BK polyomavirus DNAemia, allograft rejection, and de novo donor-specific antibodies after lowering target tacrolimus levels in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: BK polyomavirus (BKV) DNAemia is a challenging infectious complication after kidney transplant (KT). Reduction of immunosuppression is the mainstay of management, and tacrolimus is often the first immunosuppressive medication adjusted upon the diagnosis of BKV DNAemia. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a new institutional protocol with lower target tacrolimus levels on BKV DNAemia, allograft rejection, and de novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSA) among pediatric KT recipients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all KT episodes between January 2013 and December 2018. The new protocol with lower target tacrolimus levels was implemented in March 2015. One hundred twenty-seven patients were included in primary analysis. All patients received induction with basiliximab and methylprednisolone and were maintained on a steroid-based immunosuppressive regimen. RESULTS: In the post-intervention cohort, cumulative incidence of BKV DNAemia at 100 days (13.4% vs. 17.8%, p = .605) and 18 months post-KT (34.1% vs. 26.7%, p = .504) was not significantly different from the pre-intervention cohort. Biopsy-proven rejection rate did not change. However, we observed a trend toward earlier development of dnDSA in the post-intervention cohort using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (log-rank p = .06). Younger recipient age at the time of transplant was found to slightly increase the risk of BKV DNAemia (OR: 1.09, 95% CI [1.01, 1.16], p = .024). There was an association between BKV DNAemia and biopsy-proven rejection of any type (adjustedOR: 2.77, 95% CI [1.26, 6.23], p = .012), especially acute T-cell-mediated rejection grade 1A and above (adjustedOR: 2.95, 95% CI [1.06, 8.30], p = .037), after adjusted for recipient age at the time of transplant. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting lower tacrolimus levels did not decrease the incidence of BKV DNAemia within 100 days or 18 months post-KT, nor did it increase the risk of biopsy-proven rejection among pediatric KT recipients in our center. However, there was a trend toward earlier development of dnDSA, which may portend worse long-term graft outcome post-KT. Our findings highlight the need for individualized immunosuppressive regimens based on immunologic and infectious risk factors and the importance of implementing innovative biomarkers to guide therapy and improve outcomes.

Clinical features of NOTCH2NLC-related neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal expanded GGC repeats within the NOTCH2HLC gene has been confirmed as the genetic mechanism for most Asian patients with neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID). This cross-sectional observational study aimed to characterise the clinical features of NOTCH2NLC-related NIID in China. METHODS: Patients with NOTCH2NLC-related NIID underwent an evaluation of clinical symptoms, a neuropsychological assessment, electrophysiological examination, MRI and skin biopsy. RESULTS: In the 247 patients with NOTCH2NLC-related NIID, 149 cases were sporadic, while 98 had a positive family history. The most common manifestations were paroxysmal symptoms (66.8%), autonomic dysfunction (64.0%), movement disorders (50.2%), cognitive impairment (49.4%) and muscle weakness (30.8%). Based on the initial presentation and main symptomology, NIID was divided into four subgroups: dementia dominant (n=94), movement disorder dominant (n=63), paroxysmal symptom dominant (n=61) and muscle weakness dominant (n=29). Clinical (42.7%) and subclinical (49.1%) peripheral neuropathies were common in all types. Typical diffusion-weighted imaging subcortical lace signs were more frequent in patients with dementia (93.9%) and paroxysmal symptoms types (94.9%) than in those with muscle weakness (50.0%) and movement disorders types (86.4%). GGC repeat sizes were negatively correlated with age of onset (r=-0.196, p<0.05), and in the muscle weakness-dominant type (median 155.00), the number of repeats was much higher than in the other three groups (p<0.05). In NIID pedigrees, significant genetic anticipation was observed (p<0.05) without repeat instability (p=0.454) during transmission. CONCLUSIONS: NIID is not rare; however, it is usually misdiagnosed as other diseases. Our results help to extend the known clinical spectrum of NOTCH2NLC-related NIID.

