Evaluation of gingival displacement, bleeding and ease of application for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and conventional retraction cord - a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Conventional use of retraction cord in soft tissue management is effective only when the non-resilient nature of material does not jeopardize gingival health. Therefore this study aims to clinically evaluate the gingival displacement, ease of application and bleeding from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) retraction cord. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is a single-center, parallel-group, randomized controlled clinical trial (1:1). Sixty patients indicated for full coverage metal-ceramic restoration for first molars were enrolled and randomly allocated to experimental (PTFE Cord) and control (conventional plain retraction cord) groups. After crown preparation and isolation, a pre-displacement impression was made. Assigned gingival displacement material was applied for 5 minutes, followed by post-displacement impression. Casts were prepared and used for assessment of mean horizontal gingival displacement by measuring displacement using a stereomicroscope (20 x). Post-displacement gingival bleeding and ease of application were also assessed clinically. t-test and Chi-square tests were used for statistical assessment of gingival displacement, gingival bleeding and ease of application. RESULTS: Gingival displacement, bleeding and ease of application were similar among study groups (p > 0.05). Mean gingival displacement in the experimental group was 197.1 µm, and 167.7 µm in the control group. Bleeding was observed in 30% and 20% of cases of experimental and control group, respectively. Ease of application was 'difficult' in 53.3% and 43.3% of cases of experimental and control group, respectively. Non-impregnated gingival retraction cord and PTFE cord displayed similar outcomes of gingival displacement, ease of placement and bleeding after cord removal. CONCLUSIONS: Post-displacement bleeding and discomfort for PTFE cord placement suggest that this technique needs improvement. Therefore further studies are warranted to improve and investigate the physical and biological response to PTFE retraction cord.

Serodiagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of New-World tegumentary leishmaniasis using synthetic type-2 glycoinositolphospholipid-based neoglycoproteins.

American tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) caused by Leishmania braziliensis is characterized by a spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from localized cutaneous ulcers (CL), mucosal (ML), or disseminated (DL) disease, to a subclinical (SC) asymptomatic form. Current diagnosis based on parasite culture and/or microscopy lacks sensitivity and specificity. Previous studies showed that patients with CL and ML have very high levels of Leishmania-specific anti-α-Gal antibodies. However, the native parasite α-Gal glycotope(s) is(are) still elusive, thus they have not yet been explored for a more accurate TL diagnosis. Using a chemiluminescent immunoassay, we evaluated the seroreactivity of TL patients across its clinical spectrum, and of endemic (EC) and nonendemic healthy controls (NEC) against three synthetic neoglycoproteins (NGP29b, NGP30b, and NGP28b), respectively comprising the L. major-derived type-2 glycoinositolphospholipid (GIPL)-1 (Galfß1,3Manα), GIPL-2 (Galα1,3Galfß1,3Manα), and GIPL-3 (Galα1,6Galα1,3Galfß) glycotopes. Contrary to NGP29b and NGP30b, NGP28b exhibited high sensitivity and specificity to a CL serum pool. More importantly, NGP28b reacted strongly and specifically with individual sera from distinct clinical forms of TL, especially with SC sera, with 94% sensitivity and 97% specificity, by post-two-graph receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. Contrary to NGP29b, NGP28b showed low cross-reactivity with Chagas disease and control (NEC/EC) sera. Additionally, seroreactivity of CL patients against NGP28b was significantly decreased after successful chemotherapy, indicating that L. braziliensis-specific anti-α-Gal antibodies may serve as an early biomarker of cure in CL. Our data also points towards the applicability of L. major type-2 GIPL-3-derived Galα1,6Galα1,3Galfß glycotope for the serological diagnosis of American TL, particularly of the subclinical form.

Apoptotic Effects of Melittin on 4T1 Breast Cancer Cell Line is associated with Up Regulation of Mfn1 and Drp1 mRNA Expression.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Melittin, as the main ingredient of honeybee venom, that has shown anticancer properties. The present study aimed at investigating the cytotoxic impacts of melittin on 4T1 breast cancer cells. METHODS: Hemolytic activity of different concentrations (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8µg/ml) of melittin was assayed and then cytotoxicity of selected concentrations of melittin (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64µg/ml), 2 and 4µg/ml of cisplatin and 0.513, 0.295 and 0.123µg/ml of doxorubicin was evaluated on 4T1 cells using MTT assay. We used Morphological evaluation and flow cytometric analysis was used. Real time PCR was also used to determine mRNA expression of Mfn1 and Drp1 genes. RESULTS: All compounds showed anti-proliferative effects on the tumor cell line with different potencies. Melittin had higher cytotoxicity against 4T1 breast cancer cells (IC50= 32µg/ml-72h) and higher hemolytic activity (HD50= 1µg/ml), as compared to cisplatin and doxorubicin. Mellitin at 16 and 32µg/ml showed apoptotic effects on 4T1 cells according to the flow cytometric analysis. The Real time PCR analysis of Drp1 and Mfn1 expression in cells treated with 16µg/ml of melittin revealed an up-regulation in Drp1 and Mfn1 genes mRNA expression in comparison with control group. Treatment with 32µg/ml of melittin was also associated with a rise in mRNA expression of Drp1 and Mfn1 as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that melittin has anticancer effects on 4T1 cell lines in a dose and time dependent manner and can be a good candidate for further research on breast cancer treatment.

