Periodontal disease severity is associated with micronutrient intake.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine if specific micronutrients were associated with periodontal disease using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2014. METHODS: Participants who were aged 30 years or more and received complete periodontal examinations were included. Regression analyses were performed to determine associations of variables of interest with periodontal disease. RESULTS: Data of 6415 NHANES participants were included in the analysis. Multivariable analysis revealed that less intake of vitamin A (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.784), vitamin B1 (aOR = 1.334), vitamin C (aOR = 1.401), vitamin E (aOR = 1.576), iron (aOR = 1.234), folate (aOR = 1.254) and phosphorus (aOR = 1.280) was associated with increased severity of periodontal disease. Compared with the highest level of vitamin D intake, the second highest level of vitamin D intake was associated with lower severity of periodontal disease (aOR = 0.727). CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient intake of vitamin A, B1, C and E, iron, folate and phosphorus was significantly associated with severity of periodontal disease. Results of the present study suggest that the above micronutrients may be increased in the diet or taken as dietary supplements in order to reduce severity of periodontal disease.

Hydrological and biogeochemical controls governing the speciation and accumulation of selenium in a wetland influenced by mine drainage.

Controls governing the speciation and accumulation of Se in a 3.7-ha marsh influenced by mine drainage were assessed through examination of water balance, water quality, sediment, and plant tissue components. Over the 8-mo study period (April through November, 2009), mean monthly flows ranged from 1600 to 2300 m3 d-1 (hydraulic retention time of 1-3 d). Total Se concentrations in the marsh outflow were lower than the inflow by 0.4 to 6.2 µg L-1 (mean difference = 3.3 µg L-1 ), illustrating Se removal. The Se accumulation pathways are illustrated by elevated concentrations of Se in sediments (3-35 mg kg-1 dry wt) as well as in below-ground (2-41 mg kg-1 dry wt; mean = 10 mg kg-1 dry wt) and above-ground (0.8-6.3 mg kg-1 dry wt; mean = 2 mg kg-1 dry wt) emergent plant tissues. Redox stratification in the shallow water column had a marked effect on Se speciation and behavior, illustrating bottom water removal of dissolved selenate in suboxic horizons and increased mobility of dissolved organo-Se. Mass balance data yielded inflow and outflow loading rates for Se of 27 and 23 g d-1 , respectively (net accumulation rate of 4 g d-1 or 0.11 mg m2 d-1 ). The rate of accumulation as calculated from the mass balance agrees with independently measured rates of Se accumulation in sediments for the site (3.6-8.1 g d-1 or 0.10-0.22 mg m-2 d-1 ). Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1824-1838. © 2018 SETAC.

Utilization of biopsy-based genomic classifier to predict distant metastasis after definitive radiation and short-course ADT for intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: We examined the ability of a biopsy-based 22-marker genomic classifier (GC) to predict for distant metastases after radiation and a median of 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). METHODS: We studied 100 patients with intermediate-risk (55%) and high-risk (45%) prostate cancer who received definitive radiation plus a median of 6 months of ADT (range 3-39 months) from 2001-2013 at a single center and had available biopsy tissue. Six to ten 4 micron sections of the needle biopsy core with the highest Gleason score and percentage of tumor involvement were macrodissected for RNA extraction. GC scores (range, 0.04-0.92) were determined. The primary end point of the study was time to distant metastasis. Median follow-up was 5.1 years. There were 18 metastases during the study period. RESULTS: On univariable analysis (UVA), each 0.1 unit increase in GC score was significantly associated with time to distant metastasis (hazard ratio: 1.40 (1.10-1.84), P=0.006) and remained significant after adjusting for clinical variables on multivariable analysis (MVA) (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.36 (1.04-1.83), P=0.024). The c-index for 5-year distant metastasis was 0.45 (95% confidence interval: 0.27-0.64) for Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment score, 0.63 (0.40-0.78) for National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk groups, and 0.76 (0.57-0.89) for the GC score. Using pre-specified GC risk categories, the cumulative incidence of metastasis for GC>0.6 reached 20% at 5 years after radiation (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We believe this is the first demonstration of the ability of the biopsy-based GC score to predict for distant metastases after definitive radiation and ADT for intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer. Patients with the highest GC risk (GC>0.6) had high rates of metastasis despite multi-modal therapy suggesting that they could potentially be candidates for treatment intensification and/or enrollment in clinical trials of novel therapy.

