[Discussion on traditional Chinese medicine properties of Myrtus communis leaves based on literature analysis and Chinese medicine theory].

Myrtus communis is a traditional medicinal aromatic plant in the Mediterranean. At present, the plant has been introduced and cultivated in the southern part of China, and it is mostly used for ornamental or cosmetic purposes. Based on literature analysis and the theory of Chinese medicine, we discussed the medicinal parts and properties of M. communis in this paper to provide a theoretical basis for exploring the medicinal value of M. communis and its compatibility with traditional Chinese medicines. Literatures were searched from Web of Science(core collection), PubMed, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang by using the set conditions as key words. Then the obtained literatures were screened and classified. Finally, a total of 376 articles were included, consisting of 44 reviews, 54 germplasm resources, 78 chemical researches, 48 studies on application, extraction, or quality, 18 human trials, 132 pharmacological studies, and 2 safety studies. Based on literature analysis and theories of Chinese medicine, the leaves of M. communis were finally selected as the medicinal part of Chinese medicine, and the traditional Chinese medicine properties of M. communis leaves were deduced as pungent, bitter, and cool. The channel tropisms of M. communis leaves included lung, liver, and large intestine, with functions of detoxifying, resolving a mass, and insecticide. It was used for mouth sores, vaginal itching, hemorrhoids and warts, etc.; appropriate amount shall be applied for external use, and the decoction form shall be used for washing the affected parts; 3-12 g equivalent product shall be used in decoction, and this herb shall be put into the decoction in a later stage. The clarification of the medicinal parts of M. communis, and the determination of the Chinese medicine properties of M. communis leaves would lay a theoretical foundation for its compatibility and application with Chinese medicines, and can do more contribution to the medical and healthcare industry in our country.

Performance comparison of ethanol and butanol production in a continuous and closed-circulating fermentation system with membrane bioreactor.

Since both ethanol and butanol fermentations are urgently developed processes with the biofuel-demand increasing, performance comparison of aerobic ethanol fermentation and anerobic butanol fermentation in a continuous and closed-circulating fermentation (CCCF) system was necessary to achieve their fermentation characteristics and further optimize the fermentation process. Fermentation and pervaporation parameters including the average cell concentration, glucose consumption rate, cumulated production concentration, product flux, and separation factor of ethanol fermentation were 11.45 g/L, 3.70 g/L/h, 655.83 g/L, 378.5 g/m2/h, and 4.83, respectively, the corresponding parameters of butanol fermentation were 2.19 g/L, 0.61 g/L/h, 28.03 g/L, 58.56 g/m2/h, and 10.62, respectively. Profiles of fermentation and pervaporation parameters indicated that the intensity and efficiency of ethanol fermentation was higher than butanol fermentation, but the stability of butanol fermentation was superior to ethanol fermentation. Although the two fermentation processes had different features, the performance indicated the application prospect of both ethanol and butanol production by the CCCF system.

Study on the imbalance of M1/M2 macrophage polarization in severe chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Macrophages commonly exist in two distinct subsets in different microenvironments: classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2). The imbalance of M1-M2 macrophage polarization is often related to various diseases or inflammatory states. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an imbalance in the expression of M1 and M2 macrophage-related cytokines in severe chronic periodontitis. METHODS: A total of 30 clinical specimens, including severe chronic periodontitis tissues (n= 15) and healthy control tissues (n= 15), were used in this study. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot methods were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of M1 macrophage-related cytokines (inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1)) and M2 macrophage-related cytokines (arginase-1 (Arg-1) and STAT6), respectively. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression levels of M1 macrophage-related cytokines (iNOS and STAT1) and M2 macrophage-related cytokines (Arg-1 and STAT6) were significantly increased in severe chronic periodontitis patients. In addition, the ratios of iNOS/Arg-1 and STAT1/STAT6 in the severe chronic periodontitis group were also significantly increased (P< 0.01). CONCLUSION: The imbalance of M1/M2 macrophages exists in the pathogenesis of severe chronic periodontitis, and has a tendency towards M1 polarization. Therefore, maintaining the immune balance of M1/M2 macrophages may be a novel therapeutic alternative for the management of severe chronic periodontitis.

Controllable preparation of monodisperse alginate microcapsules with oil cores.

Here we report a novel strategy for controllable preparation monodisperse alginate microcapsules with oil cores, where the thickness of the alginate shells, as well as the number and diversity of the oil cores can be tailored precisely. Monodisperse oil-in-water-in-oil (O/W/O) emulsions are generated in a microfluidic device as templates, which contain alginate molecules and a water-soluble calcium complex in the middle aqueous phase. Alginate microcapsules are produced by gelling O/W/O emulsions in oil solution with acetic acid, where the pH decreasing will trigger the calcium ions being released from calcium complex and cross-linking with alginate molecules. Increasing the alginate molecule concentration in emulsion templates affects little on the thickness of the microcapsules but improves their stability in DI water. The strength of alginate microcapsules can be reinforced by post cross-linking in calcium chloride, polyetherimide, or chitosan solution. Typical payloads, such as thyme essential oil, lavender essential oil and W/O emulsions are encapsulated in alginate microcapsules successfully. Furthermore, tailoring the thickness of the alginate shells, as well as the number and the diversity of the oil cores precisely by manipulation the emulsion templates with microfluidics is also demonstrated. The proposed method shows excellent controllability in designing alginate microcapsules with oil cores.

