The effect of light compressive and tensile mechanical forces on SOST and POSTN expressions in human periodontal ligament cells: an in vitro study.

Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells play an important role in mechanosensing and secretion of signaling molecules during bone remodeling. However, the regulatory mechanism is unknown. The aim of the present study is to investigate the expression pattern of periostin and sclerostin in response to orthodontic forces in periodontal ligament cells in vitro. PDL cells were isolated from extracted teeth and treated with compressive forces of 25 gr/cm2 or equiaxial tension forces at frequency 1 Hz for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. qRT-PCR was applied to evaluate the gene expressions. The secretion of sclerostin and periostin was assessed using ELISA. DAPI staining was used to evaluate apoptosis. The expression of sclerostin elevated significantly at protein and gene levels under compression forces after 24 h, while the application of tensile forces induced the expression of periostin and its upstream regulator RUNX2 (p < 0.05). Gene expression up-regulation was significant for POSTN and RUNX2 after 48 and 72 h tensile forces. Also, the gene expression of sclerostin reduced in a time-dependent manner after application of tensile force. The compression forces enhanced apoptosis to 7.5 ± 3.5% and induced gene expression of apoptotic markers of CASP9, and BCL2 within 72 h of exposure. Periostin and sclerostin play an important role in orthodontic loads and their expressions are affected oppositely by compressive and tensile forces that might be suggested as a biomarker for assessment of bone remodeling during orthodontic treatment.

Effectiveness of heat treatment in rapid control of bed bugs in environmental conditions resembling their natural habitats.

We evaluated lethal temperatures and times for killing bed bugs in diverse covered and uncovered conditions simulating their natural habitats. A total of 5400 adult bed bugs were collected alive from 17 infested locations in Paris. They were morphologically identified in laboratory as Cimex lectularius. They were then distributed in multiple sets of 30 specimens to examine in covered (tissue, furniture, mattress or blanket) and uncovered (direct exposure) conditions and in diverse step-function temperatures (50, 55 and 60°C) and times (15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes), replicated three times. Effective mortality was observed in 1080 specimens exposed directly to 50°C for 60 minutes. In specimens covered by tissue (1080 specimens), furniture (1080) or mattress (1080), all were dead at 60°C within 60 minutes. The specimens covered by blanket (1080) at the same temperature were dead after 120 minutes. A 60-minutes delay in reaching to lethal temperature within blanket compared to uncovered thermometer was observed.

Extensive Dermatophytosis Caused by Terbinafine-Resistant Trichophyton indotineae, France.

Extensive dermatophytosis caused by terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton indotineae harboring Phe397Leu and Leu393Ser substitutions in the squalene epoxidase enzyme was diagnosed in France. Analysis of internal transcribed spacer sequences revealed the wide spread of this species in Asia and Europe. Detection of T. indotineae in animals suggests their possible role as reservoirs.

Molecular characterization of Trichomonas infections in women of Ilam City, southwestern Iran.

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the flagellated protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis. Little information is available on the epidemiology and genetic diversity of T. vaginalis in Ilam City, southwestern Iran. A descriptive cross-sectional investigation was carried out between July 2017 and December 2018 on the suspected women patients referred to eight gynecology clinics of Ilam City for probable Trichomonas infection. They were undergone a set of clinical, parasitological, and molecular examinations. During clinical consultation, posterior vaginal fornix secretions and urine samples were gathered from the participants. For the reasons such as physical conditions and cultural and religious constraints, most of participating women, especially young girls due to their virginity, preferred to give urine samples instead of vaginal discharge. The presence of Trichomonas was diagnosed by microscopic examination and molecular detection using conventional PCR targeting ITS1-rDNA. A total of 1765 suspected individuals were examined clinically via vaginal secretions (495 specimens) and urine samples (1270 specimens). Of them, 21 (1.18%) cases, including 13 vaginal secretions and 8 urine samples, were positive for Trichomonas infection by microscopy. Slightly more than half of the patients (11/21, 52.4%) complained of vulvar itching, burning, and frequent urination. Cervical lesions, patchy erythema, and vaginal discharge were recorded in 28.6%, 23.8%, and 19% of the patients respectively. All patients with positive microscopic identification were confirmed by amplification of 450-bp fragment of ITS1-rDNA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a high rate of genetic homogeneity in which all our isolates together with homologous sequences from China, Philippines, Austria, and USA were clustered within the same clade. A statistically significant relationship was recorded between the patients positive for trichomoniasis and the presence of chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, immune system deficiency).

