The dual roles of peptidoglycans: NOD1 and NOD2 inversely regulate bone metabolism.

Gut microbiota and microbial components are known to regulate bone metabolism. Peptidoglycan, a key bacterial cell wall component, is recognized by NOD1 and NOD2. Muramyl dipeptide (MDP), a ligand for NOD2 found in most bacteria, increases bone mass by promoting bone formation via Runx2 and β-catenin.

Impact of ozone on kidney transplant outcomes.

Earlier work has shown adverse effects of air pollution on kidney disease outcomes, yet the specific impact of ozone (O) on kidney transplant (KT) recipients remains unclear. We investigated the effects of long-term O exposure on KT outcomes by employing a multipollutant model. This multicenter, longitudinal cohort study included 4796 adult KT recipients who survived ≥1 year after transplantation from 2002-2020 at 3 major hospitals in South Korea.

Long-term impact of PM exposure on diabetic kidney disease patients considering time-dependent medication adjustment.

Background: Ambient air pollutants adversely affect renal function and increase type 2 diabetes incidence. However, the impact of air pollution on diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients remains underexplored, with limited consideration of medication-related effects. We assessed the influence of air pollutants on DKD patients while meticulously adjusting for medication use.

Weekend catch-up sleep and its association with chronic kidney disease and albuminuria in middle age and older adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017-2020).

Background: How weekend catch-up sleep (WCS) influences chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk is unknown. We investigated the association between WCS and CKD prevalence in adults.

Methods: In the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2017-2020) participants (n = 4,961; age ≥ 40 years), we assessed the relationships of WCS (>1 hour increased sleep duration on weekends) with CKD and albuminuria prevalence via multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders.

Needle angle dynamics as a rapid indicator of drought stress in (Lamb.) Carrière: advancing non-destructive imaging techniques for resilient seedling production.

(Lamb.) Carrière, a valuable species for timber production and reforestation, faces challenges in large-scale seedling propagation due to its slow growth cycle and high susceptibility to environmental stressors. Early detection of drought stress is critical for preparing seedlings for harsh field conditions and for optimizing irrigation strategies.

Lipoteichoic acid from a canine probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus possesses anti-biofilm capacity against clinically isolated canine periodontopathic Porphyromonas species.

Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent oral infectious diseases in canines which is mainly caused by periodontopathic bacteria such as Porphyromonas spp. Biofilm formation of periodontopathogens is closely related to the development of the disease, as it provides increased resistance against dental medicaments or host immunity. Although we recently demonstrated the anti-biofilm activity of Lactobacillus lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a major cell wall component of Gram-positive bacteria, against various human dental pathogens, the anti-biofilm effects of LTA from canine probiotics on canine periodontopathic Porphyromonas spp.

Florfenicol-induced dysbiosis impairs intestinal homeostasis and host immune system in laying hens.

Background: Despite growing concerns about the adverse effects of antibiotics in farm animals, there has been little investigation of the effects of florfenicol in laying hens. This study examined the effect of florfenicol on the intestinal homeostasis, immune system, and pathogen susceptibility of laying hens.

Results: The oral administration of florfenicol at field-relevant levels for 5 d resulted in a decrease in the gut microbiota genera Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Bacteroides, indicating the development of intestinal dysbiosis.

Association between root canals and gingival sulci microbiota in secondary and persistent endodontic infections.

Secondary/persistent endodontic infections (SPEIs) result from failed root canal therapy, causing persistent apical periodontitis. Current diagnostic methods for SPEIs predominantly rely on clinical and radiographic indicators, which often lack adequate sensitivity and specificity. Consequently, there is an urgent need to effectively detect SPEIs or monitor their progression.

Microbiota associated with caries and apical periodontitis: A next-generation sequencing study.

Aim: This study investigated the correlation between microbiota of caries-free enamel and caries-affected dentine biofilms and that of root canals with primary apical periodontitis, by using an Illumina MiSeq platform.

Methodology: Biofilm from caries-free enamel surface (Biofilm-C) or caries-affected dentine (Biofilm-E) and root canal paper point samples (Canal) were collected from 31 teeth with primary apical periodontitis. Microbial composition was analysed by amplicon sequencing that targeted the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA gene.

Graphene Quantum Dots as Antifibrotic Therapy for Kidney Disease.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have received much attention for their biomedical applications, such as bioimaging and drug delivery. Additionally, they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We used GQDs to treat renal fibrosis and confirmed their ability to protect renal cells from excessive oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo.

Differential Regulatory Effects of Probiotics on Bone Metabolism by the Status of Bone Health and Delivery Route.

Probiotics are known to have favorable effects on human health. Nevertheless, probiotics are not always beneficial and can cause unintended adverse effects such as bacteremia and/or inflammation in immunocompromised patients. In the present study, we investigated the effects of probiotics on the regulation of bone metabolism under different health conditions and delivery routes.

Muramyl dipeptide potentiates lipoteichoic acid-induced nitric oxide production via TLR2/NOD2/PAFR signaling pathways.

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan (PGN) are considered as key virulence factors of , which is a representative sepsis-causing Gram-positive pathogen. However, cooperative effect of LTA and PGN on nitric oxide (NO) production is still unclear despite the pivotal roles of NO in initiation and progression of sepsis. We here evaluated the cooperative effects of LTA (SaLTA) and muramyl dipeptide (MDP), the minimal structure of PGN, on NO production in both a mouse macrophage-like cell line, RAW 264.

A vaccine platform targeting lung-resident memory CD4 T-cells provides protection against heterosubtypic influenza infections in mice and ferrets.

Lung tissue-resident memory T (T) cells induced by influenza vaccination are crucial for heterosubtypic immunity upon re-exposure to the influenza virus, enabling rapid and robust responses upon reactivation. To enhance the efficacy of influenza vaccines, we induce the generation of lung T cells following intranasal vaccination with a commercial influenza vaccine adjuvanted with NexaVant (NVT), a TLR3 agonist-based adjuvant. We demonstrate that intranasal immunization with the NVT-adjuvanted vaccine provides improved protection against influenza virus infections by inducing the generation of CD4 T cells in the lungs in a type I interferon-dependent manner.

Optimal storage time and temperature of human oral samples to minimize microbiome changes: A scoping review.

Improper storage times and temperatures negatively impact the quality of biospecimens with oral microbiomes. This study aimed to determine the optimal storage time and temperature for maintaining the integrity of human dental plaque and saliva samples' microbial profiles. A comprehensive search yielded 5433 studies, with 12 meeting inclusion criteria.

Piperonylic Acid Promotes Hair Growth by Activation of EGFR and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway.

Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) are located at the bottom of the hair follicle and play a critical role in hair growth, shape, and cycle. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways are essential in promoting keratinocyte activation as well as hair follicle formation in DPCs. Piperonylic acid is a small molecule that induces EGFR activation in keratinocytes.

Lipoteichoic Acid from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG as a Novel Intracanal Medicament Targeting Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm Formation.

The demand for safe and effective endodontic medicaments to control Enterococcus faecalis biofilms, a contributor to apical periodontitis, is increasing. Recently, lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of family Lactobacillaceae has been shown to have anti-biofilm effects against various oral pathogens. Preliminary experiments showed that LTA purified from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (Lgg.

Heat-killed Lancefieldella Rimae Induces Bone Resorption by Promoting Osteoclast Differentiation.

Introduction: Apical periodontitis, mainly caused by bacterial infection in the dental pulp, is often accompanied by abscess, periapical inflammation, and alveolar bone loss. Lancefieldella rimae has been detected in the root canals of patients with apical periodontitis. Here, we investigated whether L.

Enterococcus Phage vB_EfaS_HEf13 as an Anti-Biofilm Agent Against Enterococcus faecalis.

Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive bacterium that is frequently found in the periapical lesion of patients with apical periodontitis. Its biofilm formation in root canal is closely related to the development of refractory apical periodontitis by providing increased resistance to endodontic treatments. Phage therapy has recently been considered as an efficient therapeutic strategy in controlling various periodontal pathogens.

Microbiota Association and Profiling of Gingival Sulci and Root Canals of Teeth with Primary or Secondary/Persistent Endodontic Infections.

Introduction: Microbiota associated with primary endodontic infection (PEI) and secondary/persistent endodontic infection (SPEI) must be characterized to elucidate pathogenesis in apical periodontitis and bacterial biomarkers identified for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Methods: This study analyzed the microbial community profiles of root canals and gingival sulci (sulcus-E) for teeth with PEI (n = 10) or SPEI (n = 10), using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Bacterial samples from gingival sulci (sulcus-C) of healthy contralateral teeth served as controls.

Photosynthetic responses of Larix kaempferi and Pinus densiflora seedlings are affected by summer extreme heat rather than by extreme precipitation.

The frequency and intensity of summer extreme climate events are increasing over time, and have a substantial negative effect on plants, which may be evident in their impact on photosynthesis. Here, we examined the photosynthetic responses of Larix kaempferi and Pinus densiflora seedlings to extreme heat (+ 3 °C and + 6 °C), drought, and heavy rainfall by conducting an open-field multifactor experiment. Leaf gas exchange in L.

Bacillus subtilis Induces Human Beta Defensin-2 Through its Lipoproteins in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

Human intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) play an important role in maintaining gut homeostasis by producing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Bacillus subtilis, a commensal bacterium, is considered a probiotic. Although its protective effects on intestinal health are widely reported, the key component of B.

Relationship Between Amyloid Positivity and Sleep Characteristics in the Elderly With Subjective Cognitive Decline.

Background And Purpose: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive decline in cognition and performance of daily activities. Recent studies have attempted to establish the relationship between AD and sleep. It is believed that patients with AD pathology show altered sleep characteristics years before clinical symptoms appear.

Lipoproteins are key immunostimulatory components of Bacillus species for dendritic cell maturation and activation.

Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in immunity by sensing and responding to invasive microbes. Bacillus species are rod-shaped sporulating bacteria that include the pathogenic Bacillus cereus and commensal Bacillus subtilis. Although the interaction between DC and these two Bacillus species has been studied, their key structural component that prompts DC activation is poorly understood.

Antimicrobial activity, surface properties, and cytotoxicity of microencapsulated phytochemicals incorporated into three-dimensionally printable dental polymers.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial properties of three dimensionally-printed dental polymers (3DPs) incorporated with microencapsulated phytochemicals (MPs) and to assess their surface characteristics and cytotoxicity.

Methods: MPs derived from phytoncide oil and their specific chemical components were introduced into suspensions of three microbial species: Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus oralis, and Candida albicans. Optical density was measured to determine the microbial growth in the presence of MPs for testing their antimicrobial activity.

A Longitudinal Study on Memory Enhancement in Subjective Cognitive Decline Patients: Clinical and Neuroimaging Perspectives.

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) refers to the self-reported persistent cognitive decline despite normal objective testing, increasing the risk of dementia compared to cognitively normal individuals.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the attributes of SCD patients who demonstrated memory function improvement.

Methods: In this prospective study of SCD, a total of 120 subjects were enrolled as part of a multicenter cohort study aimed at identifying predictors for the clinical progression to mild cognitive impairment or dementia (CoSCo study).