Improved Healing after Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy Is Associated with Higher Protein Intake in Patients Who Are Non-Smokers

The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship between periodontal healing and protein intake exists in patients undergoing non-surgical treatment for periodontitis. Dietary protein intake was assessed using the 2005 Block food frequency questionnaire in patients with chronic generalized periodontitis undergoing scaling and root planing (n = 63 for non-smokers, n = 22 for smokers). Protein intake was correlated to post-treatment probing depth using multiple linear regression. Non-smoking patients who consumed ≥1 g protein/kg body weight/day had fewer sites with probing depth ≥ 4 mm after scaling and root planing compared to patients with intakes <1 g protein/kg body weight/day (11 ± 2 versus 16 ± 2, p = 0.05). This relationship was strengthened after controlling for baseline probing depth, hygienist and time between treatment and follow-up (10 ± 2 versus 16 ± 1, p = 0.018) and further strengthened after controlling for potential confounders including age, sex, body mass index, flossing frequency, and bleeding on probing (8 ± 2 versus 18 ± 2, p < 0.001). No associations were seen in patients who smoked. Consuming ≥1 g protein/kg body weight/day was associated with reductions in periodontal disease burden following scaling and root planing in patients who were non-smokers. Further studies are needed to differentiate between animal and plant proteins.     

Differential expression of superoxide dismutase isoforms in neuronal and glial compartments in the course of excitotoxically mediated neurodegeneration: Relation to oxidative and nitrergic stress

To examine the cellular distribution of radical scavenging enzymes in glia, in comparison to that in neurons and their behaviour during excitotoxically induced neurodegenerative processes, protein levels and the cellular localization of cytosolic and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn- and Mn-SOD) were investigated in the rat brain undergoing quinolinic acid (Quin)-induced neurodegeneration. Evidence for the specificity of the applied antibodies to detect immunocytochemically these SOD isoforms was obtained from electron microscopy and Western blotting. In control striatum Mn-SOD was clearly confined to neurons, whereas Cu/Zn-SOD was found, rather delicately, only in astrocytes. Microglia failed to stain with antibodies to both SOD isoforms. Quin application resulted in an initial formation of oxygen and nitrogen radicals as determined by the decline in the ratio of ascorbic to dehydroascorbic acid and by increased levels of nitrated proteins, an indicator for elevated peroxynitrite formation. Morphologically, massive neuronal damage was seen in parallel. Astroglia remained intact but showed initially decreased glutamine synthetase activities. The levels of Mn-SOD protein increased 2-fold 24 h after Quin injection (Western blotting) and declined only slowly over the time period considered (10 days). Cu/Zn-SOD levels increased only 1.3-fold. Immunocytochemical studies revealed that the increase in Mn-SOD is confined to neurons, whereas that of Cu/Zn-SOD was observed only in astroglial cells. Quiescent microglial cells were, as a rule, free of immunocytochemically detectable SOD, whereas in activated microglia a few Mn-SOD immunolabeled mitochondria occurred. Our results suggest a differential protective response in the Quin lesioned striatum in that Mn-SOD is upregulated in neurons and Cu/Zn-SOD in astroglia. Both SOD-isoforms are assumed to be induced to prevent oxidative and nitric oxide/peroxynitrite-mediated damage. In the border zone of the lesion core this strategy may contribute to resist the noxious stimulus. GLIA 23:285–297, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Characterization of immature B cells by a novel monoclonal antibody,by turnover and by mitogen reactivity

The transit of immature to mature sIgM⁺ B cells, the life span, maturation kinetics and response to polyclonal activators have been analyzed with the help of a new mAb (493), that distinguishes immature, 493⁺ from mature, 493⁻ B cells in a variety of mouse strains tested. Analysis of the turnover of immature 493⁺ B cells by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling kinetics indicate that only 10 – 20 % of the cells reach the spleen as immature 493⁺ cells. The life span of 493⁺ B cells in bone marrow and spleen is around 4 days. BrdU chase experiments show that most of the immature cells in spleen enter the pool of mature, 493⁻ B cells where they gain a longer life span of 15 – 20 weeks. Immature and mature B cells respond equally well to LPS stimulation; anti-CD40, however, stimulates mature B cells better than immature B cells. IgM cross-linking of mature B cells results in proliferation, while it induces apoptosis in immature B cells. This apoptosis of immature cells can be inhibited by co-stimulation with anti-CD40 or by overexpression of bcl-2. We speculate that Ig receptor ligand-mediated apoptosis (negative selection) plays a major role in the transit of immature B cells from bone marrow to spleen, but only a minor role in the transit from immature B cells to mature B cells in the spleen.     

