Accuracy and efficiency of dynamic navigated root-end resection in endodontic surgery: a pilot in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: The operation accuracy and efficiency of dynamic navigated endodontic surgery were evaluated through in vitro experiments. This study provides a reference for future clinical application of dynamic navigation systems in endodontic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3D-printed maxillary anterior teeth were used in the preparation of models for endodontic surgery. Endodontic surgery was performed with and without dynamic navigation by an operator who was proficient in dynamic navigation technology but had no experience in endodontic surgery. Optical scanning data were applied to evaluate the length and angle deviations of root-end resection. And the operation time was recorded. T tests were used to analyze the effect of dynamic navigation technology on the accuracy and duration of endodontic surgery. RESULTS: With dynamic navigation, the root-end resection length deviation was 0.46 ± 0.06 mm, the angle deviation was 2.45 ± 0.96°, and the operation time was 187 ± 22.97 s. Without dynamic navigation, the root-end resection length deviation was 1.20 ± 0.92 mm, the angle deviation was 16.20 ± 9.59°, and the operation time was 247 ± 61.47 s. Less deviation was achieved and less operation time was spent with than without dynamic navigation (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The application of a dynamic navigation system in endodontic surgery can improve the accuracy and efficiency significantly for operators without surgical experience and reduce the operation time.

Increase in potato yield by the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer: key role of rhizosphere microbial diversity.

Purpose: The large-scale planting of potatoes leads to soil degradation, thus limiting the potato yield. An effective method of improving soil quality involves the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer. However, the proportion of biochar and organic fertilizer at which potato yield can be improved, as well as the improvement mechanism, remain unclear. Methods: A combined application experiment involving biochar (B) and organic fertilizer (O) with four concentration gradients was conducted using the equal carbon ratio method. On this basis, rhizosphere soil fertility, bacterial community composition, and bacterial diversity in potato crops, as well as the potato yield difference under different combined application ratios, were investigated. Then, the direct and indirect effects of these factors on potato yield were analyzed. Results: The results suggest that soil fertility was improved by the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer, with the best effect being achieved at a ratio of B:O=1:2. The dominant bacterial communities in the potato rhizosphere included Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes. When compared to the control, the relative abundance and diversity index of soil bacteria were significantly improved by the treatment at B:O=1:2, which exerted a stronger effect on improving the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria. Soil available phosphorus (AP), soil pH (SpH), and soil organic carbon (SOC) explained 47.52% of the variation in bacterial composition. Among them, the main factor was the content of soil available nutrients, while SpH generated the weakest effect. The bacterial diversity index showed a significant positive correlation with soil AP, SOC, available potassium (AK), total nitrogen (TN), and C/N ratio, and a significant negative correlation with SpH. Bacterial diversity directly affected the potato yield, while soil fertility indirectly affected potato yield by influencing the soil bacterial diversity. Conclusion: The combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer elevates potato yield mainly by improving the diversity of bacterial communities in potato rhizosphere soil, especially the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer at a 1:2 ratio (biochar 0.66 t ha-1+organic fertilizer 4.46 t ha-1), which made the largest contribution to increasing potato yield.

Green Synthesis of Blumea balsamifera Oil Nanoemulsions Stabilized by Natural Emulsifiers and Its Effect on Wound Healing.

In this study, we developed a green and multifunctional bioactive nanoemulsion (BBG-NEs) of Blumea balsamifera oil using Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP) and glycyrrhizic acid (GA) as natural emulsifiers. The process parameters were optimized using particle size, PDI, and zeta potential as evaluation parameters. The physicochemical properties, stability, transdermal properties, and bioactivities of the BBG-NEs under optimal operating conditions were investigated. Finally, network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to elucidate the potential molecular mechanism underlying its wound-healing properties. After parameter optimization, BBG-NEs exhibited excellent stability and demonstrated favorable in vitro transdermal properties. Furthermore, it displayed enhanced antioxidant and wound-healing effects. SD rats wound-healing experiments demonstrated improved scab formation and accelerated healing in the BBG-NE treatment relative to BBO and emulsifier groups. Pharmacological network analyses showed that AKT1, CXCL8, and EGFR may be key targets of BBG-NEs in wound repair. The results of a scratch assay and Western blotting assay also demonstrated that BBG-NEs could effectively promote cell migration and inhibit inflammatory responses. These results indicate the potential of the developed BBG-NEs for antioxidant and skin wound applications, expanding the utility of natural emulsifiers. Meanwhile, this study provided a preliminary explanation of the potential mechanism of BBG-NEs to promote wound healing through network pharmacology and molecular docking, which provided a basis for the mechanistic study of green multifunctional nanoemulsions.

