Bifid mandibular canals and their cortex thicknesses: A comparison study on images obtained from cone-beam and multislice computed tomography

AbstractBackground/purposeHigh prevalence of bifid mandibular canals has been visualized with various types of computerized tomography (CT). Along the canals, a various ranged corticalization was recently reported. The depiction of the fine anatomic structures on multislice and cone-beam CT images was compared.Material and methodsThe presence or absence of the bifid canal was assessed on 327 images obtained by multislice CT (MSCT; n = 173) or by cone-beam CT (CBCT; n = 154), according to the configuration. The cortex thickness and distribution were also assessed.ResultsThe prevalence of bifid canal detected by CBCT was significantly greater than that detected by MSCT (42.2% vs. 18.7% for hemi-mandibles and 58.4% vs. 30.6% for patients). Cortical thickness recorded by CBCT was significantly thinner than that recorded by MSCT (0.48 mm vs. 0.65 mm, P < 0.001); however, the distributions of corticalization detected by the two tomography methods were similar. There was a significant association of cortex thickness with CT type and corticalization degree (R2 = 0.530, P < 0.001).ConclusionThinner cortices, but greater prevalence of bifid canals recorded by CBCT, compared to MSCT, suggests that clinicians should be cautious when using CT to interpret this fine anatomic structure

Fibrate and the risk of cardiovascular disease among moderate chronic kidney disease patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia

IntroductionHypertriglyceridemia is the most prevalent dyslipidemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, research about fibrate treatment in CKD patients is limited, and assessing its benefits becomes challenging due to the frequent concurrent use of statins. Thus, this study is aimed to investigate the role of fibrate in CKD stage 3 patients with hypertriglyceridemia who did not receive other lipid-lowering agents.MethodsThis study enrolled patients newly diagnosed CKD3 with LDL-C&lt;100mg/dL and had never received statin or other lipid-lowering agents from Chang Gung Research Database. The participants were categorized into 2 groups based on the use of fibrate: fibrate group and non-fibrate group (triglyceride &gt;200mg/dL but not receiving fibrate treatment). The inverse probability of treatment weighting was performed to balance baseline characteristics.ResultsCompared with the non-fibrate group (n=2020), the fibrate group (n=705) exhibited significantly lower risks of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) (10.4% vs. 12.8%, hazard ratios [HRs]: 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50 to 0.95), AMI (2.3% vs. 3.9%, HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.73), and ischemic stroke (6.3% vs. 8.0%, HR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.52 to 0.85). The risk of all-cause mortality (5.1% vs. 4.5%, HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.79) and death from CV (2.8% vs. 2.3%, HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.29 to 2.33) did not significantly differ between the 2 groups.ConclusionThis study suggests that, in moderate CKD patients with hypertriglyceridemia but LDL-C &lt; 100mg/dL who did not take other lipid-lowering agents, fibrates may be beneficial in reducing cardiovascular events

High-resolution spatial and genomic characterization of coral-associated microbial aggregates in the coral Stylophora pistillata

Bacteria commonly form aggregates in a range of coral species [termed coral-associated microbial aggregates (CAMAs)], although these structures remain poorly characterized despite extensive efforts studying the coral microbiome. Here, we comprehensively characterize CAMAs associated with Stylophora pistillata and quantify their cell abundance. Our analysis reveals that multiple Endozoicomonas phylotypes coexist inside a single CAMA. Nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging revealed that the Endozoicomonas cells were enriched with phosphorus, with the elemental compositions of CAMAs different from coral tissues and endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae, highlighting a role in sequestering and cycling phosphate between coral holobiont partners. Consensus metagenome--assembled genomes of the two dominant Endozoicomonas phylotypes confirmed their metabolic potential for polyphosphate accumulation along with genomic signatures including type VI secretion systems allowing host association. Our findings provide unprecedented insights into Endozoicomonas-dominated CAMAs and the first direct physiological and genomic linked evidence of their biological role in the coral holobiont

Use and effectiveness of dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a multicenter retrospective study in Taiwan

