Real-Time PCR Method as Diagnostic Tool for Detection of Periodontal Pathogens in Patients with Periodontitis

The most common type of periodontal disease is chronic periodontitis, an inflammatory condition caused by pathogenic bacteria in subgingival plaque. The aim of our study was the development of a real-time PCR test as a diagnostic tool for the detection and differentiation of five periodontopathogenic bacteria, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Prevotella intermedia, and Treponema denticola, in patients with periodontitis. We compared the results of our in-house method with the micro-IDent® semiquantitative commercially available test based on the PCR hybridization method. DNA was isolated from subgingival plaque samples taken from 50 patients and then analyzed by both methods. Comparing the results of the two methods, they show a specificity of 100% for all bacteria. The sensitivity for A. actinomycetemcomitans was 97.5%, for P. gingivalis 96.88%, and for P. intermedia 95.24%. The sensitivity for Tannerella forsythia and T. denticola was 100%. The Spearman correlation factor of two different measurements was 0.976 for A. actinomycetemcomitans, 0.967 for P. gingivalis, 0.949 for P. intermedia, 0.966 for Tannerella forsythia, and 0.917 for T. denticola. In conclusion, the in-house real-time PCR method developed in our laboratory can provide information about relative amount of five bacterial species present in subgingival plaque in patients with periodontitis. It is likely that such a test could be used in dental diagnostics in assessing the efficacy of any treatment to reduce the bacterial burden.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Cannabidiol in Croatia among Students, Physicians, and Pharmacists

Due to cannabidiol's health benefits and absence of serious side effects, its use is constantly growing. This is a survey-based cross-sectional study that was conducted to determine Croatian pharmacists', physicians', and students' knowledge and attitudes about cannabidiol (CBD). Two questionnaires were created, one for students and the other for physicians and pharmacists. Our participants (in total 874: 473 students and 401 physicians and pharmacists) generally had positive attitudes towards CBD therapy as approximately 60% of them believe that CBD treatment is generally efficacious. Participants had positive attitudes toward the therapeutic value of CBD, especially pharmacists and pharmacy students (63.8% and 72.2%, respectively). Pharmacists were significantly more convinced that CBD could reduce the use of opioids prescribed for chronic pain (p < 0.05). Only 17.5% of students had read scientific papers about CBD, compared to a significantly higher percentage of physicians and pharmacists (43.0% and 47.8%, respectively) (p < 0.05). This study revealed a gap in knowledge regarding CBD, since 89.3% of pharmacists and physicians, as well as 84.8% of students, believe they need more education about CBD. We conclude that it is important to improve the educational curricula so that medical professionals can recommend CBD use to their patients when needed.

Differences in Plasma Cannabidiol Concentrations in Women and Men: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study

The potential therapeutic benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) require further study. Here, we report a triple-blind (participant, investigator, and outcome assessor) placebo-controlled crossover study in which 62 hypertensive volunteers were randomly assigned to receive the recently developed DehydraTECH2.0 CBD formulation or a placebo. This is the first study to have been conducted using the DehydraTECH2.0 CBD formulation over a 12-week study duration. The new formulation's long-term effects on CBD concentrations in plasma and urine, as well as its metabolites 7-hydroxy-CBD and 7-carboxy-CBD, were analyzed. The results of the plasma concentration ratio for CBD/7-OH-CBD in the third timepoint (after 5 weeks of use) were significantly higher than in the second timepoint (after 2.5 weeks of use; p = 0.043). In the same timepoints in the urine, a significantly higher concentration of 7-COOH-CBD was observed p < 0.001. Differences in CBD concentration were found between men and women. Plasma levels of CBD were still detectable 50 days after the last consumption of the CBD preparations. Significantly higher plasma CBD concentrations occurred in females compared to males, which was potentially related to greater adipose tissue. More research is needed to optimize CBD doses to consider the differential therapeutic benefits in men and women.

Leafy Vegetable Nitrite and Nitrate Content: Potential Health Effects

The aim of this research was to determine the concentrations of nitrates and nitrites in different types of vegetables that are commonly represented in the diet of the inhabitants of Split and Dalmatian County. Therefore, using the method of random selection, there were 96 samples of different vegetables. The determination of the nitrate and nitrite concentrations was carried out by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD). The nitrate concentrations in the range 2.1-4526.3 mg kg^-1 were found in 92.7% of the analyzed samples. The highest nitrate values were found in rucola (Eruca sativa L.) followed by Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.). In 36.5% of the leafy vegetables intended for consumption without prior heat treatment, nitrite was found in the range of 3.3-537.9 mg kg^-1. The high levels of nitrite in the vegetables intended for fresh consumption and the high nitrate values in Swiss chard indicate the need to establish maximum nitrite limits in vegetables, as well as the broadening of legal nitrate limits to wide varieties of vegetables.

