-
1.
Macroscopic features of scurvy in human skeletal remains: A literature synthesis and diagnostic guide.
Snoddy, AME, Buckley, HR, Elliott, GE, Standen, VG, Arriaza, BT, Halcrow, SE
American journal of physical anthropology. 2018;(4):876-895
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
The past two decades have seen a proliferation in bioarchaeological literature on the identification of scurvy, a disease caused by chronic vitamin C deficiency, in ancient human remains. This condition is one of the few nutritional deficiencies that can result in diagnostic osseous lesions. Scurvy is associated with low dietary diversity and its identification in human skeletal remains can provide important contextual information on subsistence strategy, resource allocation, and human-environmental interactions in past populations. A large and robust methodological body of work on the paleopathology of scurvy exists. However, the diagnostic criteria for this disease employed by bioarchaeologists have not always been uniform. Here we draw from previous research on the skeletal manifestations of scurvy in adult and juvenile human skeletal remains and propose a weighted diagnostic system for its identification that takes into account the pathophysiology of the disease, soft tissue anatomy, and clinical research. Using a sample of individuals from the prehistoric Atacama Desert in Northern Chile, we also provide a practical example of how diagnostic value might be assigned to skeletal lesions of the disease that have not been previously described in the literature.
-
2.
A decade in female reproduction: an endocrine view of the past and into the future.
Macut, D, Milutinović, DV, Rašić-Marković, A, Nestorov, J, Bjekić-Macut, J, Stanojlović, O
Hormones (Athens, Greece). 2018;(4):497-505
Abstract
Over the last decade, huge achievements have been made in the fields of neurophysiology, molecular endocrinology, and biochemistry, as well as in the successful translation of clinical research into diseases into clinical practice. As regards female reproduction, most of the advances made in this area were achieved in gonadal axis regulation, regulation of behavior through sex steroids, reproductive genetics, preservation of ovarian reproductive function, steroid profiling, and metabolic and overall reproductive outcomes. The coming years are expected to bring further understanding of the relationships between nutrition, energy metabolism, and reproductive function and to succeed in identifying new genetic markers linked to adverse metabolic and unfavorable cardiovascular outcomes in women. From our perspective, future research in the field of female reproduction should be directed toward doing research into genetic reproductive abnormalities and neuroendocrine diseases, pathophysiology, long-term health outcomes for oligo/amenorrhea, hyperandrogenism, and ovulatory dysfunction. It is additionally expected that a better understanding will be gained of the endocrinology of the placenta and of pregnancy, the role of the microbiome in female reproduction, the role of insulin sensitizers, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic drugs, and various advances in the prevention of ovarian damage caused by various oncology therapies, while new therapeutic options for the treatment of infertility, including kisspeptin, will be developed.
-
3.
Plasma in Dentistry: Brief History and Current Status.
Gherardi, M, Tonini, R, Colombo, V
Trends in biotechnology. 2018;(6):583-585
Abstract
We briefly discuss the history of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) applications in dentistry. The reasons for seeking innovative solutions in dentistry are reported, highlighting results showing the potential of plasma along with some still-open questions. Finally, we suggest the next steps on the road from the laboratory to the dental chair.
-
4.
[Focus: Drug-related osteonecrosis of the jaw].
Schmouchkovitch, A, Remaud, M, Simon, H, Herry, H, Le Toux, G, Boisramé, S
Presse medicale (Paris, France : 1983). 2018;(1):19-33
Abstract
Antiresorptives and antiangiogenics are treatments that have proven effective in oncology and the treatment of osteoporosis and they are increasingly prescribed. The care of these patients requires collaboration between the prescriber and the oral health professional to establish an optimized treatment plan. Therapeutic education of the patient is essential for him to understand the issues of good oral health and the adverse effects that can be caused by these treatments. The management is essentially based on the individual benefit/risk balance resulting from the general, local and inherent of the molecule risk factors. Management of drug-related osteonecrosis of the jaw should be as early as possible.
-
5.
The past decade in type 2 diabetes and future challenges.
Haddad, JA, Haddad, AN
Hormones (Athens, Greece). 2018;(4):451-459
Abstract
There is today an exponential increase in prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), especially in young people. This downward shift in age of onset of T2DM has been shown by abundant evidence to be due to an increase in obesity among the young, the latter mainly attributable to unhealthy dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle. It is therefore obvious that the prevention of diabetes rather its treatment is of is paramount importance. In the past decade, because concerns about the safety of antidiabetic agents took precedence over the issue of efficacy, almost all studies have been diabetes CVOTs and not traditional CVOTs. Until 2015, the evidence showed that antidiabetic agents are effective in terms of reduction of microvascular, as opposed to macrovascular, complications. However, following publication of the results of some new studies, it became clear that the new class of antidiabetic drugs, e.g., SGLT 2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists, are also effective in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the coming decade, numerous health challenges are expected to arise, the most important being the greater expansion of the therapeutic armamentarium for T2DM and the adoption of strategies for prevention of CVDs. In parallel, the new generation of antidiabetic agents will target the recently investigated pathophysiologic disorders of diabetes, while, ideally, treatments should include smart drugs without side effects.
