Dental restoration operative time and analysis of the internal gap of conventional resins (Incremental Technique) vs. Bulk Fill (Single-Increment Technique): In vitro study.

Background: To determine the operative time and the internal restoration gap in the restoration-tooth interface in the cavity floor using an incremental technique for conventional resins and the single-increment technique for the bulk fill resin. Material and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, the internal gaps of the restoration-tooth interfaces in the cavity floors of two conventional resins and two bulk fill resins were microscopically analyzed, and the restoration times of the single-increment technique and the incremental technique were determined. Results: Bulk fill resins had smaller internal gap (63.31 µm) than conventional resins (333.14 µm). Regarding the restoration time, the single-increment technique obtained the best results in operative time (3.52 minutes), with significant differences relative to the incremental technique. Conclusions: The Tetric N-Ceram bulk fill resin presented better performance than conventional resins relative to the internal gap of the restoration-tooth interface in the cavity floor. In addition, the single-increment technique presented a short clinical restoration time. Key words:Composite, internal gap, restoration technique.

Qualitative Analysis of Men's Involvement in Family Planning in The Philippines: An Ecological Assessment.

While family planning (FP) programs have the capacity to empower women, support gender equality, and reduce poverty, male involvement is an influential factor for the uptake of FP that has been lacking. In the past decade, there have been more progressive FP policies and growing attention on male involvement in FP in the Philippines, providing an opportunity to develop evidence-based interventions to better integrate men into FP services by approaching care delivery from a family-focused perspective. This paper sought to understand the current role of men in FP services and explore how to strengthen facilitators and overcome barriers to optimize men's involvement in FP in the Philippines. Using the Ecological Model for Health Promotion, this qualitative study used convenience sampling to collect data through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions at all levels of the ecosystem. All data were collected in the Albay area, with the exception of some policy data collected in Manila. Qualitative analysis was guided by content analysis. The final sample included 66 participants across the ecosystem. Two primary themes emerged: (1) Resources and health care systems structure impact on male involvement in FP and (2) Education and training that support male involvement in FP. The findings of our qualitative study suggest that while men in the Philippines and their ecosystems support men's FP involvement, the inconsistent health care systems and protocols are not yet reaching men with information and education they need to help them make informed FP decisions with their female partners.

Low-Temperature Vacuum Drying on Broccoli: Enhanced Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Proliferative Properties Regarding Other Drying Methods.

Low-temperature vacuum drying (LTVD) has shown great potential for drying vegetables. It could avoid excessive degradations of active compounds with potential therapeutic agents. In this study, the effect on several relevant bioactive compounds, anti-inflammatory activity, and anti-proliferative activity of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) were evaluated. Effects of other drying methods, including vacuum drying (VD), convective drying (CD), infrared drying (IRD), and freeze drying (FD), were also comparatively evaluated. The results of all dried samples showed high polyunsaturated fatty acid contents (of up to 71.3%) and essential amino acid contents (of up to 8.63%). The LTVD method stands out above the other drying methods, since it obtained the highest content of total phenols, chlorogenic acid, and ferulic acid. Both the LTVD and CD samples demonstrated high anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities. These CD and LTVD samples were also the most active against the breast carcinoma MDA-MB-23 cell line. Due to the good retention of bioactive compounds via LTVD, the obtained dried broccoli here can be used in a near time as an ingredient for the development of novel natural products with anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects.

Pharmacokinetic serum concentrations of VRC01 correlate with prevention of HIV-1 acquisition.

