Multi-epitope vaccine design against leishmaniasis using IFN-γ inducing epitopes from immunodominant gp46 and gp63 proteins.

There is no currently approved human vaccine against leishmaniasis. Utilization of immunogenic antigens and their epitopes capable of enhancing immune responses against leishmaniasis is a crucial step for rational in silico vaccine design. The objective of this study was to generate and evaluate a potential vaccine candidate against leishmaniasis, designed by immunodominant proteins from gp46 and gp63 of Leishmania major, which can stimulate helper T-lymphocytes (HTL) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL). For this aim, the IFN-γ-inducing MHC-I and MHC-II binders were predicted for each examined protein (gp46 and gp63) and connected with appropriate linkers, along with an adjuvant (Mycobacterium tuberculosis L7/L12) and a histidine tag. The vaccine's stability, antigenicity, structure, and interaction with the TLR-4 receptor were evaluated in silico. The resulting chimeric vaccine was composed of 344 amino acids and had a molecular weight of 35.64 kDa. Physico-chemical properties indicated that it was thermotolerant, soluble, highly antigenic, and non-allergenic. Predictions of the secondary and tertiary structures were made, and further analyses confirmed that the vaccine construct could interact with the human TLR-4 receptor. Virtual immune simulation demonstrated strong stimulation of T-cell responses, particularly by an increase in IFN-γ, following vaccination. In summary, the in silico data indicated that the vaccine candidate showed high antigenicity in humans. It was also found to trigger significant levels of clearance mechanisms and other components of the cellular immune profile. Nevertheless, further wet experiments are required to properly assess the efficacy of this multi-epitope vaccine candidate against leishmaniasis.

Comparison of the Type and Severity of Nasal Septal Deviation between Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients Undergoing Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Controls.

Objectives: Some correlations have been proposed between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and type and severity of nasal septal deviation. This study sought to compare the type and severity of nasal septal deviation between CRS patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and asymptomatic controls using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: This prospective case-control study evaluated 49 CRS patients who did not respond to pharmaceutical therapy and were candidates for FESS and 49 asymptomatic controls. All participants underwent CBCT and were inspected for septal deviation type and severity. Data were analyzed by the independent t-test and chi-square test. Results: The study population comprised of 58.25% males and 41.8% females, with a mean age of 33.74 ± 11.78 years. Significant correlations were noted between the presence of CRS and severity of septal deviation (P=0.007). Type of septal deviation had no significant correlation with the presence of CRS (P=0.443). Conclusion: Patients with CRS have significantly more severe nasal septal deviation. However, type of septal deviation is not correlated with CRS.

Root and Canal Morphology of Maxillary Teeth in an Iranian Subpopulation Residing in Western Iran Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

Introduction: Accurate information regarding the morphology of roots and canals is a prerequisite for successful endodontic treatment. This study aimed to assess the number of roots and canals and canal type of maxillary teeth according to the Vertucci's classification in an Iranian subpopulation residing in Western Iran using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods and Materials: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1750 teeth were evaluated on CBCT scans taken for purposes other than this study. For each tooth, 250 axial, sagittal and coronal sections with 1 mm slice thickness were evaluated using NNT Viewer software. The number of roots and canals and canal type according to the Vertucci's classification were determined and reported. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics via Fisher's exact test and Chi square test. All data analyses were performed using SPSS version 18. Results: All of the maxillary anterior teeth were single-rooted, and Vertucci's type I was the most common canal type. Maxillary premolars were mostly single-rooted and Vertucci's type I was the most common type except for the first maxillary premolars, in which type V had the highest frequency. Maxillary molars mostly had three roots and two canals in the mesiobuccal root and one canal in the distobuccal and palatal roots. Conclusion: Although the number of roots in this cross-sectional study was similar to the findings of previous studies, canal type was significantly different from the results of previous studies. The result of this study can help clinicians in efficient root canal treatment of teeth.

Effectiveness of Two Types of Photostimulable Phosphor Plate Plastic Barrier Envelopes for Prevention of Microbiological Contamination

Abstract Objective: To compare the effectiveness of two types of commercially available photostimulable phosphor plate (PSP) protective barrier envelopes to prevent microbiological contamination. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 80 barrier envelopes were tested in 40 volunteers. The PSP plates were placed individually in Asia Teb and Soredex protective barrier envelopes and were placed in the mouth for two minutes, similar to periapical films. The protective barrier envelopes were then removed under sterile conditions, and the sensors were placed on different culture media. The number of colonies on each plate was counted. Data were analyzed using SPSS via McNemar and Wilcoxon tests. Results: Bacterial growth was noted in 17.5% of PSPs with Soredex, and 32.5% of PSPs with Asia Teb barrier envelopes. Gram-positive bacilli were the most commonly isolated bacteria. The difference between the Asia Teb and Soredex barrier envelopes for the protection of microbiological contamination was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The use of different types of protective barrier envelopes was not sufficient for prevention of microbiological contamination of PSP plates, and some adjunct modalities were required to decrease microbiological contamination of PSP plates.

