Search

Background: Growing evidence recognises cannabinoid receptors as potential therapeutic targets for pain. Consequently, there is increasing interest in developing cannabinoid receptor agonists for treating pain. As a general rule, to better understand the actions of a drug, it would be of extreme importance to know the cellular distribution of its specific receptors. The localisation of cannabinoid receptors in the dorsal root ganglia of the horse has not yet been investigated. Objectives: To localise the cellular distribution of canonical and putative cannabinoid receptors in the equine cervical dorsal root ganglia. Study design: Qualitative and quantitative immunohistochemical study. Methods: Cervical (C6‐C8) dorsal root ganglia were collected from six horses (1.5 years of age) at the slaughterhouse. The tissues were fixed and processed to obtain cryosections which were used to investigate the immunoreactivity of canonical cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1R) and 2 (CB2R), and for three putative cannabinoid‐related receptors: nuclear peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha (PPARα), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and serotonin 5‐HT1a receptor (5‐HT1aR). Results: The neurons showed immunoreactivity for CB1R (100%), CB2R (80% ± 13%), PPARα (100%), TRPA1 (74% ± 10%) and 5‐HT1aR (84% ± 6%). The neuronal satellite glial cells showed immunoreactivity for CB2R, PPARα, TRPA1 and 5‐HT1aR. Main limitations: The low number of horses included in the study. Conclusions: This study highlighted the expression of cannabinoid receptors in the sensory neurons and glial cells of the dorsal root ganglia. These findings could be of particular relevance for future functional studies assessing the effects of cannabinoids in horses to manage pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In several species, paraoxonase‐1 (PON‐1) decreases during inflammation, because of the presence of oxidative stress; its measurement recently has been validated in horses, but its role as a clinical biomarker is unknown. Objectives: To evaluate sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratio of PON‐1 activity to identify systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)‐positive horses or horses with a poor prognosis. Animals One hundred seventy‐two blood samples from 58 sick horses from 3 different veterinary hospitals. Methods: In a cross‐sectional study, PON‐1 activity was measured upon admission and at 24‐hour intervals until discharge or death, and results were analyzed based on SIRS status and outcome. Results: No statistically significant difference was found in median PON‐1 activity between SIRS and non‐SIRS cases or between survivors and non‐survivors except for mares, in which PON‐1 activity was significantly lower in SIRS‐positive horses (P =.05). The sensitivity of PON‐1 activity in identifying horses with SIRS or negative outcome was low (0.0%‐46.2% depending on the examined group) but its specificity was high (87.0%‐100.0%). However, when PON‐1 is low, the likelihood of death is 2.40‐3.89 times higher than the likelihood of survival. Repeated measurement of PON‐1 after treatment does not predict outcome. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Evaluation of PON‐1 activity in horses with inflammation might be advisable in the future, but only low activity at admission may be relevant in predicting SIRS or negative outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this case–control study was to compare the pharmacological anamnesis collected from a group of 150 burning mouth syndrome (BMS) patients with that of a control group of 150 patients matched for age and sex. Materials and Methods: The patients' medical histories were reviewed, and data on drug therapy were collected. Drugs were classified on the basis of pharmacological effects; the classes were antihypertensives (i.e., ACE inhibitors/ARBs, calcium antagonists, diuretics and beta‐blockers), antiaggregants, anticoagulants, antidiabetics, vitamin D integrators, bisphosphonates, psychotropics (i.e., anxiolytics and antidepressants), gastroprotectors, statins, thyroid hormone substitutes, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Results: The BMS patients and the controls were matched for age (mean age: 69 years) and sex (128 females and 22 males). Antihypertensives, especially ACE inhibitors/ARBs (OR = 0.37, CI: 0.22–0.63, p = 0.0002) and beta‐blockers (OR = 0.36, CI: 0.19–0.68 p = 002), revealed an inverse association with the presence of BMS, whereas anxiolytics (OR = 3.78, CI: 2.12–6.75 p < 0.0001), but neither antidepressants nor antipsychotics, were significantly associated with BMS. There were no correlations with other drug classes. Conclusion: Our study highlighted that ACE inhibitors, ARBs and beta‐blockers were in inverse relation to BMS and found that anxiolytics, but neither antidepressants nor antipsychotics, were linked to the presence of the syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addictovigilance is a health vigilance dedicated to the survey of medicinal or illicit psychoactive substance use disorders (SUDs). France is the only European country to have a vigilance system specifically dedicated to substances with an abuse/addiction potential. The French Addictovigilance system is