Presence Of PM Research Articles

Long-term impact of patients' compliance to peri-implant maintenance therapy on the incidence of peri-implant diseases: An 11-year prospective follow-up clinical study.

To prospectively evaluate the incidence of peri-implant diseases and the associated risk factors during 11 years of peri-implant maintenance therapy (PIMT). A sample of 80 partially edentulous individuals rehabilitated with dental implants was invited to participate in a PIMT program (T1-prior to entering the PIMT program). After 11 years, 51 individuals remained regularly or irregularly adherent to PIMT (T2-last recall after 11 years) and were classified as regular (RC; n= 27) or irregular (IC; n= 24) compliers. Data of interest were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The incidence of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis observed at T2 in the IC group (70.8% and 37.5%, respectively) were significantly higher than those observed in the RC group (37.0% and 11.1%, respectively). The incidence of peri-implant diseases was mostly attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors, as such: RC group-PM (p= 0.013); IC group-high plaque index (p< 0.001), irregular compliance (p< 0.001), the presence of PM (p= 0.015) and periodontitis (p< 0.039). Regular compliance during PIMT had a strong effect in minimizing the incidence of peri-implant diseases. Increasing regular dental visits and improving oral hygiene would provide benefits for preventing peri-implant diseases.

Evaluation of gene expression levels in grapevine cultivars after Erysphe necator andmethyl jasmonate treatments

Powdery mildew (PM - Eryshpe necator) is one of the most important diseases threatening the world of viticulture. This study determined that the gene expression levels of Myc2, WRKY1, and DHN1a in Boğazkere (V. vinifera L. PM susceptible), Cabernet Sauvignon (V. vinifera L. PM susceptible), Kishmish Vatkana (V. vinifera L. PM tolerant), and Regent (V. vinifera L. PM tolerant) cultivars after PM and PM-Methyl jasmonate (MeJa) treatments by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The susceptible and tolerant cultivars that were compared in the study were inoculated with PM which was taken from the natural environment and was sprayed with 50 μM MeJa. Leaf samples of cultivars were collected at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h postinoculation (hpi). RT-PCR analyses of PM and PM-MeJa treatments were performed on WRKY1, DHN1a, and Myc2 genes. Actin1 was used as the reference gene. The analyses concluded that the susceptible and tolerant cultivars utilized different mechanisms and that TF genes were induced in the presence of PM and MeJa. It was determined that PM showed different levels of expression in 3 genes and 4 cultivars. MeJa treatment had a stimulating effect on the response to E. necator infection.

Postnatal Growth Restriction In Mice Alters Cardiac Mitochondrial Energetics

Postnatal growth-restriction (PGR) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. We hypothesize that nutrient restriction alters metabolism leading to cardiac failure. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of PGR on mitochondrial respiratory capacity (JO2). METHODS: FVB mouse dams were fed a control(CON: 20% protein), or a low-protein(LP: 8% protein) isocaloric diet 2-weeks before mating. LP-dams produce 18% less milk and pups nursed by LP-dams undergo growth restriction. At postnatal day (PN) 1, pups born to dams fed the CON diet were crossed to LP-dams(PUN; postnatally undernourished) or a different CON-dam. At PN21, all mice were weaned to the CON-diet. On PN22 or PN80, mice were weighed, euthanized, and hearts removed. Hearts were weighed and cardiac mitochondria were isolated via differential centrifugation. Respiration was measured through high-resolution respirometry in the presence of 5 mM pyruvate and 1 mM L-malate(PM). Two-way ANOVAs were performed with the main effects of diet (CON vs. PUN) and age(PN22 vs. PN80) to compare, body-mass, heart-mass, and JO2. An α level of 0.05 was set a priori, and if necessary, a Tukey’s HSD post hoc test was used for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: PGR caused significant diet and age effects (p<.001) on final body-mass between CON (PN22: 12.01±0.83g; PN80: 23.51±2.95g) and PUN groups (PN22: 8.45±0.61g; PN80: 21.32±3.42g). Heart-mass was also significantly reduced (p<.001) in PUN (PN22: 0.06±0.01g; PN80: 0.11±0.012g) compared to CON (PN22: 0.08±0.007g; PN80: 0.12±0.01g) across the lifespan. LEAK state JO2 was significantly higher (p<.001) at both time-points in PUN (PN22: 46.48±4.25nmol/mg/min, PN80: 48.74±8.34nmol/mg/min) compared to CON (PN22: 36.15±5.60nmol/mg/min, PN80: 38.23±2.74nmol/mg/min). The respiratory control ratio (RCR) was significantly reduced (p=0.0005) in PUN (PN22: 7.81±0.48, PN80: 7.32±1.48) compared to CON (PN22: 9.25±0.73, PN80: 9.14±0.74). CONCLUSIONS: PGR decreased body and heart-mass across the life span and increased LEAK state JO2 in the presence of PM, indicating mitochondrial impairment at PN22 and PN80. PGR caused reductions in RCR, which may cause CVD, thus PGR increases CVD risk through uncoupling of mitochondria. Exercise may improve mitochondrial function in PGR mouse hearts.

