Efficient cellular and humoral immune response and production of virus-neutralizing antibodies by the Hepatitis B Virus S/preS1 16-42 antigen

Despite the availability of improved antiviral therapies, infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a3 significant health issue, as a curable treatment is yet to be discovered. Current HBV vaccines relaying on the efficient expression of the small (S) envelope protein in yeast and the implementation of mass vaccination programs have clearly contributed to containment of the disease. However, the lack of an efficient immune response in up to 10% of vaccinated adults, the controversies regarding the seroprotection persistence in vaccine responders and the emergence of vaccine escape virus mutations urge for the development of better HBV immunogens. Due to the critical role played by the preS1 domain of the large (L) envelope protein in HBV infection and its ability to trigger virus neutralizing antibodies, including this protein in novel vaccine formulations has been considered a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of S only-based vaccines. In this work we aimed to combine relevant L and S epitopes in chimeric antigens, by inserting preS1 sequences within the external antigenic loop of S, followed by production in mammalian cells and detailed analysis of their antigenic and immunogenic properties. Of the newly designed antigens, the S/preS116–42 protein assembled in subviral particles (SVP) showed the highest expression and secretion levels, therefore, it was selected for further studies in vivo. Analysis of the immune response induced in mice vaccinated with S/preS116–42- and S-SVPs, respectively, demonstrated enhanced immunogenicity of the former and its ability to activate both humoral and cellular immune responses. This combined activation resulted in production of neutralizing antibodies against both wild-type and vaccine-escape HBV variants. Our results validate the design of chimeric HBV antigens and promote the novel S/preS1 protein as a potential vaccine candidate for administration in poor-responders to current HBV vaccines.publishedVersio

Clinico‑morphological aspects and new immunohistochemistry characteristics of ovarian high‑grade serous carcinoma

Introduction. High‑grade serous carcinoma of the ovary is an aggressive form of cancer, with unknown precursor lesions and often delayed diagnosis because of non‑specific, mild symptoms. Objective. We performed a clinical‑pathological study of ovarian high‑grade serous carcinomas, in order to evaluate morphological and new immunohistochemistry characteristics of this malignancy. Methods. This is a retrospective study of 10 cases of ovarian high‑grade serous carcinoma. We evaluated patients’ age, symptoms at presentation, macroscopic aspects, bilateral involvement, microscopic features: papillary/solid areas, mitotic index, psammoma bodies, tumoral extension, lymph node metastasis, immunohistochemistry markers: CD44, ER, AR, Ki67 index. Results. Mean age was 56.9 years old. Tumors were bilateral in 50% of cases. Only 30% were limited to the ovary. Maximum tumor diameter was 16 cm. Solid component in a proportion of 50‑95% was more characteristic. Most tumors had a mitotic index of 30‑50 mitosis/10HPF (70% of cases). 20% of cases contained psammoma bodies. 2 cases out of 7 had lymph node metastasis. We noticed one case with pleural metastasis (M1). We observed AR80% was noticed in 30% of cases. CD44 was positive in 50% of cases and one case had diffuse positivity of CD44 in corpus luteum cells near the tumoral bed. Conclusions. The majority of patients with ovarian high‑grade serous carcinomas presented with extraovarian extension and were characterized by high mitotic index, rare presence of psammoma bodies, AR expression <10%, novel marker CD44 positive in 50% of cases and curious positivity in corpus luteum cells associated with the tumor

Computed tomography examination of periodontal disease in dog

Periodontal disease is a very common disease in dogs, with an incidence of 85%, which affects both the health and the quality of life of the animals (Shearer, 2010, Kortegaard et al 2014). Dog periodontitis has become a priority disease for both pet owners and practitioners. Taking in consideration the high incidence of the periodontal disease in dogs and the fact that the clinical diagnostic is limited, the aim of this study was to highlight the role and importance of imaging diagnostic tools such as Computed Tomography in the diagnostic of this pathology. The study was conducted on 20 dogs (30% female and 70% male) with age from 1 year to 12 years. The patients were clinically examined and after that were sedated and a radiographic evaluation and a CT scan of the head was performed. Classification of periodontal disease take in consideration the retraction of alveolar bone and formation of periodontal pocket, retraction of alveolar bone was visible on CT examination compared to radiographic examination in which the overlapping of bony structures of the mandible and maxilla make the bone retraction less evident. Computed tomography examination is more accurate than radiography, giving the possibility to evaluate all the roots of the teeth and bone retraction, and come to complete the clinical evaluation

Control of spin-orbit torques by interface engineering in topological insulator heterostructures