Advanced phytochemical analysis of herbal tea in China.

Herbal tea is a commonly consumed beverage brewed from the leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, stems and roots of plants species rather than Camellia sinensis L., which has been widely used for health care and diseases prevention for centuries. With the increasing consumption of herbal tea, a number of public health issues e.g., efficacy, safety and quality assurance have attracted concern. However, to date, there is no a review focus on herbal tea. Phytochemical analysis, as a key step to investigate the chemical composition of herbal tea and ensure the quality, is very important. In this review, we summarized and discussed the recent development (2005-2012) in phytochemical analysis of herbal tea commonly used in China.

Preparation of inulin-type fructooligosaccharides using fast protein liquid chromatography coupled with refractive index detection.

A fast protein liquid chromatography coupled with refractive index detection (FPLC-RID) method was firstly developed for preparation and purification of fructooligosaccharides with different degree of polymerization from burdock, Arctium lappa. After extraction with 60% ethanol and decolorization with MCI gel CHP20P, total fructooligosaccharides were purified on Bio-Gel P-2 column eluted with water at the flow rate of 0.3 ml/min, which was the optimized conditions. The obtained fructooligosaccharides with degree of polymerization of 3-9 were identified based on their methylation analysis, MS and NMR data. This method has the advantages of high automation, good recovery and easy performance, which could be used for preparation of FOS from other sources, as well as other targeted compounds without UV absorbance.

A novel strategy with standardized reference extract qualification and single compound quantitative evaluation for quality control of Panax notoginseng used as a functional food.

Root of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen (Sanqi in Chinese) is one of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) based functional food. Saponins are the major bioactive components. The shortage of reference compounds or chemical standards is one of the main bottlenecks for quality control of TCMs. A novel strategy, i.e. standardized reference extract based qualification and single calibrated components directly quantitative estimation of multiple analytes, was proposed to easily and effectively control the quality of natural functional foods such as Sanqi. The feasibility and credibility of this methodology were also assessed with a developed fast HPLC method. Five saponins, including ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rd and notoginsenoside R1 were rapidly separated using a conventional HPLC in 20 min. The quantification method was also compared with individual calibration curve method. The strategy is feasible and credible, which is easily and effectively adapted for improving the quality control of natural functional foods such as Sanqi.

Biogeochemical mechanisms of selenium exchange between water and sediments in two contrasting lentic environments.

The biogeochemical mechanisms of Se exchange between water and sediments in two contrasting lentic environments were assessed through examination of Se speciation in the water column, porewater, and sediment. High-resolution (7 mm) vertical profiles of <0.45 µm Se species across the sediment-water interface demonstrate that the behavior of dissolved Se(VI), Se(IV), and organo-Se are closely linked to redox conditions as revealed by porewater profiles of redox-sensitive species (dissolved O2, NO3-, Fe, Mn, SO4(2-), and ΣH2S). At both sites Se(VI) is removed from solution in suboxic near-surface porewaters demonstrating that the sediments are serving as diffusive sinks for Se. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) of sediments suggests that elemental Se and organo-Se represent the dominant sedimentary sinks for dissolved Se. Dissolved Se(IV) and organo-Se are released to porewaters in the near-surface sediments resulting in the diffusive transport of these species into the water column, where between-site differences in the depths of release can be linked to differences in redox zonation. The presence or absence of emergent vegetation is proposed to present a dominant control on sedimentary redox conditions as well as on the recycling and persistence of reduced Se species in bottom waters.

