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.

Macronutrient intake of elderly people in the Padang area,West Sumatra, Indonesia.

We examined the macronutrient intake of residents in Padang area, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The daily energy intake (1130±420 kcal) of elderly people in a rural traditional group was significantly lower than that in an urbanised "modernised" group (1700±460 kcal) (p<0.01).

Technology in body composition: considerations for a traditional, elderly Indonesian population.

Body composition has been measured in a group of elderly people living in nursing home care in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Anthropometric techniques were used to measure height, weight, waist and hip circumference, and skinfolds at four sites (triceps, biceps, suprailiac and subscapula). Body fat was determined with the equations of Durnin and Womersley, although difficulties were encountered because of the age and leanness of some of the subjects.

Age-related changes in the lipofuscin accumulation of brain and heart.

Lipofuscin is the end-product of intracellular lipid peroxidation and the accumulation results from the cellular metabolism during aging (life stage). We suggested that the accumulation of cardiac lipofuscin was dependent on the specific metabolic rate of mammals. Slower rate of cardiac lipofuscin accumulation (against absolute lifespan) was observed in the animals of larger body size.

Age-related accumulation of lipofuscin in three different regions of rat brain.

The rate of accumulation of auto-fluorescent granules (lipofuscin) in three different regions of rat brain was investigated at various ages from very young to old animals (1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 30-34 months of age. The accumulation of lipofuscin increased with age in the three brain regions. The first appearance of lipofuscin granules was at 8 weeks of age in the hippocampus and in the thalamus.

Coronary risk in West Sumatran men.

Lifestyle, food habits and blood lipid profiles were studied in two areas - one urban and one rural of West Sumatra, Indonesia, where coconut oil is commonly consumed. Subjects were 102 randomly selected healthy adult men aged 25 to 39 years. Variables considered were socioeconomic level, smoking habits, alcohol and coffee consumption, food intake, indices for obesity, and blood lipid profiles.