(Bi$_{1-x}$Sb$_x$)$_2$Te$_3$ topological insulators (TIs) are gathering increasing attention owing to their large charge-to-spin conversion efficiency and the ensuing spin-orbit torques (SOTs) that can be used to manipulate the magnetization of a ferromagnet (FM). The origin of the torques, however, remains elusive, while the implications of hybridized states and the strong material intermixing at the TI/FM interface are essentially unexplored. By combining interface chemical analysis and spin-transfer ferromagnetic resonance (ST-FMR) measurements, we demonstrate that intermixing plays a critical role in the generation of SOTs. By inserting a suitable normal metal spacer, material intermixing is reduced and the TI properties at the interface are largely improved, resulting in strong variations in the nature of the SOTs. A dramatic enhancement of a field-like torque, opposing and surpassing the Oersted-field torque, is observed, which can be attributed to the non-equilibrium spin density in Rashba-split surface bands and to the suppression of spin memory loss.Comment: This document is the unedited Author's version of a Submitted Work that was subsequently accepted for publication in Nanoletters, \copyright American Chemical Society after peer revie

Efficient cellular and humoral immune response and production of virus-neutralizing antibodies by the Hepatitis B Virus S/preS116-42 antigen

Despite the availability of improved antiviral therapies, infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a3 significant health issue, as a curable treatment is yet to be discovered. Current HBV vaccines relaying on the efficient expression of the small (S) envelope protein in yeast and the implementation of mass vaccination programs have clearly contributed to containment of the disease. However, the lack of an efficient immune response in up to 10% of vaccinated adults, the controversies regarding the seroprotection persistence in vaccine responders and the emergence of vaccine escape virus mutations urge for the development of better HBV immunogens. Due to the critical role played by the preS1 domain of the large (L) envelope protein in HBV infection and its ability to trigger virus neutralizing antibodies, including this protein in novel vaccine formulations has been considered a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of S only-based vaccines. In this work we aimed to combine relevant L and S epitopes in chimeric antigens, by inserting preS1 sequences within the external antigenic loop of S, followed by production in mammalian cells and detailed analysis of their antigenic and immunogenic properties. Of the newly designed antigens, the S/preS116–42 protein assembled in subviral particles (SVP) showed the highest expression and secretion levels, therefore, it was selected for further studies in vivo. Analysis of the immune response induced in mice vaccinated with S/preS116–42- and S-SVPs, respectively, demonstrated enhanced immunogenicity of the former and its ability to activate both humoral and cellular immune responses. This combined activation resulted in production of neutralizing antibodies against both wild-type and vaccine-escape HBV variants. Our results validate the design of chimeric HBV antigens and promote the novel S/preS1 protein as a potential vaccine candidate for administration in poor-responders to current HBV vaccines

ERGONOMIC CONCEPTS IN DENTAL MEDICINE

Dental medicine is an extremely complex medical field, comprising several specialties (orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, prosthodontics, dental surgery, endodontics etc.), which in most cases also require the assistance of a dental nurse. Purpose. In this paper, we have tried to present a number of very interesting ergonomic aspects in the dental office, which aim at simplifying work at this level. Material and method. This study was conducted between May and July 2018 using a questionaire applied to a number of 69 dental practitioners from Bucharest. Results and discussions. Results obtained in this study give us an image about how current dental practitioners understand ergonomics in daily practice. Conlclusions. All the aspects discussed in this study have an important role in the ergonomy of daily activity of a dental office. More important is that the majority of dentists involved in the stuty understand and apply the ergonomic concepts underlined by this study

Farm Size and Digitalization: Quantitative Approach

This paper takes into consideration the physical dimension impact of the quantitative description at the farm level over its economic performance. It is obvious that the dimension, if centred on different statistical intervals, generates different results, initiating the different types of potentiality that characterize the certain economic entity. The impact’s capture was made through the registered data analysis, relevant for the enhancement of their quantitative characteristics. Dimensional phenomenon was studied considering the data from the National Institute of Statistics (INSSE) of Romania, as well as statistical and economic analysis methods, proving that the dimension, in its actual structure, on different types of farms, can influence in a positive way the production and financial results. It is a generally accepted fact that, the physical dimension could be seen as the production capacity of the farm. Economic dimension or farm size is also an expression of farms’ profit or turnover. In this condition the size is linked to economic performance. Economic dimension is usually characterized by inverse relation. Factors that determine a peculiar level of performance are usually specific in line to internal farm environment, respecting the used crops intensity or management under the factors of production. Besides, level of digitalization represents another factor that have an important contribution to increase of farms’ economic performances. Its influence represents the value generator at the farm level. So certain results derived from previously conducted survey related to farmers’ awareness towards the digitalization or, its presence at farm level was also done

The Cardiovascular Effects of Cocoa Polyphenols—An Overview

Cocoa is a rich source of high-quality antioxidant polyphenols. They comprise mainly catechins (29%–38% of total polyphenols), anthocyanins (4% of total polyphenols) and proanthocyanidins (58%–65% of total polyphenols). A growing body of experimental and epidemiological evidence highlights that the intake of cocoa polyphenols may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. Beyond antioxidant properties, cocoa polyphenols exert blood pressure lowering activity, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, metabolic and anti-atherosclerotic effects, and also improve endothelial function. This paper reviews the role of cocoa polyphenols in cardiovascular protection, with a special focus on mechanisms of action, clinical relevance and correlation between antioxidant activity and cardiovascular health