Volume Gain Research Articles

Laboratory grounding of waterproofing sealant based on acrylic polymers

Modern Russian resource base is characterized by the state of deterioration. Economic indicators urgently need to be kept at the attained level. Enhanced oil recovery, produced water constriction gained by means of innovations are the crucial tasks when planning the events concerning the volume gain of recoverable hydrocarbon reserves in Russia as well as in the whole world. The present paper analyses the modified water shutoff polyacryl nitryl compound. Laboratory and investigative research has been carried out. The compound under study enables to restrict water inflow along the highly porous channels.

Apical U-shape splitting technique for undercut areas of the anterior alveolar ridge: a prospective non-randomized controlled study

The aim of this study was to investigate a novel apical U-shape splitting technique for horizontal bone augmentation in undercut areas and to compare its efficacy with that of guided bone regeneration (GBR). This was a prospective non-randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 36 patients, who presented with a labial undercut that was not able to house a normally inclined implant, underwent the new technique or GBR. Radiographic and clinical data were obtained preoperatively, immediately after surgery, and 12 months after surgery. Pairwise comparisons of changes in ridge width gain, marginal bone loss, and pink aesthetic score were performed; correlations with pristine ridge morphology were investigated. The results showed similar marginal bone loss in the two groups. The overall ridge width gains in the new technique group (2.56±1.92mm) and GBR group (0.73±1.21mm) differed significantly (P<0.05). The pink aesthetic score was higher for the new technique group (11.75±1.22) than for the GBR group (9.25±1.86) (P<0.01). The morphology of the concavity had different impacts on regeneration in the two groups. The apical U-shape splitting technique, as a safe and effective alternative to GBR, provided a significant increase in bone volume gain where labial fenestration was inevitable during implant placement.

Relationships of high cardiac output with ventricular morphology, myocardial energetics, and energy costs in hemodialysis patients with preserved ejection fraction

Hemodialysis patients have conditions that increase cardiac output (CO), including arteriovenous fistula, fluid retention, vasodilator use, and anemia. We sought to determine the relationships between these factors and CO and to evaluate the effects of the high-output states on ventricular morphology, function, and myocardial energetics in hemodialysis patients, using noninvasive load-insensitive indices. Cardiovascular function was assessed in hemodialysis patients with high output [ejection fraction ≥ 50%, cardiac index (CI) > 3.5L/min/m2, n = 30], those with normal output (CI < 3.0L/min/m2, n = 161), and control subjects without hemodialysis (n = 155). As compared to control subjects and hemodialysis patients with normal CI, patients with elevated CI were anemic and displayed decreased systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), excessive left ventricular (LV) contractility, larger LV volume, and tachycardia. Lower hemoglobin levels were correlated with decreased SVRI, excessive LV contractility, and higher heart rate, while estimated plasma volume and interdialytic weight gain were associated with larger LV volume, thus increasing CO. High output patients displayed markedly increased pressure-volume area (PVA) and PVA/stroke volume ratio, which were correlated directly with CO. The use of combination vasodilator therapy (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin-receptor blocker and calcium channel blocker) was not associated with high-output states. In conclusion, anemia and fluid retention are correlated with increased COin hemodialysis patients. The high-output state is also associated with excessive myocardial work and energy cost.

