Cooperative Design of the Ag3PO4/NH2-MIL-88B (Fe/Co) Heterojunction Integrated with Conductive Polypyrrole for Advanced Photocatalytic Water Purification.

Wastewater treatments using photocatalysts and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained increasing importance due to their catalytic reactions leading to the decomposition of dyes and organic pollutants without generating secondary pollutants. This work aims at developing an advanced photocatalytic fabric by conceiving a heterojunction of NH2-MIL-88B (Fe/Co) (n-type) and Ag3PO4 (p-type) and increasing the electrical conductivity to facilitate charge transfer at the heterojunction. Of particular interest is the design of a conductive Z-scheme heterophotocatalytic fabric by implementing polypyrrole (PPy) between the heterocatalysts and to investigate the role of the heterojunction and increased conductivity in the generation of reactive species and the photocatalytic mechanism. The electrochemical characterization evinces that the enhanced photocatalytic reaction by the conductive heterojunction is attributed to the efficient electron-hole separation and the increased redox power by the Z-scheme construction. Notably, the implementation of PPy not only accelerated the photocatalytic reactivity by the promoted charge mobility but also improved the structural stability of the catalysts by gluing them on the fabric substrate. The developed photocatalytic system demonstrated significantly enhanced purification performance compared with a single photocatalytic system and showed consistent performance with repeated use cycles. The result of this study implicates that electrical conductivity in a photocatalytic system plays a crucial role in the photocatalytic mechanism, charge mobility, and photocatalytic reactivity.

A floating photocatalytic fabric integrated with a AgI/UiO-66-NH2 heterojunction as a facile strategy for wastewater treatment.

With an increased need of wastewater treatment, application of photocatalysts has drawn growing research attention as an advanced water remediation strategy. Herein, a floating photocatalytic fabric in a woven construction was developed for removal of Rhodamine B (RhB) in water. For an efficient photocatalytic reaction, AgI nanoparticles were grown on the surface of UiO-66-NH2 crystals in a layered structure, forming a heterojunction system on a cotton yarn, and this was woven with polypropylene yarn. The floating photocatalyst demonstrated the maximized light utilization and adequate contact with contaminated water. Through the heterojunction system, the electrons and holes were effectively separated to generate reactive chemical species, and this eventually led to an enhanced photocatalytic performance of AgI/UiO@fabric reaching 98% removal efficiency after 2 hours of irradiation. Photodegradation of RhB occurred mainly by superoxide radicals and holes, which were responsible for de-ethylation and decomposition of an aromatic ring, respectively. The kinetics of the photocatalytic reaction suggested that circulation of solution by stirring affected the photocatalytic removal rate. The recycle test demonstrated the potential long-term applicability of the developed material with structural integrity and catalytic stability. This study highlights the proof-of-concept of a floating photocatalytic material for facile and effective water remediation with repeated usability.

Effect of Operating Conditions on the Gasification of Pet-Coke Water Slurry in an Entrained-Flow Gasifier Simulation.

Petroleum coke, commonly known as pet-coke, represents a promising and cost-effective alternative fuel source, produced as a byproduct of large-scale heavy crude oil refining. This study first simulated the gasification process of pet-coke slurry using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach based on the Eulerian-Lagrangian method. The simulation was carried out in a 2-ton-per-day (2TPD) entrained-flow gasifier, aiming to optimize the production of hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) as synthetic gases. This study investigated the effects of operational parameters, including the oxygen/slurry ratio and moisture content in the slurry, on various aspects such as fluid dynamics, temperature distribution, particle trajectories, carbon conversion, and gas composition within the pet-coke slurry gasifier. The base conditions of the simulation were meticulously cross-validated with high-precision experimental data. The results indicated that higher oxygen/slurry ratios led to increased concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and decreased fractions of H2, primarily due to the prevalence of the reverse water-gas shift reaction. Moreover, raising the moisture content in the pet-coke slurry led to decreased CO levels and enhanced production of H2 and CO2, triggered by the activation of the forward water-gas shift reaction. These results underscore the potential of pet-coke slurry as a favorable feedstock for syngas production and the achievement of carbon neutrality through the careful optimization of operational conditions. Our findings provide valuable insights for further experimental exploration and the development of practical applications for pet-coke gasification.

