Bilateral supra- and infrahyoid EMG activity during eccentric jaw clenching and tooth grinding tasks in subjects with canine guidance or group function

This study compares the effect of tooth clenching and grinding on supra- and infrahyoid electromyographic (EMG) activity during different laterotrusive jaw posture tasks. The study included 30 healthy subjects with natural dentition and bilateral molar support, 15 with bilateral canine guidance and 15 with bilateral group function. Bipolar surface electrodes were located on the left and right supra- and infrahyoid muscles. EMG activity was recorded during the following tasks: A. eccentric grinding from intercuspal position to the right lateral edge-to-edge contact position; B. clenching in right edge-to-edge lateral contact position; C. concentric grinding from right lateral edge-to-edge contact position to intercuspal position. EMG activity was not significantly different between tasks on the working side, nonworking side, or between both sides, in subjects with canine guidance or group function (Wilcoxon rank-sum test). When comparing EMG activity by occlusal scheme, no significant differences were found either on the working side or the non-working side (Mann-Whitney U test). This result suggests that supra- and infrahyoid EMG activity in its predominant stabilizing role of the hyoid bone is not significantly modified by the type of laterotrusive occlusal scheme.     

Aza-CGP37157-lipoic hybrids designed as novel Nrf2-inducers and antioxidants exert neuroprotection against oxidative stress and show neuroinflammation inhibitory properties

Two multitarget hybrids, derived from an aza-analogue of CGP37157, a mitochondrial Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger antagonist, and lipoic acid were designed in order to combine in a single molecule the antioxidant and Nrf2 induction properties of lipoic acid and the neuroprotective activity of CGP37157. The hybrid derivatives showed Nrf2 induction and radical scavenging properties, leading to a good neuroprotective profile against oxidative stress, together with an interesting antineuroinflammatory activity. The results obtained show differences in activity depending on the configuration of the chiral center of LA.     

Recent strategies for the development of oral medicines for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis

Considered prevalent in many countries on five continents, especially in low-income regions, leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease classified by World Health Organization as one of the diseases for which the development of new treatments is a priority. It is an infectious disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, whose species may cause different clinical manifestations, such as cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Treatment is exclusively by drug therapy, as it has not been possible to develop vaccines yet. Currently available drugs are not fully effective in all cases; they have parenteral administration and exhibit a number of serious and very common adverse effects. The only oral drug available is expensive and it is not available in many endemic countries. Injectable administration is the main problem of treatments, since it requires patients to go to health centers, hospitalization and professional administration, which are conditions that are not adapted to the reality of the poverty conditions of patients with the disease. In this context, the development of an oral medicine has become a focus as it may solve many of these issues. Based on this scenario, this review aimed to investigate which therapeutic alternatives have been studied for the development of oral drugs directed to the treatment of human VL.     

NBOMe instability in whole blood

Forensic Toxicology - The stability of NBOMes, potent new psychoactive substances, in whole blood was studied over 180 days. We present a fully validated liquid chromatography–tandem...     

Radiofrequency Ablation of Thyroid Nodules: A Long-Term Prospective Study of 24 Patients

PurposeTo evaluate the volume reduction rate (VRR) of thyroid nodules over a long period of time after radiofrequency (RF) ablation treatment in both solid and mixed nodules; to determine ablation parameters; and to evaluate complications and success rates and safety of RF ablation.Material and MethodsIn this prospective study, 24 patients (83% females and 17% males; age 50.17 ± 13.6 years) underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous RF ablation of benign thyroid nodules with radiologic follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after treatment. All patients presented with compressive or cosmetic complaints and with Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System 1 or 2 nodules under ultrasound and were confirmed to be Bethesda Category II after 2 fine-needle aspirations.ResultsA total of 24 nodules (54.2% solid, 37.5% solid predominance, and 8.3% cystic predominance) were included in this study. Significant results in VRR (%) were found at 24 months and 36 months of 69.92 ± 19.23 and 76.84 ± 15.92, respectively. Furthermore, a logarithmic relationship was found when VRR was plotted over time, in both solid and mixed nodules. No correlations were found with any of the ablation parameters. The success rate reached 72.22% at 12 months, and the total complication rate was 16.67% (12.5% minor complications and 4.2% major complications—1 laryngeal nerve palsy), reaching an 83.3% safety.ConclusionsRF ablation can be an alternative treatment modality in the management of benign symptomatic thyroid nodules. The results show that it is a safe and effective treatment if trans-isthmic approach and moving-shot techniques are correctly followed.     

Matrix Metalloproteinase‐2 Activity is Associated with Divergent Regulation of Calponin‐1 in Conductance and Resistance Arteries in Hypertension‐induced Early Vascular Dysfunction and Remodelling

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 participates in hypertension‐induced maladaptive vascular remodelling by degrading extra‐ and intracellular proteins. The consequent extracellular matrix rearrangement and phenotype switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) lead to increased cellular migration and proliferation. As calponin‐1 degradation by MMP‐2 may lead to VSMC proliferation during hypertension, the hypothesis of this study is that increased MMP‐2 activity contributes to early hypertension‐induced maladaptive remodelling in conductance and resistance arteries via regulation of calponin‐1. The main objective was to analyse whether MMP‐2 exerts similar effects on the structure and function of the resistance and conductance arteries during early hypertension. Two‐kidney, one‐clip (2K‐1C) hypertensive male rats and corresponding controls were treated with doxycycline (30 mg/kg/day) or water until reaching one week of hypertension. Systolic blood pressure was increased in 2K‐1C rats, and doxycycline did not reduce it. Aortas and mesenteric arteries were analysed. MMP‐2 activity and expression were increased in both arteries, and doxycycline reduced it. Significant hypertrophic remodelling and VSMC proliferation were observed in aortas but not in mesenteric arteries of 2K‐1C rats. The contractility of mesenteric arteries to phenylephrine was increased in 2K‐1C rats, and doxycycline prevented this alteration. The potency of phenylephrine to contract aortas of 2K‐1C rats was increased, and doxycycline decreased it. Whereas calponin‐1 expression was increased in 2K‐1C mesenteric arteries, calponin‐1 was reduced in aortas. Doxycycline treatment reverted changes in calponin‐1 expression. MMP‐2 contributes to hypertrophic remodelling in aortas by decreasing calponin‐1 levels, which may result in VSMC proliferation. On the other hand, MMP‐2‐dependent increased calponin‐1 in mesenteric arteries may contribute to vascular hypercontractility in 2K‐1C rats. Divergent regulation of calponin‐1 by MMP‐2 may be an important mechanism that leads to maladaptive vascular effects in hypertension.     

Carotid web: the challenging diagnosis of an under-recognized entity

Journal of Neurology - Determining the cause of acute ischemic stroke is crucial for patient management, particularly for preventing future stroke. In recent years, carotid web (CW), a...     

Epileptic disorders in Becker and Duchenne muscular dystrophies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Journal of Neurology - Dystrophin alterations in the brain have been associated with an increased risk of epilepsy in Becker and Duchenne muscular dystrophies (BMD and DMD). Moreover, an...