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The uptake of exogenous DNA materials through the cell membrane by bacteria, known as transformation, is essential for the genetic manipulation of bacteria and, thus, plays key roles in biotechnological and biological research. The efficiency of natural transformation is very low; therefore, various artificial transformation methods have been developed for simple and efficient bacterial transformation. The basic bacterial transformation method is based on chemical, physical, and electrical processes and other means to permeabilize the bacterial cell membrane to allow plasmid DNA uptake. With the introduction of novel chemicals, materials, and devices and the optimization of protocols, new transformation methods have become simpler, cheaper, and more reproducible for use in diverse bacterial species compared with conventional methods. In this review, artificial transformation methods have been classified according to the membrane-permeabilizing mechanisms employed by them. Their influential factors, transformation efficiency, advantages, disadvantages, and practical applications are briefly illustrated. Finally, physicochemical transformation as a new bacterial transformation technique has also been described.

Background: Periodontitis is one of major oral diseases, which has no consensus on early screening tool. This study aimed to compare the association and screening ability of S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) for periodontitis.Methods: We recruited 149 community Koreans, 50 healthy and 99 periodontitis. Using clinical attachment loss and a panoramic radiograph, stage II-IV of new classification of periodontitis proposed at 2018 was considered as periodontitis. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to quantify S100A8 and S100A9. T-test, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), Mann-Whitney test and correlation analysis were applied to compare the relationship of S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood, and GCF for periodontitis. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied for screening ability.Results: Among S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood and GCF, S100A8 in saliva was significantly higher in periodontitis participants than in healthy participants (pConclusion: Salivary S100A8 could be a potential diagnostic marker for periodontitis. Thus, S100A8 salivary kit will be useful for screening periodontitis.

Background: Periodontitis is one of major oral diseases, which has no consensus on early screening tool. This study aimed to compare the association and screening ability of S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) for periodontitis.Methods: We recruited 149 community Koreans, 50 healthy and 99 periodontitis. Using clinical attachment loss and a panoramic radiograph, stage II-IV of new classification of periodontitis proposed at 2018 was considered as periodontitis. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to quantify S100A8 and S100A9. T-test, ANCOVA, Mann-Whitney test and correlation analysis were applied to compare the relationship of S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood, and GCF for periodontitis. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied for screening ability.Results: Among S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood and GCF, S100A8 in saliva was significantly higher in periodontitis participants than in healthy participants (pConclusion: Salivary S100A8 could be a potential diagnostic marker for periodontitis. Thus, S100A8 salivary kit will be useful for screening periodontitis.Summary sentence: Salivary S100A8 kit produced appropriate diagnostic ability for periodontitis and would be an efficient tool for early screening of periodontitis risk.

Background Periodontitis is one of major oral diseases, which has no consensus on early screening tool. This study aimed to compare the association and screening ability of S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) for periodontitis status. Methods We recruited 149 community Korean adults, 50 no or initial periodontitis (NIPERIO) and 99 established periodontitis (PERIO). Using clinical attachment loss and a panoramic radiograph, stage II–IV of new classification of periodontitis proposed at 2018 was considered cases as PERIO. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to quantify S100A8 and S100A9. T-test, analysis of covariance, Mann–Whitney test and correlation analysis were applied to compare the relationship of S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood, and GCF for periodontitis. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied for screening ability. Results Among S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood and GCF, S100A8 in saliva was significantly higher in PERIO than in NIPERIO (p p p Conclusion Salivary S100A8 could be a potential diagnostic marker for established periodontitis and be useful for screening established periodontitis.

