Cell-free culture supernatant of Lactobacillus curvatus Wikim38 inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and ameliorates bone loss in ovariectomized mice.

This study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effects of the cell-free culture supernatant of Lactobacillus curvatus Wikim 38 (LC38-CS) on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone loss in a mice model of ovariectomy-induced post-menopausal osteoporosis. LC38-CS inhibited the RANKL-induced differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) into osteoclasts in a dose-dependent manner. F-actin ring formation and bone resorption were also reduced by LC38-CS treatment of RANKL-treated BMDMs. In addition, LC38-CS decreased the RANKL-induced activation of the TRAF6/NF-κB/MAPKs axis at the early stage and the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related genes in BMDMs treated with RANKL. PRMT1 and ADMA levels, new biomarkers for osteoclastogenesis, were decreased by LC38-CS treatment. The administration of LC38-CS increased bone volume and bone mineral density in ovariectomized mice in µ-CT analysis. These findings suggest that LC38-CS inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by the downregulation of molecular mechanisms and exerted anti-osteoporotic effects.

[Multidisciplinary classification of magnetic resonance imaging features of neuropsychiatric lupus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical correlation between the manifestations of neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 65 neuropsychiatric lupus patients with brain MRI and clinical data from Peking University Third Hospital from January 2006 to October 2016, which was classified by rheumatologist, neurologists, and radiologists based on their brain MRI findings. The correlation between brain MRI findings and clinical manifestations was analyzed. RESULTS: The characteristics of the brain MRI of the 65 patients were divided into 6 categories: 16 cases (25%) with demyelination in the white matter, 15 cases (23%) with cerebrovascular disease, including 4 cases (6%) with large vascular disease and 11 cases (17%) with small vessel disease, 4 cases (6%) with inflammation, 4 cases (6%) with edema, 13 cases (20%) with multiple manifestation coexistence, and 13 cases (20%) without any abnormality. Except for 4 cases of brain MRI with edema, the clinical manifestations were only epileptic seizures, other patients had complex and diverse clinical manifestations, including epileptic seizures, lupus-like headaches, mental symptoms, blurred vision, peripheral neuropathy and disturbance of consciousness. The incidence of epileptic seizures in patients with edema of MRI is significantly higher than that of other patients, and the therapeutic response time is the shortest. CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary collaboration divides the MRI findings of neuropsychiatric lupus patients into six categories. This classification method helps clinicians to predict and intervene early possible neuropsychiatric symptoms to guide clinical treatment.

Effect of fabric mounting method and backing material on bloodstain patterns of drip stains on textiles.

Textiles may provide valuable bloodstain evidence to help piece together events or activities at violent crime scenes. However, in spite of over 75 years of research, there are still difficulties encountered in many cases in the interpretation and identification of bloodstains on textiles. In this study, we dripped porcine blood onto three types of fabric (plain woven, single jersey knit, and denim) that are supported in four different ways (hard, taut, loose, and semi-hard, i.e., fabric laid on denim). These four mounting methods represent different ways in which a textile may be present when blood from a violent act lands on it. This study investigates how the fabric mounting method and backing material affect the appearance of drip stains on textiles. We found that bloodstain patterns formed on fabric lying flat on a hard surface were very different from when the same fabric was suspended loosely. We also found that bloodstains formed on the technical back of single jersey knit were vastly different from those on the technical face. Interestingly, some drip stains showed blood passing through the textile and leaving a stain behind it that resembled insect stains. By observing, recording, and describing how a blood stained textile is found or presented at the scene, the analyst may be able to better understand bloodstains and bloodstain patterns on textiles, which could be useful to confirm or refute a witness's account of how blood came to be where it was found after a bloodshed event.

[Clinical analysis on effect of retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy in elderly donors for renal transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy in elderly donors for renal transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted with 123 cases of retroperitoneoscopic living donor kidney transplantation in 309th Hospital of PLA from March 2011 to March 2014, including 44 elderly donors (age≥55 years) and 79 young to middle-aged donors (age <55 years). Comparisons were made in terms of postoperative complications in both donors and recipients, renal function recovery in the donors and function of graft in the recipients. RESULTS: The clinical baseline data of the two groups shows that glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of donors in the elderly donor group was lower than the young donor group (P=0.04). The 123 donors all underwent retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy successfully. Postoperative complications in donors and recipients of both groups had no significant differences (P=0.60; P=1.00). In the elderly donor group, the mean serum creatinine level of donors was significantly higher than that in the young donors group [(115.8±22.3) vs (102.5±16.3) µmol/L, P<0.01] 3 days after operation; and estimated GFR (eGFR) was lower [(53.0±9.1)vs(59.6±8.3)ml·min(-1)·(1.73 m(2))(-1,) P<0.01]. Serum creatinine and eGFR of the two groups showed no significant differences one week and six months after surgery (all P>0.05). Four recipients in the elderly donor group had delayed graft function (DGF), 3 had acute rejection; 8 recipients in the young donor group had DGF, 5 had acute rejection; no statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups (both P=1.00). Recipients' eGFR were higher in the young donor group than in the elderly donor group at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery, but with no statistically significant differences(all P>0.05). After (27.8±12.6) months follow-up, 1 recipient in the elderly donor group died from pulmonary infection; two recipients in the young donor group had kidney dysfunction. Graft survival in the two groups showed no significant difference(P=0.95). CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy is safe and feasible for elderly donors. With careful preoperative evaluation, precise operation, and close postoperative monitoring and follow-up, it could provide satisfactory clinical outcome.

A KRAS mutation status-stratified randomized phase II trial of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin alone or in combination with cetuximab in advanced biliary tract cancer.

BACKGROUND: Previous clinical trials have not proved that adding epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors to chemotherapy confers a survival benefit for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (ABTC). Whether the KRAS mutation status of tumor cells confounded the results of past studies is unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ABTC patients stratified by KRAS status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and primary tumor location were randomized 1 : 1 to receive GEMOX (800 mg/m(2) gemcitabine and 85 mg/m(2) oxaliplatin) or C-GEMOX (500 mg/m(2) cetuximab plus GEMOX) every 2 weeks. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR). RESULTS: The study enrolled 122 patients between December 2010 and May 2012 (62 treated with C-GEMOX and 60 with GEMOX). Compared with GEMOX alone, C-GEMOX was associated with trend to better ORR (27% versus 15%; P = 0.12) and progression-free survival (PFS, 6.7 versus 4.1 months; P = 0.05), but not overall survival (OS, 10.6 versus 9.8 months; P = 0.91). KRAS mutations, which were detected in 36% of tumor samples, did not affect the trends of difference in ORR and PFS between C-GEMOX and GEMOX. The two treatment arms had similar adverse events, except that more patients had skin rashes, allergic reactions, and neutropenia in the C-GEMOX arm. Of patients with C-GEMOX, the presence of a grade 2 or 3 skin rash was associated with significantly better ORR, PFS, and OS. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of cetuximab did not significantly improve the ORR of GEMOX chemotherapy in ABTC, although a trend of PFS improvement was observed. The trend of improvement did not correlate with KRAS mutation status. CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER: This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01267344). All patients gave written informed consent.

Changes in oral mucosal MUC1 expression and salivary hormones throughout the menstrual cycle.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate relationships among oral mucosal epithelial MUC1 expression, salivary stress markers, and female gonadal hormones throughout the menstrual cycle. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty healthy women (25.9 ± 2.1 years) with regular menstrual cycle were included. Unstimulated (UWS) and stimulated whole saliva (SWS) were collected during the menstrual cycle. The expression level of oral mucosal MUC1 was analyzed. 17ß-Estradiol, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), cortisol, chromogranin A (CgA), and blood contamination levels were measured from UWS and SWS. RESULTS: Significant positive correlations were observed between 17ß-estradiol and DHEA in UWS, cortisol and CgA in UWS, MUC1 expression and DHEA in SWS, and among cortisol, progesterone, and DHEA in UWS and SWS. Significant negative correlations were observed between MUC1 and cortisol/DHEA ratio in UWS and SWS. When each phase was analyzed individually, MUC1 expression showed significant negative correlations with cortisol, progesterone, and cortisol/DHEA ratio in UWS and with progesterone and cortisol/DHEA ratio in SWS during the mid-luteal phase. A significant negative correlation was also observed between MUC1 and cortisol/DHEA ratio in UWS during the late luteal phase. CONCLUSIONS: Stress-related psychoendocrinological interactions throughout the menstrual cycle resulted in a decrease in oral mucosal epithelial MUC1 expression and a weakening of oral mucosal defense.

Genetic polymorphisms in the prostaglandin pathway genes and risk of head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies examining the association between genetic variations in prostaglandin pathway and risk of head and neck cancer (HNC) have only included polymorphisms in the PTGS2 (COX2) gene. This study investigated the association between genetic polymorphisms of six prostaglandin pathway genes (PGDS, PTGDS, PTGES, PTGIS, PTGS1 and PTGS2), and risk of HNC. METHODS: Interviews regarding the consumption of alcohol, betel quid, and cigarette were conducted with 222 HNC cases and 214 controls. Genotyping was performed for 48 tag and functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). RESULTS: Two tag SNPs of PTGIS showed a significant association with HNC risk [rs522962: log-additive odds ratio (OR) = 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.99 and dominant OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.02-2.47; rs6125671: log-additive OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.08-2.05 and dominant OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.16-3.32]. In addition, a region in PTGIS tagged by rs927068 and rs6019902 was significantly associated with risk of HNC (global P = 0.007). Finally, several SNPs interacted with betel quid and cigarette to influence the risk of HNC. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variations in prostaglandin pathway genes are associated with risk of HNC and may modify the relationship between use of betel quid or cigarette and development of HNC.

DNA vaccine elicits an efficient antitumor response by targeting the mutant Kras in a transgenic mouse lung cancer model.

Mutant Kras (V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) is observed in more than 20% of non-small-cell lung cancers; however, no effective Kras target therapy is available at present. The Kras DNA vaccine may represent as a novel immunotherapeutic agent in lung cancer. In this study, we investigated the antitumor efficacy of the Kras DNA vaccine in a genetically engineered inducible mouse lung tumor model driven by Kras(G12D). Lung tumors were induced by doxycycline, and the therapeutic effects of Kras DNA vaccine were evaluated with delivery of Kras(G12D) plasmids. Mutant Kras(G12D) DNA vaccine significantly decreased the tumor nodules. A dominant-negative mutant Kras(G12D)N17, devoid of oncogenic activity, achieved similar therapeutic effects. The T-helper 1 immune response was enhanced in mice treated with Kras DNA vaccine. Splenocytes from mice receiving Kras DNA vaccine presented an antigen-specific response by treatment with peptides of Kras but not Hras or OVA. The number of tumor-infiltrating CD8(+) T cells increased after Kras vaccination. In contrast, Kras DNA vaccine was not effective in the lung tumor in transgenic mice, which was induced by mutant L858R epidermal growth factor receptor. Overall, these results indicate that Kras DNA vaccine produces an effective antitumor response in transgenic mice, and may be useful in treating lung cancer-carrying Ras mutation.

Obesity and outcomes in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma.

Body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for comorbid illnesses and cancer development. It was hypothesized that obesity status affects disease outcomes and treatment-related toxicities in esophageal cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT). From March 2002 to April 2010, 405 patients with non-metastatic esophageal carcinoma at MD Anderson Cancer Center treated with either definitive or neoadjuvant CRT were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized as either obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) ) or nonobese (BMI < 25 kg/m(2) ). Progression-free survival and overall survival times were examined using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. One hundred fifteen (28.4%) patients were classified as nonobese and 290 (71.6%) as obese. Obese patients were more likely than others to have several comorbid diseases (P < 0.001), adenocarcinoma located distally (P < 0.001), and have undergone surgery (P = 0.004). Obesity was not associated with either worse operative morbidity/mortality (P > 0.05) or worse positron emission tomography tumor response (P = 0.46) on univariate analysis, nor with worse pathologic complete response (P = 0.98) on multivariate analysis. There was also no difference in overall survival, locoregional control, or metastasis-free survival between obese and nonobese patients (P = 0.86). However, higher BMI was associated with reduced risk of chemoradiation-induced high-grade esophagitis (P = 0.021), esophageal stricture (P < 0.001), and high-grade hematologic toxicity (P < 0.001). In esophageal cancer patients treated with CRT, obesity is not predictive of poorer disease outcomes or operative morbidities; instead, data suggest it may be associated with decreased risk of acute chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-related treatment toxicities.

