Salivary alkaline phosphatase activity and chronological age as indicators for skeletal maturity

Objectives:To investigate the relationship between salivary alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), protein concentration, and chronological age with cervical vertebral maturation stages (CVMS) as noninvasive biomarkers for skeletal maturity assessment.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study included 79 subjects (48 females, 31 males; 7 to 23 years old) categorized into five CVMS based on lateral cephalographs evaluated by three examiners. ALP activity and protein concentration in unstimulated whole saliva were compared among five CVMS. The association between age and CVMS was assessed and five multinomial logistic regression models were utilized to predict CVMS based on salivary ALP activity, protein concentration, and chronological age.Results:Salivary ALP reached the peak at early pubertal stage and then declined with a significant difference between CVMS I and CVMS II (P < .001) and between CVMS I and CVMS V (P = .004). A significant positive correlation between age and CVMS was found (r_s = 0.763, P < .001). The models'' overall correct classification rates for predicting CVMS were 32.9% using protein concentration, 35.4% using ALP activity, and 53.2% using both ALP activity and age.Conclusions:The combination of salivary ALP activity and chronological age may provide the best CVMS prediction.     

Family study of lipoprotein lipase gene polymorphisms and plasma triglyceride levels

To better characterize the role of the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene in the determination of triglyceride levels in healthy subjects, a study was performed in 193 nuclear families (384 parents, means age = 42.0 ± 5.2 years; 399 offspring, mean age = 14.6 ± 4.3 years) volunteering to have a free health checkup examination. The pattern of familial resemblance was compatible with a zero correlation between spouses, a weak father-offspring correlation (0.099 ± 0.054; P < 0.07), and significant mother-offspring (0.235 ± 0.053; P < 10⁻⁴) and sib-sib (0.294 ± 0.064; P < 10⁻⁴) correlations. Associations of triglyceride levels with the LPL HindIII and PvuII polymorphisms were investigated by a familial measured genotype analysis, specifying sex- and age-dependent polymorphism effects. The effects associated with both polymorphisms were significant only in fathers, the H+ and P+ alleles being associated with raised triglyceride levels. The HindIII and PvuII polymorphisms explained 3.5% and 3%, respectively, of the variability of triglycerides in fathers. The relationship was weakened after prior adjustment on body mass index, but remained significant for PvuII. Because of the lack of effect in mothers and offspring, the polymorphisms did not contribute to the covariance of triglyceride levels in relatives. In conclusion, this family study showed a weak relationship of the HindIII and PvuII polymorphisms to plasma triglyceride levels in young healthy male subjects. The effects detectable only in fathers suggest a possible modulation of the LPL expression by hormonal or lifestyle factors. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Substance P and neurokinin A variations throughout the rat estrous cycle; comparison with ovariectomized and male rats: I. Plasma,hypothalamus, anterior and posterior pituitary

The concentrations of Substance P and Neurokinin A were measured in plasma, and the hypothalamo-pituitary complex of 4-day-cycling female, ovariectomized and male rats. Estrous cycle-related fluctuations were recorded for these two neurokinins. The patterns of plasma concentrations of Substance P and Neurokinin A, however, were not similar throughout the rat estrous cycle. The plasma concentration of Substance P increased on proestrus at 19.00 hr, while Neurokinin A decreased. The plasma concentration of Substance P was positively correlated with plasma 17β-estradiol levels. In the ovariectomized rat, the absence of ovarian steroids led to low levels of plasma Neurokinin A, but the plasma concentration of Substance P did not show any change as compared to the estrous cycle. In the male rat, a similar observation was made in the presence of a testosterone environment. The largest variations in tissue concentration of both peptides were observed in the anterior pituitary. Substance P and Neurokinin A contents were higher throughout the proestrous day than the 3 other days. However, the level fell at 18.00 hr on proestrus, and there were similar falls in the hypothalamic contents of Substance P and Neurokinin A at 19.00 hr. In the ovariectomized rat, with no gonadal steroids, the hypothalamic and/or anterior pituitary levels of Substance P were in the same range as during the estrous cycle. However, the hypothalamic levels of Neurokinin A were lower and Neurokinin A was undetectable in the anterior pituitary. Substance P and Neurokinin A concentrations in the posterior pituitary were stable throughout the estrous cycle, with the exception of rises for both peptides on estrous day. Substance P levels were much lower in ovariectomized and male rats. These results describe large fluctuations in hypothalamic and pituitary Substance P and Neurokinin A contents through the estrous cycle in the female rat. They also strongly suggest the involvement of gonadal steroids in the differential regulation of Substance P and Neurokinin A in the female and male rat. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

In-vitro effect of Peganum harmala total alkaloids on spermatozoa quality and oxidative stress of epididymal ram semen

Objective: To determine the in-vitro effect of the total alkaloid extract of Peganum (P.) harmala seeds on ram epididymal sperm. Methods: Semen was divided into...     