Green Preparation and Antibacterial Activity Evaluation of AgNPs-Blumea balsamifera Oil Nanoemulsion.

Bacterial infection is a thorny problem, and it is of great significance to developing green and efficient biological antibacterial agents that can replace antibiotics. This study aimed to rapidly prepare a new type of green antibacterial nanoemulsion containing silver nanoparticles in one step by using Blumea balsamifera oil (BBO) as an oil phase and tea saponin (TS) as a natural emulsifier and reducing agent. The optimum preparation conditions of the AgNPs@BBO-TS NE were determined, as well as its physicochemical properties and antibacterial activity in vitro being investigated. The results showed that the average particle size of the AgNPs@BBO-TS NE was 249.47 ± 6.23 nm, the PDI was 0.239 ± 0.003, and the zeta potential was -35.82 ± 4.26 mV. The produced AgNPs@BBO-TS NE showed good stability after centrifugation and 30-day storage. Moreover, the AgNPs@BBO-TS NE had an excellent antimicrobial effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These results demonstrated that the AgNPs@BBO-TS NE produced in this study can be used as an efficient and green antibacterial agent in the biomedical field.

Preparation of Compound Salvia miltiorrhiza-Blumea balsamifera Nanoemulsion Gel and Its Effect on Hypertrophic Scars in the Rabbit Ear Model.

Hypertrophic scars (HS) still remain an urgent challenge in the medical community. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in the treatment of HS. However, due to the natural barrier of the skin, it is difficult for the natural active components of TCM to more effectively penetrate the skin and exert therapeutic effects. Therefore, the development of an efficient drug delivery system to facilitate enhanced transdermal absorption of TCM becomes imperative for its clinical application. In this study, we designed a compound Salvia miltiorrhiza-Blumea balsamifera nanoemulsion gel (CSB-NEG) and investigated its therapeutic effects on rabbit HS models. The prescription of CSB-NEG was optimized by single-factor, pseudoternary phase diagram, and central composite design experiments. The results showed that the average particle size and PDI of the optimized CSB-NE were 46.0 ± 0.2 nm and 0.222 ± 0.004, respectively, and the encapsulation efficiency of total phenolic acid was 93.37 ± 2.56%. CSB-NEG demonstrated excellent stability and skin permeation in vitro and displayed a significantly enhanced ability to inhibit scar formation compared to the CSB physical mixture in vivo. After 3 weeks of CSB-NEG treatment, the scar appeared to be flat, pink, and flexible. Furthermore, this treatment also resulted in a decrease in the levels of the collagen I/III ratio and TGF-ß1 and Smad2 proteins while simultaneously promoting the growth and remodeling of microvessels. These findings suggest that CSB-NEG has the potential to effectively address the barrier properties of the skin and provide therapeutic benefits for HS, offering a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of HS.

Experts consensus on the procedure of dental operative microscope in endodontics and operative dentistry.

The dental operative microscope has been widely employed in the field of dentistry, particularly in endodontics and operative dentistry, resulting in significant advancements in the effectiveness of root canal therapy, endodontic surgery, and dental restoration. However, the improper use of this microscope continues to be common in clinical settings, primarily due to operators' insufficient understanding and proficiency in both the features and established operating procedures of this equipment. In October 2019, Professor Jingping Liang, Vice Chairman of the Society of Cariology and Endodontology, Chinese Stomatological Association, organized a consensus meeting with Chinese experts in endodontics and operative dentistry. The objective of this meeting was to establish a standard operation procedure for the dental operative microscope. Subsequently, a consensus was reached and officially issued. Over the span of about four years, the content of this consensus has been further developed and improved through practical experience.