Structural basis for the interaction between unfarnesylated progerin and the Ig-like domain of lamin A/C in premature aging disorders.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a premature aging disorder caused by C-terminally truncated lamin A, termed as the pre-progerin product. Progerin is a C-terminally farnesylated protein derived from pre-progerin, which causes nuclear deformation at the inner-nuclear membrane. As an alternative or additional mechanism, a farnesylation-independent abnormal interaction between the C-terminus of progerin and Ig-like domain has been proposed. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the role of unfarnesylated C-terminus of pre-progerin in HGPS remains largely unknown. In this study, we determined the crystal structures of C-terminal peptide of progerin and Ig-like domain of lamin A/C. Results showed that the C-terminal cysteine residue of progerin forms a disulfide bond with the only cysteine residue of the Ig-like domain. This finding suggested that unfarnesylated progerin can form a disulfide bond with the Ig-like domain in the lamin meshwork. The Alphafold2-assisted docking structure showed that disulfide bond formation was promoted by a weak interaction between the groove of Ig-like domain and the unfarnesylated C-terminal tail region of progerin. Our results provide molecular insights into the normal aging process as well as premature aging of humans.

Clinical usefulness of Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer for diagnosing liver cirrhosis and significant fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease: A retrospective single-center study.

Accurate diagnosis of liver cirrhosis (LC) and significant fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) is important. The Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) has emerged as a novel serum biomarker for liver fibrosis; however, insufficient clinical data of M2BPGi are available in patients with CLD. Therefore, we performed a retrospective cohort study to investigate the clinical usefulness of serum M2BPGi for assessing LC and significant fibrosis in CLD patients. We retrospectively reviewed the CLD patients with measured serum M2BPGi at Kosin University Gospel Hospital between January 2016 and December 2019. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the independent factors associated with LC. The diagnostic power of serum M2BPGi for LC and significant fibrosis (≥F2) was evaluated and compared to that of other serum biomarkers using receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC). A total of 454 patients enrolled in this study. M2BPGi (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52-2.07) and fibrosis index based on four factors (aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.11-1.37) were identified as significant independent factors for LC. The AUC of M2BPGi for LC (0.866) and significant fibrosis (0.816) were comparable to those of fibrosis index based on four factors (0.860, 0.773), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (0.806, 0.752), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio (0.759, 0.710). The optimal cut-off values for M2BPGi for LC and significant fibrosis were 1.37 and 0.89, respectively. Serum M2BPGi levels were significantly correlated with liver stiffness measurements (ρ = 0.778). Serum M2BPGi is a reliable noninvasive method for the assessment of LC and significant fibrosis in patients with CLD.

Lomitapide, a cholesterol-lowering drug, is an anticancer agent that induces autophagic cell death via inhibiting mTOR.

Autophagy is a biological process that maintains cellular homeostasis and regulates the internal cellular environment. Hyperactivating autophagy to trigger cell death has been a suggested therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a crucial protein kinase that regulates autophagy; therefore, using a structure-based virtual screen analysis, we identified lomitapide, a cholesterol-lowering drug, as a potential mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibitor. Our results showed that lomitapide directly inhibits mTORC1 in vitro and induces autophagy-dependent cancer cell death by decreasing mTOR signaling, thereby inhibiting the downstream events associated with increased LC3 conversion in various cancer cells (e.g., HCT116 colorectal cancer cells) and tumor xenografts. Lomitapide also significantly suppresses the growth and viability along with elevated autophagy in patient-derived colorectal cancer organoids. Furthermore, a combination of lomitapide and immune checkpoint blocking antibodies synergistically inhibits tumor growth in murine MC38 or B16-F10 preclinical syngeneic tumor models. These results elucidate the direct, tumor-relevant immune-potentiating benefits of mTORC1 inhibition by lomitapide, which complement the current immune checkpoint blockade. This study highlights the potential repurposing of lomitapide as a new therapeutic option for cancer treatment.

