Cephalometric Measurements on Conventional Posteroanterior Radiographs versus CBCT Images: A Comparative Study

Objectives Facial asymmetry in orthodontic treatments can be evaluated by both posteroanterior (PA) cephalograms and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. This study aimed to assess the agreement between CBCT and two-dimensional PA images in terms of cephalometric measurements. Methods In this descriptive analytical study, CBCT and PA radiographs were taken from nine human dry skulls. Two observers marked the bilateral landmarks including CO (orbit center), J (jugale), 6C, 6A, 1A, 1C, GO (gonial angle), AG (antegonion), AR (articular) and Ma (mastoidal). The distance between two identical points on both sides was measured on both the PA and CBCT images. The differences were calculated and the agreement between the two modalities was checked by using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results The mean differences between CBCT and PA measurements were as following: for CO=1.48, J=11.64, U6C=0.75, U6A=1.8, L6C=13.33, L6A=3.0, U1C=0.96, U1A=0.62, L1C=0.22, L1A=0.45, GO=0.87, AG=6.67 and AR=0.71 mm. The agreement was the highest for GO (ICC=0.931) and CO (ICC=0.902), and the lowest for U6A (ICC=-0.041) and J (ICC=0.038) landmarks. Conclusion Given the negligible differences between the two modalities, conventional PA cephalograms can be as competent as CBCT in detecting maxillofacial asymmetry with lower patient radiation dose

Identidad profesional y capital psicológico como determinantes del agotamiento en profesores de inglés como lengua extranjera: El papel mediador de la autorregulación

This study delves into the intricate web of relationships among professional identity, psychological capital, self-regulation, and burnout in a cohort of 434 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) educators. Employing validated measures and structural equation modeling, we unravel these critical connections. Professional identity emerges as a robust predictor, significantly linked to reduced burnout. Additionally, psychological capital exerts a positive influence on self-regulation, highlighting its significance within the EFL teaching context. Self-regulation, in turn, negatively impacts burnout. Mediation analysis solidifies the role of self-regulation: it partially mediates the relationship between professional identity and burnout and fully mediates the connection between psychological capital and burnout. This research deepens our comprehension of EFL teaching psychology and carries implications for both practitioners and policymakers.Este estudio explora las complejas relaciones entre la identidad profesional, el capital psicológico, la autorregulación y el agotamiento en una muestra de 434 docentes de inglés como lengua extranjera (EFL). Utilizando medidas validadas y modelado de ecuaciones estructurales, desentrañamos estas conexiones críticas. La identidad profesional emerge como un predictor sólido, relacionado significativamente con la reducción del agotamiento. Además, el capital psicológico ejerce una influencia positiva en la autorregulación, resaltando su importancia en el contexto de la enseñanza de EFL. A su vez, la autorregulación impacta negativamente en el agotamiento. El análisis de mediación solidifica el papel de la autorregulación: media parcialmente la relación entre la identidad profesional y el agotamiento y media completamente la conexión entre el capital psicológico y el agotamiento. Esta investigación profundiza nuestra comprensión de la psicología en la enseñanza de EFL y tiene implicaciones tanto para los profesionales como para los responsables de políticas.

Reliability of Linear Measurements Made on Reconstructed CBCT Images

Objectives: Repeatability and accuracy of measurements made on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images are critical in dental practice especially in implantology. The aim of this study was to investigate the reproducibility of linear measurements made on reconstructed CBCT images. Methods In this in vitro, experimental study, 5 radiopaque markers were attached to the molars (left and right side), premolars (left and right side) and midline areas of 10 human cadaver dry mandibles. The distance between the markers and the lower border of the mandible was measured by a digital caliper and considered as the gold standard. CBCT images were taken, and the distance between the markers and the lower mandibular border was measured on cross-sectional images by three maxillofacial radiologists using Romexis software. The same measurements were made 1 month later to assess the reproducibility of measurements. The intra-class correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the repeatability and agreement between the observers. Results: Compared with the gold standard, the mean error percentage in linear measurements was calculated to be 3.25%. The overall reproducibility of CBCT linear measurements was 0.865. The inter-observer agreement was calculated to be 0.972. Conclusion: CBCT showed acceptable accuracy, repeatability and reliability for linear measurements, and can be used as an accurate tool for this purpose

Role of IL-4 in Cytokine Storm Syndrome due to COVID-19 Infection

SARS-CoV-2 that causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a spreading global threat. COVID-19 declared as a pandemic by the WHO. COVID-19 is transmitted by direct contact or droplets and can infect the respiratory tract which resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pneumonia in most of cases. IL-4 as a Th2 cytokines has different roles in coronaviruses infections. In this article we focused on function of IL-4 in COVID-19

Erythropoietin ameliorates genetamicin-induced renal toxicity: A biochemical and histopathological study.

BACKGROUND Investigations have attempted to modify the outcome of tubular injury by either ameliorating renal tubular damage or promoting tubular regeneration in the case of acute tubular necrosis. OBJECTIVES We investigated the protective effect of Eprex an erythropoietin analogue on tubular injury induced by gentamicin (GM). MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. In group 1,rats were served as a sham group. In group 2, rats were injected intraperitoneally with 100 mg/kg of GM for 10 consecutive days (positive control group) and then were sacrificed. In group 3, rats received GM for 10 days then Eprex 100U/kg was injected intraperitoneally for the next 10 days and then they were sacrificed at the day 20th. In group 4 rats were injected a combination of GM (80 mg/kg) and Eprex 100U/kg intraperitoneally for 10 days and then were sacrificed. RESULTS The results indicated that, Eprex prevented the increase in serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The effect of Eprex on damage score, showed that co-administration of GM and Eprex (group 3 and 4) reduced the kidney tissue damage compared to positive control group (P<0.05). This result indicat that Eprex potentially can reduce or prevent the kidney tissue damage. CONCLUSIONS Ameliorative effect of Eprex when the drug was given in combination with GM and also when the drug was applied after GM-induced tubular damage, revealed the renoprotective potency of Eprex. Eprex is a promising drug to prevent or attenuate tubular damage induced by GM or other nephrotoxic agents which act through the same mechanisms as gentamicin

How can nanomicelle-curcumin modulate aluminum phosphide-induced neurotoxicity?: Role of SIRT1/FOXO3 signaling pathway

Aluminum phosphide (ALP) is among the most significant causes of brain toxicity and death in many countries. Curcumin (CUR), a major turmeric component, is a potent protective agent against many diseases, including brain toxicity. This study aimed to examine the probable protection potential of nanomicelle curcumin (nanomicelle-CUR) and its underlying mechanism in a rat model of ALP-induced brain toxicity. A total of 36 Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6) and exposed to ALP (2 mg/kg/day, orally) + CUR or nanomicelle-CUR (100 mg/kg/day, orally) for 7 days. Then, they were anesthetized, and brain tissue samples were dissected to evaluate histopathological alterations, oxidative stress biomarkers, gene expression of SIRT1, FOXO1a, FOXO3a, CAT and GPX in brain tissue via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, biochemical and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods and Real-Time PCR analysis. CUR and nanomicelle-CUR caused significant improvement in ALP-induced brain damage by reducing the MDA levels and induction of antioxidant capacity (TTG, TAC and SOD levels) and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, GPX), modulation of histopathological changes and up-regulation of gene expression of SIRT1 in brain tissue. It was concluded that nanomicelle-CUR treatment ameliorated the harmful effects of ALP-induced brain toxicity by reducing oxidative stress. Therefore, it could be considered a suitable therapeutic choice for ALP poisoning

Evaluation of Fis-1 and miR-484 Expression Levels in Tumor Tissue Samples and Healthy Tumor Margins in Lung Cancer

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and various cellular activities. They also hold significant importance in the progression and development of human malignancies. Among these, miRNA-484 and the Fis-1 gene have been identified as having substantial roles in lung cancer. This study aims to ascertain miRNA-484 and Fis-1 gene expression levels in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.Method: In this case-control study, 45 pairs of tumor tissues and their corresponding healthy margin tissues were surgically obtained from NSCLC patients and promptly preserved in liquid nitrogen after excision. Total RNA extraction was performed using TRIzol, followed by cDNA synthesis using a designated kit. Afterward, we used quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to measure the expression levels of miRNA-484 and the Fis-1 gene. Furthermore, the clinicopathological characteristics of the NSCLC patients were assessed.Results: Our findings revealed an upregulation of miRNA-484 expression and downregulation of Fis-1 gene expression in NSCLC tissues compared with non-tumor tissues. Additionally, significant correlations were observed between miRNA-484 and Fis-1 gene expression levels and clinicopathological features of the patients, including factors such as lymph node involvement and distant metastasis.Conclusion: These findings suggest the potential utility of Fis-1 and miR-484 as prognostic and diagnostic markers in NSCLC

