Characterization and application of a series of monoclonal antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid protein

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Characterization and application of a series of monoclonal antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid protein via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has a significant global social and economic impact, and the emergence of new and more destructive mutant strains highlights the need for accurate virus detection. Here, 90 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that exclusively reacted with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid protein (NP) were generated. These MAbs did not cross-react with NPs of common human coronaviruses (HCoV, i.e., 229E, OC43, HKU1, and NL63) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. Subsequently, overlapped peptides in individual fragments (N1–N4) of NP were synthesized. N1-3 (25-GSNQNGERSGARSKQ-39), N3-1 (217-AALALLLLDRLNQL-230), and N4-8 (393-TLLPAADLDDFSKQL-407) were identified as major epitopes using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and recognized by 47, 1, and 18 MAbs, respectively. The 24 remaining MAbs exhibited no reactivity with all synthetic peptides. Among MAb-epitope pairs, only MAbs targeting epitope N1-3 displayed no cross-reaction with NPs of SARS-CoV-1 and other SARS-related CoVs. All omicron variants contained a three-amino acid deletion (31ERS33) in the N1-3 region. Thus, MAbs targeting N1-3 failed to recognize these variants. Furthermore, a double-antibody sandwich ELISA for antigen detection was established using the optimal MAbs. Overall, a series of MAbs targeting SARS-CoV-2 NP was prepared, characterized with epitope mapping, and applied for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigens, and some novel B-cell epitopes of the viral NP were identified. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Triple Antibiotic Paste Composition and use in Root Canal Treatment

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Triple Antibiotic Paste Composition and use in Root Canal Treatment via Junior Dentist Triple Antibiotic Paste is a type of Intra Canal Medicament which is used in Endodontic Treatment or Root canal Treatment to kill the micro organisms in the periapical region of an infected Root Canal. Triple antibiotic Paste or (TAP) consists of three medicines - Metronidazole, Ciprofloxacin and Minocycline. This combinati on of medicines have been found to be the best regimen to eliminate root canal pathogens. The most common microorganisms found in infected Root Canals are Peptostreptococcus spp, Actinomyces, Staphylococcus Salivarius, S. Sanguis, P. Endodontalis. The micro organisms most commonly infecting Failed or Re-infected root canals are "Enterococcus Faecalis". Triple Antibiotic paste uses: It is used as an Intracanal Medicament and in Regenerative Endodontics (Pulp Capping). It has been found to be very effective against E Feacalis which is a very stubborn bacteria found in Re-infected root canals. Composition of Triple antibiotic Paste: TAP is a combination of three antibiotics - Minocycline + Ciprofloxacin + Metronidazole. A combination of three antibiotics is required as any Infection of the Root Canal consists of multiple microorganisms of different types and to treat all these bacteria any single Antibiotic is sometimes not enough. A Combination of Antibiotics usually helps in treating the diverse flora of the Root Canal. How is Triple Antibiotics Paste prepared: Hoshino et al. first proposed the combination of TPA and mentioned that the three Antibiotics - Metronidazole (500 mg) 30% + Minocycline (100mg) 30% + Ciprofloxacin (200mg) 30% + Propylene Glycol paste 10% should be mixed in a ratio of 1:1:1. These three components should have a carrier Glycol and macrogol ointment in a ratio of 1:1. The combination was later modified by making changes in the Ratios by Takushige et al. who proposed that the ratios should be Metronidazole + Minocycline + Ciprofloxacin - 3:3:1. A new Intra Canal Medicament known as MTAD was found to be useful in eliminating Enterococcus Faecalis strains  in a study published by Newberry et al. The MTAD is a combination of 3% Doxycycline, Citric Acid and a detergent polysorbate 80. MTAD should be used as an irrigation fluid inside the canals. MTAD should be used as the final irrigation rinse after using 1.3% Naocl and Saline. This has been found to remove the smear layer without altering the structure of dentinal tubules. View on Web

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A Nationwide Evaluation of Bevacizumab-based Treatments in Paediatric Low-Grade Glioma in the UK: Safety. Efficacy, Visual Morbidity and Outcomes

