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INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to investigate the diagnostic potential of bacterial biomarkers by comparing the performance of molecular detection assays with clinical assessments of dogs oral health performed by veterinarians. METHODS: Supragingival and subgingival plaque samples were collected from 127 client-owned dogs, pre-booked for procedures under general anesthesia, visiting veterinary practices in the United States. DNA was extracted and bacterial biomarkers quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Gingivitis and periodontitis were recorded by a trained clinician using the Weighted Gingivitis Periodontitis Score which involved assessing the buccal surfaces of 18 teeth while under general anesthesia. Intraoral dental radiographs of the left and right mandibular first molar teeth were also obtained. These data were then used to establish the diagnostic performance of the molecular assay to detect periodontitis. RESULTS: An initial conscious, visual oral examination performed by the veterinarian identified 67.7% of dogs as having periodontitis, but examination under general anesthesia indicated a higher proportion (86.6%). Analysis of supragingival plaque samples collected by veterinarians from conscious and unconscious dogs demonstrated the assay had an accuracy of 77.7 to 80.9%, a sensitivity of 77.6 to 81.0%, and a specificity of 80.0%. DISCUSSION: Use of this molecular screening tool in conscious dogs has the potential to improve early periodontal disease detection and support veterinary decision making, ultimately improving the oral health of dogs and consequently their quality of life.

The article discusses alpha-Gal syndrome, a unique red meat allergy caused by specific IgE antibodies to alpha-Gal. It is mainly associated with delayed anaphylaxis and is not correlated with tick-borne infections. Diagnosis involves history, sensitization, and oral challenge tests, with management focusing on avoidance and potential oral immunotherapy. The authors recommend further studies to evaluate the effectiveness and risks of oral immunotherapy for alpha-Gal syndrome. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate the diagnostic potential of bacterial biomarkers by comparing the performance of molecular detection assays with clinical assessments of dog's oral health performed by veterinarians. Methods: Supragingival and subgingival plaque samples were collected from 127 client-owned dogs, pre-booked for procedures under general anesthesia, visiting veterinary practices in the United States. DNA was extracted and bacterial biomarkers quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Gingivitis and periodontitis were recorded by a trained clinician using the Weighted Gingivitis Periodontitis Score which involved assessing the buccal surfaces of 18 teeth while under general anesthesia. Intraoral dental radiographs of the left and right mandibular first molar teeth were also obtained. These data were then used to establish the diagnostic performance of the molecular assay to detect periodontitis. Results: An initial conscious, visual oral examination performed by the veterinarian identified 67.7% of dogs as having periodontitis, but examination under general anesthesia indicated a higher proportion (86.6%). Analysis of supragingival plaque samples collected by veterinarians from conscious and unconscious dogs demonstrated the assay had an accuracy of 77.7 to 80.9%, a sensitivity of 77.6 to 81.0%, and a specificity of 80.0%. Discussion: Use of this molecular screening tool in conscious dogs has the potential to improve early periodontal disease detection and support veterinary decision making, ultimately improving the oral health of dogs and consequently their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alemayehu Mekonnen Gezmu,1 Shiang-Ju Kung,2 Jemal Zeberga Shifa,3 Britt Nakstad,1,4 Merrian Brooks,1,5 Dipesalema Joel,1 Tonya Arscott-Mills,1,5 Edelis Castellanos Puerto,6 Jūratė Šaltytė Benth,7,8 Endale Tefera1 1Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana; 2Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 3Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana; 4Institute of Clinical Medicine and Centre of Global Health, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; 5Center for Global Health, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 6Department of Allergy and Immunology, University Hospital Calixto Garcia, Havana, Cuba; 7Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, University of Oslo, Blindern, Norway; 8Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, NorwayCorrespondence: Alemayehu Mekonnen GezmuDepartment of Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Private Bag UB00713, Gaborone, BotswanaTel +26774063734Fax +2673105979Email gezmuam@ub.ac.bwPurpose: This study aims to describe the spectrum of allergic diseases of children and adolescents in a single allergy treatment centre in Botswana, over a period of 8 years.Patients and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using medical records of all patients aged 18 years or younger, seen at an allergy treatment centre in Botswana. Data were presented descriptively. Association between variables was explored by χ2-test.Results: Four hundred and seven patients with a mean age of 5.8 years (SD 4.4) at the time of presentation included 239 (58.7%) females and 365 (87.5%) black Africans. The most common diseases were asthma (n=249, 61.2%) followed by allergic rhinitis (AR) (n=232, 57.0%) and atopic dermatitis (AD) (n=165, 40.5%). One hundred and fifteen cases (46.2%) of asthmatic patients were skin prick test positive; sensitized to grass, moulds, dust mites and animal dander, in decreasing frequency, whereas those with allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic conjunctivitis (AC) were sensitized to trees and all allergens identified in asthmatics. Concomitant asthma was diagnosed in 171 (73.7%) with AR, 71 (68.3%) with AC, 75 (45.5%) with AD and 42 (47.7%) with food allergy. The most common triggers for asthma exacerbations include upper respiratory tract infections, weather changes, and exposure to passive cigarette smoke. Paternal allergy and allergic disease in grandparents are predisposing factors for asthma (p=0.016 and p=0.001, respectively). Paternal allergy is also predisposed to AR (p=0.007), while maternal history of allergic disease was associated with AD (p=0.019).Conclusion: The most common chronic pediatric conditions seen in our allergic disease study were asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis with the most common triggers being viral upper respiratory tract infections, weather changes and exposure to cigarette smoke, all of which are modifiable risk factors. This exploratory study lays the foundation for future interventional studies that may be directed towards the spectrum of allergic diseases.Keywords: pediatric allergy, asthma in children, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis

Terahertz (THz) imaging has long held promise for skin cancer detection but has been hampered by the lack of practical technological implementation. In this article, we introduce a technique for discriminating several skin pathologies using a coherent THz confocal system based on a THz quantum cascade laser. High resolution in vivo THz images (with diffraction limited to the order of 100 μm) of several different lesion types were acquired and compared against one another using the amplitude and phase values. Our system successfully separated pathologies using a combination of phase and amplitude information and their respective surface textures. The large scan field (50 × 40 mm) of the system allows macroscopic visualization of several skin lesions in a single frame. Utilizing THz imaging for dermatological assessment of skin lesions offers substantial additional diagnostic value for clinicians. THz images contain information complementary to the information contained in the conventional digital images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]