Behavioral phenotyping of v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1-deficient mice reveals a sex-specific prepulse inhibition deficit in females that can be partially alleviated by glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitors but not by antipsychotics.

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness with a strong genetic predisposition. Accumulating evidence from human genetics and animal studies suggest v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1 (Akt1) might contribute to susceptibility for schizophrenia. In contrast to inconclusive findings in human genetic studies, a mutant mouse model is a simplified and alternative approach to determining the biological functions of AKT1 and its possible role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In study 1, a comprehensive battery of behavioral tests was performed on both male and female mice. The results of behavioral phenotyping did not reveal significant differences between genotypes or sexes, except increased time of immobility in the tail suspension test and acoustic prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits in Akt1-knockout females. On the basis of the observed PPI deficit, in study 2a, neuromorphological alterations were examined with morphometric analysis of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled pyramidal neurons in the auditory cortex of female mice. The results indicated abnormalities in the architecture and complexity of the neurons of mutant females compared with those of the controls. In study 2b, potentially effective pharmacological treatments were explored to mitigate the observed PPI deficits in females. Antipsychotics (either raclopride (3 mg/kg) or clozapine (3 mg/kg)) did not alleviate observed PPI deficits in Akt1-knockout females but it was partially normalized by 8-hydroxy-N,N-dipropyl-2-aminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 5 mg/kg) and SB216763 (2.5 mg/kg). These findings imply the importance of AKT1 in some behavioral phenotypes and dendritic morphology in the auditory cortex of female mice, and they also suggest that subjects with Akt1 deficiency are insensitive to antipsychotic drugs, whereas glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibitors could have therapeutic potential for the treatment of acoustic PPI deficits.

Effects of Tremella mesenterica on steroidogenesis in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells.

Tremella mesenterica (TM), a yellow jelly mushroom, has been traditionally used as food and crude medicine to improve several kinds of symptoms in Chinese society for a long time. Recent studies have illustrated that the fractions of fruiting bodies of TM exhibit a significant hypoglycemic activity in diabetic mouse models, which usually suffer from sexual dysfunction. In a previous study, we showed that TM reduced plasma testosterone production in normal rats without any positive effect in diabetic rats. It evolved a question of TM directly regulating Leydig cell steroidogenesis. In this study, MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells were treated with vehicle, different dosages of TM with or without human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG 50 ng/ml) to clarify the effects. Results showed that TM at different dosages (0.01-10 mg/ml) did not have any effect on MA-10 cell steroidogenesis (p > 0.05). In the presence of hCG, there was an inhibitory trend that TA suppressed MA-10 cell progesterone production at 3 hr treatment with a statistically significant difference by the 10 mg/ml TM (p < 0.05). In time course effect, TM alone did not have any effect on MA-10 cell steroidogenesis from at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 hr (p > 0.05). However, TM did reduce hCG-treated MA-10 cell progesterone production at 1, 2 and 3 hr (p < 0.05), respectively. To determine whether TM would have adverse effects on MA-10 cell steroidogenesis in the presence of hCG, MTT assay and recovery studies were conducted. MTT assay indicated that TM had no effect on surviving cells. In addition, with the removal of TM, and then the addition of hCG (2 and 4 hr), progesterone levels were restored within 4 hr. Taken together, present studies suggested that TM suppressed hCG-treated steroidogenesis in MA-10 cells without any toxicity effect.

Antinociceptive effect of a novel long-acting nalbuphine preparation.

