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There is a strong association between vitamin D levels and periodontal disease based on numerous epidemiological studies. We have previously shown that experimental deficiency of serum vitamin D in mice leads to gingival inflammation and alveolar bone loss. Treatment of cultured oral epithelial cells with the active form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), inhibits the extracellular growth and intracellular invasion of bacteria associated with periodontal disease. Maintenance of periodontal health may be due in part to the anti-inflammatory activities of vitamin D. Furthermore, this hormone can induce the expression of an antimicrobial peptide in cultured oral epithelial cells. We have shown that oral epithelial cells are capable of converting inactive vitamin D to the active form, suggesting that topical treatment of the oral epithelium with inactive vitamin D could prevent the development of periodontitis. We subjected mice to ligature-induced periodontitis (LIP), followed by daily treatment with inactive vitamin D or 1,25(OH)2D3. Treatment with both forms led to a reduction in ligature-induced bone loss and inflammation. Gingival tissues obtained from vitamin D–treated LIP showed production of specialized proresolving mediators (SPM) of inflammation. To examine the mechanism, we demonstrated that apical treatment of 3-dimensional cultures of primary gingival epithelial cells with vitamin D prevented lipopolysaccharide-induced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and led to a similar production of SPM. Analysis of the oral microbiome of the mice treated with vitamin D showed significant changes in resident bacteria, which reflects a shift toward health-associated species. Together, our results show that topical treatment of oral tissues with inactive vitamin D can lead to the maintenance of periodontal health through the regulation of a healthy microbiome and the stimulation of resolution of inflammation. This strongly supports the development of a safe and effective vitamin D–based topical treatment or preventive agent for periodontal inflammation and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleurocidin, an antimicrobial peptide extracted from the winter flounder, was studied for potential use in food application. Results showed that pleurocidin was effective against foodborne organisms and that antimicrobial activity did not have much hemolytic or cytotoxic effect on human intestinal cells.

Introduction: The study aims to determine an association between presenting symptoms in multiple sclerosis and measures of disease severity, including the expanded disability status score (EDSS) and MRI based lesion volumes. Methods: Data was collected as part of a larger 3 year MS study, from 2014 to 2017, to compare Vitamin A levels and MS progression. All data was collected from a single clinical site. Demographic data as well as date of diagnosis and use of disease modifying therapies. Patients not able to obtain MRIs or lab tests and histories of vitamin abnormalities were excluded from the study. 29 patients met inclusion criteria. We chose presenting symptoms of vision, balance, sensory function, and motor function as these represented the most common manifestations of the disease and mirror the domains of the EDSS, which is the most commonly used scale for MS disease severity. We also included neuroimaging based lesion volume as another objective measure for comparison. Results: Although duration of disease was different between comparator groups, no significant difference was found between them when EDSS and lesion volumes were compared. There was a difference in lesion volumes when comparing those patients that had presenting symptoms of visual changes or balance symptoms with those presenting with sensory changes. Conclusions: This study supports the notion that presenting symptoms are not associated with EDSS independent disease duration. It also verifies that severity of disease is not associated with lesion volumes. However, sensory symptoms as a presenting symptom was associated with less lesion volumes in our study.

