Prevalencia de Porphyromonas gingivalis en fluido gingival y su relación con la periodontitis / Prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis in gingival fluid and its relationship with periodontitis

Introducción: la periodontitis es una enfermedad infecciosa multifactorial asociada a un biofilm de microorganismos patógenos. Objetivo: el objetivo del trabajo fue establecer la prevalencia de Porphyromonas gingivalis en pacientes con periodontitis y relacionarla con la severidad de la enfermedad. Material y métodos: participaron 45 pacientes, sistémicamente saludables, con edades entre 35 y 65 años. El grado de periodontitis se definió según los criterios de Papapanou y colaboradores. Como grupo control, se incluyeron 20 sujetos de ambos sexos sin periodontitis y sin enfermedades sistémicas. Se tomaron muestras de fluido gingival en dos sitios más profundos. Porphyromonas gingivalis se detectó por PCR (reacción en cadena de la polimerasa). Resultados: la frecuencia relativa de periodontitis fue de 13.3% grado I, 46.7% grado II y 40% grado III. El sexo masculino presentó periodontitis grado III 72.2% y grado II 52.3%. El grado I se registró con mayor frecuencia en el sexo femenino, 66.7%. La prevalencia de Porphyromonas gingivalis en la población con periodontitis fue de 44.4%. Se obtuvieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grados de severidad de periodontitis y la presencia de Porphyromonas gingivalis (p = 0.0002, α = 5%). Conclusión: la periodontitis predominó en el sexo masculino. La prevalencia de Porphyromonas gingivalis en la población con periodontitis crónica fue de 44.4% y su presencia está relacionada con la severidad (AU)

Introduction: periodontitis is a multifactorial infectious disease associated with a biofilm of pathogenic microorganisms. Objective: the objective of the work was to establish the prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis in patients with periodontitis and relate it to the severity of the disease. Material and methods: 45 systemically healthy patients, aged between 35 and 65 years old, participated. The degree of periodontitis was defined according to the criteria of Papapanou et al. As a control group, 20 patients of both sexes without periodontitis and without systemic diseases were included. Gingival fluid samples were taken from two deeper sites. Porphyromonas gingivalis was detected by PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Results: the relative frequency of periodontitis was 13.3% grade I, 46.7% grade II and 40% grade III. The male sex presented periodontitis grade III 72.2% and grade II 52.3%. Grade I was recorded more frequently in the female sex, 66.7%. The prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the population with periodontitis was 44.4%. Statistically significant differences were obtained between the degrees of severity of periodontitis and the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (p = 0.0002, α = 5%). Conclusion: periodontitis predominated in males. The prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the population with chronic periodontitis was 44.4% and its presence is related to severity (AU)

In vivo hippocampal cornu ammonis 1-3 glutamatergic abnormalities are associated with temporal lobe epilepsy surgery outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Previous positron emission tomography (PET) studies using [11 C]ABP688 show reduced metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 (mGluR5) allosteric binding site availability in the epileptogenic hippocampus of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) patients. However, the link between mGluR5 abnormalities and postsurgical outcomes remains unclear. Here, we test whether reduced PET [11 C]ABP688 binding in cornu ammonis (CA) sectors more vulnerable to glutamatergic excitotoxicity relates to surgical outcomes. METHODS: We obtained magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and [11 C]ABP688-PET from 31 unilateral MTLE patients and 30 healthy controls. MRI hippocampal subfields were segmented using FreeSurfer. To respect the lower PET special resolution, MRI-derived anatomical subfields were combined into CA1-3, CA4/dentate gyrus, and Subiculum. Partial volume corrected [11 C]ABP688 nondisplaceable binding potential (BPND ) values were averaged across each subfield, and Z-scores were calculated. Subfield [11 C]ABP688-BPND was compared between seizure-free and non-seizure-free patients. In addition, we also assessed subfield volumes and [18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in each clinical group. RESULTS: MTLE [11 C]ABP688-BPND was reduced in ipsilateral (epileptogenic) CA1-3 and CA4/dentate-gyrus (p < .001, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .29-.51) compared to controls, with no difference in Subiculum. [11 C]ABP688-BPND and subfield volumes were compared between seizure-free (Engel IA, n = 13) and non-seizure-free patients (Engel IC-III, n = 10). In ipsilateral CA1-3 only, [11 C]ABP688-BPND was lower in seizure-free patients than in non-seizure-free patients (p = .012, 95% CI = 1.46-11.0) independently of volume. A subset analysis of 12 patients with [11 C]ABP688-PET+[18 F]FDG-PET showed no between-group significant difference in [18 F]FDG uptake, whereas CA1-3 [11 C]ABP688-BPND remained significantly lower in the seven of 12 seizure-free patients (p = .03, 95% CI = -3.13 to -.21). SIGNIFICANCE: Reduced mGluR5 allosteric site availability in hippocampal CA1-3, measured in vivo by [11 C]ABP688-PET, is associated with postsurgery seizure freedom independent of atrophy or hypometabolism. Information derived from hippocampal CA1-3 [11 C]ABP688-PET is a promising imaging biomarker potentially impactful in surgical decisions for MRI-negative/PET-negative MTLE patients.

