Oncogenic KRAS-Dependent Stromal Interleukin-33 Directs the Pancreatic Microenvironment to Promote Tumor Growth.

Pancreatic cancer is characterized by an extensive fibroinflammatory microenvironment. During carcinogenesis, normal stromal cells are converted to cytokine-high cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). The mechanisms underlying this conversion, including the regulation and function of fibroblast-derived cytokines, are poorly understood. Thus, efforts to therapeutically target CAFs have so far failed. Herein, we show that signals from epithelial cells expressing oncogenic KRAS-a hallmark pancreatic cancer mutation-activate fibroblast autocrine signaling, which drives the expression of the cytokine IL33. Stromal IL33 expression remains high and dependent on epithelial KRAS throughout carcinogenesis; in turn, environmental stress induces interleukin-33 (IL33) secretion. Using compartment-specific IL33 knockout mice, we observed that lack of stromal IL33 leads to profound reprogramming of multiple components of the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, including CAFs, myeloid cells, and lymphocytes. Notably, loss of stromal IL33 leads to an increase in CD8+ T-cell infiltration and activation and, ultimately, reduced tumor growth. Significance: This study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying the programming of CAFs and shows that during this process, expression of the cytokine IL33 is induced. CAF-derived IL33 has pleiotropic effects on the tumor microenvironment, supporting its potential as a therapeutic target.

Determination of biological activities of malabar spinach (Basellaalba) fruit extracts and molecular docking against COX-II enzyme.

To achieve the health benefit from the natural of Basella. Albafruit. This study intended to figure out the bioactive compounds in the two varieties of B. alba (native and hybrid) fruit extract and measurement its biological activities like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic activities and a molecular docking were performed to observed the pharmaceutical impact on the anti-inflammatory Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme. The cold extractions along with GC-MS were used for the extraction of and analysis of phytoconstituents from B. alba fruit. The hemolytic inhibitory and BSA (Bovine serum albumin)-denaturation assay, DPPH(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and H2O2-free radical scavenging analysis, and brine shrimp lethalness test were performed to measure the biological activities of the extracted The biological activities assay results showed that the ethanol extract of native malabar spinach exhibited dose-dependent antioxidant activity. The IC50 value 21.55 ± 1.51 µg/mL was for DPPH scavenging assay and 23.36 ± 0.36 µg/mL was for H2O2 scavenging analysis. In anti-inflammatory activity assessment study, the IC50 values of the ethanol extracts were 20.52 ± 0.91 µg/mL for BSA inhibition and 20.43 ± 1.30 µg/mL for RBC hemolytic inhibitory study. In this study, cytotoxicity test results reveal that aqueous extract exhibited no cytotoxicity as compared to ethanol and ethyl acetate extract (LD50 = 875.27 µg/mL). Conversely, the current study insist the in silico analysis, to find out the anti-inflammatory activity of the investigated two fruit varieties due to pharmacokinetics analysis, toxicity properties analysis, ADMETand molecular docking. The result of this study signified that both (native and hybrid) malabar spinach fruit varieties contain phytoconstituents with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic action.Moreover, the in vitro and in silico results suggest that the native and hybrid fruit varieties of the extracts could be a superior striver for future appraisal as a prospective therapeutically active ingredient.

KRT17High/CXCL8+ tumor cells display both classical and basal features and regulate myeloid infiltration in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment.

PURPOSE: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is generally divided in two subtypes, classical and basal. Recently, single cell RNA sequencing has uncovered the co-existence of basal and classical cancer cells, as well as intermediary cancer cells, in individual tumors. The latter remains poorly understood; here, we sought to characterize them using a multimodal approach. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We performed subtyping on a single cell RNA sequencing dataset containing 18 human PDAC samples to identify multiple intermediary subtypes. We generated patient-derived PDAC organoids for functional studies. We compared single cell profiling of matched blood and tumor samples to measure changes in the local and systemic immune microenvironment. We then leveraged longitudinally patient-matched blood to follow individual patients over the course of chemotherapy. RESULTS: We identified a cluster of KRT17-high intermediary cancer cells that uniquely express high levels of CXCL8 and other cytokines. The proportion of KRT17High/CXCL8+ cells in patient tumors correlated with intra-tumoral myeloid abundance, and, interestingly, high pro-tumor peripheral blood granulocytes, implicating local and systemic roles. Patient-derived organoids maintained KRT17High/CXCL8+cells and induced myeloid cell migration in an CXCL8-dependent manner. In our longitudinal studies, plasma CXCL8 decreased following chemotherapy in responsive patients, while CXCL8 persistence portended worse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Through single cell analysis of PDAC samples we identified KRT17High/CXCL8+ cancer cells as an intermediary subtype, marked by a unique cytokine profile and capable of influencing myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment and systemically. The abundance of this cell population should be considered for patient stratification in precision immunotherapy.

