A Systematic Review of Campylobacter jejuni Vaccine Candidates for Chickens

Campylobacter jejuni infection linked to the consumption of contaminated poultry products is one of the leading causes of human enteric illness worldwide. Vaccination of chickens is one of the potential strategies that could be used to control C. jejuni colonization. To date, various C. jejuni vaccines using potential antigens have been evaluated, but a challenge in identifying the most effective formulation is the wide variability in vaccine efficacies reported. A systematic review was undertaken to compare C. jejuni vaccine studies. Based upon specific selection criteria eligible papers were identified and included in the analysis. Vaccine efficacy reported from different C. jejuni antigens, vaccine types, and vaccination regimens reported in these papers were reviewed. Our analysis shows that total outer membrane proteins and cysteine ABC transporter substrate-binding protein were among the most efficacious vaccine antigen candidates reported. This review also highlights the importance of the need for increased consistency in the way C. jejuni vaccine studies in poultry are designed and reported in order to be able to undertake a robust comparison of C. jejuni vaccine candidates

Influence of non-orthodontic intervention on digit-sucking-related malocclusion

Objectives: To conduct a case-control study of digit sucking behaviour in a sample of 4-to-12-year-olds in Australia, with a special interest in the effect of non-orthodontic intervention on cessation of the oral habit and correction of the consequent anterior open bite.\ud \ud Methods: With appropriate ethics approval, patient records from a local clinic were de-identified and screened. Children aged 4 to 12 years and having displayed digit sucking behaviour were included. A 3-month non-orthodontic intervention programme containing daily placement of a stomahesive wafer on the incisive papilla, behaviour shaping, reward charts and supportive phone calls was carried out. Data collected included age, gender, digit sucking behaviour, anterior open bite and overjet. A paired-samples t-test was used to examine the occurrence of digit sucking behaviour as well as anterior open bite and the scale of overjet over the 3-month course.\ud \ud Results: Forty-three (75.4%) girls and 14 (24.6%) boys completed the programme. There was no gender difference in the original distribution of anterior open bite (chi-square=0.004, df=1, p=0.948) and overjet (t=0.595, df=19, p=0.559) in this sample. Upon completion, forty-four out of 57 children (77.2%) gave up digit sucking behaviour (t=13.767, df=56, p<0.001). Occurrence of anterior open bite reduced from 33 patients (57.9%) to 7 patients (12.3%) (t=6.415, df=56, p<0.001). Excluding 3 cases having missing data of overjet, those children that have never reported an anterior open bite showed a decrease in overjet after completion of the programme (t=4.166, df=20, p<0.001).\ud \ud Conclusions: The 3-month programme of non-orthodontic intervention is effective in cessation of digit sucking behaviour, correction of digit-sucking-related anterior open bite, and reduction of overjet. Future investigation is indicated

Influence of non-orthodontic intervention on digit sucking and consequent anterior open bite: a preliminary study

Objectives: This study aimed to assess behavioural and occlusal outcomes of non-orthodontic intervention (NOI) in a sample of children, 4–12 years of age, in Australia, in order to establish clinical relevance.\ud \ud Materials and methods: Data from 91 patient records of 4- to 12-year-old children reporting a habit of digit sucking, from two clinics in north-eastern Australia, were de-identified and used. Each patient had been examined at two visits, separated by an interval of 4 months, using standard clinical procedures.\ud \ud Results: Of the 77 children who received a 4-month NOI, 69 (89.6%) had ceased their digit sucking habit by the end of the NOI period [χ2 = 67.0, degrees of freedom (d.f.) = 1, P < 0.001]. Of the 72 subjects who had front teeth, the number with anterior open bite decreased from 37 (51.4%) to 12 (16.7%) upon completion of NOI (χ2 = 21.3, d.f. = 1, P < 0.001). Among the 32 patients with a measurable overjet, the mean overjet was found to decrease from 4.2 ± 2.4 mm to 3.1 ± 1.9 mm after implementation of NOI (t = 5.8, d.f. = 31, P < 0.001). Children who received NOI were more likely to quit the digit sucking habit in the 4-month period (P < 0.001, OR = 51.8, 95% CI: 9.8–273.9) and were more likely to appear without anterior open bite at a 4-month recall (P < 0.001, OR = 30.0, 95% CI: 5.9–151.6).\ud \ud Conclusions: This study demonstrated clinical relevance of NOI on the cessation of a digit sucking habit, closure of anterior open bite and reduction of overjet. Further investigations are indicated. Further investigations are indicated

Prospective signs of cleidocranial dysplasia in Cebpb deficiency

Background: Although runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) has been considered a determinant of cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), some CCD patients were free of RUNX2 mutations. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (Cebpb) is a key factor of Runx2 expression and our previous study has reported two CCD signs including hyperdontia and elongated coronoid process of the mandible in Cebpb deficient mice. Following that, this work aimed to conduct a case-control study of thoracic, zygomatic and masticatory muscular morphology to propose an association between musculoskeletal phenotypes and deficiency of Cebpb, using a sample of Cebpb-/-, Cebpb+/- and Cebpb+/+ adult mice. Somatic skeletons and skulls of mice were inspected with soft x-rays and micro-computed tomography (μCT), respectively. Zygomatic inclination was assessed using methods of coordinate geometry and trigonometric function on anatomic landmarks identified with μCT. Masseter and temporal muscles were collected and weighed. Expression of Cebpb was examined with a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique.\ud \ud Results: Cebpb-/- mice displayed hypoplastic clavicles, a narrow thoracic cage, and a downward tilted zygomatic arch (p < 0.001). Although Cebpb+/- mice did not show the phenotypes above (p = 0.357), a larger mass percentage of temporal muscles over masseter muscles was seen in Cebpb+/- littermates (p = 0.012). The mRNA expression of Cebpb was detected in the clavicle, the zygoma, the temporal muscle and the masseter muscle, respectively.\ud \ud Conclusions: Prospective signs of CCD were identified in mice with Cebpb deficiency. These could provide an additional aetiological factor of CCD. Succeeding investigation into interactions among Cebpb, Runx2 and musculoskeletal development is indicated