Elective neck dissection in T1/T2 oral squamous cell carcinoma with N0 neck: essential or not? A systematic review and meta-analysis

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is characterized by a high risk of cervical lymph node metastasis with a high incidence of occult metastasis. A...     

UV-selective organic absorbers for the cosensitization of greenhouse-integrated dye-sensitized solar cells: synthesis and computational study

Molecular cosensitization is favorable for manipulating solar radiation through the judicious choice of cosensitizers having complementary absorption spectra. For greenhouse-integrated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), the manipulation of solar radiation is crucial in order to maximize the flow of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) for the effectual photosynthetic activity of plants; meanwhile, non-PAR is utilized in agrivoltaics for generating electricity. In this study, we report the synthesis of novel four UV-selective absorbers, based on the diimide scaffold, functionalized with carboxylate and pyridyl anchoring groups, for adequate adsorption onto the TiO₂ electrode in DSC. The UV/Vis absorption spectra of the DMF solution-based free dyes were measured experimentally. Basic photophysical and energetics requirements for operating greenhouse-integrated DSCs were examined at the molecular level via (time-dependent) density functional theory-based calculations. The computational results revealed the outperformance of the biphenyldiimide-structured DI-CA1 dye, especially for maximum charge transferred to its anchor, lower thermodynamic barrier for dissociating the photogenerated exciton, largest Stokes'' shift, strong electronic coupling with TiO₂ nanoparticles, and higher degree of charge separation at the DI-CA1/TiO₂ interface. PDOS showed deeper existence for the LUMO level in the CB of TiO₂, which expedites the electron injection process. The chemical and optical compatibility of DI-CA1 were then investigated as a potential cosensitizer of a reference BTD–DTP1, a green light-absorbing dye. Considerable overlap between the fluorescence spectrum of DI-CA1 and absorption spectrum of the reference BTD–DTP1 advocated the opportunity of excitation energy transfer via the radiative trivial reabsorption mechanism, which confirms the cosensitization functionality. Energy decomposition analysis and reduced density gradient maps estimated the chemical compatibility owing to weak dispersion interactions as the dominant stabilizing attractive force. This noncovalent functionalization retains the chemical compatibility without distorting the π–π conjugation and the associated physicochemical properties of the individual dye molecules. Along with the expanded consumption of non-photosynthetically active solar radiation, an improved power conversion efficiency of greenhouse-integrated DSC is accordingly expected.

Molecular cosensitization is favorable for manipulating solar radiation through the judicious choice of cosensitizers having complementary absorption spectra.     

Assessment of antibacterial activity of 2.5% NaOCl,chitosan nano-particles against Enterococcus faecalis contaminating root canals with and without diode laser irradiation: an in vitro study

Objective: This study was done to evaluate the antibacterial effect of chitosan nano-particles (CNPs) root canal irrigant as a new alternative to Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for disinfection of root canals inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis, with and without laser activation.

Methodology: Sixty single rooted human premolars were decoronated, prepared and had their apical foramina sealed. E. faecalis were incubated in the root canals for 15 days. The teeth were then randomly divided into two experimental groups (n?=?30) according to the disinfection protocol used. In Group I: disinfection was performed using the irrigant solutions only (Saline, 2.5% NaOCl, CNPs). Whereas in Group II, disinfection was done using the same irrigants followed by Diode laser at (980-nm) at 2 W output for 5?×?5?s. Intra-canal bacterial samples were taken before and after canal disinfection to determine the CFU count.

Results: In group I, 2.5% NaOCl was as effective as CNP in eradication and significantly more effective than Saline (p?=?0.008) in eradication of E. faecalis. In Group II, either 2.5% NaOCl or CNP in combination with diode laser irradiation showed a similarly high effect in bacterial eradication.

Conclusions: Within the parameters used in this study, a combination therapy consisting of irrigation followed by diode laser irradiation should be utilized as an effective treatment modality for eliminating E. faecalis from root canal systems.     

Anti-spasmodic effects of Zizyphus lotus (L.) Desf. extracts on isolated rat duodenum

Aim of the study

The present study deals with the anti-spasmodic activity of the aqueous and the methanolic extracts of the leaves and the root barks of Zizyphus lotus (L.) Desf. on male rats.

