Inhibitory humoral responses to the Plasmodium falciparum vaccine candidate EBA-175 are independent of the erythrocyte invasion pathway

Plasmodium falciparum utilizes multiple ligand-receptor interactions for invasion. The invasion ligand EBA-175 is being developed as a major blood-stage vaccine candidate. EBA-175 mediates parasite invasion of host erythrocytes in a sialic acid-dependent manner through its binding to the erythrocyte receptor glycophorin A. In this study, we addressed the ability of naturally acquired human antibodies against the EBA-175 RII erythrocyte-binding domain to inhibit parasite invasion of ex vivo isolates, in relationship to the sialic acid dependence of these parasites. We have determined the presence of antibodies to the EBA-175 RII domain by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in individuals from areas of Senegal where malaria is endemic with high and low transmission. Using affinity-purified human antibodies to the EBA-175 RII domain from pooled patient plasma, we have measured the invasion pathway as well as the invasion inhibition of clinical isolates from Senegalese patients in ex vivo assays. Our results suggest that naturally acquired anti-EBA-175 RII antibodies significantly inhibit invasion of Senegalese parasites and that these responses can be significantly enhanced through limiting other ligand-receptor interactions. However, the extent of this functional inhibition by EBA-175 antibodies is not associated with the sialic acid dependence of the parasite strain, suggesting that erythrocyte invasion pathway usage by parasite strains is not driven by antibodies targeting the EBA-175/glycophorin A interaction. This work has implications for vaccine design based on the RII domain of EBA-175 in the context of alternative invasion pathways

Exercise is medicine in oncology: Engaging clinicians to help patients move through cancer

A compelling evidence base supports exercise as a safe, effective intervention to improve many cancer related health outcomes among cancer patients and survivors. Oncology clinicians play a key role in encouraging their patients to move more. Therefore, the oncology clinical care team is urged to do the following at regular intervals: ASSESS exercise levels, ADVISE patients to become more active, and REFER patients to specific exercise programming. It is recommended that a process be developed to incorporate these steps into the standard care of oncology patients. A simple, straightforward approach is recommended to discern whether patients should be referred to outpatient rehabilitation versus community based exercise programming. The exponential growth of exercise oncology research has driven the need for revised cancer exercise guidelines and a roadmap for oncology clinicians to follow to improve physical and psychological outcomes from cancer diagnosis and for the balance of life. This paper serves as a call to action and details pathways for exercise programming (clinical, community and self-directed) tailored to the different levels of support and intervention needed by a given cancer patient or survivor. Preserving activity and functional ability is integral to cancer care and oncology clinicians are key to providing these referrals

Risk factors associated with short-term complications in mandibular fractures: the MANTRA study—a Maxillofacial Trainee Research Collaborative (MTReC)

Abstract Introduction Complications following mandibular fractures occur in 9–23% of patients. Identifying those at risk is key to prevention. Previous studies highlighted smoking, age and time from injury to presentation as risk factors but rarely recorded other possible confounders. In this paper, we use a collaborative snapshot audit to document novel risk factors and confirm established risks for complications following the treatment of mandibular fractures. Methods The audit was carried out by 122 OMFS trainees across the UK and Ireland (49 centres) over 6 months, coordinated by the Maxillofacial Surgery Trainees Research Collaborative. Variables recorded included basic demography, medical and social history, injury mechanism and type, management and 30-day outcome. Results Nine hundred and forty-seven (947) patients with fractured mandibles were recorded. Surgical management was carried out in 76.3%. Complications at 30 days occurred 65 (9%) of those who were managed surgically. Risk factors for complications included male sex, increasing age, any medical history, increasing number of cigarettes smoked per week, increasing alcohol use per week, worse oral hygiene and increased time from injury to presentation. Discussion We have used a large prospective snapshot audit to confirm established risk factors and identify novel risk factors. We demonstrate that time from injury to presentation is confounded by other indicators of poor health behaviour. These results are important in designing trial protocols for management of mandibular fractures and in targeting health interventions to patients at highest risk of complications. </jats:sec

Evaluation of Diagnostic Value of Sediment Cytology in Oral Malignant and Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders

Introduction: Globally, highest prevalence of oral cancer has been observed in Indian subcontinent due to exposure to carcinogens such as betel nut extracts, smoking and chewing form of tobacco. Usually, cancer develops through rising grades of oral epithelial dysplasia which can arise from Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMD) and lead to fatal invasive malignancy. Being rapid, simple, cheaper and easy, sediment cytology may provide early diagnostic value in such cases. Aim: To estimate the role of sediment cytology from biopsy specimen fixatives in early diagnosis of OPMDs and oral malignant lesions. Materials and Methods: Cytological smears from total 30 cases, 15 subjects had Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and 15 subjects each of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Malignant lesions were prepared by centrifuging fixatives of the biopsy specimens from February 2015 to January 2016. Analyses of prepared cytological smears were done and obtained results were compared with histological diagnosis. Results: The study results revealed that, out of 15 oral malignant lesions, 12 lesions were properly diagnosed with one inconclusive result and only three out of 15 OPMDs were properly diagnosed, where as three cases were inconclusive. Thus, in case of sediment cytology, the overall diagnostic accuracy was 50% and specifically 80% in case of oral malignant lesions. Conclusion: The Biopsy sediment cytology procedure is rapid, simple and inexpensive and can be applied with possible benefit in any laboratory for preliminary diagnosis. Thus, it is a good compliment for histopathological study of oral biopsies

