Sustained S-IgG and S-IgA antibodies to Moderna's mRNA-1273 vaccine in a Sub-Saharan African cohort suggests need for booster timing reconsiderations.

Introduction: This study sought to elucidate the long-term antibody responses to the Moderna mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine within a Ugandan cohort, aiming to contribute to the sparse data on m-RNA vaccine immunogenicity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We tracked the development and persistence of the elicited antibodies in 19 participants aged 18 to 67, who received two doses of the mRNA-1273 vaccine. A validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies against the spike (S) and nucleoproteins (N). The study's temporal scope extended from the baseline to one year, capturing immediate and long-term immune responses. Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon test to evaluate changes in antibody levels across predetermined intervals with the Hochberg correction for multiple comparisons. Results: Our results showed a significant initial rise in spike-directed IgG (S-IgG) and spike-directed IgA (S-IgA) levels, which remained elevated for the duration of the study. The S-IgG concentrations peaked 14 days afterboosting, while spike-directed IgM (S-IgM) levels were transient, aligning with their early response role. Notably, post-booster antibody concentrations did not significantly change. Prior S-IgG status influenced the post-priming S-IgA dynamics, with baseline S-IgG positive individuals maintaining higher S-IgA responses, a difference that did not reach statistical difference post-boost. Three instances of breakthrough infections: two among participants who exhibited baseline seropositivity for S-IgG, and one in a participant initially seronegative for S-IgG. Discussion: In conclusion, the mRNA-1273 vaccine elicited robust and persistent S-IgG and S-IgA antibody responses, particularly after the first dose, indicating potential for long-term immunity. Prior viral exposure enhances post-vaccination S-IgA responses compared to naive individuals, which aligned with the prior-naïve, post-boost. The stable antibody levels observed post-booster dose, remaining high over an extended period, with no significant secondary rise, and no difference by baseline exposure, suggest that initial vaccination may sufficiently prime the immune system for prolonged protection in this population, allowing for potential to delay booster schedules as antibody responses remained high at the time of boosting. This finding calls for a reassessment of the booster dose scheduling in this demographic.

Breast milk oxytocin and s-IgA modulate infant biomarkers and social engagement; The role of maternal anxiety.

Breastfeeding has long been known to improve infants' health and mental development and to enhance the mother-infant bond, but much less research focused on the biological composition of breast milk and its associations with the infant's biomarkers and social development. In this exploratory study, we measured oxytocin (OT) and secretory immunoglobulin-A (s-IgA), the most abundant antibody in breast milk, and evaluated their associations with the same biomarkers in infant saliva and, consequently, with infant social engagement behavior. Fifty-five mother-infant dyads were home-visit and OT and s-IgA were assessed from breast milk and from infant saliva before and after a free-play interaction. Infant social behavior was coded offline using the Coding Interactive Behavior (CIB) and maternal anxiety self-reported. A path model revealed that mother's breast milk s-IgA impacted child social engagement via its links with child OT. In parallel, maternal breast milk OT was linked with infant social behavior through its association with the infant's immunity. This path was moderated by maternal anxiety; only in cases of high anxiety breast milk OT was positively connected to infant s-IgA. Our study, the first to measure OT and s-IgA in both breast milk and infant saliva in relation to observed social behavior, underscores the need for much further research on the dynamic interplay between breast milk composition, infant biomarkers, maternal mental health, and infant social outcomes. Results may suggest that biological systems in breast milk integrate to prepare infants to function in their social ecology through bio-behavioral feedback loops that signal the degree of stress in the environment.