organized in a network of regional tertiary centres (called Abuse and Dependence Monitoring Centres, CEIP‐Addictovigilance) and works in close collaboration with Regional and National health authorities. Because of the essential and unavoidable nature of their practice in the French Healthcare system, general practitioners (GPs) are key actors to identify and track Addictovigilance signals. They have been involved in several of the pharmacoepidemiological surveys implemented by the French Addictovigilance Network (FAN). Now, they increasingly participate in clinical research projects and studies. In this article, interactions between GPs and the FAN are illustrated with two examples: patients on opioid substitution treatment and patients on opioid analgesics. Collaborations between GPs and the FAN could be further potentiated. In particular, more effective communication on psychoactive SUDs including abuse/addiction is necessary to optimize the implementation of preventive measures for patients on psychoactive substances medications, and to improve the attitudes of GPs and more widely health professionals in the management of any psychoactive user suffering from SUDs. In addition, both adapted training and improved collaborative research could contribute to the optimization (safety, quality) of professional practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the quality of sleep and the psychological profiles of a large cohort of Italian patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and to clarify the relationships between these variables and pain. Methods: In this case–control study, 200 patients with BMS vs an equal number of age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls, recruited in 10 universities, were enrolled. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM‐D), Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM‐A), Numeric Pain Intensity Scale (NRS) and Total Pain Rating Index (T‐PRI) were administered. Descriptive statistics, including the Mann–Whitney U test and hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, were used. Results: Poor sleep quality (PSQI ≥ 5) was present in 78.8% (160) patients with BMS. BMS patients had statistically higher scores in all items of the PSQI and ESS than the healthy controls (p < .001). A depressed mood and anxiety correlated positively with sleep disturbance. The Pearson correlations were 0.570 for the PSQI vs HAM‐D (p < .001) and 0.549 for the PSQI vs HAM‐A (p < .001). Pain intensity (NRS) poorly correlated to sleep quality; the Pearson correlation was 0.162 for the PSQI vs NRS (p = .021). Conclusions: The BMS patients showed a poor sleep quality, anxiety and depression, as compared with the controls, highlighting the relationships between oral burning, sleep and mood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to assess the plasma concentrations of romifidine in horses after intravenous injection, to evaluate the red blood cell ( RBC) partitioning of the anaesthetic drug, and to improve knowledge regarding its sedative effect in horses describing the pharmacokinetic model. Eight adult Standardbred horses received a single bolus of romifidine at a dosage of 100 μg/kg. Blood samples (5 mL) were collected immediately before romifidine administration ( t0), and at 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 150 and 180 min after injection. A sedation score was recorded at the same time. The romifidine concentrations in plasma and red blood cells were determined by high performance liquid chromatography ( HPLC). The plasma and red blood cell concentrations were correlated with the sedation at each time point. Romifidine produced a satisfactory level of sedation in all animals. The sedation was detectable in all horses for up to 105 min. All the animals returned to normal without any behavioural changes at 180 min. The romifidine concentrations in the red blood cells were significantly higher ( P < 0.01) at all time points than those in the plasma. The T1/2 β was 148.67 ± 61.59 min and body clearance was 22.55 ± 6.67 mL/kg per min. The results showed that after a single bolus administration of romifidine, a partitioning in the RBCs was detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Liver enzymes appear to be involved in oral lichen planus ( OLP), but it is not known whether the elevation develops concomitantly with exacerbations of disease. We compared the levels of serum hepatic aspartate ( AST) and alanine ( ALT) aminotransferases as markers of OLP exacerbation in patients with chronic hepatitis C from those with chronic liver disorders, seronegative for hepatitis C virus ( HCV). Methods We studied 71 patients with OLP, (48 HCV seropositive and 23 HCV seronegative with chronic liver diseases) measuring AST and ALT. Association of HCV infection status with serum aminotransferase levels in relation to several types of OLP, exacerbations, and clinical score was studied by means of logistic and linear regression (correcting for age and sex). Results Of 476 patients screened, 71 were eligible for the study. Patients in the HCV seropositive group had more elevation of AST and ALT levels (mean level, 51.0 U/l; normal level, <45) than patients in the HCV seronegative group (mean level, 47.5 U/l). Mean serum AST and ALT exceeded the upper limit of the normal