Gradient gyroid Ti6Al4V scaffolds with TiO surface modification: Promising approach for large bone defect repair.

Large bone defects, particularly those exceeding the critical size, present a clinical challenge due to the limited regenerative capacity of bone tissue. Traditional treatments like autografts and allografts are constrained by donor availability, immune rejection, and mechanical performance. This study aimed to develop an effective solution by designing gradient gyroid scaffolds with titania (TiO) surface modification for the repair of large segmental bone defects.

Metatranscriptomics Reveals the RNA Virome of Ixodes Persulcatus in the China-North Korea Border, 2017.

In recent years, numerous viruses have been identified from ticks, and some have been linked to clinical cases of emerging tick-borne diseases. Chinese northeast frontier is tick infested. However, there is a notable lack of systematic monitoring efforts to assess the viral composition in the area, leaving the ecological landscape of viruses carried by ticks not clear enough.

LPJZ-658 Improves Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis by Modulating Bile Acid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in Mice.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide; it is characterized by hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation, and progressive fibrosis. Here, a Western diet combined with low-dose weekly carbon tetrachloride was fed to C57BL/6J mice for 12 weeks to build a NASH model to investigate the attenuating effects and possible mechanisms of LPJZ-658. Hepatic pathology, lipid profiles, and gene expression were assessed.

Genome Sequence and Evaluation of Safety and Probiotic Potential of LPJZ-658.

This study aims to systematically evaluate the safety of a novel LPJZ-658 explored on whole-genome sequence analysis, safety, and probiotic properties assessment. Whole genome sequencing results demonstrated that LPJZ-658 consists of 3.26 Mbp with a GC content of 44.

Lignocellulosic-Based Nanoparticles with Photoluminescent Properties for Bioimaging.

Natural and renewable resources from plants or animals are an important source of biomaterials due to their biocompatibility and high availability. Lignin is a biopolymer present in the biomass of plants, where it is intertwined and cross-linked with other polymers and macromolecules in the cell walls, generating a lignocellulosic material with potential applications. We have prepared lignocellulosic-based nanoparticles with an average size of 156 nm that exhibit a high photoluminescence signal when excited at 500 nm with emission in the near-infrared (NIR) region at 800 nm.

Identification of key miRNAs in unilateral mastication-induced disruption of cartilage homeostasis.

Objective: The present study identified potentially pivotal miRNAs contributing to chondrogenic differentiation in temporomandibular joint suffering abnormal stress.

Materials And Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control and experimental unilateral mastication (EUM) group. Bone micro-structure parameters was detected by micro-CT, and FGF-1 and MMP-1 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry.

Icariin Has a Synergistic Effect on the Osteoinductivity of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 at Ectopic Sites.

Objective: Establishing biocompatible, biodegradable, osteoconductive, and osteoinductive bone materials remains a challenging subject in the research of bone healing and bone regeneration. Previously, we demonstrated the osteogenic and osteoconductive effects of biomimetic calcium phosphate (BioCaP) incorporating with Icariin and/or bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) at orthotopic sites.

Methods: By implanting the BioCaP granules incorporated Icariin and/or BMP-2 into the dorsal subcutaneous pockets of adult male Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats (6-7 weeks old), we investigated the osteoinductive efficacy of the samples.

Vertical bone augmentation with simultaneous implantation using deproteinized bovine bone block functionalized with a slow delivery of BMP-2.

Objective: We hypothesized that a biomimetic calcium phosphate (CaP) coating which incorporates morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) on the deproteinized bovine bone (DBB) blocks could be used to enhance the vertical alveolar ridge augmentation for the one-stage onlay surgery with simultaneous implants insertion. We aimed to test this hypothesis in vivo.

Material And Methods: Beagles dogs were used for the study (n = 6 specimens per group).

HMGB2 is associated with pressure loading in chondrocytes of temporomandibular joint: In vitro and in vivo study.

High mobility group protein B2 (HMGB2) is an important protein attributed to tissue function and homeostasis in osteoarthritis (OA), however, its roles in the temporomandibular joint with mechanical pressure are unclear. This study investigated the expression patterns of HMGB2 in chondrocytes of TMJ on OA-related cellular and animal models. The transcriptional level and protein expression of HMGB2 as well as Col- II, MMP-13 and β-catenin were examined in primary cultured chondrocytes from TMJs with hydrostatic pressures (HP).

Periodontal regeneration using bone morphogenetic protein 2 incorporated biomimetic calcium phosphate in conjunction with barrier membrane: A pre-clinical study in dogs.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) incorporated biomimetic calcium phosphate (BMP-2/BioCaP) in conjunction with barrier membrane on periodontal regeneration in chronic periodontitis experimental model.

Material And Methods: Chronic periodontitis experimental model with critical-sized supra-alveolar defects was created in 15 dogs' mandibles. After the initial periodontal therapy, the defects were randomly assigned to the following groups: (a) control; (b) barrier membrane; (c) deproteinized bovine bone mineral + barrier membrane; (d) BioCaP + barrier membrane and (e) BMP-2/BioCaP + barrier membrane (6 quadrants with 18 teeth per group).