-
6.
Physiological and Pharmaceutical Knowledge in "Ninja" Society: Suggestions for Modern Anesthesiologists and Intensivists.
Takazawa, T, Tobe, M, Kimura, M, Suto, T, Ohta, J, Matsuoka, H, Yano, H, Saito, S
Journal of anesthesia history. 2018;(4):209-213
Abstract
Anesthesiologists and intensivists are modern professionals who provide conscious sedation and respiratory care and prescribe medicines with potential toxicity. Similarly, ninjas, covert agent soldiers who carried out special operations in medieval Japan, also had ample knowledge of toxicology, psychology, human consciousness and respiration. Although the extent of their knowledge remains largely unknown, that which has been described in the literature appears to be practical and scientifically explainable from the standpoint of modern medical science.
-
7.
Tribute to Marcelle Grenson (1925-1996), A Pioneer in the Study of Amino Acid Transport in Yeast.
André, B
International journal of molecular sciences. 2018;(4)
Abstract
The year 2016 marked the 20th anniversary of the death of Marcelle Grenson and the 50th anniversary of her first publication on yeast amino acid transport, the topic to which, as Professor at the Free University of Brussels (ULB), she devoted the major part of her scientific career. M. Grenson was the first scientist in Belgium to introduce and apply genetic analysis in yeast to dissect the molecular mechanisms that were underlying complex problems in biology. Today, M. Grenson is recognized for the pioneering character of her work on the diversity and regulation of amino acid transporters in yeast. The aim of this tribute is to review the major milestones of her forty years of scientific research that were conducted between 1950 and 1990.
-
8.
Family History of Breast or Prostate Cancer and Prostate Cancer Risk.
Barber, L, Gerke, T, Markt, SC, Peisch, SF, Wilson, KM, Ahearn, T, Giovannucci, E, Parmigiani, G, Mucci, LA
Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. 2018;(23):5910-5917
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
PURPOSE Breast and prostate cancer co-occur in families, and women with a family history of prostate cancer are at increased breast cancer risk. Prostate cancer is among the most heritable cancers, but few studies have investigated its association with familial breast cancer. The objective of this study is to investigate the extent to which familial breast or prostate cancer in first-degree relatives increases prostate cancer risk. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A prospective study of 37,002 U.S. men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. During the 16-year follow-up to 2012, 4,208 total and 344 lethal cases were diagnosed. Using cause-specific hazards regression, we estimated the multivariable HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between familial breast or prostate cancer and total and lethal prostate cancer. RESULTS Those with familial breast cancer had a 21% greater risk of prostate cancer overall (95% CI, 1.10-1.34), and a 34% greater risk of lethal disease (HR 1.34; 95% CI, 0.96-1.89). Family history of prostate cancer alone was associated with a 68% increased risk of total disease (95% CI, 1.53-1.83) and a 72% increased risk of lethal disease (95% CI, 1.25-2.38). Men with a family history of both cancers were also at elevated risk. CONCLUSIONS Our study found that men with a family history of breast or prostate cancer had elevated prostate cancer risks, including risk of lethal disease. These findings have translational relevance for cancer risk prediction in men.
-
9.
[Acute promyelocytic leukaemia].
Tøstesen, M, Østergård, LSG, Kjeldsen, E, Stentoft, J, Nørgaard, JM
Ugeskrift for laeger. 2018;(3)
Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukaemia has changed from being a highly fatal to a highly curable disease. Over time, key discoveries have identified the genetic and molecular abnormalities, which cause the disease. First choice of treatment has now changed from all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and chemotherapy to a chemo-free combination of arsenic trixoide and ATRA. This new regimen has shown equal responses and overall cure rates compared with the previous standard of care containing conventional chemotherapy, but with much lower toxicity. This will pave the way for better and easier treatment for elderly and frail patients.
-
10.
Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine.
Dunlap, LE, Andrews, AM, Olson, DE
ACS chemical neuroscience. 2018;(10):2408-2427
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
Better known as "ecstasy", 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a small molecule that has played a prominent role in defining the ethos of today's teenagers and young adults, much like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) did in the 1960s. Though MDMA possesses structural similarities to compounds like amphetamine and mescaline, it produces subjective effects that are unlike any of the classical psychostimulants or hallucinogens and is one of the few compounds capable of reliably producing prosocial behavioral states. As a result, MDMA has captured the attention of recreational users, the media, artists, psychiatrists, and neuropharmacologists alike. Here, we detail the synthesis of MDMA as well as its pharmacology, metabolism, adverse effects, and potential use in medicine. Finally, we discuss its history and why it is perhaps the most important compound for the future of psychedelic science-having the potential to either facilitate new psychedelic research initiatives, or to usher in a second Dark Age for the field.