Effects of Permethrin on Biomarkers in Mediterranean Clams (Ruditapes decussatus)

The present study was focused on the assessment of Catalase (CAT) and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in Mediterranean clams (Ruditapes decussatus) exposed to 50, 100 and 150 μg/L of Permethrin for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days. In water, the measured concentrations of Permethrin in the treated aquariums were respectively 16.66, 38.24 and 55.61 μg/L. Results showed that CAT activity was increased after 5 days of exposure to high concentration reaching maximum value of 10.14 μmol/min/mg proteins after 25 days. However, no significant changes in AChE activity after 5 days of exposure were detected in all treated groups. AChE activity was significantly inhibited after 10 days with 100 and 150 μg/L and still depending on concentration and time. Maximum inhibition of AChE activity was reached after 25 days with the highest concentration of Permethrin. Our data indicated that exposure to Permethrin modifies biomarker profiles inducing oxidative stress and reducing AChE activity in Mediterranean clams.     

Purification and partial characterization of paralytic shellfish poison-binding protein from Acanthocardia tuberculatum.

A paralytic shellfish poison-binding protein (PSPBP) was purified 16.6-fold from the foot of the Moroccan cockles Acanthocardia tuberculatum. Using affinity chromatography, 2.5mg of PSPBP showing homogeneity on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was obtained from 93 mg of crude extract. The purified PSPBP exhibits a specific activity of about 2.78 mU/mg proteins and has estimated molecular weight of 181 kDa. Observation of a single band equivalent to 88 kDa on SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions suggested it to be a homodimer. The optimal temperature and pH for the purified PSPBP were respectively 30 degrees C and 7.0.     

Role of proinflammatory cytokines in the impaired lacrimation associated with autoimmune xerophthalmia

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha on neurally mediated lacrimal gland protein secretion and to determine whether the amount of IL-1beta protein is upregulated in inflamed lacrimal glands of the MRL/lpr mouse, a murine model of human Sj?gren syndrome. METHODS: Lacrimal gland lobules of BALB/c mice were prepared and incubated for 2 hours in the presence or absence of recombinant human (rh)IL-1alpha, rhIL-1beta (10 ng/mL each), or rhTNFalpha (50 ng/mL). Peroxidase secretion in response to depolarizing KCl (75 mM) solution was measured by spectrofluorometric assay. In another set of experiments, saline, rhIL-1beta (1 microg), or an antibody against IL-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI), with or without rhIL-1beta, was injected (2 microL) into the lacrimal glands of anesthetized BALB/c mice. Twenty-four hours later, lacrimal gland lobules were prepared and peroxidase secretion was measured. The amount of IL-1beta protein in lacrimal gland acinar cell lysates prepared from 3-, 9-, and 13-week-old BALB/c, MRL/(+), and MRL/lpr mice was determined by ELISA. RESULTS: KCl-induced peroxidase secretion was inhibited in vitro 62%, 66%, and 53% by rhIL-1alpha, rhIL-1beta, and rhTNFalpha, respectively. In vivo, rhIL-1beta inhibited KCl-induced peroxidase secretion by 72%. This inhibitory effect of IL-1beta was completely reversed by an antibody against IL-1RI. Compared with 3-week-old mice, the amount of IL-1beta protein was upregulated 15- and 21-fold in lacrimal gland acinar cells isolated from 9- and 13-week-old MRL/lpr mice, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Proinflammatory cytokines inhibit neurally mediated lacrimal gland secretion. The amount of IL-1beta protein is upregulated in acinar cells prepared from lacrimal glands infiltrated with lymphocytes. These results suggest that elevated levels of IL-1beta, as they occur in Sj?gren syndrome exocrine glands, may impair the secretory function of these tissues.     

Hydronephrosis arterial hypertension. Report of 4 cases

Four cases of ureteropelvic junction syndrome associated with arterial hypertension were reported. The authors discuss the ethiopathogenic of hypertension, on the basis of these observations and a review of the literature. They conclude that union bilateral hydronephrosis can lead to hypertension and renal failure by both inappropriate production of renin and water chronic retention. The correction of ureteropelvic junction should return blood pressure to normal levels.