VLP-ELISA for the Detection of IgG Antibodies against Spike, Envelope, and Membrane Antigens of SARS-CoV-2 in Indian Population.

Background: Serological methods to conduct epidemiological survey are often directed only against the spike protein. To overcome this limitation, we have designed PRAK-03202, a virus-like particle (VLP), by inserting three antigens (Spike, envelope and membrane) of SARS-CoV-2 into a highly characterized -based D-Crypt™ platform.

Methods: Dot blot analysis was performed to confirm the presence of S, E, and M proteins in PRAK-03202.

Platforms, advances, and technical challenges in virus-like particles-based vaccines.

Viral infectious diseases threaten human health and global stability. Several vaccine platforms, such as DNA, mRNA, recombinant viral vectors, and virus-like particle-based vaccines have been developed to counter these viral infectious diseases. Virus-like particles (VLP) are considered real, present, licensed and successful vaccines against prevalent and emergent diseases due to their non-infectious nature, structural similarity with viruses, and high immunogenicity.

Establishment of a three‑dimensional triculture model on the novel AXTEX‑4D™ platform.

Cancer can be fatal if it is not treated in a timely manner; therefore, there is a high demand for more specific oncology drugs. Unfortunately, drugs showing positive responses on a two‑dimensional (2D) culture platform do not often show the same effect in clinical trials. Therefore, three‑dimensional (3D) culture platforms are garnering attention since they more closely mimic the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Corrigendum to "PRAK-03202: A triple antigen virus-like particle vaccine candidate against SARS CoV-2"[Heliyon 7 (10) (October 2021) e08124].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.

PRAK-03202: A triple antigen virus-like particle vaccine candidate against SARS CoV-2.

The rapid development of safe and effective vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) is a necessary response to coronavirus outbreak. Here, we developed PRAK-03202, the world's first triple antigen virus-like particle vaccine candidate, by cloning and transforming SARS-CoV-2 gene segments into a highly characterized -based D-Crypt™ platform, which induced SARS CoV-2 specific neutralizing antibodies in BALB/c mice. Immunization using three different doses of PRAK-03202 induced an antigen-specific (spike, envelope, and membrane proteins) humoral response and neutralizing potential.

AXTEX-4D: A Three-Dimensional Platform for Preclinical Investigations of Immunotherapy Agents.

The latest advancements in oncology are majorly focused on immuno-oncology (I-O) therapies. However, only ∼7% of drugs are being approved from the preclinical discovery phase to phase 1. The most challenging issues in I-O are the development of active and efficient drugs in an economically feasible way and in a comparatively short time for testing and validation.

Laser excision of peripheral ossifying fibroma: Report of two cases.

Peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) is a non-neoplastic enlargement seen more often in females, in the interdental papilla and the anterior part of the maxilla, accounts for about 9% of all gingival growths. Of unknown etiology, unpredictable clinical course and pronicity for recurrence, POF is a clinician's cause for concern. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice, but with a reported recurrence rate of 7-45%, the management is often frustrating.

Microbial role in periodontitis: Have we reached the top? Some unsung bacteria other than red complex.

The microbial etiology of periodontal disease has been the focus of researchers for a long time. The search for the pathogens of periodontal diseases has been underway for more than 100 years, and continues up today. Despite the increasing knowledge about oral microbiota, we are not able to implicate any one particular organism that can be considered as a candidate pathogen.

KAP assessment of oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women in Hyderabad, India.

Purpose: To conduct a questionnaire-based survey of pregnant women with particular reference to their knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to oral care and adverse pregnancy outcomes and also to identify the various risk indicators for gingival bleeding during pregnancy.

Materials And Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey using interviewer-administered, structured questionnaires at three maternity care centres. The study group comprised 359 pregnant women who were assessed for their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding oral health care during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

The adjunctive use of systemic antioxidant therapy (lycopene) in nonsurgical treatment of chronic periodontitis: a short-term evaluation.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of systemic lycopene along with routine scaling and root planing in terms of changes in clinical parameters and levels of circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), salivary interleukin 1beta (IL-1ß), and uric acid in chronic periodontitis.

Method And Materials: Forty-two systemically healthy subjects with chronic periodontitis were included in a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel design, double-blinded trial. The subjects were randomly distributed between the two treatment groups: test group (n = 21) 8 mg lycopene/day and placebo group (n = 21) along with adjunctive scaling and root planing.

Periodontal findings in patients with oral submucous fibrosis and comet assay of affected gingival epithelial cells.

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) involves large sections of population and is related to certain chewing practices that involve direct exposure of the gingiva to noxious chemicals and additives. The impact of such practices, although studied extensively in relation to the cheek mucosa, is not elucidated as far as gingival tissues are concerned. The possible DNA damage on affected gingiva is also one of the objectives of the present study.

Orofacial myiasis of the gingiva and nasal cavity: a report of two cases and general review.

Background: Infestation of the orofacial region with live maggots is a distressing condition and many clinicians are not aware of the existence of such an entity. Usually the condition affects individuals who are debilitated, mentally challenged, and physically not able to attend to their personal needs because of lack of psychomotor coordination.

Methods: This article describes two cases of orofacial myiasis reported at a rural dental school in India.

Is anti-platelet therapy interruption a real clinical issue? Its implications in dentistry and particularly in periodontics.

The use of anti-platelet therapy has reduced the mortality and morbidity of cardiovascular disease remarkably. A considerable number of patients presenting before a dentist or periodontist give a history of anti-platelet therapy. A clinical dilemma whether to discontinue the anti-platelet therapy or continue the same always confronts the practitioner.

Tagging SNP haplotype analysis of the secretory PLA2-V gene, PLA2G5, shows strong association with LDL and oxLDL levels, suggesting functional distinction from sPLA2-IIA: results from the UDACS study.

Animal and human studies suggest that both secretory PLA2 (sPLA2)-V and sPLA2-IIA (encoded, respectively, by the neighbouring PLA2G5 and PLA2G2A genes) contribute to atherogenesis. Elevated plasma sPLA2-IIA predicts coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, but no mass assay for sPLA2-V is available. We previously reported that tagging single nucleotide polymorphism (tSNP) haplotypes of PLA2G2A are strongly associated with sPLA2-IIA mass, but not lipid levels.