Influence of cranberry juice on glucan-mediated processes involved in Streptococcus mutans biofilm development.

Cranberry juice (CJ) has biological properties that may provide health benefits. In this study, we investigated the influence of CJ (pH 5.5) on several activities in vitro associated with the development of Streptococcus mutans UA159 biofilms. The ability of CJ to influence the adherence of S. mutans to either saliva- (sHA) or glucan-coated hydroxyapatite (gsHA), and to inhibit the glucan production by purified glucosyltransferases adsorbed to sHA was determined. For the adherence assays, we used both uncoated and saliva-coated bacterial cells. Furthermore, we examined whether CJ interferes with the viability, development, polysaccharide composition and acidogenicity of S. mutans biofilms. A solution containing equivalent amounts of glucose, fructose and organic acids at pH 5.5 was used as negative control. The adherence of S. mutans (uncoated and saliva-coated) to either sHA or gsHA treated with 25% CJ (v/v) was remarkably reduced (40-85% inhibition compared to control: p < 0.05), indicating that CJ effectively blocked the bacterial adherence to binding sites in salivary pellicle and in glucans. In contrast, when the bacterial cells alone were treated with CJ they adhered to the similar untreated surfaces. Cranberry juice (25%, v/v) also inhibited the activities of surface-adsorbed GTF B and C (70-80% inhibition compared to control, p < 0.05). The effect of CJ on the viability of microorganisms in biofilms was not significant. Biofilm formation and accumulation were significantly reduced by topical applications of 25% CJ (v/v) twice daily with 1-min exposures (p < 0.05). The biomass and insoluble glucan content of the biofilms in addition to its acidogenicity were significantly reduced by cranberry treatments (p < 0.05). Our data show that cranberry juice inhibited glucan-mediated biofilm development and acid production, and holds promise as a natural product to prevent biofilm-related oral diseases.

Apigenin and tt-farnesol with fluoride effects on S. mutans biofilms and dental caries.

Apigenin (Api) and tt-farnesol (Far) are two naturally occurring agents that affect the development of cariogenic biofilms. Fluoride (F) interferes physicochemically with caries development and also exhibits antibacterial activity. We examined whether the association of Api and Far enhance the anti-caries properties of F by acting cooperatively on the expression of virulence of Streptococcus mutans. The biological effects of each of the agents were greatly enhanced when used in combination with F. In general, biofilms treated with Api and/or Far in combination with F displayed less biomass and fewer insoluble glucans and iodophilic polysaccharides than did those treated with the test agents alone (P < 0.05). The combination of the test agents with F was highly effective in preventing caries development in rats, especially Api+Far+F, and results were comparable with those observed with chlorhexidine + F (positive control). Results from these studies showed that apigenin and tt-farnesol may enhance the cariostatic effectiveness of fluoride.

Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans biofilm accumulation and polysaccharide production by apigenin and tt-farnesol.

OBJECTIVES: Apigenin is a potent inhibitor of glucosyltransferases and tt-farnesol affects the membrane integrity of Streptococcus mutans. We investigated the influence of apigenin and tt-farnesol, alone and in combination, on the accumulation, polysaccharide composition and viability of S. mutans UA159 biofilms. METHODS: Initially, biofilms were grown for 54 h; then, the early-formed biofilms were treated for 1 min twice daily with one of the following: (i). 1.33 mM tt-farnesol; (ii). 1.33 mM apigenin; (iii). apigenin + tt-farnesol (1.33 mM each); (iv). vehicle control (20% ethanol with 0.75% dimethyl sulphoxide); (v). 0.12% chlorhexidine (1.33 mM); or (vi). physiological saline (145 mM NaCl). The procedure was repeated at biofilm ages of 78 and 102 h, and biofilms were harvested at 126 h. The dry weight, protein concentration, number of cfu, and polysaccharide composition per biofilm were determined. RESULTS: The dry weights of the biofilms treated with the test agents were significantly less (30-50%) than those treated with vehicle control (P < 0.05). Biofilms treated with the test agents also resulted in lower amounts of extracellular alkali-soluble glucans, intracellular iodophilic polysaccharides and, to a lesser extent, fructans. The fructosyltransferase activity was affected only by apigenin and apigenin + tt-farnesol. The recoverable viable counts of S. mutans were slightly lower (0.5 to 1 log10 decrease in cfu/biofilm) after apigenin and tt-farnesol treatments compared with the vehicle control. Chlorhexidine displayed potent bactericidal activity, and virtually halted the further accumulation of early-formed (54 h old) biofilms. CONCLUSIONS: Apigenin and tt-farnesol affected the accumulation and polysaccharide content of S. mutans biofilms without major impact on the bacterial viability.

