Inhibitory and preventive effects of Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst. root extract on Streptococcus mutans and dental caries in rats.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries is one of the prevalent conditions that threaten oral health. Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst. root (AR) extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antibacterial properties. This study was designed to investigate the antibacterial impact of AR extract on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) UA159 and the anti-caries effect on rats. METHODS: The antibacterial activity of AR extract against S. mutans and its biofilm was determined using the bacterial sensitivity test, the biofilm sensitivity test, and the live-dead staining technique. By fluorescently tagging bacteria, the influence of bacterial adhesion rate was determined. Using a rat caries model, the anti-caries efficacy and safety of AR extract were exhaustively investigated in vivo. RESULTS: AR extract inhibit not only the growth of S. mutans, but also the generation of S. mutans biofilm, hence destroying and eliminating the biofilm. Moreover, AR extract were able to inhibit S. mutans' adherence to saliva-encapsulated hydroxyapatite (HAP). Further, in a rat model of caries, the AR extract is able to greatly reduce the incidence and severity of caries lesions on the smooth surface and pit and fissure of rat molars, while exhibiting excellent biosafety. CONCLUSIONS: AR extract exhibit strong antibacterial activity against S. mutans and can lower the incidence and severity of dental cavities in rats. These findings suggest that Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst. could be utilized for the prevention and treatment of dental caries.

Artificial transmembrane potassium transporters: designs, functions, mechanisms and applications.

Potassium channels represent the most prevalent class of ion channels, exerting regulatory control over numerous vital biological processes, including muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. The seamless integration of astonishing functions into a sophisticated structure, as seen in these protein channels, inspires the chemical community to develop artificial versions, gearing toward simplifying their structure while replicating their key functions. In particular, over the past ten years or so, a number of elegant artificial potassium transporters have emerged, demonstrating high selectivity, high transport efficiency or unprecedented transport mechanisms. In this review, we will provide a detailed exposition of these artificial potassium transporters that are derived from a single molecular backbone or self-assembled from multiple components, with their respective structural designs, channel functions, transport mechanisms and biomedical applications thoroughly reviewed.

DNA Methylation Biomarkers Predict Objective Responses to PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibition Blockade.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment could bring long-lasting clinical benefits to patients with metastatic cancer. However, only a small proportion of patients respond to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade, so predictive biomarkers are needed. Here, based on DNA methylation profiles and the objective response rates (ORRs) of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition therapy, we identified 269 CpG sites and developed an initial CpG-based model by Lasso to predict ORRs. Notably, as measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), our model can produce better performance (AUC = 0.92) than both a model based on tumor mutational burden (TMB) (AUC = 0.77) and a previously reported TMB model (AUC = 0.71). In addition, most CpGs also have additional synergies with TMB, which can achieve a higher prediction accuracy when joined with TMB. Furthermore, we identified CpGs that are associated with TMB at the individual level. DNA methylation modules defined by protein networks, Kyoto Encylopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, and ligand-receptor gene pairs are also associated with ORRs. This method suggested novel immuno-oncology targets that might be beneficial when combined with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Thus, DNA methylation studies might hold great potential for individualized PD1/PD-L1 blockade or combinatory therapy.

Apical sealability in extracted teeth by the root canal filling agents GuttaFlow and AH Plus: a systematic review / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To compare the apical sealing effects of two root canal fillers, GuttaFlow and AH Plus, for clinical reference.@* Methods@#The Cochrane system evaluation method was used to search the Cochrane Library, Embase, CBM, PubMed, CNKI, Weipu, and Wanfang databases. Additionally, relevant journals and conference papers were manually retrieved, and relevant randomized controlled trials were collected. Two reviewers independently evaluated the quality of each study and extracted the data. A meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan5.3 software for homogenous studies, and a descriptive analysis was performed for studies with poor homogeneity.@*Results@#In total, 10 randomized controlled trials containing 398 isolated teeth were included. The meta-analysis results showed that the difference in apical microleakage was statistically significant at 1 week and 3 months [1 week: MD=-0.13, 95% CI (-0.22,-0.04), P=0.007; 3 months: MD=-1.27, 95% CI (-1.94,-0.60), P=0.000 2] but not at 6 months [MD=-0.10, 95% CI (-0.26, 0.06), P=0.23].@* Conclusion@#Based on existing research results, GuttaFlow may achieve better results than AH Plus in the short term (≤ 1 week). Because it is subject to limitations of time, quality, and research methods, this conclusion requires more long-term, high-quality, large-sample, multimeasurement randomized controlled trials for further validation.

[Is albumin administration beneficial in early stage of postoperative hypoalbuminemia after gastrointestinal surgery: a prospective randomized control trial].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether albumin administration is beneficial in early stage of postoperative hypoalbuminemia after gastrointestinal surgery. METHODS: A prospective randomized control trial was designed. One hundred and twenty-seven patients suffered from hypoalbuminemia after gastrointestinal surgery were randomly divided into albumin group (64 cases) and saline group (control group, 63 cases) by using random number form. The albumin group was given 100 ml 20% human albumin daily for 3 days; and in control group, saline 100 ml daily was administered for 3 days after the operation. The disease course of postoperative hypoalbuminemia, nutritional status, complications and hospital stay were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Plasma albumin level in both groups decreased significantly after the operation (P < 0.05). No significant differences was found in the change of postoperative plasma albumin level between the two groups (P > 0.05). Postoperative plasma albumin, total protein and pre-albumin levels were similar in the two groups. Three-day and 5-day plasma albumin recovery ratios were similar in the two groups, and the 7-day recovery ratio was lower in the albumin group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups (23.4% vs. 12.7%, P = 0.116). CONCLUSION: Albumin administration in early stage of postoperative hypoalbuminemia following gastrointestinal surgery is not beneficial either in correcting hypoalbuminemia or in clinical outcomes.

Is albumin administration beneficial in early stage of postoperative hypoalbuminemia following gastrointestinal surgery?: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons commonly see postoperative hypoalbuminemia, but whether exogenous albumin administration is beneficial for these patients is unclear. METHODS: A prospective, randomized study design was used, allocating 127 hypoalbuminemic patients into the albumin or saline group after gastrointestinal surgery. We investigated the development of postoperative hypoalbuminemia, nutritional status, postoperative fluid balance, postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: Plasma albumin concentrations of both groups decreased after operations (P <.01). No significant differences were found between groups (P >.05) in changes in postoperative plasma albumin concentration from baseline levels. Postoperative plasma albumin, total protein, and prealbumin levels were similar in the 2 groups. While 3-day and 5-day recovery ratios were similar, 7-day recovery ratios were lower in the albumin group (P <.05). No significant difference was found in overall fluid administration, urine output, or the incidence of postoperative complications between groups (23.4% for albumin group and 12.7% for control group, P = .116). CONCLUSIONS: Albumin administration in the early stage of postoperative hypoalbuminemia following gastrointestinal surgery is not beneficial in correcting hypoalbuminemia or in clinical outcomes.

Detection of hMSH2 and hMLH1 mutations in Chinese hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer kindreds.

AIM: To establish and validate the mutation testing for identification and characterization of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) in suspected Chinese patients. METHODS: Five independent Chinese kindreds with HNPCC fulfilling the classical Amsterdam criteria were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted after informed consent was obtained. The coding region of hMSH2 and hMLH1 genes was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). Mutations identified in the proband by DHPLC were directly sequenced using a 377 DNA sequencer, analyzed with a basic local alignment tool (BLAST), and tested in the corresponding family members by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Mutations were identified in two Chinese HNPCC kindreds. One was the missense mutation of hMSH2 c.1808A-->G resulting in Asp 603 Gly identified in the proband of the fifth HNPCC (HNPCC5) kindred. In the HNP5 kindred, three family members were found to have this mutation and two of them had colorectal cancer. The other mutation of hMLH1 c.1882A-->G was identified in the HNP2 kindred's proband, which might be the nonsense mutation analyzed by BLAST. CONCLUSION: Pedigree investigation and mutation testing of hMSH2 and hMLH1 are the practical methods to identify high-risk HNPCC patients in China.