Fluoride alters type I collagen expression in the early stages of odontogenesis

Fluoride alters the expression and post-translational modifications of extracellular matrix proteins in dentin. The aim of our study was to determine the effects of fluoride on type I collagen expression during the early stages of tooth germ development in rats. Pregnant dams were divided into three groups and fed a standard diet. From the fifth day of pregnancy the three groups received tap water with, respectively, trace amounts of fluoride (C), a low fluoride concentration (FL) or and a high fluoride concentration (FH). Changes in type I collagen expression and distribution were evaluated. The expression of type I collagen was restricted to the extracellular spaces of cells of mesenchymal origin. In the youngest animals the most intense immunoreactivity for type I collagen was detected in predentin of the FL group. Although the intensity of immunostaining increased in proportion to the age of the animals, the largest increase in the groups investigated was detected in the FL group. We concluded that a low concentration of fluoride can act as a stimulator of type I collagen deposition in the extracellular matrix of dentin, while high concentrations of fluoride have an opposite effect, acting as an inhibitor of type I collagen formation in dentin

The -9/+9 polymorphism of the bradykinin receptor beta 2 gene and athlete status: A study involving two European cohorts.

Background: Previous studies concerning the relevance of the BDKRB2 gene polymorphisms revealed that the absence (–9 allele) of a 9 base pair sequence in exon 1 of the BDKRB2 gene is correlated with higher skeletal muscle metabolic efficiency, glucose uptake during exercise, as well as endurance athletic performance. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the association between the BDKRB2 -9/+9 polymorphism and elite athletic status in two cohorts of east-European athletes. Therefore, we examined the genotype distribution of the BDKRB2 9/+9 polymorphic site in a group of Polish athletes and confirmed the results obtained in a replication study of Russian athletes. Methods: Three hundred and two Polish athletes and 684 unrelated sedentary controls as well as 822 Russian athletes and 507 unrelated sedentary volunteers were recruited for this study. All samples were genotyped for the -9/+9 polymorphism within exon 1 of the BDKRB2 gene using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Significance was assessed by χ2 analysis with Bonferroni\u27s correction for multiple testing. Results: We have not found any statistical difference in the -9/+9 genotype and allele frequencies in two groups of athletes divided into four subgroups, i.e. endurance, sprint-endurance, sprint-strength and strength athletes, when compared with controls. There weren\u27t any significant differences found in allele frequencies (P = 0.477) and genotype distribution (P = 0.278) in the initial and replication studies. Conclusion: No association was found between the BDKRB2 -9/+9 polymorphism and elite athletic status in two cohorts of east- European athlete

Zespół Brugadów - od rozpoznania do leczenia

Elektrokardiograficzne cechy zespołu Brugadów (BS) to uniesienie odcinka ST w prawokomorowych odprowadzeniach przedsercowych oraz występowanie napadów wielokształtnego częstoskurczu komorowego. Schorzenie to cechuje się także dużym ryzykiem nagłego zgonu, który może być pierwszym objawem choroby. Do potwierdzonych przyczyn BS należą różne mutacje genu SCN5A kodującego kanał sodowy. Jedyną metodą leczenia BS o udowodnionej skuteczności jest wszczepienie kardiowertera-defibrylatora. Nadal jednak istnieje wiele wątpliwości dotyczących etiologii, mechanizmów patofizjologicznych, bezpieczeństwa pacjentów bez objawów oraz innych metod leczenia tego zespołu. (Folia Cardiologica Excerpta 2008; 3: 21–28

Ultrasonic exfoliation of graphene in water: A key parameter study

Liquid Phase Exfoliation (LPE) is an efficient method for graphene flake exfoliation and considered to be compatible with industrial production requirements. However, most of available LPE methods require the uses of harmful and expensive solvents for chemical exfoliation prior to mechanical dispersion of the flakes, and therefore an additional step is needed to remove the contamination caused by the added chemicals, making the process complex, costly, unsafe and detrimental to the environment. By studying the effects of key ultrasonic LPE parameters, our study demonstrates the possibility to control the production and quality of few-layer graphene flakes in pure water in a relatively short period of time. The driving frequency of an ultrasonic source, a higher acoustic cavitation intensity and uniform distribution of the cavitation events in the sonicated volume are the key parameters for controlling the thickness, surface area and production yield of few-layer graphene flakes. The results are discussed in the context of mechanical exfoliation. This opens a direction for developing LPE into a cost effective, clean, environmentally friendly, and scalable manufacturing process for the next generation of two-dimensional nanomaterials for industrial-scale applications.UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) “Sustainable and industrially scalable ultrasonic liquid phase exfoliation technologies for manufacturing 2D advanced functional materials” (EcoUltra2D) (grant nos. EP/R031665/1; EP/R031401/1; EP/R031819/1; EP/R031975/1); Royal Society

Submasywna zatorowość płucna przebiegająca pod postacią ostrego zespołu wieńcowego

W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono przypadek 77-letniego mężczyzny, którego przyjęto do szpitala z powodu bólu w klatce piersiowej. W EKG zaobserwowano poziome obniżenia odcinka ST w odprowadzeniach V4-V6. Rozpoznano ostry zespół wieńcowy bez uniesienia odcinka ST. W badaniu echokardiograficznym uwidoczniono jednak cechy sugerujące zatorowość płucną. Przypadek ten dobrze ilustruje konieczność uwzględnienia zatorowości płucnej w rozpoznaniu różnicowym ostrych zespołów wieńcowych, a także podkreśla rolę badania echokardiograficznego, które należy wykonać najszybciej jak to możliwe. (Folia Cardiologica Excerpta 2007; 2: 560-564

