Alginate Improves the Chondrogenic Capacity of 3D PCL Scaffolds In Vitro: A Histological Approach.

Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds have demonstrated an effectiveness in articular cartilage regeneration due to their biomechanical properties. On the other hand, alginate hydrogels generate a 3D environment with great chondrogenic potential. Our aim is to generate a mixed PCL/alginate scaffold that combines the chondrogenic properties of the two biomaterials.

Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Differentiate into Cementoid-Like-Secreting Cells on Decellularized Teeth Scaffolds.

Periodontitis is a common inflammatory disease that in some cases can cause tooth loss. Cementum is a mineralized tissue that forms part of the insertion periodontium and serves to fix the teeth to the alveolar bone. In addition, it acts as a reservoir of different growth and differentiation factors, which regulate the biology of the teeth.

In Vitro Effect of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol on Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Isolated from Lung Cancer.

There is evidence that demonstrates the effect of cannabinoid agonists inhibiting relevant aspects in lung cancer, such as proliferation or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Most of these studies are based on evidence observed in in vitro models developed on cancer cell lines. These studies do not consider the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME).

BMP-2 Enhances Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived and Dental Pulp Stem Cells in 2D and 3D Models.

Bone tissue provides support and protection to different organs and tissues. Aging and different diseases can cause a decrease in the rate of bone regeneration or incomplete healing; thus, tissue-engineered substitutes can be an acceptable alternative to traditional therapies. In the present work, we have developed an osteogenic differentiation model based on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), to first analyse the influence of the culture media and the origin of the cells on the efficiency of this process and secondly to extrapolate it to a 3D environment to evaluate its possible application in bone regeneration therapies.

Influence of the Use of a Collagen Membrane Placed on the Bone Window after Sinus Floor Augmentation-An Experimental Study in Rabbits.

Background: We studied the influence on healing of a resorbable membrane covering the osteotomy site after maxillary sinus grafting, evaluated in different regions of the augmented area.

Methods: Maxillary sinus augmentation was performed in 24 New Zealand rabbits. Osteotomy, 4 × 6 mm, were performed bilaterally.

Chondrogenic Potential of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Cultured as Microtissues.

Several tissue engineering stem cell-based procedures improve hyaline cartilage repair. In this work, the chondrogenic potential of dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) organoids or microtissues was studied. After several weeks of culture in proliferation or chondrogenic differentiation media, synthesis of aggrecan and type II and I collagen was immunodetected, and SOX9, ACAN, COL2A1, and COL1A1 gene expression was analysed by real-time RT-PCR.

Alginate-Agarose Hydrogels Improve the In Vitro Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells in Chondrocytes. A Histological Study.

Matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) has shown promising results for cartilage repair, combining cultured chondrocytes and hydrogels, including alginate. The ability of chondrocytes for MACI is limited by different factors including donor site morbidity, dedifferentiation, limited lifespan or poor proliferation in vitro. Mesenchymal stem cells could represent an alternative for cartilage regeneration.

Design and experimental validation of a magnetic device for stem cell culture.

Cell culture of bone and tendon tissues requires mechanical stimulation of the cells in order to mimic their physiological state. In the present work, a device has been conceived and developed to generate a controlled magnetic field with a homogeneous gradient in the working space. The design requirement was to maximize the magnetic flux gradient, assuring a minimum magnetizing value in a 15 mm × 15 mm working area, which highly increases the normal operating range of this sort of devices.

Histological study of human periodontal tissue following biologically oriented preparation technique (BOPT).

Background: The aim of this study was to conduct histological analysis of a human tooth resected with the periodontal insertion apparatus intact following treatment using biologically oriented preparation technique (BOPT).

Material And Methods: This descriptive histological dento-periodontal study used an anterior tooth extracted with the surrounding periodontal tissues intact, following prosthetic restoration with BOPT. The sample patient was recruited from among those attending the Department of Dental Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia (Spain).

Sequential healing of the elevated sinus floor with different size of antrostomy: a histomorphometric study in rabbits.

Purpose: To study the influence of the access window dimensions on the healing at the antrostomy and within the augmented maxillary sinus.

Material And Methods: A maxillary sinus augmentation was performed in twenty-four albino New Zealand rabbits. Antrostomies of 3 × 6 mm (small) or 5 × 6 mm (large) in dimensions were randomly prepared in each animal.

Influence of the use of autogenous bone particles to close the access window after maxillary sinus floor augmentation: an experimental study in rabbits.

Aim: To study the influence on the healing of the placement of particulate autogenous bone in the antrostomy and in the subjacent region after maxillary sinus elevation.

Material And Methods: Sixteen New Zealand rabbits were undergone to bilateral maxillary sinus floor augmentation with 4 × 4 mm antrostomy dimension. The sinus mucosa was elevated, and the space obtained was filled with xenograft.

Cannabinoid receptor expression in non-small cell lung cancer. Effectiveness of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol inhibiting cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vitro.

