The complete plastome sequence of Heuchera micrantha Douglas ex Lindl. (Saxifragaceae), an ornamental plant.

The perennial herb Heuchera micrantha (Saxifragaceae) is a popular ornamental plant. However, the plastome sequence of H. micrantha has not been reported yet. Here, we assembled the complete plastome of H. micrantha using Illumina high-throughput pair-end sequencing. The plastome is a circular DNA molecule of 155,469 bp, comprising a pair of inverted repeat (IR, 25,654 bp) regions, a small single copy (SSC, 18,050 bp) region, and a large single copy (LSC, 86,111 bp) region. It encodes 129 genes, of which 84 are protein-coding genes, 37 are transfer RNAs, and eight are rRNAs. The total GC content is 37.8%. Phylogenetic analysis shows that H. micrantha, together with three other Heuchera species is clustered with Tiarella cordifolia. This complete plastome is beneficial for future genetic research on the Heuchera group.

Gender-related difference in altered fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations after electroacupuncture on primary insomnia patients: A resting-state fMRI study.

BACKGROUND: Primary insomnia (PI) is defined as a sleep disorder with no definite cause or inducement. Electroacupuncture, a treatment of inserting needles into specific points on the body surface and applying electrical stimulation, has been proved effective in treating PI with minimal adverse effects. However, the influence of gender difference on the clinical treatment efficacy of electroacupuncture for PI patients remains unclear. Therefore, we designed a clinical trial to compare the clinical treatment efficacy of electroacupuncture for PI patients with different genders. The research on the mechanism of electroacupuncture suggested it could modulate the sleep and wakefulness by activating or deactivating brain regions via a needling/tactile somatosensory specific stimulus. Therefore, we also designed a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) study to detect the spontaneous brain activity of PI patients before and after the electroacupuncture treatment. METHOD: Thirty PI patients were recruited to accept 5-week electroacupuncture treatment on HT-7. Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) questionnaires were used to evaluate the clinical treatment efficacy. Rs-fMRI was employed to observe the spontaneous brain activity in the resting state at the baseline and after 5 weeks of electroacupuncture treatment, which was measured by the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF). RESULT: The AIS and PSQI scores were significantly decreased both in the female PI group and the male PI group after treatment. The decreased PSQI of female patients was significantly more than that of male patients (p < .05). The gender-related difference in the cerebral response to electroacupuncture was mainly in posterior cingulate and supramarginal gyrus. CONCLUSION: There is a gender-related difference in the clinical treatment efficacy of electroacupuncture for PI patients, and female patients may benefit more from electroacupuncture. Gender-related differences in the cerebral response to electroacupuncture may be one of the factors affecting clinical treatment efficacy.

Safety Precautions for the Corona Mortis using Minimally Invasive Ilioinguinal Approach in Treatment of Anterior Pelvic Ring Fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety of the corona mortis of the minimally invasive plate insertion in treatment of the anterior pelvic ring fracture by studying the relationship between the vessel and the position of plate. METHOD: The corona mortis was dissected out of eight adult cadavers and were simulated for the insertion of the anterior ring minimally invasive plate, and the presence of the anastomotic branch (the corona mortis) in the suprapubic branch area was observed. After the Corona mortis stripped off, the data was measured, such as the length, vessel diameter, distance from the pubic tubercle, and the maximum vertical distance between the corona mortis and the pubis. The measured data and the previous literatures were analyzed to study the morphology of the corona mortis and the position relation between the corona mortis and the placement of subperiosteal tunnel through the minimally invasive ilioinguinal approach. RESULTS: Out of the 16 unilateral pelvises, the corona mortis were observed on 12 unilateral pelvises with an incidence rate of 75%. Amongst them, there were seven cases of vein anastomosis (incidence of 43.75%), three cases of arterial anastomosis (incidence of 18.75%), and two cases of both arterial anastomosis and vein anastomosis (incidence of 12.5%). The corona mortis length ranged between 24.5 and 37.5 mm (average of 30.7 ± 3.6 mm); the diameter ranged between 1.6 and 3.5 mm (average of 2.5 ± 0.5 mm) and the distance between the vessels and the pubic tubercle was between 53.9 and 65.2 mm (average of 59.0 ± 3.6 mm). Above the pubis, the corona mortis originated from the iliac or the inferior epigastric vessel. It crossed the pubic branch to the dorsal side of the pubis and proceeded downward to anastomize with the obturator vessels near the obturator. Toothless tweezers were used to peel and lift up the corona mortis from the pubic bone. The maximum vertical distance between the corona mortis and the pubis ranged between 8.8 and 18.3 mm (average of 12.6 ± 3.0 mm). CONCLUSION: The corona mortis have a high rate of incidence, with a large number of differences in the type and shape of blood vessels among patients. Following peeling, the movement between the corona mortis and pubic bone is limited. Nevertheless, the plate and bone exfoliator still passed safely. Therefore, when surgeons use the minimally invasive ilioinguinal approach to establish channels, the process of subperiosteal stripping must be performed to avoid any accidental injury.

Evaluation of the age-related and gender-related differences in patients with primary insomnia by fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

Insomnia patients with different gender and age usually had different sleep experience. Primary insomnia (PI) has been considered to be a disorder of hyper-arousal in the physiologic, emotional, or cognitive network. Although the hyper-arousal brain regions can be shown by comparing the brain activity of PI patients with normal people at rest, whether the brain activity of PI patients varied according to age and gender and whether age and gender could affect the distribution of hyper-arousal brain regions are still worthy of further exploration. Hence, a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging study (No. NCT02448602) was designed to observe the brain activity of thirty PI patients and 15 healthy controls (HCs). The brain activity in resting state was measured by calculating the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), which reflected the idiopathic activity level of neurons. Multiple regression was performed to investigate the age and gender-related differences of brain activity in PI patients (P < .001, Family Wise Error (FWE) correct P = .05, cluster size >50) with age and gender as covariates. The hyper-arousal brain regions were measured by comparing the fALFF of PI patients and HCs. Multiple regression (P < .001, FWE correct P = .05, cluster size >50) was also performed for PI patients and HCs with group, age, and gender as covariates.The results suggested that the gender-related difference of brain activity mainly existed in superior temporal gyrus, cerebellum posterior lobe, middle frontal gyrus, and the age-related difference mainly existed in cerebellum anterior lobe, superior temporal gyrus, brainstem, parahippocampa gyrus, anterior cingulate, cingulate gyrus. In addition, the altered fALFF regions between PI and HCs mainly existed in superior temporal gyrus, posterior cingulate, anterior cingulate, cingulate gyrus, middle frontal gyrus. Furthermore, the gender factor could not influence the distribution of the altered regions. While the age factor could affect the distribution of the altered regions.

Jejunal cavernous lymphangioma manifested as gastrointestinal bleeding with hypogammaglobulinemia in adult: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Lymphangioma is a benign lesion that rarely involves the gastrointestinal tract, especially in adults. Small bowel lymphangioma is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Here, we report a case of an adult diagnosed with jejunal lymphangioma presenting with melena, anemia and hypogammaglobulinemia. We also summarize and analyze all 23 reported cases from 1961 to 2019, and propose an algorithm for identification and management of small bowel lymphangioma. CASE SUMMARY: A case of a 29-year-old woman presented with persistent melena and iron-deficiency anemia, accompanied by hypogammaglobulinemia. No lesions were found in the initial workup with esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy and computed tomography (CT) enterography. Ultimately, capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy revealed a 3 cm × 2 cm primary lesion with intensive white lymphatic dilatatory changes and visible fresh blood stains, accompanied by a small satellite lesion. The patient underwent complete surgical resection of these lesions, and histopathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of cavernous lymphangioma of the jejunum. The patient showed no evidence of disease at the time of this report. CONCLUSION: We recommend CT, capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy to identify the lesions of lymphangioma. Laparoscopic surgery with histological diagnosis is an ideal curative method.

Autologous Vascularization: A Method to Enhance the Antibacterial Adhesion Properties of ePTFE.

