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Aim: To describe the use of Straumann Orthosystem implants for orthodontic anchorage.

Semaphorins were originally identified as axonal guidance molecules, but they also control processes such as vascular development and tumorigenesis. The downstream signaling cascades of Semaphorins in these biological processes remain unclear. Here, we show that the class 3 Semaphorins (SEMA3s) activate the Hippo pathway to attenuate tissue growth, angiogenesis, and tumorigenesis. SEMA3B restoration in lung cancer cells with SEMA3B loss of heterozygosity suppresses cancer cell growth via activating the core Hippo kinases LATS1/2 (large tumor suppressor kinase 1/2). Furthermore, SEMA3 also acts through LATS1/2 to inhibit angiogenesis. We identified p190RhoGAPs as essential partners of the SEMA3A receptor PlexinA in Hippo regulation. Upon SEMA3 treatment, PlexinA interacts with the pseudo-guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) domain of p190RhoGAP and simultaneously recruits RND GTPases to activate p190RhoGAP, which then stimulates LATS1/2. Disease-associated etiological factors, such as genetic lesions and oscillatory shear, diminish Hippo pathway regulation by SEMA3. Our study thus discovers a critical role of Hippo signaling in mediating SEMA3 physiological function.

Abstract Background Procalcitonin (PCT) is a polypeptide with several cationic aminoacids in its chemical structure and it is a well known marker of sepsis. It is now emerging that PCT might exhibit some anti-inflammatory effects. The present study, based on the evaluation of the in vitro interaction between PCT and bacterial lipopolisaccharide (LPS), reports new data supporting the interesting and potentially useful anti-inflammatory activity of PCT. Results PCT significantly decreased (p Salmonella typhimurium (rough chemotype) and Escherichia coli (smooth chemotype). Subsequently, the in vitro effects of PCT on LPS-induced cytokine release were studied in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). When LPS was pre-incubated for 30 minutes with different concentrations of PCT, the release of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) by PBMC decreased in a concentration-dependent manner after 24 hours for IL-10 and 4 hours for TNFα. The release of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) exhibited a drastic reduction at 4 hours for all the PCT concentrations assessed, whereas such decrease was concentration-dependent after 24 hours. Conclusions This study provides the first evidence of the capability of PCT to directly neutralize bacterial LPS, thus leading to a reduction of its major inflammatory mediators.

Abstract Introduction We describe a case of early and persistent reverse end-diastolic flow in the middle cerebral artery in a fetus with severe ascites. These features are associated with a rare liver malformation known as ductal plate malformation. Case presentation A 28-year-old Caucasian woman was referred to our high-risk obstetric unit at 24 weeks' gestation for fetal ascites detected during a routine ultrasound examination. During her hospitalization we performed medical investigations, including a fetal paracentesis, to detect the etiology of fetal ascites. The cause of fetal ascites (then considered non-immune or idiopathic) was not evident, but a subsequent ultrasound examination at 27 weeks' gestation showed a reverse end-diastolic flow in the middle cerebral artery without any other Doppler abnormalities. A cesarean section was performed at 28 weeks' gestation because of the compromised fetal condition. An autopsy revealed a rare malformation of intrahepatic bile ducts known as ductal plate malformation. Conclusion Persistent reverse flow in the middle cerebral artery should be considered a marker of adverse pregnancy outcome. We recommend careful ultrasound monitoring in the presence of this ultrasonographic sign to exclude any other cause of increased intracranial pressure. To better understand the nature of these ultrasonographic signs, additional reports are deemed necessary. In fact in our case, as confirmed by histopathological examination, the fetal condition was extremely compromised due to failure of the fetal liver. Ductal plate malformation altered the liver structures causing hypoproteinemia and probably portal hypertension. These two conditions therefore explain the severe hydrops that compromised the fetal situation.

