Evaluation of calibrated and uncalibrated optical imaging approaches for relative cerebral oxygen metabolism measurements in awake mice

Objective. The continuous delivery of oxygen is critical to sustain brain function, and therefore, measuring brain oxygen consumption can provide vital physiological insight. In this work, we examine the impact of calibration and cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurements on the computation of the relative changes in the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (rCMRO2) from hemoglobin-sensitive intrinsic optical imaging data. Using these data, we calculate rCMRO2, and calibrate the model using an isometabolic stimulus.Approach. We used awake head-fixed rodents to obtain hemoglobin-sensitive optical imaging data to test different calibrated and uncalibrated rCMRO2models. Hypercapnia was used for calibration and whisker stimulation was used to test the impact of calibration.Main results. We found that typical uncalibrated models can provide reasonable estimates of rCMRO2with differences as small as 7%-9% compared to their calibrated models. However, calibrated models showed lower variability and less dependence on baseline hemoglobin concentrations. Lastly, we found that supplying the model with measurements of CBF significantly reduced error and variability in rCMRO2change calculations.Significance. The effect of calibration on rCMRO2calculations remains understudied, and we systematically evaluated different rCMRO2calculation scenarios that consider including different measurement combinations. This study provides a quantitative comparison of these scenarios to evaluate trade-offs that can be vital to the design of blood oxygenation sensitive imaging experiments for rCMRO2calculation.

Investigation of distress during diffusion-weighted whole-body magnetic resonance imaging among women with breast cancer and the effectiveness of a new technology in alleviating patient's anxiety by approaching the human senses

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor among women, and the effectiveness of diagnosing its metastasis and recurrence has been demonstrated using diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS). However, DWIBS causes distress to patients due to the unique circumstances of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study aimed to investigate the various distress factors caused by DWIBS among women with breast cancer and assess the effectiveness of a new MRI system designed with an environment incorporating relaxing technology.

METHODS

From May to September 2022, we conducted a questionnaire survey regarding DWIBS-related distress among women with breast cancer. The questionnaire was administered to participants who underwent DWIBS on a conventional MRI system (19 women) and on a new system (20 women) equipped with relaxing technology equipped features, including projection images, illumination, and sound. Participants rated the degree of various stress factors on a face-scale rating scale (0-10). The scores of both systems were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

In the conventional system, women experienced distress due to MRI-specific situations, such as immobility in a confined space, noise, feeling trapped, and concerns about not moving. These results did not show a specific tendency among women with breast cancer undergoing DWIBS. For almost all distress parameters, the new system had significantly lower distress scores than the conventional system (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A comfortable environment using new and relaxing technology is effective in alleviating patient's anxiety by approaching the human senses.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Reducing distress caused by DWIBS among women with breast cancer could provide a comfortable examination environment, potentially assisting them during longer treatment periods.

Morphological redescription of Simulium takahasii (Rubtsov), the first species of the subgenus Wilhelmia Enderlein (Diptera: Simuliidae) recognized in East Asia

Simulium takahasii (Rubtsov), which was originally described from Japan, and recorded from Korea and China, is the first among the 19 species of the subgenus Wilhelmia Enderlein recorded from East Asia. It is striking in mating, blood-feeding and ovipositing in captivity and in experimentally transmitting Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy) and Brugia pahangi (Buckley & Edeson), and it is a severe biter of cattle and horses, rarely of humans. Nevertheless, updated information about its morphological characteristics was lacking, making comparisons with related species described from China difficult, since species of the subgenus Wilhelmia are almost indistinguishable from one another, in particular, in their female terminalia, male genitalia and most of larval features. In this study, as many morphological characteristics as possible of S. takahasii based on specimens from Japan are redescribed. New information about many features of this species including the length of the female sensory vesicle against the third palpal segment, number of male upper-eye (large) facets, arrangement of the eight pupal gill filaments, presence or absence of tiny dark setae on the dorsum of the larval abdomen and the number of rows and hooklets of the larval posterior circlet will be useful in evaluating the species status of several Wilhelmia species in China including the species regarded as S. takahasii.