Rigosertib elicits potent anti-tumor responses in colorectal cancer by inhibiting Ras signaling pathway

Background: The therapeutic potency of Rigosertib (RGS) in the treatment of the myelodysplastic syndrome has been investigated previously, but little is known about its mechanisms of action. Methods: The present study integrates systems and molecular biology approaches to investigate the mechanisms of the anti-tumor effects of RGS, either alone or in combination with 5-FU in cellular and animal models of colorectal cancer (CRC). Results: The effects of RGS were more pronounced in dedifferentiated CRC cell types, compared to cell types that were epithelial-like. RGS inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in a cell-type specific manner, and that was dependent on the presence of mutations in KRAS, or its down-stream effectors. RGS increased both early and late apoptosis, by regulating the expression of p53, BAX and MDM2 in tumor model. We also found that RGS induced cell senescence in tumor tissues by increasing ROS generation, and impairing oxidant/anti-oxidant balance. RGS also inhibited angiogenesis and metastatic behavior of CRC cells, by regulating the expression of CD31, E-cadherin, and matrix metalloproteinases-2 and 9. Conclusion: Our findings support the therapeutic potential of this potent RAS signaling inhibitor either alone or in combination with standard regimens for the management of patients with CRC.Peer reviewe

Elucidating the direct effects of the novel HDAC inhibitor bocodepsin (OKI-179) on T cells to rationally design regimens for combining with immunotherapy

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are currently being explored for the treatment of both solid and hematological malignancies. Although originally thought to exert cytotoxic responses through tumor-intrinsic mechanisms by increasing expression of tumor suppressor genes, several studies have demonstrated that therapeutic responses depend on an intact adaptive immune system: particularly CD8 T cells. It is therefore critical to understand how HDACi directly affects T cells in order to rationally design regimens for combining with immunotherapy. In this study, we evaluated T cell responses to a novel class-selective HDACi (OKI-179, bocodepsin) by assessing histone acetylation levels, which revealed rapid responsiveness accompanied by an increase in CD4 and CD8 T cell frequencies in the blood. However, these rapid responses were transient, as histone acetylation and frequencies waned within 24 hours. This contrasts with in vitro models where high acetylation was sustained and continuous exposure to HDACi suppressed cytokine production. In vivo comparisons demonstrated that stopping OKI-179 treatment during PD-1 blockade was superior to continuous treatment. These findings provide novel insight into the direct effects of HDAC inhibitors on T cells and that treatment schedules that take into account acute T cell effects should be considered when combined with immunotherapies in order to fully harness the tumor-specific T cell responses in patients

Oxford-MEST classification in IgA nephropathy patients: A report from Iran.

BACKGROUND There is a limited knowledge about the morphological features of IgA nephropathy (IgAN)in the middle east region. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to evaluate the spectrum of histopathological findings in IgAN patients at our laboratory. PATIENTS AND METHODS At this work, an observational study reported which was conducted on IgAN patients using the Oxford-MEST classification system. RESULTS In this survey, of 102 patients 71.6 % were male. The mean age of the patients was 37.7 ± 13.6 years. Morphologic variables of MEST classification was as follows; M1: 90.2 %, E: 32 %, S: 67 % also,T in grads I and II were in 30% and 19% respectively, while 51% were in grade zero. A significant difference was observed in segmental glomerulosclerosis (P=0.003) and interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy frequency distribution (P= 0.045), between males and females . Furthermore, it was found that mesangial hypercellularity was more prevalent in yonger patients. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between serum creatinine and crescents (P<0.001). There was also significant correlation of serum creatinine with segmental glomerulosclerosis (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Higher prevalence of segmental glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis/ tubular atrophy, as the two of, four variables of Oxford-MEST classification of IgAN in male patients further attests that male gender is a risk factor in this disease.In this study the significant correlation between serum creatinine and crescent was in an agreement with previous studies and suggests for the probable accomodation of extracapillary proliferation as a new variable in MEST system