A mass spectrometric approach to the proteomic profiling of the Canis lupus familiaris acquired enamel pellicle on hydroxyapatite discs

The acquired enamel pellicle (AEP) is a multi-protein film attached to the surface of teeth, which functions to lubricate the dental surface, form an anti-erosive barrier and exhibits antimicrobial properties. The initiation of AEP formation occurs within seconds of exposure to saliva, a biofluid rich in protein species. While there have been many publications on the formation of human AEP there is little research on the composition of canine AEP during its acquisition. The aim of these studies was to explore the composition of canine AEP formation, utilising hydroxyapatite (HA) discs as a tooth substitute matrix, over time. Qualitative and quantitative proteomics techniques using tandem mass tag labelled peptides and LC-MS/MS were used to follow the formation of canine AEP on hydroxyapatite discs over the course of an hour. Proteins adsorbed to the HA surface included highly abundant proteins in canine saliva, antimicrobial proteins, protease inhibitors and the buffering agent carbonic anhydrase. Greater understanding of the canine AEP deepens fundamental knowledge of the early processes driving bacterial colonisation of the tooth surface and subsequent plaque accumulation

The Role of Micronutrients in Ageing Asia:What Can Be Implemented with the Existing Insights

Life expectancy as a measure of population health does not reflect years of healthy life. The average life expectancy in the Asia-Pacific region has more than doubled since 1900 and is now above 70 years. In the Asia-Pacific region, the proportion of aged people in the population is expected to double between 2017 and 2050. Increased life expectancy leads to an increase in non-communicable diseases, which consequently affects quality of life. Suboptimal nutritional status is a contributing factor to the prevalence and severity of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular, cognitive, musculoskeletal, immune, metabolic and ophthalmological functions. We have reviewed the published literature on nutrition and healthy ageing as it applies to the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on vitamins, minerals/trace elements and omega-3 fatty acids. Optimal nutritional status needs to start before a senior age is reached and before the consequences of the disease process are irreversible. Based on the nutritional status and health issues in the senior age in the region, micronutrients of particular importance are vitamins A, D, E, C, B-12, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. The present paper substantiates the creation of micronutrient guidelines and proposes actions to support the achievement of optimal nutritional status as contribution to healthy ageing for Asia-Pacific populations

Phytochemical and biochemometric evaluation of the Alaskan anti-TB ethnobotanical: Oplopanax horridus.

Phytochemical and biochemometric evaluation of the Alaskan anti-TB ethnobotanical: Oplopanax horridus

Factors That Influence the Extensional Rheological Property of Saliva.

The spinnbarkeit of saliva reflects the ability of saliva to adhere to surfaces within the mouth, thereby serving as a protective role and aiding in lubrication. Therefore, alterations in the extensional rheology of saliva may result in the loss in adhesiveness or the ability to bind onto surfaces. Mucin glycoproteins and their structures are known to be important factors for the extensional rheological properties of saliva. The conformation of mucin depends on factors such as pH and ionic strength. Chewing is one of the main stimuli for salivary secretion but creates significant sheer stress on the salivary film which could influence mouthfeel perceptions. The current study investigates the possible factors which affect the extensional rheological properties of saliva by comparing submandibular/sublingual saliva with different oral stimuli within the same group of subjects. Unstimulated and stimulated saliva (chew, smell and taste) salivas were collected primarily from submandibular/sublingual glands. The saliva samples were measured for Spinnbarkeit followed by the measuring mucin, total protein, total calcium and bicarbonate concentrations. The results indicated correlations between rheological properties and mucin/ion concentrations. However, chewing stimulated submandibular/sublingual saliva is shown to have significantly lower Spinnbarkeit, but factors such as mucin, protein and calcium concentrations did not account for this variation. Analysis of the concentration of bicarbonate and pH appears to suggest that it has a prominent effect on extensional rheology of saliva

Flow rate and concentrations of total protein, calcium, bicarbonate, mucin concentration of unstimulated and stimulated SM/SL saliva and labial saliva.

<p>Mean ±SEM. (n = 5).</p><p>*p< 0.05,</p><p>**p< 0.005,</p><p>***p<0.0001</p><p>Flow rate and concentrations of total protein, calcium, bicarbonate, mucin concentration of unstimulated and stimulated SM/SL saliva and labial saliva.</p

Interfacial, extensional rheology and pH measurements for unstimulated and stimulated SM/SL saliva and labial saliva.

<p>Mean ±SEM. (n = 5).</p><p>*p<0.05,</p><p>**p<0.005,</p><p>***p< 0.0005</p><p>Interfacial, extensional rheology and pH measurements for unstimulated and stimulated SM/SL saliva and labial saliva.</p

Cryo-Scanning electron micrograph images of unstimulated SMSL and parotid saliva.

<p>(a) section of unstimulated SMSL saliva showing the appearance of a filamentous mucin network; (b) section of parotid saliva showing a continuous matrix with the absence of a filamentous mucin network (Scale bar = 5μm).</p