The use of transglutaminase in the reduction of immunoreactivity of wheat flour

The immune response of wheat flour modified by the treatment with transglutaminase under different conditions of temperature, incubation periods and the ratio of enzyme/wheat flour was investigated. The particular wheat protein fractions were examined for the immune reaction by the use of an indirect non-competitive ELISA. Commercially available antibodies, namely, monoclonal antihuman IgG and monoclonal antihuman IgE conjugates with alkaline phosphatase and human sera with elevated IgG as well as rabbit sera against QQQPP peptide were tested. The highest decrease in gliadins immunoreactivity was observed for wheat flour modified under following conditions: temperature 37°C, 18 h of incubation and the ratio enzyme/wheat flour 1:10 000. For all rabbit sera examined the residual immunoreactivity of glutenins was found to be below 30% of the level measured for the untreated protein. The large decrease in allergenicity of glutenins leads to the conclusion that wheat flour modified by treatment with transglutaminase may be used as a constituent of food products destined for people with a classic food allergy, i.e. the allergy elicited by that protein fraction.     

Correlation between early neonatal diet and atopic symptoms up to 5-7 years of age in very low birth weight infants: follow-up of randomized, double-blind study

The influence of early feeding on the risk of atopic diseases has been studied in full-term newborns, not in very low birth weight infants (VLBW). The study evaluated effect of early feeding of VLBW infants with either cow's milk-based formula (CMF) or extensively hydrolyzed milk formula (HF) on incidence of atopic diseases and markers of atopy at 5-7 years of age. This was a follow-up of the randomized, double-blind study evaluating the influence of different enteral feeding protocols on the early morbidity of VLBW infants. In the original study 80 children were randomly allocated into 2 groups receiving during first month of life HF (experimental group) or CMF (control group). At the age of 5-7 years, 62 children among 74 available (84%) with mean birthweight 1124g were evaluated according to standardized ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) protocol. Total IgE level, specific IgE, lymphocyte CD4+CCR4+/CD4+CXCR3+ ratio and skin prick tests (SPT) were done. Prevalence of obvious allergic diseases was not significantly different between the studied groups (HF: 12/33; CMF: 6/29; RR [relative risk] HF vs CMF: 1.76; 95%CI [confidence interval]: 0.76–4.09). Comparison of atopic status across groups revealed similar rate of positive markers of atopy: IgE (RR: 2.57 95%CI: 0.91–8,08), SPT (RR: 5.13; 95%CI: 0.93–31.6), lymphocyte CD4+CCR4+/CD4+CXCR3+ ratio (OR: 2.32; 95%CI: 0.78–7.53) in the both studied groups. Based on the carried out follow-up study we were unable to confirm the usefulness of hydrolyzed formula in prevention of allergy in an unselected cohort of very low birth weight infants.     

Optimizing photodynamic therapy: in vivo pharmacokinetics of liposomal meta-(tetrahydroxyphenyl)chlorin in feline squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to optimize and simplify photodynamic therapy using a new liposomal formulation of the photosensitizer meta-(tetrahydroxyphenyl)chlorin [m-THPC (Foscan); liposomal m-THPC (Fospeg)] and to reduce systemic reactions to the photosensitizer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: To examine the pharmacokinetics of liposomal m-THPC, we determined tissue and plasma variables in feline patients with spontaneous squamous cell carcinoma. In vivo fluorescence intensity measurements of tumor and skin were done with a fiber spectrophotometer after i.v. injection of m-THPC or liposomal m-THPC in 10 cats. Blood samples, drawn at several time points after photosensitizer administration, were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: None of the liposomal m-THPC-treated cats showed side effects during or after drug injection. Fluorescence intensities, fluorescence ratios (tumor fluorescence divided by skin fluorescence), and bioavailability in the tumor were 2 to 4 times higher with liposomal m-THPC compared with m-THPC. Liposomal m-THPC concentration in the tumor increased constantly to reach a maximum at 4 hours after injection. Plasma concentration and bioavailability were approximately 3 times higher with liposomal m-THPC compared with m-THPC measured at the time points of highest plasma concentration. The distribution half-life was shorter with liposomal m-THPC, resulting in maximal tumor accumulation up to 5.5 times earlier. Maximal tumor accumulation and maximal fluorescence ratio with liposomal m-THPC occurred at the same time point, indicating maximal selectivity. In both groups, all cats responded to therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Liposomal m-THPC was well tolerated by all cats and seems to have superior pharmacokinetic properties compared with m-THPC. The efficacy of the drug warrants further study.     

C825T G-protein β3 subunit gene polymorphism,tilt test results and point score in syncopal patients

We evaluated C825T polymorphism of the G-protein beta3 subunit gene in syncopal patients in regard to tilting results and the diagnostic point score (PS). In a multivariate analysis, only PS > or = -2 was associated with positive passive tilting (P < 0.05). The relationship between tilting results and this polymorphism needs further study.     

