Effect of mechanical treatment on healing after third molar extraction

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of subgingival scaling and root planing on healing of the distal surface of second molars following extraction of third molars. Twenty-eight patients with contralateral erupted third molars and pocket depths greater than or equal to 3 mm on the distal surface of the second molars participated in this study. Measurements of supragingival bacterial plaque, bleeding on probing, pocket depth, and relative attachment level were performed at baseline and 2 months after treatment. Extraction of contralateral third molars was carried out simultaneously. The experimental site received thorough scaling and root planing of the distal surface of the second molar, while the control site received extraction alone. Experimental sites showed significant improvement in all clinical parameters assessed compared to the control sites. In conclusion, periodontal lesions on the distal of second molars can be significantly improved following scaling and root planing after extraction of third molars.     

Investigation of the effects of mechanical post‐processing with a colloid mill on the texture properties of stirred yogurt

Texture properties of stirred low‐fat yogurt were investigated in terms of processing after fermentation. The yogurt gel was pumped through a colloid mill at two gap widths and various peripheral velocities of the rotor. The storage modulus and yield stress were measured after 1 day and after 3 weeks, and the occurrence of syneresis was noted. The main factor for the structural degradation in the shear gap was the mean peripheral velocity of the rotor, rather than the apparent shear rate. Syneresis is related to a certain level of the storage modulus. The yield stress correlated with the storage modulus.     

7-Hydroxystaurosporine (UCN-01) induces apoptosis in human colon carcinoma and leukemia cells independently of p53

7-hydroxystaurosporine (UCN-01) is a more selective protein kinase C inhibitor than staurosporine. UCN-01 exhibits antitumor activity in experimental tumor models and is presently in clinical trials. Our study reveals that human myeloblastic leukemia HL60 and K562 and colon carcinoma HT29 cells undergo internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis after UCN-01 treatment. These three cell lines lack functional p53, and K562 and HT29 cells are usually resistant to apoptosis. DNA fragmentation in HT29 and K562 cells occurred after 1 day of treatment while it took less than 4 h in HL60 cells. Cycloheximide prevented UCN-01-induced DNA fragmentation in HT-29 cells, but not in HL60 and K562 cells, suggesting that macromolecular synthesis is selectively required for apoptotic DNA fragmentation in HT29 cells. UCN-01-induced DNA fragmentation was preceded by activation of cyclin B1/cdc2 kinase. Further studies in HL60 cells showed that UCN-01-induced apoptosis was associated with degradation of CPP32, PARP, and lamin B and that the inhibitor of caspases (ICE/CED-3 cysteine proteases), Z-VAD-FMK, and the serine protease inhibitor, DCI, protected HL60 cells from UCN-01-induced DNA fragmentation. However, only DCI and TPCK, but not Z-VAD-FMK, inhibited DNA fragmentation in the HL60 cell-free system, suggesting that serine protease(s) may play a role in the execution phase of apoptosis in HL60 cells treated with UCN-01. Z-VAD-FMK and DCI also inhibited apoptosis in HT29 cells. These data demonstrate that the protein kinase C inhibitor and antitumor agent, UCN-01 is a potent apoptosis inducer in cell lines that are usually resistant to apoptosis and lack p53 and that caspases and probably serine proteases are activated during UCN-01-induced apoptosis.     

Cytotoxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon o-quinones in rat and human hepatoma cells

A novel pathway of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolism involves the oxidation of non-K-region trans-dihydrodiols by dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (DD) to yield PAH o-quinones whose cytotoxicity and genotoxicity are unknown. The cytotoxicity of several PAH o-quinones derived from this reaction [naphthalene-1,2-dione (NPQ), benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dione (BPQ), and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-3,4-dione (DMBAQ)] was examined in rat (H-4IIe) and human (Hep-G2) hepatoma cells which are known to express DD. 2-Methylnaphthalene-1,4-dione (menadione), a known cytotoxic p-quinone, was used as a positive control. Hepatoma cells (1 x 10(6) cells/mL) were exposed to PAH o-quinones (1-100 microM) for 0-4 h, and cell viability and survival were measured and related to O2.- production and changes in redox potential [GSSG/GSH and NAD(P)+/NAD(P)H]. Three different modes of cytotoxicity were observed: (1) NPQ (no bay region) and DMBAQ (methylated bay region) were as cytotoxic as menadione in reducing cell survival but had less effect on cell viability. These o-quinones adversely affected GSH levels and the redox state of the cell and caused an increase in the production of O2.- in cell suspensions. This cytotoxicity was not enhanced by dicoumarol (10 microM), a DT-diaphorase inhibitor, implying that this enzyme is unable to prevent these PAH o-quinones from entering one-electron redox-cycles. (2) BPQ (bay region only) was the least cytotoxic of the PAH o-quinones studied. BPQ decreased cell viability (< 40% at 20 microM) but did not adversely affect cell survival or the redox state of the cell.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ocular toxicity following topical application of anesthetic cream to the eyelid skin

