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Background Type I interferon activation is a hallmark event in Sjogren's syndrome. L1 retroelements stimulate plasmacytoid dendritic cells, activating the type I interferons, and are regulated by various mechanisms, including the APOBEC3 deaminases. As L1s are potential trigger factors in autoimmunity, we aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical localization of L1 ORF2p and its inhibitor APOBEC3B protein in minor salivary glands of Sjogren's syndrome patients. Methods Twenty minor salivary gland-tissue samples from 20 Sjogren's syndrome patients, classified according to Tarpley's histological criteria, and 10 controls were evaluated for L1 ORF2p and APOBEC3B expression via immunohistochemistry. Results L1 ORF2p was expressed in 17/20 SS patients and all controls. APOBEC3B expression was observed in 15/20 Sjogren's syndrome patients, 5/5 chronic sialadenitis, and 3/5 normal minor salivary glands. Both antibodies stained the cytoplasm of the ductal epithelial cells. Negative staining was observed in the acinar cells. L1 ORF2p-positive immunostaining was significantly lower in Tarpley IV Sjogren's syndrome patients than controls (P = .039), and APOBEC3B-positive staining was significantly lower in Tarpley I compared to Tarpley II Sjogren's syndrome patients (P = .008) and controls (P = .035). Conclusions L1 ORF2p and APOBEC3B are expressed in the ductal epithelial cells of minor salivary glands that are among the key targets in Sjogren's syndrome. L1 ORF2p expression may promote the L1 ability to act as an intrinsic antigen in Sjogren's syndrome. The potential future use of L1 ORF2-reverse transcriptase inhibitors in autoimmunity supports further investigation of L1 epigenetic regulation by APOBEC3 enzymes.

Mouzakiti E, Pepelassi E, Fanourakis G, Markopoulou C, Tseleni-Balafouta S, Vrotsos I. Expression of MMPs and TIMP-1 in smoker and nonsmoker chronic periodontitis patients before and after periodontal treatment. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 532–542. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Nonsurgical periodontal treatment controls periodontal inflammation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) are implicated both in the destruction and in the healing of periodontal tissues. The aim of the present study was to compare the mRNA expression of MMP-1, -3, -8, -9 and -13 and TIMP-1 in chronic periodontitis before and after initial periodontal treatment. Material and Methods: Ninety gingival samples were harvested from 30 patients with chronic periodontitis (15 nonsmokers and 15 smokers) before and after nonsurgical treatment and from 30 periodontally healthy control subjects (15 nonsmokers and 15 smokers). Clinical parameters were assessed before and after treatment. Total RNA was isolated, and mRNA expression of MMPs and TIMP-1 was assessed by RT-PCR. Results: Periodontal treatment significantly increased TIMP-1 expression and decreased the ratios of MMPs/TIMP-1. Post-treatment, nonsmokers with periodontitis had significantly higher MMP-8 and TIMP-1 expression than healthy nonsmokers, and smokers with periodontitis had significantly higher MMP-13 and TIMP-1 expressions than healthy smokers. Post-treatment, smokers had significantly higher TIMP-1 expression and lower MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio than nonsmokers. Post-treatment, there was no correlation among MMPs, and the expression of MMPs and TIMP-1 was not correlated with clinical measurements. Conclusion: Periodontal treatment increased TIMP-1 expression and decreased the ratios of MMPs/TIMP-1 in chronic periodontitis. The post-treatment increase in TIMP-1 expression was higher for smokers. The TIMP-1 expression was higher post-treatment than in health. Post-treatment, MMP-8 expression was higher in nonsmokers with periodontitis than in healthy nonsmokers, whereas MMP-13 expression was higher in smokers with periodontitis than in healthy smokers.

Much of the literature examining social partnership focuses on either Anglo-Saxon or North European countries, differentiating between liberal market economies (LMEs) and coordinated market economies (CMEs). These studies argue, quite correctly, that the institutional forces shaping partnership in the two types of economy differ markedly, with the consequence that partnership takes somewhat different forms at the workplace. By contrast, there is only limited research on social partnership in Mediterranean economies—such as Greece—even though there are strong reasons to suggest it may be quite different from both LMEs and CMEs because of relatively recent military influence at state level and less well-developed systems of industrial relations at organisational level. This article examines the forces operating both at national and at local level that facilitate or hinder the development of social partnership. It is based on the results of interviews with government, industry and union officials and a case study of partnership in a textiles company in northern Greece. It concludes that institutional forces provided workers with more protection than they would have achieved in an LME but that ultimately competitive pressures and a lack of effective workplace representation limited the degree to which the state can influence the processes and outcomes of social partnership at local level.

J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39: 687–689 Background: Peripheral giant cell granuloma is a tumor of the jaw characterized by the presence of multinucleated giant cells and mononuclear cells within a fibrous stroma. These lesions are considered to be of a reactive nature rather than neoplastic. Although peripheral giant cell granulomas is a well-described clinical entity, little is known on its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression and immunolocalization in giant cell granulomas. Methods: RANKL and OPG protein expression was evaluated in 22 peripheral giant cell granulomas samples, by means of immunohistochemistry. Staining was evaluated semi-quantitatively, according to the extent and intensity of the stain. Results: RANKL was expressed in all cases with a cytoplasmic staining pattern, whereas OPG expression was detected in 21 of the 22 cases examined. Active multinucleated giant cells exhibited intense immunoreactivity for both proteins. Conclusion: RANKL and OPG are expressed in peripheral giant cell granulomas of the jaw in a manner supporting the osteoclastic nature of giant cells whereas the possible osteoclastic lineage of stromal monocytes remains ambiguous.

