Glycosidic residues involved in human sperm-zona pellucida binding in vitro

Glycosidic residues of the mammalian zona pellucida (ZP) are known to be involved in sperm binding, suggesting the presence of complementary carbohydrate binding sites on spermatozoa. However, in previous studies, in which sperm suspensions were incubated with monosaccharides, no inhibitory effect was observed. Results of studies in which sperm were treated shortly after swim-up suggest that the use of non-capacitated cells may explain the apparently conflicting results. In the present report, we studied the effect of preincubation of capacitated spermatozoa with different monosaccharides on their ability to bind to ZP. After 5 h under capacitating conditions, spermatozoa were incubated in medium with or without a monosaccharide, resuspended in fresh medium and used for hemizona (HZ) binding assay. When ZH were incubated with spermatozoa treated with N-acetyl-D- glucosamine, D-mannose, D-fucose, L-fucose or D-galactose, a significant decrease in the number of spermatozoa bound was observed (level of inhibition: 62, 58, 82, 68 and 48% respectively) while treatment of spermatozoa with D-glucose produced no inhibition. Sugar treatment neither altered sperm motility nor the rate of acrosome reaction. These results suggest that N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, fucose and galactose residues are involved in human sperm-zona pellucida binding in vitro.      

Radiation shielding in dentistry: an update

The purpose of this article was to review the literature and provide guidelines on the use of radiation protection for patients in the dental setting. There are limited published data on the effects of low radiation doses such as those used in dental radiology. Most of the evidence is subject to bias, with risk models extrapolated from higher dose models such as studies of the Hiroshima bomb survivors. However, the lack of evidence does not denote the absence of risk, as there is no established ‘safe’ level of radiation exposure. All imaging utilizing ionizing radiation carries a risk for the patient. Hence the patient benefits of imaging must outweigh the potential risk. All diagnostic imaging should adhere to three basic principles, these being justification, optimization and application of dose limits. This article discusses dose reduction techniques and shielding of sensitive organs, particularly the thyroid, during procedures such as intraoral imaging, orthopantomograms and imaging of the pregnant patient.     

A clinical classification of the status of the pulp and the root canal system

Many different classification systems have been advocated for pulp diseases. However, most of them are based on histopathological findings rather than clinical findings which leads to confusion since there is little correlation between them. Most classifications mix clinical and histological terms resulting in misleading terminology and diagnoses. This in turn leads to further confusion and uncertainty in clinical practice when a rational treatment plan needs to be established in order to manage a specific pathological entity. A simple, yet practical classification of pulp diseases which uses terminology related to clinical findings is proposed. This classification will help clinicians understand the progressive nature of the pulp disease processes and direct them to the most appropriate and conservative treatment strategy for each condition. With a comprehensive knowledge of the pathophysiology of pain and inflammation in the pulp tissues, clinicians may accomplish this task with confidence.     

Recessive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis families with the D90A SOD1 mutation share a common founder: evidence for a linked protective factor

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neurodegeneration resulting in paralysis and death from respiratory failure within 3-5 years. About 20% of familial cases are associated with mutations in the gene for copper/zinc superoxide dismutase ( SOD1 ), which catalyses the dismutation of the superoxide radical to hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. Experimental evidence suggests mutations act by a toxic gain of function but the mechanism is unknown. There are >60 known SOD1 mutations associated with ALS and all are dominant except for one in exon 4, a D90A substitution which is recessive. D90A pedigrees with dominant inheritance have now been reported and this apparent contradiction needs to be explained. We performed a worldwide haplotype study on 28 D90A pedigrees using six highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. We now show that all 20 recessive families share the same founder (alpha = 0.999), regardless of geographical location, whereas several founders exist for the eight dominant families (alpha = 0.385). This finding confirms that D90A can act in a dominant fashion in keeping with all other SOD1 mutations, but that on one occasion, a new instance of this mutation has been recessive. We propose a tightly linked protective factor which modifies the toxic effect of mutant SOD1 in recessive families.      

Characterization of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene mutations in Albania

Introduction

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a clinical syndrome characterised by elevated serum total cholesterol (TCHOL) levels due to an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, by tendon xanthomata and clinical manifestations of ischaemic heart disease in early life. Typically, it results from mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene. So far, more than 800 mutations have been reported for the LDLR gene and account for FH. The nature of LDLR gene mutations varies among different ethnicities. Until now no mutations of LDLR have been reported in the Albanian population.