BackgroundMal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS) is a medically refractory neurotological disorder characterized by persistent oscillating vertigo that follows a period of entrainment to oscillating motion such as experienced during sea or air travel. Fronto-occipital hypersynchrony may correlate with MdDS symptom severity.Materials and methodsIndividuals with treatment refractory MdDS lasting at least 6 months received single administrations of three fronto-occipital transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) protocols in an "n-of-1" double-blind randomized design: alpha frequency anti-phase, alpha-frequency in-phase, and gamma frequency control. Baseline assessments were made on Day 1. The treatment protocol that led to the most acute reduction in symptoms during a test session on Day 2 was administered for 10-12 stacked sessions given on Days 3 through 5 (20-minutes at 2-4mA). Pre to post symptom changes were assessed on Day 1 and Day 5. Participants who could clearly choose a preferred protocol on Day 2 did better on Day 5 than those who could not make a short-term determination on Day 2 and either chose a protocol based on minimized side effects or were randomized to one of the three protocols. In addition, weekly symptom assessments were made for four baseline and seven post stimulation points for the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), MdDS Balance Rating Scale (MBRS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).ResultsOf 24 participants, 13 chose anti-phase, 7 chose in-phase, and 4 chose control stimulation. Compared to baseline, 10/24 completers noted ≥ 25% reduction, 5/24 ≥50% reduction, and 2/24 ≥75% reduction in oscillating vertigo intensity from Day 1 to Day 5. Stimulating at a frequency slightly higher than the individual alpha frequency (IAF) was better than stimulating at exactly the IAF, and slightly better than stimulating with a strategy of standardized stimulation at 10Hz. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA of weekly DHI, MBRS, and HADS measurements showed significant reductions immediately after treatment with improvement increasing through post-treatment week 6.ConclusionFronto-occipital tACS may be effective in reducing the oscillating vertigo of MdDS and serve as a portable neuromodulation alternative for longer-term treatment. Stimulation frequency relative to the IAF may be important in determining the optimum treatment protocol [ClinicalTrials.gov study NCT02540616. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02540616].

Objective: To determine whether remotely-monitored transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) may be a viable and safe treatment option for Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS).Background: Mal de Débarquement Syndrome is a neurotological disorder characterized by persistent oscillating vertigo that is triggered by entrainment to passive oscillatory motion such as occurs during water-based travel. Treatment options for MdDS are limited, variably effective, and can be undone by further travel.Design and Methods: This was a remotely-monitored open-label optional extension phase of a double-blind randomized onsite study of tACS for medically refractory MdDS. The primary goal was to determine safety, feasibility, and blinded participant feedback. The secondary goal was to determine efficacy. Thirteen participants (all women), aged 22–67 years, experiencing a duration of illness of 11–72 months, were a subset of 24 individuals who participated in an on-site study of tACS. They had either not responded to the on-site protocol or had relapsed after travel home. Treatment accessories and a tablet controlled tACS stimulator (Pulvinar XCSITE-100) were mailed to participants. Three teaching sessions were performed via webcam followed by on-going remote monitoring of treatment logs and participants' reports through a daily on-line diary and weekly questionnaires. Treatment continued until an effective protocol was administered for 4 weeks and then tapered over 4 weeks. Participants completed a blinded feedback survey and a debriefing interview at the completion of the entire study.Results: Treatment duration ranged from 4 to 31 weeks followed by a 4-week taper accounting for 578 verified sessions. Of the 13 total participants, seven agreed or agreed strongly in the blinded survey that tACS treatment was beneficial; 2) Twelve were comfortable utilizing tACS on their own; 3) Eleven preferred stimulation above their individual alpha frequency; 4) Side effects were generally mild and typical of tACS. In the debriefing interview completed 2–9 months after the last stimulation, five participants reported doing “great,” with no to minimal symptoms, four reported doing “good,” with moderate symptoms, and four reported no change compared to pre-study baseline.Conclusion: Remotely-monitored tACS may be a safe treatment option for MdDS with the potential for lasting outcomes, increased accessibility, and reduction in travel-related treatment reversal.

ABSTRACT Purpose This hybrid retrospective and prospective study performed on 200 consecutive patients undergoing renal CTA, investigates the opacification of renal vasculature, radiation dose, and reader confidence. Materials and Methods 100 patients were assigned retrospectively to protocol A and the other 100 were allocated prospectively to protocol B. Both protocols implemented a contrast material and saline flow rate of 4.5 mL/sec. Protocol A utilized a 100 mL of low-osmolar nonionic IV contrast material (Ioversol 350 mg I/mL) while protocol B employed a patient-tailored contrast media formula using iso-osmolar non-ionic (Iodixanol 320 mg I/mL). Results Arterial opacification in the abdominal aorta and in the bilateral main proximal renal arteries demonstrated no statistical significance (p>0.05). Only the main distal renal artery of the left kidney in protocol B was statistically significant (p