Volumetric dried blood spots for determination of phosphatidylethanol: Validation of a liquid chromatography tandem masspectrometry method and clinical application.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) measurement in whole blood samples is established as a specific alcohol biomarker with clinical and forensic applications. Establishment of dried blood spots (DBSs) as a specimen for PEth determination offers several advantages and was the focus of this work. A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method using a 96-well format for sample preparation was developed and validated.

Impact of an Okinawa/Nordic based diet on endocrinological and periodontal conditions in individuals with type 2 diabetes. A randomized case-control study.

Objectives: To assess if the results following intake of a diet using an Okinawan-based Nordic diet (OBND) over one month differs in endocrinological, periodontal clinical outcome, and serum cytokine levels compared to a standard hospital care diet in individuals with diabetes type 2 (T2D) (control group).

Background: Scientific evidence suggests that the use of diet for individuals with T2D may be beneficial.

Methods: Participating individuals with T2D were randomly assigned to a test (OBND) (n = 14), or control group (n = 16).

Periodontal conditions, retinopathy, and serum markers in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Background: The prevalence of diabetes is high and increasing. Periodontitis has been identified as a risk factor in both type 1 and 2 diabetes. The study purpose was to assess periodontal conditions, retinopathy, and serum glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GADA) titers in relation to retinopathy in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Water and ethanol extracts of leaves show anti-inflammatory activity on oral epithelial cells.

Context: The leaves of have been used for the treatment of wounds and inflammation in folk medicine from prehistoric times. However there is no report on the use of to treat inflammation in oral epithelial cell lines.

Objective: The present study was undertaken to reveal possible anti-inflammatory effects of leaf extracts on oral epithelial cells

Materials And Methods: Water- and ethanol-based extracts of leaves were prepared from freeze-dried plant material, and tested using the oral epithelial cell line H400.

Improved General and Oral Health in Diabetic Patients by an Okinawan-Based Nordic Diet: A Pilot Study.

Periodontal disease, periodontitis as well as the preceding gingivitis, has been associated with both obesity and diabetes. Studies have shown that diet changes can lead to a lower incidence of such inflammation. The aim of the present case series over four weeks was to study the effects on medical and dental conditions in patients with type 2 diabetes of the consumption of the Okinawan-based Nordic Diet (OBND).

Neuroimaging of decoding and language comprehension in young very low birth weight (VLBW) adolescents: Indications for compensatory mechanisms.

In preterm children with very low birth weight (VLBW ≤ 1500 g), reading problems are often observed. Reading comprehension is dependent on word decoding and language comprehension. We investigated neural activation-within brain regions important for reading-related to components of reading comprehension in young VLBW adolescents in direct comparison to normal birth weight (NBW) term-born peers, with the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Alteration of Neutrophil Reactive Oxygen Species Production by Extracts of Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum).

Harpagophytum, Devil's Claw, is a genus of tuberiferous xerophytic plants native to southern Africa. Some of the taxa are appreciated for their medicinal effects and have been traditionally used to relieve symptoms of inflammation. The objectives of this pilot study were to investigate the antioxidant capacity and the content of total phenols, verbascoside, isoverbascoside, and selected iridoids, as well as to investigate the capacity of various Harpagophytum taxa in suppressing respiratory burst in terms of reactive oxygen species produced by human neutrophils challenged with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), opsonised Staphylococcus aureus, and Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Cytokine and microbial profiles in relation to the clinical outcome following treatment of peri-implantitis.

Aim: To study whether cytokine levels and bacterial counts in p atients with peri-implantitis reflect clinical treatment outcome following non-surgical management.

Materials And Methods: Luminex magnet bead technology and checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization were used to assess treatment outcome after treatment at the implant with the most severe peri-implantitis in 41 participants.

Results: Study group mean age was 40.

Systemic inflammatory impact of periodontitis on acute coronary syndrome.

Aim: A causative relationship between acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and periodontitis has yet to be defined. The aim of this study was to assess differences in levels of serum cytokines between individuals with or without ACS or periodontal comorbidity.

Material And Methods: In a case-control study, individuals with ACS (78 individuals, 10.

Cytokine expression in peri-implant crevicular fluid in relation to bacterial presence.

Aim: The aim was to assess clinical inflammatory parameters, cytokine levels and bacterial counts in samples from implant crevicular fluid in cases with untreated peri-implantitis.

Material And Methods: Several bacterial species known to up-regulate pro-inflammatory cytokines have been associated with peri-implantitis. The Luminex magnet bead technology was used to study cytokines in crevicular fluid.

Consumption of bilberries controls gingival inflammation.

Bioactive molecules in berries may be helpful in reducing the risk of oral diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of bilberry consumption on the outcome of a routine dental clinical parameter of inflammation, bleeding on probing (BOP), as well as the impact on selected biomarkers of inflammation, such as cytokines, in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in individuals with gingivitis. Study individuals who did not receive standard of care treatment were allocated to either a placebo group or to groups that consumed either 250 or 500 g bilberries daily over seven days.