Subcutaneous vaccination with Porphyromonas gingivalis ameliorates periodontitis by modulating Th17/Treg imbalance in a murine model.

To date, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) vaccination has been studied only in animals, and no effective prophylactic human periodontal vaccine has been developed, with the reason for the failure of prophylactic human periodontal vaccines unknown. T helper 17 cell (Th17)/regulatory T (Treg) cell responses play an important role in the development of periodontitis, and a Th17/Treg imbalance causes the pathogenesis of periodontitis. However, whether vaccination with P. gingivalis can prevent periodontitis through modulation of the Th17/Treg imbalance remains unknown. In this study, mice were subcutaneously vaccinated with formalin-killed P. gingivalis and then orally challenged with P. gingivalis. The vaccination protected the mice from alveolar bone resorption and inflammation. These protective effects might be ascribed to downregulation of Th17 cells and interleukin (IL)-17A production, upregulation of Treg and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)(+)CD4(+)T cells, and IL-10 and transforming growth factor-ß1 production, and inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation. Our findings may provide a direction for the development of a vaccine or therapy against periodontitis by alteration of the Th17/Treg imbalance.

[The expression of CD(4+) T cells in different bacteria strain-induced mice periodontitis].

PURPOSE: To compare the expression of CD(4+) T cells in mice periodontitis induced by two periodontal pathogen strains, and evaluate the role of CD(4+) T cells in periodontitis. METHODS: Twelve C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups at random including sham-infected, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) W83-infected and P. gingivalis ATCC 33277-infected groups. All mice were sacrificed at the 4th week after the last infection. The analysis of alveolar bone resorption and the examination of histological staining were performed. The population of CD(4+) T cells in the gingivae and the cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) were analyzed by flow cytometry. SPSS 11.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The levels of alveolar bone resorption were significantly high in both P. gingivalis W83-infected and P. gingivalis ATCC 33277-infected mice compared to sham-infected mice. Histological staining showed that the loss of periodontal attachment and osteoclasts-mediated alveolar bone resorption were found in both P. gingivalis W83-infected and P. gingivalis ATCC 33277-infected mice. Moreover, the periodontal destruction was severer in P. gingivalis W83-infected mice than in P. gingivalis ATCC 33277-infected mice. Flow cytometry showed that the percentage of CD(4+) T cells in the gingivae and CLNs in both P. gingivalis W83-infected and P. gingivalis ATCC 33277-infected mice were significantly higher than that in sham mice, and P. gingivalis W83-infected mice had a higher percentage of CD(4+) T cells compared to P. gingivalis ATCC 33277-infected mice. CONCLUSIONS: The population of CD(4+) T cells participates in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, and closely correlates with the periodontal destruction induced by periodontal pathogen infection. Supported by Higher School Specialized Research Fund for Doctoral Program(20112104110013) and Science and Technology Plan of Liaoning Province(2012225015).

Tamibarotene modulates the local immune response in experimental periodontitis.

Tamibarotene (Am80), a synthetic retinoic acid receptor (RAR), is an agonist with high specificity for RARα and RARß. Retinoid agonists have been shown to inhibit Th17 cell polarization and to enhance forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) expression during the course of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the previously unrecognized role of Am80 in regulating the immune responses of periodontitis within the oral microenvironment. The experimental model of periodontitis in mice was induced by oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) W83. Our results indicated that Am80 effectively suppressed alveolar bone resorption induced by P. gingivalis W83 and decreased the number of osteoclasts. We clarified that these effects were closely associated with the reduced percentage of CD4(+) retinoid-related orphan receptor (ROR)γt(+) cells and increased the percentage of CD4(+) Foxp3(+) cells in the gingival tissues, cervical lymph nodes (CLNs), and spleen. Furthermore, in P. gingivalis-infected mice, Am80 down-regulated mRNA expression levels of interleukin-17A (IL-17A), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa beta ligand (RANKL), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), IL-6, and IL-1ß. Simultaneously, Am80 up-regulated expression levels of IL-10 and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) in gingival tissues and the CLNs. Our results suggest that Am80 could protect against periodontal bone resorption, primarily through the modulation of immune responses in the oral microenvironment, and demonstrate the potential of Am80 as a novel clinical strategy for preventing periodontitis.

Oral administration of all-trans retinoic acid suppresses experimental periodontitis by modulating the Th17/Treg imbalance.