Common Pitfall in Post Operative Fluid and Electrolyte Management: A Retrospective Study in Two Tertiary Centers in Bangladesh.

Evaluation of our practice and recommend an appropriate fluid regime to maintain the fluid and electrolyte balance in the post operative period. The drug chart and clinical notes were retrospectively analysed manually of 758 patients who underwent surgery from January 2020 to January 2022 in Enam Medical College Hospital and Ibnsina Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh were reviewed by 3 individual clinicians and the obtained data were analysed. Total 407 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. Fifty seven (57) patients underwent emergency operation and 350 patients had elective surgery. The average fluid replacement was 2.5 L/day, average Sodium- 154 mmol/day, average potassium 2.0 mmol/day and average glucose 125 mmol/day. Post operatively 97 patients developed hypokalemia. Among them 25 patients developed severe hypokalemia. A simple pathway for prescribing post operative fluid and electrolyte was proposed so that patients during 1st post operative day requiring maintenance fluid will have 25-30 ml/kg/day of water, approximately 1-2 mmol/kg/day Sodium and chloride, 1 mmol/kg/day of potassium and approximately 50-100 gm/day of glucose.

Stiffness tensor estimation of anisotropic crystal using point contact method and unscented Kalman filter.

The potential application of Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3) crystal is immense, specifically in the domain of meta-surfaces and nano-resonators. However, the practical application of LiNbO3 is impeded due to unreliable experimental techniques and inaccurate inversion algorithms for material characterization. In the current research, material characterization of anisotropic crystal is proposed by exploring the wavefield evolution in the spatial and temporal domains. The presented framework has three major components: a physics-based mathematical model (Christoffel equation), a novel experimental technique, and an inversion algorithm based on Bayesian filtering. An experimental technique based on Coulomb coupling is devised to visualize the propagation of ultrasonic waves in an anisotropic crystal. The crystal is characterized by measuring the directional-dependent acoustic wave velocity from the spatial-temporal information of the wave propagation. The anisotropic constitutive properties of the crystal are estimated by exploring the wave velocity in the Bayesian filtering algorithm. The proposed algorithm is based on the probabilistic framework that integrates the experimental measurement in a physics-based mathematical model for optimal state prediction of stiffness tensor through the Bayesian filtering algorithm. In particular, we utilize the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) in conjunction with the plane-wave Eigen solution to estimate the constitutive parameters. In the presence of measurement uncertainties, the performance of the optimal prediction algorithm is illustrated by comparing the estimated parameter with the corresponding theoretical value. The comparison demonstrates that the proposed inversion algorithm is efficient and robust and performs satisfactorily even with significant measurement uncertainties.

Crohn's Disease Differentially Affects Region-Specific Composition and Aerotolerance Profiles of Mucosally Adherent Bacteria.