Gene for topoisomerase III maps within the Smith-Magenis syndrome critical region: Analysis of cell-cycle distribution and radiation sensitivity

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is caused by an interstitial deletion of chromosome band 17p11.2 averaging 4–5 Mb. This deletion is likely to contain a large number of genes, each of which could potentially contribute toward the clinical phenotype. We report that the gene for topoisomerase III (hTOP3) is commonly deleted in SMS patients and maps between D17S447 and D17S258 on the short arm of chromosome 17. Cellular studies of SMS patient lymphoblasts and their respective parental cell lines were undertaken to determine the consequences of haploinsufficiency of hTOP3. Our studies indicate that hemizygosity for hTOP3 does not appreciably affect cell-cycle kinetics or activation of ionizing radiation-sensitive cell-cycle checkpoints. Furthermore, the induction of apoptosis in response to ionizing radiation in SMS and parental cells was similar. Our studies suggest that haploinsufficiency of hTOP3 does not have a major impact on the behavior of cells from SMS patients and may not play a significant role in the SMS phenotype. Am. J. Med. Genet. 75:104–108, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Electromyographic and lower extremity short time to inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging findings in lumbar radiculopathy

To determine if short TI (time to inversion) recovery (STIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful in assessing lower extremity (LE) denervation in subacute lumbar radiculopathy (LR), 25 subjects underwent lumbar spine MRI, LE STIR MRI and needle electromyography (EMG). In 23 (92%) subjects there was a positive correlation between LE STIR MRI and EMG (P < 0.009). Increased signal intensity on LE STIR MRI corresponds closely with spontaneous activity on EMG in subacute LR and may be a useful adjunct diagnostic tool. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 20:1191–1193, 1997     

VASE-encoded peptide modifies NCAM- and L1-mediated neurite outgrowth

Interactions between the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) with NCAM-expressing neurons (trans-interaction) stimulate outgrowth of neurites. The extent of NCAM-triggered neurite outgrowth depends on the presence of 10 amino acids derived from the variable alternatively spliced exon (VASE or π-exon) in the fourth immunoglobulin-like domain of NCAM (Ig4): NCAM with VASE reduces and without VASE enhances neurite outgrowth in cis- or trans-interaction. We have investigated the role of VASE in neurite outgrowth by characterizing the receptors at the cell surface of cultured cerebellar neurons. Results from experiments with L1 and NCAM antibodies and with cerebellar neurons derived from wild-type or NCAM-deficient mice show that substrate-coated Ig4 with VASE (Ig4+) or without VASE (Ig4−) stimulates neurite outgrowth by a trans-interaction with L1 and that Ig4− promotes neurite outgrowth more strongly than Ig4+ by a transinteraction with NCAM. J. Neurosci. Res. 50:62–68, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Anesthetic considerations in lung transplantation: past,present and future

Lung transplantation is a very complex surgical procedure with many implications for the anesthetic care of these patients. Comprehensive preoperative evaluation is an important component of the transplant evaluation as it informs many of the decisions made perioperatively to manage these complex patients effectively and appropriately. These decisions may involve pre-emptive actions like pre-habilitation and nutrition optimization of these patients before they arrive for their transplant procedure. Appropriate airway and ventilation management of these patients needs to be performed in a manner that provides an optimal operating conditions and protection from ventilatory injury of these fragile post-transplant lungs. Pain management can be challenging and should be managed in a multi-modal fashion with or without the use of an epidural catheter while recognizing the risk of neuraxial technique in patients who will possibly be systemically anticoagulated. Complex monitoring is required for these patients involving both invasive and non-invasive including the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and continuous cardiac output monitoring. Management of the patient’s hemodynamics can be challenging and involves managing the systemic and pulmonary vascular systems. Some patients may require extra-corporeal lung support as a planned part of the procedure or as a rescue technique and centers need to be proficient in instituting and managing this sophisticated method of hemodynamic support.     

Transrectal ultrasonic volumetry of the prostate: In vivo comparison of different methods

In order to assess the accuracy of various volumetric methods for screening and follow-up of prostatic disease, total prostate volume and inner zone volume were measured by transrectal ultrasonography in a screening population of 716 men. Semiplanimetric and caliper formula methods were compared with step section planimetry as the gold standard. Planimetric volumetry of the prostate is regarded as the most reproducible method for individual follow-up of total gland and inner zone volume. The prolate spheroid formula is the most reproducible of caliper formula methods for both volumes. In this study the elliptical volume was, however, more accurate than the prolate spheroid volume of the total gland, as the correlation coefficient between total elliptical volume and planimetry was higher compared to the prolate spheroid volume (0.89 vs. 0.83), and the standard deviation of the mean volumetric difference smaller. The mean total prolate spheroid volume resembled the mean total planimetric volume better than the elliptical volume did, as the mean volumetric difference was smaller. For measurement of the inner zone volume the prolate spheroid volume was more accurate than the elliptical volume. The correlation coefficient between length and planimetric volume was similar to that of width and height, which accounted for more accuracy of the elliptical volume than of the prolate spheroid volume in larger prostates. The elliptical volume might be used for incidental volumetric measurements of the total gland, and for comparison of different individuals, e.g., in preoperative evaluation or screening studies. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.