Upregulation of miR-132 attenuates osteoblast differentiation of UC-MSCs.

OBJECTIVE: Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway plays a role in upregulating expression of osteoblast (OB) specific transcriptional factor Osterix and promoting OB differentiation. It was shown that the elevation of the miR-132 level was associated with sclerotizing inhibition. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the complementary binding site between miR-132 and 3'-UTR of ß-catenin. This study investigated the influence of miR-214 in regulating ß-catenin expression and differentiation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) into OB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: UC-MSCs were induced to differentiate to OB. The expressions of miR-132, ß-catenin, Osterix, and ALP, together with ALP activity were detected on day 0, 5, 10, and 15. The regulatory relationship between miR-132 and ß-catenin was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. UC-MSCs were divided into five groups, including agomir-control, miR-132 agomir, pGPH1-NC, pGPH1-ß-catenin, and miR-132 agomir + pGPH1-ß-catenin groups. ß-catenin, Osterix, and ALP expressions, together with ALP activity were tested after induction for 15 days. RESULTS: MiR-132 was downregulated, while ß-catenin Osterix and ALP expressions, together with ALP activity were enhanced in the process of UC-MSCs differentiating into OBs. MiR-132 agomir and/or pGPH1-ß-catenin transfection significantly reduced ß-catenin expression, downregulated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway activity, declined Osterix level, weakened ALP expression and activity, and attenuated OB differentiation of UC-MSCs. CONCLUSIONS: The level of ß-catenin was enhanced, while the miR-132 level was decreased in the process of UC-MSCs differentiating into OBs. Upregulation of miR-132 inhibited the differentiation of UC-MSCs through suppressing ß-catenin expression, attenuating Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway activity, and downregulating Osterix level.

Efficacy of thermal treatment and copper-silver ionization for controlling Legionella pneumophila in high-volume hot water plumbing systems in hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Thermal treatment and copper-silver ionization are often used for controlling Legionella pneumophila in high-volume hospital plumbing systems, although the comparative efficacies of these measures in high-volume systems are unknown. METHODS: Thermal treatment of a hot water circuit was accomplished by flushing hot water (> 60 degrees C) through distal fixtures for 10 minutes. Copper-silver ionization was conducted in three circuits by installing units into return lines immediately upstream from hot water tanks. Recovery rates of L. pneumophila were monitored by culturing swab samples from faucets. Concentrations of copper and silver in water samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Four heat-flush treatments failed to provide long-term control of L. pneumophila. In contrast, ionization treatment reduced the rate of recovery of L. pneumophila from 108 faucets from 72% to 2% within 1 month and maintained effective control for at least 22 months. Only three samples (1.9%) of hot water from faucets exceeded Environmental Protection Agency standards for silver, and none exceeded the standards for copper. Of 24 samples obtained from hot water tanks, 42% and 50% exceeded the silver and copper standards, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Copper-silver ionization effectively controls L. pneumophila in high-volume plumbing systems and is superior to thermal treatment; however, high concentrations of copper and silver can accumulate at the bottom of hot water tanks.

[Optimization of mobile phase composition for RP-HPLC separation and determination of long acting steroidal contraceptives].

The optimization of the reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic separation of six steroids of long acting contraceptives is described. A procedure is used to determine the design space, calculate the coefficients of a seven-term special cubic equation, and modify the model using the optimum experiment. Assisted with the computer, an optimum area could be predicted by overlapping the minimum resolution map with the analysis time map. It is likely that the method described in this paper will provide the basis or the simultaneous optimization of both separation and analysis time and prove to be a useful tool for the optimization of RP-HPLC of known compounds. We firstly utilized the time programming function to improve the detection sensitivities of estrogenic compounds. This method is successfully applied to the analysis of compound megestrol acetate injection and compound hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection. The method is sufficiently simple and rapid yet sensitive and accurate enough for the quality assurance of these types of pharmaceuticals.