Antimicrobial effects and mechanical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) as an orthodontic acrylic resin containing Curcumin-Nisin-poly(L-lactic acid) nanoparticle: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: The porous surface of acrylic orthodontic removable appliances creates a niche for microbial plaque accumulation, and changes the oral flora by raising cariogenic bacteria including Streptococcus mutans. In this study, we evaluated the mechanical properties and antimicrobial activities of incorporating different concentrations of Curcumin-Nisin-poly(L-lactic acid) nanoparticle (CurNisNps) into orthodontic acrylic resin against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. METHODS: Following synthesis and characterization of CurNisNps, acrylic resin specimens with different concentrations of CurNisNps (0, 1, 2, 5, and 10% w/w) were fabricated. Flexural strength values, antimicrobial effects, anti-biofilm potential, and anti-metabolic activity against S. mutans and C. albicans were assessed at different time intervals. Also, the expression of the virulence-factor-related genes of S. mutans and C. albicans was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction following treatment with CurNisNps. RESULTS: Acrylic resin containing 10% CurNisNps (30.76 ± 3.91 MPa) showed flexural failure in comparison with acrylic resin specimens without CurNisNps (50.67 ± 1.82 MPa) as the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant decrease in the flexural strength values in samples containing 1, 2, and 5% of CurNisNps in comparison to the control group (P > 0.05). Acrylic resin with 5% CurNisNps showed the highest concentration of CurNisNps and clinically accepted flexural strength value (14.89 ± 3.26 MPa, P < 0.05) simultaneously. In the disc agar diffusion assay, 5% CurNisNps showed a high level of inhibitory activity for the test microorganisms. The reduction of growth inhibition zones of the different concentrations of CurNisNps against test microorganisms was positively associated with the time, in such a way that it was reduced significantly after 60 days. The anti-biofilm and anti-metabolic activities of acrylic resin specimens containing a 5% concentration of CurNisNps against S. mutans and C. albicans could significantly decrease the expression levels of gtfB (6.8-fold) and HWP (3.4-fold) in S. mutans and C. albicans, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support that 5% (w/w) of CurNisNps can serve as an excellent orthodontic acrylic resin additive against S. mutans and C. albicans biofilm without adverse effects on its mechanical property.

Molecular characterization and genetic diversity of Loa loa parasites responsible of a long-delayed filarial infection in an immigrant patient inhabited in Paris.

A 21-year-old young boy who lived alone since one year and a half ago in Paris was referred due to severe vertigo. He is originally from Ivory Coast but lived from 2011 to 2017 in Douala city in west of Cameroon. Beside vertigo, he complained from headache, sudden abdominal pain and edema in both left and right forearms for about two years. General examination demonstrated a healthy condition with no subcutaneous nodules and swelling on any other part of the body, not splenomegaly or lymphadenopathy. Moreover, the eyes were normal with clear lens. Blood count analysis revealed a hypereosinophilia (2670*106/L, N: <500*106/L). A couple of direct and May-Grunwald-Giemsa stained smears, analyzed by microscopy revealed the semitransparent cylindrical worms with almost 300 µm length and 45 µm width identified as Loa loa. The identity of the worm was then confirmed by bidirectional sequencing of 450 bp fragment of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1-rDNA). Based on Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic tree, our isolate was clustered tightly with other few Loa species from Gabon in the same clade. No hybrid was observed among processed sequences since all species groups were discriminated separately. In the current case, he was originally from Ivory Coast but absence of medical and epidemiological evidences as well as the residency of our patient for 6 years in Cameroon made us suspicious that the patient has been most likely infected by L. loa worms in this country. The patient was treated by a couple of ivermectin (200 µg/kg for 3 days) and diethylcarbamazine (3 mg/kg, 2 times per day for 4 weeks) and a favorable evolution was observed within few weeks. Regarding at least one year and a half interval between the probable Loa loa infection in Cameroon and diagnosis, Loa loa worms are competent to persist in the human host for several years. Consequently, the clinicians should be aware of this parasitosis among the travelers or immigrants coming from endemic regions in Africa.

Severe long-delayed malaria caused by Plasmodium malariae in an elderly French patient.

