Salivary metabolic profile of children and adolescents after hemodialysis

Introduction

The application of metabolomic analysis in the pediatric nephrology field may offer an innovative approach to profile analysis of renal diseases.

Objective

We aimed to analyze the salivary the major metabolites in the saliva of children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease (CKD) before and after hemodialysis.

Method

Thirty-six children diagnosed with CKD and forty healthy children were recruited for the study. ¹H-NMR spectra were analyzed using multivariate and univariate approaches.

Results

The CKD and the healthy control groups presented with similar numbers of dental caries (p?>?0.05) as determined by the number of decayed, missing, or filled deciduous teeth (0.87?±?2.2 and 0.67?±?2.1, respectively) or permanent teeth (0.79?±?1.30 and 0.90?±?1.7, respectively). The amount of dental calculus was significantly higher in the CKD group than in the healthy control group (p?<?0.001). Multivariate analyses using PLS-DA and O-PLS-DA demonstrated differences in the salivary metabolome of CKD patients before and after hemodialysis, as well as between post-dialysis CKD patients and healthy controls, suggesting that HD was not able to recover oral homeostasis. PLS-DA and OPLS-DA models showed satisfactory accuracy (ACC?=?0.72) and prediction (0.64). On multivariate and univariate analyses, urea, acetate, ethanol, and fatty acid were significantly decreased in CKD saliva after hemodialysis. By contrast, saliva from the healthy controls had significantly higher levels of acetate and propionate and lower levels of ethanol, lactate, butyrate, phenylalanine, and creatinine than saliva from post-dialysis CKD patients.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that hemodialysis alters the expression of salivary metabolites; however, this alteration does not reestablish the healthy salivary metabolome, as the salivary metabolomic profile of healthy children is significantly different from that of children and adolescents with CKD, both before and after hemodialysis. The unique salivary characteristics of children with CKD may influence their oral health status.

     

Association between salivary s-IgA concentration and dental caries: an updated meta-analysis

Objective: To determine the levels of s-IgA in saliva of caries patients and healthy controls, and to evaluate whether there is a correlation between it and caries by meta-analysis. Methods: The PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Chongqing VIP database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and China BioMedical Literature Services System databases were searched initially in April 2020 and repeated in August 2020. Two independent evaluators screened the literature and extracted the data according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. R 4.0.2 software was used for meta-analysis. I² test was commonly reflected the heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis explore the sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis, funnel diagram, Begg’s rank correlation, and Egger’s linear regression were used to determine the possibility of publication bias. Results: The study was reviewed according to the project guidelines for optimal reporting (PRISMA) based on meta-analysis. A total of 30 case–control studies were included, with a total sample size of 1545 patients, including 918 caries patients and 627 healthy controls. Salivary s-IgA levels in caries patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (SMD = −0.49, 95%CI: [−0.94; −0.03], P=0.03). In addition, the results of subgroup analysis showed that the significant decrease of salivary s-IgA level was correlated with children patients, mixed dentition and Asian people (children: SMD = −0.45, 95%CI: [−0.89; −0.01], P=0.04; mixed dentition: SMD = −0.61, 95%CI: [−1.24; 0.03], P=0.06; Asian: SMD = −0.62, 95%CI: [−1.17; −0.08], P=0.02). The funnel diagram included in the study was symmetrically distributed, and the sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the results. Conclusion: Salivary s-IgA levels in caries patients were significantly lower than in healthy controls. It has also been demonstrated that salivary s-IgA may be used as an alternative measure to identify subjects at risk of caries susceptibility, suggesting that salivary s-IgA may be a protective factor for dental caries.     

The role of the saliva antioxidant barrier to reactive oxygen species with regard to caries development

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the antioxidant barrier in the saliva of children with caries, and its impact on the colonization of cariogenic bacteria.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 81 children aged 1–5 years. Antioxidant levels and salivary bacterial profiles were measured. Patients were divided into two groups as follows: initial stage decay, termed non-cavitated (1–2 in International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS)), and extensive decay, termed cavitated lesions (5–6 in ICDAS). The control group includes children without caries.