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader A Nationwide Evaluation of Bevacizumab-based Treatments in Paediatric Low-Grade Glioma in the UK: Safety. Efficacy, Visual Morbidity and Outcomes via Neuro-Oncology Advance Access Abstract Background Bevacizumab is increasingly used in children with Paediatric Low-Grade Glioma (PLGG) despite limited evidence. A nationwide UK service evaluation was conducted to provide larger cohort 'real life' safety and efficacy data including functional visual outcomes. Methods Children receiving Bevacizumab-based treatments (BBT) for PLGG (2009-2020) from 11 centres were included. Standardised neuro-radiological (RANO-LGG) and visual (logMAR visual acuity) criteria were used to assess clinical-radiological correlation, survival outcomes and multivariate prognostic analysis. Results Eighty-eight children with PLGG received BBT either as 3 rd line with Irinotecan (85%) or alongside 1 st/2 nd line chemotherapies (15%). Toxicity was limited and minimal. Partial response (PR, 40%), stable disease (SD, 49%), and progressive disease (PD, 11%) were seen during BBT. However, 65% progressed at 8 months (median) from BBT cessation, leading to a radiology-based 3yr-progression-free survival (PFS) of 29%. Diencephalic syndrome (p= 0.03) was associated with adverse PFS. Pre-existing visual morbidity included unilateral (25%) or bilateral (11%) blindness. Improvement (29%) or stabilisation (49%) of visual acuity were achieved, more often in patients' best eyes. Vision deteriorated during BBT in 14 (22%), with 3-year visual-PFS of 53%; more often in patients' worst eyes. A superior visual outcome (p=0.023) was seen in Neurofibromatosis type 1-associated Optic Pathway Glioma (OPG). Concordance between visual and radiological responses was 36%; optimised to 48% using only best eye responses. Conclusions BBTs provide effective short-term PLGG control and delay further progression, with a better sustained visual (best >worst eye) than radiological response. Further research could optimise the role of BBTs towards a potentially sight-saving strategy in OPG. View on Web

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The Role of Fluorescent Angiography in Free Flap Reconstruction of the Head and Neck

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader The Role of Fluorescent Angiography in Free Flap Reconstruction of the Head and Neck via The Laryngoscope A retrospective study of the use of fluorescent angiography in free flap reconstruction of the head and neck shows that although the use of this technology in every free tissue transfer is not justifiable, it can guide the clinical course in challenging scenarios. Objectives Highlight the use of fluorescent angiography in free flap reconstruction of the head and neck. Qualify how fluorescent angiography can be selectively added to management paradigms for head and neck free flap reconstruction. Methods Retrospective chart review of 993 free flaps completed from the time the SPY Elite® system first became available at our institution between September 2013, until August 2020. Cases that used the SPY Elite® system were grouped into three broad categories: evaluation during initial flap harvest while still attached to the donor site, evaluation after anastomosis in the head and neck area, and evaluation post-operatively for questionable flap viability. Results The SPY Elite® system was used in 64 cases. Forty flaps were evaluated intraoperatively during initial harvest and before anastomosis to the head and neck area. Of these, 20 had signs of poor perfusion of the entire skin paddle, 12 had large myogenous or skin flaps with questionable perfusion of the distal aspect, and 8 were evaluated for other reasons. In this group the use of SPY Elite® changed the management of the patient in 20 cases (50%). Ten flaps were evaluated intraoperatively after anastomosis to the head and neck to ascertain adequate flow to the entire flap. In this group management was changed in two (20%). Fourteen flaps were evaluated 3–5 days post operatively due to suspected failure of a component. In five cases (36%), the use of SPY Elite® determined management with either trimming or discarding the flap. Conclusion Assessment of flap perfusion via fluorescent angiography during initial flap harvest or when flap compromise is suspected post-operatively can guide decision making in free flap reconstruction of the head and neck and can be added to existing planning and management paradigms. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Effects of calcium hydroxide intracanal medicament on push‐out bond strength of endodontic sealers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Effects of calcium hydroxide intracanal medicament on push‐out bond strength of endodontic sealers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis via Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry Abstract Objective To investigate the effect of calcium hydroxide intracanal medicament on the push-out bond strength of resin-based and calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers. Methods A comprehensive search of was conducted for all relevant in-vitro studies. All randomized controlled in-vitro studies that evaluated the effect of calcium hydroxide on the push-out bond strength of resin-based or calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers were assessed. The variables of interest were extracted, and the risk of the included studies was evaluated. The standardized mean difference was calculated and the significance level was set at p value <0.05. Results A total of 26 studies were eligible for analysis. There were 45 independent comparison groups and 1009 recruited teeth. The pooled data showed no significant difference in push-out bond strength between calcium hydroxide and control group in the resin-based group (SMD = 0.03; 95% CI = −0.55, 0.60; p = 0.93), and calcium silicate-based group (SMD = 0.02; 95% CI = −0.31, 0.35; p = 0.90). Most of the studies (21 out of 26) were at medium risk of bias and five studies showed a low risk of bias. Conclusion The available evidence suggests that calcium hydroxide used as intracanal medication does not influence the push-out bond strength of the resin- and calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers. Clinical significance The results of this meta-analysis suggest that calcium hydroxide used as intracanal medication does not influence the push-out bond strength of resin-based and calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers. View on Web

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HBV REPLICATION DURING TENOFOVIR THERAPY IS FREQUENT IN HIV/HBV-COINFECTION

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader HBV REPLICATION DURING TENOFOVIR THERAPY IS FREQUENT IN HIV/HBV-COINFECTION via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access ABSTRACT In the Swiss HIV Cohort Study, 61/222 (27%) HIV-suppressed persons with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection had HBV replication after two years on tenofovir, of whom 77% were suppressed thereafter. Self-reported adherence to therapy and HBV viral load at tenofovir initiation were predictors of persistent replication. View on Web

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