Carbon Nanotubes: Directions and Perspectives in Oral Regenerative Medicine.

Carbon Nanotubes: Directions and Perspectives in Oral Regenerative Medicine.

J Dent Res. 2013 May 15;
Martins-Júnior PA, Alcântara CE, Resende RR, Ferreira AJ

One of the main goals of bone tissue engineering is to identify and develop new biomaterials and scaffolds for structural support and controlled cell growth, which allow for formation or replacement of bone tissue. Recently, carbon nanotubes (CNT) have emerged as a potential candidate for bone tissue engineering. CNT present remarkable mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties with easy functionalization capability and biocompatibility. In oral regenerative medicine, bone reconstruction is an essential requirement for functional rehabilitation of the stomatognathic system. Autologous bone still represents the gold standard graft material for bone reconstruction. However, the small amounts of bone available in donor regions, together with the high costs of surgeries, are critical aspects that hinder the selection of this procedure. Thus, CNT alone or combined with biopolymers have promise to be used as novel potential biomaterials for the restoration of bone defects. Indeed, recent evidence demonstrates CNT to be a feasible material that can increase the formation of bone in tooth sockets of rats. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent developments in bone repair/regeneration with CNT or CNT-based composites. We further provide an overview of bone tissue engineering and current applications of biomaterials, especially of CNT, to enhance bone regeneration. HubMed – rehab

Physical activity and risk of lymphoma: a meta-analysis.

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2013 May 15;
Vermaete NV, Wolter P, Verhoef GE, Kollen BJ, Kwakkel G, Schepers L, Gosselink R

Physical activity (PA) has a protective effect on some types of cancer. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to explore the literature on the association between PA and risk of lymphoma. A meta-analysis was conducted for cohort and case-control studies examining the association between self-reported PA and risk of lymphoma. Depending on statistical heterogeneity, a random or fixed effects model was used to estimate the summary odds ratio and corresponding 95% confidence interval. Seven case-control studies and 5 cohort studies were included. When data from both study designs were combined, no significant influence of PA on risk of lymphoma was found (pooled OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.79 – 1.02, p = 0.10). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant protective influence of PA on risk of lymphoma in case-control studies (pooled OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.68-0.96, p = 0.02). In contrast, cohort studies, which have a higher level of evidence than case-control studies, confirm the results of the primary meta-analysis (pooled OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.88-1.19, p = 0.76). A subsequent subgroup analysis found no significant differences between results for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Chi² = 0.16, p = 0.69), nor between results for recreational and occupational activities (Chi² = 1.01, p = 0.31). Epidemiological research indicates no significant influence of PA on risk of lymphoma. Future research should examine the association between sedentary behavior and risk of lymphoma and investigate the dose-response and timing effect of PA on risk of lymphoma. HubMed – rehab

The cooperative international neuromuscular research group duchenne natural history study-a longitudinal investigation in the era of glucocorticoid therapy: Design of protocol and the methods used.

Muscle Nerve. 2013 Feb 6;
McDonald CM, Henricson EK, Abresch RT, Han JJ, Escolar DM, Florence JM, Duong T, Arrieta A, Clemens PR, Hoffman EP, Cnaan A,

Contemporary natural history data in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is needed to assess care recommendations and aid in planning future trials. METHODS: The Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group (CINRG) DMD Natural History Study (DMD-NHS) enrolled 340 individuals, aged 2-28 years, with DMD in a longitudinal, observational study at 20 centers. Assessments obtained every 3 months for 1 year, at 18 months, and annually thereafter included: clinical history; anthropometrics; goniometry; manual muscle testing; quantitative muscle strength; timed function tests; pulmonary function; and patient-reported outcomes/health-related quality-of-life instruments. RESULTS: Glucocorticoid (GC) use at baseline was 62% present, 14% past, and 24% GC-naive. In those ?6 years of age, 16% lost ambulation over the first 12 months (mean age 10.8 years). CONCLUSIONS: Detailed information on the study methodology of the CINRG DMD-NHS lays the groundwork for future analyses of prospective longitudinal natural history data. These data will assist investigators in designing clinical trials of novel therapeutics. Muscle Nerve, 2013. HubMed – rehab

Functional and occupational characteristics predictive of a return to work within 18 months after stroke in Japan: implications for rehabilitation.

Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2013 May 16;
Tanaka H, Toyonaga T, Hashimoto H

OBJECTIVE: This study examined clinical, functional, and occupational factors associated with return to work within 18 months after stroke, specifically focusing on the impact of higher cortical dysfunction on return to work in the chronic phase. METHODS: This prospective cohort study in 21 hospitals specializing in clinical and occupational health recruited consecutive working-age inpatients receiving acute care for their first stroke (n = 351). A unified database was used to extract patient information from hospital records at the time of admission, discharge, and follow-up at 18 months post-stroke. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was conducted to determine clinical, functional, and occupational factors influencing return to work within 18 months. RESULTS: Of 351 registered stroke patients (280 males, 71 females, mean age ± SD, 55.3 ± 7.2 years) who met inclusion criteria, 250 responded to the follow-up survey and 101 were lost to follow-up. Half (51 %) succeeded in returning to work during the 18-month follow-up after stroke onset. After adjusting for age, gender, and Barthel index at initial rehabilitation, the following factors were identified as significant predictors of a return to work: white-collar versus blue-collar occupation (hazard ratio (HR) 1.5; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.1-2.2), no aphasia (HR 3.0; 95 % CI 1.5-5.9), no attention dysfunction (HR 2.0; 95 % CI 1.0-4.0), and walking ability (HR 3.1; 95 % CI 1.3-7.1). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated the importance of tailored rehabilitation to alleviate the impact of higher cortical dysfunction and to support return to work by stroke survivors. HubMed – rehab