BACKGROUND: The intestinal microbiota play a key role in the onset, progression, and recurrence of Crohn disease (CD). Most microbiome studies assay fecal material, which does not provide region-specific information on mucosally adherent bacteria that directly interact with host systems. Changes in luminal oxygen have been proposed as a contributor to CD dybiosis. METHODS: The authors generated 16S rRNA data using colonic and ileal mucosal bacteria from patients with CD and without inflammatory bowel disease. We developed profiles reflecting bacterial abundance within defined aerotolerance categories. Bacterial diversity, composition, and aerotolerance profiles were compared across intestinal regions and disease phenotypes. RESULTS: Bacterial diversity decreased in CD in both the ileum and the colon. Aerotolerance profiles significantly differed between intestinal segments in patients without inflammatory bowel disease, although both were dominated by obligate anaerobes, as expected. In CD, high relative levels of obligate anaerobes were maintained in the colon and increased in the ileum. Relative abundances of similar and distinct taxa were altered in colon and ileum. Notably, several obligate anaerobes, such as Bacteroides fragilis, dramatically increased in CD in one or both intestinal segments, although specific increasing taxa varied across patients. Increased abundance of taxa from the Proteobacteria phylum was found only in the ileum. Bacterial diversity was significantly reduced in resected tissues of patients who developed postoperative disease recurrence across 2 independent cohorts, with common lower abundance of bacteria from the Bacteroides, Streptococcus, and Blautia genera. CONCLUSIONS: Mucosally adherent bacteria in the colon and ileum show distinct alterations in CD that provide additional insights not revealed in fecal material.

Elevated IgA antiphospholipid antibodies in healthy pregnant women in Sudan but not Sweden, without corresponding increase in IgA anti-ß2 glycoprotein I domain 1 antibodies.

OBJECTIVE: The role of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) during apparently normal pregnancy is still unclear. IgA aPL are prevalent in populations of African origin. Our aim was to measure all isotypes of anticardiolipin (anti-CL) and anti-ß2 glycoprotein I (anti-ß2GPI) in healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women of different ethnicities. METHODS: Healthy Sudanese pregnant women (n = 165; 53 sampled shortly after delivery), 96 age-matched Sudanese female controls and 42 healthy pregnant and 249 non-pregnant Swedish women were included. IgA/G/M anti-CL and anti-ß2GPI were tested at one time point only with two independent assays in Sudanese and serially in pregnant Swedes. IgA anti-ß2GPI domain 1 and as controls IgA/G/M rheumatoid factor (RF), IgG anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 (anti-CCP2) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) were investigated in Sudanese females. RESULTS: Pregnant Sudanese women had significantly higher median levels of IgA anti-CL, IgA anti-ß2GPI (p < 0.0001 for both antibodies using two assays) and IgM anti-ß2GPI (both assays; p < 0.0001 and 0.008) compared with non-pregnant Sudanese. IgA anti-CL and anti-ß2GPI occurrence was increased among Sudanese pregnant women compared with national controls. No corresponding increase during pregnancy was found for IgA anti-ß2GPI domain 1 antibodies. Both IgG anti-CL and IgG control autoantibodies decreased during and directly after pregnancy among Sudanese. Serially followed Swedish women showed no changes in IgA aPL, whereas IgG/M anti-CL decreased. CONCLUSIONS: IgA aPL are increased in Sudanese but not in Swedish women, without corresponding increase in IgA domain 1. Whether due to ethnicity and/or environmental influences the occurrence of IgA aPL during Sudanese pregnancies, and its clinical significance, is yet to be determined.

Time to Start Delivering Iron Chelation Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Severe ß-Thalassemia.

BACKGROUND: Iron overload is still a major complication of severe ß-thalassemia. Indication to start iron chelation therapy is based on serum ferritin (SF) or transferrin saturation (TS) level or the amount of transfusion. The goal of this study is to analyse the pattern of iron status, the amount of transfusion regarding the time to start iron chelator, and serum hepcidin levels in newly diagnosed severe ß-thalassemia. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital on newly diagnosed severe ß-thalassemia patients. Subjects had not received any blood transfusion with normal liver function test, CRP, and IL-6 levels who consumed normal diet according to age. The SF and TS levels indicate iron status, while hepcidin level indicates iron regulator status. Main indicator to start iron chelation therapy when SF level ≥1.000 ng/mL, TS level ≥70%, or after receiving transfusion at least 10 times. Statistical analysis used Mann-Whitney and Spearman. RESULTS: Forty-two newly severe ß-thalassemia, 30 (71.4%), were diagnosed before 1 year old, mean 9.9 ± 6.4 months, range 2-24 months. Range amount of transfusion until SF level reached ≥1,000 ng/mL were 4-12 times, mean 7 ± 2 times. Mean SF and TS level at diagnosis were 365.6 ± 194.9 ng/mL and 67.3 ± 22.5%, while hepcidin level was normal, mean 242.6 ± 58 ng/mL. 36/42 patients have reached SF >1000 ng/mL with amount of transfusion less than 10 times. There was no significant difference of SF, TS, and hepcidin levels when SF >1000 ng/mL in the group with amount of transfusion 7-12 and less than 7 (p = 0.454, p = 0.084, p = 0.765), respectively. A significant positive correlation between SF and amount of transfusion was observed (p < 0.001; r = 0.781). CONCLUSION: Iron overload in severe ß-thalassemia patients might occur earlier even before they received 10 times transfusion. Hepcidin serum level tends to increase when iron overload just started.

