Volume 15 (2021): Edition 6 (December 2021)

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes high mortality and disability worldwide. Animal models have been developed to explore the complex processes in TBI. Propofol is used to manage head injuries during surgical intervention and mechanical ventilation in patients with TBI. Many studies have investigated the neuroprotective effect of propofol on TBI. However, other studies have shown neurotoxic effects.

To review systematically the literature regarding the neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects of propofol in rodent models of TBI.

Data from rodents as models of TBI with propofol as one of the intervention agents, and/or comparing the neuroprotective effects of propofol with the other substances in rodent models of TBI, were obtained from PubMed, EBSCO Host, and ProQuest databases. The PRISMA 2020 statement recommendations were followed and research questions were developed based on PICOS guidelines. Data was extracted from the literature using a standardized Cochrane method.

We analyzed data from 12 articles on physiological changes of experimental animals before and after trauma, the effects of propofol administration, and the observed neurotoxic effects. The effects of propofol administration were observed in terms of changes in traumatic lesion volume, the release of antioxidants and inflammatory factors, and the neurological function of rodent models of TBI.

Propofol has neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects via several mechanisms, and various doses have been used in research to determine its effects. The timing of administration, the dose administered, and the duration of administration contribute to determine the effect of propofol in rodent models of TBI. However, the doses that produce neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects are not yet clear and further research is needed to determine them.

Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are the most common types of birth defects and contribute to a large proportion of infant morbidities and mortalities worldwide. These defects may require multiple surgical interventions impacting the infant's quality of life.

To identify risk factors associated with CHD in a population of Thai children.

We conducted a case–control study of patients attending the Pediatric Clinic, Naresuan University Hospital, Thailand. We included data from pediatric patients diagnosed with CHDs as cases, and patients without cardiovascular abnormalities as controls. Risk data were collected from July 2019 to April 2020 using face-to-face interviews. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze parental factors associated with CHDs.

We included 249 cases classified into 2 groups according to severity and 304 patients as controls. For those less-severely affected (155 patients, 62.2%), ventricular septal defect (27.7%) was the most prevalent, whereas for those with severe CHDs, tetralogy of Fallot was the most prevalent (14.0%). There was no difference in sex distribution or maternal obstetric history between the groups. In multivariable analysis, a family history of CHDs (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 4.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.61–13.57, P = 0.005) and maternal exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke (AOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.03–2.42, P = 0.002) were identified as significant risk factors for CHDs.

A family history of CHDs and maternal exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke are associated with having offspring with CHDs in the population studied. These findings help us to encourage affected parents to obtain a fetal echocardiogram.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a life-threatening global pandemic. The dental profession is considered a high-risk group in the transmission of the responsible virus.

To assess the knowledge and attitude among dental professionals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We conducted a cross-sectional study of dental graduates, interns, postgraduates, and dental faculty from May to July 2020. A standardized questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge and attitude of 650 participants. The questionnaire comprised 14 questions to assess general knowledge about COVID-19, 11 questions regarding knowledge about prevention of COVID-19 in dental practice, and 10 questions regarding the attitude toward preventing COVID-19.

Among the study population, only 376 (57.8%) knew the causative virus for COVID-19. Only 425 (65.3%) knew about rinsing the mouth with an antimicrobial solution or 1% hydrogen peroxide before the dental procedure. Regarding the hand hygiene guidelines, 357 (54.9%) had knowledge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and 377 (58.0%) about World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. At the time of our survey, 72% of the participants showed sufficient knowledge, while 28% had low or insufficient knowledge about COVID-19.

While there was a lack of knowledge among dental professionals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia about COVID-19, there was an excellent positive attitude toward preventing disease. Greater awareness is needed to control the spread of this disease.

Breast cancer represents the second most deadly malignancy in women, and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have crucial functions in its development.

To investigate effects of the promoter of CDKN1A antisense DNA damage-activated RNA (PANDAR) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer cells and their proliferation.

lncRNAs potentially regulating the transcriptional activity of the E-cadherin (E-cad, an epithelial cell marker) gene promoter were screened using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. PANDAR was overexpressed in Michigan cancer foundation 7 (MCF-7) breast cancer cells. E-cad and N-cadherin (N-cad, a mesenchymal cell marker) levels were detected by immunoblotting. Cell viability was assessed using a cell counting kit-8.

PANDAR and TCONS00068220/LOC105375819 conservatively regulated the promoter activity of E-cad. PANDAR overexpression in MCF-7 inhibited E-cad expression, but upregulated N-cad. The enhanced expression of PANDAR promoted cell proliferation.

PANDAR is a key transcriptional repressor of E-cad and has regulatory effects on the promotion of cell proliferation. PANDAR is an oncogene in breast cancer, potentially facilitating the EMT process and promoting cell proliferation.