BACKGROUND: The phase 2b proof-of-concept Antibody Mediated Prevention (AMP) trials showed that VRC01, an anti-HIV-1 broadly neutralising antibody (bnAb), prevented acquisition of HIV-1 sensitive to VRC01. To inform future study design and dosing regimen selection of candidate bnAbs, we investigated the association of VRC01 serum concentration with HIV-1 acquisition using AMP trial data. METHODS: The case-control sample included 107 VRC01 recipients who acquired HIV-1 and 82 VRC01 recipients who remained without HIV-1 during the study. We measured VRC01 serum concentrations with a qualified pharmacokinetic (PK) Binding Antibody Multiplex Assay. We employed nonlinear mixed effects PK modelling to estimate daily-grid VRC01 concentrations. Cox regression models were used to assess the association of VRC01 concentration at exposure and baseline body weight, with the hazard of HIV-1 acquisition and prevention efficacy as a function of VRC01 concentration. We also compared fixed dosing vs. body weight-based dosing via simulations. FINDINGS: Estimated VRC01 concentrations in VRC01 recipients without HIV-1 were higher than those in VRC01 recipients who acquired HIV-1. Body weight was inversely associated with HIV-1 acquisition among both placebo and VRC01 recipients but did not modify the prevention efficacy of VRC01. VRC01 concentration was inversely correlated with HIV-1 acquisition, and positively correlated with prevention efficacy of VRC01. Simulation studies suggest that fixed dosing may be comparable to weight-based dosing in overall predicted prevention efficacy. INTERPRETATION: These findings suggest that bnAb serum concentration may be a useful marker for dosing regimen selection, and operationally efficient fixed dosing regimens could be considered for future trials of HIV-1 bnAbs. FUNDING: Was provided by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) (UM1 AI068614, to the HIV Vaccine Trials Network [HVTN]; UM1 AI068635, to the HVTN Statistical Data and Management Center [SDMC], Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center [FHCC]; 2R37 054165 to the FHCC; UM1 AI068618, to HVTN Laboratory Center, FHCC; UM1 AI068619, to the HPTN Leadership and Operations Center; UM1 AI068613, to the HIV Prevention Trials Network [HPTN] Laboratory Center; UM1 AI068617, to the HPTN SDMC; and P30 AI027757, to the Center for AIDS Research, Duke University (AI P30 AI064518) and University of Washington (P30 AI027757) Centers for AIDS Research; R37AI054165 from NIAID to the FHCC; and OPP1032144 CA-VIMC Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Men's Involvement in Sexual and Reproductive Health Care and Decision Making in the Philippines: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Sexual and reproductive health care (SRH) and family planning (FP) services have been primarily female centered. In recent decades, international groups have advocated for men's involvement in SRH and FP, yet related research remains limited and implementation not fully realized in many countries. This systematic review of literature seeks to summarize the barriers and facilitators to men's involvement in SRH/FP services in the Philippines. It is limited to publications in English from 1994 to 2021 regarding studies conducted in the Philippines whose research questions focused on men's involvement in SRH/FP. Eligible studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) Evidence Rating Scale. The Ecological Model for Health Promotion was used as the guiding theoretical framework for analysis and to report findings. Barriers and facilitators were identified at every ecological level except that of policy. The most common barrier identified was men's deficit in knowledge about SRH/FP; the most common facilitator was the positive influence of their social network on men's attitudes, beliefs, and practices pertaining to SRH/FP. A range of factors from the individual to the community level influenced men's involvement, including religious beliefs, economic means, and cultural gender roles. More studies are needed to provide a fuller understanding of the multilevel ecological factors influencing men's involvement in SRH/FP and inform interventions with men that can positively affect their behavior related to SRH/FP decision making.

Subclass and avidity of circumsporozoite protein specific antibodies associate with protection status against malaria infection.

RTS,S/AS01 is an advanced pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine candidate with demonstrated vaccine efficacy up to 86.7% in controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) studies; however, reproducible immune correlates of protection (CoP) are elusive. To identify candidates of humoral correlates of vaccine mediated protection, we measured antibody magnitude, subclass, and avidity for Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) circumsporozoite protein (CSP) by multiplex assays in two CHMI studies with varying RTS,S/AS01B vaccine dose and timing regimens. Central repeat (NANP6) IgG1 magnitude correlated best with protection status in univariate analyses and was the most predictive for protection in a multivariate model. NANP6 IgG3 magnitude, CSP IgG1 magnitude, and total serum antibody dissociation phase area-under-the-curve for NANP6, CSP, NPNA3, and N-interface binding were also associated with protection status in the regimen adjusted univariate analysis. Identification of multiple immune response features that associate with protection status, such as antibody subclasses, fine specificity and avidity reported here may accelerate development of highly efficacious vaccines against P. falciparum.

Validation of a Triplex Pharmacokinetic Assay for Simultaneous Quantitation of HIV-1 Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies PGT121, PGDM1400, and VRC07-523-LS.

