ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Quadriceps strength recovery after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is an important criterion for progress in rehabilitation and return to sports. The purpose of this study was to determine whether quadriceps strength to body weight ratio (QS/BW) is a significant indicator for initiating jogging after ACL reconstruction. METHODS: Isokinetic quadriceps strength at 60°/s was measured and a jogging trial was completed 3 months after ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft in 83 patients (36 male, 47 female; mean age, 26.6 ± 12.4 years). Based on the jogging trial results, patients were assigned to either a successful jogging group (mean velocity ≥ 9 km/h) or an unsuccessful jogging group (mean velocity < 9 km/h). The association between QS/BW and successful jogging after surgery was investigated by multivariate logistic regression analysis and the cut-off value was determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (53.0%) were assigned to the successful jogging group and 39 (47.0%) to the unsuccessful jogging group. QS/BW was independently associated with initiating jogging 3 months after surgery. The cut-off value of QS/BW for successful jogging was 1.45 Nm/kg (area under the curve = 0.94; sensitivity = 88.6%, specificity = 87.2%). All of the patients who initiated jogging with QS/BW of > 1.45 Nm/kg at 3 months returned to sports without recurrence or contralateral injury by 10 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: QS/BW is a significant indicator for safely initiating jogging 3 months after ACL reconstruction. The cut-off value of QS/BW for initiating jogging was 1.45 Nm/kg.
Subject(s)
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery , Body Weight/physiology , Jogging/physiology , Muscle Strength/physiology , Quadriceps Muscle/physiology , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Return to Sport , Young AdultABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We propose a new spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) formation method for low-energy regions of spot-scanning proton therapy in order to reduce the required number of energy layers while maintaining high dose uniformity, while maintaining the distal falloff as sharp as possible. METHODS: We use only one specially shaped mini-ridge filter (MRF) to create new trapezoidal Bragg curves (TBCs) from very sharp pristine Bragg curves (PBCs) of low-energy proton beams. The TBC has three pre-designed dose regions of proximal, flat-top, and distal components. These components are designed to have nearly equal depth lengths and good linearity. Then, the required SOBP is formed by superposing the TBCs with the correct spacing and beam intensity weights. We then compare the performance of the TBC-based SOBPs with those formed by PBCs. RESULTS: The dose uniformities of the SOBP formed by the proposed method are kept within the design tolerance, and are equivalent to those of conventional SOBPs. The sharpness of the distal falloff is reasonably kept by the deepest TBC. The required number of energy layers is significantly reduced compared with that of conventional PBC-based SOBP. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed method enables shortening of the irradiation time of spot-scanning proton beam therapy in low-energy regions with a reduced number of energy layers. It can be realized by using only one specially shaped MRF, which can be easily installed at any facility.
Subject(s)
Proton Therapy/methods , Monte Carlo Method , Radiotherapy DosageABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Donor age for intestinal transplantation (ITx) is somewhat younger than that for other solid organs. Clear criteria for adequate donors have not been established. There is a donor scarcity for ITx in Japan due to the shortage of young donors. METHODS: We reviewed outcomes associated with ITx in Japan based on donor age for cadaveric and living donation. RESULTS: Standardized report forms were sent to all known ITx programs, asking for information on ITxs performed between 1996 and 2016. All programs responded. Patient and graft survival estimates were obtained using the Kaplan-Meier method. Five institutions provided data on 27 grafts in 24 patients. There were 14 cadaveric and 13 living donor transplants. Median donor age for ITxs was 40 (range, 17-60) years. Graft survival at 5 years was 66% for patients >40 years old (n = 18) and 47% for those <40 years old (n = 9), not a statistically significant difference (P = .49). Graft survival at 5 years was 60% in those >50 years old (n = 5) and 57% for those <50 years old (n = 22), again not a significant difference (P = .27). CONCLUSION: There is no difference in survival between for those with donor age <40 vs >40 years. Donor age for ITx can be extended from >40 to up to 50 years, which may help to mitigate the donor shortage. It will be necessary to clarify the donor criteria for ITx through accumulation of further data on ITx.