Results: The linear regression model demonstrated that the GSH, GSSG, GSH/GSSG, and total antioxidant capacity levels are influenced (P?P?Discussion: Our results indicate that the high levels of antioxidants in saliva increase significantly in children in line with the salivary cariogenic bacterial profiles and caries progression.     

Is high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency a correlate for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?

The aim of the study was to determine the association between vitamin D and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and difference in the level of vitamin D in ADHD children and control. This a case–control study carried out in school health and primary health care clinics. A total of 1,331 children and adolescents who were diagnosed with ADHD based on clinical criteria and standardized questionnaires were enrolled in this study and were matched with 1,331 controls, aged 5–18 years old. Data on body mass index (BMI), clinical biochemistry variables including serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D were collected. The study found significant association between ADHD and vitamin D deficiency after adjusting for BMI and sex (adj. OR 1.54; 95 % CI 1.32–1.81; P < 0.001). Majority of the ADHD children were in the age group 5–10 years (40.7 %), followed by 11–13 years (38.4 %). The proportion of BMI <85th percentile was significantly over represented in ADHD group as compared to healthy control (87.8 vs. 83 %; P < 0.001, respectively), while on the other hand, BMI >95th percentile was over represented in the control than ADHD group (7.6 vs. 4.6 %; P < 0.001, respectively). Mean values of vitamin D (ng/mL) were significantly lower in ADHD children (16.6 ± 7.8) than in healthy children (23.5 ± 9.0) (P < 0.001). There was significant correlation between vitamin D deficiency and age (r = ?0.191, P = 0.001); calcium (r = 0.272, P = 0.001); phosphorous (r = 0.284, P = 0.001); magnesium (r = 0.292, P = 0.001); and BMI (r = 0.498, P = 0.001) in ADHD children. The vitamin D deficiency was higher in ADHD children compared to healthy children.     

新疆博州地区三民族儿童口腔优势菌群结构

目的研究新疆博州地区汉族、维吾尔族和蒙古族3～5岁儿童的口腔唾液细菌优势菌群结构多样性的差异,并探讨与低龄儿童龋发生的相关性。方法从本课题组在新疆博州地区3～5岁儿童口腔流行病学调查时建立的资料样本库中选取唾液样本120例(汉族40例,维吾尔族40例,蒙古族40例)作为研究对象,其中每个民族中高龋组(ECC)各20例,无龋组(CF)各20例,取非刺激性唾液,提取细菌DNA后进行聚合酶链反应(PCR)扩增和变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)分析,采用Quantity One软件对PCR-DGGE指纹图谱进行数据分析。结果 DGGE总体图谱表明:口腔微生物菌群结构具有民族差异性和个体差异性;维吾尔族总的条带数和多样性指数(条带数:87.00±10.40,多样性指数:5.99±1.12)大于汉族(条带数:63.00±8.07,多样性指数:3.29±0.74)和蒙古族(条带数:71.60±5.79,多样性指数:4.98±0.50)(P0.05),高龋儿童组的细菌菌群结构多样性小于无龋儿童组(P0.05),无龋儿童组的细菌菌群结构多样性存在民族差异(P0.05);聚类分析发现:每个民族组内大部分样本均表现出明显的聚类群。结论博州地区儿童口腔唾液细优势菌群结构多样性在民族之间差异明显,在低龄儿童龋病进展中,细菌多样性逐渐减少。     