New technique for alveolar preservation – the anodized titanium foil concept

Background The socket preservation techniques are used to minimize bone loss and maintain gingival tissues volume after tooth extraction. However, the volume preservation rate of the alveolar process is not predictable, and most of the guided bone regeneration techniques change the mucogingival line by coronally positioning the flap to cover a membrane, what may impair implant aesthetics and function. Aim/Hypothesis The aim of this clinical prospective study was to evaluate a new alveolar preservation technique using an anodized titanium membrane (ATM), which remain exposed to the oral cavity, analyzing tomographical bone measurements pre-surgically and 6 months after surgery. Material and Methods Eighteen healthy patients having one hopeless tooth were selected to receive the new socket preservation technique. The teeth were carefully extracted, then a small flap was raised to allow the ATM insertion. The alveolus was filled with anorganic bovine bone graft and the ATM was trimmed and adapted over the crestal bone and below the gingival margin. Nylon sutures were used to hold the ATM in position. Proper post-operatory medications were prescribed (Amoxicylin 500 mg, Ibuprofen 200 mg and PerioGard rinse). Fifteen days after surgery the ATMs were removed with pliers. The measurements of the alveolus thickness were recorded in the baseline and 6 months after the surgeries, using cone beam tomographies, evaluating the distance between buccal and palatal bone plates, and were performed in the center of the alveolus, 1 mm above the palatal crestal bone. The data was statistically analyzed by Student´s t-test (P < 0.05 was considered). Results The results are presented in percentage, to minimize the influence of the different alveolus sizes. After 6 months, the mean volume maintenance was 97.66% (P = 0.07) for all the 18 patients. In cases with vestibular bone plate loss (7 patients), the average of volume maintenance was 112.89%, with some volume gain (P = 0.07). When there was no vestibular bone plate loss (11 cases) the result was 87.97% (P = 0.002). Evaluation the type of teeth, for molar teeth (7 cases), mean volume maintenance was 89.55% (P = 0.014), and for no molar teeth (11 cases), the average of volume maintenance was 102.82% (P = 0.46). Conclusions and Clinical Implications The use of ATM in this prospective case series presented superior tomographic results for tissue volume maintenance after 6 months, when compared to the scientific literature addressing GBR procedures using collagen membranes and connective tissue grafts. Future randomized controlled clinical studies are suggested to investigate the regenerative potential of this new alveolar preservation technique.

Orbital Fat Injection: Technique and 5-Year Follow-Up.

Orbital volume loss, early or late, is common after placement of an orbital implant or dermis fat graft, and there is currently no satisfactory long-lasting solution. Hyaluronic fillers are relatively easy to administer but are prone to migration and are temporary. Cannula-based orbital fat grafting has not gained the status of standard of care because of perceived low likelihood of success in the near term. This paper describes a technique for fat volume augmentation, its rationale, long-term follow-up, and a description of a complication unique to fat grafting in the orbit. Ten consecutive subjects with acquired anophthalmic enophthalmos were enrolled in two IRB (institutional review board)-approved protocols (10.27 and 12.01) undergoing a single session of autologous fat grafting to the orbit using a closed blunt cannula technique. Preoperative photography and non-contrast MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) were obtained prior, immediately after, and at 1year after injection. Yearly postoperative photography was performed on subjects with successful results. Three of five subjects in IRB 10.27 clearly showed a clinically apparent increase in orbital volume at 1year. One subject who failed to show improvement also sustained inadvertent injection into three extraocular muscles; she subsequently volunteered to enter IRB 12.01. Three of five subjects in IRB 12.01 did benefit, showing volume increase at 1year, including the subject who had experienced intramuscular injection in 10.27. One subject in IRB 12.01 was lost to follow-up. Of the total of ten subjects enrolled, three showed no improvement and one was lost to follow-up; six subjects showed volume improvement at 1 year with two retaining the correction at 5 years and four showing variable diminution over 2-5 years. With the exception of the subject who sustained injection into extraocular muscles, none experienced complications. A modified technique is recommended for orbital fat injection distinct from methods used elsewhere in the body. Theoretical limits of volumetric enhancement temper expectations in orbital fat grafting and should inform surgical planning. Cannula-based orbital fat grafting can be done safely and result in a gain of orbital fat volume at 1year and in some cases up to 5years. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Volume Gain of Brainstem on Medication-Overuse Headache Using Voxel-Based Morphometry.

Background:Histopathology identified the anatomical and molecular abnormalities of brainstem nuclei in migraine patients. However, the exact whole brainstem structural changes in vivo have not yet been identified in medication-overuse headache (MOH) transformed from migraine. The aim of this study was to investigate the regional volume changes over the whole brainstem in the MOH patients using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in vivo.Methods:High-resolution three-dimensional structural images were obtained using a 3.0-Tesla magnetic resonance system from 36 MOH patients and 32 normal controls (NCs) who were consecutively recruited from the International Headache Center, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, from March 2013 to June 2016. VBM was used to assess the brainstem structural alteration in the MOH patients, and voxel-wise correlation was performed to evaluate the relationship with the clinical characteristics.Results:The brainstem region with increased volume located in the left ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (MNI coordinate: -1, -33, -8), ventral tegmental area (MNI coordinate: 0, -22, -12), bilateral substantia nigra (MNI coordinate: -8, -16, -12, 9, -16, -12), and trigeminal root entry zone (MNI coordinate: -19, -29, -31; 19, -32, -29) in MOH patients compared with NCs. The headache visual analog scale score was positively related with the left rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) (MNI coordinate: -1, -37, -56; cluster size: 20; r = 0.602) in the MOH patients.Conclusions:The regional volume gain of brainstem could underlie the neuromechanism of impaired ascending and descending pathway in the MOH patients, and the left RVM volume alteration could imply the impaired tolerance of nociceptive pain input and could be used to assess the headache disability in the MOH patients.