Subject(s)
Age Factors , Donor Selection/statistics & numerical data , Intestines/transplantation , Tissue Donors/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Donor Selection/methods , Female , Graft Survival , Humans , Japan , Male , Middle Aged , Tissue Donors/supply & distribution , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
Intestinal transplantation (ITx) is a treatment for refractory intestinal failure (IF). However, the indications for and timing of ITx are still controversial because the course of IF is unknown. We performed a prospective multi-institutional cohort study to identify the prognostic factors for referral to an ITx facility. Patients under 18 years of age in Japan who suffered from IF and had received parenteral nutrition for longer than 6 months were enrolled in this study. They were followed up for 3 years. Seventy-two patients were followed. The mean age at the beginning of the study was 7.0 years. Diagnoses were short gut syndrome (n = 25), motility disorder (n = 45), and other (n = 2). The overall 3-year survival rate was 95%. The 3-year survival rate was 86% in patients with intestinal-failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) (n = 6) compared to 97% in those without IFALD (n = 66) (P = .0003). Furthermore, the 3-year survival rates of patients who did and did not meet the criteria for ITx were 82% (n = 11) and 97% (n = 62), respectively (P = .034). Six (44%) of 14 patients whose performance status (PS) was ≥3 at enrollment were dead or still had a PS ≥ 3 at 3 years. This study indicates that IFALD is a poor prognostic factor in pediatric patients with IF. Our indication for ITx, namely the presence of IFALD or loss of more than 2 parenteral nutrition access sites, seems to be applicable.
Subject(s)
Intestinal Diseases/mortality , Intestines/transplantation , Liver Failure/mortality , Patient Selection , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Intestinal Diseases/complications , Intestinal Diseases/surgery , Intestines/physiopathology , Japan , Liver Failure/etiology , Male , Parenteral Nutrition, Total/statistics & numerical data , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Referral and Consultation , Short Bowel Syndrome/complications , Short Bowel Syndrome/mortality , Short Bowel Syndrome/surgery , Survival RateABSTRACT
Porous asymmetric polyetherimide (PEI) hollow fiber membranes with various non-solvent additives, e.g. lithium chloride, methanol and phosphoric acid (PA) were prepared for CO2 absorption and stripping process in a membrane contractor. The PEI membranes were characterized via gas permeation, liquid entry pressure of water (LEPw), contact angle and field emission scanning electronic microscopy analysis. The CO2 absorption and stripping performance was evaluated via the membrane contactor system. Addition of non-solvent additives increased the LEPw and membrane porosity of the PEI membrane with the formation of various membrane microstructures and contact angles. Absorption test was performed at 40 °C showed that the PEI-PA membrane produced the highest absorption flux of 2.7 × 10-2 mol m-2 s-1 at 0.85 m s-1 of liquid velocity. Further testing on PEI-PA membrane was conducted on CO2 stripping at 60 °C, 70 °C to 80 °C and the results indicated that the stripping flux was lower compared to the absorption flux. Stripping tests at 80 °C produced the highest stripping flux which might due to the increase in equilibrium partial pressure of CO2 in the liquid absorbent. Modification of PEI membrane via incorporation of additive can enhanced the performance of a membrane contactor via increasing the absorption and stripping flux.
ABSTRACT
In this study, nanoporous titanate (NT) nanoparticle synthesized by the solvothermal method was used to modify polyamide layer of thin film composite membranes with the aim of improving membrane resistances against organic and inorganic fouling. Thin film nanocomposite membranes (NMs) were synthesized by adding mNTs (modified nanoparticles) into polyamide selective layer followed by characterization using different analytical instruments. The results of XPS and XRD confirmed the presence of mNTs in the polyamide layer of NMs, while FESEM, AFM, zeta potential and contact angle measurement further supported the changes in physical and chemical properties of the membrane surface upon mNTs incorporation. Results of fouling showed that NM1 (the membrane incorporated with 0.01w/v% mNTs) always demonstrated lower degree of flux decline compared to the control membrane when membranes were tested with organic, inorganic and multicomponent synthesized water, brackish water or seawater. Besides showing greater antifouling resistance, the NM also displayed significantly higher water flux compared to the control M membrane. The findings of this work confirmed the positive impact of mNTs in improving the properties of NM with respect to fouling mitigation and flux improvement.
