Human Cytomegalovirus US28 Facilitates Cell-to-Cell Viral Dissemination

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes a number of viral proteins with homology to cellular G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These viral GPCRs, including US27, US28, UL33, and UL78, have been ascribed numerous functions during infection, including activating diverse cellular pathways, binding to immunomodulatory chemokines, and impacting virus dissemination. To investigate the role of US28 during virus infection, two variants of the clinical isolate TB40/E were generated: TB40/E-US28^YFP expressing a C-terminal yellow fluorescent protein tag, and TB40/E-FLAG^YFP in which a FLAG-YFP cassette replaces the US28 coding region. The TB40/E-US28^YFP protein localized as large perinuclear fluorescent structures at late times post-infection in fibroblasts, endothelial, and epithelial cells. Interestingly, US28^YFP is a non-glycosylated membrane protein throughout the course of infection. US28 appears to impact cell-to-cell spread of virus, as the ΔUS28 virus (TB40/E-FLAG^YFP) generated a log-greater yield of extracellular progeny whose spread could be significantly neutralized in fibroblasts. Most strikingly, in epithelial cells, where dissemination of virus occurs exclusively by the cell-to-cell route, TB40/E-FLAG^YFP (ΔUS28) displayed a significant growth defect. The data demonstrates that HCMV US28 may contribute at a late stage of the viral life cycle to cell-to-cell dissemination of virus.     

Use of cyanoacrylate in the coaptation of edges of surgical wounds

Cyanoacrylate has been used in several fields of different surgical specialties as an adhesive for closure of gingival flaps and in mucous and cutaneous lacerations. One of its advantages is that it has an excellent immunological response. In view of aesthetic needs, cyanoacrylate has been applied with satisfactory results, when compared with sutures. It presents better coaptation of edges of cutaneous and mucosal lesions, smaller residual scars, and biocompatibility. However, it is limited to areas of little tissue tension. This work attempts to provide a literature review with the aim of revealing the advantages of using tissue adhesives, especially cyanoacrylates, in wound coaptation in comparison with conventional methods.     

Teaching advanced operation of an iPod-based speech-generating device to two students with autism spectrum disorders

We evaluated a program for teaching two adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to perform more advanced operations on an iPod-based speech-generating device (SGD). The effects of the teaching program were evaluated in a multiprobe multiple baseline across participants design that included two intervention phases. The first intervention focused on teaching the students to navigate between two screen pages and complete a multi-step response sequence to request preferred stimuli. The second intervention aimed to teach the students to turn on and unlock the device prior to navigating to the correct screen pages. Teaching procedures included response prompting, prompt fading, and differential reinforcement. Results showed that both interventions were effective in teaching the respective operations. Learning advanced operation of the iPod-based SGD could be seen as one way to promote greater independence in using such devices for multi-step communication.     

Complications hépatobiliaires associées à l’insuffisance intestinale chez l’adulte et l’enfant

The treatment of chronic intestinal failure, of which the main cause is the short bowel syndrome, is based on parenteral nutrition. Intestinal failure-associated liver disease, which may worsen toward cirrhosis, is the most threatening intestinal failure-associated complication. Risk factors for intestinal failure-associated liver disease are related to parenteral nutrition modalities and to the underlying disease. Bowel rest and short bowel syndrome are risk factors for biliary lithiasis. Steatosis is mainly secondary to nutritional factors (excess of glucose and/or lipids, continuous parenteral nutrition). The main risk factors of cholestasis are intestinal resection, intestinal bacterial overgrowth, excess of long-chain polyunsaturated ω6 fatty acids and phytosterols from some lipid emulsions. Liver chronic inflammation, another risk factor for intestinal failure-associated liver disease, is related to recurrent infections, bacterial or toxinic translocation, high intake of long-chain polyunsaturated ω6 fatty acids as precursors of inflammatory mediators. Fibrosis, secondary to any lesions, could progress toward cirrhosis with portal hypertension and liver failure. In such condition, the only life-saving treatment is a combined liver-intestinal transplantation. The prevention is based on the identification of patients with high risk of complicated liver disease, and on the optimal management of both underlying disease and parenteral nutrition. Routine surveillance is based on biological markers of variable sensitivity and specificity, and ultrasonography. Liver biopsy is required to diagnose fibrosis, especially prior to decide for an isolated intestinal transplantation or combined intestine-liver transplantation.     

Evaluation of the validity of the Bolton Index using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)

Aims: To evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of calculating the Bolton Index using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to compare this with measurements obtained using the 2D Digital Method. Material and Methods: Traditional study models were obtained from 50 patients, which were then digitized in order to be able to measure them using the Digital Method. Likewise, CBCTs of those same patients were undertaken using the Dental Picasso Master 3D® and the images obtained were then analysed using the InVivoDental programme. Results: By determining the regression lines for both measurement methods, as well as the difference between both of their values, the two methods are shown to be comparable, despite the fact that the measurements analysed presented statistically significant differences. Conclusions: The three-dimensional models obtained from the CBCT are as accurate and reproducible as the digital models obtained from the plaster study casts for calculating the Bolton Index. The differences existing between both methods were clinically acceptable. Key words:Tooth-size, digital models, bolton index, CBCT.     

Traumatic bone cyst of the mandible: a review of 26 cases

The traumatic bone cyst is characterized by the presence of an asymptomatic sinus devoid of epithelial lining, which is rarely found in the jaws.ObjectiveTo describe the clinical, surgical and radiographic findings of traumatic bone cysts.Material and MethodA retrospective study was made of patients diagnosed with traumatic bone cysts at an oral pathology department from 1992 to 2007. Data on the clinical, radiographic and surgical complications were gathered.ResultsTwenty-six cases of traumatic bone cyst were diagnosed in 15 years; 17 were male and 09 were female. Most patients were within first two decades of life and had no pain or history of trauma in the affected area. The multilocular pattern was observed in only seven cases, its radiographic appearance suggests a tumor. Air was found inside the lesion in about 70% of cases; serous fluid with blood and blood only were uncommon within the lesions.ConclusionA higher prevalence in young patients, absence of a history of trauma, and a small number of lesions containing serous fluid with blood reflects the need to discuss the true pathogenesis of traumatic bone cysts.