Diagnosis of Temporomandibular disorders using thermovision imagin

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is a chronic disease of various etiologies. Correct TMD diagnosis enables to apply effective treatment and significantly improves the quality of patients’ lives. One of the diagnostic methods subjected to evaluation in recent years is thermography, which enables safe, noninvasive, and quick imaging of the temperature distribution of temporomandibular joint-associated tissues. )is paper, based on Medline, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, Academic Search Ultimate, Medline Complete databases, presents basic information related to thermovision imaging and outlines the direction of research conducted in recent years which fight with difficulties in the interpretation of thermograms that require specialized, dedicated analysis and processing of the obtained images. )e problem concerns also no standardized protocol for measuring masticatory muscle temperature

Influence of perinatal factors on gene expression of IAPs family and main factors of pluripotency: OCT4 and SOX2 in human breast milk stem cells : a preliminary report

Due to their therapeutic potential, mesenchymal stem cells are the subject of intensive research on the use of their potential in the treatment of, among others, neurodegenerative diseases or immunological diseases. They are among the newest in the field of medicine. The presented study aimed to evaluate the expression of eight genes from the IAP family and the gene regulating IAP—XAF1—in stem cells derived from human milk, using the qPCR method. The relationships between the expression of genes under study and clinical data, such as maternal age, maternal BMI, week of pregnancy in which the delivery took place, bodyweight of the newborn, the number of pregnancies and deliveries, and the time elapsed since delivery, were also analyzed. The research was carried out on samples of human milk collected from 42 patients hospitalized in The Clinic of Obstetrics and Perinatology of the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 4, in Lublin. The conducted research confirmed the expression of the following genes in the tested material: NAIP, BIRC2, BIRC3, BIRC5, BIRC6, BIRC8, XIAP, XAF1, OCT4 and SOX2. Moreover, several dependencies of the expression of individual genes on the maternal BMI (BIRC5, XAF1 and NAIP), the time since childbirth (BIRC5, BIRC6, XAF1 and NAIP), the number of pregnancies and deliveries (BIRC2, BIRC5, BIRC6 and XAF1), the manner of delivery (XAF1 and OCT4), preterm labor (BIRC6 and NAIP) were demonstrated. Additionally, we found positive relationships between gene expression of BIRC7, BIRC8 and XAF1 and the main factors of pluripotency: SOX2 and OCT4. This work is the first to investigate the expression of genes from the IAPs family in mother’s milk stem cells

Breaking down the clotting conundrum: analyzing the role of plasma tissue plasminogen activator in COVID-19 patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic has been a global challenge for medical services in terms of patient care and early prognosis of hospitalized patients' situations. Early identification and classification of COVID-19 patients in hospitals is critical for optimal management. The purpose of this study is to compile existing data on tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) concentrations in COVID-19 patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines. Qualified articles were found systematically using relevant databases such as PubMed Central, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases until May 4th, 2023. RESULTS: Tissue plasminogen activator levels among COVID-19 positive vs negative patients T-PA levels among COVID-19 positive vs negative patients varied and amounted to 26.67 ± 40.65 vs 4.68 ± 3.83, respectively (SMD = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.85 to 3.14; p < 0.001). The mean t-PA level among patients requiring ICU admission was 24.06 ± 12.44, compared to 16.55 ± 10.01 for patients not treated in the ICU (SMD = 0.69; 95% CI: −0.68 to 2.05; p = 0.32). Moreover, t-PA levels among severe COVID-19 compared to non-severe were 11.89 ± 9.05 and 16.87 ± 20.39, respectively (SMD = 2.74; 95% CI: −0.71 to 6.19; p = 0.12). The t-PA values were, respectively: 15.33 ± 8.01 for patients who survived hospital discharge, and 19.04 ± 11.88 for patients who died in hospital due to COVID-19 (SMD = −0.50; 95% CI: −2.45 to 1.44; p = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: According to this meta-analysis, the key conclusion of this study is that COVID-19 infection is connected to t-PA levels. Nonetheless, extensive prospective studies addressing the possible diagnostic relevance of t-PA as a marker of COVID-19 severity are required to corroborate the presented results

Expression of CD200 and CD200R regulatory molecules on the CD83+ monocyte-derived dendritic cells generated from patients with laryngeal cancer

CD200 molecule may play a role in local tumor invasion and augmenting the metastatic capacity of squamous cell carcinoma. The objective of the study was to assess by means of flow cytometry the expression of CD200 and its receptor, CD200R, on CD83+ monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DCs), pulsed or not with autologous tumor cell lysates (aTCL) in patients who suffer from laryngeal carcinoma in comparison to healthy donors. The median value of CD200 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) on the Mo-DCs pulsed with aTCL of the patients with laryngeal cancer was 61.94 and was statistically significantly higher than on the unpulsed Mo-DCs of these patients (24.81) and healthy donors (16.63), p = 0.0034 and p = 0.0004, respectively. Median MFI score of CD200R in specimen derived from patients with laryngeal cancer was 259.31 on Mo-DCs pulsed with aTCL, while in unpulsed Mo-DCs was 86.74 (p = 0.0035) and on the Mo-DCs from control group it was 67.51 (p = 0.0004). The obtained results showed a relation between the presence of laryngeal cancer and the expression of CD200 and CD200R molecules on the CD83+ Mo-DCs pulsed with autologous cancer cell lysates. This analysis may have implications for setting new therapeutic options for cancer immunotherapy in the future. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2013, Vol. 51, No. 1, 59–65

Lichen Planus Activity and Damage Index (LiPADI)–Creation of the Questionnaire

Introduction: Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects skin, oral and genital mucosa, and other sites. Basic difficulties in assessment of LP are multitude of disease forms and diverse locations of lesions. Moreover, there is lack of objective and consolidated tool for assessment of disease severity and LP progression. Objective: The aim of the study was to develop a valid evaluation tool of LP severity, which will enable disease assessment in a repetitive way. Materials and methods: A combined tool called Lichen Planus Activity and Damage Index (LiPADI) was developed to assess the severity of LP skin, mucosal, and nail lesions as well as hair loss/scaring alopecia to provide an integrative scoring for LP activity and damage caused by the disease. Skin lesions were assessed in nine locations: scalp, face, chest, abdomen, back and buttocks, arms, hands, legs, and feet. The assessment of lesion activity included erythema, hypertrophy, and scaling, while the damage was reflected by the assessment of hyperpigmentation and scaring/atrophy. In addition, mucosal lesions, nail abnormalities, hair loss, and scarring alopecia were evaluated as well. LiPADI scoring was compared with quality of life assessed with the Dermatology Life Quality Index, EQ-5D calculator, pain and pruritus intensity assessed with the Numerical Rating Scale as well as with the patient and physician global assessment. Results: Our results show that LiPADI well reflects the LP patient’s clinical condition. The obtained results were in line with other indicators assessed. In addition, it was possible to evaluate patients with various forms and locations of LP, what indicates its versatility. Conclusions: LiPADI seems to be a useful tool for measurement the severity of the LP and its progress over time, which could help to monitor the effectiveness of the patients’ treatment

Clinical Study Analysis of the Influence of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Osteocalcin Gene Expression in Postmenopausal Women

Background. Osteocalcin (OC) contributes to the process of bone mineralization. Present study was designed to investigate the changes in OC gene expression of postmenopausal women treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Study was also designed to evaluate OC gene expression in cells which are not part of connective tissue. Material and Methods. Research was carried out on 30 postmenopausal women not treated and 30 treated with HRT. Examination of OC gene expression was conducted on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and buccal epithelial lining (BEL). Densitometry was conducted on femur and mandible. Results. Tests revealed OC gene expression in BEL and PBL. BMD was higher in groups treated with HRT. Assessment of correlation between the OC gene expression in BEL and BMD of mandible revealed significant positive relation. Conclusions. OC gene expression can be stated BEL and PBL. Analysis of correlation between OC gene expression in oral cavity and mandible BMD showed significant correlation between local OC expression and local bone metabolism. The relation between OC gene expression and bone metabolism is complex and further research is needed to clear all of the uncertainties

Analysis of the Influence of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Osteocalcin Gene Expression in Postmenopausal Women

Background. Osteocalcin (OC) contributes to the process of bone mineralization. Present study was designed to investigate the changes in OC gene expression of postmenopausal women treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Study was also designed to evaluate OC gene expression in cells which are not part of connective tissue. Material and Methods. Research was carried out on 30 postmenopausal women not treated and 30 treated with HRT. Examination of OC gene expression was conducted on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and buccal epithelial lining (BEL). Densitometry was conducted on femur and mandible. Results. Tests revealed OC gene expression in BEL and PBL. BMD was higher in groups treated with HRT. Assessment of correlation between the OC gene expression in BEL and BMD of mandible revealed significant positive relation. Conclusions. OC gene expression can be stated BEL and PBL. Analysis of correlation between OC gene expression in oral cavity and mandible BMD showed significant correlation between local OC expression and local bone metabolism. The relation between OC gene expression and bone metabolism is complex and further research is needed to clear all of the uncertainties

Alteration within the Hippocampal Volume in Patients with LHON Disease—7 Tesla MRI Study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the volumetry of the hippocampus in the Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) of blind patients. Methods: A total of 25 patients with LHON were randomly included into the study from the national health database. A total of 15 patients were selected according to the inclusion criteria. The submillimeter segmentation of the hippocampus was based on three-dimensional spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in steady state (3D-SPGR) BRAVO 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that compared to healthy controls (HC), LHON subjects had multiple significant differences only in the right hippocampus, including a significantly higher volume of hippocampal tail (p = 0.009), subiculum body (p = 0.018), CA1 body (p = 0.002), hippocampal fissure (p = 0.046), molecular layer hippocampus (HP) body (p = 0.014), CA3 body (p = 0.006), Granule Cell (GC) and Molecular Layer (ML) of the Dentate Gyrus (DG)–GC ML DG body (p = 0.003), CA4 body (p = 0.001), whole hippocampal body (p = 0.018), and the whole hippocampus volume (p = 0.023). Discussion: The ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging allowed hippocampus quality visualization and analysis, serving as a powerful in vivo diagnostic tool in the diagnostic process and LHON disease course assessment. The study confirmed previous reports regarding volumetry of hippocampus in blind individuals