In this study, two pepper varieties, PRH1 (powdery mildew resistance line) and Saengryeg (powdery mildew resistance line), were resequenced using next generation sequencing technology in order to develop InDel markers. The genome-wide discovery of InDel variation was performed by comparing the whole-genome resequencing data of two pepper varieties to the Capsicum annuum cv. CM334 reference genome. A total of 334,236 and 318,256 InDels were identified in PRH1 and Saengryeg, respectively. The greatest number of homozygous InDels were discovered on chromosome 1 in PRH1 (24,954) and on chromosome 10 (29,552) in Saengryeg. Among these homozygous InDels, 19,094 and 4,885 InDels were distributed in the genic regions of PRH1 and Saengryeg, respectively, and 198,570 and 183,468 InDels were distributed in the intergenic regions. We have identified 197,821 polymorphic InDels between PRH1 and Saengryeg. A total of 11,697 primers sets were generated, resulting in the discovery of four polymorphic InDel markers. These new markers will be utilized in order to identify disease resistance genotypes in breeding populations. Therefore, our results will make a one-step advancement in whole genome resequencing and add genetic resource datasets in pepper breeding research.

Objective As the era of aging comes, cognitive impairment (CI) is increasing. The impact of rehabilitation of lost tooth on CI remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether non-rehabilitated lost teeth (NRLT) is associated with CI among Korean elders. Methods A total of 280 elders comprising of 140 cases and 140 age-sex-matched controls were included in this cross-sectional study. CI was assessed using the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE). NRLT was evaluated using panoramic radiograph and oral examination. NRLT was categorized into low (≤4) and high (≥5). Age, sex, education, drinking, smoking, exercise, obesity, hypertension, subclinical atherosclerosis, glucose, cholesterol, depression, and denture-wearing were considered as confounders. Conditional multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the adjusted association. Results NRLT was associated with increased CI after controlling for confounders (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [95% CFI]: 1.00-1.13). However, lost teeth were not associated with CI. Those with high NRLT (≥5) compared to those with low NRLT (≤4) was more likely to have CI by 2.7 times (OR = 2.74, 95% CFI = 1.28-5.86). Conclusion Our data showed that NRLT was independently associated with CI. Hence, rehabilitation of the lost teeth could be important for the maintenance of cognitive function.

To find an inhibitor of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) that rapidly metabolises Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as a mediator of wound healing, we examined seven flavonoids for this role. 7,3′,4′-Trimethoxyflavone (TMF) had the lowest IC50 value of 0.34 µM for 15-PGDH inhibition but >400 µM for cytotoxicity, indicating a high therapeutic index. TMF elevated PGE2 levels in a concentration-dependent manner in both A549 lung cancer and HaCaT cells. It also significantly increased mRNA expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein 4 (MRP4) and of prostaglandin transporter (PGT) slightly in HaCaT cells. In addition, TMF facilitated in vitro wound healing in a HaCaT scratch model, which was completely inhibited by adding both 15-PGDH and NAD+ as cofactor, confirming the involvement of PGE2 in its wound healing effect. TMF with a high therapeutic index can facilitate wound healing through PGE2 elevation by 15-PGDH inhibition.

The present study deals with genome wide identification of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers related to powdery mildew (PM) resistance in two pepper varieties. Capsicum baccatum (PRH1- a PM resistant line) and Capsicum annuum (Saengryeg- a PM susceptible line), were resequenced to develop SNP markers. A total of 6,213,009 and 6,840,889 SNPs for PRH1 and Saengryeg respectively have been discovered. Among the SNPs, majority were classified as homozygous type SNPs, particularly in the resistant line. Moreover, the SNPs were differentially distributed among the chromosomes in both the resistant and susceptible lines. In total, 4,887,031 polymorphic SNP loci were identified between the two lines and 306,871 high-resolution melting (HRM) marker primer sets were designed. In order to understand the SNPs associated with the vital genes involved in diseases resistance and stress associated processes, chromosome-wise gene ontology analysis was performed. The results revealed the occurrence that SNPs related to diseases resistance genes were predominantly distributed in chromosome 4. In addition, 6281 SNPs associated with 46 resistance genes were identified. Among the lines, PRH1 consisted of maximum number of polymorphic SNPs related to NBS-LRR genes. The SNP markers were validated using HRM assay in 45 F4 populations and correlated with the phenotypic disease index.

To find an inhibitor of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) that rapidly metabolises Prostaglandin E7,3',4'-Trimethoxyflavone (TMF) had the lowest ICTMF with a high therapeutic index can facilitate wound healing through PGE

Peppers (Capsicum spp.), economically important crops of the nightshade family, are used as vegetables, spices, and medicines. Bacterial wilt (BW), one of the most devastating bacterial plant diseases, causes heavy losses in many crops, including peppers. The aim of this study was to develop DNA-based molecular markers that could be used in future marker-assisted breeding for BW resistance. Genome-wide discovery of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs was achieved by comparing whole-genome resequencing data from two pepper varieties, Saengryeg 211 (susceptible to BW) and 82PR66 (resistant to BW) with the reference genome of Capsicum annuum cv. CM334. A total of 118,588,231 and 148,774,861 paired raw reads with an average length of 151 bp were recorded for Saengryeg 211 and 82PR66, respectively. Data mining revealed 6,804,889 and 4,293,534 SNPs for Saengryeg 211 and 82PR66, respectively. The SNPs, were assorted into 12 chromosomes. A total of 5,514,563 polymorphic SNPs were discovered between the two varieties, and 42,236 high-resolution melting marker primer sets were selected for use in future experiments. Our results reveal numerous DNA-based molecular markers that might be useful in molecular breeding and QTL mapping in pepper.

Heat shock protein-27 (HSP27) is a member of the small HSP family which has been linked to the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway regulating inflammatory responses. Clinical reports have suggested that low-level light therapy/laser irradiation (LLLT) could be an effective alternative treatment to relieve inflammation during bacterial infection associated with periodontal disease. However, it remains unclear how light irradiation can modulate the NF-κB signaling pathway. We examined whether or not 635 nm irradiation could lead to a modulation of the NF-kB signaling pathway in HSP27-silenced cells and analyzed the functional cross-talk between these factors in NF-κB activation. The results showed that 635 nm irradiation led to a decrease in the HSP27 phosphorylation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, I-κB kinase (IKK)/inhibitor of κB (IκB)/NF-κB phosphorylation, NF-κB p65 translocation and a subsequent decrease in the COX-1/2 expression and prostaglandin (PGE(2) ) release in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced human gingival fibroblast cells (hGFs). However, in HSP27-silenced hGFs, no obvious changes were observed in ROS generation, IKK/IκB/NF-κB phosphorylation, NF-κB p65 translocation, nor in COX-1/2 expression, or PGE(2) release. This could be a mechanism by which 635 nm irradiation modulates LPS-induced NF-κB signaling pathway via HSP27 in inflammation. Thus, HSP27 may play a role in regulating the anti-inflammatory response of LLLT.

The aim of this study was to examine the reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are dissipated by 635 nm irradiation, and the effect of 635 nm irradiation on ROS scavenging system.Intracellular ROS are produced in the form of superoxide anion by either nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase or xanthine oxidase in response to a number of stimuli. Low-level light irradiation decreases the intracellular ROS level and has been used in clinical situations for reducing the level of oxidative stress.Human epithelial cells were exposed to exogenous and endogenous oxidizing agents that promote the generation of harmful ROS. These were then irradiated with 635 nm LED light, 5 mW/cm(2) for 1 h, 18 J/cm(2) or by 470 nm LED light, also 5 mW/cm(2) for 1 h, 18 J/cm(2) on a 9 cm cell culture dish. After irradiation, the MTT reduction method and malondialdehyde (MDA) colorimetric assay were performed in xanthine/xanthine oxidase (XXO)- or hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-treated HaCaT cells. The superoxide anion was detected by an electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as the spin trap and H(2)O(2) was assayed by flow cytometry using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H(2)DCF-DA).Irradiation at 635 nm enhanced cell viability in the XXO-treated HaCaT cells. Also, irradiation had a much lesser effect on cell viability in the HaCaT cells treated with exogenous H(2)O(2) as compared with that in cells treated with N-acetyl-L-cysteine. The level of the superoxide anion increased in response to XXO treatment, and then decreased after 635 nm irradiation. Irradiation with 635 nm led to a decrease in superoxide anion and lipid peroxidation levels in the presence or absence of diethyldithiocarbamate.These results highlight the potential role of 635 nm irradiation in protection against oxidative stress by scavenging superoxide anions. Also, a pathway that is independent of the activities of intracellular enzymatic ROS scavengers, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase might be involved in its mechanism of action.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cells is a new treatment modality involving selective delivery of a photosensitive dye into target cells, followed by visible light irradiation. PDT induces cell death by excessive ROS generation. The effects of multiple photosensitizers were owing to the difference in cell types involving sensitizer-specific protein changes linked to resistance. HSP27 is regulated in response to stress and is associated with apoptotic process. The effects of HSP27 on PDT resistance are controversial and unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of HSP27 down-regulation in the PDT-induced cells and HSP27 regulation in the resistance to PDT. KB cells transfected with HSP27 siRNA were exposed to hematoporphyrin (HP) followed by irradiation at 635 nm at an energy density of 4.5 mW/cm(2). After irradiation, the effects on HSP27 down-regulation were assessed by MTT assay, flow cytometry, confocal analysis, Western blotting and caspase activity. The results of this study showed that down-regulation of HSP27 restored cell survival in HP-PDT-induced apoptotic KB cells. HSP27 down-regulation attenuated PDT-induced apoptosis through caspase-mediated pathway in KB cells. Also, HSP27 silencing regulated Bax, Bcl-2, and PARP protein expression in PDT-induced cells. Therefore, HSP27 down-regulation confers resistance to PDT through interruption of apoptotic protein activity in PDT-induced cell death. HSP27 might contribute to regulating PDT-induced apoptosis in PDT-resistant cells.

C16 saturated fatty acid (Palmitic acid) is one of the most common dietary fatty acids which played an important role in the cellular biological functions. Palmitic acid (PA) was tested for potential inhibition of DNA topoisomerase I (topo I) and it exhibited inhibitory activity in the nanomolar range. Treatment of lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 with PA resulted in a decrease in cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner, and PA showed cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of 150 μM. DNA fragmentation assay and caspase activity indicated that PA does not induce apoptotic cell death in A549 cells. Finally, we found that PA was able to cause an increase in autophagic flux in a time-dependent manner, evidenced by the accumulation of LC3 through monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining. More importantly, inhibition of autophagy by blocking autophagosome formation via the inhibition of type III Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI-3K), by 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) was able to effectively suppress PA-induced autophagy. We showed that inhibition of autophagy sensitized the cells signal to PA-induced apoptosis, suggesting the pro-survival function of autophagy induced by PA. Taken together, results from this study reveal that PA as a topo I inhibitor induced autophagic cell death in A549 cells.

Novel thiazolidinedione analogues as 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) inhibitors were synthesized. Compounds 2, 3, and 4 exhibited IC(50) of 25, 8, and 19 nM, respectively. They also significantly increased levels of PGE(2) in A549 cells. To assess the influence of 15-PGDH inhibitor on cochlear blood flow (CBF), 2 was applied intravenously to guinea pigs. It increased their CBFs. Scratch wounds were also analyzed in confluent monolayers of HaCaT cells. Cells exposed to 4 showed significantly improved wound healing with respect to a control.

