A pilot phase II study of valproic acid for treatment of low-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma

Introduction.

Notch1 has been shown to be a tumor suppressor in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Previous in vitro studies in NET cell lines have also suggested that valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, can induce Notch1 and that Notch1 activation correlates with a decrease in tumor markers for NETs. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the role of VPA in treating NETs and to determine whether VPA induced the Notch signaling pathway signaling in vivo.

Patients and Methods.

Eight patients with low-grade NETs (carcinoid and pancreatic) were treated with 500 mg of oral VPA twice a day with dosing adjusted to maintain a goal VPA level between 50 and 100 μg/mL. All patients were followed for 12 months or until disease progression.

Results.

Notch1 signaling was absent in all tumors prior to treatment and was upregulated with VPA. One patient had an unconfirmed partial response and was noted to have a 40-fold increase in Notch1 mRNA levels. Four patients had stable disease as best response. Tumor markers improved in 5 out of 7 patients. Overall, treatment with VPA was well tolerated.

Conclusion.

VPA activates Notch1 signaling in vivo and may have a role in treating low-grade NETs.     

Communication of the anterior branch of the great auricular nerve with the marginal mandibular nerve: A prospective study of 25 neck dissections

The great auricular nerve originates from the cervical plexus (C2, 3) and supplies sensation to the lower part of the pinna and the skin overlying the angle of the mandible. We have previously reported an unusual anatomical variant where the anterior division of the great auricular nerve passed into the submandibular triangle and was joined on its deep surface by the marginal mandibular division of the facial nerve. We now report a prospective study of 25 neck dissections in which a meticulous search for this variant resulted in the same communication between the great auricular nerve and the marginal mandibular division of the facial nerve being found in one further patient (an incidence of 2/25 patients in our series).     

Pindborg's tumor: a propos of a case

The calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor was first described as an entity by Danish pathologist Jens Pindborg in 1955. It is an uncommon and locally invasive benign odontogenic tumor. The most characteristic findings are the presence of amyloid-like substance and calcified concentric liesegang rings.     

Shear bond strength of one-step self-etch adhesives with different co-solvent ingredients to dry or moist dentin

Objective

To evaluate the shear bond strength of one-step self-etch adhesives with different co-solvent ingredients to dry or moist dentin.

Materials and methods

A total of 60 extracted teeth were used in this study, and were divided according to the adhesive systems and dentin conditions into 6 groups of 10 teeth each [Xeno III – dry dentin, Xeno III – moist dentin, Adper Prompot L-Pop – dry dentin, Adper Prompot L-Pop – moist dentin, iBond – dry dentin, and iBond – moist dentin]. Resin composite cylinder was built up on each specimen, and then thermocycled. A shear load was applied to the specimens using universal testing (Instron machine) at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min until failure occurred. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni multiple comparison test at 95% confidence level.

Results and conclusion

Based on the findings of this study: The highest mean shear bond strength to dry dentin was seen when Xeno III containing ethanol co-solvent ingredient was used. The highest mean shear bond strength to moist dentin was seen when iBond which contains acetone co-solvent ingredient was used. In the absence of a co-solvent ingredient in self-etch adhesive (Adper Prompot L-Pop), the mean shear bond strengths to dry and moist dentin were low with no significant difference between them.     

Use of the dry angle isolation adjunct in general dentistry: a clinical approach

The dry angle is a thin, triangle-shaped piece of moisture-absorbing cellulose that is placed over the buccal mucosa. It absorbs parotid gland saliva and some mandibular saliva, and helps to maintain a dry working field. It is an adjunct to rubber dam isolation and can facilitate dry field isolation in ways that cotton rolls cannot. Its thinness allows it to be placed in the thin space between the maxillary second molars and the ramus aspect of the mandible and sometimes it may be the most practical tool for isolating second molars for bonding or cementation procedures. When slightly moistened with parotid saliva, the dry angle adheres to the surface of the buccal mucosa. It replaces the flabby surface of the buccal mucosa with the stif surface of the dry angle. This prevents suctioning of the mucosa by the high volume evacuator (HVE) suction tip, aids in retraction of the mucosa and increases the number of ways that instruments can be positioned intraorally without obstruction from the HVE suction tube. This article explains the clinical techniques and use of the dry angle in general dentistry.     

Cytokines Genes Polymorphisms and Risk of Multiple Sclerosis

Association studies of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines single nucleotide polymorphisms with multiple sclerosis (MS) in population with different ethnic background have shown inconsistent results. To study the possible role of tumor necrosis factor-α G-308A, interleukin-6 G-174C, interleukin-10 C-592A, C-819 T, G-1082A, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β (codons 10 and 25), and interferon-γ T + 874A polymorphisms in susceptibility to MS in Iranian population, DNA samples from 98 patients and 97 healthy controls were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction- sequence-specific primers. Analysis of the genotypes revealed a significant lower frequencies of tumor necrosis factor-a GA and TGF β C/C G/G genotypes and higher frequency of TGF β T/C G/C genotype in patients (P < 0.05). Our data suggest that these polymorphisms play a role in susceptibility to MS, which is possibly mediated by dysregulated production of these cytokines.