Effect of Cilostazol-Loaded PCL/PEG Nanocapsules on Abdominal Aortic Tunics and Lipid Profile of Wistar Rats

Abstract Cilostazol (CLZ) is a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor with antiplatelet and vasodilator properties. It has been recently verified that CLZ plays a significant role in the arteries by inhibiting the proliferation and growth of muscle cells, increasing the release of nitric oxide by the endothelium and promoting angiogenesis. Considering these promising effects, the use of nanocapsules may be an interesting strategy to optimize its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics at the vascular level for preventing atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cilostazol-loaded nanocapsules in the abdominal aortic tunics and on the lipid profile of Wistar rats in order to investigate its potential role in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Thirty-two animals were divided into four groups of eight animals, with 30-day treatment. Group 1 received nanoencapsulated CLZ; Group 2, control nanocapsules with no drug; Group 3, propylene glycol and water; and Group 4, a solution of CLZ in propylene glycol and water. After 30 days, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the cellularity and thickness of the arterial tunics of the abdominal aorta. However, the group that received nanoencapsulated CLZ (Group 1) had an improvement in HDL-c and triglyceride values compared to unloaded nanocapsules (Group 2).

Pentaerythritol Tetrasalicylate in the Chemical Composition of Root Canal Sealers

Abstract The aim of this study was to synthesize and evaluate physicochemical properties of a new salicylate derivative in experimental calcium-based root canal sealers. Two salicylate derivatives were synthesized for the transesterification reaction of methyl salicylate with two different alcohols (1,3-butylenoglicol disalicylate-BD and pentaerythritol tetrasalicylate -PT) in molar ratio 1:3 and 1:6, respectively. The products (BD and PT), were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (RMN). Calcium-based experimental sealers were prepared with the same catalyst paste (60% of MTA, 39% of n-ethyl-o-toluenesulfonamide, and 1% titanium dioxide) and four different concentrations of BD and PT in the base pastes (40/0 - control, 35/5, 30/10 and 20/20) with 60% of bismuth oxide. The experimental sealers were evaluated for setting time, solubility (24 h, 7, 14 and 30 days), diametral tensile strength and Young's Modulus. Data were analyzed by one- or two-way ANOVA with Tukey's test (p<0.05). The addition of PT reduced the materials setting time. After 24 h the sealer 40/0 and 35/5 had higher solubility, and after 14 and 28 days the sealer 20/20 showed the lowest solubility (p<0.05). After 7 days the sealer 20/20 stabilized its solubility. The sealer 40/0 presented the highest values and the 20/20 presented the lowest values of diametral tensile strength and Young's modulus (p<0.05). The addition of PT to calcium-based root canal sealers provides benefits to the setting time and solubility.

Resumo O objetivo neste estudo foi sintetizar e avaliar as propriedades físico-químicas de um novo derivado do salicilato em cimentos endodônticos experimentais à base de cálcio. Dois derivados de salicilato foram sintetizados por meio de uma reação de trans esterificação do salicilato de metila com dois diferentes alcoóis (1,3-butilenoglicol dissalicilato-BD e pentaeritritol tetrassalicilato-PT) na proporção molar de 1: 3 e 1:6, respectivamente. Os produtos (BD e PT), foram caracterizados por espectroscopia infravermelho transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN). Os cimentos experimentais à base de cálcio foram preparados com a mesma pasta catalisadora (60% de MTA, 39% de N-etil o/p toluenosulfonamida e 1% de dióxido de titânio) e quatro concentrações diferentes de BD e PT nas pastas base (40/0 - controle, 35/5, 30/10 e 20/20) com 60% de óxido de bismuto. Os cimentos foram avaliados quanto ao tempo de endurecimento, à solubilidade (24 h, 7, 14 e 28 dias), resistência à tração diametral e ao módulo de elasticidade. Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA um ou dois fatores e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (p<0,05). A adição de PT reduziu o tempo de endurecimento dos materiais testados. Após 24 horas os cimentos 40/0 e 35/5 apresentaram maior solubilidade que os demais e após 14 e 28 dias o cimento 20/20 foi o que apresentou menor solubilidade (p<0,05). Após 7 dias o grupo 20/20 estabilizou a sua solubilidade. O cimento 40/0 apresentou os maiores valores e o cimento 20/20 apresentou os menores valores de resistência à tração diametral e módulo de elasticidade (p<0,05). A adição de PT a cimentos à base de cálcio possibilita benefícios ao tempo de presa e solubilidade.

