Subcutaneous immunization with a novel immunogenic candidate (urease) confers protection against Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis infections

Brucellosis is a world prevalent endemic illness that is transmitted from domestic animals to humans. Brucella spp. exploits urease for survival in the harsh conditions of stomach during the gastrointestinal infection. In this study, we examined the immune response and the protection elicited by using recombinant Brucella urease (rUrease) vaccination in BALB/c mice. The urease gene was cloned in pET28a and the resulting recombinant protein was employed as subunit vaccine. Recombinant protein was administered subcutaneously and intraperitoneally. Dosage reduction was observed with subcutaneous (SC) vaccination when compared with intraperitoneal (IP) vaccination. rUrease induced mixed Th1–Th2 immune responses with high titers of specific IgG1 and IgG2a. In lymphocyte proliferation assay, splenocytes from IP and SC‐vaccinated mice displayed a strong recall proliferative response with high amounts of IL‐4, IL‐12 and IFN‐γ production. Vaccinated mice were challenged with virulent Brucella melitensis, B. abortus and B. suis. The SC vaccination route exhibited a higher degree of protection than IP vaccination (p value ≤ 0.05). Altogether, our results indicated that rUrease could be a useful antigen candidate for the development of subunit vaccines against brucellosis.     

Arthrocentesis versus glucocorticosteroid injection for internal derangement of temporomandibular joint

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - It is necessary to clarify that temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are one of the most misdiagnosed and mistreated maladies in the medical practice. It is an...     

Breastfeeding and Helicobacter pylori Infection in Early Childhood: a Continuing Dilemma

Objective:

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most common chronic bacterial infection in humans. Chronic colonization increases the risk of duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer. The risk factors for acquiring the infection have been extensively studied. However, there are conflicting results on the role of breastfeeding in the prevention of H. pylori infection. We conducted a study to evaluate the effects of breastfeeding on the H. Pylori infection in Kurdish children in Sanandaj, IR Iran.

Methods:

A historical cohort study was carried out from January 2011 through December 2012. Totally 221 children who were going to attain 2 years old during the study period were randomly enrolled. They were divided into two groups, i.e. breastfed and non-breastfed. We used H. pylori stool antigen test to detect infection in the selected group of children after age of 2 years and cessation of breastfeeding. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups, infected and non-infected. The associations of breastfeeding with H. pylori infection was assessed using statistical software.

Findings:

We found no difference in the odds of infection between breastfed and non-breastfed groups (OR=0.809, 95% CI [0.453–1.444]). An association between age and the prevalence of infection was found (P=0.008). There was an increase in the odds of infection as the family size grew (OR=1.93, 95% CI [1.04–3.6]) as well as increasing housing density (OR=2.12, 95% CI [1.10–4.10]).

Conclusion:

The data suggests that breastfeeding in infancy does not protect against H. pylori infection for long duration among studied children in Iran. The protective effects of breastfeeding, if any, are at most transient.     

Successful treatment of a radicular groove by intentional replantation and Emdogain® therapy

Abstract –  Radicular groove is an anatomical malformation often predisposing to a severe periodontal defect. Treatment of such an anomaly presents a clinical challenge to the operator. Presented is a case of successful treatment of a radicular groove associated with a maxillary lateral incisor in a 15-year-old girl. A combination of endodontic, intentional replantation and Emdogain® therapy was used. At 1-year follow-up, the patient was comfortable and active healing was evident.     

Regeneration of sciatic nerve crush injury by a hydroxyapatite nanoparticle-containing collagen type I hydrogel

The current study aimed to enhance the efficacy of peripheral nerve regeneration using a hydroxyapatite nanoparticle-containing collagen type I hydrogel. A solution of type I collagen, extracted from the rat tails, was incorporated with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (with the average diameter of ~212 nm) and crosslinked with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) to prepare the hydrogel. The Schwann cell cultivation on the prepared hydrogel demonstrated a significantly higher cell proliferation than the tissue culture plate, as positive control, after 48 h (n = 3, P < 0.005) and 72 h (n = 3, P < 0.01). For in vivo evaluation, the prepared hydrogel was administrated on the sciatic nerve crush injury in Wistar rats. Four groups were studied: negative control (with injury but without interventions), positive control (without injury), collagen hydrogel and hydroxyapatite nanoparticle-containing collagen hydrogel. After 12 weeks, the administration of hydroxyapatite nanoparticle-containing collagen significantly (n = 4, P < 0.005) enhanced the functional behavior of the rats compared with the collagen hydrogel and negative control groups as evidenced by the sciatic functional index, hot plate latency and compound muscle action potential amplitude measurements. The overall results demonstrated the applicability of the produced hydrogel for the regeneration of peripheral nerve injuries.     

Anti-Vibriocholerae IgY Antibody Inhibits Mortality in Suckling Mice Model

Background

Regarding to the importance of cholera in Iran and the potential advantages of egg yolk antibody (IgY) for immunotherapy, the aim of this study was to produce IgY antibody against V. cholerae Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and determine its potential for V. cholerae treatment.

Pattern of in-hospital pediatric mortality over a 3-year period at University teaching hospitals in Iran

Introduction:

Causes of death are different and very important for policy makers in different regions. This study was designed to analyze the data for our in-patient children mortality.

Materials and Methods:

In this cross-sectional study from March 2011 to March 2013, all patients from 2 months to 18 years who died in pediatric intensive care unit, emergency room or medical pediatric wards in the teaching hospitals were studied.

Results:

From a total of 18,915 admissions during a 2-year-period, 256 deaths occurred with a mean age of 4.3 ± 5 years and mortality 1.35%. An underlying disease was present in 70.7% of the patients and in 88.5% of them the leading causes of death were related to the underlying diseases. The most common underlying diseases were congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy in 50 (27.6%). The four main causes of deaths were sepsis (14.8%), pneumonia (14.5%), congestive heart failure (9.8%), and hepatic encephalopathy (9.8%).

Conclusion:

We may conclude that after sepsis and pneumonia, congestive heart failure, and hepatic encephalopathy are the leading causes of death. Most patients who died had underlying diseases including malignancies, heart and liver diseases as the most common causes.     

Prevalence of Mental Health Problems in Children and Its Associated Socio-Familial Factors in Urban Population of Semnan,Iran (2012)

Background:

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes own potential, can cope with the normal pressures of life, is able to work effectively, and can make a contribution to community”.

Objectives:

Mental Health Problems (MHP) is a great concern for all societies in terms of its burden and impact. This survey screened MHP and its impact in an Iranian urban population aged 6 - 12 years old, and explored its associated socio-familial factors.

Patients and Methods:

The survey was conducted in the elementary schools of Semnan, using random cluster sampling. Collection and analysis of data was performed using the parent version of the “Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)” and survey commands of Stata-nine, taking into account cluster effect and population weights. Associations were assessed by fitting simple and multiple logistic regression models. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

With regard to the SDQ total score, 19.3% (95% CI: 8.6, 30.1) scored above the normal threshold (9.6% abnormal, 9.7% borderline). The frequency of problems ranged between 16.1% (peer problems) and 8.4% (emotional symptoms), and in all subscales boys were affected more than girls. The impact score was abnormal in 68.4% of all children, and was greater in girls than in boys. “A previously diagnosed mental health disorder” (OR = 11.11, 95% CI: 5.55, 25.00), “male gender” (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.87 and “less time spent with the child by father” (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.17) were significantly associated with an abnormal SDQ.

Conclusions:

The high rate of MHP in 6 - 12 year-old children and the lack of any significant correlation with their age, underpins the importance of early screening for MHP in schools, with particular focus on high risk groups.