A preliminary investigation of short-term cytokine expression in gingival crevicular fluid secondary to high-level orthodontic forces and the associated root resorption: case series analytical study

Background: Orthodontically induced iatrogenic root resorption (OIIRR) is an unavoidable inflammatory process. Several factors claimed to be related to the severity of OIIRR. Orthodontic forces cause micro-trauma to the periodontal ligament and activate a cascade of cellular events associated with local periodontal inflammation. The purpose of this split-mouth study were (1) to investigate the changes in cytokine profile in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) secondary to heavy orthodontic forces and (2) to compare the cytokine expression between participants showing high and low root resorption. Methods: Eight participants requiring maxillary first premolar extractions involved in this study. The teeth on the tested side (TS) received 225 g of controlled buccal tipping force for 28 days, while the contralateral teeth act as a control (CS). GCF was collected from both TS and CS teeth at 0 h (prior to application of force) and 3 h, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days and 28 days after the application of force, and analysed with multiplex bead immunoassay to determine the cytokine levels. Results: Statistically significant temporal increase was found in the TS teeth for tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) at 3 h and 28 days (p = 0.01). Interleukin 7 (IL-7) significantly peaked at the 28th day. Comparing cytokine profile for participants with high and low root resorption (>0.35 and <0.15 mm3, respectively), the levels of GM-CSF was significantly greater in low root resorption cases (p < 0.05). The amounts of root resorption which craters on mesial, distal surfaces and middle third region were significant in the TS teeth (p < 0.05). Conclusions: IL-7 and TNF-α (pro-resorptive cytokine) increased significantly secondary to a high-level of orthodontic force application. Significantly high levels of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (anti-resorptive cytokine) were detected in mild root resorption cases secondary to high-level orthodontic force application. A future long-term randomised clinical trial with larger sample taking in consideration gender, age and growth pattern distribution would be recommended

Extending the dynamic range of nuclear pulse spectrometers

Using an innovative time-varying front-end electronics in conjunction with a bulky coaxial high-purity germanium detector, we were able to extend the range of the radionuclide spectra well beyond the analog to digital converter (ADC) saturation point. The electronics automatically conditions the signal for digital-filtering optimization if it is in the ADC voltage range and for time-over-threshold analysis if it exceeds the ADC range. A high spectroscopic resolution has been achieved in both operation ranges. An unprecedented wide energy range from 5 keV to 150 MeV of equivalent energy, or 90 dB, has been obtained using a single acquisition chain, while maintaining a high-energy resolution in the whole spectrum. For example, with an ADC range of 3 MeV a resolution has been obtained of 1.3/2.2 keV full width at half maximum on the 122/1332 keV gamma-ray lines of Co-57 and Co-60, and of <0.4% in the time-over-threshold region, or for energy deposits beyond 3 MeV. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics

Influence des surfaces texturées sur les performances hydrodynamiques d'un blochet

L'utilisation des surfaces micro-texturées dans les paliers et butées hydrodynamiques peut avoir des effets positifs sur les performances de ces composants. Cependant, une étude analytique suffit pour montrer qu'une mauvaise distribution ou un dimensionnement inadapté des textures peuvent conduire à des pertes de performance et non à des gains. Afin de mieux comprendre le comportement de ces surfaces, un modèle numérique a été mis au point et appliqué à un blochet hydrodynamique ayant des surfaces micro-texturées. Une analyse paramétrique a été menée afin de déterminer les paramètres optimaux de texturation, tel que la distribution, la densité et la profondeur des alvéoles. L'influence de la texturation en fonction de l'inclinaison du blochet est également discutée. Les performances du blochet texturé sont analysées en termes de capacité de charge et forces de frottement par rapport au cas lisse

Amyloid β induces early changes in the ribosomal machinery, cytoskeletal organization and oxidative phosphorylation in retinal photoreceptor cells

Amyloid &beta; (A&beta;) accumulation and its aggregation is characteristic molecular feature of the development of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease (AD). More recently, A&beta; has been suggested to be associated with retinal pathology associated with AD, glaucoma and drusen deposits in age related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study, we investigated the proteins and biochemical networks that are affected by A&beta; in the 661 W photoreceptor cells in culture. Time and dose dependent effects of A&beta; on the photoreceptor cells were determined utilizing tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling-based quantitative mass-spectrometric approach. Bioinformatic analysis of the data revealed concentration and time dependent effects of the A&beta; peptide stimulation on various key biochemical pathways that might be involved in mediating the toxicity effects of the peptide. We identified increased Tau phosphorylation, GSK3&beta; dysregulation and reduced cell viability in cells treated with A&beta; in a dose and time dependent manner. This study has delineated for the first-time molecular networks in photoreceptor cells that are impacted early upon A&beta; treatment and contrasted the findings with a longer-term treatment effect. Proteins associated with ribosomal machinery homeostasis, mitochondrial function and cytoskeletal organization were affected in the initial stages of A&beta; exposure, which may provide key insights into AD effects on the photoreceptors and specific molecular changes induced by A&beta; peptide

