Delayed gastric emptying and altered antrum protein metabolism during activity-based anorexia

BACKGROUND

Anorexia nervosa, a restrictive eating disorder, is often associated with gastrointestinal disorders, particularly a delayed gastric emptying. However, the mechanisms remained poorly documented. Thus, we aimed to evaluate gastric emptying and antrum protein metabolism in the Activity-Based Anorexia model (ABA).

METHODS

Females C57Bl/6 mice were randomized into 3 groups: Control, ABA, and Limited Food Access (LFA). Food access has been progressively limited from 6 h/day at day 6 to 3 h/day at day 9 and until day 17. ABA mice had free access to an activity wheel. Gastric emptying was assessed. On gastric extracts, a proteomic analysis was performed, as well as an evaluation of protein synthesis and protein oxidation.

KEY RESULTS

Both LFA and ABA mice exhibited a delayed gastric emptying compared with Controls (P < .05). Proteomic approach revealed 15 proteins that were differentially expressed. Among these proteins, we identified 2 clusters of interest contributing to (i) the organization of muscle fiber with ACTA2, VCL, KRT19, KRT8, and DES proteins and (ii) "heat shock proteins" with STIP1, HSPD1, and HSPA8 proteins. ABA mice specifically exhibited an increased rate of gastric oxidized proteins.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

Delayed gastric emptying observed in anorectic conditions appears to be secondary to malnutrition. However, an oxidative stress is specifically present in the stomach of ABA mice. Its role remains to be further studied.

Chronic delivery of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in rat hypothalamus using albumin-alginate microparticles: effects on food intake and body weight

Chronic delivery of neuropeptides in the brain is a useful experimental approach to study their long-term effects on various biological parameters. In this work, we tested albumin-alginate microparticles, as a potential delivery system, to study if continuous release in the hypothalamus of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), an anorexigenic neuropeptide, may result in a long-term decrease in food intake and body weight. The 2-week release of α-MSH from peptide-loaded particles was confirmed by an in vitro assay. Then, daily food intake and body weight were studied for 18 days in rats injected bilaterally into the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus with particles loaded or not with α-MSH. A decrease in body weight gain, persisting throughout the study, was found in rats injected with α-MSH-charged particles as compared with rats receiving non-charged particles and with rats injected with the same dose of α-MSH in solution. Food intake was significantly decreased for 3 days in rats receiving α-MSH-loaded particles and it was not followed by the feeding rebound effect which appears after food restriction. The presence of α-MSH-loaded particles in the hypothalamus was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, our study validates albumin-alginate microparticles as a new carrier system for long-term delivery of neuropeptides in the brain and demonstrates that chronic delivery of α-MSH in the hypothalamus results in a prolonged suppression of food intake and a decrease of body weight gain in rats.

[One-leg cycling aerobic training with the healthy leg in amateur soccer players after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction]

OBJECTIVE

To examine cardiorespiratory fitness changes in subjects having undergone knee surgery and to assess the benefits of one-leg cycling aerobic training program during the rehabilitation period.

METHOD

Two groups of 12 patients took part in this study. The control group profited from a five weeks conventional rehabilitation in day hospital without cardiorespiratory training. The second group profited in supplement from a one-leg cycling aerobic training program with the valid leg. The subjects were trained for 21 min, by alternating 3 min at 70% and 3 min at 85% of VO(2 peak). They totaled 15 sessions spread over five weeks. The initial evaluation (T1) is carried out the first day of rehabilitation and the final evaluation (T2) at a distance within 35 days. The evaluation consisted in realizing a maximal graded tests starting from the valid leg.

RESULTS

After five weeks of conventional rehabilitation, we record a reduction of peak power output (W(peak)), peak oxygen uptake (VO(2 peak)) and peak minute ventilation (VE(peak)), respectively of 11, 12 and 13% for the control group. On the other hand, in T2, the training group has on average identical maximum values and some of them increased (W(peak): +14%; VE(peak): +15%). The first and second ventilatory thresholds appear with higher intensities of exercises.

CONCLUSION

After knee surgery, conventional rehabilitation does not limit cardiorespiratory deconditioning. One leg cycling appears to be an adapted method to stop the effects of hypoactivity.