Brain volumes in healthy adults aged 40 years and over: a voxel-based morphometry study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gender and age effect on brain morphology have been extensively investigated. However, the great variety in methods applied to morphology partly explain the conflicting results of linear patterns of tissue changes and lateral asymmetry in men and women. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of age, gender and laterality on the volumes of gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) in a large group of healthy adults by means of voxel-based morphometry. This technique, based on observer-independent algorithms, automatically segments the 3 types of tissue and computes the amount of tissue in each single voxel. METHODS: Subjects were 229 healthy subjects of 40 years of age or older, who underwent magnetic resonance (MR) for reasons other than cognitive impairment. MR images were reoriented following the AC-PC line and, after removing the voxels below the cerebellum, were processed by Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM99). GM and WM volumes were normalized for intracranial volume. RESULTS: Women had more fractional GM and WM volumes than men. Age was negatively correlated with both fractional GM and WM, and a gender x age interaction effect was found for WM, men having greater WM loss with advancing age. Pairwise differences between left and right GM were negative (greater GM in right hemisphere) in men, and positive (greater GM in left hemisphere) in women (-0.56+/-4.2 vs 0.99+/-4.8; p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: These results support side-specific accelerated WM loss in men, and may help our better understanding of changes in regional brain structures associated with pathological aging.     

Effect of a Multidirectional Power Toothbrush and a Manual Toothbrush in Individuals Susceptible to Gingival Recession: A 12‐Month Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

Background: Clinical studies have explored the relationship between toothbrushing and development of gingival recession (GR), but relevant GR data for the multidirectional power toothbrush (PT) are lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of brushing with either a multidirectional PT or American Dental Association reference manual toothbrush (MT) on mid‐buccal preexisting GR (PreGR) during 12 months. Methods: This was a 12‐month prospective, single‐masked, parallel‐group, randomized, controlled clinical study. Healthy participants without periodontitis with at least two teeth showing PreGR ≥2 mm were randomized to a group brushing with either an MT or PT. The primary outcome parameter was change at sites with PreGR ≥2 mm. All clinically based GR measurements were performed by one calibrated examiner at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Secondary outcomes were changes of GR at all mid‐buccal sites (with or without PreGR), changes in percentage of GR sites demonstrating a change of ≥1 mm, and changes in probing depths. Results: A total of 107 participants completed the study (PT: 55, MT: 52). During the 12‐month study period the mean recession at sites with PreGR ≥2 mm decreased significantly from 2.2 to 2.1 mm in both groups (P <0.05). The extent of GR parameters did not differ between MT and PT groups at any time point. GR evaluated clinically and on stone casts was well correlated. Conclusion: Neither the PT nor MT led to an increase in PreGR during 12 months of daily use.     

Bonding between CAD/CAM resin and resin composite cements dependent on bonding agents: three different in vitro test methods

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the bonding properties between CAD/CAM resin and three resin composite cements combined with different bonding agents using three test methods.

Materials and methods

Four hundred twenty CAD/CAM resin substrates were fabricated and divided into three test methods (shear bond strength (SBS, n?=?180), tensile bond strength (TBS, n?=?180) and work of adhesion (WA, n?=?60)), further into four pretreatment methods (VP connect (VP), visio.link (VL), Clearfil Ceramic Primer (CP) and no pretreatment (CG)) and three cements (RelyX ARC, Variolink II and Clearfil SA Cement). Each subgroup contained 15 specimens. SBS and TBS were measured after 24 h H₂O/37 °C?+?5000 thermal-cycles (5/55 °C) and failure types were assessed. WA was determined for pretreated CAD/CAM resin and non-polymerized resin composite cements. Data were analysed with Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis H, Chi² and Spearman’s Rho tests.

Results

Within SBS and TBS tests, CGs and groups pretreated with CP (regardless of resin composite cements), and VP pretreated with Clearfil SA Cement showed no bond. However, CG combined with RelyX ARC showed a TBS of 5.6?±?1.3 MPa. In general, highest bond strength was observed for groups treated with VL. CG and groups pretreated using VL showed lower WA than the groups treated with VP or CP.

Conclusions

Measured TBS values were higher than SBS ones. In general, SBS and TBS showed similar trends for the ranges of the values for the groups. WA results were not comparable with SBS/TBS results and admitted, therefore, no conclusions on it.

Clinical relevance

For a clinical use of XHIP-CAD/CAM resin, the bond surface should be additionally pretreated with visio.link as bonding agent.

     

Elevated Cardiac Troponin T in Patients With Skeletal Myopathies

Background

Cardiac troponins are often elevated in patients with skeletal muscle disease who have no evidence of cardiac disease.

BCR/ABL-mediated leukemogenesis requires the activity of the small GTP-binding protein Rac

The phenotype of hematopoietic cells transformed by the BCR/ABL oncoprotein of the Philadelphia chromosome is characterized by growth factor-independent proliferation, reduced susceptibility to apoptosis, and altered adhesion and motility. The mechanisms underlying this phenotype are not fully understood, but there is evidence that some of the properties of BCR/ABL-expressing cells are dependent on the activation of downstream effector molecules such as RAS, PI-3k, and bcl-2. We show here that the small GTP-binding protein Rac is activated by BCR/ABL in a tyrosine kinase-dependent manner. Upon transfection with a vector carrying the dominant-negative N17Rac, BCR/ABL-expressing myeloid precursor 32Dcl3 cells retained the resistance to growth factor deprivation-induced apoptosis but showed a decrease in proliferative potential in the absence of interleukin-3 (IL-3) and markedly reduced invasive properties. Moreover, compared with BCR/ABL-expressing cells, fewer BCR/ABL plus N17Rac double transfectants were capable of homing to bone marrow and spleen. Consistent with these findings, survival of SCID mice injected with the BCR/ABL plus N17Rac double transfectants was markedly prolonged as compared with that of mice injected with BCR/ABL-expressing cells. Together, these data support the important role of a Rac-dependent pathway(s) controlling motility in BCR/ABL-mediated leukemogenesis.