Aims/Introduction To investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who initiated dapagliflozin in real-world practice in Taiwan. Materials and Methods In this multicenter retrospective study, adult patients with T2DM who initiated dapagliflozin after May 1st 2016 either as add-on or switch therapy were included. Changes in clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated at 3 and 6 months. Baseline factors associated with dapagliflozin response in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 1,960 patients were eligible. At 6 months, significant changes were observed: HbA1c by −0.73% (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.80, −0.67), body weight was -1.61 kg (95% CI −1.79, −1.42), and systolic/diastolic blood pressure by −3.6/−1.4 mmHg. Add-on dapagliflozin showed significantly greater HbA1c reduction (−0.82%) than switched therapy (−0.66%) (p = 0.002). The proportion of patients achieving HbA1c <7% target increased from 6% at baseline to 19% at Month 6. Almost 80% of patients experienced at least 1% reduction in HbA1c, and 65% of patients showed both weight loss and reduction in HbA1c. Around 37% of patients had at least 3% weight loss. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated patients with higher baseline HbA1c and those who initiated dapagliflozin as add-on therapy were associated with a greater reduction in HbA1c. Conclusions In this real-world study with the highest patient number of Chinese population to date, the use of dapagliflozin was associated with significant improvement in glycemic control, body weight, and blood pressure in patients with T2DM. Initiating dapagliflozin as add-on therapy showed better glycemic control than as switch therapy

The Impact of Financial Turmoil on the Growth of Semiconductor in Taiwan

[[abstract]]本研究主要係以集群分析法針對我國半導體產業在面臨2008年美國次級房貸引發之全球性金融風暴的成長影響。依據競爭策略理論，當企業面臨環境的變化時，企業會調整內部資源配置，發展核心能力以強化競爭優勢。過去的研究顯示，優良的技術、研發能量與高度垂直分工架構下所帶來的產能經濟規模之低成本是我國半導體產業發展的核心優勢。 2008年之國際金融風暴，對我國的半導體產業企業的成長趨勢與企業間競爭策略是否產生變化與影響，是本次研究的主要議題。經由集群分析的凝聚結果與成長象限的區塊分析，實證研究發現：一、居於產業龍頭或領先地位之企業，較具備有扭轉逆勢而持續成長的競爭優勢；二、設備的擴充投資，除代表企業體對未來景氣與市場的態度外，也代表企業對產品、技術的掌握程度，是導引我國半導體產業走出蕭條的重要成長策略；三、我國半導體產業的人力成長策略，相較其他成長指標，顯示落後、遞延與保守的現象；四、面對金融風暴衝擊，擁有實體控制權的集團企業，相較虛擬集團組織，較能快速凝聚組織動能，調整營運策略與方向。[[abstract]]In this study mainly by cluster analysis for Taiwan semiconductor industry in the face of global financial turmoil impact According to 2009 yearbook of Industrial Technology Research Institute Taiwan semiconductor industry played an important and irreplaceable contribution role to economic growth in global semiconductor industry Based on competition theory when firms facing environmental changes corporate would adjust internal resource allocation to enhance their core competencies and competitive advantages Numerous studies had shown excellent production and technology development competence high quality service optimal and flexible capacity and low-cost efficiency were the core competitive advantages for Taiwan’s semiconductor industry On the basis of research results shown that the financial turmoil real made the movement of competitive situation in Taiwan semiconductor industry There was a little number of groups create his unique ability to shape and enhance competitive advantage that brought a big step forward towards growth Some groups dropped to the risky recession position and loss their competition By the method of cluster analysis and growth strategy analysis we got four important conclusions Firstly only top one companies could shape and create their growth competition position rapidly Secondly kept an aggressive growth strategy of equipment investment was the major factor to lead corporate shake off the financial turmoil and took up a significant pursuits of development Thirdly the growth strategy for manpower was procrastination Finally group entities with real controllability threw off the financial turmoil more faster and reacted more efficiency than strategy cooperation organizatio

The accuracy and interobserver reliability of identification of interalveolar foramina in the mandible using dental radiography

