The study of H. pylori putative candidate factors for single- and multi-component vaccine development

Helicobacter pylori has grown to colonize inside the stomach of nearly half of the world’s population, turning into the most prevalent infections in the universe. Medical care failures noticeably confirm the need for a vaccine to hinder or deal with H. pylori. This review is planned to discuss the most known factors as a vaccine candidate, including single (AhpC, BG, CagA, KatA, Fla, Hsp, HWC, Lpp, LPS, NAP, OMP, OMV, SOD, Tpx, Urease, VacA) and multi-component vaccines. Many promising results in the field of single and multivalent vaccine can be seen, but there is no satisfactory outcome and neither a prophylactic nor a therapeutic vaccine to treat or eradicate the infection in human has been acquired. Hence, selecting suitable antigen is an important factor as an appropriate adjuvant. Taken all together, the development of efficient anti-H. pylori vaccines relies on the fully understanding of the interactions between H. pylori and its host immune system. Therefore, more work should be done on epitope mapping, analysis of molecular structure, and determination of the antigen determinant region as well due to design a vaccine, preferably a multi-component vaccine to elicit specific CD4 T-cell responses that are required for H. pylori vaccine efficacy.     

Intermittent pneumatic compression therapy improves functional and dynamic balance and neuropathy severity in neuropathic patients with type 2 diabetes

Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes which increases risk of falling. Reduction in neural blood flow is one proposed theory for this etiology of diabetic neuropathy. Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is a treatment method that increases nutritional supplies for the peripheral nervous system. The current study aims at evaluating the effects of IPC therapy on two aspects of balance dysfunction as one of the most important clinical signs of diabetic neuropathy. This study is a single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial that involved 39 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. In this analysis, patients aged 40–75 years (with a mean age of 58.82 years) were randomly divided into intervention (n = 20) and control groups (n = 19). In the first session, all tests of neuropathy severity (using Valk and Michigan diabetic neuropathy questionnaires) and stability (functional and dynamic balance) were performed for both groups. The subjects in intervention group underwent 10 sessions of IPC treatment. At last, balance and neuropathy examinations were carried out in the final session. P < 0.05 was chosen as statistical significance level. Implementation of IPC interventions for 10 sessions significantly decreased APSI and OSI of Biodex balance system in level 6 (P < 0.05). The subjects in intervention group showed significant increases in standing time with their eyes either open or closed by performing functional balance tests. Additionally, Valk and Michigan neuropathy screening scores significantly decreased after 10 sessions of IPC therapy. This study showed that IPC has a positive effect on diabetic neuropathy and balance.

     

Prevalence of malocclusions and orthodontic treatment need in 8- to 12-year-old schoolchildren in Casablanca,Morocco

ObjectivesThe purpose of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of malocclusions and orthodontic treatment need among schoolchildren in Casablanca, Morocco.Materials and methodsA sample of 1000 children aged between 8 and 12 years, with no history of orthodontic treatment, was chosen at random in state schools in different administrative areas of the city of Casablanca. Data was registered using the method of Bjork et al. (1964). Orthodontic treatment need was assessed with the index used by the Swedish National Board of Health (SweNBH).ResultsWe found Angle Class I malocclusions in 61.4%, Class II in 24%, Class III in 10% and an indeterminate molar class with one or more missing molars in 4.6% of the children. Overjet was 1–4 mm in 63.8%, 4–6 mm in 17.2% and >6 mm in 10%. Bite was normal in 65.4%, 23.6% presented an overbite greater than 4 mm, 1.7% an anterior open bite ≤3 mm, 1.2% an anterior open bite >3 mm and 0.2% a bilateral open bite. Half of the sample presented anterior crowding, while only 2.5% presented posterior crowding. In all, 84.2% of the subjects needed some orthodontic treatment, and 15.8% needed no treatment. No statistically significant difference was found between sex or age and orthodontic treatment need (P>0.05).ConclusionsThis study found a strong need for orthodontic treatment, confirming the utility of implementing a programme of bucco-dental prevention and screening for malocclusion.     

Toxic effects arising from selenium and deferasirox interaction in the biological system

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of deferasirox on selenium toxicity in male rat organs. After 50 days of selenium administration, all the rats showed toxicity symptoms. After poisoning, deferasirox was given orally to rats during 10 days. The results show that toxicity symptoms were unexpectedly increased. The new symptoms of toxicity after deferasirox administration were including loss of body hairs, yellowish discoloration of hair, weakness, brown spot on their skin, enlargement of the spleen and shrinking of sex organs. Selenium and iron concentrations were determined by GFAAS and FAAS, respectively. The results indicate the poisoned rats with selenium that received deferasirox as a drug, shown serious symptoms such as exacerbate toxicity, reduction in iron concentration, anemia and even death after a few days of deferasirox administration.     

A syndemic of psychosocial health problems is associated with increased HIV sexual risk among Nigerian gay,bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)

ABSTRACT

Nigerian gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience negative psychosocial health problems, which may increase their risk for HIV infection. Few studies have explored the syndemic effect of co-occurring psychosocial health problems on HIV sexual risk among Nigerian GBMSM. We investigated the co-occurrence of syndemic psychosocial health problems and their synergistic effect on HIV risk behaviors. We assessed depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol dependence, tobacco use, and hard-drug use. The outcome variables were the number of male sexual partners and consistent condom use. In a multivariable model, experiencing 4 or more psychosocial health problems – compared to experience none or one psychosocial health problem – was significantly associated with increasing number of male sexual partners. We found no statistically significant association between the number of syndemic psychosocial health problems and consistent condom use. Our study findings provides evidence of a synergistic relationship between negative psychosocial health factors and HIV sexual risk behavior. These findings underscore the importance of developing HIV prevention programming aimed at reducing HIV transmission risk that incorporate substance use and mental health treatments, in order to improve the overall health and quality of life for Nigerian GBMSM.