Effect of buffer composition and preparation protocol on the dispersion stability and interfacial behavior of aqueous DPPC dispersions.

The effect of the buffer composition and the preparation protocol on the dynamic surface tension (DST) and vesicle sizes of aqueous dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) dispersions was studied. Four isotonic buffers were used in preparing DPPC dispersions at physiological conditions for possible biological applications: (1) a standard PBS solution; (2) the above PBS with 1mM CaCl(2); (3) PBS with one tenth the previous standard phosphate salt concentrations and 2.5 mM CaCl(2); and (4) 150 mM NaCl with 2.

Alpha1-antitrypsin inhibits the activity of the matriptase catalytic domain in vitro.

Matriptase is a type II transmembrane protease that is characterized by an N-terminal transmembrane and multiple extracellular domains, in addition to the conserved extracellular serine protease catalytic domain. The expression pattern of matriptase suggests that this protease may play broad roles in the biology of surface lining epithelial cells. In this study we report that alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT), an endogenous inhibitor of serine proteases, inhibits the catalytic domain of human recombinant matriptase in vitro.

Mitigation of chlorine-induced lung injury by low-molecular-weight antioxidants.

Chlorine (Cl(2)) is a highly reactive oxidant gas used extensively in a number of industrial processes. Exposure to high concentrations of Cl(2) results in acute lung injury that may either resolve spontaneously or progress to acute respiratory failure. Presently, the pathophysiological sequelae associated with Cl(2)-induced acute lung injury in conscious animals, as well as the cellular and biochemical mechanisms involved, have not been elucidated.

Antibacterial properties of four endodontic sealers.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of root canal sealers. The direct contact test (DCT) was used to assess the antibacterial properties of AH plus, Apexit Plus, Epiphany SE, and RoekoSeal when in contact with Enterococcus faecalis. The materials were examined immediately after setting and 1, 2, 7, and 14 days after aging in phosphate-buffered-saline.

DETANO and nitrated lipids increase chloride secretion across lung airway cells.

We investigated the cellular mechanisms by which nitric oxide (NO) increases chloride (Cl-) secretion across lung epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Addition of (Z)-1-[2-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl) amino] diazen-1-ium-1, 2-diolate (DETANONOate [DETANO];1-1,000 microM) into apical compartments of Ussing chambers containing Calu-3 cells increased short-circuit currents (I(sc)) from 5.2 +/- 0.

Epithelial sodium channels in the adult lung--important modulators of pulmonary health and disease.

Absorption of excess fluid from the airways and alveolar lumen requires active vectorial transepithelial transport of sodium ions (Na+) by alveolar type II and possibly type I cells. The rate-limiting step in this process is the activity of the heterotrimeric apical membrane epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC). Pharmacologic inhibitors and genetic manipulations that disrupt Na+ transport result in fluid accumulation within the lung and failure of gas exchange.

Enhanced cell-surface stability of rescued DeltaF508 cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) by pharmacological chaperones.

Misfolded proteins destined for the cell surface are recognized and degraded by the ERAD [ER (endoplasmic reticulum) associated degradation] pathway. TS (temperature-sensitive) mutants at the permissive temperature escape ERAD and reach the cell surface. In this present paper, we examined a TS mutant of the CFTR [CF (cystic fibrosis) transmembrane conductance regulator], CFTR DeltaF508, and analysed its cell-surface trafficking after rescue [rDeltaF508 (rescued DeltaF508) CFTR].

Retention and marginal leakage of provisional crowns cemented with provisional cements enriched with chlorhexidine diacetate.

Statement Of Problem: Provisional crowns cemented with provisional luting agents are susceptible to washout, marginal leakage, and secondary caries when placed for a prolonged period.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of incorporating chlorhexidine diacetate (antibacterial agent) into provisional cements on retention and marginal leakage of provisional crowns in vitro.

Material And Methods: Provisional crowns of acrylic resin (Duralay) were fabricated for 12 intact human molars with rounded-shoulder preparations.

Streptococcus mutans biofilm changes surface-topography of resin composites.

Objectives: Polymerized resin composites and nonpolymerized monomers are reported to accelerate bacterial growth. Furthermore, in vivo, resin composite restorations accumulate more plaque than other restorative materials. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that bacteria-composite surface interaction causes changes in surface-topography.

The Role of heat shock protein 27 in extravillous trophoblast differentiation.

Trophoblast cells from placental explants differentiate in culture to extravillous trophoblast cells (EVT cells). During trophoblast differentiation heat-shock-protein-27 (HSP27) mRNA and multidrug-resistance-protein-5 (MRP5, transporter of cyclic nucleotides) expression are increased. HSP27 is a regulator of actin filaments structure and dynamic, has a role in cell differentiation and may affect NF-kB activity.

The influence of 2 condensation techniques on the marginal seal of packable resin composite restorations.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of manual condensation versus a combination of manual and mechanical, or automatic, condensation on the gingival marginal seal of packable resin composite restorations.