Synthesis and antimicrobial screening of some 3-[4-(3-aryl-1-phenyl-1<i style="">H</i>-pyrazol- 4-yl)-6-aryl-pyridin-2-yl] and 4-methyl- 3-phenyl-6-[4-(3-aryl-1-phenyl-1<i style="">H</i>-pyrazol-4-yl)-6-aryl-pyridin-2-yl] coumarins

971-977Various 3-[4-(3-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-6-aryl-pyri­din-2-yl] coumarins 4a-l and 4-methyl-3-phenyl-6-[4-(3-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-6-aryl-pyridin-2-yl] coumarins 5a-f&nbsp; have been synthesized by reacting 3-coumarinoylmethyl pyridi­nium bromides 1a,b and 4-methyl-3-phenyl-6-coumarinoylmethyl pyridinium bromide 2 with pyrazolyl chalcones 3a-f respectively under Krohnke’s reaction conditions. All the synthesized compounds 4a-l and 5a-f have been screened for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram -ve bacteria), Bacillus subtillis (Gram +ve bacteria) and antifungal activity against Candida albican (Fungi)

Awareness and constraints towards the implementation of green dentistry amongst dental students and private practitioners of West India

Background: Dentistry is a resource-intensive discipline of healthcare that has a notable impact on the environment. Sustainability should be the major consideration for healthcare service providers to support climate change policies. Green dentistry is an efficient strategy for practicing eco-friendly dentistry. This study was conducted to assess the awareness, knowledge, and barriers to practicing green dentistry among dental practitioners and dental students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical online questionnaire survey with 22 questions was carried out. Results: 51.8% of participants were not aware of the concept of green dentistry. Practitioners of the age group 20-30 years are more willing to transform their dental practice into green practice to reduce the carbon footprint of their clinic (P < 0.05). Chi-square data analysis shows that dental practitioners treating more than 20 patients in a week have a better awareness of the concept of green dentistry (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, dental professionals in the younger age group are eager to transform their dental practices to green practices to lessen their clinics' carbon footprints. Financial constraints limit the implementation of green dentistry into clinical practice

Synthesis and Spectral Characterization of Some New 4-(2,6-Diarylpyridin-4-yl)-<i>2H</i>-chromen-2-ones

<div><p></p><p>Some new 4-(2,6-diarylpyridin-4-yl)-<i>2H</i>-chromen-2-one derivatives <b>5a–l</b> have been synthesized by reacting 4-(3-oxo-3-arylprop-1-enyl)-<i>2H</i>-chromen-2-ones <b>3a–c</b> with appropriate 1-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)pyridinium bromide salt <b>4a–d</b> in the presence of ammonium acetate in refluxing glacial acetic acid. The newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by elemental and spectral analysis.</p> </div

In vitro comparison of cyclic fatigue resistance of heat-treated rotary nickel titanium TruNatomy and ProTaper Gold with non-heat treated ProTaper Universal on simulated extremely curved root canal

Objectives: The objective of the study is to compare cyclic fatigue resistance of heat-treated rotary nickel titanium TruNatomy and ProTaper Gold with non-heat treated ProTaper Universal on simulated extremely curved root canal. Methodology: Thirty heat treated rotary nickel titanium (NiTi) files were used for analysis in this study. Ten NiTi files were distributed to each group with a size of 25 and taper of 0.04. Group A (control group): ProTaper Universal (PTU), Group B: ProTaper Gold F1(PTG), Group C: TruNatomy (TN). The cyclic fatigue of the NiTi instruments were evaluated using a custom-made experimental setup. NiTi files were tested within simulated 90-degree curvature canal in a metal block until the files were fractured. Number of cycles to failure (NCF) was then measured for each instrument. The one-way ANOVA test and Post hoc Tukey test was performed as statistical analysis to compare the cyclic fatigue of different rotary file. P&nbsp;&lt; 0.001 was considered statistically significant.&nbsp;Result: Group C (TruNatomy) showed the highest mean value which was statistically significant with Group A and Group B with P &lt;0.001. Conclusion: Trunatomy showed the highest NCF &amp; superior cyclic fatigue in simulated 90o curved canal than ProTaper Gold and ProTaper Universal