The Polysaccharide Capsule of \u3ci\u3eCampylobacter jejuni\u3c/i\u3e Modulates the Host Immune Response

Campylobacter jejuni is a major cause of bacterial diarrheal disease worldwide. The organism is characterized by a diversity of polysaccharide structures, including a polysaccharide capsule. Most C. jejuni capsules are known to be decorated nonstoichiometrically with methyl phosphoramidate (MeOPN). The capsule of C. jejuni 81-176 has been shown to be required for serum resistance, but here we show that an encapsulated mutant lacking the MeOPN modification, an mpnC mutant, was equally as sensitive to serum killing as the nonencapsulated mutant. A nonencapsulated mutant, a kpsM mutant, exhibited significantly reduced colonization compared to that of wild-type 81-176 in a mouse intestinal colonization model, and the mpnC mutant showed an intermediate level of colonization. Both mutants were associated with higher levels of interleukin 17 (IL-17) expression from lamina propria CD4+ cells than from cells from animals infected with 81-176. In addition, reduced levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and TLR2 activation were observed following in vitro stimulation of human reporter cell lines with the kpsM and mpnC mutants compared to those with wild-type 81-176. The data suggest that the capsule polysaccharide of C. jejuni and the MeOPN modification modulate the host immune response

Sports Medicine Curricular Recommendations for Undergraduate Medical Education.

Sports medicine is a unique field encompassing many specialties and aspects of medicine. While musculoskeletal medicine is a significant aspect of sports medicine, the breadth of sports medicine extends beyond the musculoskeletal system and includes the spectrum of care for the patient who is or desires to be physically active. This article provides recommendations for sports medicine education in undergraduate medical education. The framework highlighting these recommendations uses domains of competence. Entrustable professional activities, measures that are endorsed by the Association of American Medical Colleges, were matched to domains of competence to provide objective markers of achievement. In addition to recommended sports medicine educational content, there should be consideration of both methods of assessment and implementation catered to each individual institution\u27s needs and resources. These recommendations may serve as a guide for medical educators and institutions pursing optimization of sports medicine education

Preparation and Evaluation of Tubular Micelles of Pluronic Lecithin Organogel for Transdermal Delivery of Sumatriptan

The present work focuses on the preparation and evaluation of lecithin organogel system of thermoreversible polymer pluronic F127, which would enhance the stability and absorption of sumatriptan succinate across the skin. Formulations were developed with and without co-surfactant (pluronic F127). The prepared organogels were evaluated for its appearance, organoleptic characteristics, and feel upon application, homogeneity, occlusivenes, washability, pH, viscosity, spreadability, gel transition temperature of formulations. The formulations were also evaluated for drug content, in vitro drug diffusion properties and skin irritation testing. In vivo evaluation of formulations was carried out by hot plate and writhing test method, and finally the optimized formulation was subjected to stability studies. The developed formulations were easily washable, smooth in feel, and showed no clogging which indicate superior texture of system. Formulation, containing pluronic showed greater spreadability and higher drug diffusion rate as compared to pluronic free organogel. Drug content of organogel formulations was in the range of 94–97%. The pH of the formulations was 6.48 ± 0.5 and 6.98 ± 0.1, reflecting no risk of skin irritation. Pluronic not only enhances the stability of organogel by increasing the viscosity (from 6,541 ± 234.76 to 7,826 ± 155.65 poise) but also increases the release of drug from 67.39 ± 1.53% to 74.21 ± 1.7%. The sumatriptan exhibits higher and long lasting antinociceptive effect as indicated by the persistent increase in reaction time in hot plate and inhibited abdominal contraction in acetic acid-induced writhing test (p < 0.05). The prepared optimized formulation was found to be stable without any significant changes at room temperature