Autoantibodies against the autophagic protein microtubule-associated light-chain 3 (LC3): Immunocharacterization of an atypical ANA pattern

Abstract

Autoantibodies to nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens are commonly detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells, and three major staining patterns (nuclear, cytoplasmic, and mitotic) are distinguished. Here, we report an atypical cytoplasmic pattern, not described so far, observed in the serum of a patient with a controversial diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Moreover, for the first time, we have revealed the presence of autoantibodies against the microtubule-associated light-chain 3 (LC3) protein, which plays a key role in the autophagic process. The target antigen has been identified in IIF by means of a competition test using purified anti-LC3 antibodies on HEp-2 cells, and confirmed by Western blot analysis using cellular or recombinant LC3 as antigen, immunoreacted with the patient’s serum. The identification of this atypical pattern and the related autoantibody-antigen system sheds new light on autophagy, which is increasingly considered to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune disorders, and could contribute to select more personalized therapies.     

Modified Version of Baby-Led Weaning Does Not Result in Lower Zinc Intake or Status in Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Little is known about zinc intakes and status during complementary feeding. This is particularly true for baby-led approaches, which encourage infants to feed themselves from the start of complementary feeding, although self-feeding may restrict the intake of zinc-rich foods.

Kinetic Modeling of Cr(VI) Reduction by nZVI in Soil: The Influence of Organic Matter and Manganese Oxide

The effect of soil composition on the reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) by zero valent iron nanoparticles was studied. A model was proposed, to investigate both the effect of manganese oxide and the simultaneous effect of manganese dioxide and soil organic matter on the kinetic of Cr(VI) reduction. Fe(0) nanoparticles consumption by the reaction with dissolved oxygen, water and soluble Cr(VI) was taken into account. The model was validated through experimental tests performed on soil samples collected at an industrial polluted site, and on artificially contaminated samples from the same site, in the presence of selected amount of leonardite.     

The Hall Technique; a randomized controlled clinical trial of a novel method of managing carious primary molars in general dental practice: acceptability of the technique and outcomes at 23 months

Background  

Scotland has high levels of untreated dental caries in primary teeth. The Hall Technique is a simplified method of managing carious primary molars using preformed metal crowns (PMCs) cemented with no local anaesthesia, caries removal or tooth preparation. This study compared the acceptability of the Hall Technique for children, their carers, and dentists, and clinical outcomes for the technique, with conventional restorations.     

Accuracy of computerized tomography for the evaluation of mandibular sites prior to implant placement

The objective of the present study was to observe the effect of positioning of the mandible on the accuracy of cross-sectional images obtained by reformatting computerized tomographic (CT) scans. An additional aim was to evaluate the ability of a software program (DentalVox, Era Scientific) to reconstruct these measurements on the reformatted images, regardless of the positioning of the mandible, accurately and without distortion. The test was carried out by examining a partially edentulous dry human mandible with an acrylic radiologic template. Through the use of an acrylic glass support, the mandible was positioned at angles of 0, 10, 15, 20, and 30 degrees relative to the scanning gantry, and a series of CT scans was performed that provided five sets of axial images. Each set of original axial images was reformatted by the DentalVox software, used first in its basic function, which is typical of all software for axial CT measurement (control group), and again in its function of site-specific multiplanar reconstruction (test group). The results showed that the position of the mandible in relation to the CT gantry can influence the precision of the linear measurements. The error ranged from 2% to 51%. The DentalVox software allowed the reconstruction of cross-sectional images with very little distortion regardless of the mandibular position.