DC Priming by M. vaccae Inhibits Th2 Responses in Contrast to Specific TLR2 Priming and Is Associated with Selective Activation of the CREB Pathway

The environmental mycobacterium, M. vaccae has been used in mouse models to support the contemporary hygiene hypothesis that non-pathogenic microorganisms reduce allergy associated T helper (Th)2 responses and inflammatory diseases by augmenting regulatory T cells. However, data for human models and possible mechanisms are limited. We tested the effect of innate immune interactions between human DC and M. vaccae on DC-dependent T cell responses. M. vaccae activation of DC via Toll like receptor (TLR)2 was compared to a specific TLR2 ligand (Pam(3)CSK4) and alternative stimulation with a TLR4 ligand (LPS). M. vaccae induced DC dependent inhibition of Th2 responses, in contrast to Pam(3)CSK4, which had the opposite effect and LPS, which had no polarizing effect. DC maturation, gene expression and cytokine production, in response to each stimulus did not correlate with the specific functional effects. Comparable DC transcriptional responses to M. vaccae and Pam(3)CSK4 suggested that TLR2 mediated transcriptional regulation was not sufficient for inhibition of Th2 responses. Transcription factor enrichment analysis and assessment of signaling events, implicated a role for selective early activation of the CREB pathway by M. vaccae. Further study of the CREB pathway may provide novel insight into the molecular mechanisms of DC-dependent T cell polarization

Replicating patterns of prospect theory for decision under risk

Prospect theory is among the most influential frameworks in behavioural science, specifically in research on decision-making under risk. Kahneman and Tversky’s 1979 study tested financial choices under risk, concluding that such judgements deviate significantly from the assumptions of expected utility theory, which had remarkable impacts on science, policy and industry. Though substantial evidence supports prospect theory, many presumed canonical theories have drawn scrutiny for recent replication failures. In response, we directly test the original methods in a multinational study (n = 4,098 participants, 19 countries, 13 languages), adjusting only for current and local currencies while requiring all participants to respond to all items. The results replicated for 94% of items, with some attenuation. Twelve of 13 theoretical contrasts replicated, with 100% replication in some countries. Heterogeneity between countries and intra-individual variation highlight meaningful avenues for future theorizing and applications. We conclude that the empirical foundations for prospect theory replicate beyond any reasonable thresholds

Antibiotic prophylaxis in oral healthcare - the agreement between Swedish recommendations and evidence.

BACKGROUND: Almost all (17/20) Swedish counties have pharmaceutical committees that establish recommendations for the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in oral healthcare.Objective To evaluate the evidence for the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in oral healthcare and the agreement between Swedish recommendations and evidence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The MeSH terms 'antibiotic prophylaxis' and 'dentistry' were used in the database search. Abstracts were reviewed according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 186 articles were read in full text by the four authors independently. Data extraction and interpretation of data was carried out using a pre-defined protocol. In the end, one case-control study was included for evaluation of evidence. RESULTS: The case-control study included patients with specific cardiac conditions. The study reported a 49% protective efficacy (odds ratio: 0.51) of antibiotic prophylaxis for first-time episodes of endocarditis within 30 days of procedure. This result was not statistically significant. The quality of the evidence was low. No studies were evaluated on patients with other medical conditions. The recommendations included several cardiac and other medical conditions for which there is a lack of evidence or no evidence to support the use of antibiotic prophylaxis.CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of evidence to support the use of antibiotic prophylaxis. To avoid the risk of adverse events from antibiotics and the risk of developing resistant bacterial strains, the use of antibiotic prophylaxis should be minimised and recommendations in Sweden should be revised to be more evidence-based

Mycobacterium avium restriction fragment lenght polymorphism-IS IS1245 and the simple double repetitive element polymerase chain reaction typing method to screen genetic diversity in Brazilian strains

Simple double repetitive element polymerase chain reaction (MaDRE-PCR) and Pvu II-IS1245 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) typing methods were used to type 41 Mycobacterium avium isolates obtained from 14 Aids inpatients and 10 environment and animals specimens identified among 53 mycobacteria isolated from 237 food, chicken, and pig. All environmental and animals strains showed orphan patterns by both methods. By MaDRE-PCR four patients, with multiple isolates, showed different patterns, suggesting polyclonal infection that was confirmed by RFLP in two of them. This first evaluation of MaDRE-PCR on Brazilian M. avium strains demonstrated that the method seems to be useful as simple and less expensive typing method for screening genetic diversity in M. avium strains on selected epidemiological studies, although with limitation on analysis identical patterns except for one band