Comparison of three methods of DNA extraction from human bones with different degrees of degradation

There is a necessity for deceased identification as a result of many accidents and sometimes bones are the only accessible source of DNA. So far, a universal method that allows for extraction of DNA from materials at different stages of degradation does not exist. The aims of this study were: the comparison of three methods of DNA extraction from bones with different degree of degradation and an evaluation of the usefulness of these methods in forensic genetics. The efficiency of DNA extraction, the degree of extract contamination by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors and the possibility of determining the STR loci profile were especially being compared. Nuclear DNA from bones at different states of degradation was isolated using three methods: classical, organic phenol–chloroform extraction, DNA extraction from crystal aggregates and extraction by total demineralisation. Total demineralisation is the best method for most cases of DNA extraction from bones, although it does not provide pure DNA. DNA extraction from aggregates removes inhibitors much better and is also a good method of choice when identity determination of exhumed remains is necessary. In the case of not buried bones (remains found outside) total demineralisation or phenol–chloroform protocols are more efficient for successful DNA extraction

Direct evidence of exfoliation efficiency and graphene dispersibility of green solvents towards sustainable graphene production

Achieving a sustainable production of pristine high-quality graphene and other layered materials at a low cost is one of the bottlenecks that needs to be overcome for reaching 2D material applications at a large scale. Liquid phase exfoliation in conjunction with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is recognized as the most efficient method for both the exfoliation and dispersion of graphene. Unfortunately, NMP is neither sustainable nor suitable for up-scaling production due to its adverse impact on the environment. Here, we show the real potential of green solvents by revealing the independent contributions of their exfoliation efficiency and graphene dispersibility to the graphene yield. By experimentally separating these two factors, we demonstrate that the exfoliation efficiency of a given solvent is independent of its dispersibility. Our studies revealed that isopropanol can be used to exfoliate graphite as efficiently as NMP. Our finding is corroborated by the matching ratio between the polar and dispersive energies of graphite and that of the solvent surface tension. This direct evidence of exfoliation efficiency and dispersibility of solvents paves the way to developing a deeper understanding of the real potential of sustainable graphene manufacturing at a large scale.UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), within the project “Sustainable and industrially scalable ultrasonic liquid phase exfoliation technologies for manufacturing 2D advanced functional materials” (EcoUltra2D), with the grant nos. EP/R031665/1; EP/R031401/1; EP/R031819/1; and EP/R031975/1. We wish to acknowledge the support of the Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials for K.L.N. through the Student Equipment Access Scheme enabling access to the Kruss GmbH K100C Surface Tensiometer facilities at the University of Manchester; EPSRC grant number EP/R00661X/1. N.G. thanks the Royal Society for financial support

GSTP1 c.313A>G polymorphism in Russian and Polish athletes

© 2017 the American Physiological Society.The GSTP1 gene encodes glutathione S-transferase P1, which is a member of the glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), a family of enzymes playing an important role in detoxification and in the antioxidant defense system. There is some evidence indicating that GSTP1 c.313A>G polymorphism may be beneficial for exercise performance. Therefore, we decided to verify the association between the frequency of GSTP1 c.313A>G variants, physical performance, and athletes’ status in two cohorts: in a group of Russian athletes (n = 507) and in an independent population of Polish athletes (n = 510) in a replication study. The initial association study conducted with the Russian athletes revealed that the frequency of the minor G allele was significantly higher in all athletes than in controls; that was confirmed in the replication study of Polish athletes. In the combined cohort, the differences between athletes (n = 1017) and controls (n = 1246) were even more pronounced (32.7 vs 25.0%, P G single nucleotide polymorphism is associated with improved endurance performance. These observations could support the hypothesis that the GSTP1 G allele may improve exercise performance by better elimination of exercise-induced ROS

Wpływ hormonalnej terapii zastępczej na parametry zmienności rytmu zatokowego i dyspersję QT u kobiet po menopauzie z chorobą wieńcową

Wstęp: Celem pracy była prospektywna ocena wpływu przezskórnej hormonalnej terapii zastępczej na zmienność rytmu zatokowego i dyspersję QT (QTd). Materiał i metody: Do badania włączono 56 kobiet po menopauzie (grupa leczona hormonalną terapią zastępczą - 31 kobiet, grupa kontrolna - 25 kobiet) z chorobą wieńcową potwierdzoną angiograficznie. Obie grupy były porównywalne pod względem czynników ryzyka oraz zaawansowania choroby wieńcowej. U wszystkich chorych wykonywano na początku i po 12 miesiącach obserwacji standardowe badanie EKG i badanie metodą Holtera. Wyniki: W 12 miesiącu obserwacji stwierdzono nieznaczne zmniejszenie QTd w grupie leczonej z 60 ± 25 ms do 55 ± 17 ms, natomiast znamienny wzrost w grupie kontrolnej: do 58 ± 13 ms do 66 ± 20 ms. Dyspersja QT była porównywalna w obu grupach wyjściowo, a większa (p = 0,094) w grupie kontrolnej po 12 miesiącach obserwacji. Wartości wybranych pięciu parametrów analizy czasowej HRV nie zmieniły się istotnie w żadnej z grup (oceniano SDNN, SDNNI, SDANNI, rMSSD i PNN50). Różnice pomiędzy grupami w zakresie parametrów HRV przed badaniem, jak i po jego zakończeniu były nieistotne. Wnioski: Krótkotrwała przezskórna hormonalna terapia zastępcza nie wpływa istotnie na zmienność rytmu zatokowego i dyspersję QT u kobiet z chorobą wieńcową. (Folia Cardiol. 2003; 10: 649-654