Trace elements in human parotid saliva

Although various proteins and some electrolytes have been measured in human saliva, little systematic data about the major and minor elemental components of this body fluid have been obtained. In order to obtain such data, concentrations of C, Na, P, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sb, I, and Cs in human parotid saliva were measured by instrumental nuclear methods. The data obtained confirmed the relative lack of Zn in saliva of patients with hypogeusia (decreased taste acuity) and suggested that concentrations of Na, Cl, Br, and Ca followed the order: normals > hypogeusia > hyposmia (decreased smell acuity). To compare concentrations of elements in saliva with those in blood and urine, absolute concentrations were normalized to that of Na through the use of a concept called an enrichment factor. On this basis, parotid saliva is relatively depleted in Se, Zn, and Fe and enriched for most other elements relative to blood plasma indicating that the fluid is not simply a transudate of blood plasma. Using this same technique, saliva composition was found more similar to urine than blood plasma, being relatively depleted in Se, Cs, and Co, being enriched in I, Br, and Cr and having about the same relative concentrations of P, Cl, Zn, Fe, Ca, K, and Rb. As the total body concentrations of many of the enriched elements in saliva are extremely small, their enrichment in saliva suggests special roles for these elements in the oral cavity. Because of its accessibility, ease of collection, and interaction with some body constituents, saliva represents a useful, albeit neglected, tool in the diagnosis of some physiological and pathological changes in body function and in understanding important aspects of trace metal metabolism.     

Design and rationale of ischaemia-driven complete revascularisation versus usual care in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary disease: the South Limburg Myocardial Infarction (SLIM) trial

Netherlands Heart Journal - To compare ischaemia-driven complete coronary revascularisation by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with usual care in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial...     

Population genetic structure of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L., 1758) in the Black Sea

Turbot, Scophthalmus maximus, is a commercially important demersal flatfish species distributed throughout the Black Sea. Several studies performed locally with a limited number of specimens using both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite markers evidenced notable genetic variation among populations. However, comprehensive population genetic studies are required to help management of the species in the Black Sea. In the present study eight microsatellite loci were used to resolve the population structure of 414 turbot samples collected from 12 sites across the Black Sea. Moreover, two mtDNA genes, COI and Cyt-b, were used for taxonomic identification. Microsatellite markers of Smax-04 and B12-I GT14 were excluded from analysis due to scoring issues. Data analysis was performed with the remaining six loci. Loci were highly polymorphic (average of 17.8 alleles per locus), indicating high genetic variability. Locus 3/20CA17, with high null allele frequency (>30%), significantly deviated from HW equilibrium. Pairwise comparison of the F_ST index showed significant differences between most of the surveyed sampling sites (P < 0.01). Cluster analysis evidenced the presence of three genetic groups among sampling sites. Significant genetic differentiation between Northern (Sea of Azov and Crimea) and Southern (Turkish Black Sea Coast) Black Sea sampling sites were detected. The Mantel test supported an isolation by distance model of population structure. These findings are vital for long-term sustainable management of the species and development of conservation programs. Moreover, generated mtDNA sequences would be useful for the establishment of a database for S. maximus.     

Cell type-specific activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases by CpG-DNA controls interleukin-12 release from antigen-presenting cells

Activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) by invariant constituents of pathogens such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or bacterial DNA (CpG-DNA) initiates immune responses. We have analyzed the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways triggered by CpG-DNA and their significance for cytokine production in two subsets of APCs, i.e. macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). We found that CpG-DNA induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity in macrophages in a classic MEK-dependent way. This pathway up-regulated tumor necrosis factor production but down-regulated interleukin (IL)-12 production. However, in DCs, which produce large amounts of IL-12, CpG-DNA and LPS failed to induce ERK activity. Consistent with a specific negative regulatory role for ERK in macrophages, chemical activation of this pathway in DCs suppressed CpG-DNA-induced IL-12 production. Overall, these results imply that differential activation of MAP kinase pathways is a basic mechanism by which distinct subsets of innate immune cells regulate their effector functions.     

Evaluation of in vivo biological activity profile of isoorientin

Anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activities of the known C-glycosyl flavonoid, isoorientin, were studied in rats and mice. For the anti-nociceptive activity assessment the p-benzoquinone-induced writing test, for the anti-inflammatory activity the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model in mice, and for the gastroprotective activity the EtOH-induced ulcerogenesis model in rats were used. Isoorientin was shown to possess significant anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities at 15 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg doses, without inducing any apparent acute toxicity as well as gastric damage. However, the compound did not possess any significant gastroprotective activity against EtOH-induced ulcerogenesis.     

Serum zinc and magnesium levels in patients with blastocystosis

The aim of the study was to investigate the total content of the essential elements of zinc and magnesium levels in patients infected with Blastocystis hominis. Zinc and magnesium concentrations were measured in 52 patients who were positive for the intestinal parasite Blastocystis hominis. Scores were obtained for the positives and their age- and sex-matched 60 Blastocystis hominis-negative healthy controls. For comparison of two groups of continuous variables, the independent samples t-test was used. The mean concentration of magnesium in blood was significantly lower in Blastocystis hominis-positive patients than in their controls both in females (p<0.05) and males (p<0.05). The average zinc concentration in Blastocystis hominis-positive female patients was 0.61±0.2 mg/L and 0.60±0.2 mg/L in controls (p>0.05). The mean values of the zinc in blood were 0.62±0.2 mg/L in Blastocystis hominis-positive male patients and 0.82±0.1 in controls (p>0.05). No correlation could be demonstrated between age and mean values of zinc and magnesium in Blastocystis-positive females/males and controls (p>0.05). No significant correlation could be found between blood zinc and magnesium levels in Blastocystis-positive female/male patients and controls (p>0.05). Magnesium levels were found to be clearly decreased, whereas no change was observed in zinc levels in the patients with Blastocystis compared to controls.     

Immunological follow-up of hydatid cyst cases

Hydatid disease is caused by Echinococcus granulosus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the benefit of monitoring cases with hydatid cyst by means of immune components in patients in a long-term follow-up after surgery. Eighty-four preoperative and postoperative serum samples from 14 cases undergoing surgery for hydatid disease were evaluated in terms of immune parameters, such as total and specific IgE, IgG, IgM, IgA and complement. Total and specific IgE were determined by ELISA. Specific IgG levels were measured by indirect hemagglutination.Total IgG, IgM, IgA and complement (C3 and C4) were detected by nephelometry. Imaging studies were also carried out during the follow-up. In none of the patients hydatid cysts were detected during the follow-up. Total IgE levels in the sera of the patients decreased to normal six months after surgery. Although specific IgE against echinococcal antigens decreased one year after operation, levels were still significantly high. There were no changes in the levels of anti-Echinococcus IgG and total IgG in follow-up period. Additionally, other parameters, such as IgA, IgM, C3 and C4, were not affected.     

Responsivenes of total content changes of magnesium and zinc status in patients infected with Giardia intestinalis

The aim of the study was to investigate the changes of total content of the essential elements of zinc and magnesium levels in patients infected with Giardia intestinalis. Zinc and magnesium concentrations were measured in 64 patients who were positive for the intestinal parasite G. intestinalis. Scores were obtained for the positives and their 60 age- and sex-matched G. intestinalis-negative healthy controls. The mean concentration of magnesium in blood was significantly lower in G. intestinalis-positive patients than in their controls both in females (p<0.05) and males (p<0.05). The average zinc concentration in G. intestinalis-positive female patients was 0.76±0.3 mg/L and it was 0.60±0.2 mg/L in controls (p>0.05). The mean values of the zinc in blood were 0.73±0.2 mg/L in G. intestinalis-positive male patients and 0.82±0.1 mg/L in controls (p>0.05). No correlation could be demonstrated between age and mean values of zinc and magnesium in both G. intestinalis-positive females/males and controls (p>0.05). No significant correlation could be found between blood zinc and magnesium levels in G. intestinalis-positive female/male patients and controls (p>0.05). Magnesium levels were found to be clearly decreased, whereas no change was observed in zinc level in the patients infected with G. intestinalis compared to controls.     

Tissue malondialdehyde and adenosine triphosphatase level after experimental liver ischaemia-reperfusion damage

Functional irregularities due to damage after ischaemia-reperfusion vary depending upon the organs affected. High energy phosphates such as ATP and ADP are destroyed after ischaemia-reperfusion damage. Subsequently, protons and inorganic phosphates accumulate within the cells and the proton pumps such as adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), which maintain intracellular ion balance are damaged. In the present study, malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation, was measured as an indicator of tissue damage. Additionally, we measured sodium-potassium-ATPase levels and determined the interactions between MDA and Na+-K+ ATPase levels. A total of 31 female guinea pigs were divided into four groups: sham operated guinea pigs (group 1), ischaemia-reperfusion (group 2), ischaemia-reperfusion + superoxide dismutase (SOD) (group 3), ischaemia-reperfusion + allopurinol (group 4). Following reperfusion, the livers of guinea pigs in each group were removed for histopathological examination and the levels of MDA and Na+-K+ ATPase were determined in homogenized tissue samples. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in tissue MDA levels in group 2 when compared with group 1. The level of tissue MDA in groups 3 and 4 was significantly lower than tissue MDA levels of group 2. However, there was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in tissue Na+-K+ ATPase levels of group 2 when compared with group 1. Similarly, the level of tissue Na+-K+ ATPase in groups 3 and 4 was significantly higher than the tissue Na+-K+ ATPase levels of group 2. The results of the histopathologic examination also revealed the beneficial effects of the use of SOD and allopurinol in preventing liver damage in cases of ischaemia-reperfusion. Although the levels of MDA and Na+-K+ ATP ase in group 2 were not equal to the level in group 1, antioxidant therapy significantly improved the tendency to reverse the effects of ischaemia-reperfusion and to protect the liver from damage due to ischaemia-reperfusion.