METHODS: A total of 17294 histopathological reports from Diagnostic Oral Pathology Unit between 1991 and 2021 were retrieved. One thousand eleven histopathological reports that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. Information of interest was extracted from histopathological reports. The lesions were categorised into 10 diagnosis categories. Descriptive and correlation analysis were performed.
RESULTS: Paediatric oral and maxillofacial biopsies accounted for 5.9% of the total biopsies received. The peak incidence of diagnosis was in age range of 12 to 16 years old and mean age of 11.6 years old (±3.5), with female preponderance. The most common category of diagnosis was salivary gland pathology with mucocele (30%) being the most frequently diagnosed lesions. Lip and labial mucosa were the commonest site of occurrence. Specimen sizes smaller than 1 cm were the most common specimen diameter with mean size of 1.6 cm (±1.5). Age, site of occurrence and specimen size were statistically significant (P
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the specific brain region that is responsive to KOPr treatment following polydrug dependence.
Materials and Methods: The polydrug-dependent mice model was developed using conditioned place preference (CPP) method. Following successful withdrawal phase, the mice were treated with 0.3 mg/kg buprenorphine and 1.0 mg/kg naltrexone. Four brain regions (hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and striatum) were investigated using immunohistochemistry technique. This is to quantify the changes in KOPr expression in each major brain region that was primarily involved in addiction neurocircuits of many substances. Unpaired Student's t test was used to analyze all results, where P < 0.05 is considered significant.
Results: The results showed that treatment with buprenorphine and naltrexone successfully attenuated relapse in 60% of mice (n = 14). A significant upregulation of KOPr was detected in striatum at the end of post-withdrawal phase (P < 0.01, n = 12). This treatment successfully suppressed KOPr in striatum (P < 0.001, n = 12), which supports the positive results seen in the CPP setting. No significant changes were observed in other brain regions studied.
Conclusion: The hyperactivity of striatum suggests that the affected brain region following KOPr antagonist treatment is the region that primarily controls the drug rewarding activity, in which nucleus accumbens is located. This indicates that manipulation of KOPr system is one of the potential targets to treat morphine- or methamphetamine-dependence problem.
AIM: We present a neonate with anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery from the aorta and discuss the surgical technique and complications in the literature.
DESIGN: A 4-site, prospective randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among prison and jail inmates with HIV and OUD transitioning to the community from September 2010 through March 2016.
METHODS: Eligible participants (N = 93) were randomized 2:1 to receive 6 monthly injections of XR-NTX (n = 66) or placebo (n = 27) starting at release and observed for 6 months. The primary outcome was the proportion that maintained or improved VS (<50 copies/mL) from baseline to 6 months.
RESULTS: Participants allocated to XR-NTX significantly improved to VS (<50 copies/mL) from baseline (37.9%) to 6 months (60.6%) (P = 0.002), whereas the placebo group did not (55.6% at baseline to 40.7% at 6 months P = 0.294). There was, however, no statistical significant difference in VS levels at 6 months between XR-NTX (60.6%) vs. placebo (40.7%) (P = 0.087). After controlling for other factors, only allocation to XR-NTX (adjusted odds ratio = 2.90; 95% confidence interval = 1.04 to 8.14, P = 0.043) was associated with the primary outcome. Trajectories in VS from baseline to 6 months differed significantly (P = 0.017) between treatment groups, and the differences in the discordant values were significantly different as well (P = 0.041): the XR-NTX group was more likely than the placebo group to improve VS (30.3% vs. 18.5%), maintain VS (30.3% vs. 27.3), and less likely to lose VS (7.6% vs. 33.3%) by 6 months.
CONCLUSIONS: XR-NTX improves or maintains VS after release to the community for incarcerated people living with HIV with OUD.
OBJECTIVE: Formulation of methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymer-coated capsules filled with chitosan nanoparticles loaded with rHuKGF for oral delivery.