BACKGROUND: A T-helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T (Treg) imbalance has been suggested recently to play a role in the development of periodontitis. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been reported to modulate Th17/Treg imbalances in some diseases. However, the effect of ATRA on periodontitis remains unknown. This study observes the effect of ATRA on Th17/Treg imbalance modulation in experimental periodontitis. METHODS: Experimental periodontitis was induced in mice by oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). ATRA was orally administered every other day. Alveolar bone resorption (ABR) was estimated by measuring the distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the alveolar bone crest. CD4(+) T-cell subsets in the cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) and spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry. Th17/Treg cell-related cytokine messenger ribonucleic acid expression was quantified by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The present data shows that ATRA suppressed ABR and inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration into periodontal tissues. These effects were closely associated with reduced CD4(+) retinoid-related orphan receptor γτ(+) cells and increased CD4(+) forkhead box P3(+) cells in the CLNs. Furthermore, ATRA downregulated interleukin (IL)-17A expression and upregulated IL-10 and transforming growth factor-ß1 expression in both the CLNs and P. gingivalis-infected gingival tissues. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ATRA modulation of the Th17/Treg imbalance provides protection against periodontitis by enhancing Treg cell activation and inhibiting Th17 cell activation. These results indicate the potential for clinical prevention of periodontitis.

[Characteristics of the immune status in aged mice with experimental periodontitis].

PURPOSE: To establish mice model with periodontitis by oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis, simulating human periodontal disease. The immune status of youth and aged mice were compared, and the cytokines expression of regulatory T cells and Th17 cells in this model were analyzed. METHODS: Entity microscope was used to evaluate the extent of periodontal bone resorption. H-E staining was used to observe infiltration of inflammatory cells in periodontal lesions. TRAP staining was used to observe osteoclastes in alveolar bone. The expression levels of TGF-ß1, IL-10, IL-17A and RANKL mRNA in periodontal tissues were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. SPSS 17.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: At 4-week after infection, the distance of cemento-enamel junction to the alveolar crest was significantly increased in the periodontal disease group compared with the normal control group (P<0.01); In the aged mice, the cemento-enamel junction to the alveolar crest distance significantly increased compared with youth mice (P<0.01). Periodontal tissues had inflammatory cell infiltration, and deep periodontal pockets. Moreover, the expression levels of TGF-ß1 and IL-10 mRNA were significantly decreased (P<0.01) and the expression levels of IL-17A, RANKL mRNA qsignificantly increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of inflammation mediator is abnormal in aged mice with more serious periodontal lesions than youth mice. It is suggested that the inflammatory status of periodontitis not only has a relationship with the decreased expression of inhibitory cytokines, but also relates to aging.

Continuous acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation and gas production under slight pressure in a membrane bioreactor.

Two rounds of acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation under slight pressure were carried out in the continuous and closed-circulating fermentation (CCCF) system. Spores of the clostridium were observed and counted, with the maximum number of 2.1 × 10(8) and 2.3 × 10(8)ml(-1) separately. The fermentation profiles were comparable with that at atmospheric pressure, showing an average butanol productivity of 0.14 and 0.13 g L(-1)h(-1). Moreover, the average gas productivities of 0.28 and 0.27 L L(-1)h(-1) were obtained in two rounds of CCCF, and the cumulative gas production of 52.64 and 25.92 L L(-1) were achieved, with the hydrogen volume fraction of 41.43% and 38.08% respectively. The results suggested that slight pressures have no obvious effect on fermentation performance, and also indicated the significance and feasibility of gas recovery in the continuous ABE fermentation process.

[Detection and the immune status of regulatory T cells in experimental periodontitis].

PURPOSE: To establish animal model in mice with orally infected periodontitis with Porphyromonas gingivalis and intraperitoneal injection of P.g antigen, simulate periodontal pathogens of human periodontal disease, and analyze the expression of regulatory T cells in this model. METHODS: The extent of periodontal bone resorption was measured by entity microscope, and inflammatory cell infiltration of the periodontal tissue lesions was observed by HE staining. Flow cytometric analysis was used to detect the expression of regulatory T cells in periodontal disease during the chronic inflammation. The expression levels of TGF-ß1, IL-10mRNA in periodontal tissue were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. SPSS 17.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: After 4 weeks, compared with the normal control group, the distance between cemento-enamel junction and the alveolar crest was significantly increased in periodontal disease group(P<0.05); Massive inflammatory cells were infiltrated and periodontal pockets deepened in periodontal tissue. The expression levels of TGF-ß1 and IL-10mRNA were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The ratio and numbers of Treg cells were significantly reduced in the spleen (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In experimental periodontitis, the number and the function of regulatory T cells are abnormal. It may be relevant to the reduction of immune suppression cytokines. Supported by Higher Institute School Special Research Fund for Doctorate Program (20112104110013) and Science and Technology Project of Liaoning Province (2012225015).