Morphological and genetic analyses of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) okinawense Takaoka and S. (G.) tokarense Takaoka (Diptera: Simuliidae) from the Nansei Islands, Japan: redescription and transfer from the S. ceylonicum species-group to the S. asakoae species-group

Simulium (Gomphostilbia) okinawense Takaoka and S. (G.) tokarense Takaoka, both from the Nansei Islands, Japan, were morphologically reexamined and genetically analysed by using the COI gene sequences. The female, male, pupa and mature larva of the two species are redescribed. Morphological reexamination shows that both species are more similar to species in the S. asakoae species-group than to those in the S. ceylonicum species-group, by having a medium-long female sensory vesicle, yellow tuft hairs (S. (G.) okinawense) or yellow tuft hairs mixed with a few to several dark hairs (S. (G.) tokarense) at the base of the radial vein in the female and male, and medium-long larval postgenal cleft. However, the body of the male ventral plate (viewed ventrally) is parallel-sided (S. (G.) okinawense) or parallelsided or slightly narrowed (S. (G.) tokarense) and not emarginated basally, differing from those of most species in the S. asakoae species-group. Our genetic analysis shows that S. (G.) tokarense is in the S. asakoae species-group, and S. (G.) okinawense formed a separate sister clade with other members of the S. asakoae species-group with high bootstrap support. From the results of morphological and genetic analysis combined, S. (G.) okinawense and S. (G.) tokarense are transferred from the S. ceylonicum species-group to the S. asakoae species-group.

Resveratrol Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Autophagy by Blocking SREBP1 Expression in Oral Cancer Cells

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic antioxidant found in grapes, red wine, and peanuts and has been reported to have anti-neoplastic effects on various cancer types. However, the exact mechanism of its anti-cancer effects in oral cancer is not fully understood and remains controversial. Resveratrol exhibits strong hypolipidemic effects; therefore, we examined its effect on lipid metabolism in oral cancer. Resveratrol significantly reduced cell viability and induced autophagic cell death in oral cancer cells but not in normal cells. This selective effect was accompanied by significantly reduced lipogenesis, which is caused by downregulation of the transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) gene, followed by downregulation of the epidermal fatty acid-binding protein (E-FABP). It was strongly suggested that resveratrol-induced autophagy resulted from the inhibition of SREBP1-mediated cell survival signaling. Luciferase reporter assay further indicated that resveratrol has a potent and specific inhibitory effect on SREBP1-dependent transactivation. Importantly, resveratrol markedly suppressed the growth of oral cancer cells in an animal xenograft model, without exhibiting apparent cytotoxicity. In conclusion, resveratrol induces autophagy in oral cancer cells by suppressing lipid metabolism through the regulation of SREBP1 expression, which highlights a novel mechanism of the anti-cancer effect of resveratrol.

Two new black fly species of the Simulium ( Simulium) rufibasis subgroup (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Taiwan

Simulium ( Simulium) rufibasis Brunetti originally described from India was once considered a geographic generalist widely distributed in the Oriental Region. In this study, the species previously regarded as S. (S.) rufibasis in Taiwan was morphologically re-evaluated and found to be distinguished in the male and pupa from true S. (S.) rufibasis from India. This new species is described as S. ( S.) hehuanense sp. nov. based on a female, a male and their pupal exuviae in Taiwan. This new species is placed in the S. rufibasis subgroup of the S. tuberosum species-group, and is similar to S. (S.) yamatoense Takaoka, Adler & Fukuda from Japan and Korea, but it is barely distinguished by the slenderer forebasitarsi of the female and male. Another new, related species, S. (S.) xiulinense sp. nov., is described based on a male and its pupal exuviae. This new species is distinguished from S. (S.) hehuanense sp. nov. by the number of male upper-eye (large) facets in 20 or 21 vertical columns and 22 horizontal rows (19 vertical columns and 19 horizontal rows in the latter species), and presence of a pair of dorsolateral shiny spots on male abdominal segment 5 (absence in the latter species). Both new species inhabit streams at high elevations (ca, 2,600 m). They differ from S. (S.) sp. (probably S. (S.) arisanum Shiraki) from Taiwan, of the same subgroup, which breeds in streams at low elevations (433-685 m), by the pupal head and thorax covered with tubercles (bare in the latter species).

