Dalbergiones lower the inflammatory response in oral cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVES Periodontitis is a global health burden that underlines the demand for anti-inflammatory treatment. Dalbergia melanoxylon being a rich source of flavonoids has been widely used in traditional medicine but the potential anti-inflammatory activity of its dalbergiones remains to be shown. MATERIAL AND METHODS We have isolated 3'-hydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxydalbergione, 4-methoxydalbergione, and 4'-hydroxy-4-methoxydalbergione from Dalbergia melanoxylon and tested their potential anti-inflammatory activity. RESULTS All dalbergiones are potent inhibitors of an LPS-induced inflammatory response of RAW 264.7 macrophages. This is specified by IL1β and IL6 production, and the p65 nuclear translocation. Consistently, in primary macrophages, the dalbergiones caused an M1-to-M2 polarization switch indicated by the decreased ration of IL1β and IL6 versus arginase 1 and YM1 expression. To implement oral cells, we have used gingival fibroblasts exposed to IL1β and TNFα. Consistently, all dalbergiones reduced the expression of IL6 and IL8 as well as the nuclear translocation of p65. CONCLUSION These findings increase the accumulating knowledge on dalbergiones and extend it towards its capacity to lower the inflammatory response of oral cells. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These findings are another piece of evidence that supports the use of herbal medicine to potentially lower inflammatory events related to dentistry

Heartwood of Dalbergia cochinchinensis: 4,7,2'-Trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavanol and 6,4'-Dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavane Reduce Cytokine and Chemokine Expression In Vitro.

Dalbergia cochinchinensis has been widely used in traditional medicine because of its flavonoids; however, the impact of the flavonoids to modulate the inflammatory response to oral cells remains to be described. For this aim, we isolated 4,7,2'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavanol (472T4MIF) and 6,4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavane (64D7MF) from the heartwood of D. cochinchinensis and confirmed the chemical structure by nuclear magnetic resonance. We show here that both flavonoids are inhibitors of an inflammatory response of murine RAW 264.7 inflammatory macrophages stimulated by LPS. This is indicated by interleukin (IL)1, IL6, and chemokine CCL2 production besides the phosphorylation of p65. Consistently, in primary murine macrophages, both flavonoids decreased the inflammatory response by lowering LPS-induced IL1 and IL6 expression. To introduce oral cells, we have used human gingival fibroblasts and provoked the inflammatory response by exposing them to IL1β and TNFα. Under these conditions, 472T4MIF, but not 64D7MF, reduced the expression of chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL2. Taken together, we identified two flavonoids that can reduce the expression of cytokines and chemokines in macrophages and fibroblastic cells

Achieving postmerger success through cultural due diligence and culture integration : a case study on Exxonmobil.

This study aims to provide the reader with a structured approach on how to handle M&A transactions from the Human Resource (HR) perspective. We will begin by examining models from secondary sources on cultural due diligence (e.g. Denison Organizational Culture Model) and culture integration (e.g. Haspelagh Overall Integration Approach, GE Pathfinder Model). We conducted a case study research to provide us with valuable insights on how ExxonMobil handled organizational culture issues to achieve post merger success

Terahertz reflective ptychography

As a widely used lensless coherent diffraction imaging approach, ptychography has recently been implemented in Terahertz range. Combining with the unique penetration property of THz radiation, THz ptychography allows inspecting visually opaque samples and retrieving both amplitude and phase information. Here, we demonstrate for the first time to our knowledge, THz ptychography in reflective configuration. Due to the large wavelength (96.5 μm), THz ptychography requires small recording distance. Particular care has been taken in the experimental setup to minimize the recording distance. Extended ptychographic iterative engine (ePIE) is applied to reconstruct quantitatively the amplitude and phase information of the object wavefront. A lateral resolution of 180 μm and a depth resolution of 1.1μm are achieved.TERA4AL

Continuous-wave terahertz reflective ptychography by oblique illumination

TERA4AL

Haier’s Tao of innovation: a case study of the emerging Total Innovation Management model

Through in-depth investigations and analyses of the Haier case, we enriched and developed further a new paradigm of innovation management—Total Innovation Management (TIM). The TIM framework and the synergistic relationship of the elements of innovation in the company’s innovation management are discussed along with the direction and routines for technological innovation management. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007Haier’s way, Total Innovation Management (TIM), Innovation synergy, All innovators,