Stromal cell-derived factor-1 regulates the secretion of interleukin-1ß in the temporomandibular joint of rats with synovial inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Synovitis is characterized by the infiltration of inflammatory cells and often accompanies the pathological progression of the clinical symptoms affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), such as pain, snapping, and limited mouth opening. It has been suggested that the signal transduction pathway and resultant proinflammatory mediators play important roles in the pathogenesis of synovitis. Therefore, in this present research, we aimed to investigate the changes in the expressions of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and interleukin (IL)-1ß in rats with occlusal interference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We divided 36 male Wistar rats into the following groups: Group A (control group), Group B (occlusal interference group), and Group C (AMD3100 group). Synovial inflammation was induced in the rats in Groups B and C to establish the occlusal interference model. The inflammatory changes were detected, and the expressions of SDF-1 and IL-1ß in the synovium were assayed via immunostaining and a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: In Group B, obvious inflammatory changes were observed in the synovial membranes; additionally, the SDF-1 and IL-1ß expression levels were significantly higher at the protein and mRNA levels. However, in Group C, these experimental results were inhibited by an injection with AMD3100. CONCLUSION: These results may indicate that SDF-1 regulates the expression level of inflammatory factors, such as IL-1ß, in the synovial membranes of rats with occlusal interference. Our findings suggest that the SDF-1 axis may contribute to the onset of synovitis during the development of TMJ joint disease.

Effective separation of water-DMSO through solvent resistant membrane distillation (SR-MD).

The treatment of organic waste or wastewater with high organic solvent content has been challenging in industries as it cannot be done effectively using conventional wastewater treatment technologies such as biodegradation and advanced oxidation process. Solvent resistant membrane distillation (SR-MD) was proposed as an energy-efficient alternative to treat these waste streams but its application is hampered by the lack of solvent-resistant membranes, and there is a research gap in studying the feeds with water-solvent mixtures. In this work, ceramic tubular membranes with different pore sizes and structures were molecularly grafted with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane to obtain hydrophobic ceramic membranes for SR-MD. The modified membranes exhibited excellent hydrophobicity and solvent resistant properties, and they were tested for SR-MD performance with a wide range of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) feed concentrations, from 3.5 to 85 wt%. The membranes exhibited a high DMSO rejection of >98% and the separation factor of >170, with permeation flux >4.4 kg m-2 h-1 when the DMSO concentration in feed was below 65 wt%. The separation performance was found strongly dependent on the evaporation step and the vapour-liquid equilibrium near the interface. The DMSO rejection was also comparable to pervaporation while the permeation flux was much higher at the feed concentration of 50 wt%. This study establishes the strategy of using SR-MD as a promising membrane process in treating complex industrial wastes with high organic solvent content.

Effects of Titanium Nano-Foveolae Surfaces on Human Gingival Fibroblasts.

A proper soft tissue seal between implants and gingiva is critical for success of dental implants. Implant surface modification is an important approach for achieving ideal host-implant integration. In this study, we used a new and simple oxidation method to generate a rough surface on implants at the nano scale, which oxidized titanium nano-foveolae (TiNF) surface. We further analyzed the surface topography and tested its effects on biological activities of human gingival fibroblasts. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination demonstrated that TiNF disks displayed uniform rough surfaces, with average TiNF diameters of approximately 60 nm and 100 nm respectively. However, the surfaces of smooth samples were highly irregular, and cell adhesion and proliferation rates on TiNF surfaces were significantly higher than those of the smooth surfaces. Extracellular matrix synthesis was also increased in the cells that interacted with oxidized TiNF surfaces. Altogether, these results suggest that the TiNF implant surfaces perform better for human gingival fibroblast biological activities compared to traditional smooth surfaces. Therefore, the TiNF implant surfaces may serve as ideal interface to facilitate implant-host integration.

AS1411 aptamer modified carbon dots via polyethylenimine-assisted strategy for efficient targeted cancer cell imaging.

OBJECTIVES: Carbon dots (CDs), as a fascinating class of fluorescent carbon nanomaterials, have been proven to be powerful tools in the field of bioimaging and biosensing due to their small size, suitable photostability and favourable biocompatibility. However, the cellular uptake of free CDs lacks selectivity and the same negative charges as cell membranes may cause inefficient cell internalization. In this study, an efficient detecting and targeting nanosystem was developed based on the DNA aptamer AS1411 modified CDs with polyethyleneimine (PEI) as connecting bridge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hydrothermally prepared CDs were assembled with positive-charged PEI, followed by conjugation with AS1411 through electrostatic interaction to form CDs-PEI-AS1411 nanocomplexes. The CDs, CDs-PEI and CDs-PEI-AS1411 were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, UV-vis spectra, zeta potential measurements and capillary electrophoresis characterizations. The cytotoxicity investigation of the CDs-PEI-AS1411 and CDs-PEI in both MCF-7 and L929 cells was carried out by the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake of the CDs-PEI-AS1411 was studied with confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The as-prepared nanosystem possessed good photostability and no obvious cytotoxicity. On the basis of the confocal laser scanning microscope observation and the flow cytometry studies, the cellular uptake of CDs-PEI-AS1411 nanosystem in MCF-7 cells was significantly higher than that of L929 cells, which revealed the highly selective detection ability of nucleolin-positive cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that the CDs-PEI-AS1411 nanosystem had a potential value in cancer cell targeted imaging.

