Inhibition of Cronobacter sakazakii Biofilm Formation and Expression of Virulence Factors by Coenzyme Q0.

In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of coenzyme Q0 (CoQ0) on biofilm formation and the expression of virulence genes by Cronobacter sakazakii. We found that the minimum inhibitory concentration of CoQ0 against C. sakazakii strains ATCC29544 and ATCC29004 was 100 µg/mL, while growth curve assays showed that subinhibitory concentrations (SICs) of CoQ0 for both strains were 6.4, 3.2, 1.6 and 0.8 µg/mL. Assays exploring the inhibition of specific biofilm formation showed that SICs of CoQ0 inhibited biofilm formation by C. sakazakii in a dose-dependent manner, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy analyses. CoQ0 inhibited the swimming and swarming motility of C. sakazakii and reduced its ability to adhere to and invade HT-29 cells. In addition, CoQ0 impeded the ability of C. sakazakii to survive and replicate within RAW 264.7 cells. Finally, real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed that nine C. sakazakii genes associated with biofilm formation and virulence were downregulated in response to CoQ0 treatment. Overall, our findings suggest that CoQ0 is a promising antibiofilm agent and provide new insights for the prevention and control of infections caused by C. sakazakii.

The effect of premolar extractions on tooth size discrepancies.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of premolar extractions on tooth size discrepancy. A total of 213 plaster casts were divided into a Bolton big (BB), a Bolton normal (BN) and a Bolton small (BS) group according to the Bolton normal value plus or minus one standard deviation. The Bolton overall ratio of each group was measured and compared before and after hypothetical premolar extractions. The Bolton overall ratios after premolar extractions were smaller than those before extraction in each group. Some of the patients in the BN group and BB group were moved into the BS group and BN group after premolar extractions. A tooth size discrepancy occurred in some patients with normal overall ratios after premolar extractions, but a tooth size discrepancy might be corrected in some patients with big overall ratios after premolar extraction.

[The effect of premolar extractions on Bolton index.].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of premolar extractions on Bolton index. METHODS: 213 plaster casts were divided into Bolton big, normal and small groups according to Bolton normal value and one standard deviation. Bolton overall ratios and number of patients in each group were measured and compared between parameters before and after hypothetical premolar extractions. RESULTS: The Bolton overall ratios in each group were smaller after premolar extractions than those before extractions. Part of patients in the Bolton normal group and big group were changed into Bolton small group and normal group after premolar extractions, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Bolton overall ratios decreased after premolar extractions.