Twin pregnancies account for 3% of all pregnancies and they are burdened by higher morbidity and mortality compared to singletons. The role of ultrasound in the screening, diagnosis and management of possible complications of twin pregnancies has been widely investigated in the current literature. However, despite the progress that have been made in the last decades regarding treatment and evidence-based management of complications, twin pregnancies remain at higher risk of adverse outcomes, requiring therefore dedicated surveillance. Thorough counselling regarding the risks and prenatal care should be offered to all future parents of twin pregnancies. This review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding the management of uncomplicated dichorionic and monochorionic pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twin pregnancies are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality compared to singletons. Among all twins, monochorionic pregnancies are at higher risk of specific and non-specific complications compared to dichorionic pregnancies. Therefore, it is of great importance to properly counsel future parents with monochorionic pregnancies regarding the risks of adverse outcomes and the modalities of monitoring and intervention of the potential complications. Conditions related to the monochorionicity include twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence (TRAP), and twin anemia polycythemia syndrome (TAPS); other complications include selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) and congenital anomalies. This review aims to summarize the information available in the current literature regarding the complications in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies, including outcomes and guideline recommendations about the clinical surveillance, management, and timing of interventions of these conditions that should be included in counselling in routine clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of endometriosis on various outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF), including live birth rates, clinical pregnancy rates, fertilization rates, and implantation rates, through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Systematic searches were carried out using PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science from January 2010 to November 2023. Studies comparing IVF outcomes in women with and without endometriosis were included. The primary outcome was live birth rate; secondary outcomes included clinical pregnancy, fertilization, and implantation rates. Data were extracted and analyzed using odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) with fixed or random-effects models, depending on heterogeneity. Results: From 1340 studies initially identified, 40 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 8970 women with endometriosis and 42,946 control participants. There were no significant differences between the endometriosis and control groups in terms of live birth rate (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.75–1.41, p = 0.84), clinical pregnancy rate (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.72–1.02, p = 0.1), or fertilization rate (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.79–1.15, p = 0.64). However, endometriosis was associated with a significantly lower implantation rate (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74–0.97, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Endometriosis significantly negatively affects implantation rates in women undergoing IVF, despite the absence of significant differences in live birth, clinical pregnancy, and fertilization rates. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of different stages of endometriosis on IVF outcomes and to develop optimized management protocols for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of fertile age. Some studies suggest that a ketogenic diet (KD) may have a role in treating PCOS. We aimed to demonstrate the long-term effectiveness of a KD in PCOS. Methods: Eighteen patients with PCOS phenotype A were enrolled: 28% were of normal weight, 28% were overweight, and 44% had obesity. All participants followed a KD without meal replacements for 45 days. After this period, patients underwent gradual carbohydrate reintroduction over 45 days, and thereafter healthy eating indications were given. Twelve patients completed the study. The patients were assessed at baseline and after 6 months. Anthropometric data, body composition, pelvic ultrasound, blood chemistry, hirsutism, and menstrual cycles frequency were recorded; Results: Besides improvement in anthropometric parameters, menstrual cycles (p 0.012), ovarian volume (p 0.029), FSH (p 0.05), LH (p 0.037), and progesterone (p 0.017) improved independently of weight or fat loss. However, testosterone and hirsutism improvements were influenced by weight and fat mass reduction. Conclusions: Our study showed that a KD followed by gradual carbohydrate reintroduction in PCOS has beneficial effects medium term, mostly independent of body weight loss, even in normal-weight women, suggesting that nutritional ketosis exerts beneficial effects per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background T2Dx was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the rapid detection of a modified panel of ESKAPE bacterial species or Candida spp. causing bloodstream infection (BSI). Patients and methods We performed a retrospective, observational study from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019 of all hospitalised patients with suspected BSI who underwent assessment using T2Dx in addition to standard blood culture (BC). T2-positive patients (cases) were compared to a matched group of patients with BSI documented only by BC (1:2 ratio) to investigate the possible impact of T2Dx on the appropriateness of empirical antimicrobial therapy and 21-day mortality. Results In total, 78 T2Dx-analysed samples (49 patients) were analysed. The T2Dx assay result was positive for18 patients and negative for 31 patients. The concordance rates of the T2Bacteria Panel and T2Candida Panel results with those of standard BC were 74.4% and 91.4%, respectively. In the matched analysis, inappropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy administration was significantly less frequent in cases than in comparators (5.5% vs. 38.8%). The 21-day mortality rate was twofold lower in cases than in comparators (22.2% vs. 44.4%), although the difference was not significant. No other analysed variables were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions This study illustrated that T2Dx might be associated with an increase in the appropriateness of empiric antimicrobial therapy in patients with BSI. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether the T2Dx assay can improve patient outcomes.

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