OBJECTIVETo compare the protein profiles between decapeptide-treated and untreated planktonic cells of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) by differential proteomic analysis to determine and identify the key proteins.

METHODSIn our previous study, we investigated decapeptide (KKVVFKVKFK-NH2), which was a novel adenosine monophosphate. Compared with other oral pathogens tested, decapeptide had a preferential antibacterial activity against S. mutans. It also inhibited S. mutans biofilm formation and reduced the one-day developed biofilm. In the present study, we first synthesized decapeptide, and then compared the protein profiles between decapeptide-treated and untreated planktonic cells of S. mutans by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We also verified different expressions of key protein enolase in the protein level.

RESULTSThe results showed that decapeptide altered the protein expression of planktonic S. mutans. These proteins were functionally involved in carbohydrate degradation by glycolysis, protein folding, conjunction, transport, translation, adenosine triphosphate binding, protein binding, sequence-specific DNA binding, transcription factor activity, and two-component response regulator activity. Western blot results showed that enolase protein expression decreased obviously in decapeptide-treated cells of S. mutans.

CONCLUSIONThe protein expression of S. mutans significantly changed after synthetic antimicrobial decapeptide treatment, suggesting that decapeptide may present a preferential effect on oral caries by changing the expression of certain key proteins, such as enolase protein.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Biofilms ; Dental Caries ; Depsipeptides ; genetics ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Oligopeptides ; genetics ; Proteomics ; Streptococcus mutans ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of decapeptide, a novel antimicrobial peptide, against several major cariogenic and periodontopathogenic bacteria in vitro. METHODS In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of decapeptide against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus gordonii, Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces naeslundii, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Saccharomyces albicans in vitro using the agar diffusion method and broth dilution method. Furthermore, a time-kill kinetic study of decapeptide against S. mutans was performed.

RESULTSThe results showed that decapeptide exhibited antimicrobial activity against various oral bacteria and fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of main cariogenic bacteria ranged from 62.5 μg · mL(-1) to 125 μg · mL(-1), and the MIC of periodontopathogenic bacteria tested ranged from 250 μg · mL(-1) to 1,000 μg · mL(-1). Among the bacteria tested, decapeptide had a strong inhibitory effect on cariogenic S. mutans. Results of the time-kill kinetic studies showed that decapeptide reduced the viable counts of S. mutans by more than one order of magnitude after 20 min of incubation, and thoroughly killed S. mutans after 30 min. No viable cells could be detected after 24 h of incubation.

CONCLUSIONThis study suggest that decapeptide might have potential clinical application in treating dental caries by killing S. mutans within dental plaque.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Bacteria ; Dental Caries ; Dental Plaque ; Kinetics ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mouth ; microbiology ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Streptococcus mutans

Objective To assess the clinical value of systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) combined with serum procalcitonin (PCT) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score in the early diagnosis of sepsis. Methods A retrospective study was conducted. The data of critical patients admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine of the Third People's Hospital of Hechi from November 2013 to April 2016 were enrolled. The clinical data were recorded as follows: gender, age, infection site, SOFA score, serum PCT level (enzyme linked fluorescence analysis) within 1 hour after intensive care unit (ICU) admission, hemodynamics parameters, including mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac index (CI), SVRI, global end diastolic volume index (GEDVI), extravascular lung water index (EVLWI), which were monitored by pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) after ICU admission. The patients were divided into sepsis and non-sepsis groups according to the diagnostic criteria of sepsis. Septic patients were divided into low SVRI group, normal SVRI group, and high SVRI group according to SVRI normal value (170-240 kPa·s·L-1·m-2), and the differences in parameters among the three groups were compared. The correlations between SVRI and various parameters were analyzed by using Pearson correlation analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of each parameter. Results Totally 103 critical patients were enrolled, 55 in sepsis group, and 48 in non-sepsis group. Compared with non-sepsis group, SVRI in septic group was significantly lowered (kPa·s·L-1·m-2: 146.56±45.17 vs. 188.04±56.27), and serum PCT was significantly increased (μg/L: 10.43±6.17比0.32±0.11) with statistically significant differences (both P < 0.05). In 55 sepsis patients, there were 21 in low SVRI group, 19 in normal SVRI group, and 15 in high SVRI group. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age and infection site among the three groups, indicating that the baseline data among all groups was balanced with comparability. SOFA score, PCT, and CI in the low SVRI group were significantly higher than those of normal SVRI and high SVRI groups [SOFA: 10.57±2.89 vs. 5.73±2.28, 5.73±2.15, PCT (μg/L): 24.15±12.43 vs. 7.18±5.05, 7.39±4.38, CI (mL·s-1·m-2): 71.01±9.67 vs. 62.01±8.34, 62.51±8.67, all P < 0.05], but no significant difference was found between the normal SVRI group and high SVRI group. There was no statistically significant difference in MAP, CVP, EVLWI, and GEDVI among the three groups. It was shown by Pearson correlation analysis that SVRI was negatively correlated with PCT, SOFA score, and CI (r value was -0.622, -0.598, -0.398, all P = 0.000). It was shown by ROC curve that area under ROC curve (AUC) of PCT combined with SVRI for diagnosis of sepsis was higher than that of PCT or SVRI alone (0.943 vs. 0.911, 0.884). When the cut-off value of PCT was 3.79 μg/L, and cut-off value of SVRI was 156.81 kPa·s·L-1·m-2, the sensitivity and specificity were 94.6% and 92.3% respectively. Conclusions For sepsis patients, SVRI is related to PCT and SOFA score. Combined monitoring of PCT, SVRI, SOFA score can accurately reflect the severity of sepsis patients, guide diagnosis and treatment, and estimate prognosis. The efficacy of PCT combined with SVRI in the early diagnosis of sepsis is better than that of the two alone.