range in 33 of 48 (68.8%) in the HCV antibody-positive group and in 9 of 23 (39.5%) in the HCV antibody-negative group. Exacerbations of OLP were more frequent in the high-level AST and ALT group, while HCV status group played a minor role. Conclusions Among patients with OLP, mild elevation in aminotransferase levels was more common in patients infected with HCV. AST and ALT concentrations were elevated in association with exacerbation of OLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parachuting (also called bombing) is a method of drug delivery where illicit drugs or medicines are ingested after wrapping the substance. There are little data describing parachuting in the literature. To provide a description of this practice, all cases of parachuting reported to the national addictovigilance network up to 31 December 2014 were identified from spontaneous reports and specific surveillance programs. Cases were described according to the type of substance used, patient age and gender, type of complications, context of use and year of the event. Forty-five cases of parachute use were identified and most ( n = 43) occurred after 2011. Patients were mostly men (60%), and mean age was 28.9 years. The context of use, known in 19 cases, was mostly recreational. Complications were present in 24 cases, of which eight were serious. The substance was supposed to be 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ( MDMA) in the majority of cases (64.4%); research chemicals were more involved in the most recent years. The physical form was mainly granular (51.6%). The wrappers were a cigarette paper (nine cases) and in one case plastic package; in the other cases, the term of parachute was used without further details. The reason for use was not explained in the majority of cases; two patients indicated using a parachute for faster effect than with a methadone capsule. Clinicians should be aware of this delivery form as the results suggest that it is common and can involve a great variability of drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Burning mouth syndrome remains a puzzling condition. One symptom commonly associated with the burning sensation is xerostomia. The current study measured basal and stimulated salivary flow in a group of burning mouth syndrome patients. METHODS: Three groups of patients were recruited: 44 burning mouth syndrome patients, 27 oral lichen planus patients and 40 healthy patients. We chose to measure basal salivary flow and stimulated salivary flow in the three groups of patients using the 'spitting' method. Thus, the patients were asked to spit every minute for 5 min. Afterwards, they were asked to repeat the procedure a second time, but a drop of citric acid was positioned on their tongue every minute to stimulate salivary secretion. After 14 days, the same procedure was repeated for 15 min. RESULTS: Although there was no significant difference between the burningmouthsyndrome group and the other two groups regarding the stimulated volumes, an important difference was found in the basal volumes, with the burning mouth syndrome patients showing lower values. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of our research demonstrate the presence of very low basal salivary flow in burning mouth syndrome patients compared with the other two groups, but the stimulated salivary flow was equal, if not higher, in the burning mouth syndrome patients. This study contributes new topics for further investigation of a solution to the very mysterious pathology represented by burning mouth syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During cystoscopy, performed with air insufflation in a standing Argentinian gelding, the horse showed ataxia and fell to the ground with generalised muscular twitching and horizontal nystagmus, tachypnoea and tachyarrhythmia. General anaesthesia was induced. Arterial blood gas-analysis before induction of anaesthesia revealed an increased pH, decreased partial pressure of carbon dioxide and decreased partial pressure of oxygen. Venous air embolism was suspected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Reasons for performing study: No endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct has been described before. In contrast with other imaging techniques, endoscopy provides a direct inspection of the intralumen and ductal mucosa in standing sedation. Objectives: To provide a reference against which the endoscopic and clinical features of obstructive nasolacrimal disease in the horse may be compared. Methods: Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct was performed in 10 French Thoroughbred bay mares with a 3 mm shaft diameter flexible fibrescope. The duct was divided into 3 zones ( 1, 2 and 3) from the nostril to the lacrimal sac. Results: Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct appeared to be quite easy to perform in Zones 1 and 2, while the ease or difficulty of examining Zone 3 depended on the weight and size of the horse for the position of the endoscope in the lacrimal canal. Conclusions: Endoscopic inspection has provided the possibility of a novel diagnostic approach to conditions of the nasolacrimal duct in horses. Potential relevance: Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct could help to diagnose and treat nasolacrimal