BACKGROUND: Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), an ideal bioimplant material, is commonly used in surgical repair to treat soft tissue defects and deformities. However, the main disadvantage of ePTFE is that its distinctive porous ultrastructure is prone to bacterial adhesion that gives rise to infection and chronic inflammation, resulting in functional failure. Herein, a potentially promising approach to ePTFE autologous vascularization (AV-ePTFE) in vivo was established and developed to enhance the material's antibacterial properties. METHODS: Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and visual observation were performed to validate the intensity of the inflammatory response and related histological changes in surgical wounds after AV-ePTFE implantation. In addition, the antibacterial activities of AV-ePTFE were assessed by an in vitro bacterial adhesion assay and scanning electron microscope observation. RESULTS: The optimal time point of AV-ePTFE was 12 weeks after implantation. AV-ePTFE relieved inflammation based on an inflammation grading evaluation and expedited wound healing. Furthermore, AV-ePTFE effectively reduced the number of bacterial adhesions, inhibited bacterial biofilm formation, and prevented the occurrence of infection. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that autologous vascularization is an effective method to improve the antibacterial adhesion properties and biocompatibility of ePTFE after implantation and that it may have a significant effect on clinical application of future porous biomaterials.

Matched-pair analysis of survival in the patients with T3 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with supracricoid partial laryngectomy or total laryngectomy.

BACKGROUND: The survival outcomes between supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) and total laryngectomy (TL) were compared in the groups of matched-pair patients with T3 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). METHODS: Patients with T3 LSCC were matched based on prognostic factors. The Kaplan-Meier curve and the Cox proportional hazards model were used for analysis on survival. RESULTS: A total of 212 patients with T3 LSCC were included after matching (106 underwent SCPL and 106 underwent TL). Multivariable analysis showed no differences in overall survival (hazard risk [HR]=1.15; 95% CI: 0.79-1.67; P=0.47), disease-specific survival (HR=1.11; 95% CI: 0.69-1.80; P=0.66), and recurrence-free survival (HR=1.07; 95% CI: 0.68-1.68; P=0.77) between the SCPL group and TL group. CONCLUSION: SCPL provides reliable therapeutic outcomes and can be used to avoid a TL surgery in some patients with advanced primary laryngeal cancer.

Failure of tocilizumab in treating two patients with refractory SAPHO syndrome: a case report.

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome is a rare autoinflammatory disease with no standard treatment. Interleukin (IL)-6 inhibitors represent a novel therapeutic option for rheumatoid arthritis and some autoinflammatory diseases. However, the clinical utility of IL-6 inhibitors in treating SAPHO syndrome has been poorly investigated. In the present report, we describe two patients with SAPHO syndrome that was unresponsive to conventional treatment. Tocilizumab, an anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, was putatively administered according to positive IL-6 immunohistochemical staining in biopsied bone tissues. However, the disease continued to progress, and new-onset or worsening skin lesions were noted with transient neutropenia. These cases demonstrate that tocilizumab may not be an ideal option for treating SAPHO syndrome.

Hormone receptors analysis in Chinese patients with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a relatively rare skin tumor. Clinical observations indicated that DFSP has a more aggressive behavior during pregnancy, which suggest there might be a hormonal influence on this tumor. We evaluated the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in DFSP patients. METHODS: In our present case series, patients with histopathological-confirmed DFSP at a single institution were identified. The clinical, pathological, and immunohistochemical data were gathered for each patient. Expression of ER and PR were determined on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections using immunohistochemistry. Some objective clinical and pathological indicators were then selected to compare between ER and PR status. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity revealed none of these tumors stained positively for ER, while eight tumors (28.6%) stained positively for PR. There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of tumor location between the PR-positive/negative groups. CONCLUSIONS: This finding suggests that progesterone may have potential effects in growth of DFSPs. Further studies are needed to fully address this question.

[Correlations of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging Parameters with the Pathological Differentiation of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Their Diagnostic Efficiencies].

