Biomimetic coatings enhance tribocorrosion behavior and cell responses of commercially pure titanium surfaces

CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOBiofunctionalized surfaces for implants are currently receiving much attention in the health care sector. Our aims were ( 1) to create bioactive Ti-coatings doped with Ca, P, Si, and Ag produced by microarc oxidation ( MAO) to improve the surface properties of biomedical implants, ( 2) to investigate the TiO2 layer stability under wear and corrosion, and ( 3) to evaluate human mesenchymal stem cells ( hMSCs) responses cultured on the modified surfaces. Tribocorrosion and cell experiments were performed following the MAO treatment. Samples were divided as a function of different Ca/P concentrations and treatment duration. Higher Ca concentration produced larger porous and harder coatings compared to the untreated group ( p<0.001), due to the presence of rutile structure. Free potentials experiments showed lower drops ( 0.6 V) and higher coating lifetime during sliding for higher Ca concentration, whereas lower concentrations presented similar drops ( 0.8 V) compared to an untreated group wherein the drop occurred immediately after the sliding started. MAO-treated surfaces improved the matrix formation and osteogenic gene expression levels of hMSCs. Higher Ca/P ratios and the addition of Ag nanoparticles into the oxide layer presented better surface properties, tribocorrosive behavior, and cell responses. MAO is a promising technique to enhance the biological, chemical, and mechanical properties of dental implant surfaces. (C) 2016 American Vacuum Society.Biofunctionalized surfaces for implants are currently receiving much attention in the health care sector. Our aims were ( 1) to create bioactive Ti-coatings doped with Ca, P, Si, and Ag produced by microarc oxidation ( MAO) to improve the surface properties of biomedical implants, ( 2) to investigate the TiO2 layer stability under wear and corrosion, and ( 3) to evaluate human mesenchymal stem cells ( hMSCs) responses cultured on the modified surfaces. Tribocorrosion and cell experiments were performed following the MAO treatment. Samples were divided as a function of different Ca/P concentrations and treatment duration. Higher Ca concentration produced larger porous and harder coatings compared to the untreated group ( p<0.001), due to the presence of rutile structure. Free potentials experiments showed lower drops ( 0.6 V) and higher coating lifetime during sliding for higher Ca concentration, whereas lower concentrations presented similar drops ( 0.8 V) compared to an untreated group wherein the drop occurred immediately after the sliding started. MAO-treated surfaces improved the matrix formation and osteogenic gene expression levels of hMSCs. Higher Ca/P ratios and the addition of Ag nanoparticles into the oxide layer presented better surface properties, tribocorrosive behavior, and cell responses. MAO is a promising technique to enhance the biological, chemical, and mechanical properties of dental implant surfaces.113114CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO11838-13-22013/08451-1The authors would like to thank the University of Illinois at Chicago for providing the facilities to perform this study, Rush University Medical Center on behalf of R. Urban for the SEM facility, Denise Carleto Andia for providing the human bone marrow stromal cells for some cell experiments, Rafael Parra from Univ Estadual Paulista (Sorocaba, Brazil) for his contribution and support in the Plasma Technology Laboratory, the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel (CAPES) from Brazil for the doctoral fellowship of the first author (PDSE Proc. 11838-13-2), the State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for Grant No. 2013/08451-1, the National Science Foundation (NSF) for Grant No. 1067424, and finally financial support from NIH R03 AR064005

RG108 increases NANOG and OCT4 in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells through global changes in DNA modifications and epigenetic activation. RG108 increases NANOG and OCT4 through epigenetic activation.

