68Ga-FAPI-04 PET Distinguishes Malignancy from Inflammatory Lesions

Background The 68Ga-labelled FAPI provides new oncology imaging option other than 18F-FDG-PET. However, it's unclear about whether the FAPI-PET distinguishes malignancy from benign lesions. Methods We established an AOM/DSS-induced rat colorectal tumor model. A double PET/CT tracer of 68Ga-FAPI-04 and 18F-FDG was used in the rat colorectal tumor model. Histological examination, immunohistochemistry staining, and radioautography were performed in this study. Results 68Ga-FAPI PET imaging distinguishes neoplasia from inflammatory lesions in an AOM/DSS-induced rat colorectal tumor model, and FAPI accumulation gradually increases along with tumor progression. An inflammatory lesion did not interfere with 68Ga-FAPI PET imaging. Conclusion The 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET distinguishes malignant tumors from inflammatory lesions by detecting FAP in a rat colorectal tumor model, suggesting that 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET is a better diagnostic tool than 18F-FDG PET, at least to colorectal cancer patients.

Coming to the Rescue: Regulatory T Cells for Promoting Recovery After Ischemic Stroke

Immune cell infiltration to the injured brain is a key component of the neuroinflammatory response after ischemic stroke. In contrast to the large amount of proinflammatory immune cells, regulatory T cells, are an important subgroup of T cells that are involved in maintaining immune homeostasis and suppress an overshooting immune reaction after stroke. Numerous previous reports have consistently demonstrated the beneficial role of this immunosuppressive immune cell population during the acute phase after experimental stroke by limiting inflammatory lesion progression. Two recent studies expanded now this concept and demonstrate that regulatory T cells-mediated effects also promote chronic recovery after stroke by promoting a proregenerative tissue environment. These recent findings suggest that boosting regulatory T cells could be beneficial beyond modulating the immediate neuroinflammatory response and improve chronic functional recovery.

Bacterial factors of mastitis in lactating women and its effect on the physical properties and chemical composition of breast milk

Mastitis is a complication seen in some breastfeeding mothers and is the most common inflammatory lesion of the breast in breastfeeding mothers. In this complication, breast milk undergoes chemical and physical changes. It can lead to a drop in breastfeeding, weight loss, and, consequently, stunted growth of infants. Bacteria are the main cause of breast inflammation. Therefore, in this study, bacterial factors of mastitis were evaluated in lactating women. Also, their effects were considered on the physical properties and chemical composition of mothers' breast milk. For this purpose, 210 breastfeeding mothers referred to health centers were randomly selected, and their milk samples were collected. In addition to collecting mothers' demographic information by a questionnaire, the chemical composition (sugar, protein, and fat) and the physical properties (pH, density, and freezing temperature) of milk were measured. Bacterial evaluations were performed on the milk of these mothers by catalase test, coagulase test, and mannitol salt agar. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test, and T-test. The results showed that 56 mothers had mastitis, and Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci were the main bacteria in the milk of these mastitis mothers. These bacteria caused physical and chemical changes in breast milk so that mothers with Staphylococcus aureus mastitis had less sugar in their milk, and mothers with coagulase-negative staphylococci had less protein in their milk. Therefore, Staphylococcus aureus may reduce milk sugar by consuming milk sugar, and coagulase-negative staphylococci may also target milk protein. But to confirm these results, a larger population of mothers with mastitis is needed. Further studies are also needed to prove this result.

Disseminated coelomic xanthogranulomatosis in eclectus parrots (Eclectus roratus) and budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Xanthogranulomatosis is an inflammatory lesion characterized by lipid-containing macrophages, extracellular lipid, hemorrhage, and necrosis. We describe disseminated intracoelomic xanthogranulomatosis in 5 eclectus parrots ( Eclectus roratus) and 2 budgerigars ( Melopsittacus undulatus). Postmortem, clinicopathologic, and historical case material was reviewed. Ages ranged from 3 to 24 years; there were 5 males and 2 females. Table food was included in the diet of 3/5 cases, and animal products were included in 2/3 cases. Common clinicopathologic abnormalities included leukocytosis (4/5 cases) and elevated concentrations of bile acids (3/4 cases) and cholesterol within 6 months prior to death (2/4 cases). At postmortem examination, all 7 birds had grossly visible, irregular, soft, tan to yellow, amorphous plaques distributed on the surfaces of the viscera and body wall. Histologic evaluation and oil red O stain revealed xanthogranulomatous inflammation with phagocytized and extracellular lipid, necrosis, cholesterol clefts, fibrosis, and mineralization. Infectious agents were not identified with special stains in all cases. Concurrent hepatobiliary disease was present in 6/7 cases, and 6/7 had lipid accumulation within the parenchyma of various visceral organs. Five cases had atherosclerosis of great vessels. We describe a unique form of disseminated coelomic xanthogranulomatosis in 2 psittacine species. This condition should be recognized as a differential diagnosis in cases of disseminated coelomic mass formation and coelomic distension in psittacine birds, particularly in eclectus parrots and budgerigars.