METHODS: We report on chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) with diameter < 200 nm, prepared by ionic gelation, loaded with rHuKGF and filled in methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymercoated capsules for oral delivery. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined based on the serum levels of rHuKGF, following a single intravenous (IV) or oral dosages using a rabbit model. Furthermore, fluorescent microscope imaging was conducted to investigate the cellular uptake of the rhodamine-labelled rHuKGF-loaded nanoparticles. The proliferation effect of the formulation on FHs 74 Int cells was studied as well by MTT assay.
RESULTS: The mucoadhesive and absorption enhancement properties of chitosan and the protective effect of methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymer against rHuKGF release at the stomach, low pH, were combined to promote and ensure rHuKGF intestinal delivery and increase serum levels of rHuKGF. In addition, in-vitro studies revealed the protein bioactivity since rHuKGFloaded CNPs significantly increased the proliferation of FHs 74 Int cells.
CONCLUSION: The study revealed that oral administration of rHuKGF-loaded CNPs in methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymer-coated capsules is practically alternative to the IV administration since the absolute bioavailability of the orally administered rHuKGF-loaded CNPs, using the rabbit as animal model, was 69%. Fluorescent microscope imaging revealed that rhodaminelabelled rHuKGF-loaded CNPs were taken up by FHs 74 Int cells, after 6 hours' incubation time, followed by increase in the proliferation rate.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies published up to April 15th, 2023. Studies that evaluated the association between PD and COVID-19 were included. Risk of bias was evaluated by two reviewers, and meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 software.
RESULTS: A total of 22 studies involving 92,535 patients from USA, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America were included; of these, 12 were pooled into the meta-analysis. Most of the studies (19 studies) reported a significant association between PD and COVID-19. The pooled data found a significant association between PD and COVID-19 outcomes: more severe symptoms (OR = 6.95, P = 0.0008), ICU admissions (OR = 3.15, P = 0.0001), and mortality (OR = 1.92, P = 0.21). Additionally, compared to mild PD, severe PD was significantly associated with higher risks of severe COVID-19 outcomes: severe symptoms (P = 0.02); ICU admission (P = 0.0001); and higher mortality rates (P = 0.0001). The results also revealed 58% higher risk for COVID-19 infection in patients with PD (P = 0.00001).
CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest a possible association between poor periodontal health and the risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes. However, owing to the observed methodological heterogeneity across the included studies, further prospective cohort studies with standardized methodologies are warranted to further unravel the potential association between periodontal disease and COVID-19 and its adverse outcomes.
METHODS: This sub-analysis included patients randomized to receive methadone in PCCs as part of an implementation trial in which the control group received methadone in specialty addiction clinics in Ukraine. Methadone integration in PCCs was supported through continuous tele-education for providers. Provider stigma towards people who inject drugs, methadone, and attitudes towards evidence-based practices were assessed at baseline, 12, and 24 months using standardized scales (range 1-10). Patient-level outcomes were measured bi-annually over 24 months using a quality health indicator (QHI) score, a percentage of guideline-concordant primary and specialty health services accessed. Linear mixed-effects models examined the changes in provider stigma and attitudes, and the association of these measures with patient outcomes.
RESULTS: The sample included 583 patients and the 112 providers in 24 clinics. Provider fear and stereotypes toward people who inject drugs improved significantly, by 0.6 (95 % CI 0.2-1.1) and 0.4 points (95 % CI 0.1-0.8), respectively, as did preference for methadone over abstinence-based treatment (0.7 points, 95 % CI 0.2-1.1). A 1-point improvement in provider prejudice correlated with a 7.0-point increase (95 % CI: 1.1-13.0) in patient primary care QHI scores at 12 months, while improved attitudes towards evidence-based practices were associated with an 8.3-point increase (95 % CI: 1.1-13.0). Preference for methadone maintenance over abstinence was associated with a 3.7-point increase (95 % CI: 0.6-6.7) in specialty care QHI scores at 12 months, and reduced stereotypes were associated with a 10.9-point increase (95 % CI: 1.2-20.7) at 24 months.
CONCLUSIONS: Integrating methadone into PCCs with the support of provider tele-education may reduce provider stigma, particularly fear and stereotypes, toward people who inject drugs and methadone maintenance. Reducing provider stigma has the potential to improve patient outcomes through increased access to preventive care and screenings.