A Novel Streptomyces sp. Strain PBSH9 for Controlling Potato Common Scab Caused by Streptomyces galilaeus.

Potato common scab is an important soilborne disease worldwide that can significantly reduce the quality and economic values of potato. The disease is caused by multiple species of Streptomyces, which are not well controlled due to lack of effective strategies. Streptomyces galilaeus has been recently identified as a dominant species causing potato common scab in Inner Mongolia, China. This study was focused on screening and characterizing antagonists for biological control against pathogenic S. galilaeus. Bacterial strain PBSH9 was isolated from a potato tuber. PBSH9 was identified as a Streptomyces sp. on the basis of morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics, as well as DNA sequence analysis. PBSH9 inhibited S. galilaeus with a diameter of inhibitory zone of 19.8 mm on agar plates. The extracellular filtrate of PBSH9 also inhibited S. galilaeus growth with a diameter of inhibition zone of 10.0 mm. Furthermore, PBSH9 promoted potato sprouting and emergence. Disease control was up to 81.88% in greenhouse trials, and from 47.64 to 73.97% in 3-year field trials. Among the tested inoculation methods, seed treatment was more effective than soil drenching for PBSH9 application. PBSH9 not only effectively controlled potato common scab but also increased potato growth. Thus, it can be a potential candidate for biocontrol agent.

Characterization of Fam20C expression in odontogenesis and osteogenesis using transgenic mice.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that Fam20C promotes differentiation and mineralization of odontoblasts, ameloblasts, osteoblasts and osteocytes during tooth and bone development. Ablation of the Fam20C gene inhibits bone and tooth growth by increasing fibroblast growth factor 23 in serum and causing hypophosphatemia in conditional knockout mice. However, control and regulation of the expression of Fam20C are still unknown. In this study, we generated a transgenic reporter model which expresses green fluorescence protein (GFP) driven by the Fam20C promoter. Recombineering was used to insert a 16 kb fragment of the mouse Fam20C gene (containing the 15 kb promoter and 1.1 kb of exon 1) into a pBluescript SK vector with the topaz variant of GFP and a bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence. GFP expression was subsequently evaluated by histomorphometry on cryosections from E14 to adult mice. Fluorescence was evident in the bone and teeth as early as E17.5. The GFP signal was maintained stably in odontoblasts and osteoblasts until 4 weeks after birth. The expression of GFP was significantly reduced in teeth, alveolar bone and muscle by 8 weeks of age. We also observed colocalization of the GFP signal with the Fam20C antibody in postnatal 1- and 7-day-old animals. Successful generation of Fam20C-GFP transgenic mice will provide a unique model for studying Fam20C gene expression and the biological function of this gene during odontogenesis and osteogenesis.

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the matrix metalloproteinase 2 promoter is closely associated with high risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Cantonese from southern China.

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) has been shown to play an important role in several steps of cancer development. The -1306C/T polymorphism of the MMP2 gene displays a strikingly lower promoter activity than the T allele, and the CC genotype in the MMP2 promoter has been reported to associate with the development of several cancers. To assess the contribution of the MMP2 -1306C/T polymorphism to the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), we conducted a case-control study and analyzed MMP2 genotypes in 370 patients with NPC and 390 frequency-matched controls using real-time PCR-based TaqMan allele analysis. We found that subjects with the CC genotype had an increased risk (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.05-2.27) of developing NPC compared to those with the CT or TT genotypes. Furthermore, we found that the risk of NPC was markedly increased in subjects who were smokers (OR = 15.04, 95% CI = 6.65-33.99), heavy smokers who smoked ≥ 20 pack-years (OR = 18.66, 95% CI = 7.67-45.38), or young (<60 years) at diagnosis (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.01-2.29). Our results provide molecular epidemiological evidence that the MMP2 -1306C/T promoter polymorphism is associated with NPC risk, and this association is especially noteworthy in heavy smokers.

Biologic markers for odontogenic periradicular periodontitis.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis and assessment of apical periodontitis by traditional periapical radiographs can be challenging and might yield false-negative results. The aim of this study was to determine whether interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and dentin sialoprotein (DSP) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) can be used as biological markers for apical periodontitis. METHODS: Forty healthy patients with teeth diagnosed with apical periodontitis of pulpal origin were included in the study. GCF samples were obtained from the diseased tooth and from a healthy contralateral control tooth. Total protein concentration in each sample was determined by using the Bio-Rad protein assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze the concentration of IL-1beta and DSP in the samples. RESULTS: Protein content of the GCF was statistically significantly higher in the disease group compared with the control group. The levels of IL-1beta and DSP were not statistically different between disease and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study was unable to demonstrate a significantly higher level of IL-1beta or DSP in the GCF of teeth with apical periodontitis, the observed presence of a significantly higher level of total protein in the GCF of diseased teeth suggests the possible role of total protein level as a marker for periapical disease.