Macrophage membrane camouflaged reactive oxygen species responsive nanomedicine for efficiently inhibiting the vascular intimal hyperplasia

Background Intimal hyperplasia caused by vascular injury is an important pathological process of many vascular diseases, especially occlusive vascular disease. In recent years, Nano-drug delivery system has attracted a wide attention as a novel treatment strategy, but there are still some challenges such as high clearance rate and insufficient targeting. Results In this study, we report a biomimetic ROS-responsive MM@PCM/RAP nanoparticle coated with macrophage membrane. The macrophage membrane with the innate “homing” capacity can superiorly regulate the recruitment of MM@PCM/RAP to inflammatory lesion to enhance target efficacy, and can also disguise MM@PCM/RAP nanoparticle as the autologous cell to avoid clearance by the immune system. In addition, MM@PCM/RAP can effectively improve the solubility of rapamycin and respond to the high concentration level of ROS accumulated in pathological lesion for controlling local cargo release, thereby increasing drug availability and reducing toxic side effects. Conclusions Our findings validate that the rational design, biomimetic nanoparticles MM@PCM/RAP, can effectively inhibit the pathological process of intimal injury with excellent biocompatibility. Graphical Abstract

Specialized Proresolving Mediators Facilitate the Immunomodulation of the Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells

Recent investigations into the regulation of the inflammation in the periodontitis have revealed that chronic inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis are characterized by an imbalance in the proinflammatory and proresolution mediators and can be characterized by a failure of the resolution pathways in the late stages of the acute inflammatory response. The proresolution mediators, termed as specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs), comprise the lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, and maresins that are derived from the arachidonic acid or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the animal studies, treatment of the periodontitis with the topical SPMs return the inflammatory lesion to the homeostasis with the regeneration of all the components of the periodontal organ lost to the disease. In this article, the study investigates the immunomodulatory role of SPMs in the periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). Primary porcine PDLSCs (pPDLSCs) were stimulated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in vitro to simulate the periodontal inflammation in the presence or absence of SPMs. This study found that IL-1β and IL-17 synergistically activated the proinflammatory genes of pPDLSCs and altered the immune phenotype of pPDLSCs including the key signaling pathways. Addition of SPMs rescued the pPDLSCs phenotype and induced further production of the additional SPMs, which was reflected by upregulation of the requisite enzymes 12- and 15-lipoxygenase by pPDLSCs. This study interrogated the immunomodulatory actions of pPDLSCs on the monocytes/macrophages, focusing on the porcine CD14/CD16/CD163 markers by using flow cytometry. This study utilized the CD14+CD16+/CD14+CD16− ratio and CD163 on the monocytes/macrophages to differentiate between a proinflammation phenotype (lower ratio) and a resolution of the inflammation phenotype (higher ratio). This study also found that the conditioned medium from pPDLSCs treated with the cytokines and Maresin1 increased the CD14+CD16+/CD14+CD16− ratio and had the highest CD163 expression. This study concludes that in an inflammatory environment, pPDLSCs become proinflammatory and exert immunomodulatory functions. Maresin 1 resolves the inflammation by acting on pPDLSCs directly and by shifting the monocytes/macrophages phenotype to the proresolution dominance.

Peri-Implant Diseases

Osseointegrated dental implants have become an increasingly popular modality of treatment for the replacement of absent or lost teeth because of its high rates of long-term survival when used to support various types of dental prostheses. However, complications and implant failure can still occur and are considered by many clinicians as a major obstacle for implant treatment. Biological complications mainly refer to inflammatory conditions of the soft tissues and bone surrounding implants and their restorative components, which are induced by the accumulation of bacterial biofilm. Two clinical varieties may be distinguished: peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis. Peri-implant mucositis is a reversible, plaque-induced inflammatory lesion confined to the peri-implant soft tissue unit, whereas peri-implantitis is an extension of peri-implant mucositis to involve the bone supporting the implant. Diagnosing and managing these biological complications is of utmost importance for the implant surgeon and dental practitioner. This review encompasses the etiology, diagnostic aspects, prevention, and management of biological complications.