Prognostic Significance of Pretreatment Laboratory Parameters in Combined Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Despite the increasing incidence of combined small-cell lung cancer (C-SCLC) in recent years, there have not been many data on clinical prognostic factors predicting prognosis of C-SCLC patients. In present study, we sought pretreatment features especially basic laboratory parameters predicting survival of C-SCLC. We analyzed 613 small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients at our institution between January 2005 and December 2010. We identified 114 patients with C-SCLC. The pathologic and clinical characteristics of these patients were reviewed. Data of laboratory parameters obtained during regular examinations at diagnosis of these patients were examined. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate and depict the survival curves. The Cox regression model was used to analyze the independent factors affecting the overall survival (OS). These data were compared with the results obtained from our 499 pure SCLC patients who presented during the same time period. Of the 613 SCLC patients analyzed, 18.6 % of the patients presented with C-SCLC. No difference in OS was observed in patients with C-SCLC and patients with pure SCLC (P = 0.995). The Kaplan–Meier survival curves revealed that poor ECOG-PS (P < 0.001), extensive disease (P < 0.001), pathologic subtype of SC/LC (P < 0.001), not receiving surgery (P = 0.001), elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P = 0.005), elevated NSE (P = 0.043), and elevated neutrophile–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (P = 0.018) were associated with adverse prognosis of patients with C-SCLC. By multivariate analysis, OS was affected by ECOG-PS (hazard ratio 2.001, P = 0.012), disease extent (hazard ratio 3.406, P < 0.001), and NLR (hazard ratio 1.704, P = 0.030) in C-SCLC patients, while the risk factors that influenced the prognosis of the patients with pure SCLC were ECOG-PS (hazard ratio 2.132, P < 0.001), disease extent (hazard ratio 1.482, P < 0.001), and LDH (hazard ratio 1.811, P < 0.001). Patients with C-SCLC carry a similar prognosis than those with pure small-cell variety. Easily accessible pretreatment parameters such as NLR should be considered in defining the prognosis of C-SCLC patients besides disease extent and performance status.     

Impact of subacute ruminal acidosis on the diversity of liquid and solid-associated bacteria in the rumen of goats

This study was aimed to investigate the impact of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) on the diversity of liquid (LAB) and solid-associated bacteria (SAB) following high-grain feeding. Six ruminally cannulated goats were divided into two groups: one group was fed a hay diet (COD), and the other group was fed a high grain diet (SAID). Rumen liquids and rumen solids were sampled after 2 weeks adaption. SARA was diagnosed with a pH below 5.8 for 8 h. SAID decreased ruminal pH (P < 0.001) and increased the acetate (P = 0.017), propionate (P = 0.001), butyrate (P < 0.001) and total volatile fatty acid (P < 0.001) concentration in rumen compared with the COD. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprints analysis revealed a clear separation between both the diet and the fraction of rumen digesta in bacterial communities. Pyrosequencing analysis showed that the proportion of phylum Bacteroidetes in the SAID-LAB and SAID-SAB communities was less than in the COD group, whereas the SAID group had a greater percentage of Firmicutes in both the LAB and SAB libraries. UniFrac analyses and a Venn diagram revealed a large difference between the two diets in the diversity of rumen bacterial communities. Overall, our findings revealed that SARA feeding did alter the community structure of rumen liquids and rumen solids. Thus, manipulation of dietary factors, such as ratio of forage to concentrate may have the potential to alter the microbial composition of rumen liquid and rumen solid.     

Effects of Dietary Factors on Selenium Levels of Children to Prevent Kashin–Beck Disease During a High-Prevalence Period in an Endemic Area: a Cohort Study

Selenium (Se) supplements have been used to control Kashin–Beck disease (KBD) for decades, but the effect of diet without Se supplements is unclear because the prevalence of KBD has decreased. This matched cohort study was undertaken to determine dietary factors affecting selenium nutrition status of children living in KBD areas and the effects of Se supplements in preventing KBD. A total of 593 children aged 5–12 years were randomly selected during the high prevalence period of KBD from 1992 to 1995. Children in one village received Se supplemented (Se+) salt and were matched with three children in 16 other villages who did not receive Se supplemented (Se?) salt. A questionnaire and determinations of occipital hair Se to reflect body Se status were obtained at baseline (April 1992), at 6 months (October 1992), and yearly each April through 1995. Hair Se content in the Se+ group was significantly higher than in the Se? group (P?<?0.001) at all time-points and was significantly related to the incidence of suspected KBD symptoms (P?=?0.018). Four dietary factors significantly affected hair Se contents. Se levels were increased by consumption of Se+ salt (P?<?0.001) and eating meat/egg often (P?=?0.019) or occasionally (P?=?0.001). Se levels were decreased by consumption of grain mildewed at harvest or in storage (P?<?0.001 for each) and drinking ditch, river, or cellar water (P?<?0.001; P?=?0.002; P?<?0.001, respectively). These results show that Se+ salt had a significant effect in maintaining the Se nutrition status of children in this cohort study but that dietary factors in those without Se supplements contributed as well.     