Periodontal-orthodontic interdisciplinary management of a "periodontally hopeless" maxillary central incisor with severe mobility: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Treating periodontally hopeless teeth with advanced bone resorption and severe tooth mobility is a great challenge for both orthodontists and periodontists. Biofilm-induced periodontal inflammation and occlusal trauma-related inflammation may synergistically aggravate tooth mobility. This case report illustrates that even periodontally hopeless teeth can be saved and have long-term stability with comprehensive periodontal treatment to control periodontal inflammation and promote periodontal bone regeneration and intricate orthodontic mechanical control to correct cross bite and occlusal trauma. CASE SUMMARY: A 27-year-old female patient whose chief complaint was severe tooth mobility and discomfort of the maxillary incisor was diagnosed with severe aggressive periodontitis by clinical and radiographic examinations. To reduce tooth mobility and establish stable occlusion, we combined orthodontic treatment with periodontal therapy to preserve the tooth. Orthodontic treatment was performed after basic periodontal therapy and periodontal surgery. The loosened upper right central incisor was successfully retained, and the periodontal tissue remained stable during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Teeth with severe mobility and bone loss can be saved through interdisciplinary treatment when periodontal inflammation is strictly controlled.

Phytic acid and graphene oxide functionalized sponge with special-wettability and electronegativity for oil-in-water emulsion separation in single-step.

Developing an emulsion separation material with one-step in-situ purifying capability and improved security in applications, especially for subsequent scale-up, is valuable but remains a challenge. Herein, the amphiphilic sponge (PA@RGO@MS) was prepared via impregnation and in-situ growth of the negatively charged hydrophilic phytic acid (PA) and the hydrophobic reduced graphene oxide (RGO) on the surface of the melamine sponge (MS) and applied in emulsion purification. The mechanics, wettability, absorption performance of the PA@RGO@MS were analyzed to identify its potential for stable demulsification. Results show that the PA@RGO@MS could purify emulsions (turbidity removal rate = 99.7%; TOC removal rate = 94.14%) in-situ in one step by simple shock absorption, profited from the hydrophilic and demulsification capability of PA, oil absorption of RGO, and wide reaction and storage space of MS. Targeting the emulsion with distinct properties (density, viscosity, and concentration) of the oil phase, the PA@RGO@MS could efficiently enable the purification. Meanwhile, the powerful flame-retardant granted from PA ensures the safe shipment and storage of sponges. The favorable cyclability (turbidity removal rate > 98.5% and TOC removal rate > 89.5% after 10 cycles) and diversified operating modes enhance the practical value of the PA@RGO@MS.

Mutation spectrum of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Central South China.

To analyze the mutational spectrum of known ALS causative genes in China ALS patients. We comprehensively analyzed 51 ALS causative genes by combining different sequencing technologies in 753 unrelated ALS patients from Central South China. The mean age at onset (AAO) was 53.7±11.4 years. The AAO was earlier in the autosomal dominant (AD) ALS patients than in the sporadic ALS (sALS) patients. Bulbar onset was more frequent in females than in males. SOD1 was the most frequently mutated gene in the AD-ALS and the sALS patients, followed by the ATXN2 and FUS genes in the AD-ALS patients and the NEK1 and CACNA1H genes in the sALS patients. Patients with RDVs in the SOD1 or FUS genes had an earlier AAO than the mean AAO of all the patients, while the patients with RDVs in the NEK1 gene showed later onset. SOD1 gene was the most commonly mutated gene in ALS patients in China, followed by ATXN2 and NEK1. The phenotype might be determined synergistically by sex and genetic variants.

Periodontal treatment of furcation involvement at the mandibular first molar with a follow-up of 27 years.