Endocan expression in placenta of women with hypertension.

AIM: The aim of our study was to determine the endocan-1 expression in placenta of hypertensive women, and its association with maternal and fetal outcomes. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study consisted of 21 pregnant women with hypertension and 23 without hypertension. The gestational age ranged from 28 to 39 weeks (hypertensive) and 32 to 40 weeks (normotensive). The paraffin embedded formalin fixed placenta tissue blocks were retrieved from the pathology archives. Endocan immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue sections of full thickness and maternal surface of the placenta. The endocan expression was determined in fetal endothelial cells, maternal endothelial cells, cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts and decidual cells. The differences in endocan expression in placenta between hypertensive and normotensive subjects were evaluated by Pearson chi-square test and t-test were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The endocan expression was significantly higher in fetal endothelial cells (P < 0.001), maternal endothelial cells (P = 0.003) and decidual cells (P < 0.001) in the placenta of women with hypertension. When comparing positive and negative endocan expression in maternal outcomes, endocan was associated with the development of pre-eclampsia (P = 0.03). Also, a positive endocan expression was associated with low birthweight (P = 0.001) and prematurity (P = 0.005) in the fetal outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study showed endocan is highly expressed in fetal endothelial cells, maternal endothelial cells and decidual cells in placenta of hypertensive women. In addition, its expression was associated with poorer maternal and fetal outcomes. These findings suggest endocan may play an important role in the progression of hypertension in pregnancy.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumour with synchronous ipsilateral clear cell carcinoma of the kidney.

We report the first case of a synchronous ipsilateral primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) and clear cell renal cell carcinoma of the kidney. A 37-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a 24-hour history of colicky abdominal pain and visible haematuria. He had no relevant surgical or medical history. Physical examination was unremarkable apart from mild left flank tenderness. Triphasic CT of the abdomen and pelvis showed two solid lesions in the left kidney. Further staging CT of the chest showed no evidence of local or distal metastasis. He subsequently underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. Pathological analysis of the kidney showed two synchronous renal tumours, a clear cell carcinoma and PNET of the kidney. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy according to Ewing's sarcoma chemotherapy protocol. Surveillance CT scans at 3, 6 and 12 months showed no evidence of disease recurrence or metastasis.

Study of Protein-protein Interactions in Autophagy Research.

Protein-protein interactions are important for understanding cellular signaling cascades and identifying novel pathway components and protein dynamics. The majority of cellular activities require physical interactions between proteins. To analyze and map these interactions, various experimental techniques as well as bioinformatics tools were developed. Autophagy is a cellular recycling mechanism that allows the cells to cope with different stressors, including nutrient deprivation, chemicals, and hypoxia. In order to better understand autophagy-related signaling events and to discover novel factors that regulate protein complexes in autophagy, we performed protein-protein interaction screens. Validation of these screening results requires the use of immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation techniques. In this system, specific autophagy-related protein-protein interactions that we discovered were tested in Neuro2A (N2A) and HEK293T cell lines. Details of the technical procedures used are explained in this visualized experiment paper.

The toxicity of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to larvae of the disease vectors Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae.

