Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against measles in health care workers of the Strakonice Hospital.

AIM: Due to mandatory vaccination introduced in the Czech Republic since 1969, only few measles cases were reported annually until recently. However, a rapid increase of cases has been recorded in last two years. In contrast to the pre-vaccination era, in recent measles outbreaks, many cases have been reported among vaccinated adults. Health care workers (HCWs) are particularly at high risk of contact with measles. Therefore, to minimize transmission in health care settings, many hospitals evaluate measles immune status of their HCWs and offer free vaccination to those with too low anti-measles antibody levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against measles in all HCWs of the Strakonice Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anti-measles IgG serum levels were measured using quantitative ELISA. RESULTS: Almost all HCWs born before 1969, when the mandatory vaccination started, showed high levels of IgG antibodies (93.5%). Contrarily, among previously vaccinated individuals, only 64.8% were seropositive. A high percentage of seronegative or borderline samples was observed even in the age groups who were previously vaccinated with two doses. CONCLUSIONS: In total, 25.4% of all HCWs of the Strakonice Hospital had too low anti-measles IgG levels, and most of them were immunized with one dose of MMR vaccine. Prioritized vaccination substantially decreased the number of staff at higher risk of measles acquisition and, at the same time, of those who would need to be quarantined after exposure.

Pharmacological caspase inhibitors: research towards therapeutic perspectives.

Caspases are key molecules of apoptosis and the inflammatory response. Up-regulation of the caspase cascade contributes to human pathologies such as neurodegenerative and immune disorders. Thus, blocking the excessive apoptosis by pharmacological inhibitors seems promising for therapeutic interventions in such diseases. Caspase inhibitors, both natural and artificial, have been used as research tools and have helped to define the role of the individual caspases in apoptosis and in non-apoptotic processes. Moreover, some caspase inhibitors have demonstrated their therapeutic efficiency in the reduction of cell death and inflammation in animal models of human diseases. However, no drug based on caspase inhibition has been approved on the market until now. Thus, the development of therapeutic approaches that specifically target caspases remains a great challenge and is now the focus of intense biological and clinical interest. Here, we provide a brief review of recent knowledge about pharmacological caspase inhibitors with special focus on their proposed clinical applications.

Cell proliferation and apoptosis in the primary enamel knot measured by flow cytometry of laser microdissected samples.

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) uniquely allows the selection of specific cell populations from histological sections. These selected cells are then catapulted into a test tube without any contamination from surrounding tissues. During the last ten years, many significant results have been achieved, particularly at the level of DNA and RNA where amplification techniques are available. However, where amplification procedures are difficult, the benefits of LCM diminish. To overcome such difficulties, a novel approach, combining laser capture microdissection and flow cytometry, has been tested here for detection of apoptosis and proliferation in tissue bound cell populations without any amplification steps. The mouse cap stage molar tooth germ was used as a model. At the centre of the inner enamel epithelium, the primary enamel knot is a clearly defined apoptotic population with minimal proliferation, flanked by the highly proliferative cervical loops on each side. Thus within the tooth germ epithelium at this stage, two distinct populations of cells are found side by side. These populations were selected by laser capture microdissection and then analysed by flow cytometry for apoptosis and proliferation. Flow cytometric results correlated well with immunohistochemical findings, demonstrating the success and sensitivity of this combined procedure.

Formation of the tooth-bone interface.

Not only are teeth essential for mastication, but also missing teeth are considered a social handicap due to speech and aesthetic problems, with a resulting high impact on emotional well-being. Several treatment procedures are currently available for tooth replacement with mostly inert prosthetic materials and implants. Natural tooth substitution based on copying the developmental process of tooth formation is particularly challenging and creates a rapidly developing area of molecular dentistry. In any approach, functional interactions among the tooth, the surrounding bone, and the periodontium must be established. Therefore, recent research in craniofacial genetics searches for mechanisms responsible for correct cell and tissue interactions, not only within a specific structure, but also in the context of supporting structures. A tooth crown that is not functionally anchored to roots and bone is useless. This review aims to summarize the developmental and tissue homeostatic aspects of the tooth-bone interface, from the initial patterning toward tooth eruption and lifelong interactions between the tooth and its surrounding alveolar bone.

Tooth agenesis: from molecular genetics to molecular dentistry.

Tooth agenesis may originate from either genetic or environmental factors. Genetically determined hypodontic disorders appear as isolated features or as part of a syndrome. Msx1, Pax9, and Axin2 are involved in non-syndromic hypodontia, while genes such as Shh, Pitx2, Irf6, and p63 are considered to participate in syndromic genetic disorders, which include tooth agenesis. In dentistry, artificial tooth implants represent a common solution to tooth loss problems; however, molecular dentistry offers promising solutions for the future. In this paper, the genetic and molecular bases of non-syndromic and syndromic hypodontia are reviewed, and the advantages and disadvantages of tissue engineering in the clinical treatment of tooth agenesis are discussed.