Protein Buffering in Model Systems and in Whole Human Saliva

The aim of this study was to quantify the buffer attributes (value, power, range and optimum) of two model systems for whole human resting saliva, the purified proteins from whole human resting saliva and single proteins. Two model systems, the first containing amyloglucosidase and lysozyme, and the second containing amyloglucosidase and α-amylase, were shown to provide, in combination with hydrogencarbonate and di-hydrogenphosphate, almost identical buffer attributes as whole human resting saliva. It was further demonstrated that changes in the protein concentration as small as 0.1% may change the buffer value of a buffer solution up to 15 times. Additionally, it was shown that there was a protein concentration change in the same range (0.16%) between saliva samples collected at the time periods of 13:00 and others collected at 9:00 am and 17:00. The mode of the protein expression changed between these samples corresponded to the change in basic buffer power and the change of the buffer value at pH 6.7. Finally, SDS Page and Ruthenium II tris (bathophenantroline disulfonate) staining unveiled a constant protein expression in all samples except for one 50 kDa protein band. As the change in the expression pattern of that 50 kDa protein band corresponded to the change in basic buffer power and the buffer value at pH 6.7, it was reasonable to conclude that this 50 kDa protein band may contain the protein(s) belonging to the protein buffer system of human saliva

Comparison of three strip-type tests and two laboratory methods for salivary buffering analysis

This study evaluated the correlation between three strip-type, colorimetric tests and two laboratory methods with respect to the analysis of salivary buffering. The strip-type tests were saliva-check buffer, Dentobuff strip and CRT(®) Buffer test. The laboratory methods included Ericsson's laboratory method and a monotone acid/base titration to create a reference scale for the salivary titratable acidity. Additionally, defined buffer solutions were prepared and tested to simulate the carbonate, phosphate and protein buffer systems of saliva. The correlation between the methods was analysed by the Spearman's rank test. Disagreement was detected between buffering capacity values obtained with three strip-type tests that was more pronounced in case of saliva samples with medium and low buffering capacities. All strip-type tests were able to assign the hydrogencarbonate, di-hydrogenphosphate and 0.1% protein buffer solutions to the correct buffer categories. However, at 0.6% total protein concentrations, none of the test systems worked accurately. Improvements are necessary for strip-type tests because of certain disagreement with the Ericsson's laboratory method and dependence on the protein content of saliva

Assessment of Dental Caries Risk in Children Based on Color Doppler Us and The Changes In Blood Perfusion in The Salivary Glands During Salivary Stimulation

PURPOSE To investigate in otherwise healthy children the association between the caries index, the stimulated salivary flow rate (SFR), and the spectral Doppler findings of the changes in blood perfusion in the salivary glands during the secretion of saliva. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group consisted of 38 children with a mean age of 9.47 +/- 1.89 years. The caries index was calculated by determining the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth. Groups A, B, and C represented subjects with low, moderate, and normal SFRs, respectively, calculated by obtaining chewing-stimulated whole saliva. All subjects were examined by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) before and during secretory stimulation with lemon, by which maximum systolic velocity (MSV), pulsatility index (PI), resistive index (RI), and flow volume (FV) were calculated at the external carotid and facial arteries. RESULTS The differences for spectral indices obtained before and after stimulation were significantly different among Groups A, B, and C at the external carotid artery (P = 0.006 for delta MSV, P = 0.014 for delta PI, P < 0.001 for delta RI, and P = 0.022 for delta FV) and at the facial artery (P = 0.001 for delta MSV, P = 0.004 for delta PI, P < 0.001 for delta RI, and P < 0.001 for delta FV). In addition, significant correlations were calculated between the SFR and the aforementioned delta values. CONCLUSION CDUS enabled the evaluation of changes in blood perfusion in the salivary glands during salivary stimulation and may be a promising tool for the assessment of caries risk in children

Figure 5

<p>Panel A: Titration curves with 150 pH measurements per curve of (a) human saliva, (b) 10 µM (0.1%) amyloglucosidase, 340 µM (0.5%) lysozyme, 10 mM hydrogencarbonate and 5 mM <i>di</i>-hydrogenphosphate (model system I) and (c) 10 µM (0.1%) amyloglucosidase, 40 µM (0.2%) α-amylase, 10 mM hydrogencarbonate and 5 mM <i>di</i>-hydrogenphosphate (model system II). Panel B: Titration curve with 150 pH measurements per curve of (a) titration curve with 150 averaged pH measurements (5 per pH measurement point) of 5 male subjects with standard deviations indicated by grey bars. (b) 10 µM (0.1%) amyloglucosidase, 340 µM (0.5%) lysozyme, 10 mM hydrogencarbonate and 5 mM <i>di</i>-hydrogenphosphate, (c) 10 µM (0.1%) amyloglucosidase, 40 µM (0.2%) α-amylase, 10 mM hydrogencarbonate and 5 mM <i>di</i>-hydrogenphosphate (model system II).</p

