Dual-Energy Computed Tomography as an Adjunct in the Evaluation of Peripheral Chronic Total Occlusions: A Feasibility Study

This study investigated the role of dual-energy computed tomography (CT) for lesion characterization in patients with peripheral arterial disease manifesting with chronic total occlusions (CTOs). Forty-one symptomatic patients with CTOs underwent dual-energy CT angiography before endovascular treatment. The lesions were subsequently analyzed in a dedicated workstation, and 2 indexes—dual-energy index (DEI) and effective Z (Z_eff)—were calculated, ranging from 0.0027 to 0.321 and from 6.89 to 13.02, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between the DEI and Z_eff values (P < .001). The interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.91 for the mean Z_eff values and 0.86 for the mean DEI values. This technique could potentially provide useful information regarding the composition of a CTO.     

Oral biosciences: The annual review 2021

BackgroundThe Journal of Oral Biosciences is devoted to advancing and disseminating fundamental knowledge concerning every aspect of oral biosciences.HighlightThis review features review articles in the fields of “Extracellular Vesicles,” “Propolis,” “Odontogenic Tumors,” “Periodontitis,” “Periodontium,” “Flavonoids,” “Lactoferrin,” “Dental Plaque,” “Anatomy,” “Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells,” “Bone Cell Biology,” “Dysgeusia,” “Dental Caries,” and “Dental Pulp Cavity,” in addition to the review article by the winners of the “Lion Award” (“Sox9 function in salivary gland development”) presented by the Japanese Association for Oral Biology.ConclusionThese reviews in the Journal of Oral Biosciences have inspired its readers to broaden their knowledge regarding various aspects of oral biosciences. The current editorial review introduces these exciting review articles.     

Development of an IgG-Fc fusion COVID-19 subunit vaccine,AKS-452

AKS-452 is a biologically-engineered vaccine comprising an Fc fusion protein of the SARS-CoV-2 viral spike protein receptor binding domain antigen (Ag) and human IgG1 Fc (SP/RBD-Fc) in clinical development for the induction and augmentation of neutralizing IgG titers against SARS-CoV-2 viral infection to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fc moiety is designed to enhance immunogenicity by increasing uptake via Fc-receptors (FcγR) on Ag-presenting cells (APCs) and prolonging exposure due to neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) recycling. AKS-452 induced approximately 20-fold greater neutralizing IgG titers in mice relative to those induced by SP/RBD without the Fc moiety and induced comparable long-term neutralizing titers with a single dose vs. two doses. To further enhance immunogenicity, AKS-452 was evaluated in formulations containing a panel of adjuvants in which the water-in-oil adjuvant, Montanide™ ISA 720, enhanced neutralizing IgG titers by approximately 7-fold after one and two doses in mice, including the neutralization of live SARS-CoV-2 virus infection of VERO-E6 cells. Furthermore, ISA 720-adjuvanted AKS-452 was immunogenic in rabbits and non-human primates (NHPs) and protected from infection and clinical symptoms with live SARS-CoV-2 virus in NHPs (USA-WA1/2020 viral strain) and the K18 human ACE2-trangenic (K18-huACE2-Tg) mouse (South African B.1.351 viral variant). These preclinical studies support the initiation of Phase I clinical studies with adjuvanted AKS-452 with the expectation that this room-temperature stable, Fc-fusion subunit vaccine can be rapidly and inexpensively manufactured to provide billions of doses per year especially in regions where the cold-chain is difficult to maintain.     

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of adenoviral and subunit RSV vaccines based on stabilized prefusion F protein in pre-clinical models

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) remains a leading cause of severe respiratory disease for which no licensed vaccine is available. We have previously described the derivation of an RSV Fusion protein (F) stabilized in its prefusion conformation (preF) as vaccine immunogen and demonstrated superior immunogenicity in naive mice of preF versus wild type RSV F protein, both as protein and when expressed from an Ad26 vaccine vector. Here we address the question if there are qualitative differences between the two vaccine platforms for induction of protective immunity. In naïve mice, both Ad26.RSV.preF and preF protein induced humoral responses, whereas cellular responses were only elicited by Ad26.RSV.preF. In RSV pre-exposed mice, a single dose of either vaccine induced cellular responses and strong humoral responses. Ad26-induced RSV-specific cellular immune responses were detected systemically and locally in the lungs. Both vaccines showed protective efficacy in the cotton rat model, but Ad26.RSV.preF conferred protection at lower virus neutralizing titers in comparison to RSV preF protein. Factors that may contribute to the protective capacity of Ad26.RSV.preF elicited immunity are the induced IgG2a antibodies that are able to engage Fcγ receptors mediating Antibody Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity (ADCC), and the induction of systemic and lung resident RSV specific CD8 + T cells. These data demonstrate qualitative improvement of immune responses elicited by an adenoviral vector based vaccine encoding the RSV preF antigen compared to the subunit vaccine in small animal models which may inform RSV vaccine development.     

Plaque‐like myofibroblastic tumor,a rare entity of childhood: Possible pitfalls in differential diagnosis

Plaque‐like myofibroblastic tumor is a rare and benign pediatric soft tissue tumor. It presents as a slowly growing plaque reaching several centimeters in diameter, made up of multiple nodules. The clinical and histological features of this benign entity are similar to other fibrohistiocytic or myofibroblastic tumors occurring in childhood, so the diagnosis can be difficult. The correlation between clinical data, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry is necessary for the correct diagnosis.     

通脉降脂饮对痰瘀互阻型动脉粥样斑块稳定性的影响

目的:观察通脉降脂饮治疗痰瘀互阻型动脉粥样硬化患者的临床疗效,探讨通脉降脂饮干预动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的可能机制。方法:选取2018年1-12月在佛山市禅城区人民医院门诊就诊或健康体检的急性心脑血管事件后2周的患者175例,随机分为对照组86例和观察组89例,对照组口服阿司匹林肠溶片、辛伐他汀分散片治疗,观察组在对照组治疗的基础上加服通脉降脂饮,日1剂,两组疗程均为6个月。观察两组患者临床疗效及相关指标变化情况。结果:对照组有效率为83.72%,观察组有效率为93.26%,两组有效率比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者治疗前血清超敏C反应蛋白(hypersensitive C-reactive protein,hs-CRP)、金属基质蛋白酶9(Matrix metalloproteinase 9,MMP-9)、血同型半胱氨酸(homocysteine,Hcy)比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗后两组血清Hs-CRP、MMP-9、Hcy与治疗前比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组急性心脑血管事件后血清Hs-CRP、MMP-9、Hcy与治疗前比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);急性心脑血管事件后血清Hs-CRP、MMP-9、Hcy组间比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。对照组急性心脑血管事件发生率为23.26%,治疗组急性心脑血管事件发生率为11.24%,两组急性心脑血管事件发生率比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组均未发生死亡、肝肾异常等病例。结论:通脉降脂饮可以降低动脉粥样硬化患者血清Hs-CRP、MMP-9、Hcy,减少急性心脑血管事件的发生。