Activity of Potent and Selective Host Defense Peptide Mimetics in Mouse Models of Oral Candidiasis

There is a strong need for new broadly active antifungal agents for the treatment of oral candidiasis that not only are active against many species of Candida, including drug-resistant strains, but also evade microbial countermeasures which may lead to resistance. Host defense peptides (HDPs) can provide a foundation for the development of such agents. Toward this end, we have developed fully synthetic, small-molecule, nonpeptide mimetics of the HDPs that improve safety and other pharmaceutical properties. Here we describe the identification of several HDP mimetics that are broadly active against C. albicans and other species of Candida, rapidly fungicidal, and active against yeast and hyphal cultures and that exhibit low cytotoxicity for mammalian cells. Importantly, specificity for Candida over commensal bacteria was also evident, thereby minimizing potential damage to the endogenous microbiome which otherwise could favor fungal overgrowth. Three compounds were tested as topical agents in two different mouse models of oral candidiasis and were found to be highly active. Following single-dose administrations, total Candida burdens in tongues of infected animals were reduced up to three logs. These studies highlight the potential of HDP mimetics as a new tool in the antifungal arsenal for the treatment of oral candidiasis.     

Plasmon-Enhanced Sunlight Harvesting in Thin-Film Solar Cell by Randomly Distributed Nanoparticle Array

In this paper, a randomly distributed plasmonic aluminum nanoparticle array is introduced on the top surface of conventional GaAs thin-film solar cells to improve sunlight harvesting. The performance of such photovoltaic structures is determined through monitoring the modification of its absorbance due to changing its structural parameters. A single Al nanoparticle array is integrated over the antireflective layer to boost the absorption spectra in both visible and near-infra-red regimes. Furthermore, the planar density of the plasmonic layer is presented as a crucial parameter in studying and investigating the performance of the solar cells. Then, we have introduced a double Al nanoparticle array as an imperfection from the regular uniform single array as it has different size particles and various spatial distributions. The comparison of performances was established using the enhancement percentage in the absorption. The findings illustrate that the structural parameters of the reported solar cell, especially the planar density of the plasmonic layer, have significant impacts on tuning solar energy harvesting. Additionally, increasing the plasmonic planar density enhances the absorption in the visible region. On the other hand, the absorption in the near-infrared regime becomes worse, and vice versa.     

Validation and inter-rater reliability testing of the Arabic version of speech intelligibility rating among children with cochlear implant

Objectives:To validate and assess the reliability of the new version of an Arabic speech intelligibility rating among different raters.Methods:This cross-sectional analysis was carried out between December 2018 and January 2019. Thirty cochlear-implant (CI) children (study group) and 30 subjects (control group) were enrolled. Study candidates’ speech skills were evaluated using the translated Arabic SIR by parents and original SIR by professions such as speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Inter-rater agreement, test–retest reliability, pre- and post-intervention score (responsiveness test), patient versus control score comparison (discriminant validity), and cross-validation of Arabic SIR have all been assessed.Results:There was a good sense of agreement between the post-operative SIR parents’ assessments and the professional SLPs’ assessments (r=0.920, p<0.001). The mean of study subjects pre- and post-implantation score of Arabic SIR showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.001).Conclusion:The Arabic SIR demonstrated excellent reliability with strong consistency. It showed its clinical ability in distinguishing healthy subjects from patients along with follow up of speech development skills over time. The Arabic SIR can be used by parents to evaluate post-CI progress of their children.     

Promises and challenges of adoptive T-cell therapies for solid tumours

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and, despite new targeted therapies and immunotherapies, many patients with advanced-stage- or high-risk cancers still die, owing to metastatic disease. Adoptive T-cell therapy, involving the autologous or allogeneic transplant of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes or genetically modified T cells expressing novel T-cell receptors or chimeric antigen receptors, has shown promise in the treatment of cancer patients, leading to durable responses and, in some cases, cure. Technological advances in genomics, computational biology, immunology and cell manufacturing have brought the aspiration of individualised therapies for cancer patients closer to reality. This new era of cell-based individualised therapeutics challenges the traditional standards of therapeutic interventions and provides opportunities for a paradigm shift in our approach to cancer therapy. Invited speakers at a 2020 symposium discussed three areas—cancer genomics, cancer immunology and cell-therapy manufacturing—that are essential to the effective translation of T-cell therapies in the treatment of solid malignancies. Key advances have been made in understanding genetic intratumour heterogeneity, and strategies to accurately identify neoantigens, overcome T-cell exhaustion and circumvent tumour immunosuppression after cell-therapy infusion are being developed. Advances are being made in cell-manufacturing approaches that have the potential to establish cell-therapies as credible therapeutic options. T-cell therapies face many challenges but hold great promise for improving clinical outcomes for patients with solid tumours.Subject terms: Immunotherapy, Cancer genomics, Cancer immunotherapy, Tumour immunology     

Vibrational angioedema: considerations for oral health care providers

Vibratory angioedema (VA) is a rare, inherited type of physical urticaria characterized by acute onset of mucosal and / or cutaneous edema that is triggered by vibration. We report a case of a 63‐year‐old woman with VA elicited by use of mechanized (vibratory) dental equipment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of VA induced by mechanical dental equipment.     

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester protects against tamoxifen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Tamoxifen (TAM) is widely used in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. Adverse effects of TAM include hepatotoxicity. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis, has been used in folk medicine for diverse ailments. In the current study, the protective effects of CAPE against TAM-induced hepatotoxicity in female rats were evaluated. TAM (45 mg/kg/day, i.p., for 10 consecutive days) resulted in an elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), depletion of liver reduced glutathione (GSH) and accumulation of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Also, TAM treatment resulted in inhibition of hepatic activity of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Further, it raised liver tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) level and induced histopathological changes. Pretreatment with CAPE (2.84 mg/kg/day; i.p., for 20 consecutive days, starting 10 days before TAM injection) significantly prevented the elevation in serum activity of the assessed enzymes. CAPE significantly inhibited TAM-induced hepatic GSH depletion and GSSG and LPO accumulation. Consistently, CAPE normalized the activity of GR, GPx, SOD and CAT, inhibited the rise in TNF-α and ameliorated the histopathological changes. In conclusion, CAPE protects against TAM-induced hepatotoxicity.     

Oral and perioral herpes simplex virus infection type I in a five-month-old infant: A case report

BACKGROUNDHerpes simplex virus (HSV) is a highly infectious pathogen that is easily transmitted via the bodily fluids of an infected individual. This virus usually affects individuals older than six months of age, and rarely causes lesions or symptoms in younger patients.CASE SUMMARYWe present the case of a five-month-old healthy girl who presented with painful herpetic gingivostomatitis and perioral vesicles. We discuss the pathophysiology of primary HSV infection and the effect of maternal antibodies on the infant’s immune system. In addition, we explain the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of HSV infection in young infants. CONCLUSIONThis case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and management of HSV infections to decrease the risk of developing severe complications and death.     

Application of process mapping to understand integration of high risk medicine care bundles within community pharmacy practice

Objective

The Scottish Patient Safety Programme – Pharmacy in Primary Care collaborative is a quality improvement initiative adopting the Institute of Healthcare Improvement Breakthrough Series collaborative approach. The programme developed and piloted High Risk Medicine (HRM) Care Bundles (CB), focused on warfarin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), within 27 community pharmacies over 4 NHS Regions. Each CB involves clinical assessment and patient education, although the CB content varies between regions. To support national implementation, this study aims to understand how the pilot pharmacies integrated the HRM CBs into routine practice to inform the development of a generic HRM CB process map.