Oxytocin as a transdiagnostic biomarker of well-being in severe mental illness during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) have been found to suffer a greater decline in psychological well-being compared to the general population in times of stress. The present study aimed to examine clinical and endocrine resilience factors of psychological well-being in SMI patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. METHODS: After Covid-19 crisis outburst in Israel 112 participants, 69 outpatients, and 43 inpatients and day treatment patients were recruited. Outpatients signed an online informed consent and filled in questionnaires regarding their level of mental health symptoms (OQ-45), fear of Covid-19 (FCV), and psychological well-being (PWB). Inpatients answered the same questionnaires and in addition, went through a positive social interaction paradigm while providing three saliva samples to measure their s-IgA and oxytocin (OT) levels. RESULTS: A strong negative correlation was found in the whole sample between reported mental health symptoms, fear of Covid-19, and well-being. Hierarchical regression did not find additional contribution of the fear of the pandemic in predicting well-being beyond the impact of symptomatology. For inpatients (N = 39) only, hierarchical regression found that oxytocin, but not s-IgA could explain 5% of the variance of well-being (R2 = 0.05) in individuals with SMI regardless of their mental health symptoms (R2 = 0.46) and their marital status (R2 = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: OT is suggested as a possible independent biological resilience factor of well-being in times of major stress among SMI patients. It is still unknown whether OT is a mediator that contributes to well-being or a biological marker that indicates the degree of beneficial social interactions.

Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A as a potential biomarker of psychosocial stress response during the first stages of life: A systematic review.

Mucosal secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) has been recognized as a key component of human first line defense against infection. However, its reactivity to psychosocial stressors is poorly understood. This systematic review aimed to explore whether s-IgA levels changed after psychosocial stress in subjects under the age of 18. Fifteen articles were included. s-IgA basal levels are increased in children older than 9 years old exposed to stress. Furthermore, s-IgA seems to follow a circadian rhythm, which is altered under stress conditions. Finally, the collective evidence suggests that salivary s-IgA rapidly increases under acute stress after puberty. Overall, our review indicates that s-IgA could be considered a potential psychosocial stress biomarker of interest for pediatric and child-juvenile psychiatric population. Further studies are needed to validate the role of s-IgA circadian rhythm and basal levels as psychosocial stress biomarkers and disentangle the role of age and type of stressor.

Long-Term SARS-CoV-2-Specific Humoral and T Cell Responses after the BNT162b2 or BBIBP-CorV Booster and the Incidence of Breakthrough Infections among Healthcare Workers.

The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines developed against the original virus strain deteriorated noticeably in efficacy against the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). Moreover, the immunity developed after vaccination or due to natural infection rapidly waned. In the present study, covering this period, we summarize the incidence of breakthrough infections among healthcare workers (HCWs) with respect to administration of the three vaccine doses. Additionally, we evaluate the long-term SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral and T cell responses at two different time points: six and twelve months after receipt of the third (booster) dose. The spike-protein-specific antibody levels and the quantity of structural-protein-specific T cells were evaluated at these time points and compared with the values measured earlier, 14 days after the booster vaccination. The study participants were categorized into two cohorts: Members of the first cohort received a two-dose BNT162b2 mRNA-based vaccine regimen, followed by an additional BNT162b2 booster six months later. Individuals in the second cohort received an inactivated-virus-based BBIBP-CorV booster six months after the initial two-dose BNT162b2 vaccination. Overall, 64.3% of participants were infected with SARS-CoV-2 confirmed by PCR or antigen test; however, additional subjects from the first cohort (23%) who did not know about their previous infection but had an anti-nucleocapsid T cell response were also considered virus-experienced. According to our results, no statistically significant difference was found between the two cohorts regarding the SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell response, neutralizing anti-RBD IgG, and anti-S IgA serum antibody levels either six or twelve months after receiving the booster, despite the overall higher median values of the first cohort. The only significant difference was the higher anti-S1/S2 IgG antibody level in the first cohort one year after the BNT162b2 booster (p = 0.039). In summary, the BNT162b2 and BBIBP-CorV boosters maintain durable humoral and T cell-mediated immune memory even one year after application. Although the booster provided limited protection against Omicron breakthrough infections, as 73.6% of these infections occurred after the booster vaccination, which means 53.5% cumulative incidence, it still offered excellent protection against severe disease and hospitalization in both cohorts.