Probiotic supplements and debridement of peri-implant mucositis: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The aim of this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplements in adjunct to conventional management of peri-implant mucositis.

Materials And Methods: Forty-nine adult patients with peri-implant mucositis were consecutively recruited after informed consent. After initial mechanical debridement and oral hygiene instructions, the patients received a topical oil application (active or placebo) followed by twice-daily intake of lozenges (active or placebo) for 3 months.

Antibacterial activity of berry juices, an in vitro study.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vitro antibacterial activities of blackcurrant and sea buckthorn juices on bacteria associated with gingival inflammation.

Materials And Methods: The growth of selected bacteria (Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus gordonii, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was studied in vitro on agar plates. The content of phenols in the different extracts was measured with HPLC-ESI-MS.

Erythrocyte antioxidant protection of rose hips (Rosa spp.).

Rose hips are popular in health promoting products as the fruits contain high content of bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate whether health benefits are attributable to ascorbic acid, phenols, or other rose-hip-derived compounds. Freeze-dried powder of rose hips was preextracted with metaphosphoric acid and the sample was then sequentially eluted on a C(18) column.

Effects of Plantago major L. leaf extracts on oral epithelial cells in a scratch assay.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects from different leaf extracts of the traditional medicinal herb Plantago major L. (plantain) on cell proliferation and migration in vitro, as a test for potential wound healing properties.

Materials And Methods: Water and ethanol-based extracts were prepared from Plantago major fresh and dried leaves, and tested in vitro in a scratch assay with oral epithelial cells.

Efficiency of cross-bridges and mitochondria in mouse cardiac muscle.

The aim of this study was to make cellular-level measurements of the mechanical efficiency of mouse cardiac muscle and to use these measurements to determine (1) the work performed by a cross-bridge in one ATP-splitting cycle and (2) the fraction of the free energy available in metabolic substrates that is transferred by oxidative phosphorylation to free energy in ATP (i.e. mitochondrial thermodynamic efficiency).

FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 interacts with the glucocorticoid receptor complex and affects glucocorticoid dependent signaling.

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) forms part of a multiprotein complex consisting of chaperones and proteins active in glucocorticoid signaling and other pathways. By immunoaffinity purification of GR, followed by Edman sequencing and Western blotting, we identified the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3) as a GR-interacting protein in rat liver and hepatoma cells. Flt3 interacts with both non-liganded and liganded GR.

Mitochondria transmit apoptosis signalling in cardiomyocyte-like cells and isolated hearts exposed to experimental ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a condition leading to serious complications due to death of cardiac myocytes. We used the cardiomyocyte-like cell line H9c2 to study the mechanism underlying cell damage. Exposure of the cells to simulated I/R lead to their apoptosis.

Proteomic identification of glucocorticoid receptor interacting proteins.

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) acts as a ligand dependent transcription factor but can also cross talk with other signaling pathways via protein-protein interactions. In this paper we describe methods to study novel cytosolic GR interacting proteins, using mAb based immunoaffinity chromatography of GR from rat liver cytosol. Co-purifying proteins were identified by 2-DE in combination with MALDI-TOF-MS.

ATP splitting by half the cross-bridges can explain the twitch energetics of mouse papillary muscle.

The aim of this study was to quantify the fraction of cross-bridges that cycle during a cardiac twitch. Measurements of the energetics of contracting left ventricular mouse papillary muscle were made in vitro (27 degrees C) using the myothermic technique. Enthalpy output was partitioned into force-dependent and force-independent components using 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) to selectively inhibit cross-bridge cycling.

Resting metabolism of mouse papillary muscle.

The aims of this study were to measure the resting metabolic rate of isolated mouse papillary muscles and to determine whether diffusive O2 supply is adequate to support the resting metabolism. Resting metabolism of left ventricular papillary muscles was measured in vitro (27 degrees C) using the myothermic technique. The rate of resting metabolism declined exponentially with time towards a steady value, with a time constant of 18+/-2 min (n=13).

Initial mechanical efficiency of isolated cardiac muscle.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the initial mechanical efficiency (ratio of work output to initial metabolic cost) of isolated cardiac muscle is over 60%, as has been reported previously, or whether it is approximately 30%, as suggested by an estimate based on the well-established net mechanical efficiency (ratio of work output to total, suprabasal energy cost) of 15%. Determination of initial efficiency required separation of the enthalpy output (i.e.

Cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor interaction with nuclear factor-kappa B proteins in rat liver cells.

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) acts as an anti-inflammatory factor. To a large extent, this activity is exerted by the interference of pro-inflammatory nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) activity. In their respective inactive forms, both GR and NF-kappa B reside in the cytoplasm and translocate to the nucleus on relevant stimulation.

Cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor-interacting proteins.

Studies of GR-interacting proteins can provide valuable insights into the regulation of GR cellular signalling. The cytoplasmic localization of GR and reports of GR interaction with such a plethora of other cytoplasmic proteins may point to a unique role for GR in modulating and integrating other signalling pathways. A better insight into these interactions could serve as a tool when trying to understand and modify GR signalling.