Due to the complicated anatomical structures in the furcation area of multirooted mandibular first molars, dental hygiene is greatly compromised once the furcation is involved in the periodontitis, leading to the unfavorable prognosis of teeth with furcation involvement. A patient came to a dental office with the chief complaint of "mobile mandibular posterior tooth" 27 years ago. The periapical film showed alveolar bone resorption at the root furcation of the right mandibular first molar. Flap surgery and fine supportive therapy were conducted. The patient was diagnosed with "furcation involvement Class Ⅲ" during a revisit three years ago. Satisfactory and healthy periodontal statuses were observed 2, 9, 24, and 33 months after the periodontal flap surgery plus tunneling procedures. A follow-up of 27 years in the present case demonstrated that a favorable prognosis of furcation involvement can be achieved after adequate periodontal treatment.

Mass segmentation for whole mammograms via attentive multi-task learning framework.

Mass segmentation in the mammogram is a necessary and challenging task in the computer-aided diagnosis of breast cancer. Most of the existing methods tend to segment the mass by manually or automatically extracting mass-centered image patches. However, manual patch extraction is time-consuming, wheras automatic patch extraction can introduce errors that will affect the performance of subsequent segmentation. In order to improve the efficiency of mass segmentation and reduce segmentation errors, we proposed a novel mass segmentation method based on an attentive multi-task learning network (MTLNet), which is an end-to-end model to accurately segment mass in the whole mammogram directly, without the need for extraction in advance with the center of mass image patch. In MTLNet, we applied group convolution to the feature extraction network, which not only reduced the redundancy of the network but also improved the capacity of feature learning. Secondly, an attention mechanism is added to the backbone to highlight the feature channels that contain rich information. Eventually, the multi-task learning framework is employed in the model, which reduces the risk of model overfitting and enables the model not only to segment the mass but also to classify and locate the mass. We used five-fold cross validation to evaluate the performance of the proposed method under detection and segmentation tasks respectively on the two public mammographic datasets INbreast and CBIS-DDSM, and our method achieved a Dice index of 0.826 on INbreast and 0.863 on CBIS-DDSM.

Facile Bioself-Assembled Crystals in Plants Promote Photosynthesis and Salt Stress Resistance.

Salty soil is a global problem that has adverse effects on plants. We demonstrate that bioself-assembled molybdenum-sulfur (Mo-S) crystals formed by the foliar application of MoCl5 and cysteine augment the photosynthesis of plants treated with 200 mM salt for 7 days by promoting Ca2+ signal transduction and free radical scavenging. Reductions in glutathione and phytochelatins were attributed to the biosynthesized Mo-S crystals. Plants embedded with the Mo-S crystals and exposed to salty soil exhibited carbon assimilation rates, photosynthesis rates (Fv/Fm), and electron transport rates (ETRs) that were increased by 40%, 63-173%, and 50-78%, respectively, compared with those of plants without Mo-S crystals. Increased compatible osmolyte levels and decreased levels of oxidative damage, stomatal conductance (0.63-0.42 mmol m2 s-1), and transpiration (22.9-15.3 mmol m2 s-1), free radical scavenging, and calcium-dependent protein kinase, and Ca2+ signaling pathway activation were evidenced by transcriptomics and metabolomics. The bioself-assembled crystals originating from ions provide a method for protecting plant development under adverse conditions.