Background Prostaglandins (PGs) have short existence in vivo because they are rapidly metabolized by NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) to 15-ketoprostaglandins. Inhibition of 15-PGDH causes elevated level of PGE2 in cellular system. It will be valuable for the therapeutic management of diseases requiring elevated PGE2 levels, like wound healing. Objective Ninety-eight plant samples were screened for the discovery of potent 15-PGDH inhibitor. Among them, top five plant extracts as potent 15-PGDH inhibitor were chosen to determine PGE2 release from HaCaT (Keratinocyte cell line) cell line. Finally, top 15-PGDH inhibitor was selected to evaluate in vitro wound healing effect on HaCaT scratch model. Method The inhibitory activity for 15-PGDH inhibitors was evaluated using fluorescence spectrophotometer by measuring the formation of NADH at 468 nm following excitation at 340 nm. Cell viability assay and PGE2 release was evaluated in HaCaT cell line after treatment of 15-PGDH inhibitors. Scratches were made using sterile 200 μL on HaCaT cell and wound-healing effect was evaluated after treatment of 15-PGDH inhibitor. Results 15-PGDH inhibitors elevated PGE2 levels in concentration-dependent manner. Ethanol extract of Artocarpus heterophyllus (EEAH), the most potent 15-PGDH inhibitor (IC50 = 0.62 µg/mL) with least cytotoxicity (IC50 = 670 µg/ml), elevated both intracellular and extracellular PGE2 levels. EEAH facilitated in-vitro wound healing in a HaCaT (Keratinocyte cell line) scratch model. Conclusion EEAH might apply to treat dermal wounds by elevating PGE2 levels via COX-1 induction and 15-PGDH inhibition. Summary Biological inactivation of 15-PGDH causes elevated level of PGE2 which will be useful for the management of disease that requires elevated level of PGE2. Abbreviations used: 15-PGDH: 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase, COX: Cyclooxygenase, DTT: Dithiothreitol, DMEM: Dulbecco's modified Eagle's media, EEAH: Ethanol extract of Artocarpus heterophyllus, MRP4: Multidrug resistance 4, PGs: Prostaglandins, PGT: Prostaglandin transporter, SDS: Sodium dodecylsulfate.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cells is a new treatment modality involving selective delivery of a photosensitive dye into target cells, followed by visible light irradiation. PDT induces cell death by excessive ROS generation. The effects of multiple photosensitizers were owing to the difference in cell types involving sensitizer-specific protein changes linked to resistance. HSP27 is regulated in response to stress and is associated with apoptotic process. The effects of HSP27 on PDT resistance are controversial and unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of HSP27 down-regulation in the PDT-induced cells and HSP27 regulation in the resistance to PDT. KB cells transfected with HSP27 siRNA were exposed to hematoporphyrin (HP) followed by irradiation at 635 nm at an energy density of 4.5 mW/cm(2). After irradiation, the effects on HSP27 down-regulation were assessed by MTT assay, flow cytometry, confocal analysis, Western blotting and caspase activity. The results of this study showed that down-regulation of HSP27 restored cell survival in HP-PDT-induced apoptotic KB cells. HSP27 down-regulation attenuated PDT-induced apoptosis through caspase-mediated pathway in KB cells. Also, HSP27 silencing regulated Bax, Bcl-2, and PARP protein expression in PDT-induced cells. Therefore, HSP27 down-regulation confers resistance to PDT through interruption of apoptotic protein activity in PDT-induced cell death. HSP27 might contribute to regulating PDT-induced apoptosis in PDT-resistant cells.

Hyperglycemia occurs in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and contributes to bone resorption and increased susceptibility to bacterial infections. Hyperglycemia can incite low-grade inflammation that can contribute to the resorption of bone, especially the periodontal bone. The increased susceptibility to periodontal infections can contribute to bone resorption through the activation of osteoclasts. In this study, the osteoblastic, clonal cell line, MC3T3-E1, was used in an in vitro model of hyperglycemia and lipopolysaccharide-induced reactive oxygen species generation to determine the potential anti-inflammatory effect of 635 nm light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation or whether 635 nm LED irradiation can be a potential anti-inflammatory treatment. LED irradiation of MC3T3-E1 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide in a high glucose-containing medium decreased the level of cyclooxygenase gene and protein expression and reduced the level of prostaglandin E2 expression by decreasing the amount of reactive oxygen species generation. LED irradiation also inhibited the osteoclastogenesis in MC3T3-E1 cells by regulating the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand and osteoprotegerin. These findings reveal the mechanisms which are important in the pathogenesis of diabetic periodontitis and highlight the beneficial effects of 635 nm LED irradiation in reducing the adverse effects of diabetic periodontitis.