Mice lacking perforin have improved regeneration of the injured femoral nerve

The role that the immune system plays after injury of the peripheral nervous system is still not completely understood. Perforin, a natural killer cell- and T-lymphocyte-derived enzyme that mediates cytotoxicity, plays important roles in autoimmune diseases, infections and central nervous system trauma, such as spinal cord injury. To dissect the roles of this single component of the immune response to injury, we tested regeneration after femoral nerve injury in perforin-deficient (Pfp^–/–) and wild-type control mice. Single frame motion analysis showed better motor recovery in Pfp^–/– mice compared with control mice at 4 and 8 weeks after injury. Retrograde tracing of the motoneuron axons regrown into the motor nerve branch demonstrated more correctly projecting motoneurons in the spinal cord of Pfp^–/– mice compared with wild-types. Myelination of regrown axons measured by g-ratio was more extensive in Pfp^–/– than in wild-type mice in the motor branch of the femoral nerve. Pfp^–/– mice displayed more cholinergic synaptic terminals around cell bodies of spinal motoneurons after injury than the injured wild-types. We histologically analyzed lymphocyte infiltration 10 days after surgery and found that in Pfp^–/– mice the number of lymphocytes in the regenerating nerves was lower than in wild-types, suggesting a closed blood-nerve barrier in Pfp^–/– mice. We conclude that perforin restricts motor recovery after femoral nerve injury owing to decreased survival of motoneurons and reduced myelination.

Sex differences in anatomical parameters of acetabulum among asymptomatic Serbian population

BACKGROUND/AIM

Anatomical parameters of the bony components of the hip joint are essential for better understanding of etiopathogenesis of diseases like primary osteoarthrosis of the hip joint. The aim of this reserch was to examine the normal acetabular morphometry in Serbian population and to determine whether there are sex differences in anatomical parameters of the acetabulum among asymptomatic subjects.

METHODS

Pelvic radiographics of 320 adult asymptomatic patients (640 hips) were analyzed in 170 men and 150 women to determine the morphology of the acetabulum in Serbian population. For each hip the center edge angle of Wiberg (CEA), the acetabular angle of Sharp (AA), acetabular depth (AD), acetabular roof obliquity (ARO) and roof angle (RA) were measured.

RESULTS

The following average measurements for acetabulum geometry were obtained (x +/- SD): CEA - 33.5 +/- 6.5 degrees (33.6 +/- 5.8 degrees in male, 33.3 +/- 6.9 degrees in female), AA - 38.0 +/- 3.8 degrees (37.5 +/- 3.6 degrees in male, 38.5 +/- 3.9 degrees in female), AD - 11.9 +/- 2.8 mm (12.5 +/- 2.7 mm in male, 11.2 +/- 2.7 mm in female), ARO - 7.6 +/- 5.7 degrees (6.2 +/- 4.9 degrees in male, 9.0 +/- 6.0 degrees in female) and RA - 18.4 +/- 10.0 degrees (19.6 +/- 8.5 degrees in male, 17.1 +/- 9.5 degrees in female). There were significant differences in the CEA, AA, AD, ARO and RA related to gender (p < 0.01, t-test).

CONCLUSION

There are significant gender differences in Serbian population for all the examined anatomical parameters of acetabulum. We found sex-related differences in acetabular morphology, female acetabulum being marginally more dysplastic than male acetabulum. There is also a clear tendency of female hips to be more dysplastic than male ones.

The responses of rat liver glucocorticoid receptors and genes for tyrosine aminotransferase, alpha-2-macroglobulin and gamma-fibrinogen to adrenalectomy-, dexamethasone- and inflammation-induced changes in the levels of glucocorticoids and proinflammatory cytokines