Frequency and Prognosis of Pulmonary Metastases in Newly Diagnosed Gastric Cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the frequency and prognosis of pulmonary metastases in newly diagnosed gastric cancer using population-based data from SEER.Methods: Patients with gastric cancer and pulmonary metastases (GCPM) at the time of diagnosis in advanced gastric cancer were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) database of the National Cancer Institute from 2010 to 2014. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of the presence of GCPM at diagnosis. Receiver operator characteristics analysis was performed to significant predictors on multivariable logistic regression and was then assessed with Delong's test. Multivariable Cox regression was developed to identify factors associated with all-cause mortality and gastric cancer-specific mortality. Survival curves were obtained according to the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test.Results: We identified 1,104 patients with gastric cancer and pulmonary metastases at the time of diagnosis, representing 6.02% of the entire cohort and 15.19% of the subset with metastatic disease to any distant site. Among the entire cohort, multivariable logistic regression identified six factors (younger, upper 1/3 of stomach, intestinal-type, T4 staging, N1 staging, and presence of more extrapulmonary metastases to liver, bone, and brain) as positive predictors of the presence of pulmonary metastases at diagnosis. The value of AUC for the multivariable logistic regression model was 0.775. Median survival among the entire cohort with GCPM was 3.0 months (interquartile range: 1.0–9.0 mo). Multivariable Cox model in SEER cohort confirmed five factors (diagnosis at previous period, black race, adverse pathology grade, absence of chemotherapy, and presence of more extrapulmonary metastases to liver, bone, and brain) as negative predictors for overall survival.Conclusions: The findings of this study provided population-based estimates of the frequency and prognosis for GCPM at time of diagnosis. The multivariable logistic regression model had an acceptable performance to predict the presence of PM. These findings may provide preventive guidelines for the screening and treatment of PM in GC patients. Patients with high risk factors should be paid more attention before and after diagnosis.

Air Quality Assessment in the Surroundings of KMML Industrial Area, Chavara in Kerala, South India

Worldwide air pollution is responsible for large numbers of deaths and cases of respiratory disease. There are many substances in the air which may impair the health of plants and animals. Air pollutants arise from both man-made and natural processes. Point sources include major industrial facilities like chemical plants, steel mills, oil refineries, and power plants, and non-industrial stationary equipment like hazardous waste incinerators. A detailed study was conducted in the surroundings of the Chavara industrial area in Kollam district, South India, during the summer and winter seasons of the year 2011, to assess the status of air pollutants (TSPM, RPM, SO_2, NO_2 and Free Cl_2) and the air quality of the industrial zone and its surroundings, which are also residential areas. The results of the study show that the concentrations of gaseous pollutants, SO_2 and NO_x were within the national ambient air quality standard limits of Central Pollution Control Board and Ministry of Environment & Forests, India. The study stations in the northern, eastern and southern directions of the industrial area recorded chlorine contamination. The presence of PM_(10) and chlorine in the residential area in the vicinity of KMML industrial zone may cause different health problems in the residents, especially in children and aged people. The air quality index in the study stations was assessed, and the results showed that the residential areas surrounding the KMML industrial area have moderate air quality. Some measures are also suggested to improve the air quality in the surroundings of the KMML industrial area.

