In vitro toxicity of formocresol, ferric sulphate, and grey MTA on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

Aim: This was to assess and compare the in vitro toxicity of formocresol, ferric sulphate and MTA on cultured human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts.

Study Design: PDL cells were obtained from sound first permanent molars and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium.

Methods: PDL cells were subjected to different concentrations of formocresol, ferric sulphate, and grey MTA for 24, 48, and 72 h at 37 °C.

In vitro toxicity of grey MTA in comparison to white MTA on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

Aim: This was to define and compare the in vitro toxicity of grey MTA with that of white MTA on cultured human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts.

Methods: PDL cells were obtained from sound first permanent molars and cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium. Cultures were subjected to different concentrations of grey and white MTA (0.

Physiological and glycomic characterization of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-IVa and -IVb double deficient mice.

N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase-IV (GnT-IV) has two isoenzymes, GnT-IVa and GnT-IVb, which initiate the GlcNAcbeta1-4 branch synthesis on the Manalpha1-3 arm of the N-glycan core thereby increasing N-glycan branch complexity and conferring endogenous lectin binding epitopes. To elucidate the physiological significance of GnT-IV, we engineered and characterized GnT-IVb-deficient mice and further generated GnT-IVa/-IVb double deficient mice. In wild-type mice, GnT-IVa expression is restricted to gastrointestinal tissues, whereas GnT-IVb is broadly expressed among organs.

Surfen, a small molecule antagonist of heparan sulfate.

In a search for small molecule antagonists of heparan sulfate, we examined the activity of bis-2-methyl-4-amino-quinolyl-6-carbamide, also known as surfen. Fluorescence-based titrations indicated that surfen bound to glycosaminoglycans, and the extent of binding increased according to charge density in the order heparin > dermatan sulfate > heparan sulfate > chondroitin sulfate. All charged groups in heparin (N-sulfates, O-sulfates, and carboxyl groups) contributed to binding, consistent with the idea that surfen interacted electrostatically.

The Ashwell receptor mitigates the lethal coagulopathy of sepsis.

The Ashwell receptor, the major lectin of hepatocytes, rapidly clears from blood circulation glycoproteins bearing glycan ligands that include galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine. This asialoglycoprotein receptor activity remains a key factor in the development and administration of glycoprotein pharmaceuticals, yet a biological purpose of the Ashwell receptor has remained elusive. We have identified endogenous ligands of the Ashwell receptor as glycoproteins and regulatory components in blood coagulation and thrombosis that include von Willebrand factor (vWF) and platelets.

Initiation of protein O glycosylation by the polypeptide GalNAcT-1 in vascular biology and humoral immunity.

Core-type protein O glycosylation is initiated by polypeptide N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) transferase (ppGalNAcT) activity and produces the covalent linkage of serine and threonine residues of proteins. More than a dozen ppGalNAcTs operate within multicellular organisms, and they differ with respect to expression patterns and substrate selectivity. These distinctive features imply that each ppGalNAcT may differentially modulate regulatory processes in animal development, physiology, and perhaps disease.

Enhancing the tuning range of a single resonant band long period grating while maintaining the resonant peak depth by using an optimized high index indium tin oxide overlay.

We report laboratory test results of a long period grating (LPG) that can maintain a constant resonant peak depth over an enhanced tuning range when it is coated with an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode that has optimized thickness and refractive index. The authors have experimentally demonstrated a LPG coated with ITO that can be tuned in excess of 200 nm with an ambient refractive index change of less than 0.01.

Weed control in rice with metham-sodium.

Metam-sodium is a soil fumigant with herbicidal properties. A field experiment was conducted in 2000 at Copiano (Pavia, Italy) to determine the efficacy of three rates of metam-sodium (300, 450 and 600 l/ha) at three different planting times (5, 12 and 18 days after chemical treatments) for the control of weeds in rice cultivation. The study mainly focused on the control of red rice (Oryza sativa var.

Effects of water management and herbicide treatments on red rice control.

Two field experiments were conducted in 1999 and 2000 at Zeme (Pavia, Italy) to determine the effects of water managements and herbicide treatments on red rice control. In the first experiment, all plots were flooded 10-13 cm deep from April 1 to May 17 in 1999 and from April 3 to May 6 in 2000. At the same time, in the second experiment, the plots were alternately drained-flooded.

Sialyltransferase ST3Gal-IV operates as a dominant modifier of hemostasis by concealing asialoglycoprotein receptor ligands.

A number of poorly characterized genetic modifiers contribute to the extensive variability of von Willebrand disease, the most prevalent bleeding disorder in humans. We find that a genetic lesion inactivating the murine ST3Gal-IV sialyltransferase causes a bleeding disorder associated with an autosomal dominant reduction in plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) and an autosomal recessive thrombocytopenia. Although both ST3Gal-IV and ST6Gal-I sialyltransferases mask galactose linkages implicated as asialoglycoprotein receptor ligands, only ST3Gal-IV deficiency promotes asialoglycoprotein clearance mechanisms with a reduction in plasma levels of VWF and platelets.

Modeling human congenital disorder of glycosylation type IIa in the mouse: conservation of asparagine-linked glycan-dependent functions in mammalian physiology and insights into disease pathogenesis.

The congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs) are recent additions to the repertoire of inherited human genetic diseases. Frequency of CDGs is unknown since most cases are believed to be misdiagnosed or unrecognized. With few patients identified and heterogeneity in disease signs noted, studies of animal models may provide increased understanding of pathogenic mechanisms.