Improved survival outcomes with the incidental use of beta-blockers among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with definitive radiation therapy.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies have shown that norepinephrine can directly stimulate tumor cell migration and that this effect is mediated by the beta-adrenergic receptor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 722 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received definitive radiotherapy (RT). A Cox proportional hazard model was utilized to determine the association between beta-blocker intake and locoregional progression-free survival (LRPFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: In univariate analysis, patients taking beta-blockers (n = 155) had improved DMFS (P < 0.01), DFS (P < 0.01), and OS (P = 0.01), but not LRPFS (P = 0.33) compared with patients not taking beta-blockers (n = 567). In multivariate analysis, beta-blocker intake was associated with a significantly better DMFS [hazard ratio (HR), 0.67; P = 0.01], DFS (HR, 0.74; P = 0.02), and OS (HR, 0.78; P = 0.02) with adjustment for age, Karnofsky performance score, stage, histology type, concurrent chemotherapy, radiation dose, gross tumor volume, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the use of aspirin. There was no association of beta-blocker use with LRPFS (HR = 0.91, P = 0.63). CONCLUSION: Beta-blocker use is associated with improved DMFS, DFS, and OS in this large cohort of NSCLC patients. Future prospective trials can validate these retrospective findings and determine whether the length and timing of beta-blocker use influence survival outcomes.

Association of Left Vertebral Artery Hypoplasia with Posterior Circulation Stroke and the Functional Outcome of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation-Related Cardioembolic Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A cardiogenic embolus could reach the posterior circulation through the right vertebral artery because of a relatively larger diameter in cases of left vertebral artery hypoplasia. Hence, we investigated whether left vertebral artery hypoplasia is associated with cardiac embolisms with atrial fibrillation in the posterior circulation and its functional outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this monocentric retrospective study, patients with acute cardioembolic stroke with atrial fibrillation were enrolled and underwent CT or neck MRA, which visualized the aortic arch and subclavian arteries. The laterality and size of vertebral artery hypoplasia were recorded. Posterior circulation stroke, basilar artery occlusion, and the functional outcomes after 3 months were investigated. RESULTS: This study included 407 patients; the patients with left vertebral artery hypoplasia experienced a higher rate of posterior circulation stroke (19 versus 73; 42.2% versus 20.2%; P = .001) and basilar artery occlusion (5 versus 10; 11.1% versus 2.8%; P = .005) than the patients without left vertebral artery hypoplasia. Multivariate analysis revealed that left vertebral artery hypoplasia showed an association with lower odds of achieving a good functional outcome 3 months after the stroke (OR = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.9; P = .027). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cardioembolic stroke and left vertebral artery hypoplasia had posterior circulation stroke, basilar artery occlusion, and poor functional outcomes after 3 months.

Sprague Dawley rats from different vendors vary in the modulation of prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI) by dopamine, acetylcholine, and glutamate drugs.

RATIONALE: Rodent vendors are often utilized interchangeably, assuming that the phenotype of a given strain remains standardized between colonies. Several studies, however, have found significant behavioral and physiological differences between Sprague Dawley (SD) rats from separate vendors. Prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI), a form of sensorimotor gating in which a low-intensity leading stimulus reduces the startle response to a subsequent stimulus, may also vary by vendor. Differences in PPI between rat strains are well known, but divergence between colonies within the SD strain lacks thorough examination. OBJECTIVES: We explored intrastrain variation in PPI by testing SD rats from two vendors: Envigo and Charles River (CR). METHODS: We selected drugs acting on four major neurotransmitter systems that have been repeatedly shown to modulate PPI: dopamine (apomorphine; 0.5, 1.5, 3.0 mg/kg), acetylcholine (scopolamine; 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg), glutamate (dizocilpine; 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 mg/kg), and serotonin (2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine, DOI; 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg). We determined PPI and startle amplitude for each drug in male and female Envigo and CR SD rats. RESULTS: SD rats from Envigo showed dose-dependent decreases in PPI after apomorphine, scopolamine, or dizocilpine administration, without significant effects on startle amplitude. SD rats from CR were less sensitive to modulation of PPI and/or more sensitive to modulation of startle amplitude, across the three drugs. CONCLUSIONS: SD rats showed vendor differences in sensitivity to pharmacological modulation of PPI and startle. We encourage researchers to sample rats from separate vendors before experimentation to identify the most suited source of subjects for their specific endpoints.

Salivary cortisol, 17ß-estradiol, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and α-amylase in patients with burning mouth syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate salivary markers related with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty female patients with BMS and twenty female control subjects were included. Unstimulated (UWS) and stimulated whole saliva samples (SWS) were collected, and their flow rates were determined. Salivary levels of cortisol, 17ß-estradiol, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and enzymatic activity of α-amylase were determined. Salivary transferrin level was measured to determine the level of blood contamination in saliva samples. RESULTS: The levels of all analytes in UWS were significantly correlated with those of SWS. The levels of 17ß-estradiol, progesterone, and DHEA in UWS were significantly correlated with age. Age-matched comparisons revealed that the patient group had significantly higher levels of cortisol in UWS and of 17ß-estradiol in SWS. When the patients were divided into older (≥60years) and younger (<60years) groups, the older group showed a significantly lower level of progesterone in UWS. There were no significant relationships between treatment efficacy and levels of salivary analytes. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, patients with BMS showed significantly higher levels of cortisol in UWS and of 17ß-estradiol in SWS compared with controls.

Ultrasound-assisted desalination of crude oil: The influence of mixing extent, crude oil species, chemical demulsifier and operation variables.

Coalescence of water droplets in crude oil has been effectively promoted by chemical demulsifiers integrated with ultrasound. Temporary images of water droplets in W/O emulsions were directly monitored using a metallurgical microscope. Water droplets achieved expansion of 118% at 40 min ultrasonic irradiation time under well mixing conditions. However, water droplets in heavy crude oil undergo less aggregation than those in light crude oil, due to resistance of mobility in highly viscous fluid. In the absence of chemical demulsifiers, water droplets enveloped by native surfactants appeared to aggregate arduously because of occurrence of interfacial tension gradients. Influential significance analyses have been executed by a factorial design method on operation variables, including acoustic power intensity, operation temperature, ultrasonic irradiation time and chemical demulsifier dosages. In this work, the outcomes indicate that the optimal operating conditions for desalination of crude oil assisted by ultrasound were as follows: acoustic power intensity = 300 W, operation temperature = 90℃, ultrasonic irradiation time = 75 min and chemical demulsifier dosages = 54 mg/L. Besides, it was found that the most influential importance of operation parameter was temperature, followed with acoustic power intensity, ultrasonic irradiation time and chemical demulsifier dosages.

Influences of hyaluronic acid on the anticandidal activities of lysozyme and the peroxidase system.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the fungistatic and fungicidal activity of hyaluronic acid (HA) and the influences of HA on the anticandidal activities of lysozyme and the peroxidase system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HA, hen egg-white lysozyme, and the bovine lactoperoxidase system were used. Candida albicans ATCC 10231, 18804, and 11006 strains were used in the experiments. The fungistatic activity of HA was determined by measuring the optical densities of the cultures. The candidacidal activity of HA and the influences of HA on the candidacidal activities of lysozyme and the peroxidase system were determined by comparing the numbers of colony-forming units. RESULTS: Hyaluronic acid displayed inhibitory effects on the growth of C. albicans, and the inhibitory effects were proportional to HA concentration. HA did not have any measurable candidacidal activity. HA showed inhibitory effects on the candidacidal activities of lysozyme, and the peroxidase system that was proportional to HA concentration. HA at 1.0-2.0 mg ml(-1) almost completely inhibited the candidacidal activities of lysozyme and the peroxidase system. CONCLUSIONS: Hyaluronic acid possesses fungistatic activity but no candidacidal activity. HA showed inhibitory effects on the candidacidal activities of lysozyme and the peroxidase system.