NUTRITION AND MINERAL CONTENT IN HUMAN TEETH THROUGH THE CENTURIES

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the study were: (i) to compare mineral values of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and their ratios, in teeth from Croatian populations that lived in different historical periods, namely the Medieval period, the early 20th century, and the 21 st century; and (ii) to elucidate the influence of diet and lifestyle on tooth quality in these groups.

DESIGN

Determination of mineral content (Ca, Mg, P and Zn) in 294 teeth from three different periods of history (Medieval Period [G1], Second World War period [G2] and the contemporary period [G3]) using atomic absorption spectrometer and UV/VIS spectrometer methods.

RESULTS

Our results showed that the mineral content in teeth has changed over the centuries. Between analysed samples from all groups, there were significant differences in the elemental content as well as in the interrelationship of the elements. The largest differences were observed in the mean values of magnesium and zinc concentrations while smaller differences were observed for changes in calcium and phosphorus.

CONCLUSIONS

From the obtained results, it is evident that there are changes in the tooth mineral composition in specimens centuries apart that could be a reflection of changes in eating habits, food quality and the environment. In addition to differences in individual elements, differences in their mutual ratios were also observed.

Identification process of skeletal remains from mass graves: Our experience and proposal guidelines

Aim of this paper is to present our experience and proposal guidelines for reducing the number of samples for DNA analysis of skeletal remains from mass graves, whether for scientific purpose or for the identification of mass graves victims. Therefore, the analysis of 94 bone fragments included the following measurements: femur length and the femoral head diameter, the diameter of the upper, wider portion and lower wider portion of the bone fragment, densitometry of the fragments and measurement of mass and volume of fragments. Bone density was determined on the basis of measured values of mass and volume. The results of fragment matching by physical analyses were compared with the pairing results obtained by previously conducted DNA analysis. Deviation in measured values of matching bone fragments that made a pair was calculated for all successfully matched fragments. By the results of DNA analysis 36 femoral pairs were successfully formed. Measured values were added to the DNA analysis. Out of 36 pairs, positively ascertained by the DNA analysis, 29 pairs were formed after adding the results of physical measurements and removing the data where femur samples were damaged. Total correspondence in measurements of the femoral length was noted in 25.9% pairs, while the correspondence within the 5% error was 100%. Density of the tested femurs was significantly different for the same person (DNA match), both for the left and the right femoral fragment. It would be optimal to choose only the whole-length left or right femur and thus reduce the number of samples by 50%. With regard to the results of our research and the observations deriving from them, as well as to the guidelines we used in the study, we suggested these guidelines be used both for scientific researches and to identify mass graves victims.

The role of alcohol in road traffic accidents with fatal outcome: 10-year period in Croatia Split-Dalmatia County

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption and fatal road traffic accidents that took place in Split-Dalmatia County (Croatia) during a 10-year period (from August 2001 to August 2011).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 474 autopsy reports was performed, with an emphasis on 337 toxicologal findings of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the mode of participation in traffic (driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist). Relations between the BAC, the weekday on which death occurred, victim's age and gender, and differences according to 3 successive legislation periods within the observed time frame were analyzed. The BAC was measured by gas chromatography with headspace and flame ionization detection.

RESULTS

Alcohol was regarded as a contributive death factor if BAC was positive; that is, higher than 0.5 g/kg. BAC was positive in 177 cases. Most often it was the car driver who had a positive BAC. Victims of traffic accidents were mostly male drivers, and those accidents were more often associated with alcohol consumption. Consumption of alcohol produced a significant increase in culpability.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study show that alcohol remains one of the main contributing factors of traffic accidents in Split-Dalmatia County. Unfortunately, legislation changes regarding the allowed BAC did not cause any reduction in casualties among drivers driving under the influence of alcohol (DUIA). Chi-square test of the number of total driver victims and driver victims who were DUIA revealed no significant difference (P = .173).

