Identification of the antibacterial action mechanism of diterpenoids through transcriptome profiling

Effective antibacterial substances of Aralia continentalis have anti-biofilm and bactericidal activity to the oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans. In this study, three compounds extracted from A. continentalis were identified as acanthoic acid, continentalic acid, and kaurenoic acid by NMR and were further investigated how these diterpenoids affect the physiology of the S. mutans. When S. mutans was exposed to individual or mixed fraction of diterpenoids, severe growth defects and unique morphology were observed. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in the cell membrane was increased compared to that of saturated fatty acids in the presence of diterpenoids. Genome-wide gene expression profiles with RNA-seq were compared to reveal the mode of action of diterpenoids. Streptococcus mutans commonly enhanced the expression of 176 genes in the presence of the individual diterpenoids, whereas the expression of 232 genes was considerably reduced. The diterpenoid treatment modulated the expression of genes or operon(s) involved in cell membrane synthesis, cell division, and carbohydrate metabolism of S. mutans. Collectively, these findings provide novel insights into the antibacterial effect of diterpenoids to control S. mutans infection, which causes human dental caries

Interlaboratory comparison study of the Colony Forming Efficiency assay for assessing cytotoxicity of nanomaterials

Nanotechnology has gained importance in the past years as it provides opportunities for industrial growth and innovation. However, the increasing use of manufactured nanomaterials (NMs) in a number of commercial applications and consumer products raises also safety concerns and questions regarding potential unintended risks to humans and the environment. Since several years the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) is putting effort in the development, optimisation and harmonisation of in vitro test methods suitable for screening and hazard assessment of NMs. Work is done in collaboration with international partners, in particular the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This report presents the results from an interlaboratory comparison study of the in vitro Colony Forming Efficiency (CFE) cytotoxicity assay performed in the frame of OECD's Working Party of Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN). Twelve laboratories from European Commission, France, Italy, Japan, Poland, Republic of Korea, South Africa and Switzerland participated in the study coordinated by JRC. The results show that the CFE assay is a suitable and robust in vitro method to assess cytotoxicity of NMs. The assay protocol is well defined and is easily and reliably transferable to other laboratories. The results obtained show good intra and interlaboratory reproducibility of the assay for both the positive control and the tested nanomaterials. In conclusion the CFE assay can be recommended as a building block of an in vitro testing battery for NMs toxicity assessment. It could be used as a first choice method to define dose-effect relationships for other in vitro assays.JRC.I.4-Nanobioscience

Transcriptome Analysis of Halotolerant Staphylococcus saprophyticus Isolated from Korean Fermented Shrimp

Saeu-jeotgal, a Korean fermented shrimp food, is commonly used as an ingredient for making kimchi and other side dishes. The high salinity of the jeotgal contributes to its flavor and inhibits the growth of food spoilage microorganisms. Interestingly, Staphylococcus saprophyticus was discovered to be capable of growth even after treatment with 20% NaCl. To elucidate the tolerance mechanism, a genome-wide gene expression of S. saprophyticus against 0%, 10%, and 20% NaCl was investigated by RNA sequencing. A total of 831, 1314, and 1028 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the 0% vs. 10%, 0% vs. 20%, and 10% vs. 20% NaCl comparisons, respectively. The Clusters of Orthologous Groups analysis revealed that the DEGs were involved in amino acid transport and metabolism, transcription, and inorganic ion transport and metabolism. The functional enrichment analysis showed that the expression of the genes encoding mechanosensitive ion channels, sodium/proton antiporters, and betaine/carnitine/choline transporter family proteins was downregulated, whereas the expression of the genes encoding universal stress proteins and enzymes for glutamate, glycine, and alanine synthesis was upregulated. Therefore, these findings suggest that the S. saprophyticus isolated from the saeu-jeotgal utilizes different molecular strategies for halotolerance, with glutamate as the key molecule

A Methodological Quality Assessment of Meta-Analysis Studies in Dance Therapy Using AMSTAR and AMSTAR 2

Although earlier meta-analysis studies have provided evidence-based information useful for decision-making, debate regarding their quality continues. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of meta-analysis studies in the field of dance therapy (DT) using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) and AMSTAR 2 assessment tools. Meta-analysis studies on DT were collected from various databases. Seven meta-analysis studies were selected for this study. Our findings showed that the quality level of the meta-analysis studies related to DT was “High” on the AMSTAR evaluation, but their quality decreased to “Low” on the AMSTAR 2 evaluation. Moreover, using AMSTAR 2, 71.43% of the studies fell within the category of “Moderate” or below. There was no statistically significant difference in the quality scores of the characteristics of these studies. Our results suggest that (1) education on meta-analysis guidelines is required to improve the quality of DT-related meta-analysis studies, and (2) methodological caution is warranted, since different outcomes in evaluation scores for each tool may be obtained when using AMSTAR and AMSTAR 2. Based on this study, it is expected that common and specific guidelines for meta-analysis in DT can be established

The Modification of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-<i>co</i>-4-hydroxybutyrate) by Melt Blending

