The Effect of Lactobacillus salivarius SGL03 on Clinical and Microbiological Parameters in Periodontal Patients

The destruction of periodontal tissues during periodontitis is the result of the immune-inflammatory reactions to the bacteria of dental biofilm. Probiotics may reduce dysbiosis by the modification of the dental microbiome, which can influence the immune-inflammatory mechanisms. The aim of this study was to estimate the clinical and microbiological parameters, before and after 30 days of application of the dietary supplement containing Lactobacillus salivarius SGL03 or placebo. The study was conducted in 51 patients with stage I or II periodontitis during the maintenance phase of treatment. The clinical parameters and the number of colony forming units (CFU) of bacteria in supragingival plaque were assessed before and after 30 days of the oral once daily administration of the dietary supplement in the form of suspension containing L. salivarius SGL03 or placebo. There were no changes in the PI scores between and within the groups. The value of BOP decreased in both groups. In the study group the significant reduction of the mean pocket depth was revealed (from 2.5 to 2.42, p = 0,027) but without the difference between the groups. There were no significant changes in the number of bacteria within the groups. In the control, but not the study group, positive correlations were observed between the clinical parameters (variables) and the number of bacteria. The use of the dietary supplement containing L. salivarius SGL03 may reduce pocket depth despite the lack of changes in other clinical parameters and the number of bacteria in supragingival plaque.Key words: probiotics, periodontal treatment, Lactobacillus salivarius     

UNUSUAL MICROTUBULAR PATTERNS AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL MOVEMENT OF MEALYBUG SPERM AND SPERM BUNDLES

The spermatozoon of the mealybug Pseudococcus obscurus Essig is a filamentous cell (0.25 µ by 300 µ) which exhibits three-dimensional flagellations throughout most of its length. It has microtubules (200 A diameter) and a threadlike nuclear core (0.07–0.09 µ diameter) which extend almost its entire length, but apparently it has no mitochondria, centrioles, typical flagellum, or acrosome. The microtubules are arranged in two and a half concentric rings and total 56 in the most actively motile region but form two or three concentric rings with totals of 28 or 56 tubules, respectively, in less active regions. The relation of unusual microtubular patterns to the 9 + 2 complex and to flagellar motion is discussed. Mealybug spermatozoa are transmitted to the female in motile bundles which are approximately 1.3 µ by 750 µ and have four regions: (1) an anterior corkscrew region; (2) a region which contains approximately 16 spermatozoa; (3) a region of amorphous content; and (4) an endpiece. Bundle motility originates from the synchronous movements of its spermatozoa which appear to be arranged in two concentric multistranded helices. The spermatozoa provide both forward and gyratory motions of the bundle, and the corkscrew complements bundle propulsion by converting part of the rotation into forward movement.     

Effects of chronic administration of doxorubicin on myocardial beta-adrenergic receptors

The effects of multiple doses of doxorubicin (DXR) on myocardial beta-adrenergic receptor density and dissociation constant were investigated in male Sprague Dawley rats. The rats received DXR (2 mg/kg) or vehicle weekly by the SC route for 13 weeks. One group of DXR-treated rats plus corresponding controls were sacrificed at 14 weeks, one week after the last dose. Another group of DXR-treated rats plus corresponding controls were sacrificed at 19 weeks, six weeks after the last dose. The myocardial beta-adrenergic receptor was characterized by radio-ligand binding studies using [125I]iodocyanopindolol. Beta--receptor densities in DXR-treated rats of 7.0 and 7.4 fm/mg protein were unchanged from control levels of 7.2 fm/mg protein at both 14 and 19 weeks, respectively. Receptor dissociation constants in DXR-treated rats of 36.7 and 36.9 pM were increased over control levels of 24.6 and 30.0 pM at 14 and 19 weeks, respectively. However, the change in dissociation constant is only significant at 14 weeks. The increased dissociation constants suggest diminished agonist binding affinity of the myocardial beta-receptor. This impaired response of the receptor to catecholamines would tend to diminish the ability of myocardium to adequately respond to adrenergic stimuli.     

Aging results in copper accumulations in glial fibrillary acidic protein‐positive cells in the subventricular zone

Analysis of rodent brains with X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) microscopy combined with immunohistochemistry allowed us to demonstrate that local Cu concentrations are thousands of times higher in the glia of the subventricular zone (SVZ) than in other cells. Using XRF microscopy with subcellular resolution and intracellular X‐ray absorption spectroscopy we determined the copper (I) oxidation state and the sulfur ligand environment. Cu K‐edge X‐ray absorption near edge spectroscopy is consistent with Cu being bound as a multimetallic Cu‐S cluster similar to one present in Cu‐metallothionein. Analysis of age‐related changes show that Cu content in astrocytes of the SVZ increases fourfold from 3 weeks to 9 months, while Cu concentration in other brain areas remain essentially constant. This increase in Cu correlates with a decrease in adult neurogenesis assessed using the Ki67 marker (both, however, can be age‐related effects). We demonstrate that the Cu distribution and age‐related concentration changes in the brain are highly cell specific.     

Direct observations of the association between a deep-sea fish and a giant scyphomedusa

This is a report of evidence of a close symbiotic relationship between the scyphomedusa, Stygiomedusa gigantea and the fish, Thalassobathia pelagica. Images from remotely operated vehicles (ROV) were obtained of the fish swimming on and around the large scyphomedusa. This is the first ever documented symbiosis between an Ophidiform fish and a medusa.