Foliar-Applied Glutathione Mitigates Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Stress by Modulating Antioxidant-Scavenging, Redox-Regulating, and Hormone-Balancing Systems in Brassica napus.

The antioxidant glutathione (GSH) mitigates adverse physio-metabolic effects and defends against abiotic types of stress, such as cadmium (Cd) stress. However, its function and role in resisting Cd phytotoxicity by leveraging plant antioxidant-scavenging, redox-regulating, and hormone-balancing systems have not been comprehensively and systematically demonstrated in the Cd-hyperaccumulating plant Brassica napus L. cv. Tammi (oilseed rape). In this study, the effects of exogenously applied GSH to the leaves of B. napus seedlings exposed to Cd (10 µM) were investigated. As a result, Cd stress alone significantly inhibited growth and increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the bioaccumulation of Cd in the seedlings compared with those in unstressed controls. Furthermore, Cd stress induced an imbalance in plant stress hormone levels and decreases in endogenous GSH levels and GSH redox ratios, which were correlated with reductions in ascorbate (AsA) and/or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) redox states. However, the exogenous application of GSH to Cd-stressed B. napus seedlings reduced Cd-induced ROS levels and enhanced antioxidant-scavenging defenses and redox regulation by both increasing seedling AsA, GSH, and NADPH concentrations and rebalancing stress hormones, thereby enhancing Cd uptake and accumulation. These results demonstrate that GSH improved plant redox status by upregulating the AsA-GSH-NADPH cycle and reestablishing normal hormonal balance. This indicates that exogenously applied GSH can mitigate Cd phytotoxicity in B. napus and possibly other plants. Therefore, GSH can potentially be applied to Cd-polluted soil for plant remediation.

Fiber-Based Gas Filter Assembled via In Situ Synthesis of ZIF-8 Metal Organic Frameworks for an Optimal Adsorption of SO2: Experimental and Theoretical Approaches.

For environmental protection from exposure to airborne toxic gases, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have drawn great attention as gas adsorbent options, with their advantages in chemical tailorability and large porosity. To develop a fiber-based gas filter that is effective against SO2 gas, zeolite imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) was applied to polypropylene nonwoven by various methods. Among the tested methods, the sol-gel impregnation method showed the highest ZIF-8 loading efficiency. There existed an optimal loading of ZIF-8 for the maximum adsorption efficiency, and it was associated with the accessibility of gas molecules to the ZIF-8 pores and active sites. Dominant adsorption processes and mechanisms were investigated by fitting the theoretical sorption models to experimental data. The results demonstrate that the increased ZIF-8 loading to fibers, beyond a certain level, may hinder the diffusivity and increase the barrier effect, eventually decreasing the adsorption efficiency. This study is novel and significant in that a multifaceted approach, including experimental analysis, theoretical investigation, and computational modeling, was made for scrutinizing the intricate phenomena occurring in the gas sorption process. The results of this study provide the fundamental yet practical information on the manufacturing considerations for the optimal design of MOF-loaded fibrous adsorbents.

Ascorbate-Mediated Modulation of Cadmium Stress Responses: Reactive Oxygen Species and Redox Status in Brassica napus.