Dose Effects of Slow-Released Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Functionalized β-Tricalcium Phosphate in Repairing Critical-Sized Bone Defects.

The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and the effect of the dosage of the slow-released -derived recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (ErhBMP-2) functionalized β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) in repairing critical-sized bone defects. The functionalization was implemented by modifying the surface of β-TCP with biomimetic calcium phosphate coating with or without ErhBMP-2. Critical-sized calvarial defects were created in rats and filled with ErhBMP-2 functionalized β-TCP loaded with gradient doses of ErhBMP-2 (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 μg/g).

Osteogenic Enhancement Between Icariin and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2: A Potential Osteogenic Compound for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Icariin, a typical flavonol glycoside, is the main active component of Herba Epimedii, which was used to cure bone-related diseases in China for centuries. It has been reported that Icariin can be delivered locally by biomaterials and it has an osteogenic potential for bone tissue engineering. Biomimetic calcium phosphate (BioCaP) bone substitute is a novel drug delivery carrier system.

Differential gene expression in the condylar cartilage of growing rabbits with temporomandibular joint anterior disk displacement-A transcriptomic study.

Internal derangement (ID) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) comprises a group of clinical problems with relatively high prevalence. However, the temporal changes in gene expression of condylar cartilage during continuous ID remain unclear. The aim of the current study is to investigate by microarray analysis, the differentially-expressed gene pattern in condylar cartilage of rabbits with ID from one to eight weeks of ID progression.

Hydrostatic Compress Force Enhances the Viability and Decreases the Apoptosis of Condylar Chondrocytes through Integrin-FAK-ERK/PI3K Pathway.

Reduced mechanical stimuli in many pathological cases, such as hemimastication and limited masticatory movements, can significantly affect the metabolic activity of mandibular condylar chondrocytes and the growth of mandibles. However, the molecular mechanisms for these phenomena remain unclear. In this study, we hypothesized that integrin-focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase)/PI3K (phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase) signaling pathway mediated the cellular response of condylar chondrocytes to mechanical loading.

Sero-epidemiologic study of influenza A(H7N9) infection among exposed populations, China 2013-2014.

Background: The first human infections of novel avian influenza A(H7N9) virus were identified in China in March 2013. Sentinel surveillance systems and contact tracing may not identify mild and asymptomatic human infections of influenza A(H7N9) virus.

Objectives: We assessed the seroprevalence of antibodies to influenza A(H7N9) virus in three populations during the early stages of the epidemic.

A practical community-based response strategy to interrupt Ebola transmission in sierra Leone, 2014-2015.

Background: The Ebola virus disease spread rapidly in West Africa in 2014, leading to the loss of thousands of lives. Community engagement was one of the key strategies to interrupt Ebola transmission, and practical community level measures needed to be explored in the field and tailored to the specific context of communities.

Methods: First, community-level education on Ebola virus disease (EVD) prevention was launched for the community's social mobilizers in six districts in Sierra Leone beginning in November 2014.

Rapid assessment of knowledge, attitudes, practices, and risk perception related to the prevention and control of Ebola virus disease in three communities of Sierra Leone.

Background: The recent outbreak of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Sierra Leone has been characterized by the World Health Organization as one of the most challenging EVD outbreaks to date. The first confirmed case in Sierra Leone was a young woman who was admitted to a government hospital in Kenema following a miscarriage on 24 May 2014. On 5 January 2015, intensified training for an EVD response project was initiated at the medical university of Sierra Leone in Jui.

Knowledge and attitudes about Ebola vaccine among the general population in Sierra Leone.

Background: Clinical trials of Ebola vaccine are ongoing. Before it becomes commercially available, understanding the Ebola vaccine-related knowledge and attitude of the general population is imperative to developing an effective vaccine coverage strategy.

Methods: We conducted a survey including 400 participants from general communities of the West Area Rural District, Sierra Leone.

The Features of Genetic Prion Diseases Based on Chinese Surveillance Program.

Objective: To identify the features of Chinese genetic prion diseases.

Methods: Suspected Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) cases that were reported under CJD surveillance were diagnosed and subtyped using the diagnostic criteria issued by the WHO. The general information concerning the patient, their clinical, MRI and EEG data, and the results of CSF 14-3-3 and PRNP sequencing were carefully collected from the database of the national CJD surveillance program and analyzed using the SPSS 11.

Transcriptomic study on the impact of temporomandibular joint internal derangement in the condylar cartilage of rabbits.

Internal derangement (ID) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) compromises a group of clinical problems, and holds a relative high prevalence in populations. However, the temporal genomic change in gene expression of condylar cartilage during continuous ID remains unclear. Here we reported the differentially expressed gene pattern in condylar cartilage of rabbits with ID from 1 to 8 weeks by microarray analysis.

Human influenza A(H7N9) virus infection associated with poultry farm, Northeastern China.

We report on a case of human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus in Jilin Province in northeastern China. This case was associated with a poultry farm rather than a live bird market, which may point to a new focus for public health surveillance and interventions in this evolving outbreak.