Microbial ethanol production in postmortem urine sample

We present a case in which postmortem blood ethanol concentration was 0.02 g/kg and acetone concentration was 0.51 g/kg, while urine ethanol concentration was 6.0 g/kg and acetone concentration was 0.63 g/kg. In the urine sample, sodium fluoride was not added. The urinary ethanol concentration continued to increase without any remarkable increase of isopropanol concentration and external contamination was excluded. Species of bacteria and yeasts, including Candida glabrata, were isolated from urine and blood samples. A few days after the collection of samples, we received the information that the patient was diabetic and did not receive insulin therapy regularly. To prevent postmortem microbial ethanol production and incorrect diagnosis of the cause of death, it is necessary to add sodium fluoride to blood and urine samples collected from diabetic patients.

Comparison of acute effects of red wine, beer and vodka against hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress and increase in arterial stiffness in healthy humans

OBJECTIVE

We determined and compared acute effects of different alcoholic beverages on oxygen-induced increase in oxidative stress plasma marker and arterial stiffness in healthy humans.

METHODS

Ten males randomly consumed one of four tested beverages: red wine (RW), vodka, beer (0.32 g ethanol/kg body wt) and water as control. Every beverage was consumed once, a week apart, in a cross-over design. The volunteers breathed 100% normobaric O(2) between 60th and 90th min of 3h study protocol. Plasma lipid peroxides (LOOH) and uric acid (UA) concentration, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and arterial stiffness (indicated by augmentation index, AIx) were measured before and 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min after beverage consumption.

RESULTS

Intake of all alcoholic beverages caused a similar increase of BAC. The oxygen-induced elevation in AIx was similarly reduced in all three groups relative to the control (3.4 ± 1.3%, 5.4 ± 2.2% and 0.2 ± 1.6% vs. 13.7 ± 2.6% for red wine, vodka, beer and control, respectively, 60 min after intake). Exposure to oxygen resulted in increased plasma LOOH in all groups. However, in RW group this increase was lowest (1.1 ± 0.5) in comparison to the vodka (2.1 ± 0.5), beer (1.6±0.3) and control (2.5 ± 0.4μM/L H(2)O(2)). 60 min after intake of RW and beer plasma UA significantly increased (34 ± 4 and 15 ± 3) in contrast to vodka and control (-6 ± 2 and -8 ± 2μmol/L).

CONCLUSION

All three alcoholic beverages provided similar protection against oxygen-induced increase in arterial stiffness, probably due to central vasodilatatory effect of alcohol itself, but only RW provided protection against oxygen-induced oxidative stress.

Antimicrobial effects of wine: separating the role of polyphenols, pH, ethanol, and other wine components

While the antimicrobial effectiveness of wine is well documented, relative contributions of the wine components to its antimicrobial activity is controversial. To separate the role of wine phenolics, ethanol, and pH from other wine constituents, the antimicrobial effects of intact wine were compared to that of phenols-stripped wine, dealcoholized wine, ethanol, and low pH applied separately and in combination, against 2 common foodborne pathogens, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and Escherichia coli. All samples were biochemically characterized with respect to their total phenolics and resveratrol content, antioxidant capacity, ethanol content, and pH. Antioxidative activity of the samples corresponded to their total phenolics content. Except for respective controls, pH and ethanol content were similar in all samples. The order of antibacterial activity of the samples was: intact wine > phenols-stripped wine > dealcoholized wine > combination of ethanol and low pH > low pH > ethanol. Separate application of ethanol or low pH showed negligible antibacterial activity while their combination showed synergistic effect. Antibacterial activity of the samples could not be related to their total phenolics and resveratrol content, antioxidant capacity, ethanol content, or pH. Our study indicates that antimicrobial activity of complex solutions such as intact wine cannot be exclusively attributed to its phenolic or nonphenolic constituents, nor can the antimicrobial activity of wine be predicted on the basis of its particular components.

Interaction of humic acids with human DNA: proposed mechanisms and kinetics

Human DNA quantification by quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) has gained great importance in forensic DNA and ancient DNA studies. However, in such samples, DNA quantification is impaired by the frequently present humic acid (HA). We have previously shown that the addition of synthetic HA inhibits QRT-PCR. In this study we investigated the possible mechanisms of HA interaction with human DNA, and kinetics of QRT-PCR inhibition. In QRT-PCR with pure human DNA and no HA added, VMAX was 40. With DNA sample containing 4 microg/mL of HA, VMAX was 30.30 while the addition of extra Taq polymerase to the same sample changed VMAX into 38.91, amplifying between 80 and 90% of input DNA. The KM/VMAX ratio in all the samples remained constant, indicating that the mechanism of HA inhibition of QRT-PCR is uncompetitive by nature. Moreover, HA shifts the human DNA melting temperature point (Tm) from 75 to 87 degrees C and inhibits DNase I-mediated DNA cleavage, most probably affecting the enzyme's activity.