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The use of topical anesthetic cream in the periorbital region may be of clinical value. The potential for toxic effects from such use has not been studied in a controlled manner. This study was performed to evaluate the potential ocular toxicity of anesthetic cream topically applied to the eyelid in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten rabbits underwent periorbital eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) (2.5 percent lidocaine and 2.5 percent prilocaine) application and were observed for evidence of gross or microscopic ocular toxicity. Baseline external and anterior segment examinations were performed, including biomicroscopy and fluorescein staining, after which a standard quantity of EMLA cream (0.75 g) was applied along the upper eyelid and covered with an occlusive dressing. After 1 hour of treatment, the eyelid and anterior segment were examined for evidence of adverse reaction. The eyelids were excised and examined histopathologically. RESULTS: No significant adverse effects were noted on external lid and anterior segment examination. The histopathologic findings were within normal limits. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that external application of EMLA cream to the eyelid does not induce local toxicity in the rabbit model. The external application of EMLA cream may be safe in the periorbital region.     

Evaluation of the effectiveness of continuous renal replacement therapy in critical patients after cardiovascular surgery

The efficacy of continuous methods of renal substitute therapy (RST) in patients with multiple organ failure is assessed. The patients were divided in 2 groups administered different types of PST. Group 1 were 16 patients subjected to RST by peritoneal dialysis, in group 2 (n = 16) GP and/or GDP were used. Hemodynamics, hematological and biochemical values, and clearance of inflammation mediators were monitored and hemohydrobalance and complications of therapy assessed in the course of RST. Both RST methods proved to be highly effective. The possibility of differentiated use of peritoneal dialysis and GP/GDP permits an individual approach to treatment, and equally high efficacy of both methods solves the problem of treating total renal insufficiency in the majority of patients with multiple organ failure following cardiovascular surgery.     

Persistent GAD 65 antibodies in longstanding IDDM are not associated with residual beta-cell function, neuropathy or HLA-DR status

Persistent humoral autoimmunity to the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) has been described in a substantial proportion of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) of long duration. The source of the stimulus for this autoimmune reactivity is still unknown. Because the GAD 65 isoform is mainly expressed in pancreatic beta-cells and in the nervous system we investigated in the present study of the largest number of well characterized patients with longstanding IDDM (n = 105; median duration: 21 years; range: 10-46 years) the presence of autoantibodies to GAD 65 and their relationship to a residual C-peptide response or peripheral and autonomic neuropathy. Additionally we studied the HLA-DR status relative to GAD 65 antibodies in 86 out of the 105 individuals. One hundred healthy control subjects and 100 recent onset IDDM patients were also studied for GAD 65 antibodies. GAD 65 antibodies were detected in a radioligand-binding-assay with recombinant human GAD 65 and were present in 32% of the long-term diabetic patients, 82% of the recent onset IDDM patients and in 3% of the healthy control subjects. A preserved C-peptide response to i.v. glucagon (Hendriksen criteria) was observed in 23% of the long-term IDDM patients. Autonomic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy was identified using criteria based on both symptoms and formal testing giving a frequency of 67% vs 79%. The HLA specific DR 4/X was observed in 47% and HLA-DR 3/X in 22% of the long-term IDDM patients. Patients who were heterozygous for DR3/DR4 were found in 23% of the cases. GAD 65 antibodies were significantly less frequent in the long-term IDDM patients compared to recent onset IDDM (p < 0.001), and diabetes duration showed a significant negative correlation with GAD 65 antibody index levels (r = 0.22, p < 0.01). Interestingly, GAD 65 antibodies were not significantly correlated either with residual beta-cell function or neuropathy and no particular HLA-DR status was associated with persistent GAD 65 antibodies. In conclusion neither residual beta-cell function nor diabetic neuropathy or a certain HLA-DR specificity are exclusively associated with persistent autoimmunity directed to GAD 65 in longstanding IDDM. The stimulus for the persistent humoral immune response and its significance for the disease process and its complications remain to be established.