Are Survival Outcomes Different for Young and Old Patients with Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to address whether age can be a determinant of overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence, distant metastasis (DM) and second primary (SP) in surgically treated oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOPSCC). A total of 4981 cases and 44254 controls from 25 comparative observational studies were included in the analysis. A significantly better OS (matched subgroup analysis: OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.31–2.04, overall analysis: OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.09–2.01) was observed in young patients compared to older adults, with heterogeneity ranging from moderate to severe. Worse DFS (unmatched subgroup analysis OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.27–0.68) was observed in young patients compared to older adults with minimal to moderate heterogeneity. The frequency of recurrence (OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.10–2.02) and DM (OR 1.83; 95% CI 1.10–3.03) was significantly higher in the young patients, as found in unmatched and matched subgroup analysis, with the least heterogeneities. Young age can be considered as an independent prognostic factor for recurrence and distant metastases in OOP-SCC. Larger and methodologically robust observational studies with longer follow-up are needed to establish the definitive role of age as an independent prognostic factor on OS and DFS in OOPSCC.</jats:p

Effectiveness of autologous platelet concentrates in management of young immature necrotic permanent teeth-A systematic review and meta-analysis

The use of autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) in regenerative endodontic procedures is inconsistent and unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of autologous platelet concentrates compared to traditional blood-clot regeneration for the management of young, immature, necrotic, permanent teeth. The digital databases MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched to identify ten randomized clinical trials. The outcomes at postoperative follow-up, such as dentinal wall thickness (DWT), increase in root length (RL), calcific barrier formation (CB), apical closure (AC), vitality response (VR), and success rate (SR), were subjected to both qualitative synthesis and quantitative meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that APCs significantly improved apical closure (risk ratio (RR) = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.37; p = 0.04) and response to vitality pulp tests (RR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.52; p = 0.04), whereas no significant effect was observed on root lengthening, dentin wall thickness, or success rate of immature, necrotic teeth treated with regenerative endodontics. APCs could be beneficial when treating young, immature, necrotic, permanent teeth regarding better apical closure and improved response to vitality tests

Z,E-Isomerism in a Series of Substituted Iminophosphonates: Quantum Chemical Research

Esters of iminophosphonic acids (iminophosphonates, or IPs), including a fragment, &gt;P(=O)-C=N, can be easily functionalized, for instance to aminophosphonic acids with a wide range of biological activity. Depending on the character of the substitution, the Z- or E-configuration is favorable for IPs, which in turn can influence the stereochemistry of the products of chemical transformations of IPs. While the Z,E-isomerism in IPs has been thoroughly studied by NMR spectroscopy, the factors stabilizing a definite isomer are still not clear. In the current work, density functional theory (DFT, using M06-2X functional) and ab initio spin-component–scaled second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (SCS-MP2) calculations were carried out for a broad series of IPs. The calculations reproduce well a subtle balance between the preferred Z-configuration inherent for C-trifluoromethyl substituted IPs and the E-form, which is more stable for C-alkyl- or aryl-substituted IPs. The predicted trend of changing activation energy values agrees well with the recently determined experimental ΔG≠298 magnitudes. Depending on the substitution in the aromatic moiety, the Z/E-isomerization of N-aryl-substituted IPs proceeds via two types of close-in energy transition states. Not a single main factor but a combination of various contributions should be considered in order to explain the Z/E-isomerization equilibrium for different IPs

Inland water quality assessment: a joint European masters programme

At present, there is a European shortage of personnel qualified to adequately address the comprehensive scientific and regulatory requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The joint Masters programme described in this paper will provide students with the requisite expert knowledge and skills to progress the implementation of the WFD. Its development was financially supported by the European Commission because of its specific goal of producing qualified personnel in relation to the implementation of the WFD. Since its proposed structure acknowledges the educational intent of the Bologna Accord, it thereby provides a useful template for structuring a Masters degree-level programme in accordance with Bologna principles

Inland Water Quality Assessment - A Joint European Masters Programme

At present, there is a European shortage of personnel qualified to adequately address the comprehensive scientific and regulatory requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The joint Masters programme described in this paper will provide students with the requisite expert knowledge and skills to progress the implementation of the WFD. Its development was financially supported by the European Commission because of its specific goal of producing qualified personnel in relation to the implementation of the WFD. Since its proposed structure acknowledges the educational intent of the Bologna Accord, it thereby provides a useful template for structuring a Masters degree-level programme in accordance with Bologna principlesVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij