Research progress on carbohydrate active enzymes of human microbiome / 华西口腔医学杂志

A massive variety of microorganisms live in and on the human body, especially at oral, skin, vaginal, gastroin-testinal, and respiratory sites. The complicated metabolic activities of microorganisms assist human digestive function and participate in a series of physiological and pathogenetic processes. Carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) are a series of enzymes that function in degradation, modification, and formation of glycoside bonds. Microbes regulate the physiological and pathogenetic processes of human body by producing various CAZymes to degrade and modify complex carbohydrates and generate signal molecules for further utilization in human cells. Here, we reviewed the mechanisms of complex carbohy-drate metabolism and related microbial CAZymes, especially in digestive tract and oral cavity. We also summarized the rela-tionship between microbial CAZymes and human health, and proposed potential applications.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells combined with acellular dermal matrix for repair of urethral injury / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the development of tissue engineering provides more choices for the repair of urethral injury.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) combined with acellular dermal matrix in the repair of urethral injuries. METHODS: Passage 3 BMSCs from New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated on the acellular dermal matrix to construct tissue-engineered urethra grafts. Thirty-six New Zealand rabbits were randomized into three groups (n=12 per group). Experimental group was implanted with BMSCs-acellular dermal matrix complex at urethral injury. Control group was implanted with acellular dermal matrix material at urethral injury. Normal group had neither injury nor treatment. At postoperative 4, 8 and 12 weeks, the repaired urethral tissue was subjected to hematoxylin-eosin staining. At postoperative 12 weeks, immunohistochemical staining and urodynamic study were performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At postoperative 4 weeks, thin-layer epithelial regeneration was visible in the urethra defect area of the experimental group, and the continuity was better. The urethra mucosa of the control group was discontinuous. At postoperative 8-12 weeks, the urethral epithelial layer in the experimental group became thickened, exhibiting a good continuity with the normal urethral epithelium, thickened mucosa, and smooth and continuous urethral mucosa; the regenerated urethral mucosa of the control group exhibited good continuity, but less regenerated epithelial layers. At postoperative 12 weeks, immunohistochemical results showed the repaired urethra in the experimental group was positive for uroplakin IIIa, CK AE1/AE3, and α-smooth muscle actin. The maximum urethral pressure in the experimental group showed no significant difference before and after operation, while the postoperative pressure in the control group showed a significant increase (P < 0.05). Overall findings indicate that the combination of BMSCs and acellular dermal matrix has better efficacy than the acellular dermal matrix alone.

The advances in research on the pharmacological effects of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi.

Fructus Ligustri Lucidi is a well-known invigorator in Chinese materia medica with hepatoprotective effect, anticancer activity, antioxidant activity, and so on. And oleanolic acids are the major pharmacologically active components in Fructus Ligustri Lucidi. So it has great value in medical health, and may be developed to a complementary and alternative medicine through further research. In this paper, the advances in research on pharmacological effects of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi were summarized by reviewing the recent related literature.