Mouzakiti E, Pepelassi E, Fanourakis G, Markopoulou C, Tseleni-Balafouta S, Vrotsos I. The effect of smoking on the mRNA expression of MMPs and TIMP-1 in untreated chronic periodontitis patients: a cross-sectional study. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 576–583.©2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) are important for extracellular matrix. Expression of MMPs has been evaluated in gingiva without studying smoking. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of smoking on mRNA expression of MMP-1, -3, -8, -9 and -13 and TIMP-1 in untreated chronic periodontitis and in periodontal health. Material and Methods: Gingival samples were harvested from 30 subjects with untreated chronic periodontitis (15 nonsmokers and 15 smokers) and 30 periodontally healthy subjects (15 nonsmokers and 15 smokers). Full-mouth plaque score, gingival index, bleeding on probing, probing depth and clinical attachment level were recorded. Total RNA was isolated, and the mRNA expression of MMPs and TIMP-1 was assessed by RT-PCR. Results: Periodontitis groups were comparable in clinical measurements. Nonsmoker subjects with periodontitis had statistically significantly higher MMP-1, lower MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression and higher MMP-1/TIMP-1 ratio than smokers; and higher MMP-8 expression and MMP-8/TIMP-1 and MMP-1/TIMP-1 ratios than healthy nonsmokers. Healthy nonsmokers had statistically significantly higher MMP-13 expression than healthy smokers. Smoker periodontitis and healthy subjects had similar expression levels of MMPs and TIMP-1 and MMPs/TIMP-1 ratios. There was correlation among the MMPs only for smoker periodontitis subjects. Expression of MMP-13 was correlated with mean clinical attachment level. Conclusion: Within its limits, this study demonstrated that smoking affected mRNA expression of MMPs and TIMP-1, MMPs/TIMP-1 ratios and relationships among MMPs in untreated chronic periodontitis and expression of MMPs in health. In the absence of smoking, chronic periodontitis affected expression of MMPs and MMPs/TIMP-1 ratios.

The preparation, for the first time, of the deprotonated complexes of oxamic acid with La(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Er(III), Tm(III) and Lu(III) is reported. Analytical results, conductometric measurements, magnetic moments and spectral data (IR and diffuse reflectance spectra) are discussed in terms of possible structural types. The oxamate anion acts as a N, O bidentate non-bridging ligand.

The preparation of three simple and mixed halogeno acids of iron(III) is reported, and some physical and chemical properties as well as their I.R.-spectra are described. Darstellung und Untersuchung neuer komplexer Halogenosauren des Eisens Es wird uber die Darstellung von gemischten Chloro-Bromo-Sauren von Eisen(III) und uber einige ihrer Eigenschaften berichtet.

The preparation of the salts of the tetrachloro and tetrabromo acids of indium with the organic LEWIS bases (aniline, pyridine and quinoline) is reported. The physical and chemical properties, as well asI.R. spectra and theX-ray analysis are discussed. Neue Komplexe der Tetrachloro - und Tetrabromoindium(III) -saure mit organischen LEWIS-Basen. Es wird uber die Darstellung von Chloro -und Bromosalzen von Indium mit organischen LEwIs-Basen und einige ihrer Eigenschaften berichtet

The preparation of complex bromoacids of bivalent lead with pyridine and the study of their physical and chemical properties are reported for the first time. The UV, IR, and X-ray spectra of these new compounds were obtained and examined.

The preparation of complex bromoacids of bivalent lead with pyridine and the study of their physical and chemical properties are reported for the first time. The UV, IR, and X-ray spectra of these new compounds were obtained and examined.

The preparation of the complexes of oxamic acid with Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Cr(III) is reported. From the study of IR, diffuse reflectance spectra and the magnetic moments it is concluded that in all complexes the metal is coordinated with the amidic nitrogen, after ionization of one amidic hydrogen, and with the carboxyl oxygen.Octahedral structures are proposed for the complexes K₂[Ni(oxamic)₂] · 2 H₂O and K₃[Cr(oxamic)₃] and planar configurations for K₂[Cu(oxamic)₂] and K₂[Co(oxamic)₂].

New complexes of the general types HCo(NCS)3 ·nL, HCoX2(NCS) ·nL and HCo(NCS)2I ·nL (whereX=Cl, Br, I;L=diethyl ether, pyridine, aniline;n=1.5, 2, 3, 3.5) have been prepared and characterized. The magnetic and spectroscopic data indicate that pseudotetrahedral [Co(NCS)3L]−, [CoX2(NCS)L]− and [Co(NCS)2IL]− anions are present in the solid pyridine and aniline compounds.

The preparationof etherates and pyridinium compounds of mixed complex iodoacids of Ga(III) is reported together with some physical and chemical properties, as well as conductometric measurements and the ultraviolet and infrared spectra of the new compounds. From the analytical, conductometric, stability and spectral data, some information is gained about the probable structure of the complexes.

Die Reaktion von wasserfreiem Fe-chlorid bzw. -bromid mit HCl oder HBr in Ather fuhrt zu den Ferraten (I), deren Kation eine H-Brucke zwischen den Athermolekulen hat und damit zur Stabilitat der Verbindung beitragt.