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A laboratory analysis of gutta-percha-filled area obtained using Thermafil, System B and lateral condensation.

AIM: To determine the percentage of gutta-percha-filled area (PGFA) in the apical third of root canals when filled with either Thermafil, System B or lateral condensation. METHODOLOGY: Sixty extracted human maxillary central incisor teeth were root filled as following: G1: lateral condensation (n = 20), G2: System B (n = 20) and G3: Thermafil system (n = 20). A horizontal section was cut 2 and 4 mm from the apical foramen of each tooth. The samples were prepared for microscopic analysis and photomicrographs of each apical surface were taken at a magnification of 50x. Through digital image analysis, the cross-sectional area of the canal and the gutta-percha was measured. The PGFA was calculated. The PGFA data obtained in the three groups were analysed using a nonparametric Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. RESULTS: Significant differences in PGFA were found between the Thermafil System (G3) and both System B (G2) and lateral condensation (G1) (P < 0.01). The greatest PGFA occurred in the Thermafil group. No significant statistical difference was found between System B and lateral condensation (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The coated carrier gutta-percha system Thermafil produced significantly higher PGFAs than lateral condensation and System B techniques.

Anatomy, Cross-Sectional↗

Application of tryptic condensation strategy for the synthesis of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone.

The use of trypsin in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) paired with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) has been proposed for the enzymatic condensation of peptides. The tryptic condensation strategy was applied to the synthesis of the 13-peptide, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), which contains two susceptible points to trypsin, in a low-water-containing solvent system, 4% H2O in HFIP/DMF (1/1, v/v). The N-terminal 8-peptide segment (S1) ending with Arg and C-terminal 5-peptide with the side-chain protections at Lys and Trp (S2) were prepared by the stepwise coupling on p-nitrobenzophenone oxime resin and by a conventional method, respectively. Both segments were condensed by the aid of trypsin. The acid component was converted into the partially protected alpha-MSH at as high as 95% conversion determined by reversed-phase HPLC. When the side-chain of Lys at the 11-position was not protected, alpha-MSH was obtained only in 35% yield, and was contaminated with products of secondary hydrolysis. Although the Lys11-Pro12 sequence was very poorly susceptible to trypsin, the side-chain of Lys had to be protected in order to be inert to trypsin under the synthetic conditions. HFIP is demonstrated as a good solvent with DMF to allow the efficient tryptic condensation of peptides. The strategy increased the value of the enzymatic condensation as practical method by avoidance of secondary hydrolysis, high dissolution of peptides and retention of activity of enzyme.

1-Propanol↗

Chemical synthesis of phosphorylated peptides of the carboxy-terminal domain of human p53 by a segment condensation method.

A segment condensation method was developed for the chemical synthesis of large (> 90 amino acid) phosphopeptides and was used to produce phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated derivatives of the C-terminal tetramerization and regulatory domains of human p53 (residues 303-393). Efficient condensation synthesis of the 91 residue p53 domain was achieved in two steps. The non-phosphorylated N-terminal segment p53(303-334) (1) and its derivative phosphorylated at serine 315 (1P315), and the non-phosphorylated middle segment p53(335-360) (2), were synthesized as partially protected peptide thioesters in the solid phase using Boc chemistry. The C-terminal segment p53(361-393) (3) and its derivative phosphorylated at serine 392 (3P392) were synthesized as partially protected peptides in the solid phase using Fmoc chemistry. Phosphoamino acid was incorporated into the N-terminal segment (1P315) at the residue corresponding to p53 serine 315 as Boc-Ser(PO3(Bzl)2)-OH during synthesis. Serine 392 in the C-terminal segment was selectively phosphorylated after synthesis by phosphitylation followed by oxidation. A derivative phosphorylated at serine 378 was synthesized in a one-step condensation of the unphosphorylated N-terminal segment (1) and the phosphorylated long C-terminal segment p53(335-393) (2-3P378). Yields of the ligated peptides after removal of the protecting groups and HPLC purification averaged 60% for the first condensation and 35% for the second condensation. All five p53 peptides exhibited monomer-tetramer association as determined by analytical ultracentrifugation. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that phosphorylation at Ser315 increased the alpha-helical content, which was abolished when Ser392 also was phosphorylated, suggesting an interaction between N-terminal and C-terminal residues of the C-terminal domain of p53.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Exhaled breath condensate pH measurement in children with asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.

Recent studies have shown that the pH of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) could be predictive of asthma exacerbation. Moreover, it has been documented that both allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis constitute risk factors for the occurrence of asthma in a progression of disease known as atopic march. The aim of our study was to establish if condensate pH could be used as a valuable mean of monitoring of asthma in atopic children. We studied 34 atopic children with acute asthma, 70 with stable asthma, 35 children with allergic rhinitis, and 17 with atopic dermatitis. Thirty healthy children were used as controls. All children underwent skin prick tests and lung function tests. Exhaled breath condensate samples were collected with a condensing device and de-aerated with argon. The pH of EBC was measured using a pH meter. Children with acute asthma were treated with inhaled steroids and bronchodilators. We found that the pH of condensate in patients with acute asthma was lower than that of patients with stable asthma, rhinitis, and controls (7.25 vs. 7.32, p < 0.05; 7.25 vs. 7.48, p < 0.02; 7.25 vs. 7.78, p < 0.0001, respectively). Patients with stable asthma, rhinitis, and eczema had also lower pH than that of controls (7.32, 7.48, and 7.44 vs. 7.78; p < 0.0001, p < 0.006, p < 0.04, respectively). Patients with acute asthma normalized their pH after treatment (7.82 vs. 7.25; p < 0.0001). Finally, patients with acute asthma showed a positive correlation between pH and lung functional parameters (forced expiratory volume in 1 s; r = 0.39, p = 0.04). Our study shows that EBC pH measurement may be a promising marker for assessing airway inflammation and monitoring response to anti-inflammatory treatment in asthmatic children. Furthermore, we report the first evidence of airways acidification in children with allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, EBC pH assessment may be useful in the evaluation of progression of the atopic march toward the development of asthma later in life. Further studies are recommended in order to confirm this indication.

Adolescent↗

An evaluation of chromatin condensation and DNA integrity in the spermatozoa of men with cancer before and after therapy.

Cancer has been known for a long time to have a depressive effect on sperm number and quality. Cytotoxic agents and radiotherapy have also been shown to impair spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess DNA integrity and chromatin condensation in the spermatozoa of men with cancer before and after treatment. Chromatin condensation was evaluated using flowcytometric assessment with propidium iodide, DNA integrity was determined using the comet assay. Thirty-three men with cancer (testicular cancer, lymphoma and leukaemia) and 14 men with proven fertility took part in the study. The study found that in men with cancer, the percentage of spermatozoa with highly condensed DNA was less than that of controls. DNA integrity when assessed using the comet assay was also reduced by cancer. Percentage head DNA intact and percentage of condensed chromatin in the spermatozoa of men with cancer after treatment were less than those in fertile men. This study, although small, does demonstrate a detrimental effect on chromatin condensation and DNA integrity of cancer and its treatment. These findings are important because of the potential effects impaired chromatin and DNA integrity could have on fertilization, blastocyst and embryo development.

Chromatin↗

Chromosome or chromatin condensation leads to meiosis or apoptosis in stationary yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells.

When starved of essential nutrients, yeast cells cease mitotic division and enter an alternative state called the 'stationary phase'. In this paper, we report that stationary cells enter two major pathways: meiosis and apoptosis. Using transmission electron microscopy, five types of cell were identified in the stationary phase: (1) cells with chromosome condensed nuclei; (2) cells with normal, homogeneously stained nuclei; (3) sporulated cells; (4) apoptotic cells, in which chromatin, but not individual chromosomes, was condensed; and (5) dead cells, in which nuclei and cytoplasm were degraded. Further evidence using live cell imaging and mutation analysis suggested that cells with condensed chromosomes underwent meiosis, whereas chromatin condensed cells underwent apoptotic cell death. Cells with homogeneous nuclei are believed to be in the true resting state and undergo cell death when starvation continues. Chromosome or chromatin condensation may serve as a hallmark of life or death for stationary cells.

Apoptosis↗

Condensation pressure during amalgam placement in patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the condensation pressure during amalgam placement in patients. Forty-four practitioners were asked to fill two class 2 cavities in the lower jaw on their patients in their own practice with the aid of a force-measuring plugger. This device, with semiconductor strain gauges, allowed the dentist to have an identical tactile feedback as with any other plugger. Three different amalgams, with different shapes of alloy particles, were tested. The results showed a maximum condensation pressure of 8.9+/-2.4 MPa and 5.5+/-1.8 MPa with a small and a large amalgam plugger, respectively. Average condensation pressures were 3.7+/-1.3 MPa for the small and 2.2+/-0.9 MPa for the large instrument. The total working time required to fill a cavity was on average 131 s; the amalgam was effectively condensed for 44 s. No significant differences between amalgams with different shapes of alloy particles, no influence of time of day, and no difference between female and male dentists were found. This study showed that the condensation pressure is lower than often recommended, and that it is not statistically different from the values obtained in a previous laboratory study.

Chemical Phenomena↗

The pH of exhaled breath condensate of patients with allograft rejection after lung transplantation.

Endogenous airway acidification, as assessed by the condensate pH, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of inflammatory airway diseases such as cystic fibrosis and asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the pH of condensate in patients after lung transplantation (LTX). From the cohort of transplanted patients at our center, 83 patients (9 heart-lung transplantation, 48 double-lung transplantation, 26 single-lung transplantation) were recruited and analyzed in a cross-sectional manner: 26 patients were diagnosed with chronic rejection or bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), 7 patients were diagnosed with acute rejection (AR) while 50 patients had no evidence of rejection according to the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation criteria. The condensate pH was significantly reduced in patients with BOS and AR when compared to patients without rejection and control subjects (5.8 +/- 0.5 and 6.2 +/- 0.4 versus 6.6 +/- 0.4 and 6.5 +/- 0 .4, respectively; p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between condensate pH levels and the BOS grade (r =-0.62; p < 0.01), the FEV(1) (r = 0.39; p < 0.01) and the total cell and neutrophil count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (r =-0.39 and r =-0.56, respectively; p < 0.01). Airway acidification occurs in BOS and may directly or indirectly reflect airway inflammation in patients with allograft rejection after LTX. Measuring condensate pH might thus be a new tool for the evaluation of rejection in lung transplant patients.

Adult↗

Effects of breathing pattern and inspired air conditions on breath condensate volume, pH, nitrite, and protein concentrations.

BACKGROUND: The effects of breathing pattern and inspired air conditions on the volume and content of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) were investigated. METHODS: Total exhaled water (TEW), EBC volume, pH, nitrite and protein concentrations were measured in three groups of 10 healthy subjects breathing into a condenser at different target minute ventilations (Vm), tidal volumes (Vt), and inspired air conditions. RESULTS: The volumes of both TEW and EBC increased significantly with Vm. For Vm 7.5, 15 and 22.5 l/min, mean (SD) EBC was 627 (258) microl, 1019 (313) microl, and 1358 (364) microl, respectively (p<0.001) and TEW was 1879 (378) microl, 2986 (496) microl, and 4679 (700) microl, respectively (p<0.001). TEW was significantly higher than EBC, reflecting a condenser efficiency of 40% at a target Vm of 7.5 l/min which reduced to 29% at Vm 22.5 l/min. Lower Vt gave less TEW than higher Vt (26.6 v 30.7 microl/l, mean difference 4.1 (95% CI 2.6 to 5.6), p<0.001) and a smaller EBC volume (4.3 v 7.6 microl/l, mean difference 3.4 (95% CI 2.3 to 4.5), p<0.001). Cooler and drier inspired air yielded less water vapour and less breath condensate than standard conditions (p<0.05). Changes in the breathing pattern had no effect on EBC protein and nitrite concentrations and pH. CONCLUSION: These results show that condensate volume can be increased by using high Vt and increased Vm without compromising the dilution of the sample.