Purification of Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Mucins from Trypanosoma cruzi Trypomastigotes and Synthesis of α-Gal-Containing Neoglycoproteins: Application as Biomarkers for Reliable Diagnosis and Early Assessment of Chemotherapeutic Outcomes of Chagas Disease.

Chagas disease (ChD), caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions of people worldwide. Chemotherapy is restricted to two drugs, which are partially effective and may cause severe side effects, leading to cessation of treatment in a significant number of patients. Currently, there are no biomarkers to assess therapeutic efficacy of these drugs in the chronic stage. Moreover, no preventive or therapeutic vaccines are available. In this chapter, we describe the purification of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigote-derived glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored mucins (tGPI-mucins) for their use as antigens for the reliable primary or confirmatory diagnosis and as prognostic biomarkers for early assessment of cure following ChD chemotherapy. We also describe, as an example, the synthesis of a potential tGPI-mucin-derived α-Gal-terminating glycan and its coupling to a carrier protein for use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in ChD.

A prophylactic α-Gal-based glycovaccine effectively protects against murine acute Chagas disease.

Chagas disease (ChD), caused by the hemoflagellate parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects six to seven million people in Latin America. Lately, it has become an emerging public health concern in nonendemic regions such as North America and Europe. There is no prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine as yet, and current chemotherapy is rather toxic and has limited efficacy in the chronic phase of the disease. The parasite surface is heavily coated by glycoproteins such as glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored mucins (tGPI-mucins), which display highly immunogenic terminal nonreducing α-galactopyranosyl (α-Gal)-containing glycotopes that are entirely absent in humans. The immunodominant tGPI-mucin α-Gal glycotope, the trisaccharide Galα1,3Galß1,4GlcNAc (Galα3LN), elicits high levels of protective T. cruzi-specific anti-α-Gal antibodies in ChD patients in both the acute and chronic phases. Although glycoconjugates are the major parasite glycocalyx antigens, they remain completely unexplored as potential ChD vaccine candidates. Here we investigate the efficacy of the T. cruzi immunodominant glycotope Galα3LN, covalently linked to a carrier protein (human serum albumin (HSA)), as a prophylactic vaccine candidate in the acute model of ChD, using the α1,3-galactosyltransferase-knockout (α1,3GalT-KO) mouse, which mimics the human immunoresponse to α-Gal glycotopes. Animals vaccinated with Galα3LN-HSA were fully protected against lethal T. cruzi challenge by inducing a strong anti-α-Gal antibody-mediated humoral response. Furthermore, Galα3LN-HSA-vaccinated α1,3GalT-KO mice exhibited significant reduction (91.7-99.9%) in parasite load in all tissues analyzed, cardiac inflammation, myocyte necrosis, and T cell infiltration. This is a proof-of-concept study to demonstrate the efficacy of a prophylactic α-Gal-based glycovaccine for experimental acute Chagas disease.

Cadmium chloride toxicity revisited: effect on certain andrological, endocrinological and biochemical parameters of adult male rabbits.

The present study was devised to assess the effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl(2)) administration on certain andrological, endocrinological and biochemical alterations in adult male rabbits (n=24). The animals were assigned to control (n=8) and experimental (n=16) group. Experimental group was orally administered with 1.5 mg/kg body weight of CdCl(2). The trials were carried out for a total of 5 weeks and blood sampling was carried out on weekly basis. A gradual decrease was noticed for body weight in the experimental group from week 1 to 5, being significantly lower in week 4 and 5 (P<0.05). A similar decremented trend was noticed for serum testosterone level being significantly lower in experimental group in week 4 and 5 (P<0.001). Significantly lower values were noticed for prolactin in experimental group in week 4 and 5 (P<0.05), than in the control. On the contrary, serum cortisol level showed a gradual increase in experimental group, from week 1 to 5, being significantly higher in week 4 and 5 (P<0.05). Regarding the biochemical attributes, all the parameters under study revealed a gradually ascending trend. Statistical significance was, however, achieved in varying weeks and at varying levels. The total protein and albumin were significantly higher in week 4 and 5 (P<0.01); alanine aminotransferase in week 2 (P<0.01), 3 (P<0.001), 4 (P<0.01) and 5 (P<0.001); aspartate aminotransferase in week 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (P<0.01); and alkaline phosphatase in week 1, 2 (P<0.01), 3, 4 and 5 (P<0.0001), respectively. Overall mortality rate in experimental group was 68.75 (11/16). In a nutshell, Cd exposure results in adverse effects on all physiological parameters of body and may lead to lethal consequences.

