Metformin combats high glucose-induced damage to the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells via inhibition of the NPR3-mediated MAPK pathway.

Background: High glucose-induced damage to the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) has long been a challenge to periodontal regeneration for diabetic individuals. Metformin is an anti-hyperglycemic drug that exhibits abundant biological activities associated with cell metabolism and downstream tissue regeneration. However, how metformin combats damage to PDLSC osteogenic differentiation under high glucose and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Comprehensive Transcriptome Analysis of mRNA Expression Patterns Associated With Enhanced Biological Functions in Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells Subjected to Short-Term Hypoxia Pretreatment.

Short-term hypoxia pretreatment significantly enhances periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC)-based periodontal tissue regeneration by improving various cellular biological functions, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we comprehensively analyzed the possible regulatory mechanisms of the short-term hypoxic effects on the biological functions of healthy and inflammatory PDLSCs. A total of 134 and 164 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified under healthy and inflammatory conditions, respectively.

Immunomodulatory effect of dimethyloxallyl glycine/nanosilicates-loaded fibrous structure on periodontal bone remodeling.

Background/purpose: Relieving immuno-inflammatory responses is the prerequisite step for treating periodontitis. The angiogenic small molecule, dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG), and osteoinductive inorganic nanomaterial, nanosilicate (nSi) have a powerful effect on bone regeneration, whereas the roles in osteoimmunomodulation have not been totally uncovered. Our study aimed to explore the immunomodulatory effect of DMOG/nSi-loaded fibrous membranes on periodontal bone remodeling.

[Advances in the Application of Hydroxyapatite Composite Materials in Bone Tissue Engineering].

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is the main inorganic component of the bones and teeth, and it possesses bioactivity and biocompatibility. However, due to its poor mechanical performance, slow degradation speed, and lack of diversity in its function, it is difficult to apply HAp alone as a scaffold material for bone tissue engineering. By combining HAp with other types of materials, composite materials with specific properties can be prepared, and the scopes of HAp applications can be expanded.

[Sitagliptin inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in human gingival fibroblasts by blocking nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway].

Objectives: This study was performed to clarify the effects of sitagliptin on -lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), explore the molecular mechanism of its roles, and provide a foundation for clinical therapeutics in periodontitis.

Methods: Healthy gingival samples were collected from the donors. HGFs were isolated with enzymic digestion method and identified.

[Effects of Exenatide-4 on proliferation, migration and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells].

Purpose: To investigate the effects of exendin-4(EX-4) on proliferation, migration and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells(PDLSCs).

Methods: PDLSCs were isolated and cultured using limited dilution method in vitro. Colony formation assay, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation were applied to identify the stem cells.

Tumor microenvironment interruption: a novel anti-cancer mechanism of Proton-pump inhibitor in gastric cancer by suppressing the release of microRNA-carrying exosomes.

Poor prognosis of gastric cancer is related to not only malignancy of gastric cancer cells, but also the tumor microenvironment. Thus drugs, which can inhibit both of them, are urgently needed to be explored. Studies on effect of Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) in anti-neoplasms are increasing, but is rare in gastric in gastric cancer.

Systemic BMSC homing in the regeneration of pulp-like tissue and the enhancing effect of stromal cell-derived factor-1 on BMSC homing.

Pulp regeneration caused by endogenous cells homing has become the new research spot in endodontics. However, the source of functional cells that are involved in and contributed to the reconstituting process has not been identified. In this study, the possible role of systemical BMSC in pulp regeneration and the effect of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) on stem cell recruitment and angiogenesis were evaluated.

[Construction and identification of a recombinant lentiviral expression plasmid pLentiTrident1-hBMP2-Neo-hNGF].

Purpose: To construct and confirm a recombinant lentiviral vector containing human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (hBMP2) and human nerve growth factor (hNGF).

Methods: The Neomycin gene was digested from pLentiTrident1-EGFP-Neo and then was subcloned into lentiviral vector. The hBMP2 and hNGF genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then the PCR product was inserted to proper sites of the vector.

Osteopromotive activity of a novel pyrazole carboxamide derivative.

Aims: To investigate the effect of 1-(4-(tert-butyl)benzyl)-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide (Pyr-C) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells.

Materials & Methods: MTT and BrdU incorporation assay were used to determine cell survival and proliferation. The gene expression levels of osteogenic markers were determined using real-time PCR and ALP activity was detected.

[Clinical value of serum CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4 and CA242 in the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer].

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of tumor markers CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4 and CA242 in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.

Methods: One hundred and sixty gastric cancer patients who had received treatment from 2002 to 2007 at the Beijing Cancer Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Blood samples were taken from patients upon admission to the hospital, and CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4, CA242 levels were detected.

[Quantitative detection of human cytomegalovirus in aggressive and chronic periodontitis lesions].