The control of mosquitoes is threatened by the appearance of insecticide resistance and therefore new control chemicals are urgently required. Here we show that inhibitors of mosquito peptidyl dipeptidase, a peptidase related to mammalian angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), are insecticidal to larvae of the mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae. ACE inhibitors (captopril, fosinopril and fosinoprilat) and two peptides (trypsin-modulating oostatic factor/TMOF and a bradykinin-potentiating peptide, BPP-12b) were all inhibitors of the larval ACE activity of both mosquitoes. Two inhibitors, captopril and fosinopril (a pro-drug ester of fosinoprilat), were tested for larvicidal activity. Within 24 h captopril had killed >90% of the early instars of both species with 3rd instars showing greater resistance. Mortality was also high within 24 h of exposure of 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars of An. gambiae to fosinopril. Fosinopril was also toxic to Ae. aegypti larvae, although the 1st instars appeared to be less susceptible to this pro-drug even after 72 h exposure. Homology models of the larval An. gambiae ACE proteins (AnoACE2 and AnoACE3) reveal structural differences compared to human ACE, suggesting that structure-based drug design offers a fruitful approach to the development of selective inhibitors of mosquito ACE enzymes as novel larvicides.

Tragacanth as an oral peptide and protein delivery carrier: Characterization and mucoadhesion.

Biopolymers such as tragacanth, an anionic polysaccharide gum, can be alternative polymeric carrier for physiologically important peptides and proteins. Characterization of tragacanth is thus essential for providing a foundation for possible applications. Rheological studies colloidal solution of tragacanth at pH 3, 5 or 7 were carried out by means of steady shear and small amplitude oscillatory measurements. Tragacanth mucoadhesivity was also analyzed using an applicable rheological method and compared to chitosan, alginate and PVP. The particle size and zeta potential were measured by a zetasizer. Thermal properties of solutions were obtained using a differential scanning calorimetry. The solution exhibited shear-thinning characteristics. The value of the storage modulus (G') and the loss modulus (G″) increased with an increase in angular frequency (Ω). In all cases, loss modulus values were higher than storage values (G″>G') and viscous character was, therefore, dominant. Tragacanth and alginate showed a good mucoadhesion. Tragacanth upon dispersion created particles of a submicron size with a negative zeta potential (-7.98 to -11.92 mV). These properties were pH dependant resulting in acid gel formation at pH 3.5. Tragacanth has thus a potential to be used as an excipient for peptide/protein delivery.

Adequacy and accuracy of salivary gland fine needle aspiration cytology.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a widely utilized procedure in the preoperative assessment of salivary gland mass lesions. The aim of this study was to determine the adequacy of salivary gland FNA specimens and the accuracy of the cytological diagnoses made at a single institution over a 13-year period. METHODS: All salivary gland FNAs performed at University Hospital Waterford between 2000 and 2013 were reviewed. Specimens were categorized into those performed by pathologists, radiologists or surgeons and adequacy determined for each. Cases with subsequent surgery had their histology reviewed and compared with cytology for concordance. RESULTS: Of 262 salivary gland FNAs 93.1 % were from parotids and 6.9 % from submandibular glands. Thirty-four FNAs (13 %) were inadequate. The inadequacy rates for pathologists, radiologists and surgeons were 11, 9.1 and 20 %, respectively (p = 0.101). Pleomorphic adenoma was the most frequent cytological diagnosis (53.5 %) followed by primary and secondary malignancies (15.8 %), inflammatory conditions (11.4 %) and Warthin tumour (10.1 %). The histology and cytology were discordant in 13.3 % of 143 cases. The sensitivity and specificity for malignancies were 80.7 and 98.2 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary gland FNAC has good sensitivity and specificity. Radiologists and pathologists have the best adequacy rates and image guidance makes radiologists good aspirators.

Anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies in Sudanese patients with Leishmania donovani infection exhibit reactivity not dependent on citrullination.