A male black fly of Simulium (Simulium) iwatense (Shiraki) (Diptera: Simuliidae) with genitalia-like appendages on abdominal segment 8

A rare non-sex mosaic abnormality represented by genitalia-like appendages on the ventral surface of abdominal segment 8 of a male black fly collected in Hokkaido, Japan, is reported. The appendages consist of a pair of style-like projections each arising from a coxite-like base, inverted-Y shaped ventral plate-like structure, and isolated round structure. This male was morphologically and molecularly identified as an abnormal form of S. (S.) iwatense (Shiraki), the only species in the Simulium (Simulium) ornatum species-group in Japan, although certain morphological characteristics of this male including the reduced number of uppereye (large) facets and elongate cerci are different from those of S. (S.) iwatense.

Down-regulation of Glutathione Peroxidase 4 in Oral Cancer Inhibits Tumor Growth Through SREBP1 Signaling

BACKGROUND/AIM

This study aimed to elucidate the role of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) on the sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs)-proliferation pathway in oral cancer cells, and determine its protein expression in oral cancer tissues.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis were carried out. Cell viability assay, apoptosis detection assay, immunohistochemistry and GPX4 knockdown were performed.

RESULTS

The levels of both GPX4 mRNA and protein were highest in SAS cells. GPX4 knockdown in SAS cells, a human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line, using GPX4 siRNA resulted in a reduction in cell number, which appeared to be due to non-apoptotic cell death such as ferroptosis. Furthermore, SREBP was clearly down-regulated by GPX4 knockdown in SAS cells. Immunopositivity for GPX4 was revealed on the membrane of human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells, and this was correlated with p53 immunoreactivity.

CONCLUSION

GPX4 appears to play an important role in oral cancer proliferation.

The impact of an empiric superior vena cava isolation added to pulmonary vein isolation for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation associated with left atrial low voltage areas

Introduction

Left atrial low-voltage areas (LVAs) are associated with recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the impact of LVAs on recurrence after an empiric pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plus superior vena cava isolation (SVCI) strategy for non-Paroxysmal AF (PAF) patients remains unclear.

Purpose

We evaluated the impact of LVAs on the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATs)/AF in patients who underwent an empiric SVCI added to the PVI for non-PAF.

Methods

We enrolled 153 consecutive patients with non-PAF who underwent a PVI alone (PVI group; n=51) or empiric PVI plus SVCI (PVI+SVCI group; n=102). Left atrial voltage maps were constructed during sinus rhythm to identify the LVAs (<0.5 mV). No patients underwent a substrate modification of the LVAs. We divided the patients into two groups based on the LVAs (with or without an LVA >5% of the left atrial surface area) and investigated the ATs/AF free survival rate after the initial and multiple procedures.

Results

LVAs were identified in 65% and 73% of the PVI and PVI + SVCI groups, respectively (P=0.319). In the PVI group, the 18-month ATs/AF-free survival was 61% of the patients without LVAs and 27% of patients with LVAs after the initial session (P=0.018) (Figure 1-A). Seventy-two percent of the patients without LVAs and 46% of those with LVAs were free from ATs/AF after multiple sessions (P=0.083) (Figure 1-B). In the PVI+SVCI group, 50% of the patients with LVAs and 61% of those without LVAs had no recurrence after the initial session (P=0.374) (Figure 2-A). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the 18-month ATs/AF-free survival between the patients with and without LVAs after multiple sessions (73% vs. 79%; P=0.520) (Figure 2-B).

Conclusion

A PVI alone strategy for non-PAF patients with LVAs had limited efficacy for the outcomes, even with multiple procedures. However, an SVCI may have the potential to compensate for an impaired outcome in patients with LVAs.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Impact of door-to-deployment time of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for out-of-hospital refractory cardiac arrest patients secondary to cardiovascular causes

Background

Door-to-balloon time in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction is reported to be an independent predictor of the prognostic implication. However, the effect of door-to-deployment time (DTDT) of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) on patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is unclear.

Purpose

This single-center, retrospective, observational study aimed to evaluate the effect of DTDT of VA-ECMO for mortality or neurological outcome of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in patients with cardiogenic OHCA.