Sigmoid endometriosis and a diagnostic dilemma - A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal endometriosis is often an infrequently considered diagnosis in female of childbearing age by general surgeon. There is a delay in diagnosis because of constellation of symptoms and lack of specific diagnostic modalities. Patients suffer from intestinal endometriosis for many years before they are diagnosed. Often, such patients are labelled with irritable bowel syndrome. Intestinal endometriosis has a diagnostic time delay of 8-11 years due to its non-specific clinical features and multi-system involvement. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Our patient was a 32 years old Caucasian female who was referred to us with features of intestinal obstruction. Despite repeated clinical assessments and use of different diagnostic modalities the diagnosis was still inconclusive even after 21 days of her first presentation to primary care physician. She had an exploratory laparotomy, sigmoid colectomy, and Hartmann's procedure with a temporary colostomy with us. Histopathology confirmed endometriosis and also showed melanosis coli. She was referred to the gynaecological team for review and follow up. DISCUSSION: Intestinal endometriosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in female patients of childbearing age group presenting with non-specific gastrointestinal signs and symptoms. Our patient manifested intestinal endometriosis and melanosis coli on histopathology suggesting symptoms of long duration. CONCLUSION: Bowel endometriosis is a less considered and often ignored differential diagnosis in acute and chronic abdomen. This condition has considerable effect on patient's health both physically and psychologically.

Effect of Physical Activity on Body Water in Sedentary Young Underweight and Obese Women

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a walking exercise on body water among sedentary obese and thin women. Methods: Forty young untrained girls between the age of 20 and 25 years (obese; BMI30: N=20 and thin; BMI

The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on some Diabetic Risk Factors in Obese Women

Background: Exercise has been shown to prevent and delay onset of diabetes. The purpose of the present study is to examine the effect of walking exercise in reducing some diabetic risk factors in sedentary obese women. Methods: Eighteen untrained obese (BMI30) women aged 19-25 years volunteer took part in the research. They were randomly divided into two groups (Control: n=9; Exercise: n=9). At first and after 8 weeks lipid profiles and anthropometric variables were measured. Then the experimental group started exercise program that consisted of 30 minutes walk with intensity of50-75 of maximal heart rate. There were 3 sessions in a week for 2 months. The data were analysed by unpaired- t-test at the level of p

1-(4-Ethoxy-benzo-yl)-4-(4-methoxy-phen-yl)thiosemicarbazide.

The title compound, C(17)H(19)N(3)O(3)S, crystallizes with two closely similar independent mol-ecules related by a pseudotranslation of c/2. Each mol-ecule consists of three approximately planar moieties centred on the N(2)CS group and the two ring systems. The packing involves classical H bonds of the form N(amide)-H⋯S and N(hydrazine)-H⋯OC, together with various weak hydrogen bonds and N(hydrazine)-H⋯π inter-actions. The overall packing is three-dimensional, but layer substructures parallel to the xz plane can be readily identified. Each mol-ecule forms a topologically equivalent set of hydrogen-bond inter-actions.

Chemistry of isocoumarins: synthesis and biological screenings of homalicine and dihydrohomalicine.

Total synthesis and selected biological activities of naturally occurring homalicine and (dl)-dihydrohomalicine are described.

A universal celebration: 100 years of Korotkoff sounds, 1905 - 2005.

The measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure by auscultation was first described 100 years ago, when a young Russian army doctor, Nicolai Sergeevich Korotkoff, addressed a meeting at the Medical Academy of St. Petersburg on 8th November 1905. During the last hundred years, Korotkoff's contribution has proved to be one of the most useful methods in the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and prevention of life threatening cardiovascular ailments and the centenary of his discovery should be celebrated universally.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of some isocoumarin and dihydroisocoumarin derivatives.

A new series of the isocoumarin derivatives of ibuprofen, fluribiprofen, naproxen, valproic acid and 1-naphthoic acid have been synthesized via condensation of homophthalic acid with their respective acid chlorides. The conversion of the latter two isocoumarins into (dl)-3,4-dihydroisocoumarins has also been achieved. Most of the synthesized compounds showed antifungal and antibacterial activities.