Role of oleic acid in immune system; mechanism of action; a review

INTRODUCTION

Although n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been widely described as anti-inflammatory fats, little is known about the role of oleic acid in immune system.

AIM

The aim of the present review is to join all the reports available in order to analyze where exactly the knowledge concerning this topic is and what the causes of the controversial data could be.

METHODS

We searched electronic databases and bibliographies of selected articles were inspected for further reference.

RESULTS

Diets rich in oleic acid have beneficial effects in inflammatory-related diseases. In addition, a wide range of studies evaluate the effect of oleic acid in different cellular functions thus reporting a potential mechanism for the biological effect of such a fat. However, some controversial data can be found in literature, maybe related to the kind of study or even the dose of the reagent added.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, oleic acid could be reported as an anti-inflammatory fatty acid playing a role in the activation of different pathways of immune competent cells.

Virus and Antibody Diagnostics for Swine Samples of the Dominican Republic Collected in Regions Near the Border to Haiti

The Dominican Republic (DR) and Haiti share the island of Hispaniola, and reportable transboundary animal diseases have been introduced between the two countries historically. Outbreaks of severe teschovirus encephalomyelitis in pigs began occurring in Haiti in February 2009, and a field and laboratort study in April 2010 indicated that the teschovirus disease is prevalent in many regions in Haiti including areas near the border with DR and that other viral disease agents, including CSF virus (CSFV), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and swine influenza virus (SIV), are present in the swine population in these regions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the introduction of teschovirus encephalomyelitis from Haiti to DR and to identify the other viral disease agents present in the swine population in regions of DR near the border with Haiti. Six of 7 brains and 6 of 7 spinal cords collected from pigs with central nervous system (CNS) signs were positive in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for PTV. Genome sequencing on the Dominican PTV and phylogenetic analysis on the polyprotein of PTV strains indicate that the sequence of the Dominican PTV is 99.1% identical to the Haitian isolate and closely related to other PTV-1 strains in the world. Among 109 serum samples tested, 65 (59.6%) were positive for antibodies to PCV-2, and 51 (46.8%) were positive for antibodies to CSFV. Fifty-four of the 109 serum samples were tested for antibodies to other agents. Among the 54 samples, 20 (37.0%) were seropositive to PTV-1, 17 (31.5%) tested seropositive to SIV H3N2, 12 (22.2%) were seropositive to SIV H1N1, and 1 (1.9%) was seropositive to PRRSV.

Epidemiological analysis, serological prevalence and genotypic analysis of foot-and-mouth disease in Nigeria 2008-2009

The epidemiological situation of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is uncertain in Nigeria, where the disease is endemic, and the majority of outbreaks are unreported. Control measures for FMD in Nigeria are not being implemented due to the absence of locally produced vaccines and an official ban on vaccine importation. This study summarizes the findings of a 3-year study aimed at quantifying the seroprevalence of FMD, its distribution in susceptible species and the genetic diversity of FMDV isolated from the Plateau State of Nigeria. A 29% FMD prevalence was estimated using 3ABC enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (3ABC ELISA). Farms with suspected FMD nearby, with contact with wildlife, that used drugs or FMD vaccines or with >100 animals, and animals of large ruminant species and in pastures other than nomadic grazing were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with FMD. Antibodies against five FMDV serotypes, (A, O, SAT1, SAT2 and SAT3) were detected by the virus neutralization test (VNT) at various titres (<100->800) from all tested sera from most parts of the region. This is probably the first report of the presence of FMDV SAT3 in Nigeria. Further studies to investigate the potential probable presence and prevalence of SAT 3 virus in Nigeria are required. Tissue samples collected from clinical animals were positive for FMDV. Virus isolates were sequenced and confirmed as serotype A. All of the isolates showed marked genetic homogeneity with >99% genetic identity in the VP1 region and were most closely related to a previously described virus collected from Cameroon in 2000. This study provides knowledge on the epidemiological situation of FMD in Plateau State, Nigeria, and will probably help to develop effective control and preventive strategies for the disease in Nigeria and other countries in the West African subregion.

A retrospective comparison of 1,022 implants: immediate versus nonimmediate

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the survival of implants placed in mature bone with the survival of implants placed in fresh extraction sockets in the same patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of patients treated simultaneously with at least one immediate and one nonimmediate implant was carried out for the period 2005 to 2008. Data were recorded for patient age and sex; implant length, diameter, and position; and, for postextraction implants, distance between the implant and the alveolar bone.