The role of ascorbate (AsA) in antioxidant defense system-associated resistance to cadmium (Cd) in oilseed rape plants has not yet been clearly demonstrated. The present study investigated the critical role of exogenous AsA on the physiological and biochemical responses of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant scavenging defense systems in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. cv. Tammi) seedlings exposed to Cd. Cd (10 µM) treatment led to significant reductions in plant growth; increases in the levels of superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde; and increases in Cd uptake and accumulation by the roots and shoots in hydroponically grown 10-day-old seedlings. Moreover, it reduced AsA content and AsA redox ratios, which have been correlated with reductions in glutathione (GSH) and/or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) redox status. However, exogenously applying AsA to Cd-exposed seedlings decreased Cd-induced ROS, improved antioxidant defense systems by increasing AsA, GSH, and NADPH contents, and increased Cd uptake and accumulation in both roots and shoots of the plants. These results provided evidence that the enhancement in AsA redox status can be linked to an increase in the GSH and/or NADPH redox ratios through the induction of the AsA-GSH-NADPH cycle. Thus, these results suggest that exogenous AsA application to oilseed rape seedlings under Cd stress might alleviate the overall Cd toxicity by regulating the homeostasis of the AsA-GSH-NADPH cycle, which reestablishes the steady-state cellular redox status.

Activation of JUN in fibroblasts promotes pro-fibrotic programme and modulates protective immunity.

The transcription factor JUN is highly expressed in pulmonary fibrosis. Its induction in mice drives lung fibrosis, which is abrogated by administration of anti-CD47. Here, we use high-dimensional mass cytometry to profile protein expression and secretome of cells from patients with pulmonary fibrosis. We show that JUN is activated in fibrotic fibroblasts that expressed increased CD47 and PD-L1. Using ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq, we found that activation of JUN rendered promoters and enhancers of CD47 and PD-L1 accessible. We further detect increased IL-6 that amplified JUN-mediated CD47 enhancer activity and protein expression. Using an in vivo mouse model of fibrosis, we found two distinct mechanisms by which blocking IL-6, CD47 and PD-L1 reversed fibrosis, by increasing phagocytosis of profibrotic fibroblasts and by eliminating suppressive effects on adaptive immunity. Our results identify specific immune mechanisms that promote fibrosis and suggest a therapeutic approach that could be used alongside conventional anti-fibrotics for pulmonary fibrosis.

Novel nickel(II), palladium(II), and platinum(II) complexes having a pyrrolyl-iminophosphine (PNN) pincer: Synthesis, crystal structures, and cytotoxic activity.

A pyrrolyl-iminophosphine (PNNH) which would act as a potential terdentate ligand has been prepared by Schiff base reaction. Complexes [M(PNN)X] (M = Ni; X = Cl (1), Pd; X = Cl (2), Br (3), I (4), M = Pt; X = Cl (5)) were prepared. The title complexes were characterized by various spectroscopic (IR, 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR) and elemental analyses. The molecular structures of 1, 2, and 5 have been established by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, demonstrating a distorted square planar geometry comprising two 5-membered metallacyclic rings. Complexes 1 and 2 were found to crystallize in the orthorhombic while complex 5 crystallizes in the monoclinic. Cytotoxicities of the complexes along with PNNH were evaluated against A549 (lung), SK-OV-3 (ovarian), SM-MEL-2 (skin), and HCT15 (colon) human cancer cell lines by sulforhodamine B assay. Notably, the palladium(II) complex (2) shows the highest activity. Apoptosis activity along with the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD (Z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone) assay of 2 and 5 against A549 and HCT15 cancer cell lines were investigated to learn a mechanistic pathway for the observed cytotoxicity, practically eliminating an apoptotic cell-death route. Complexes 2 and 5 were studied to DNA cleavage assay and molecular docking simulation. The DNA (pcDNA3.0) cleavage experiment evaluates complex 5 interacting with DNA, more effectively, in comparison to complex 2. Molecular docking simulation of 2 and 5 toward DNA and GRP78 (glucose-regulated protein 78) was performed to predict binding sites of ligand-receptors and a plausible mechanistic aspect of metallodrug-action.

