The salivary microbiota as a diagnostic indicator of oral cancer: A descriptive,non-randomized study of cancer-free and oral squamous cell carcinoma subjects

Background  

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine if the salivary counts of 40 common oral bacteria in subjects with an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) lesion would differ from those found in cancer-free (OSCC-free) controls.     

Sn-chlorin e6 antibacterial immunoconjugates. An in vitro and in vivo analysis.

Monoclonal antibody-Sn-chlorin e6 immunoconjugates were prepared by the site-selective covalent modification of the monoclonal oligosaccharide moiety. By carefully controlling the reaction conditions and introducing triethanolamine groups as axial ligands of the Sn moiety, conjugates with in vivo biodistribution properties similar to underivatized IgG were prepared. By varying the reaction conditions, conjugates were reproducibly prepared with a range of photosensitizer to mAb molar ratios from 1.6 to 10. Based on a competitive inhibition radioimmunoassay, conjugates prepared by this method showed selectivity and binding affinity comparable to the unmodified antibody. The immunoconjugates had only slightly lower singlet oxygen yields than that observed with the Sn-chlorin e6 precursor indicating that negligible aggregation or structural modification of the chromophores occurred during the synthesis process. In vitro cell killing experiments demonstrated that all conjugates possessed significant cytotoxic activity. Biodistribution studies in mice showed that conjugates prepared with axial ligands had significant serum retention 24 h after injection while conjugates prepared without the triethanolamine ligand were much more rapidly cleared. In vivo specificity was demonstrated using rats infected with Fisher immunotype I P. aeruginosa at a site in the left posterior thigh muscle. Target to background ratios exceeded 60 at 120 h after conjugate injection of the specific immunoconjugate, compared to a ratio of only 6 for a non-specific mouse IgG conjugate. Biodistribution patterns at 120 h post injection indicate that the conjugates were both biologically active and structurally intact.     

Pathogenicity and phylogenetic evaluation of the variant Newcastle disease viruses termed “pigeon PMV-1 viruses” based on the nucleotide sequence of the fusion protein gene

Summary The nucleotide sequences of the entire F genes of two isolates of the pigeon PMV-1 (PPMV-1) variant of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were determined using RTPCR. The deduced amino acid sequences of the F0 protein showed four differences between isolate 760/83 which had been passaged 4 times in chickens and gave an intravenous pathogenicity index in chickens (IVPI) of 2.01 and isolate 1168/84 which had received six passages in chickens and had an IVPI of 0.00. The F genes of virus from two passage levels of isolate 1447/84, 0 with IVPI value 0.00 and six with IVPI value 0.58, were partially sequenced to cover the areas of variation between 760/83 and 1168/84. The two passage levels of 1447/84 showed identical sequences in these areas which in turn were identical to those of 760/83. It was concluded that the recorded differences in intravenous pathogenicity were unlikely to be associated with differences in the primary structure of the F0 protein. Phylogenetic comparisons of the F gene sequences of the two PPMV-1 viruses with those published for other NDV strains and isolates showed that the PPMV-1 viruses formed a new fourth lineage but were closely related to strain Warwick with which they presumably shared a common origin.     

Estimation of the genetic contribution of presenilin-1 and -2 mutations in a population-based study of presenile Alzheimer disease

Two closely related genes, the presenilins ( PS ), located at chromosomes 14q24.3 and 1q42.1, have been identified for autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (AD) with onset age below 65 years (presenile AD). We performed a systematic mutation analysis of all coding and 5'-non-coding exons of PS -1 and PS -2 in a population-based epidemiological series of 101 unrelated familial and sporadic presenile AD cases. The familial cases included 10 patients of autosomal dominant AD families sampled for linkage analysis studies. In all patients mutations in the amyloid precursor protein gene ( APP ) had previously been excluded. Four different PS -1 missense mutations were identified in six familial cases, two of which where autosomal dominant cases. Three mutations resulted in onset ages above 55 years, with one segregating in an autosomal dominant family with mean onset age 64 years (range 50-78 years). One PS -2 mutation was identified in a sporadic case with onset age 62 years. Our mutation data provided estimates for PS -1 and PS -2 mutation frequencies in presenile AD of 6 and 1% respectively. When family history was accounted for mutation frequencies for PS -1 were 9% in familial cases and 18% in autosomal dominant cases. Further, polymorphisms were detected in the promoter and the 5'-non-coding region of PS -1 and in intronic and exonic sequences of PS -2 that will be useful in genetic association studies.      

Surgery for severe rhinosinusitis

Sinusitis is one of the most common reasons patients visit their primary care physician. The etiology of sinusitis is multifactorial in most cases. However, the final common pathway of disruption is usually made with a thorough history. The physical examination is often unremarkable. Complaints of nasal obstruction, mucopuluent nasal drainage, and facial pain/pressure are most diagnostic chronic sinusitis. Isolated headache is an uncommon presenting symptom. Computed tomography scans are the gold standard for diagnostic imaging. They can be used both for diagnosis and surgical treatment. All chronic sinusitis patients, being considered for endoscopic sinus surgery, should have failed a trial of maximal medical therapy. This includes a 4–6 wk course of oral antibiotics, nasal steroids, topical nasal decongestants, and oral prednisone if possible. Patients who fail maximal medical therapy have persistent symptoms that significantly effect their daily activities, have chronic abnormalities on computet tomography scan, and are candidates for endoscopic sinus surgery. Appropriate patient selection and preoperative counseling are key factors in patient satisfaction. Most patients with symptoms that significantly impact their daily activities will receive marked improvement in symptoms after sinus surgery. Endoscopic sinus surgery has undergone radical changes in the last 15 yr. Minimally invasive techniques, combined with advances in instrumentation and computers have reduced postoperative discomfort and improved patient satisfaction.     

Leukotrienes do not contribute to the pathogenesis of indomethacin-induced ulceration of the gastric antrum in the re-fed rat

The potential involvement of leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of indomethacin-induced ulceration of the rat gastric antrum has been studied. Pretreatment with the leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitor, MK886 (30 mg/kg p.o.), inhibited the increases in blood and antral leukotriene B₄ releaseex vivo associated with the evolution of antral ulceration. Despite this, however, there was no significant reduction in either the area of antral ulceration, or in the associated blood neutrophilia and neutrophil infiltration into the gastric antrum. Similarly, pretreatment with the leukotriene B₄ antagonist, SC41930 (50 mg/kg p.o.) or the peptidyl leukotriene antagonist ICI198,615 (50 mg/kg p.o.) did not inhibit the area of antral ulceration induced by indomethacin.Thus, in contrast to published reports studying fundic ulceration, our results suggest that leukotrienes do not play a major role either in the pathogenesis of indomethacin-induced ulceration of the rat gastric antrum or neutrophil infiltration into the damaged antrum.