Clinical Outcome and Predictors of Endodontic Microsurgery Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and identify the prognostic factors of endodontic microsurgery based on cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) scans. METHODS: Patients who underwent endodontic microsurgery in teeth with asymptomatic apical periodontitis were included. The clinical outcomes were determined based on clinical and radiographic examinations after surgery 12-48 months. Radiographic healing was assessed on CBCT images by using the modified PENN 3-dimensional criteria and classified into 4 categories: complete, limited, uncertain, and unsatisfactory healing. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to detect outcome risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 204 teeth in 173 invited patients, 148 teeth of 126 patients were examined at review. On CBCT images, 88 teeth (59.5%) showed complete healing, and 42 (28.4%) teeth showed limited healing. All these 130 teeth were asymptomatic and achieved a clinical success rate of 87.8%. Uncertain healing was observed in 9 teeth, one of which was symptomatic. The remaining 9 teeth were unsatisfactory healing on CBCT scans, including 6 teeth with clinical symptoms and 3 free. Lesion type and root-end filling quality were significant outcome predictors (P < .05). The risk of treatment failure for teeth with combined endodontic-periodontal lesions was 8.6 times higher than that for teeth with isolated endodontic lesions. Adequate root-end filling quality improved the probability of success by 5.3 times. CONCLUSIONS: Based on CBCT data, an adequate performed endodontic microsurgery could have predictable success in teeth without periodontal involvement.

Fabrication and Biological Activities of All-in-One Composite Nanoemulsion Based on Blumea balsamifera Oil-Tea Tree Oil.

Nanoemulsion is a new multi-component drug delivery system; the selection of different oil phases can give it special physiological activity, and play the role of "medicine and pharmaceutical excipients all-in-one". In this paper, we used glycyrrhizic acid as the natural surfactant, and Blumea balsamifera oil (BB) and tea tree oil (TTO) as the mixed oil phase, to obtain a new green functional composite nanoemulsion. Using the average particle size and polydispersion index (PDI) as the evaluation criteria, the effects of the oil ratio, oil content, glycyrrhizic acid concentration, and ultrasonic time on the nanoemulsion were systematically investigated. The stability and physicochemical properties and biological activities of BB-TTO NEs prepared via the optimum formulation were characterized. The optimal prescription was BB: TTO = 1:1, 5% oil phase, 0.7% glycyrrhizic acid, and 5 min ultrasonication time. The mean particle size, PDI, and zeta potential were 160.01 nm, 0.125, and -50.94 mV, respectively. The nanoemulsion showed non-significant changes in stability after centrifugation, dilution, and 120 days storage. These nanoemulsions were found to exhibit potential antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BB-TTO NEs against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is 2975 µg/mL, 2975 µg/mL, and 5950 µg/mL, respectively. A lower level of inflammatory cell infiltration and proportion of fibrosis were found in the synovial tissue of AIA rats treated with BB-TTO NEs. These findings demonstrate that the BB-TTO NEs produced in this study have significant potential for usage in antibacterial and anti-inflammatory areas.

Preparation and Characterization of PLGA-based Magnetic Polymer Nanoparticles for Targeting Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