diseases by performing sample withdrawal and duct irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background and aim: The goal of this study was to investigate whether physical stress is able to modulate apoptotic response in rat myocardial tissue. The effects of foot shock stress on the histopatological changes and immunohistochemistry for p53, bcl-2 and bax were evaluated. Methods: Male Wistar rats ( n= 10) were distributed into two groups: group 1, control and group 2, stress. The stress protocol consisted of one daily foot-shock session applied on three consecutive days. Results: The results pointed out no remarkable changes of myocardial tissue between groups. Also, the foot shock stress was not able to modulate p53, bcl-2 or bax expression, as depicted by no significant statistically differences ( P > 0.05) between groups for all immunomarkers evaluated. Conclusions: Taken together, our results suggest that foot shock stress did not induce histopathological changes in rat myocardial tissue. It seems that physical stress is not able to modulate apoptotic response in rats. Certainly, this finding offers new insights into the mechanisms underlying the relation between apoptosis and cardiac injury after stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39: 611–616 Background: To compare different therapeutic supportive approaches in patients with burning mouth syndrome. A prospective study was carried out for this purpose. Materials and Methods: The study involved 56 patients with burning mouth syndrome. They were randomly assigned to treatment with capsaicin, alpha-lipoic acid or lysozyme-lactoperoxidase (test drugs) or boric acid (control group). Symptoms were scored after 60 days treatment and 60 days after drug discontinuation. Results: At the end of the treatment period, there was a significant reduction in the symptom scores of all of the patients who received the test drugs ( P < 0.01), and at the end of the follow-up period in the test groups as a whole ( P < 0.01); the reduction was not significant when considering each test group separately after the treatment period. All of the treatments were more effective than boric acid and there was no significant difference in the symptom scores of the control group at either of the study time-points. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the similar effectiveness of capsaicin and alpha-lipoic acid in controlling the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome. Lysozyme-lactoperoxidase may be effective in the supportive care of BMS patients with xerostomia. The transitory effect observed after discontinuing drug administration justifies the use of prolonged therapy in chronically affected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary This case report documents uroperitoneum due to bladder and pelvic urethral rupture in a 9 h old Standardbred colt born after severe dystocia. Three surgical procedures were required to manage rupture of the urinary bladder, urethral rupture, and ventral abdominal hernia with evisceration of a loop of jejunum. After 40 days of hospitalisation the colt was discharged without any further complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Burning mouth syndrome is a burning sensation or stinging disorder affecting the oral mucosa in the absence of any clinical signs or mucosal lesions. Some studies have suggested that burning mouth syndrome could be caused by the metals used in dental prostheses, as well as by acrylate monomers, additives and flavouring agents, although others have not found any aetiologic role for hypersensitivity to dental materials. Objective: To evaluate the extent and severity of adverse reactions to dental materials in a group of patients with burning mouth syndrome, and investigate the possible role of contact allergy in its pathogenesis. Materials and methods: We prospectively studied 124 consecutive patients with burning mouth syndrome (108 males; mean age 57 years, range 41–83), all of whom underwent allergen patch testing between 2004 and 2007. Results: Sixteen patients (13%) showed positive patch test reactions and were classified as having burning mouth syndrome type 3 or secondary burning mouth syndrome (Lamey’s and Scala’s classifications). Conclusion: Although we did not find any significant association between the patients and positive patch test reactions, it would be advisable to include hypersensitivity to dental components when evaluating patients experiencing intermittent oral burning without any clinical signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several cardiovascular disorders have been related to alterations in beta-adrenoceptor (β-AR) signaling at or beyond the receptor level. During the stress reaction, the sympathetic-adrenal medullary system and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis are activated, causing β-AR overstimulation and remodeling of the β1/β2/β3-AR ratio in cardiomyocytes. In a model of foot-shock stress, we described decreased β1-AR signaling occurring simultaneously with increased β2-AR signaling, whereas the response to the nonconventional agonist, CGP12177, was not altered. These alterations may play an adaptive role to the increased sympathetic drive to the heart, protecting the cardiac tissue from the cardiotoxic effects mediated by β1-ARs