Method

This single-center, retrospective, observational study was conducted from January 2008 to April 2019. The primary endpoint was 1-month overall survival measured after ECMO initiation. Moreover, the secondary endpoint was 1-month survival with favorable neurological functions defined as having a cerebral performance category score of 1 or 2.

Result

A total of 3082 patients with OHCA were brought to our institution and 84 received ECPR. Of these, 51 consecutive adult patients with cardiogenic OHCA without sustained return of spontaneous circulation during transport were included in this analysis. Approximately 18 patients (18/51, 35.3%) survived after 1 month and were discharged. Among the survivors, 15 (15/18, 83.3%) were discharged with a favorable neurological outcome. The baseline characteristics between the survivors and non-survivors were not significantly different, except for the initial shockable rhythm [18/18 (100%) versus 28/33 (84.9%), P=0.03]. There were no significant differences between the median time from collapse to hospital arrival [31.0 min (IQR 25.0–31.0) versus 29.0 min (IQR 25.0–39.5), P=0.53] and from call to hospital arrival [28.0 min (IQR 22.0–32.5) versus 27.0 min (IQR 23.3–34.5), P=0.56]. The median DTDT of VA-ECMO was significantly shorter in survivors [13.0 min (IQR 11.5–18.3) versus 21.0 minutes (IQR 15.5–32.0), P=0.01]. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the group with a DTDT ≤20 min had a significantly higher 1-month overall survival rate (P<0.01) and survival rate with a favorable neurological outcome (P=0.01) than that with a DTDT >20 minutes. Using the Cox proportional hazards analysis, DTDT ≤20 minutes and bystander-witnessed significantly affected the overall survival rate at 1 month [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.20–0.95; P=0.03 and adjusted HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.13–0.74; P<0.01, respectively]. Regarding survival rate with a favorable neurological outcome, the result was relatively similar [adjusted HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.22–0.96; P=0.04 and adjusted HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.16–0.85; P=0.02, respectively].

Conclusion

This study revealed that the DTDT of VA-ECMO is significantly associated with the 1-month mortality and neurological prognosis of patients with cardiogenic OHCA. However, further studies will be required to confirm these findings.

Kaplan-Meier survival curve

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Swelling of Doubly Magic ^{48}Ca Core in Ca Isotopes beyond N=28

Interaction cross sections for ^{42-51}Ca on a carbon target at 280  MeV/nucleon have been measured for the first time. The neutron number dependence of derived root-mean-square matter radii shows a significant increase beyond the neutron magic number N=28. Furthermore, this enhancement of matter radii is much larger than that of the previously measured charge radii, indicating a novel growth in neutron skin thickness. A simple examination based on the Fermi-type distribution, and mean field calculations point out that this anomalous enhancement of the nuclear size beyond N=28 results from an enlargement of the core by a sudden increase in the surface diffuseness of the neutron density distribution, which implies the swelling of the bare ^{48}Ca core in Ca isotopes beyond N=28.

Contribution to oral and maxillary surgery and surgical technique of osteo-odontokeratoprosthesis in Japan

Osteo-odontokeratoprosthesis (OOKP) is a technique invented by Strampelli in 1963, in which the patient's own tooth root is used to support an optical cylinder. It uses an autologous tooth-bone-periodontal complex to mount an optical cylinder, which is stabilised by overlying autologous buccal mucosa. OOKP involves two, staged procedures done by ophthalmologists and oral surgeons, and the main contribution from the oral surgeon is during the first stage. To date we have done nine first-stage, and completed eight second-stage, OOKP operations in Japan with a mean follow-up of eight years and 11 months by modifying the original method of the oral surgery. All OOKP procedures were unilateral, and canines were selected as the donor teeth. Patients developed ocular blindness as a result of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, and chemical and thermal burns to the cornea and ocular surface. All eight patients who completed the second stage have been stable, and there have been no major perioperative or postoperative oral complications. The patients' visual acuities were stable with no serious complications. Here we report the technical details of the oral contribution to OOKP.

Experimental study of fast-neutron production and moderation for accelerator-based BNCT system

This work aims to study the fast-neutron production and moderation for the development of a compact accelerator-based multi-port Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (AB-mBNCT) system. An initial energy distribution and the efficiency of a test moderator assembly (TMA) for fast neutrons from a tungsten (W) target bombarded with a 53 MeV proton beam were measured using organic scintillators. The experimental results were reproduced with reasonable accuracy by simulations using the PHITS code. This paper will discuss about the experimental outcome and the related benchmark calculations by PHITS code.