Subject(s)
Membranes, Artificial , Nanocomposites/chemistry , Nylons/chemistry , Titanium/chemistry , PorosityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tissue engineering by using recombinant human (rh) growth factor technology may offer a promising therapeutic approach for treatment of gingival recession. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) has shown the ability to promote periodontal regeneration. Gelatin/beta-tricalcium phosphate (gelatin/ß-TCP) sponges have been developed to control the release of growth factors. The present study evaluated the periodontal regenerative efficacy of rhFGF-2 by comparing gelatin/ß-TCP sponges incorporated with rhFGF-2 to the scaffolds alone in artificially created recession-type defects in dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Critically sized buccal gingival recession defects were surgically created on maxillary canine teeth of five dogs. In each animal, defects were randomized to receive either a gelatin/ß-TCP sponge soaked with rhFGF-2 (gelatin/ß-TCP/rhFGF-2) or phosphate-buffered saline (gelatin/ß-TCP). Eight weeks after surgery, biopsy specimens were obtained and subjected to microcomputed tomography and histological analyses. RESULTS: Complete root coverage was achieved in both groups. Microcomputed tomography revealed significantly greater new bone volume in the gelatin/ß-TCP/rhFGF-2 group. Histologically, both groups achieved periodontal regeneration; however, gelatin/ß-TCP/rhFGF-2 sites exhibited more tissue regeneration, characterized by significantly larger amounts of new cementum and new bone. Gelatin/ß-TCP sites featured increased long junctional epithelium and connective tissue attachment. In the gelatin/ß-TCP/rhFGF-2 sites, new bone exhibited many haversian canals and circumferential lamellae as well as remarkably thick periosteum with blood vascularization and hypercellularity. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, rhFGF-2 in gelatin/ß-TCP sponges exhibits an increased potential to support periodontal wound healing/regeneration in canine recession-type defects.
Subject(s)
Calcium Phosphates/therapeutic use , Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/therapeutic use , Gelatin/therapeutic use , Gingival Recession/surgery , Gingival Recession/therapy , Recombinant Proteins/therapeutic use , Tissue Engineering/methods , Animals , Blood Vessels/diagnostic imaging , Blood Vessels/pathology , Bone Regeneration , Connective Tissue/pathology , Cuspid/diagnostic imaging , Cuspid/pathology , Dental Cementum/drug effects , Dental Cementum/pathology , Dogs , Epithelial Attachment/pathology , Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/genetics , Gingival Recession/pathology , Humans , Male , Models, Animal , Periodontal Ligament/diagnostic imaging , Periodontal Ligament/pathology , Radiography, Dental , Recombinant Proteins/genetics , Root Planing , Tissue Scaffolds , Tooth Apex/diagnostic imaging , Tooth Apex/pathology , Wound Healing , X-Ray MicrotomographyABSTRACT
In this research, novel ultrafiltration nanocomposite membranes were prepared by incorporating self-synthesized nanoporous titanium dioxide (NTiO2) nanoparticles into polysulfone. The surface of the nanoparticle was treated with a silane-based modifier to improve its distribution in the host polymer. Atomic-force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, porosity and contact angle tests were conducted to characterize the properties of the particles as well as the fabricated nanocomposite membranes. The effects of the nanoparticle incorporation were evaluated by conducting ultrafiltration experiments. It was reported that the membrane pure water flux was increased with increasing NTiO2 loading owing to the high porosity of the nanoparticles embedded and/or formation of enlarged pores upon addition of them. The antifouling capacity of the membranes was also tested by ultrafiltration of bovine serum albumin fouling solution. It was found that both water flux and antifouling capacity tended to reach desired level if the NTiO2 added was at optimized loading.
ABSTRACT
In the current study, the impact of self-synthesized nanoporous titanium oxide (NT) on the morphology, performance and fouling of a polyamide (PA) thin-film composite (TFC) membrane was investigated when the membrane was applied for engineering osmosis (EO). The nanoporous structure and the spindle-like shape of NT were revealed through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), while the AATPS modification of NT was verified by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The results of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the presence of modified NT (mNT) in the PA dense active layer of the TFC membrane. The outgrowth of the 'leaf-like' structure, upon mNT loading, at the surface of the PA layer was observed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The TFC membrane prepared with 0.05 wt% mNT loading in the organic phase showed the water flux of 26.4 l m(-2) h(-1) when tested in the forward osmosis (FO) mode using 0.5M and 10 mM NaCl solution as the draw and feed solution, respectively. Moreover, the TFC-mNT membrane also demonstrated an intensified antifouling property against organic foulant during FO application and it was possible to retrieve the initial water flux almost completely with a simple water-rinsing process.
