scholarly journals Case Report: A Case of Hereditary Gingival Fibromatosis With a High Level of Human β Defensins in Gingival Epithelium

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ge Gao ◽  
Qing Tian ◽  
Anpeng Han ◽  
Rongxia Yang ◽  
Fan Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Periodontal Regeneration ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Gingival Tissue ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Elevated Expression ◽  
Gingival Epithelium ◽  
Oral Tissue ◽  
Gingival Fibromatosis ◽  
High Level ◽  
External Stimuli

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis [HGF, (MIM 135300)], a rare benign oral condition, has several adverse consequences such as aesthetic changes, malocclusion, speech impediments, and abnormal dentition. However, relatively few studies have addressed the beneficial effects of thick gingival tissues in resisting external stimuli. In this report, we present a unique case of a family affected by HGF that manifests as a ‘healthy’ gingiva. Human β-defensins (hBDs) are known to play a pivotal role in the clearance and killing of various microbes, and contribute to maintaining a healthy oral environment, which is currently emerging research area. However, the expression pattern and localisation of hBDs in patients with HGF have not yet been reported. hBD-2 and hBD-3 in the pedigree we collected had relatively elevated expression. High hBD levels in the gingival tissue of patients from the family may be beneficial in protecting oral tissue from external stimuli and promoting periodontal regeneration, but their role and the mechanisms underlying HGF need to be clarified.

scholarly journals Unique Clinical Features of Hereditary Gingival Fibromatosis Withelevated Expression of Human β-Defensin-2 and -3 in Gingival Epithelia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ge Gao ◽  
qing Tian ◽  
Peng An Han ◽  
Xia Rong Yang ◽  
Fan Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Periodontal Regeneration ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Gingival Tissue ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Normal Individuals ◽  
Multigenerational Family ◽  
Elevated Expression ◽  
Gingival Epithelium ◽  
Gingival Fibromatosis ◽  
External Stimuli

Abstract Background: Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF), a rare benign oral condition, has several adverse consequences such as aesthetic changes, malocclusion, speech impediments, and abnormal dentition . H owever, relatively few studies have addressed the beneficial effects of thick gingival tissues on resisting external stimuli. Patients with HGF commonly manifest a ‘healthy’ gingiva , and the aetiology and pathogenesis of this condition remain unclear. H uman β-defensins (hBDs) are known to play a pivotal role in the clearance and killing of various microbes and contribute to maintaining a harmonious oral environment, which is currently an emerg ing research focus. We previously performed an immunohistochemi cal analysis of gingival tissues from a multigenerational family with non-syndromic HGFs (NHGF) . However , the expression pattern and localisation of hBD-2 and - 3 in patients with NHGF has not been reported. Methods: Gingival tissue was paraffin embedding, sectioned, and then the expression and localisation of hBD-2 and -3 in the gingival epithelium of patients with HGF and normal individuals were compared using immunohistochemistry (IHC) with descriptive and quantitative analysis. Results: The immunohistochemical staining showed a statistically significant increase in hBD-2 and 3 in gingiva l tissue derived from patients with HGF. Conclusion: Our current findings provide evidence to support the novel hypothesis that certain gene mutations of the HGF lead to relatively elevated expression levels of hBDs, which may be beneficial in protect ing oral tissue from external stimuli and promot ing periodontal regeneration.

NMDAR PAMs: Multiple Chemotypes for Multiple Binding Sites

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (24) ◽  
pp. 2239-2253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Goldsmith
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Allosteric Modulators ◽  
Nonselective Cation Channels ◽  
Multiple Binding Sites ◽  
Multiple Binding ◽  
Excitatory Neurotransmission ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
High Level

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a member of the ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) family that plays a crucial role in brain signalling and development. NMDARs are nonselective cation channels that are involved with the propagation of excitatory neurotransmission signals with important effects on synaptic plasticity. NMDARs are functionally and structurally complex receptors, they exist as a family of subtypes each with its own unique pharmacological properties. Their implication in a variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions means they have been a focus of research for many decades. Disruption of NMDAR-related signalling is known to adversely affect higherorder cognitive functions (e.g. learning and memory) and the search for molecules that can recover (or even enhance) receptor output is a current strategy for CNS drug discovery. A number of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) that specifically attempt to overcome NMDAR hypofunction have been discovered. They include various chemotypes that have been found to bind to several different binding sites within the receptor. The heterogeneity of chemotype, binding site and NMDAR subtype provide a broad landscape of ongoing opportunities to uncover new features of NMDAR pharmacology. Research on NMDARs continues to provide novel mechanistic insights into receptor activation and this review will provide a high-level overview of the research area and discuss the various chemical classes of PAMs discovered so far.

scholarly journals Graded Dietary Resistant Starch Concentrations on Apparent Total Tract Macronutrient Digestibility and Fecal Fermentative End-Products and Microbial Populations of Healthy Adult Dogs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison N Beloshapka ◽  
Tzu-Wen L Cross ◽  
Kelly S Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Resistant Starch ◽  
Healthy Adult ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Gastrointestinal Health ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Quadratic Effects ◽  
Fecal Ph ◽  
High Level

Abstract Resistant starch (RS) is fermentable by gut microbiota and effectively modulates fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations in pigs, mice, and humans. RS may have similar beneficial effects on the canine gut, but has not been well studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4% dietary RS (Hi-maize 260) on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility, and fecal characteristics, fermentative end-product concentrations, and microbiota of healthy adult dogs. An incomplete 5 x 5 Latin square design with 7 dogs and 5 experimental periods was used, with each treatment period lasting 21 d (d 0-17 adaptation; d 18-21 fresh and total fecal collection) and each dog serving as its own control. Seven dogs (mean age = 5.3 yr; mean BW = 20 kg) were randomly allotted to one of five treatments formulated to be iso-energetic and consisting of graded amounts of 100% amylopectin cornstarch, RS, and cellulose, and fed as a top dressing on the food each day. All dogs were fed the same amount of a basal diet throughout the study and fresh water was offered ad libitum. The basal diet contained 6.25% RS (DM basis), contributing approximately 18.3 g of RS/d based on their daily food intake (292.5 g DM/d). Data were evaluated for linear and quadratic effects using SAS. The treatments included 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% of an additional RS source. Because Hi-maize 260 is approximately 40% digestible and 60% indigestible starch, the dogs received the following amounts of RS daily: 0% = 18.3 g (18.3 g + 0 g); 1% = 20.1 g (18.3 g + 1.8 g); 2% = 21.9 g (18.3 g + 3.6 g); 3% = 23.7 g (18.3 g + 5.4 g); and 4% = 25.5 g (18.3 g + 7.2 g). Apparent total tract dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, fat, and gross energy digestibilities and fecal pH were linearly decreased (P < 0.05) with increased RS consumption. Fecal output was linearly increased (P < 0.05) with increased RS consumption. Fecal scores and fecal fermentative end-product concentrations were not affected by RS consumption. Although most fecal microbial taxa were not altered, Faecalibacterium were increased (P < 0.05) with increased RS consumption. The decrease in fecal pH and increase in fecal Faecalibacterium would be viewed as being beneficial to gastrointestinal health. Although our results seem to indicate that RS is poorly and/or slowly fermentable in dogs, the lack of observed change may have been due to the rather high level of RS contained in the basal diet.

Deregulation of c-myc gene expression in human colon carcinoma is not accompanied by amplification or rearrangement of the gene

1985 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 1969-1976
Author(s):  
M D Erisman ◽  
P G Rothberg ◽  
R E Diehl ◽  
C C Morse ◽  
J M Spandorfer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colon Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Blot Hybridization ◽  
Human Colon ◽  
Normal Colonic Mucosa ◽  
Dna Rearrangement ◽  
Dot Blot ◽  
Myc Oncogene ◽  
Elevated Expression ◽  
High Level

The structure and expression of the c-myc oncogene were examined in 29 primary human colon adenocarcinomas. Dot blot hybridization of total RNA showed that 21 tumors (72%) had considerably elevated expression of c-myc (5- to 40-fold) relative to normal colonic mucosa. These data were corroborated by Northern blots of polyadenylated RNA, which showed a 2.3-kilobase transcript. Southern analysis of the c-myc locus in these tumors indicated the absence of amplification or DNA rearrangement in a 35-kilobase region encompassing the gene. In a parallel study, elevated expression of c-myc without amplification or DNA rearrangement was also observed in three of six colon carcinoma cell lines examined; in addition, unlike a normal colon cell line control, these three cell lines exhibited constitutive, high-level expression of the gene during their growth in cultures. These results indicate that elevated expression of the c-myc oncogene occurs frequently in primary human colon carcinomas and that the mechanism involved in the regulation of c-myc expression is altered in tumor-derived cell lines.

scholarly journals Bibliometric analysis of the development of nanoscience research in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 113 (11/12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xolani Makhoba ◽  
Anastassios Pouris
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Institutional Profile ◽  
High Level ◽  
The University

