Effect of xylitol and fluoride on enamel erosion in vitro

This study aimed to determine the anti-erosive effects of xylitol, fluoride and a xylitol/fluoride combination used as an additive in an acidic drink or as mouthrinse after enamel was exposed to an acidic drink, in vitro. Human third molars were divided into 7 groups (A-G). Samples from groups A to D were immersed for 5 min in orange juice only (A), orange juice plus either 25% xylitol (B), F(-) 1 ppm (C) or a 25% xylitol/F(-) 1 ppm combination (D), respectively. Samples from groups E to G were immersed in orange juice for 5 min and then in either 40% xylitol (E), F(-) 227 ppm (F) or a 40% xylitol/F(-) 227 ppm combination (G), for 1 min respectively. This process was performed four times daily for 14 days. Mineral loss was determined from the lesion depth and surface hardness. Erosion depth progressively increased in all groups, except E, where erosion depth was significantly lower than group A. Surface microhardness progressively decreased in all groups, except E, where hardness was significantly higher than group A. This study demonstrated that addition of xylitol, fluoride or a xylitol/fluoride combination to an acidic drink or post-treatment with fluoride or a xylitol/fluoride combination could reduce, but not prevent, enamel erosion.     

NLRP12 negatively modulates inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and tumor necrosis factor-α production in Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS-treated mouse macrophage cell line (RAW264.7)

Objective

The aim of the present study is to investigate the participation of NLRP12 in Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS-activated mouse macrophages.

Methods

NLRP12-depleted mouse macrophages were stimulated with P. gingivalis LPS (1 μg/ml.). At indicated time points, the treated cells were lysed and the supernatant from treated cells was collected. Gene and protein expression of NLRP12 and iNOS were determined by RT-PCR and immunoblotting, respectively. The level of TNF-α production in the supernatant of the activated cells was determined by ELISA.

Results and conclusion

NLRP12 was upregulated in response to stimulation with P. gingivalis LPS. In addition, when NLRP12 was depleted in P. gingivalis LPS-treated macrophages, an increase in TNF-α production and iNOS expression were observed when compared to those of the control cells, indicating that NLRP12 downregulates the inflammatory cytokine and antimicrobial molecule production in the macrophages.

     

Predictors of depressive symptoms and physical health in caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia

This cross‐sectional study examined relationships among factors influencing caregiver burden, depressive symptoms, and physical health in family caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia. Two hundred family caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia completed standardized questionnaires related to depressive symptoms, physical health, perceptions of burden, coping, and social support. The results revealed that 19.5% of family caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia experienced significant depressive symptoms and 65.5% perceived themselves in poor physical health. Burden, self‐controlling coping strategies, and physical health status were all independently predictive of depressive symptoms. Two emotion‐focused coping strategies (self‐controlling and escape‐avoidance) were independently predictive of caregiver burden. Only burden predicted physical health status. The findings suggest that health professionals who provide community care for those with schizophrenia need to consider the “unit of care” as the family rather than the individual. The health status of family caregivers should be routinely assessed. Individualized interventions to reduce family burden could include community‐based health professionals as well as trained community volunteers, opportunities for social interaction, and improving self‐care for all family members.     

C-kit receptor tyrosine kinase (CD117) expression and its positive predictive value for the diagnosis of Thai adult acute myeloid leukemia

We examined the expression of c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase in 195 Thai adult patients with acute leukemia and determined its specificity and predictive values for the diagnosis of adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). CD117 was used to detect c-kit expression on CD45 and side-scatter-gated blast cells by flow cytometry. Of 163 AML cases, 67% expressed CD117. None of acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) had CD117 expression, except one case of T-ALL. The majority of AML patients carrying t(8;21), inv(16), and t(15;17) had high CD117 expression. High proportion of AML cases without c-kit expressed monocytic markers. Significant associations between CD117 and CD34 (P<0.001), CD13 (P=0.006), CD7 (P=0.034), and CD19 (P<0.001) were found in AML cases. The calculated specificity of CD117 for the diagnosis of AML was 0.97, which was higher than CD13 (0.78) and CD33 (0.75) but comparable to MPO (0.97). The positive predictive value (PPV) of CD117 for AML was 0.99, with the negative predictive value of 0.35. In conclusion, the majority of Thai adult AML cases expressed c-kit. C-kit is infrequently expressed in ALL and appeared to be specific for AML with high PPV. Future targeting therapy using c-kit as a therapeutic target should benefit the majority of Thai AML patients who had high c-kit expression.     

Immunophenotypes and Outcome of Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive and -Negative Thai Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Little evidence exists in Asian countries regarding the incidence, immunologic characteristics, and clinical outcomes of adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) and -negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In this study, we prospectively studied 324 Thai adult acute leukemia patients, 79 (24%) of whom were identified as having ALL. Immunophenotyping was performed by 5-parameter flow cytometry, and karyotyping was conducted by standard banding methods. The Ph chromosome was detected in 18.5% of cases. The mean age of Ph+ ALL patients was 29 years (50% male), and that of Ph- ALL patients was 33 years (62% female). The Ph+ ALL patients had significantly higher white blood cell (WBC) counts (mean, 93 x 10(9)/L), with 67% having WBC counts higher than 50 x 10(9)/L. In contrast, most Ph- ALL patients had WBC counts lower than 50 x 10(9)/L (mean, 36 x 10(9)/L; P < .05). CD10 and CD34 were more highly expressed in the Ph+ ALL patients (mean expression, 83% and 87%, respectively) than in the Ph- ALL patients (45% and 57%; P < .005). The aberrant expression of myeloid antigens, including CD33 and CD13, was also significantly observed in the Ph+ ALL patients. The median survival time of Ph+ ALL patients was 8 months, compared with 22 months for the Ph- ALL patients. In conclusion, immunophenotyping results showed that Ph+ ALL in Thai adults arises from B-cells at an earlier stage of development. Extreme leukocytosis, a younger age, male sex, high expression levels of CD10 and CD34, aberrant myeloid antigens, and poorer rates of survival appeared to be associated with the Ph chromosome in Thai adult ALL cases. The incidence of the Ph chromosome among Thai adult ALL patients was not different from that found in Western countries.     

Pam2CSK4 and Pam3CSK4 induce iNOS expression via TBK1 and MyD88 molecules in mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of TLR adaptor molecules, such as TRIF, MyD88, and TBK1 in the induction of iNOS and nitric oxide (NO) production in Pam2CSK4 and Pam3CSK4-treated mouse macrophages.

Method

Mouse macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) was transfected with trif, myd88, and tbk1 siRNAs before stimulated with Pam2CSK4 and Pam3CSK4. The iNOS gene and protein expression were determined by RT-PCR and immunoblotting, respectively. The NO production was determined by Griess reaction assay.

Results

The results showed that the induction of iNOS expression and NO production by Pam2CSK4 and Pam3CSK4 were diminished in tbk1 and myd88-depleted mouse macrophages but not trif-depleted cells.

Conclusion

These results suggested that the TBK1 and MyD88 molecules were essential for the induction of iNOS expression and NO production by both Pam2CSK4 and Pam3CSK4 via TLR2 signaling.