The Interdialytic Creatinine Rise is a novel marker of volume overload and mortality risk in hemodialysis patients

BackgroundVolume overload poses a major risk in hemodialysis patients but simple detection methods are lacking. We propose a novel marker, the Interdialytic Creatinine Rise (IDCR), readily calculated as the change in serum creatinine over time (in mg/dL/h), to assess volume overload and predict mortality risk in hemodialysis patients.MethodsFirst, we calculated IDCR changes with volume in a prospective cohort of 35 hospitalized hemodialysis patients awaiting hemodialysis and 33 hospitalized patients undergoing hemodialysis every other day. Second, in a prospective cohort of 25 outpatients, IDCR cutoff values associated with hypervolemia were determined between two treatments and compared with simultaneous volume assessments by their nephrologist. Third, IDCR as a mortality predictor was studied using survival analysis in a longitudinal retrospective cohort study of 39 maintenance hemodialysis patients followed from 2012 until death or 2017.ResultsIDCR decreased by − 0.014 mg/dL/h each day (95%CI − 0.017,− 0.010; p < 0.001) without dialysis due to fluid volume gain and increased by 0.013 mg/dL/h (95%CI 0.008,0.017; p < 0.001) from before to after each successive hemodialysis due to fluid removal.Choosing an IDCR cutoff value of ≤0.1 had sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 79% in diagnosing volume overload with the area under the ROC curve of 0.78 (95%CI 0.59,0.97).The hazard ratio of death for each 0.01 decrease in IDCR was 1.64 (95%CI 1.31,2.07; p < 0.001). If IDCR decreased to less than 0.05 mg/dL/h, the median survival was 32 days and the odds ratio of death within 2 months was 38 (95%CI 8, 131; p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn this pilot study, IDCR is shown to be a novel metric that decreases with fluid retention and increases after fluid removal. IDCR can assist clinicians in detection or exclusion of volume overload in hemodialysis patients and provide prognostic value in identifying those at high risk for death.

Calcium-Polystyrene Sulfonate Decreases Inter-Dialytic Hyperkalemia in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Prospective, Randomized, Crossover Study.

Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening emergency in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. This clinical trial investigated the efficacy and safety of calcium-polystyrene sulfonate (Ca-PS) in MHD patients with interdialytic hyperkalemia. A total of 58 hemodialysis patients with hyperkalemia (≥5.5 mol/L) were selected and administered either a 3-week Ca-PS (3 × 5 g/day) or a blank control following the model of a prospective, randomized, crossover clinical trial with a 1-week washout period. All patients were followed up for another 3 weeks for safety evaluations. The primary outcome was the magnitude of the change in serum potassium levels. The secondary outcomes were electrocardiography (ECG) changes and treatment safety (volume overload, electrolyte imbalance). Compared with the control group, Ca-PS treatment significantly reduced serum potassium levels (P <0.01). More patients in the Ca-PS group had lower serum potassium levels than the safety level of <5.5 mmol/L (32% for control vs. 61% for Ca-PS, P <0.01). Peaked T-wave occurred less frequently in patients in the Ca-PS group (13.8% for Ca-PS vs. 31.03% for control, P <0.01). In addition, Ca-PS reduced serum phosphorus levels with no effects on serum levels of calcium and sodium, fluid volume, blood pressure, or interdialytic weight gain. Ca-PS treatment decreases serum levels of potassium and phosphorus in MHD patients with interdialytic hyperkalemia. Ca-PS does not induce volume overload or disrupt electrolyte balance.

Growth Dynamic of Allogeneic and Autogenous Bone Grafts in a Vertical Model.

