Indigenous knowledges and development: a postcolonial caution

As a result of the failure of formal top-down development, there has recently been increased interest in the possibilities of drawing upon the indigenous knowledges of those in the communities involved, in an attempt to produce more effective development strategies. The concept of indigenous knowledge calls for the inclusion of local voices and priorities, and promises empowerment through ownership of the process. However, there has been little critical examination of the ways in which indigenous knowledges have been included in the development process. Drawing upon postcolonial theory, this article suggests that indigenous knowledges are often drawn into development by both theorists and development institutions in a very limited way, failing to engage with other ways of perceiving development, and thus missing the possibility of devising more challenging alternatives

PI3Kγ is a molecular switch that controls immune suppression

Macrophages play critical, but opposite, roles in acute and chronic inflammation and cancer1,2,3,4,5. In response to pathogens or injury, inflammatory macrophages express cytokines that stimulate cytotoxic T cells, whereas macrophages in neoplastic and parasitic diseases express anti-inflammatory cytokines that induce immune suppression and may promote resistance to T cell checkpoint inhibitors1,2,3,4,5,6,7. Here we show that macrophage PI 3-kinase γ controls a critical switch between immune stimulation and suppression during inflammation and cancer. PI3Kγ signalling through Akt and mTor inhibits NFκB activation while stimulating C/EBPβ activation, thereby inducing a transcriptional program that promotes immune suppression during inflammation and tumour growth. By contrast, selective inactivation of macrophage PI3Kγ stimulates and prolongs NFκB activation and inhibits C/EBPβ activation, thus promoting an immunostimulatory transcriptional program that restores CD8+ T cell activation and cytotoxicity. PI3Kγ synergizes with checkpoint inhibitor therapy to promote tumour regression and increased survival in mouse models of cancer. In addition, PI3Kγ-directed, anti-inflammatory gene expression can predict survival probability in cancer patients. Our work thus demonstrates that therapeutic targeting of intracellular signalling pathways that regulate the switch between macrophage polarization states can control immune suppression in cancer and other disorders

LEARNING FROM TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS TO ENRICH DEVELOPMENT: WORLD BANK EXPERIENCE

This lecture will argue that traditional knowledge systems embedded in impoverished communities represent the intellectual capital of the poor. This intellectual capital is a significant resource which could help enrich the development process and contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. For example, in the health area, traditional medicine approaches can help to provide affordable and generally effective health care for more people, especially the poor. The lecture will then explore the lessons of experience of the World Bank’s Indigenous Knowledge for the Development Program and the challenges in moving forward and in raising awareness about the important role that traditional knowledge systems can play in the development process. One of these challenges is to change the prevailing mindsets among development practitioners regarding the utilization of the traditional knowledge base of the poor in the development process. Another is to develop approaches to validation of indigenous knowledge that are adapted to the specific nature of such knowledge systems. Finally, there is a need to develop innovative approaches for the protection of community-based knowledge systems

Effect of Occlusal Reduction on Postoperative Pain in Teeth with Irreversible Pulpitis and Mild Tenderness to Percussion

Introduction: Pain management after root canal treatment is a very important issue in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of occlusal reduction on postoperative pain in teeth with irreversible pulpitis and tenderness to percussion. Methods: Fifty-four posterior vital teeth with sensitivity to percussion requiring endodontic treatment were included in this study. After administration of local anesthesia, the root canals were instrumented, and an intracanal calcium hydroxide dressing was 'placed. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups of 27 each. In 1 group the occlusal surface was reduced (OR group), whereas in the other group the occlusal surface was not modified (no occlusal reduction, NOR group). Each patient was asked to record their postoperative pain on a visual analogue scale with 4 categories at 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, 1 day, and then daily for 6 days after this treatment. Data were analyzed by ttest, Cochran Q, chi(2), and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: Forty-six patients returned the visual analogue scale forms. There was no significant difference in postoperative pain between the 2 groups (P>.05) after root canal preparation and calcium hydroxide dressing. Conclusions: Occlusal surface reduction did not provide any further reduction in postoperative pain for teeth with irreversible pulpitis and mild tenderness to percussion compared with no occlusal reduction. (1 Endod 2013;39:1-5

Bioactiviy of endosequence root repair material and bioaggregate

Aim To evaluate the bioactivity of Bioaggregate (BA), EndoSequence Root Repair Material (ERRM), and white ProRoot MTA. Methodology Sixty horizontal root sections with standardised canal spaces were divided randomly into 3 groups (n = 20) and filled with white ProRoot MTA (groups 1 and 2), BA (groups 3 and 4) or ERRM putty (groups 5 and 6). The specimens of groups 1, 3, and 5 (each of 10) were immersed in PBS for 1 week and those of groups 2, 4, and 6 (each of 10) for 2 months. After the experimental periods the specimens were processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations. Precipitation of apatite crystals on the surfaces of the cements and/or at the dentine-cement interface was evaluated and analysed elementally by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) instrument. Results Analysis of specimens revealed various surface morphologies that were dependent on the material and immersion time in PBS. The formation of precipitates was observed on the surfaces of all materials at 1 week, which increased substantially over time. After 2 months, the surface of the cements was changed dramatically and consisted of a substantially greater amount of apatite aggregates. Interfacial layers in some areas of the dentine-cement interface were found only following 2 months of immersion. Precipitates on MTA revealed high peaks of Ca, Si, and O after 1 week of immersion; after 2 months high peaks of Ca, P, and O were present. Precipitates on BA and ERRM displayed high Ca, P, O peaks after both 1 week and 2 months. Conclusion Exposure of MTA, BA and ERRM to PBS resulted in precipitation of apatite crystalline structures that increased over time. This suggests that the tested materials are bioactive