Immune Evaluation of Avian Influenza Virus HAr Protein Expressed in Dunaliella salina in the Mucosa of Chicken.

Avian influenza (AI) is a serious threat to the poultry industry worldwide. Currently, vaccination efforts are based on inactivated, live attenuated, and recombinant vaccines, where the principal focus is on the type of virus hemagglutinin (HA), and the proposed use of recombinant proteins of AI virus (AIV). The use of antigens produced in microalgae is a novel strategy for the induction of an immune response in the mucosal tissue. The capacity of the immune system in poultry, particularly in mucosa, plays an important role in the defense against pathogens. This system depends on a complex relationship between specialized cells and soluble factors, which confer protection against pathogens. Primary lymphoid organs (PLO), as well as lymphocytic aggregates (LA) such as the Harderian gland (HG) and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), actively participate in a local immune response which is mainly secretory IgA (S-IgA). This study demonstrates the usefulness of subunit antigens for the induction of a local and systemic immune response in poultry via ocular application. These findings suggest that a complex protein such as HAr from AIV (H5N2) can successfully induce increased local production of S-IgA and a specific systemic immune response in chickens.

Secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) reactivity to acute psychosocial stress in children and adolescents: The influence of pubertal development and history of maltreatment.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) is an antibody protein-complex that plays a crucial role in immune first defense against infection. Although different immune biomarkers have been associated with stress-related psychopathology, s-IgA remains poorly studied, especially in youth. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated how s-IgA behaves in front of acute psychosocial stress in children and adolescents, including possible variability associated with developmental stage and history of childhood maltreatment (CM). METHODS: 94 children and adolescents from 7 to 17 years (54 with a current psychiatric diagnostic and 40 healthy controls) drawn from a larger Spanish study were explored (EPI-Young Stress Project). To assess biological reactivity, participants provided five saliva samples during an acute laboratory-based psychosocial stressor, the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C). Samples were assayed for s-IgA, as well as for cortisol. Pubertal development was ascertained by Tanner stage and CM following TASSCV criteria. RESULTS: We observed s-IgA fluctuations throughout the stressor, indicating the validity of TSST-C to stimulate s-IgA secretion (F(4,199) = 6.200, p <.001). Although s-IgA trajectories followed a reactivity and recovery pattern in adolescents, children exhibited no s-IgA response when faced with stress (F(4,197) = 3.406, p =.010). An interaction was found between s-IgA and CM (F(4,203) = 2.643, p =.035). Interestingly, an interaction between developmental stage, CM history and s-IgA reactivity was identified (F(12,343) = 2.036, p =.017); while children non-exposed to maltreatment exhibited no s-IgA changes to acute stress, children with a history of CM showed a similar response to adolescents, increasing their s-IgA levels after the psychosocial stressor. CONCLUSION: Acute psychosocial stress stimulates s-IgA secretion, but only after puberty. However, children with a history of maltreatment exhibited a response resembling that of adolescents, suggesting an early maturation of the immune system. Further studies are needed to clarify the validity of s-IgA as an acute stress biomarker, including additional measures during stress exposure.

Invaplex functions as an intranasal adjuvant for subunit and DNA vaccines co-delivered in the nasal cavity of nonhuman primates.

Development of intranasal vaccines for HIV-1 and other mucosal pathogens has been hampered by the lack of adjuvants that can be given safely to humans. We have found that an intranasal Shigella vaccine (Invaplex) which is well tolerated in humans can also function as an adjuvant for intranasal protein and DNA vaccines in mice. To determine whether Invaplex could potentially adjuvant similar vaccines in humans, we simultaneously administered a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) envelope (Env) protein and DNA encoding simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) with or without Invaplex in the nasal cavity of female rhesus macaques. Animals were intranasally boosted with adenoviral vectors expressing SIV env or gag,pol to evaluate memory responses. Anti-SIV antibodies in sera and nasal, genital tract and rectal secretions were quantitated by ELISA. Intracellular cytokine staining was used to measure Th1-type T cells in blood. Macaques given DNA/protein immunizations with 0.5 mg Invaplex developed greater serum IgG, nasal IgA and cervicovaginal IgA responses to SIV Env and SHIV Gag,Pol proteins when compared to non-adjuvanted controls. Rectal IgA responses to Env were only briefly elevated and not observed to Gag,Pol. Invaplex increased frequencies of IFNγ-producing CD4 and CD8 T cells to the Env protein, but not T cell responses induced by the DNA. Ad-SIV boosting increased Env-specific polyfunctional T cells and Env- and Gag,Pol-specific antibodies in serum and all secretions. The data suggest that Invaplex could be highly effective as an adjuvant for intranasal protein vaccines in humans, especially those intended to prevent infections in the genital or respiratory tract.

The Impact of Sport Training on Oral Health in Athletes.

Athletes' oral health appears to be poor in numerous sport activities and different diseases can limit athletic skills, both during training and during competitions. Sport activities can be considered a risk factor, among athletes from different sports, for the onset of oral diseases, such as caries with an incidence between 15% and 70%, dental trauma 14-70%, dental erosion 36%, pericoronitis 5-39% and periodontal disease up to 15%. The numerous diseases are related to the variations that involve the ecological factors of the oral cavity such as salivary pH, flow rate, buffering capability, total bacterial count, cariogenic bacterial load and values of secretory Immunoglobulin A. The decrease in the production of S-IgA and the association with an important intraoral growth of pathogenic bacteria leads us to consider the training an "open window" for exposure to oral cavity diseases. Sports dentistry focuses attention on the prevention and treatment of oral pathologies and injuries. Oral health promotion strategies are needed in the sports environment. To prevent the onset of oral diseases, the sports dentist can recommend the use of a custom-made mouthguard, an oral device with a triple function that improves the health and performance of athletes. During training, the sports dentist must monitor the athletes and the sports examination protocol must be implemented with the inclusion of the clinical examination, quantitative and qualitative analysis of saliva and instructions on the use, cleansing and storage of the mouthguard.

A 2 Week Cross-over Intervention with a Low Carbohydrate, High Fat Diet Compared to a High Carbohydrate Diet Attenuates Exercise-Induced Cortisol Response, but Not the Reduction of Exercise Capacity, in Recreational Athletes.

Low carbohydrate, high fat (LCHF) diets are followed by athletes, but questions remain regarding effects of LCHF on metabolic adaptation, exercise-induced stress, immune function and their time-course. In this cross-over study, 14 recreational male athletes (32.9 ± 8.2 years, VO2max 57.3 ± 5.8 mL/kg/min) followed a two week LCHF diet (<10 En% carbohydrates (CHO), ~75En% Fat) and a two week HC diet (>50 En% CHO), in random order, with a wash-out period of >2 weeks in between. After 2 days and 2 weeks on either diet, participants performed cycle ergometry for 90 min at 60%Wmax. Blood samples for analysis of cortisol, free fatty acids (FFA), glucose and ketones, and saliva samples for immunoglobin A (s-IgA) were collected at different time points before and after exercise. The LCHF diet resulted in higher FFA, higher ketones and lower glucose levels compared to the HC diet (p < 0.05). Exercise-induced cortisol response was higher after 2 days on the LCHF diet (822 ± 215 nmol/L) compared to 2 weeks on the LCHF diet (669 ± 243 nmol/L, p = 0.004) and compared to both test days following the HC diet (609 ± 208 and 555 ± 173 nmol/L, both p < 0.001). Workload was lower, and perceived exertion higher, on the LCHF diet compared to the HC diet on both occasions. A drop in s-IgA following exercise was not seen after 2 days on the LCHF diet, in contrast to the HC diet. In conclusion, the LCHF diet resulted in reduced workload with metabolic effects and a pronounced exercise-induced cortisol response after 2 days. Although indications of adaptation were seen after 2 weeks on the LCHF diet, work output was still lower.

Effect of walnut (Juglans sigillata) oil on intestinal antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunity, and gut microbiota modulation in mice.

The study investigated the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunity, and gut microbiota modulation in mice (n = 60; 15 mice/group) after intragastric administration of walnut oil (WO; three groups (low (LD), medium (MD), and high doses (HD): 2.5, 5, and 10 ml/kg, respectively) and normal control (NC, saline). WO significantly increased the median villous height/crypt depth (VH/CD) ratio, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in intestinal mucosa. WO exerted the anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the duodenal mucosa. All groups shared 157 operational taxonomic units (OTUs; 97% similarity) representing nine phyla. The relative abundance in gut microbiota shifted from more pathogenic bacteria-Helicobacter (NC: 22% versus MD: 3%) toward probiotic-Lactobacillus (NC: 19% versus MD: 40%). The immune organ index (spleen) and contents of secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) were increased from small intestine. In conclusion, WO decreased the oxidative stress, inflammation, and improved the immunity and beneficial gut microbiota in the mice. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Walnut oil (WO) is widely used in traditional medicine around the world and is prescribed as beneficial food oil in agro-industry. However, the intestinal benefits of WO have not been explored extensively, and even its therapeutic mechanism still remains unknown in modern medicine. In this study, WO from Juglans sigillata was investigated for its preventive and protective effects on the intestinal mucosa in mice including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunity, and gut microbiota modulation. WO decreased the oxidative stress, inflammation, and improved immunity and beneficial gut microbiota in the mice. WO has shown strong probiotic effect on the gut, and thus, can be considered as a potential candidate in food. The study outcome would enhance utilization of WO for the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., Helicobacter, etc.) both in animals and human (inflammatory bowel diseases, IBD) and the formulation of functional foods.

Association between salivary s-IgA concentration and dental caries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of s-IgA in saliva of caries patients and healthy controls, and to evaluate whether there is a correlation between it and caries by systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS:  Eight databases were searched initially in April 2020 and repeated in August 2020. Two independent evaluators screened the literature and extracted the data according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. I2 test was commonly reflected the heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis explore the sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis, funnel diagram, Begg's rank correlation and Egger's linear regression were used to determine the possibility of publication bias. RESULTS: A total of 30 case-control studies were included, with a total sample size of 1545 patients, including 918 caries patients and 627 healthy controls. Salivary s-IgA levels in caries patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls. In addition, the results of subgroup analysis showed that the significant decrease of salivary s-IgA level was correlated with children patients, mixed dentition and Asian people. The funnel diagram included in the study was symmetrically distributed, and the sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the results.  Conclusion: Salivary s-IgA levels in caries patients were significantly lower than in healthy controls. It has also been demonstrated that salivary s-IgA may be used as an alternative measure to identify subjects at risk of caries susceptibility, suggesting that salivary s-IgA may be a protective factor for dental caries.