Respiratory Muscle Oxygenation Kinetics: Relationships with Breathing Pattern during Exercise

This work aimed to investigate accessory respiratory muscle oxygenation (RMO(2)) during exercise, using near-infrared spectroscopy, and to study relationships between RMO(2) kinetics and breathing parameters. Nineteen young males (19.3 +/- 1.5 years) performed a maximal incremental test on a cycle ergometer. Changes in breathing pattern were characterized by accelerated rise in the breathing frequency (f (Racc)), plateau of tidal volume (V (Tplateau)) and inflection point in the V. (E)/V (T) relationship (V. (E)/V (T inflection)). First and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2) were also determined. RMO (2) kinetics were monitored by NIRS on the serratus anterior. During exercise, all subjects showed reduced RMO (2) (deoxygenation) with a breakdown (B-RMO(2)) at submaximal workload (86 % .VO(2max)). .VO(2) corresponding to B-RMO (2) and to f (Racc), V (Tplateau), .V(E)/V(T inflection), or VT2 were not different. Relationships were found between the .VO(2) at B-RMO(2) and the .VO(2) at f (Racc) (r = 0.88, p < 0.001), V (Tplateau) (r = 0.84, p < 0.001), V. (E)/V (T inflection) (r = 0.58, p < 0.05) or VT2 (r = 0.79, p < 0.001). The amplitude of RMO(2) at maximal workload was weakly related to .VO(2max) (r = 0.58, p < 0.05). B-RMO (2) seems to be due to the change in breathing pattern and especially to the important rise in breathing frequency at the VT2 exercise level. Moreover, subjects who exhibit higher .VO(2max) also exhibit a higher decrease in respiratory muscle oxygenation during exercise.

Effect of prior heavy exercise on muscle deoxygenation kinetics at the onset of subsequent heavy exercise

This study examines the effect of prior heavy exercise on muscle deoxygenation kinetics at the onset of heavy-intensity cycling exercise. Ten young male adults (20 +/- 2 years) performed two repetitions of step transitions (6 min) from 35 W to heavy-intensity exercise preceded by either no warm-up or by a heavy-intensity exercise. VO2 was measured breath-by-breath, and muscle deoxygenation (HHb) and total hemoglobin (Hb(tot)) were monitored continuously by near-infrared spectroscopy. We used a two-exponential model to describe the VO2 kinetics and a mono-exponential model for the HHb kinetic. The parameters of the phase II VO2 kinetics (TD1 VO2, tau1 VO2 and A1 VO2) were unaffected by prior heavy exercise, while some parameters of local muscle deoxygenation kinetics were significantly faster (TD HHb: 7 +/- 2 vs. 5 +/- 2 s; P < 0.001, MRT HHb: 20 +/- 3 vs. 15+/- 4 s; P < 0.05). Blood lactate, heart rate and Hb(tot) values were significantly higher before the second bout of heavy exercise. These results collectively suggest that the prior heavy exercise probably increased muscle O2 availability and improved O2 utilization at the onset of a subsequent bout of heavy exercise.

Effect of high-intensity interval training and detraining on extra $${\dot{{V}}\hbox{O}_{2}}$$ and on the $${\dot{{V}}\hbox{O}_{2}}$$ slow component

To examine the effect of 6-week of high-intensity interval training (HIT) and of 6-week of detraining on the VO2/Work Rate (WR) relationship and on the slow component of VO2, nine young male adults performed on cycle ergometer, before, after training and after detraining, an incremental exercise (IE), and a 6-min constant work rate exercise (CWRE) above the first ventilatory threshold (VT1). For each IE, the slope and the intercept of the VO2/WR relationship were calculated with linear regression using data before VT1. The difference between VO2max measured and VO2max expected using the pre-VT1 slope was calculated (extra VO2). The difference between VO2 at 6th min and VO2 at 3rd min during CWRE (DeltaVO2(6'-3')) was also determined. HIT induced significant improvement of most of the aerobic fitness parameters while most of these parameters returned to their pre-training level after detraining. Extra VO2 during IE was reduced after training (130 +/- 100 vs. -29 +/- 175 ml min(-1), P = 0.04) and was not altered after detraining compared to post-training. DeltaVO2(6'-3') during CWRE was unchanged by training and by detraining. We found a significant correlation (r2 = 0.575, P = 0.02) between extra VO2 and DeltaVO2(6'-3') before training. These results show that an alteration of extra VO2 can occur without any change in the VO2 slow component, suggesting a possible dissociation of the two phenomena. Moreover, the fact that extra VO2 did not change after detraining could indicate that this improvement may remain after the loss of other adaptations.

Étude préliminaire de la désadaptation cardiorespiratoire après une ligamentoplastie de genou chez le sportif

AIM

The aim of this study was to analyze changes in cardiorespiratory fitness of athletes who had surgery following a lesion of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee.

METHODS

Two groups of 12 athletes at the regional level underwent surgical repair to rebuild the external anterior crossed ligament of the knee (central third bone patellar tendon bone autograft and doubled semitendinosus/doubled gracilis autograft techniques). All subjects were evaluated before and after surgery within 7 days: the first group underwent maximal incremental tests with the upper limbs, and the second group measurement of resting cardiac volumes.

RESULTS

Surgery followed by a few days of confinement generated a quick and significant reduction in the maximal oxygen consumption (-7%, P<0.05) and peak aerobic power (-8%, P<0.05). End diastolic volume and stroke volume were reduced, by 23% and 27% respectively (P<0.05). A significant reduction of ejection fraction was also observed (P<0.05). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 65% before the surgery 60% after 7 days' of hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

In sportsmen, 7 days of hospitalization due to surgery of the knee led to resting cardiac unsuitability characterized by a significant reduction in the stroke volume. These elements could involve decreased aerobic fitness and should encourage the hospital practitioner to propose a program of aerobic training in addition to conventional rehabilitation.

Effect of Prior Exercise on the V·O2/Work Rate Relationship During Incremental Exercise and Constant Work Rate Exercise

The disproportionate increase in VO2 ("extra VO2) reported at elevated intensity during incremental exercise (IE) might result from the same physiological mechanisms as the VO2 slow component observed during heavy constant work rate exercise (CWRE). Moreover, it has been demonstrated that prior heavy exercise can diminish the VO2 slow component. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether prior heavy exercise also alters the "extra VO2" during IE. Ten trained sprinters performed three tests on a cycle ergometer: Test 1 was an IE; Test 2 consisted of six minutes of a CWRE (90% of VO2max) followed by six minutes at 35 W and by an IE and Test 3 was composed of two CWRE of six minutes separated by six minutes of exercise at 35 W. For each IE, the slope and the intercept of the VO2/work rate relationship were calculated by linear regression using data before the first Ventilatory Threshold (pre-VT1 slope). The difference between VO2max measured and VO2max expected using the pre-LT slope was calculated (deltaVO2). We also calculated the difference between VO2 at min five and VO2 at min three during CWRE of Test 3 (deltaVO2(5' - 3')). VO2max was significantly higher than VO2exp during IE of Test 1 and Test 2. deltaVO2 during IE did not differ between Test 1 and Test 2 (+ 259 +/- 229 ml x min(-1) vs. + 222 +/- 221 ml x min(-1)). During Test 3, six subjects achieved five minutes of exercise during the second CWRE and deltaVO2(5' - 3') was significantly decreased during the second CWRE (338 +/- 65 ml x min(-1) vs. 68 +/- 98 ml x min(-1), n = 6). These results demonstrate that the amplitude of the "extra VO2"during IE was not affected by prior exercise, whereas the slow component of VO2 evaluated by deltaVO2(5' - 3') during CWRE was lowered. This implies that prior exercise does not have the same effect on the slow component of VO2 and on the "extra VO2". Therefore we were unable to demonstrate a relationship between the VO2 slow component and the extra-VO2 phenomenon during IE.