Breath Tests↗

Nitrite levels in breath condensate of patients with cystic fibrosis is elevated in contrast to exhaled nitric oxide.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) is released by activated macrophages, neutrophils, and stimulated bronchial epithelial cells. Exhaled NO has been shown to be increased in patients with asthma and has been put forward as a marker of airways inflammation. However, we have found that exhaled NO is not raised in patients with cystic fibrosis, even during infective pulmonary exacerbation. One reason for this may be that excess airway secretions may prevent diffusion of gaseous NO into the airway lumen. We hypothesised that exhaled NO may not reflect total NO production in chronically suppurative airways and investigated nitrite as another marker of NO production. METHODS: Breath condensate nitrite concentration and exhaled NO levels were measured in 21 clinically stable patients with cystic fibrosis of mean age 26 years and mean FEV1 57% and 12 healthy normal volunteers of mean age 31 years. Breath condensate was collected with a validated method which excluded saliva and nasal air contamination and nitrite levels were measured using the Griess reaction. Exhaled NO was measured using a sensitive chemiluminescence analyser (LR2000) at an exhalation rate of 250 ml/s. Fourteen patients with cystic fibrosis had circulating plasma leucocyte levels and differential analysis performed on the day of breath collection. RESULTS: Nitrite levels were significantly higher in patients with cystic fibrosis than in normal subjects (median 1.93 microM compared with 0.33 microM). This correlated positively with circulating plasma leucocytes and neutrophils (r = 0.6). In contrast, exhaled NO values were not significantly different from the normal range (median 3.8 ppb vs 4.4 ppb). There was no correlation between breath condensate nitrite and lung function and between breath condensate nitrite and exhaled NO. CONCLUSIONS: Nitrite levels in breath condensate were raised in stable patients with cystic fibrosis in contrast to exhaled NO. This suggests that nitrite levels may be a more useful measure of NO production and possibly airways inflammation in suppurative airways and that exhaled NO may not reflect total NO production.

Adult↗

Patterns of heterochromatin replication and condensation correlate in rat kangaroo PtK2 cells.

Chromosome replication in mammalian cells in an ordered phenomenon. This is true also for the condensation in G2 of the heterochromatic chromosomal regions in mouse cells. The generality of this phenomenon and its mechanism are not known, nor is it known whether the order of condensation of the heterochromatic chromosomal segments in G2 reflects the order of replication or is independent of it. We determined the order of replication during the S phase and of condensation in G2 of the short heterochromatic chromosomal regions in the rat kangaroo cell line PtK2. The kinetics of condensation of these regions in G2 was studied in cells treated with Hoechst 33258. Their order of replication was established with the use of a sensitive technique based on the treatment of living cells with 5-bromodeoxyuridine and Hoechst 33258. Our results show that these regions exhibit a similar pattern of replication in S and condensation in G2.

Animals↗

Exhaled breath condensate detects markers of pulmonary inflammation after cardiothoracic surgery.

Cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary by-pass and, to a greater extent, lung resection, causes acute lung injury that is usually subclinical. Analysis of mediators in exhaled breath condensate is a promising means of monitoring inflammation in a variety of airway diseases but the contribution of the airway lining fluid from the lower respiratory tract is uncertain. We compared the analysis of markers of lung injury in exhaled breath condensate and bronchoalveolar lavage in endotracheally intubated patients before and after coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and lobectomy. The neutrophil count and leukotriene B4 concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid rose after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (p < 0.05), but there was no significant change in leukotriene B4, hydrogen peroxide, or hydrogen ion concentrations in exhaled breath condensate. By contrast, after lobectomy, the concentration in exhaled breath condensate of leukotriene B4, hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen ions rose significantly (p < 0.05). Exhaled breath condensate is a safe, noninvasive method of sampling the milieu of the distal lung and is sufficiently sensitive to detect markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients after lobectomy, but not after the milder insult associated with cardiac surgery.

