Identification of molecular markers related to human alveolar bone cells and pathway analysis in diabetic patients.

Alveolar bone osteoblasts are widely used in dental and related research. They are easily affected by systemic diseases such as diabetes. However, the mechanism of diabetes-induced alveolar bone absorption remains unclear. This study systematically explored the changes in human alveolar bone cell-related gene expression and biological pathways, which may facilitate the investigation of its mechanism. Alveolar bone osteoblasts isolated from 5 male diabetics and 5 male healthy adults were cultured. Total RNA was extracted from these cells and subjected to gene microarray analysis. Differentially expressed genes were screened, and a gene interaction network was constructed. An enrichment pathway analysis was simultaneously performed on differentially expressed genes to identify the biological pathways associated with changes in the alveolar bone cells of diabetic humans. In total, we identified 147 mRNAs that were differentially expressed in diabetic alveolar bone cells (than in the normal cells; 91 upregulated and 36 downregulated mRNAs). The constructed co-expression network showed 3 pairs of significantly-expressed genes. High-enrichment pathway analysis identified 8 pathways that were affected by changes in gene expression; three of the significant pathways were related to metabolism (inositol phosphate metabolism, propanoate metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism). Here, we identified a few potential genes and biological pathways for the diagnosis and treatment of alveolar bone cells in diabetic patients.

Peginterferon plus Chinese herbal therapy is associated with a higher virological response than only peginterferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C.

Traditional Chinese herbal therapies are widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in China and several Asian countries. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing peginterferon therapy with peginterferon plus Chinese herbal therapy for the treatment of CHC. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, Science Citation Index, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and China Biomedical Database were searched to identify RCTs that evaluated the virological response of CHC patients to peginterferon therapy and peginterferon plus Chinese herbal therapy. We statistically combined data using a fixed-effects meta-analysis according to the intention-to-treat principle. The literature search yielded 905 studies and nine RCTs composed of 858 patients matched the selection criteria. Overall, sustained virological response (SVR) was significantly higher in patients treated with peginterferon plus Chinese herbs than in patients treated with peginterferon alone (81 % vs. 64 %, respectively; odds ratio, 2.60; 95 % confidence interval: 1.32­5.14; p < 0.05). A combined therapy of peginterferon plus Chinese herbs was also superior to peginterferon therapy in achieving an early viral response (EVR, 80 % vs. 70 %, respectively), a viral response at week 24 of treatment (82 % vs. 73 %, respectively), and end-of-treatment viral response (ETVR, 73 % vs. 62 %, respectively). The combined therapy resulted in fewer relapses, fewer adverse events, and more rapid alanine transaminase normalization; however, both treatments yielded a similar rapid viral response (RVR, 53 % vs. 57 %, respectively). The current evidence suggests that combined therapy of peginterferon plus Chinese herbs yields a higher viral response and results in fewer relapses and fewer adverse events than peginterferon therapy alone.

The effect of paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles with radiation on hypoxic MCF-7 cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The inability of radiotherapy to eradicate completely certain human tumours may be due to the presence of resistant hypoxic cells. Several studies have confirmed the radiosensitizing effect of paclitaxel, a microtubular inhibitor. The object of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles, and determine the ability of the released paclitaxel to radiosensitize hypoxic human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) with respect to radiation dose. METHODS: The poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles containing paclitaxel were prepared by o/w emulsification-solvent evaporation method. The morphology of the paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The drug encapsulation efficiency (EE) and in vitro release profile were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Cell cycle was evaluated by flow cytometry. Cell viability was measured by the ability of single cells to form colonies in vitro. RESULTS: The prepared nanoparticles were spherical with diameter between 200 and 800 nm. The EE was 85.5%. The drug release pattern was biphasic with a fast release rate followed by a slow one. Co-culture of human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) with paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles demonstrated that released paclitaxel retained its bioactivity to block cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and effectively sensitized hypoxic MCF-7 cells to radiation with radiosensitivity shown to be dependent of radiation dose at levels of dosages studied. The sensitizer enhancement ratio for paclitaxe-loaded nanoparticles at 10% survival is approximately 1.4. CONCLUSION: This work has demonstrated that paclitaxel can be effectively released from a biodegradable PLGA nanoparticle delivery system while maintaining potent combined cytotoxic and radiosensitizing abilities for hypoxic tumour cells.

[Surface accuracy of hydrophilic impressions. 1].

The purpose of this study was to examine detail reproducibility and surface roughness of stone models made from silicone, polysulfied rubber, alginate and agar impression materials using stainless steel test block (ISO). In addition, the influence of artificial saliva was studied. The following results were obtained: 1. Silicone impression materials showed the best detail reproducibility of all materials. 2. When artificial saliva was dropped on the stainless steel test block, hydrophilic silicone impression material showed the best detail reproducibility. 3. In the test using artificial saliva, alginate and agar impression materials showed better surface roughness, but poorer detail reproducibility than silicone impression ones. 4. Hydrophilic silicone material indicated the highest detail reproducibility, and the lowest surface roughness in the test using artificial saliva.

[Experimental study on application of allogeneic bone matrix gelatin in the intervertebral fusion].

OBJECTIVE: To testify the inductive osteogenesis of allogeneic bone matrix gelatin (BMG) in promoting intervertebral fusion. METHODS: The gelatin sponge, allogeneic BMG, decalcified bone matrix (DBM) and alcohol conserved bone were implanted respectively into the intervertebral space of rabbit, whose intervertebral discs were removed before implantation. The intervertebral spaces were evaluated by X-ray and histological examination at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after operation. RESULTS: No obvious immune rejection was observed. Amounts of new bone were formed in the intervertebral spaces at 4 and 8 weeks. And complete infusion of the intervertebral spaces were appeared at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: Allogeneic BMG can promote bone fusion of intervertebral spaces through osteoinduction, which suggests that allogeneic BMP is an ideal substitute for bone replacement.

[Expression of lipofect AMINE mediated human GM-CSF eukaryotic expressing vector in HFCL cells].

OBJECTIVE: To construct an eukaryotic expressing vector-pIRES1neo/hGM-CSF and express it in human bone marrow stromal cell line HFCL. METHODS: Human granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor cDNA (hGM-CSF cDNA, 751 bp) was inserted into an effective eukaryotic expressing vector-pIRES1neo which contains the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) major immediate early promoter/enhancer and the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of the encephalomyocarditis virus (ECMV). HFCL cells were transfected with the recombinant vector pIRES1neo/hGM-CSF by liposome-mediated gene transfer method. Integration of hGM-CSF in the genome, transcription of its mRNA and expression of its protein in the transfected HFCL cells were assayed by Southern blot, Northern blot, ELISA and hGM-CSF dependent cell line TF-1. RESULTS: hGM-CSF cDNA was integrated into HFCL genome successfully, hGM-CSF mRNA was transcripted and hGM-CSF protein was expressed of (56.9 +/- 0.7) ng/10(6) cells by ELISA and (6.56 +/- 0.16) x 10(3) U/10(6) cells per day by TF-1 cell assay in the supernatant. CONCLUSION: The recombinant vector is proved to be stably expressed in HFCL cells and the biological activity of hGM-CSF was detectable in the supernatant of the transfected cells.