Treatment response was defined as a Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale score of 1 (marked improvement) or 2 (moderate improvement). RESULTS: Oxcarbazepine was moderately to markedly effective in 24 subjects (57%). Mixed symptoms were the most common indication (52% [22/42]). The mean oxcarbazepine dose was 1056.6 mg/day, and mean treatment duration was 16.2 weeks. Sedation (17/42, 40%) was the most common side effect, but 16 patients (38%) had no side effects. Twenty-two patients (52%) stopped treatment, mostly due to side effects (12/22). Males were more likely to respond than females (10/10 vs. 14/32, p =.006). Dose, bipolar subtype, indication, past nonresponse to mood stabilizers, concurrent mood stabilizer use, and monotherapy use of oxcarbazepine did not differentially predict response. CONCLUSION: Oxcarbazepine appeared effective in about one half of patients with bipolar disorder and was well tolerated.