Effects of HB-EGF and epiregulin on wound healing of gingival cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: Gingival wound healing is important to periodontal disease and surgery. This in vitro study was conducted to assess the manner in which heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and epiregulin cooperatively participate in the wound-healing process in the gingival epithelial and fibroblast cells of the oral mucosa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gingival epithelium and fibroblast were separated from gingival tissue biopsies and prepared to primary cultures. The changes in the mRNA expression were evaluated via real-time PCR. The effects on cell proliferation, migration, and repopulation were evaluated in vitro. RESULTS: The different regulation of expressions of HB-EGF, epiregulin, and epidermal growth factor receptors was observed over time and with different gingival cell types. HB-EGF exerted a cell migration-inducing effect on both epithelial and fibroblast cells, whereas epiregulin did not. Both growth factors functioned as mitogens for epithelial cell proliferation, but not for fibroblast proliferation. HB-EGF strongly promoted epithelial cell repopulation and mildly promoted fibroblast repopulation, whereas epiregulin promoted only fibroblast repopulation. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that both growth factors might function importantly in the wound-healing process of human gingival tissue via the different regulation of the expression, cell migration, proliferation, and repopulation.

Rheological properties of hyaluronic acid and its effects on salivary enzymes and candida.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the viscosity and wettability of hyaluronic acid (HA), its effects on lysozyme and peroxidase activities, and its candidacidal activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human whole saliva, HA, hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL), and bovine lactoperoxidase (bLPO) were used. Viscosity was measured with a cone-and-plate digital viscometer, while wettability was determined by measuring the contact angle. Lysozyme activity was determined by the turbidimetric method. Peroxidase activity was determined with NbsSCN assay. Candidacidal activity was determined by comparing colony forming units. RESULTS: The viscosity of HA solutions was proportional to its concentration, with 0.05 mg ml(-1) of HA in distilled water or 0.5 mg ml(-1) in simulated salivary buffer displaying similar viscosity values to stimulated whole saliva. The contact angle of HA solutions showed no significant differences according to the tested materials and tested HA concentrations. Contact angles of HA solutions on acrylic resin were higher than those of human saliva. HA did not affect lysozyme or peroxidase activities of whole saliva as well as HEWL or bLPO activities. HA also showed no candidacidal activity. CONCLUSIONS: The viscoelastic properties of HA compared with human saliva were objectively confirmed, indicating a vital role for HA in the development of effective salivary substitutes.

Microfluidic assisted synthesis of multi-functional polycaprolactone microcapsules: incorporation of CdTe quantum dots, Fe3O4 superparamagnetic nanoparticles and tamoxifen anticancer drugs.

This paper demonstrates a proof-of-concept approach for encapsulating the anticancer drug tamoxifen, Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and CdTe quantum dots (QDs) into size-controlled polycaprolactone (PCL) microcapsules utilizing microfluidic emulsification, which combined magnetic targeting, fluorescence imaging and drug controlled release properties into one drug delivery system. Cross-linking the composite PCL microcapsules with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) tailored their size, morphology, optical and magnetic properties and drug release behaviors. The flow conditions of the two immiscible solutions were adjusted in order to successfully generate various sizes of polymer droplets. The result showed superparamagnetic and fluorescent properties, and was used as a controlled drug release vehicle. The composite magnetic and fluorescent PCL microcapsules are potential candidates for a smart drug delivery system.

A new HLA-B*51 variant, B*5158, identified by sequence-based typing in a Korean individual.

A novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*51 allele, officially named HLA-B*5158, was identified in the cord blood from Korean. HLA-B*5158 allele shows single nucleotide difference from B*510101 in exon 2 at nucleotide position 214 (C/T), resulting in an amino acid substitution, Trp48Arg.