A 3D-Printable, Low-Cost Obturator for Less Invasive Gynecologic Brachytherapy.

The purpose of this report is to design, develop, and evaluate a cost-effective applicator for interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT) to minimize patient morbidity and facilitate access to curative radiation treatment for gynecologic cancers, especially in low-resource settings. A computer-aided design and prototype were developed of a proposed applicator that incorporates 44 slotted channels to gently guide needles, with or without a tandem, through the vaginal canal, effectively eliminating the need for transcutaneous needle insertions typically employed during ISBT of advanced gynecologic cancer and thus reducing the risk of vaginal laceration and bladder or rectal injury. The tested prototype was developed using AutoCAD software (Autodesk, San Francisco, CA) and 3D printed in Accura Xtreme Gray material using stereolithography.

A conserved epitope in VAR2CSA is targeted by a cross-reactive antibody originating from Duffy binding protein.

During infection in pregnancy, VAR2CSA is expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes (IEs) and mediates their sequestration in the placenta. As a result, antibodies to VAR2CSA are largely restricted to women who were infected during pregnancy. However, we discovered that VAR2CSA antibodies can also be elicited by Duffy binding protein (PvDBP).

Effect of 0.2% carbomer ophthalmic ointment on eye discomfort after general anesthesia: A non-randomized cohort study.

Background And Objective: Eye lesions during surgery are rare. Its common causes include direct trauma, chemical damage, and corneal exposure. Eye discomfort may present after surgery in the absence of structural damage.

Effect of Plasmodium Infection during Pregnancy on Passive Neonatal Immunity against Tetanus Toxoid and Rotavirus.

Passive immunity acquired through transplacental IgG transport is essential to protect infants against pathogens as childhood vaccination programs begins. Diarrhea caused by rotavirus and neonatal tetanus are common and potentially fatal childhood infections that can be prevented by transplacental IgG. However, it is not known whether maternal infections in pregnancy can reduce the transfer of these antibodies to the fetus.

Biological Anchorage and Canine Orthodontic Movement Rate with a New Technique for Micro-Osteoperforations.

Introduction: The differential management of anchorage and the acceleration of tooth movement are some of the current greatest challenges for orthodontists. Diverse techniques and devices to reinforce anchorage and increase the rate of tooth movement have been proposed. Whether micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) can be used for both purposes is currently investigated.

Age differences in relation to bone thickness and length of the zygomatic process of the maxilla, infrazygomatic crest, and buccal shelf area.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the thickness and length of the zygomatic process (ZP) of the maxilla, infrazygomatic crest area, and mandibular buccal shelf by sex and age.

Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography images of 128 subjects were divided into 3 groups: (1) 22 female and 19 male subjects aged 9-13 years, (2) 27 female and 20 male subjects aged 14-23 years, and (3) 20 female and 20 male subjects aged 24-50 years. A previously calibrated operator was used to take all measurements of the zygomatic process vertical bone thickness, zygomatic process horizontal bone length, zygomatic process/cementoenamel length (ZP/CEJL), infrazygomatic crest region bone thickness (IZCBT), infrazygomatic crest region bone length (IZCL), and mandibular buccal shelf bone thickness.

Concurrent validity of five prediction equations to evaluate fat percentage in a sports group expected to yield high performance from Medellín, Colombia.

Introduction: No equations to predict the body composition of athletes from Medellín expected to have high performance have been constructed and, thus, decisions regarding their training and nutrition plans lack support.

Objective: To calculate the concurrent validity of five prediction equations for fat percentage in a group of athletes from Medellín, Colombia, expected to yield high performance.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis to validate diagnostic tests using secondary-source data of athletes under the age of 18 who were part of the "Medellín Team".

CtpB is a plasma membrane copper (I) transporting P-type ATPase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Background: The intracellular concentration of heavy-metal cations, such as copper, nickel, and zinc is pivotal for the mycobacterial response to the hostile environment inside macrophages. To date, copper transport mediated by P-type ATPases across the mycobacterial plasma membrane has not been sufficiently explored.

Results: In this work, the ATPase activity of the putative Mycobacterium tuberculosis P-type ATPase CtpB was associated with copper (I) transport from mycobacterial cells.

Antibodies to Cryptic Epitopes in Distant Homologues Underpin a Mechanism of Heterologous Immunity between PvDBP and VAR2CSA.

Many pathogens evolve extensive genetic variation in virulence proteins as a strategy to evade host immunity. This poses a significant challenge for the host to develop broadly neutralizing antibodies. In , we show that a mechanism to circumvent this challenge is to elicit antibodies to cryptic epitopes that are not under immune pressure.

Can forces be applied directly to the root for correction of a palatally displaced central incisor with a dilacerated root?

This case report describes the interdisciplinary treatment of an ectopic horizontally placed maxillary right central incisor with severe root dilaceration. The root was distally angulated and entrapped by the root of the maxillary right lateral incisor. The initial force system was aimed at an occlusal displacement and applied to the crown.

Cross-Species Immune Recognition Between Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein Antibodies and the Plasmodium falciparum Surface Antigen VAR2CSA.

