Cellular Response Mechanisms in Porphyromonas gingivalis Infection

The pathogenicity of the periodontal biofilm is highly dependent on a few key species, of which Porphyromonas gingivalis is considered to be one of the most important pathogens. P. gingivalis expresses a broad range of virulence factors, of these cysteine proteases (gingipains) are of special importance both for the bacterial survival/proliferation and for the pathological outcome. Several cell types, for example, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, dendritic cells, osteoblasts, and fibroblasts, reside in the periodontium and are part of the innate host response, as well as platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes/macrophages. These cells recognize and respond to P. gingivalis and its components through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), for example, Toll-like receptors and protease-activated receptors. Ligation of PRRs induces downstream-signaling pathways modifying the activity of transcription factors that regulates the expression of genes linked to inflammation. This is followed by the release of inflammatory mediators, for example, cytokines and reactive oxygen species. Periodontal disease is today considered to play a significant role in various systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mechanisms by which P. gingivalis and its virulence factors interact with host immune cells and contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontitis and CVD are far from completely understood

IMPLEMENTASI KURIKULUM ILMU PENGETAHUAN ALAM (IPA) DENGAN KEKHASAN SEKOLAH ALAM

Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi dari fakta yang menunjukkan bahwa kepeduliaan terhadap lingkungan telah menurun. Maka diperlukan sebuah sistem pendidikan yang ramah terhadap lingkungan, seperti yang diterapkan di Sekolah Alam. Sekolah Alam merupakan sekolah yang menyatu dengan alam sehingga pembelajarannya lebih menekankan pada pembelajaran berbasis alam dan pengalaman. Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam (IPA) merupakan mata pelajaran yang sangat berkaitan dengan gejala dan objek yang ada di alam. Hal yang menjadi fokus penelitian adalah perencanaan, pelaksanaan dan penilaian dari pembelajaran IPA dengan kekhasan Sekolah Alam khususnya di SMP Sekolah Alam Bandung. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis implementasi kurikulum IPA dengan kekhasan Sekolah Alam. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode studi kasus. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah studi dokumentasi, wawancara dan observasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan perencanaan pembelajaran IPA di SMP Sekolah Alam Bandung diawali dengan pembuatan Rencana Pembelajaran yang membagi mata pelajaran IPA dibagi menjadi dua yaitu Fisika dan Biologi. Materi dalam Rencana Pembelajaran yang diprioritaskan adalah materi yang mampu mengeksplorasi alam di sekitar sekolah. Untuk pelaksanaan pembelajaran, metode yang digunakan sebagian besar adalah diskusi dan ekperimen dimana pelaksanaannya didominasi di luar kelas (outdoor) terutama alam di sekitar sekolah. Penilaian IPA mencakup ulangan harian, penilaian kinerja, Ujian Tengah Semester (UTS) dan Ujian Kenaikan Kelas (UKK). Di Sekolah Alam, terdapat dua jenis rapor yaitu rapor nilai dan rapor dalam bentuk deskriptif yang disebut groovy. Dalam groovy terdapat tiga kriteria perkembangan siswa yaitu belum tampak, berkembang, dan mandiri. ;---This study is motivated by the fact showing the environmental concern is decreasing. Hence, it is necessary to provide an education system which is environmental friendly, such as in Sekolah Alam (Nature School). Unite with the nature is a concept of Sekolah Alam, so that in the learning activity at this school is emphasize to natural based learning and experience. Science as a learning subject is related to phenomenon and object in nature. The focus of this study are plan, implementation and evaluation on science subject in junior high school at Sekolah Alam Bandung. The purpose of this study is to find out how the implementation of Science learning is based in the curriculum with the special characteristic of Sekolah Alam. This study used qualitative approach, with a case study method. The data collection techniques were documentation study, interview and observation. The result of the study showed that Science lesson plan was begun by establishing the lesson plan dividing Science subject into two subjects, Physics and Biology. Materials in lesson plan prioritized are those which can explore the nature around the school. For the implementation, the methods mainly used were discussion and experiment outside the classroom (outdoor), especially at the nature around school. Furthermore, Science assessment consists of daily test, performance assessment, midterm and final exam. In Sekolah Alam, there are two types of report namely score report and report in descriptive form called groovy. In groovy there are three categories of student development first is not appear, develop and autonomous

Läsförmåga och skönlitterär läsning. En litteraturstudie och en attitydstudie.

Abstract Titel: Läsförmåga och skönlitterär läsning en litteraturstudie och en attitydstudie Arbetets art: Examensarbete (10 p) Program: Lärarprogrammet, Göteborgs universitet Institution: Sociologiska institutionen Författare: Veronika Palm, Eleonor Sedin-Tegenmark, Mia Victor Handledare: Lars-Erik (LEO) Olsson Examinator: Margreth Hill Datum: December 2005 (Rapportnummer: HT05-2611-021) Antal sidor: 39 Sökord: Läsförståelse, läsa, läsförmåga, läslust, skönlitteratur. Syfte Flera studier påvisar att många svenska elever aldrig läser böcker och att elevernas läsförståelse har försämrats. I vår studie argumenterar vi för att skönlitterär läsning är ett verksamt medel för förbättrad läsförmåga. Frågeställningarna berör hur pedagogen, hemmet och lärandemiljön gynnar elevernas läslust, på vilka sätt skönlitterärt läsande förbättrar läsförståelsen samt vilka elevgrupper som är lättast att engagera i och som gynnas mest av att läsa skönlitteratur. Metod Vi gör en omsorgsfull litteraturgenomgång och en empirisk undersökning där vi genom enkät tar reda på verksamma pedagogers attityder kring ökad läsning av skönlitteratur. Resultat En total lärandemiljö med lättillgänglig litteratur och vuxna som är goda förebilder gynnar läslusten hos eleverna. Den ensamt viktigaste faktorn för ökad läsförståelse är att man läser mycket. Skönlitterära kvalitetstexter innehåller tomrum som eleverna kan tolka och på så sätt fylla ut vilket medför att läsförståelsen utvecklas. En förbättrad läsförståelse resulterar i ett större ordförråd och förbättrat studieresultat. Flickor läser betydligt mer än pojkar. Barn från ekonomiskt svaga hem och skolor med stora andelar elever med annat hemspråk har sämre utgångsläge och gynnas därför sannolikt mest av att läsa skönlitteratur

Protein-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles as Refractometric Nanoplasmonic Sensors for the Detection of Proteolytic Activity of Porphyromonas gingivalis

Periodontitis is an inflammatory oral disease that affects a large part of the adult population, causing significant costs and suffering. The key pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis, secretes gingipains, which are highly destructive proteases and the most important virulence factors in the pathogenesis of the disease. Currently, periodontitis is diagnosed mainly by mechanical manual probing and radiography, often when the disease has already progressed significantly. The possibilities of detecting gingipain activity in gingival fluid could enable early-stage diagnosis and facilitate treatment. Here, we describe a sensitive nanoparticle-based nanoplasmonic biosensor for the detection of the proteolytic activity of gingipains. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were self-assembled as a submonolayer in multiwell plates and further modified with casein or IgG. The proteolytic degradation of the protein coating was tracked by monitoring the shift in the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak position. The sensor performance was investigated using model systems with trypsin and purified gingipains (subtypes Kgp and RgpB) and further validated using supernatants from cultures of P. gingivalis. Proteolytic degradation by proteases in buffer results in a concentration- and time-dependent blueshift of the LSPR band of about 1-2 nm when using casein as a substrate. In bacterial supernatants, the degradation of the protein coating resulted in unspecific binding of proteins present in the complex sample matrix to the nanoparticles, which instead triggered a redshift of about 2 nm of the LSPR band. A significant LSPR shift was seen only in samples with gingipain activity. The sensor showed a limit of detection &amp;lt; 0.1 mu g/mL (4.3 nM), which is well below gingipain concentrations detected in severe chronic periodontitis cases (similar to 50 mu g/mL). This work shows the possibility of developing cost-effective nanoparticle-based biosensors for rapid detection of protease activity for chair-side periodontal diagnostics.Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council (VR)Swedish Research Council [2016-04874, 2017-04475]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SFF)Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research [FFL15-0026]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationKnut &amp; Alice Wallenberg Foundation [KAW 2016.0231]</p

Protein-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles as Refractometric Nanoplasmonic Sensors for the Detection of Proteolytic Activity of Porphyromonas gingivalis

Periodontitis is an inflammatory oral disease that affects a large part of the adult population, causing significant costs and suffering. The key pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis, secretes gingipains, which are highly destructive proteases and the most important virulence factors in the pathogenesis of the disease. Currently, periodontitis is diagnosed mainly by mechanical manual probing and radiography, often when the disease has already progressed significantly. The possibilities of detecting gingipain activity in gingival fluid could enable early-stage diagnosis and facilitate treatment. Here, we describe a sensitive nanoparticle-based nanoplasmonic biosensor for the detection of the proteolytic activity of gingipains. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were self-assembled as a submonolayer in multiwell plates and further modified with casein or IgG. The proteolytic degradation of the protein coating was tracked by monitoring the shift in the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak position. The sensor performance was investigated using model systems with trypsin and purified gingipains (subtypes Kgp and RgpB) and further validated using supernatants from cultures of P. gingivalis. Proteolytic degradation by proteases in buffer results in a concentration- and time-dependent blueshift of the LSPR band of about 1-2 nm when using casein as a substrate. In bacterial supernatants, the degradation of the protein coating resulted in unspecific binding of proteins present in the complex sample matrix to the nanoparticles, which instead triggered a redshift of about 2 nm of the LSPR band. A significant LSPR shift was seen only in samples with gingipain activity. The sensor showed a limit of detection &amp;lt; 0.1 mu g/mL (4.3 nM), which is well below gingipain concentrations detected in severe chronic periodontitis cases (similar to 50 mu g/mL). This work shows the possibility of developing cost-effective nanoparticle-based biosensors for rapid detection of protease activity for chair-side periodontal diagnostics.Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council (VR)Swedish Research Council [2016-04874, 2017-04475]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SFF)Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research [FFL15-0026]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationKnut &amp; Alice Wallenberg Foundation [KAW 2016.0231]</p

Functionalization of bacterial cellulose wound dressings with the antimicrobial peptide epsilon-poly-L-Lysine

Wound dressings based on bacterial cellulose (BC) can form a soft and conformable protective layer that can stimulate wound healing while preventing bacteria from entering the wound. Bacteria already present in the wound can, however, thrive in the moist environment created by the BC dressing which can aggravate the healing process. Possibilities to render the BC antimicrobial without affecting the beneficial structural and mechanical properties of the material would hence be highly attractive. Here we present methods for functionalization of BC with epsilon-poly-L-Lysine (epsilon-PLL), a non-toxic biopolymer with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Low molecular weight epsilon-PLL was crosslinked in pristine BC membranes and to carboxymethyl cellulose functionalized BC using carbodiimide chemistry. The functionalization of BC with epsilon-PLL inhibited growth of S. epidermidis on the membranes but did not affect the cytocompatibility to cultured human fibroblasts as compared to native BC. The functionalization had no significant effects on the nanofibrous structure and mechanical properties of the BC. The possibility to functionalize BC with epsilon-PLL is a promising, green and versatile approach to improve the performance of BC in wound care and other biomedical applications.Funding Agencies|Linkoping University [2009 00971]; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University [2009 00971]; Carl Trygger Foundation; Knowledge Foundation</p

Modified lipoproteins in periodontitis : a link to cardiovascular disease?

There is a strong association between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disorders. A key event in the development of atherosclerosis is accumulation of modified lipoproteins within the arterial wall. We hypothesise that patients with periodontitis have an altered lipoprotein profile towards an atherogenic form. Therefore, the present study aims at identifying modifications of plasma lipoproteins in periodontitis. Lipoproteins from ten female patients with periodontitis and gender- and age-matched healthy controls were isolated by density-gradient ultracentrifugation. Proteins were separated by 2D gel-electrophoresis and identified by map-matching or by nano-LC followed by MS. Apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I (ApoA-I) methionine oxidation, Oxyblot, total antioxidant capacity and a multiplex of 71 inflammation-related plasma proteins were assessed. Reduced levels of apoJ, phospholipid transfer protein, apoF, complement C3, paraoxonase 3 and increased levels of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, apoA-II, apoC-III were found in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) from the patients. In low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/very LDL (VLDL), the levels of apoL-1 and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) as well as apo-B fragments were increased. Methionine oxidation of apoA-I was increased in HDL and showed a relationship with periodontal parameters. alpha-1 antitrypsin and alpha-2-HS glycoprotein were oxidised in LDL/VLDL and antioxidant capacity was increased in the patient group. A total of 17 inflammation-related proteins were important for group separation with the highest discriminating proteins identified as IL-21, Fractalkine, IL-17F, IL-7, IL-1RA and IL-2. Patients with periodontitis have an altered plasma lipoprotein profile, defined by altered protein levels as well as post-translational and other structural modifications towards an atherogenic form, which supports a role of modified plasma lipoproteins as central in the link between periodontal and cardiovascular disease (CVD).Funding Agencies|Swedish Knowledge Foundation [Dnr20150037]; Foundation Langmanska Kulturfonden; Magnus Bergwalls Foundation</p

Le anfore di Apani (Brindisi)

Palazzo Paola. Le anfore di Apani (Brindisi). In: Amphores romaines et histoire économique. Dix ans de recherche. Actes du colloque de Sienne (22-24 mai 1986) Rome : École Française de Rome, 1989. pp. 548-553. (Publications de l'École française de Rome, 114