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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder with no structural damage and biochemical abnormality, and its pathogenic mechanism is still unclear. Variety of drugs, psychotherapy, diet regulation and other methods have been used by modern medicine to relieve symptoms, but the effect is not satisfactory. In recent years, TCM treatment of IBS has attracted widespread attention, especially for constipation type and diarrhea type. Among the many experiments, most of the traditional Chinese medicine experiments aimed at the 5-HT signaling pathway have achieved good results. Therefore, this paper summarizes the main mechanisms and results of traditional Chinese medicine based on 5-HT in the treatment of IBS, in order to provide a reference for subsequent research.

The morphology distribution of a model polymer blend, polystyrene (PS)/polyethylene (PE), molded by multi-melt multi-injection molding (MMMIM) process was studied by scanning electronic microscopy and polarizing light microscopy. An unusual double skin/core morphology was observed. The minor phase, PS, showed highly deformed morphology in both the skin layer near the mold wall and the core layer near the skin/core layer's interface. Meanwhile, in the regions that highly deformed PS phase showed, highly ordered cylindritic crystal structures of PE are also formed. As we all know the driving force and the basic prerequisite to deform the dispersed droplet and form the oriented crystal structure is the shear field. So an attempt was made to correlate the dispersed phase morphology, crystalline morphologies, and shear rate. The shear rate, estimated via the capillary number, across the thickness of the parts molded by MMMIM was bimodal. Even if the coalescence and relaxation of the dispersed phase during and after mold filling cannot be ignored, both the highly dispersed PS domains and the highly ordered crystal structure of PE showed in the regions with the maximum calculated shear rate, which is consistent with the generally accepted theories that strong shear flow is favorable to the formation of the oriented structures., INTRODUCTION Multimelt multi-injection molding (MMMIM) [1], an innovative molding process, has been developed from conventional injection molding (CIM), and its main feature is that the mold cavity is partially filled [...]

