Development of immunization trials against Pasteurella multocida

Pasteurellosis is one of the most important respiratory diseases facing economically valuable farm animals such as poultry, rabbit, cattle, goats and pigs. It causes severe economic loss due to its symptoms that range from primary local infection to fatal septicemia. Pasteurella multocida is the responsible pathogen for this contagious disease. Chemotherapeutic treatment of Pasteurella is expensive, lengthy, and ineffective due to the increasing antibiotics resistance of the bacterium, as well as its toxicity to human consumers. Though, biosecurity measures played a role in diminishing the spread of the pathogen, the immunization methods were always the most potent preventive measures. Since the early 1950s, several trials for constructing and formulating effective vaccines were followed. This up-to-date review classifies and documents such trials. A section is devoted to discussing each group benefits and defects.     

Ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block: a comparison between four different infragluteal probe and needle alignment approaches

Purpose

Our aim was compare onset time of sciatic nerve blockade (SNB) performed distal to the subgluteal fold using four different ultrasound (US)-guided approaches in patients undergoing foot or ankle surgery.

Methods

Patients were assigned to one of four groups: SI patients received SNB using short-axis (SA) view of the SN and in-plane (IP) placement of block needle (SA-IP approach); LI patients received SNB using long-axis (LA) view of the SN and IP needle placement (LA-IP approach); SO patients received the block using SA view of the SN and out-of-plane (OP) needle placement (SA-OP approach); LO patients received SNB using LA view of the SN and OP needle placement (LA-OP). Primary outcome included onset time of sensory and motor SNB. Patient satisfaction concerning the postoperative analgesia was noted.

Results

The LI group had significantly faster onset of sensory blockade on the distribution of tibial nerve (16.0 ± 5.6 vs. 23.5 ± 3.6) and common peroneal nerve (12.5 ± 4.3 vs. 19.1 ± 5.4 min) in comparison with the LO group. The LI group had significantly faster onset of motor blockade on the distribution of tibial nerve (21.1 ± 6.2 vs. 26 ± 3.1) and common peroneal nerve (17.7 ± 4.8 vs. 23.7 ± 5.8 min.) in comparison with the LO group. The LI group had the highest rate of patient satisfaction for postoperative analgesia and the LO group had the lowest.

Conclusion

The LA-IP approach resulted in a rapid onset of SNB and was associated with the best satisfaction for postoperative analgesia in comparison with LA-OP, SA-IP, and SA-OP approaches for patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery.     

Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Traumatized Immature Permanent Necrotic Teeth after Revascularization/Revitalization Therapy

Introduction

Revascularization treatment is rapidly becoming an accepted treatment alternative for the management of endodontic pathology in immature permanent teeth with necrotic dental pulps. However, the success and timing of clinical resolution of symptoms, and radiographic outcomes of interest, such as continued hard tissue deposition within the root, are largely unknown.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, 20 teeth were treated with a standardized revascularization treatment protocol and monitored for clinical and radiographic changes for 1 year. Standardized radiographs were collected at regular intervals, and radiographic changes were quantified.

Results

All 20 treated teeth survived during the 12-month follow-up period, and all 20 also met the clinical criteria for success at 12 months. As a group, the treated teeth showed a statistically significant increase in radiographic root width and length and a decrease in apical diameter, although the changes in many cases were quite small (such that the clinical significance is unclear). The within-case percent change in apical diameter after 3 months was 16% and had increased to 79% by 12 months, with 55% (11/20) showing complete apical closure. The within-case percent change in root length averaged less than 1% at 3 months and increased to 5% at 12 months. The within-case percent change in root thickness averaged 3% at 3 months and 21% at 12 months.

Conclusions

Although clinical success was highly predictable with this procedure, clinically meaningful radiographic root thickening and lengthening are less predictable after 1-year of follow-up. Apical closure is the most consistent radiographic finding.     

