Effects of CTHRC1 on odontogenic differentiation and angiogenesis in human dental pulp stem cells.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (CTHRC1), which is involved in vascular remodeling and bone formation, can stimulate odontogenic differentiation and angiogenesis when administered to human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Materials and Methods: The viability of hDPSCs upon exposure to CTHRC1 was assessed with the WST-1 assay. CTHRC1 doses of 5, 10, and 20 µg/mL were administered to hDPSCs. Reverse-transcription polymerase reaction was used to detect dentin sialophosphoprotein, dentin matrix protein 1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor 2. The formation of mineralization nodules was evaluated using Alizarin red. A scratch wound assay was conducted to evaluate the effect of CTHRC1 on cell migration. Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey post hoc test. The threshold for statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: CTHRC1 doses of 5, 10, and 20 µg/mL had no significant effect on the viability of hDPSCs. Mineralized nodules were formed and odontogenic markers were upregulated, indicating that CTHRC1 promoted odontogenic differentiation. Scratch wound assays demonstrated that CTHRC1 significantly enhanced the migration of hDPSCs. Conclusions: CTHRC1 promoted odontogenic differentiation and mineralization in hDPSCs.

An analysis of the characteristics of sports activities and injury experiences of leisure sports participants.

The purpose of this study is to analyze exercise injury experiences of sports participants and the characteristics of sporting activities depending on whether they have injured or not. The subjects of this study included the 107 people who have experienced exercise injuries and the 103 people who have not have experienced exercise injuries with aged between the 20s and 40s. The questionnaire with household interviews was used for this research. The results of this study that the female participants who have experienced an injury while exercise was outnumbered by their male counterparts and it is found that sports participants in their 40s represented the highest ratio and that the two most popular sports the participants who have experienced injury did were body-building and golf. It has been surveyed that the number of hospital care due to exercise injury per year is 2.01 times on average and the amount of money spent on the medical care is 34,252 Korean won on average. It is identified that the level of sports activities that keeping health and perception by the impact of sports activities depending on the participants' exercise injured. It is worthy of notice that those who have experienced exercise injuries tended to show a high level of confidence in which they could benefit from sports activity. In addition, it is interesting to note that bodybuilding and golf were the two sports with a great number of exercise injuries.

Does anterior laxity of the uninjured knee influence clinical outcomes of ACL reconstruction?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the postoperative outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and the anterior laxity of the uninjured knee. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 163 patients who had undergone unilateral ACL reconstruction from January 2002 to August 2009. Patients were divided into three groups according to the anterior laxity of the contralateral, normal knee in 30° of knee flexion as measured with a KT2000 arthrometer exerting a force of 134 N: <5 mm for Group 1, 5 to 7.5 mm for Group 2, and >7.5 mm for Group 3. Anterior laxity of the uninjured knee was assessed preoperatively, and anterior laxity of the reconstructed knee was assessed at twenty-four months postoperatively. Anterior stability of the knee was also assessed with use of the Lachman and pivot-shift tests. Functional outcomes were assessed with the Lysholm score and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. RESULTS: The three groups differed significantly with respect to the postoperative side-to-side difference in anterior laxity (p = 0.015), Lysholm score (p < 0.001), and IKDC subjective score (p < 0.001). The mean side-to-side difference in anterior laxity of the reconstructed knee was 2.1 ± 1.3 mm in Group 1, 2.2 ± 1.3 mm in Group 2, and 2.9 ± 1.4 mm in Group 3. The postoperative Lysholm score was 91.8 ± 4.5 in Group 1, 90.3 ± 5.5 in Group 2, and 85.4 ± 6.6 in Group 3. The postoperative IKDC subjective score was 89.3 ± 6.4 in Group 1, 87.9 ± 6.0 in Group 2, and 82.6 ± 8.2 in Group 3. Post hoc testing showed that Group 3 had significantly greater anterior laxity (p ≤ 0.039) and lower functional scores (p ≤ 0.001) compared with Groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: Greater anterior laxity of the uninjured knee was associated with poorer stability and functional outcomes after ACL reconstruction. Excessive anterior laxity of the uninjured knee thus appears to represent a risk factor for inferior outcomes.

Hexane fraction from Sargassum fulvellum inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in RAW 264.7 cells via NF-κB pathways.

Sargassum fulvellum (Turner) C. Agardh has been used to treat various inflammatory diseases, including lump, dropsy, swollen and painful scrotum, and urination problems for several centuries with no side effects. This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of the hexane fraction of S. fulvellum (HFS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced mouse-ear edema. The anti-inflammatory activity of HFS in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was investigated by assessing the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokine production during Griess reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The molecular mechanisms that underlie the anti-inflammatory action of HFS were investigated by analyzing the activation of transcription factor and its upstream signaling proteins. Additionally, an in vivo study of the anti-inflammatory effect of HFS was carried out using PMA-induced mouse-ear edema. HFS inhibited LPS-induced NO production in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in the RAW 264.7 cells. Further, HFS reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. HFS significantly inhibited LPS-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) transcriptional activity and NF-κB translocation into the nucleus by preventing degradation of inhibitor κB-α. Moreover, HFS inhibited the activation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, HFS suppressed PMA-induced mouse-ear edema. The above data indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of HFS on LPS-stimulated cells are associated with the suppression of NF-κB through the inhibition of MAPKs and Akt phosphorylation.

Anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic extract from Myagropsis myagroides on murine macrophages and mouse ear edema.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic extract of Myagropsis myagroides (EMM) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced ear edema in mice, and to clarify its underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The levels of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by Griess assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and Akt were measured using Western blotting. Nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were determined by immunocytochemistry and reporter gene assay, respectively. PMA-induced mouse ear edema was used as the animal model of inflammation. Anti-inflammatory compounds in EMM were isolated using high-performance liquid chromatography and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance. RESULTS: EMM significantly inhibited the production of NO, PGE2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. EMM strongly suppressed nuclear translocation of NF-κB by preventing degradation of inhibitor of κB-α as well as by inhibiting phosphorylation of Akt and MAPKs. EMM reduced ear edema in PMA-induced mice. One of the anti-inflammatory compounds in EMM was identified as 6,6'-bieckol. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of EMM are associated with the down-regulation of iNOS, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines through the inhibition of NF-κB pathway in LPS-stimulated macrophages.

Anti-inflammatory effects of phlorofucofuroeckol B-rich ethyl acetate fraction obtained from Myagropsis myagroides on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and mouse edema.

Myagropsis myagroides has been used as a Chinese medicine and its extract has shown various biological activities, however, its anti-inflammatory mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of the ethyl acetate fraction of M. myagroides (EFM) on the production of inflammatory mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. EFM significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 in RAW 264.7 cells. Inhibitory effect of EFM on iNOS expression and NO production was further confirmed using LPS-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. EFM treatment strongly suppressed the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) by suppressing phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs). EFM as well as phlorofucofuroeckol B (PFF-B), a major compound isolated from EFM, reduced ear edema induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in mice. These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of EFM, rich in PFF-B, on LPS-stimulated macrophages is regulated by the inhibition of NF-κB pathway through the inhibition of ERKs and Akt phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells.

A human case of Clinostomum complanatum infection in Korea.

A 33-year-old Korean man visited a medical clinic with complaints of throat discomfort and pain for one week. The symptoms occurred one day after eating raw brackish water fish, perch. Endoscopy revealed a fluke, about 5 mm in length, attaching to and peristaltically moving on the surface of the mucosa at the arytenoid region of the larynx. Microscopically, the testes were triangular, tandem, and separated by the uterus. The ovary and cirrus pouch were placed apart from median line between testes. Numerous blood cells were observed in the ceca. The worm was identified to be Clinostomum complanatum. This is the second human case of clinostomiasis in Korea.

