Untersuchungen des Leberstoffwechsels von Patienten mit Leberzirrhose mittels 1 H-NMR-Spektroskopie und Korrelation mit klinischen Parametern

Die Leberzirrhose ist in den westlichen Industrienationen nach Autopsiestudien mit einer Prävalenz von 9,5% eine der häufigsten Erkrankungen. Die Früherkennung und Diagnose des Zirrhosestadiums zur Abwägung der Komplikationsprophylaxe ist problematisch und bisher immer nur mit einer Leberpunktion durchführbar. Die 1H-NMR-Protonenspektroskopie ist ein neues, nichtinvasives Verfahren, mit dem die direkte Erfassung metabolischer Veränderungen im Parenchym der Leber möglich ist. Anhand der Konzentrationen der Lipide, Glykogen, Glukose und Phosphomonoester wurden die pathologischen Veränderungen in zirrhotischen Lebern unterschiedlicher Genese untersucht. Die spektroskopisch gemessenen Metabolite der einzelnen Zirrhoseätiologien korrelierten zu unterschiedlichen Serumkonzentrationen der Leberstandardparameter und den Childstadien. Jede der einzelnen Zirrhoseätiologien konnte anhand unterschiedlicher Konzentrationen der spektroskopisch gemessenen Metabolite von den gesunden Probanden und anderen Zirrhosearten unterschieden werden

Glycan-binding specificities of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus lectin-like adhesins

Since the adhesion of bacteria to the tooth surface is a prerequisite for dental plaque and subsequent caries development, a promising caries preventive strategy could be to block the lectin-glycan-mediated adherence of cariogenic bacteria. The aim of the study was to evaluate potential differences in glycan-binding specificities of two Streptococcus mutans strains (DSM 20523 and DSM 6178) and Streptococcus sobrinus (DSM 20381). A competitive enzyme-linked lectin-binding assay was used to identify the binding specificities of isolated bacterial surface lectins. Blotting of the microbial proteins on neoglycoprotein-coated PVP membranes enabled a qualitative protein analysis of all specific bacterial lectins. Different glycan-binding sites could be identified for the S. mutans strains in comparison to S. sobrinus. An earlier reported glycan-binding specificity for terminal galactose residues could be confirmed for the S. mutans strains. For the S. sobrinus strain, more than one glycan-binding specificity could be found (oligomannose and terminal sialyl residues). Each of the tested strains showed more than one surface lectin responsible for the specific lectin-binding with varying molecular weight (S. mutans, 90/155kDa and S. sobrinus, 35/45kDa). The established experimental setup could be used as future standard procedure for the identification of bacterial lectin-derived binding specificities. The findings from this study might serve as basis for the design of an individual ‘glycan cocktail' for the competitive inhibition of lectin-mediated adhesion of mutans streptococci to oral surface

Halitosis and tongue coating in patients with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease versus nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with diagnosed erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (ERD) have an increased probability of halitosis and tongue coating compared to patients with nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (NERD). Materials and methods: Sixty-six patients (33 males and 33 females) were recruited for the study and received an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The presence of ERD (n = 31) and NERD (n = 35) was classified based on the Los Angeles classification for erosive changes in the esophagus. Additionally, the patients filled in a questionnaire regarding their subjective assessment of halitosis, and an organoleptic assessment of halitosis, a measurement of oral volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) with the Halimeter, and a tongue coating index were performed. ERD and NERD subjects were compared with regard to Halitosis-related clinical and anamnestic findings. Results: No statistically significant difference could be found between ERD and NERD patients regarding tongue coating index, organoleptic scores, and VSC values as well as self-perceived bad taste, tongue coating, and bad breath. Conclusions: These data suggest that halitosis is not typically associated with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease and the presence of esophageal mucosal damage (ERD patients). Clinical relevance: The data of this investigation support the findings of interdisciplinary bad breath clinics that gastroesophageal reflux disease is not a leading cause for halitosi

One-year clinical results of restorations using a novel self-adhesive resin-based bulk-fill restorative.

This prospective study assessed the dual-curing self-adhesive bulk-fill restorative Surefil one. The restorations were placed and reviewed by dental practitioners who are members of a practice-based research network in the United States. Seven practitioners filled 60 cavities (20 class I, 19 class II and 21 class V) in 41 patients with Surefil one without adhesive, according to the manufacturer's instructions. The restorations were evaluated using modified USPHS criteria at baseline, 3 months, and 1 year. Patients were also contacted to report postoperative hypersensitivity one to four weeks after placement. The only patient that showed moderate hypersensitivity after 1 year had previously reported symptoms that were unlikely associated to the class I molar restoration. One class II restoration in a fractured maxillary molar was partially lost. The remaining restorations were found to be in clinically acceptable condition resulting in an annual failure rate of 2%. Color match showed the lowest number of acceptable scores (88%) revealing significant changes over time (P = 0.0002). No significant differences were found for the other criteria (P > 0.05). The novel self-adhesive bulk-fill restorative showed clinically acceptable results in stress-bearing class I and II as well as non-retentive class V cavities at 1-year recall

Glycan-binding specificities of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus lectin-like adhesins

Since the adhesion of bacteria to the tooth surface is a prerequisite for dental plaque and subsequent caries development, a promising caries preventive strategy could be to block the lectin-glycan-mediated adherence of cariogenic bacteria. The aim of the study was to evaluate potential differences in glycan-binding specificities of two Streptococcus mutans strains (DSM 20523 and DSM 6178) and Streptococcus sobrinus (DSM 20381). A competitive enzyme-linked lectin-binding assay was used to identify the binding specificities of isolated bacterial surface lectins. Blotting of the microbial proteins on neoglycoprotein-coated PVP membranes enabled a qualitative protein analysis of all specific bacterial lectins. Different glycan-binding sites could be identified for the S. mutans strains in comparison to S. sobrinus. An earlier reported glycan-binding specificity for terminal galactose residues could be confirmed for the S. mutans strains. For the S. sobrinus strain, more than one glycan-binding specificity could be found (oligomannose and terminal sialyl residues). Each of the tested strains showed more than one surface lectin responsible for the specific lectin-binding with varying molecular weight (S. mutans, 90/155 kDa and S. sobrinus, 35/45 kDa). The established experimental setup could be used as future standard procedure for the identification of bacterial lectin-derived binding specificities. The findings from this study might serve as basis for the design of an individual 'glycan cocktail' for the competitive inhibition of lectin-mediated adhesion of mutans streptococci to oral surfaces