Exogenous fibroblast growth factor-10 induces cystic lung development with altered target gene expression in the presence of heparin in cultures of embryonic rat lung.

Objectives: Signaling by fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) 2IIIb regulates branching morphogenesis in the mammalian lung. FGFR2IIIb is primarily expressed in epithelial cells, whereas its ligands, FGF-10 and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; FGF-7), are expressed in mesenchymal cells. FGF-10 null mice lack lungs, whereas KGF null animals have normal lung development, indicating that FGF-10 regulates lung branching morphogenesis.

CD271/p75(NTR) inhibits the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, and myogenic lineages.

We describe a novel role for CD271 in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including deciduous dental pulp stem cells (DDPSCs) and murine multipotent MSCs (C3H10T1/2 cells). The CD271(+) subpopulation of deciduous dental pulp cells (CD271(+)/DDPSCs) and the forced expression of CD271 in C3H10T1/2 (10T271) were analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. CD271 expression was detected in DDPSCs that expressed both CD44 and CD90, simultaneously, and the clonogenic capacity of the CD271(+)/DDPSCs was higher than that of the CD271(-)/DDPSCs that expressed both CD44 and CD90.

Dexamethasone modulates osteogenesis and adipogenesis with regulation of osterix expression in rat calvaria-derived cells.

Osteoblasts and adipocytes originate from common mesenchymal progenitor cells and although a number of compounds can induce osteoblastic and adipogenic differentiation from progenitor cells, the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. The present study examined the synergistic effects of dexamethasone (Dex) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 on the differentiation of clonal mesenchymal progenitor cells isolated from rat calvaria into osteoblasts and adipocytes, as well as the effects of the timing of treatment. Cells were cultured for various periods of time in the presence of Dex and/or BMP-2.

Oral bacterial extracts facilitate early osteogenic/dentinogenic differentiation in human dental pulp-derived cells.

Objectives: Bacterial metabolites demineralize dental hard tissues, and soluble factors lead to tertiary dentinogenesis in the area of the dentin-pulp complex. However, it is unclear whether the oral bacteria are directly involved in the differentiation of dental pulp cells. In this study, we evaluated the effect of oral bacterial extracts on cellular differentiation in human dental pulp-derived cells (hDPC).

Effect on the atherogenic marker plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 of addition of the ACE inhibitor imidapril to angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist therapy in hypertensive patients with abnormal glucose metabolism: a prospective cohort study in primary care.

Background And Objective: Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists (angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs]), are recommended by the American Diabetes Association for blood pressure control and prevention or management of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, some investigators have suggested that ARBs may increase the risk of myocardial infarction in hypertensive patients. Activation of the RAS is associated with an increased risk of ischaemic events.

Relationship of Th1/Th2 cell balance with the immune response to influenza vaccine during pregnancy.

To determine the optimal timing for influenza vaccination in pregnant women, we measured alterations in the types 1 and 2 T helper cell (Th1/Th2) balance during pregnancy, monitored specific immunity to inoculated antigens after vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine, evaluated the relevance of the Th1/Th2 ratio and immune responses to the vaccination, monitored the maintenance of high antibody titers until delivery and measured the transplacental antibody transfer rate. No significant alterations of the Th1/Th2 balance were noted in the 65% of pregnant women among whom the Th1/Th2 ratio was lower than 9.9% in the first trimester.