Materials and methods

This activity was assessed on contractions of isolated rat duodenum, induced by acetylcholine, KCl, and BaCl₂ and compared with the effect of atropine and papaverine.

Results

Both extracts of leaves and root barks caused significant relaxation of spontaneous contractions and produced a concentration-dependent inhibition (P < 0.01–0.001) of contraction induced by spasmogenic agents.

Conclusion

These results indicate that Zizyphus lotus extracts contain anti-spasmodic constituents mediating their effect through cholinergic receptors and blockade Ca²⁺ influx. This could explain the traditional use of Zizyphus lotus in the treatment of the intestinal diseases.     

SLEEVEPASS: A randomized prospective multicenter study comparing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass in the treatment of morbid obesity: preliminary results

Background

The long-term efficacy of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in the treatment of morbid obesity has been demonstrated. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) as a single procedure has shown promising short-term results, but the long-term efficacy of SG has not yet been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine the preliminary 30-day morbidity and mortality of RYGB and SG in a prospective multicenter randomized setting.

Methods

A total of 240 morbidly obese (BMI?=?35–66?kg/m2) patients evaluated by a multidisciplinary team were randomized to undergo either RYGB or SG. There were 117 patients in the RYGB group and 121 in the SG group; two patients had to be excluded after randomization. Both study groups were comparable regarding age, gender, BMI, and comorbidities.

Results

There was no 30-day mortality. The median operating time was significantly shorter in the SG group (66?min vs. 94?min, p?p?=?0.292). Nine (7.4 %) SG patients and 20 (17.1 %) RYGB patients had minor complications (p?=?0.023). The overall morbidity was 13.2 % after SG and 26.5 % after RYGB (p?=?0.010). There were three (2.5 %) early reoperations after SG and four (3.3 %) after RYGB (p?=?0.719).

Conclusions

At 30-day analysis SG is associated with a shorter operating time and fewer early minor complications compared to RYGB. There were no significant differences in major complications or early reoperations. Long-term follow-up is required to determine the effect on weight loss, resolution of obesity-related comorbidities, and improvement of quality of life.     

Arginine deprivation alters microglial polarity and synergizes with radiation to eradicate non-arginine-auxotrophic glioblastoma tumors

New approaches for the management of glioblastoma (GBM) are an urgent and unmet clinical need. Here, we illustrate that the efficacy of radiotherapy for GBM is strikingly potentiated by concomitant therapy with the arginine-depleting agent ADI-PEG20 in a non-arginine-auxotrophic cellular background (argininosuccinate synthetase 1 positive). Moreover, this combination led to durable and complete radiological and pathological response, with extended disease-free survival in an orthotopic immune-competent model of GBM, with no significant toxicity. ADI-PEG20 not only enhanced the cellular sensitivity of argininosuccinate synthetase 1–positive GBM to ionizing radiation by elevated production of nitric oxide (˙NO) and hence generation of cytotoxic peroxynitrites, but also promoted glioma-associated macrophage/microglial infiltration into tumors and turned their classical antiinflammatory (protumor) phenotype into a proinflammatory (antitumor) phenotype. Our results provide an effective, well-tolerated, and simple strategy to improve GBM treatment that merits consideration for early evaluation in clinical trials.     

Anti-tumor immunotherapy via antigen delivery from a live attenuated genetically engineered Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system-based vector.

Immunotherapy requiring an efficient T lymphocyte response is initiated by antigen delivery to antigen-presenting cells. Several studies have assessed the efficiency of various antigen loading procedures, including microbial vectors. Here a live strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was engineered to translocate a recombinant antigenic protein into mammalian cells via the type III secretion system, a bacterial device translocating effector proteins into host cells. Optimization of the vector included virulence attenuation and determination of the N-terminal sequence allowing translocation of fused antigens into cells. In vitro delivery of an ovalbumin fragment by the bacterial vector into dendritic cells induced the activation of ovalbumin-specific CD8(+) T lymphocytes. Mice injected with the ovalbumin-delivering vector developed ovalbumin-specific CD8(+) T lymphocytes and were resistant to a subsequent challenge with an ovalbumin-expressing melanoma. Moreover, in a curative assay, injection of the vaccine vector 5 and 12 days after tumor implantation led to a complete cure in five of six animals. These results highlight the utility of type III secretion system-based vectors for anti-tumor immunotherapy.