Background: The evaluation of periapical radiographic evidence of these foramina might be helpful to avoid hemorrhaging of the highly vascularized regions of the floor of the mouth. Accuracy and reliability of the dental radiography in depicting the interalveolar medial foramina on 28 dry mandibles was tested in this study. Materials and Methods: The 28 mandibles were radiographically examined for the presence of median and lateral foramina that were interalveolar. The foramina diameters and the distance of the foramen to the cementoenamel junction, and to the alveolar bone crest, were measured. Two radiographic images of the symphysis areas were obtained, with and without the insertion of metal wires into the foramina. On the radiographic films, the presence of the foramina was identified and marked by two periodontists. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, interobserver reliability and the agreement of the readings between the diagnostic films and the films with wire insertions were analyzed. Results: Two to four foramina were observed on the lingual surfaces in the symphysis areas in 27 dry skulls. Among the 52 median foramina, 22 and 21 foramina were identified by observers 1 and 2, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for the identification of the foramina were 41.1%, 42.3%, and 25.0%, respectively, for observer 1, and 37.5%, 40.4%, and 0.0%, respectively, for observer 2. The interobserver reliability was 0.57 (Kappa value). The readings for the diagnostic films and those for the films with wire insertions showed no agreement, regardless of the observer. Conclusions: Dental radiography revealed the presence of interalveolar foramina in 28 skulls; nonetheless, this result should be interpreted cautiously, as the accuracy was <50%

Can chlorhexidine mouthwash twice daily ameliorate cyclosporine-induced gingival overgrowth?

Gingival overgrowth can be induced in patients treated with cyclosporine-A (CsA), an immunosuppressant often used following organ transplantation. A pre-existing rat model designed to mimic CsA-induced gingival overgrowth in humans was used to test the effectiveness of frequent application of a chlorhexidine antiplaque solution in reducing the overgrowth. Methods: Four groups of rats were fed CsA. One group received chlorhexidine mouthwash twice a day, the second group received chlorhexidine mouthwash once a day, the third group received chlorhexidine mouthwash every other day, and the fourth group did not receive chlorhexidine mouthwash all. A fifth negative control group received only mineral oil. Overgrowth was determined by measuring the changes in the gingival probing depth and the keratinized gingival widthon molars. A gingival histological examination was performed. Results: Rats treated with mouthwash twice daily exhibited decreased probing depths and gingival widths without statistical significance. Histological examination revealed that CsA treatment caused gingival enlargement, whereas chlorhexidine treatment twice a day diminished the enlargement. Conclusion: These findings suggest that chlorhexidine mouthwash used twice daily may reduce the severity of CsA-induced gingival overgrowth. Further research is warranted to determine the optimal dose and treatment regimen

Enhanced attachment and growth of periodontal cells on glycine-arginine-glycine-aspartic modified chitosan membranes

Background: Chitosan, a polymeric carbohydrate derived from the exoskeleton of arthropod, has been suggested to be an excellent biomaterial for improving wound healing, especially for bones. To improve the periodontal cell attachment and growth, the cell adhesive peptide glycine-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp, GRGD) grafted chitosan membrane was introduced in this study. Materials and Methods: Two types of commercial chitosan, three types of primary cultured cells, and two established cell lines were used. Human gingival and periodontal fibroblasts (hGF and hPDL), human root derived cell (hRDC), and rat calvaria bone cell (rCalB) were cultured on the GRGD-fixed by ultraviolet light photochemical method on the chitosan membrane. With (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-5-[3-carboxymethoxyphenyl]-2-[4-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium) assay and propidium iodine (PI) staining, the cell adhesion and growth on GRGD-grafted chitosan were examined. Basal mRNA expressions of the receptors for GRGD, integrin αv (ITG αv) and ITG β3, in the human gingival fibroblast cell line and mouse osteoblast cell line (MC3T3-E1) were examined with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Because the cell adhesion/growth patterns on two chitosan membranes were similar, the GRGD modification was performed on one membrane (Primex) only. For periodontal cells (hGFs, hPDLs, and hRDCs), the number of attached cells were increased on the membrane with the high concentration of GRGD than those on the membrane unmodified or modified with low concentration GRGD. For rCalBs cells, a different pattern was noted: GRGD modification did not enhance the calvaria cells attachment or growth. Moreover, mRNA expressions of ITG αv and β3 in AG09319 cells were significantly higher than those in MC3T3-E1 cells. Conclusions: With the limitation of this study, we suggested that GRGD-modified chitosan, especially at high concentration, could enhance the growth of various periodontal fibroblasts, but did not change those of osteoblasts. Therefore, chitosan might be an excellent biomaterial for periodontal use