Method And Materials: Two packable composites, Pyramid Dentin (Bisco Dental) and Filtek P-60 (3M Espe), were tested. The study consisted of 37 extracted caries-free human molars and premolars.

Respiratory syncytial virus induces insensitivity to beta-adrenergic agonists in mouse lung epithelium in vivo.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in infants and children worldwide. We wished to determine whether intratracheal administration of beta-agonists improved alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) across the distal respiratory epithelium of RSV-infected mice. Following intranasal infection with RSV strain A2, AFC was measured in anesthetized, ventilated BALB/c mice by instillation of 5% BSA into the dependent lung.

Adenosine regulation of alveolar fluid clearance.

Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that regulates cell function through G protein-coupled receptors that activate or inhibit adenylyl cyclase. Based on the understanding that cAMP regulates alveolar epithelial active Na(+) transport, we hypothesized that adenosine and its receptors have the potential to regulate alveolar ion transport and airspace fluid content. Herein, we report that type 1 (A(1)R), 2a (A(2a)R), 2b (A(2b)R), and 3 (A(3)R) adenosine receptors are present in rat and mouse lungs and alveolar type 1 and 2 epithelial cells (AT1 and AT2).

Antibacterial properties of self-etching dental adhesive systems.

Background: Dental adhesives with antibacterial properties may reduce recurrent or secondary caries. The authors conducted a study to examine the immediate and long-lasting antibacterial properties of four self-etching adhesive systems.

Methods: The authors used the agar diffusion test (ADT) and direct contact test (DCT) to measure the antibacterial properties of AdheSe (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein), Adper Prompt L-Pop (3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany), Clearfil Protect Bond (Kuraray, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan) and Xeno III (Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany) on Streptoccocus mutans after aging samples in phosphate-buffered saline for one, two, seven and 14 days.

Surface antibacterial properties of resin and resin-modified dental cements.

Objective: Cements possessing antibacterial properties may reduce bacteria-induced fixed partial denture complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of 4 dental cements using the direct contact test (DCT) and the agar diffusion test (ADT).

Method And Materials: The ADT was performed using mitis salivarius agar plates.

Detection of cavitated carious lesions in approximal tooth surfaces by ultrasonic caries detector.

Objective: A new diagnostic method for detecting cavitated carious lesions in approximal surfaces with the aid of an ultrasonic caries detector (UCD) was tested for clinical use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and clinical performance of the UCD system and to compare it with bite-wing radiography by using direct visual inspection during restoration preparation as a validation method.

Study Design: One hundred ninety-seven directly inspected approximal sites, 95 as cavitated carious lesions and 102 as intact sites, of adults 22 to 45 years of age were examined by UCD and radiography.

Surface antibacterial properties of compomers.

Aim: This was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of four different compomers, using direct contact test (DCT) and agar diffusion test (ADT). Compomers (Polyacid Modified Composite Resin) form a group of dental restorative materials which were developed in order to improve conventional glass-ionomer and are widely used by pediatric dentists in primary dentition. Microorganisms captured under restorations or penetrating through the micro-gap at the tooth-restoration interface are the cause of secondary caries and pulpal pathology.

Interregulation of proton-gated Na(+) channel 3 and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.

Proton-gated Na(+) channels (ASIC) are new members of the epithelial sodium channel/degenerin gene family. ASIC3 mRNA has been detected in the homogenate of pulmonary tissues. However, whether ASIC3 is expressed in the apical membranes of lung epithelial cells and whether it regulates cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function are not known at the present time.

Surfactant dysfunction in SP-A-/- and iNOS-/- mice with mycoplasma infection.

Surfactant dysfunction was studied in C57BL/6 (B6), B6.SP-A(-/-), and B6.iNOS(-/-) mice with pulmonary mycoplasma infection (10(7) colony-forming units).

Anterior cingulate and posterior parietal cortices are sensitive to dissociable forms of conflict in a task-switching paradigm.

The conflict-monitoring hypothesis posits that anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) monitors conflict in information processing and recruits dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to resolve competition as needed. We used fMRI to test this prediction directly in the context of a task-switching paradigm, in which subjects responded to the color or the motion of a visual stimulus. Conflict was indexed in terms of the product of activities in areas specialized for color or motion processing on a trial-by-trial basis.

Upregulation of immunoproteasomes by nitric oxide: potential antioxidative mechanism in endothelial cells.

Nitric oxide (*NO) was shown to stimulate the proteasomal function and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and to ameliorate endothelial apoptotic signaling induced by oxidants. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms by which *NO stimulates proteasomes and affords cytoprotection in endothelial cells has therapeutic implications, as many vascular diseases are characterized by a deficiency in *NO. Here we report that *NO/cGMP/cAMP-induced immunoproteasome subunit expression is responsible for the increased proteasomal activities.

Antibacterial properties of temporary filling materials.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial properties of temporary fillings. The direct contact test (DCT) was used to evaluate the antibacterial properties of Revoltek LC, Tempit, Systemp inlay, and IRM. These were tested in contact with Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis.