Labial talon cusp on maxillary central incisors: a rare developmental dental anomaly

Labial talon cusp, or dens evaginatus is a very rare dental anomaly of unclear etiology and significance. It can occur as an isolated finding or be associated with other dental anomalies or some syndromes. The present report describes two Caucasian males with labial talon cusp on maxillary permanent left central incisors. In both cases accessory cusp caused plaque accumulation and marginal gingivitis. One case displayed affected tooth to be in cross bite position causing occlusal trauma. No other dental anomalies in either case, neither association with some syndromes were noted. This rare anomaly requires careful dental and physical examination of the affected patient since its finding can be of clinical and genetic significance.     

Proinflammatory cytokines in antilipopolysaccharide immunity against Klebsiella infections

This study was undertaken in order to determine whether proinflammatory cytokines are involved in a previously described protection against Klebsiella infection mediated by antilipopolysaccharide antibodies. BALB/c mice were infected intraperitoneally with a lethal challenge of Klebsiella pneumoniae Caroli. One group of mice was protected with monoclonal antibodies against lipopolysaccharide prior to infection and the second was not. We determined the number of colony-forming units at different time points in the blood of infected animals and paralleled them with plasma levels of five proinflammatory cytokines measured by enzyme immunoassays. Our results show that the two groups of animals tested expressed different plasma concentrations for all cytokines. The greatest difference was detected 24 hours after infection, with a higher production in the unprotected group. We concluded that a reduced cytokine production is partially responsible for the survival of protected animals.     

Near-infrared fluorescent type II quantum dots for sentinel lymph node mapping

The use of near-infrared or infrared photons is a promising approach for biomedical imaging in living tissue. This technology often requires exogenous contrast agents with combinations of hydrodynamic diameter, absorption, quantum yield and stability that are not possible with conventional organic fluorophores. Here we show that the fluorescence emission of type II quantum dots can be tuned into the near infrared while preserving absorption cross-section, and that a polydentate phosphine coating renders them soluble, disperse and stable in serum. We then demonstrate that these quantum dots allow a major cancer surgery, sentinel lymph node mapping, to be performed in large animals under complete image guidance. Injection of only 400 pmol of near-infrared quantum dots permits sentinel lymph nodes 1 cm deep to be imaged easily in real time using excitation fluence rates of only 5 mW/cm(2). Taken together, the chemical, optical and in vivo data presented in this study demonstrate the potential of near-infrared quantum dots for biomedical imaging.     

SoilGrids1km — Global Soil Information Based on Automated Mapping

BackgroundSoils are widely recognized as a non-renewable natural resource and as biophysical carbon sinks. As such, there is a growing requirement for global soil information. Although several global soil information systems already exist, these tend to suffer from inconsistencies and limited spatial detail.Conclusions/SignificanceSoilGrids1km provide an initial set of examples of soil spatial data for input into global models at a resolution and consistency not previously available. Some of the main limitations of the current version of SoilGrids1km are: (1) weak relationships between soil properties/classes and explanatory variables due to scale mismatches, (2) difficulty to obtain covariates that capture soil forming factors, (3) low sampling density and spatial clustering of soil profile locations. However, as the SoilGrids system is highly automated and flexible, increasingly accurate predictions can be generated as new input data become available. SoilGrids1km are available for download via http://soilgrids.org under a Creative Commons Non Commercial license.     

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)1-3 enhances bone repair

Small molecules that exhibit biological activity have contributed to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of various biological phenomena. 5-Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) is a thymidine analogue that modulates various biological phenomena such as cellular differentiation and cellular senescence in cultured mammalian cells. Although BrdU is thought to function through changing chromatin structure and gene expression, its precise molecular mechanisms are not understood. To study the molecular mechanism for the action of BrdU, we have employed the yeast Saccharomycescerevisiae as a model system, and screened multi-copy suppressor genes that confer resistance to BrdU. Our genetic screen has revealed that expression of the N-terminal short fragment of TUP1, and also disruption of HDA1 or HOS1, histone deacetylases that interact with TUP1, conferred resistance to BrdU. These results suggest the implication of the chromatin proteins in the function of BrdU, and would provide novel clues to answer the old question of how BrdU modulates various biological phenomena.     

Coexistence of ochronosis and B 27 positive ankylosing spondylitis

We describe a 49-year-old man with coexistence of ochronosis and B27 positive ankylosing spondylitis. This is the first report documenting the simultaneous occurrence of ochronosis and B27 positive ankylosing spondylitis, with no positive familiar history for seronegative spondylarthropathies. The relations of these rheumatic diseases are discussed.     

The rational strategies for detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip at the age of 4-6 months old infants: a prospective study

Using ultrasound in evaluation of infant's hip development can reduce surgical procedures, hospitalization and late presentation of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The increasing incidence of DDH after ultrasound examination is observed and published by many authors. In a prospective study, radiograph of every single ultrasonographic positive hip in infants older than three months, was taken and analyzed in order to see whether it affects infants splintage rate in treating DDH. In a period of 30 months, clinical and simple static ultrasonographic examinations according to Graf were performed on 1430 consecutive infant hips in patients aged between 4 and 6 months. Sonographic positive hips were radiographed and acetabular index (AI) values on simple AP radiographs were analyzed. The sonographic DDH incidence was 51.75 per 1000 hips (51.75 per thousand). After X-ray examination of all 74 ultrasonographic positive hips, only 44 remained abnormal and required treatment indicating a true DDH incidence of 30.77 per 1000 hips (30.77 per thousand). The difference in incidence per ultrasonographic and X-ray positive hips is statistically significant p < 0.01 (t = 5,536). The rational approach in detection of DDH in a child more than 3 months old is to do radiographic assessment of every sonographic positive hip.     

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients from Croatian Zagorje County treated at Department of Medicine, Zabok General Hospital from 2000 to 2006

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients treated for coronary heart disease (CHD) at Department of Medicine, Zabok General Hospital during the 2000-2006 period. Cardiovascular diseases are a group of diseases that occur due to arterial. The risk factors that lead to the development and occurrence of cardiovascular disease are hypertension, cigarette smoking, hyperholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes mellitus and positive family history. Additional factors favoring the occurrence of cardiovascular disease include overweight, inadequate physical activity, and emotional stress. Data on all patients hospitalized and diagnosed with CHD at Department of Medicine, Zabok General Hospital during the 2000-2006 period were analyzed for the prevalence of risk factors for CHD, i.e. hypertension, cigarette smoking, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes mellitus and positive family history of cardiovascular disease. Hypercholesterolemia was defined by a cholesterol level higher than 5.1 mmol/L, hypertension from history data and blood pressure measurement on admission greater than 140/90 mmHg, diabetes mellitus from history data, and hypertriglyceridemia by a triglyceride level greater than 1.7 mmol/L. Information on heredity and cigarette smoking was collected from history and a questionnaire filled out on admission. All laboratory values were determined on patient admission to the hospital. Analysis of the risk factors for CHD recorded in patients from Zagorje County during the 2000-2006 period revealed hypertension to be the most common risk factor in our patients. According to sex, CHD was found to show a male preponderance. According to age at admission, CHD predominated in the > 70 age group, which accounted for one third of all patients, followed by a comparable proportion of the 50-60 and 60-70 age groups, i.e. still active population groups. As CHD is one of the leading health threats worldwide, estimated to remain so at least by 2020, it is fully justified to invest all efforts in the study of cardiovascular disease. New research projects should be focused on the prevention and early detection of the disease, improvement of diagnosis procedures, introduction of novel therapeutic options, use of new concepts, and due survey of the measures taken. CHD poses great socioeconomic burden upon every community in industrialized societies because of the ever younger age at onset. Actions should be taken to improve awareness of the CHD risks and morbidity in the population at large, stimulating favorable lifestyle and dietary modifications, and one's own health awareness, in order to upgrade the control of risk factors for and morbidity of cardiovascular disease.