Spectrophotometric evaluation of calcium ion release from different calcium hydroxide preparations: an in-vitro study

Abstract: Pulp tissue conditions such as infections have long been treated with calcium hydroxide (CaOH). In the last decade, use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has gained ground. This study was carried out to comparatively evaluate the Ca release from CaOH powder with different vehicles and different types of MTA. Materials and Methods: 40 single rooted mandibular premolars were selected, decoronated and biomechanically prepared. They were randomly divided into four groups, consisting of 10 samples each. Root canals were packed with different preparations of CaOH and MTA. Calcium ion release was evaluated with an UV-spectrophotometer. Result: Amongst the CaOH preparations, using propylene glycol as a vehicle produced extended release of calcium ions (7.34 +/- 0.01) for a period of 14 days. Whereas, amongst MTA based products, MTA angelus produced the maximum release of calcium ions (2.42 +/- 0.010). A statistically significant difference was present between the four groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Propylene glycol mixed with CaOH powder, produces a higher and extended release of calcium ions compared to distilled water. MTA angelus produces consistent calcium ion release.

Current status of bio-based materials industry in China / 生物工程学报

In recent years, bio-based materials are becoming a new dominant industry leading the scientific and technological innovation, and economic development of the world. We reviewed the new development of bio-based materials industry in China, analyzed the entire market of bio-based materials products comprehensively, and also stated the industry status of bio-based chemicals, such as lactic acid, 1,3-propanediol, and succinic acid; biodegradable bio-based polymers, such as co-polyester of diacid and diol, polylactic acid, carbon dioxide based copolymer, polyhydroxyalknoates, polycaprolactone, and thermoplastic bio-based plastics; non-biodegradable bio-based polymers, such as bio-based polyamide, polytrimethylene terephthalate, bio-based polyurethane, and bio-based fibers.

The effect of high concentrations of glycerol on the growth, metabolism and adaptation capacity of Clostridium butyricum DSP1

Background The production of biofuels from renewable energy sources is one of the most important issues in biotechnology today. The process is known to generate various by-products, for example glycerol that is obtained in the making of biodiesel from rapeseed oil. Crude glycerol may be utilized in many ways, including microbial conversion to 1,3-propanediol. The main drawback of that technology is the use of high concentrations of glycerol, which inhibits the growth of bacterial cells. Results This study investigated the impact of crude glycerol on Clostridium butyricum DSP1 and its ability to adapt to an environment of high osmotic pressure. It was found that a crude glycerol concentration of up to 70 g/L did not have an inhibitory effect on C. butyricum DSP1. Adaptation procedures involving the passage of metabolically active biomass from a fermentation medium with a lower concentration of crude glycerol to one with a greater substrate concentration allowed breaking the barrier of high osmotic pressure (150 g/L crude glycerol) and receiving a 1,3-PD concentration of 74 g/L in a batch culture operation. The work looked into intracellular modifications shown by proteomic profiling in order to explain the mechanisms underlying the response and adaptation of bacterial cells exposed to unfavorable environmental conditions. Conclusions This study of the effect of glycerol on the growth and metabolism of C. butyricum DSP1 demonstrated that the maximum substrate concentrations that do not inhibit the metabolic activity of bacterial cells are 90 g/L and 70 g/L for pure and crude glycerol, respectively.