Identification of GGC repeat expansion in the NOTCH2NLC gene in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the GGC repeats in the NOTCH2NLC gene contribute to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS: In this study, 545 patients with ALS and 1,305 healthy controls from mainland China were recruited. Several pathogenic mutations in known ALS-causative genes (including C9ORF72 and ATXN2) and polynucleotide repeat expansions in NOP56 and AR genes were excluded. Repeat-primed PCR and GC-rich PCR were performed to determine the GGC repeat size in NOTCH2NLC. Systematic and targeted clinical evaluations and investigations, including skin biopsy and dynamic electrophysiologic studies, were conducted in the genetically affected patients. RESULTS: GGC repeat expansion was observed in 4 patients (numbers of repeats 44, 54, 96, and 143), accounting for ≈0.73% (4 of 545) of all patients with ALS. A comparison with 1,305 healthy controls revealed that GGC repeat expansion in NOTCH2NLC was associated with ALS (Fisher exact test, 4 of 545 vs 0 of 1,305, p = 0.007). Compared to patients with the neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) muscle weakness-dominant subtype, patients with ALS phenotype carrying the abnormal repeat expansion tended to have a severe phenotype and rapid deterioration. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that ALS is a specific phenotype of NIID or that GGC expansion in NOTCH2NLC is a factor that modifies ALS. These findings may help clarify the pathogenic mechanism of ALS and may expand the known clinical spectrum of NIID.

[Accuracy of paralleling technique in measuring the depth of approximal infrabony pocket].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of paralleling technique in measuring the depth of approximal infrabony pocket after periodontal flap surgery by comparing the measured and actual depths. METHODS: The study population included 26 patients with infrabony defects who had undergone periodontal flap surgery, bone graft surgery, and guided tissue regene-ration. The measured and actual depths of approximal infrabony pocket after periodontal flap surgery were compared. The 26 infrabony defects were categorized into the following groups according to tooth position: anterior teeth, premolar, and molar groups, and according to type of infrabony pocket: one-walled, two-walled, and three-walled infrabony pocket groups. Paired t-test was used to detect the difference between the two values. RESULTS: Depth measurements of the approximal infrabony pocket depth of the anterior teeth and premolar were not significantly different (P>0.05), whereas those of the molar group were significantly different (P<0.05). In addition, depth measurements in one-walled and two-walled infrabony pocket groups showed no significant differences (P>0.05), whereas those in the three-walled infrabony pocket group were significantly different (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Paral-leling technique can accurately measure the depth of approximal infrabony pockets of anterior teeth and premolar teeth that are one- or two-walled. However, this method cannot accurately measure the approximal infrabony pockets of molar teeth and three-walled infrabony pockets as indicated by significant differences in their depth measurements.

Nanoholes Regulate the Phytotoxicity of Single-Layer Molybdenum Disulfide.

Single-layer molybdenum disulfide (SLMoS2) are applied as a hot 2D nanosheet in various fields involving water treatments. Both intentional design and environmental or biological processes induce many nanoholes in SLMoS2. However, the effects of nanoholes on the environmental stability and ecotoxicity of SLMoS2 remain largely unknown. The present work discovered that visible-light irradiation induced nanoholes (diameters, approximately 20 nm) in the plane of SLMoS2, with irregular edges and increased interplanar crystal spacing. The ratios of Mo to S in pristine and transformed SLMoS2 were 0.53 and 0.33, respectively. After 96 h exposure at concentrations from 0.1 to 1 mg/L, the above nanoholes promoted algal division, induced a stress-response hormesis, decreased the generation of •OH, and mitigated the cell shrinkage and wall rupture of Chlorella vulgaris induced by SLMoS2. In terms of stress response, the nanohole-bearing SLMoS2 induced fewer vacuoles and polyphosphate bodies of Chlorella vulgaris than the pristine form. Metabolomic analysis revealed that nanoholes perturbed the metabolisms of energy, carbohydrates, and fatty acids. This work proposes that nanoholes cause obvious effects on the environmental fate and ecotoxicity of SLMoS2 and that the environmental risks of engineered nanomaterials should be reevaluated using nanohole-bearing rather than pristine forms for testing.

Structural characterization of polysaccharides from Saposhnikovia divaricata and their antagonistic effects against the immunosuppression by the culture supernatants of melanoma cells on RAW264.7 macrophages.