African patients with Leishmania donovani infections have signs of strong systemic inflammation and high levels of circulating immune complexes (IC) and rheumatoid factor (RF), all serologic markers of rheumatic disease. As inflammation in general is associated with citrullination, we sought to investigate ACPA responses in Sudanese Leishmania patients. Serum samples were collected from Sudanese patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) as well as from ACPA-positive Sudanese rheumatoid arthritis patients and compared to healthy Sudanese controls. Levels of circulating C1q-binding IC and anticyclic citrullinated peptide 2(CCP2) were investigated using ELISA, and RF was measured with nephelometry. C1q adsorption was carried out to investigate anti-CCP2 content in IC. Citrulline specificity was evaluated with control plates with cyclic arginine-containing control peptides. Leishmania-infected patients had elevated levels of RF and circulating IC but also a significant increase in anti-CCP2 (12%) as compared to healthy controls. Anti-CCP2-positive Leishmania patients displayed lower anti-CCP2 levels than Sudanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and anti-CCP2 levels in Leishmania patients showed a continuum not resembling the dichotomous pattern seen in patients with RA. Whereas the anti-CCP reactivity of Sudanese RA sera was strictly citrulline dependent, anti-CCP2-positive Leishmania sera reacted equally well with ELISA plates containing arginine control peptides. There was a strong correlation between anti-CCP2 and circulating IC among the Leishmania patients, but IC depletion only marginally diminished anti-CCP2 levels. Our findings stress the importance to interpret a positive CCP test carefully when evaluated in non-rheumatic conditions associated with macrophage activation.

Antibacterial effects of several current orthodontic materials against Streptococcus mutans / Efectos antibacterianos de varios materiales ortodóncicos usuales frente al Streptococcus mutans

The aim of this study was to examine the antibacterial effect of several current orthodontic materials against a certain oral bacterium. The antibacterial activities of six orthodontic composite resins (Transbond LR, Light Cure Retainer (LCR), Light Bond, System 1+, Kurasper F, Transbond XT adhesive), two orthodontic bonding materials (Transbond XT primer and System 1+ activator) and two glass ionomer cements (GIC) [Multicure Glass Ionomer and Ketac Cem GIC] were evaluated against Streptococcus mutans. The hard materials were put into the Teflon mould. The liquid materials were put on a paper disc. All materials were handled under aseptic conditions and placed on agar culture plates. All plates were incubated at 5% CO2 and 37 ºC for 48 hours. The bacterial growth inhibition zones including the diameter of the sample were measured in millimetres. As a result of this study, the multicure GIC showed the highest antibacterial effectiveness, but no inhibition zones were noted for ketac cem GIC. The light bond adhesive of the Reliance orthodontic bonding system produced high antibacterial effect against S mutans, while the Reliance composite (LCR) did not show any antibacterial effect (p < 0.05). Both composite and primer of the transbond XT system demonstrated significant antibacterial effect against the test bacterium when compared to transbond LR (p < 0.05). Among the materials tested, kurasper F, Ormco system 1+ and system 1+ activator showed slight or no inhibitory effect against the test bacterium in this study. In patients who have relatively high salivary levels of Streptococci mutans before treatment, the multicure GIC, the Reliance light bond adhesive, and transbond XT system which had high level antibacterial properties could be applied.

El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar el efecto antibacteriano de varios materiales ortodóncicos actuales sobre cierta bacteria oral. Se evaluaron las actividades antibacterianas frente al Streptococcus mutans, de seis resinas compuestas (composites) ortodóncicas (Transbond LR, Light Cure Retainer (LCR), Light Bond, System 1+, Kurasper F, Transbond XT), dos adhesivos ortodóncicos (Transbond XT y Sistema 1+ activador) y dos cementos de ionómeros de vidrio (GIC) [ionómero de vidrio Multi-cure y Ketac Cem GIC]. Los materiales duros fueron puestos en el molde de Teflón. Los materiales líquidos fueron puestos en un disco del papel. De todos los materiales fueron manipulados bajo condiciones asépticas y pusieron en el agar cultive los platos. Todos las placas fueron manipuladas en condiciones asépticas, y colocados en placas de cultivo agar. Todas las placas fueron incubadas a 5% CO2 y 37 ºC durante 48 horas. Las zonas de inhibición del crecimiento bacteriano, incluido el diámetro de la muestra, fueron medidas en milímetros. Un aspecto del resultado de este estudio, fue que el Multi-Cure GIC mostró la efectividad antibacteriana más alta, en cambio no se observó ninguna zona de inhibición para el ketac cem GIC. El adhesivo Light Bond del sistema Reliance para la adhesión ortodóncica, produjo altos efectos antibacterianos frente al S mutans, mientras que el composite de Reliance (LCR) no mostró efecto antibacteriano alguno (p < 0.05). Tanto el composite como el iniciador (primer) del sistema XY transbond probaron poseer un efecto antibacteriano significativo frente a la bacteria de la prueba, cuando se les comparó con el transbond LR (p < 0.05). Entre los materiales probados, kurasper F, Ormco Sistema 1+ y sistema 1+ activador no mostraron efecto inhibitorio alguno, o sólo ligeramente, frente a las bacterias de la prueba en este estudio. En pacientes con niveles salivales relativamente altos de Streptococci mutans antes del tratamiento, podrían aplicarse el Multi-Cure GIC, el adhesivo Reliance Light Bond, y el sistema transbond XT - los cuales tuvieron un alto nivel de propiedades antibacterianas.