Objective To evaluate the correlation of the positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MR) parameters with the pathological differentiation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC) and the diagnostic efficiencies of PET/MR parameters. Methods Patients with clinical suspicion of HNSCC were included and underwent PET/MR scan. HNSCC was pathologically confirmed in all these patients. The PET/MR examination included PET and MR sequences of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and T2-and T1-weighted imaging. The multiple parameters of PET/MR included the mean values of apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCmean) and the maximum and mean values of standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVmean) were measured and estimated. The correlations of all the parameters and distribution between the different tumor differentiation groups were analyzed. Logistic regression was utilized to build the model as the PET/MR combined parameter for predicting the differentiation by multiple parameters of PET/MR. The receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated for each parameter and the combination. Results Totally 23 patients were included in this study:9 patients (9 males and 0 female) had well-differentiated tumor,with an average age of (61.0±6.8)years;14 cases had moderately-differentiated (n=10) or poorly-differentiated tumors (n=4),with an average age of (62.0±9.1) years. All the patients were males. There was statistical correlation between SUVmean and SUVmax (P<0.001);however,ADCmean showed no statistical correlation with SUVmax and with SUVmean (P=0.42,P=0.13). ADCmean and SUVmean showed significant difference between well-differentiated group and moderately-poorly-differentiated group (P=0.005,P=0.007). Compared with the individual parameters,the combination of PET/MR parameters with SUVmean and ADCmean had higher efficacy in predicting tumor differentiation,with an area under curve of 0.84. Conclusions The distributions of ADCmean,SUVmax and SUVmean differ among HNSCC with different pathological differentiation. Compared with the individual parameters,the combination of the PET/MR parameters has higher efficiency in predicting tumor differentiation.

Biofunctionalization of silicone rubber with microgroove-patterned surface and carbon-ion implantation to enhance biocompatibility and reduce capsule formation.

PURPOSE: Silicone rubber implants have been widely used to repair soft tissue defects and deformities. However, poor biocompatibility can elicit capsule formation, usually resulting in prosthesis contracture and displacement in long-term usage. To overcome this problem, this study investigated the properties of silicone rubber materials with or without a microgroove-patterned surface and with or without carbon (C)-ion implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and a water contact angle test were used to characterize surface morphology and physicochemical properties. Cytocompatibility was investigated by a cell adhesion experiment, immunofluorescence staining, a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and scanning electron microscopy in vitro. Histocompatibility was evaluated by studying the inflammatory response and fiber capsule formation that developed after subcutaneous implantation in rats for 7 days, 15 days, and 30 days in vivo. RESULTS: Parallel microgrooves were found on the surfaces of patterned silicone rubber (P-SR) and patterned C-ion-implanted silicone rubber (PC-SR). Irregular larger peaks and deeper valleys were present on the surface of silicone rubber implanted with C ions (C-SR). The silicone rubber surfaces with microgroove patterns had stable physical and chemical properties and exhibited moderate hydrophobicity. PC-SR exhibited moderately increased dermal fibroblast cell adhesion and growth, and its surface microstructure promoted orderly cell growth. Histocompatibility experiments on animals showed that both the anti-inflammatory and antifibrosis properties of PC-SR were slightly better than those of the other materials, and there was also a lower capsular contracture rate and less collagen deposition around implants made from PC-SR. CONCLUSION: Although the surface chemical properties, dermal fibroblast cell growth, and cell adhesion were not changed by microgroove pattern modification, a more orderly cell arrangement was obtained, leading to enhanced biocompatibility and reduced capsule formation. Thus, this approach to the modification of silicone rubber, in combination with C-ion implantation, should be considered for further investigation and application.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of insecticide trunk injections for control of Latoia lepida (Cramer) in the sweet olive tree Osmanthus fragrans.

The screening of suitable insecticides is a key factor in successfully applying trunk injection technology to ornamental plants. In this study, six chemical pesticides were selected and injected into the trunks of Osmanthus fragrans to control the nettle caterpillar, Latoia lepida (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae), using a no-pressure injection system. The absorption rate of the insecticides, the leaf loss due to insect damage, and the mortality and frass amount of L. lepida larvae were evaluated after 77 and 429 days. The results showed that 4% imidacloprid + carbosulfan and 21% abamectin + imidacloprid + omethoate had the fastest conductivity and were completely absorbed into the trunkswithin14 days; however, the efficiencies of these insecticides in controlling L. lepidawere extremely low. Additionally, the treatment 10% emamectin benzoate + clothianidin and 2.5% emamectin benzoate was almost completely absorbed within 30 days and exhibited a longer duration of insecticide efficiency (>80% mortality) in the upper and lower leaves of the canopy. Treatment with these insecticides also resulted in significantly lower leaf loss and frass amounts. We conclude that emamectin benzoate and emamectin benzoate + clothianidin have a rapid uptake into O. fragrans, and are effective as insecticides over long durations. Hence, they may be a suitable control option for L. lepida in O. fragrans plants.