Antigen Extraction and B Cell Activation Enable Identification of Rare Membrane Antigen Specific Human B Cells.

Determining antigen specificity is vital for understanding B cell biology and for producing human monoclonal antibodies. We describe here a powerful method for identifying B cells that recognize membrane antigens expressed on cells. The technique depends on two characteristics of the interaction between a B cell and an antigen-expressing cell: antigen-receptor-mediated extraction of antigen from the membrane of the target cell, and B cell activation. We developed the method using influenza hemagglutinin as a model viral membrane antigen, and tested it using acetylcholine receptor (AChR) as a model membrane autoantigen. The technique involves co-culturing B cells with adherent, bioorthogonally labeled cells expressing GFP-tagged antigen, and sorting GFP-capturing, newly activated B cells. Hemagglutinin-specific B cells isolated this way from vaccinated human donors expressed elevated CD20, CD27, CD71, and CD11c, and reduced CD21, and their secreted antibodies blocked hemagglutination and neutralized viral infection. Antibodies cloned from AChR-capturing B cells derived from patients with myasthenia gravis bound specifically to the receptor on cell membrane. The approach is sensitive enough to detect antigen-specific B cells at steady state, and can be adapted for any membrane antigen.

Prospective clinical trial comparing outcome measures between Furlow and von Langenbeck Palatoplasties for UCLP.

The goal of this prospective randomized clinical trial was to compare 2 cohorts of standardized cleft patients with regard to functional speech outcome and the presence or absence of palatal fistulae. The 2 cohorts are randomized to undergo either a conventional von Langenbeck repair with intravelar velarplasty or the double-opposing Z-plasty Furlow procedure. A prospective 2 × 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial was used in which each subject was randomly assigned to 1 of 8 different groups: 1 of 2 different lip repairs (Spina vs. Millard), 1 of 2 different palatal repair (von Langenbeck vs. Furlow), and 1 of 2 different ages at time of palatal surgery (9-12 months vs. 15-18 months). All surgeries were performed by the same 4 surgeons. A cul-de-sac test of hypernasality and a mirror test of nasal air emission were selected as primary outcome measures for velopharyngeal function. Both a surgeon and speech pathologist examined patients for the presence of palatal fistulae. In this study, the Furlow double-opposing Z-palatoplasty resulted in significantly better velopharyngeal function for speech than the von Langenbeck procedure as determined by the perceptual cul-de-sac test of hypernasality. Fistula occurrence was significantly higher for the Furlow procedure than for the von Langenbeck. Fistulas were more likely to occur in patients with wider clefts and when relaxing incisions were not used.

Otologic and audiologic outcomes with the Furlow and von Langenbeck with intravelar veloplasty palatoplasties in unilateral cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: Cleft palate increases the risk of chronic middle ear disease and hearing loss. The goal of this report was to determine which of two palate surgeries and which timing of palate surgery were associated with better otologic and audiologic outcomes in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate at 5 to 6 years of age. DESIGN: Subjects were randomly assigned to the von Langenbeck with intravelar veloplasty or Furlow palate repair, to palate surgery at 9 to 12 months or 15 to 18 months of age, and to the Spina or Millard lip repair. SETTING: Centralized, tertiary care craniofacial treatment center. PATIENTS: A total of 673 infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate. INTERVENTIONS: Palate and lip were repaired using established techniques. Serial otoscopic and audiometric evaluations were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hearing and otoscopic findings at 5 to 6 years old. RESULTS: There were 370 children available for analysis. Hearing and need for tympanostomy tube placement did not differ by palatoplasty, age at palatoplasty, cheiloplasty, or surgeon. Risk of developing cholesteatoma or perforation was higher with Millard cheiloplasty (odds ratio  =  5.1, 95% confidence interval  =  1.44 to 18.11, p  =  .012). Type and age at palatoplasty were not significantly associated with either the rate of developing these sequelae or the rate of achieving bilaterally normal hearing and ear examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Type of palatoplasty did not influence otologic and audiologic outcomes in 5- to 6-year-olds with unilateral cleft lip and palate. The potential influence of lip repair on otologic outcomes warrants further investigation.

Inter-laboratory validation of PCR-based HPV detection in pathology specimens.

