Evaluating the Effect of Tideglusib-Loaded Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles as a Potential Dentine Regenerative Material

Dental pulp treatment is the least intrusive procedure currently available for preserving the vitality of the pulp. Several studies are underway to improve the bioactivity of pulp capping materials. Tideglusib isa potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and a regenerative drug developed against Alzheimer’s disease and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of dental cavities. However, its bioactive properties encapsulated within the nanoparticles as a component of pulp capping material are largely unknown. In this study, tideglusib-loaded bioactive glass nanoparticles were synthesized (tideglusib-BgNPs) and mixed at various concentrations into the calcium silicate cement to testits physiomechanical and bioactivitiescompared with biodentine (control). The calcium silicate cement with 10wgt% tideglusib-BgNPs showed comparable physiomechanical properties to that of biodentine. Additionally, the assessment of cytotoxicity and bioactivity (cell proliferation, wound healing, and cell migration assays) showed increased bioactivity in terms of better wound healing, increased proliferation, and better migration of human dental pulp stem cells than biodentine. These findings suggest new opportunities to use tideglusib-BgNPs in pulp therapy.     

The past,present, and future of sleep measurement in mild cognitive impairment and early dementia—towards a core outcome set: a scoping review

Study ObjectivesSleep abnormalities emerge early in dementia and may accelerate cognitive decline. Their accurate characterization may facilitate earlier clinical identification of dementia and allow for assessment of sleep intervention efficacy. This scoping review determines how sleep is currently measured and reported in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and early dementia, as a basis for future core outcome alignment.MethodsThis review follows the PRISMA Guidelines for Scoping Reviews. CINAHL, Embase, Medline, Psychinfo, and British Nursing Index databases were searched from inception—March 12, 2021. Included studies had participants diagnosed with MCI and early dementia and reported on sleep as a key objective/ outcome measure.ResultsNineteen thousand five hundred and ninety-six titles were returned following duplicate removal with 188 studies [N] included in final analysis. Sleep data was reported on 17 139 unique, diagnostically diverse participants (n). “Unspecified MCI” was the most common diagnosis amongst patients with MCI (n = 5003, 60.6%). Despite technological advances, sleep was measured most commonly by validated questionnaires (n = 12 586, N = 131). Fewer participants underwent polysomnography (PSG) (n = 3492, N = 88) and actigraphy (n = 3359, N = 38) with little adoption of non-PSG electroencephalograms (EEG) (n = 74, N = 3). Sleep outcome parameters were reported heterogeneously. 62/165 (37.6%) were described only once in the literature (33/60 (60%) in interventional studies). There was underrepresentation of circadian (n = 725, N = 25) and micro-architectural (n = 360, N = 12) sleep parameters.ConclusionsAlongside under-researched areas, there is a need for more detailed diagnostic characterization. Due to outcome heterogeneity, we advocate for international consensus on core sleep outcome parameters to support causal inference and comparison of therapeutic sleep interventions.     

A scoring system for AML patients aged 70 years or older,eligible for intensive chemotherapy: a study based on a large European data set using the DATAML,SAL, and PETHEMA registries

In a context of therapeutic revolution in older adults with AML, it is becoming increasingly important to select patients for the various treatment options by taking account of short-term efficacy and toxicity as well as long-term survival. Here, the data from three European registries for 1,199 AML patients aged 70 years or older treated with intensive chemotherapy were used to develop a prognostic scoring system. The median follow-up was 50.8 months. In the training set of 636 patients, age, performance status, secondary AML, leukocytosis, and cytogenetics, as well as NPM1 mutations (without FLT3-ITD), were all significantly associated with overall survival, albeit not to the same degree. These factors were used to develop a score that predicts long-term overall survival. Three risk-groups were identified: a lower, intermediate and higher-risk score with predicted 5-year overall survival (OS) probabilities of ≥12% (n = 283, 51%; median OS = 18 months), 3–12% (n = 226, 41%; median OS = 9 months) and <3% (n = 47, 8%; median OS = 3 months), respectively. This scoring system was also significantly associated with complete remission, early death and relapse-free survival; performed similarly in the external validation cohort (n = 563) and showed a lower false-positive rate than previously published scores. The European Scoring System ≥70, easy for routine calculation, predicts long-term survival in older AML patients considered for intensive chemotherapy.Subject terms: Acute myeloid leukaemia, Risk factors     

Translation,validation and exploration of the factor structure in the French version of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI)

