Mediastinitis necrotizante descendente de origen odontogénico / Descending necrotizing mediastinitis of odontogenic origin

Introducción: las infecciones odontogénicas afectan al 80 %-90 % de la población y pueden dar lugar a complicaciones potencialmente mortales como la mediastinitis necrotizante descendente, una infección polimicrobiana aguda en el mediastino con una tasa de mortalidad entre el 11 % y 40 %. Su detección precoz y el tratamiento adecuado con manejo antibiótico y drenaje quirúrgico a cargo de un equipo multidisciplinario representan factores influyentes en el pronóstico de la enfermedad. Objetivo: en este artículo presentamos un caso de mediastinitis necrotizante descendente en un paciente masculino de 34 años, que se originó por una infección odontogénica que requirió un procedimiento dental. El paciente fue hospitalizado por el empeoramiento del estado clínico a pesar de la profilaxis antibiótica. La tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) confirmó la extensión de la infección al mediastino, y el paciente fue tratado con éxito con antibioterapia intravenosa y múltiples drenajes quirúrgicos intraorales, cervicotomía y toracoscopia. Materiales y métodos: se realizó una búsqueda en bases de datos globales y se seleccionaron los artículos por los siguientes términos MeSH y DeCS: "mediastinitis necrotizante descendente", "angina de Ludwig", "absceso", "toracoscopia" y sus respectivos en inglés, priorizando los referentes a la mediastinitis necrotizante descendente de origen odontogénico. Conclusiones: en la mediastinitis necrotizante descendente, la combinación de diagnóstico precoz, tratamiento antibiótico de amplio espectro, mantenimiento de la vía aérea y drenaje quirúrgico amplio y a cargo de un equipo multidisciplinario mejora de manera importante el pronóstico de la enfermedad.

Introduction: Odontogenic infections affect 80%-90% of the population and can lead to life-threatening complications such as descending necrotizing mediastinitis. Is an acute polymicrobial infection in the mediastinum with a mortality rate of 11%-40%. Its early detection and adequate treatment with antibiotic management and surgical drainage by a multidisciplinary team represent influential factors in the prognosis of the disease. Objective: In this article, we present a case of descending necrotizing mediastinitis in a 34-year-old male patient that originated from an odontogenic infection that required a dental procedure. The patient was hospitalized for worsening clinical status despite antibiotic prophylaxis. Computed axial tomography confirmed the extension of the infection to the mediastinum and the patient was successfully treated with intravenous antibiotherapy and multiple intraoral, cervicotomy, and thoracoscopic surgical drains. Materials and methods: A search was made in global databases, articles were selected by the following MeSH and DeCS terms: "descending necrotizing mediastinitis", "Ludwig's angina", "abscess", "thoracoscopy", and their respective English terms, prioritizing those referring to descending necrotizing mediastinitis of odontogenic origin. Conclusions: In descending necrotizing mediastinitis, the combination of early diagnosis, broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment, airway maintenance, and extensive surgical drainage by a multidisciplinary team significantly improves the prognosis of the disease.

Effectiveness and Performance of “Sexcel” - ABS Sexed Semen, in Dairy Heifers, Cows and Buffaloes in Field conditions in different Agro-Climatic Zones of India

To analyse the effect of sexed semen on different breeds used in artificial insemination following study was conducted using sexed semen from seven different breeds for artificial insemination in females. All bulls used for sexing by ABS India were genomically tested for Holstein and Jersey breeds. A total of 3034 inseminations with Sexcel were performed with 2589 inseminations in dairy cows and 445 in buffaloes. The conception rate of sexed semen using confirmative pregnancy diagnosis (using peri rectal examination) at 90 days post insemination both in cows and buffaloes was recorded. Sex of the calf was recorded after the birth in each case. The results of conception rate (CR) and pregnancy rate evaluation in different breeds were recorded. The results revealed the average conception rate of Sexcel semen is 49.1% (ranging from 45.1 to 55.3%) in cows and 42.7 % in buffaloes. These figures show a cumulative picture wherein sexed semen was used in animals of different parities (Both primiparous and pluriparous). The current study provides ample insights into the conception rate using sexed semen under various agro climatic conditions in different breeds. The study showed that sexed semen gives good conception in animals of one to three parities provided they are reproductively clean and possess good fertility