overstimulation without altering cardiac output, since this would be sustained by the β2-AR, which would also protect myocytes from apoptosis. Moreover, the selective enhancement of the β2-AR population might help to diminish the risk of overstimulation since this adrenoceptor subtype couples to both, stimulatory G (Gs) and inhibitory G (Gi) proteins. On the other hand, in the model of neurogenic hypertension, the decrease in β1-AR–mediated response is not followed by increase in the β2-AR–mediated response. However, the response to CGP12177, which was desensitized 48 h after the surgery, was normalized 7 days after that, when β1-AR were downregulated. Therefore, both experimental models provided evidence that the classical isoform of β1-AR and the recently described low-affinity isoform of β1-AR show independent behavior and provide the heart with adaptive mechanisms to increased sympathetic stimulation during stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have analyzed the perceived stress index, the basal salivary cortisol levels, and the awakening cortisol response (ACR) in 86 volunteers of low (LSES) and high socioeconomic status (HSES). The LSES presented higher perceived stress index and basal salivary cortisol levels, nonaltered ACR, or cortisol diurnal rhythm. We have concluded that the LSES is associated with high perceived stress index and salivary cortisol levels, which could impact negatively in health, and that it is related to the daily life stress experienced by individuals in the LSES group. Because the LSES corresponds to about 30% of the total Brazilian population, this conclusion might have a great impact on public health policies and costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cellulite or lipodystrophy involves the modification of the subcutaneous adipose tissue. A wide variety of topical products is available to combat cellulite, but these have difficulties in being absorbed through the skin. One option is the therapeutic use of the ultrasound to enhance the transdermic transport of these drugs. Aim The objective of this study was the analysis of the effect of caffeine on the morphology of the swine hypodermis, both when applied topically and in combination with ultrasound treatment. Methods The following treatments were applied to the dorsal areas of five pigs (Landrace × Large White, 35 days old, weighing 15 kg each): gel, gel + ultrasound, gel + caffeine (5%, w/w), and gel + caffeine + ultrasound, daily for 15 days. A fifth area received no topical application and was used as a control. Continuous ultrasound of 3 MHz with an intensity of 0.2 W/cm2 was applied at a rate of 1 min/cm2. After histological processing (hematoxylin and eosin), morphometric analyses were conducted to determine the thickness and numerical profile of the hypodermis. A one-way analysis variance using a Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was conducted, with a Tukey test used to identify significant differences. A confidence level of P ≤ 0.05 was adopted. Results Caffeine treatment was effective only when associated with ultrasound therapy; the combination resulted in a significant reduction in the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue, as well as damage to the adipocytes, consequently decreasing the number of cells. Conclusion Ultrasound treatment was effective in increasing the cutaneous permeation of caffeine, as evidenced by the reduction in thickness of the hypodermis and number of adipocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human DDX3 (hDDX3) is a DEAD-box protein shown to possess RNA-unwinding and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities. The hDDX3 protein has been implicated in nuclear mRNA export, cell growth control, and cancer progression. In addition, a role of this protein in the replication of human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 and in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus has been recently proposed. Its enzymological properties, however, are largely unknown. In this work, we characterized its ATPase activity. We show that hDDX3 ATPase activity is stimulated by various ribo- and deoxynucleic acids. Comparative analysis with different nucleoside triphosphate analogs showed that the hDDX3 ATPase couples high catalytic efficiency to a rather relaxed substrate specificity, both in terms of base selection and sugar selection. In addition, its ability to recognize the L-stereoisomers of both 3′ deoxy- and 2′,3′ dideoxy-ribose, points to a relaxed stereoselectivity. On the basis of these results, we hypothesize the presence of structural determinants on both the base and the sugar moieties, critical for nucleoside binding to the enzyme. Our results expand the knowledge about the DEAD-box RNA helicases in general and can be used for rational design of selective inhibitors of hDDX3, to be tested as potential antitumor and antiviral agents. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to describe the technique of laparoscopic ultrasonography in six dogs with intraabdominal disease. Investigation of the abdominal cavity was undertaken initially in each dog by laparoscopy alone. After exploration and visualization of a diseased organ, a 7.5 MHz microconvex ultrasound probe was introduced into the abdomen through a laparoscopic cannula for videoguided ultrasound examination. Laparoscopic ultrasonography allows core biopsy or needle aspiration to be performed by guiding the needle into nonsuperficial lesions, where videoendoscopic guidance alone is not enough. In addition, color Doppler ultrasonography is useful to examine the vascular pattern to minimize or eliminate complications when a biopsy is performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adipocytes isolated from epididymal adipose tissue of foot-shock stressed rats are supersensitive to isoprenaline and subsensitive to norepinephrine. These alterations are probably mediated by a stress-induced increase in plasma corticosterone levels. We investigated whether foot-shock stress modifies the expression of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and -adrenergic protein receptors (β-ARs) in epididymal adipose tissue from rats submitted to one daily foot-shock session on three consecutive days. This stress protocol caused decreases in GR, β1 -AR, and β3-AR protein levels, but caused an increase in β2-AR. These results confirm and support previous functional studies. The alterations in protein expression may be modulated by the high corticosterone levels that downregulate the glucocorticoid receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In eukaryotic cells, the essential function of DNA replication is carried out by a network of enzymes and proteins, which work together to raidly and accurately duplicate the genetic information of the cell. Many of the components of this DNA replication aparatus associate with other cellular factors as components of multiprotein comlexes, which act cooperatively in networks to regulate cell cycle progression and checkpoint control but are distinct from the prerelication complexes that associate with the origins and regulate their firing. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about the composition and dynamics of these large multiprotein complexes in mammalian cells and their relationships to the replication to the replication factories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously described the isolation of a replication competent (RC) complex from calf thymus, containing DNA polymerase α, DNA polymerase d and replication factor C. Here, we describe the isolation of the RC complex from nuclear extracts of synchronized HeLa cells, which contains DNA replication proteins associated with cell-cycle regulation factors like cyclin A, cyclin B1, Cdk2 and Cdk1. In addition, it contains a kinase activity and DNA polymerase activities able to switch from a distributive to a processive mode of DNA synthesis, which is dependent on proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In vivo cross-linking of proteins to DNA in synchronized HeLa cells demonstrates the association of this complex to chromatin. We show a dynamic association of cyclins/Cdks with the RC complex during the cell cycle. Indeed, cyclin A and Cdk2 associated with the complex in S phase, and cyclin B1 and Cdk1 were present exclusively in G2/M phase, suggesting that the activity, as well the localization, of the RC complex might be regulated by specific cyclin/Cdk complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A DNA polymerase has been extracted from spinach chloroplasts and purified by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and hydroxyapatite. A great similarity between the purified chloroplast polymerase and the mammalian mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ was found by several criteria: preference for the synthetic primer-template (dT)12–18 · poly(rA), optimal requirement for Mn2+ (0.1–1.0 mM), KCl (100 mM) and pH (8–9). high relative molecular mass (approximately 105000), resistance to aphidicolin and inhibition by N-ethylmalcimide. Some peculiar features of the chloroplast DNA polymerase have, however, been noticed. The mammalian DNA polymerase γ has been suggested to be responsible for the replication of mitochondrial DNA. Thus, both the presence of a γ-like DNA polymerase in chloroplasts and the similarities between the chloroplast and the mitochondrial DNA (absence of a nucleosomal structure and presence of displacement loops) lead to the suggestion that chloroplast DNA is also replicated by a γ-like DNA polymerase and that the γ polymerases present in eukaryotes are, therefore, involved in a strand-displacement DNA synthesis. An α-like DNA polymerase activity, present and predominant in crude leaf extracts, was practically absent from purified chloroplast preparations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA polymerase β was isolated from rat cortex neurons and characterised. Its properties were strikingly similar to those of other mammalian β-polymerases. In adult rats, this was the major DNA polymerase occurring in neuronal nuclei, which contained no α-polymerase, 99.2% β-polymerase and only 0.8% γ-polymerase. Isolated neuronal nuclei of this developmental stage were shown to perform ultraviolet-induced repair DNA synthesis in vitro. Since β-polymerase was virtually the exclusive DNA polymerase in these nuclei it was concluded that the β enzyme was responsible for the observed DNA repair. This was further substantiated by demonstrating a virtually complete suppression of DNA repair in irradiated nuclei by 