Streptococcus strain C17 as a potential probiotic candidate to modulate oral health.

In the microbiome, probiotics modulate oral diseases. In this study, Streptococcus strain C17 was isolated from the oropharynx of a 5-year-old healthy child, and its potential probiotic properties were analysed using human bronchial epithelial cells (16-HBE) used as an in vitro oropharyngeal mucosal model. The results demonstrated that the C17 strain showed tolerance to moderate pH ranges of 4-5 and 0·5-1% bile.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of aminopyrazine derivatives as inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK-2).

Several series of novel non-thiourea-containing aminopyrazine derivatives were designed based on the MK-2 inhibitors 1-(2-aminopyrazin-3-yl)methyl-2-thioureas. These compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against MK-2 enzyme in vitro. Compounds with low micromolar to sub-micromolar IC50 values were identified, and several compounds were also found to be active in suppressing the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated TNFα production in THP-1 cells with minimum shift compared to their enzyme activity.

[Effect of 1,4-naphthoquinone aged black carbon on reactive oxygen species and DNA strand breaks in human bronchial epithelial cells].

Objective: To study the effect of 1,4-naphthoquinone aged black carbon (BC/1,4-NQ) on reactive oxygen species and DNA strand breaks in human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE).

Methods: In the study, 16HBE cells were exposed to BC/1,4-NQ, BC and 1,4-NQ at the concentrations of BC/1,4-NQ (10.0/0.

[Comparison of genetic damage in mice exposed to black carbon and ozone-oxidized black carbon].

Objective: To make an assessment on the genotoxicity caused by black carbon (BC) and ozonized black carbon (O₃-BC).

Methods: In this study, 74 healthy male ICR mice [weighed (28 ± 1.5) g] were randomly divided into 7 groups, including one phosphate buffer solution (PBS) control group and six particles exposed groups by intratracheal instillation with either BC or O₃-BC at the doses of 50, 100, 200 μg/mouse, respectively.

Perioperative comprehensive supportive care interventions for chinese patients with esophageal carcinoma: a prospective study.

Objective: To assess the effects of perioperative comprehensive supportive care interventions on outcome of Chinese esophageal cancer patients in a prospective study.

Methods: 60 patients with primary esophageal carcinoma were randomized into an intervention group (IG, n=31) and a control group (CG, n=29). The Chinese version of symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90) was adopted to assess their psychological status.

Efficacy of Tai Chi on pain, stiffness and function in patients with osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis.

Background: Whether Tai Chi benefits patients with osteoarthritis remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercise for pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients with osteoarthritis.

Methods: A computerized search of PubMed and Embase (up to Sept 2012) was performed to identify relevant studies.

Does upper extremity exercise improve dyspnea in patients with COPD? A meta-analysis.

Background: Although unsupported upper extremity exercise (UUEE) is recommended in the guidelines for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), it is controversial whether UUEE improves dyspnea in patients with COPD. The present study conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to clarify whether UUEE could improve dyspnea in COPD patients.

Methods: A computerized search through PubMed and Embase (up to Mar 2012) was performed to obtain sample studies.

[Protective effect of polyenylphosphatidyl choline on liver in rat with sepsis].

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of polyenylphosphatidyl choline (PPC) on liver in rat with sepsis.

Methods: A total of 50 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups according to random number table: normal control group (NS group, n=10), sepsis model group (LPS group, n=15), PPC control group (PPC group, n=10) and PPC protection group (P+L group, n=15). A single dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 6 mg/kg was injected to the peritoneal cavity to reproduce the sepsis model, while in NS group and PPC group, same volume of normal saline was used.

The contribution of surface residues to membrane binding and ligand transfer by the α-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP).

Previous work has shown that the α-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP) can bind to vesicular or immobilized phospholipid membranes. Revealing the molecular mechanisms by which α-TTP associates with membranes is thought to be critical to understanding its function and role in the secretion of tocopherol from hepatocytes into the circulation. Calculations presented in the Orientations of Proteins in Membranes database have provided a testable model for the spatial arrangement of α-TTP and other CRAL-TRIO family proteins with respect to the lipid bilayer.

Effect of bilayer phospholipid composition and curvature on ligand transfer by the alpha-tocopherol transfer protein.

We report here our preliminary investigations on the mechanism of alpha-TTP-mediated ligand transfer as assessed using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assays. These assays monitor the movement of the model alpha-tocopherol fluorescent derivative ((R)-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-[9-(7-nitro-benzo[1,2,5]oxadiazol-4-yl amino)-nonyl]-chroman-6-ol; NBD-Toc) from protein to acceptor vesicles containing the fluorescence quencher TRITC-PE. We have found that alpha-TTP utilizes a collisional mechanism of ligand transfer requiring direct protein-membrane contact, that rates of ligand transfer are greater to more highly curved lipid vesicles, and that such rates are insensitive to the presence of anionic phospholipids in the acceptor membrane.

Novel 1-(2-aminopyrazin-3-yl)methyl-2-thioureas as potent inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK-2).

Novel 1-(2-aminopyrazin-3-yl)methyl-2-thioureas are described as inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK-2). These compounds demonstrate potent in vitro activity against the enzyme with IC(50) values as low as 15 nM, and suppress expression of TNFalpha in THP-1 cells and in vivo in an acute inflammation model in mice. The synthesis, structure-activity relationship (SAR), and biological evaluation of these compounds are discussed.

p38 MAP kinase inhibitors: metabolically stabilized piperidine-substituted quinolinones and naphthyridinones.

Quinolinones and naphthyridinones with C7 N-t-butyl piperidine substituents were found to be potent p38 MAP kinase inhibitors. These compounds significantly suppress TNF-alpha release in both cellular and LPS-stimulated whole blood assays. They also displayed excellent PK profiles across three animal species.

Time-resolved Forster resonance energy transfer assays for the binding of nucleotide and protein substrates to p38alpha protein kinase.

We have developed assays for the binding of nucleotide and protein substrates to p38alpha protein kinase based on time-resolved Forster resonance energy transfer. p38alpha was biotinylated by addition of a sequence that targets biotin to a single lysine when coexpressed with biotin ligase in Escherichia coli, allowing formation of a complex between a streptavidin "LANCE" europium chelate conjugate and p38alpha. When this reagent was combined with M39AF, a p38 inhibitor containing a fluorescent moiety whose excitation wavelengths match the emission wavelengths of the europium chelate, a change in ratio of light emitted at 665 nm/615 nm is detected.

Surgically implantable long-term antipsychotic delivery systems for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Non-adherence with medication remains a major correctable cause for poor outcome in schizophrenia. We describe a surgically implantable preparation of haloperidol with the aim that patients will have superior outcomes with improved medication adherence from implants. In contrast to depot formulations, implantable pellets could last many months, providing symptomatic improvement for periods of time never before possible.