Several techniques have been proposed for vertical bone regeneration, and many of them use bone autogenous and allogeneic grafts. The purpose of this study was to compare demineralised freeze-dried bone allografts (DFDBA), fresh-frozen (FF) allografts, autogenous bone grafts to find differences between volumetric and histological quantity of bone formation and vertical bone growth dynamic. A vertical tissue regeneration bone model was performed in rabbit calvarias under general anaesthesia. Four hollow cylinders of pure titanium were screwed onto external cortical bone calvarias in eight rabbits. Each one of the cylinders was randomly filled with one intervention: DFDBA, FF, autogenous bone, or left to be filled with blood clot (BC) as control. Allogeneic grafts were obtained from a ninth animal following international standardised protocols for the harvesting, processing, and cryopreservation of allografts. Autogenous graft was obtained from the host femur scraping before adapting hollow cylinders. Animals were euthanized at 13 weeks. Vertical volume was calculated after probe device measurements of the new formed tissue inside the cylinders and after titanium cylinders were removed. Histomorphometry and fluorochrome staining were used to analyse quantity and dynamic of bone formation, respectively. Results showed that DFDBA and fresh-frozen bone improved the velocity and the quantity of bone deposition in distant portions of the basal plane of grafting. Remaining material in allograft groups was more intense than in autogenous group. Both allografts can be indicated as reliable alternatives for volume gain and vertical bone augmentation.

Laparoscopic Partial ALPPS: Much Better Than ALPPS!

Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS) has emerged as an alternative for patients with bilobar colorectal liver metastasis deemed unresectable due to inadequate future remnant liver (FRL). Nevertheless, high morbidity and mortality rates have been reported. In this setting, including hepatobiliary scintigraphy in the clinical and surgical management of patients offered ALPPS has been advocated to both assess eligibility for ALPPS stage1 and suitable time for ALPPS stage2. Recently, it was stated that partial ALPPS with a liver split restricted to 50% of the transection line (or up to the middle hepatic vein in case of right extended hepatectomy) and a shortened stage1 allows improving the postoperative course without precluding the inter-stages FRL hypertrophy. We describe a case series of p-ALPPS with stage1 performed laparoscopically, including sequential assessments of the FRL volumes and functions via pre-stage1 and pre-stage2 computed tomography volumetry and HIDA SPECT-scintigraphy. In five patients, laparoscopic p-ALPPS was associated with rapid and significant gain of remnant functional volume - much better than previously observed for ALPPS - facilitating early stage2 without inflammatory adherences. In conclusion, laparoscopic p-ALPPS is feasible and seems less aggressive than the original ALPPS technique with total transection. It may be an interesting alternative to the classical portal vein embolization (PVE) and two-stage hepatectomy strategy.

Synthesis of high-specific volume carbon nanotube structures for gas-phase applications

A novel and efficient gas-phase method has been developed for synthesizing carbon nanotube (CNT) structures with very high specific volume, high surface area and high porosity. The resulting material has potential application as a catalyst and adsorbent support for gas-phase chemical processes and has several advantages over the conventional liquid-phase approach that involves multiple steps and takes many hours to days resulting in a dense mat of CNTs. Multi-walled CNTs were initially nucleated and grown on alumina nanoparticles using a liquid precursor of ferrocene dissolved in xylene. The CNT seeds were extended using ethylene as the gas precursor. Forces generated by CNT growth separated the alumina support clusters to result in a porous entangled structure with a 60 times gain in weight and a 1300 times gain in volume, compared to the original alumina particles. Effects of ferrocene injection rate, alumina particle sizes, and CNT growth parameters on the volume of the structure were analyzed and it was determined that high ferrocene input, moderate temperatures, and small alumina particles all favor the synthesis of high-volume CNT structures.