AIMS: This study aims to develop a novel tumor-targeted molecular probe for pancreatic cancer imaging. The objective of this is to prepare a CKAAKN peptide-conjugated poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)-poly (ethylene glycol) amphiphilic polymer (CKAAKN-PEG-PLGA) for the tumor-targeted delivery of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO). BACKGROUND: The early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is crucial for improving its prognosis, but the clinical application of many diagnostic methods is limited owing to a lack of specificity and sensitivity. METHODS: CKAAKN-PEG-PLGA was synthesized by the amidation reaction. USPIO-loaded polymeric magnetic nanoparticles (USPIO@CKAAKN-PEG-PLGA) were prepared by the emulsion solvent evaporation method. The in vitro tumor targeting and bio-safety of nanoparticles were evaluated by targeted cellular uptake, MR imaging and MTT assay. RESULTS: USPIO@CKAAKN-PEG-PLGA nanoparticles showed excellent biosafety with an average diameter of 104.5 ± 4.1 nm. Modification of CKAAKN peptide could improve USPIO binding ability to internalize into CKAAKN-positive BxPC-3 cells compared with non-targeting nanoparticles and the control group. The relative fluorescence intensity in BxPC-3 and HPDE6-C7 cells was 23.77 ± 4.18 and 6.44 ± 2.10 (p < 0.01), and respectively became 16.13 ± 0.83 and 11.74 ± 1.74 after the addition of free CKAAKN peptide. In vitro MR imaging studies showed that an obvious decrease in the signal intensity was observed in the targeted nanoparticles group incubated with BxPC-3 and HPDE6-C7 cells (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: USPIO@CKAAKN-PEG-PLGA nanoparticles could significantly enhance the tumor specificity of USPIO in CKAAKN-positive pancreatic cancer cell BxPC-3, which is expected as a promising candidate of MRI contrast enhancement for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Evaluation of a dynamic navigation system for endodontic microsurgery: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Endodontic microsurgery is a very important technique for preserving the natural teeth. The outcomes of endodontic microsurgery largely depend on the skill and experience of the operators, especially for cases in which the apices are located far away from the labial/buccal cortical bone. A dynamic navigation system (DNS) could provide a more accurate and efficient way to carry out endodontic microsurgery. This study is devoted to comparing the clinical outcomes of the DNS technique with those of the freehand technique. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Sixteen patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. For the experimental group, the osteotomy and root-end resection will be performed under the guidance of dynamic navigation. For the control group, these procedures will be performed freehand by an endodontist. The required time to perform these procedures will be used to evaluate the efficiency of the DNS technique. A Visual Analogue Scale will be used to evaluate pain at 1, 3 and 7 days after endodontic microsurgery. Preoperative and postoperative cone beam CT scans will be obtained to evaluate the accuracy of the DNS technique. The global coronal deviations, the apical deviations and the angular deflection will be measured. The root-end resection length deviation, the root-end resection angle deviations, the extent of the osteotomy and the volume change of the buccal cortical bone will also be measured. Periapical radiographs will be obtained to evaluate the outcome at 1 year after microsurgery. The time to execute the study, including follow-ups, will last from 1 June 2022 to 31 December 2025. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The present study has received approval from the Ethics Committee of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. The results will be disseminated through scientific journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2200059389.

PCDH9 suppresses melanoma proliferation and cell migration.

Background: Melanoma has dramatically increased during last 30 years with low 5-year survival and prognosis rate. Methods: Melanoma cells (A375 and G361) were chosen as the in vitro model. The immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis and bioinformatics mining exhibited the suppression of PCDH9 on melanoma. The interference and overexpression of PCDH9 were infected by lentivirus. The effects of PCDH9 on melanoma cells were assessed in terms of alteration of PCDH9 such as cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, and wound-healing assay. Moreover, expressions of PCDH9 with other genes (MMP2, MMP9, CCND1, and RAC1) were also assessed by PCR. Results: The alteration of PCDH9 has a negative correlation with MMP2, MMP9, and RAC1 but had a positive correlation with CCND1 (Cyclin D1) and apoptosis. Increase of PCDH9 could suppress melanoma cells and inhibit migration but not exert significant effects on cell cycle. IHC showed lower PCDH9 expression in melanoma tissue with main expression in cytoplasm. Conclusion: Overexpressed PCDH9 suppressed melanoma cells, and PCDH9 can be considered as an independent prognostic factor for melanoma; even re-expression of PCDH9 can serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for melanoma treatment.

Platelet-rich fibrin/anorganic bovine bone mineral complex as grafting materials in endodontic microsurgery with a large lesion size: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Endodontic microsurgery is a treatment of last resort for preserving natural teeth. According to radiographic evaluation, the percentage of complete healing after endodontic microsurgery is only 74.3%. The use of regenerative techniques in endodontic microsurgery for large lesions (>10 mm diameter) is therefore recommended. The most frequently used bone graft in endodontic microsurgery is anorganic bovine bone mineral (ABBM) but this only has an osteoconductive effect. Thus, when platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), a reservoir of growth factors, is used together with ABBM, it increases the regenerative effect. This study is devoted to comparing the clinical outcomes of PRF with/without ABBM as grafting biomaterials in endodontic microsurgery cases with large lesion size to provide some valuable reference data for dentists. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Sixteen patients who are in need of endodontic microsurgery will be recruited. The patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: an experimental group, treated with PRF/ABBM complex and collagen membrane, and a control group, treated with ABBM and collagen membrane. Clinical examination including percussion, mobility testing and presence/absence of sinus will be recorded at 7 days, and at 3, 6 and 12 months after endodontic microsurgery. A Visual Analogue Scale will be used by the patients to evaluate pain at 1, 3 and 7 days after endodontic microsurgery. Routine paralleling radiographs will be obtained before and at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up after endodontic microsurgery. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) scans will be obtained at the 12-month follow-up. Bone formation will be evaluated according to CBCT and paralleling radiographs. The study execute time including follow-ups last from 1 June 2021 to 31 December 2024. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study received approval from the Ethics Committee of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. The results will be disseminated through scientific journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Research data will be registered with the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), ID: ChiCTR2100046684.

