• Brun Carver posted an update 5 hours, 58 minutes ago

    Purpose This study investigated the third molar mineralization in patients with cleft lip and palate.Materials and methods From a total of 253 digital panoramic radiographs from patients with cleft lip and palate within the age range of 7-21 years, 97 radiographs were selected (cleft group). A control group was formed from same sex individuals, without malformation and chronological age matched within 30 days. The analysis of third molar mineralization was carried out by three calibrated examiners using Demirjian’s and Nolla’s methods. McNemar and Wilcoxon test for paired samples were used for pairwise comparisons between the groups. The Likelihood Ratio test was used to check for an association between the type of cleft and tooth calcification.Results In both methods, the mineralization means were smaller in the case group than in the control, with significant differences for all third molars (p  less then  .05). The type of cleft affected dental mineralization. There was no significant difference when comparing the left or right sides, but maxillary molars showed earlier mineralization.Conclusions A significant delay in third molar mineralization was observed in patients with cleft lip and palate according to Demirjian’s and Nolla’s methods.The chondrocyte mitochondrial dysfunction has been considered to be associated with the pathogenesis of joint diseases. Catalpol is an active traditional Chinese medicine ingredient named Di-Huang, which is used widely to treat different diseases. In this study, we found the addition of catalpol in chondrocytes induced the expression of crucial mitochondrial regulators, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF1), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Catalpol promoted mitochondrial biogenesis, as revealed by the induction on the mitochondrial DNA/nuclear DNA (mtDNA/nDNA) and the expression of several mitochondrial genes including translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 22 (Tomm22), translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 70 (Tomm70), mitochondrial import inner membrane translocase subunit 50 (Timm50), NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] iron-sulphur protein 3 (NDUFS3), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase subunit D (ATP5d), and cytochrome B. Consequently, catalpol increased cytochrome c oxidase activity, the mitochondrial respiratory rate, and the extracellular ATP production, indicating that catalpol boosted mitochondrial function. Mechanistically, catalpol increased the activation of the cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB), and the inhibition of CREB abolished catalpol-mediated promotion on mitochondrial biogenesis. In summary, this study demonstrated that catalpol has the potential to be used in the treatment of joint diseases.Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) are prevalent and can result in significant debilitation. Current diagnostic methods have implicit limitations, with clinical assessment tools reliant on subjective self-reported symptoms or non-specific clinical observations, and commonly available imaging techniques lacking sufficient sensitivity to detect mTBI. A blood biomarker would provide a readily accessible detector of mTBI to meet the current measurement gap. Suitable options would provide objective and quantifiable information in diagnosing mTBI, in monitoring recovery, and in establishing a prognosis of resultant neurodegenerative disease, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). A biomarker would also assist in progressing research, providing suitable endpoints for testing therapeutic modalities and for further exploring mTBI pathophysiology. This review highlights the most promising blood-based protein candidates that are expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and released into systemic circulation following mTBI. To date, neurofilament light (NF-L) may be the most suitable candidate for assessing neuronal damage, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) for assessing astrocyte activation, although further work is required. Ultimately, the heterogeneity of cells in the brain and each marker’s limitations may require a combination of biomarkers, and recent developments in microRNA (miRNA) markers of mTBI show promise and warrant further exploration.Background Physiotherapists (PTs) must be role models and convincing promoters of physical activity (PA). Objective This cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether Turkish PTs’ PA promotion and counseling practices are associated with their own PA habits. Method An open-access survey was distributed to 2,619 PTs via e-mail to collect information about the PTs’ PA habits; their knowledge, role perception, confidence, perceived barriers and feasibility in PA promotion; and their counseling practices. During the year that the survey was online, 421 (16.1%) PTs responded. The PTs were divided into two groups physically active PTs (engaged in at least one type of PA) and inactive PTs. Chi-square test of independence was used for data analysis. Results Knowledge of PA did not differ between the groups (p>0.05). Physically active PTs had higher role perception (except in one item) and greater confidence in PA promotion than inactive PTs (p0.05). Significantly more physically active PTs suggested PA to 10 or more patients/month [25.2% (n=40), vs. 13.5% (n=26); p=0.005] and suggested at least one type of PA [78.7% (n=137) vs. 59.2% (n=141); p=0.000]. PTs who engaged in vigorous-intensity PA and strength training were significantly more likely to suggest these types of PA than PTs who did not [44.1% (n=15) vs. 10.4% (20); p=0.000 and 91.1% (n=113) vs. 83.2% (n=154); p=0.047, respectively]. Conclusion This study demonstrated that physically active PTs had higher role perception and confidence, and more actively promoted PA in their counseling practice.Problem To achieve their potential in medical and biomedical careers, students (scholars) from under-resourced backgrounds must build sophisticated skills and develop confidence and professionalism. To flourish in an advanced educational system that may be unfamiliar, these scholars also need networks of mentors and role models. These challenges can affect scholars at multiple stages of their education. Intervention To meet these challenges, we created a broad and innovative biomedical research-focused pipeline program the Johns Hopkins Initiative for Careers in Science in Medicine (CSM Initiative). This initiative targets three levels high school, undergraduate, and post-baccalaureate/pre-doctoral (graduate and medical). check details We provide training in essential academic, research, professional, and social skills to meet the unique challenges of our scholars from under-resourced backgrounds. Scholars also build relationships with mentors who provide career guidance and support. We present an overview of the training and assessment at each level of this initiative.