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium malariae is the cause of the rare but severe form of malaria that sometimes affects individuals travelling to malaria-endemic regions. This report presents the unique case of a patient exhibiting severe malaria symptoms caused by P. malariae with no record of recent travel to any malaria-endemic areas. CASE PRESENTATION: An 81-year-old French woman was admitted to the emergency department with sustained fever and severe weakness for the past 5 days. She suffered from anaemia, thrombocytopenia, confusion, somnolence, pulmonary complications, and hypoxaemia. In the absence of any concrete aetiology that could explain the fever together with thrombocytopenia, physicians suspected malaria as a probable diagnosis. The LAMP-PCR and lateral flow test confirmed the presence of malaria parasite, Plasmodium sp. Microscopic examination (May-Grünwald Giemsa-stained thin blood smear) revealed the presence of trophozoites, schizonts, and gametocytes with 0.93 % parasitaemia. Conventional PCR amplification targeting 510 bp DNA fragment of small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssrRNA) and bidirectional sequencing identified the parasite as Plasmodium malariae. The travel history of this patient revealed her visits to several countries in Europe (Greece), North Africa (Tunisia and Morocco), and the West Indies (Dominican Republic). Of these, the latter was the only country known to be endemic for malaria at the time (three malaria parasite species were prevalent: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, and P. malariae). The patient had most likely got infected when she visited the Dominican Republic in the summer of 2002. This time interval between the initial parasite infection (2002) till the onset of symptoms and its subsequent diagnosis (2020) is a reminder of the ability of P. malariae to persist in the human host for many years. CONCLUSIONS: This report highlights the persistent nature and ability of P. malariae to cause severe infection in the host even after a prolonged time interval.

Amputation of a type II diabetic patient with cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniases are neglected tropical diseases of public health concern in Algeria. The immunocompromised patients with HIV, autoimmune diseases, or chronic alcohol abuse are at a higher risk of leishmaniasis. Herein, we present the case of an immunocompetent diabetic patient infected by Leishmania major, leading to life-threatening consequences. CASE PRESENTATION: An Algerian diabetic patient developed a cutaneous lesion with large polymorphous inflamed granuloma and pyoderma gangrenosum in the left foot, following L. major infection. A delayed follow-up led to a treatment failure, resulting in the amputation. CONCLUSIONS: This report highlights the absence of timely treatment of Leishmania infection as a life-threatening point among high-risk diabetic patients. Clinicians should be aware of this parasitosis leading to severe complications in diabetic patients.

Autochthonous Gnathostomiasis in Madagascar.

We used molecular tools to identify an autochthonous case of gnathostomiasis in Madagascar. This severe ocular infection, caused by Gnathostoma spinigerum nematodes, led to vision loss in the patient's left eye. Clinicians should be aware of this parasitosis in Madagascar and other countries in Africa.

Severe anemia due to bed bugs hyperinfestation.

Bed bugs bite can be considered as a possible cause of chronic blood loss and anemia in individuals inhabiting in hyperinfested locations. We report the rare case of a patient with massive bed bugs infestation suffered from severe dementia, malnutrition and social isolation which provided susceptible background for severe anemia.

Molecular identification of Actinomadura madurae isolated from a patient originally from Algeria; observations from a case report.

BACKGROUND: Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous subcutaneous infection caused by anaerobic pseudofilamentous bacteria or fungi. It is commonly prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries. Men are more susceptible to the disease due to greater participation in agricultural works. Mycetoma commonly involves lower extremities, wherein untreated cases lead to aggressive therapeutic choices, such as amputation of the affected body organs and consequently lifelong disability. CASE PRESENTATION: In this report, we present the rare case of a 58-year-old man, originally from Algeria with a left foot chronic tumefaction of 5 years. In the initial clinical examination, mycetoma was diagnosed based on tumefaction and the presence of multiple sinuses with the emission of white grains. The latter was observed via direct examination. The histopathological analysis demonstrated an actinomycetoma caused by bacteria, as the etiological agent. Imaging showed a bone involvement with osteolysis at the levels of 2nd to 4th metatarsal diaphysis. The mycological and bacterial cultures were both negative. For an accurate diagnosis, the obtained grains were subjected to molecular analysis, targeting the 16S-rDNA gene. Molecular identification yielded Actinomadura madurae as the causal agent, and 800/160 mg of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was prescribed twice a day for 1 year, as a treatment. CONCLUSION: Considering low information about this disease, especially in non-endemic areas, it is of high importance to enhance the knowledge and awareness of clinicians and healthcare providers, in particular in the countries with immigration issues.

Essential Oils as a Potential Treatment Option for Pediculosis.