Evaluation of the location of mandibular foramen as an anatomic landmark using CBCT images: a pioneering study in an iranian population / Avaliação da localização do forame mandibular como referência anatômica, por meio de imagens CBCT: um estudopioneiro na população iraniana

Objective: Mandibular foramen (MF) is located on the internal surface of the ramus through which blood vessels and nerves pass. Determination of the anatomic position of the MF is very important in inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia (IANBA), ramus osteotomy and surgical procedures of the posterior angle of mandibular ramus. The aim of this study was to determine anatomic position of the MF using anatomic landmarks on the three dimensional CBCT images. Material and Methods: A total of 103 CBCT images was evaluated. The NNT Viewer software program was used to measure the distances between the lines tangent on the MF periphery and the anterior border of the ramus, the posterior border of the ramus, the inferior border of the mandible, and the coronoid notch in mm by to age and gender. Results: The results showed a slight difference in anatomic dimensions between the right and left sides, with no significant differences. The anatomic dimensions of the MF on both sides were a little bigger in males than in females. There were no significant differences in the anatomic dimensions of superior inferior and anterior-posterior dimensions of the left and right sides in different age groups. Conclusion: No significant changes occur in the position of the MF with age. The anatomic differences between males and females should be taken into account during IANBA procedures. Males have bigger jaws than females; therefore, there is a longer distance between the MF and the anatomic landmarks evaluated...

Objetivo: O forame mandibular (FM) localiza-se na superfície interna do ramo mandíbula, onde passam vasos sanguíneos e nervos. A determinação da posição anatômica do FM é muito importante para anestesia por bloqueio do nervo alveolar inferior (ABNAI), durante osteotomiano ramo da mandíbula e para procedimentos cirúrgicos do ângulo posterior do ramo mandibular. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a posição anatômica do FM utilizando referências anatômicas em imagens tridimensionais de CBCT. Material e Métodos: Um total de 103 imagens de CBCTforam avaliadas. O programa de software NNT Viewer foi utilizado para medir as distâncias em milímetros entre as linhas tangentes na periferia do FM e borda anterior do ramo, borda posterior do ramo, borda inferior da mandíbula e processo coronóide, em relação à idade e o gênero. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram uma ligeira diferença de dimensões anatômicas entre os lados direito e esquerdo, sem diferenças significativas. As dimensões anatômicas do FM em ambos os lados foram um pouco maior no sexo masculino do que no feminino. Não houve diferenças significativas nas dimensões anatômicas superior-inferior e ânteroposterior, tanto do lado direito quanto esquerdo,em diferentes faixas etárias. Conclusão: Mudanças significativas na posição do FM não são observadas em função da faixa etária. As diferenças anatômicas entre homens e mulheres devem ser levadas em consideração durante procedimento ABNAI. Mandíbulas maiores são encontradas no gênero masculino, portanto, há uma maior distância entre o FM e as referências anatômicas avaliadas...

Assessment of dental implant site dimensions in cone beam computed tomography systems / Avaliação das dimensões da área de implante dentário com sistemas de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico

Objective: The aim was to investigate the accuracy of linear measurements of the mandibular ridge recorded using two CBCT systems. Material and Methods: Eleven human dry skull were used in which mandibles were chosen to measure width and height in 6 sites. Before scanning, the points were marked using barium sulfate radiopaque contrast media. Mandible imaging was done using two systems: Newtom3G and Cranex3D. Alveolar ridge dimensions were recorded by two observers under uniform condition using special software for each system. The measurement errors and inter-examiner reliability were calculated for each modality and compared with each other and analyzed via SPSS software version 18. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The overall mean was 0.08 mm for Cranex system and 0.5 for Newtom system. The mean of two systems had no statistically significant difference in comparison with each other or with the gold standard. The statistical analysis showed high inter-observer reliability (P < 0.05). Conclusion: CBCT is highly accurate and reproducible in linear measurements in the different areas of the maxillofacial region.

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a acurácia de medidas lineares do rebordo mandibular utilizando dois sistemas de TCFC. Material e Métodos: Onze crânios secos humanos foram utilizadas e seis regiões das mandíbulas foram escolhidos para mensuração da largura e da altura. Antes da digitalização, os pontos foram marcados com contraste radiopaco de sulfato de bário. Imagens da mandíbula foram realizadas usando dois sistemas: Newtom3G e Cranex3D . As dimensões rebordo alveolar foram determinadas por dois observadores em condições uniformes utilizando software específico para cada sistema. Os erros de medição e confiabilidade interexaminadores foram calculados para cada modalidade, utilizando o software SPSS versão 18, e comparados entre si. O nível de significância adotado foi p < 0,05. Resultados: A média geral para o sistema Cranexfoi de 0,08 mm e 0,5 para o sistema de Newton. As médias dos dois sistemas não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa em comparação entre si ou com o padrão-ouro. A análise estatística mostrou alta confiabilidade interexaminador (p < 0,05). Conclusão: TCFC é altamente precisa e reprodutível em medidas lineares nas diferentes áreas da região maxilofacial.