Characterization and osteogenic activity of a silicatein/biosilica-coated chitosan-graft-polycaprolactone

Several attempts have been made in the past to fabricate hybrid materials that display the complementary properties of the polyester polycaprolactone (PCL) and the polysaccharide chitosan (CHS) for application in the field of bone regeneration and tissue engineering. However, such composites generally have no osteogenic activity per se. Here we report the synthesis of a chitosan-graft-polycaprolactone (CHS-g-PCL) and its subsequent characterization, including crystallinity, chemical structure and thermal stability. Upon surface-functionalization of CHS-g-PCL with osteogenic biosilica via the surface-immobilized enzyme silicatein, protein adsorption, surface morphology and wettability were assessed. Finally, the cultivation of osteoblastic SaOS-2 cells on the surface-functionalized CHS-g-PCL was followed by analyses of cell viability, mineral deposition and alkaline phosphatase activity. These characterizations revealed a composite that combines the versatile properties of CHS-g-PCL with the osteogenic activity of the silicatein/biosilica coating and, hence, represents an innovative alternative to conventionally used CHS/PCL composites for biomedical applications, where stable bone–material interfaces are required.     

Electrospun Nanofibers Revisited: An Update on the Emerging Applications in Nanomedicine

Electrospinning (ES) has become a straightforward and customizable drug delivery technique for fabricating drug-loaded nanofibers (NFs) using various biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymers. One of NF’s pros is to provide a controlled drug release through managing the NF structure by changing the spinneret type and nature of the used polymer. Electrospun NFs are employed as implants in several applications including, cancer therapy, microbial infections, and regenerative medicine. These implants facilitate a unique local delivery of chemotherapy because of their high loading capability, wide surface area, and cost-effectiveness. Multi-drug combination, magnetic, thermal, and gene therapies are promising strategies for improving chemotherapeutic efficiency. In addition, implants are recognized as an effective antimicrobial drug delivery system overriding drawbacks of traditional antibiotic administration routes such as their bioavailability and dosage levels. Recently, a sophisticated strategy has emerged for wound healing by producing biomimetic nanofibrous materials with clinically relevant properties and desirable loading capability with regenerative agents. Electrospun NFs have proposed unique solutions, including pelvic organ prolapse treatment, viable alternatives to surgical operations, and dental tissue regeneration. Conventional ES setups include difficult-assembled mega-sized equipment producing bulky matrices with inadequate stability and storage. Lately, there has become an increasing need for portable ES devices using completely available off-shelf materials to yield highly-efficient NFs for dressing wounds and rapid hemostasis. This review covers recent updates on electrospun NFs in nanomedicine applications. ES of biopolymers and drugs is discussed regarding their current scope and future outlook.     

Non-hormonal therapy of post-menopausal vasomotor symptoms: a structured evidence-based review

Background Interest in non-hormonal therapies for the treatment of menopausal symptoms has increased since the publication of adverse effects of estrogen replacement therapy. Objective To provide information on the efficacy of non-hormonal therapies for menopausal vasomotor symptoms based on evidence from published randomised controlled studies. Methods The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), MEDLINE, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine database (ATHMD) and Allied and Complementary Medicine database (AMED) were searched for randomised controlled trials in the English language reporting data on treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms. Trials including cancer breast patients were included. Results Our search identified 58 randomised controlled trials of which 11 involved the use of clonidine, six for SSRIs, four for gabapentin, seven for black cohosh, seven for red clover, 18 for phytoestrogens, two for ginseng, one for evening primrose, one for dong quai and one for vitamin E. Most trials had methodological deficiencies. Conclusion There is evidence that clonidine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, gabapentin and black cohosh may be beneficial in the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms in some women. Current evidence does not support the use of fluoxetine, red clover, phytoestrogens, Ginseng, evening primrose, dong quai and vitamin E. The side effects profile of these therapies should be considered.     

Organo-Nanocups Assist the Formation of Ultra-Small Palladium Nanoparticle Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Ultra-small palladium nanoparticles were synthesized and applied as catalysts for a hydrogen evolution reaction. The palladium metal precursor was produced via beta-cyclodextrin as organo-nanocup (ONC) capping agent to produce ultra-small nanoparticles used in this study. The produced ~3 nm nanoparticle catalyst was then characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm the successful synthesis of ~3 nm palladium nanoparticles. The nanoparticles’ catalytic ability was explored via the hydrolysis reaction of sodium borohydride. The palladium nanoparticle catalyst performed best at 303 K at a pH of 7 with 925 μmol of sodium borohydride having an H₂ generation rate of 1.431 mL min⁻¹ mL_cat⁻¹. The activation energy of the palladium catalyst was calculated to be 58.9 kJ/mol.     

Outcome of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in high risk patients with severe aortic stenosis

Aim

To assess outcome of TAVI in high risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis.