Secretory IgA and other indicators for tooth decay among children with diagnosed pyelonephritis and nephrotic syndrome

Проучвания показват, че секреторният IgA е с протективна роля срещу зъбния кариес. Лицата с кариес-резистентно съзъбие са със значително по-високи нива на слюнчения sIg A в сравнение с кариес-активните лица. Естествено секретираните слюнчени Ig A антитела могат да играят съществена роля в имунологичния контрол на зъбния кариес. Слюнченият sIg A, в качеството си на първа линия на защита на оралната мукоза, съдейства за инхибиране колонизацията на Streptococcus Mutans върху гладките зъбни повърхности, както и за неутрализиране действието на продукти на метаболитната му активност - ензими и токсини. При концентрации, нетоксични за човешкия организъм, нитритите в значителна степен възпрепятстват киселинната продукция - резултат от метаболизма не само на Str. mutans, но и на други ацидогенни представители на оралната микрофлора - A. naeslundii и L. casei. Целта на настоящото изследване е да се установят корелационни зависимости между брой кариозни лезии, брой кари озни петна и нивото на sIg A, PLI, GI, pH и нитрити в проби от нестимулирана смесена слюнка при деца, страдащи от пиелонефрит и нефротичен синдром, както и сред контролна група здрави участници. Приложен е корелационен анализ с отчитане коефициента на Пирсън. Установена е слаба отрицателна корелация между sIg A и брой кариозни лезии при пациентите с пиелонефрит и здравите деца. Детерминирана е умерена отрицателна корелация между sIg A и PLI, както и между sIg A и GI сред пациентите с нефротичен синдром. При тези пациенти е налице голяма отрицателна корелация между sIg A и брой кариозни петна. Интерпретацията на кариеса като инфекциозно заболяване асоциира значителната редукция на sIg A в слюнката с инициацията на нови и прогресия на вече налични кариозни лезии и кариозни петна. Заниженото равнище на sIg A благоприятства отключването и авансирането на инфламаторни реакции на гингивалната тъкан.Investigations ascertain that secretory IgA is characterized with a protective role against tooth decay. People with caries-resistant dentition are with significantly higher levels of salivary IgA compared with caries-active people. Normally secreted salivary IgA antibodies influence the immunological control of tooth decay. Secretory IgA in saliva, acting as the first line of protection of oral mucosa, contributes to inhibition of the colonization of Streptococcus Mutans upon smooth teeth surfaces, as well as to neutralization of microorganisms` metabolic products - enzymes and toxins. In concentrations non-toxic for the human body, nitrites have a considerable effect on the inhibition of acids` production performed not only by S. mutans, but also by other acids-producing representatives of oral microbiota - A. naeslundii and L. casei. The purpose of this study is to establish correlations between the number of carious lesions, the number of areas of de-mineralization and the level of sIgA, PLI, GI, pH and nitrites in samples of non-stimulated saliva in children suffering from pyelonephritis and nephrotic syndrome, parallel to a group of healthy controls. A correlation analysis with registration of the coefficient by Pearson has been applied. Slight negative correlation was calculated between sIgA and number of carious lesions in patients with pyelonephritis and healthy children. Moderate negative correlation was determined between indicators sIgA and PLI, and between indices of sIg A and GI among patients with nephrotic syndrome. These are characterized with significant negative correlation between sIgA and number of areas of de-mineralization. The interpretation of tooth decay as an infectious disease associates the considerable reduction of salivary sIgA with initiation of new and progression of already existing carious lesions and spots of de-mineralization. The decreased level of sIgA maintains favorable conditions for inflammatory reactions of gingival tissue

Lipid Composition of Paulownia Seeds Grown in Bulgaria

DergiPark: 246128trakyafbdThe chemical composition of seeds from paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa) was investigated. The main components in the triacylglycerol fraction of the oil were linoleic (64.1%), oleic (21.2%) and palmitic acids (7.3%). ?-Tocopherol (approx. 100.0%) predominated in the tocopherol fraction, and in the sterol fraction – ß-sitosterol (79.2%), campesterol (10.3%) and stigmasterol (7.7%). In the seeds were established 10.6% protein, 9.5% cellulose and 38.2% hydrolysable carbohydrates

Identification of a functionally essential amino acid for Arabidopsis cyclic nucleotide gated ion channels using the chimeric AtCNGC11/12 gene

We used the chimeric Arabidopsis cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel AtCNGC11/12 to conduct a structure-function study of plant cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels (CNGCs). AtCNGC11/12 induces multiple pathogen resistance responses in the Arabidopsis mutant constitutive expresser of PR genes 22 (cpr22). A genetic screen for mutants that suppress cpr22-conferred phenotypes identified an intragenic mutant, #73, which has a glutamate to lysine substitution (E519K) at the beginning of the eighth β-sheet of the cyclic nucleotide-binding domain in AtCNGC11/12. The #73 mutant is morphologically identical to wild-type plants and has lost cpr22-related phenotypes including spontaneous cell death and enhanced pathogen resistance. Heterologous expression analysis using a K+-uptake-deficient yeast mutant revealed that this Glu519 is important for AtCNGC11/12 channel function, proving that the occurrence of cpr22 phenotypes requires active channel function of AtCNGC11/12. Additionally, Glu519 was also found to be important for the function of the wild-type channel AtCNGC12. Computational structural modeling and in vitro cAMP-binding assays suggest that Glu519 is a key residue for the structural stability of AtCNGCs and contributes to the interaction of the cyclic nucleotide-binding domain and the C-linker domain, rather than the binding of cAMP. Furthermore, a mutation in the α-subunit of the human cone receptor CNGA3 that causes total color blindness aligned well to the position of Glu519 in AtCNGC11/12. This suggests that AtCNGC11/12 suppressors could be a useful tool for discovering important residues not only for plant CNGCs but also for CNGCs in general. © 2008 The Authors