Effectiveness, safety, and economic evaluation of adjuvant moxibustion therapy for aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia of postmenopausal breast cancer stage I to III patients: Study protocol for a prospective, randomized, assessor-blind, usual-care controlled, parallel-group, pilot clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: This study is a prospective, assessor-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled pilot trial to explore the effectiveness of 12-week adjuvant moxibustion therapy for arthralgia in menopausal females at stage I to III breast cancer on aromatase inhibitor (AI) administration, compared with those receiving usual care. METHODS/DESIGN: Forty-six menopausal female patients with breast cancer who completed cancer therapy will be randomly allocated to either adjuvant moxibustion or usual care groups with a 1:1 allocation ratio. The intervention group will undergo 24 sessions of adjuvant moxibustion therapy with usual care for 12 weeks, whereas the control group will receive only usual care during the same period. The usual care consists of acetaminophen administration on demand and self-directed exercise education to manage AI-related joint pain. The primary outcome is the mean change of the worst pain level according to the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form between the initial visit and the endpoint. The mean changes in depression, fatigue, and quality of life will also be compared between groups. Safety and pharmacoeconomic evaluations will also be included. DISCUSSION: Continuous variables will be compared by an independent t test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test between the adjuvant moxibustion and usual care groups. Adverse events will be analyzed using the chi-square or Fisher exact test. The statistical analysis will be performed by a 2-tailed test at a significance level of .05.

Pattern identification of lung cancer patients based on body constitution questionnaires (BCQ) and glycoproteomics for precision medicine.

BACKGROUND: The patient's pattern identification has been used for personalized medicine in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) and aims for patient-specific therapy by Korean medical doctors. The pattern identification in this trial will be diagnosed from body constitution questionnaire (BCQ) with a more objective diagnosis of it but this method still needs a more concrete scientific basis. Glycoproteins are well-known to be associated with diseases (especially cancers) so glycoproteomics can be applied to differentiate pattern identification types of lung cancer patients. Thus, for the first time proteomics approach will be applied to the pattern identification by comparing BCQ assessment in order to establish a scientific basis with clinical proteomics for precision medicine. METHODS: This observational trial will at first diagnose the pattern identification types of lung cancer patients with BCQ assessment and then elucidate their relationships with proteomics. Blood samples will be collected before surgery along with clinical information of participants. The patients' pattern identification in TKM will be diagnosed from BCQ assessment. Then, lung cancer patients will be divided and pooled into 3 lung cancer entire (LCE) groups according to their pattern identification types (Xu, Stasis, or Gentleness). Three lung cancer representative (LCR) groups will be selected and pooled from each LCE group by selecting those with the same control factors. The 3 LCE groups and the 3 LCR groups from lung cancer patients will be independently analyzed through the glycoproteomics approach based on the patients' pattern identification. Glycoproteins from the 6 groups will be identified through proteomics approach and then categorized for analysis. DISCUSSION: This study intends to diagnose pattern identification of patients in TKM with BCQ assessment and proteomics approach. The identification of the glycoproteins in each group will lead to the scientific foundation of personalized medicine in TKM according to patients' pattern identification for lung cancer therapy. We intend to(1) diagnose the pattern identification types of lung cancer patients with BCQ under the framework of TKM;(2) evaluate BCQ assessment with glycoproteomics approach for precision medicine. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03384680. Registered 27 December 2017. Retrospectively registered.

Effectiveness, safety, and economic evaluation of topical application of a herbal ointment, Jaungo, for radiation dermatitis after breast conserving surgery in patients with breast cancer (GREEN study): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: This is a prospective, open-label, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial that evaluates the effectiveness and safety of adjuvant application of Jaungo (JUG) for radiation-induced dermatitis (RD) in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, in comparison with general supportive care (GSC). METHODS/DESIGN: Eighty female patients, who have been diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer, will be allocated to either the JUG or GSC group with an allocation ratio of 1:1 after breast conservation surgery, in the Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Both the groups will be subjected to GSC, but only the JUG group participants will apply adjuvant JUG ointment on the irradiated skin for 6 weeks, twice a day. The primary outcome of this study is the assessment of incidence rate of RD using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) for toxicity gradation of 2 or more. Maximum pain level, quality of life, adverse reactions, and pharmacoeconomic evaluations will also be included. DISCUSSION: The primary outcome will be statistically compared using the logrank test after estimating the survival curve using the Kaplan-Meier method. Continuous variables will be tested using independent t test or Mann-Whitney U test. The adverse events will be evaluated with Chi-square or Fisher exact test. All the data will be analyzed at a significance level of 0.05 (two-sided) with R software (The R Foundation). TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRIS (Clinical Research Information Service), KCT0003506, 14 February 2019.