The Double Palatal Graft: A Novel Management of Severe Vertical and Horizontal Soft Tissue Deficiency

IntroductionManagement of a severe soft tissue defect in the anterior esthetic zone is challenging, especially when associated with a palatal cleft. This case report describes a novel technique to augment soft tissue thickness and height with a procedure that combines two different soft tissue grafting techniques in one step.Case PresentationA patient presented to the author's private practice with a unilateral cleft lip and palate with a severe vertical and horizontal soft tissue deficiency at the cleft site. Double graft was used to correct the soft tissue defect in one session; one as a pedicle harvested from the palate close to the defect, and the other as a partially de‐epithelialized free graft harvested from the other side of the palate. Both grafts were sutured overlying each other as a double graft. The pedicle graft was sutured at the base of the labial flap, whereas the partially de‐epithelialized free graft was adapted to the recipient site, which included labial and palatal pouches, overlying the pedicle. After 3 months, clinical outcome exhibited favorable results in the form of ample gain in both volume and quality of the soft tissue, restoration of the level of the mucogingival junction, and closure of the palatal cleft.ConclusionThe technique described in this case report could be considered as a method to augment soft tissue volume and quality prior to hard tissue augmentation in severe soft tissue defects.

Fat grafting of hairy areas of head and neck - comparison between lipofilling and nanofat grafting procedures in a cadaveric study

AimFat grafting has well-recognized effects in terms of volume gain, skin trophicity, relieving of post-wound nevralgia. Recent publications suggest a regenerative action on hair follicles. The objective of our study was to compare lipofilling and nanofat grafting in hairy areas of head and neck so as to determine a convenient fat injection technique for those areas in the prospect of treating alopecia. Material and methodsOur study compared lipofilling and nanofat grafting, in a cadaveric study involving one body. ResultsLipofilling was found easy to perform in the face, avoiding classical pitfalls, but was more difficult in the scalp areas. Nanofat grafting seemed particularly convenient to inject into the scalp, especially in Merkel's space, and hairy areas that required high precision injections. ConclusionAfter having compared lipofilling and nanofat grafting in hairy areas of the head and neck, we propose a combination of lipofilling (in hairy areas where a durable gain of volume is acceptable, in case of burn or scar) and nanofat grafting (in all hairy areas and in Merkel's space in scalp areas). This technique may be used either as a complement of hair follicle grafting or as a regenerative treatment of alopecia.

Kinetic glomerular filtration rate equation can accommodate a changing body volume: Derivation and usage of the formula

Ascertaining a patient's kidney function is more difficult to do when the serum creatinine is changing than when it is stable. To accomplish the task, various kinetic clearance equations have been developed. To date, however, none of them have allowed for ongoing changes to the creatinine's volume of distribution. These diluting or concentrating effects on the [creatinine] can greatly impact the accuracy of kidney function assessment. Described herein is a model of creatinine kinetics that also accommodates volume changes. The differential equation is solved for the kinetic glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is helpful information to the physician. Some of the equation's discontinuities, such as from dividing by a volume rate of zero, can be resolved by using limits. Being “volume-capable,” the new kinetic equation reveals how a changing volume influences the maximum rate of rise in [creatinine], a parameter that heretofore was chosen empirically. To show the advantages of incorporating volume, the new and old kinetic equations are applied to a clinical case of overzealous fluid resuscitation. Appropriately, when the volume gain's dilution of [creatinine] is taken into account, the creatinine clearance is calculated to be substantially lower. In conclusion, the kinetic GFR equation has been upgraded to handle volume changes simultaneously with [creatinine] changes.

From Bedside to Bench: The Effect of Muscular Denervation on Fat Grafting to the Breast by Comparing Take Rate, Quality, and Longevity.

Autologous fat grafting (AFG) to the breast is a frequent procedure in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Despite pure volume gain, questions remain regarding the engraftment rate, quality, and longevity. Little is known about the role of recipient tissue or innervation of the grafted area. The goal of this study was to determine the optimal recipient layer and muscular pretreatment of AFG. Fat was grafted to the breast, pectoralis muscle, or adjacent subcutaneous tissue of 42 rats. Nerve treatment included excision of a nerve segment, botulinum toxin (BTX) injection, or no treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological workup were carried out after 2 and 6 weeks. Six weeks after AFG, the proportion of viable fat cells within the grafted fat stayed high (median, [IQR]: 81% [72% to 85%]). The signs of inflammation decreased over time. Intramuscular grafting with intact nerves had a decreasing effect on the viability of the grafted cells compared with subcutaneous treatment (-10.21%; 95% confidence interval [-21.1 to 0.68]). If utilized on an intact nerve, intramuscular injection may lead to inferior results. If the nerve was cut or treated with BTX; however, intramuscular injection tends to be superior. These findings may prove interesting for future studies and eventual clinical application.

