Determination of antigenic properties of vaccine derived poliovirus strains

In this study, the immunity level of the southern Greek population in the 1-10-year, 11-20-year, 21-30-year and 31-40-year age groups with regard to Sabin vaccine strains and a collection of 11 recombinant and three non-recombinant poliovirus vaccine strains was determined. The results showed the lowest neutralization titre in the 21-30-year-age group against poliovirus type 3. Moreover, the capsid coding region of OPV (oral poliovirus vaccine) derivatives was sequenced in order to identify mutations that might lead to antigenic changes. In Sabin-1 derivatives a tendency of accumulation of mutations was observed in or near antigenic sites while in Sabin-2 and Sabin-3 derivatives in sites known to be involved in restoring neurovirulence or eliminating their temperature-sensitive phenotype. It was concluded that the combination of mutations in the capsid coding region and not the number of specific mutations in antigenic sites determines the antigenic properties of OPV derivatives and their reactivity with human sera.     

Effects of combined low‐dose spironolactone plus vitamin E vs vitamin E monotherapy on insulin resistance,non‐invasive indices of steatosis and fibrosis,and adipokine levels in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial

The beneficial effects of mineralocorticoid receptor blockade by spironolactone have been shown in animal models of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of the present 52‐week randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of low‐dose spironolactone and vitamin E combination with those of vitamin E monotherapy on insulin resistance, non‐invasive indices of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, liver function tests, circulating adipokines and hormones in patients with histologically confirmed NAFLD. Homeostasis model of assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and non‐invasive indices of steatosis and fibrosis were calculated. Analysis was intention‐to‐treat. NAFLD liver fat score, an index of steatosis, decreased significantly in the combination treatment group (P = .028), but not in the vitamin E group, and the difference for group*time interaction was significant (P = .047). Alanine aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index, an index of fibrosis, did not change. Insulin levels and HOMA‐IR decreased significantly only within the combination group (P = .011 and P = .011, respectively). In conclusion, the combined low‐dose spironolactone plus vitamin E regimen significantly decreased NAFLD liver fat score. Larger‐scale trials are needed to clarify the effect of low‐dose spironolactone on hepatic histology.     

Strategic planning: integration of training and quality. Experience at the Umberto I Polyclinic of Rome

This work shows how personnel involvement is one change strategy used in a complex organization making use of education and quality as main reorganization factors in a hospital system based on old management that didn't consider personnel as a strategy resource within a reorganizational change.     

Mitotic infidelity and centrosome duplication errors in cells overexpressing tripeptidyl-peptidase II

The oligopeptidase tripeptidyl-peptidase II (TPP II) is up-regulated Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cells that overexpress the c-myc proto-oncogene and is required for their growth and survival. Here we show that overexpression of TPP II induces accelerated growth and resistance to apoptosis in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. This correlates with the appearance of multiple chromosomal aberrations, numerical and structural centrosome abnormalities, and multipolar cell divisions. Similar mitotic aberrations were also observed in a panel of BL lines and were suppressed, in parallel with TPP II down-regulation, upon reversion of BL-like characteristics in EBV-immortalized B lymphocytes carrying a tetracycline-regulated c-myc. Functional TPP II knockdown by small interfering RNA expression in BL cells caused the appearance of giant polynucleated cells that failed to complete cell division. Collectively, these data point to a role of TPP II in the regulation of centrosome homeostasis and mitotic fidelity suggesting that this enzyme may be a critical player in the induction and/or maintenance of genetic instability in malignant cells.     

β-Amyloid and mitochondrial-derived peptide-c are additive predictors of adverse outcome to high-on-treatment platelet reactivity in type 2 diabetics with revascularized coronary artery disease

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Increased β-amyloid and decreased mitochondrial-derived peptide (MOTS-c), are reported in diabetes. We investigated their additive value to high...     

Maintenance of implants: an in vitro study of titanium implant surface modifications subsequent to the application of different prophylaxis procedures

The aim of the present study was to evaluate surface alterations on titanium implant necks subsequent to different prophylaxis procedures. Fifty ITI implants were utilized. Forty implants were treated with 10 different prophylaxis procedures (ultrasonic scaler, plastic tip ultrasonic scaler, stainless steel curette, titanium curette, teflon curette, air powered system, abrasive rubber cups, polishing rubber cup and brush), and 10 implants were left as untreated controls. Surface alterations were studied on an area of 1mm×0.9mm and quantified using optical microscopic, SEM and laser prophylometer analysis. The use of the laser prophylometer provided an objective criterion for evaluation, expressing implant neck surface alterations in numeric values in terms of two roughness indexes, Ra and Rz. The results showed that, in comparison with the controls (Ra=0.50; Rz=3.98) the procedures investigated could be divided into 3 main groups:
1) Methods which altered the implant neck surface producing increased roughness (Ra=0.68–2.08; Rz=4.68–11.92);
2) Methods which left the implant neck surface unaltered (Ra=0.44–0.57: Rz=0.42–3.46);
3) Methods resulting in a smoothening of the implant neck surface (Ra=0.36; Rz=2.15).
Group 1 included procedures that should be avoided. However, it appeared safe to apply the procedures of groups 2 and 3. To confirm these results, it will be necessary to evaluate the plaque‐ and calculus‐removing efficacy from titanium neck implant surfaces in vivo .     

Geographic distribution modeling and spatial cluster analysis for equine piroplasms in Greece

Maximum entropy ecological niche modeling and spatial scan statistic were utilized to predict the geographic range and to investigate clusters of infections for equine piroplasms in Greece, using the Maxent and SaTScan programs, respectively. The eastern half of the country represented the culminating area with high probabilities (p > 0.75) of presence of equine piroplasms and encompassed most regions with high concentration of equid host populations. The most important environmental factor that contributed to the ecological niche modeling was land cover followed by temperature. Significant clusters (p < 0.0001) were detected for Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infections in North and Central regions of Greece, respectively, which have significant equine populations. Maximum entropy ecological niche modeling and spatial scan statistic have proved to be useful tools for the surveillance of animal diseases.     

Risks associated with the use of live-attenuated vaccine poliovirus strains and the strategies for control and eradication of paralytic poliomyelitis

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched in 1988 with the aim to eliminate paralytic poliomyelitis. Two effective vaccines are available: inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and oral polio vaccine (OPV). Since 1964, OPV has been used instead of IPV in most countries due to several economic and biological advantages. However, in rare cases, the live-attenuated Sabin strains of OPV revert to neurovirulence and cause vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis in vaccinees or lead to emergence of vaccine-derived poliovirus strains. Attenuating mutations and recombination events have been associated with the reversion of vaccine strains to neurovirulence. The substitution of OPV with an improved new-generation IPV and the availability of new specific drugs against polioviruses are considered as future strategies for outbreak control and the eradication of paralytic poliomyelitis worldwide.