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) are important for tissue regeneration but their epigenetic regulation is not well understood. Here we investigate the ability of a non-nucleoside DNA methylation inhibitor, RG108 to induce epigenetic changes at both global and gene-specific levels in order to enhance mesenchymal cell markers, in hBMSCs. hBMSCs were treated with complete culture medium, 50 μM RG108 and DMSO for three days and subjected to viability and apoptosis assays, global and gene-specific methylation/hydroxymethylation, transcript levels' analysis of epigenetic machinery enzymes and multipotency markers, protein activities of DNMTs and TETs, immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis for NANOG and OCT4 and flow cytometry for CD105. The RG108, when used at 50 μM, did not affect the viability, apoptosis and proliferation rates of hBMSCs or hydroxymethylation global levels while leading to 75% decrease in DNMTs activity and 42% loss of global DNA methylation levels. In addition, DNMT1 was significantly downregulated while TET1 was upregulated, potentially contributing to the substantial loss of methylation observed. Most importantly, the mesenchymal cell markers CD105, NANOG and OCT4 were upregulated being NANOG and OCT4 epigenetically modulated by RG108, at their gene promoters. We propose that RG108 could be used for epigenetic modulation, promoting epigenetic activation of NANOG and OCT4, without affecting the viability of hBMSCs. DMSO can be considered a modulator of epigenetic machinery enzymes, although with milder effect compared to RG108

Measles IgG Antibody Index Correlates with T2 Lesion Load on MRI in Patients with Early Multiple Sclerosis

Background: B cells and humoral immune responses play an important role in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). A characteristic finding in patients with MS is a polyspecific intrathecal B cell response against neurotropic viruses, specifically against measles virus, rubella virus, and varicella zoster virus, also known as an MRZ reaction (MRZR). Here, we correlated from the routine clinical diagnostics individual IgG antibody indices (AIs) of MRZR with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with first MS diagnosis. Methods/Results: MRZR was determined in 68 patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or early relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Absolute AI values for measles virus, rubella virus, and varicella zoster virus were correlated with T2 lesion load and gadolinium enhancing lesions on cerebral MRI (cMRI) and cMRI combined with spinal MRI (sMRI). Measles virus AI correlated significantly with T2 lesion load on cMRI (p = 0.0312, Mann-Whitney U test) and the sum of lesions on cMRI and sMRI (p = 0.0413). Varicella zoster virus AI also showed a correlation with T2 lesion load on cMRI but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.2893). Conclusion: The results confirm MRZR as part of the polyspecific immune reaction in MS with possible prognostic impact on MRI and clinical parameters. Furthermore, the data indicate that intrathecal measles virus IgG production correlates wit

Experimental Animal Models in Periodontology: A Review

In periodontal research, animal studies are complementary to in vitro experiments prior to testing new treatments. Animal models should make possible the validation of hypotheses and prove the safety and efficacy of new regenerating approaches using biomaterials, growth factors or stem cells. A review of the literature was carried out by using electronic databases (PubMed, ISI Web of Science). Numerous animal models in different species such as rats, hamsters, rabbits, ferrets, canines and primates have been used for modeling human periodontal diseases and treatments. However, both the anatomy and physiopathology of animals are different from those of humans, making difficult the evaluation of new therapies. Experimental models have been developed in order to reproduce major periodontal diseases (gingivitis, periodontitis), their pathogenesis and to investigate new surgical techniques. The aim of this review is to define the most pertinent animal models for periodontal research depending on the hypothesis and expected results

Regulation of Cementoblast Gene Expression by Inorganic Phosphate In Vitro

Examination of mutant and knockout phenotypes with altered phosphate/pyrophosphate distribution has demonstrated that cementum, the mineralized tissue that sheathes the tooth root, is very sensitive to local levels of phosphate and pyrophosphate. The aim of this study was to examine the potential regulation of cementoblast cell behavior by inorganic phosphate (P i ). Immortalized murine cementoblasts were treated with P i in vitro , and effects on gene expression (by quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]) and cell proliferation (by hemacytometer count) were observed. Dose-response (0.1–10 mM) and time-course (1–48 hours) assays were performed, as well as studies including the Na-P i uptake inhibitor phosphonoformic acid. Real-time RT-PCR indicated regulation by phosphate of several genes associated with differentiation/mineralization. A dose of 5 mM P i upregulated genes including the SIBLING family genes osteopontin ( Opn , >300% of control) and dentin matrix protein-1 ( Dmp-1 , >3,000% of control). Another SIBLING family member, bone sialoprotein ( Bsp ), was downregulated, as were osteocalcin ( Ocn ) and type I collagen ( Col1 ). Time-course experiments indicated that these genes responded within 6–24 hours. Time-course experiments also indicated rapid regulation (by 6 hours) of genes concerned with phosphate/pyrophosphate homeostasis, including the mouse progressive ankylosis gene ( Ank ), plasma cell membrane glycoprotein-1 ( Pc-1 ), tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase ( Tnap ), and the Pit1 Na-P i cotransporter. Phosphate effects on cementoblasts were further shown to be uptake-dependent and proliferation-independent. These data suggest regulation by phosphate of multiple genes in cementoblasts in vitro . During formation, phosphate and pyrophosphate may be important regulators of cementoblast functions including maturation and regulation of matrix mineralization.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/48015/1/223_2005_Article_184.pd

