descSPIM: an affordable and easy-to-build light-sheet microscope optimized for tissue clearing techniques.

Despite widespread adoption of tissue clearing techniques in recent years, poor access to suitable light-sheet fluorescence microscopes remains a major obstacle for biomedical end-users. Here, we present descSPIM (desktop-equipped SPIM for cleared specimens), a low-cost ($20,000-50,000), low-expertise (one-day installation by a non-expert), yet practical do-it-yourself light-sheet microscope as a solution for this bottleneck. Even the most fundamental configuration of descSPIM enables multi-color imaging of whole mouse brains and a cancer cell line-derived xenograft tumor mass for the visualization of neurocircuitry, assessment of drug distribution, and pathological examination by false-colored hematoxylin and eosin staining in a three-dimensional manner.

A multi-factorial analysis of bone morphology and fracture strength of rat femur in response to ovariectomy.

Background: Postmenopausal osteoporosis develops due to a deficiency of estrogen that causes a decrease in bone mass and changes in the macro- and micro-architectural structure of the bone, leading to the loss of mechanical strength and an increased risk of fracture. Although the assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) has been widely used as a gold standard for diagnostic screening of bone fracture risks, it accounts for only a part of the variation in bone fragility; thus, it is necessary to consider other determinants of bone strength. Therefore, we aimed to comprehensively evaluate the architectural changes of the bone that influence bone fracture strength, together with the different sensitivities of cortical and trabecular bone in response to ovariectomy (OVX).

Extracellular matrix with defective collagen cross-linking affects the differentiation of bone cells.

Fibrillar type I collagen, the predominant organic component in bone, is stabilized by lysyl oxidase (LOX)-initiated covalent intermolecular cross-linking, an important determinant of bone quality. However, the impact of collagen cross-linking on the activity of bone cells and subsequent tissue remodeling is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of collagen cross-linking on bone cellular activities employing a loss-of-function approach, using a potent LOX inhibitor, β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN).

Prolonged Survival of Transplanted Osteoblastic Cells Does Not Directly Accelerate the Healing of Calvarial Bone Defects.

Considering the increased interest in cell-based bone regeneration, it is necessary to reveal the fate of transplanted cells and their substantive roles in bone regeneration. The aim of this study was to analyze the fate of transplanted cells and the effect of osteogenic cell transplantation on calvarial bone defect healing. An anti-apoptotic protein, heat shock protein (HSP) 27, was overexpressed in osteoblasts.

Correlation Between Stress Distributions and Biological Reactions in Bone Surrounding Implants That Support Cantilevers in Supraocclusal Contact in Rats.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between stress distributions and peri-implant bone reactions around maxillary implants that support cantilevers in supraocclusal contact.

Materials And Methods: After molar extraction, 16 Wistar rats received a titanium implant unilaterally. After healing, 8 rats (control group) were killed and the others received implant-supported cantilever superstructures in supraocclusion (loaded group).

Mechanical Loading Stimulates Expression of Collagen Cross-Linking Associated Enzymes in Periodontal Ligament.

Type I collagen, a major extracellular component of the periodontal ligament (PDL), is post-translationally modified by a series of specific enzymes. Among the collagen-modifying enzymes, lysyl oxidase (LOX) is essential to initiate collagen cross-linking and lysyl hydroxylases (LHs) to regulate the cross-linking pathways that are important for tissue specific mechanical properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of mechanical loading on the expression of collagen-modifying enzymes and subsequent tissue changes in PDL.

Osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization ability of periosteum-derived cells compared with bone marrow and calvaria-derived cells.

Purpose: Clinically, bone marrow stromal cells (BMCs) are the most common source of osteoprogenitor cells. Its harvest process, however, is invasive to patients. Previous reports have shown the potential advantages of using periosteum-derived cells (PDCs) as a source of cell-based transplant therapy.