BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine-Induced Immune Response in Oral Fluids and Serum.

Objectives: The COVID-19 vaccine is currently being administered worldwide to address the ongoing pandemic. Although these vaccines have proven effective in preventing severe disease, the level of immunity required to prevent respiratory mucosal infection remains less well understood. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a noninvasive screening strategy such as oral fluid to monitor secreted antibodies longitudinally as potential surrogates of mucosal immunity.

Awareness of feeding, growth and development among mothers of infants with cleft lip and/or palate.

Background: Awareness of feeding among mothers plays an important role in the growth and development of children with cleft lip and palate. Mothers' increased awareness provides the right care and nutrition to these children in order to grow and achieve their developmental milestones.

Objectives: This study aimed at (1) assessing mothers' awareness on breastfeeding and formula-milk feeding, weaning, growth, and development of infants with cleft lip and palate and (2) the relationship of mothers' awareness with their level of education and monthly household income.

Human Milk Composition and Dietary Intakes of Breastfeeding Women of Different Ethnicity from the Manawatu-Wanganui Region of New Zealand.

Human milk is nutrient rich, complex in its composition, and is key to a baby's health through its role in nutrition, gastrointestinal tract and immune development. Seventy-eight mothers (19⁻42 years of age) of Asian, Māori, Pacific Island, or of European ethnicity living in Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand (NZ) completed the study. The women provided three breast milk samples over a one-week period (6⁻8 weeks postpartum), completed a three-day food diary and provided information regarding their pregnancy and lactation experiences.

Neutrophil-mediated enhancement of angiogenesis and osteogenesis in a novel triple cell co-culture model with endothelial cells and osteoblasts.

Repair and regeneration of critical-sized bone defects remain a major challenge in orthopaedic and craniomaxillofacial surgery. Until now, attempts to bioengineer bone tissue have been hindered by the inability to establish proper angiogenesis and osteogenesis in the tissue construct. In the present study, we established a novel triple cell co-culture model consisting of osteoblasts, endothelial cells, and neutrophils and conducted a systematic investigation of the effects of neutrophils on angiogenesis and osteogenesis.

Heterogeneous Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS modulates immuno-inflammatory response, antioxidant defense and cytoskeletal dynamics in human gingival fibroblasts.

Periodontal (gum) disease is a highly prevalent infection and inflammation accounting for the majority of tooth loss in adult population worldwide. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a keystone periodontal pathogen and its lipopolysaccharide (PgLPS) acts as a major virulence attribute to the disease. Herein, we deciphered the overall host response of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) to two featured isoforms of tetra-acylated PgLPS1435/1449 and penta-acylated PgLPS1690 with reference to E.

The fate of (13)C-labelled and non-labelled inulin predisposed to large bowel fermentation in rats.

The fate of stable-isotope (13)C labelled and non-labelled inulin catabolism by the gut microbiota was assessed in a healthy rat model. Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned to diets containing either cellulose or inulin, and were fed these diets for 3 days. On day (d) 4, rats allocated to the inulin diet received (13)C-labelled inulin.

No difference in fecal levels of bacteria or short chain fatty acids in humans, when consuming fruit juice beverages containing fruit fiber, fruit polyphenols, and their combination.

This study examined the effect of a Boysenberry beverage (750 mg polyphenols), an apple fiber beverage (7.5 g dietary fiber), and a Boysenberry plus apple fiber beverage (750 mg polyphenols plus 7.5 g dietary fiber) on gut health.

Consumption of selenium-enriched broccoli increases cytokine production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated ex vivo, a preliminary human intervention study.

Scope: Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient essential for human health, including immune function. Previous research indicates that Se supplementation may cause a shift from T helper (Th)1- to Th2-type immune responses. We aim to test the potential health promoting effects of Se-enriched broccoli.

Tetra- and penta-acylated lipid A structures of Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS differentially activate TLR4-mediated NF-κB signal transduction cascade and immuno-inflammatory response in human gingival fibroblasts.

Background: Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major pathogen of periodontal disease that affects a majority of adults worldwide. Increasing evidence shows that periodontal disease is linked to various systemic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, by contributing to increased systemic levels of inflammation. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), as a key virulent attribute of P.

The expression and regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-3 is critically modulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide with heterogeneous lipid A structures in human gingival fibroblasts.

Background: Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a crucial virulence factor strongly associated with chronic periodontitis which is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults. It exhibits remarkable heterogeneity containing tetra-(LPS(1435/1449)) and penta-(LPS(1690)) acylated lipid A structures. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) as the main resident cells of human gingiva play a key role in regulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and contribute to periodontal homeostasis.

Effects of potato fiber and potato-resistant starch on biomarkers of colonic health in rats fed diets containing red meat.

Unlabelled: The effects of red meat consumption with and without fermentable carbohydrates on indices of large bowel health in rats were examined. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed cellulose, potato fiber, or potato-resistant starch diets containing 12% casein for 2 wk, then similar diets containing 25% cooked beef for 6 wk. After week 8, cecal and colonic microbiota composition, fermentation end-products, colon structure, and colonocyte DNA damage were analyzed.

In vitro utilization of gold and green kiwifruit oligosaccharides by human gut microbial populations.

We examined the effects of whole kiwifruit on gut microbiota using an in vitro batch model of gastric-ileal digestion and colonic fermentation. Faecal fermentations of gold and green kiwifruit, inulin and water (control) digests were performed for up to 48 h. As compared to the control, gold and green kiwifruit increased Bifidobacterium spp.

Unraveling the resistance of microbial biofilms: has proteomics been helpful?

Biofilms are surface-attached, matrix-encased, structured microbial communities which display phenotypic features that are dramatically different from those of their free-floating, or planktonic, counterparts. Biofilms seem to be the preferred mode of growth of microorganisms in nature, and at least 65% of all human infections are associated with biofilms. The most notable and clinically relevant property of biofilms is their greater resistance to antimicrobials compared with their planktonic counterparts.

Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide lipid A heterogeneity differentially modulates the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in human gingival fibroblasts.

Aim: Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) displays a significant amount of structural heterogeneity, containing both tetra- (LPS(1435/1449) ) and penta-acylated (LPS(1690) ) lipid A structures. This study investigated the effects of the two isoforms of P. gingivalis LPS on the expression of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).

Prunus mume extract exhibits antimicrobial activity against pathogenic oral bacteria.

Objectives: Prunus mume is a common fruit in Asia, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we focused on the antimicrobial properties of Prunus mume extract against oral pathogens related to dental caries and periodontal diseases.

Study Design: A total of 15 oral pathogens including Streptococcus mutans, S.