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and risk of in-stent restenosis after bare metal stenting in native coronary arteries

In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains the most common complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. Due to shared risk factors, it is postulated that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients have an increased risk of ISR. This study aimed to determine the association between NAFLD and ISR in patients after bare metal stenting. This study included a cohort of 210 consecutive patients (150 men and 60 women) undergoing follow-up angiography. The primary end-point was angiographic ISR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for ISR. The cumulative ISR rate during follow-up was analyzed by Kaplan–Meier method. Subgroup analyses were also done for different gender. The ISR rate was 29.5 %. Patients with NAFLD had a significantly higher prevalence of ISR than patients without NAFLD (43.3 vs. 16.0 %, P < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, NAFLD was associated with increased ISR, independent of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, body mass index (adjusted odds ratio: 2.688, 95 % confidence intervals: 1.285–5.537, P < 0.001). Male NAFLD patients had a higher prevalence of ISR than patients without NAFLD (48.4 vs. 15.3 %, P < 0.001), while the prevalence of ISR in female patients with and without NAFLD were comparable (7.7 vs. 17.0 %, P = 0.404). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a significant association between NAFLD and ISR in all patients (log-rank P = 0.008) and in male subgroup (log-rank P = 0.033), but not in female subgroup (log-rank P = 0.313). This preliminary study suggests that NAFLD could independently associate with a high prevalence of ISR, especially in male patients.     

Nutrients Other than Selenium Are Important for Promoting Children’s Health in Kashin-Beck Disease Areas

Overall nutritional status has been proved associated with people’s health. The overall nutritional status of children in Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) areas has been overlooked for decades. Therefore, it is worth investigating in the current generation to gather evidence and make suggestions for improvement. A cross-sectional study with three 24-h dietary recalls was conducted to collect raw data on the daily food intake of children. Recorded food was converted into daily nutrient intakes using CDGSS 3.0 software. WHO AnthroPlus software was used to analyse the BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) for estimating the overall nutrition status of children. All the comparisons and regression analyses were conducted with SPSS 18.0 software. Multiple nutrient intakes among children from the Se-supplemented KBD-endemic were under the estimated average requirement. The protein-to-carbohydrate ratio (P/C ratio) was significantly higher in children from the non-Se-supplemented KBD-endemic area than the other areas (P < 0.001). The children’s BAZ was negatively associated with age (B = ?0.095, P < 0.001) and the number of KBD relatives (B = ?0.277, P = 0.04), and it was positively associated with better housing conditions, receiving colostrum, and daily intakes of niacin and zinc by multivariate regression analysis (F = 10.337, R = 0.609, P < 0.001).Compared to non-Se-supplemented KBD-endemic area and non-endemic areas, children in Se-supplemented KBD-endemic areas have an insufficient intake of multiple nutrients. School breakfast and lunch programmes are recommended, and strict implementation is the key to ensuring a positive effect.     

Comparison of Oral Microbial Profiles between Children with Severe Early Childhood Caries and Caries-Free Children Using the Human Oral Microbe Identification Microarray

Objective

Early childhood caries (ECC) has become a prevalent public health problem among Chinese preschool children. The bacterial microflora is considered to be an important factor in the formation and progress of dental caries. However, high-throughput and large-scale studies of the primary dentition are lacking. The present study aimed to compare oral microbial profiles between children with severe ECC (SECC) and caries-free children.

Methods

Both saliva and supragingival plaque samples were obtained from children with SECC (n = 20) and caries-free children (n = 20) aged 3 to 4 years. The samples were assayed using the Human Oral Microbe Identification Microarray (HOMIM).

Results

A total of 379 bacterial species were detected in both the saliva and supragingival plaque samples from all children. Thirteen (including Streptococcus) and two (Streptococcus and Actinomyces) bacterial species in supragingival plaque and saliva, respectively, showed significant differences in prevalence between the two groups. Of these, the frequency of Streptococcus mutans detection was significantly higher in both saliva (p = 0.026) and plaque (p = 0.006) samples from the SECC group than in those from the caries-free group.

Conclusions

The findings of our study revealed differences in the oral microbiota between the SECC and caries-free groups Several genera, including Streptococcus, Porphyromonas, and Actinomyces, are strongly associated with SECC and can be potential biomarkers of dental caries in the primary dentition.     

