BACKGROUND: MMP-3 is a proteolytic enzyme of the matrix metalloproteinase family. Protein degradation which is their fundamental action regulates different activities of tumor cell such as their growth, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, angiogenesis as well as their resistance to the immune system.AIM: The aim of this study was to determine MMP-3 serum levels in patients with OSCC and investigate if they correlate with clinicopathological features.METHOD AND MATERIALS: Using an ELISA kit, we assessed and compared the circulating levels of MMP-3 in blood serum of 45 oral squamous cell carcinoma patients with 45 healthy control samples.RESULTS: The serum MMP-3 level in OSCC patients was significantly higher (9.45±4.6 ng/ml) than healthy controls (5.9±3.6 ng/ml, p<0.001), especially in females and in older patients. However, there was no apparent correlation in serum MMP-3 concentration with the clinico-pathological features such as tumor location, stage, tumor size, nodal status, distant metastasis, histological grade and smoking.DISCUSSION: This result suggests that the measurement of serum MMP-3 concentration might be helpful to diagnose OSCC but not to predict prognosis.

The increasing resistance of many microbial strains to antibiotics, delayed laboratory results, and side effects of many chemotherapeutics has raised the need to search for sensitive diagnostics and new pro-phylactic strategies especially prevention by vaccination. Understanding the epitope/antibody interaction is the key to constructing potent vaccines and effective diagnostics. B-cell epitope mapping is a promising approach to identifying the main antigenic determinants of microorganisms, in special concern the discontinuous conformational ones. Epitope-based vaccines have remarkable privilege over the conventional ones since they are specific, able to avoid undesirable immune responses, generate long lasting immunity, and are reasonably cheaper. This up-to-date review discusses and compares the different physical, computational, and molecular methods that have been used in epitope mapping. The role of each method in the identification of potent epitopes in viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, as well as human diseases are tagged and documented. Simultaneously, frequent combinatorial methods are highlighted. The article aims to assist researchers to design the most suitable protocol for mapping their B-cell epitopes.

Amebiasis, due to the pathogenic parasite Entamoeba histolytica, is a leading cause of diarrhea globally. Largely an infection of impoverished communities in developing countries, amebiasis has emerged as an important infection among returning travelers, immigrants, and men who have sex with men residing in developed countries. Severe cases can be associated with high case fatality. Polymerase chain reaction-based diagnosis is increasingly available but remains underutilized. Nitroimidazoles are currently recommended for treatment, but new drug development to treat parasitic agents is a high priority. Amebiasis should be considered before corticosteroid therapy to decrease complications. There is no effective vaccine, so prevention focuses on sanitation and access to clean water. Further understanding of parasite biology and pathogenesis will advance future targeted therapeutic and preventative strategies. Amebiasis is caused by infection with the pseudopod-forming , nonflagellated protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Amebiasis can be asymptomatic or can lead to the development of severe infection with amebic colitis and amebic liver abscess. The significance of amebiasis is exemplified in several ways. Amebic colitis is a leading cause of severe diarrhea worldwide and is listed among the top 15 causes of diarrhea in the first 2 years of life in children living in the developing world, where diarrhea remains the third leading cause of death, accounting for 9% of all deaths in children under the age of 5 years [1-3]. Fulminant amebic colitis is an uncommon complication of amebiasis but is associated with high mortality , and on average more than 50% with severe colitis die [4]. E. histolytica is classified as a category B priority biodefense pathogen by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) because of its low infectious dose, chlorine resistance, and environmental stability, properties that can pose a threat of easy dissemination through contamination of food and water supplies. Even in low-incidence settings, these properties of the parasite lead to outbreaks among military and general populations [5-7]. In addition, E. histolytica is one of the most common causes of infectious diarrhea among travelers returning from endemic areas [8]. Advances in molecular diagnostic methodologies have improved our understanding and led to the recognition and separation of E. histolytica from nonpathogenic species of Entamoeba. Of the many Entamoeba species that infect humans, 3 species are morphologically indistinguishable from E. histolytica. Of these 3, E. moshkovskii may cause diarrhea, whereas E. dispar and the newly described E. bangladeshi are considered nonpathogenic [9]. Earlier descriptions of ameb-iasis relying solely on microscopy may have been obscured by these nonpathogenic strains. There is no vaccine to prevent amebiasis. Nitroimidazoles are the mainstay treatment for invasive amebiasis. Given the toxicity that can be associated with this class and potential concerns for development of resistance, as has already been reported for some anaerobic pathogens, new therapies are needed [10]. In addition, the NIAID has set priorities for drug development for treatment of category B pathogens. For these reasons, improved understanding of amebiasis pathogenesis is needed as a way forward toward enhanced treatment and prevention. This report reviews recent literature expanding our knowledge of the epidemiology , clinical presentation, and management of ameb-iasis, while providing important new insights into diagnostic evaluation and prevention. EPIDEMIOLOGY Global Burden The global significance of amebiasis is widespread, with the highest burden of amebiasis borne by those residing in developing countries, particularly the tropics and subtropics, where there is inadequate hygiene and access to sanitation. Millions

Background and Aim: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen, and alginate is its most important factor in pathogenicity. The objective of the study is the immunogenicity evaluation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate conjugated to exotoxin A as a vaccine candidate in mice.
Materials and Methods: The mucoid strain of P. aeruginosa 6494 was used to prepare alginate, and the separation of exotoxin A was done with the standard strain of PAO1. Alginate was extracted by means of sedimentation with cold ethanol, dialysis, enzymatic digestion and chromatography. To improve immunogenicity, purified antigen was coupled to exotoxin A with ADH as a spacer and EDAC as a linker. Based on confirmation tests, the resulting conjugate was devoid of specific toxicity and pyrogenic effect. Four groups of BALB/c female mice (each group was included 15 mice) were selected in the next step. The first group with the ALG, the second group with the D-ALG-ETA, and the third one with the ETA were vaccinated. The fourth group (control group) was vaccinated with normal saline. Vaccination was performed in three injectable doses with two-week intervals. Subsequently, serum samples were collected, and antibody responses were measured by the ELISA method for total IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3.
Results:  After the second and third doses with ALG-ETA showed a significant increase in antibody titer against ALG-ETA in comparison with pure ALG. The titers of IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG, IgG1, IgG3 antibodies that produced against alginate increased in the third injection compared to the first conjugate injection, which was 2.9, 3, 5.2, 10, and 9.2, respectively.
Conclusion:  These results show that ALG from Pseudomonas aeruginosa increases anti-alginate antibodies in conjugate form with exotoxin A and can be considered an appropriate, effective adjuvant.