In vivo behaviour of hydroxyapatite coatings on titanium implants: a quantitative study in the rabbit

The aim of this study was to evaluate quantitatively the behaviour of in vivo hydroxyapatite coated implants (HA) in the rabbit over time, and to compare the results with observations made on titanium plasma spray implants (TPS). Results were analysed according to the percentage of bone contact. Eighteen HA cylindrical implants (3.25 x 8 mm) and 6 TPS cylindrical implants from Steri-Oss were placed in the epiphysis of the femur in 24 white rabbits. Each rabbit received one implant. Three rabbits with one HA implant (n = 3) and 1 rabbit with one TPS implant (n = 1) were sacrificed after implantation periods of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months. Implants were cut along the long axis and prepared for histological and histomorphometrical evaluations. Measurements of coating thickness and percentage of bone contact were performed with scanning electron microscopy analysis on the sides of the implant, in 3 different types of bone, namely cortical, trabecular and marrow. In cortical bone, dense bone was apposed to the HA implants: from 92.3 +/- 5.5% at 2 months to 89.6 +/- 6.5% at 1 year, with no significant regression of HA thickness (P = 0.37). TPS coating showed less bone contact, but thickness was stable (P = 0.46). In trabecular zone, where bone contact was less pronounced, a significant regression of HA coatings thickness (P < 0.05) was observed. Nevertheless TPS coatings were stable (P = 0.81). Histomorphometrical results demonstrated that a highly significant regression (P < 0.0001) of HA thickness was observed in the marrow area, where the bone-to-implant contact never exceeded 7.6% from 2 to 12 months. TPS coating did not reveal any sign of resorption (P = 0.88), despite a rare bone contact. Histological analysis revealed inflammatory and giant cells, principally in the marrow area in contact with HA coating, but always in restrictive numbers. We conclude that bone contact protected the HA coating from resorption.

Proteome analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus identifies glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins associated to the cell wall biosynthesis

Previous studies in Aspergillus fumigatus (Mouyna I., Fontaine T., Vai M., Monod M., Fonzi W. A., Diaquin M., Popolo L., Hartland R. P., Latgé J.-P, J. Biol. Chem. 2000, 275, 14882-14889) have shown that a glucanosyltransferase playing an important role in fungal cell wall biosynthesis is glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored to the membrane. To identify other GPI-anchored proteins putatively involved in cell wall biogenesis, a proteomic analysis has been undertaken in A. fumigatus and the protein data were matched with the yeast genomic data. GPI-anchored proteins of A. fumigatus were released from membrane preparation by an endogenous GPI-phospholipase C, purified by liquid chromatography and separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. They were characterized by their peptide mass fingerprint through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-(MALDI-TOF)-mass spectrometry and by internal amino acid sequencing. Nine GPI-anchored proteins were identified in A. fumigatus. Five of them were homologs of putatively GPI-anchored yeast proteins (Csa1p, Crh1p, Crh2p, Ecm33p, Gas1p) of unknown function but shown by gene disruption analysis to play a role in cell wall morphogenesis. In addition, a comparative study performed with chitin synthase and glucanosyl transferase mutants of A. fumigatus showed that a modification of the growth phenotype seen in these mutants was associated to an alteration of the pattern of GPI-anchored proteins. These results suggest that GPI-anchored proteins identified in this study are involved in A. fumigatus cell wall organization.

Glucan synthase complex of Aspergillus fumigatus

The glucan synthase complex of the human pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigatus has been investigated. The genes encoding the putative catalytic subunit Fks1p and four Rho proteins of A. fumigatus were cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis showed that AfFks1p was a transmembrane protein very similar to other Fksp proteins in yeasts and in Aspergillus nidulans. Heterologous expression of the conserved internal hydrophilic domain of AfFks1p was achieved in Escherichia coli. Anti-Fks1p antibodies labeled the apex of the germ tube, as did aniline blue fluorochrome, which was specific for beta(1-3) glucans, showing that AfFks1p colocalized with the newly synthesized beta(1-3) glucans. AfRHO1, the most homologous gene to RHO1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was studied for the first time in a filamentous fungus. AfRho proteins have GTP binding and hydrolysis consensus sequences identical to those of yeast Rho proteins and have a slightly modified geranylation site in AfRho1p and AfRho3p. Purification of the glucan synthase complex by product entrapment led to the enrichment of four proteins: Fks1p, Rho1p, a 100-kDa protein homologous to a membrane H(+)-ATPase, and a 160-kDa protein which was labeled by an anti-beta(1-3) glucan antibody and was homologous to ABC bacterial beta(1-2) glucan transporters.