Complications from Nasolabial Fold Injection of Calcium Hydroxylapatite for Facial Soft-Tissue Augmentation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite its increasing usage of facial applications, there is a paucity of objective data regarding calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA). OBJECTIVES: To systematically evaluate the complications from CaHA injection for facial soft tissue augmentation. METHODS: Published studies on CaHA injection for facial soft tissue enhancement were identified through searches of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Controlled Trial databases. Only randomized, controlled trials comparing CaHA injection to either placebo or an active comparator for facial cosmetic use were included. The outcome measures were the count (n) and frequency (%) of each complication, including edema (swelling), erythema (redness), ecchymosis (bruising), pain, pruritus (itching), hematomas, nodules, and extrusions. RESULTS: Four studies on nasolabial fold (NLF) injection of CaHA consisting of two subgroups were included: (i) a CaHA-lidocaine vs CaHA subgroup and (ii) a CaHA vs hyaluronic acid (HA) subgroup. The addition of lidocaine to CaHA therapy displayed no significant effect on edema (RR (95% CI): 1.07 (0.94-1.21), P = .311), erythema (RR (95% CI): 0.91 (0.66-1.24), P = .544), ecchymosis (RR (95% CI): 1.04 (0.71-1.52), P = .843), pain (RR (95% CI): 0.88 (0.58-1.33), P = .553), or pruritus (RR (95% CI): 0.82 (0.45-1.50), P = .515). There was no significant difference between CaHA vs HA for hematomas (RR (95% CI): 0.24 (0.01-4.31), P = .332) or nodules (RR (95% CI): 0.18 (0.01-6.62), P = .353). There was no significant publication bias detected in either subgroup (Begg's test P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the addition of lidocaine to NLF injection of CaHA and suggest an equivalence between CaHA and HA with respect to hematoma and nodule formation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2: Risk.

Carbon Ion Implantation: A Good Method to Enhance the Biocompatibility of Silicone Rubber.

BACKGROUND: Silicone rubber and silicone rubber-based materials have been used as medical tissue implants in the field of plastic surgery for many years, but there are still some reports of adverse reactions to long-term implants. Earlier studies have shown that ion implantation could enhance the biocompatibility of biomaterials. However, whether ion implantation has a good effect on silicone rubber is unknown. METHODS: Three types of carbon ion silicone rubber were obtained by implanting three doses of carbon ions. Then, the antibacterial adhesion properties and the in vivo host responses were evaluated. The antibacterial adhesion properties were examined by plate colony counting, fluorescence staining, and scanning electron microscopic observation. The host responses were evaluated by surveying inflammation and fiber capsule formation that developed after subcutaneous implantation in Sprague-Dawley rats for 7, 30, 90, and 180 days. In addition, the possible mechanism by which ion implantation enhanced the biocompatibility of the biomaterial was investigated and discussed. RESULTS: Carbon ion silicone rubber exhibits less bacterial adhesion, less collagen deposition, and thinner and weaker tissue capsules. Immunohistochemical staining results for CD4, tumor necrosis factor-α, α-smooth muscle actin, and elastin showed the possible mechanism enhancing the biocompatibility of silicone rubber. These data indicate that carbon ion silicone rubber exhibits good antibacterial adhesion properties and triggers thinner and weaker tissue capsules. In addition, high surface roughness and high zeta potential may be the main factors that induce the unique biocompatibility of carbon ion silicone rubber. CONCLUSION: Ion implantation should be considered for further investigation and application, and carbon ion silicone rubber could be a better biomaterial to decrease silicone rubber-initiated complications.

Effect of microtubule-associated protein-4 on epidermal cell migration under different oxygen concentrations.

After skin trauma, regional epidermal cell migration mediates the re-epithelialization of the wound surface, which is an important step for wound healing, yet the underlying molecular regulatory mechanism is unclear. In the current study, HaCaT cells were maintained under different oxygen concentrations (1%, 21%, 40% and 65%). Technologies including immunofluorescence staining, wound scratch, transwell invasion, western blot and low-expression lentiviral vector were utilized to observe the changes in microtubule dynamics and the microtubule-associated protein (MAP)4 expression. MAP4's effect on cell migration under different oxygen concentrations was also studied. The results showed that under hyperoxic (40% and 65%) and hypoxic (1%) conditions, HaCaT cells were able to regulate cell microtubule dynamics by MAP4, thus promoting cell migration. On the other hand, MAP4 silencing through targeted shRNA attenuated HaCaT cell migration under the above oxygen concentrations. These results imply that MAP4 plays an important role in epidermal cell migration under different oxygen concentrations.

