Pulpal reactions to glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde pulpotomy dressings in monkey primary teeth

Abstract Pulpotomy was performed in primary teeth of 4 vervet monkeys to compare the effect of an experimental dressing containing glutaraldehyde (GL) to a similar formula with paraformaldehyde (PF). Forty teeth were examined histologically 2 weeks to 5 months post-operatively. In the PF group, calcifications were more frequently observed and the central core of tissue in the root canal was heavily laden with debris. Pathologic apical resorption and lesions were more frequent. The pulp in the apical third of the root canal was usually uninflamed in the GL group and peripheral calcifications were seldom observed in it. Reaction to GL seemed, therefore, more favorable clinically. Defects were not observed in the permanent teeth that erupted following shedding or extraction of the experimental primary ones of either group.     

Interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-mediated regulation of C3 gene expression in human astroglioma cells

In this report, we show that in the human astroglioma cell line D54-MG, both interleukin-1 (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) enhance C3 gene expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Kinetic analysis demonstrates that after 96 h, C3 mRNA levels increase approximately 30-fold and 20-fold in response to IL-1β or TNF-α, respectively. C3 protein production increases proportionally, reaching levels 36-fold and 18-fold higher than untreated controls upon exposure to IL-1β or TNF-α, respectively. D54-MG cells require a minimal 1 h exposure to IL-1β in order to enhance C3 gene expression significantly, while 4 to 8 h are required for TNF-α. Simultaneous treatment of D54-MG cells with IL-1β and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) resulted in an additive increase in both C3 mRNA and protein expression, a finding not seen with the combination of TNF-α and IFN-γ. Primary rat astrocytes also express increased C3 mRNA levels after 48 h in response to IL-1β (5.3-fold increase) and TNF-α (7-fold increase), while an additive effect was observed upon simultaneous treatment with both IL-1β and IFN-γ. In the central nervous system (CNS), endogenous complement and cytokine production by astrocytes, and enhancement by IFN-γ, a product of activated T cells often seen in the CNS in neural autoimmune disease, may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis.     

Interleukin-6 production by astrocytes: Induction by the neurotransmitter norepinephrine

Astrocytes contribute to the immunocompetence of the central nervous system (CNS) via their expression of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens and the production of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Of these cytokines, IL-6 is of particular interest because one of its many immune and inflammatory actions is the promotion of immunoglobulin synthesis, and it is thought that IL-6 expression within the brain exacerbates autoimmune diseases of the CNS, which are marked by local immunoglobulin production. Several stimuli induce astrocyte IL-6 expression, including such inducible endogenous factors as IL-1β and TNF-α. We have investigated the possibility that a constitutively present endogenous factor, the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE), can induce astrocyte IL-6 production. We report that NE induces both IL-6 mRNA and protein in primary neonatal rat astrocytes, with optimal induction at 10 μM. IL-6 protein induction by NE is comparable to that seen with IL-1β or TNF-α, and NE synergizes with these cytokines for a ten-fold enhanced effect. In contrast to astrocytes, microglia are relatively unresponsive to NE, IL-1β and TNF-α for IL-6 production. Experiments with the β-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol, and α and β-adrenergic receptor antagonists (propranolol, phentolamine, atenolol, and yohimbine) indicate that β₂ and α₁-adrenergic receptors are involved in NE induction of astrocyte IL-6 expression. These results help to further the understanding of neuron-glial interactions, and the role of astrocytes and adrenergic activity in immune responses within the CNS.     

CD154-CD40-induced reactivation of latent HIV-1 infection

Reservoirs of latent HIV-1 in T cells and macrophages pose one of the major obstacles that hamper final eradication of HIV-1 from infected patients. Targeting costimulatory molecules expressed on cell types harboring latent HIV-1 to achieve reactivation may provide a new approach to overcome this problem. One such molecule is CD40, a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor family. Using THP89GFP cells as a model for latently infected macrophages, we demonstrate that trimeric forms of recombinant CD154 allow for the direct reactivation of latent HIV-1 infection. Reactivation is augmented by the release of TNF-alpha. The presence of TNF-alpha is also crucial for the expression of late structural genes such as p24 Gag. In addition, levels of secreted TNF-alpha are sufficiently high to reactivate latent HIV-1 in a latently HIV-1-infected T-cell line (J89GFP). Taken together, our results demonstrate that costimulatory molecules may be attractive targets to reactivate latent HIV-1 in infected patients.     

“They Could Not Believe That a 65-Year-Old Man Would Still Beat His Wife”: Professionals’ Perspectives on Addressing Abuse and Neglect Among Older Adults Living in Rural Southwest Virginia

This research, using focus group methods for data collection, assesses professionals’ perspectives on addressing abuse and neglect among older adults living in rural southwest Virginia. Results were viewed within the context of the family health perspective. The participants identified five major needs encountered in their struggle to provide professional services to address elder abuse and neglect and provided ideas and strategies for addressing these needs. This study highlights the contributions of an interdisciplinary team approach in addressing abuse and neglect among vulnerable older adults. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed.     

Low achieved diastolic pressure in tightly controlled mid-older hypertensive subjects is associated with favorable arterial properties

Low diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is commonly seen in well-controlled hypertensive subjects. We evaluated arterial properties in 53 hypertensive subjects with low on-treatment DBP (<70 mm Hg; LODP), 54 subjects with normal BP and spontaneously low DBP (SLDP), and 52 treated hypertensive subjects with DBP ≥70 mm Hg (HNDP). The two measures of large artery rigidity, pulse wave velocity and augmentation index, were similar in LODP and SLDP groups. In contrast, the HNDP group had higher PWV and the lowest large and small artery compliance in comparison with all other groups. Low on-treatment DBP is associated with favorable arterial properties in mid-older hypertensive patients.     

The inferior olivary nucleus: A postmortem study of essential tremor cases versus controls

The pathogenesis of essential tremor is poorly understood. Historically, it has been hypothesized that the inferior olivary nucleus plays an important role in the generation of tremor in essential tremor, yet a detailed, controlled, anatomic‐pathological study of that brain region has yet to be conducted. A detailed postmortem study was undertaken of the microscopic changes in the inferior olivary nucleus of 14 essential tremor cases versus 15 age‐matched controls at the Essential Tremor Centralized Brain Repository. A series of metrics was used to quantify microscopic neuronal and glial changes in the inferior olivary nucleus and its input and output tracts. Olivary linear neuronal density also was assessed. Cases and controls did not differ from one another with respect to any of the assessed metrics (P values ranged from 0.23 to 1.0). Olivary linear neuronal density also was similar in cases and controls (P = 0.62). Paddle‐shaped neurons, a morphologic shape change in olivary neurons, which, to our knowledge, have not been previously recognized, occurred to an equal degree in essential tremor cases and controls (P = 0.89) and were correlated with several markers of neuronal loss and gliosis. A systematic postmortem study of the microscopic changes in the inferior olivary nucleus did not detect any differences between cases and controls. These data, along with positron emission tomography data, which have failed to identify any metabolic abnormality of the olive, indicate that, if the olive is involved in essential tremor, then there is no clearly identifiable structural or metabolic correlate. © 2013 Movement Disorder Society