Vancomycin resistance is associated with serine-containing peptidoglycan in Enterococcus gallinarum

In Enterococcus gallinarum SC1, a low-level vancomycin-resistant strain, only monomeric muropentapeptides with a C-terminal D-alanine were detected after growth without vancomycin. In contrast, in SC1 induced by vancomycin, as well as in AIB39, a constitutive vancomycin-resistant strain, monomeric and dimeric muropentapeptides with a C-terminal D-serine were detected.

Effect of nicotine on rat gingival fibroblasts in vitro

Tobacco smoking is considered a major risk factor for the development and progression of periodontal diseases (Haber, J. and Wattles, J. (1994). J. Periodontol., 64, 16-23). The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of nicotine on rat gingival fibroblasts (RGF) cultured in vitro. After ether anesthesia, rat gingival tissues were obtained from the attached gingiva of a Wistar rat. Small fragments of gingiva were maintained in culture in Petri dishes. Fibroblasts developing from these explants were collected to obtain monolayer cultures. After the fourth passage (T4), cells were supplemented with nicotine at various concentrations. Control and treated cells were examined under phase contrast or transmission electron microscopy. They were compared as regards their DNA content, mitochondrial activity, collagen and protein synthesis, and cell death by apoptosis or necrosis. Nicotine from 0.05 microM to 1 mM did not affect the DNA content or protein and collagen synthesis. At concentrations between 3 and 5 mM, growth was significantly diminished and the survival rate reduced. Ultrastructural analysis revealed dilated mitochondria and vacuolization in treated cells, suggestive of necrosis, but increased apoptosis was also revealed by cytometry. On the basis of this in vitro study, it appears that tobacco, through its component nicotine, may directly affect various functions of RGF.

Novel mechanism of beta-lactam resistance due to bypass of DD-transpeptidation in Enterococcus faecium

The peptidoglycan structure of in vitro selected ampicillin-resistant mutant Enterococcus faecium D344M512 and of the susceptible parental strain D344S was determined by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The muropeptide monomers were almost identical in the two strains. The substantial majority (99.3%) of the oligomers from the susceptible strain D344S contained the usual d-alanyl --> d-asparaginyl (or d-aspartyl)-l-lysyl cross-link (d-Ala --> d-Asx-l-Lys) generated by beta-lactam-sensitive DD-transpeptidation. The remaining oligomers (0.7%) were produced by beta-lactam-insensitive LD-transpeptidation, because they contained l-Lys --> d-Asx-l-Lys cross-links. The muropeptide oligomers of the ampicillin-resistant mutant D344M512 contained only these l-Lys --> d-Asx-l-Lys cross-links indicating that resistance was due to the bypass of the beta-lactam-sensitive DD-transpeptidation reaction. The discovery of this novel resistance mechanism indicates that DD-transpeptidases cannot be considered anymore as the sole essential transpeptidase enzymes.

Interspecies complementation in Saccharopolyspora erythraea : elucidation of the function of oleP1, oleG1 and oleG2 from the oleandomycin biosynthetic gene cluster of Streptomyces antibioticus and generation of new erythromycin derivatives

Two glycosyltransferase genes, oleG1 and oleG2, and a putative isomerase gene, oleP1, have previously been identified in the oleandomycin biosynthetic gene cluster of Streptomyces antibioticus. In order to identify which of these two glycosyltransferases encodes the desosaminyltransferase and which the oleandrosyltransferase, interspecies complementation has been carried out, using two mutant strains of Saccharopolyspora erythraea, one strain carrying an internal deletion in the eryCIII (desosaminyltransferase) gene and the other an internal deletion in the eryBV (mycarosyltransferase) gene. Expression of the oleG1 gene in the eryCIII deletion mutant restored the production of erythromycin A (although at a low level), demonstrating that oleG1 encodes the desosaminyltransferase required for the biosynthesis of oleandomycin and indicating that, as in erythromycin biosynthesis, the neutral sugar is transferred before the aminosugar onto the macrocyclic ring. Significantly, when an intact oleG2 gene (presumed to encode the oleandrosyltransferase) was expressed in the eryBV deletion mutant, antibiotic activity was also restored and, in addition to erythromycin A, new bioactive compounds were produced with a good yield. The neutral sugar residue present in these compounds was identified as L-rhamnose attached at position C-3 of an erythronolide B or a 6-deoxyerythronolide B lactone ring, thus indicating a relaxed specificity of the oleandrosyltransferase, OleG2, for both the activated sugar and the macrolactone substrate. The oleP1 gene located immediately upstream of oleG1 was likewise introduced into an eryCII deletion mutant of Sac. erythraea, and production of erythromycin A was again restored, demonstrating that the function of OleP1 is identical to that of EryCII in the biosynthesis of dTDP-D-desosamine, which we have previously proposed to be a dTDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-glucose 3, 4-isomerase.

