How effective is dentin autograft for socket preservation and implant site preparation: A systematic review protocol. [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Background Socket preservation is a surgical procedure aimed at preserving the dimensions of the alveolar bone following tooth extraction. It is performed by filling the extraction socket with bone graft material with or without a barrier membrane. Recently, dentine obtained from extracted teeth has been tried as an autograft for socket preservation. Studies have compared the use of dentin to other bone grafts, however, systematic reviews evaluating the efficacy of dentin for socket preservation are limited. Hence, this systematic review protocol is proposed to generate evidence on the efficacy of dentin as a viable alternative to other bone graft materials for socket preservation. Methods This systematic review protocol was prepared according to the Methodological Expectations of the Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR) guidelines. It will be conducted using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, Epistemonikos, Cochrane Central, and EBSCO databases and clinical trial registries, will be searched for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies that have used autologous dentin graft (either in particulate/putty, or/matrix form) for socket preservation. The radiographic and clinical assessment of bone and soft tissue healing of the preserved sockets along with patient-related outcomes following surgery will be assessed. The risk of bias assessment of the RCTs and Non-RCTs will be assessed using the ‘Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool (ROB II) and ROBINS-I respectively. The certainty of evidence will be assessed by the GRADE approach. Discussion This evidence is important for dental clinicians and the public to make an informed decision when choosing graft material for socket preservation. The extracted teeth are considered biological waste; however, this evidence provides scope for using a less invasive autograft for bone regenerative procedures. Systematic review registration PROSPERO: CRD42021201958 (Registered on 15/02/2021)

N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptors: Therapeutic Target against Cancer

Glutamate mainly acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system controlling variety of neuro-physiological functions like synaptic signaling, learning, memory, etc. However, uncontrolled or excessive production of glutamate is neurotoxic and can damage neurons by over activation of glutamate receptors termed as “glutamate excitotoxicity”. Apart from excitatory neurotransmitter role of glutamate, some recent observations suggest glutamate as a potential growth factor for tumor development. Till date suitable therapy for cancer is lagging behind due to several side effects. In the present review article, a link between ionotropic glutamate receptor i.e. N-methyl- D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs) and cancer has been mainly focused. Regulation of cancer cells by NMDARs is an emerging or evolving concept. Besides neurons, NMDAR subunits are expressed in various types of cancer cells. Based upon existing literature, we suggest that NMDARs could serve as a therapeutic target against various types of cancer.</p

Dalton’s Lymphoma as a Murine Model for Understanding the Progression and Development of T-Cell Lymphoma and Its Role in Drug Discovery

Mouse models are irreplaceable tools for the study of carcinogenesis and the availability of rodent models have enabled rational screening of drugs. Hematological malignancies have been extensively studied in mouse models and broad range of lymphoid neoplasms has been reported in laboratory mice, occurring either spontaneously or after induction with radiation, chemicals or infection of newborn mice with leukemogenic viruses. Lymphomas are tumors that generally respond well to traditional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Dalton’s lymphoma is a transplantable T-cell lymphoma of spontaneous origin in thymus of murine host and has emerged as an interesting model for cancer research, because of its usefulness in pre-clinical system for evaluating new or known drugs in the treatment of various cancers and in drug discovery development process.</p

Karhera: A Photo Book

This book tells the story of Karhera, a village between Delhi and Ghaziabad in India, through photographs, maps and words. It was produced as part of an ESPA-funded research project on ‘Risks and Responses to Urban Futures’. The photos were taken and collected with the collaboration of local residents, and paper copies of the book were distributed to people in Karhera as a record of their experience. Karhera is a peri-urban village in Ghaziabad, a district in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Indian and British-based researchers have been working in the area with local people since 2006. Together with Karhera’s residents, we have studied the changes in environment, agriculture, social patterns and governance, and looked at possible lessons for urban planning and development. With this photo book, we aim to reflect their experience, and we hope that this book will help them reflect on how they wish to shape their present and future

How effective is dentin autograft for socket preservation and implant site preparation: A systematic review protocol. [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Background Socket preservation is a surgical procedure aimed at preserving the dimensions of the alveolar bone following tooth extraction. It is performed by filling the extraction socket with bone graft material with or without a barrier membrane. Recently, dentine obtained from extracted teeth has been tried as an autograft for socket preservation. Studies have compared the use of dentin to other bone grafts, however, systematic reviews evaluating the efficacy of dentin for socket preservation are limited. Hence, this systematic review protocol is proposed to generate evidence on the efficacy of dentin as a viable alternative to other bone graft materials for socket preservation. Methods This systematic review protocol was prepared according to the Methodological Expectations of the Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR) guidelines. It will be conducted using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, Epistemonikos, Cochrane Central, and EBSCO databases and clinical trial registries, will be searched for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies that have used autologous dentin graft (either in particulate/putty, or/matrix form) for socket preservation. The radiographic and clinical assessment of bone and soft tissue healing of the preserved sockets along with patient-related outcomes following surgery will be assessed. The risk of bias assessment of the RCTs and Non-RCTs will be assessed using the ‘Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool (ROB II) and ROBINS-I respectively. The certainty of evidence will be assessed by the GRADE approach. Discussion This evidence is important for dental clinicians and the public to make an informed decision when choosing graft material for socket preservation. The extracted teeth are considered biological waste; however, this evidence provides scope for using a less invasive autograft for bone regenerative procedures. Systematic review registration PROSPERO: CRD42021201958 (Registered on 15/02/2021)

Aggregate Filamentous Growth Responses in Yeast

Filamentous growth is a fungal morphogenetic response that is critical for virulence in some fungal species. Many aspects of filamentous growth remain poorly understood. We have identified an aspect of filamentous growth in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the human pathogen Candida albicans where cells behave collectively to invade surfaces in aggregates. These responses may reflect an extension of normal filamentous growth, as they share the same signaling pathways and effector processes. Aggregate responses may involve cooperation among individual cells, because aggregation was stimulated by cell adhesion molecules, secreted enzymes, and diffusible molecules that promote quorum sensing. Our study may provide insights into the genetic basis of collective cellular responses in fungi. The study may have ramifications in fungal pathogenesis, in situations where collective responses occur to promote virulence.Many fungal species, including pathogens, undergo a morphogenetic response called filamentous growth, where cells differentiate into a specialized cell type to promote nutrient foraging and surface colonization. Despite the fact that filamentous growth is required for virulence in some plant and animal pathogens, certain aspects of this behavior remain poorly understood. By examining filamentous growth in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans, we identify responses where cells undergo filamentous growth in groups of cells or aggregates. In S. cerevisiae, aggregate invasive growth was regulated by signaling pathways that control normal filamentous growth. These pathways promoted aggregation in part by fostering aspects of microbial cooperation. For example, aggregate invasive growth required cellular contacts mediated by the flocculin Flo11p, which was produced at higher levels in aggregates than cells undergoing regular invasive growth. Aggregate invasive growth was also stimulated by secreted enzymes, like invertase, which produce metabolites that are shared among cells. Aggregate invasive growth was also induced by alcohols that promote density-dependent filamentous growth in yeast. Aggregate invasive growth also required highly polarized cell morphologies, which may affect the packing or organization of cells. A directed selection experiment for aggregating phenotypes uncovered roles for the fMAPK and RAS pathways, which indicates that these pathways play a general role in regulating aggregate-based responses in yeast. Our study extends the range of responses controlled by filamentation regulatory pathways and has implications in understanding aspects of fungal biology that may be relevant to fungal pathogenesis