ABSTRACT
Oxytocin (OXT)-containing neurosecretory cells in the parvocellular divisions of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which project to the medulla and spinal cord, are involved in various physiological functions, such as sensory modulation and autonomic processes. In the present study, we examined OXT expression in the hypothalamo-spinal pathway, as well as the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system, which includes the magnocellular neurosecretory cells in the PVN and the supraoptic nucleus (SON), after s.c. injection of saline or formalin into the hindpaws of transgenic rats that express the OXT and monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) fusion gene. (i) The numbers of OXT-mRFP1 neurones that expressed Fos-like immunoreactivity (-IR) and OXT-mRFP1 intensity were increased significantly in the magnocellular/parvocellular PVN and SON after s.c. injection of formalin. (ii) OXT-mRFP1 neurones in the anterior parvocellular PVN, which may project to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, were activated by s.c. injection of formalin, as indicated by a significant increases of Fos-IR and mRFP1 intensity intensity. (iii) Formalin injection caused a significant transient increase in plasma OXT. (iv) OXT, mRFP1 and corticotrophin-releasing hormone mRNAs in the PVN were significantly increased after s.c. injection of formalin. (v) An intrathecal injection of OXT-saporin induced hypersensitivity in conscious rats. Taken together, these results suggest that the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial/-spinal OXTergic pathways may be involved in acute nociceptive responses in rats.
Subject(s)
Hyperalgesia/chemically induced , Hyperalgesia/physiopathology , Hypothalamus/metabolism , Oxytocin/physiology , Pituitary Gland, Posterior/metabolism , Animals , Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/biosynthesis , Formaldehyde , Injections, Spinal , Luminescent Proteins/genetics , Male , Neurons/metabolism , Oxytocin/administration & dosage , Oxytocin/analogs & derivatives , Oxytocin/biosynthesis , Oxytocin/blood , Oxytocin/pharmacology , Pain Measurement , Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/metabolism , Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/physiology , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Transgenic , Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1/administration & dosage , Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1/pharmacology , Saporins , Supraoptic Nucleus/metabolism , Supraoptic Nucleus/physiology , Red Fluorescent ProteinABSTRACT
Peripheral anorectic hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1, cholecystokinin (CCK)-8 and leptin, suppress food intake. The newly-identified anorectic neuropeptide, nesfatin-1, is synthesised in both peripheral tissues and the central nervous system, particularly by various nuclei in the hypothalamus and brainstem. In the present study, we examined the effects of i.p. administration of GLP-1 and CCK-8 and co-administrations of GLP-1 and leptin at subthreshold doses as confirmed by measurement of food intake, on nesfatin-1-immunoreactive (-IR) neurones in the hypothalamus and brainstem of rats by Fos immunohistochemistry. Intraperitoneal administration of GLP-1 (100 µg/kg) caused significant increases in the number of nesfatin-1-IR neurones expressing Fos-immunoreactivity in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), the area postrema (AP) and the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) but not in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), the arcuate nucleus (ARC) or the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). On the other hand, i.p. administration of CCK-8 (50 µg/kg) resulted in marked increases in the number of nesfatin-1-IR neurones expressing Fos-immunoreactivity in the SON, PVN, AP and NTS but not in the ARC or LHA. No differences in the percentage of nesfatin-1-IR neurones expressing Fos-immunoreactivity in the nuclei of the hypothalamus and brainstem were observed between rats treated with saline, GLP-1 (33 µg/kg) or leptin. However, co-administration of GLP-1 (33 µg/kg) and leptin resulted in significant increases in the number of nesfatin-1-IR neurones expressing Fos-immunoreactivity in the AP and the NTS. Furthermore, decreased food intake induced by GLP-1, CCK-8 and leptin was attenuated significantly by pretreatment with i.c.v. administration of antisense nesfatin-1. These results indicate that nesfatin-1-expressing neurones in the brainstem may play an important role in sensing peripheral levels of GLP-1 and leptin in addition to CCK-8, and also suppress food intake in rats.
Subject(s)
Brain Stem/metabolism , Calcium-Binding Proteins/metabolism , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Feeding Behavior , Gastrointestinal Hormones/physiology , Hypothalamus/metabolism , Leptin/physiology , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Neurons/metabolism , Animals , Eating , Gastrointestinal Hormones/administration & dosage , Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/administration & dosage , Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/blood , Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/physiology , Injections, Intraperitoneal , Leptin/administration & dosage , Leptin/blood , Male , Nucleobindins , Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/metabolism , Rats, Wistar , Sincalide/administration & dosage , Sincalide/physiology , Supraoptic Nucleus/metabolismABSTRACT
Surface modifying macromolecules (SMMs) were synthesized with various polyurethane pre polymers end-capped with different groups and blended into the casting solution of cellulose acetate (CA) to prepare surface modified ultra-filtration (UF) membranes for water filtration applications. The surface modification of the CA membranes was confirmed by the FTIR and static contact angle (SCA) measurements. The membranes so prepared had the typical characteristics of UF membranes as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Membrane properties were studied in terms of membrane compaction, percentage water content (%WC), pure water flux (PWF), membrane hydraulic resistance (Rm), molecular weight cut-off (MWCO), average pore size and porosity. The result showed that PWF, %WC, MWCO and pore size increased whereas the Rm decreased by the addition of SMMs. The significant effect of SMMs on the fouling by humic acid (HA) was also observed. It was found that the cSMM-3 membrane, in which SMM was synthesized with diethylene glycol (DEG) and hydroxyl benzene sulfonate (HBS) was blended, had the highest flux recovery ratio FRR (84.6%), as well as the lowest irreversible fouling (15.4%), confirming their improved antifouling properties. Thus, the SMM modified CA membranes had proven, to play an important role in the water treatment by UF.
Subject(s)
Cellulose/analogs & derivatives , Humic Substances/analysis , Macromolecular Substances/isolation & purification , Membranes, Artificial , Proteins/isolation & purification , Ultrafiltration/methods , Biofouling , Cellulose/chemistry , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Molecular Weight , Porosity , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared , Water/chemistryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) regulates the proliferation and differentiation of osteogenic cells, resulting in the promotion of bone formation. Biodegradable gelatin sponges incorporating ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) have been reported as a scaffold, which has the ability to control growth factor release, offering sufficient mechanical strength and efficient migration of mesenchymal cells. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the combined use of recombinant human FGF-2 (rhFGF-2) and gelatin/ß-TCP sponge on ridge augmentation in dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six male beagle dogs were used in this study. Twelve wk after tooth extraction, bilateral 10 × 5 mm (width × depth) saddle-type defects were created 3 mm apart from the mesial side of the maxillary canine. At the experimental sites, the defects were filled with gelatin/ß-TCP sponge infiltrated with 0.3% rhFGF-2, whereas gelatin/ß-TCP sponge infiltrated with saline was applied to the control sites. Eight wk after surgery, qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. RESULTS: There were no signs of clinical inflammation at 8 wk after surgery. Histometric measurements revealed that new bone height at the experimental sites (2.98 ± 0.65 mm) was significantly greater than that at the control sites (1.56 ± 0.66 mm; p = 0.004). The total tissue height was greater at the experimental sites (6.62 ± 0.66 mm) than that at the control sites (5.95 ± 0.74 mm), although there was no statistical significant difference (p = 0.051). Cast model measurements revealed that the residual defect height at the experimental sites (2.31 ± 0.50 mm) was significantly smaller than that at the control sites (3.51 ± 0.78 mm; p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: The combined use of rhFGF-2 and gelatin/ß-TCP sponge promotes ridge augmentation in canine saddle-type bone defects.
