University College Cork

About: University College Cork is a education organization based out in Cork, Ireland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Irish. The organization has 12056 authors who have published 28452 publications receiving 958414 citations. The organization is also known as: Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh & National University of Ireland, Cork.

Serum concentrations of carotenoids and vitamins A, E, and C in control subjects from five European countries

Abstract: High intakes of fruits and vegetables, or high circulating levels of their biomarkers (carotenoids, vitamins C and E), have been associated with a relatively low incidence of cardiovascular disease, cataract and cancer. Exposure to a high fruit and vegetable diet increases antioxidant concentrations in blood and body tissues, and potentially protects against oxidative damage to cells and tissues. This paper describes blood concentrations of carotenoids, tocopherols, ascorbic acid and retinol in well-defined groups of healthy, non-smokers, aged 25-45 years, 175 men and 174 women from five European countries (France, UK (Northern Ireland), Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands and Spain). Analysis was centralised and performed within 18 months. Within-gender, vitamin C showed no significant differences between centres. Females in France, Republic of Ireland and Spain had significantly higher plasma vitamin C concentrations than their male counterparts. Serum retinol and α-tocopherol levels were similar between centres, but γ-tocopherol showed a great variability being the lowest in Spain and France, and the highest in The Netherlands. The provitamin A: non-provitamin A carotenoid ratio was similar among countries, whereas the xanthophylls (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin) to carotenes (α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene) ratio was double in southern (Spain) compared to the northern areas (Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland). Serum concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin were highest in France and Spain; β-cryptoxanthin was highest in Spain and The Netherlands; trans-lycopene tended to be highest in Irish males and lowest in Spanish males; α-carotene and β-carotene were higher in the French volunteers. Due to the study design, the concentrations of carotenoids and vitamins A, C and E represent physiological ranges achievable by dietary means and may be considered as 'reference values' in serum of healthy, non-smoking middle-aged subjects from five European countries. The results suggest that lutein (and zeaxanthin), β-cryptoxanthin, total xanthophylls and γ-tocopherol (and α- : γ-tocopherol) may be important markers related to the healthy or protective effects of the Mediterranean-like diet.

The mode of action of the lantibiotic lacticin 3147--a complex mechanism involving specific interaction of two peptides and the cell wall precursor lipid II.

Abstract: Summary Lacticin 3147 is a two-peptide lantibiotic produced by Lactococcus lactis in which both peptides, LtnA1 and LtnA2, interact synergistically to produce antibiotic activities in the nanomolar concentration range; the individual peptides possess marginal (LtnA1) or no activity (LtnA2). We analysed the molecular basis for the synergism and found the cell wall precursor lipid II to play a crucial role as a target molecule. Tryptophan fluorescence measurements identified LtnA1, which is structurally similar to the lantibiotic mersacidin, as the lipid II binding component. However, LtnA1 on its own was not able to substantially inhibit cell wall biosynthesis in vitro; for full inhibition, LtnA2 was necessary. Both peptides together caused rapid K+ leakage from intact cells; in model membranes supplemented with lipid II, the formation of defined pores with a diameter of 0.6 nm was observed. We propose a mode of action model in which LtnA1 first interacts specifically with lipid II in the outer leaflet of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. The resulting lipid II:LtnA1 complex is then able to recruit LtnA2 which leads to a high-affinity, three-component complex and subsequently inhibition of cell wall biosynthesis combined with pore formation.

A Modified DDE Index for Use in Epidemiological Studies of Enamel Defects

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate possible modifications to the DDE Index to make it simpler to use and to make the data collected more meaningful and amenable to analyses and interpretation. After the use of the DDE Index in a National Study in Ireland, initial alterations to the Index were tested on a group of children with enamel defects, in Ireland and New Zealand. The DDE Index was then modified to allow for the measurement of demarcated, diffuse, and hypoplastic defects and their severity. With the Modified Index, the prevalence of defects both on index teeth and all permanent tooth surfaces of 8- and 15-year-old children in fluoridated Cork City and non-fluoridated areas of Cork County and Manchester, U.K., was measured. The prevalence of enamel defects on one or more index teeth of children in the three areas ranged from 30 to 42% in 8-year-olds and from 31 to 38% in 15-year-olds. The percentage of children affected as seen by full-mouth examination was somewhat higher, ranging from 38 to 51% for 8-year-olds and 58 to 63% for 15-year-olds. The percentage of index teeth affected (7 to 14%) was generally higher than for all teeth (5 to 9%). Demarcated opacities were the most common defect seen. Diffuse opacities were found to be the discriminating factor between the fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas. In all areas, the vast majority of diffuse opacities extended over less than 1/3 of the surface area of the teeth affected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fluoride and oral health

Abstract: The discovery during the first half of the 20th century of the link between natural fluoride, adjusted fluoride levels in drinking water and reduced dental caries prevalence proved to be a stimulus for worldwide on-going research into the role of fluoride in improving oral health. Epidemiological studies of fluoridation programmes have confirmed their safety and their effectiveness in controlling dental caries. Major advances in our knowledge of how fluoride impacts the caries process have led to the development, assessment of effectiveness and promotion of other fluoride vehicles including salt, milk, tablets, toothpaste, gels and varnishes. In 1993, the World Health Organization convened an Expert Committee to provide authoritative information on the role of fluorides in the promotion of oral health throughout the world (WHO TRS 846, 1994). This present publication is a revision of the original 1994 document, again using the expertise of researchers from the extensive fields of knowledge required to successfully implement complex interventions such as the use of fluorides to improve dental and oral health. Financial support for research into the development of these new fluoride strategies has come from many sources including government health departments as well as international and national grant agencies. In addition, the unique role which industry has played in the development, formulation, assessment of effectiveness and promotion of the various fluoride vehicles and strategies is noteworthy. This updated version of 'Fluoride and Oral Health' has adopted an evidence-based approach to its commentary on the different fluoride vehicles and strategies and also to its recommendations. In this regard, full account is taken of the many recent systematic reviews published in peer reviewed literature.

Intrinsic tolerance of Bifidobacterium species to heat and oxygen and survival following spray drying and storage

Abstract: Aims This study examined the tolerance of various species of the genus Bifidobacterium to heat and oxygen and evaluated the survival of selected strains following spray drying and during storage. Methods and results Nine Bifidobacterium species were considered to be relatively tolerant to both heat and oxygen and mostly segregated into two clusters within the 16S rDNA phylogenetic tree. Four species were tolerant to oxygen and 12 species were considered sensitive to oxygen and heat. Using a skimmed milk-based carrier good survival following spray drying and storage at 4 degrees C correlated with tolerance to heat and oxygen. Viability was inversely related to storage temperature and at 15 degrees C and 25 degrees C, a significant decline was observed for all species. The inclusion of gum acacia had no significant affect on survival or viability. However, using a fluidized-bed spray dryer viability was greatly improved. Conclusions A group of closely related species tolerant to heat and oxygen had high survival following spray drying and maintained viability during prolonged storage at 4 degrees C. Significance and impact of the study Spray drying is a suitable method for the production of skimmed milk powder enriched with high numbers of viable bifidobacteria.