PURPOSE: . This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of implants’ two different diameters and cantilever lengths on the marginal bone loss and stability of mplants supporting maxillary prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: . Ninety-six implants were placed in sixteen completely edentulous maxillary ridges. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group A, implants were placed with a cantilever to anterior-posterior AP spread length (CL:AP) at a ratio of 1:3; Group B, implants were placed with a CL:AP at a ratio of 1:2. Patients were further divided into four sub-groups: Groups A1, A2, B1, and B2. Groups A1 and B1 received small diameter implants while Groups A2 and B2 received standard diameter implants. Bone height and stability measurements around each implant were performed at 0, 4, 8 and 24 months after definitive prostheses delivery. RESULTS: . Statistical analysis of the mean implant stability and height values revealed an insignificant difference between Group A1 and Group A2 at all the different time intervals while significantly higher values in Group B1 in comparison with Group B2. Results also showed significantly higher values in Group A1 in comparison with Group B1 and an insignificant difference between Group A2 and Group B2 at all the different time intervals. CONCLUSION . It can be concluded that the use of small diameter implants placed with a CL:AP at a ratio of 1:3 provided predictable results and that the 1:2 CL:AP significantly induced more critical bone loss in the small diameter implants group, which can significantly reduce long term success and survival of implants [J Adv Prosthodont 2023;15:101-13]

This study was conducted to underscore the spatial distribution of some biologically active proteins within the epididymal duct in the dromedary camel. Paraffin-embedded sections from different regions of epididymis were stained by conventional histological techniques and by immunohistochemistry. A battery of primary antibodies against six proteins (S100, alpha smooth muscle actin [alpha-SMA], connexin-43 [Cx43], galactosyltransferase [GalTase], angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE], and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) were used. The epididymal epithelium consisted of five cell populations: principal, basal, apical, dark, and halo cells. The histochemical findings indicated the absence of binding sites for VEGF and Cx43. The principal cells (PCs) showed variable immunoreactivity (IR) for ACE, S100, and GalTase throughout the whole length of the duct. The apical surfaces of most PCs (at the caput) and some PCs (at the corpus) exhibited intense ACE-IR, whereas those at the cauda displayed alternating negative and strong immunostaining. Similarly, moderate S100-IR was found in cytoplasm and nuclei of all PCs at the caput, few PCs at the corpus, and several PCs alternating with negative PCs at the cauda. In contrast, only some PCs showed weak to strong GalTase-IR in different regions. Apart from negative to weak positive S100-IR, basal cells failed to show IR for all other proteins. Apical cells displayed strong IR for ACE, S100, and GalTase with some regional differences. The peritubular and vascular smooth muscle cells revealed strong alpha-SMA-IR in all regions. In conclusion, the spatial distribution of different proteins in camel epididymis showed similarities and differences to other mammalian species. The region-specific topographic distribution of different proteins and cell types might indicate that the caput and cauda are metabolically more active than that of the corpus.
Actins ; Antibodies ; Binding Sites ; Camels ; Connexin 43 ; Cytoplasm ; Epididymis ; Epithelium ; Histological Techniques ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Proteins ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Background: Some situations compel anesthetists to execute endotracheal intubation in the lateral position. We compared elective endotracheal intubation in the lateral decubitus position using the video stylet (VS) device with the fiberoptic (FO) bronchoscope device in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Methods: Overall, 50 patients were enrolled in this prospective, randomized study. They were randomly classified into the VS intubation or FO intubating bronchoscope group. After anesthesia induction, patients were placed in the lateral decubitus position, and a single investigator well-versed with the use of the VS and FO bronchoscope performed the intubation. The primary outcome was the time taken for intubation. Secondary outcomes included the intubation success rate, hemodynamic response at specific time points and perioperative complications. Results: The average time taken for intubation was significantly lesser in the VS group than in the FO group, with values of 39.5 ± 10.0 and 75.6 ± 16.2 s, respectively (P < 0.001). Incidences of a successful first attempt of intubation in the VS and FO groups were 88% and 100%, respectively, showing no significant difference. There was a negligible difference in complications between the groups, except sore throat, which showed a higher incidence in the VS group than in the FO group (P = 0.002). Conclusions In laterally positioned patients, elective endotracheal intubation with VS provides less intubation time; however, its use is accompanied by a significant increase in the hemodynamic response after intubation and an increased incidence of sore throat.

Background: Some situations compel anesthetists to execute endotracheal intubation in the lateral position. We compared elective endotracheal intubation in the lateral decubitus position using the video stylet (VS) device with the fiberoptic (FO) bronchoscope device in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Methods: Overall, 50 patients were enrolled in this prospective, randomized study. They were randomly classified into the VS intubation or FO intubating bronchoscope group. After anesthesia induction, patients were placed in the lateral decubitus position, and a single investigator well-versed with the use of the VS and FO bronchoscope performed the intubation. The primary outcome was the time taken for intubation. Secondary outcomes included the intubation success rate, hemodynamic response at specific time points and perioperative complications. Results: The average time taken for intubation was significantly lesser in the VS group than in the FO group, with values of 39.5 ± 10.0 and 75.6 ± 16.2 s, respectively (P < 0.001). Incidences of a successful first attempt of intubation in the VS and FO groups were 88% and 100%, respectively, showing no significant difference. There was a negligible difference in complications between the groups, except sore throat, which showed a higher incidence in the VS group than in the FO group (P = 0.002). Conclusions In laterally positioned patients, elective endotracheal intubation with VS provides less intubation time; however, its use is accompanied by a significant increase in the hemodynamic response after intubation and an increased incidence of sore throat.

Objective: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare pathology with life threatening consequences, most of these fatal complications are due to raised intracranial pressure due to venous infarction and cerebral swelling, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of decompressive craniectomy for favorable outcome. Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical, radiological and surgical data of patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy for CVT in a tertiary referral hospital between the years 2016 through 2020. Results: The study included 7 patients, female predominance was noted (5/7), mean age was 18.14 years. Mean Glasgow coma score (GCS) at surgery was 8.26, good clinical outcome was achieved for the majority of cases 71.4%, and one case of mortality 14.28%. Conclusions Decompressive craniectomy is a life saving procedure for patients with severe brain swelling as a sequela of CVT, majority of patients (71.4%) showed favorable functional outcome by 6 months postoperatively.

Objective: This study investigated the relationship of fetuin-A with coronary calcification, carotid atherosclerosis, and mortality risk in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: The study included 135 adult patients with CKD at stages 3–5, who were divided into coronary artery calcification (CAC) and non-CAC groups. We excluded current smokers and individuals with diabetes mellitus, inflammatory conditions, liver diseases, acute kidney failure, chronic hemodialysis, and cancer. We conducted kidney function tests, complete blood counts, and measured serum levels of fetuin-A, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Cardiac spiral computed tomography was used to calculate the CAC score, employing the Agatston method. Carotid ultrasonography was performed to assess carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and to detect the presence of plaques. Results: CAC patients had considerably higher levels of TNF-α (p<0.001), IL-6 (p<0.001), hs-CRP (p=0.006), TC, TG, parathyroid hormone (PTH) (p<0.001) and phosphorus (p<0.001) than non-CAC patients. They also had significantly lower levels of fetuin-A (p<0.001). Fetuin-A was considerably lower in CKD subgroups as CKD progressed. Fetuin-A (p=0.046), age (p=0.009), TNF-α (p=0.027), IL-6 (p=0.005), TG (p=0.002), PTH (p=0.002), and phosphorus (p=0.004) were significant predictors of CAC. CAC and fetuin-A were strong predictors of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Fetuin-A was a significant predictor of CIMT (p=0.045). Conclusion Fetuin-A reliably predicted CAC and CIMT. Fetuin-A and CAC emerged as significant risk factors for all-cause and CV mortality in non-dialysis CKD.

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) comprises the normal flora of the female urogenital tract and can be transferred to neonates during delivery, causing invasive diseases.This study was performed to investigate the colonization rate, antibiotic susceptibility, and serotype of GBS among Saudi pregnant women. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, vagino-rectal swabs from 400 pregnant women were collected over a period of one year. Identification of GBS isolates and determination of their antibiotic susceptibility were performed using the Microscan Walk Away system. The isolates were then typed using both latex agglutination and capsular genebased multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays. Results: Sixty (15.0%) subjects were colonized by GBS, with serotype Ia as the dominant type (30.0%) followed by serotype III and V (25.0%, each). Only 43 (71.7%) isolates were typed by latex agglutination, whereas the remaining isolates were not typable or were non-specifically typed as compared to the genotyping assay, which revealed the specific type of each GBS isolate. The highest resistance rates were observed for erythromycin and clindamycin (16.7%, each), which were mainly restricted to the prevalent serotypes. Conclusion This study is the first to report the distribution of GBS serotypes based on molecular genotyping in Saudi Arabia. GBS colonization was evident among pregnant women, and resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was predominant among serotypes Ia, III, and V. Molecular genotyping using capsular gene-based multiplex PCR provided reliable typing of the investigated GBS isolates in terms of sensitivity and specificity as compared to conventional serotyping using latex agglutination.

