Dendritic cells, antibodies reactive with oxLDL, and inflammation

Periodontitis appears to promote chronic inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis, but relevant mechanisms need clarification. Oral bacteria induce antibodies that bind not only bacteria, but also oxLDL. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans induce remarkable IgG responses that are dominated by IgG2, and IgG2 is IFN-γ-dependent and is promoted by dendritic cells (DCs). LDL-reactive antibodies induced by P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans include anti-phosphorylcholine (α-PC) and β2-glycoprotein-1-dependent anticardiolipin (α-CL), and these antibodies may link chronic inflammatory diseases at a mechanistic level. Antibody-mediated uptake of oxLDL or bacteria dramatically enhances DC-IL-12, and DC-IL-12 induces NK-cell-IFN-γ responses that promote Th-1 responses and sustained inflammation. DCs may be derived from monocytes, and this is striking in cultures of aggressive periodontitis (AgP) monocytes, where DC numbers are about double control levels. Moreover, serum α-CL levels in individuals with AgP are frequently elevated, and these antibodies promote atherosclerosis in persons with antiphospholipid syndrome. Elevated serum levels of soluble-intercellular adhesion molecule, soluble-vascular cell adhesion molecule, and soluble-E-selectin are atherosclerosis-associated indicators of vascular inflammation, and these markers are elevated in the subset of AgP patients with high α-CL. We reason that periodontitis patients with elevated antibodies reactive with oxLDL could be a subgroup at high risk for cardiovascular sequelae.     

Portable solid-state sensor for therapeutic monitoring of an antineoplastic drug; vinblastine in human plasma

During cancer treatment, doses must be carefully administered and monitored to guarantee efficacy and minimize side-effects. A potentiometric sensor was developed for the direct real-time assay of a widely used antineoplastic drug (vinblastine (VB)) in plasma samples. Membrane cocktails were drop-casted over a glassy-carbon electrode coated with a lipophilic conducting polymer (polyaniline). The study investigated five cation exchangers, five plasticizers (of different polarities and dielectric constants), and four ionophores with different physicochemical characters on the sensor performance. The study substantiates a data-driven selection of the optimum membrane recipe. The latter included sodium tetraphenylborate as an ion exchanger, dioctylphthalate as a plasticizer, and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin as ionophore. The membrane proved a near-Nernstian slope of 37.5 mV per decade, a LOQ of 2.99 × 10⁻⁶ M, and a stable fast response. The selectivity study proved poor responses to common physiological ions. The developed sensor was used for the determination of VB in its pure powder form, marketed formulation, and plasma samples. The fast and direct sensor response enables a wide range of applications in quality control laboratories and clinical studies.

Potentiometric glassy carbon electrode for determination of vinblastine.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the proximal tibial epiphysis: could it be helpful in forensic age estimation?

There is an increasing demand for age estimations of living persons who are involved in civil and criminal procedures but lack a valid birth certificate indicating their date of birth. Several studies have recommended the application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and assessment of the stage of epiphyseal fusion in age estimation. This study involved retrospective MRI analysis of 335 cases (217 males and 118 females) whose ages ranged from 8 to 28 years (yrs). We assessed the degree of ossification of the proximal tibial epiphysis depending on the classifications of Schmeling and Kellinghaus used for the main stages (I, II, III, IV & V) and substages (IIa, b, c & IIIa, b, c). Significant differences between males and females at stages IIIc, IV and V (p < 0.001) were observed. Additionally, the ossification of the proximal tibial epiphyses occurred earlier in females than in males (2–4 yrs). The mean of ages in stage IV was approximately 18.6 yrs. in females and 22.5 yrs. in males, meaning that stage IV can be used as a valuable forensic marker to determine whether the person in question has reached the age of 18 yrs. We concluded that the application of MRI in the assessment of the ossification status of the proximal tibial epiphysis could be helpful in age estimation for various forensic purposes.     

Effect of training program regarding smoking cessation counseling for primary health care physicians in Port Said City,Egypt

Background

Smoking is a major risk factor for death-related diseases. Not all healthcare professionals are following evidence-based guidelines for smoking cessation counseling in primary care settings. The WHO, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), and United States Public Health Service (USPHS) guidelines recommend that all healthcare professionals, including students in healthcare training programs, receive education in the management of tobacco use and dependence.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of training programs for primary healthcare physicians on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of smoking cessation counseling.

Methods

This was a pre-post intervention study. The study included 74 primary care physicians working in primary healthcare centers affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Suez Canal University Hospitals in Port Said City. The study was conducted between June 2015 and March 2016 using a structured questionnaire and observation checklist to assess counseling of patients willing to quit smoking.

Results

There were highly statistically significant improvements in the physicians’ median scores of knowledge (30%–80%), attitude (65% -100%), and practice (20%–70%) (p?<?0.001) pre-post intervention. The most frequent correct knowledge was consequences of smoking (73%–87.3%) (p?<?0.001) pre-post intervention. The most favorable attitude was the importance of smoking cessation (70.3%–100%) (p?<?0.001) pre-post intervention. The best observed correct practice was asking about smoking (70.3%–100%) (p?<?0.001) pre-post intervention.

Conclusion

Knowledge, attitude, and practice skills regarding smoking cessation counseling among primary healthcare physicians were markedly improved after implementation of the education program.