PinhãO-Manso: A Native Jatropha Curcas from Brazil Protects Muscle Cells from Ethanol Toxicity and Improves Muscle Function

Jatropha curcas is a perennial plant of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) typical of semi-arid regions in the world spanning from Brazil to China. Recently, it has received much attention as a potential source of vegetable oil as a replacement for petroleum, and, in particular, the production of biodiesel. An understudy aspect of this plant relates to its potential utilization as a pharmacological agent. Interestingly, the native plant (Pinhao-Manso, PM) of the semi-arid region of Brazil has been used as an ant-fatigue agent and also for healing of abrasions, cuts, and wounds.We used C2C12 muscle cells in the myoblast stage to begin our investigation of the functional, cellular, and molecular effects of PM. Overnight exposure of C2C12 myoblasts to 3% ethanol (vehicle) induced 100% cell death. We document here a fascinating result: when C2C12 were exposed to the same concentration of ethanol but in the presence of PM, cell death was prevented. Furthermore, in ex-vivo, intact isolated muscles from mice (extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles); PM increased contractile force production and also prevented the toxic effects of alcohol on muscle function. We are now focusing on purification of active principle(s) of PM that might underlie its potent and beneficial effects on muscle function. We are also studying the molecular machinery that is modulated by PM. Our studies indicate that native Jatropha curcas from Salvador, Brazil could have potential applications for improvement of skeletal muscle function. (Support: Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa-CNPq, Brazil and National Institutes of Health, USA).

The significance of intrapulmonary metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer: upstaging or downstaging? A re-appraisal for the next TNM staging system☆

The management of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with intrapulmonary metastases (PM) is controversial. In TNM classification, PM are designed as T4 when in the same lobe of the primary tumour (PM1) and M1 when in a different lobe(s) (PM2). Some authors have questioned the negative prognostic impact of PM. The present study assessed prevalence, correlation with clinico-pathologic variables and impact on survival of PM, along with a review of the literature. From January 1993 to December 2006, 2013 NSCLC patients underwent surgical resection at our institution. Of these, 74 presented with PM (39 PM1, 35 PM2). Patients with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC), carcinoid tumours, contralateral disease and preoperative chemo/radiotherapy were excluded from the analysis. A logistic regression analysis was undertaken to evaluate a relationship between the presence of PM and different clinico-pathologic variables. Survival analysis was undertaken to investigate the prognostic significance of PM. PM represent 3.6% of our patient population of operated NSCLC. Metastases were multiple in 36 cases and single in 38. Thirty-six patients had node-negative disease. Among all the variables for the logistic regression analysis only vascular invasion (OR: 0. 45; 95% CI 0.24-0.85, p=0.01) and N status (OR: 0. 6; 95% CI 0.43-0.82, p=0.001) were significantly correlated with the presence of PM. Median survival rates of PM1, PM2, other T4 and other M1 patients were 25, 23, 15 and 14 months, respectively. A survival advantage was observed in patients with PM as compared to other T4/M1 patients, although the difference was not significant either overall (p=0.21) or in the N0 disease group (p=0.12). The presence of PM in NSCLC patients is a rare occurrence. Risk factors for the development of PM are a microscopic vascular invasion and a high nodal status. A survival advantage over other T4/M1 patients is evident from our experience, although not significant. The results of the literature which have been accumulating in the most recent years including ours bend to the conclusion that there is sufficient validated information to consider a downstaging in the presence of intrapulmonary metastases from NSCLC for the seventh edition of the TNM classification.

Atmospheric visibility trends in an urban area in Taiwan 1961–2003

Abstract Climatological observations made in Tainan urban area, southern Taiwan, between 1961 and June 2003 were analyzed along with critical air pollutants monitored from 1994 to June 2003 in order to establish the relationship between atmospheric visibility and major air pollutants and meteorological parameters in the urban area. The visibility discrepancy between weekend and week days was also examined. Average annual visibility in the complete period 1961–2003 was 12.4±4.2 km. However, during the early 1960s it was >20 km, against only 6–7 km between 2002 and 2003. This study revealed a correlation between PM 10 and NO x levels, which were higher on weekdays than on weekends, and low weekday visibility. Furthermore, decreased visibility was related mostly to increases in PM 10 . A weekend effect , in which weekend ozone concentrations exceed weekday concentrations, was also revealed. Mixing layer height is an most important meteorological parameter involved in visibility reduction. Principal component analysis demonstrated that increased vehicular emissions, road traffic dust and industrial activity markedly impacted visibility. Pollutant standard index (PSI) values >100 were characterized by concentrations of PM 10 and NO x and atmospheric pressure higher than normal, but with wind speed lower than normal. Regression results for various empirical models of visibility demonstrated that higher PM 10 concentrations implied lower visibility ranges, and the parameter of ln[PM 10 ] represented the most significant impact on visibility. Because PM 2.5 has a significant impact on visibility, a targeted reduction of PM 10 would not completely improve the visual range. However, there is a strong association between presence of PM 10 and presence of PM 2.5 , such that a targeted reduction in PM 10 is likely to lead to an increase in visibility.

On the possible presence of promethium in the spectra of HD 101065 (Przybylski's star) and HD 965

Traditional and statistical line-identification methods indicate the presence of Pm I and II, Tc I, and perhaps Tc II in the spectrum of the roAp star HD 101065. These methods also lead to the presence of Pm II and probably also Pm I in a related cool Ap star, HD 965. The spectroscopic evidence is strong enough that we would declare promethium to be present without hesitation, if any of its isotopes were stable. The longest-lived promethium isotope has a half-life of only 17.7 years. The presence of this element would mean that unrecognized processes – perhaps flare activities – are taking place in the atmospheres of these stars. The significance of such processes for galactic chemical evolution cannot be ruled out. We discuss the possibility that the highly improbable wavelength coincidences are due to chance, or due to contamination of the laboratory sources.

Domain interactions between streptokinase and human plasminogen.

Plasmin (Pm), the main fibrinolytic protease in the plasma, is derived from its zymogen plasminogen (Plg) by cleavage of a peptide bond at Arg(561)-Val(562). Streptokinase (SK), a widely used thrombolytic agent, is an efficient activator of human Plg. Both are multiple-domain proteins that form a tight 1:1 complex. The Plg moiety gains catalytic activity, without peptide bond cleavage, allowing the complex to activate other Plg molecules to Pm by conventional proteolysis. We report here studies on the interactions between individual domains of the two proteins and their roles in Plg activation. Individually, all three SK domains activated native Plg. While the SK alpha domain was the most active, its activity was uniquely dependent on the presence of Pm. The SK gamma domain also induced the formation of an active site in Plg(R561A), a mutant that resists proteolytic activation. The alpha and gamma domains together yielded synergistic activity, both in Plg activation and in Plg(R561A) active site formation. However, the synergistic activity of the latter was dependent on the correct N-terminal isoleucine in the alpha domain. Binding studies using surface plasmon resonance indicated that all three domains of SK interact with the Plg catalytic domain and that the beta domain additionally interacts with Plg kringle 5. These results suggest mechanistic steps in SK-mediated Plg activation. In the case of free Plg, complex formation is initiated by the rapid and obligatory interaction between the SK beta domain and Plg kringle 5. After binding of all SK domains to the catalytic domain of Plg, the SK alpha and gamma domains cooperatively induce the formation of an active site within the Plg moiety of the activator complex. Substrate Plg is then recognized by the activator complex through interactions predominately mediated by the SK alpha domain.

An extremely thermostable aromatic aminotransferase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus

Pyrococcus furiosus is a strictly anaerobic archaeon (formerly archaebacterium) that grows optimally at 100°C by the fermentation of peptides. Cell-free extracts were found to contain two distinct aromatic aminotransferases (ArAT, EC 2.6.1.57), one of which was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. P. furiosus ArAT is a homodimer with a subunit M r value of 44 000 ± 1000. Using 2-ketoglutarate as the amino acceptor, the purified enzyme catalyzed the pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PM P)-dependent transamination of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan with respective k cat values of 253, 72 and 62 (s −1 at 80°C) under saturating conditions. The K m values for all three amino acids were between 1.1 and 2.1 mM and the optimum temperature for catalysis was above 95°C. The melting point for the pure enzyme was also above 95°C as determined by change in ellipticity at 220 nm. Irreversible denaturation of the pure enzyme was not apparent after 6 h at 80°C in the presence of PM P and 2-ketoglutarate and the time required for a 50% loss in activity at 95°C was approx. 16 h. This decreased to approx. 12 h if cofactor and substrate were not added. In contrast, the apoenzyme (lacking PM P) lost most (70%) of its activity (measured after reconstitution) after 6 h at 80°C, indicating that both PM P and 2-ketoglutarate stabilize the enzyme at extreme temperatures. Although few ArATs have been characterized to date, the molecular properties and substrate specificity of P. furiosus ArAT more resemble those of the ArAT from Escherichia coli than those of the analogous enzyme from rat liver. Moreover, the P. furiosus enzyme is by far the most thermostable aminotransferase of any type to be purified so far.