The impact of spot size, spacing, pattern, duration and intensity of burns on the photocoagulation index in a geometric simulation of pan-retinal laser photocoagulation

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of spot size, spacing, pattern, duration and intensity of burns on the photocoagulation index, using a geometric simulation of pan-retinal laser photocoagulation.

METHODS

Simulations of full-scattered pan-retinal laser photocoagulation were performed on a retinal map, using a geometry-based method. Simulations consisted of 300-, 400- or 500-μm diameter equidistant spots on the retina with 1.0-spot width spacing, as well as 400-μm diameter spots on the retina in an equidistant pattern or grid pattern, with 1.0-, 0.75-, 0.50-, 0.25- or 0-spot width spacing. For each simulation, we calculated the ratio of the total photocoagulated retinal area to the whole retina, termed the photocoagulation index. We recalculated the photocoagulation indexes using the expansion ratios of photocoagulated lesions by different duration and intensity of burns from a previous study.

RESULTS

The photocoagulation indexes of the simulated pan-retinal laser photocoagulation with 300-, 400- and 500-μm diameter spots were 20.8%, 20.6% and 21.0%, respectively. The photocoagulation indexes of the 1.0-, 0.75-, 0.50-, 0.25- and 0-spot width spacing configurations of pan-retinal laser photocoagulation burns for the equidistant pattern were 20.6%, 27.1%, 36.7%, 53.2% and 83.1%, respectively, and those for the grid pattern were 17.9%, 23.5%, 31.8%, 46.1% and 72.0%, respectively. The photocoagulation indexes obtained with the equidistant and grid patterns changed (range, 1.7-84.7% and 1.5-73.4%, respectively) when the duration or burn intensity of the pan-retinal photocoagulation was changed.

CONCLUSION

This geometric simulation method could evaluate the impact of a range of conditions on the photocoagulation index.

Dominance of Tensor Correlations in High-Momentum Nucleon Pairs Studied by (p,pd) Reaction

The isospin character of p-n pairs at large relative momentum has been observed for the first time in the ^{16}O ground state. A strong population of the J,T=1,0 state and a very weak population of the J,T=0,1 state were observed in the neutron pickup domain of ^{16}O(p,pd) at 392 MeV. This strong isospin dependence at large momentum transfer is not reproduced by the distorted-wave impulse approximation calculations with known spectroscopic amplitudes. The results indicate the presence of high-momentum protons and neutrons induced by the tensor interactions in the ground state of ^{16}O.

Temperature-dependent thermal behavior of impurity hydrogen trapped in vacancy-type defects in single crystal ZnO

Interacting nature between impurity hydrogen atoms and vacancy-type defects in single crystal ZnO was investigated by means of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. In order to clarify the observation of their thermal behavior, the sample was implanted with ¹H⁺ using an electrostatic accelerator. After the implantation, the positron lifetime became shorter, which suggests that the hydrogen atoms were captured by zinc vacancies (V_Zn) to form vacancy-hydrogen complexes (V_Zn + nH). The complexes decompose by heat treatment: most of the hydrogen atoms gradually dissociate from V_Zn + nH in the temperature range 393-773 K. It was also suggested that large vacancy clusters were formed by the agglomeration of smaller clusters during the process of stepwise isochronal annealings at temperatures from 773 to 1073 K, and their decomposition took place at 1173-1373 K. Temperature-dependent thermal behaviors of hydrogen atoms and vacancy-type defects in ZnO are discussed.

Evidence for prevalent Z = 6 magic number in neutron-rich carbon isotopes

The nuclear shell structure, which originates in the nearly independent motion of nucleons in an average potential, provides an important guide for our understanding of nuclear structure and the underlying nuclear forces. Its most remarkable fingerprint is the existence of the so-called magic numbers of protons and neutrons associated with extra stability. Although the introduction of a phenomenological spin-orbit (SO) coupling force in 1949 helped in explaining the magic numbers, its origins are still open questions. Here, we present experimental evidence for the smallest SO-originated magic number (subshell closure) at the proton number six in 13-20C obtained from systematic analysis of point-proton distribution radii, electromagnetic transition rates and atomic masses of light nuclei. Performing ab initio calculations on 14,15C, we show that the observed proton distribution radii and subshell closure can be explained by the state-of-the-art nuclear theory with chiral nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon forces, which are rooted in the quantum chromodynamics.