Background/objective: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) develop resistance to antitumor agents by mechanisms that involve the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This necessitates the development of new complementary drugs, e.g.

Effects of Ultraviolet Photoactivation on Osseointegration of Commercial Pure Titanium Dental Implant After 8 Weeks in a Rabbit Model.

This study investigated whether a 6-Watt ultraviolet C-lamp was capable of producing photofunctionalization on commercial implants during a medium observation term of 8 weeks. A total of 20 implants were inserted in 5 New Zealand rabbits, with each animal receiving 2 implants per tibia (one photofunctionalized and one untreated), according to a previously established randomization sequence. All implants were inserted by a single surgeon following the manufacturer's instructions.

Dentin tubule orientation determines odontoblastic differentiation in vitro: A morphological study.

Odontoblasts are post-mitotic cells responsible for maintenance of the dentin, and are therefore important for dental health. In some cases, irreversible pulpitis leads to necrosis and consequently death of odontoblasts. Regenerative endodontics (RE) uses the concept of tissue engineering to restore the root canals to a healthy state, allowing for continued development of the root and surrounding tissue.

Bone-Healing Pattern on the Surface of Titanium Implants at Cortical and Marrow Compartments in Two Topographic Sites: an Experimental Study in Rabbits.

This study evaluates the bone-healing patterns on the surface of titanium implants at the cortical and marrow compartments of bicortically-installed implants in the diaphysis and metaphysis of rabbit tibiae. In 27 New Zealand rabbits, two implants, one for each macro-design and with equal resorbable blasted media (RBM) implant surfaces, were randomly implanted in the diaphysis or metaphysis of each tibia. The flaps were sutured to allow submerged healing.

Effect of Rotary Instrument Mineral Oil Lubricant on Osseointegration: A Randomized, Blinded Study in Rabbits.

The mechanisms of early failures in dental implant osseointegration are unclear. A possible cause of low levels of bone formation is lubricant contamination on implants during insertion. To explore the impact of lubricant contamination on dental implants, we used 5 New Zealand rabbits and inserted 2 implants per tibia in each animal for a total of 4 implants per animal (20 implants in total).

Articular Cartilage Regeneration Using Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Cultured in an Alginate Scaffold: A Preliminary Study.

Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory disease in which all joint-related elements, articular cartilage in particular, are affected. The poor regeneration capacity of this tissue together with the lack of pharmacological treatment has led to the development of regenerative medicine methodologies including microfracture and autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). The effectiveness of ACI has been shown and , but the use of other cell types, including bone marrow and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, is necessary because of the poor proliferation rate of isolated articular chondrocytes.

Reduced penetrance of autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia in a high percentage of families: importance of genetic testing in the entire family.

Background: Autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemias (ADHs) are characterised by increased plasma levels of total and LDL cholesterol, predisposing to premature atherosclerosis. ADHs comprise several diseases with undistinguishable phenotype, caused by mutations in different genes: LDLR, APOB and PCSK9. Genetic studies are usually performed in patients with altered cholesterol levels.

Birth weight and characteristics of endothelial and smooth muscle cell cultures from human umbilical cord vessels.

Background: Low birth weight has been related to an increased risk for developing high blood pressure in adult life. The molecular and cellular analysis of umbilical cord artery and vein may provide information about the early vascular characteristics of an individual. We have assessed several phenotype characteristics of the four vascular cell types derived from human umbilical cords of newborns with different birth weight.

Procedure to consistently obtain endothelial and smooth muscle cell cultures from umbilical cord vessels.

The prenatal history of an individual can be responsible to some extent for the occurrence of several diseases later in life. Thus, low birth weight has been related to an increased risk of developing hypertension or type 2 diabetes. The molecular and cellular basis of this increased risk could be found in body fluids and cell types that can be obtained just after birth.

A single point mutation in the low-density lipoprotein receptor switches the degradation of its mature protein from the proteasome to the lysosome.

Pathogenic mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor prevent cholesterol uptake and cause familial hypercholesterolemia. In comparison to the biogenesis and endocytic trafficking of this receptor and some of its mutants, their degradation mechanisms are not well understood. Therefore, to gain some insights into this aspect, we analyzed the effects of proteasomal and lysosomal inhibitors on the levels of the wild type low-density lipoprotein receptor and a mutant form, C358Y, which was prevalent in a sample of Spanish familial hypercholesterolemia patients.

Changes in the proteolytic activities of proteasomes and lysosomes in human fibroblasts produced by serum withdrawal, amino-acid deprivation and confluent conditions.

The contribution of the main proteolytic pathways to the degradation of long-lived proteins in human fibroblasts grown under different conditions was investigated. The effects of various commonly used pharmacological inhibitors of protein degradation were first analysed in detail. By choosing specific inhibitors of lysosomes and proteasomes, it was observed that together both pathways accounted for 80% or more of the degradation of cell proteins.