Subject(s)
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/therapeutic use , Animals , Bone Regeneration , Calcium Phosphates , Dogs , Gelatin , Humans , Male , OsteogenesisABSTRACT
Nuclear accumulation of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is an important step in TG2-dependent cell death. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for nuclear translocation of TG2 are still poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that acyclic retinoid (ACR) induced nuclear accumulation of TG2 in JHH-7 cells, a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) leading to their apoptosis. We further demonstrated molecular mechanism in nuclear-cytoplasmic trafficking of TG2 and an effect of ACR on it. We identified a novel 14-amino acid nuclear localization signal (NLS) (466)AEKEETGMAMRIRV(479) in the 'C' domain and a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) (657)LHMGLHKL(664) in the 'D' domain that allowed TG2 to shuttle between the nuclear and cytosolic milieu. Increased nuclear import of GAPDH myc-HIS fused with the identified NLS was observed, confirming its nuclear import ability. Leptomycin B, an inhibitor of exportin-1 as well as point mutation of all leucine residues to glutamine residues in the NES of TG2 demolished its nuclear export. TG2 formed a trimeric complex with importin-α and importin-ß independently from transamidase activity which strongly suggested the involvement of a NLS-based translocation of TG2 to the nucleus. ACR accelerated the formation of the trimeric complex and that may be at least in part responsible for enhanced nuclear localization of TG2 in HCC cells treated with ACR.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/enzymology , GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Liver Neoplasms/enzymology , Transglutaminases/metabolism , Tretinoin/analogs & derivatives , Amino Acid Sequence , Apoptosis/drug effects , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Nucleus/drug effects , Cell Nucleus/enzymology , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/physiology , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Molecular Sequence Data , Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2 , Tretinoin/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Oxytocin (OXT) is a well-known neurohypophysial hormone that is synthesised in the paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON) of the hypothalamus. The projection of magnocellular neurosecretory cells, which synthesise OXT and arginine vasopressin in the PVN and SON, to the posterior pituitary plays an essential role in mammalian labour and lactation through its peripheral action. However, previous studies have shown that parvocellular OXTergic cells in the PVN, which project to the medulla and spinal cord, are involved in various physiological functions (e.g. sensory modulation and autonomic). In the present study, we examined OXT expression in the PVN, SON and spinal cord after chronic inflammation from adjuvant arthritis (AA). We used transgenic rats that express OXT and the monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) fusion gene to visualise both the magnocellular and parvocellular OXTergic pathways. OXT-mRFP1 fluorescence intensity was significantly increased in the PVN, SON, dorsal horn of the spinal cord and posterior pituitary in AA rats. The levels of OXT-mRFP1 mRNA were significantly increased in the PVN and SON of AA rats. These results suggested that OXT was up-regulated in both hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory cells and parvocellular cells by chronic inflammation, and also that OXT in the PVN-spinal pathway may be involved in sensory modulation. OXT-mRFP1 transgenic rats are a very useful model for visualising the OXTergic pathways from vesicles in a single cell to terminals in in vitro preparations.
Subject(s)
Arthritis/metabolism , Inflammation/metabolism , Oxytocin/metabolism , Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/metabolism , Signal Transduction/physiology , Spinal Cord/metabolism , Supraoptic Nucleus/metabolism , Animals , Chronic Disease , Disease Models, Animal , Luminescent Agents , Luminescent Proteins/genetics , Male , Oxytocin/genetics , Rats , Rats, Transgenic , Rats, Wistar , Red Fluorescent ProteinABSTRACT
This review focuses on the development of polyamide (PA) thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes for various aqueous media-based separation processes such as nanofiltration, reverse osmosis and forward osmosis since the concept of TFN was introduced in year 2007. Although the total number of published TFN articles falls far short of the articles of the well-known thin film composite (TFC) membranes, its growth rate is significant, particularly since 2012. Generally, by incorporating an appropriate amount of nanofiller into a thin selective PA layer of a composite membrane, one could produce TFN membranes with enhanced separation characteristics as compared to the conventional TFC membrane. For certain cases, the resulting TFN membranes demonstrate not only excellent antifouling resistance and/or greater antibacterial effect, but also possibly overcome the trade-off effect between water permeability and solute selectivity. Furthermore, this review attempts to give the readers insights into the difficulties of incorporating inorganic nanomaterials into the organic PA layer whose thickness usually falls in a range of several-hundred nanometers. It is also intended to show new possible approaches to overcome these challenges in TFN membrane fabrication.
Subject(s)
Membranes, Artificial , Nanocomposites/chemistry , Nylons/chemistry , Water Purification/methods , Filtration/instrumentation , Filtration/methods , Microscopy, Electron , Nanocomposites/ultrastructure , Osmosis , Particle Size , Permeability , Reproducibility of Results , Water Purification/instrumentationABSTRACT
A persistent olecranon physis is relatively rare; a fracture through the persistent olecranon physis in an adult is particularly rare. Little is known about the pathology of this disease. We report a case of a 36-year-old man presenting with right elbow pain after he had slipped and hit his elbow, with a history of a persistent symptomatic olecranon physis when he was a junior high school baseball player. He had been diagnosed with a fracture through a persistent olecranon physis by another doctor. Ten weeks after the injury, an iliac autograft was inserted and internal fixation was achieved with Kirschner wires and a figure-of-eight tension band in our hospital. Histologically, a fracture passed through the persistent physis cartilage and degeneration of the remnant of the physis was observed. The remnant of the physis at the olecranon side had not been replaced by new bone, though the physis at the distal ulnar was nearly replaced by new bone. The patient returned to work without experiencing pain or limitation in the range of motion 6 months after the operation. Radiographic evidence of bone union was seen after removal of internal fixation at the 13-month follow-up.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tissue regeneration is affected by the porosity, chemical properties and geometric structure of graft materials. Regeneration of severe periodontal defects, such as one-wall intrabony defects, is difficult because of reduced tissue support, and bone grafts are commonly used in such cases. In the present study, a tunnel-structured ß-tricalcium phosphate (tunnel ß-TCP) graft material designed to stimulate bone formation was fabricated. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of this graft material on periodontal regeneration in one-wall intrabony defects in dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six male beagle dogs were used in this study. First, the mandibular second and third incisors were extracted. Experimental surgery was performed 12 wk after tooth extraction. Bilateral 4 × 8 mm (width × depth) one-wall intrabony defects were created in the mesial side of the mandibular canines. At the experimental sites, the defects were filled with tunnel ß-TCP, whereas the control defects were left empty. Twelve weeks after surgery, qualitative and quantitative histological analyses were performed. RESULTS: There were no signs of clinical inflammation 12 wk after surgery. Coronal extension indicative of new bone formation was higher at the experimental sites than at the control sites, although the differences between both the sites in the newly formed cementum and connective tissue attachment were not significant. Newly formed periodontal ligament and cementum-like tissue were evident along the root surface at the experimental sites. The inner surface of the tunnels was partially resorbed and replaced with new bone. New blood vessels were observed inside the lumens of tunnel ß-TCP. CONCLUSION: Tunnel ß-TCP serves as a scaffold for new bone formation in one-wall intrabony defects.
Subject(s)
Alveolar Bone Loss/surgery , Bone Regeneration/physiology , Bone Substitutes/therapeutic use , Calcium Phosphates/therapeutic use , Tissue Scaffolds , Alveolar Bone Loss/pathology , Animals , Bone Substitutes/chemistry , Calcium Phosphates/chemistry , Cementogenesis/physiology , Collagen , Connective Tissue/pathology , Connective Tissue/physiopathology , Cuspid/pathology , Dogs , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Male , Mandibular Diseases/pathology , Mandibular Diseases/surgery , Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology , Osteogenesis/physiology , Periodontal Ligament/pathology , Periodontal Ligament/physiopathology , Pilot Projects , Time Factors , Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry , X-Ray Microtomography/methodsABSTRACT
The charged surface modifying macromolecule (cSMM) was blended into the casting solution of poly(ether imide) (PEI) to prepare surface modified ultrafiltration membranes by phase inversion technique. The separation of proteins including bovine serum albumin, egg albumin, pepsin and trypsin was investigated by the fabricated membranes. On increasing cSMM content, solute rejection decreases whereas membrane flux increases. The pore size and surface porosity of the 5 wt% cSMM blend PEI membranes increases to 41.4 Å and 14.8%, respectively. Similarly, the molecular weight cut-off of the membranes ranged from 20 to 45 kDa, depending on the various compositions of the prepared membranes. The toxic heavy metal ions Cu(II), Cr(III), Zn(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions were subjected to rejection by the prepared blended membrane with various concentration of polyethyleneimine (PETIM) as water soluble polymeric ligand. It was found that the rejection behavior of metal ion depends on the PETIM concentration and the stability complexation of metal ion with ligand.