The responses of liver glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and genes coding for a glucocorticoid-inducible tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) and two acute-phase proteins (APP) [alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha2-M) and gamma-fibrinogen (Fb)] to changes in glucocorticoid (GC) and proinflammatory (AP) cytokine contents have been examined in rats after single or combined treatments with turpentine oil, dexamethasone (Dex) and adrenalectomy. Activation of two APP genes in turpentine-induced inflammation was accompanied by an increase in the level of GR mRNA and a preferential translocation of GR-GC complexes to the nucleoplasm, while the expression of TAT remained unaltered. Dex alone caused a decrease in the levels of GR and Fb mRNAs, activation of TAT and alpha2-M genes, a decrease in the affinity of hormone binding sites and redistribution of translocated GR-Dex complexes within the nuclei. Inflammation potentiated the effect which Dex alone exerted on the GR content and the number of GR binding sites but counteracted its influence on the affinity of GR binding sites and nuclear distribution of GR-Dex complexes. Adrenalectomy promoted a fall in TAT mRNA, no changes in the GR and Fb mRNA, a decrease in the affinity of GR hormone binding sites and redistribution of GR-hormone complexes within the nuclei. The AP cytokines released in response to inflammation exerted a counteracting effect on the adrenalectomy-induced changes in the affinity of hormone binding sites and nuclear distribution of GR-hormone complexes. They potentiated a fall of TAT mRNA but promoted full expression of the Fb gene. These results argue strongly for the influence of AP cytokines on the functional state of the GR and GC signaling pathways.

[Relation between dental plaque fluoride content and caries]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of plaque fluoride content on dental caries in children aged 12 years, from the area with minimal (Valjevo) and optimal and/or higher fluoride concentrations (Vranjska Banja) in drinking water. The caries prevalence was determined by the standardized epidemiological method. The fluoride concentration in dental plaques was measured with the Ion-selective electrode. The fluoride content in the plaque of children from Valjevo (7.8 ppm) was significantly smaller than in children from Vranjska Banja (36.5 ppm). In 12-year old individuals with the lowest fluoride concentrations in the plaque the greatest values of the caries prevalence were found. The increase in plaque fluoride content provoked the decrease in caries prevalence. The lowest values of caries index were found in children with 21 to 30 ppF in dental plaque.

[Adentol (natural sweetener) and caries prevention]

Numerous epidemiological, experimental and clinical studies have established, without doubt, the correlation between the consumption of dietary sugars and caries prevalence. The increase of the sugar consumption in Yugoslavia is in direct correlation with caries activity in children. One of the aims of preventive programmes is to improve the diet habits through the use of non-cariogenic sugar substitutes. Adentol is a hydrogenated glucose syrup obtained from the enzymic hydrolysis of corn starch, made by D.P.,"HPK" Bosanska Dubica-Yugoslavia. Its chemical content is very similar to that of Lycasin 80/55 (Roquette Frères-France). Published data on its behaviour in acid production in vitro and in dental plaques, its effect on the oral microorganisms and the process of remineralization of initial caries lesions, suggest that hydrogenated glucose syrup (Lycasin, Adentol) is less fermentable in oral cavity and without cariogenic properties. Substitution of dietary sugars by Adentol in confectionery and syrup medicines is likely to be of significant benefit to dental health.

[Relation between plaque index and gingival cell infiltrate in experimental animals]

The aim of this study was to determine the relation between plaque and gingival cell infiltrates in highly imbreaded laboratory rats during experimentally provoked gingivitis. In this experiment 24 Lewis rats, aged 1-3 months, were used. From the zero day of inflammation plaque was scored by Sillnes and Löe index, while the presence of gingival cell infiltrate was determined with the stereological method. The results point out that the elder animals manifested early plaque accumulation, while the young group of animals presented a more intensive gingival cell infiltration. On the basis of the obtained results it can be concluded that within the equal amounts of plaque the young animals had a more intensive gingival cell infiltration as the result of distincet defensive reaction to the presence of microbial antigens.

Oral health in SFR Yugoslavia in 1986

A pilot oral health epidemiological survey using WHO assessment forms was conducted in Yugoslavia in the year 1986. The study population consisted of 2600 persons aged 6, 12, 15, 18, 35-44, and over 65 yr. The survey included 22 towns (11 developed and 11 underdeveloped) in the six Republics and two Provinces of Yugoslavia. The results showed the prevalence of dental caries in the Yugoslav population to be very high (98.7% in 12-yr-olds). The mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMF) scores were as follows: 6.1 at age 12 yr, 9.6 at age 15, 10.9 at age 18, 18.0 at age 35-44, and 28.0 in persons aged over 65 yr. Assessment of the periodontal status showed calculus to be the predominant disorder in the age groups 18 and 35-44 yr, while loss of sextants prevailed in persons aged over 65 yr.