Acute renal failure complicating non-fulminant hepatitis A.

Hepatitis, A is usually a mild and self-limiting infection of the liver. Whereas the clinical course is usually benign in children, complications such as prolonged cholestasis and fulminant liver failure have been reported in adults. Acute functional renal failure is an uncommon event in the absence of fulminating liver disease. So far, only cases of acute hepatitis A with biopsy-proven interstitial renal disease or tubular necrosis have been reported [Geltner et al. 1992. Kramer et al. 1986]. We present the case of a 35-year-old, previously healthy male with non-fulminant cholestatic viral hepatitis A, who developed progressive oliguric renal failure requiring dialysis therapy. Kidney biopsy ruled out glomerular disease and tubular necrosis. In the absence of bleeding and other causes of fluid depletion this case may be another variant of hepatorenal syndrome whose etiopathogenesis is only poorly understood.

Epithelial misplacement after biopsy of colorectal adenomas.

The question has been raised as to whether the removal of biopsy material from colorectal adenomas can lead to misplacement of tumour fragments into the deeper layers of the bowel wall. We carried out an analysis of histological sections obtained from 21 patients in whom, between 2 and 21 days before removal of their adenoma, forceps biopsy (n = 18), or polypectomy (n = 3) had been performed. The initial histological picture a few days after biopsy is of an ulcer covered by a suppurative exudate and abundant mucus-containing small, free-lying groups of tumour cells. After an average of 7 days, we found misplacement of these groups of cells into the submucosa where, during the course of reparative processes, they became embedded within a capillary-rich granulation tissue. Subsequently, fibrosis of the submucosa develops with persistent mucus pools. Our results thus show that removal of biopsy material from adenomas can result in misplacement of tumour particles into the submucosa. These changes were observed in flat or broad-based tumours, and epithelial misplacement appears to be detectable within only a short period after biopsy. For the differential diagnosis, it is important to distinguish these changes from invasive carcinoma.

[Atrophy of the corpus mucosa of the stomach simulating polyposis]. / Atrophie der Corpusschleimhaut des Magens unter dem Bild einer Polypose.

We report on five cases of mucosal atrophy of the gastric body, under the aspect of a polyposis: These polyps showed intact mucosa with abundant fundic glands and were situated in the diffuse atrophic mucosa of the gastric body. Four of these cases were manifestations of type A gastritis, in one case the lesion surrounded a peptic ulcer. Laboratory findings of serologically analysed cases with type A gastritis showed elevated parietal cell antibodies in all cases, two of three cases showed a high level of gastrin, the values for vitamin B12 showed different levels; no patients revealed antibodies against the intrinsic factor, and no patient had pernicious anemia. The family history revealed three cases with cancer of the stomach on one side of the parents. It is important to biopsy polyps and the flat mucosa separately in order to verify this form of atrophy of the gastric mucosa and to also exclude small polypous tumors of the mucosa. Observation of the number of polyps allows a control of the extent of the atrophy of the mucosa.

[Telangiectatic anastomoses polyp of the stomach]. / Teleangiektatischer Anastomosenpolyp des Magens.

Teleangiectatic polyps (TP) of the stomach arise from granulation OFFsue mostly in elderly people in the area of gastrojejunostomy decades after surgery. During endoscopy usually polyps of a size up to 2 cm can be found with a diffuse erosion of the surface and bleeding immediately upon being touched; this may cause the clinical symptomatology of acute gastric bleeding or chronic anemia as a consequence of blood loss. TP has to be differentiated in the first line from gastric carcinoma. Therapy is difficult especially in patients with big polyps because of the bleeding tendency, 5 case reports of TP are given.

Ileal adenomas in adenomatosis of the large intestine.

A report is given of 2 cases of adenomatosis of the colon in which adenomas of the ileum had been demonstrated. The clinical problems of these hitherto rarely observed neoplasias are discussed with reference to the available literature.

Characteristics of newly awarded recipients of the Social Security regular minimum benefit.

The regular minimum Social Security benefit, which was eliminated for both current and future recipients under the Omnibus Budget Reconcilliation Act of 1981 (Public Law 97-35), was restored for current beneficiaries only under additional legislation at year end. Following passage of Public Law 97-35, a study was undertaken to examine a group of newly eligible beneficiaries who would formerly have received the minimum benefit but, under that law, would not. Although the persons sampled have since become eligible for the benefit under the subsequent legislation, they closely resemble other future beneficiaries who will not be eligible for it. This article, which reports the findings of the study, indicates that those who will be ineligible for the minimum benefit in the future are mainly housewives, who will usually be able to receive larger benefits as spouses, and persons with significant noncovered employment, who will still receive windfall benefits to some extent. The data tend to disprove the notion that those who will not receive the minimum benefit in the future are lifetime low-earners.

