Comparative Fluoride Release in Commonly Used Topical Fluoride Agents – An In Vitro Study

Background: Fluoride, the pivot of preventive dentistry, continues to be the ideal agent for modern caries prevention philosophy. Differential release of fluoride has implications on cariostatic property of the commercially available materials and thus indicating the importance of fluoride release after the application. Therefore the objective of this study was to assess the difference in fluoride release from the commercially available NaF, SnF2 and APF as compared to controls at different time intervals. Methods: 40 caries free sound premolars were selected for the study and randomly divided into 4 groups (10 specimens each). Teeth specimens in each group were subjected to respective Fluoride treatment i.e. Group I (2% NaF), Group II (8% SnF2), Group III (1.23% APF) and Group IV (No Fluoride treatment). All specimens were immersed in deionized water and samples collected after 1 hour, 1 day and 1 week were subjected to Fluoride estimation. Results: At 1 hour time interval, highest amount of fluoride release ranging from 6.76 to 8.58 ppm was observed in Group II - SnF2 that was significantly higher than NaF and APF treated specimens. At 1-day time interval, Group II – SnF2 and Group III – APF showed a higher release of fluoride ranging from 0.81–0.93 and 0.61–0.79 ppm respectively. At 1-week time interval, the fluoride release almost reached baseline values in all the groups except in Group II – SnF2 that still maintained a high fluoride release ranging from 0.62–0.84 ppm. Conclusion: 8% SnF2 is expected to have greater anticaries potential than 2% NaF and 1.23% APF gel, due to its high fluoride releasing property for prolonged period of time.

Diagnostic Value of Peptidylarginine Deaminase-4 in Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of peptidylarginine deaminase-4 (PADI-4)detected in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods The levels of PADI-4,anti-CCP antibodies,AKA and APF were detected by ELISA in serum samples from 58 patients with RA,40 other rheumatic disease and 30 healthy individuals.The indicators were evaluate by application of ROC curve analysis,analysis of variance and correlation.Results PADI-4 serum level(2.653±2.719 U/L) of patients with RA was significantly higher than other rheumatic diseases group (0.872 ± 0.292 U/L)and the healthy group (0.793±0.243 U/L),the difference was statistically significant (t=22.732,35.371,P<0.01).Receiver operator curve analysis (ROC)showed an opitium cut off level for PADI-4 at 1.284 U/L,the sensitivity of PADI-4 was 62.1%.The specificity was 91.4% in RA.There was no significant difference between the positive rate of PADI-4 (62.1%)and APF (50%),AKA (56.9%)(χ2=0.322,P=0.570;χ2=1.715,P=0.190),and there was asignificant difference between PADI-4 and anti CCP antibody (χ2=4.161,P=0.041);a positive correlation between PADI-4 and APF,AKA (r=0.652,0.666, P<0.01),PADI-4 and between anti CCP antibody showed no correlation (r=0.122,P=0.357).Conclusion PADI-4 was significantly increased in serum of RA patients in part,PADI-4 has good sensitivity and specificity of RA,a new diagnostic markers might become independent of antibody against CCP in RA.

Evaluación de las enzimas celulolíticas producidas por hongosnativos mediante fermentación en estado sólido (SSF) utilizando residuos de cosecha de caña de azúcar / Evaluation of cellulolytic enzymes produced by native fungi through solid state fermentation (SSF) using sugarcane harvesting residues

Los residuos agrícolas de cosecha de caña de azúcar (RAC), se constituyen en una materia prima alternativa para la producción de etanol carburante, dado su contenido de celulosa próximo al 40%. El aprovechamiento de la celulosa depende de la aplicación de tratamientos fisicoquímicos o bioquímicos, que permitan la liberación de la glucosa y su posterior utilización en procesos fermentativos. La hidrólisis enzimática de estos residuos requiere un complejo celulolítico producido por microorganismos, comprendido por tres actividades enzimáticas: Endoglucanasas, Exoglucanasas y β-Glucosidasas. En el presente estudio, se evaluaron las enzimas celulolíticas producidas por dos hongos nativos del género Aspergillus spp., CH 2016 y CH 2001, mediante procesos de fermentación en estado sólido utilizando como sustrato RAC pre-tratados con organosolventes (deslignificado) y sin este pre-tratamiento. La cepa CH 2016 presentó la mayor actividad endoglucanasa 11,0773 U/mL en el sustrato sin pre-tratar el día siete de fermentación; esta misma cepa, en el sustrato deslignificado presentó la mayor actividad exoglucanasa (0,042 U/mL) y celulasa total (0,287 UPF/mL) en el día cinco de fermentación. La cepa CH 2001 presentó la mayor actividad β-glucosidasa (0,1778 U/mL) en el sustrato sin pre-tratar el día cinco de fermentación. Se observó que las variables sustrato y tiempo de fermentación, inciden en la expresión de las enzimas celulolíticas obteniendo en este trabajo extractos enzimáticos que pueden llevar a cabo una acción hidrolítica sinérgica sobre la celulosa.

Sugarcane harvesting residues are considered as a raw material for fuel ethanol production due its high content of cellulose, around 40% DS. The use of cellulose depends of the application of physicochemical or biochemical treatments that allow the release of glucose and its subsequent uses in fermentation processes. The enzymatic hydrolysis of these residues requires a cellulolytic complex produced by microorganisms, including three enzymatic activities: Endoglucanases, β-Glucosidases and Exoglucanases. In the present study, cellulolytic enzymes produced by two native fungi Aspergillus spp., CH 2016 and CH 2001 was assessment, through of solid-state fermentation processes using as raw substrate RAC and pre-treated with organosolvents (delignified). Strain CH 2016 had the highest endoglucanase activity 11.0773 U/mL in the raw substrate on day seven of fermentation, the same strain, in the delignified substrate showed the highest activity exoglucanasa (0.042 U/mL ) and total cellulase (0.287 UPF/mL) on day five of fermentation. Strain CH 2001 got the highest β-glucosidase activity (0.1778 U/mL) in the substrate without pre-treatment on day 5 of fermentation. It was observed that the variables as substrate and fermentation time affected the expression of cellulolytic enzymes.

Antiproliferative Factor Signaling and Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

A unique glycopeptide, antiproliferative factor (APF), has been suggested as a urinary biomarker and potential mediator of long-term bladder disorder Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome. There is no known cause for this disease. Several mechanistic approaches have been employed to address the underlying mechanism whereby APF regulates cellular responses in the bladder epithelium. A summary of recent literature is provided, and is focused on signal transduction pathways and networks that are responsive to APF.

Comparative efficacy of two treatment modalities for dentinal hypersensitivity: A clinical trial.

Background: Dentin hypersensitivity is a recurrent condition causing discomfort and sometimes pain to the patient, which also deters him from maintaining adequate oral hygiene. Home care and office measures are used for treatment of this malady. Aim: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of 2 treatment modalities for dentinal hypersensitivity, iontophoresis with acidulated phosphate gel (APF) gel, and dentin-bonding agent application. Materials and Methods: This split mouth randomized clinical study recruited subjects with a history of hypersensitivity with at least 2 teeth, verified by a light stroke with a dental explorer along the cervical third of the teeth. The patients were subjected to a 1-s air blast and cold water stimuli and their responses were recorded on a verbal rating scale. A total of 30 sites from 15 patients were divided into Group A-1.23% APF gel iontophoresis; and Group B-aqueous solution of hydroxyl-ethyl-methacrylate and glutaraldehyde. The teeth were evaluated immediately after the treatment and at the end of 2 weeks. In case of failure, the tooth was retreated with the same agent as before. Results: The results were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U tests. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups at the end of 2 weeks. However, Group A was more effective clinically, with fewer number of failures compared with Group B. Conclusion: Both the agents showed a statistically significant reduction in sensitivity compared with baseline; however, APF gel iontophoresis was more effective in reducing hypersensitivity over a longer time period.

Diagnostic Value of the Antiperinuclear Factor by Indirect Immunofluorescence Method / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: The antiperinuclear factor (APF) has been reported both as a diagnostic tool and as a prognostic marker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our purpose is to study the diagnostic value of the APF, and to compare the detection method of the indirect immunofluorescence method (IIF) and the citrullinated cyclic peptides enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CCP-ELISA). METHODS: A total of 131 patients were included in this study. The APF were measured with both the IIF and ELISA. The IIF and ELISA procedures were carried out following the kit's instructions. The medical records such as C-reactive protein (CRP), erythroid sedimentation rate (ESR), the Ritchie index and diagnosis were reviewed retrospectively. SPSS (version 10.0, SPSS inc., USA) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The patients were 94 with RA, 26 with osteoarthritis, 7 with fibromyalgia syndrome, and 3 with palindromic rheumatism, 2 with gout, 2 with systemic lupus erythematosus, 1 with Behcet's disease, and 7 with non specific rheumatic diseases. The sensitivity and the specificity of the APF test in patients with RA were 93%, and 81%, while those with the rheumatoid factor (RF) were 91% and 63% , suggesting the APF has a higher specificity than RF. The area under the curve of APF was 0.87 (95% confidence interval, 0.79 - 0.95), but RF was 0.77 (95% confidence interval, 0.67- 0.87). The kappa statistics between the two detection methods IIF and ELISA was 0.667 (P=0.000), indicating disagreement between these two methods. The detection sensitivety and specificity of APF-IIF were 89% and 73%, while those of ELISA were 80% and 73%. The area under the curve of APF-IIF was 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.72- 0.90), but CCP-ELISA was 0.77 (95% confidence interval, 0.67- 0.86). There was a statistically significant correlation between the APF grade and the clinical parameters such as RF (r=0.503, P=0.000), CRP (r=0.333, P=0.000) and ESR (r=0.261, P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the APF could play a role in diagnosing RA in addition to RF. APF-IIF showed a higher sensitivity than ELISA.