Figure 4

<p>Titration curves with 80 pH measurements per curve of purified salivary protein from 10 ml saliva. Saliva samples were taken at (a) 9:00 am, (b) 13:00 and (c) 17:00. Next to the titration curves the corresponding electropherograms sections containing proteins from 50 to 110 kDa are shown. Proteins were visualized by modified ruthenium (ii) tris bathophenantroline staining.</p

Figure 1

<p>Titration curves with 150 pH measurements per curve of (a) 5 mM <i>di</i>-hydrogenphosphate, (b) 10 mM hydrogencarbonate, (c) 10 mM hydrogencarbonate plus 5 mM <i>di</i>-hydrogenphosphate, (d) 10 µM (0.1%) amyloglucosidase, 340 µM (0.5%) lysozyme, 10 mM hydrogencarbonate and 5 mM <i>di</i>-hydrogenphosphate (model system I), (e) 10 µM (0.1%) amyloglucosidase, 40 µM (0.2%) α-amylase, 10 mM hydrogencarbonate and 5 mM <i>di</i>-hydrogenphosphate (model system II) and (f) deionized water. The calculated buffer power is indicated in µmol per 10 ml of the analytes, in the internal scale.</p

Figure 2

<p>Titration curves with 86 pH measurements per curve of (a) 340 µM (0.5%) lysozyme in water, (b) 10 µM (0.1%) amyloglucosidase in water, (c) 10 µM (0.1%) amyloglucosidase plus 340 µM (0.5%) lysozyme in water, (d) 40 µM (0.2%) α-amylase and (e) 10 µM (0.1%) amyloglucosidase, 40 µM (0.2%) α-amylase.</p

Landscape of congenital adrenal hyperplasia cases in adult endocrinology clinics of Türkiye-a nation-wide multicentre study

Background and aimsCongenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of disorders that affect the production of steroids in the adrenal gland and are inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. The clinical and biochemical manifestations of the disorder are diverse, ranging from varying degrees of anomalies of the external genitalia to life-threatening adrenal insufficiency. This multicenter study aimed to determine the demographics, biochemical, clinical, and genetic characteristics besides the current status of adult patients with CAH nationwide.MethodsThe medical records of 223 patients with all forms of CAH were evaluated in the study, which included 19 adult endocrinology clinics. A form inquiring about demographical, etiological, and genetic (where available) data of all forms of CAH patients was filled out and returned by the centers.ResultsAmong 223 cases 181 (81.16%) patients had 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD), 27 (12.10%) had 11-beta-hydroxylase deficiency (110HD), 13 (5.82%) had 17-hydroxylase deficiency (17OHD) and 2 (0.89%) had 3-beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase deficiency. 21OHD was the most prevalent CAH form in our national series. There were 102 (56.4%) classical and 79 (43.6%) non-classical 210HD cases in our cohort. The age of the patients was 24.9 +/- 6.1 (minimum-maximum: 17-44) for classical CAH patients and 30.2 +/- 11.2 (minimum-maximum: 17-67). More patients in the nonclassical CAH group were married and had children. Reconstructive genital surgery was performed in 54 (78.3%) of classical CAH females and 42 (77.8%) of them had no children. Thirty-two (50.8%) NCAH cases had homogenous and 31 (49.2%) had heterogeneous CYP21A2 gene mutations. V281L pathological variation was the most prevalent mutation, it was detected in 35 (55.6%) of 21OHD NCAH patients.ConclusionOur findings are compatible with the current literature except for the higher frequency of 110HD and 17OHD, which may be attributed to unidentified genetic causes. A new classification for CAH cases rather than classical and non-classical may be helpful as the disease exhibits a large clinical and biochemical continuum. Affected cases should be informed of the possible complications they may face. The study concludes that a better understanding of the clinical characteristics of patients with CAH can improve the management of the disorder in daily practice

Impact of a multidimensional infection control approach on central line-associated bloodstream infections rates in adult intensive care units of 8 cities of Turkey: findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC)

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABs) have long been associated with excess lengths of stay, increased hospital costs and mortality attributable to them. Different studies from developed countries have shown that practice bundles reduce the incidence of CLAB in intensive care units. However, the impact of the bundle strategy has not been systematically analyzed in the adult intensive care unit (ICU) setting in developing countries, such as Turkey. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) multidimensional infection control approach to reduce the rates of CLAB in 13 ICUs of 13 INICC member hospitals from 8 cities of Turkey