The analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-8 in gingival crevicular fluid and periodontal diseases.

Background: Periodontal disease, also generally called periodontitis or gum disease, is a chronic infection-induced inflammatory disease that causes tooth loss if not properly treated, and is considered as a modifying factor in systemic health. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) is an inflammatory marker found in periodontal pathologic conditions. Gingivitis, a nondestructive type of periodontal disease, can progress to periodontitis if left untreated.

Changes in expression of proteasome in rats at different stages of atherosclerosis.

It has been suggested that proteasome system has a role in initiation, progression, and complication stages of atherosclerosis. Although there is still controversy, there has been no research that compares the expression of proteasome in tissue and serum at each of these stages. This study aimed to investigated the expression of proteasome at different stages of atherosclerosis using rat model.

Alteration Expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and VDAC1 Genes in Oligozoospermic and Fertile Subjects.

One of factors causing oligozoospermic circumstances is excessive apoptosis during spermatogenesis. Spermatogenesis known involves Bcl-2 family proteins in cytoplasm and Voltage Dependent Anion Channel 1 (VDAC1) in outer mitochondrial membrane to facilitate releasing of apoptosis factor such as cytochrome-c from inter-membrane space into cytoplasm. The study was aimed to analyze the mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic Bax, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and VDAC1 genes derived from 45 oligozoospermic subjects and 20 fertile subjects as control.

Dietary intake and the risk of coronary heart disease among the coconut-consuming Minangkabau in West Sumatra, Indonesia.

Several nutrition and non-nutritional pathways are recognised in the development and occurrence of cardiovascular disease. In many populations, high intakes of saturated fat are associated with elevated serum cholesterol concentrations and increased coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. However, several studies report that hyperlipidaemia and heart diseases are not common among populations who consume coconut, a source of saturated fat.

Contemporary Minangkabau food culture in West Sumatra, Indonesia.

Diet has a strong relationship with food culture and changes in it are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of newly emergent degenerative diseases. To obtain in-depth opinions about the food culture of Minangkabau people, focus group discussions were conducted in a Minangkabau region, represented by four villages in West Sumatra, Indonesia, from January to March 1999. The members of the discussion groups were principally women aged from 35 to 82 years old.