Data in support of the bone analysis of NOD-SCID mice treated with zoledronic acid and prednisolone.

This paper reports data on the bone, specifically the tibia and mandible, of nonobese diabetic mice with severe combined immunodeficiency disease (NOD-SCID mice) treated with zoledronic acid (ZA) and prednisolone (PSL). The data described here are related to the research article titled "Zoledronic acid basically increases circulating soluble RANKL level in mice, and in glucocorticoid-administrated mice, more increases lymphocytes derived sRANKL by bacterial endotoxic stimuli" [1]. The present data and the NOD-SCID mice experiments described contain insights into the role of bone-remodeling factors induced by ZA treatment.

Zoledronic acid increases the circulating soluble RANKL level in mice, with a further increase in lymphocyte-derived soluble RANKL in zoledronic acid- and glucocorticoid-treated mice stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide.

The nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (BP) zoledronic acid (ZA) is a potent antiresorptive drug used in conjunction with standard cancer therapy to treat osteolysis or hypercalcemia due to malignancy. However, it is unclear how ZA influences the circulating levels of bone remodeling factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ZA on the serum levels of soluble receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (sRANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG).

Surface free energy predominates in cell adhesion to hydroxyapatite through wettability.

The initial adhesion of cells to biomaterials is critical in the regulation of subsequent cell behaviors. The purpose of this study was to investigate a mechanism through which the surface wettability of biomaterials can be improved and determine the effects of biomaterial surface characteristics on cellular behaviors. We investigated the surface characteristics of various types of hydroxyapatite after sintering in different atmospheres and examined the effects of various surface characteristics on cell adhesion to study cell-biomaterial interactions.

DNA methyltransferase inhibitor zebularine induces human cholangiocarcinoma cell death through alteration of DNA methylation status.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a cancer arising from the neoplastic transformation of cholangiocytes. During tumorigenesis, tumor suppressor and cancer-related genes are commonly silenced by aberrant DNA methylation in their promoter regions. Zebularine (1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-one) acts as an inhibitor of DNA methylation and exhibits chemical stability and minimal cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo.

Wettability and surface free energy of polarised ceramic biomaterials.

The surface modification of ceramic biomaterials used for medical devices is expected to improve osteoconductivity through control of the interfaces between the materials and living tissues. Polarisation treatment induced surface charges on hydroxyapatite, β-tricalcium phosphate, carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite and yttria-stabilized zirconia regardless of the differences in the carrier ions participating in the polarisation. Characterization of the surfaces revealed that the wettability of the polarised ceramic biomaterials was improved through the increase in the surface free energies compared with conventional ceramic surfaces.

Functional role of acetylcholine and the expression of cholinergic receptors and components in osteoblasts.

Recent studies have indicated that acetylcholine (ACh) plays a vital role in various tissues, while the role of ACh in bone metabolism remains unclear. Here we demonstrated that ACh induced cell proliferation and reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity via nicotinic (nAChRs) and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in osteoblasts. We detected mRNA expression of several nAChRs and mAChRs.

Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing sialadenitis: report of two cases and review of the literature.

A new concept of IgG4-related disease characterized by a high serum IgG4 level and tissue infiltration of IgG4-positive plasmacytes that can involve salivary glands has been proposed. In this article, 2 patients with IgG4-related sclerosing sialadenitis involving the submandibular glands are reported. One patient presented with bilateral and painless swelling of the submandibular glands.