Study of the contribution of the 7Be(d, p) reaction to the 7Li problem in the Big-Bang Nucleosynthesis

Our research goal is to measure the 7Be(d, p) reaction to shed light on the 7Li problem in the Big-Bang Nucleosynthesis. We are developing an unstable 7Be target for a high-resolution measurement of the 7Be(d, p)8Be reaction. We plan to compare two methods to producethe 7Be target: (1) Activation method, and (2) Implantation method. We performed an activation methodexperiment at the Van de Graaff at Osaka University, and obtained the cross-section data. A second experiment to obtain more accurate data will take place at the Tandem Electrostatic Accelerator, Kobe University. We have also made a 7Be target with implantation method at CRIB, Center for Nuclear Study, Univer-sity of Tokyo. An experiment to measure the (d, p) reaction with the implanted target is scheduled for 2018 at Japan Atomic Energy Agency, tandem facility.

Synergism between α-mangostin and TRAIL induces apoptosis in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity through the mitochondrial pathway

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a tree found in South-East Asia and the pericarp of its fruit has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of many human illnesses. Mangosteen fruit rinds contain a high concentration of xanthone, which is a type of polyphenol. One type of xanthone, α-mangostin, has been reported to exert chemopreventive effects against chemically-induced colon cancer through the decrease of c-Myc expression, suppressing tumor growth in a mouse model of mammary cancer. A recent study demonstrated the inhibitive effect of α-mangostin on the growth of prostate cancer. However, it remains unclear whether α-mangostin induces cell death in oral cancer. The present study examined the impact of α-mangostin on human oral squamous cell carcinoma (HOSCC). Firstly we analyzed the expression of c-Myc in five HOSCC cell lines. The highest expression level of c-Myc mRNA was observed in SAS cells and the lowest in HSC-4 cells. Therefore, SAS cells were treated with α-mangostin, which was found to exert a weak cytocidal effect. Since α-mangostin has been reported to exert synergistic effects on cancers when combined with anticancer drugs, we attempted to evaluate such synergistic effects of α-mangostin when used with a cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis‑inducing ligand (TRAIL). We found that the combination of α-mangostin with TRAIL induced apoptosis of SAS cells through the mitochondrial pathway via activation of caspase-9 and -3/7, following release of cytochrome c. This apoptosis was induced by S/G2/M-phase arrest. Immunopositivity for c-Myc was observed in the cytoplasm of tumor cells in 16 (40%) of the 40 cases of HOSCC. These data revealed that the combination of α-mangostin and TRAIL may have a considerable potential for the treatment of oral cancer.

Assessing the progression of chronic periodontitis using subgingival pathogen levels: a 24-month prospective multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of the progression of periodontitis presently depends on the use of clinical symptoms (such as attachment loss) and radiographic imaging. The aim of the multicenter study described here was to evaluate the diagnostic use of the bacterial content of subgingival plaque recovered from the deepest pockets in assessing disease progression in chronic periodontitis patients.

METHODS

This study consisted of a 24-month investigation of a total of 163 patients with chronic periodontitis who received trimonthly follow-up care. Subgingival plaque from the deepest pockets was recovered and assessed for bacterial content of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans using the modified Invader PLUS assay. The corresponding serum IgG titers were measured using ELISA. Changes in clinical parameters were evaluated over the course of 24 months. The sensitivity, specificity, and prediction values were calculated and used to determine cutoff points for prediction of the progression of chronic periodontitis.

RESULTS

Of the 124 individuals who completed the 24-month monitoring phase, 62 exhibited progression of periodontitis, whereas 62 demonstrated stable disease. The P. gingivalis counts of subgingival plaque from the deepest pockets was significantly associated with the progression of periodontitis (p < 0.001, positive predictive value = 0.708).

CONCLUSIONS

The P. gingivalis counts of subgingival plaque from the deepest pockets may be associated with the progression of periodontitis.