The trophic effect of ciliary neurotrophic factor on injured masseter muscle in rat.

OBJECTIVES: Occlusal trauma is one of the most common forms of oral biting dysfunction. Long-term occlusal trauma could weaken the stomatognathic system; especially damage one's masticatory muscle. Through using the rat model, this study investigated the trophic effect of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on injured masseter muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats (n=36) were randomly divided into five experimental groups and one control group (6 rats per group). Animals in the experimental group were cemented modified crowns on their mandibular first molars to artificially induce occlusal trauma in 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. Control group was sham-treated with forced mouth-opening for about 5 min, while no crowns were placed. After 28 days of treatment, all rats were euthanized and their masseter muscle was collected. Through immunofluorescence and real-time quantitative PCR, the expression of desmin, CNTF, and CNTFRα was investigated in rat masseter muscle. The microstructure of masseter muscle was observed by transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The expression of desmin showed a time-dependent decrease on traumatic and non-traumatic sides masseter, until reached the nadir at the 14(th) day, then restored to its normal level at the 28(th) day; however, the expression of CNTF and CNTFRα on the traumatic and non-traumatic sides increased from day 7, reached the peak at the 14(th) day, and returned to normal level on the 28(th) day. CONCLUSION: CNTF, as an important neurotrophic factor, was tightly associated to the restoring of rat injured masseter muscle, which provides new target and treatment method for clinical application.

[Maxillomandibular advancement for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore effectiveness of maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: MMA was performed in 10 OSAHS patients with mandibular dysplasia diagnosed by mandibular protrusion angle (SNB) < 75 degrees and a posterior airway space (PAS) < 11 mm. Six patients had uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) also. Six patients had over 6 months postoperative follow up. RESULTS: The blood loss was about 250-600 ml in the operation, and the serious complications didn't happen. The patients were satisfied with the postoperative facial change. Based on success criteria of 2009, of 5 patients showed highly responsive result and 1 patient was responsive (valid). rate was 83% and the responsive rate 100%. The snoring loudness score and Epworth sleepy score were reduced from preoperative 8 (6-10) and 15 (11-24) to postoperative 2 (0-4) and 5 (1-8). AHI was reduced from preoperative 52.2 (23.7-83.8) to postoperative 12.6 (7.6-31.8), lowest mean oxygen saturation increased from 0.64 (0.57-0.83) to 0.82 (0.78-0.93). Percentage of time with oxyhemoglobin saturation below 0.90 (CT90) reduced from 21.0% (12.0%-37.2%) to 2.0% (0%-8.0%). CONCLUSIONS: MMA is effective for the OSAHS patients with mandibular dysplasia.

[Effectiveness and related factors of Z-palatopharyngoplasty for treating obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and related factors of Z-palatopharyngoplasty for treating severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: Thirty four OSAHS patients with graded 1-3 tonsil, posterior airway space (PAS) > or = mm , Friedman II and III oropharyngeal airway were included in this study, all cases had Z-palatopharyngoplasty. The follow up was at least 6 months postoperatively. Measurement parameters of responders and nonresponders were analyzed. RESULTS: According to related criterion of China, cure rate was 35.3%, accumulative total excellence rate 64.7% and accumulative valid rate 70. 6%. The cured and excellence patients were considered as responders, the other as nonresponders. The lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO2), percentage of time with oxyhemoglobin saturation below 0.90 (CT90), mandibular plane angle (MPA), mandibular body length, position of tongue and Friedman clinical stage are statistically significant between responder and nonresponder. The best cut points of LSaO2, CT90 and MPA were 0.72, 22.80% and 29.40 degrees respectively. The logistic regression showed that Friedman stage and MPA entered into equation, which was Y = ln [P/(1-P)] = -122.85 + 31.57X1 + 1.01X2, if setting X1 as Friedman stage, and X2 as MPA. CONCLUSIONS: Z-palatopharyngoplasty is effective surgical approach for OSAHS patients with posterior airway space (PAS) > or = 11 mm. The affective factors of Z-palatopharyngoplasty included LSaO2, CT90, MPA, mandibular body length, position of tongue and Friedman clinical stage. Among them, the mandibular plane angle and Friedman clinical stage were predominant factors.