Effect of an Alcohol-Based Caries Detector on the Surface Tension of Sodium Hypochlorite Preparations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an alcohol-based caries detector (Kurakay) on the surface tension of a conventional sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) preparation, and a product containing a surface-active agent (Chlor-XTRA). The surface tensions of the following solutions were tested: NaOCl, a mixture of NaOCl and Kurakay 9:1 w/w, Chlor-XTRA, a mixture of Chlor-XTRA and Kurakay 9:1 w/w. Ten measurements per test solution were made at 20 C, using an optical method called the "Pendant drop method", with a commercially available apparatus. The addition of Kurakay reduced the surface tension for NaOCl (p<0.05) whilst no significant difference was detected for Chlor-XTRA (p>0.05). Statistically significant differences between the NaOCl and Chlor-XTRA groups were found (p<0.05). The addition of an alcohol-based caries detector resulted in a reduction of the original surface tension values for NaOCl only. Taking into account the fact that mixtures of NaOCl and Kurakay have been used to assess the penetration of root canal irrigants in vitro, the related changes in surface tension are a possible source of bias.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de um detector de cárie com álcool (Kurakay) sobre a tensão superficial de um preparado convencional de hipoclorito de sódio (NaOCl) e um produto contendo um agente surfactante (Chlor-XTRA). Foram testadas as tensões superficiais das seguintes soluções: NaOCl, uma mistura de NaOCl e Kurakay na proporção de 9:1 em peso, Chlor-XTRA e um mistura de Chlor-XTRA e Kurakay na proporção de 9:1 em peso. Dez medidas foram feitas com cada solução, a 20 °C, utilizando um método óptico chamado "Método da gota pendente" (Pendant drop method) usando aparelhos disponíveis. Adição do Kurakay reduziu a tensão superficial do NaOCl (p<0,05), mas não houve diferença significante para Chlor-XTRA (p>0,05). Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os grupos NaOCl e Chlor-XTRA (p<0,05). Adição de um detector de cárie com álcool resultou na diminuição do valor original da tensão superficial apenas para NaOCl. Considerando que as misturas de NaOCl e Kurakay tem sido usadas para estudar a penetração in vitro dos irrigantes radiculares, as diferenças acima são uma possível fonte de desvio nos resultados.

Automatically feeding strategy for 1,3-propanediol fermentation of Klebsiella pneumoniae LDH526 / 生物工程学报

1,3-propanediol is an important chemical used as building block for the synthesis of highly promising polyesters such as polytrimethylene terephthalate. A genetically modified Klebsiella pneumoniae LDH526 can use glycerol as sole carbon source and produce 1,3-propanediol with the titer above 90 g/L. A key factor affecting the production of 1,3-propanediol by the mutant K. pneumoniae is the accurate control of the feeding of glycerol. To generate a robust and reproducible fermentation process of 1,3-propanediol, we designed and optimized an automatically feeding strategy of glycerol based on fermentation kinetics. By coupling the substrate feeding rate with easily observed variables -pH and fermentation time, we have achieved self-starting glycerol feeding and dynamic control of the glycerol concentration during the fermentation process. This automated system allowed us to generate a reproducible, consistent and operator-independent process from lab-scale to production scale. The final concentration of 1,3-propanediol was above 95 g/L after 72 h.

1, 3-Propanediol production from crude glycerol by Clostridium butyricum DSP1 in repeated batch

Background The production of biofuels from renewable energy sources is one of the most important issues in industrial biotechnology today. The process is known to generate various by-products, for example crude glycerol, which is obtained in the making of biodiesel from rapeseed oil. Crude glycerol may be utilized in many ways, including microbial conversion to 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD), a raw material for the synthesis of polyesters and polyurethanes. Results The paper presents results of a study on the synthesis of 1,3-propanediol from crude glycerol by a repeated batch method with the use of Clostridium butyricum DSP1. Three cycles of fermentation medium replacement were carried out. The final concentration of 1,3-PD was 62 g/L and the maximum productivity, obtained during the second cycle, reached 1.68 g/L/h. Additionally, experiments conducted in parallel to the above involved using the entire quantity of the culture broth removed from the bioreactor to inoculate successive portions of fermentation media containing crude glycerol at concentrations of 80 g/L and 100 g/L. Under those conditions, the maximum 1,3-PD concentrations were 43.2 g/L and 54.2 g/L. Conclusions The experiments proved that by using a portion of metabolically active biomass as inoculum for another fermentation formula it is possible to eliminate the stage of inoculum growth and thereby reduce the length of the whole operation. Additionally, that strategy avoids the phase of microbial adaptation to a different source of carbon such as crude glycerol, which is more difficult to utilize, thus improving the kinetic parameters of 1,3-PD production.

Biotechnological potential of Clostridium butyricum bacteria

In response to demand from industry for microorganisms with auspicious biotechnological potential, a worldwide interest has developed in bacteria and fungi isolation. Microorganisms of interesting metabolic properties include non-pathogenic bacteria of the genus Clostridium, particularly C. acetobutylicum, C. butyricum and C. pasteurianum. A well-known property of C. butyricum is their ability to produce butyric acid, as well as effectively convert glycerol to 1,3-propanediol (38.2 g/L). A conversion rate of 0.66 mol 1,3-propanediol/mol of glycerol has been obtained. Results of the studies described in the present paper broaden our knowledge of characteristic features of C. butyricum specific isolates in terms of their phylogenetic affiliation, fermentation capacity and antibacterial properties.