2′,3′-dideoxyribosylthymine 5′-triphosphate (d2TTP), a potent β-polymerase inhibitor. However, the presence of minute amounts of γ-polymerase in neuronal nuclei and its susceptibility to d2TTP did not allow one to rule out an ancillary role of DNA polymerase γ in DNA repair. In view of the similarity of the neuronal DNA polymerase β with all other mammalian β-polymerases it may be speculated that the ability to perform repair DNA synthesis is not unique to the neuronal enzyme but is a general function of all β-polymerases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA polymerase γ and mitochondrial DNA polymerase were isolated from brain nuclei and synaptosomes respectively. The presence of a single DNA polymerase in synaptosomal mitochondria was established by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, phosphocellulose and DNA-cellulose, as well as by sedimentation analysis and isoelectric focusing. A great similarity between the purified nuclear DNA polymerase γ and the mitochondrial enzyme was found by the following criteria: chromatographic behaviour in three column systems: essentially complete inhibition by N-ethyl-maleimide (2 mM); optimal requirements for Mn2- (0.1 mM), Mg2+ (5 mM) and pH (8.0): template preferences, poly(A) - (dT)20-25 > activated DNA > poly(dA)-(dT)12-18; lack of activity on single-stranded polynucleotides and (dT)12-primed mRNA : molecular weight (180000), sedimentation (9.2 S) and isoelectric point (pl 5,4). We therefore conclude that brain nuclear DNA polymerase γ and synaptosomal mitochondrial DNA polymerase are closely related and may even be identical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have fractionated from human aneuploid cell cultures three different enzyme fractions degrading single-stranded DNA. We have purified and characterized one of these DNases: this is an endonuclease working at alkaline pH (around 9.5) and requiring Mg2+ for its activity. The enzyme degrades denatured DNA over 100 times more efficiently than native DNA in optimal conditions. The termini produced by the enzyme have 5′P and 3′OH ends. The enzyme can attack, though at reduced rate, the supertwisted circular molecule of Simian virus 40 DNA. whereas it is inactive on the nicked circular molecule. The ultraviolet irradiation of DNA, whether native or denatured. does not affect its efficiency as substrate of the DNase. The properties of this endonuclease distinguish it from those of the other DNases described previously in mammalian cells: the denomination DNase VI is therefore proposed. Its properties are similar to those of DNases described in Ustilago maydis and Bacillus subtilis, for which an essential role in recombination seems likely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polynucleotide ligase has been detected and purified over 300-fold from human cells cultured in vitro. The enzymic activity is dependent on ATP and Mg2+. The pH curve is bimodal with two optima at pH 7.5 and 8.1. The purified enzyme requires for its activity a heat-resistant protein factor present in the crude extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A procedure for the isolation of a pure RNA :DNA hybrid is described. The isolation was accomplished through the following steps: 1. 32P-labeled ribosomal RNA of Bacillus subtilis was hybridized with ³H-labeled DNA of the same organism; 2. the excess of unhybridized DNA was partially hydrolyzed with exonuclease I from Escherichia coli; 3. the mixture was purified by gel-filtration on a Sepharose 4B column, thus eliminating the products of hydrolysis and a considerable fraction of residual unhybridized DNA; 4. filtration through a nitrocellulose column freed the mixture, of another portion of residual denatured DNA without loss of hybrid; 5. two successive CsCl gradients allowed the isolation of material having a DNA/RNA ratio very close to 1, to be compared to an original value of 250 at the beginning of the purification. The overall yield, in different runs, was of approximately 5%. The isolated hybrid does not adsorb to nitrocellulose filters, as expected for its double-stranded structure. The densities of the pure hybrid in CsCl and Cs2SO4 are, respectively, of 1.788 and 1.480 g/cm³. The molecular weight of the DNA moiety of the isolated hybrid is of approximately 50000. The procedure is highly reproducible and can be applied in principle to any hybrid for which a pure RNA is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have further characterized the polynucleotide ligase purified from cultures of the human heteroploid line EUE [Spadari, Ciarrocchi and Falaschi, Eur. J. Biochem. 22, 75 (1971)]. The 350-fold purified enzyme gives positive response with four different assays; the rates with the different substrates are different, but the variations are identical to those observed with the purified ligase induced by T4-phage. The enzyme can reconstitute the transforming activity of Bacillus subtilis DNA inactivated by pancreatic DNAase. The human cell enzyme is unable to use a hybrid substrate where an interrupted polydeoxynucleotide is annealed to a polyribonucleotide, whereas in the same conditions the T4 enzyme gives appreciable activity. The partial dependence of the purified enzyme on proteins present in a boiled crude extract, reported in the previous paper, seems due to an aspecific protective effect of the soluble proteins of cell extracts. The enzyme does not show any appreciable sequence specificity in the phosphodiester bond it can form. The purified enzyme can be fractionated into two molecular forms, one having a molecular weight of 190000, the other 95000; fresh extracts of EUE cells contain almost exclusively the high molecular-weight form; ageing of the extract or purification lead to the appearance of the second peak, without variations in the total activity. This could correspond to the conversion of a dimer structure into a monomer. The “dimer” has a pH optimum close to 8.1, whereas the “monomer” has its optimum at 7.5; this explains the bimodal pH curve previously described in the purified enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genes for rRNA of Bacillius subtilis have been purified as high molecular weight DNA: RNA hybrids with a DNA/RNA ratio of 1. Two different methods were used. (1) High molecular weight denatured DNA (Mr = 2.2 × 107) was hybridized with rRNA and the excess of single- stranded DNA was digested with Neurospora crassa endonuclease and Escherichia coli exonuclease I. The hybrid was then purified on Sepharose 4B and two subsequent CsCl gradients. This is a marked improvement on the previously published procedure of Sgaramella, Spadari and Falaschi (1968) insofar as it gives high molecular weight products (8 × 105 for the DNA moiety of the hybrid). (2) A simplified non-enzymic procedure that used relatively short single-stranded DNA molecules (Mr = 4 × 106) and several subsequent CsCl gradients led to a hybrid with a DNA : RNA ratio of 1.1 and a molecular weight higher than the previous procedure (1.7 × 106 for the DNA moiety). The DNA of the isolated hybrid, after removal of the RNA moiety, rehybridizes completely with rRNA. After hybridization of rRNA with DNA having a single-stranded molecular weight of 2.2 × 107, the hybrid bands mainly at a density corresponding to that of denatured DNA; hybrid with & density corresponding to that of 1:1 DNA/RNA ratio can be obtained only if the DNA has been reduced by enzymic digestion or shearing to a single-stranded molecular weight close to 2 × 106; this indicates that between each set of 16-S + 23-S rRNA genes, there must be regions of DNA non-complementary to rRNA; these regions have a single-stranded molecular weight that can be estimated as greater than 1.8x 107. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case report on a patient who has burning lips syndrome associated with allergy to intraoral metals. It is said that a 22-year-old woman had been healthy until eleven months earlier when a bruising pain developed on her lips during exposure to subfreezing temperatures in cold winter. A hypothesis made by a dermatologist states that the cold conditions may have triggered the onset lips dysesthesia.

Focuses on a study which investigated the interaction of human DNA polymerase λ with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Experiments used to demonstrate that DNA polymerase λ interacts with PCNA in vivo in human cells; Importance of residues located in a helix-hairpin-helix motif for the interaction of DNA polymerase λ with primer/template DNA; Schematic diagram of the interaction of p21 with PCNA.

The article focuses on the incidence of oral candidiasis in patients treated with topical steroids for oral lichen planus (OLP). Topics include difference in the incidence of oral fungal infection between OLP patients treated with preventive antimycotic therapy; proliferation of Candida species during the treatment with topical corticosteroids for OLP; and increased number of colony-forming units (CFU) and iatrogenic oral candidiasis after using applied clobetasol propionate.

In the past years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have become an important field of research since EVs have been found to play a central role in biological processes. In pathogens, EVs are involved in several events during the host–pathogen interaction, including invasion, immunomodulation, and pathology as well as parasite–parasite communication. In this report, we summarised the role of EVs in infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and helminths based on the talks and discussions carried out during the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) workshop held in São Paulo (November, 2016), Brazil, entitled Cross-organism Communication by Extracellular Vesicles: Hosts, Microbes and Parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Removal of an Amalgam Tattoo Using a Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft and Laser Deepithelialization," by C. M. Campbell and D. E. Deas.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Electroconvulsive Therapy for Burning Mouth Syndrome," by S. Suda and colleagues in a previous issue.

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses a case study that focuses on the use of diode laser therapy for Heck's disease associated with human papillo-mavirus 13 (HPV) infection.

A letter to the editor is presented concerning the case of a 40-year-old man with black hairy tongue associated with burning mouth symptoms.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article on oral lichen planus lesion that was published in the previous issue.