A comparative investigation of marginal adaptation and surface defects of MTA and root MTA as two root end filling materials

Keywords: Marginal adaptation, Confocal microscope, Stereomicroscope, MTA, RMTA, Retrograde fillin

Preoperative povidone-iodine vaginal gel in abdominal hysterectomy: a randomized clinical trial

Background: Infectious complications of hysterectomy remain common despite the use of antibiotic. The usual existing methods of preoperative antisepsis do not control the vaginal bacteria that are the primary cause of contamination at the surgical site. Our goal was to assess whether febrile morbidity after total abdominal hysterectomy is decreased by the addition of povidone-iodine gel at the vaginal apex after the routine vaginal preparation with povidone-iodine solution.Methods: We carried out a prospective randomized trial on women admitted for elective abdominal hysterectomy. Inclusion criteria included planned abdominal hysterectomy for benign or malignant gynecologic conditions. Exclusion criteria consisted of emergency surgery, current treatment for pelvic infection, and known povidone-iodine allergy. A total of 168 patients were randomized to either the control group or the intervention group, who received 20 cc povidone-iodine gel placed at the vaginal apex immediately before the operation. Both groups received the routine preoperative preparation of antimicrobial prophylaxis, abdominal and vaginal scrubbing with povidone-iodine solution prior to the operation. The primary outcome was post-operative febrile morbidity. Other outcomes included abdominal wound infection, vaginal cuff cellulitis or pelvic abscess. Data was analyzed using Fisher's exact test. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The overall rate of febrile morbidity was 20.5%. Febrile morbidity occurred in ten of 80 (12.5%) women receiving the povidone-iodine gel preparation and 24 of 86 (27.9%) women not receiving the gel (p<0.05). The rate of abdominal wound infection was 18.6% (16) in the control group, and 5% (4) in the gel group (p<0.05). Vaginal cuff cellulitis was seen in three patients from the control group versus one woman from the gel group (p>0.05). Pelvic abscess was diagnosed in one patient from the control group and in no patients from the gel group (p>0.05).Conclusion: Preoperative vaginal povidone-iodine gel is an effective technique for reducing febrile morbidity and the risk of abdominal wound infection after hysterectomy

Development and characterization of a camelid single-domain antibody directed to human CD22 biomarker

CD22 is a B-cell-specific trans-membrane glycoprotein, which is found on the surface of the most B cells and modulates their function, survival, and apoptosis. Recently, targeting this cell surface biomarker in B-cell malignancies and disorders has attracted a lot of attention. The variable domain of camelid single-chain antibodies (VHH, nanobody) is a form of antibodies with novel properties including small size (15-17 kDa), thermal and chemical stability, high affinity and homology to human antibody sequences. In this study, a novel anti-CD22-specific VHH (Nb) has been developed and characterized by the screening of an immunized phage display library and its binding to CD22+ B cells is evaluated. Produced anti-CD22 VHH had a single protein band about 17 kDa of molecular size in Western blotting and its binding affinity was approximately 9 � 10-9 M. Also, this product had high specificity and it was able to recognize the natural CD22 antigen in CD22+ cell lysate as well as on the cell surface (93). This anti-CD22 VHH with both high affinity and specificity recognizes CD22 antigen well and can be used in diagnosis and treatment of B cell disorders and malignancies. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc

Development and characterization of a camelid single-domain antibody directed to human CD22 biomarker

CD22 is a B-cell-specific trans-membrane glycoprotein, which is found on the surface of the most B cells and modulates their function, survival, and apoptosis. Recently, targeting this cell surface biomarker in B-cell malignancies and disorders has attracted a lot of attention. The variable domain of camelid single-chain antibodies (VHH, nanobody) is a form of antibodies with novel properties including small size (15-17 kDa), thermal and chemical stability, high affinity and homology to human antibody sequences. In this study, a novel anti-CD22-specific VHH (Nb) has been developed and characterized by the screening of an immunized phage display library and its binding to CD22+ B cells is evaluated. Produced anti-CD22 VHH had a single protein band about 17 kDa of molecular size in Western blotting and its binding affinity was approximately 9 � 10-9 M. Also, this product had high specificity and it was able to recognize the natural CD22 antigen in CD22+ cell lysate as well as on the cell surface (93). This anti-CD22 VHH with both high affinity and specificity recognizes CD22 antigen well and can be used in diagnosis and treatment of B cell disorders and malignancies. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc

A 3-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial of Nurses' Continuing Education Meetings on Adverse Drug Reactions

Introduction: Nurses' insufficient knowledge of adverse drug reactions is reported as a barrier to spontaneous reporting. Therefore, CE meetings could be utilized to enhance nurses' competencies. Methods: In a 3-armed randomized controlled trial, 496 nurses, working in a tertiary medical center, were randomly allocated to a didactic lecture, brainstorming workshop, or the control group (delayed education). Similar instructors (2 clinical pharmacists) prepared and delivered the educational content to all 3 groups. Outcomes were declarative/procedural knowledge (primary outcome), participation rate, and satisfaction. Knowledge was evaluated using a validated researcher-made questionnaire in 3 time points: immediately before, immediately after, and 3 months after each session. Participants' satisfaction was assessed immediately after each meeting via a standard tool. Data were analyzed using appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests. Results: Rate of participation was 37.7 for the lecture group and 47.5 for the workshop group. The workshop participants were significantly more satisfied in comparison with the lecture group (p <.05). Mean knowledge scores were similar at baseline in the 3 study groups (43-47). Immediately after the meeting, knowledge was significantly higher in the lecture group (79.1 ± 11.9 vs 73.7 ± 11.3; p =.01). At the follow-up, knowledge scores of the lecture and workshop groups were similar, while significantly higher than the control group. However, the reduction of knowledge score was significantly higher in the lecture group (-13.0 ± 15.9 vs -5.7 ± 15.1, p =.02). Discussion: Educational interventions can improve nurses' knowledge of adverse drug reactions. Short-term learning could be achieved with lecture, but the retention of knowledge will be enhanced by simple interactive techniques. © 2015 The Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions, the Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education, and the Council on Continuing Medical Education, Association for Hospital Medical Education