The Effect of Enriched Milk with Selenium and Vitamin E on Growth Rate, Hematology, Some Blood Biochemical Factors, and Immunoglobulins of Newborn Goat Kids

Thirty male and female (n?=?15 for each one) Markhoz newborn goat kids (aged 7?±?3 days) were distributed in a randomized block design in a 2?×?2?+?1 factorial arrangement: two levels of sodium selenite as a source of selenium (0.2 or 0.3 ppm Se), two levels of α-tocopherol acetate as a source of vitamin E (150 or 200 IU Vit E), and one control treatment with six repetitions per treatment (each replicate included three male and three female kids). Animals were fed daily by Se-Vit E-enriched milk (Se-Vit E treatments) or non-enriched milk (control treatment). Growth rate, hematology, and serum biological parameters were measured. The levels of serum albumin (P?<?0.01), serum globulin (P?<?0.05), total serum protein levels (P?<?0.01), erythrocyte counts (RBC) (P?<?0.001), hemoglobin (P?<?0.001), hematocrit (P?<?0.001), leukocyte counts (WBC) (P?<?0.001), IgA (P?<?0.05), IgG (P?<?0.01), and IgM (P?<?0.01) significantly differed among treatments, while no significant differences were observed for calcium, lymphocyte, neutrophil average daily gain and body weight among treatments. Kids feeding by enriched milk with 0.3 ppm Se and 200 IU Vit E had significantly higher serum total protein, globulin, RBC, IgA, IgG, and IgM compared to control and those fed by enriched milk to 0.2 ppm Se and 200 IU Vit E had significantly higher WBC counts.     

Expression of LINC00312, a long intergenic non-coding RNA, is negatively correlated with tumor size but positively correlated with lymph node metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The long intergenic non-coding RNA LINC00312, also called NAG7, was first cloned by our group. Our previous studies have found that LINC00312 could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells but also stimulate NPC cell invasion. However, the relevance of LINC00312 in NPC progression or in patient outcomes has not been reported. This study aims to assess the possible correlations of LINC00312 expression with NPC progression and its potential prognostic predictive ability in NPC outcomes. A NPC tissue microarray, which included 561 normal and NPC tissue cores, was used to detect LINC00312 expression, and we found that LINC00312 was significantly down-regulated in NPC tissues compared with non-cancerous nasopharyngeal epithelium tissues. Positive expression of LINC00312 was negatively correlated with tumor size (P < 0.001) but positively correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.002). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that LINC00312 expression could distinguish non-cancerous patients from NPC patients (P < 0.001, sensitivity: 72.1 %, specificity: 87.7 %). We also found that LINC00312 was strongly negatively correlated with EBER-1, a non-coding RNA transcribed by Epstein-Barr Virus, in NPC (r = ?0.384, P < 0.001). In the final logistic regression analysis model, the abnormal expression of LINC00312 and EBER-1 were found to be independent contributors to nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). A survival analysis revealed that LINC00312 could predict a good prognosis of no lymph node metastasis (Disease Free Survival (DFS): P = 0.005, Overall Survival (OS): P = 0.001) and a poor prognosis of lymph node metastasis (DFS: P = 0.011, OS: P = 0.001) in NPC patients. Low expression of LINC00312 was an independent risk factor for OS in multivariate analyses (P = 0.017). These observations indicated that LINC00312 could represent a potential biomarker for metastasis, progression and prognosis in NPC.     

1H NMR metabolomics investigation of an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mouse model pinpoints important biochemical disturbances in brain and plasma

In this study data generated by ¹H NMR were combined with chemometrics to analyse brain and plasma samples from APP/PS1 and wild type mice with the aim of developing a statistical model capable of predicting the features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) displayed by this animal model. APP/PS1 is a well characterised double transgenic mouse model of AD and the results here demonstrate the potential of NMR technology as a platform for the detecting this disease. Using partial least squares discriminant analysis a model was built using both brain extracts (R² = 0.99; Q² = 0.66) and a high throughput method of plasma analysis (R² = 0.98; Q² = 0.75) capable of predicting AD in APP/PS1 mice. Analysis of brain extracts led to the elucidation of 20 metabolites and 16 of these were quantifiable. Relative brain levels of ascorbate, creatine, γ-aminobutyric acid and N-acetyl aspartic acid were significantly altered in APP/PS1 mice (p < 0.05). Analysis of plasma identified 14 metabolites and the levels of acetate, citrate, glutamate, glutamine, methionine, and an unknown signal were significantly altered in APP/PS1 mice (p < 0.05). Combining ¹H NMR spectral data with chemometrics has been previously used to study biochemical disturbances in various disease states. This study further indicates the translational potential of this technology for identifying AD in people attending the memory clinic.     

The involvement of boar submaxillary salivary gland secretions in boar-induced precocious puberty attainment in the gilt

The involvement of secretions from boar submaxillary salivary glands in mediating the induction of precocious puberty in the gilt was investigated as follows. Forty-eight Large White × (Large White × Landrace) prepubertal gilts from 12 litters were randomly allocated within litters by weight, to four treatment groups of six, in two replicates, at 145 days of age. Treatments commencing at a mean group age of 165 days, were: (1) control (no boar exposure); (2) gilts exposed to a mature sialectomised boar (submaxillary salivary glands were removed at 9 weeks of age); (3) gilts exposed to a mature sham-operated boar; (4) gilts exposed to a mature unoperated boar.Boar exposure occurred for 30 min per day for 75 days, or until pubertal oestrus was observed. Gilts showing pubertal oestrus were removed and slaughtered. Ovaries were examined to confirm reproductive status. Gilts failing to exhibit oestrus by 240 days of age were slaughtered and nominally ascribed a pubertal age of 245 days. Age at puberty was significantly earlier in all three boar-exposed treatments than in the control treatment (P<0.05 for treatments 2 and 3, P<0.001 for treatment 4; median ages at puberty being 227.0, 203.5 , 202.0 and 179.0 days for treatments 1 to 4 respectively). No frothy saliva was ever produced by the sialectomised boar, and chromatographic analysis of saliva produced by the sham-operated boar during mating revealed very low levels of 16-androstene pheromones, while levels in the unoperated boar's saliva were normal. These results provide further evidence for an important role of boar salivary pheromones in the induction of precocious puberty attainment in the gilt.     

Lactobacillus paracasei DSMZ16671 Reduces Mutans Streptococci: A Short-Term Pilot Study

Reducing the burden of pathogenic mutans streptococci is a goal of oral health. Lactobacillus paracasei DSMZ16671, even after heat-killing, specifically co-aggregates mutans streptococci in vitro and retains this activity in human saliva. In rats, it reduces mutans streptococcal colonization of teeth and caries scores. This pilot study sought to assess the potential of heat-killed L. paracasei DSMZ16671 (pro-t-action^®) to reduce levels of salivary mutans streptococci in humans, using sugar-free candies as a delivery vehicle. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind in vivo study of three groups examined the short-term effect of sugar-free candies containing 0 (placebo), 1, or 2 mg/candy piece of heat-killed L. paracasei DSMZ16671 on the levels of salivary mutans streptococci determined before and after consumption of the candies. The candies were consumed 4 times during 1.5 consecutive days. Compared to the placebo group, the test groups’ saliva had significantly reduced mutans streptococci as an immediate effect. These results suggest the use of heat-killed L. paracasei DSMZ16671 in suckable candies as a method to reduce mutans streptococci in the mouth and, thereby, caries risk. We think this a new concept and strategy for caries prevention and management.     

Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and Interleukin 10 Promoter Polymorphisms in Mexican Patients with Restenosis After Coronary Stenting

To test for an association with risk for restenosis after coronary stent placement, the TNF-α and IL-10 polymorphisms were analyzed by 5′ exonuclease TaqMan assays in 162 patients who initially underwent coronary stenting. Analysis of basal and procedure coronary angiographies revealed a higher proportion of restenosis in lesions treated with bare metal stents compared with those treated with drug-eluting stents (P < 0.001). Distribution of TNF-α genotypes was similar in patients with and without restenosis. The IL-10 polymorphisms showed a moderate protective trend of the ?819 TT genotype against restenosis when the lesions were analyzed (P = 0.071, OR = 0.471). Multivariate analysis confirmed a protective role for drug-eluting stents (P < 0.001, OR = 0.199) and the ?819 TT genotype (P = 0.037, OR = 0.391). These results suggest the IL-10 ?819 TT genotype has a protective role against in-stent restenosis.     