Objective:To compare total percutaneous access using preclose technique with femoral ar-tery cut-down in endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)and assess the safety and feasibility of preclose technique.Methods:In the study,81 cases undergoing EVAR from Dec.2011 to Nov.2014 in Peking University People’s Hospital were retrospectively reviewed.Preoperative CT angiography (CTA)showed presence of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm or descending aortic aneurysm in all the cases.The maximum diameter of aneurysm >4.5 cm met the indications for surgical treatment.The conditions of bi-lateral femoral artery and iliac artery CTA showed were good,and there was no moderate or severe steno-sis,nor was there any severe calcification in anterior wall of femoral artery.Not only were the cases fit for percutaneous endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (PEVAR),but also feasible with open endovascular aneurysm repair (OEVAR).According to the intention of the patients about the surgical incision,the ca-ses were divided into group PEVAR and group OEVAR.The data of the general situation,operation time,blood loss,technical success rate,length of hospital stay after procedure and wound complications were analyzed statistically.Results:In the study,44 cases (78 incisions)were enrolled in group PEVAR and 37 cases (65 incisions)in group OEVAR.There was no significant difference between the two groups in age,gender,body mass index (BMI),accompanying diseases,average number of stents and outer diameter of stent delivery system.Average operation time of group PEVAR was less than that of group OEVAR [(119.1 ±102.0)min vs.(163.6 ±61.9)min,P =0.025].The blood loss in group PEVAR was less than that in group OEVAR [(64.7 ±97.0)mL vs.(98.6 ±88.3)mL],but there was no significant difference (P =0.106).There was no difference in the technical success rate (94.9% vs. 95.4%,P =1.000).The average length of hospital stay after procedure was significantly shorter in group PEVAR [(7.8 ±2.8)d vs.(12.3 ±7.2)d,P <0.001].There were 2 cases with subcutaneous hematoma of wound in group PEVAR and 7 cases of wound complications that occurred in group OEVAR including 3 cases with lymphatic leakage,3 cases with lower limb ischemia and 1 case with subcutaneous hematoma.The analysis showed that PEVAR could reduce the wound complications (2.6%vs.10.8%), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P =0.079).Conclusion:Using preclose technique in EVAR is safe and effective.It can shorten the operation time and length of hospital stay after procedure.

Objective To evaluate therapeutic results of radiofrequency endovenous obliteration (RFO) for the treatment of varicose veins of the lower limbs. Methods Fifty six cases (56 limbs) of primary greater saphenous vein tributary varicose veins were randomly assigned to RFO group (n=28) and conventional stripping operation group (n=28). In RFO group, the wall of the greater saphenous vein was treated at 85℃ with the catheter to occlude the whole length of the vein. The other 28 cases underwent stripping procedure. The scattered superficial varicose veins in calf in both groups were managed by phlebectomy. The number of surgical incision, postoperative pain, average hospital days and the short-term results were compared. Results Patients in RFO group have less surgical incisions and less postoperative pain, without subcutaneous hematoma. The average hospital stay was 2.5?1.00 days in RFO group compared to 4.14?0.85 days in stripping operation group. Conclusions RFO effectively obliterates the whole length of the great saphenous vein and is of less trauma,faster recovery, and less scars.

Objective To explore the treatment of left renal entrapment syndrome. Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the treatment of left renal entrapment syndrome. Diagnosis was established with ultrasonography, magnetic resonance angiography ( MRA) and left renal venography. The transposition of the superior mesenteric artery(SMA) was performed in three cases, the transposition of left renal vein( LRV) in two, and the stent implantation of the LRV in 15. Results Ultrasonography showed that the flow velocity of the proximal end of the LRV at horizontal position accelerates remarkably, and the acceleration is more obvious after standing for 15 minutes; The inner diameter ratio of the broadest place to the narrowest of the LRV at horizontal position is 4. 4?1. 6, while it is 8. 1?1.7 after standing for 15 minutes. MRA illustrated the angle between the abdominal aorta and the SMA was (30?5)?, the control was (64?16)?. The average pressure difference between the LRV and the inferior vena cava (IVC) was ( 14?5) mmHg and (2. 9?1. 4) mmHg before and after stent implantation. The surgical and interventional therapy was successful in all 20 cases. Follow-up from 6 months to 6 years revealed that macroscopic hematuria and symptom disappeared in all patients. Conclusion Ultrasonography, MRA and renal venography are decisive for the establishment of final diagnosis of left renal entrapment syndrome. The stent implantation is the choice of therapy because of less invasion.

Objective To summarize our preliminary experience on diagnosis and treatment of aorta pseudoaneurysms due to deceleration injury. Methods Retrospective analysis was made on 8 cases of aorta pseudoaneurysms due to deceleration injury regarding its clinical findings, imagines and surgical operations or endografting treatment. Results Diagnosis was confirmed by imaging examinations. Among two cases who refused a surgery one died and the other lost follow-up after discharge. Surgery was successful in the remaining six cases including two cases treated by open surgery and four cases by intervensive endografting. Conclusions Aorta pseudoaneurysms due to deceleration injury can be correctly diagnosed by imaging examinations. Aorta pseudoaneurysms should be treated timely since spontaneous cure is almost impossible. Traditional surgical operations is effective, however, endografting is a relatively safe, less traumatic procedure.

ThisstudywasaimedtoobservetheinhibitoryeffectsofQi-Zhu (QZ)granulesonearlyproteinuria in diabetic nephropathy rats with syndrome of qi-yin deficiency and phlegm blocking collaterals. A total of 44 rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, Huang-Kui capsule group, QZ granules group. The rat model of diabetic nephropathy with syndrome of qi-yin deficiency and phlegm blocking collaterals was induced by the combination of unilateral renal artery ligation, diet of high-calorie and high cholesterol, and intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin. The medication was given for 8 weeks. The concentrations of protein and creatinine in urine were observed on the 4th week. The blood glucose, blood lipids, liver function and renal pathological changes were observed at the end of the experiment. The results showed that compared with the model group, QZ granules can obvious suppress early proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy, promote creatinine excretion, regulate blood lipid metabolism, protect liver function and improve renal pathological changes. It was concluded that QZ granules had independent inhibition effect on early proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy rats with syndrome of qi-yin deficiency and phlegm blocking collaterals. The effect was independent of lowing blood glucose. It represented the corresponding relation between the syndrome and efficacy in Chinese herb compounds.

In this experiment, a novel biotin-avidin conjugation probe was synthesized and employed in the detection of reverse-phase protein microarray. Firstly, the proportion of the biotin-avidin conjugation probe was optimized. Then the rat IgG and goat anti-rat IgG system was served as a model to optimize the fabrication conditions of reverse-phase protein microarray, including the non-specific absorption of streptavidin-Cy3 molecules, spotting buffer as well as protein activities. At last, the biotin-avidin conjugation probe was applied to the detection of the reverse-phase protein microarray. The results show that the protein microarray prepared by using BSA spotting buffer could prevent non-specific absorptions of fluorescent molecules and improve the sensitivity, effectively. In addition, compared with traditional biotin-avidin system, the detection limit could be improved four times using the biotin-avidin conjugation probe. In conclusion, the biotin-avidin conjugation probe has its merits of easy synthesis, low price and could be further conjugated with other signal amplification techniques, which is promising to be used in the detection of protein microarray.
Avidin ; chemistry ; Biotin ; chemistry ; DNA Probes ; Immunoglobulin G ; analysis ; immunology ; Protein Array Analysis ; methods

Objective This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of decapeptide, a novel antimicrobial peptide, against several major cariogenic and periodontopathogenic bacteria in vitro. Methods In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of decapeptide against Streptococcus mutans (S.mutans), Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus gordonii, Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces naeslundii, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Saccharomyces albicans in vitro using the agar diffusion method and broth dilution method. Furthermore, a time–kill kinetic study of decapeptide against S. mutans was performed. Results The results showed that decapeptide exhibited antimicrobial activity against various oral bacteria and fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of main cariogenic bacteria ranged from 62.5 μg·mL-1 to 125 μg·mL-1, and the MIC of periodontopathogenic bacteria tested ranged from 250 μg·mL-1 to 1 000 μg·mL-1. Among the bacteria tested, decapeptide had a strong inhibitory effect on cariogenic S.mutans. Results of the time–kill kinetic studies showed that decapeptide reduced the viable counts of S. mutans by more than one order of magnitude after 20 min of incubation, and thoroughly killed S.mutans after 30 min. No viable cells could be detected after 24 h of incubation. Conclusion This study suggest that decapeptide might have potential clinical application in treating dental caries by killing S.mutans within dental plaque.