Influence of Nagoya Protocol on traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

The three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of benefit sarising from the utilization of genetic resources.The Nagoya Protocol significantly advances the CBD's third objective by providing a strong basis for greater legal certainty and transparency for both providers and users of genetic resources.In June 2016, the Chinese government approved the accession to the Nagoya Protocol. The implementation of the Nagoya Protocol is bound to greatly influence the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as its development relies on medical biological genetic resources.Both the protection and access of medical biological genetic resources and its related traditional knowledge and the introduction, breeding, biosynthesis and the extraction and modification of effective components of medicinal organism are with the prescribed scope of the Nagoya Protocol. In this study, we simply introduce the background and main contents of the Nagoya Protocol in first. We then explore the relationship between the Nagoya Protocol and the TCM.We also analyze the positive effects on the TCM for China to be one of the parties of the Nagoya Protocol and finally make some proposals for better implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.This study has certain reference significance to the resource economy and management of TCM.

Conservación de la diversidad genética en el Perú: desafíos en la implementación del régimen de acceso a recursos genéticos y distribución de beneficios / Conserving the genetic diversity in Peru: challenges in the implementation of an access and benefit-sharing regime

Esta contribución debate los grandes retos que enfrenta Perú en la implementación nacional del régimen de acceso a recursos genéticos y distribución de beneficios, tema conocido por las siglas "ABS" del inglés Access and Benefit-Sharing. El ABS es un mecanismo que incentiva la conservación de la diversidad genética mediante la distribución justa y equitativa de los beneficios que se deriven de la utilización de recursos genéticos entre el país que los provee y el usuario de éstos. Perú afronta cuatro desafíos en relación con el tema: (1) su procedimiento de acceso a recursos genéticos es complejo y burocrático, desalentándose así la negociación de contratos sobre ABS. (2) el rol de la "institución nacional de apoyo" ha sido desvirtuado, exacerbándose su función de mero controlador; con ello se han perdido valiosas colaboraciones científicas a favor de las instituciones científicas locales. (3) la legislación peruana sobre ABS posee efectos retroactivos, infringiendo el principio de seguridad jurídica que debe reinar en toda relación contractual. (4) si bien se han previsto medidas de cumplimiento y un punto de verificación de acuerdo a lo establecido por el Protocolo de Nagoya, no se establece un control sobre la legalidad del acceso a recursos genéticos y conocimiento tradicional asociado al uso de éstos cuando ellos provengan de cualquier otro país que no sea el Perú. Al finalizar el artículo se proponen algunas mejoras a realizar a fin de afrontar los desafíos encontrados en el estudio.

This essay intends to debate the major challenges that Peru faces as it implements a national regime on Access to genetic resources and Benefit-Sharing (ABS). The ABS encourages the conservation of genetic diversity by means of the fair and equitable distribution of the benefits arisen from the utilization of genetic resources. Distribution is to take place between the providing country and the user of the resources. Peru features four main weaknesses in relation to ABS: (1) Firstly; its national legislation on the topic sets a bureaucratic and complex procedure that hinders the negotiation of fructiferous ABS contracts. (2) The role of the "national scientific partner" has been distorted and true opportunities for scientific cooperation are missed. (3) Peruvian legislation on ABS establishes retroactive effects infringing the principle of legal certainty. (4) Even though the national legal framework establishes a set of compliance measures and a checkpoint to verify the legal access of genetic resources in accordance to the Nagoya Protocol, these measures do not cover the control of genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated to their utilization from countries other than Peru. Improvements to face the challenges encountered are offered at the end of the article.

