Mechanical stress alters protein O-GlcNAc in human periodontal ligament cells.

Protein O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a post-translational modification of intracellular proteins that regulates several physiological and pathophysiological process, including response to various stressors. However, O-GlcNAc's response to mechanical stress has not been investigated yet. As human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells are stimulated by compression force during orthodontic tooth movement that results in structural remodelling, in this study we investigated whether mechanical stress induces any alteration in protein O-GlcNAc in PDL cells.

[Hemorheologic factors in hypertensive and diabetic retinopathy].

Hemorheological factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of different cardiovascular diseases. In the present study the fundus picture and hemorheological parameters (plasma and whole blood viscosity *WBV* by capillary viscosimetry; fibrinogen level; red blood cell aggregation by Myrenne and LORCA aggregometers) of 33 hypertensive patients (23 females, 10 males; mean age: 55 years) and 30 diabetic patients (14 females, 16 males; mean age: 57 years) and healthy controls were examined. The fundus pictures showed different forms of retinopathy in both groups.

Red blood cell aggregation measurements in whole blood and in fibrinogen solutions by different methods.

Red blood cell (RBC) aggregation is an important component of whole blood viscosity, especially at low shear rates, and is the major cause of the non-Newtonian flow properties of normal blood. In different laboratories several methods are used to determine RBC aggregation, therefore the standardization of aggregation measurements is especially important for getting comparable results. Aggregation indices of 62 human blood samples were determined by two different methods; LORCA (Laser-assisted Optical Rotational Cell Analyzer) and Myrenne aggregometers and related to plasma fibrinogen concentration.

Hemorheological alterations in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Hemorheological factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of different cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes mellitus resulting in micro- and macroangiopathies is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. In our present study the hemorheological parameters (hematocrit, plasma fibrinogen level, plasma and whole blood viscosity, red blood cell aggregation) of 30 diabetic patients (mean age: 57 +/- 12 years) and 30 healthy volunteers (mean age: 31 +/- 10 years) were examined.

Trace mineral status of full-term infants fed human milk, milk-based formula or partially hydrolysed whey protein formula.

Plasma zinc, copper, and selenium concentrations were determined in 129 full-term infants at birth and at the age of four months by electrothermal or hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Of these, 49 infants were exclusively breast-fed (HM), 45 received various commercially available cow's milk formulae (F) and 35 infants were fed partially hydrolysed whey protein formula (PHF). The results were correlated with hematological, biochemical and somatic data.