[Effects of extract of Bulbus Allii Caespitosi on cardiocyte viability of swines with myocardial reperfusion injury evaluated by (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of extract of Bulbus Allii Caespitosi on cardiocyte viability of swines with myocardial reperfusion injury by analyzing the 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) position emission tomography (PET) imaging. METHODS: Twenty-four swines were randomly divided into sham-operated group, untreated group, trimethazine group and extract of Bulbus Allii Caespitosi group. Myocardial reperfusion injury was induced by plugging the anterior descending coronary artery of swine with sacculus. Bulbus Allii Caespitosi or trimetazidine was given twice daily for 28 days. Then myocardial perfusion was detected with (18)F-FDG PET/CT and the radioactivity distribution was evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with the untreated group, Bulbus Allii Caespitosi and trimetazidine could improve the activity of myocardial cells after myocardial infarction (P<0.01), and there were no significant differences between Bulbus Allii Caespitosi and trimetazidine (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Bulbus Allii Caespitosi can improve myocardial metabolism after ischemia and reperfusion in swines.

[Therapeutic effects of Tiaozhong Granule on esophagus mucous membrane in rats with mixed reflux esophagitis and the mechanisms].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of Tiaozhong Granule (TZG), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in treating rats with mixed reflux esophagitis. METHODS: Fifty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into untreated group (n=12), sham-operated group (n=10), TZG-treated group (n=12), Banxia Xiexin Decoction (BXXXD)-treated group (n=12) and cisapride-treated group (n=12). Mixed reflux esophagitis was induced by esophago-duodenum end-to-side anastomosis. Four weeks later, the rats were orally administered twice daily for 12 days. Pathological changes of esophagus mucous membrane were observed by using HE staining. The expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p53 in the esophagus tissue were detected by immunohistochemical SABC method. Spectrophotometric method was used to detect the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in serum. RESULTS: Compared with the untreated group, pathological changes of esophagus mucous membrane were relieved in different degrees in TZG-treated group, BXXXD-treated group and cisapride-treated group. Content of MDA and expressions of PCNA and p53 were obviously decreased in the three treated groups (P<0.01), and the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were significantly increased in the three treated groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). TZG had better effects than cisapride in decreasing the content of MDA and increasing the activities of SOD and GSH-Px (P<0.05). TZG was better in aspect of reducing the expressions of PCNA and p53 than BXXXD and cisapride tablets (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tiaozhong Granule can treat mixed reflux esophagitis in rats, and its action mechanisms may be associated with decreasing the expressions of PCNA and p53 in esophagus mucous membrane, reducing the content of MDA and increasing the activities of SOD and GSH-Px in serum.

[Protective effect of Huaxia shallot preparation on human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effect of Huaxia shallot preparation on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) in vitro. METHODS: Ox-LDL was prepared and identified, and HUVECs were cultured. After 2-hour intervention of different drugs and 24-hour following intervention of Ox-LDL, the number of HUVECs was observed by phase contrast optical microscope and the activity of the HUVECs was observed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) technique. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and nitric oxide (NO) content were assayed by respective kit. The protein expressions and mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor gamma(PPAR-gamma) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were measured by western blot technique and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Ox-LDL could increase the apoptosis rate of the HUVECs and decrease the NO release as compared with the blank control group (P<0.05). These effects induced by Ox-LDL were all significantly inhibited by Huaxia shallot preparation. It could up-regulate the protein expressions and mRNA levels of PPAR-gamma and eNOS significantly (P<0.05). Huaxia shallot preparation could decrease the apoptosis rate of the HUVECs. CONCLUSION: Ox-LDL may be involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis by injuring the endothelial cells directly and may cause the endothelial dysfunction. Huaxia shallot preparation can protect against Ox-LDL induced endothelial cell injury by up-regulating the protein expressions and mRNA levels of PPAR-gamma and eNOS. It suggests that Huaxia shallot preparation may play a role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

[Immortalized human odontoblast-like cell line expressed dentin extracellular matrix in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether dentin matrix proteins were expressed by the human odontoblast-like cell line hTERT-hOd-1 in vitro. METHODS: Collagen type I, bone sialoprotein (BSP), dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) and the marker for odontoblast, dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and dentin sialoprotein (DSP) were detected in these cells by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. During being cultured in mineralizing medium for 5 weeks, the secretion of OC and activity of ALP were measured once a week. RESULTS: DSPP, DMP1, BSP and collagen type I were expressed in hTERT-hOd-1 either at mRNA or protein level. Under the induction of mineralizing medium, the cells showed higher activity of ALP and increased secretion of OC. CONCLUSION: hTERT-hOd-1 expressed dentin extracellular matrix in vitro, which means the cell line has the potential of mineralization.