This letter comments on the letter by Tak-kwan Kong. Liquid-phase concentrated growth factor (LPCGF), a new-generation platelet concentrate, may potently stimulate human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. This study assessed the effectiveness of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and/or LPCGF on periodontally diseased root surfaces through their effects on PDL cells. Dentin blocks prepared from periodontal teeth were divided into four groups and treated as follows group I, scaling and root planning (SRP); group II, SRP + EDTA; group III, SRP + LPCGF; and group IV, SRP+EDTA + LPCGF. PDL cells were cultured on dentin blocks, and LPCGF-induced biological effects were evaluated by migration and cell adhesion/proliferation assays. Furthermore, PDL cell differentiation was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Significantly more adherent cells were observed in the EDTA, LPCGF and combination treatment groups than in the control group. Root conditioning with EDTA and/or LPCGF enhanced cell proliferation and migration more than SRP did. Compared with the control group, the combined treatment group exhibited significant upregulation of cell differentiation-related genes. Electron microscopy of the tooth surface revealed removal of the smear layer and exposed dentin holes in the EDTA-treated group but not in the control group. EDTA and LPCGF application to periodontitis-affected root surfaces forms a surface suitable for cell attachment, growth, migration and differentiation. Thus, LPCGF is promising in clinical periodontics applications. Further studies to support these results are necessary. EDTA and LPCGF application to periodontitis-affected root surfaces forms a surface suitable for cell attachment, growth, migration and differentiation. Thus, LPCGF is promising in clinical periodontics applications. Further studies to support these results are necessary. Novel thyroidectomy techniques have been described to minimize the visible scar. Hereby, we aim to present our experience with transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) without axillary access. Between August 2018 and March 2019, six eligible patients were enrolled to undergo TORT. Procedures were performed by using the Da Vinci Xi platform under intermittent intraoperative nerve monitoring. All patients were female, and the mean age was 40.0 ± 14.4 years. Three patients underwent total thyroidectomy, and lobectomy was performed for the remaining three patients. In one patient, the procedure was converted to conventional open thyroidectomy due to bleeding. The mean docking time, console time and total operative time were 22.8 ± 5.2 min, 118.5 ± 48.7 min and 218.29 ± 50.6 min for total thyroidectomy and 21.8 ± 4.1 min, 68.6 ± 6.1 min and 177.6 ± 15.1 min for lobectomy, respectively. All patients were discharged uneventfully. Pure TORT is a safe procedure, when performed in carefully selected patients by experienced surgeons, but further prospective studies with larger number of patients are required. Pure TORT is a safe procedure, when performed in carefully selected patients by experienced surgeons, but further prospective studies with larger number of patients are required. Identification of undefined risk factors will be crucial for the development of therapeutic strategies in hearing impairment. Platelets are likely to affect the development of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, which is a primary risk factor for permanent hearing impairment. This implies that abnormal platelets might contribute to long-term hearing loss. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/cpi-0610.html This study investigated the role of platelets in the development of hearing impairment over a 5-year period. This study was a retrospective cohort study and consisted of a population-based survey, which was performed for 1,897 participants in 2014 to 2019. To evaluate the effect of platelet level on hearing ability, the subjects were divided into two groups a high-normal platelet group (25 ∼ 40 × 10 cells/μL) and a low-normal platelet group (15 ∼ 25 × 10 cells/μL). Subjects were defined as having hearing impairment when pure tone audiometry was over 25 dB HL in either ear (tested in 2017 and 2019). Incidence of hearing impairment was analyzed. Incidence of hearing impairment at low frequencies was significantly higher in the low-normal platelet group than in the high-normal group year over year. Low-normal platelet count associated with low-frequency hearing impairment (LFHI) incidence (odds ratio [OR], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-4.76). In the low-normal platelet group, subjects whose counts declined from baseline developed more LFHI than those whose counts increased over time. Further, decreasing platelets appeared to be an independent risk factor contributing to the incidence of LFHI (OR, 2.10; 95%CI, 1.09-4.06) in the low-normal platelet group. Both a low-normal platelet and a declining platelet count were independently associated with the incidence of LFHI. 3 Laryngoscope, 2020. 3 Laryngoscope, 2020.A sizeable dataset comprising millions of lithic artifacts sampling over two million years of early paleolithic tool technology from Africa and Eurasia is now available. The widespread presupposition of an exclusively cultural, that is, socially learned, nature of early stone tools from at least Acheulean times onwards has been challenged by researchers who hypothesize that these tools, a crucial element of early hominin survival strategies, may partly have been under genetic control, next to the effects of various other determinants. The discussion this hypothesis has sparked off in the present journal is here explored somewhat further, focusing on the Baldwin effect.Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) were phytosynthesized by Laurus nobilis leaf extract, which was used as a reducing and capping agent. UV-vis spectroscopy was applied, and the spectrum of CuONPs gave a peak around 300 and 325 nm. An intense Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy between 4000 and 500 cm-1 wavelengths exhibited exterior functional groups of CuONPs. The results of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the green synthesized CuONPs were spherical in shape with sizes between 90 and 250 nm. Antibacterial activity of CuONPs was evaluated against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Brilliant Blue R-250 was employed in the dye decolorization studies, and CuONPs achieved 69% decolorization in 60 Min. The antioxidant activity of CuONPs was calculated by analyzing total phenolic compounds and flavonoid content. Furthermore, the reducing power of extract and nanoparticles was determined. Total phenolic compounds of CuONPs were determined as 6.7 µg of pyrocatechol equivalent/mg, while total flavonoids were measured as 236.