Evaluation of Mutagenesis, Necrosis and Apoptosis induced by Omeprazole in Stomach Cells of Patients with Gastritis

Background: Gastritis is a superficial and prevalent inflammatory lesion that is considered a public health concernoncecause gastric ulcers and gastric cancer, especially due to Helicobacter pylori infection. Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, are the most widely used drugs in order to treat this illness. The aim of the study was evaluating the cytogenetic effects of omeprazole in stomach epithelial cells of patients with gastritis in presence and absence of H. pylori, using to this the application of cytogenetic biomarkers and measurements of catalse and superoxide dismutase. Methods: The study included 152 patients from the Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic of Hospital Getúlio Vargas, Teresina - PI, that reported the continuous and prolonged use of omeprazole in doses of 20, 30 and 40 mg/kg. The participants were divided into groups: (1) patients without gastritis (n = 32); (2) patients without gastritis but with use of OME (n = 24); (3) patients with gastritis (n = 26); (4) patients with gastritis undergoing OME therapy (n = 26); (5) patients with gastritis and H. pylori (n = 22) and (6) patients with gastritis and H. pylori on OME therapy (n = 22). Results: OME induces cytogenetic risks in the epithelium of the stomach due to the formation of micronuclei (group 6> 1,2,3,4,5; group 5> 1,2,3; group 4> 1,2,3); bridges (groups 4 and 6> 1,2,3,5 and group 2> 3,5); buds (groups 2,4,6>, 1,3,5); binucleated cells (group 6> 1,2,3,4,5; group 4> 1,2,3); groups 2 and 3> 1); picnoses (group 6> 1,2,3,4,5), groups 2 and 5> 1,3; group 4> 1,2,3,5); cariorrexis (groups 6 and 4> 1,2,3,5; groups 2,3,5> 1) and karyolysis (groups 2,4, and 6> 1,3,5; groups 3 and 5> 1). These data show that omeprazole induces cytogenetic risks, especially due to infection with H. pylori, thus indicating the clastogenic and/or aneugenic effects, chromosomes changing, gene expression, cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Conclusions: These risks can be attributed to several mechanisms that are still unclear, including oxidative damage, as observed by increases in catalase and superoxide dismutase. Positive correlations between these antioxidant enzymes were obtained with the formation of micronuclei, and negative for picnoses. Thus, the continuous and prolonged use of omeprazole induces genetic instability, which can be monitored, in cytogenetic analyzes, as anticipation for cancer, especially gastric.

Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome Presenting as Cluster-Like Headache

A 48-year-old man came with a left-sided headache that was compatible with diagnostic criteria of cluster headache. Left oculomotor nerve palsy developed 2 weeks after headache onset. Magnetic resonance imaging showed wall thickening and enhancement by contrast material in the lateral aspect of the left cavernous sinus, consistent with a possible inflammatory lesion. The patient reported the almost complete remission of the pain and diplopia after steroid therapy. We speculate that Tolosa-Hunt syndrome should be included as a cause of cluster-like headaches.

A Comparative Study to Evaluate Periapical Pathology Using Mid Field of View CBCT and Direct Digital Radiography

BACKGROUND Local response of the bone surrounding the apex of the tooth as a result of pulp necrosis or destruction of the periapical tissues caused by significant periodontal disease is known as a periapical inflammatory lesion. Intraoral radiography is the most commonly used technique but has limitations in representing only 2- dimensional images. CBCT was created primarily to provide 3-dimensional maxillary skeletal images and a smaller and mid field of view (FOV) have a higher spatial resolution and improved diagnostic potential. The intention of this study was to compare and evaluate the results of limited view CBCT and DDI in the diagnosis of periapical pathology. METHODS In this study, a total of 25 patients who visited the oral medicine department with clinical and or radiographic findings were included. Periapical lesions were assessed using a cone-beam CT periapical index (CBCTPAI) scoring system in both direct digital imaging (DDI) radiographs and CBCT images. RESULTS Periapical lesions were found to be more prevalent in 30 - 39 years (40 %) with a male predilection (64 %) and maxillary anterior (36 %) more commonly affected. Wilcoxon signed-rank test performed to assess the mean difference between the two imaging modalities revealed a P < 0.001 and was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the role of CBCT in diagnosing periapical lesions which can be missed or misdiagnosed on DDI. KEY WORDS Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT); Direct Digital Imaging (DDI); Periapical Lesions