Microfabrication of Cell-Laden Hydrogels for Engineering Mineralized and Load Bearing Tissues.

Microengineering technologies and advanced biomaterials have extensive applications in the field of regenerative medicine. In this chapter, we review the integration of microfabrication techniques and hydrogel-based biomaterials in the field of dental, bone, and cartilage tissue engineering. We primarily discuss the major features that make hydrogels attractive candidates to mimic extracellular matrix (ECM), and we consider the benefits of three-dimensional (3D) culture systems for tissue engineering applications.

Hypofractionated radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer: outcomes, toxicities, and cost analysis.

A French prospective randomized trial comparing whole breast radiotherapy with 45 Gy in 25 fractions versus 23 Gy in four fractions demonstrated equivalent 5-year local control and survival. On the basis of this data, we offer the hypofractionated regimen to women who refuse to undergo standard radiotherapy. We report our outcomes and a cost analysis.

Chemoradiation therapy versus chemotherapy alone for gastric cancer after R0 surgical resection: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Objective: Current national guidelines include category 1 recommendations for perioperative chemotherapy or adjuvant chemoradiation with surgical resection for patients with stage IB-IIIB gastric cancer. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized trials in which chemotherapy was prospectively tested against chemoradiation with surgical resection.

Methods: We electronically searched PubMed and EMBASE for randomized, controlled clinical trials involving patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, status post-R0 resection.

The antimicrobial activity of the appetite peptide hormone ghrelin.

The present study examined the antimicrobial activity of the peptide ghrelin. Both major forms of ghrelin, acylated ghrelin (AG) and desacylated ghrelin (DAG), demonstrated the same degree of bactericidal activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.

Muscarinic type 3 receptor induces cytoprotective signaling in salivary gland cells through epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation.

Muscarinic type 3 receptor (M3R) plays a pivotal role in the induction of glandular fluid secretions. Although M3R is often the target of autoantibodies in Sjögren's syndrome (SjS), chemical agonists for M3R are clinically used to stimulate saliva secretion in patients with SjS. Aside from its activity in promoting glandular fluid secretion, however, it is unclear whether activation of M3R is related to other biological events in SjS.

Sulforaphane mobilizes cellular defenses that protect skin against damage by UV radiation.

UV radiation (UVR) is a complete carcinogen that elicits a constellation of pathological events, including direct DNA damage, generation of reactive oxidants that peroxidize lipids and damage other cellular components, initiation of inflammation, and suppression of the immune response. Recent dramatic increases in the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers are largely attributable to higher exposure of an aging population to UVR. Therefore, the development of cellular strategies for intrinsic protection of the skin against the deleterious effects of UVR is imperative.