Intermittent not continuous hypoxia provoked haematological adaptations in healthy seniors: hypoxic pattern may hold the key.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this single-blind, repeated measures study was to investigate the effect of two hypoxic patterns, continuous or intermittent on key markers of haematological adaptation, stress and cardiac damage in healthy senior participants. METHODS: Fifteen healthy senior participants each followed a three-phase protocol over 3 consecutive weeks: (1) 5 consecutive days of breathing room air without a mask (2) 5 days of normoxic mask breathing (sham, FiO2 = 21%) (3) 5 days of intermittent hypoxia (IH) tailored to achieve a mean peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) of 85% during ~ 70 min of cumulative exposure to hypoxia. After a 5-month washout period, participants were recalled to undertake continuous hypoxia (CH, SpO2 = 85%, ~ 70 min). The red blood cell count (RBCc), haemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), haematocrit (Hct), percentage of reticulocytes (% Retics), secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA), cortisol, cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and the OFF-score (i.e. [Formula: see text]) were measured. RESULTS: RBCc only increased by day 5 of IH treatment compared to day 5 baseline values (+ 7.7%, p < 0.01) and day 5 Sham values (+ 12.9%, p < 0.01). [Hb] only increased by day 5 of IH treatment compared to day 5 baseline values (+ 14.7%, p < 0.01) and day 5 Sham values (+ 14.3%, p < 0.01). Hct (+ 12.7%, p < 0.01) and the OFF-score (p < 0.05) increased only during the final day of IH treatment. No difference was observed in S-IgA, cortisol or cTnT following IH or CH. CONCLUSION: These results revealed that inherent differences in the IH and CH hypoxic patterns could provide crucial components required to trigger hematological changes in senior individuals, without eliciting immunological stress responses or damaging the myocardium.

Correlation of s-IgA and IL-6 Salivary with Caries Disease and Oral Hygiene Parameters in Children.

This study evaluates salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in saliva of children and its correlation to tooth decay severity. Fifty-nine patients were divided into two groups: caries free (A group) and caries active (B group). B group was investigated according to Mount and Monse indices. Mean salivary IgA rate between two groups (A 16.7 ± 4.5 mg/dL vs. B 21.8 ± 12.9 mg/dL) was not significant, while IL-6 rate (A 19.02 ± 5.3 pg/mL vs. B 30.2 ± 11.8 pg/mL) was statistically different. This study revealed that salivary IL-6 levels were significantly higher in children with active caries when compared with the caries-free group, while the s-IgA rate showed no significant differences between the two groups.

Evaluation of Mucosal Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses to HIV in External Secretions and Mucosal Tissues.

The mucosal immune systems of the genital and intestinal tracts as the most frequent sites of HIV-1 entry, display remarkable immunological differences from the systemic immune compartment which must be considered in the evaluation of humoral and cellular immune responses to HIV-1. Marked differences in the fluids from the genital and intestinal tracts and in plasma with respect to the Ig isotypes, their levels, molecular forms and distinct effector functions must be taken into consideration in the evaluation and interpretation of humoral immune responses. Because of the low levels and highly pronounced variation in Ig content, HIV-1-specific antibody concentrations should be always related to the levels of total Ig of a given isotype. This practice will avoid inevitable differences due to the small volumes of collected fluids and sample dilution during the collection and processing of samples from external secretions. Furthermore, appropriate controls and immunochemical assays should be used to complement and confirm results generated by ELISA, which is prone to false positivity. In the evaluation of antibody-mediated virus neutralization in external secretions, precautions and rigorous controls must be used to exclude the effect of innate humoral factors. The evaluation of cell-mediated immune responses in mucosal tissues is difficult due to the low yields of cells obtained from tissue biopsies or cytobrush scrapings. Furthermore, tissue biopsies of, for example rectal mucosa, provide information pertinent exclusively to this local site, which due to the differences in distribution of cells of different phenotypes, do not provide information generalized to the entire intestinal tract. Importantly, studies concerning the kinetics of cellular responses are difficult to perform due to the limited availability of samples or to the inability of obtaining frequent repeated tissue biopsies. For sampling the female genital tract parallel collection of menstrual and peripheral blood yields high numbers of cells that permit their detailed phenotypic and functional analyses. In contrast to tissue biopsies, this non-traumatic collection procedure, results in high cell yields and repeated monthly sampling permits extensive and parallel functional studies of kinetics and unique characteristics of HIV-1-specific cellular responses in the female genital tract and peripheral blood.

The impact of chronic carbohydrate manipulation on mucosal immunity in elite endurance athletes.