An overview on application of phage display technique in immunological studies

Phage display is very strong technique in drug discovery and development. Phage display has many applications in improving the immunological studies. Development of monoclonal antibody, peptides, peptidomimetics and epitope mapping are main application of phage display. Selection of monoclonal antibody or peptides that are displayed on the surface of the phages can be occurred through biopanning process. In biopanning process phage library is incubated with antigen and particular phages can be identified and isolated. Increasing the stringency in the biopanning rounds can be help to select phages with high affinity and specificity. Here, we describe an overview of phage display application with focusing on monoclonal antibody production and epitope mapping. © 2017 Hainan Medical University

Functional Study of a Camelid Single Domain Anti-CD22 Antibody

Variable antigen-binding domain of camelid single chain antibodies (VHH, Nanobody) and its conjugates are considered among very promising candidates in tumor diagnosis and treatment because of its small size, stability, and favorable bio-distribution. CD22 is a receptor that is expressed on most B cells and modulates their function. Targeting CD22 in B cell malignancies and disorders by monoclonal antibodies has shown promising results in vitro and in clinical trials. In this study, we investigate the impact of an anti-human CD22 VHH binding to CD22 on B cells and its internalization following attachment. Our findings demonstrate the proliferation inhibiting of these cells with no effect on apoptosis, in addition to the rapid internalization of the VHH. © 2019, Springer Nature B.V

Uncovering causes of stagnating product sales of a healthy snack : A system dynamics group model building project in a food processing company

Product life cycle (PLC) analysis studies patterns of sales over time and the reasons behind those patterns. Such analysis can be challenging because of the interconnected effect of technical product characteristics, marketing mix elements, and the environment (e.g. competition, consumers). Moreover, employees from different functions have different backgrounds and perceptions about the origins of patterns, which constrains mutual understanding and hampers decision-making. The group model building (GMB) approach can be an effective method to support teams in solving complex dynamic problems, such as a PLC analysis of product sales. This study uses a GMB approach and presents a system dynamics model, which supported cross-functional collaboration in analysing causes of stagnating product sales in the PLC of a healthy snack product in a food processing company. Through multiple GMB sessions with the company team, a system dynamics model was developed, and several strategies were analysed. The model has proven useful in explaining the reasons behind the sales stagnation and in studying possible interventions. Moreover, GMB was successful in increasing participants’ insight into the causes of the problem, improving communication, and creating a shared vision about the problem

Identification of the immunogenic epitopes of the whole venom component of the Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion using the phage display peptide library

The venom of the Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion contains mixtures of bioactive compounds that disturb biochemical and physiological functions of the victims. Hemiscorpius lepturus envenomation is recognized as a serious health concern in tropical regions. So far, there is no preventive procedure, and the main focus is on treatment of victims with an antiserum purified from hyper-immunized horses. Although antisera can neutralize the venom, they, in some cases, lead to anaphylactic shock and even death. Selection of peptides mimicking antigenic and immunogenic epitopes of toxins from random peptide libraries is a novel approach for the development of recombinant toxins and poly-epitopic vaccine. To achieve this aim, a phage display peptide library and three rounds of biopanning were performed on immobilized antibodies (IgGs) purified from the sera of hyper-immunized horses. The results show that the highest binding of the phage to immobilized horse antibodies occurred in the third round of biopanning. Over 125 individual clones carrying mimotopes of Hemiscorpius lepturus toxins were selected and subjected for sequencing. The sequencing results identified unique peptides mimicking the antigenic and immunogenic epitopes of Hemiscorpius lepturus toxins. The results of this study provide a basis for further studies and the development of a putative epitopic vaccine and a recombinant toxin. © 2016 Elsevier Lt

Generation and characterization of an anti-delta like ligand-4 Nanobody to induce non-productive angiogenesis

Antibody-based targeting of angiogenesis is a key approach for cancer treatment. Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) plays a pivotal role in tumor neovascular development and angiogenesis during tumor progression. It forecasts the prognosis of human malignancies and blocking its signaling can help to inhibit neovascularization and tumor metastasis. Nanobodies are the smallest antigen-binding domains of heavy chain antibodies in camelidae. The aim of this study was to develop a Nanobody against DLL4 and apply binding and functional approaches to target it. In this work, a Nanobody library against human recombinant DLL4 was developed. After panning, the periplasmic-extract (PE) of individual colonies were screened through ELISA. The interactions between Nanobody and DLL4 were assessed using immunohistochemistry and FACS. The functional assessment was carried out via tube formation assay. We selected a Nanobody (3Nb3) with a high binding signal to DLL4, associated with a binding affinity of 3.6 nM. It was demonstrated that 3Nb3 binds to native DLL4 on the surface of MKN cells and gastric carcinoma tissue, and also inhibits the maturation of capillary-like structures in HUVECs. The results were indicative of the potential of Nanobody for DLL4 identification and can broaden the scope for development of cancer diagnosis and treatment techniques. © 2017 Elsevier Inc