A T cell epitope-based vaccine protects against chlamydial infection in HLA-DR4 transgenic mice

Vaccination with recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (rCPAF) has been shown to provide robust protection against genital Chlamydia infection. Adoptive transfer of IFN-γ competent CPAF-specific CD4⁺ T cells was sufficient to induce early resolution of chlamydial infection and reduction of subsequent pathology in recipient IFN-γ-deficient mice indicating the importance of IFN-γ secreting CD4⁺ T cells in host defense against Chlamydia. In this study, we identify CD4⁺ T cell reactive CPAF epitopes and characterize the activation of epitope-specific CD4⁺ T cells following antigen immunization or Chlamydia challenge. Using the HLA-DR4 (HLA-DRB1*0401) transgenic mouse for screening overlapping peptides that induced T cell IFN-γ production, we identified at least 5 CPAF T cell epitopes presented by the HLA-DR4 complex. Immunization of HLA-DR4 transgenic mice with a rCPAFep fusion protein containing these 5 epitopes induced a robust cell-mediated immune response and significantly accelerated the resolution of genital and pulmonary Chlamydia infection. rCPAFep vaccination induced CPAF-specific CD4⁺ T cells in the spleen were detected using HLA-DR4/CPAF-epitope tetramers. Additionally, CPAF-specific CD4⁺ clones could be detected in the mouse spleen following Chlamydia muridarum and a human Chlamydia trachomatis strain challenge using these novel tetramers. These results provide the first direct evidence that a novel CPAF epitope vaccine can provide protection and that HLA-DR4/CPAF-epitope tetramers can detect CPAF epitope-specific CD4⁺ T cells in HLA-DR4 mice following C. muridarum or C. trachomatis infection. Such tetramers could be a useful tool for monitoring CD4⁺ T cells in immunity to Chlamydia infection and in developing epitope-based human vaccines using the murine model.     

Prevalence of oral lesions in relation to habits: Cross-sectional study in South India.

BACKGROUND: Smoking, drinking and chewing tobacco product, common habits in India have been positively associated with oral lesions. No study has been conducted in this part of Tamilnadu regarding the prevalence of oral lesions in relation to habits. METHODS: A hospital based cross-sectional study was carried out at Ragas Dental College, Chennai. Already existing data of two thousand and seventeen consecutive patients from sub-urban areas of Chennai, who attended the outpatient department, at Ragas Dental College, for dental complaints during a period of three months in 2004, who underwent oral examination and interviewer based questionnaire was used. RESULTS: Oral soft tissue lesions were found in 4.1% of the study subjects. The prevalence of leukoplakia, OSF and oral lichen planus was 0.59%, 0.55%, and 0.15% respectively. The prevalence of smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and chewing was 15.02%, 8.78% and 6.99% respectively. Smoking and chewing were significant predictors of leukoplakia in this population. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of leukoplakia, OSF and oral lichen planus in our study population is similar to those found in other populations. The prevalence of consumption of alcoholic beverages in our study population was higher when compared to the Indian National Sample Survey study. However the prevalence of smoking and chewing was found to be lower. Smokers were more likely to develop smoker's melanosis compared to other lesions. Among those who consumed alcoholic beverages alone, the prevalence of leukoplakia was higher compared to other lesions. OSF was the most prevalent lesion among those who chewed panmasala or gutkha or betel quid with or without tobacco.     

Modulation of neuroinflammation and memory dysfunction using percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in mice

Background

The vagus nerve is involved in regulating immunity and resolving inflammation. Current strategies aimed at modulating neuroinflammation and cognitive decline, in many cases, are limited and ineffective.

Transdisciplinary Imagination: Addressing Equity and Mistreatment in Perinatal Care

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Inequities in birth outcomes are linked to experiential and environmental exposures. There have been expanding and intersecting wicked problems of inequity,...     

Patient-led decision making: Measuring autonomy and respect in Canadian maternity care

Objective

The Changing Childbirth in British Columbia study explored women’s preferences and experiences of maternity care, including women’s role in decision-making.

Changing clinical profile,management strategies and outcome of patients with biliary tract injuries at atertiary care center in SriLanka

BACKGROUND: Biliary tract injuries are mostly iatrogenic Related data are limited in developing countries. There are lessons to be learned by revisiting the clinical profiles management issues and outcome of patients referred to a tertiary care center in Sri Lanka, compared with the previous data from the same center published in 2006. Such a review is particularly relevant at a time of changing global perceptions of iatrogenic biliary injuries. This study aimed to analyze and compare the changes in the inj...     

Roundtable Discussion: “No One Can Condemn You to a C‐Section!”

Abstract: The stories in this Roundtable Discussion are related by two women whose babies were born recently in Canadian hospitals. Each woman had undergone a cesarean delivery for her first child, and whereas Sophia delivered her second baby by vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC), Marie was unable to find a practitioner or hospital that would allow her to have a VBAC for her second birth. The women describe how they feel about their choices and experiences. Their two accounts and the issues that they raise are discussed in commentaries by a family physician, midwife, doula, and obstetrician. (BIRTH 37:3 September 2010)     

Punctate Porokeratosis Palmaris et Plantaris

Porokeratosis, a keratinization disorder, is probably a group of unrelated conditions with same distinctive histological appearance, featuring cornoid lamellae. A case of punctate porkeratosis in a 24 year old male patient is reported for its rarity.