Isolation and identification of phlorotannins from Ecklonia stolonifera with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of Ecklonia stolonifera was used to determine the chemical identity of bioactive constituents, with potent antioxidant activities. The structures of the phlorotannins were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including NMR and mass spectrometry analysis. The antioxidant activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated by free radical scavenging activities in both in vitro and cellular systems. The anti-inflammatory effects of the isolated compounds were evaluated by determining their inhibitory effects on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. The results indicated that phlorofucofuroeckol A, dieckol, and dioxinodehydroeckol showed potential radical scavenging activities against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. Among them, phlorofucofuroeckol A and dieckol significantly suppressed the intracellular reactive oxygen species level assayed by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Phlorofucofuroeckol A significantly inhibited the LPS-induced production of NO and PGE(2) through the down-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 protein expressions. In conclusion, these results suggest that phlorofucofuroeckol A has a potential for functional foods with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Effect of light-cure time of adhesive resin on the thickness of the oxygen-inhibited layer and the microtensile bond strength to dentin.

A thick oxygen-inhibited layer (OIL) on a cured adhesive layer (AL) is believed to result in both good adaptation of composite resin (CR) and high bond strength. A high degree of conversion (DC) of the AL is also needed for durable bonding. This study evaluated the hypothesis that increasing the DC by prolonging the light-curing time of adhesive bonding resin might decrease the bond strength of the adhesive to dentin because of the subsequent thinning of the OIL thickness. The OIL thickness and the DC of solvent-removed One Step and D/E bonding resin of All Bond 2 (Bisco, USA) were measured simultaneously with FT-NIR spectroscopy according to increasing light-cure times (10, 20, 30, and 60 s) so as to evaluate their effect on the microtensile bond strength. The bonded interfaces were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Excessive irradiation of light-curing adhesives increased the DC, but decreased the OIL thickness. When the OIL was significantly thin by curing the adhesives for 30 or 60 s, defects were observed at the interface between the AL and the CR, as well as at the interface between the AL and the hybrid layer. When the OIL was thick, free radicals from the overlying CR may have diffused into the unreacted monomer mixtures of the OIL, chemically connecting the cured AL and the newly curing composite. It was found that to obtain maximum dentin bond strength, light-curing adhesives should be cured for the irradiation time recommended by the manufacturer.

Adhesive layer properties as a determinant of dentin bond strength.

The goal of this study is to evaluate the hypothesis that the properties of the resin adhesive might affect the microtensile bond strength (MTBS) of multibottle dental adhesive system. In order to alter the properties, the experimental resin adhesives containing 2,2-bis (4-2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxyphenyl)propane (Bis-GMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) at various ratios were prepared. Degree of conversion immediately after curing (DC-immed), degree of conversion at 48 h after curing (DC-48h) of a thin coat of the experimental adhesives, the flexural strength (FS) of the bulk specimens made of the experimental adhesives, pH, viscosity at shear rate of 1 S(-1), and the microtensile bond strength (MTBS) values of the adhesives to dentin were investigated. The maximum MTBS and FS values of the resin adhesives were observed when the ratio of Bis-GMA/TEGDMA was 60/40. However, pH and viscosity values increased with increasing Bis-GMA content in the adhesives. When Bis-GMA content was more than 60 wt %, the viscosity increased exponentially and restricted the DC and FS, and accordingly decreased the bond strength. The stronger the resin adhesives were, the higher the bond strength to dentin could be obtained.

Effect of the hydrophilic nanofiller loading on the mechanical properties and the microtensile bond strength of an ethanol-based one-bottle dentin adhesive.

This study evaluated the hypothesis that if hydrophilic nanofillers were dispersed evenly within the adhesive layer under moist conditions, adding them to a one-bottle dentin adhesive might improve the mechanical properties of the adhesive layer, and accordingly increase the bond strength. The flexural strength (FS), the degree of conversion (DC), and the microtensile bond strength (MTBS) to the dentin of four experimental ethanol-based one-bottle dentin adhesives containing 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 wt % of 12-nm hydrophilic fumed silica were evaluated, and the distribution of the nanofillers were compared using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Although the nanofiller content did not affect the DC, the FS tended to increase with increasing nanofiller content. The MTBS appeared to increase when up to 1.0 wt % of the nanofillers were added, but they were statistically not significant. However, when 3.0 wt % of the nanofillers were added, the MTBS decreased significantly comparing to the adhesive containing 0.5 wt % nanofillers (p < 0.05). The TEM image suggested that if the nanofillers within the adhesive were 3.0 wt % and applied to a wet dentin surface, they aggregated easily into large clusters and would decrease the MTBS.