Objective: To establish a quantitative real-time PCR assay for the detection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA load in subgingival specimens from the patients with aggressive and chronic periodontitis, and to investigate the relationship between HCMV infection and the periodontal status.

Methods: A total of 114 subgingival plaque specimens were taken from 18 subjects with aggressive priodontiti (AgP), 24 subjects with chronic periodontitis (CP) and 15 healthy control subjects. Standard quantification was performed with recombinant plasmid containing a conserved fragment of HCMV.

Over-expression of Metastasis-associated in Colon Cancer-1 (MACC1) Associates with Better Prognosis of Gastric Cancer Patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to detect metastasis-associated in colon cancer-1 (MACC1) expression in Chinese gastric cancer and analyze the relationship between MACC1 expression and postoperative survival.

Methods: The expression of MACC1 and c-MET protein in a sample of 128 gastric cancer tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. A retrospective cohort study on the prognosis was carried out and data were collected from medical records.

S100A6 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis and is epigenetically up-regulated in gastric cancer.

S100A6 has been implicated in a variety of biological functions as well as tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigated the expression status of S100A6 in relation to the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with gastric cancer and further explored a possible association of its expression with epigenetic regulation. S100A6 expression was remarkably increased in 67.

A pilot study evaluating the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 and recombinant human beta-nerve growth factor on the healing of Class III furcation defects in dogs.

Background: The quantity of regenerated bone induced by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP2) is encouraging, but sometimes the quality is inferior. Recombinant human beta-nerve growth factor (rh beta-NGF) plays a major role in bone remodeling. This study evaluates the quality and quantity of regenerated bone in periodontal regeneration following topical application of the two growth factors to Class III furcation defects.

[Biological effects of phenytoin on cultured human periodontal ligament fibroblasts in vitro].

Objective: To study the biological effects of phenytoin (PHT) on cultured human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLF), and explore the possibility of its accelerating periodontal regeneration.

Methods: Increasing concentrations of PHT (1, 5, 20, 100, 500, 2 500 mg/L) were added into the medium of the fourth passage of cultured hPDLF, respectively. After co-incubated for 3 days, cell proliferation activity, the total amount of protein and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were detected.

[Clinical effect of minocycline as adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planning on treatment of chronic periodontitis].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of minocycline as an adjunct to scaling and root planning (SRP) in treating chronic periodontitis.

Methods: 64 male smokers with moderate to advanced periodontitis were randomly divided into two groups: SRP alone (SRP) and SRP plus minocycline (SRP+M). All clinical parameters including plaque index (Pll), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and attachment gain were recorded at baseline, 3 and 6 months after treatment.

[Culture and phenotype characteristics of mouse dental follicle cells].

Objective: To establish a method for isolating and culturing mouse dental follicle cells and to study the phenotype characteristics of dental follicle cells.

Methods: Mandibular first molars from 9 day old Balb/c mice were digested with 1% trypsin, subsequently, and the dental follicle was enucleated from the tooth germ and cultured. The shape and ultrastructural appearance of dental follicle cells were observed under phase-contrast microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

[The clinical effect of full-mouth scaling and root planning on chronic periodontitis: a preliminary report].

Purpose: To explore the clinical effect of full-mouth scaling and root planning (FM-SRP) on chronic periodontitis with the comparison of quadrant scaling and root planning (Q-SRP).

Methods: 60 patients with chronic periodontitis were randomly divided into 2 groups. The FM-SRP group received full-mouth scaling and root planning completed within the same day, while the Q-SRP group received quadrant scaling and root planning once a week for 4 weeks.

[Histological location of DMP1, OPN and BSP in cementum formation of mouse].

Purpose: To study the distribution of dentin matrix protein 1, osteopontin and bone sialoprotein during cementum formation and cementoblasts differentiation in mouse.

Methods: Thirty six BALB/c postnatal mice were divided into four groups according to the developing stages, nine in each was subdivided into three parts randomly to examine the location of DMP1, OPN and BSP, a tooth developing study model was built and examined using histological methods correspondingly. PV two steps immunohistochemical assay was used to localize the distribution of the three regulatory factors timely and spatially.

[Short-term observation of gold-plating unprecious metal ceramic crown in restoring anterior tooth].

Purpose: To evaluate the short-term effect of gold-plating technique used in Ni-Cr metal ceramic crown in restoring anterior teeth.

Methods: 64 teeth from 38 cases were divided into two groups. Each group consisted of 32 teeth.

[Isolation, culture and identification of mouse dental follicle cells and their heterogeneity].

Purpose: To establish a method for isolation and culturing mouse dental follicle cells and to identify its origin; meanwhile, the biological characteristics were detected.

Methods: Mandibular first molars from 7-day-old Balb/c mice were digested with 1% trypsin; subsequently, the dental follicle was enucleated from the tooth germ and cultured. Vimentin and cytokeratin were examined to identify its origin.