ABSTRACT Graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their compound were introduced into semicrystalline poly( l-lactide) (PLLA) to prepare the corresponding binary and/or ternary nanocomposites, respectively. The dispersion states of nanofillers in different nanocomposites were investigated using UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and rheological measurement. The results showed that when GO and CNTs were simultaneously present in the PLLA matrix, good dispersion states of both GO and CNTs could be achieved and the ternary nanocomposites exhibited percolated network structure. The effects of different nanofillers on the crystallization behavior of PLLA matrix were comparatively investigated under the different crystallization conditions including melt crystallization process (nonisothermal and isothermal crystallization from the melt) and cold crystallization (crystallization occurring from an amorphous state during the annealing process). The results showed that GO and CNTs exhibited apparent synergistic effects in improving crystallization ability and enhancing crystallinity of PLLA matrix. Study on the thermal stability of nanocomposites showed that the presence of nanofillers greatly improved the thermal stability of PLLA matrix. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40143. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the correlation in growth between A. actinomycetemcomitans and cariogenic bacteria of S. mutans, L. acidophilus, A. naeslundii, A. viscosus in vitro. METHODS: Using improvement agar diffusion method and dual-species (A. actinomycetemcomitans with each of cariogenic bacteria) incubation in BHI broth, we studied the relationship between A. actinomycetemcomitans and 4 kinds cariogenic bacteria in growth. The characteristics and percentage of A. actinomycetemcomitans in dual-species biofilms were detected with SEM and CFU (colony forming units). The data were analyzed for significance using an independent two-sample t test with SPSS 10.0 software package. RESULTS: The agar diffusion essay showed that A. actinomycetemcomitans had no effect on the growth of S. mutans, L. acidophilus, A. naeslundii and A. viscosus. While these 4 kinds of cariogenic bacteria could inhibit the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans. The ratio of A. actinomycetemcomitans in the dual-species suspension decreased gradually. In dual-species BHI broth, the proportion of A. actinomycetemcomitans cultured alone ahead of 12 hours decreased as well, which came to 0 at 24-hour in S. mutans and L. acidophilus groups. There was significant difference between different time groups (P<0.05). The single A. actinomycetemcomitans was failed to form three-dimensional biofilm and just a small quantity of cells accumulated and adhered. on the contrary, the 4 kinds of single cariogenic bacteria could form mature biofilms respectively by themselves at 48-hour, of which the appearance of biofilms had no apparent change to that of single cariogenic bacteria after mixing A. actinomycetemcomitans. CFU of dual-species biofilms indicated that the percentage of A. actinomycetemcomitans in biofilms decreased gradually by changing medium per 12 hours. These were significant difference among the three time spots (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The study shows that S. mutans, L. acidophilus, A. naeslundii and A. viscosus could inhibit the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To search for the possible pathogenic genes for multiple morphological anomalies of sperm flagella (MMAF)., Methods: We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) of a typical case of MMAF and analyzed its possible pathogenic genes. We examined the semen sample from the patient and identified the ultrastructural characteristics of the sperm flagella under the scanning electron and transmission electron microscopes, and analyzed the expression pattern of cilia and flagela-associated protein 65 (CFAP65) in spermatogenesis by immunofluorescence assay., Results: The MMAF patient was found with a homozygous pathogenic mutation of the CFAP65 gene c.2675G>A(p.Trp892*). Scanning electron microscopy showed that the sperm of the patient had typical characteristics of MMAF, that is, without tails or with folded tails, curly tails, short tails or irregular tails. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the loss and disorder of the "9+2" structure in the sperm flagellum, with abnormal assembly of the fibrous sheath, accompanied by loss of central microtubules and dynamin arms. Cellular immunofluorescence assay suggested that the CFAP65 gene was expressed at all levels of mouse germ cells., Conclusions: The CFAP65 gene is involved in the assembly of the sperm flagellum structure, and its mutation can cause the phenotype of MMAF, leading to male infertility.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of exogenous dextranase and sodium fluoride on a S. mutans monospecies biofilm., Methods: S. mutans 25175 was grown in tryptone soya broth medium, and biofilm was formed on glass slides with 1.0% sucrose. Exogenous dextranase and sodium fluoride were added alone or together. The biofilm morphology was analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The effects of the drug on the adhesion and exopolysaccharide production by the biofilms were evaluated by scintillation counting and the anthrone method, respectively., Results: In this study, we found that the structure of initial biofilm and mature biofilm were partly altered by dextranase and high concentrations of sodium fluoride separately. However, dextranase combined with a low concentration of sodium fluoride could clearly destroy the typical tree-like structure of the biofilm, and led to less bacterial adhesion than when the dextranase or fluoride were used alone (P < 0.05). The amounts of soluble and insoluble exopolysaccharide were significantly reduced by combining dextranase with a low concentration of sodium fluoride, much more than when they were used alone (P < 0.05). These data indicate that dextranase and a low concentration of sodium fluoride may have synergistic effects against S. mutans biofilm and suggest the application of a low concentration of sodium fluoride in anticaries treatment.