HIV Integrase Inhibitors Block Replication of Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaherpesviruses

ABSTRACT The catalytic site of the HIV integrase is contained within an RNase H-like fold, and numerous drugs have been developed that bind to this site and inhibit its activity. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encodes two proteins with potential RNase H-like folds, the infected cell protein 8 (ICP8) DNA-binding protein, which is necessary for viral DNA replication and exhibits recombinase activity in vitro, and the viral terminase, which is essential for viral DNA cleavage and packaging. Therefore, we hypothesized that HIV integrase inhibitors might also inhibit HSV replication by targeting ICP8 and/or the terminase. To test this, we evaluated the effect of 118-D-24, a potent HIV integrase inhibitor, on HSV replication. We found that 118-D-24 inhibited HSV-1 replication in cell culture at submillimolar concentrations. To identify more potent inhibitors of HSV replication, we screened a panel of integrase inhibitors, and one compound with greater anti-HSV-1 activity, XZ45, was chosen for further analysis. XZ45 significantly inhibited HSV-1 and HSV-2 replication in different cell types, with 50% inhibitory concentrations that were approximately 1 µM, but exhibited low cytotoxicity, with a 50% cytotoxic concentration greater than 500 µM. XZ45 blocked HSV viral DNA replication and late gene expression. XZ45 also inhibited viral recombination in infected cells and ICP8 recombinase activity in vitro. Furthermore, XZ45 inhibited human cytomegalovirus replication and induction of Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus from latent infection. Our results argue that inhibitors of enzymes with RNase H-like folds may represent a general antiviral strategy, which is useful not only against HIV but also against herpesviruses

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to <90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], >300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Blood group types in Greeks from Magnisia and Larissa districts (Eastern Thessaly)

The study of the human ABO blood system is of high significance for the anthropological characterization of a population. For the aims of the present study there have been examined in view to ABO blood group system 237 individuals, as well as and 245 individuals according to Rh system - of both genders. The studied contingent represents a heterogeneous student group from eastern Thessaly Region, Central Greece. Among the sample blood group 0ap showed the highest frequency - 39,66% whereas most rare was AB (9.28 %). Gender differences regarding the frequency of blood groups 0 and A were also established. 86.93% of individuals have positive Rh factor. Rh - positive is more frequent among women - 90.08% , and Rh-negative in men (9.92%). The comparison of the obtained genetic frequencies with older data showed heterogeneity among local Greek populations in comparison with some more distant ones. Accumulation of further data is needed, in order to solve the questions arisen

Morphological characteristics of auricula in children from Kyustendil region (Southwest Bulgaria)

The shape of human auricula is characterized by specific features. The diversity of these individual characteristics can be used in forensic identification of individuals. Inter - and intrapopulation variability in the shape of auricula is not thoroughly investigated neither in Bulgaria, nor worldwide. The present study was conducted in the town of Kyustendil (Southwest Bulgaria). The examined sample comprised 240 individuals of both sexes - 120 school boys and 120 school girls (11 to 18 years of age). The shape of auricula and the absence/presence of tuberculum auriculae Darwini were defined by the scale of Schwalbe-Martin and Saller (1959). The most common form of both ears in the examined group is form 6 (60.00%) followed by form 3 with 20.83%. When an additional tuberculum Darwini was present, it was mostly asymmetrically positioned in both sexes. High percentage of individuals with ears positioned in a greater distance from the surface of the head was also established. Within the examined male group, 20.83% had prominent ears, the percentage was higher in comparison with the females, where the percentage was 1.66 % lower than in males

Neuroprotective and MAOB inhibitory effects of a series of caffeine-8-thioglycolic acid amides

The effects of new derivatives of caffeine-8-thioglycolic acid (100 μM) on isolated rat brain synaptosomes, human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y and human recombinant MAOB enzyme (hMAOB) (1 μM) were evaluated. Most of the compounds, administered alone, didn’t show statistically significant neurotoxic effects on SH-SY5Y, when compared to the control (non-treated cells). Of all studied structures JTA-2Ox, JTA-11, JTA-12 and JTA-13 decreased cell viability. In combination with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) (100 μM), only JTA-1 and JTA-2 revealed neuroprotective effects, stronger than those of caffeine. All compounds administered alone revealed, neurotoxic effects on synaptosomes, as compared to nontreated synaptosomes. JTA-1, JTA-2 and JTA-3 showed lowest neurotoxic effects and were investigated in a model of 6-OHDA-induced oxidative stress. In this model of neurotoxicity, only JTA-1 and JTA-2 showed statistically significant neuroprotective effect, by preserving the synaptosomal viability and the level of reduced glutathione. Inhibition of hMAOB, was revealed by JTA-1 and JTA-2. They inhibited the enzyme by 23% and 25% respectively, thus approaching the selegiline activity, which was 42%. The possible mechanisms of neuroprotection of JTA-1 and JTA-2 might be a result from the inhibition of hMAOB, which catalyze the production of neurotoxic p-quinone from 6-OHDA