Nanotechnology is a fast-growing scientific research area internationally and is classified as an important emerging research area. In response to this importance, South African researchers and institutions have also increased their efforts in this area. A bibliometric study of articles as indexed in the Web of Science considered the development in this field with respect to the growth in literature, collaboration profile and the research areas that are more within the country’s context. We also looked at public institutions that are more active in this arena, including government policy considerations as guided by the National Nanotechnology Strategy launched in 2005. We found that the number of nanotechnology publications have shown a remarkable growth ever since the launch of the strategy. Articles on nanotechnology have been published in numerous journals, with Electrochimica Acta publishing the most, followed by Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. These publications fall within the traditional domains of chemistry and physics. In terms of the institutional profile and based on publication outputs over the period reviewed, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research is a leading producer of publications in nanotechnology, followed by the University of the Witwatersrand – institutions that are both based in the Gauteng Province. There is a high level of international collaboration with different countries within this field – the most productive collaboration is with India, followed by the USA and China, as measured through co-authorship.

scholarly journals Evaluation of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid resistance in the Bifidobacterium genus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Mancabelli ◽  
Walter Mancino ◽  
Gabriele Andrea Lugli ◽  
Chiara Argentini ◽  
Giulia Longhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Clavulanic Acid ◽  
Acid Resistance ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Western World ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Amoxicillin Clavulanic Acid ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact

Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid (AMC) is one of the most frequently prescribed antibiotic formulations in the Western world. Extensive oral use of this antimicrobial combination influences the gut microbiota. One of the most abundant early colonizers of the human gut microbiota is represented by different taxa of the Bifidobacterium genus, which include many members that are considered to bestow beneficial effects upon their host. In the current study, we investigated the impact of AMC administration on the gut microbiota composition, comparing the gut microbiota of 23 children that had undergone AMC antibiotic therapy to that of 19 children that had not been treated with antibiotics during the preceding six months. Moreover, we evaluated AMC sensitivity by Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) test of 261 bifidobacterial strains, including reference strains for the currently recognized 64 bifidobacterial (sub)species, as well as 197 bifidobacterial isolates of human origin. These assessments allowed the identification of four bifidobacterial strains, which exhibit a high level of AMC insensitivity, and which were subjected to genomic and transcriptomic analyses to identify the putative genetic determinants responsible for this AMC insensitivity. Furthermore, we investigated the ecological role of AMC-resistant bifidobacterial strains by in vitro batch-cultures. Importance Based on our results, we observed a drastic reduction in gut microbiota diversity of children treated with antibiotics, also affecting the abundance of Bifidobacterium, a bacterial genus commonly found in the infant gut. MIC experiments revealed that more than 98% of bifidobacterial strains tested were shown to be inhibited by the AMC antibiotic. Isolation of four insensitive strains and sequencing of their genome revealed the identity of possible genes involved in AMC resistance mechanisms. Moreover, gut-simulating in-vitro experiments revealed that one strain, i.e. B. breve PRL2020, is able to persist in the presence of a complex microbiota combined with AMC antibiotic.

scholarly journals Re-imagining Research: A Bold Call, but Bold Enough? Comment on "Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering with University-Based Researchers in Canada: A Call to ‘Re-Imagine’ Research"

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bev J. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Evidence Use ◽  
Health System Change ◽  
Health Leadership ◽  
System Leaders ◽  
Change Projects ◽  
High Level ◽  
Partnership Models

Many articles over the last two decades have enumerated barriers to and facilitators for evidence use in health systems. Bowen et al’s article "Response to Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering with University-Based Researchers: A Call to ‘Re-imagine Research’" furthers the debate by focusing on an under-explored research area (health system design and health service organization) with an under-studied stakeholder group (health system leaders), by undertaking a broad program of research on partnerships, and, based on participant responses, by calling for re-imagining of research itself. In response to the claim that the research community is not providing expertise to this pressing issue in the health system, I provide four high level reasons: partnerships mean different things to different people, our language does not reflect the reality we want, our health systems have yet to fully embrace evidence use, and complexity is easier to talk about than act within. Bowen et al’s study, and their broader program of research, is well-placed to explore these issues further, helping identify appropriate researcher-health system leader partnership models for various health system change projects. Given the positive shifts identified in this study, and the knowledge that participants demonstrate about what needs to change, the time is right for bold action, re-imagining not only research, but healthcare, such that the production and use of evidence for better health is embraced and supported.