The real-life experience with cardiovascular complications in the first dose of fingolimod for multiple sclerosis / A experiência da vida real com complicações cardiovasculares na primeira dose de fingolimode

Fingolimod is a new and efficient treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). The drug administration requires special attention to the first dose, since cardiovascular adverse events can be observed during the initial six hours of fingolimod ingestion. The present study consisted of a review of cardiovascular data on 180 patients with MS receiving the first dose of fingolimod. The rate of bradycardia in these patients was higher than that observed in clinical trials with very strict inclusion criteria for patients. There were less than 10% of cases requiring special attention, but no fatal cases. All but one patient continued the treatment after this initial dose. This is the first report on real-life administration of fingolimod to Brazilian patients with MS, and one of the few studies with these characteristics in the world.

Fingolimode é um tratamento novo e eficaz para esclerose múltipla (EM). A administração desta droga requer atenção especial para a primeira dose, uma vez que eventos adversos cardiovasculares podem ser observados nas seis horas iniciais da ingestão de fingolimode. O presente estudo consistiu de uma revisão de dados cardiovasculares de 180 pacientes com EM ao receberem a primeira dose de fingolimode. A taxa de bradicardia nestes pacientes foi maior do que aquele observada em estudos clínicos que tem critérios de inclusão muito rigorosos para seleção de pacientes. Menos de 10% dos casos necessitou de atenção especial, mas não houve casos fatais. Todos os pacientes exceto por um continuaram o tratamento após esta dose inicial. Este é o primeiro relato de dados de administração de fingolimode na vida real de pacientes brasileiros com EM, e um dos poucos trabalhos com estas características no mundo.

An increasing of the efficiency of microbiological synthesis of 1, 3-propanediol from crude glycerol by the concentration of biomass

Background 1,3-Propanodiol (1,3-PD), is used in the production of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), an aromatic polyester that exhibits high elastic recoveries. It is also employed as a supplement with low solidification properties, a solvent and a lubricant in the formof propylene glycol. 1,3-PD is effectively synthesized by a microbiological way from crude glycerol. The main problem of this technology is using a high concentration of glycerol, which is a limiting factor for bacteria cells growth (especially in batch fermentation). Results In this work, the influence of different glycerol concentration in batch fermentation on Clostridium butyricum DSP1 metabolism was investigated. The biomass was concentrated for two times with the use of membrane module (in case of increasing kinetic parameters). Increased optical density of bacteria cells six times increased the productivity of 1,3-PD in cultivation with 20 g/L of glycerol at the beginning of the process, and more than two times in cultivation with 60-80 g/L. Also the possibility of complete attenuation of 140 g/L of crude glycerol in the batch fermentation was investigated. During the cultivation, changes of protein profiles were analyzed. The most significant changes were observed in the cultivation in the medium supplemented with 80 g/L of glycerol. They related mainly to the DNA protein reconstructive systems, protective proteins (HSP), and also the enzymatic catalysts connected with glycerol metabolic pathway. Conclusions The application of filtration module in batch fermentation of crude glycerol by C. butyricum DSP1 significantly increased the productivity of the process.

Effect of a novel selective S1P1 agonist, Syl948, on mouse skin transplantation / 药学学报

Syl948 is a synthesized selective S1P1 agonist with novel structure. HTRF-IP1 test indicated that Syl948-P, the active form of Syl948 in vitro, has strong activity against S1P1 (EC50: 83 +/- 16 nmol x L(-1)), but its effect on S1P3 was very weak (EC50: 1 026 +/- 90 nmol x L(-1)). In SD rats, oral administration of Syl948 10 mg x kg(-1) significantly decreased the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), with the maximal PBL inhibition rate of 63%, which was as similar as equal dose of fingolimod (FTY720). Oral administration of Syl948 10 mg x kg(-1) had no effect on heart rate of SD rats, which was better than FTY720. Daily oral administration with Syl948 (2 or 4 mg x kg(-1)) significantly prolonged the survival time of the allografts of skin slice on mice. In summary, the above results demonstrated that Syl948 has great selectivity in vitro and good activity in vivo, which indicated its potential use as an anti-rejection drug in skin transplantation.