The scientific exploration of saliva in the post-proteomic era: from database back to basic function

The proteome of human saliva can be considered as being essentially completed. Diagnostic markers for a number of diseases have been identified among salivary proteins and peptides, taking advantage of saliva as an easy-to-obtain biological fluid. Yet, the majority of disease markers identified so far are serum components and not intrinsic proteins produced by the salivary glands. Furthermore, despite the fact that saliva is essential for protecting the oral integuments and dentition, little progress has been made in finding risk predictors in the salivary proteome for dental caries or periodontal disease. Since salivary proteins, and in particular the attached glycans, play an important role in interactions with the microbial world, the salivary glycoproteome and other post-translational modifications of salivary proteins need to be studied. Risk markers for microbial diseases, including dental caries, are likely to be discovered among the highly glycosylated major protein species in saliva. This review will attempt to raise new ideas and also point to under-researched areas that may hold promise for future applicability in oral diagnostics and prediction of oral disease.     

Circulating microparticles in patients with coronary heart disease and its correlation with interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein

Microparticles (MPs) are vesicles released from activated or apoptotic cells. MP derive from various cells, most notably platelets, but also leucocytes, lymphocytes, erythrocytes, and endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate endothelial MP (EMP), platelet MP (PMP), lymphocyte MP and monocyte MP and TF-positive MPs (TF⁺ MPs) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), and to evaluate the correlation of these MPs with Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Different cell-derived MPs and TF⁺ MPs were analyzed by flow cytometry in 40 patients with myocardial infarction (MI), 30 unstable angina (UA), 20 stable angina (SA) and 20 healthy individuals, and IL-6 and CRP were determined by ELISA and special protein analyzer, respectively. Compared with SA and control, EMP and PMP was significantly elevated in MI and UA (P < 0.001), and TF⁺ MPs was significantly elevated in MI and UA (P < 0.001). EMP and PMP correlated with IL-6 (r = 0.822, P < 0.001 and r = 0.567, P < 0.001; respectively) or CRP level (r = 0.597, P < 0.001 and r = 0.66, P < 0.001; respectively). Different cell-derived MPs in CHD may indicate the different pathophysiological changes in vessels, and MPs may both participate in the development of thrombosis and enhance the vascular inflammation.     

Effects of Chromium-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles on Glucose Transporter 4, Relevant mRNA,and Proteins of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase,Akt2-Kinase,and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase of Skeletal Muscles in Finishing Pigs

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chromium-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Cr-CNP) on glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), relevant messenger RNA (mRNA), and proteins involved in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt2-kinase, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) of skeletal muscles in finishing pigs. A total of 120 crossbred barrows (BW 65.00 ± 1.26 kg) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments, with three pens per treatment and 10 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0, 100, 200, or 400 μg/kg of Cr from Cr-CNP for 35 days. After the feeding trials, 24 pigs were slaughtered to collect longissimus muscle samples for analysis. Cr-CNP supplementation increased GLUT4 messenger RNA (mRNA) (quadratically, P < 0.01) and total and plasma membrane GLUT4 protein contents (linearly and quadratically, P < 0.001) in skeletal muscles. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) mRNA was decreased linearly (P < 0.001) and quadratically (P < 0.001). Supplemental Cr-CNP increased insulin receptor (InsR) mRNA quadratically (P < 0.01), Akt2 total protein level linearly (P < 0.01) and quadratically (P < 0.001), and PI3K total protein was increased significantly (P < 0.05) in 200 μg/kg treatment group. The mRNA of AMPK subunit gamma-3 (PRKAG3) and protein of AMPKα₁ was significantly increased (P < 0.001) with the addition of Cr-CNP. The results indicate that dietary supplementation of Cr-CNP may promote glucose uptake by leading to recruitment of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane in skeletal muscles, and these actions may be associated with the insulin signal transduction and AMPK.