Search for proton emission of the isomeric 10+ state in 54 Ni

9 pags., 7 figs., 1 tab.Several experiments were conducted at the 10 MV Van-de-Graaff tandem accelerator at the Institute of Nuclear Physics, Cologne, to detect proton emission from the isomeric 6457-keV 10 state in Ni. Excitation functions for two fusion–evaporation reactions were measured to maximise the population of the rare two-neutron evaporation channel from a Ni compound nucleus. The search for delayed proton emission was based on the Si (Si , 2 n)Ni reaction at a beam energy of 70 MeV. For this reaction, a cross-section limit for the population of the 10 state in Ni and its proton-decay branch was determined to be σ< 22 nb.Open Access funding provided by Projekt DEAL. We would like to thank the accelerator staff at the University of Cologne for the efforts to deliver heavy-ion beams of excellent quality, as well as the Swedish Research Council (contract VR 2008-4240 and VR 2016- 3969) for financial support

Load carrying capacity of a heterogeneous surface bearing

It has been shown before that liquids can slip at a solid boundary, which prompted the idea that parallel-surfaces bearings can be achieved just by alternating slip and non-slip regions in the direction of fluid flow. The amount of slip at the wall depends on the surface tension at the liquid–solid interface, which in turn depends on the chemical state of the surface and its roughness. In the present study a heterogeneous surface was obtained by coating half of a circular glass disc with a coating repellant to glycerol. A rotating glass disc was placed at a known/calibrated distance and the gap was filled with glycerol. With the mobile surface moving from the direction of slip to non-slip region it can be theoretically shown that a pressure build up can be achieved. The pressure gradient in the two regions is constant, similar to that in a Rayleigh step bearing, with the maximum pressure at the separation line. The heterogeneous disc was placed on a holder supported by a load cell thus the force generated by this pressure increase can be measured accurately. Tests were carried out at different sliding speeds and gaps and the load carried was measured and subsequently compared with theoretical calculations. This allowed the slip coefficient to be evaluated

PGRMC1 phosphorylation affects cell shape, motility, glycolysis, mitochondrial form and function, and tumor growth.

BackgroundProgesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 (PGRMC1) is expressed in many cancer cells, where it is associated with detrimental patient outcomes. It contains phosphorylated tyrosines which evolutionarily preceded deuterostome gastrulation and tissue differentiation mechanisms.ResultsWe demonstrate that manipulating PGRMC1 phosphorylation status in MIA PaCa-2 (MP) cells imposes broad pleiotropic effects. Relative to parental cells over-expressing hemagglutinin-tagged wild-type (WT) PGRMC1-HA, cells expressing a PGRMC1-HA-S57A/S181A double mutant (DM) exhibited reduced levels of proteins involved in energy metabolism and mitochondrial function, and altered glucose metabolism suggesting modulation of the Warburg effect. This was associated with increased PI3K/AKT activity, altered cell shape, actin cytoskeleton, motility, and mitochondrial properties. An S57A/Y180F/S181A triple mutant (TM) indicated the involvement of Y180 in PI3K/AKT activation. Mutation of Y180F strongly attenuated subcutaneous xenograft tumor growth in NOD-SCID gamma mice. Elsewhere we demonstrate altered metabolism, mutation incidence, and epigenetic status in these cells.ConclusionsAltogether, these results indicate that mutational manipulation of PGRMC1 phosphorylation status exerts broad pleiotropic effects relevant to cancer and other cell biology

Integrative omics identifies conserved and pathogen-specific responses of sepsis-causing bacteria

Even in the setting of optimal resuscitation in high-income countries severe sepsis and septic shock have a mortality of 20–40%, with antibiotic resistance dramatically increasing this mortality risk. To develop a reference dataset enabling the identification of common bacterial targets for therapeutic intervention, we applied a standardized genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic technological framework to multiple clinical isolates of four sepsis-causing pathogens: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Exposure to human serum generated a sepsis molecular signature containing global increases in fatty acid and lipid biosynthesis and metabolism, consistent with cell envelope remodelling and nutrient adaptation for osmoprotection. In addition, acquisition of cholesterol was identified across the bacterial species. This detailed reference dataset has been established as an open resource to support discovery and translational research