The present study was conducted to identify new target immunogenic molecules from the larval stage of the cattle tick, Boophilus annulatus (Acari: Ixodidae). Two specific larval glycoproteins (GLPs) were isolated by two-step affinity chromatography. The larval immunogens were first purified with CNBr-Sepharose coupled to rabbit anti-larval immunoglobulins, and the glycoproteins were then purified with Con-A Sepharose. These glycoproteins have molecular weights of approximately 32 and 15 kDa with isoelectric points between 6.8 and 7.2. Antibodies against the two GLPs, labeled I and II, were detected in the anti-whole tick, -whole larval, and -gut antigens through immunoblot analysis. These results suggest that these GLPs are good immunogens and can be useful in the vaccination of cattle against tick infestation.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/immunology/*parasitology/prevention & control ; Chromatography, Affinity ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Glycoproteins/immunology/*isolation & purification ; Immunoblotting ; Isoelectric Focusing ; Ixodidae/chemistry/*immunology ; Male ; Molecular Weight ; Rabbits ; Sequence Analysis, Protein ; Tick Infestations/immunology/parasitology/prevention & control/*veterinary

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of fructose-1,6-bis phosphate aldolase (SMALDO) DNA vaccination against Schistosoma mansoni infection using different routes of injection. The SMALDO has been cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1/V5-His TOPO-TA and was used in injecting Swiss albino mice intramuscularly (IM), subcutaneously (SC), or intraperitoneally (IP) (50 microg/mouse). Mice vaccinated with non-recombinant pcDNA3.1 served as controls. Each group was immunized 4 times at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 6. Two weeks after the last booster dose, all mice groups were infected with 80 S. mansoni cercariae via tail immersion. At week 8 post-infection, animals were sacrificed for assessment of parasitological and histopathological parameters. High anti-SMALDO IgG antibody titers were detected in sera of all vaccinated groups (P<0.01) compared to the control group. Both the IP and SC vaccination routes resulted in a significant reduction in worm burden (46.2% and 28.9%, respectively, P<0.01). This was accompanied by a significant reduction in hepatic and intestinal egg counts (41.7% and 40.2%, respectively, P<0.01) in the IP group only. The number of dead eggs was significantly increased in both IP and IM groups (P<0.01). IP vaccination recorded the highest significant reduction in granuloma number and diameter (54.7% and 29.2%, respectively, P<0.01) and significant increase in dead miracidia (P<0.01). In conclusion, changing the injection route of SMALDO DNA vaccination significantly influenced the efficacy of vaccination. SMALDO DNA vaccination via IP route could be a promising protective and anti-pathology vaccine candidate against S. mansoni infection.
Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth/blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase/genetics/*immunology ; Histocytochemistry ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Mice ; Parasite Load ; Schistosoma mansoni/enzymology/genetics/*immunology ; Schistosomiasis mansoni/immunology/parasitology/pathology/*prevention & control ; Vaccination/methods ; Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage/genetics/*immunology ; Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage/genetics/immunology

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common papulosquamous skin disease in which an infective agent may be implicated. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in immune responses and in the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases. Our aim was to determine the possible roles of TLRs 3, 7, 8, and 9 in the pathogenesis of PR. METHODS: Twenty-four PR patients and 24 healthy individuals (as controls) were included in this case control study. All recruits were subjected to routine laboratory investigations. Biopsies were obtained from one active PR lesion and from healthy skin of controls for the detection of TLR 3, 7, 8, and 9 gene expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: This study included 24 patients (8 females and 16 males) with active PR lesions, with a mean age of 28.62 years. Twenty four healthy age- and sex-matched individuals were included as controls (8 females and 16 males, with a mean age of 30.83 years). The results of the routine laboratory tests revealed no significant differences between both groups. Significantly elevated expression of all studied TLRs were detected in PR patients relative to healthy controls (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: TLRs 3, 7, 8, and 9 might be involved in the pathogenesis of PR.