Longitudinal dental arch changes in the mixed dentition

The purpose of this study was to investigate dental arch changes that occurred during the mixed dentition in 30 normal occlusion children. Two analyses were done. The first one was at the age of early mixed dentition and the second at the age of late mixed dentition. Most width variables were greater in the males, and depth variables greater in the female subjects. A directionally larger left side of the maxilla and right side of the mandible were observed. Our findings indicate that most arch width dimensions are established in the early mixed dentition. We conclude that the period between the early and late mixed dentition is suitable for environmental factors to disrupt the ideal symmetrical developmental pattern because more growth and developmental changes occur after a relatively stabile period of deciduous dentition.     

Health care professionals’ and students’ attitude toward collaboration between pharmacists and physicians in Croatia

Background As traditional roles of pharmacists and physicians seem nowadays insufficient to ensure patient safety and therapy effectiveness, interprofessional collaboration has been suggested to improve health outcomes. Objective To assess and compare the attitudes of physicians and pharmacists, as well as medical and pharmacy students in Croatia, toward interprofessional collaboration in primary health care. Methods The study included 513 pharmacists and physicians, and 365 students of pharmacy and medicine from Croatia. The validated questionnaire, Scale of Attitudes Toward Physician–Pharmacist Collaboration, was translated in Croatian and completed, anonymously and voluntarily, by all participants. Results Pharmacists showed a more positive attitude toward collaboration than physicians (53.8 ± 4.8 vs. 50.7 ± 5.0). Pharmacy students expressed the most positive attitude (56.2 ± 4.9), while medical students showed the remarkably lowest attitude toward collaboration (44.6 ± 6.2). Conclusion Pharmacists and physicians in Croatia expressed a relatively positive attitude toward their collaboration, comparable with their colleges in the USA. On the other hand, medical students expressed a 21 % less positive attitude than pharmacy students which could have an effect on interprofessional collaboration in the future when those students start working as health care professionals. Future studies, focusing on the promotion of this collaboration, on both under-graduated and post-graduated level, are warranted.     

Influence of interleukin-8 and interleukin-10 on sporadic colon cancer development and progression

Cytokines produced in the tumour microenvironment have an important role in cancer pathogenesis. Altered cytokine expression may result in increased susceptibility to and/or poor prognosis in certain cancers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-10 on sporadic colon cancer development and progression. In our study, a statistically significant increase in IL-8 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and decrease in IL-10 mRNA expression in tumour tissue compared with normal mucous tissue was observed (P = 0.003; P = 1.3 x 10(-9)). No association was found between IL-8 -251 A/T genotypes and IL-8 mRNA expression in tumour and corresponding normal mucous tissue, as well as susceptibility to sporadic colon cancer. Positive immunohistochemical IL-8 staining was more frequent in moderately and poorly differentiated tumours compared with well-differentiated tumours (P = 0.024). Finally, IL-8 significantly stimulated invasion of HT-29 cells in vitro (P = 0.000172). Significant association of IL-10 -1082 A/G, -819 T/C and -592 A/C genotypes and IL-10 mRNA expression in tumour tissue was observed (P = 0.022; P = 0.013; P = 0.02). Significant association of -819 T/C and -592 A/C genotypes and IL-10 mRNA expression in corresponding normal mucous tissue was observed (P = 0.01; P = 0.04) as well. IL-10 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) promoter genotypes associated with low IL-10 mRNA expression (-819 TT; -592 AA) were also associated with increased risk of sporadic colon cancer compared with high-expression genotypes [odds ratio, 5.53; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.53-20.1; odds ratio, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.28-12.96]. Positive IL-10 immunohistochemical reaction was more frequent in well-differentiated and moderately differentiated tumours compared with poorly differentiated tumours (P = 0.036). In Dukes' C tumours, positive IL-10 immunohistochemical reaction was less frequent compared with Dukes' A and B tumours (P = 0.023). Taken together, our results point to possible tumour promoting role of IL-8 and potential protective role of IL-10 in sporadic colon cancer.     

N-Terminal Prohormone of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) as a Diagnostic Biomarker of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD)

Introduction

Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and cardiac decompensation often accompany AECOPD. Differentiation between the two is difficult and mainly relies on clinical and echocardiographic diagnostic procedures. The value of biomarkers, such as NT-proBNP, as diagnostic tools is still insufficiently investigated. The main goals of this trial were to investigate the value of NT-proBNP as a diagnostic tool for LVSD in AECOPD patients and determine its cut-off value which could reliably diagnose LVSD during AECOPD.

Patients and Methods

This trial prospectively enrolled 209 patients with AECOPD. The patients were divided into four groups—AECOPD plus chronic pulmonary heart disease (CPHD) with or without left ventricular compromise (LVSD), and AECOPD patients without CPHD with or without LVSD. NT-proBNP was measured within first 48 h of hospitalization.