Antibacterial effects of several current orthodontic materials against Streptococcus mutans.

The aim of this study was to examine the antibacterial effect of several current orthodontic materials against a certain oral bacterium. The antibacterial activities of six orthodontic composite resins (Transbond LR, Light Cure Retainer (LCR), Light Bond, System 1+, Kurasper F, Transbond XT adhesive), two orthodontic bonding materials (Transbond XT primer and System 1+ activator) and two glass ionomer cements (GIC) [Multicure Glass Ionomer and Ketac Cem GIC] were evaluated against Streptococcus mutans. The hard materials were put into the Teflon mould. The liquid materials were put on a paper disc. All materials were handled under aseptic conditions and placed on agar culture plates. All plates were incubated at 5% CO2 and 37 degrees C for 48 hours. The bacterial growth inhibition zones including the diameter of the sample were measured in millimetres. As a result of this study, the multicure GIC showed the highest antibacterial effectiveness, but no inhibition zones were noted for ketac cem GIC. The light bond adhesive of the Reliance orthodontic bonding system produced high antibacterial effect against S mutans, while the Reliance composite (LCR) did not show any antibacterial effect (p < 0.05). Both composite and primer of the transbond XT system demonstrated significant antibacterial effect against the test bacterium when compared to transbond LR (p < 0.05). Among the materials tested, kurasper F, Ormco system 1+ and system 1+ activator showed slight or no inhibitory effect against the test bacterium in this study In patients who have relatively high salivary levels of Streptococci mutans before treatment, the multicure GIC, the Reliance light bond adhesive, and transbond XT system which had high level antibacterial properties could be applied.

In vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of leaves and flowers extracts from Lippia alba.

The research was conducted to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of leaves and flowers extract extracted from Lippia alba. Disc diffusion technique was used for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal screening. Zones of inhibition were observed in disc diffusion for antibacterial screening against 4 Gram-positive pathogenic and 6 Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Among crude extracts chloroform extract showed good activity against all test organisms. A Large zone of inhibition was observed (18 mm) against Vibrio parahaemolyticus. In antifungal screening, the compound showed mild to moderate zones of inhibition against four tested organisms. A Large zone of inhibition was observed against Aspergillus niger (13 mm). Cytotoxic activities of crude extracts were determined using Brine shrimp lethality Bioassay and LC50 values of standard Vincristin sulphate as positive control, n-hexane and crude ethanol extracts were found to be 5, 15 and 20 microg mL(-1), respectively.

Risperidone compared to haloperidol in cannabis-induced psychotic disorder: A double blind randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Few controlled data exist on the treatment of substancehaloperidol induced psychotic disorders. Our aim was to investigate the effects of risperidone and haloperidol. METHOD: 30 patients who met DSM-IV criteria for cannabis-induced psychotic disorder were randomly allocated to receive either risperidone or haloperidol in a 4-week randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial. RESULTS: There were no significant outcome differences between the two groups on any of the primary outcome measures, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression scale or the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. No extrapyramidal side-effects (EPS), as measured by either the Simpson Angus Scale or the Barnes Akathisia Scale, emerged in the risperidone group; this was however not statistically different to the haloperidol group due to the low rate of EPS in that group. There were no significant differences between the two groups on the secondary outcome measures, use of lorazepam or biperidin. CONCLUSION: Risperidone appears to be as effective as haloperidol in the treatment of cannabis-induced psychotic disorder. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2000; 4:139-142).