The combined use of bioresorbable membranes and xenografts or autografts in the treatment of bone defects around implants. A study in beagle dogs

The aim of the present investigation was to test the effect of a bioresorbable membrane supported by xenografts or autografts in regenerating bone into peri-implant defects. In 3 dogs, the mandibular premolars P2, P3, P4 and M1 were extracted bilaterally. After 4 months of healing, 3 standardized bone defects were prepared on each side of the mandible and 1 implant per defect was placed. The 6 sites in each dog were distributed into 4 different treatment groups: 2 sites received a Bio-Gide membrane alone (BG); 2 sites received a Bio-Gide membrane supported by Bio-Oss (BG + BO); 1 site received the Bio-Gide membrane supported by autogenic bone harvested from the prepared defects (BG + Aut); 1 site received neither membrane nor bone graft and served as control (C). The soft tissue flaps were adapted and sutured for primary healing. No adverse events occurred during the experimental period. After 16 weeks, the dogs were sacrificed and histomorphometric examinations on non-decalcified ground sections were carried out. The vertical bone growth amounted to 45% (SD +/- 13%) of the defect height in the BG group, to 78% (SD +/- 29%) in the BG + BO group, to 69% (SD +/- 9%) in the BG + Aut group, and to 22% (SD +/- 10%) in C group. The horizontal bone growth measured 78% (SD +/- 16%) in the BG group, 81% (SD +/- 21%) in the BG + BO group, 82% (SD +/- 12%) in the BG + Aut group, and 46% (SD +/- 21%) in the C group. The vertical height of bone growth in contact with the implant measured 17% (SD +/- 12%) in the BG group, 20% (SD +/- 12%) in the BG + BO group, 17% (SD +/- 7%) in the BG + Aut group, and 12% (SD +/- 8%) in the C group. The surface fraction of the graft in direct bone contact measured 89% (SD +/- 9%) in the BG + BO group and 93% (SD +/- 3%) in the BG + Aut group. It is concluded that the bioresorbable membrane tested enhances bone regeneration, in particular in conjunction with the use of a supporting graft material. In addition, deproteinized bovine bone mineral and autogenic bone grafts appeared to be equally well integrated into regenerating bone. Finally, no additional effects in the bone growth was observed with the autogenous bone in comparison with the hydroxyapatite.

Culture of gingival fibroblasts on bioabsorbable regenerative materials in vitro

BACKGROUND

The use of membranes in guided tissue regeneration (GTR) can limit the apical migration of gingival cells and favor the establishment of new attachment by periodontal ligament fibroblasts. However, gingival recession during healing following GTR has been described as a frequent complication. The purpose of this study was to determine if gingival fibroblasts are affected by the composition of the bioabsorbable membranes used in mucogingival surgery.

METHODS

Two type of bioabsorbable regenerative materials were used as cell carriers. Wistar rat gingival fibroblasts (RGF) were obtained from attached gingiva, cut into small fragments, and placed in culture dishes. When confluent, cells were detached using trypsin and identified as "first transferred cells" (P1). At the third passage (P3), cell count, trypan blue exclusion test, acid phosphatase activity, DNA synthesis, phase contrast microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were performed. The cells were then placed in wells containing the membranes and incubated for 72 hours.

RESULTS

When examined under microscopy, the control wells (without membranes) showed one cell type with the elongated appearance characteristic of fibroblasts. The wells with membranes showed an altered cell morphology with a high proportion of cell fragments regardless of the type of membrane used.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that cell carrier membranes could affect RGF morphology and thus alter gingival tissue healing following GTR.