Pediculosis is a prevalent ectoparasite infestation caused by lice. The head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) and body louse (Pediculus humanus humanus) are obligatory parasites whose only known hosts are humans. Pediculosis is probably the most common ectoparasitic infestation, affecting up to 80% of the population in several countries, and particularly prevalent in the infant population worldwide. Several treatment options, including shampoos and creams containing insecticides, have been introduced for the treatment of pediculosis. Recently, the use of synthetic chemicals to control human lice has raised concerns pertaining to human health and the environment. Therefore, increasing efforts have been undertaken to develop effective pediculicides with low environmental toxicity and minimal environmental residual activity. In this study, we focus on the essential oils derived from 22 plant genera, their constituents, and the major factors that play important roles in the effectiveness of these oils in the treatment of pediculosis. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and limitations of the mentioned essential oils, and ultimately suggest those demonstrating the most effective in vitro pediculicidal activities. The genera such as Aloysia, Cinnamomum, Eucalyptus, Eugenia, Lavandula, Melaleuca, Mentha, Myrcianthes, Origanum, Pimpinella, and Thymus appear to be more efficient against lice. These genera are rich in anethole, 1,8-cineole, cinnamaldehyde, p-cymene, eugenol, linalool, limonene, pulegone, terpinen-4-ol, and thymol compounds.

Noninvasive Biological Samples to Detect and Diagnose Infections due to Trypanosomatidae Parasites: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Unicellular eukaryotes of the Trypanosomatidae family include human and animal pathogens that belong to the Trypanosoma and Leishmania genera. Diagnosis of the diseases they cause requires the sampling of body fluids (e.g., blood, lymph, peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid) or organ biopsies (e.g., bone marrow, spleen), which are mostly obtained through invasive methods. Body fluids or appendages can be alternatives to these invasive biopsies but appropriateness remains poorly studied. To further address this question, we perform a systematic review on clues evidencing the presence of parasites, genetic material, antibodies, and antigens in body secretions, appendages, or the organs or proximal tissues that produce these materials. Paper selection was based on searches in PubMed, Web of Science, WorldWideScience, SciELO, Embase, and Google. The information of each selected article (n = 333) was classified into different sections and data were extracted from 77 papers. The presence of Trypanosomatidae parasites has been tracked in most of organs or proximal tissues that produce body secretions or appendages, in naturally or experimentally infected hosts. The meta-analysis highlights the paucity of studies on human African trypanosomiasis and an absence on animal trypanosomiasis. Among the collected data high heterogeneity in terms of the I2 statistic (100%) is recorded. A high positivity is recorded for antibody and genetic material detection in urine of patients and dogs suffering leishmaniasis, and of antigens for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. Data on conjunctival swabs can be analyzed with molecular methods solely for dogs suffering canine visceral leishmaniasis. Saliva and hair/bristles showed a pretty good positivity that support their potential to be used for leishmaniasis diagnosis. In conclusion, our study pinpoints significant gaps that need to be filled in order to properly address the interest of body secretion and hair or bristles for the diagnosis of infections caused by Leishmania and by other Trypanosomatidae parasites.

Experimental infection of Phlebotomus perniciosus by bioluminescent Leishmania infantum using murine model and artificial feeder.

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease that is transmitted by sandflies and caused by obligate intracellular protozoa of the genus Leishmania. In the present study, we carried out a screening on the experimental infection of Phlebotomus pernioucus by bioluminescent Leishmania infantum using murine model and artificial feeder. We developed a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based method to determine individually the number of Leishmania promastigotes fed by infected flies. Among 1840 new emerged female sand flies, 428 were fed on the infected mice. After their death, they were analysed individually by RT-PCR. Our results demonstrated just a single Leishmania positive female at sixth day post meal. A total of 1070 female sand flies were exposed in contact with artificial feeder containing the human blood with two different quantities of Leishmania parasites: 2.106/mL and 1.107/mL. A blood meal including 1.107/mL LUC-promastigotes was proposed to 270 females and 75 (28%) flies were engorged. Among them, 44 (59%) were positive by RT-PCR analysis, with a relative average of 50551 Leishmania parasites. In case of blood feeding of females with 2.106/mL promastigotes, 57 out of 800 (7%) females succeed to feed from artificial feeder which 22 (39%) were positive with a relative average of 6487 parasites.