BACKGROUND: A long-acting analgesic may be particularly desirable in patients suffering from long-lasting pain. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of a novel nalbuphine preparation and to determine its duration of action. METHODS: The antinociceptive effects of i.m. nalbuphine HCl in saline and nalbuphine base in sesame oil were evaluated in rats. The in vitro drug-releasing profiles of nalbuphine HCl and base in different preparations were also evaluated. RESULTS: We found that i.m. nalbuphine HCl 25, 50 and 100 micromol kg(-1) produced dose-related antinociceptive effects with a duration of action of 1.5, 2 and 3 h, respectively. i.m. nalbuphine base 100, 200 and 400 micromol kg(-1) also produced dose-related antinociceptive effects but with longer durations of action: 27, 49 and 55 h, respectively. In vitro studies demonstrated that nalbuphine base in sesame oil had the slowest drug-releasing profile of the different preparations. CONCLUSIONS: i.m. injection of an oil formulation of nalbuphine base produced a long-lasting antinociceptive effect.

CD44 interaction with c-Src kinase promotes cortactin-mediated cytoskeleton function and hyaluronic acid-dependent ovarian tumor cell migration.

In this study we have demonstrated that both CD44 (the hyaluronan (HA) receptor) and c-Src kinase are expressed in human ovarian tumor cells (SK-OV-3.ipl cell line), and that these two proteins are physically associated as a complex in vivo. Using a recombinant cytoplasmic domain of CD44 and an in vitro binding assay, we have detected a specific interaction between CD44 and c-Src kinase. Furthermore, the binding of HA to SK-OV-3.ipl cells promotes c-Src kinase recruitment to CD44 and stimulates c-Src kinase activity, which, in turn, increases tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytoskeletal protein, cortactin. Subsequently, tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin attenuates its ability to cross-link filamentous actin in vitro. In addition, transfection of SK-OV-3.ipl cells with a dominant active form of c-Src (Y527F)cDNA promotes CD44 and c-Src association with cortactin in membrane projections, and stimulates HA-dependent/CD44-specific ovarian tumor cell migration. Finally, overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of c-Src kinase (K295R) in SK-OV-3.ipl cells impairs the tumor cell-specific phenotype. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that CD44 interaction with c-Src kinase plays a pivotal role in initiating cortactin-regulated cytoskeleton function and HA-dependent tumor cell migration, which may be required for human ovarian cancer progression.

A macrolactam inhibitor of T helper type 1 and T helper type 2 cytokine biosynthesis for topical treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.

T lymphocytes play a critical part in inflammatory skin diseases but are targeted by available therapies that have only partial efficacy, significant side-effects, or both. Because psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and allergic contact hypersensitivity are associated with T helper type 1 (Th1), T helper type 2 (Th2), or mixed Th1-Th2 cell subsets and cytokine types, respectively, there is a need for a better broad-based inhibitor. The macrolactam ascomycin analog, ABT-281, was found to inhibit potently T cell function across species and to inhibit expression of multiple cytokines in human peripheral blood leukocytes which have been found in human skin disease cells and tissues. These included immunoregulatory Th1 (interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma) and Th2 (interleukin-4 and interleukin-5) cytokines. ABT-281 was shown to have potent topical activity (ED50 = 0.6% in acetone/olive oil) in a stringent swine model of allergic contact hypersensitivity, but its potency was markedly reduced compared with ascomycin when administered systemically due to more rapid clearance. Topical application of 3% ABT-281 in acetone/olive oil over 25% of the body surface in swine resulted in undetectable blood levels. Compared with a wide potency range of topical corticosteroids in clinical formulations, 0.3% and 1% ABT-281 ointments profoundly inhibited dinitrochlorobenzene-induced contact hypersensitivity in the pig by 78% and 90%, respectively, whereas super-potent steroids such as clobetasol propionate only inhibited in the 50% range and mild to moderate potency steroids such as fluocinolone acetonide were inactive. The potent topical activity of ABT-281 in swine, its superior efficacy, its rapid systemic clearance following uptake into the bloodstream, and its ability to inhibit cytokine biosynthesis of both Th1 and Th2 cell subsets, suggests that it will have a broad therapeutic value in inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and allergic contact dermatitis.