Charge-reversal nanoparticles: novel targeted drug delivery carriers

Spurred by significant progress in materials chemistry and drug delivery, charge-reversal nanocarriers are being developed to deliver anticancer formulations in spatial-, temporal- and dosage-controlled approaches. Charge-reversal nanoparticles can release their drug payload in response to specific stimuli that alter the charge on their surface. They can elude clearance from the circulation and be activated by protonation, enzymatic cleavage, or a molecular conformational change. In this review, we discuss the physiological basis for, and recent advances in the design of charge-reversal nanoparticles that are able to control drug biodistribution in response to specific stimuli, endogenous factors (changes in pH, redox gradients, or enzyme concentration) or exogenous factors (light or thermos-stimulation).

Development of a C3c-based ELISA method for the determination of anti-complementary potency of Bupleurum polysaccharides

Traditionally, determination of inhibitory potency of complement inhibitors is performed by the hemolytic assay. However, this assay is not applicable to the lectin pathway, thus impeding the understanding of complement inhibitors against the overall function of the complement system. The main objective of our study was to develop a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as an alternative method to assess the anti-complement activity, particularly against the lectin pathway. By using respective coating substrates against different activation pathways, followed by capturing the stable C3c fragments, our ELISA method can be used to screen complement inhibitors against the classical pathway and the lectin pathway. The inhibitory effect of suramin on the classical pathway, as measured by our hemolytic assay is consistent with previous reports. Further assessment of suramin and Bupleurum polysaccharides against the lectin pathway showed a good reproducibility of the method. Comparison of the lectin pathway IC50 between Bupleurum smithii var. parvifolium polysaccharides (1.055 mg/mL) and Bupleurum chinense polysaccharides (0.98 mg/mL) showed that, similar to the classical and alterative pathway, these two Bupleurum polysaccharides had comparable anti-complementary properties against the lectin pathway. The results demonstrate that the described ELISA assay can compensate for the shortcomings of the hemolytic assay in lectin pathway.

Secundarismo sifilítico en infección por VIH, con fenómeno de Prozona / Secondary syphilis in hiv infection, with Prozone phenomenon

Resumen La sífilis es una enfermedad infectocontagiosa, de transmisión sexual, con una expresión clínica muyvariada, que tiene clara relación la evolución clínica, tiempo de infección e inmunidad del huésped. En los pacientes con infección por VIH, las etapas de la sífilis pueden tener formas evolutivas diferentes, habitualmente más severas. En pacientes con sífilis e infección por VIH se puede presentar el fenómeno de Prozona, que consiste en serología VDRL no reactiva, falsamente negativa, que debemostener en cuenta en estos pacientes para hacer estudios adicionales que nos encaminen a diagnóstico y tratamiento acertado. (Acta Med Colomb 2014; 39: 69-71).

Abstract Syphilis is an infectious disease, sexually transmitted, with a varied clinical expression, which has clear relationship to clinical evolution, time of infection and host immunity. In patients with HIV infection, stages of syphilis may have different evolutionary forms usually more severe. In patients with syphilis and HIV infection can occur Prozone phenomenon, which consists of nonreactive VDRL serology falsely negative that we must take into account in these patients for additional studies that will lead us to succesful diagnosis and treatment. (Acta Med Colomb 2014; 39: 69-71).

Will the Convention on Biological Diversity put an end to biological control?

Will the Convention on Biological Diversity put an end to biological control? Under the Convention on Biological Diversity countries have sovereign rights over their genetic resources. Agreements governing the access to these resources and the sharing of the benefits arising from their use need to be established between involved parties. This also applies to species collected for potential use in biological control. Recent applications of access and benefit sharing principles have already made it difficult or impossible to collect and export natural enemies for biological control research in several countries. If such an approach is widely applied it would impede this very successful and environmentally safe pest management method based on the use of biological diversity. The International Organization for Biological Control of Noxious Animals and Plants has, therefore, created the "Commission on Biological Control and Access and Benefit Sharing". This commission is carrying out national and international activities to make clear how a benefit sharing regime might seriously frustrate the future of biological control. In addition, the IOBC Commission members published information on current regulations and perceptions concerning exploration for natural enemies and drafted some 30 case studies selected to illustrate a variety of points relevant to access and benefit sharing. In this article, we summarize our concern about the effects of access and benefit sharing systems on the future of biological control.