[Preparation of triptolide-loaded dissolving microneedles and its transdermal penetration].

Triptolide(TP), the main active and toxic component of Tripterygium wilfordii, has the limitations of low bioavailability, poor absorption, low concentration in plasma, and small lethal dose. Microneedle(MN), the hybrid of hypodermic needle and transdermal patch, is a physical penetration-enhancing system. Dissolving microneedles(DMNs) can be tailored to specific needs of degradation rate. In this study, the TP-loaded DMNs(DMNs-TP) were prepared with the two-step centrifugation method. The optimal ratio of PVA to PVP K30, water content in matrix solution, demoulding method, and plasticizer for preparing DMNs were investigated with the indexes of formability and mechanical strength. The drug loading capacity was determined by HPLC and morphological characteristics were observed under an optical microscope. The mechanical properties were investigated by H&E staining and Franz diffusion cell was used to detect the in vitro skin permeation characteristics. Through the experiment, we confirmed that the optimal backing material should be PVA and PVP K30(3∶1) and the optimal ratio of matrix material to water should be 3∶4. The prepared DMNs-TP were pyramidal with smooth surface and length of approximately 550 µm. Each patch(2.75 cm~2) had the drug loading capacity of(153.41±2.29) µg, and TP was located in the upper part of the needle. The results of in vitro skin permeation assay demonstrated that the cumulative penetration of TP in DMNs-TP reached 80% in 24 h, while little TP solution penetrated the skin, which proved that DMNs promoted the transdermal delivery of TP.

Variation in fine root traits with thinning intensity in a Chinese fir plantation insights from branching order and functional groups.

Thinning is a widely used practice in forest management, but the acclimation mechanisms of fine roots to forest thinning are still unclear. We examined the variations in fine root traits of different branching orders and functional groups along a thinning intensity gradient in a 26-year-old Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantation. With increasing thinning intensity, the root C concentration (RCC), root N concentration (RNC), specific root area (SRA), and specific root length (SRL) of the absorptive roots (the first two orders) significantly decreased, while root abundance (root biomass and root length density) and root tissue density (RTD) significantly increased. Fifty-four percent of the variation in the absorptive root traits could be explained by the soil N concentration and the biomass and diversity of the understorey vegetation. Conversely, transport root (third- and higher-order) traits did not vary significantly among different thinning intensities. The covariation of absorptive root traits across thinning intensities regarding two dimensions was as follows: the first dimension (46% of the total variation) represented changes in root abundance and chemical traits (related to RCC, RNC), belonging to an extensive foraging strategy; the second dimension (41% of the total variation) represented variations in root morphological traits (related to RTD, SRL and SRA), which is an intensive foraging strategy (i.e., root economic spectrum). These results suggested that the absorptive roots of Chinese fir adopt two-dimensional strategies to acclimate to the altered surroundings after thinning.

Traditional herbal medicine and nanomedicine: Converging disciplines to improve therapeutic efficacy and human health.

Traditional herbal medicine (THM), an ancient science, is a gift from nature. For thousands of years, it has helped humans fight diseases and protect life, health, and reproduction. Nanomedicine, a newer discipline has evolved from exploitation of the unique nanoscale morphology and is widely used in diagnosis, imaging, drug delivery, and other biomedical fields. Although THM and nanomedicine differ greatly in time span and discipline dimensions, they are closely related and are even evolving toward integration and convergence. This review begins with the history and latest research progress of THM and nanomedicine, expounding their respective developmental trajectory. It then discusses the overlapping connectivity and relevance of the two fields, including nanoaggregates generated in herbal medicine decoctions, the application of nanotechnology in the delivery and treatment of natural active ingredients, and the influence of physiological regulatory capability of THM on the in vivo fate of nanoparticles. Finally, future development trends, challenges, and research directions are discussed.