Graft of autologous fibroblasts in gingival tissue in vivo after culture in vitro. Preliminary study on rats

Several grafting techniques and guided tissue regeneration techniques (GTR) have been well-developed in periodontal surgery. However, these techniques could induce pain and side effects, such as a gingival recession during the healing period following the therapy. The graft of a small autologous connective tissue, using non-invasive surgical techniques could yield several benefits for the patients. Our preliminary study explores the feasibility of collecting healthy gingival tissues, culturing them in vitro to amplify rat gingival fibroblasts (RGF) and inoculating the obtained cells into autologous rat gingival tissues in vivo. Gingival tissues samples were cultured as explants as described by Freshney et al. and Adolphe. Confluent cells surrounding explants were detached after 7 d of culture from Petri dishes using 0.05% trypsin and designated "first transferred cells" (T1). At the third passage (T3), cells cultured as monolayer were either examined under microscopy--phase contrast, scanning, or transmission electron--or numerated after trypan blue exclusion test. Autologous RGF labelled with fluorochrome were inoculated at the vestibular and palatine site of gingival tissue close to the superior incisors. In this preliminary study, 12 Wistar rats were used; for each, 2 biopsies were dissected and fixed for phase contrast or fluorescence microscopy. On d 1, 3 and 7 after injection in rat gingival tissues, fluorochrome-labelled cells could be detected in all these.

Oral status and nutrition in the institutionalized elderly

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate, in an elderly population, whether poor oral status might be a contributing factor to the development of undernutrition and might be associated with less eating pleasure, more subjective eating difficulty and increased mashed food consumption.

METHODS

An oral examination and an evaluation of masticatory capacity were performed on 120 institutionalized elderly subjects. The nutritional assessment included serum albumin concentration, the Mini Nutritional Assessment and a questionnaire on eating habits.

RESULTS

Edentulous subjects without dentures or with only one complete denture had significantly lower MNA scores than edentulous subjects with two complete dentures (p < 0.05). Edentulous subjects with two complete dentures more frequently reported taking pleasure from eating (p = 0.05), and had less frequent difficulties with hard foods (p = 0.01) than edentulous subjects without dentures or with only one complete denture. Mashed food consumption (p < 0.01) was also reported more frequently in edentulous subjects without dentures or with only one complete denture. Subjects with two complete dentures had similar or better MNA scores as dentate subjects with relatively few remaining teeth (10.4 +/- 7.8 teeth). About half of the subjects (53%) could not perform the masticatory test. These subjects had lower MNA scores (p = 0.001) and a larger proportion ate mashed food (p < 0.001) compared to those who were able to perform the test.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor oral status (edentulous without dentures or with only one complete denture) increased difficulty in eating hard foods, increased mashed food consumption and decreased eating pleasure. It seemed also to put institutionalized subjects at higher risk of undernutrition.

[Burning mouth syndrome]

The BMS which involves the oral mucosa and produces sensations of pain and prickling is still poorly known by the physician. It differs from the other pathologies of the oral mucosa by its multifactorial etiology and by its high prevalence among postmenopausal women. The current treatments are somewhat disappointing and postmenopausal women suffering from BMS are advised to take a hormonal replacement therapy even though no direct relation between BMS and estrogen blood levels has been proved.

Evaluation of a diphenylphosphorylazide-crosslinked collagen membrane for guided bone regeneration in mandibular defects in rats

In the present study, the potential of a diphenylphosphorylazide-crosslinked type I bovine collagen membrane was evaluated in the healing of mandibular bone defects applying the biological concept of guided bone regeneration. The experiment was carried out on 25 Wistar rats. After exposing the mandibular ramus bilaterally, 5 mm diameter full-thickness circular bone defects were surgically created. While the defect on one side was covered by the membrane (experimental), the defect on the other side was left uncovered (control) before closure of the overlying soft tissues. The rats were sacrificed in groups of 5 after 7, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days of healing. Although at early stages of healing similar amounts of bone formation were observed in the experimental and control defects, after 1 month of healing, most of the experimental defects were completely closed with new bone, while in the control defects, only limited amounts of new bone were observed at the rims and in the lingual aspect of the lesions. In the 90- and 180-day animals, all experimental defects were completely closed, while in the control defects, no statistically significant increase in bone regeneration was observed. The increase in percentage of bone regeneration in the experimental defects was statistically significant between the 15-day specimens as compared with the 7-day specimens (P < 0.01) and likewise between 30-day and 15-day specimens (P < 0.001). It can be concluded that a DPPA-crosslinked collagen membrane yields biocompatibility, ad hoc mechanical hindrance, and handling characteristics suitable for guided bone regeneration applications in this experimental model.