Pulp Tissue Dissolution Capacity of Sodium Hypochlorite Combined with Cetrimide and Polypropylene Glycol

This study evaluated the influence of the addition of cetrimide and polypropylene glycol to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on its capacity to dissolve pulp tissue. Bovine pulp fragments with standardized weight and volume were immersed for 5, 15 and 30 min in 2 mL of NaOCl and Hypoclean (NaOCl added with cetrimide and polypropylene glycol) solutions at 5.25%, 2.5%, 1%, 0.5% and 0.25% and afterwards re-weighted. Distilled water was used as a control. The percentage of tissue loss was considered for statistical analysis (univariate ANOVA, SPSS, v. 17.0) at 5% significance level. There was no tissue dissolution in the control group. NaOCl added with surfactants (Hypoclean) dissolved more pulp tissue (p<0.05) than NaOCl alone. Tissue dissolution was directly dependent on the concentration of solutions (p<0.05), and also on the time range (p<0.05). The combination of NaOCl at high and low concentrations with the surfactants cetrimide and polypropylene glycol increased significantly its capacity to dissolve pulp tissue.

Este estudo avaliou a influência da adição de cetramida e polipropilenoglicol ao hipoclorito de sódio (Hypoclean) na capacidade de dissolução pulpar do hipoclorito de sódio (NaOCl). Fragmentos de tecido pulpar bovino, com peso e volume padronizados foram imersos por períodos de 5, 15 e 30 min em 2 mL de NaOCl ou Hypoclean nas concentrações 5,25%, 2,5%, 1%, 0,5% e 0,25%. Após a imersão nas soluções testadas, os fragmentos foram novamente pesados. Como controle, foi utilizada água destilada. O percentual de perda tecidual foi considerado para análise estatística (ANOVA univariada, SPSS, v. 17.0). Não houve dissolução tecidual no grupo controle. A solução de NaOCl combinada a surfactantes (Hypoclean) dissolveu um maior percentual de tecido pulpar (p<0,05) que o NaOCl sem associações. A dissolução tecidual foi diretamente dependente da concentração das soluções (p<0,05), assim como do tempo de exposição às soluções (p<0,05). A adição dos surfactantes cetramida e polipropilenoglicol ao NaOCl em concentrações altas e baixas aumentou significativamente sua capacidade de dissolução do tecido pulpar.

FTY720 induces apoptosis in B16F10-NEX2 murine melanoma cells, limits metastatic development in vivo, and modulates the immune system

OBJECTIVE: Available chemotherapy presents poor control over the development of metastatic melanoma. FTY720 is a compound already approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis. It has also been observed that FTY720 inhibits tumor growth in vivo (experimental models) and in vitro (animal and human tumor cells). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of FTY720 on a metastatic melanoma model and in tumor cell lines. METHODS: We analyzed FTY720 efficacy in vivo in a syngeneic murine metastatic melanoma model, in which we injected tumor cells intravenously into C57BL/6 mice and then treated the mice orally with the compound for 7 days. We also treated mice and human tumor cell lines with FTY720 in vitro, and cell viability and death pathways were analyzed. RESULTS: FTY720 treatment limited metastatic melanoma growth in vivo and promoted a dose-dependent decrease in the viability of murine and human tumor cells in vitro. Melanoma cells treated with FTY720 exhibited characteristics of programmed cell death, reactive oxygen species generation, and increased β-catenin expression. In addition, FTY720 treatment resulted in an immunomodulatory effect in vivo by decreasing the percentage of Foxp3+ cells, without interfering with CD8+ T cells or lymphocyte-producing interferon-gamma. CONCLUSION: Further studies are needed using FTY720 as a monotherapy or in combined therapy, as different types of cancer cells would require a variety of signaling pathways to be extinguished. .

Effects of knockout of 2,3-butanediol synthesis key enzyme genes on 1,3-propandediol production in Klebsiella pneumoniae / 生物工程学报

2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD) is a major byproduct of 1,3-propandediol (1,3-PDO) fermentation by Klebsiella pneumoniae. To decrease the formation of 2,3-BD, the budC and budA gene, coding two key enzymes of 2,3-BD synthetic pathway in K. pneumoniae, were knocked out using Red recombination technology. The growth of the two mutants were suppressed in different level. The budC deficient strain fermentation results showed that 1,3-PDO concentration increased to 110% and 2,3-butanediol concentration dropped to 70% of the parent strain. However, the budA deficient strain did not produce 1,3-PDO and 2,3-BD, and the final titer of lactic acid, succinic acid, ethanol and acetic acid increased remarkably compared with the parent strain. Further analysis of budC deficient strain fermentation inferred that K. pneumoniae possessed the 2,3-BD cycle as a replenishment pathway. The consequence provided a new evidence for reforming low-byproduct K. pneumoniae.