Accuracy of root-end resection using a digital guide in endodontic surgery: An in vitro study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: It is difficult to achieve accurate root-end resection clinically. This in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the operation accuracy of a digital endodontic surgical guide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 56 extracted maxillary anterior teeth were prepared for endodontic surgical models. The models were randomly divided into 4 groups equally according to the guide (with guide/no guide) and the operator (experienced/inexperienced). Endodontic microsurgeries were performed on models in each group. The deviations in length and angle of the root-end resection were measured based on the optical scanning data of the pre- and postoperative teeth. The general linear model was performed to analyze the effect of a guide on root-end resection deviation. RESULTS: Using a guide, the mean length deviation for experienced/inexperienced operators reduced from 0.99 mm (95% CI [confidence interval, CI], 0.66-1.33 mm)/1.18 mm (95% CI, 0.50-1.86 mm) to 0.31 mm (95% CI, 0.20-0.42 mm)/0.31 mm (95% CI, 0.24-0.37 mm). The mean angle deviation for experienced/inexperienced operators reduced from 16.74° (95% CI, 10.61-22.86°)/15.06° (95% CI, 9.19-20.94°) to 5.04° (95% CI, 3.31-6.77°)/6.79° (95% CI, 4.91-8.67°). The difference was significant between procedures performed with and without a guide (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Application of the digital guide in vitro endodontic surgery could improve the accuracy of root-end resection.

Effect of Senecio scandens ethanol extract on gut microbiota composition in mice.

The gut microbiota inhabits the animal intestinal tract, and dysbiosis of the gut microbiota may result in disease. Senecio scandens has pharmaceutical antibacterial activities and is regarded as a broad-spectrum antibiotic in traditional Chinese medicine. Extracts of S. scandens are reported to show strong antimicrobial activity, and quercetin significantly decreases some species in the caecal microflora. However, the bactericidal effects of the extracts on the gut microbiota remain obscure. Here, we supplied ethanol extract of S. scandens, which might possibly be used as an alternative for chemical antibiotics, to mice to investigate the state of the intestinal microbiota. Our studies included a control group, low-, moderate-, and high-dose ethanol extract groups, and cefixime capsule group. The ethanol extract groups did not present reduced diversity or differences in the gut microbiota balance. There were significant differences between the ethanol extract and cefixime capsule groups in terms of the gut microbiota. The control and ethanol extract groups contained similar bacteria, which suggested that the ethanol extract has no inhibitory effect on the gut microbiota in vivo. Bifidobacteriales and Lactobacillus acidophilus were significantly increased in the high-dose group. Both secretory immunoglobulin A and mucin 2 concentrations increased as the dose of ethanol extract increased. The functional prediction differences between the control and ethanol extract groups decreased with increasing extract doses, which indicated that the low-dose and high-dose extract treatments might regulate different pathways and functions of the gut microbiota. The results also highlighted the prevention of bacterial drug resistance in the ethanol extract groups.

A six-herb Chinese medicine composition ointment as a promising candidate for treatment of hypertrophic scars.

Objective: To study the anti-hypertrophic scar effect of the six-herb Chinese medicine composition (SCMC) ointment on the rabbit ear hypertrophic scar models. Methods: The optimal formulation of SCMC ointment matrix was screened by the orthogonal designs and a series of evaluation tests. The SCMC ointment was prepared through emulsifying method. The rabbit ear hypertrophic scar models were established and used to investigate the anti-hypertrophic scar effect of SCMC ointment. Results: Our results demonstrated that all the quality control indications of the SCMC ointment met the requirements. Anti-hypertrophic scar activity results showed that all the rabbit ear scar tissues appeared different degrees of shrink and fading, and took an unobvious but palpable shift from hard to soft texture with the low, middle and high concentration SCMC ointments treatments in vivo. Additionally, on 21st day the scar area and thickness in different concentrations of SCMC ointment groups were significantly reduced than control group, in a concentration-dependent manner. The immunohistochemical results also indicated that the SCMC ointment had good anti-hypertrophic scar properties and could inhibit hypertrophic scar formation. Conclusion: The SCMC ointment could improve the blood circulation condition of hypertrophic scar tissues. Our research has demonstrated the Chinese medicine composition ointment with good anti-hypertrophic scar properties that could be used to treat hypertrophic scars. Meanwhile, it provides a theoretical basis for further clinical application.