Two purified native polysaccharides, namely, SDNP-1 and SDNP-2 with apparent molecular weight of 67.9×103 and 5.2×103, separately, were isolated from the water extract of Saposhnikovia divaricata by combined ion-exchange and gel permeation chromatography. The structures of these polysaccharides were characterized by high-performance gel permeation chromatography, chemical derivative analysis, GC-MS, FT-IR spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. Results showed that SDNP-1 and SDNP-2 were composed of arabinose and galactose with molar ratio of approximately 1:1. The polysaccharides were deduced to be AGII-type arabinogalactans with distinct molecular weights and backbone chains. The backbone chain of SDNP-2 mainly consisted of (1→3)-linked and (1→6)-linked Galp residues with an approximate molar ratio of 1:3. Approximately half of the (1→6)-linked Galp residues were substituted at O-3, and small amounts of (1→6)-linked Galp were substituted at O-3 and O-4 by branches that mainly consisted of terminal and (1→5)-linked Araf residues. Bioactivity tests showed that SDNP-2 exhibited significant antagonistic effect against immunosuppression as shown by the cell viability of the culture supernatants of melanoma cells on RAW264.7 macrophages. However, SDNP-1 showed no effect. Thus, molecular weight and backbone chain may be the key factors for the antagonistic effects against immunosuppression.

Association of TNF-α rs1799964 and IL-1ß rs16944 polymorphisms with multiple system atrophy in Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggested that several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of inflammation-related genes (TNF-α rs1799964, IL-1α rs1800587, IL-1ß rs16944, IL-8 rs4073, ICAM-1 rs5498) were associated with multiple system atrophy (MSA). Herein, we conducted this case-control study to evaluate the possible correlation between the five SNPs related to inflammation and MSA in Chinese Han population. METHODS AND PATIENTS: We recruited 154 sporadic patients with MSA and 223 health controls in this study. All subjects were genotyped for the five SNPs using polymerase chain reaction amplification and Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: TNF-α rs1799964, genotype distribution and minor allele frequency (MAF) showed significant differences between patients and controls, which might illustrate the minor allele C may increase the risk for MSA (genotype, P = 0.006, OR = 1.245, 95% CI = [1.066-1.455]; allele, P = 0.001, OR = 1.887, 95% CI = [1.303-2.733]). For rs16944, patients carrying AA genotype showed a nearly 5-year early age at onset (AAO) than GG genotype (50.52 ± 7.45 years vs. 54.90 ± 7.21 years, P = 0.037). No differences were found in genotype distribution and MAF of the five SNPs between patients with MSA with predominant cerebellar ataxia (MSA-C) and with predominant Parkinsonism (MSA-P). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that rs1799964 of TNF-α may act as a risk factor for MSA and the IL-1ß rs16944 might be a genetic factor that modifies the AAO in MSA. Moreover, the exact mechanism of neuroinflammatory response in MSA deserves further exploration.

Molecular characterization and bioactivity evaluation of two novel bombinin peptides from the skin secretion of Oriental fire-bellied toad, Bombina orientalis.

Following the exploration of biochemicals in amphibian defensive skin secretion, great attention has been focused on the novel bioactive peptides with unique molecular structures and complicated features and functions. In this study, the skin secretion of Oriental fire-bellied toad, Bombina orientalis, was acquired to search peptides with therapeutic potential. Using "shotgun" cloning technique, a full-length peptide precursor co-encoding two novel bombinin peptides was cloned from the skin secretion-derived cDNA library of B. orientalis. The deduced peptides were identified as one bombinin-like peptide (BLP) (GIGSAILSAGKSIIKGLAKGLAEHF-NH2) and one bombinin H-type peptide (BH) (IIGPVLGLVGKALGGLL-NH2). The primary structures of both peptides were confirmed through reverse-phase HPLC fractionation and mass spectrometry. Secondary structural prediction revealed Bombinin-BO1 and Bombinin H-BO1 adopted α-helical structural features. In addition, the two peptides exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial effect against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeast. Meanwhile, the anticancer activity assay indicated both peptides exerted significant anticancer effects against human hepatoma cell lines tested (Hep G2/SK-HEP-1/Huh7). The peptides reported here for the first time may represent novel lead compounds for the design/development of new therapeutics for human infection and neoplastic disease.

