label: url

en: 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer treatment prevents Candida albicans biofilm formation on acrylic resin

en: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of photoreactive 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) in inhibiting Candida albicans biofilm formation on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and assess its mechanism and need for re-application by evaluating its interaction with salivary mucin and durability during temperature changes. PMMA discs were used as specimens. The MPC coating was applied using the spray and cure technique for the treatment groups, whereas no coating was applied to the control. The MPC treatment (MT) groups were further differentiated based on the number of thermal cycles involved (0, 1000, 2500, and 5000). The optical density was measured to assess mucin adsorption (MA). Contact angle (CA) was calculated to evaluate surface hydrophilicity. The presence of MPC components on the PMMA surface was assessed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). C. albicans biofilms were evaluated qualitatively (scanning electron microscope images) and quantitatively (colony-forming units (CFUs)). Statistical analysis was conducted using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's multiple comparison test. MA rate and CA increased significantly in the MT groups, which exhibited significantly fewer CFUs and thinner biofilms than those of the control group. Based on the XPS, MA, and CFU evaluations, the durability and efficacy of the MPC coating were considered stable up to 2500 thermal cycles. Additionally, a significant interaction was observed between mucin concentration and MPC efficacy. The photoreactive MPC coating, which was resistant to temperature changes for approximately 3 months, effectively prevented C. albicans biofilm formation by modifying surface hydrophilicity and increasing mucin adsorption.

en: Journal of Prosthodontic Research

ja: Journal of Prosthodontic Research


en: Porphyromonas gingivalis Outer Membrane Vesicles Stimulate Gingival Epithelial Cells to Induce Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines via the MAPK and STING Pathways

en: () is a keystone pathogen associated with chronic periodontitis and produces outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that contain lipopolysaccharide (LPS), gingipains, and pathogen-derived DNA and RNA. -OMVs are involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. -OMV-activated pathways that induce the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 in the human gingival epithelial cell line, OBA-9, were investigated. The role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB in levels of -OMV-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines was investigated using Western blot analysis and specific pathway inhibitors. -OMVs induced IL-6 and IL-8 production via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK, and NF-κB signaling pathways in OBA-9 cells. In addition, the stimulator of interferon genes (STING), an essential innate immune signaling molecule, was triggered by a cytosolic pathogen DNA. -OMV-induced IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression and production were significantly suppressed by STING-specific small interfering RNA. Taken together, these results demonstrated that -OMV-activated Erk1/2, JNK, p38 MAPK, STING, and NF-κB signaling pathways resulting in increased IL-6 and IL-8 expression in human gingival epithelial cells. These results suggest that -OMVs may play important roles in periodontitis exacerbation by stimulating various pathways.

en: Biomedicines

ja: Biomedicines


en: First reported case of Lachnoanaerobaculum gingivalis bacteremia in an acute myeloid leukemia patient with oral mucositis during high dose chemotherapy.

en: During chemotherapy in patients with oral mucositis, we should consider the possibility of L. gingivalis bacteremia.

en: Anaerobe

ja: Anaerobe


en: pruR and PA0065 Genes Are Responsible for Decreasing Antibiotic Tolerance by Autoinducer Analog-1 (AIA-1) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

en: Antibiotics

ja: Antibiotics


en: Autoinducer Analogs Can Provide Bactericidal Activity to Macrolides in Pseudomonas aeruginosa through Antibiotic Tolerance Reduction

