Synergistic enhancement of spinal fusion in preclinical models using low-dose rhBMP-2 and stromal vascular fraction in an injectable hydrogel composite.

Spinal fusion surgery remains a significant challenge due to limitations in current bone graft materials, particularly in terms of bioactivity, integration, and safety. This study presents an innovative approach using an injectable hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate (HA/β-TCP) hydrogel combined with stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and low-dose recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) to enhance osteodifferentiation and angiogenesis. Through a series of in vitro studies and preclinical models involving rats and minipigs, we demonstrated that the hydrogel system enables the sustained release of rhBMP-2, resulting in significantly improved bone density and integration, alongside reduced inflammatory responses.

Multi-modulation of immune-inflammatory response using bioactive molecule-integrated PLGA composite for spinal fusion.

Despite current developments in bone substitute technology for spinal fusion, there is a lack of adequate materials for bone regeneration in clinical applications. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) is commercially available, but a severe inflammatory response is a known side effect. Bone graft substitutes that enhance osteogenesis without adverse effects are needed.

Improving the Vertical Thermal Conductivity of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites by Forming Layer-by-Layer Contact of Inorganic Crystals.

A carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) is a light and rigid composite applicable in various fields, such as in aviation and automobile industry. However, due to its low thermal conductivity, it does not dissipate heat sufficiently and thus accumulates heat stress. Here, we reported a facile and effective strategy to improve the through-thickness thermal conductivity of CFRP composites by using a layer-by-layer coating of inorganic crystals.

Gramella fulva sp. nov., isolated from a dry surface of tidal flat.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by means of gliding, and short rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain SH35, was isolated from the dry surface of a tidal flat in Hwasung-si, South Korea. Growth occurred at 10-40°C (optimum 30°C), at pH 6.0-8.

Terminally Differentiating Eosinophils Express Neutrophil Primary Granule Proteins as well as Eosinophil-specific Granule Proteins in a Temporal Manner.

Neutrophils and eosinophils, 2 prominent granulocytes, are commonly derived from myelocytic progenitors through successive stages in the bone marrow. Our previous genome-wide transcriptomic data unexpectedly showed that genes encoding a multitude of neutrophil primary granule proteins (NPGPs) were markedly downregulated during the end period of eosinophilic terminal differentiation when cord blood (CB) cluster of differentiation (CD) 34 cells were induced to differentiate toward the eosinophil lineage during a 24-day culture period. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine whether NPGP genes were expressed on the way to eosinophil terminal differentiation stage and to compare their expression kinetics with that of genes encoding eosinophil-specific granule proteins (ESGPs).

GPNMB promotes proliferation of developing eosinophils.

Glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) is a type I transmembrane protein that is expressed in a wide variety of cell types, including haematopoietic lineages. We previously demonstrated that GPNMB is one of the most highly expressed genes at an early and intermediate stage of eosinophil development. We herein examined GPNMB expression and its possible functional effect using cord blood (CB) CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells differentiating toward eosinophils during a 24-day culture period.

Roles of RUNX1 and PU.1 in CCR3 Transcription.

CCR3 is a chemokine receptor that mediates the accumulation of allergic inflammatory cells, including eosinophils and Th2 cells, at inflamed sites. The regulatory sequence of the CCR3 gene, contains two Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX) 1 sites and two PU.1 sites, in addition to a functional GATA site for transactivation of the CCR3 gene.

Olig2 is expressed late in human eosinophil development and controls Siglec-8 expression.

Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor that binds to E-box motifs, is known to have a key role in determining lineage specification of oligodendrocytes and motor neurons. In the present study, we report that oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 is expressed in human eosinophils and involved in transcriptional activation of the gene encoding sialic acid binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 8 (Siglec-8), a late eosinophil-differentiation marker known to exert eosinophil apoptosis. When cord blood CD34 hematopoietic stem cells differentiated toward eosinophils during a 24-d culture period, oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 protein was expressed in cord blood eosinophils on d 24, a time when cord blood eosinophils are considered fully differentiated, whereas it was not detectable on d 18 or at earlier time points.

S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12 activate airway epithelial cells to produce MUC5AC via extracellular signal-regulated kinase and nuclear factor-κB pathways.

Airway mucus hyperproduction is a common feature of chronic airway diseases such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis, which are closely associated with neutrophilic airway inflammation. S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12 are highly abundant proteins released by neutrophils and have been identified as important biomarkers in many inflammatory diseases. Herein, we report a new role for S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12 for producing MUC5AC, a major mucin protein in the respiratory tract.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of human lung alveolar epithelial cells in a microfluidic gradient device.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process in which epithelial cells undergo phenotypic transitions to fibrotic cells, is induced by stimulants including transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1). In the present study, we developed a microfluidic gradient device to reproduce EMT in A549 human lung alveolar epithelial cells in response to TGF-β1 gradients. The device was directly mounted on the cells that had grown in cell culture plates and produced a stable concentration gradient of TGF-β1 with negligible shear stress, thereby providing a favorable environment for the anchorage-dependent cells.

Lesion border detection in dermoscopy images using ensembles of thresholding methods.

Background: Dermoscopy is one of the major imaging modalities used in the diagnosis of melanoma and other pigmented skin lesions. Due to the difficulty and subjectivity of human interpretation, automated analysis of dermoscopy images has become an important research area. Border detection is often the first step in this analysis.

Measuring objective quality of colonoscopy.

Advances in video technology are being incorporated into today's healthcare practices. Colonoscopy is regarded as one of the most important diagnostic tools for colorectal cancer. Indeed, colonoscopy has contributed to a decline in the number of colorectal-cancer-related deaths.

Stool detection in colonoscopy videos.

Colonoscopy is the accepted screening method for detection of colorectal cancer or its precursor lesions, colorectal polyps. Indeed, colonoscopy has contributed to a decline in the number of colorectal cancer related deaths. However, not all cancers or large polyps are detected at the time of colonoscopy, and methods to investigate why this occurs are needed.

Informative frame classification for endoscopy video.

Advances in video technology allow inspection, diagnosis and treatment of the inside of the human body without or with very small scars. Flexible endoscopes are used to inspect the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, and airways, whereas rigid endoscopes are used for a variety of minimal invasive surgeries (i.e.