[How I investigate...the age of adolescents using panoramic radiography]

Stage of dental development gives an assessment of young adults chronological age. This is used in forensic medicine when birth data are lacking or doubted. The following method improves the accuracy of age determination in comparison with the commonly used method of Nolla.

Site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification of the two cysteine residues of the UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl:L-alanine ligase of Escherichia coli

Site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification of the two cysteine residues of the MurC L-alanine-adding enzyme from Escherichia coli were undertaken to study their possible role in activity and stability. Their replacement by alanine was not critical for activity. However, C230 played a role in enzyme stability and substrate binding. N-Ethylmaleimide alkylation led to monoalkylated and dialkylated proteins. The monoalkylated protein had mostly unmodified C230 residues. The extent of alkylation of C230 paralleled the loss of activity, whereas that of C426 did not. Protection against inactivation by beta,gamma-imidoadenosine 5'-triphosphate implied the involvement of C230 in the ATP binding site.

[Osseointegrated endosseous implants, University of Liège concepts. Various clinical applications]

Based on fundamental experimental studies performed by the research teams of Professor Bränemark (Göteborg, Sweden), the use of dental implants has become a scientifically accepted treatment concept in Dentistry to replace lost or missing teeth in fully and partially edentulous patients. The use of dental implants was initiated by the discovery that dental implants made of titanium can be anchored in the jawbone with direct bone contact (osseointegration).

Acquisition of five high-Mr penicillin-binding protein variants during transfer of high-level beta-lactam resistance from Streptococcus mitis to Streptococcus pneumoniae

Penicillin-resistant isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae generally contain mosaic genes encoding the low-affinity penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) PBP2x, PBP2b, and PBP1a. We now present evidence that PBP2a and PBP1b also appear to be low-affinity variants and are encoded by distinct alleles in beta-lactam-resistant transformants of S. pneumoniae obtained with chromosomal donor DNA from a Streptococcus mitis isolate. Different lineages of beta-lactam-resistant pneumococcal transformants were analyzed, and transformants with low-affinity variants of all high-molecular-mass PBPs, PBP2x, -2a, -2b, -1a, and -1b, were isolated. The MICs of benzyl-penicillin, oxacillin, and cefotaxime for these transformants were up to 40, 100, and 50 microg/ml, respectively, close to the MICs for the S. mitis donor strain. Recruitment of low-affinity PBPs was accompanied by a decrease in cross-linked muropeptides as revealed by high-performance liquid chromatography of muramidase-digested cell walls, but no qualitative changes in muropeptide chemistry were detected. The growth rates of all transformants were identical to that of the parental S. pneumoniae strain. The results stress the potential for the acquisition by S. pneumoniae of high-level beta-lactam resistance by interspecies gene transfer.

Peptidoglycan structure of Lactobacillus casei, a species highly resistant to glycopeptide antibiotics

The structure of the peptidoglycan of Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393, a species highly resistant to glycopeptide antibiotics, was examined. After digestion, 23 muropeptides were identified; monomers represented 44.7% of all muropeptides, with monomer tetrapeptides being the major ones. Fifty-nine percent of the peptidoglycan was O-acetylated. The cross-bridge between D-alanine and L-lysine consisted of one asparagine, although aspartate could be found in minor quantities. Since UDP-MurNAc-tetrapeptide-D-lactate is the normal cytoplasmic precursor found in this species, monomer tetrapeptide-lactate was expected to be found. However, such a monomer was found only after exposure to penicillin, suggesting that penicillin-sensitive D,D-carboxypeptidases were very active in normal growing cells.