RESULTS

One thousand twenty-two implants were placed in 150 patients; 480 were placed immediately and 542 were placed in mature bone. The mean implant survival rate was 93.4%; survival rates were 93.8% for immediate implants and 93.2% for nonimmediate implants. The failure rate in the maxilla was 5.2% and in the mandible it was 2.8%. The failure rate for immediate implants in the posterior maxilla was 8.5%, which was statistically significantly higher than for implants placed elsewhere. Of the failed implants, 72% were early failures.

CONCLUSIONS

The survival rate of implants placed in fresh extraction sockets was similar to that of implants placed in mature bone. A statistically significantly higher failure rate was seen with immediate implants placed in the posterior maxilla.

Oleic acid versus linoleic and α-linolenic acid. different effects on Ca2+ signaling in rat thymocytes

BACKGROUND

Oleic acid is the principal fatty acid of olive oil composition and is reported to play a crucial role in its healthy aspects. However, the detailed mechanism of action is poorly understood.

AIMS

This study aims to elucidate the role of oleic acid in calcium signaling in rat thymocytes, in comparison to linoleic and linolenic acid.

METHODS

Fatty acids were applied to thymocytes isolated from wistar rats and loaded with Fura-2 to measure calcium signals.

RESULTS

The main results showed a concentration-dependent increase in [Ca(2+)](i) induced by the 3 fatty acids. Raising the number of unsaturations resulted in greater increases. Two different pathways contributed to the increase induced by the polyunsaturated fatty acids: an IP(3)- independent release from the thapsigargin-sensitive stores and an extracellular calcium entry by econazole and nifedipine-insensitive channels. However, the OA-induced increases in [Ca(2+)](i) seemed to be due mostly to the Ca(2+) recruited from the intracellular stores.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that the fatty acids tested induce increases in [Ca(2+)](i) in rat thymocytes, with differences in close relation to the degree of unsaturation. Such differences could be responsible for their different physiological action.

Pathogenicity and molecular characterization of emerging porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in Vietnam in 2007

In 2007, Vietnam experienced swine disease outbreaks causing clinical signs similar to the 'porcine high fever disease' that occurred in China during 2006. Analysis of diagnostic samples from the disease outbreaks in Vietnam identified porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2). Additionally, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus were cultured from lung and spleen, and Streptococcus suis from one spleen sample. Genetic characterization of the Vietnamese PRRSV isolates revealed that this virus belongs to the North American genotype (type 2) with a high nucleotide identity to the recently reported Chinese strains. Amino acid sequence in the nsp2 region revealed 95.7-99.4% identity to Chinese strain HUN4, 68-69% identity to strain VR-2332 and 58-59% identity to strain MN184. A partial deletion in the nsp2 gene was detected; however, this deletion did not appear to enhance the virus pathogenicity in the inoculated pigs. Animal inoculation studies were conducted to determine the pathogenicity of PRRSV and to identify other possible agents present in the original specimens. Pigs inoculated with PRRSV alone and their contacts showed persistent fever, and two of five pigs developed cough, neurological signs and swollen joints. Necropsy examination showed mild to moderate bronchopneumonia, enlarged lymph nodes, fibrinous pericarditis and polyarthritis. PRRSV was re-isolated from blood and tissues of the inoculated and contact pigs. Pigs inoculated with lung and spleen tissue homogenates from sick pigs from Vietnam developed high fever, septicaemia, and died acutely within 72 h, while their contact pigs showed no clinical signs throughout the experiment. Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus was cultured, and PRRSV was re-isolated only from the inoculated pigs. Results suggest that the cause of the swine deaths in Vietnam is a multifactorial syndrome with PRRSV as a major factor.

Maximum use of the anterior maxillary buttress in severe maxillary atrophy with tilted, palatally positioned implants: a preliminary study

PURPOSE

To evaluate an alternative treatment for rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla with palatal and tilted implants and to assess patient satisfaction with the results.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective case study was made of completely edentulous subjects with tilted, palatally positioned implants in the anterior maxillary buttress placed and loaded between January 2005 and January 2007. Patients with severely resorbed edentulous maxillae (Class V according to Cawood and Howell) who requested overdentures and were followed for 12 months after implant loading were included. Mesial and distal implant bone loss was measured on panoramic radiographs. Subjects indicated satisfaction with the new prosthesis after 12 months on a visual analog scale.

RESULTS

Twelve patients treated with tilted and palatal implants in the anterior maxillary buttress were included in the study; 48 implants were placed (4 implants in each patient) to support 12 overdentures with bars. One implant failed, resulting in a survival rate of 97.9%. The mean peri-implant bone loss of implants with palatal anchorage after 1 year of loading was 0.78 ± 0.5 mm. All patients had stable prostheses at the end of the observation period. Patients were satisfied with comfort and stability, ability to speak, ease of cleaning, esthetics, and function of the prosthesis.

CONCLUSION

Placement of implants slightly to the palatal and tilted in the anterior maxillary buttress to support an overdenture with bars may be a viable treatment alternative for the rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla, providing a high level of satisfaction with the prosthesis and reducing patient morbidity and costs.

Immunohistochemical study of Langerhans cells in periapical lesions: correlation with inflammatory cell infiltration and epithelial cell proliferation

AIM

The aim of this study is to determine the presence and distribution of Langerhans cells in periapical lesions, and correlate this with inflammatory cell infiltration and epithelial cell proliferation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seventy chronic dental periradicular lesions, obtained during periapical surgery from 70 patients, were included in this study, including: 46 granulomas, 18 scar tissue and 6 periradicular cysts. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using the following markers: CD3 to analyze the inflammatory infiltrate, CD1a to determine the presence of Langerhans cells and Ki67 to analyze the epithelial cell proliferation. The CD1a immunostaining density was established following Cincura (2007) criteria, being classified ranging from intense (3), moderate (2), discrete (1) or no (0) immunostaining. CD3 and Ki67 staining was evaluated following the Liapatas et al. scale, as: 0) no cells stained; 1) weak stain or few cells stained (11-25%); 2) moderate staining or some cells stained (26-75%); 3) intense staining or many cells stained (more than 76%).

RESULTS

Langerhans cells were found in 32.8% of the periapical lesions being more intense in the epithelialized lesions. CD3 immunohistochemical staining was found in all lesions, but with different values in relation to histological subtypes. Ki67 was positive in all epithelialized lesions, although with a moderate staining.

CONCLUSIONS

Langerhans cells appeared to be associated with T-lymphocyte infiltration and the proliferative potential of the epithelial tissue in periapical lesions.

Dental implants placed simultaneously with bone grafts in horizontal defects: a clinical retrospective study with 37 patients

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the 1-year success rate and marginal bone loss for dental implants placed simultaneously with bone grafts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study sample comprised 37 patients treated with dental implants placed simultaneous with intraoral block bone grafts. The block grafts were harvested from the chin, retromolar area, or maxillary tuberosity. Complications with the bone grafts were categorized as minor or major and, for the graft success rate, the Barone and Covani criteria were used. The definition of implant success was based on the clinical and radiographic criteria of Albrektsson et al. Peri-implant bone loss was measured after 1 year of prosthetic loading.

RESULTS

The study involved 39 bone grafts (17 maxillary and 22 mandibular) and 129 implants (73 implants in grafted areas) in 37 patients. No complications were observed at the donor sites. A part of the onlay bone graft was exposed in eight sites; six sites showed spontaneous reepithelialization following chlorhexidine application, but two grafts became infected and had to be removed. Three implants were lost in the grafted areas; the success rate for implants with simultaneous bone grafting was therefore 95.9%. No complications were found at 12 months after prosthesis placement. The mean overall bone loss after 1 year of loading was 0.64 mm.

CONCLUSION

In patients meeting the inclusion criteria, simultaneous placement of bone grafts and implants shortens treatment time without increasing complications or reducing the success rate.

The nasopalatine canal as an anatomic buttress for implant placement in the severely atrophic maxilla: a pilot study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to present an alternative treatment concept for the rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla that used the nasopalatine canal as an anatomic buttress for dental implant insertion and to assess patient satisfaction with this treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The inclusion criterion for the study consisted of the presence of severe resorption of the edentulous maxilla (Class V according to the Cawood and Howell classification). In each patient, one implant was positioned in the nasopalatine canal. Additional implants were also placed in the remaining maxillary bone. The patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years after prosthesis connection. Satisfaction with the prosthesis was evaluated after 12 months using a visual analog scale.

