Effect of lactic acid and proteolytic enzymes on the release of organic matrix components from human root dentin

The mechanisms of organic matrix breakdown in the root caries process are not well understood. Therefore, the combined and separate effects of lactic acid and proteolytic enzymes on the degradation of human dentin collagen, glycoproteins, proteoglycans and phosphoproteins were investigated in the present study. Dentin powder was pretreated with lactic acid (pH 4.0), distilled and deionized (dd) water (pH 7.0) and EDTA/guanidine HCl (pH 7.4) for 24 h. Pellets of acid- or dd water-pretreated dentin powder were washed, dried, and then treated with trypsin, bacterial or mammalian tissue collagenase, or control buffer for 3 h. The released dentin proteins were analyzed by reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting to identify degraded type I collagen, proteoglycans, glycoproteins and phosphoproteins. All water and acid pretreatment and enzyme treatment groups demonstrated two collagen fragment bands with molecular weights at approximately 79 kD. Further studies showed that the 79 kD proteins from acid-pretreated dentin collagen were degraded by tissue collagenase, suggesting that endogenous collagenase may be involved in the degradation of root dentin collagen. Dentin proteoglycans were detectable in all the treatment groups by protein slot blotting. Relatively few distinct glycoproteins and proteoglycans, and no phosphoproteins were detected by immunoblotting. Results from this study suggest that both acids and proteolytic enzymes from either host or microbial origin are important in the degradation of human dentin matrix and the mechanisms involved in the release of various noncollagenous proteins may be different.     

The action of proteolytic enzymes on the glycoprotein from pig gastric mucus

A glycoprotein of mol.wt. 2x10(6) was isolated in homogeneous form from pig gastric mucus by isopycnic centrifugation in CsCl but without enzymic digestion or reductive cleavage of disulphide bonds. Digestion of the purified glycoprotein with trypsin, pepsin or Pronase resulted in the formation of glycoprotein subunits, of mol.wt. 5.2x10(5)-5.8x10(5), one-quarter that of the undigested glycoprotein. The glycoprotein subunits were isolated by gel filtration and shown to contain all the carbohydrate present in the undigested glycoprotein, but 18.6-25.6% of the total amino acids originally present were lost on digestion. The relative amount of threonine, serine and proline had increased from 41% (w/w) in the undigested glycoprotein to 61-67% of the total amino acids in the glycoprotein subunits after digestion. The results support the previously proposed structure for the glycoprotein, namely that of four subunits joined by disulphide bridges. These results show the presence of two distinct regions in the glycoprotein molecule, one rich in threonine, serine and proline, which is glycosylated and resistant to proteolyis, whereas the other, with an amino acid composition more characteristic of a globular protein, is not glycosylated and is susceptible to proteolysis. In addition, the region that is susceptible to proteolysis contains the disulphide bridges which join the glycoprotein subunits together to form the gastric glycoprotein.     

Effect of contrical on proteolytic enzymes of blood serum in acute emotional-pain stress

General proteolytic and antitryptic blood serum activity in acute emotionally-painful stress was investigated as well as that on the background of the before injected contrical. It was determined that in case of a stress there increases the general proteolytic activity of blood serum and at the same time antiproteolytic activity decreases. The coefficient of the relation of antiproteolytic activity to proteolytic activity of blood serum in case of a stress may become of 50% of the control. The introduction of inhibitor of proteinase contrical before the beginning of stressor influence promotes the decrease of general proteolytic activity to the level of the control indexes.     

Actinomycoma of the abdominal cavity

Six months of gastrointestinal embarrassment in a 31-year old male patient were coped with by transversostomy and subsequent anti-tumour drug and irradiation treatment. However, histology tests of a pseudotumour removed from the abdominal cavity proved the presence of actinomycosis (actinomycoma). Once adequate treatment had been started, the intraabdominal process began to recede thus permitting the transversostomy to be discontinued.     

Effect of adenosine analogues on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors from human dermal fibroblasts

The effect of the cytostatic and antiviral adenosine analogues 3-deazaadenosine (c3Ado) and 3-deaza-(+/-)-aristeromycin (c3Ari) on human skin fibroblasts was studied. Variables examined were cell morphology, viability, DNA fragmentation, expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (TIMPs). None of these variables were changed when cells were exposed to c3Ari concentrations ranging from 10(-5) to 10(-3) M or 10(-5) M c3Ado. However, large changes in cell morphology, viability and expression of MMPs and MMP inhibitors occurred when fibroblasts were treated with 10(-4) or 10(-3) M c3Ado. Cells rounded up, shrank in volume, some detached and viability was lost without any detectable fragmentation of DNA. These changes in morphology and viability were associated with a differentiated expression of MMPs and MMP inhibitors. A large increase in collagenase activity occurred, and depending on the concentration of the adenosine analogue and the length of treatment, this change in activity could be shown to be due to one or a combination of the following factors: an increased synthesis of the collagenase protein, a decreased production of TIMP-1 or an increased activity of the collagenase superactivator, stromelysin. In contrast to this, treatment with c3Ado resulted in a decreased gelatinase activity, which in part could be attributed to an increased production of an inhibitor that seemed to affect gelatinase but not collagenase. The cellular changes induced by c3Ado seemed to reflect some of the alteration in the metabolic machinery that appears during a drug-induced or programmed/controlled death of a dermal cell. The different effects exerted by these two adenosine analogues on dermal fibroblasts can at least in part explain why c3Ado have previously been shown to be more toxic than c3Ari in animal models.     

