X-ray spectroscopy of the Mn4Ca cluster in the water-oxidation complex of Photosystem II. (41/368)

The water-oxidation complex of Photosystem II (PS II) contains a heteronuclear cluster of 4 Mn atoms and a Ca atom. Ligands to the metal cluster involve bridging O atoms, and O and N atoms from amino acid side-chains of the D1 polypeptide of PS II, with likely additional contributions from water and CP43. Although moderate resolution X-ray diffraction-based structures of PS II have been reported recently, and the location of the Mn4Ca cluster has been identified, the structures are not resolved at the atomic level. X-ray absorption (XAS), emission (XES), resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) provide independent and potentially highly accurate sources of structural and oxidation-state information. When combined with polarized X-ray studies of oriented membranes or single-crystals of PS II, a more detailed picture of the cluster and its disposition in PS II is obtained.  (+info)

Progress toward acetate supplementation therapy for Canavan disease: glyceryl triacetate administration increases acetate, but not N-acetylaspartate, levels in brain. (42/368)

Canavan disease (CD) is a fatal genetic neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the gene for aspartoacylase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes N-acetylaspartate (NAA) into L-aspartate and acetate. Because aspartoacylase is localized in oligodendrocytes, and NAA-derived acetate is incorporated into myelin lipids, we hypothesize that an acetate deficiency in oligodendrocytes is responsible for the pathology in CD, and we propose acetate supplementation as a possible therapy. In our preclinical efforts toward this goal, we studied the effectiveness of orally administered glyceryl triacetate (GTA) and calcium acetate for increasing acetate levels in the murine brain. The concentrations of brain acetate and NAA were determined simultaneously after intragastric administration of GTA. We found that the acetate levels in brain were increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with a 17-fold increase observed at 1 to 2 h in 20- to 21-day-old mice at a dose of 5.8 g/kg GTA. NAA levels in the brain were not significantly increased under these conditions. Studies using mice at varying stages of development showed that the dose of GTA required to maintain similarly elevated acetate levels in the brain increased with age. Also, GTA was significantly more effective as an acetate source than calcium acetate. Chronic administration of GTA up to 25 days of age did not result in any overt pathology in the mice. Based on these results and the current Food and Drug Administration-approved use of GTA as a food additive, we propose that it is a potential candidate for use in acetate supplementation therapy for CD.  (+info)

Calcium absorption from corn tortilla is relatively high and is dependent upon calcium content and liming in Mexican women. (43/368)

Corn tortillas are the staple food of Mexico. During their preparation, calcium is added to the tortillas; therefore, tortillas are the main source of calcium for a large proportion of the population. The bioavailability of calcium from lime-treated tortillas in humans is not known. The objectives of the present study were to determine calcium absorption from corn tortilla, to determine the effect of lime treatment on calcium absorption from corn tortilla, and to compare calcium absorption from tortilla prepared with a commercial corn flour and tortillas prepared with the traditional lime treatment at home. Nonpregnant, nonlactating women (n = 9) were administered 3 different treatments: 1) 180 g of corn tortilla prepared from corn flour with no lime treatment (CF), 2) 180 g of corn tortilla prepared from lime-treated commercial corn flour (LTCCF), or 3) 180 g of corn tortillas prepared from lime-treated home-prepared corn flour (LTHCF). Calcium absorption was measured using an established dual-tracer stable isotope technique. Calcium absorption of CF, LTCCF, and LTHCF was (mean +/- SD): 44 +/- 3.2, 32 +/- 4.4, and 30 +/- 2.4%, respectively; the fractional calcium absorption from CF differed from that of either LTCCF or LTHCF (P < 0.01). The total amount of calcium absorbed per treatment was higher in LTHCF (98.10 mg +/- 21.7) than in LTCCF (59.9 mg +/- 23.7, P < 0.001) and CF (3.78 mg +/- 0.9, P < 0.0.001). In conclusion, calcium absorption from corn tortillas is high and dependent on calcium concentration. The addition of calcium during lime treatment increases calcium concentration and total calcium absorption.  (+info)

Effect of different dye solutions on the evaluation of the sealing ability of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate. (44/368)

Alkaline materials have shown incompatibility with methylene blue dye in leakage experiments. The goal of the present study was to analyze the effect of different dyes on the evaluation of the apical sealing ability of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate root-end fillings. Fifty-six extracted human canines were submitted to root canal instrumentation and obturation. After apical resection, retrograde cavities were prepared and teeth were randomly divided into four experimental (n = 13) and two control groups (n = 2). The following root-end filling materials were used: groups 1 and 2--Pro Root MTA (Dentsply), groups 3 and 4--zinc oxide-eugenol cement (ZOE). Teeth in groups 1 and 3 were immersed in 2% methylene blue solution, while teeth in groups 2 and 4 were immersed in 0.2% rhodamine B in a reduced pressure environment for 48 hours. Teeth were then longitudinally sectioned and leakage was evaluated. Results were submitted to statistical analysis (ANOVA and Tukey's test). Group 1 presented the least leakage (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the evaluation of the sealing ability of MTA is influenced by the dye used, since this material presented better sealing ability when evaluated with Methylene Blue, but was similar to ZOE when evaluated with rhodamine B.  (+info)