RESULTS

Seven patients with severely resorbed edentulous maxillae received a total of seven implants in the nasopalatine buttress and 29 implants posterior to this structure. One of the seven implants in the nasopalatine canal was lost during the osseointegration phase. All patients had stable prostheses at the end of the observation period. Patients were satisfied with comfort and stability, ability to speak, ease of cleaning, and esthetics and function of the prosthesis. Five patients experienced minor sensory alterations during the first weeks after surgery. At the final examination, which took place after a mean of 5 years (range, 3 to 7 years), all patients expressed the presence of normal sensation.

CONCLUSIONS

It appears that implants in the nasopalatine canal may be a viable treatment approach for the rehabilitation of the severely atrophied maxilla. Patients were satisfied with a prosthesis supported by implants in the nasopalatine canal.

Retrospective study of 68 implants placed in the pterygomaxillary region using drills and osteotomes

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the success rate of implants placed in the pterygomaxillary region using drills and osteotomes with a minimum of 12 months' follow-up. Bone loss after 1 year of loading and patient satisfaction with the prosthesis were evaluated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective case study was made. The sample was composed of patients rehabilitated with pterygoid implants between January 2000 and January 2006. The inclusion criteria were patients in good general health with severe atrophy of the posterior maxilla who had been rehabilitated with one or two pterygoid implants inserted using drills and osteotomes and had been followed for 12 months after implant loading. Implant success was defined according to the criteria of Albrektsson et al. Bone loss was measured on panoramic radiographs on the mesial and distal of each implant, and the largest value (whether mesial or distal) was selected as the bone loss for the implant in question. Subjects indicated satisfaction with the new prosthesis on a visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients were treated with 268 implants (200 anterior and 68 pterygoid). The success rate of pterygoid implants was 97.05%. The mean bone loss around implants in the pterygomaxillary region after 1 year of loading was 0.71 mm (range, 0 to 3.20). All prostheses were stable at the end of the observation period. Patients were satisfied with comfort and stability, ability to speak, ease of cleaning, and esthetics and functionality of the prosthesis.

CONCLUSION

Placement of implants in the posterior pterygomaxillary region using drills and osteotomes is a viable alternative treatment modality for rehabilitation of atrophic posterior maxilla. Patients were satisfied with a prosthesis supported by pterygoid implants.

Palatal positioning of implants in severely resorbed edentulous maxillae

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate implant-supported restorations supported by palatally positioned implants as an alternative treatment for rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla and to assess the satisfaction of patients with the results.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective case study was conducted on completely edentulous subjects who received palatally positioned implants (placed and loaded) between January 2000 and January 2004. Inclusion criteria were patients with severely resorbed edentulous maxillae (Class IV or V maxillary atrophy, according to the Cawood and Howell classification) who requested implant-supported restorations and had a follow-up period of at least 24 months after implant loading. Panoramic radiographs and maxillary computerized tomograms had been made for all patients prior to treatment. Mesial and distal implant bone loss was measured on panoramic radiographs, and the largest value was designated as the bone loss for the implant in question. Subjects indicated their degree of satisfaction with the new prosthesis after 12 months on a visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine patients with severely resorbed edentulous maxillae were included in the study. Four hundred and ninety implants (six to eight in each patient) were placed to support 69 fixed prostheses; 330 were in palatal positions and 160 were in molar positions (84 over the crest in the first molar position and 76 in anatomic buttresses). The success rate of palatally positioned implants was 97.8% (323/330). The mean bone loss of implants with palatal anchorage after 2 years of loading was 0.61 mm (range, 0 to 3.10 mm). All patients had stable prostheses at the end of the observation period. Patients were satisfied with comfort and stability, ability to speak, ease of cleaning, esthetics, and function of the prosthesis.

CONCLUSION

Implants placed in a palatal position may be a viable alternative for rehabilitation of the atrophied maxilla.