Electrical cutting device for laparoscopic removal of tissue from the abdominal cavity

The extraction of large tissue masses from the abdominal cavity during laparoscopic surgery is a time-consuming, complicated process. A new prototype instrument is introduced that allows quick laparoscopic removal of fibromas, ovaries, or other tissues from the abdomen. A cylinder with a coning knife at its intra-abdominal end is placed inside the trocar sleeve and is rotated by an electrical micro-engine attached to the trocar. Cylindrical tissue blocks are cut step by step out of the main specimen and removed from the peritoneal cavity through the sleeve with a grasping forceps. Tissue removed is suitable for histologic examination. The principal application is morcellation of fibromas, whereas use in ovarian disease is limited. This new device provides a safe and effective approach inside the abdominal cavity.     

Bandages with proteolytic enzymes in the treatment of purulent wounds

The studies conducted in Krasnouralsk (Sverdlovsk region) proved that environmental pollution with lead in the area subjected to releases by copper-melting enterprise creates significant risk of lead accumulation in preschoolers especially prone to unfavorable factors. Considering various environmental lead sources, biokinetic analog formation reliably forecasts serum lead levels. Soil polluted with lead, as the analog considers, is the most important environmental lead source. The authors suggest a system of prophylactic measures based on analysis of children's health risk caused by environmental pollution with lead.     

On the agglutinogens of red cells developed with proteolytic enzymes and neuraminidase

Four cases of slipped upper femoral epiphyses in patients with intracranial tumours causing hypopituitarism and chiasmal compression are presented. Detailed endocrine studies in three cases showed severe deficiencies of growth hormone as well as of gonadotrophin and sex hormones. The literature is reviewed and the aetiology is discussed with special reference to Harris's hypothesis that an increase in growth hormone relative to oestrogen predisposes to slipping of the upper femoral epiphysis in humans, which these cases do not seem to support. In all cases the slip was bilateral, and it is emphasised that surgical treatment can provide only temporary fixation because fusion is dependent on correct hormonal therapy.     

Clear cell tumors of the alimentary tract and abdominal cavity

In a population of male workers in two ship maintenance companies (n = 32), a workplace survey was conducted in order to quantify their physical load. Postural load was measured by using the Ovako Working posture Analyzing System. During 7480 observations, working postures, exertion of force and working activities were recorded. Awkward postures of the back occurred in 38% of the worktime, stress on the neck/shoulder region due to one or both arms above shoulder level was present in 25% of the worktime. Forceful exertions during lifting, pushing and pulling activities sometimes exceeded published guidelines for manual material handling. Determinants of physical load could be identified and a hazard evaluation procedure was designed by applying rating schemes to weight various patterns of physical load. Ship maintenance work compared well with other strenuous occupations. Considering the high prevalence of back pain (80%) and neck/shoulder pain (60%), as well as the results of the observation method ergonomic improvements are warranted. Physical load can be reduced by several technical adaptations and applications, and by enlarging task rotation.     

Device for treatment of wounds and abdominal cavity

An original device for the wound and abdominal cavity pretreatment has been proposed. It has the following advantages: high rate of effectiveness in wound pretreatment, simplicity in usage, economical use of a washing solution. The device may be used in clinical practice for the wound and abdominal cavity cleansing.     

Use of proteolytic enzymes and ectericide in surgical treatment of suppuration

The use of proteolytic enzymes and ectericide in treatment of patients with suppurative processes yielded positive results. The duration of the treatment and terms of patients incapacity are shortened.     

Effects of protease inhibitors on the absorption of phenol red and fluorescein isothiocyanate dextrans from the rat intestine

The absorption enhancement effects of three types of protease inhibitors, aprotinin, bacitracin, and soybean trypsin inhibitor, on the small and large intestinal absorption of phenol red (PR) and fluorescein isothiocyanate dextrans (FDs) were examined in rats. Of these protease inhibitors, only bacitracin enhanced the absorption of PR and FDs from the rat small and large intestine. Thus, we suggest that bacitracin has not only a protease-inhibitory but also an absorption-enhancing capability. We examined the effects of various protease inhibitors on intestinal mucosal toxicity by measuring the leakage of Evans blue (EB) from the systemic circulation. Although there was a significant increase in the leakage of EB in the presence of bacitracin, it was considerably less than that in the case of polyoxyethylene 9-lauryl ether (BL-9), which was used as a positive control. Therefore, bacitracin may be a good model adjuvant for improving the intestinal absorption of poorly absorbable drugs because it did not cause serious intestinal mucosal damage, as seen in the case of BL-9.