Novel insights into the genomic basis of citrus canker based on the genome sequences of two strains of Xanthomonas fuscans subsp. aurantifolii

Background: Citrus canker is a disease that has severe economic impact on the citrus industry worldwide. There are three types of canker, called A, B, and C. The three types have different phenotypes and affect different citrus species. The causative agent for type A is Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, whose genome sequence was made available in 2002. Xanthomonas fuscans subsp. aurantifolii strain B causes canker B and Xanthomonas fuscans subsp. aurantifolii strain C causes canker C. Results: We have sequenced the genomes of strains B and C to draft status. We have compared their genomic content to X. citri subsp. citri and to other Xanthomonas genomes, with special emphasis on type III secreted effector repertoires. In addition to pthA, already known to be present in all three citrus canker strains, two additional effector genes, xopE3 and xopAI, are also present in all three strains and are both located on the same putative genomic island. These two effector genes, along with one other effector-like gene in the same region, are thus good candidates for being pathogenicity factors on citrus. Numerous gene content differences also exist between the three cankers strains, which can be correlated with their different virulence and host range. Particular attention was placed on the analysis of genes involved in biofilm formation and quorum sensing, type IV secretion, flagellum synthesis and motility, lipopolysacharide synthesis, and on the gene xacPNP, which codes for a natriuretic protein. Conclusion: We have uncovered numerous commonalities and differences in gene content between the genomes of the pathogenic agents causing citrus canker A, B, and C and other Xanthomonas genomes. Molecular genetics can now be employed to determine the role of these genes in plant-microbe interactions. The gained knowledge will be instrumental for improving citrus canker control.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientIfico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Coordenacao para Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Ensino Superior (CAPES)Fundo de Defesa da Citricultura (FUNDECITRUS

Absorbable Versus Nonabsorbable Membranes And Bone Grafts In The Treatment Of Ligature-induced Peri-implantitis Defects In Dogs: A Histometric Investigation.

The purpose of this study was to histometrically evaluate an absorbable collagen membrane (Bio-Gide) and a nonabsorbable polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (PTFE), associated with or without bone grafts, regarding re-osseointegration after treating ligature-induced peri-implantitis defects in dogs. All mandibular premolars were removed from five 2-year-old mongrel dogs. After 3 months of healing, 3 titanium implants were placed on each side of the mandible. Experimental peri-implantitis was induced with ligatures after abutment connection. Ligatures and abutments were removed after 1 month and the bone defects were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments; debridement alone (DB), debridement plus PTFE membrane associated with mineralized bone graft (Bio-Oss) (GBR+BG-I), debridement plus collagen membrane (Bio-Gide) associated with mineralized bone graft (GBR+BG-II), debridement plus PTFE membrane (GBR-I), debridement plus collagen membrane (GBR-II), or debridement plus mineralized-bone graft (BG). The dogs were sacrificed after 5 months. Data analysis did not reveal significant differences among the treatments regarding the percentage of bone-to-implant contact (re-osseointegration) within the limits of the threads of the implant (P = .997). Thus, in the treatment of peri-implantitis, debridement alone as well as grafting alone had the same effect as did either membrane.16646-5