Therapeutic effects of the allosteric protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitor KY-226 on experimental diabetes and obesity via enhancements in insulin and leptin signaling in mice

The anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of the allosteric protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitor 4-(biphenyl-4-ylmethylsulfanylmethyl)-N-(hexane-1-sulfonyl)benzoylamide (KY-226) were pharmacologically evaluated. KY-226 inhibited human PTP1B activity (IC50 = 0.28 μM), but did not exhibit peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist activity. In rodent preadipocytes (3T3-L1), KY-226 up to 10 μM had no effects on adipocyte differentiation, whereas pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, markedly promoted it. In human hepatoma-derived cells (HepG2), KY-226 (0.3–10 μM) increased the phosphorylated insulin receptor (pIR) produced by insulin. In db/db mice, the oral administration of KY-226 (10 and 30 mg/kg/day, 4 weeks) significantly reduced plasma glucose and triglyceride levels as well as hemoglobin A1c values without increasing body weight gain, while pioglitazone exerted similar effects with increases in body weight gain. KY-226 attenuated plasma glucose elevations in the oral glucose tolerance test. KY-226 also increased pIR and phosphorylated Akt in the liver and femoral muscle. In high-fat diet-induced obese mice, the oral administration of KY-226 (30 and 60 mg/kg/day, 4 weeks) decreased body weight gain, food consumption, and fat volume gain with increases in phosphorylated STAT3 in the hypothalamus. In conclusion, KY-226 exerted anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects by enhancing insulin and leptin signaling, respectively.

Hypertonicity‐induced cation channels in HepG2 cells: architecture and role in proliferation vs. apoptosis

Na+ conducting hypertonicity-induced cation channels (HICCs) are key players in the volume restoration of osmotically shrunken cells and, under isotonic conditions, considered as mediators of proliferation - thereby opposing apoptosis. In an siRNA screen of ion channels and transporters in HepG2 cells, with the regulatory volume increase (RVI) as read-out, δENaC, TRPM2 and TRPM5 were identified as HICCs. Subsequently, all permutations of these channels were tested in RVI and patch-clamp recordings and, at first sight, HICCs were found to operate in an independent mode. However, there was synergy in the siRNA perturbations of HICC currents. Accordingly, proximity ligation assays showed that δENaC was located in proximity to TRPM2 and TRPM5 suggesting a physical interaction. Furthermore, δENaC, TRPM2 and TRPM5 were identified as mediators of HepG2 proliferation- their silencing enhanced apoptosis. Our study defines the architecture of HICCs in human hepatocytes as well as their molecular functions. Hypertonicity-induced cation channels (HICCs) are a substantial element in the regulatory volume increase (RVI) of osmotically shrunken cells. Under isotonic conditions, they are key effectors in the volume gain preceding proliferation; HICC repression, in turn, significantly increases apoptosis rates. Despite these fundamental roles of HICCs in cell physiology, very little is known concerning the actual molecular architecture of these channels. Here, an siRNA screening of putative ion channels and transporters was performed, in HepG2 cells, with the velocity of RVI as the read-out; in this first run, δENaC, TRPM2 and TRPM5 could be identified as HICCs. In the second run, all permutations of these channels were tested in RVI and patch-clamp recordings, with special emphasis on the non-additivity and additivity of siRNAs - which would indicate molecular interactions or independent ways of channel functioning. At first sight, the HICCs in HepG2 cells appeared to operate rather independently. However, a proximity ligation assay revealed that δENaC was located in proximity to both TRPM2 and TRPM5. Furthermore, a clear synergy of HICC current knock-downs (KDs) was observed. δENaC, TRPM2 and TRPM5 were defined as mediators of HepG2 cell proliferation and their silencing increased the rates of apoptosis. This study provides a molecular characterization of the HICCs in human hepatocytes and of their role in RVI, cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Soft tissue volume gain around dental implants using autogenous subepithelial connective tissue grafts harvested from the lateral palate or tuberosity area. A randomized controlled clinical study.

To compare the soft tissue volume gain (VG) around single tooth implants with subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) from either the lateral palate (LP) or from the tuberosity area (TA). Thirty-two patients with 36 implants with buccal volume deficiencies were randomly assigned to receive SCTG from LP (control group/CG) or TA (test group/TG). Clinical parameters were recorded. VG was evaluated by stereolithography (STL) image superimposition of two intraoral scans (baseline/BL and 3months after surgery/FU-3). Descriptive analysis was performed for both groups, and for comparisons, Mann-Whitney U test was used. In terms of VG values, no statistically significant differences were observed except for values at 6 and 7mm apically to the healing abutment which favoured the TG. Mean values were 0.69±0.23mm for CG while TG obtained 0.79±0.10mm (p=.64). Regarding Keratinized tissue (KT) width statistical significant differences were found favouring TG, which obtained a gain of 0.83±0.61mm compared with 0.22±0.48mm for CG (p=.009). Pink esthetic scores resulted in mean values of 10.07±2.19 for the CG, while TG obtained 9.15±2.34. Both procedures were effective in increasing soft tissue volume with no statistically significant differences. A longer follow-up is needed to confirm or refute these results.

Prosthetically CAD-CAM-Guided Bone Augmentation of Atrophic Jaws Using Customized Titanium Mesh: Preliminary Results of an Open Prospective Study.

This study evaluated the outcomes of computer-aided design-computer-aided machining (CAD-CAM)-customized titanium mesh used for prosthetically guided bone augmentation related to the occlusion-driven implant position, to the vertical bone volume gain of the mandible and maxilla, and to complications, such as mesh exposure. Nine patients scheduled for bone augmentation of atrophic sites were treated with custom titanium mesh and particulate bone grafts with autologous bone and anorganic bovine bone in a 1:1 ratio prior to implant surgery. The bone volume needed to augment was virtually projected based on implant position, width, and length, and the mesh design was programmed for the necessary retaining screws. After 6 to 8 months, bone augmentations of 1.72 to 4.1 mm (mean: 3.83 mm) for the mandibular arch and 2.14 to 6.88 mm (mean: 3.95 mm) for the maxilla were registered on cone-beam computerized tomography. Mesh premature (within 4 to 6 weeks) exposure was observed in 3 cases and delayed (after 4 to 6 weeks) in 3 other cases. One titanium mesh was removed before the programmed time but in all augmented sites was possible implant insertion. No complication occurred during prosthetic follow-up. Using CAD-CAM technology for prosthetically guided bone augmentation showed important postoperative morbidity of mesh exposure (66%). Because of this high prevalence of mesh exposure and the potential infection that could affect the expected bone augmentation, this study suggests a cautious approach to this procedure when designing the titanium mesh, to avoid flap tension that may cause mucosal rupture.

Morphometric changes over the whole brain in caffeine-containing combination-analgesic-overuse headache.

ObjectiveTo investigate brain morphometric changes in medication-overuse headache with excessive intake of caffeine-containing combination analgesics.Materials and methodsWe recruited 32 medication-overuse headache patients overusing caffeine-containing combination analgesics and 26 normal controls with matched sex and age. Magnetic resonance T1-weighted images were processed by automatic volume algorithm of brain regions over the whole brain according to the neuromorphometrics template. We explored the volume differences between groups and correlation with clinical variables.ResultsMedication-overuse headache patients demonstrated decreased volume in cerebellum, optic chiasm, and increased volume in right lateral orbital gyrus, left calcarine, bilateral middle occipital gyrus, right superior parietal lobe, and right temporal transverse gyrus compared with normal controls. The increased volume was primarily contributed by patients of lower headache frequency (10–20 days/month) and with no psychological comorbidities. In regression analyses, the volume of bilateral middle occipital gyrus had negative association with migraine duration, and the volume of right lateral orbital gyrus and right superior parietal lobe was negatively correlated with number of medications per month.ConclusionsVolume changes of brain regions involved in affective and cognitive processing, visual and auditory perception, and pain sensory/discrimination suggested a particular role of those regions in the pathogenesis of medication-overuse headache overusing caffeine-containing combination analgesics. Morphometric changes in multiple visual processing areas and volume gain in lower headache frequency and less anxiety and depression may be specific features related to overusing caffeine-containing combination analgesics.