J Formos Med Assoc
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Until now, there are no approved treatment against COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was hypothesized to be active against SARS-CoV2 via antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect; however, HCQ for COVID-19 in clinical use remained debating. In this preliminary report, we presented six patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. ⋯ Low level of interferon-gamma was noted in all patients of different stage of infection and three patients had elevation of IL-17 level. Prolonged virus shedding is still observed regardless HCQ. The impact of HCQ on cytokine kinetics remained unclear; however, IL-17 could be an inflammatory marker for disease status monitor and a potential therapeutic target.
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The objectives of this retrospective study are to analyze post-surgical gingival thickness after connective tissue grafting in the Asian population and to assess its tissue stability for up to approximately 3.5 years. ⋯ Connective tissue grafting is a predictable treatment modality for gingival phenotype conversion, even in Asians, achieving nearly 2 mm of gingival thickness on average, post-operation. Tissue stability after connective tissue grafting has been presented in our study. This quantitative assessment of the gingival thickness in Asians may encourage clinicians to deal with soft tissue architecture ahead of main surgical, restorative and orthodontic treatments in order to achieve pleasing treatment outcomes.
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Long non-coding RNA HOXA transcript at the distal tip (HOTTIP) has been reported to contribute to multiple carcinomas, but whether it involves in the progression of precancerous conditions remains to be determined. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) has been known as an oral potentially malignant disorder and attributed to the persistent activation of the myofibroblast. ⋯ Collectively, our results suggest that HOTTIP plays a crucial role in the persistent activation of myofibroblasts as well as the chronic inflammation and collagen deposition.
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Comment Letter
Kawasaki disease and COVID-19; a pretext for a hot topic.
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A synthetic bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2-derived peptide has been discovered to promote bone regeneration. The present study investigated the potential of the BMP-2 peptide combined with hydroxyapatite (HAp)/β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP)/collagen (Col) composite in repairing a peri-implant critical size defect. ⋯ The BMP-2 peptide may accelerate peri-implant bone regeneration. The BMP-2 peptide at 20 mg/mL still cannot complete bone repair of peri-implant critical size defect. The BMP-2 peptide at 20 mg/mL has similar osteoinductive performance to the rhBMP-2 at 0.02 mg/mL.