Inter- and Intraspecific Variations of Leishmania Strains Isolated from Patients with Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmaniases in Fars Province, South of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases are present in Fars Province in the south of Iran. The current study aimed to evaluate the inter- and intragenic diversities of Leishmania species isolated from patients with leishmaniasis in Fars Province, using PCR-based analyses and DNA sequencing of the N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase (nagt) gene. METHODS: Clinical samples were taken from the skin lesions of 120 individuals with clinical suspicion of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) referred to the major health centers of Shiraz. Along with microscopic examination, a part of each sample was used for in vitro cultivation. DNA was extracted from the cultured parasites and the nagt gene was PCR-amplified. For RFLP analysis, the PCR product of the nagt gene was digested with the Acc1 restriction enzyme. Moreover, the PCR products of 23 isolates were sequenced and analyzed, using MEGA5. RESULTS: From the 120 patients with clinical suspicion of CL, 110 (91.7%) cases were found to be positive by direct microscopy while 77 (64.1%) of the cultures were positive. Digestion of the PCR product with the Acc1 restriction enzyme detected L. major in 57 out of the 77 (74.1%) and L. tropica, in 20 out of the 77 (25.9%) cases with CL. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the Leishmania isolates into 3 main clades, representing L. major, L. infantum, and L. tropica, encompassing 2, 2, and 2 haplotypes, respectively. Within the clades, the L. tropica intraspecies divergence was more pronounced in L. major. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrated that the causative agent of CL in Fars Province was mainly L. majorz and that there was considerable heterogeneity between the Leishmania species and also within the L. major isolates.

The effects of diode laser (660 nm) on the rate of tooth movements: an animal study.

Low-level laser has been indicated to have the capability to facilitate the differentiation of the osteoclastic and osteoblastic cells which are responsible for the bone remodeling process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of InGaAlP laser with a wavelength of 660 nm on the rate of tooth movement and histological status. Thirty male Wistar rats of 7 weeks old were selected for this study. The rats were randomly divided into two groups of 15 each to form the experimental (laser-irradiated) and control (non-irradiated) groups. The control group received unilateral orthodontic appliance design (one quadrant), but the laser-irradiated group received split-mouth design, with orthodontic appliance on both sides and laser irradiation on one side only (group b) and on the contralateral side (group c). The orthodontic appliance consisted of a NiTi closed coil spring with a length of 5 mm which was ligated to maxillary molar and incisor. A total of 60 g of force was applied to the rat molar. The diode laser (660 nm) was irradiated with an output power of 25 mW in continuous mode for a total time of 5 min in the laser-irradiated group. After 14 days of orthodontic tooth movement, the amount of tooth movements was measured. In the laser-irradiated group, the amount of tooth movement was significantly greater than that of the non-irradiated group (2.3-fold), but there was no significant difference between the non-irradiated and indirectly irradiated groups. Histopathological studies revealed that the number of osteoclasts in the laser-irradiated group was significantly greater than that of the non-irradiated group (1.5-fold) while this number was almost the same in the non-irradiated and indirectly irradiated groups. The results suggested that low-level laser can accelerate the rate of bone remodeling. However, in order to utilize the low-level laser as an adjunct in orthodontic practice on patients, further research studies are needed for finding the appropriate dosage for the human tissues.

Morphological discrimination of human lice (Anoplura: Pediculidae) by eggs' cap-like operculum.

Human lice have long been parasites of humans and are responsible for several epidemics in human medical history. However, their morphology, particularly head and body lice, remains very similar. In this study, we discriminate human louse species based on the number, shape and size of aeropyles (respiratory pores) of the egg operculum as well as the size of the respiratory orifice in the aeropyles. For this purpose, lice and eggs were collected from infested patients referring to Parasitology Department of Avicenne Hospital (Bobigny, France) and analyzed morphologically. The microscopic examination of the aeropyles revealed a large variation in the number ranging from 5 to 12 for head lice, 10 to 16 for body lice and 13 to 18 for pubic lice with a statistically distinct average of 8.3, 12.9 and 15.7, respectively. Although the length of the head and body louse eggs were almost similar, the width of body louse eggs were bigger than those of head louse (412.9 µm and 363.5 µm, respectively), while pubic louse eggs had the smallest length (692.9 µm) and width (286.1 µm). In addition, pubic louse eggs had a greater operculum length and width (253.7 µm length and 220.7 µm width) than head (230.6 µm length and 210.2 µm width) and body lice (227.9 µm length and 199.9 µm width). Moreover, pubic lice had the smallest average aeropyle size (41.2 µm) compared to head (51.1 µm) and body lice (49.1 µm). The respiratory orifice on the aeropyles of head and body lice (9.9 µm) were almost twice as big as those of pubic lice (4.9 µm). There was an inverse correlation between the number of aeropyles and their size in head, body and pubic lice. These findings are helpful in accurate identification of human louse species using their eggs, which could be useful for control management strategies against these ectoparasites.