Results

Majority of patients were male (61%) active smokers (41.6%), average age of 68 years. High quality of echocardiography was obtained in 63.3 and 22.5% of the patients had LVSD. Average value of NT-proBNP in patients with LVSD was 3303.2 vs. 1092.5 pg/mL in patients without LVSD. Significant differences in NT-proBNP value (p?=?0.0001) were determined between observed patient groups. At the cut-off value of 1505 pg/mL, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values are 76.6, 83.3, 57.1, and 92.47%, respectively.

Conclusion

At the cut-off value of 1505 pg/mL NT-proBNP could be used as a diagnostic marker for LVSD in acute exacerbation of COPD.

     

Green approach for the valorization of microalgae Tetradesmus obliquus

The main goal of this study was to develop an efficient, green approach for the valorization of Tetradesmus obliquus biomass, with zero waste. This microalga was selected because it is widespread, resistant, easy for cultivation, and fast-growing. In the first step, supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO₂) extraction followed by rapid gas decompression was used for the extraction of biomass. The following step was to apply ultrasound-assisted (UA), microwave-assisted (MA), and subcritical water (SW) extraction on the ScCO₂-treated biomass to determine the most efficient processing technology. SW demonstrated to be a superior technique over MW and UA with regard to extraction yield and antioxidant content. Moreover, the chemical and microbiological profiles of SW extracts were determined to evaluate their potential and safety. In addition, to create a procedure with zero waste, the solid waste after SW extraction (residue) was analyzed. The organic profile of extracts and residues contained compounds that belong to groups of aliphatic saturated hydrocarbons, aliphatic unsaturated hydrocarbons, alkylated hydrocarbons, ketones, phenols, and esters. Furthermore, these compounds can be applied in different industries including the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Additionally, the content of metals in residues indicated that this material can be used as animal feed and in agriculture. Finally, a complete reduction of microorganisms present in the initial biomass was obtained for the extracts and residues, indicating their safety.     

Age-related reduction of structural complexity in spleen hematopoietic tissue architecture in mice

The effects of aging on structural complexity in hematopoietic tissue are unknown. In this work, in a mouse experimental model, we report the age-related reduction of spleen hematopoietic tissue (SHT) complexity. Spleen tissue was obtained from the total of 64 male Swiss albino mice divided into 8 age groups: newborns (0 days old), 10 days, 20 days, 30 days, 120 days, 210 days, 300 and 390 days old. SHT was stained using conventional hematoxylin/eosin, and DNA-binding toluidine blue dyes. Fractal dimension as an indicator of cellular complexity, and lacunarity as indicator of tissue heterogeneity were determined based on the binarized SHT micrographs. Results indicate that fractal dimension of mice spleen hematopoietic tissue decreases with age, while lacunarity increases. These changes/trends have been detected in SHT stained both with toluidine blue and conventional hematoxylin/eosin. Fractal dimension was negatively correlated with lacunarity. The detected reduction in complexity suggests that age-related structural changes are present in mouse SHT both in general tissue architecture and progenitor cell DNA.     

Sex-specific chronic stress response at the level of adrenal gland modifies sexual hormone and leptin receptors

Aim

To compare cardiometabolic risk-related biochemical markers and sexual hormone and leptin receptors in the adrenal gland of rat males, non-ovariectomized females (NON-OVX), and ovariectomized females (OVX) under chronic stress.

Methods

Forty six 16-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into male, NON-OVX, and OVX group and exposed to chronic stress or kept as controls. Weight, glucose tolerance test (GTT), serum concentration of glucose, and cholesterol were measured. Adrenal glands were collected at the age of 28 weeks and immunohistochemical staining against estrogen beta (ERβ), progesterone (PR), testosterone (AR), and leptin (Ob-R) receptors was performed.

Results

Body weight, GTT, serum cholesterol, and glucose changed in response to stress as expected and validated the applied stress protocol. Stressed males had significantly higher number of ERβ receptors in comparison to control group (P = 0.028). Stressed NON-OVX group had significantly decreased AR in comparison to control group (P = 0.007). The levels of PR did not change in any consistent pattern. The levels of Ob-R increased upon stress in all groups, but the significant difference was reached only in the case of stressed OVX group compared to control (P = 0.033).

