Novel Aptamer-Based Small-Molecule Drug Screening Assay to Identify Potential Sclerostin Inhibitors against Osteoporosis.

A novel aptamer-based competitive drug screening platform for osteoporosis was devised in which fluorescence-labeled, sclerostin-specific aptamers compete with compounds from selected chemical libraries for the binding of immobilized recombinant human sclerostin to achieve high-throughput screening for potential small-molecule sclerostin inhibitors and to facilitate drug repurposing and drug discovery. Of the 96 selected inhibitors and FDA-approved drugs, six were shown to result in a significant decrease in the fluorescence intensity of the aptamer, suggesting a higher affinity toward sclerostin compared with that of the aptamer. The targets of these potential sclerostin inhibitors were correlated to lipid or bone metabolism, and several of the compounds have already been shown to be potential osteogenic activators, indicating that the aptamer-based competitive drug screening assay offered a potentially reliable strategy for the discovery of target-specific new drugs.

Low-Level Laser-Accelerated Peripheral Nerve Regeneration within a Reinforced Nerve Conduit across a Large Gap of the Transected Sciatic Nerve in Rats.

This study proposed a novel combination of neural regeneration techniques for the repair of damaged peripheral nerves. A biodegradable nerve conduit containing genipin-cross-linked gelatin was annexed using beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramic particles (genipin-gelatin-TCP, GGT) to bridge the transection of a 15 mm sciatic nerve in rats. Two trigger points were irradiated transcutaneously using 660 nm of gallium-aluminum arsenide phosphide (GaAlAsP) via laser diodes for 2 min daily over 10 consecutive days.

Neural regeneration in a novel nerve conduit across a large gap of the transected sciatic nerve in rats with low-level laser phototherapy.

This study proposes a biodegradable nerve conduit comprising 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) cross-linked gelatin annexed with β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ceramic particles (EDC-gelatin-TCP, EGT). For this study, the EGT-implant site in rats was irradiated using 660-nm GaAlAsP laser diodes (50 mW) for trigger point therapy to investigate the use of low-level laser (LLL) stimulation in the regeneration of a 15-mm transected sciatic nerve. Animals were divided into three groups: a control group undergoing autologous nerve graft (autograft); a sham-irradiated group (EGT), and an experimental group undergoing laser stimulation (EGT/LS).

Intravenous ondansetron as antiemetic prophylaxis for postoperative nausea and vomiting after shoulder arthroscopy.

Background: Nausea and vomiting are common chief postoperative complaints. The clinical literature indicates that postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is common after orthopedic surgery. This study examines the clinical therapeutic efficacy of Ondansetron injected intravenously before the end of shoulder arthroscopy as antiemetic prophylaxis to help reduce the incidence of PONV.

Chondrogenesis from human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells in three-dimensional scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.

Human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hPMSCs) represent a promising source of stem cells. The application of hPMSCs in cartilage tissue engineering, however, was less reported. In this study, hPMSCs were grown in a three-dimensional (3D) environment for cartilage tissue formation in vitro.

The effect of laser preexposure on seeding endothelial cells to a biomaterial surface.

Objective: In this study, the possible effect of low-level laser (LLL) on improving the adhesion of endothelial cells (ECs) to a biomaterial substrate was evaluated.

Background Data: Despite the numerous studies regarding the effects of LLL on biologic systems, the influence of LLL on the binding between cells and materials was rarely investigated.

Materials And Methods: A low-power He-Ne laser apparatus with a continuous wavelength of 632.

Characteristics and biocompatibility of a biodegradable genipin-cross-linked gelatin/β-tricalcium phosphate reinforced nerve guide conduit.

To modulate the mechanical properties of nerve guide conduit for surgical manipulation, this study develops a biodegradable composite containing genipin cross-linked gelatin annexed with β-tricalcium phosphate ceramic particles as a nerve guide material. The conduit was dark bluish and round with a rough and compact outer surface compared to the genipin cross-linked gelatin conduit (without β-tricalcium phosphate). Water uptake and swelling tests indicate that the conduit noticeably increases the stability in water, and the hydrated conduit does not collapse and stenose.

Nanocomposites of genipin-crosslinked chitosan/silver nanoparticles--structural reinforcement and antimicrobial properties.

This study investigates the feasibility of a novel nanocomposite (GC/Ag) of a genipin-crosslinked chitosan (GC) film in which was embedded various amounts of Ag nanoparticles for wound-dressing applications. In situ UV-vis results revealed that adding chitosan solution did not affect the characteristics of Ag nanoparticles. The water uptake ratios and surface hydrophilicity of the GC/Ag nanocomposite were better and the degradation rates slightly lower than those of the pure GC film.

Ultrasound preexposure improves endothelial cell binding and retention on biomaterial surfaces.

In spite of the extensive studies regarding the effects of ultrasound on biological systems, the influence of low-intensity ultrasound on endothelial cells has rarely been investigated. In this work, the effect of ultrasound in improving the binding between endothelial cells and biomaterial substrates was evaluated. Based on the results, low-intensity ultrasound could change the morphology and matrix secretion of endothelial cells, and such effects persisted when preexposed cells were seeded to another substrate.

Bioeffect of ultrasound on endothelial cells in vitro.

The effects of low-intensity ultrasound (US) on biological systems have been investigated extensively; however, the effects of ultrasound stimulation on endothelial cells were rarely studied. In this study, 1 MHz, pulsed 1:4, and four different spatial-average temporal-peak intensities (0.5, 1.