Background: Cancer chemoprevention is a proven effective strategy for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The present study was designed to investigate the effects of crocin, a potential chemopreventive agent, on growth and DNA and RNA content in a human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line, Tca8113., Methods: Tca8113 cells were treated with crocin for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mM. Tumor cell viability was investigated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In addition, Tca8113 cells were treated with 0.4 mM crocin and cytotoxic effects as an inducer of apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry. Furthermore, acridine orange (AO) staining and observation using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) were used to determine the effects of the drug on nucleic acid synthesis., Results: Crocin decreased Tca8113 cell viability and growth remarkably at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). In addition, 0.4 mM crocin significantly induced both early and late apoptosis of Tca8113 cells. Moreover, the cellular DNA and RNA content was significantly downregulated by 0.4 mM crocin compared with the negative control (P<0.01)., Conclusions: Our observations support the feasibility of applying crocin as a chemoprophylactic agent and treatment for OSCCs.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Astragalus membranaceus (APS) on the proliferation, osteogenic capacity and structure of periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) in vitro., Methods: PDLCs were cultured in vitro with APS of 0.08, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 mg x mL(-1). Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTr), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and cell structure were detected to determine the proliferation and differentiation of PDLCs proliferation and differentiation., Results: When the APS was 0.2 mg x mL(-1), the absorbance of MTT and ALP exhibit significantly increased as compared to the control (P < 0.05). The cells cultured in vitro with APS of 0.2 mg x mL(-1) had the normal structure., Conclusion: APS with proper concentration in short-term culture may promote the proliferation and differentiation of PDLCs.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different concentrations of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) paste on the removing root canal smear layers and the degrees of erosion on the surface of the root canal walls at the different portions of canal., Methods: Sixty human teeth with single root were instrumented using step-back technique, then were divided into six groups and treated with different concentrations EDTA paste and NaCLO solution. Group A: 0.9% saline; group B: 5.25% NaC10+5% EDTA; group C: 5.25% NaC10+10% EDTA; group D: 5.25% NaC10+15% EDTA; group E: 5.25% NaC10+17% EDTA; group F: 5.25% NaClO+20% EDTA. Then the teeth were split, the root canals with different treatments were examined with scanning electron microscope at the coronal, middle and apical thirds for smear layers removal and the degrees of erosion., Results: The effect of EDTA paste on removing smear layers at the coronal, middle thirds of the root canal increased with the concentrations. 15% EDTA paste could remove the smear layers at the coronal and middle thirds of the root canal, but the effect on apical third was invalid, and no erosion could be found in the root canal wall. 17% and 20% EDTA paste produced the erosion to the root canal wall., Conclusion: The concentrations of the EDTA paste can influence the effect of the removing smear layers, and the concentration beyond 17% would produce the erosion to root canal wall.

Objective: To express human VIGILIN N terminus gene in E. coli, prepare the polyclonal antibody and study the subcell localization of human VIGILIN., Methods: The N-terminal sequence of human VIGILIN was amplified by PCR and cloned into the polyclonal site of pGEX-4T-2 expression vector. The fusion protein was expressed under induction of IPTG in E. coli BL21. The extracted GST fusion protein was purified by GSTrap-FF affinity chromatography. The polyclonal antibody against human VIGILIN N was prepared by immunizing New Zealand white rabbits using the purified fusion protein as immunogen and analyzed the titer and specificity of the antiserum by ELISA and Western blot. Through immunofluorescence staining, the distribution of VIGILIN in cell was observed., Results: Expression of the GST fusion protein was induced with 1 mmol/L IPTG at 28 C for 3 hours. The antibody titer was 1:16000. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the polyclonal antibody can recognize VIGILIN specifically. VIGILIN present in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Its distribution in the nucleus concentrated on the inner layer of nuclear membrane and the region close prominent area of DAPI staining., Conclusion: The human VIGILIN fusion protein was successfully expressed. The polyclonal antibody against human VIGILIN was generated and was further applied to the study of distribution of VIGILIN in cells. This study will provide a substantial base for further clarification of the quality and function of VIGILIN.

Objective: To study the anti-tumor effects and its mechanism of hTR-siRNA adenovirus on human cervical cancer in vivo., Methods: The in vivo model of human cervical cancer was established by the subcutaneous inoculation of HeLa cells at the right armpit of BALB/c nu/nu mice. After successful implantation, the mice were randomized into four groups, in which the mice were intratumorally injected with 0.1 mL of Ad-hTR-siRNA (10(13) pfu/L), or Ad-NT-siRNA (10(13) pfu/L), or Cisplatin (1.20 g/L), or serum-free DMEM alone respectively. These treatments were given once every 3 days for 6 times. After the last injection, the mice were observed for 7 days continuously and sacrificed at the end. The tumors were harvasted, weighed, and sectioned. The TUNEL assay was used to assess the apoptosis of these tumor cells., Results: Tumors-implanted were established successfully by 100% with HeLa cells. As compared with Ad-NT-siRNA, Ad-hTR-siRNA could slow down tumor growth, decrease tumor volume (45.48%) and tumor weight (34.68%), as well as promote the apoptosis and necrosis of tumor cells. The TUNEL positive cells were about 11.8%. But the anti-tumor activity of Ad-hTR-siRNA didn't catch on Cisplatin's., Conclusion: This study indicated that the hTR-siRNA adenovirus could suppress cervical cancer-xenografted growth in vivo and induce tumor cell apoptosis or necrosis.