Research progress in salting-out extraction of bio-based chemicals / 生物工程学报

Bio-refinery using cheap biomass focuses mainly on strain improvement and fermentation strategies whereas less effort is made on down-stream processing. Using cheap biomass more impurities are introduced into the fermentation broths than mono-sugar substrate, thus down-stream processing for bio-based chemicals becomes the key problem in industrial production. The technique called salting-out extraction (SOE) was introduced in this review, which is used to separate target products from fermentation broth on the basis of partition difference of chemicals in two phases formed by mixing salts and organic solvents (or amphipathic chemicals) with broth at suitable ratios. The effect of solvents and salts on the formation of two aqueous phases, especially short chain alcohols and inorganic salts, and the application of SOE in recovery of bio-based chemicals, such as lactic acid, 1,3-propanediol, 2,3-butanediol and acetoin were summarized. The bio-chemicals were efficiently recovered from fermentation broth, and most of the impurities (cells and proteins) were removed in the same step. This technique is promising in the separation of bio-based chemicals, especially the recovery of hydrophilic molecules with low molecular weights.

Construction of polyhydroxybutyrate pathway in Klebsiella pneumoniae / 生物工程学报

1,3-propanediol production with the byproduct of biodiesel production is important to increase the economic benefit of biodiesel industry. Accumulation of 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde is one of the key problems in the 1,3-propanediol fermentation process, leading to the cell death and the fermentation abnormal ceasing. Different from the traditional way of reducing the accumulation of the 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde, we introduced the polyhydroxybutyrate pathway into the Klebsiella pneumoniae for the first time to enhance the tolerance of K. pneumoniae to 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde, at the same time, to improve the 1,3-propanediol production. Plasmid pDK containing phbC, phbA, phbB gene was constructed and transformed into K. pneumoniae successfully. PHB was detected in the engineered K. pneumoniae after IPTG induction and its content enhanced with the IPTG concentration increasing. The optimized IPTG concentration was 0.5 mmol/L. The constructed K. pneumoniae could produce 1,3-propanediol normally, at the same time accumulate polyhydroxybutyrate. With the constructed strain, the fermentation proceeds normally with the initial glucose was 70 g/L which the wild type strain stopped growing and the fermentation was ceasing; 1,3-propanediol concentration and yield reached 31.3 g/L and 43.9% at 72 h. Our work is helpful for the deep understanding of 1,3-propanediol metabolic mechanism of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and also provides a new way for strain optimization of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Mechanisms of ROS in U266 cell death induced by FTY720 / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purpose to investigate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in apoptosis and autophagy induced by FTY720 in multiple myeloma cell line U266. U266 cells were treated by different concentrations of FTY720 for 24 h, the apoptotic rates were detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of LC3B was detected by Western blot. The results indicated that apoptosis and autophagy were induced by FTY720 in U266 cells. Autophagy induced by FTY720 could lead to cell death. Bafilomycin A1, the inhibitor of autophagy, could enhance the cell viability in U266 cells treated with FTY720. NAC or Tiron, ROS scavenger, could decrease the FTY720 induced apoptosis and the expression of LC3B-II was reduced in combination of FTY720 with NAC or Tiron as compared with treatment with FTY720 only. It is concluded that FTY720 can induce U266 cell apoptosis and autophagy. ROS is the mediator that regulates both the apoptosis and autophagy in multiple myeloma cells.

Interferon beta-1b Treatment in a Korean Girl with Multiple Sclerosis

Here we report a case of pediatric multiple sclerosis treated with interferon beta-1b. Interferon beta is widely used in adult patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, its effects and safety in pediatric patients have not been well established. Although supporting data are limited, the use of disease modifying therapies (DMTs) such as interferon beta-1b is recommended early in treatment of children with MS. Reports of interferon beta treatment in pediatric MS patients in Korea are rare. In this report, we describe a Korean girl who was effectively treated with interferon beta-1b for three years. There were no relapses or serious side effects. Therefore, this report provides evidence supporting the use of interferon beta in pediatric MS patients in Korea and other Asian countries. We also reviewed current medical treatment of MS, including some DMTs and second-line treatment options such as natalizumab and cyclophosphamide, and several new oral agents such as fingolimod.