Image_1_18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis In Vivo and In Vitro by Blocking RANKL-Mediated RANK–TRAF6 Interactions and NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways.TIF

<p>Bone metabolism is determined by a delicate balance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. The imbalance due to over-activated osteoclasts plays an important role in various diseases. Activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways by receptor activator of nuclear factor -κB ligand (RANKL) is vital for osteoclastogenesis. Here, we for the first time explored the effects of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid found in the Glycyrrhiza glabra L roots, on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, osteoclast functions and signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo. In bone marrow monocytes (BMMs) and RAW264.7 cells, 18β-GA inhibited osteoclastogenesis, decreased expression of TRAP, cathepsin K, CTR and MMP-9, blocked actin ring formation and compromised osteoclasts functions in a dose-dependent manner at an early stage with minimal effects on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). For underlying molecular mechanisms, 18β-GA inhibited RANKL-induced phosphorylation of p65, p50, and IκB, blocked p65 nuclear translocation and decreased the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB. Besides, 18β-GA inhibited the activation of the MAPK pathways. Co-immunoprecipitation showed that 18β-GA treatment blocked RANK–TRAF6 association at an upstream site. In vivo, 18β-GA treatment inhibited ovariectomy-induced osteoclastogenesis and reduced bone loss in mice. Overall, our results demonstrated that 18β-GA inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting RANK expression in preosteoclasts and blocking the binding of RANK and TRAF6 which lead to the inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. 18β-GA is a promising novel candidate in the treatment of osteoclast-related diseases such as postmenopausal osteoporosis.</p

Polymerization-Induced Colloid Assembly Route to Iron Oxide-Based Mesoporous Microspheres for Gas Sensing and Fenton Catalysis

Iron oxide materials have wide applications due to their special physicochemical properties; however, it is a great challenge to synthesize mesoporous iron oxide-based microspheres conveniently and controllably with high surface area, large pore volume, and interconnected porous structures. Herein, mesoporous α-Fe₂O₃-based microspheres with high porosity are synthesized via a facile polymerization induced colloid assembly method through polymerization of urea–formaldehyde resin (UF resin) and its simultaneously cooperative assembly with Fe­(OH)₃ colloids in an aqueous solution, followed by subsequent thermal treatment. Remarkably, by controlling the cross-linking degree of UF, pure mesoporous α-Fe₂O₃ and α-Fe₂O₃/carbon hybrid microspheres can be synthesized controllably, respectively. They exhibit a uniform spherical morphology with a particle size of around 1.0 μm, well-interconnected mesopores (24.5 and 8.9 nm, respectively), and surface area of 54.4 m²/g (pure mFe₂O₃ microspheres) and 144.7 m²/g (hybrids), respectively. As a result, mesoporous pure α-Fe₂O₃ microspheres exhibited excellent H₂S sensing performance with a good selectivity, high response to low concentration H₂S at 100 °C, and quick response (4 s)/recovery (5 s) dynamics owing to the high surface area, open mesopores, and crystalline structure of the n-type α-Fe₂O₃ semiconductor. Moreover, mesoporous α-Fe₂O₃/carbon hybrid microspheres were used as a novel Fenton-like catalyst for the decomposition of methylene blue in a mild condition and exhibit quick degradation rate, high removal efficiency (∼93% within 35 min), and stable recycling performance owing to the synergetic effect of a high surface area and the carbon-protected α-Fe₂O₃

DataSheet1_Role of Phosphorus-Containing Molecules on the Formation of Nano-Sized Calcium Phosphate for Bone Therapy.pdf

Calcium phosphate (CaP) is the principal inorganic constituent of bone and teeth in vertebrates and has various applications in biomedical areas. Among various types of CaPs, amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) is considered to have superior bioactivity and biodegradability. With regard to the instability of ACP, the phosphorus-containing molecules are usually adopted to solve this issue, but the specific roles of the molecules in the formation of nano-sized CaP have not been clearly clarified yet. Herein, alendronate, cyclophosphamide, zoledronate, and foscarnet are selected as the model molecules, and theoretical calculations were performed to elucidate the interaction between calcium ions and different model molecules. Subsequently, CaPs were prepared with the addition of the phosphorus-containing molecules. It is found that cyclophosphamide has limited influence on the generation of CaPs due to their weak interaction. During the co-precipitation process of Ca2+ and PO43-, the competitive relation among alendronate, zoledronate, and foscarnet plays critical roles in the produced inorganic-organic complex. Moreover, the biocompatibility of CaPs was also systematically evaluated. The DFT calculation provides a convincing strategy for predicting the structure of CaPs with various additives. This work is promising for designing CaP-based multifunctional drug delivery systems and tissue engineering materials.</p

Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Reduce Hypertrophic Scar <i>via</i> Regulating Cell Behavior

Hypertrophic scars, characterized by excessive cell proliferation, disordered cell growth, and aberrant deposition of collagens, could cause significant clinical problems. Herein, aligned carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) were synthesized via chemical vapor deposition, and bulk ACNTs were pulled out from the arrays. The capacity of the ACNTs to reduce hypertrophic scar formation was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrated that the ACNTs suppressed the overproliferation of fibroblast cells, directed their growth, and inhibited collagen expression in vitro without cell cytotoxicity. Moreover, in vivo evaluation in a rabbit ear model indicated relieved scar hypertrophy after the ACNTs treatment. The gene expression microarray was further used to understand the mechanism, which showed that ACNTs could inhibit the TGFβ pathway to alter the components in the extracellular matrix, cell proliferation, cell cytoskeleton, and cell motility. These findings may provide a potent strategy of using carbon nanotubes in the bioengineering field

Représentations sociales des handicaps en Belgique Francophone. Handicaps, attitudes et représentations sociales.

Hypertrophic scars, characterized by excessive cell proliferation, disordered cell growth, and aberrant deposition of collagens, could cause significant clinical problems. Herein, aligned carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) were synthesized <i>via</i> chemical vapor deposition, and bulk ACNTs were pulled out from the arrays. The capacity of the ACNTs to reduce hypertrophic scar formation was evaluated both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. The results demonstrated that the ACNTs suppressed the overproliferation of fibroblast cells, directed their growth, and inhibited collagen expression <i>in vitro</i> without cell cytotoxicity. Moreover, <i>in vivo</i> evaluation in a rabbit ear model indicated relieved scar hypertrophy after the ACNTs treatment. The gene expression microarray was further used to understand the mechanism, which showed that ACNTs could inhibit the TGFβ pathway to alter the components in the extracellular matrix, cell proliferation, cell cytoskeleton, and cell motility. These findings may provide a potent strategy of using carbon nanotubes in the bioengineering field

Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Reduce Hypertrophic Scar <i>via</i> Regulating Cell Behavior

Hypertrophic scars, characterized by excessive cell proliferation, disordered cell growth, and aberrant deposition of collagens, could cause significant clinical problems. Herein, aligned carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) were synthesized <i>via</i> chemical vapor deposition, and bulk ACNTs were pulled out from the arrays. The capacity of the ACNTs to reduce hypertrophic scar formation was evaluated both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. The results demonstrated that the ACNTs suppressed the overproliferation of fibroblast cells, directed their growth, and inhibited collagen expression <i>in vitro</i> without cell cytotoxicity. Moreover, <i>in vivo</i> evaluation in a rabbit ear model indicated relieved scar hypertrophy after the ACNTs treatment. The gene expression microarray was further used to understand the mechanism, which showed that ACNTs could inhibit the TGFβ pathway to alter the components in the extracellular matrix, cell proliferation, cell cytoskeleton, and cell motility. These findings may provide a potent strategy of using carbon nanotubes in the bioengineering field

Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Reduce Hypertrophic Scar <i>via</i> Regulating Cell Behavior

Hypertrophic scars, characterized by excessive cell proliferation, disordered cell growth, and aberrant deposition of collagens, could cause significant clinical problems. Herein, aligned carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) were synthesized <i>via</i> chemical vapor deposition, and bulk ACNTs were pulled out from the arrays. The capacity of the ACNTs to reduce hypertrophic scar formation was evaluated both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. The results demonstrated that the ACNTs suppressed the overproliferation of fibroblast cells, directed their growth, and inhibited collagen expression <i>in vitro</i> without cell cytotoxicity. Moreover, <i>in vivo</i> evaluation in a rabbit ear model indicated relieved scar hypertrophy after the ACNTs treatment. The gene expression microarray was further used to understand the mechanism, which showed that ACNTs could inhibit the TGFβ pathway to alter the components in the extracellular matrix, cell proliferation, cell cytoskeleton, and cell motility. These findings may provide a potent strategy of using carbon nanotubes in the bioengineering field

Additional file 1: of The chinese version of achilles tendon total rupture score: cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity

Questionnaire score details of the whole study. (PDF 302 kb