The outcome of the recent Antibody Mediated Prevention (AMP) trials that tested infusion of the broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) VRC01 provides proof of concept for blocking infection from sensitive HIV-1 strains. These results also open up the possibility that triple combinations of bnAbs such as PGT121, PGDM1400, as well as long-lasting LS variants such as VRC07-523 LS, have immunoprophylactic potential. PGT121 and PGDM1400 target the HIV-1 V3 and V2 glycan regions of the gp120 envelope protein, respectively, while VRC07-523LS targets the HIV-1 CD4 binding site. These bnAbs demonstrate neutralization potency and complementary breadth of HIV-1 strain coverage. An important clinical trial outcome is the accurate measurement of in vivo concentrations of passively infused bnAbs to determine effective doses for therapy and/or prevention. Standardization and validation of this testing method is a key element for clinical studies as is the ability to simultaneously detect multiple bnAbs in a specific manner. Here we report the development of a sensitive, specific, accurate, and precise multiplexed microsphere-based assay that simultaneously quantifies the respective physiological concentrations of passively infused bnAbs in human serum to ultimately define the threshold needed for protection from HIV-1 infection.

Phenotypic Characterization of Non-toxigenic Clostridioides difficile Strains Isolated From Patients in Mexico.

Clostridioides difficile is a Gram positive, sporulated, rod-shape, anaerobic pathogen responsible for nosocomial diarrhea and colitis, mainly in antibiotic treated patients. C. difficile produce two toxins responsible for disease, toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB), although not all strains produce them. Non-toxigenic C. difficile (NTCD) strains are able to colonize the intestinal mucosa and are often isolated from asymptomatic individuals. NTCD are poorly studied, their evolutionary history has not been elucidated, and their relationship with illness remains controversial. The aim of this work was to analyze the phenotype of NTCD strains isolated from clinical cases in hospitals of México, and whether NTCD strains present characteristics that differentiate them from the toxigenic strains. Seventy-four C. difficile strains isolated from patients were tested for cytotoxicity and 14 were identified as NTCD strains. We analyzed phenotypical characteristics that are important for the biology of C. difficile like colony morphology, antibiotic resistance, motility, sporulation, and adherence. Strains were also genotyped to determine the presence of genes coding for TcdA, TcdB and binary toxin and ribotyped for 027 type. When compared with toxigenic strains, NTCD strains presented an enlarged branched colony morphology, higher resistance to metronidazole, and increased sporulation efficiency. This phenotype has been reported associated with mutations that regulates phenotypic characteristics like swimming, sporulation or adhesion. Our results show that phenotype of NTCD strains is heterogeneous but still present characteristics that differentiate them from toxigenic strains.

Physiological and psychological correlates of fatigue in HIV disease.

Fatigue is a frequent symptom reported by persons living with HIV disease and one that affects all aspects of quality of life. To improve quality of care of persons with HIV disease, it is important to address all factors that contribute to fatigue. The purpose of this study was to determine the associations of physiological, psychological, and sociological factors with fatigue in an HIV-infected population. With Piper's integrated fatigue model guiding selection, factors examined in this study were hemoglobin, hematocrit, CD4+ cell count, HIV-RNA viral load, total sleep time, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, HIV-related symptoms, anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. The sample (N = 79) for this descriptive correlational study was recruited from a primary health care association in South Carolina and consisted of 42 (53.2%) HIV-infected women and 37 (46.8%) HIV-infected men between the ages of 24 and 63 years (x = 39.9, s = 7.9). Of the participants, 70 (90%) were African American, 5 (6%) were Caucasian, and 3 (4%) were Hispanic. Using Pearson's r, significant relationships were observed between fatigue and sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, HIV-related symptoms, state anxiety, trait anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. Sleep quality (F5,65 = 12.02, P = 0.0009), state anxiety (F5,65 = 8.28, P = 0.0054), HIV-related symptoms (F5,65 = 4.87, P = 0.0308), and depression (F5,65 = 7.31, P = 0.0087) retained significance in a 3-step, backward stepwise elimination model and accounted for 67% of the variance in fatigue. These findings underscore the need for addressing psychosocial stressors and sleep quality in developing effective care for HIV-infected individuals who experience fatigue.