Occurrence of two NDM-1-producing Raoultella ornithinolytica and Enterobacter cloacae in a single patient in China: probable a novel antimicrobial resistance plasmid transfer in vivo by conjugation.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the general features of acquisition of drug-resistance genes in two multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated from a single patient in China. METHODS: The whole-plasmid was sequenced by Illumina Hiseq 4000 and Pacbio RSII procedures. The plasmid conjugation transfer experiment were performed by the mating-out assay. Drug-resistance genes were amplified by PCR assay. RESULTS: We identified two New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase type 1(NDM-1)-producing isolates, named Raoultella ornithinolytica B1645-1 and Enterobacter cloacae B1645-2, which shared the same sulfonamide-resistant dihydropteroate synthase sul2 gene and aminoglycoside O-phosphotransferase aph(3'')-Ib gene. A novel antimicrobial resistance plasmid pCYNDM01 was first discovered from the multi-drug resistant R. ornithinolytica B1645-1. Interestingly, plasmid pCYNDM01 carried a Gifsy-2 prophage gene. The blaNDM-1 gene was located on a novel complex class 1 integron with a structure of sul1-qacEΔ1-ΔISAba125-blaNDM-1-blaMBL-trpC-ISCR1-catb8-aacA4-IS1-IS6100-dfrA14-intI1. The carrying the blaNDM-1 gene plasmid pCYNDM01 was transferred to the E. cloacae B1645-2 recipient strain. This 149.44 kb plasmid pCYNDM01 belonged to the IncFII type. CONCLUSIONS: A novel antimicrobial resistance plasmid pCYNDM01 was first recovered from a multi-drug resistance R. ornithinolytica B1645-1 isolated from China. The novel complex sul1-type class 1 integron might play an essential role in the mobilization of the blaNDM-1 gene among different enterobacterial species. The occurrence of plasmid pCYNDM01 transfer from R. ornithinolytica to E. cloacae in vitro by conjugation showed that plasmid pCYNDM01 was a self-conjugative plasmid and might cause dissemination of drug-resistance genes within different enterobacterial species from a single patient in vivo by conjugation. The novel variant F-like T4SS of plasmid pCYNDM01 might be as a tool of R. ornithinolytica B1645-1 for resistance genes transfer. The emergence of the two NDM-1-producing Enterobacteriaceae strains should be attracted China attentions and required to prevent its future prevalence.

Optimization of the extraction and purification of Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang based on the Q-marker uniform design method.

Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang alkaloids are mainly divided into three categories: protoberberine, prototropine and aporphine alkaloids. Therefore, we have taken into account these three alkaloid contents when extracting and purifying crude drugs, which is essential for the quality control of C. yanhusuo and its derivative products. Herein, we investigated the feasibility of the Q-marker uniform design method in the optimization of the extraction and purification of C. yanhusuo. In this study, Q-marker-based comprehensive scoring (CS) and uniform design methods were used to optimize the extraction and purification of C. yanhusuo. The inspective factors included the solvent concentration, pH, liquid-solid ratio, extraction time and frequency. Then 8 Q-markers, the total alkaloid extraction and the extraction rate were considered as the evaluating indicators during the process. The results indicated that the optimal reflux extraction process of C. yanhusuo was as follows: a total amount of 20 times 70% ethanol (pH = 10 of diluted ammonia), heating and refluxing twice, and extracting each time for 60 min. The results of nine-resin screening exhibited that NKA-9 macroporous adsorption resin had the best separation and purification effect on 8 kinds of C. yanhusuo alkaloids with stronger enrichment. During the optimal enrichment process and elution conditions, the water-soluble impurities were washed off with 5 BV distilled water at a volume flow rate of 2 BV/h, and the elution solvent was 70% ethanol with an elution volume flow rate of 1.5 BV/h and an elution dosage of 12 BV. Additionally, the total alkaloids of the obtained product were over 50%, of which eight quality markers were (+)-corydaline 3.55%, tetrahydropalmatine 3.13%, coptisine 2.79%, palmatine hydrochloride 2.24%, dehydrocorydaline 13.11%, (R)-(+)-corypalmine 2.37%, protopine 2.71% and glaucine 14.03%. Our data demonstrated that the optimal extraction and purification process was stable and feasible, which was expected to provide an experimental basis and reference for the industrial production of C. yanhusuo.