The ability of nornicotine to elevate RAGE expression in GECs, along with increased RAGE expression in inflamed gingival tissue from smokers, indicates that RAGE may be associated with periodontal disease linked to smoking.

Checkpoint inhibition (CPI) therapies have been proven to be powerful clinical tools in treating cancers. FDA approvals and ongoing clinical development of checkpoint inhibitors for treatment of various cancers highlight the immense potential of checkpoint inhibitors as anti-cancer therapeutics. The occurrence of immune-related adverse events, however, is a major hindrance to the efficacy and use of checkpoint inhibitors as systemic therapies in a wide range of patients. Hence, methods of sustained and tumor-targeted delivery of checkpoint inhibitors are likely to improve efficacy while also decreasing toxic side effects. In this review, we summarize the findings of the studies that evaluated methods of tumor-targeted delivery of checkpoint inhibitors, review their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss the outlook for therapeutic use of these delivery methods.

This study was conducted to evaluate variations in and the prevalence of the lingual concavity. Images were taken between January 1, 2011, and August 31, 2015, from a total of 104 patient charts randomly selected from a private practice. These images were acquired from a single cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) machine. The CBCTs were reviewed in cross-sectional images in both the left and right anterior incisor and posterior molar regions. These scans were classified into 1 of 3 categories-parallel, concave, or convex-based on the measurements of the level of concavity degree as well as the mandibular morphology observed. Lingual concavity characteristics including depth, angulation, and vertical location were also measured. Most of the posterior mandibular CBCT scans were classified as concave. Although there was no significant difference detected for race or gender, statistical significance was noted with regard to age, with an increase in prevalence observed at age 63 years and older. Of the 3 different morphological classifications used, the vast majority were identified as concave in the posterior mandibular regions and parallel in the anterior mandibular region. There was a significant decrease in concavity VL/height (bone loss) associated with age, which was most commonly seen in edentulous areas.

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Background The intraosseous artery is a branch of the posterior superior alveolar artery that supplies the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus. The present study seeks to analyze the location of the intraosseous artery and its site of termination. Methods Cone beam computed tomography was used to evaluate 200 patients making up 400 maxillary sinuses. The following criteria were measured: (1) the distance of the lower border of the intraosseous artery to the floor of the sinus, (2) the average length of the artery, (3) the diameter of the artery, (4) the site at which the artery terminates at, and (5) the distance of the artery from the first premolar, second premolar, first molar, second molar, and third molar. Results The intraosseous artery was identified in 336 (84.0%) quadrants. The most common site of termination was at the mesial of the second molar (22%), regardless of dental status and right or left quadrant. Its overall mean diameter was 0.91 ± 0.56 mm, with no difference within the dental status. Its overall mean length was 7.40 ± 3.39 mm, with a statistically significant difference between dentate and edentulous quadrants (P < 0.001). Its overall mean distance from the floor was 6.95 ± 6.49 mm, with no difference within the dental status. All parameters showed no difference between right or left quadrants. Conclusions The chances of encountering the intraosseous artery at the premolar area is <21% during a lateral window sinus floor elevation. The most common (22%) site of termination of the intraosseous artery is at the mesial of the second molar. Understanding of the course, location, and termination of the artery enhances the precision of a clinician when it comes to pre‐operative treatment planning.

Acute pulmonary embolism is a common medical condition that clinicians face in practice. It is important to have a prompt diagnosis with proper management as it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, a timely diagnosis is often difficult to obtain especially when the presenting symptoms are atypical, but the consequence could be fatal. We present an 80-year-old gentleman who presented with a near-syncope episode who subsequently was found to have acute extensive bilateral pulmonary embolisms after a code blue event.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a dermatological emergency that is often associated with high mortality. It is differentiated from Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) based on the percentage of the total body surface area affected. There has been an established correlation with certain medications that could trigger the development of such a devastating disease. Despite numerous research studies conducted on aspects of this disease entity, TEN remains foreign to many general Internists situated in a community setting due to the extremely low disease prevalence that leads to a lack of overall experience and medical resources in dealing with this medical condition. Thus, we outlined several important management aspects of TEN/SJS that an Internist should be aware of in order to assist in prompt clinical decision making and prognosis forecasting as well as deliver effective family communication.