Probing the whole ore chalcopyrite-bacteria interactions and jarosite biosynthesis by Raman and FTIR microspectroscopies.

The whole ore chalcopyrite-bacteria interaction and the formation of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) during the bioleaching process by microorganisms found in the mine of Hellenic Copper Mines in Cyprus were investigated. Raman and FTIR microspectroscopies have been applied towards establishing a direct method for monitoring the formation of secondary minerals and the newly found vibrational marker bands were used to monitor the time evolution of the formation of covellite, and the K(+) and NH4(+)-jarosites from the chalcopyrite surfaces. The Raman data indicate that the formation of K(+)-jarosite is followed by the formation of NH4(+)-jarosite.

Correction of steroidopenia as a new method of hypercholesterolemia treatment.

Objective: In 2002 we proposed a new hypothesis of the etiology and pathogenesis of hypercholesterolemia. There is paucity of information in the literature regarding the association of steroidopenia and hypercholesterolemia. Our goal is to determine if the treatment of steroidopenia with hormonorestorative therapy (HT) to youthful levels will normalize total cholesterol (TC) levels.

Epithelial and connective tissue cell CTGF/CCN2 expression in gingival fibrosis.

Gingival overgrowth is a side effect of certain medications and occurs in non-drug-induced forms either as inherited (human gingival fibromatosis) or idiopathic gingival overgrowth. The most fibrotic drug-induced lesions develop in response to therapy with phenytoin; the least fibrotic lesions are caused by cyclosporin A; and intermediate fibrosis occurs in nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) expression is positively related to the degree of fibrosis in these tissues.