In vitro inhibitory effect of flavonoids on growth, infection and vacuolation of Helicobacter pylori

Flavonoids, which are main constituents of herbal medicines, have been reported to inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori (HP). Therefore, to evaluate the anti-HP activity of some flavonoids (flavanols, flavones, flavonols and isoflavonoids), their effects on the growth and vacuolation of HP as well as the infective properties of HP against HeLa cells were investigated. Catechins, quercetin and naringenin weakly inhibited the growth of HP, but all tested compounds did not inhibit HP infection into KATO III cells and HP urease activity. Quercetin and naringenin inhibited HP VacA vacuolation in HeLa cells with IC (50) values of 0.046 and 0.36 mM, respectively. Quercetin also inhibited procaspase-3 activation to caspase-3 in HeLa cells induced by HP VacA toxin, which may induce cell death via the proteolytic activation of a cascade of caspases. However, quercetin did not affect Bax and Bcl-2 protein levels. Based on these findings, quercetin may improve gastric cell death by inhibiting apoptotic signaling by HP VacA toxin. Abbreviations. HP: Helicobacter pyloriBSA:bovine serum albumin ESL:enhanced chemiluminescence MIC:minimum inhibitory concentration MTT:methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide PBS:phosphate-buffered saline VacA:Vacuolating cytotoxin.     

Anti-scratching behavioral effect of Lactobacillus plantarum PM008 isolated from kimchi in mice

To isolate antipruritic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from kimchi, a traditional Korean food, we investigated the interleukin (IL)-4 production-inhibitory effect in the colon of mice for previously isolated LAB. Orally administered Lactobacillus plantarum PM008 potently inhibited the expression of IgE-switching cytokine, IL-4, and of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and TNF-α, in the colon of mice. Its inhibitory effect was dependent on the dosage and administration period. When PM008 was orally administered to mice, the number of PM008 detected in the intestine and feces by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methods was dependent on the administration dosage and period. The number of PM008 attached in the intestine was gradually decreased with increasing time after completion of its oral administration. PM008 dose-dependently inhibited the scratching behavior induced by histamine or compound 48/80. PM008 treated at a dose of 1?×?10(10) CFU for 14 days inhibited the histamine- and compound 48/80-induced scratching behaviors by 32.8% and 48.6%, respectively. This inhibitory effect continued, although reduced, at 7 days after stopping the oral administration of PM008 attached in the intestine. Based on these findings, L. plantarum PM008 may improve pruritus by inhibiting IL-4 expression.     

原发性肾病综合征患者红细胞CR1密度相关基因组多态性与临床疗效的相关性分析

目的:探讨原发性肾病综合征(PNS)患者红细胞CR1密度相关基因组多态性及数量表达、黏附活性与临床疗效的关系。方法:测定45例PNS患者的红细胞CR1密度相关基因及数量表达与黏附活性,采用黄芪护肾汤配合标准激素疗程进行治疗。结果:45例PNS患者红细胞CR1密度相关基因高表达26例,中表达13例,低表达6例。高表达的数量表达和黏附活性高于中表达,中表达的数量表达和黏附活性高于低表达,比较有显著差异(P<0.05)。治疗后完全缓解20例,部分缓解15例,无效6例,复发4例。26例高表达患者主要分布在完全缓解和部分缓解组,13例中表达患者分布在完全缓解、部分缓解、无效和复发组,6例低表达患者分布在部分缓解、无效和复发组。结论:PNS患者红细胞CR1密度相关基因的表达与免疫分子数量表达及黏附活性成正相关,红细胞CR1密度相关基因组多态性与临床疗效存在密切关系。     

Treatment strategy based on the natural course for patients with spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection

Objective

The optimal treatment of spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD) is still not known, and we sought to determine an optimal treatment strategy for patients with SISMAD based on its natural clinical course.

Effects of two preparation designs and pontic distance on bending and fracture strength of fiber-reinforced composite inlay fixed partial dentures

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Joint fractures observed in Targis/Vectris inlay adhesive fixed restorations may be related to the preparation design. PURPOSE: This in vitro study investigated the effects of the proximal tooth preparation design and the pontic distance on the fracture strength and the amount of bending of fiber-reinforced inlay adhesive fixed partial dentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty extracted premolars and 40 molars were embedded in a PMMA resin to represent a premolar and molar mesiodistal separation distance of 7 mm and 11 mm, respectively. Two preparation designs were used (proximal box and tub-shaped). The sample size was 10 for each group. Fiber-reinforced inlay adhesive fixed partial dentures were fabricated by use of the Targis/Vectris system and luted adhesively to the teeth with Variolink luting agent. A vertical force was loaded to the center of the fixed partial dentures at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The initial bending (mm) prior to fracture was evaluated by measuring the distance the test rod moved from a 10 N preload to fracture. The differences in the mean fracture strength and the average amount of bending as a function of the preparation designs and pontic distances were compared by use of a 2-way analysis of variance (alpha=.05). The specimens were examined optically for the type of failure with a stereomicroscope. The fracture surface of the specimens was examined by scanning electron microscopy, and radiography was used to investigate the surface morphological features at the failure sites and to determine the fracture mode. A chi-square test was used to identify the differences in the debonding rates between the types of preparation designs and the pontic distance (alpha=.05). RESULTS: The mean fracture strength and the standard deviation of the fiber-reinforced inlay retained adhesive fixed partial denture group was 1368+/-212 N for the 7-mm tub group, 885+/-109 N for the 11-mm tub group, 1779+/-317 N for the 7-mm box group, and 1336+/-281 N for the 11-mm box group. The fracture strength was significantly higher in the 7-mm pontic distance (P<.001) and for the box-shaped tooth preparation (P<.001). The amount of bending was significantly greater in the 7-mm pontic distance (P=.025) and the box-shaped tooth preparation (P=.002). Debonding was observed only in premolar teeth and tub-shaped design groups. CONCLUSION: The box-shaped tooth preparation may be considered for restoration of a missing single posterior tooth with fiber-reinforced inlay adhesive fixed partial dentures.     

Effect of therapeutic chemical agents in vitro and on experimental meningoencephalitis due to Naegleria fowleri

Naegleria fowleri is a ubiquitous, pathogenic free-living amoeba; it is the most virulent Naegleria species and causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAME) in laboratory animals and humans. Although amphotericin B is currently the only agent available for the treatment of PAME, it is a very toxic antibiotic and may cause many adverse effects on other organs. In order to find other potentially therapeutic agents for N. fowleri infection, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficacies of miltefosine and chlorpromazine against pathogenic N. fowleri. The result showed that the growth of the amoeba was effectively inhibited by treatment with amphotericin B, miltefosine, and chlorpromazine. When N. fowleri trophozoites were treated with amphotericin B, miltefosine, and chlorpromazine, the MICs of the drug were 0.78, 25, and 12.5 μg/ml, respectively, on day 2. In experimental meningoencephalitis of mice that is caused by N. fowleri, the survival rates of mice treated with amphotericin B, miltefosine, and chlorpromazine were 40, 55, and 75%, respectively, during 1 month. The average mean time to death for the amphotericin B, miltefosine, and chlorpromazine treatments was 17.9 days. In this study, the effect of drugs was found to be optimal when 20 mg/kg was administered three times on days 3, 7, and 11. Finally, chlorpromazine had the best therapeutic activity against N. fowleri in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, it may be a more useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of PAME than amphotericin B.     

Effect of occlusal contact size on interfacial stresses and failure of a bonded ceramic: FEA and monotonic loading analyses.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether contact area (i.e. facet size) would influence the loads necessary for subsurface radial crack formation in porcelain specimens bonded to a dentin analog material. METHODS: Dental porcelain discs (0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 1.5 mm thick) were bonded to compliant bases simulating dentin, and loaded with either a 1 mm, 2 mm, or 3 mm diameter aluminum piston until fracture. Pop-in of the subsurface radial crack from the bonded interface was detected using the acoustic emission (AE) method. Pre-test and post-test finite element analysis (FEA) was used to model the experiment and to calculate subsurface failure stresses. RESULTS: There were significant differences in loads sustained before fracture according to both the ceramic thickness and the piston diameter (p<0.05; ANOVA and post-hoc Scheffe). Failure loads were found to be proportional to the square of the porcelain thickness. For all thicknesses, significantly higher loads were sustained beneath the 3mm piston than beneath the 1mm piston. FEA calculated failure strengths for the 1 mm thick porcelain (calculated from experimental mean loads) differed significantly for loading with the 1mm piston (168 MPa) or 3 mm piston (60 MPa). CONCLUSIONS: It appears that both ceramic thickness and contact facet size may be clinically controlled to increase load-bearing ability of all-ceramic crowns. Single value strengths may not accurately model bonded dental ceramics; adjustments such as with Weibull scaling may improve accuracy. These results further suggest that small spherical indenters do not create clinically analogous contact conditions.