Conclusion

Chronic stress response was sex specific. OVX females had similar biochemical parameters as males. Changes upon chronic stress in adrenal gland were related to a decrease in testosterone receptor in females and increase in estrogen receptor in males.Maintaining homeostasis is often challenged by different types of stressors (1). Homeostasis is regulated by a complex endocrine processes engaging the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and sympathetic autonomic system (2-4). Stress can occur either in acute or chronic form with different consequences – the acute stress mostly induces the ˝fight or flight˝ response, while chronic stress promotes long term changes, which can lead to a variety of diseases (5,6). If stress is of sufficient magnitude and duration, the action of HPA is unsuppressed and results in prolonged elevation of cortisol (7), induced production of energy, vasoconstriction, lipolysis, proteolysis, immunosuppression, and suppression of reproductive function to save energy and retain overall homeostasis (8). Women are generally less susceptible to chronic stress up to the period of menopause, when the loss of protective hormones, estrogen and progesterone, occurs and thus they become prone to development of depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia (9). In contrast, men are generally more susceptible and sensitive to chronic stress, showing changes in feeding habits and decreased body weight (10,11).Chronic stress can cause the development of cardiovascular disorder, obesity, and diabetes, which can be reflected in serum cholesterol, glucose, and decreased glucose tolerance (12-14). There is a strong correlation between stress and sexual hormones, but the mechanisms by which estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone exert their possible protective role under stress conditions are not fully explored. Sexual hormones affect stress outcome and stress hormones affect the levels of sexual hormones (15-17). Testosterone is activated during stress response in rats and humans (18,19) and tends to increase more in men than women (20). Estrogen lowers the stress-induced response in women and men (9,21). Estrogens and progesterone are produced even after ovariectomy by adrenal glands (22) but it is not known if such compensation can withstand additional challenge like stress. Another possible player in stress response is leptin (Ob), hormone responsible for maintaining body weight, which is synthesized and secreted by adipose tissue (23), exerting its effects through the leptin receptor (Ob-R) (24). Chronic stress models imply a direct link between stress response and leptin (25,26). Receptors for leptin are present in the adrenal gland (27). The aim of this study was to investigate cardiovascular risk parameters and changes in leptin and sexual hormone receptors in adrenal gland during chronic stress. There is a clinically relevant change in the onset of cardiometabolic risk between healthy women and women with premature ovarian failure (28) and because of that ovariectomized female rats were included in the study.     

Gestational age--the most important factor of neonatal ponderal index

Ponderal index (fetal weight in grams X 100 / (fetal length in centimeters)3) (PI) is one of the anthropometric methods used to diagnose impaired fetal growth. Irrespective of the infant's position on the growth-weight-for-gestational age charts, PI is low in malnourished infants and high in obese ones. As fetal growth is affected by ethnicity, geographic location and socioeconomic status, we developed standards for neonatal PI, and assessed the effects of gestational age, sex and maternal parity. Data on 5798 newborns from singleton pregnancies born in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Split University Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Over a 15-month period in 2000/2001, 5596 newborns from 24 to 42 weeks of gestation were born. The other 202 newborns, born from 24 to 34 weeks of gestation in the ten year period, 1990-1999, were added because of the small number of preterm infants; ensuring a minimum of 30 to fill up at least infants in each gestational week. All mothers were of Caucasian origin. Stillbirths and fetuses with congenital malformations were excluded. The 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles, mean values with standard deviation of PI and the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles of birth weight and birth length are presented separately at weekly intervals. PI showed linear correlation with gestational age from 24 to 39 weeks, after witch the data plateaued. Sex and parity had no impact on PI in infants born between 24 and 37 weeks. Analysis of variance revealed PI to be significantly higher in female than in male newborns, and in multiparous than in nulliparous infants after 37 weeks of gestation. In conclusion, gestational age is the most important factor of neonatal PI. The effects of sex and parity on PI should only be considered in term neonates.     

Gastric cancer: the role of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF 2) and its receptors (IGF 1R and M6-P/IGF 2R)

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF 2) appears to be involved in the progression of many tumours. It binds to at least two different types of receptor: IGF type 1 (IGF 1R) and mannose 6-phosphate/IGF type 2 (M6-P/IGF 2R). Ligand binding to IGF 1R provokes mitogenic and anti-apoptotic effects. M6-P/IGF 2R has a tumour suppressor function--it mediates IGF 2 degradation. Mutation of M6-P/IGF 2R causes both diminished growth suppression and augmented growth stimulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of IGF 2 and its receptors (IGF 1R and IGF 2R) in human gastric cancer. The expression of IGF 2 and its receptors was measured in order to analyse the possible correlation between the activity of these genes and cell proliferation in two different gastric tumour types: diffuse and intestinal. The effect of IGF 1 receptor blockage on cell proliferation and anchorage-independent cell growth was also examined. Increased expression of IGF 2 and IGF 1R genes (at the mRNA and protein level) was found in gastric cancer when compared with non-tumour tissue. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between IGF 2 expression in the more aggressive diffuse type and that in the intestinal type of gastric cancer. Moreover, the IGF 2 peptide level in the culture media obtained from the diffuse type of cancer cells was significantly higher when compared with the intestinal type. The level of IGF 2 peptide in the conditioned media strongly correlated with [3H]thymidine incorporation and cell proliferation. On the contrary, IGF 2R mRNA expression was much higher in the intestinal type of cancer than in the diffuse type. In addition, IGF 2R protein expression was substantially lower with progression of the diffuse cancer type to a higher stage. The alphaIR3 monoclonal antibody strongly inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation and decreased the number of colonies in soft agar of cells overexpressing IGF 2. These findings suggest that members of the IGF family are involved in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer, probably by autocrine/paracrine stimulation of cell growth. Such tumours might be excellent candidates for therapeutic strategies aimed at interference with this pathway.