Quercetin as an Auxiliary Endodontic Irrigant for Root Canal Treatment: Anti-Biofilm and Dentin Collagen-Stabilizing Effects In Vitro.

Bacterial reinfection and root fracture are the main culprits related to root canal treatment failure. This study aimed to assess the utility of quercetin solution as an adjunctive endodontic irrigant that does not weaken root canal dentin with commitment anti-biofilm activity and bio-safety. Based on a noninvasive dentin infection model, dentin tubules infected with Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) were irrigated with sterile water (control group), and 0, 1, 2, 4 wt% quercetin-containing ethanol solutions. Live and dead bacteria percentages in E. faecalis biofilms were analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Elastic modulus, hydroxyproline release and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization were tested to evaluate the irrigants' collagen-stabilizing effect. The cytotoxicity was tested by CCK-8 assay. Quercetin increased the proportion of dead bacteria volumes within E. faecalis and improved the flexural strength of dentin compared to control group (p < 0.05). Quercetin-treated dentin matrix had less elasticity loss and hydroxyproline release after collagenase degradation (p < 0.05). Moreover, quercetin solutions revealed an increase in the C-O peak area under both C1s and O1s narrow-scan spectra of XPS characterization, and no cytotoxicity (p > 0.05). Quercetin exhibited anti-biofilm activity, a collagen-stabilizing effect with cytocompatibility, supporting quercetin as a potential candidate for endodontic irrigant.

Anion-Regulated Synthesis of ZnO 1D Necklace-Like Nanostructures with High Photocatalytic Activity.

One-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials with specific architectures have received increasing attention for both scientific and technological interests for their applications in catalysis, sensing, and energy conversion, etc. However, the development of an operable and simple method for the fabrication of 1D nanostructures remains a challenge. In this work, we developed an "anion-regulated morphology" strategy, in which anions could regulate the dimensionally-restricted anisotropic growth of ZnO nanomaterials by adjusting the surface energy of different growth facets. ZnO 1D necklace-like nanostructures (NNS) could be prepared through a hydrothermal treatment of zinc acetate and urea mixture together with a subsequent calcination procedure at 400 °C. While replacing the acetate ions to nitrate, sulfate, and chlorion ions produced ZnO nanoflowers, nanosheets and hexagonal nanoplates, respectively. Density functional theory calculations were carried out to explain the mechanism behind the anions-regulating anisotropic crystal growth. The specified ZnO 1D NNS offered improved electron transport while the grain surface could supply enlarged specific surface area, thus providing advanced photocatalytic ability in the following photodegradation of methyl orange (MO). Among the four photocatalysts with different morphologies, ZnO 1D NNS, possessing the highest catalytic activity, degraded 57.29% MO in the photocatalytic reaction, which was 2 times, 10 times and 17 times higher than nanoflowers, nanosheets and hexagonal nanoplates, respectively. Our work provides new ideas for the construction and application of ZnO 1D nanomaterials.

SETD7 promotes TNF-α-induced proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells in vitro through enhancing NF-κB/CD38 signaling.

The inflammation-induced the excessive proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells in the airway wall contribute to airway remodeling in asthma pathogenesis. SET domain-containing lysine methyltransferase 7 (SETD7) has emerged as one of the key regulators of inflammation. Yet, the function of SETD7 in regulating inflammation-induced ASM cell proliferation and invasion remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the function of SETD7 in regulating ASM cell proliferation and invasion induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in vitro. Our results showed that SETD7 expression was upregulated in ASM cells stimulated with TNF-α. Silencing SETD7 significantly decreased TNF-α-induced ASM cell proliferation and migration, while SETD7 overexpression exhibited the opposite effect. Notably, silencing SETD7 decreased the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and reduced the expression of CD38 induced by TNF-α. Blocking NF-κB activation significantly abrogated the promotional effect of SETD7 overexpression on CD38 expression. Moreover, overexpression of CD38 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of SETD7 silencing on TNF-α-induced ASM cell proliferation and migration. Overall, these results demonstrate that SETD7 regulates TNF-α-induced ASM cell proliferation and migration through modulation of NF-κB/CD38 signaling, suggesting a potential role of SETD7 in asthma airway remodeling.

The clinical implication of serum cyclophilin A in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Cyclophilin A (CyPA) is a secreted molecule that is regulated by inflammatory stimuli. Although inflammation has an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), little is known regarding the relationship between serum CyPA and COPD. Methods: Ninety-three COPD patients with acute exacerbation were enrolled in the study and were reassessed during the convalescence phase. Eighty-eight controls were matched for age, gender, body mass index, smoking index and comorbidity. The basic clinical information and pulmonary function of all participants were collected. Serum levels of CyPA and other inflammation indexes were further measured. Results: Serum CyPA was significantly increased in convalescent COPD patients compared to healthy controls, and further elevated in COPD patients with acute exacerbation. Serum CyPA positively correlated with serum interleukin-6, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in both the exacerbation and convalescence phases of COPD. Furthermore, it negatively correlated with percent value of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%) predicted and FEV1/forced vital capacity in convalescent COPD patients. Conclusion: These results suggest that serum CyPA can be used as a potential inflammatory biomarker for COPD and assessment of serum CyPA may reflect the severity of inflammation in COPD.

[Clinical significance of serum carbohydrate antigen 125 in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE: To study the serum level of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and its relation with pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: Forty-six patients with AECOPD complicated by pulmonary hypertension, 46 with AECOPD and 38 healthy control subjects were examined for their clinical data, pulmonary function, echocardiographic findings, and serum levels of lung tumor markers and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, COPD patients with or without pulmonary hypertension showed significantly decreased pulmonary function (P<0.05), especially in those with AECOPD and concurrent pulmonary hypertension (P<0.05). Serum CA125 level was obviously higher in AECOPD group than in the healthy control group, and further increased in AECOPD patients with pulmonary hypertension (P<0.05). The levels of lung tumor markers (CEA, NSE, CYFRA and PROGRP) were similar among the 3 groups (P>0.05). The serum level of BNP in patients with AECOPD and concurrent pulmonary hypertension was significantly higher than that in patients with AECOPD (P<0.05). Pearson linear correlation analysis showed that serum CA125 was positively correlated with pulmonary artery systolic pressure and BNP in AECOPD patients with pulmonary hypertension (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Serum CA125 may serve as a serological index to identify AECOPD patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Mean platelet volume is elevated in exacerbated and convalescent COPD patients.

BACKGROUND: Mean platelet volume (MPV), reflecting the platelet production rate and stimulation, is an inflammatory marker for cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the associations between MPV and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are not in agreement. METHODS: Ninety participants with an exacerbation of COPD were investigated, and were reassessed when convalescent. Ninety controls were matched for age, gender, body mass index, smoking index, and medication use. Blood samples were collected for measurements of MPV and other laboratory data, and pulmonary function was also assessed. RESULTS: MPV is significantly increased in convalescent COPD patients compared with healthy controls, and further increased in COPD patients with an acute exacerbation. MPV was positively correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein both in the exacerbation and convalescence periods of COPD, and negatively correlated with FEV1 % predicted and FEV1/FVC in the convalescent COPD patients. CONCLUSIONS: MPV may be regarded as a quick and reliable tool in the assessment of inflammatory response in the progression of COPD.

Modulation of homochiral Dy(III) complexes: single-molecule magnets with ferroelectric properties.

Homochiral Dy(III) complexes: by changing the ligand-to-metal ratio, enantiomeric pairs of a Dy(III) complex of different nuclearity could be obtained. The mono- and dinuclear complexes exhibit characteristics of single-molecule magnets and different slow magnetic relaxation processes. In addition, the dinuclear complexes exhibit ferroelectric behavior, thus representing the first chiral polynuclear lanthanide-based single-molecule magnets with ferroelectric properties.

Two mono- and dinuclear Eu(III) enantiomeric pairs based on chiral bis-bidentate bridging ligands: synthesis, structures, luminescent and ferroelectric properties.

Using the enantiomeric bis-bidentate bridging ligands (+)/(-)-2,5-bis(4,5-pinene-2-pyridyl)pyrazine (L(S)/L(R)) and depending on the ratio control of reactants, two mono- and dinuclear Eu(III)-based enantiomeric pairs with the formulae Eu(dbm)(3)L(R/S)·2H(2)O (L(R) in R-1, L(S) in S-1 and dbm = dibenzoylmethanato) and Eu(2)(dbm)(6)L(R/S)·H(2)O (L(R) in R-2 and L(S) in S-2) have been stereoselectively synthesized and structurally characterized. The circular dichroic (CD) spectra confirmed their chiroptical activities and enantiomeric natures. The homochiral dinuclear species represents the first example of a polynuclear lanthanide ß-diketonate complexes with circular dichroic and crystallographic evidences. The photoluminescent properties studies revealed that both mono- and dinuclear Eu(iii) complexes exhibited the characteristic red emissions of Eu(III) ions in the solid state (at 77 K and 300 K) and CH(2)Cl(2) solution. Notably, the photophysical properties of the mononuclear enantiomers were superior to the dinuclear species. Interestingly, R-2 displayed a ferroelectric property at room temperature, which was not observed for R-1 due to the lack of crystalline polarity. R/S-2 are the first examples of homochiral polynuclear lanthanide complexes with luminescence and ferroelectric properties, being potential multifunctional materials.

[Construction and identification of the expression library of album pollen allergens cDNA].

AIM: To construct and identify the express library of album pollen allergens cDNA. METHODS: Total RNA were extracted from the album pollen with TRIzol reagent and the mRNA was isolate for the amplify followed. A double stranded cDNA (ds cDNA) was synthesized using primers containing Xho I and Poly(dT) sequence by ZAP Express®cDNA synthesis kit. The ds cDNA was modified and purified by gel chromatography, and then the cDNA fragment with the length of more than 400 bp containing sticky ends was obtained. The cDNA fragment was ligated with Uni-ZAP XR vector and subsequently treated with in vitro packaging using phage by ZAP-cDNA express GigapackIII Gold cloning kit. The express library of album pollen cDNA was constructed by in vitro packaging. The recombination rate and the lengths of fragments inserted of the cDNA library were detected by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The titer and the recombination rate of cDNA expression library constructed were 9.7×10(5) and 100%, respectively. The capacity of the library was 4.85 Pfu. The average length of cDNA fragments inserted was about 1.0 kb. CONCLUSION: Based on the capacity of cDNA expression library constructed and the length of cDNA insertion fragments, the cDNA expression library constructed is qualified to screening target cDNA clone, laying the foundation for preparation of gene recombinant allergen pollen vaccine.

In vitro cytotoxicity of a novel injectable and biodegradable alveolar bone substitute.

The unsaturated polyphosphoester (UPPE) polymer is being investigated as an injectable and biodegradable system for alveolar bone repair in the treatment of periodontal diseases. The incorporation of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) particles into the UPPE polymer was previously shown to significantly increase the material's mechanical properties. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated that the UPPE/beta-TCP composite was capable of zero-order release of tetracycline for over 2 weeks. In this study, we investigated the in vitro cytotoxicity of each individual component, the resulting cross-linked network and the degradation products of the UPPE/beta-TCP composite using an AlamarBlue viability assay. We confirmed that each individual component except beta-TCP and the in vitro degradation products of the composite displayed a dose-dependent cytotoxic response. Once cross-linked, however, the composite did not demonstrate an adverse response. Our results suggest that the UPPE/beta-TCP composite holds great promise for use as an injectable and biodegradable alveolar bone substitute.

In vitro cytotoxicity of polyphosphoester as a novel injectable alveolar replacement material.

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro cytotoxicity of polyphosphoester polymer used as a novel injectable alveolar bone substitutes for controlled delivery of tetracycline. Cell culture medium was exposed to the polymer (0.01-10 mg/mL) for 24 h. The L-929 mouse fibroblasts were then exposed to the treated cell culture medium for 24 h. Finally, cell viability and growth were assessed by using MTT assay and Alamar Blue assay. No significant cytotoxicity of the polyphosphoester against L-929 mouse fibroblasts was observed at a concentration up to 10 mg/mL (P>0.05). The two evaluation methods showed no significant differences (P>0.05). This study suggests that polyphosphoester does not demonstrate any significant toxic effects to cells in vitro and has the potential to be used both as a medical device and as scaffolds in tissue engineering applications.

