A short review is given on scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The historic background of the technique is briefly summarized and the basic principles outlined. The three different directions of its use: chemical microscopic imaging, the measuring of physicochemical constants and coefficients, and use as a micromachining tool are briefly discussed. The general built-up of the SECM apparatus is described. Preparation and use of several different measuring tips are introduced. A few examples are given of the application of SECM measurement in different studies.

Electrochemistry↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Active water selective channels in the stomach: investigation of aquaporins after ethanol and capsaicin treatment in rats.

UNLABELLED: Recent studies discovered the existence of aquaporins (AQP), suggesting their roles in the active, ATP dependent water secretion or absorption. Our recent development of the monoclonal antibody family against aquaporins (Type 1 and 4) allowed us a good opportunity to investigate the mechanism of the gastric mucosal edema in a rat model. THE AIM OF OUR STUDY was to evaluate the changes in the tissue level of aquaporins (AQP1 and AQP4) after ethanol and capsaicin treatment in rat stomach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the experiments were carried out on Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150-200 g. The animals were fasted for 24 h, after the 1 ml of ethanol (50% v/v) or capsaicin (2 mg/ml) was given intragastrically. Rats were sacrificed after 5, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min, the tissue level of AQP1 and AQP4 was investigated immunoserologically by ELISA and dot-blot methods using our monoclonal antibodies. The location of these aquaporins in the gastric tissue was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: (1) in ethanol-treated stomach, both AQP1 and AQP4 increased after 5 min simultaneously with gastritis, then decreased dramatically depending on time. (2) In the capsaicin-treated group there were no changes in the tissue level of aquaporins in the first hour. After 60 min both AQP1 and AQP4 increased in the stomach without any macroscopically detectable changes, then decreased depending on time. (3) The immunohistochemical investigations using our monoclonal antibodies seem to support our present quantitative results. CONCLUSION: chemically induced gastric mucosal lesions are started by an extended edema. In the induction of the edema and the subsequent gastric injury, aquaporins (both AQP1 and AQP4) play an important role in the maintenance of mucosal integrity.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The Community Tool Box: a Web-based resource for building healthier communities.

Building healthier cities and communities requires an array of community-building skills that are not always taught in formal education. The Community Tool Box (http://ctb.ukans.edu) is an Internet-based resource for practical, comprehensive, accessible, and user-friendly information on community-building, which both professionals and ordinary citizens can use in everyday practice. It connects people, ideas, and resources, offering more than 200 how-to sections and more than 5,000 pages of text.

Community Health Planning↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Associations between microbiological and salivary caries activity tests and caries experience in Hungarian adolescents.

The aim of the study was to assess caries prevalence in connection with salivary caries-related findings in 349 14- to 16-year-old Hungarian adolescents living in two different cities. DMFT, DMFS means, stimulated salivary flow, buffer capacity, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and candida counts in saliva were determined. The ratio of caries-free adolescents was 4.6% in the total population sample, DMFT mean values were 7.24+/-4.86, DMFS means 10.50+/-8.35. Mean secretion rate of stimulated saliva was 0. 84+/-0.50; a low buffer capacity was found in 6.3% of the examined children. The ratio of carriers of mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and yeasts in saliva was 89.7, 73.9 and 47.7%, respectively. DMFT and DMFS values as well as mutans streptococci and candida counts were lower in the capital than in the other city. Statistically significant correlations were found between DMFT, DMFS mean values, and salivary microbiological counts.

Adolescent↗