Peptides containing T cell epitopes, derived from Sm14, but not from paramyosin, induce a Th1 type of immune response, reduction in liver pathology and partial protection against Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice

Sm14 and paramyosin are two major Schistosoma mansoni vaccine candidate antigens. Recently, we have identified Sm14 and paramyosin epitopes that are recognized by T cells of resistant individuals living in endemic areas for schistosomiasis. Herein, mice were immunized with these peptides separately or in association in order to evaluate their vaccine potential. Immunization of mice with Sm14 peptides alone or mixed with paramyosin peptides was able to induce 26%-36.7% or 28%-29.2% of worm burden reduction, 67% or 46% of intestinal eggs reduction and also 54%-61% or 43%-52% of liver pathology reduction, respectively. Protection was associated with a Th1 type of immune response induced by Sm14 peptide immunization. In contrast, paramyosin peptide vaccination did not engender protective immunity or liver pathology reduction and immunization was associated with a Th2 type of immune response.     

Increasing pancreatic cancer is not paralleled by pancreaticoduodenectomy volumes in Brazil: A time trend analysis

Background

Currently, surgical resection represents the only curative treatment for pancreatic cancer (PC), however, the majority of tumors are no longer resectable by the time of diagnosis. The aim of this study was to describe time trends and distribution of pancreaticoduodenectomies (PDs) performed for treating PC in Brazil in recent years.

Accuracy of 2 Endodontic Rotary Motors with Integrated Apex Locator

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro the efficacy of both the electronic apex locator (EAL) and auto apical reverse (AAR) functions of the endodontic motor MM Control (Micro-Mega, Besançon Cedex, France) compared with Root ZX II (J Morita, Tokyo, Japan).

Comparison between Single-file Rotary Systems: Part 1—Efficiency,Effectiveness, and Adverse Effects in Endodontic Retreatment

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the performance of 3 single-file systems: WaveOne Gold Primary (WOG; Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland), Hyflex EDM “one file” (EDM; Coltene/Whaledent, Alstatten, Switzerland), and XP Shaper (XP; FKG, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland), for nonsurgical endodontic retreatment on mandibular anterior teeth in regard to the amount of remaining filling material inside the canal, debris extrusion, and operation time.

Comparison of salivary levels of mucin and amylase and their relation with clinical parameters obtained from patients with aggressive and chronic periodontal disease

Objective

Salivary mucin and amylase levels are increased in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP). Due to the fact that aggressive periodontitis (AgP) not only differs from chronic periodontitis in terms of its clinical manifestation, the aim of this study was to compare salivary mucin and amylase levels and their relation to the clinical parameters of patients with aggressive periodontitis with that of patients with chronic periodontitis.

Material and Methods

Eighty subjects were divided into two groups: 20 patients with AgP and their 20 matched controls and 20 patients with CP and their 20 matched controls, based on clinical attachment loss (CAL), probing pocket depth (PPD) and bleeding on probing (BOP). Whole unstimulated saliva was obtained and mucin, amylase and protein were determined by colorimetric methods. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between salivary mucin, amylase and protein levels and the clinical parameters.

Results

Salivary mucin, amylase and protein levels were increased in patients with AgP and CP but there were no differences between them or between control groups. Pearson’s correlation analysis, determined in the entire subjects studied, showed a positive and significant correlation of mucin, amylase and proteins with CAL and PPD and a negative correlation with the flow rate. When Pearson’s correlation analysis was carried out in each group separately, Fisher’s z transformation showed no significant difference between both groups.

Conclusion

Comparison of the salivary levels of mucin, amylase and protein and their relationship with clinical parameters of AgP patients with that of CP patients revealed no differences between both groups.     

Influence of ketone bodies on oxidative stress parameters in brain of developing rats in vitro

Pro-oxidant and antioxidant properties have been found for acetoacetate (AcAc) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in peripheral tissues. In the present study we investigated the role of AcAc and BHB at concentrations found in diabetic patients during ketoacidotic crises and in individuals affected by succinyl CoA: 3-oxoacid CoA transferase and acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase deficiencies, disorders clinically characterized by neurological symptoms, on a large number of oxidative stress parameters in fresh cerebral cortex of developing rats. Lipid peroxidation (chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances levels), protein oxidative damage (carbonyl formation and sulfhydryl oxidation), 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate oxidation and the non-enzymatic (total antioxidant reactivity and glutathione levels) and enzymatic (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities) antioxidant defenses were not changed by doses of BHB and AcAc as high as 25 mM in cortical supernatants under basal conditions. Furthermore, BHB did not affect the increased thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances levels provoked by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric and 3-methylglutaconic acids and by a hydroxyl-induced generation system. Finally, BHB and AcAc were not able to oxidize sulfhydryl groups from a commercial GSH solution. Therefore, under basal conditions or under situations with high production of free radicals, AcAc and BHB were not able to reduce or increase the oxidative stress parameters in the brain. Taken together, our present results do not support the hypothesis that BHB and AcAc act as potent direct or indirect pro-oxidants or antioxidants in the CNS.     

Organ involvement in Argentinian systemic sclerosis patients with “late” pattern as compared to patients with “early/active” pattern by nailfold capillaroscopy

Changes in nailfold capillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis patients could be related to the disease severity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with “late” scleroderma (SD) pattern have more organ involvement than patients with “early/active” SD pattern. Forty-six Argentinian patients (44 women and 2 men), with a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis, were distributed in two groups based on the presence of late and early/active patterns. Organ involvement was assessed as follows: pulmonary function by chest radiography, high-resolution chest tomography (HRCT), lung volume tests, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO); esophageal involvement by manometry; and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by Doppler echocardiography and six-minute walk test. Honeycombing of the lungs evaluated by HRCT was more frequently present in patients with late pattern compared with early/active patients (p?=?0.01). We also found statistically significant differences in lung volume tests (p?=?0.03) and DLCO (p?=?0.02) between the two SD pattern groups. Esophageal manometry showed a significantly higher frequency of motility disorders in the group with late pattern (p?=?0.0024). In this study, patients with late pattern had higher frequency of pulmonary and esophageal involvement compared with patients with early/active pattern.     

Poly (Lactide-co-Glycolide) Microspheres in Respirable Sizes Enhance an <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">In Vitro</Emphasis> T Cell Response to Recombinant <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Mycobacterium tuberculosis</Emphasis> Antigen 85B

PURPOSE: To investigate the use of poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles in respirable sizes as carriers for Antigen 85B (Ag85B), a secreted protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with the ultimate goal of employing them in pulmonary delivery of tuberculosis vaccine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recombinant Ag85B was expressed from two Escherichia coli strains and encapsulated by spray-drying in PLGA microspheres with/without adjuvants. These microspheres containing rAg85B were assessed for their ability to deliver antigen to macrophages for subsequent processing and presentation to the specific CD4 T-hybridoma cells DB-1. DB-1 cells recognize the Ag85B(97-112) epitope presented in the context of MHC class II and secrete IL-2 as the cytokine marker. RESULTS: Microspheres suitable for aerosol delivery to the lungs (3.4-4.3 microm median diameter) and targeting alveolar macrophages were manufactured. THP-1 macrophage-like cells exposed with PLGA-rAg85B microspheres induced the DB-1 cells to produce IL-2 at a level that was two orders of magnitude larger than the response elicited by soluble rAg85B. This formulation demonstrated extended epitope presentation. CONCLUSIONS: PLGA microspheres in respirable sizes were effective in delivering rAg85B in an immunologically relevant manner to macrophages. These results are a foundation for further investigation into the potential use of PLGA particles for delivery of vaccines to prevent M. tuberculosis infection.