Administrative expenses under OASDI.

Costs of administering old-age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI) are of interest both to specialists in income maintenance and to the general public. This article presents a summary of these expenses compared with several important bases: Contribution income, benefit payments, and taxable payroll. An index is developed and used to analyze changes in administrative expense levels from 1960 through 1979. Over the long run, the cost of operate OASDI per unit of work has increased more slowly than for service industries in general, a trend that should continue in the old-age and survivors insurance program (OASI). Although implementing the 1980 Disability Amendments will raise disability insurance (DI) unit costs, these higher expenses are necessary to obtain the more selective benefit payments provided in this cost-saving legislation.

[Further characterization of a chlorogenic acid hydrolase from Aspergillus niger (author's transl)]. / Weitere Charakterisierung Chlorogensäure-Hydrolase aus Aspergillus niger.

In addition to our previous paper [1] further characteristics of the chlorogenic acid hydrolase are described. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed only one band for the purified enzyme. Sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a molecular weight of 60 000, demonstrating four subunits of the enzyme (total molecular weight 240 000). The enzyme is stable in a pH-range of 3.0--8.5 and up to a temperature of 55 degrees C. The temperature coefficient Q10 is 1.5, the activation energy EA is 6.0 kcal/mol. The amino acid analysis and substrate specificity data are given in tables. Essential for the enzyme activity is the C=C double bound neighbouring the ester linkage. The enzyme crystallizes in prisms.

[Isolation and characterization of an acetylester-hydrolase from Aspergillus niger (author's transl)]. / Isolierung und Charakterisierung einer Acetylester-Hydrolase aus Aspergilus niger.

The characteristic features of an acetic acid esters hydrolyzing enzyme (acetylesterase, EC 3.1.1.16) are described. The pH- and temperature optimum were 7.0 and 40 degrees C respectively. The stability of the enzyme regarding different pH- and temperature conditions was investigated. The molecular weight of the acetylesterase could be determined to 160 000. A small acetic ester hydrolyzing activity was found too with a molecular weight of about 25 000. The activity was not inhibited by addition of di-isopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP) or physostigmine. The KM-value for glyceryl triacetate was about 90 mM. Concentration of the enzyme was done by ultrafiltration and column-chromatography. The enzymatic activity tests were performed titrimetrically using glyceryl triacetate for substrate.

Isolation and characterization of a chlorogenic acid esterase from Aspergillus niger.

The isolation and characterization of a specific chlorogenic acid esterase is described. The enzyme activity is measured by determination of the hydrolysis product caffeic acid. The enzyme had been concentrated by means of ultrafiltration and column-chromatography. The pH- and temperature optimum were 6.5 and 45 degrees C respectively. Divalent cations were not required for the enzyme activity. As other esterases, this enzyme is inhibited by di-isopropyl-phosphorofluoridate. The Km-value is 0.70 mM chlorogenic acid, the molecule weight 240 000. The described enzyme is specific for chlorogenic acid. On the other hand a typical unspecific esterase like the pig liver esterases does not split chlorogenic acid. The isoelectric focusing reveals several isoenzymes of chlorogenase within a pI-range of 4.0-4.5.

[Cancer formation in a hyperplasiogenic gastric polyp (author's transl)]. / Hyperplasiogener Magenpolyp mit Karzinombildung.

Patients carrying hyperplasiogenic polyps are considered to be a higher risk in regard to carcinogenesis, since a high incidence of cancer has been demonstrated in this group. Usually cancers however originated in other parts of the stomach wall and not in the polyps. Formation of cancer in a polyp is a very rare event. A case report is given of a patient carrying a hyperplasiogenic polyp from which originated cancer. Carcinogenesis is discussed from a formal and causal point of view.

Climate associated variations in the human serum albumin level.

Quantitative determinations of the human serum albumin level showed significantly higher values in tropical (Negroes 46.98 mg/ml, Indians 54.30 mg/ml) than in non-tropical populations (Germans 44.41 mg/ml). These observations are in agreement with those of several other authors. It is assumed that these variations in the serum albumin level are related to climate, and that they may indicate some biological advantage of higher albumin levels under the climatic conditions of tropical biotops. This hypothesis is discussed considering several aspects.