Level of satisfaction in patients with maxillary full-arch fixed prostheses: zygomatic versus conventional implants

PURPOSE

To evaluate the satisfaction of patients with maxillary fixed prostheses supported by conventional and/or zygomatic implants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients restored with complete maxillary implant-supported fixed prostheses were included in the study. They were divided into 2 groups: those with at least 1 zygomatic implant (the zygomatic group) and those with no zygomatic implants (the nonzygomatic group). Twelve months after prosthesis delivery, subjects indicated their satisfaction with the new prosthesis on a visual analog scale. Prostheses were rated in terms of general satisfaction, comfort and stability, ability to speak, easy of cleaning, esthetics, self-esteem, and functionality.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients participated in the study (23 in each group). The mean level of satisfaction was high; the groups differed significantly only in satisfaction with esthetics. Patients in the zygomatic group had a higher average score for esthetics than those in the nonzygomatic group. Those who had previously worn conventional removable prostheses gave a higher score for functionality to the implant-supported fixed prosthesis compared to the removable prosthesis.

CONCLUSION

Patient satisfaction with zygomatic implant-supported fixed prostheses was similar to that for fixed prostheses supported by conventional implants.

Genetic and phenotypic variation of foot-and-mouth disease virus during serial passages in a natural host

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), like other RNA viruses, exhibits high mutation rates during replication that have been suggested to be of adaptive value. However, even though genetic variation in RNA viruses and, more specifically, FMDV has been extensively examined during virus replication in a wide variety of in vitro cell cultures, very little is known regarding the generation and effects of genetic variability of virus replication in the natural host under experimental conditions and no genetic data are available regarding the effects of serial passage in natural hosts. Here, we present the results of 20 serial contact transmissions of the highly pathogenic, pig-adapted O Taiwan 97 (O Tw97) isolate of FMDV in swine. We examined the virus genomic consensus sequences for a total of 37 full-length viral genomes recovered from 20 in vivo passages. The characteristics and distributions of changes in the sequences during the series of pig infections were analyzed in comparison to the O Tw97 genomes recovered from serially infected BHK-21 cell cultures. Unexpectedly, a significant reduction of virulence upon pig passages was observed, and finally, interruption of the viral transmission chain occurred after the14th pig passage (T14). Virus was, however, isolated from the tonsils and nasal swabs of the asymptomatic T15 pigs at 26 days postcontact, consistent with a natural establishment of the carrier state previously described only for ruminants. Surprisingly, the region encoding the capsid protein VP1 (1D) did not show amino acid changes during in vivo passages. These data demonstrate that contact transmission of FMDV O Tw97 in pigs mimics the fitness loss induced by the bottleneck effect, which was previously observed by others during plaque-to-plaque FMDV passage in vitro, suggesting that unknown mechanisms of virulence recovery might be necessary during the evolution and perpetuation of FMDV in nature.

Mutations in the carboxyl terminal region of E2 glycoprotein of classical swine fever virus are responsible for viral attenuation in swine

We have previously reported [Risatti, G.R., Borca, M.V., Kutish, G.F., Lu, Z., Holinka, L.G., French, R.A., Tulman, E.R., Rock, D.L. 2005a. The E2 glycoprotein of classical swine fever virus is a virulence determinant in swine. J. Virol. 79, 3787-3796] that chimeric virus 319.1v containing the E2 glycoprotein gene from Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV) vaccine strain CS with the genetic background of highly virulent CSFV strain Brescia (BICv) was markedly attenuated in pigs. To identify the amino acids mediating 319.1v attenuation a series of chimeric viruses containing CS E2 residues in the context of the Brescia strain were constructed. Chimera 357v, containing CS E2 residues 691 to 881 of CSFV polyprotein was virulent, while chimera 358v, containing CS E2 residues 882 to 1064, differing in thirteen amino acids from BICv, was attenuated in swine. Single or double substitutions of those amino acids in BICv E2 to CS E2 residues did not affect virulence. Groups of amino acids were then substituted in BICv E2 to CS E2 residues. Mutant 32v, with six substitutions between residues 975 and 1059, and mutant 33v, with six substitutions between 955 and 994, induced disease indistinguishable from BICv. Mutant 31v, with seven substitutions between residues 882 and 958, induced a delayed onset of lethal disease. Amino acids abrogating BICv virulence were then determined by progressively introducing six CS residues into 31v. Mutant 39v, containing nine residue substitutions, was virulent. Mutant 40v, containing ten residue substitutions, induced mild disease. Mutant 42v, containing twelve substitutions, and mutant 43v, with an amino acid composition identical to 358v, were attenuated in swine indicating that all substitutions were necessary for attenuation of the highly virulent strain Brescia. Importantly, 358v protected swine from challenge with virulent BICv at 3 and 28 days post-infection.