Requirement of Gαi1/3-Gab1 signaling complex for keratinocyte growth factor-induced PI3K-AKT-mTORC1 activation.

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), also termed as fibroblast growth factor-7, promotes proliferation, migration, and adhesion of skin keratinocytes via binding to keratinocyte growth factor receptor (KGFR) and subsequent activation of downstream signaling including the PI3K-AKT-mTORC1 pathway. Here, we found that the α-subunits of the G proteins (Gαi1/3) and growth factor receptor binding 2-associated binding protein 1 (Gab1) are required for this activation process. With KGF stimulation, Gαi1/3 formed a complex with KGFR and was required for subsequent Gab1 recruitment, phosphorylation, and following PI3K-p85 activation. In addition, Gαi1/3 short hairpin RNA knockdown largely inhibited KGF-induced cell proliferation, migration, and the accumulation of cyclin D1/fibronectin in cultured skin keratinocytes. Furthermore, we observed increased expression of Gαi1/3 in wounded human skin and keloid skin tissues, suggesting the possible involvement of Gαi1/3 in wound healing and keloid formation. Overall, we suggest that Gαi1/3 proteins lie downstream of KGFR, but upstream of Gab1-mediated activation of PI3K-AKT-mTORC1 signaling, thus revealing a role for Gαi proteins in mediating KGFR signaling, cell migration, and possible wound healing.

Hydroxyapatite-coated sillicone rubber enhanced cell adhesion and it may be through the interaction of EF1ß and γ-actin.

Silicone rubber (SR) is a common soft tissue filler material used in plastic surgery. However, it presents a poor surface for cellular adhesion and suffers from poor biocompatibility. In contrast, hydroxyapatite (HA), a prominent component of animal bone and teeth, can promote improved cell compatibility, but HA is an unsuitable filler material because of the brittleness in mechanism. In this study, using a simple and economical method, two sizes of HA was applied to coat on SR to counteract the poor biocompatibility of SR. Surface and mechanical properties of SR and HA/SRs confirmed that coating with HA changes the surface topology and material properties. Analysis of cell proliferation and adhesion as well as measurement of the expression levels of adhesion related molecules indicated that HA-coated SR significantly increased cell compatibility. Furthermore, mass spectrometry proved that the biocompatibility improvement may be related to elongation factor 1-beta (EF1ß)/γ-actin adjusted cytoskeletal rearrangement.

Osteopontin (OPN) is an important protein to mediate improvements in the biocompatibility of C ion-implanted silicone rubber.

Medical device implants are drawing increasing amounts of interest from modern medical practitioners. However, this attention is not evenly spread across all such devices; most of these implantable devices can cause adverse reactions such as inflammation, fibrosis, thrombosis, and infection. In this work, the biocompatibility of silicone rubber (SR) was improved through carbon (C) ion implantation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed that these newly generated carbon-implanted silicone rubbers (C-SRs) had large, irregular peaks and deep valleys on their surfaces. The water contact angle of the SR surface decreased significantly after C ion implantation. C ion implantation also changed the surface charge distribution, silicone oxygen rate, and chemical-element distribution of SR to favor cell attachment. The dermal fibroblasts cultured on the surface C-SR grew faster and showed more typical fibroblastic shapes. The expression levels of major adhesion proteins, including talin-1, zyxin, and vinculin, were significantly higher in dermal fibroblasts cultured on C-SR coated plates than in dermal fibroblasts cultured on SR. Those same dermal fibroblasts on C-SRs showed more pronounced adhesion and migration abilities. Osteopontin (OPN), a critical extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, was up-regulated and secreted from dermal fibroblasts cultured on C-SR. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity was also increased. These cells were highly mobile and were able to adhere to surfaces, but these abilities were inhibited by the monoclonal antibody against OPN, or by shRNA-mediated MMP-9 knockdown. Together, these results suggest that C ion implantation significantly improves SR biocompatibility, and that OPN is important to promote cell adhesion to the C-SR surface.