Carbohydrate (CHO) availability could alter mucosal immune responses to exercise. This study compared the effect of three dietary approaches to CHO availability on resting and post-exercise s-IgA levels. Elite race walkers (n = 26) adhered to a high CHO diet (HCHO), periodised CHO availability (PCHO) or a low CHO/high fat diet (LCHF) for 3 weeks while completing an intensified training program. HCHO and PCHO groups consumed 8.0-8.5 g.kg-1 CHO daily, with timing of ingestion manipulated to alter CHO availability around key training sessions. The LCHF diet comprised 80% fat and restricted CHO to < 50 g.day-1. A race walk test protocol (19 km females, 25 km males) was completed at baseline, after adaptation, and following CHO restoration. On each occasion, saliva samples were obtained pre- and post-exercise to quantify s-IgA levels. Resting s-IgA secretion rate substantially increased ~ two-fold post-intervention in all groups (HCHO: 2.2 ± 2.2, PCHO: 2.8 ± 3.2, LCHF: 1.6 ± 1.6; fold-change± 95% confidence limits), however, no substantial differences between dietary treatments were evident. Post-exercise, substantial 20-130% increases in s-IgA concentration and 43-64% reductions in flow rate occurred in all dietary treatments, with trivial differences evident between groups. It appears that high volume training overrides any effect of manipulating CHO availability on mucosal immunity in elite athletes.

Effect of Denture Base Reinforcement Using Light Cured E- Glass Fibers on the Level of Salivary Immunoglobulin A.

BACKGROUND: A gap still exists between in vitro and clinical studies concerning the biocompatibility of the material in the oral environment and their potential to cause immunological undesirable side effects. The uses of glass fibres to improve the mechanical properties of acrylic resin denture base polymers are well documented in vitro. AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of denture base reinforcement using light-cured E- glass fibres mesh on the level of salivary immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) in patients wearing complete dentures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen completely edentulous patients, in need of complete dentures, participated in the study. The patients were divided into two groups (n = 7) according to the treatment protocol. In the first group, patients received conventional heat-cured acrylic resin dentures. In the second group, the mandibular dentures were reinforced using light cured resin impregnated E glass fibres mesh. In both groups, salivary samples were collected using passive drool technique. The level IgA was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique at different time intervals. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey`s post-hoc test and independent t-test. The significant level was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Acrylic resin dentures and reinforced ones demonstrated an increase in the mean values of IgA level at the end of the follow-up intervals. And this increase was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Although, the reinforced dentures revealed higher mean values, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of the present study, the following could be concluded: (1) the insertion of complete dentures induced changes in the level of IgA; and (2) denture base reinforcement using light cured resin impregnated E-glass fibres mesh had a similar effect to that of heat cured acrylic resin on the level of IgA.

Stress and immune biomarkers interact with parenting behavior to shape anxiety symptoms in trauma-exposed youth.

The relations between stress, HPA-axis, and the immune system have been extensively studied; however, no study to date addressed the joint contribution of immune and HPA biomarkers to the development of anxiety in youth exposed to chronic trauma as mediated by mother-child interaction patterns. A unique cohort of war-exposed children and their mothers, compared to matched controls, were followed from infancy and the current study reports findings from early adolescence (mean age = 11.66, SD = 1.23; N = 111; exposed = 58 control = 53). Youth and mothers' salivary cortisol (CT) and secretory immunoglobulin (s-IgA) levels were measured three times during a 4-hour lab visit, mother-child interaction patterns were quantified from a joint task, and children's anxiety symptoms diagnosed. Trauma-exposed children had higher levels of CT and s-IgA, exhibited more anxiety symptoms, and showed lower social collaboration with mother during the joint task. Trauma-exposed mothers had higher CT and s-IgA levels and showed less supportive parenting during mother-child interaction. Structural equation modeling defined three bio-behavioral paths by which trauma increases anxiety in youth. While the first path charted a behavioral link from exposure to child anxiety via diminished maternal support, the other two paths described mediated biological paths, one through HPA-axis functioning, the other via the immune system. Paths via the child's HPA and immune system were mediated by the parallel maternal variable. Findings are the first to describe the complex bio-behavioral interplay of stress and immune biomarkers and parenting behavior in shaping to the development of risk and resilience trajectories in youth growing up amidst chronic trauma.