[Analysis of community-associated bloodstream infections caused by Escherichia coli producing extended-spectrum ß-lactamase].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the risk factors and resistance characterizations between the Community-associated (CA) and Hospital-associated (HA) bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing ESBLs) Escherichia coli. Infections control strategy must be made for the spread of CA E. Coli. METHODS: Fifty-one samples of ESBLs-producing BSI E. Coli were collected in 3201 hospital affiliated of Xi'an jiaotong University School of Medicine from 2008 to 2013. Antimicrobial agents susceptibility test and ESBLs confirmation test were determined by K-B method. PFGE was used to investigate the clonality of clinical isolates. PCR amplification and sequencing were used to screen ESBLs genes. Plasmid conjugation assay was used by filter mating. An S1-PFGE assay on plasmid and southern blot were performed to determine the plasmid molecular size and resistance genes location. RESULTS: There were 27 community-associated samples, while 24 hospital-associated samples in 51. And patients with community-acquired infections were increasing year by year. Also there was a significant difference between patients with urinary tract infection and cancer in CA and HA. Cases of urinary tract infection were mainly CA, reaching to 18. 40 of OR value, and from 2. 161 to 156. 7 of 95% confidence interval. While Cases of cancer gave priority to HA, OR value was 0. 147 7 with 0. 034 85 to 0. 626 30 of 95% confidence interval. PFGE results did not support the evidence of clone dissemination. Among 51 strains, 26 TEM genotype, including 12 CA strains, 12 SHV genotype, including 5 CA strains, 21 CTX-M-1 genotype, including 10 CA strains , and 25 CTX-M-9 genotype. including 13 CA strains. All ESBLs resistant genotypes were no significant differences in the two groups. Conclusions Urinary tract infection is risk factor for community-aassociated bloodstream infection caused by E. Coli relatively. Degree of drug resistance of ESBLs-producing E. Coli isolated from Community-Associated Bloodstream Infections is close to Hospital-Associated. So the public health control measures are needed to prevent the further spread of CA ESBLs-producing E. Coli. [Key words] Bloodstream infection; Risk factor; Resistance; Pulsed field gel electrophoresis; Plasmid

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with involvement of the cervical cord and medulla: a case report.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurotoxic state, which is associated with symmetrical subcortical areas of vasogenic oedema that are preferentially parieto-occipital, and it typically resolves within a few weeks after appropriate treatment, We hereby report a case of a female with adrenal tumour presenting with PRES, who was featured by a very rare neuroimaging manifestation, the involvement of cervical cord and medulla.

miR-25 alleviates polyQ-mediated cytotoxicity by silencing ATXN3.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play significant roles in the pathogenesis of various polyQ diseases. This study aims to investigate the regulation of ATXN3 gene expression by miRNA. We found that miR-25 reduced both wild-type and polyQ-expanded mutant ataxin-3 protein levels by interacting with the 3'UTR of ATXN3 mRNA. miR-25 also increased cell viability, decreased early apoptosis, and downregulated the accumulation of mutant ataxin-3 protein aggregates in SCA3/MJD cells. These novel results shed light on the potential role of miR-25 in the pathogenesis of SCA3/MJD, and provide a possible therapeutic intervention for this disorder.

[Different expression of cytokines induced by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide in monocytes/macrophages from different organs of rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of cytokines induced by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide (Aa-LPS) in monocytes/macrophages from different organs of rabbits. METHODS: The peripheral mononuclear cells (Mo), alveolar macrophages (AM), peritoneal macrophages (PM) and Kupffer cells (KC) from five New Zealand rabbits were isolated respectively. Then the cells from different organs were stimulated with Escherichia coli (Ec)-LPS or Aa-LPS at the dose of 1 mg/L. After culture for 24 hours, the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)6, IL-1ß, IL-8 mRNA and protein were determined by real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay respectively. RESULTS: The monocytes/macrophages challenged by Ec-LPS or Aa-LPS expressed more cytokines both in mRNA and protein levels compared with the controls (P < 0.05). Among them, AM displayed the highest respond when encount with Aa-LPS, with the TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-8 mRNA relative levels were (0.4719 ± 0.0171), (2.7895 ± 0.0669), (5.1527 ± 0.1190), (3.6785 ± 0.1836) and the proteins concentrations were (82.2 ± 5.4), (40.2 ± 2.0), (50 308.3 ± 445.0), (35 305.3 ± 1480.9) ng/L respectively. And the inducibility of Aa-LPS was stronger than that of Ec-LPS (P < 0.05). Meanwhile the cells from different organs showed discrepant response when exposed to Aa-LPS (P < 0.05). The results showed their abilities to secrete cytokines were in the sequence of AM > Mo > KC > PM. CONCLUSIONS: Aa-LPS influenced the expression of cytokines in monocytes/macrophages from different organs of rabbits.

[Expression of triggering receptors expressed on myeloid-1 in innate response to Porphyromonas gingivalis in macrophages].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of triggering receptors expressed on myeloid-1(TREM-1) in innate response to Porphyromonas gingivalis(Pg) in mice macrophages and its potential role in periodontitis development. METHODS: Peritoneal macrophages from mice were harvested, separated and cultured, then challenged with viable Pg. Transcription and protein expression in macrophages were assessed with real time PCR and flow cytometry respectively.LP-17 peptide (10, 100 and 1000 µg/L) was utilized to block TREM-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by enzyme linked absorbent analysis. RESULTS: At 2 h after Pg challenge, transcription of TREM-1 was significantly up-regulated after Pg challenge[(7.99 ± 1.11) fold vs blank]. At 24 h after bacteria infection, increased TREM-1 expression was demonstrated by flow cytometry, with mean fluorescent intensity increasing from (7.05 ± 1.85) in blank group to (13.17 ± 2.33) in experimental group. Proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-α and IL-6) production was significantly decreased after blocking TREM-1 by LP-17 peptide(100 and 1000 µg/L). CONCLUSIONS: TREM-1 enhanced innate immune response to Pg in macrophages, which may facilitate periodontitis development.

[Effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide on apoptotic genes in foam cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS) on apoptotic genes in foam cells. METHODS: Macrophages from THP-1 monocytes and foam cells from macrophages by oxLDL inducement were treated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) or oxLDL+ Pg-LPS. Cell apoptosis was detected by acridine orange-ethidium bromide (AO-EB) staining. Eleven atherosclerotic related apoptotic genes were examined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array, and apoptotic gene p53, c-Myc and caspase-3 were evaluated with real-time PCR. RESULTS: Pg-LPS enhanced cell apoptosis rate during and after foam cells formation [(5.47+/-0.93)% vs. (7.50+/-0.54)%]. PCR array demonstrated that it increased B-cell CLL-lymphoma 2 (BCL2) related protein A1 (BCL2A1) transcription during foam cells formation (>2 fold), and promoted BCL2 and BCL2A1 transcription after foam cells formation (>2 fold). It promoted p53 and caspase-3 transcription level (4.50x10(-3)+/-4.02x10(-4) vs. 5.30x10(-2)+/-4.58x10(-3)), whereas inhibited c-Myc transcription level (1.53x10(-2)+/-5.77x10(-4)) during foam cells formation. It promoted caspase-3 transcription (6.00x10(-2)+/-6.08x10(-3)), and inhibited p53 transcription (4.23x10(-3)+/-5.85x10(-4)) after foam cells formation. CONCLUSIONS: Pg-LPS affected apoptotic gene transcription during and after foam cells formation and enhanced cell apoptosis.