Poderá a Convenção em Diversidade Biológica por um fim no Controle Biológico? Baseando-se na Convenção sobre Diversidade Biológica, os países têm soberania sobre seus recursos genéticos. Acordos que governam o acesso a tais recursos e o compartilhamento dos benefícios provenientes do seu uso precisam ser estabelecidos de comum acordo com as partes envolvidas. Isto também é aplicável a espécies coletadas com uso potencial em controle biológico. Recentes aplicações dos princípios de introdução e compartilhamento dos benefícios têm tornado difícil, ou mesmo impossível, coletar e exportar inimigos naturais em muitos paises para pesquisas em controle biológico em muitos países. Como esta é uma medida amplamente utilizada, tais procedimentos poderão impedir este bem sucedido e ambientalmente seguro método de manejo de pragas, baseado no uso da diversidade biológica. A Organização Internacional para Controle Biológico de Plantas e Animais Nocivos (IOBC) criou a "Comissão em Controle Biológico e Introdução e Benefícios Mútuos" para estudar o assunto. Tal comissão está desenvolvendo atividades nacionais e internacionais para esclarecer como o regime de compartilhamento de benefícios pode prejudicar seriamente o futuro do controle biológico. Além disto, membros da Comissão da IOBC publicaram informações sobre regulamentos atuais e suas opiniões relacionadas à exploração de inimigos naturais, listando cerca de 30 casos para ilustrar os pontos relevantes para a introdução e compartilhamento de benefícios. No presente artigo, é sumarizado o ponto de vista dessa comissão na IOBC sobre os efeitos dos sistemas de introdução e compartilhamento para o futuro do Controle Biológico.

Effects of folk medicinal plant extract Ankaferd Blood Stopper® on early bone healing

OBJECTIVE: Several haemostatic agents are available for clinical use. Ankaferd Blood Stopper® (ABS), a mixture of five medicinal plant extracts, has been used historically as a haemostatic agent. The aim of this in vivo study was to investigate the effects of ABS on early bone healing using a rat tibia defect model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen male Wistar rats were randomized into two groups of 8 animals each. After deep anesthesia with ketamine, bone defects (3 mm diameter and 2 mm deep) were created in the right and left tibiae of all animals and either treated with 1 cc of ABS (Group 1) or left untreated (Group 2; control). Surgical areas were closed primarily. The animals were sacrificed on the 7th postoperative day and bone samples were collected from the tibias. The samples were examined histopathologically for infection, necrosis, fibrosis, new bone formation and foreign body reaction. The histomorphometric results were analyzed statistically by the chi square test, with the level of significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in both groups in terms of inflammation, necrosis and new bone formation (p=0.001, p=0.0001, p=0.001). No foreign body reaction was observed in the experimental group. ABS application decreased fibrosis in the experimental group, but there were no statistically significant differences from the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Histopathologically, it was observed that the application of ABS decreased the occurrence of inflammation and necrosis, while increasing new bone formation in early bone healing period. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary for evaluating the benefits and possible adverse effects of the application of this herbal product on wound healing.

Comprehensive Identification of Tumor-associated Antigens via Isolation of Human Monoclonal Antibodies that may be Therapeutic

Although the success of trastuzumab and rituximab for treatment of breast cancer and non-Hodgkins lymphoma, respectively, suggests that monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) will become important therapeutic agents against a wider range of cancers, useful therapeutic Abs are not yet available for the majority of the human cancers because of our lack of knowledge of which antigens (Ags) are likely to become useful targets. We established a procedure for comprehensive identification of such Ags through the extensive isolation of human mAbs that may be therapeutic. Using the phage-display Ab library we isolated a large number of human mAbs that bind to the surface of tumor cells. They were individually screened by immunostaining, and clones that preferentially and strongly stained the malignant cells were chosen. The Ags recognized by those clones were isolated by immunoprecipitation and identified by mass spectrometry (MS). We isolated 2,114 mAbs with unique sequences and identified 25 distinct Ags highly expressed on several carcinomas. Of those 2,114 mAbs 434 bound to specifically to one of the 25 Ags. I am going to discuss how we could select proper target Ags for therapeutic Abs and candidate clones as therapeutic agents.