Estimation of Salivary Glucose, Calcium, Phosphorus, Alkaline Phosphatase, and Immunoglobulin A among Diabetic and Nondiabetic Children: A Case-Control Study.

INTRODUCTION: Saliva is vital for oral health and helps to maintain oral homeostasis. It may show qualitative and quantitative variations owing to any changes in the systemic health. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease and the individuals may be at higher risk for oral health problems. OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to estimate the levels of various salivary components among diabetic and nondiabetic children with similar caries status and also to analyze possible association between caries status and possible caries determinants in the saliva of diabetic children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 70 children in the age group of 6 to 13 years with minimal dental caries (Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth index (DMFT/dmft >1 and <5)) were selected. Group I comprised of type I diabetic children and on medication for diabetes and group II included healthy nondiabetic children. Salivary samples were collected from the participants by passive drool method and estimation of all salivary parameters was done using autoanalyzer. RESULTS: Statistical analyses were done using Student's t-test and results are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). There was a highly significant difference in mean glucose value between diabetic and nondiabetic children. Levels of salivary calcium, phosphorus, and salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) did not show any significant difference between the two groups. There was also a statistically significant difference in the alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels, which was found to be higher in diabetics. CONCLUSION: An elevation in the levels of salivary glucose and AP was evident in diabetic children, which can be a risk marker for dental caries. There was no correlation in the levels of salivary calcium, phosphorus, and s-IgA levels among diabetic and healthy children. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The salivary factors evaluated in the study may prove to be useful measures of caries experience in diabetic children.How to cite this article: Uppu K, Sahana S, Madu GP, Vasa AAK, Nalluri S, Raghavendra KJ. Estimation of Salivary Glucose, Calcium, Phosphorus, Alkaline Phosphatase, and Immunoglobulin A among Diabetic and Nondiabetic Children: A Case-Control Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2018;11(2):71-78.

Effect of acute exercise and hypoxia on markers of systemic and mucosal immunity.

PURPOSE: To determine how immune markers are affected by acute hypoxic exercise at the same relative intensity. METHODS: Twelve endurance-trained males (age: 28 ± 4 years, [Formula: see text]O2max: 63.7 ± 5.3 mL/kg/min) cycled for 75 min at 70 % of altitude-specific [Formula: see text]O2max, once in normoxia (N) and once in hypobaric hypoxia equivalent to 2000 m above sea-level (H). Blood and saliva samples were collected pre-, post- and 2 h post-exercise. RESULTS: Participants cycled at 10.5 % lower power output in H vs. N, with no significant differences in heart rate (P = 0.10) or rating of perceived exertion (P = 0.21). Post-exercise plasma cortisol was higher in H vs. N [683 (95 % CI 576-810) nmol/l vs. 549 (469-643) nmol/l, P = 0.017]. The exercise-induced decrease in CD4:CD8 ratio was greater in H vs. N (-0.5 ± 0.2 vs. -0.3 ± 0.2, P = 0.019). There were no significant between-trial differences for adrenocorticotropic hormone, plasma cytokines, antigen-stimulated cytokine production, salivary immunoglobulin-A or lactoferrin. However, there was a main trial effect for concentration [F(11) = 5.99, P < 0.032] and secretion [F(11) = 5.01, P < 0.047] of salivary lysozyme, with this being higher in N at every time-point. CONCLUSION: Whether the observed differences between H and N are of sufficient magnitude to clinically impair host defence is questionable, particularly as they are transient in nature and since other immune markers are unaffected. As such, acute hypoxic exercise likely does not pose a meaningful additional threat to immune function compared to exercise at sea level, provided that absolute workload is reduced in hypoxia so that relative exercise intensity is the same.