Le Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) is one of the most used instruments to assess posttraumatic cognitions. Since its release, many studies have tried to validate and translate this questionnaire, but they had difficulty to confirm its structure and then suggested alternatives. Faced with no consensus, a short version in nine statements was developed and showed good psychometric properties. To date, no French version of the PTCI has been validated, thereby preventing studies from investigating the role of posttraumatic cognitions in French speaking populations.ObjectivesIn order to validate a French version of the PTCI, this study investigates two objectives using two French speaking samples: (1) test 10 factor structures identified in prior studies, and (2) assess the other psychometric properties of the best fitting factor structure.MethodThe PTCI was translated in French using a reverse translation method and administered to 202 university students and 114 aid workers. Suitability indexes of the appropriate factor structures previously identified in prior studies were examined. Internal consistency, correlations between subscales and convergent, divergent and discriminant validities in the most appropriate structure were evaluated.ResultsResults support that only Wells et al.''s short 9-item version of the PTCI and three factors shows excellent suitability indexes. This version also outlines an excellent internal consistency and solid convergent, divergent, and discriminant validities.ConclusionsThis study confirms the empirical validity, fidelity, and utility of Wells et al.''s short version of the PTCI. This is the first PTCI French validation, which is a major advantage when it comes to assess posttraumatic cognitions in French trauma victims.     

Can Smart Pens Help Improve Diabetes Management?

Smart pen technology has evolved over the past decade with new features such as Bluetooth connectivity, bolus dose calculators, and integration with mobile apps and continuous glucose monitors. While similar in appearance to a traditional insulin pen, smart pens have the ability to record and store data of insulin injections. These devices have the potential to transform diabetes management for clinicians, and patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes on insulin therapy by improving adherence, glycemic control, and addressing barriers to diabetes management. Smart pens can also highlight the relationship between insulin, food, and physical activity, and provide insight into optimizing insulin regimens. Education of clinicians and patients, and more clinical studies showing the benefits of smart pens and cost-effectiveness, are needed.     

An evaluation of chemical photoreactivity and the relationship to phototoxicity

The existing regulatory guidance for photosafety testing of new drug products states that studies are warranted for those chemicals that both absorb light in the range of 290–700 nm, and that are either applied locally/topically, or “reach” (EMEA)/“significantly partition” (FDA) to the skin or eyes. The initial in vitro study recommended for the assessment of phototoxic potential is the 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake (NRU) Assay. The current study was undertaken to establish superior triggers for the initiation of biological photosafety testing. In this study, photophysical and photochemical parameters for 40 drug or drug-like molecules were studied. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), and a fivefold cross-validation PLS algorithm were used to evaluate the relationship between subsets of photophysical and photochemical parameters with the 3T3 NRU PIF/MPE (Photo Irritation Factor/Mean Photo Effect) results. The parameters most indicative of a 3T3 NRU positive PIF or MPE score were the extent of degradation in solution, the quantum yield of formation of singlet oxygen and the relative formation of superoxide anion. The results demonstrate that while absorption of light is critical to the induction of a light-induced process, it is the resultant events that may be used to predict the 3T3 NRU assay result. It is therefore proposed that the trigger for photosafety testing be revised to include a molecular basis for photoreactivity. From this limited investigation, estimated thresholds leading to 3T3 NRU positive results due to photodegradation, formation of singlet oxygen quantum yield or a relative superoxide anion formation value are proposed.     

Evolution of the human brain, chorionic gonadotropin and hemochorial implantation of the placenta: insights into origins of pregnancy failures, preeclampsia and choriocarcinoma

Hyperglycosylated chorionic gonadotropin (CG-H) signals placental cytotrophoblast cell growth and invasion, and chorionic gonadotropin (CG) promotes uterine vascularization. A hypothesis is presented relating the evolution of these molecules to the evolution of human hemochorial implantation and that of the human brain. Deep placental invasion, vascularization and hemochorial placentation, under the influence of CG and CG-H, are a critical part of the nutrition and energy-generating mechanisms needed for human brain development and thus for the evolution of humans. Insufficient CG-H production and the resulting inappropriate implantation is associated with an unduly high incidence of pregnancy failures in humans. Low levels of CG-H and inappropriate hemochorial placentation also appear to be associated with subsequent preeclampsia. It is also of note that human CG-H drives invasion by gestational trophoblastic neoplasms that have been described only in humans.     

Risk factors for postpartum depression: a retrospective investigation

OBJECTIVE: To search for a possible correlation between incidence of postpartum depression (PPD) and any of the following factors recorded in patient charts at the routine, 4-week postnatal visit: age, breast-feeding status, smoker/nonsmoker, marital status, preexisting depression and type of delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Data were obtained from 588 obstetric charts for women who gave birth between June 1, 2003, and June 1, 2004, at 3 university clinics in Tulsa, Oklahoma. RESULTS: Prior history of depression and smoking cigarettes were significant risk factors for an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of 13 or higher, indicating probable PPD. CONCLUSION: Our data and previous findings warrant continued investigation in a larger study to clearly delineate these and other possible risk factors for PPD and to facilitate prophylactic patient education and intervention strategies.