Aged↗

Elevated nitrite in breath condensates of children with respiratory disease.

The aim of the study was to determine the differences in nitrite, in the exhaled breath condensates of healthy children and those children with asthma, cystic fibrosis (CF) and nonasthmatic, episodic cough. Breath condensates were obtained from 66 children (43 males:23 females, 3.1-16 yrs) and included 29 asthmatics, 12 clinically stable CF patients, 12 children with cough but not asthma and 13 healthy volunteers. The collected condensate was assayed colourimetrically using the Griess reaction to determine nitrite concentrations. Patients with CF (median: 5-95% percentiles; 2.02: 0.43-6.37 microM) or asthma (2.10: 0.63-5.45 microM) had significantly higher levels of nitrite compared to healthy subjects (0.41: 0.13-1.83 microM; p<0.05) or subjects with cough (0.75: 0.03-1.75 microM; p<0.05). Airway inflammation, as assessed by the nitrite in breath condensates, is present in children with asthma and cystic fibrosis, but not those children with nonasthmatic, episodic cough. Nitrite can be conveniently, cheaply and rapidly measured in breath condensates of children as young as 3 yrs of age, and may prove useful for the assessment of airway inflammation in children with respiratory disease.

Adolescent↗

Prevention of thermal and condensation errors in pneumotachographic recordings of the maximal forced expiratory manoeuvre.

When recording respiratory manoeuvres using a pneumotachograph (PT), it is customary to heat the pneumotachograph head to avoid condensation errors. It is technically demanding to heat the PT correctly, and this increases the complexity of the equipment. We have studied whether a simpler method can eradicate condensation errors and preserve thermal stability of the PT. We tested the accuracy of a PT by recording the discharge of 1,000 ml of air through the PT before and after a subject had blown through it, thus causing both condensation within the PT and a rise in its temperature. We then determined whether the thermal and condensation errors could be avoided by placing the PT, between blows, on a fan that was blowing air at a constant 1.65 l.s-1. With ambient temperature at 20 degrees C, a single blow through the PT was found to cause a subsequent 4% over-reading in volume, due to condensation and temperature changes in the PT. After five consecutive blows the error was 7%. Placing the PT on the fan for 15 s after a single blow abolished these errors, whereas a wait of 15 s did not. At an ambient temperature of 14 degrees C there was a 5% over-reading of volume after a single blow, and an over-reading of 9% after five blows. At an ambient temperature of 26 degrees C these errors were 3 and 5%, respectively. All of these errors were abolished by placing the PT on the fan for 15 s and 30 s, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humans↗

Identification of acid reflux cough using serial assays of exhaled breath condensate pH.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cough is a common problem, frequently caused or exacerbated by acid reflux. Diagnosis of acid reflux cough is haphazard currently, often relying on long therapeutic trials of expensive medications. We tested the hypothesis that the most relevant mechanistic component of acid reflux in chronic cough is when it rises to the level of the airway where acid can potentially be aspirated. We further wished to determine if multi-sample exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH profiles can identify chronic cough patients likely to respond to proton pump inhibitor therapy. METHODS: 59 subjects were recruited for this study. Initially we examined EBC pH (gas-standardized with Argon) in the setting of 15 experimental pharyngeal acid challenges to determine duration of EBC acidification. Subsequently, we enrolled 22 healthy subjects to determine a normal multi-sample exhaled breath condensate pH profile over 1-3 days. We additionally obtained multi-sample EBC pH profiles in 22 patients with chronic cough. These samples were timed to occur after coughing episodes. Exhaled breath condensate pH was measured after gas standardization. RESULTS: We found that exhaled breath condensate pH is substantially reduced for approximately 15 minutes after pharyngeal acid load. Healthy subjects rarely have any low EBC pH values (defined as < 7.4 based on a normative reference range from 404 healthy subjects). Patients with chronic cough who subsequently responded well to proton pump inhibition (n = 8) invariably had one or more cough episodes associated with EBC acidification. No patient who had normal EBC pH with each of their cough episodes reported a clinically relevant response to proton-pump inhibition. CONCLUSION: Patients whose cough responds to proton pump inhibition have transient exhaled breath condensate acidification with coughing episodes, supporting the role of airway acidification in reflux-triggered cough. Multi-sample EBC pH profiles, involving samples collected immediately subsequent to a coughing episode, may be useful appropriately to direct therapy to those patients with cough who have relevant acid reflux.