Background: In pregnancy, Plasmodium falciparum parasites express the surface antigen VAR2CSA, which mediates adherence of red blood cells to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) in the placenta. VAR2CSA antibodies are generally acquired during infection in pregnancy and are associated with protection from placental malaria. We observed previously that men and children in Colombia also had antibodies to VAR2CSA, but the origin of these antibodies was unknown.

Negative immunomodulation by parasitic infections in the human response to vaccines.

Parasitic infections are an important cause of global morbidity and mortality and are highly prevalent in "underdeveloped" countries. The presence of parasitic infections is associated with modulation of the immune system and changes in the response to bacterial and viral vaccines. The objective of this review was to compile, summarize and analyze information about immunomodulation by parasitic infections and its effects on the immune response to vaccines.

Submicroscopic Plasmodium infection during pregnancy is associated with reduced antibody levels to tetanus toxoid.

Submicroscopic Plasmodium infections in pregnancy are common in endemic areas, and it is important to understand the impact of these low-level infections. Asymptomatic, chronic infections are advantageous for parasite persistence, particularly in areas where the optimal eco-epidemiological conditions for parasite transmission fluctuate. In chronic infections, the persistence of the antigenic stimulus changes the expression of immune mediators and promotes constant immune regulation, including increases in regulatory T cell populations.

A sensitive species-specific reverse transcription real-time PCR method for detection of and .

As the global burden of malaria decreases and countries strive towards disease elimination, there is a greater demand for sensitive diagnostics to target the submicroscopic reservoir of infection. We describe here a sensitive species-specific RT-qPCR method to differentiate between and infections at the submicroscopic level. With amplification of the 18S rRNA genes from total nucleic acids (both DNA and RNA), we discern and with a limit of detection of 10 parasites/mL and 18 copies/μL, respectively.

Clinical Outcomes of Submicroscopic Infections and Correlates of Protection of VAR2CSA Antibodies in a Longitudinal Study of Pregnant Women in Colombia.

Malaria in pregnancy can cause serious adverse outcomes for the mother and the fetus. However, little is known about the effects of submicroscopic infections (SMIs) in pregnancy, particularly in areas where and cocirculate. A cohort of 187 pregnant women living in Puerto Libertador in northwest Colombia was followed longitudinally from recruitment to delivery.

Asymptomatic plasmodial infection in pregnant women: A global scenario.

Though asymptomatic plasmodial infection (API) is well known phenomenon and play an important role in different populations and malaria transmission settings, it has received less attention in malaria intervention strategies. This review was aimed to estimate the prevalence of API in pregnant women across the world. The bibliography records relevant to the study were searched on PubMed and Lilacs, till August 15, 2016, without restriction of language.

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomies in 2 Difficult Airways.

Ultrasound has become a rapid, safe, and easy-to-use tool for anesthesiologists. It reduces complications, morbidity, and mortality, especially in patients with anatomic abnormalities in whom a traditional approach may be both difficult and risky. We report 2 cases of symptomatic patients with a difficult airway due to displacement of the trachea by a neck mass.

Genetic analysis of ID1-DBL2X predicts its validity as a vaccine candidate in Colombia and supports at least two independently introduced Plasmodium falciparum populations in the region.

Pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) poses a threat to both the mother and fetus, increasing the risk of severe maternal anemia, fetal growth restriction and low birth weight infants. Two vaccines are currently in development to protect women from Plasmodium falciparum in pregnancy. Both vaccine constructs target the ID1-DBL2X domain of VAR2CSA, a protein expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes (IEs) that mediates parasite sequestration in the placenta.

Efficacy of Different Primaquine Regimens to Control Gametocytemia in Colombia.

Treatment against malaria includes blood schizonticides to clear asexual parasites responsible for disease. The addition of gametocytocidal drugs can eliminate infectious sexual stages with potential for transmission and the World Health Organization recommends a single dose (SD) of primaquine (PQ) to this end. The efficacy of PQ at 0.

Microscopic detection of hemozoin in peripheral leukocytes fails to indicate plasmodial placental infection in pregnant women.

Introduction: Malaria in pregnancy very often includes gestational (parasites in maternal peripheral blood) and placental (parasites in placental blood) infection, but the later condition can only be detected after delivery. High frequency of placental plasmodial infection has been confirmed in many countries and is associated with negative birth outcomes. With the hypothesis that placental infection is accompanied by hemozoin circulation in maternal peripheral blood, an exploratory study was conducted to evaluate the association between peripheral leukocytes with hemozoin and placental infection by Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium falciparum in parturient women.

Asymptomatic plasmodial infection in Colombian pregnant women.

Information about asymptomatic plasmodial infection is scarce in the world, and the current antimalarial program goals (control, elimination, and eradication) demand this evidence to be well documented in different populations and malaria transmission settings. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of API in Colombian pregnant women at delivery. A retrospective prevalence survey was used.

Efficacy of a new device to optimize positive pressure ventilation via face mask in edentulous patients: a randomized trial.

Background: Mask ventilation is routinely performed during anesthesia. Under some circumstances, it might be difficult to perform, such as in edentulous patients, due to inadequate mask seal. We developed a new device called NIPARA and studied its use For ventilation optimization in edentulous patients.