UCP-mediated energy depletion in skeletal muscle increases glucose transport despite lipid accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction

2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (3) ◽  
pp. E347-E353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Ho Han ◽  
Lorraine A. Nolte ◽  
Jeong-Sun Ju ◽  
Trey Coleman ◽  
John O. Holloszy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽  
Glucose Transport ◽  
Lipid Accumulation ◽  
Uncoupling Protein ◽  
Serum Glucose ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
High Level

To address the potential role of lipotoxicity and mitochondrial function in insulin resistance, we studied mice with high-level expression of uncoupling protein-1 in skeletal muscle (UCP-H mice). Body weight, body length, and bone mineral density were decreased in UCP-H mice compared with wild-type littermates. Forelimb grip strength and muscle mass were strikingly decreased, whereas muscle triglyceride content was increased fivefold in UCP-H mice. Electron microscopy demonstrated lipid accumulation and large mitochondria with abnormal architecture in UCP-H skeletal muscle. ATP content and key mitochondrial proteins were decreased in UCP-H muscle. Despite mitochondrial dysfunction and increased intramyocellular fat, fasting serum glucose was 22% lower and insulin-stimulated glucose transport 80% higher in UCP-H animals. These beneficial effects on glucose metabolism were associated with increased AMP kinase and hexokinase activities, as well as elevated levels of GLUT4 and myocyte enhancer factor-2 proteins A and D in skeletal muscle. These results suggest that UCP-H mice have a mitochondrial myopathy due to depleted energy stores sufficient to compromise growth and impair muscle function. Enhanced skeletal muscle glucose transport in this setting suggests that excess intramyocellular lipid and mitochondrial dysfunction are not sufficient to cause insulin resistance in mice.

scholarly journals Safety Assessment of Nano-Hydroxyapatite as an Oral Care Ingredient according to the EU Cosmetics Regulation

Cosmetics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joana Ramis ◽  
Catarina Coelho ◽  
Alba Córdoba ◽  
Paulo Quadros ◽  
Marta Monjo
Keyword(s):  
Oral Care ◽  
Gastric Fluid ◽  
Gingival Tissue ◽  
Simulated Gastric Fluid ◽  
Tem Analysis ◽  
Consumer Safety ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Dissolution Behaviour ◽  
Gingival Epithelium

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAP-NP) are incorporated in oral care products such as toothpastes and mouthwashes to treat dental sensitivity or to promote enamel remineralisation. Despite the good performance of HAP-NP in this application, it is important to ensure its safety for consumers. For that reason, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) evaluated the safety of HAP-NP as an oral care ingredient, but the issued opinion was not completely conclusive and the SCCS recommended that additional tests should be performed. Here, we used a commercially available human gingival epithelium (HGE) as a non-animal alternative and MTT cell viability, LDH activity, and IL-1alpha production were evaluated after 3.1% HAP-NP treatment for 10 min, 1 h, and 3 h. Moreover, the absorption of HAP-NP in the gingival tissue was assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Finally, the dissolution behaviour of HAP-NP in simulated gastric fluid was also investigated. No deleterious effect was observed for HGE tissues incubated with HAP-NP for all time-points and parameters evaluated. Moreover, a complete dissolution of 3.1% HAP-NP in simulated gastric fluid was observed after 7.5 min at 37 °C. In conclusion, our results evidence the safety of HAP-NP for oral care products with the use of an in vitro replacement alternative for human gingival epithelium and a simulated gastric fluid assay.

A Visual Saliency Detection Approach by Fusing Low-Level Priors With High-Level Priors

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-37
Author(s):  
Monika Singh ◽  
Anand Singh Singh Jalal ◽  
Ruchira Manke ◽  
Aamir Khan
Keyword(s):  
Minimum Distance ◽  
Saliency Detection ◽  
Visual Saliency ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Detection Approach ◽  
Art Methods ◽  
High Level ◽  
Visual Saliency Detection

Saliency detection has always been a challenging and interesting research area for researchers. The existing methodologies either focus on foreground regions or background regions of an image by computing low-level features. However, considering only low-level features did not produce worthy results. In this paper, low-level features, which are extracted using super pixels, are embodied with high-level priors. The background features are assumed as the low-level prior due to the similarity in the background areas and boundary of an image which are interconnected and have minimum distance in between them. High-level priors such as location, color, and semantic prior are incorporated with low-level prior to spotlight the salient area in the image. The experimental results illustrate that the proposed approach outperform the sate-of-the-art methods.

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