Crystalline and noncrystalline poly(3-hyroxybutylate-co-4-hyroxybutylate) (P(3HB-co-4HB)) were melt blended to obtain mixtures of P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymers. The mixtures and P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymers of different 4HB contents were compared to study the effect of 4HB content on the properties of the copolymers and mixtures. P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymer mixtures, having various 4HB content, have been successfully made by melt blending instead of bacterial biosynthesis. In the case of copolymers, they were noncrystalline when the 4HB content was over 16%, while the P(3HB-co-4HB) mixtures at the same 4HB content were crystalline. The mixtures had a higher glass transition temperature, suggesting that their chain mobility is relatively low compared with the copolymer having the same 4HB content. Due to this effect, the mixture is expected to have a higher melt viscosity and a lower loss tangent to exhibit better melt processing properties. The mechanical properties of the mixtures show a similar behavior to the copolymers in that the tensile strength and the modulus decreases and elongation at the break increases with an increase in the 4HB content

The Effect of Intravenous Dexamethasone and Dexmedetomidine on Analgesia Duration of Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block: A Randomized, Four-Arm, Triple-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Intravenous dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine, in conjunction with peripheral nerve blockade, have each been reported to prolong the duration of analgesia. This study tested whether combined use further prolongs analgesia duration after supraclavicular brachial plexus block (BPB) in patients undergoing orthopedic upper extremity surgery. One hundred twenty patients were randomized 1:1:1:1 to Control (saline bolus and midazolam infusion [0.05 mg/kg loading, 20 &micro;g/kg/h thereafter]); DMED (saline bolus and dexmedetomidine infusion [1 &mu;g/kg loading, 0.4 &mu;g/kg/h thereafter]); DEXA (dexamethasone [10 mg] bolus and midazolam infusion); and DMED-DEXA (dexmedetomidine infusion and dexamethasone bolus) groups. The primary outcome was the duration of postoperative analgesia, defined as the time from the end of the BPB to the first dose of analgesia via a patient-controlled device. Median (interquartile range) times to first dose of analgesia in the Control, DMED, DEXA, and DMED-DEXA groups were 8.1 (6.2&ndash;11.6), 9.0 (8.1&ndash;11.3), 10.7 (8.1&ndash;20.5), and 13.2 (11.5&ndash;19.1) hours, respectively (p &lt; 0.001). Pairwise comparisons showed significant prolongation of analgesia in the DEXA included groups compared with the non-DEXA included groups (DEXA vs. control, p = 0.045; DEXA vs. DMED, p = 0.045; DMED-DEXA vs. control, p &lt; 0.001; DMED-DEXA vs. DMED, p &lt; 0.001). A mixed effect model showed that dexamethasone was the only significant factor for the prolongation of analgesia (p &lt; 0.001). Intravenous dexamethasone prolonged the analgesia duration of supraclavicular BPB after orthopedic upper extremity surgery. The concurrent use of mild to moderate sedation dose of intravenous dexmedetomidine in addition to intravenous dexamethasone showed no additional benefit to the prolongation of analgesia

Risk Factors for Graft Failure and Death following Geriatric Renal Transplantation

<div><p>Background</p><p>Population aging is a major health concern in Asian countries and it has affected the age distribution of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). As a consequence, the need for kidney transplantation in the geriatric population has increased, but the shortage of donors is an obstacle for geriatric renal transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for graft failure and death in geriatric renal transplantation.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Kidney transplantations performed in a tertiary hospital in South Korea from May 1995 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Recipients younger than 60 years of age or who underwent other organ transplantations were excluded. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess patient and graft survival. A Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate risk factors for graft failure and patient death.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 229 kidney transplantation patients were included. Graft survival at 1, 5, and 10 years were 93.2%, 82.9%, and 61.2% respectively. Patient survival at 1, 5, and 10 years were 94.6%, 86.9%, and 68.8%, respectively. According to the Cox multivariate analysis, ABO incompatibility (hazard ratio [HR] 3.91, p < 0.002), DGF (HR 3.544, p < 0.004), CMV infection (HR 2.244, p < 0.011), and HBV infection (HR 6.349, p < 0.015) were independent risk factors for graft survival. Recipient age (HR 1.128, p < 0.024), ABO incompatibility (HR 3.014, p < 0.025), CMV infection (HR 2.532, p < 0.010), and the number of HLA mismatches (HR 1.425, p < 0.007) were independent risk factors for patient death.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Kidney transplantation in the geriatric population showed good clinical outcomes. ABO incompatibility, DGF, CMV infection, and HBV infection were risk factors for graft failure and the recipient age, ABO incompatibility, CMV infection, and the number of HLA mismatches were risk factors for patient death in geriatric renal transplantation.</p></div

Graft survival rates following kidney transplantation in the Korean geriatric recipients.

<p>Graft survival rates following kidney transplantation in the Korean geriatric recipients.</p

Cause of death in the study population according to the type of donor.

<p>Cause of death in the study population according to the type of donor.</p

Risk factors for patient death.

<p>Risk factors for patient death.</p