Phenethyl Isothiocyanate Protects against High Fat/Cholesterol Diet-Induced Obesity and Atherosclerosis in C57BL/6 Mice

This study concerns obesity-related atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, and chronic inflammation. We studied the anti-obesity and anti-atherosclerosis effects of phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and explored their underlying mechanisms. We established an animal model of high fat/cholesterol-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice fed for 13 weeks. We divided the mice into five groups: control (CON), high fat/cholesterol (HFCD), HFCD with 3 mg/kg/day gallic acid (HFCD + G), and HFCD with PEITC (30 and 75 mg/kg/day; HFCD + P30 and P75). The body weight, total cholesterol, and triglyceride were significantly lower in the HFCD + P75 group than in the HFCD group. Hepatic lipid accumulation and atherosclerotic plaque formation in the aorta were significantly lower in both HFCD + PEITC groups than in the HFCD group, as revealed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. To elucidate the mechanism, we identified the expression of genes related to inflammation, reverse cholesterol transport, and lipid accumulation pathway in the liver. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), liver-X-receptor α (LXR-α), and ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1) were increased, while those of scavenger receptor A (SR-A1), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were decreased in the HFCD + P75 group compared with those in the HFCD group. Moreover, PEITC modulated H3K9 and H3K27 acetylation, H3K4 dimethylation, and H3K27 di-/trimethylation in the HFCD + P75 group. We, therefore, suggest that supplementation with PEITC may be a potential candidate for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis and obesity.     

Fabrication of a metal-ceramic crown to fit an existing partial removable dental prosthesis using ceramic pressed to metal technique: a clinical report

Fabricating a crown to retrofit an existing abutment tooth for a partial removable dental prosthesis (PRDP) is one of the most time-consuming and labor-intensive clinical procedures. In particular, when the patient is concerned with esthetic aspects of restoration, the task of fabricating becomes more daunting. Many techniques for the fabrication of all-metallic or metal-ceramic crowns have been discussed in the literature. This article was aimed to describe a simple fabrication method in which a retrofitting crown was fabricated for a precise fit using a ceramic-pressed-to-metal system.     

The effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on human orbital preadipocyte

Purpose: To investigate the presence of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR) in human orbital preadipocytes, and to evaluate the effect of VEGF on human orbital preadipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in vitro.Results: Four isoforms of VEGF (VEGF121, 155, 189, and 206), VEGFR-1, VEGF-2, and neuropilin-1 were expressed in human orbital preadipocytes. Treatment with 100 ng/ml VEGF induced higher expressions of C/EBPα and LPL than the non-treated control (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01) or treatment with 50ng/ml (p = 0.04 for both). At both concentrations VEGF enhanced the accumulation of intra-cytoplasmic lipid versus the control, and treatment with 100 ng/ml VEGF induced more lipid accumulation than treatment with 50 ng/ml VEGF (p = 0.03).Conclusions: VEGF and VEGFR were observed in human orbital preadipocytes, and exogenous VEGF enhanced adipogenesis in these cells. These results suggest that VEGF plays a role as an autocrine or paracrine growth factor during human orbital preadipocyte differentiation.     

Characteristics of single ocular motor nerve palsy associated with anti-GQ1b antibody

Journal of Neurology - To define the prevalence and characteristics of single ocular motor nerve palsy (OMNP) associated with positive serum anti-GQ1b antibody. We performed a prospective...     

Retreatment using a dual mode of low-fluence Q-switched and long-pulse Nd:YAG laser in patients with melasma aggravation after previous therapy

Background: Aggravated melasma after treatment is vulnerable to stimulation, can easily deteriorate, and may be distressing without proper management. Objective: To retrospectively assess the effectiveness and safety of combination therapy using low-fluence Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (QSNY) and long-pulse Nd:YAG laser (LPNY) (dual toning) in patients with rebound melasma. Materials and methods: A total of 30 patients with aggravated melasma after previous therapy who were treated with dual toning were enrolled. A total of 10 sessions were conducted at 1-week intervals, followed by maintenance treatment. The results were evaluated using the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) and the physician's global assessment (PGA) before and 2 months after completing the 10 treatment sessions. Results: The baseline mMASI was 10.48 ± 3.64, which significantly decreased to 3.22 ± 1.45 2 months after completing the 10 treatment sessions (p < 0.001). Twenty-four patients (80%) had PGA grade 4 (76–100% improvement) and 6 patients (20%) had PGA grade 3 (51–75% improvement). Conclusion: Dual toning may be a safe and effective salvage treatment for patients with aggravated melasma after previous treatment. LPNY may stabilize melasma activity to prevent rebound hyperpigmentation via dermal remodeling.     

Fate of mandibular canals displaced by enlarged cystic lesions: does the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle relocate to its original position?

Our aim was to identify the positional changes of the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle and evaluate the relocation of the displaced mandibular canal after enucleation of a cyst. Seventy patients (72 sites) who had had cysts enucleated were divided into three groups based on the degree of encroachment of the cystic lesion into the mandibular canal and whether a bone graft had been inserted after the cyst had been enucleated. The mean (range) of patients’ ages was 45 (18–75) years, and there were 29 male and 41 female patients. Group A comprised cysts with encroachment on the mandibular canal that were enucleated without a bone graft; Group B consisted of cysts with no encroachment of the mandibular canal, but were enucleated without a bone graft; and Group C comprised cysts with encroachment of the mandibular canal that were enucleated with a bone graft. The displacement of the mandibular canal was identified from analysis of computed tomographic (CT) images. Changes in the position of the mandibular canal were measured on panoramic radiographs. The mandibular canal was repositioned superiorly by a mean (SD) of 2.4 (1.65) mm after enucleation of the cyst, which was significant in Group A (p < 0.001), but not in Groups B and C. These results indicate that the displaced inferior alveolar neurovascular bundles that were not surrounded by bony canal tended to relocate towards a supposedly normal position, and after enucleation of the cyst the mandibular canal was remodelled in this new location. This tendency to relocate was blocked by bone grafting. Bone grafts are therefore recommended in cases where enough bony height is required for future insertion of implants.     

Factors affecting the osteolysis around the components after posterior-stabilized total knee replacement arthroplasty

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy - The purpose of the present study was to evaluate factors that affect the occurrence of osteolysis through clinical and radiological comparison...