Periodontal pathogens Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum promote tumor progression in an oral-specific chemical carcinogenesis model

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a lethal disease whose incidence is increasing. Epidemiologic studies demonstrate an association between periodontitis and oral cancer, and periodontal pathogens are implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and gastrointestinal malignancies. Nevertheless, a causal role for periodontal pathogens in OSCC has not been shown, partly due to the lack of an appropriate animal model. Here, utilizing a newly-established murine model of periodontitis-associated oral tumorigenesis, we report that chronic bacterial infection promotes OSCC, and that augmented signaling along the IL-6-STAT3 axis underlies this effect. Our results indicate that periodontal pathogens P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum stimulate tumorigenesis via direct interaction with oral epithelial cells through Toll-like receptors. Furthermore, oral pathogens stimulate human OSCC proliferation and induce expression of key molecules implicated in tumorigenesis. To the best of our knowledge, these findings represent the first demonstration of a mechanistic role for oral bacteria in chemically induced OSCC tumorigenesis. These results are highly relevant for the design of effective prevention and treatment strategies for OSCC.     

Prevalence and Distribution of Caries in a Jerusalem Adolescent Population by Age, Sex, and Family Income

Four hundred and fourteen high school students aged 12-17 were examined clinically using the DMFS index and bitewing radiographs. Analyses by age, sex, economic status, and types of teeth and tooth surfaces were performed and results were compared with other international studies. Only 7.5 percent of the study population had a zero DMFS score. Females had a significantly higher DMFS score than males (13.21 vs 9.59). Caries experience increased with age and a general trend of increasing DMFS was observed with increasing levels of income. Socioeconomic status (SES) was related directly to DMFS in Israel, in contrast to an inverse relationship observed in most other western countries. First molars were most susceptible to caries attack and accounted for 41.2 percent of the total DMFS. Almost 50 percent of all affected surfaces were occlusal and 29.4 percent were proximal. Caries prevalence in general and proximal caries in particular were found to be much higher in the study population than corresponding figures in other industrialized countries. A significant decrease in caries prevalence could be expected in Israel in the next decade if primary preventive measures are implemented immediately.     

Multidisciplinary Treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome Lowers Blood Pressure Variability Independent of Blood Pressure Control

Blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) contributes to target organ damage independent of BP. The authors examined the effect of a 1‐year multidisciplinary intervention on BPV in patients with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) as defined by criteria from the Third Report of the Adult Treatment Panel. Forty‐four nondiabetic patients underwent clinical and biochemical profiling, 24‐hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), body composition, carotid intima‐media thickness, and carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). The intervention targeted all MetS components. BPV was assessed by the standard deviation of daytime systolic BP derived from ABPM. Patients with low and high BPV (lower or higher than the median daytime standard deviation of 11.6 mm Hg) did not differ in regards to systolic and diastolic BP, age, fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and body mass index, but the high‐variability group had higher values of low‐density lipoprotein and leg fat. The 1‐year intervention resulted in weight reduction but not BP‐lowering. BPV declined in the high‐variability group in association with lowering of PWV, C‐reactive protein, glycated hemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase, asymmetric dimethylarginine, and increased high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. A multidisciplinary intervention independent of BP‐lowering normalized BPV, lowered PWV, and enhanced metabolic control.     

Toxicity and outcome of children with treatment related acute myeloid leukemia

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical course and outcome of children with treatment related acute myeloid leukemia (tAML) and compare them to children with primary AML (pAML).

Procedure

We retrospectively reviewed the demographic, treatment, toxicity, and outcome data of children with tAML and treatment related myelodysplastic syndrome (tMDS), treated at our institution between 1975 and 2005. We compared these parameters with matched controlled children with pAML. Finally we compared overall survival (OS) for tAML with all pAML children treated at the study era in our institution.

Results

Twenty‐one patients with tAML (n = 19) and tMDS (n = 2) were identified. Three years event‐free survival (EFS) and OS were both 14 ± 8%. Compared to pAML patients, tAML had a higher rate of adverse cytogenetics (P < 0.008) and inferior OS (P = 0.027) but no significant difference in treatment toxicity or death. All survivors were treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Conclusions

In this population based report of pediatric tAML, outcome was poor and was related to a higher probability of poor cytogenetic features rather than excessive toxicities or inability to deliver therapy. HSCT should be considered for patients with tAML. These preliminary findings should set the stage for prospective cooperative studies. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:17–23. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Hospitalizations due to falls in Jewish and Arab children in northern Israel

In Israel, there are no epidemiological data regarding nonfatal childhood falls. A retrospective survey was conducted in order to find epidemiological characteristics of childhood falls among the different populations of northern Israel. During the years 1993 through 1995, 3082 children were hospitalized in Rambam Medical Center (RMC) due to injury. The children were subdivided into the four main populations: Jewish and Arab residents of Haifa region (the main metropolitan area) and Jewish and Arab residents of the Galilee region (the rural region). All of the children who suffered injury that required mechanical ventilation and careful assessment were admitted to the PICU. The charts of the children admitted to the PICU were then further studied. The demographic characteristics of all the cases of falls were statistically analyzed and the annual admission rates due to falls were calculated using the national statistical registrations of children in Israel. Falls were responsible for 1049 admissions due to injury, one third of the total number of children who were admitted due to an injury. Most of the children were five years of age or younger. Two thirds of the total childhood falls were of Arabs. The majority of the admissions were of two major sub-populations of northern Israel: Arab residents of Galilee region (66%) and Jewish residents of Haifa region (34%). Higher admission rate was found among Arab children of the Western Galilee district in comparison with Jewish children of the Haifa district. Most of the children who were admitted to the PICU were Arabs: nearly all of these children were from the rural region. More Arab than Jewish children who fell were admitted to the PICU and the majority of these cases were falls from buildings (private houses). Arab children of the rural region were responsible for 95% of the cases. These falls were mainly in staircases (46%) and from balconies (21%), roofs (11%) and windows (11%). The findings of the present study suggest that young Arab rural children in northern Israel are at high risk to a severe injury due to fall. Possible causes are discussed and a preventative intervention is suggested.