[Analysis of the allergenicity and immunogenicity of Psilogramma menephron allergen].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the allergenicity and immunogenicity of Psilogramma menephron allergen so as to provide the basis for preparing recombinant and standardized allergen vaccines of Psilgramma menephorn. METHODS: The extracts of Psilgramma menephorn were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, and the allergenicity and immunogenicity of the extracts were tested with 9 sera from allergic patients by means of immunoblotting. RESULTS: More than 20 allergen proteins were separated from the extract of Psilgramma menephorn by SDS-PAGE, with the relative molecular weight ranging from 12,000 to 128,000. The relative molecular weight of the allergenic proteins were 74,000 (88.9%), 66,000 (22.2%), 49,000 (22.2%), 36,000 (77.8%), or 25,000 (33.3%), and those of the immunogenic proteins were 79,000 (33.3%), 74,000 (66.7%), 66,000 (22.2%), 49,000 (22.2%), 36,000 (44.4%), or 25,000 (55.6%). CONCLUSION: The relative molecular weight of the major allergenic proteins of Psilgramma menephorn are 74,000 and 36,000, and 74,000 and 25,000 for the major immunogenic proteins. These proteins constitute the major allergenic components for diagnosis and specific treatment of Psilgramma menephorn allergy.

[Purification and analysis of the immunoactivity of humulus pollen allergen].

OBJECTIVE: To purify the humulus pollen allergen and study the allergenicity and immunogenicity of it. METHODS: Crude humulus pollen extracts were purified by gel filtration with Sephadex G-75 and Sephacryl S-200HR. Various fractions of the allergen protein were collected respectively. The molecular weights of protein were confirmed by SDS-PAGE. The inhibition rate and reaction rate with sIgG and sIgE of patient's serum were determined by ELISA inhibition test and western blotting. RESULTS: Two peaks were obtained from crude humulus pollen extracts by gel filtration of Sephadex G-75. The first peak contained most of protein while the second peak contained little protein and lots of pigments. So the second peak was thrown away. P solution which contained the first peak and valley fraction were purified by gel filtration of Sephacryl S-200HR and four components that included the 1st peak, the valley, the 2nd peak and the end fraction were obtained. The results of electrophoresis demonstrated that purified humulus pollen contained more than 20 kinds of protein with the molecular weights ranged from 5.0 x 10(3) to 97.4 x 10(3). The fraction of the 1st peak contained protein with the molecular weights ranged from 43 x 10(3) to 97.4 x 10(3), and the fraction of the valley and the 2nd peak contained protein with the molecular weights ranged from 5.0 x 10(3) to 43 x 10(3). The fraction of the end contained protein with the molecular weights lower than 5.0 x 10(3). The results of ELISA inhibition test showed that the inhibition rate of the 1st peak, the valley, the 2nd peak and the end fraction to sIgG were 68%, 70%, 95%, 5% respectively, and those to sIgE were 25%, 64%, 71%, 11% respectively. The results of western blotting demonstrated that the reaction rate of the 1st peak, the valley, the 2nd peak and the end fraction with sIgG of patients' serum were 65.63%, 78.13%, 87.50%, 6.25% respectively, and those with patients' sIgE were 25.00%, 71. 88%, 84.38%, 15.63% respectively. CONCLUSION: Humulus pollen contained more than 20 kinds of protein. The proteins with molecular weights ranged from 5.0 x 10(3) to 43 x 10(3) were the major allergen with strong allergenicity and immunogenicity. The proteins with molecular weights ranged from 43 x 10(3) to 97.4 x 10(3) were subordinated allergen with strong immunogenicity and weak allergenicity.

[Cloning, screening and sequence analysis of the major allergens of Psilgramma menephorn].

OBJECTIVE: To identify and isolate the genes encoding the allergens of Psilgramma menephorn by screening the cDNA expression library. METHODS: The cDNA expression library of Psilgramma menephorn was constructed in lambdaZAPIIphage, and the library was screened using the sera from the patients allergic to Psilgramma menephorn and those from the rabbits immunized with Psilgramma menephorn extracts. The positive clones were subcloned into pBluescript plas, and the cDNA in the positive clones were amplified with PCR and sequenced. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Five positive clones were obtained by immunological screening of 5 x 10(4) recombinants. Sequence analysis showed that the positive clones contained the new genes of Psilgramma menephorn allergens. This success in isolating these genes may facilitate the development of specific immunotherapy against Psilgramma menephorn allergy and further research of allergic diseases.