In vitro biocompatibility tests of two commercial types of mineral trioxide aggregate. (45/368)

Recently, regular and white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) are being used in Dentistry as retrofilling materials. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity tests form an important part of cancer research and risk assessment of potential carcinogens. Thus, the goal of this study was to examine the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of regular and white MTA in vitro by the single cell gel (comet) assay and trypan blue exclusion test, respectively. Mouse lymphoma cells were exposed to two presentation forms of MTA at final concentrations ranging from 1 to 1,000 microg/mL for 3 h at 37 degrees C. The results showed that both compounds tested did not produce genotoxic effects at all concentrations evaluated. Likewise, no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in cytotoxicity. Taken together, our results suggest that regular and white MTA are not genotoxins and are not able to interfere in cellular viability as assessed by single cell gel (comet) assay and trypan blue assay, respectively.  (+info)

Activity and composition of the denitrifying bacterial community respond differently to long-term fertilization. (46/368)

The objective of this study was to explore the long-term effects of different organic and inorganic fertilizers on activity and composition of the denitrifying and total bacterial communities in arable soil. Soil from the following six treatments was analyzed in an experimental field site established in 1956: cattle manure, sewage sludge, Ca(NO3)2, (NH4)2SO4, and unfertilized and unfertilized bare fallow. All plots but the fallow were planted with corn. The activity was measured in terms of potential denitrification rate and basal soil respiration. The nosZ and narG genes were used as functional markers of the denitrifying community, and the composition was analyzed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of nosZ and restriction fragment length polymorphism of narG, together with cloning and sequencing. A fingerprint of the total bacterial community was assessed by ribosomal intergenic spacer region analysis (RISA). The potential denitrification rates were higher in plots treated with organic fertilizer than in those with only mineral fertilizer. The basal soil respiration rates were positively correlated to soil carbon content, and the highest rates were found in the plots with the addition of sewage sludge. Fingerprints of the nosZ and narG genes, as well as the RISA, showed significant differences in the corresponding communities in the plots treated with (NH4)2SO4 and sewage sludge, which exhibited the lowest pH. In contrast, similar patterns were observed among the other four treatments, unfertilized plots with and without crops and the plots treated with Ca(NO3)2 or with manure. This study shows that the addition of different fertilizers affects both the activity and the composition of the denitrifying communities in arable soil on a long-term basis. However, the treatments in which the denitrifying and bacterial community composition differed the most did not correspond to treatments with the most different activities, showing that potential activity was uncoupled to community composition.  (+info)

Adsorption of meloxicam on porous calcium silicate: characterization and tablet formulation. (47/368)

The purpose of the present study was characterization of microparticles obtained by adsorption of poorly water soluble drug, meloxicam, on a porous silicate carrier Florite RE (FLR) and development of a tablet formulation using these microparticles, with improved drug dissolution properties. The study also reveals the use of FLR as a pharmaceutical excipient. Meloxicam was adsorbed on the FLR in 2 proportions (1:1 and 1:3), by fast evaporation of solvent from drug solution containing dispersed FLR. Drug adsorbed FLR microparticles were evaluated for surface topography, thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction properties, infrared spectrum, residual solvent, micromeritic properties, drug content, solubility, and dissolution studies. Microparticles showed bulk density in the range of 0.10 to 0.12 g/cm(3). Dissolution of drug from microparticles containing 1:3, drug:FLR ratio was faster than microparticles containing 1:1, drug:FLR ratio. These microparticles were used for formulating directly compressible tablets. Prepared tablets were compared with a commercial tablet. All the prepared tablets showed acceptable mechanical properties. Disintegration time of prepared tablets was in the range of 18 to 38 seconds, and drug dissolution was much faster in both acidic and basic medium from prepared tablets as compared with commercial tablet. The results suggest that FLR provides a large surface area for drug adsorption and also that a reduction in crystallinity of drug occurs. Increase in surface area and reduction in drug crystallinity result in improved drug dissolution from microparticles.  (+info)

In vitro evaluation of apical sealing in root apex treated with demineralization agents and retrofiled with mineral trioxide aggregate through marginal dye leakage. (48/368)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the apical seal in root apex treated with different demineralization agents and retrofilled with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) using marginal dye leakage. Fifty-six, human single-rooted teeth were instrumented, filled, resected and had retrofilling cavities prepared with ultrasonic tips. Demineralizing agents were applied before the apical cavities were retrofilled with Pro Root MTA. The specimens were assigned to 4 groups (n=14), as follows: group 1 (no demineralizing agent); group 2 (35% phosphoric acid, for 15 s); group 3 (17% EDTA solution, pH 7, for 3 min); and group 4 (24% EDTA gel, pH 7, for 4 min). The extension of dye (2% rhodamine B, at 37 degrees C, for 24 h) penetration was measured in millimeters using a stereomicroscope. Results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test at 5% significance level. Among the experimental groups, the least extension of dye penetration was observed in group 1 (1.89 mm), followed by groups 2 (2.18 mm), 4 (2.54 mm) and 3 (2.64 mm). No statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found in marginal microleakage among groups 1, 2 and 4 and groups 2, 3 and 4. Based on the results obtained in this study, it may be concluded that the application of demineralizing agents cannot be recommended when MTA is used in periradicular surgeries.  (+info)