The suppressive effect of electrical stimulation on nociceptive responses in the rat.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of electrical stimulation on nociceptive responses within the lumbar levels of the rat spinal cord. METHODS: A single high-energy thermal pulse produced by a surgical laser stimulator (5 W, 30 milliseconds) was applied on the plantar surface of the hind paws of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The spinal cord field potential evoked by the laser pulse was used as an indicator of thermosensitive nociceptive responses. Low-intensity single stimulation, high-intensity single stimulation, low-intensity train stimulation, and high-intensity train stimulation were applied on the common peroneal nerve with protected cuff electrodes in different trials. RESULTS: Neither low-intensity nor high-intensity single stimulation suppressed field potentials. In contrast, low-intensity train stimulation elicited partial inhibition of field potentials. Furthermore, high-intensity train stimulation elicited biphasic inhibition at a wider range of intervals lasting for 20 seconds. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The results demonstrate that two modes of train electrical stimulation can produce two patterns of fast-onset (within milliseconds), short-duration (within 20 seconds) inhibition of field potentials in the spinal cord. These results provide evidence that noxious heat-related impulses are modulated by the presence of specific electrical stimulation. The clinical application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to block pain is supported.

Cpk is a novel class of Drosophila PtdIns 3-kinase containing a C2 domain.

We report the identification of a novel class of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3-kinases whose members contain C-terminal C2 domains. We have isolated Drosophila and murine genes (termed cpk and cpk-m respectively) by polymerase chain reaction amplification of cDNA libraries with degenerate primers corresponding to conserved regions of PtdIns kinases. The amino acid sequences of Cpk and Cpk-m are most similar to that of p110, a family of PtdIns 3-kinases that mediates the responses of cells to mitogenic stimuli. The Cpk and Cpk-m sequences are similar to a large, central region of p110, but differ from p110 at their N and C termini. The N termini of the Cpk proteins do not contain any recognizable protein motif, while the C termini contain "C2 domains," a feature unique among PtdIns kinases. Cpk has an intrinsic PtdIns kinase activity and can phosphorylate PtdIns and PtdIns-4-P, but not PtdIns(4,5)P2, at the D3 position of the inositol ring. Cpk is the first PtdIns 3-kinase identified with this particular substrate specificity. We have identified two potential Cpk-binding proteins, p90 and p190, and have determined that both Cpk and p190 may be tyrosine phosphorylated. This finding suggests that Cpk function may be regulated by tyrosine kinases.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of seed from Nigella glandulifera].

Seven compounds were isolated from the seed of Nigella glandulifera. Their structures were identified as kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (N-I), 2-O-[alpha-D-galactopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-beta-D-fructofuranoside (N-II), N, N-dimethyl-1, 2-dimethoxy-10, 11-dihydric aporphine quaternary ammonium chloride (N-III), 3-O-[beta-D-xylo-pyranosyl (1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]- 28-O -[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->6) beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-hederagenin (N-IV), sucrose(N-V), beta-sitosterol(N-VI) and cyclolandenol(N-VII). Compounds N-I and N-II are new compounds, named nigeglanoside and nigeglanose, respectively. Apart from ten fatty acids in its oil have also been analysed. It is the first time for the study on chemical constituents of the seed of Nigella glandulifera.

[A new alkaloid of Menispermum dauricum DC--dauriciline].

A new phenolic dauricine-type alkaloid, named "dauriciline", was isolated from the rhizome of Menispermum dauricum DC. It is a pale yellow powder. Based on spectrometric analysis (UV.FAB-MS and 1HNMR) and chemical reaction the structure of the new alkaloid was elucidated as RR,7,7'-demethyldauricine (VI).

Isolation and structure elucidation of armillaricin1.

From the petroleum ether extracts of the artificially cultured mycelium of ARMILLARIA MELLEA, a novel sesquiterpenoid aromatic ester named armillaricin has been isolated by silica gel column chromatography. Its structure was deduced from spectral data and confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis.