There have been no published studies concerning the anti-inflammatory effects of corn silk on colon cancer cells. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of corn silk extract containing high levels of maysin on inflammation and its mechanism of action in colon cancer cells. SW 480 human colon cancer cells were treated with 1 µg/mL of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation, and next they were treated with different concentrations of corn silk extract (0, 5, 10 and 15 µg/mL). The concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) were determined. The mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were determined. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expressions of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases, and the latter consists of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase (p38). The concentration of NO and the mRNA expression of iNOS were significantly and dose-dependently decreased in the corn silk-treated groups (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly increased in the LPS-treated group (P<0.05), but these expressions were significantly and dose-dependently decreased in the corn silk treated groups (P<0.05). The protein expressions of NF-κB (in a dose-dependent fashion), ERK (at 10 and 15 µg/mL), JNK (at 15 µg/mL) and p38 (at 10 and 15 µg/mL) were significantly decreased with corn silk treatments (P<0.05). In conclusion, corn silk extract containing high levels of maysin seems to inhibit the LPS-induced inflammatory responses in SW480 colon cancer cells via the NF-κB pathway.
Blotting, Western ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cytokines ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-6 ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phosphotransferases ; RNA, Messenger ; Saccharin ; Silk ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Zea mays

Molar-incisor malformation (MIM) is characterized by malformation in the root with a normal crown. While MIM mostly occurs in the permanent first molar, it has also been reported in the maxillary central incisor and the primary second molar (PSM), but anatomical analysis of the primary teeth with MIM has not been studied to date.
In this case report, a patient with MIM was reported, and an extracted PSM with MIM was analyzed with micro computed tomography (CT).
A cervical constriction morphology of the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) can be observed in extracted PSM. In micro CT analysis, characteristics such a mineralized plate (cervical mineralized diaphragm) in the CEJ area, complex root canal morphologies, a calcified mass inside the pulp chamber, and constricted pulp chamber of crown portion were observed.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the antibacterial effects of indocyanine green (ICG) and near-infrared diode lasers on multispecies biofilms.
Multispecies biofilms of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei and Candida albicans were treated with different irradiation time using photosensitizer ICG and 808 nm near-infrared diode laser. Colony forming unit (CFU) was measured, and qualitative evaluation of biofilm was performed with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Temperature measurement was conducted to evaluate photothermal effect.
In the groups using ICG and diode laser, reduction in CFU was statistically significant, but the difference in antibacterial effect on L. casei and C. albicans with irradiation time was not significant, and similar results were confirmed with CLSM. Groups with ICG and diode laser showed higher temperature elevation than groups without ICG, and results of measured temperature were similar to the range of hyperthermia.
In conclusion, ICG and near-infrared diode laser showed antibacterial effects on multispecies biofilms, but studies on protocol are necessary for clinical application.

Paratuberculosis (PTB) is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and is one of the most widespread and economically important diseases in cattle. After birth, calves are raised with natural breast feeding without separation from their mothers in most Korean native cattle (Hanwoo breed) farms. Vertical transmission of PTB has been reported, but the exact PTB infection route has not been revealed in Hanwoo farms. Calves of MAP seropositive dams were tested for MAP presence and MAP antibodies in feces and tissues. MAP was detected in calf tissues by using polymerase chain reaction. Expressions of genes reported to be prognostic biomarkers of MAP infection changed in both calves and cows (p < 0.05). Expression of two genes (HGF and SERPINE1) were significantly decreased in MAP-infected cattle and their offspring (p < 0.01). The results suggest that biomarker gene expression profiles can be useful in detecting early stage MAP infection. Based on the results, complete eradication of MAP may be possible if accurate diagnostic methods to detect infected calves are added to the current PTB eradication strategy, which, because infected individuals are likely to develop into fecal MAP shedders at any time, includes isolation of new born calves and feeding sterilized colostrum.
Agriculture* ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Asymptomatic Infections ; Biomarkers* ; Breast Feeding ; Cattle* ; Colostrum ; Feces ; Humans ; Mothers ; Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis ; Paratuberculosis* ; Parturition ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcriptome

We evaluated the potential ability of germanium biotite (GB) to stimulate the production of antibodies specific for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). To this aim, we measured the total FMDV-specific antibody responses and IgM production after vaccination against FMD both experimentally and in the field. GB supplementation with FMDV vaccination stimulated the production of anti-FMDV antibodies, and effectively increased IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels. These results suggest that GB may be a novel alternative feed supplement that can serve as a boosting agent and an immunostimulator for increasing the efficacy of FMDV vaccination in pigs.
Adjuvants, Immunologic/therapeutic use ; Aluminum Silicates/*therapeutic use ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral/*immunology ; Antibody Formation/drug effects ; *Dietary Supplements ; Ferrous Compounds/*therapeutic use ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease/*immunology/prevention & control ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus/immunology ; Germanium/*therapeutic use ; Swine ; Swine Diseases/immunology/prevention & control/*virology

Purpose: BVAC-B is an autologous B cell– and monocyte-based immunotherapeutic vaccine that contains cells transfected with a recombinant human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene and loaded with the natural killer T cell ligand alpha-galactosylceramide. Here, we report the first BVAC-B study in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Patients with advanced gastric cancer refractory to standard treatment with HER2+ immunohistochemistry ≥ 1 were eligible for treatment. Patients were administered low (2.5×107 cells/dose), medium (5.0×107 cells/dose), or high dose (1.0×108 cells/dose) of BVAC-B intravenously four times every 4 weeks. Primary endpoints included safety and maximum tolerated BVAC-B dose. Secondary endpoints included preliminary clinical efficacy and BVAC-B-induced immune responses. Results: Eight patients were treated with BVAC-B at low (n=1), medium (n=1), and high doses (n=6). No dose-limiting toxicity was observed, while treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were observed in patients treated with medium and high doses. The most common TRAEs were grade 1 (n=2) and grade 2 (n=2) fever. Out of the six patients treated with high-dose BVAC-B, three had stable disease with no response. Interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 increased after BVAC-B treatment in all patients with medium and high dose, and HER2-specific antibody was detected in some patients. Conclusion BVAC-B monotherapy had a safe toxicity profile with limited clinical activity; however, it activated immune cells in heavily pretreated patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer. Earlier treatment with BVAC-B and combination therapy is warranted for evaluation of clinical efficacy.

In order to investigate the antioxidant effect of alkylhydroxide peroxidase (ahpC) of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) 26695, an ahpC-deficient mutant (H. pylori 26695 ahpC::cat) was generated. ahpC-deficient mutant was grown slowly at lower pressure of oxygen (5% oxygen) compared to the H. pylori 26695. Whole cell proteins isolated form H. pylori 26695 and H. pylori 26695 ahpC::cat were analyzed by MALDI-TOF and tandem-MS. The expression of 15 proteins, including Ppa, HypB, GrpE, Elp, RecA, GroES, Mda66, RibE, NapA, GlnA, BioB, TrxB, Tsf, FumC and Icd, was more than doubled in H. pylori 26695 ahpC::cat. Production of 10 proteins such as UreG, FabE, Adk, Pnp, OorC, AtpA, AtpD, Nqq3, Pfr, and TagD decreased below 50% in H. pylori 26695 ahpC::cat compared to the H. pylori 26695. In microarray analysis, 9 genes including sul1, amiE, frxA, fecA, hyuA, and katA increased in transcription level in H. pylori 26695 ahpC::cat compared to H. pylori 26695. A total of 24 genes, including flaB, protein kinase C inhibitor, cag16, pabC, and sabA, reduced in transcription. 27 genes, including HP0889, showed common expression changes in ahpC, katA, and sodB-deficient mutations. As a result of this study, there were not many genes whose expression was commonly changed by the deletion of each of the three major antioxidant enzymes of H. pylori. These results showed the functions and regulation of the three antioxidant enzymes were different in H. pylori.
Antioxidants ; Helicobacter pylori ; Helicobacter ; Microarray Analysis ; Oxygen ; Peroxidase ; Protein Kinase C ; Proteome ; Ribes