Journal Article↗

Extended, relaxed, and condensed conformations of hyaluronan observed by atomic force microscopy.

The conformation of the polysaccharide hyaluronan (HA) has been investigated by tapping mode atomic force microscopy in air. HA deposited on a prehydrated mica surface favored an extended conformation, attributed to molecular combing and inhibition of subsequent chain recoil by adhesion to the structured water layer covering the surface. HA deposited on freshly cleaved mica served as a defect in a partially structured water layer, and favored relaxed, weakly helical, coiled conformations. Intramolecularly condensed forms of HA were also observed, ranging from pearl necklace forms to thick rods. The condensation is attributed to weak adhesion to the mica surface, counterion-mediated attractive electrostatic interactions between polyelectrolytes, and hydration effects. Intermolecular association of both extended and condensed forms of HA was observed to result in the formation of networks and twisted fibers, in which the chain direction is not necessarily parallel to the fiber direction. Whereas the relaxed coil and partially condensed conformations of HA are relevant to the native structure of liquid connective tissues, fully condensed rods may be more relevant for HA tethered to a cell surface or intracellular HA, and fibrous forms may be relevant for HA subjected to shear flow in tight intercellular spaces or in protein-HA complexes.

Aluminum Silicates↗

Time-dependent DNA condensation induced by amyloid beta-peptide.

The major protein component of the amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's disease is a 39-43 residue peptide, amyloid beta (Abeta). Abeta is toxic to neurons, although the mechanism of neurodegeneration is uncertain. Evidence exists for non-B DNA conformation in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease brains, and Abeta was reportedly able to transform DNA conformation in vitro. In this study, we found that DNA conformation was altered in the presence of Abeta, and Abeta induced DNA condensation in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, Abeta sheets, serving as condensation nuclei, were crucial for DNA condensation, and Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) ions inhibited Abeta sheet-induced DNA condensation. Our results suggest DNA condensation as a mechanism of Abeta toxicity.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗

Mutations in the Drosophila condensin subunit dCAP-G: defining the role of condensin for chromosome condensation in mitosis and gene expression in interphase.

Chromosomes are dynamic structures that are reorganized during the cell cycle to optimize them for distinct functions. SMC and non-SMC condensin proteins associate into complexes that have been implicated in the process of chromosome condensation. The roles of the individual non-SMC subunits of the complex are poorly understood, and mutations in the CAP-G subunit have not been described in metazoans. Here we elucidate a role for dCAP-G in chromosome condensation and cohesion in Drosophila. We illustrate the requirement of dCAP-G for condensation during prophase and prometaphase; however, we find that alternate mechanisms ensure that replicated chromosomes are condensed prior to metaphase. In contrast, dCAP-G is essential for chromosome condensation in metaphase of single, unreplicated sister chromatids, suggesting that there is an interplay between replicated chromatids and the condensin complex. In the dcap-g mutants, defects in sister-chromatid separation are also observed. Chromatid arms fail to resolve in prophase and are unable to separate at anaphase, whereas sister centromeres show aberrant separation in metaphase and successfully move to spindle poles at anaphase. We also identified a role for dCAP-G during interphase in regulating heterochromatic gene expression.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