Material and methods

We assessed the contribution of the LDLR gene mutations as causes of FH in an Albanian population. Fifty probands with a clinical diagnosis of FH were included. We analysed all the exons and the promoter of the LDLR gene by using restriction isotyping or direct sequencing.

Results

Twenty-one patients were heterozygous for the 1646G>A mutation (FH Genoa) in exon 11 and 9 patients were heterozygous for the 81T>C mutation in exon 2 of the LDLR gene.

Conclusions

This report describes two LDLR gene mutations accounting for FH in Albania (1646G>A, 81T>C).     

Cyclic mechanical stretch augments both interleukin-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 production in the cultured human uterine cervical fibroblast cells

Intensive local leukocyte infiltration in the uterine cervix is a characteristic feature in the process of cervical ripening. The infiltrated leukocytes include neutrophils, macrophages and monocytes, which are believed to play important roles in cervical ripening by secreting elastase, matrix metalloproteinase and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3) belong to the CXC and CC chemokine families, and mediate the chemotaxis of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages respectively. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible involvement of IL-8 and MCP-3 in leukocyte chemotaxis in cervical ripening. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR detected both IL-8 and MCP-3 expression in human pregnant uterine cervices. Labour-like cyclic mechanical stretch for 48 h significantly elevated both IL-8 (555%) and MCP-3 (360%) secretion from cultured human uterine cervical fibroblast (CxF) cells (P<0.05 for both). Cyclic mechanical stretch for 24, 36 and 48 h significantly increased both IL-8 and MCP-3 mRNA expression in CxF cells (P<0.05 for all). The stretch-induced augmentation of both IL-8 and MCP-3 expression was significantly suppressed by an activator protein-1 (AP-1) inhibitor, curcumin. These data suggest that cyclic mechanical stretch of the uterine cervix by the presenting part of the fetus during labour may augment both IL-8 and MCP-3 production in the uterine cervix via AP-1 activation.     

Augmented endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression in human pregnant myometrium: possible involvement of eNOS promoter activation by estrogen via both estrogen receptor (ER)alpha and ERbeta

The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible contribution of estrogen to pregnancy-associated modulation of nitric oxide production in the human myometrium during pregnancy. Both endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) proteins were clearly expressed in the non-pregnant myometrium and were elevated in the first trimester of pregnancy. Oral contraceptive pills augmented eNOS, but not iNOS, protein expression in the non-pregnant human myometrium. In cultured human myometrial cells, estrogen receptor (ER)alpha and ERbeta expression was extremely low. Therefore, we used either ERalpha or ERbeta expression vector to investigate the effect of 17beta-estradiol treatment on eNOS promoter activity using eNOS promoter/luciferase vector in cultured human myometrial cells. 17beta-estradiol treatment significantly augmented eNOS promoter activity in cells co-transfected with either ERalpha or ERbeta, and this augmentation was dose-dependently suppressed by ICI 182780, an estrogen antagonist. These data suggest the possibility that both ERalpha and ERbeta are involved in the estrogen-associated regulation of eNOS gene expression in the human myometrium.     

Surgical Outcomes for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background  

The present study investigated outcomes following surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).     

Herpesvirus infections in solid organ transplant patients at high risk of primary cytomegalovirus disease

The epidemiology of infections with 5 human herpesviruses (HHVs) (HHV-6, HHV-7, HHV-8, varicella zoster virus [VZV], and Epstein-Barr virus [EBV]) was investigated during the first year after solid organ transplantation in 263 patients who received oral ganciclovir or valganciclovir prophylaxis. HHV-6B DNAemia was uncommon, HHV-6A DNAemia was not observed, and HHV-7 DNAemia was prevalent. HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNAemia were not significantly associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease, although a trend toward higher incidence of CMV disease was observed in HHV-6 DNAemic patients. VZV and HHV-8 DNAemia were not detected. EBV infection was common, although incidence of high-level EBV DNAemia was low, especially in patients who received valganciclovir prophylaxis. EBV-related posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease was not observed up to 12 months after transplantation. Compared with historic data, data from the present study suggest that antiviral prophylaxis may lower the incidence, prevalence, or level of DNAemia for infection with HHV-6, HHV-8, VZV, and EBV but not for infection with HHV-7.