The detection and typing of human papilloma virus (HPV) in pathology specimens is gaining increasingly in importance. In the context of the initiative for quality assurance in pathology (QuIP) of the German Society of Pathology and the Professional Association of German Pathologists, four panel laboratories with experience and expertise in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based HPV detection were selected to establish an inter-laboratory trial. In a first step, these laboratories performed an internal testing of their own methodologies, which comprised DNA sequencing, multiplex nested PCR and hybridization techniques. Material from 39 samples including paraffin sections and DNA preparations of tissues and plasmids were evaluated by each panel institute according to their own protocols. Despite the different methodologies, a high degree of inter-laboratory reliability was achieved. In this report, we summarise the results. Pretested specimens are available for the external trail and can be ordered from the steering institute via provitro GmbH Berlin ( http://www.provitro.de ). Supplementary data are online available at http://pathologie-ccm.charite.de (rubric "Forschung"), which includes a web-based photo gallery of HPV-associated lesions and their potential association with specific virus types. The initiative is intended to foster the quality assurance of molecular HPV analysis in pathology and its correlation with morphological changes.

Changes in steroid receptors and proteoglycan expression in the guinea pig prostate stroma during puberty and hormone manipulation.

BACKGROUND: Proteoglycans are structural and informational molecules important during embryogenesis and organ maturation. Maturation of the prostate is influenced by androgens and estrogens, but changes in the relative spatiotemporal expression of steroid receptors and proteoglycans during hormonal change are unexplored. METHODS: Guinea pig prostate was used to define hormone-induced changes in the expression of androgen (AR) and estrogen (ER(alpha)) receptors, chondroitin sulfate (CS) glycosaminoglycan and core proteins of versican and syndecan-1. Tissue locations of AR, ER(alpha), CS and the proteoglycans versican and syndecan-1 were determined by immunohistochemistry. Cellular content of ER(alpha) and syndecan-1 was assessed visually. Versican, CS56 epitope, and AR were quantified by image analysis. RESULTS: AR expression within prostate epithelial and stromal cell nuclei decreased following castration and increased following treatment of castrate animals with dihydrotestosterone (DHT). ER(alpha) expression was restricted to prostate stromal cell nuclei and decreased during puberty, and following treatment of castrate animals with DHT. Versican was present in periacinar stroma immediately peripheral to basal epithelial cells, fibromuscular stromal tissue bands surrounding acinar units, and loose fibrovascular connective tissue interspersed between individual acini. Versican and native CS expression decreased (>10-fold) in periacinar stroma during puberty and following administration of DHT to castrated animals. Expression of syndecan-1 was restricted to fibromuscular cells of prostate stroma, and remained constant during puberty and hormone manipulation. CONCLUSIONS: ER(alpha), versican core protein and CS side chain epitopes are negatively regulated in prostate stromal tissue by DHT, whilst AR levels are positively regulated.

Blockade of B7-H1 improves myeloid dendritic cell-mediated antitumor immunity.

Suppression of dendritic cell function in cancer patients is thought to contribute to the inhibition of immune responses and disease progression. Molecular mechanisms of this suppression remain elusive, however. Here, we show that a fraction of blood monocyte-derived myeloid dendritic cells (MDCs) express B7-H1, a member of the B7 family, on the cell surface. B7-H1 could be further upregulated by tumor environmental factors. Consistent with this finding, virtually all MDCs isolated from the tissues or draining lymph nodes of ovarian carcinomas express B7-H1. Blockade of B7-H1 enhanced MDC-mediated T-cell activation and was accompanied by downregulation of T-cell interleukin (IL)-10 and upregulation of IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma. T cells conditioned with the B7-H1-blocked MDCs had a more potent ability to inhibit autologous human ovarian carcinoma growth in non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficient (NOD-SCID) mice. Therefore, upregulation of B7-H1 on MDCs in the tumor microenvironment downregulates T-cell immunity. Blockade of B7-H1 represents one approach for cancer immunotherapy.

High frequency of t(14;18)-translocation breakpoints outside of major breakpoint and minor cluster regions in follicular lymphomas: improved polymerase chain reaction protocols for their detection.

The detection of t(14;18) translocations is widely used for the diagnosis and monitoring of follicular lymphomas displaying a high prevalence for this aberration. Cytogenetics, Southern blotting, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are commonly used techniques. It is generally believed that the vast majority of the breakpoints occurs on chromosome 18 in the major breakpoint region (mbr) and the minor cluster region (mcr). Yet, by improving long-distance PCR protocols we identified half of the breakpoints outside of these clusters. Our study included biopsies from 59 patients with follicular lymphoma. Seventy-one percent carried translocations detectable with our long-distance PCR protocol. The novel primer sets were derived from the hitherto uncharacterized 25-kb-long stretch between mbr and mcr that we have sequenced for this purpose. Sequence analysis of the novel breakpoints reveals a wide distribution between mbr and mcr displaying some clustering 16 kb downstream from the BCL2 gene. By including a primer for this intermediate cluster region in standard PCRs we could also improve the detection of t(14;18) translocations in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded biopsies. Our new PCRs are highly sensitive, easy to perform, and thus well suited for routine analysis of t(14;18) translocations for the primary diagnosis of follicular lymphoma and surveillance of minimal residual disease.