Effect of Areca Nut on Helicobacter pylori-Induced Gastric Diseases in Mice.

Areca nut (AN) chewing is a habit in many countries in Central, Southern, and Southeast Asia. It is strongly associated with the occurrence of oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal cancer as well as systemic inflammation. However, the association between AN intake and the development of gastric lesions has not yet been identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of AN on gastric diseases using a mouse model for Helicobacter pylori infection. We studied four groups of mice: those fed a normal diet (ND), those fed a diet containing 2.5% AN (AD), those fed ND and infected with H. pylori PMSS1 strain (ND/HP), and those fed AD and infected with H. pylori PMSS1 strain (AD/HP). Food intake and body weight were monitored weekly during the experiments. At 10 weeks, the mice were sacrificed, and the stomach weight, H. pylori colonization, and gastric inflammation were evaluated. The stomach weight had increased significantly in the ND/HP and AD/HP groups along with increases in H. pylori colonization; however, there was no significant difference between these two groups with respect to stomach weight and colonization. On histological grading, mononuclear cell infiltration was severer in the AD/HP group than in the ND/HP group. These data suggest that chronic gastric inflammation was aggravated by AN treatment in the mice with H. pylori-induced gastric lesions. Furthermore, as previously suggested, this animal model is useful to determine the effect of potential carcinogens on gastric lesions induced by H. pylori infection.

Outcomes of acute kidney injury patients with and without cancer.

Incidence of AKI in hospitalized patients with cancer is increasing, but there have been few studies on AKI in patients with cancer. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a South Korean tertiary care hospital. A total of 2211 consecutive patients (without cancer 61.5%; with cancer 38.5%) were included over a 140-month period. Predictors of all-cause death were examined using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. The main contributing factors of AKI were sepsis (31.1%) and ischemia (52.7%). AKI was multifactorial in 78% of patients with cancer and in 71% of patients without cancer. Hospital mortality rates were higher in patients with cancer (42.8%) than in patients without cancer (22.5%) (p = 0.014). In multivariate analyses, diabetes mellitus (DM) and cancer diagnosis were associated with hospital mortality. Cancer diagnosis was independently associated with mortality [odds ratio = 3.010 (95% confidence interval, 2.340-3.873), p = 0.001]. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that subjects with DM and cancer (n = 146) had lower survival rates than subjects with DM and without cancer (n = 687) (log rank test, p = 0.001). The presence of DM and cancer was independently associated with mortality in AKI patients both with and without cancer. Studies are warranted to determine whether proactive measures may limit AKI and improve outcomes.

Simultaneous Block Bone Grafting Using "L-Shaped Notch" Preparation in Mandible: Case Series and 1-Year Follow-up.

PURPOSE: A novel autogenous block bone grafting technique with simultaneous placement of dental implants is described for several cases of horizontal ridge augmentation. METHODS: Seven patients with a mandibular horizontal ridge that was inadequate for proper implant placement were included in this study. Simultaneous implant placement and autogenous block bone grafting was planned; we designed the "L-shaped notch" preparation of the recipient site for the additional fixation with only 1 screw. This new technique also required minimal size of autogenous block bone. RESULTS: In total, 11 implants and final restorations were delivered in 7 patients. The dehiscence defects were covered successfully (79.70 ± 5.58%; 2.26 ± 0.68 mm) at the uncover surgery. The marginal bone loss was 0.50 ± 0.26 mm on the mesial side and 0.58 ± 0.23 mm on the distal side. The outcomes were satisfactory clinically and radiographically during the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although additional studies, with more than 7 patients, are needed to evaluate the L-shaped notch preparation, this was effective to accomplish horizontal ridge augmentation simultaneously with the placement of dental implants using the minimal size of autogenous block bone.

