OBJECTIVETo compare the antibacterial effect of Galla Chinensis with that of chlorhexidine by means of chemostat and provide experimental foundation for caries prevention with Chinese medicine instead of chemicals in future.

METHODA multispecies consortium biofilm (BF) model was construted in the chemostat. The growth-inhibition on bacterial biofilm coated on HA was investigated by means of the colony-forming units (CFU). Acid-inhibition was inspected by continual pH-recording in the flow cells. And the profile on the biofilm treated by both experimental medicines was observed with the scanning electromicroscopy (SEM).

RESULTBoth of the experimental medicines could inhibit the growth of the BF bacteria. And Galla Chinensis had no obvious influence on the ecological composing of the BF bacteria. Both of the experimental medicines could inhibit the acid producion of experimental bacteria. But the final pH of Galla Chinensis was lower than that of chlorhexidine. A typical biofilm formed on HA was observed by SEM. Both of Galla chinensis and chlorhexidine could inhibit the production of extracellular matrix and make the BF profile on the surface of the HA clearer and simpler.

CONCLUSIONGalla Chinensis had definite antibacterial effect. No obvious difference is found between Galla Chinensis (4 g x L(-1)) and chlorhexidine (0.5 g x L(-1)). Therefore, it is possible for Chinese medicine to gradually replace the chemical medicine in clinic and it will give a new choice for caries prevention.

Actinomyces ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Anti-Infective Agents, Local ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Chlorhexidine ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Insecta ; chemistry ; Materia Medica ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Streptococcus mutans ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Streptococcus sanguis ; drug effects ; growth & development

In order to find a method suitable for purifying large amount of CD34(+) cells, from 5 cases who accepted autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, CD34(+) cells were collected and enriched by using Isolex 300i (Nexell). Phenotypes were detected by flow cytometry and the biological viability were assayed by the colony-forming experiments and cell expansion experiment in vitro. The results showed that the number of mononuclear cells first collected was about (3.5 - 6.0) x 10(10) and (0.55 - 1.2)% of cells were CD34 positive. The number of positive production was about (2.0 - 3.0) x 10(8); the CD34(+) cells purity was (75 - 85)% and the yield was (40 - 65)%. The CD34(+) cells of positive production could expand up to 2 - 3 times when cultured with SCF + IL3 + FL + TPO + EPO in vitro. The results of colony-forming experiments demonstrated that the CD34(+) cells collected has enough colony-forming ability. All results showed the enriched CD34(+) cells with biological viability. In conclusion, the CD34(+) immunomagnetic isolation apparatus Isolex300i is suitable to clinical application for a large amount of CD34(+) cell enrichment.
Antigens, CD34 ; immunology ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunomagnetic Separation ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards ; Neoplasms ; blood

BACKGROUND/AIMS: While it is well established that acupuncture relieves somatic pain, its therapeutic effect on visceral pain such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unclear. We evaluated the effect of acupuncture in treating visceral hyperalgesia in an animal model. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8 per group) with prior neonatal maternal separation stress were randomly allocated to receive 3-day treatment of either electroacupuncture (EA) or sham acupuncture at acupoint ST-36. Another group of rats without prior maternal separation was included as non-handled controls. Colorectal distension was performed on the day after acupuncture treatment. The 3 groups were compared for pain threshold as determined by abdominal withdrawal reflex and visceromotor response as measured by electromyogram. Colon, spinal cord, and brainstem were sampled for topographic distribution and quantitative assessment of serotonin and Fos expression by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Rats in EA group had significantly higher pain threshold compared to those in sham acpuncture group (25.0 +/- 5.7 mmHg vs 18.7 +/- 5.2 mmHg, p = 0.01) and it was comparable with that of non-handled treatment naive controls (29.4 +/- 9.3 mmHg, p = 0.28). They also had lower visceromotor response as measured by electromyogram compared to those received sham acupuncture at all colorectal distension pressures. EA significantly suppressed Fos expression in doral raphe nuclei of brainstem, superficial dorsal horn of spinal cord and colonic epithelium but suppressed 5-HT expression only in brainstem and spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS: Electro acupuncture attenuates visceral hyperlagesia through down-regulation of central serotonergic activities in the brain-gut axis.
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Benzodiazepines ; Brain Stem ; Colon ; Down-Regulation ; Electroacupuncture ; Epithelium ; Horns ; Hyperalgesia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Models, Animal ; Nociceptive Pain ; Pain Threshold ; Raphe Nuclei ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reflex ; Salicylamides ; Serotonin ; Spinal Cord ; Visceral Pain

Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is a pivotal enzyme in the Toll-like receptor (TLR)/MYD88 dependent signaling pathway, which is highly activated in rheumatoid arthritis tissues and activated B cell-like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (ABC-DLBCL). Inflammatory responses followed by IRAK4 activation promote B-cell proliferation and aggressiveness of lymphoma. Moreover, proviral integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus 1 (PIM1) functions as an anti-apoptotic kinase in propagation of ABC-DLBCL with ibrutinib resistance. We developed a dual IRAK4/PIM1 inhibitor KIC-0101 that potently suppresses the NF-κB pathway and proinflammatory cytokine induction in vitro and in vivo. In rheumatoid arthritis mouse models, treatment with KIC-0101 significantly ameliorated cartilage damage and inflammation. KIC-0101 inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and activation of JAK/STAT pathway in ABC-DLBCLs. In addition, KIC-0101 exhibited an anti-tumor effect on ibrutinib-resistant cells by synergistic dual suppression of TLR/MYD88-mediated NF-κB pathway and PIM1 kinase. Our results suggest that KIC-0101 is a promising drug candidate for autoimmune diseases and ibrutinib-resistant B-cell lymphomas.