Comprehensive Identification of Tumor-associated Antigens via Isolation of Human Monoclonal Antibodies that may be Therapeutic

Although the success of trastuzumab and rituximab for treatment of breast cancer and non-Hodgkins lymphoma, respectively, suggests that monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) will become important therapeutic agents against a wider range of cancers, useful therapeutic Abs are not yet available for the majority of the human cancers because of our lack of knowledge of which antigens (Ags) are likely to become useful targets. We established a procedure for comprehensive identification of such Ags through the extensive isolation of human mAbs that may be therapeutic. Using the phage-display Ab library we isolated a large number of human mAbs that bind to the surface of tumor cells. They were individually screened by immunostaining, and clones that preferentially and strongly stained the malignant cells were chosen. The Ags recognized by those clones were isolated by immunoprecipitation and identified by mass spectrometry (MS). We isolated 2,114 mAbs with unique sequences and identified 25 distinct Ags highly expressed on several carcinomas. Of those 2,114 mAbs 434 bound to specifically to one of the 25 Ags. I am going to discuss how we could select proper target Ags for therapeutic Abs and candidate clones as therapeutic agents.

Detection of Treponema pallidum in Tissues by Indirect Immunoperoxidase Technique and FTA - ABS Complement Technique / 대한피부과학회지

Using the indirect immunoperoxidase and FTA ABS complement techniques, 36 skin specimen: from 30 patients with primary and secondary syphilis and a gastric mucosal specimen from a patient with secondary syphilis which were confirmed by elinical history, physical examination, VDRL, FTA ABS, TPHA, and 19s(IgM)-FTA test, were examined. The follwing results were obtained. l. Of the 37 specimens, 33(89%) were positive in the indirect immunoperoxidase techique and 26 of the 37 specimens(70g) were positive in the FTA ABS complement technique. Of the 17 specimens, 12(71%) were positive in the darkfield examination. 2. The ratio of agreement of the results between the indirect immunoperoxidase and FTA ABS complement techniques was 81%, The ratio of agreement of the results between the indirect immunoperoxidase technique and darkfield examination was 82%. 3. Most, of the treponemes were located in the upper dermis, epidermis, and blood vessel walls in the order named, and rarely in the lower dermis of the syphilitic skin lesion. There was no remarkable difference in histologic clistribution of treponemes between the clinical stages and types of syphilitic skin lesions. From the results, the indirect immunoperoxidase technique is considered a superior method than the FTA ABS complement technique and darkfield examination for detecting the treponemes in the suspected syphilitic lesions.

Detection of Treponema pallidum in Tissue by FTA - ABS Complement Test / 대한피부과학회지

Using the FTA-ABS complernent test, 32 skin speciruens from 27 patients with primary and secondary syphilis and a stomach specimen from a patient with suspected gastric syphilis which were confirmed by clinical history, physical examination, VDRL, FTA-ABS, and 19S(IgM)-FTA test, were tested. The following results were obtained. 1. In the darkfield examination, 7 of the 9 specimens(78%) were positive and in the FTA-ABS complernent test, 20 of the 33 specimens(61%) were positive. 2. The ratio of agreement between the darkfield examination and the FTA-ABS complement test was 89%. 3. In the chancres, macular syphilids, and condyloma lata, T. pallida were diffusely scattered in the epidermis, dermoepidermal junction, connective tiasue, and vascular walls, whereas in the papular syphilid T. pallida were mainly aggregated in the the epidermis, dermoepidermal junction, papillary dermis as well as the blood vessel walls in the papillary dermis. From these results, the FTA-ABS complement test can be considered to be a useful method for both the diagnosis and research of syphilis. It is especially helpful in cases where serological or histopathological study can not confirrn the diagnosis as when internal organs are involved.