Pannexin 3 is required for normal progression of skeletal development in vertebrates.

The vertebrate skeletal system has various functions, including support, movement, protection, and the production of blood cells. The development of cartilage and bones, the core components of the skeletal system, is mediated by systematic inter- and intracellular communication among multiple signaling pathways in differentiating progenitors and the surrounding tissues. Recently, Pannexin (Panx) 3 has been shown to play important roles in bone development in vitro by mediating multiple signaling pathways, although its roles in vivo have not been explored. In this study, we generated and analyzed Panx3 knockout mice and examined the skeletal phenotypes of panx3 morphant zebrafish. Panx3(-/-) embryos exhibited delays in hypertrophic chondrocyte differentiation and osteoblast differentiation as well as the initiation of mineralization, resulting in shortened long bones in adulthood. The abnormal progression of hypertrophic chondrogenesis appeared to be associated with the sustained proliferation of chondrocytes, which resulted from increased intracellular cAMP levels. Similarly, osteoblast differentiation and mineralization were delayed in panx3 morphant zebrafish. Taken together, our results provide evidence of the crucial roles of Panx3 in vertebrate skeletal development in vivo.

Paracrine effect of the bone morphogeneticprotein-2 at the experimental site on healing of the adjacent control site: a study in the rabbit calvarial defect model.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the possible paracrine effect of bone morphogeneticprotein-2 (BMP-2) at the experimental site on the adjacent control site for validating a rabbit calvarial defect model as a means of verifying the effect of BMP-2. METHODS: Sixteen rabbits were divided into two groups (n=8 in each) according to whether or not BMP-2 would be used. Two circular defects (8 mm in diameter) were created side by side, 2 mm apart, in the calvarium of all of the rabbits. In each animal, one of the defects was grafted with either BMP-2-loaded carrier or carrier material alone. The control defects adjacent to these grafted defects, designated CB (the nongrafted defect adjacent BMP-2-loaded carrier-grafted defect) and CC (the nongrafted defect adjacent to carrier only-grafted defect), respectively, were the focus of this study, and were filled only with a blood clot in all of the animals. Histologic observation and histomorphometric analysis were performed at 2 and 8 weeks (n=4 animals per point in time) after surgery. RESULTS: There was no noteworthy difference in the healing pattern, and no statistically significant differences in histomorphometric parameters such as the defect closure, new bone area, or total augmented area between the CC and CB groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that rabbit calvarial defects separated by a distance of 2 mm are suitable for evaluating the effects of BMP-2 and the control defect can be regarded not to be affected by BMP-2 applied defect.

Genetic analysis of TMPRSS3 gene in the Korean population with autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss.

The TMPRSS3 gene (DFNB8/10), which encodes a transmembrane serine protease, is a common hearing loss gene in several populations. Accurate functions of TMPRSS3 in the hearing pathway are still unknown, but TMPRSS3 has been reported to play a crucial role in inner ear development or maintenance. To date, 16 pathogenic mutations have been identified in many countries, but no mutational studies of the TMPRSS3 gene have been conducted in the Korean hearing loss population. In this study, we performed genetic analysis of TMPRSS3 in 40 unrelated Korean patients with autosomal recessive hearing loss to identify the aspect and frequency of TMPRSS3 gene mutations in the Korean population. A total of 22 variations were detected, including a novel variant (p.V291L) and a previously reported pathogenic mutation (p.A306T). The p.A306T mutation which has been detected in only compound heterozygous state in previous studies was identified in homozygous state for the first time in this study. Moreover, the clinical evaluation identified bilateral dilated vestibules in the patient with p.A306T mutation, and it suggested that p.A306T mutation of the TMPRSS3 gene might be associated with vestibular anomalies. In conclusion, this study investigated that only 2.5% of patients with autosomal recessive hearing loss were related to TMPRSS3 mutations suggesting low prevalence of TMPRSS3 gene in Korean hearing loss population. Also, it will provide the information of genotype-phenotype correlation to understand definite role of TMPRSS3 in the auditory system.