en: Macrolide antibiotics are used in treating chronic biofilm infections despite their unsatisfactory antibacterial activity, because they display several special activities, such as modulation of the bacterial quorum sensing and immunomodulatory effects on the host. In this study, we investigated the effects of the newly synthesized quorum-sensing autoinducer analogs (AIA-1, -2) on the activity of azithromycin and clarithromycin against . In the killing assay of planktonic cells, AIA-1 and -2 enhanced the bactericidal ability of macrolides against PAO1; however, they did not affect the minimum inhibitory concentrations of macrolides. In addition, AIA-1 and -2 considerably improved the killing activity of azithromycin and clarithromycin in biofilm cells. The results indicated that AIA-1 and -2 could affect antibiotic tolerance. Moreover, the results of hydrocarbon adherence and cell membrane permeability assays suggested that AIA-1 and -2 changed bacterial cell surface hydrophobicity and accelerated the outer membrane permeability of the hydrophobic antibiotics such as azithromycin and clarithromycin. Our study demonstrated that the new combination therapy of macrolides and AIA-1 and -2 may improve the therapeutic efficacy of macrolides in the treatment of chronic biofilm infections.


en: Clinical Significance of Carbapenem-Tolerant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated in the Respiratory Tract

en: infections.

ja: infections.


en: Suppresive effects of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-polymer on the adherence of Candida species and MRSA to acrylic denture resin.

en: Heliyon

ja: Heliyon


en: The pathogenic factors from oral Streptococci for systemic diseases

en: International Journal of Molecular Sciences


en: Clarithromycin expands CD11b+Gr-1+ cells via the STAT3/Bv8 axis to ameliorate lethal endotoxic shock and post-influenza bacterial pneumonia

en: Macrolides are used to treat various inflammatory diseases owing to their immunomodulatory properties; however, little is known about their precise mechanism of action. In this study, we investigated the functional significance of the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC)-like CD11b+Gr-1+ cells in response to the macrolide antibiotic clarithromycin (CAM) in mouse models of shock and post-influenza pneumococcal pneumonia as well as in humans. Intraperitoneal administration of CAM markedly expanded splenic and lung CD11b+Gr-1+ cell populations in naïve mice. Notably, CAM pretreatment enhanced survival in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced shock. In addition, adoptive transfer of CAM-treated CD11b+Gr-1+ cells protected mice against LPS-induced lethality via increased IL-10 expression. CAM also improved survival in post-influenza, CAM-resistant pneumococcal pneumonia, with improved lung pathology as well as decreased interferon (IFN)-γ and increased IL-10 levels. Adoptive transfer of CAM-treated CD11b+Gr-1+ cells protected mice from post-influenza pneumococcal pneumonia. Further analysis revealed that the CAM-induced CD11b+Gr-1+ cell expansion was dependent on STAT3-mediated Bv8 production and may be facilitated by the presence of gut commensal microbiota. Lastly, an analysis of peripheral blood obtained from healthy volunteers following oral CAM administration showed a trend toward the expansion of human MDSC-like cells (Lineage-HLA-DR-CD11b+CD33+) with increased arginase 1 mRNA expression. Thus, CAM promoted the expansion of a unique population of immunosuppressive CD11b+Gr-1+ cells essential for the immunomodulatory properties of macrolides.

en: PLoS Pathogens

ja: PLoS Pathogens


en: Antibiofilm and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of+ Houttuynia cordata Decoction for Oral Care

en: Dental biofilms that form in the oral cavity play a critical role in the pathogenesis of several infectious oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral candidiasis. (HC, Saururaceae) is a widely used traditional medicine, for both internal and external application. A decoction of dried HC leaves (dHC) has long been consumed as a health-promoting herbal tea in Japan. We have recently reported that a water solution of HC poultice ethanol extract (wHCP) exerts antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects against several important oral pathogens. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory effects on human keratinocytes. In our current study, we examined the effects of dHC on infectious oral pathogens and inflammation. Our results demonstrated that dHC exerts moderate antimicrobial effects against methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and other oral microorganisms. dHC also exhibited antibiofilm effects against MRSA, (involved in dental plaque formation), and and inhibitory effects on interleukin-8, CCL20, IP-10, and GRO productions by human oral keratinocytes stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (a cause of periodontal disease), without cytotoxic effects. This suggests that dHC exhibits multiple activities in microorganisms and host cells. dHC can be easily prepared and may be effective in preventing infectious oral diseases.

en: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM