Interrogating the osteogenic potential of implant surfaces in vitro: a review of current assays

The success of implantable devices relies heavily on their interaction with the host cells facilitating the osseointegration process. However, with so many new surface modifications, with subtly varying design parameters, in vitro assays can, with proper interpretation, provide valuable information for understanding cellular behavior. This review brings together pertinent in vitro experimental protocols available to researchers and discusses them in relationship to the development of the osteoblast phenotype during bone repair. Consideration is also paid to the influence of endothelial and macrophage cells that can substantially change osteogenic cell activity and thus can provide added value for predicting the osseointegration potential in vivo. Due to the diverse and heterogeneous nature of cell types available for culture use, this review concludes that there is no “gold standard” series of assays. Rather, we present guidance in the experimental design of in vitro assays to better identify those surfaces with promising osteogenic potential

Self-directed learning of basic musculoskeletal ultrasound among rheumatologists in the United States

Objective Because musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is highly user dependent, we aimed to establish whether non-mentored learning of MSUS is sufficient to achieve the same level of diagnostic accuracy and scanning reliability as has been achieved by rheumatologists recognized as international experts in MSUS. Methods A group of 8 rheumatologists with more experience in MSUS and 8 rheumatologists with less experience in MSUS participated in an MSUS exercise to assess patients with musculoskeletal abnormalities commonly seen in a rheumatology practice. Patients' established diagnoses were obtained from chart review (gout, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and seronegative arthritis). Two examining groups were formed, each composed of 4 less experienced and 4 more experienced examiners. Each group scanned 1 predefined body region (hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, knee, or ankle) in each of 8 patients, blinded to medical history and physical examination. Structural abnormalities were noted with dichotomous answers, and an open-ended answer was used for the final diagnosis. Results Less experienced and more experienced examiners achieved the same diagnostic accuracy (US-established diagnosis versus chart review diagnosis). The interrater reliability for tissue pathology was slightly higher for more experienced versus less experienced examiners (Κ = 0.43 versus Κ = 0.34; P = 0.001). Conclusion Non-mentored training in MSUS can lead to the achievement of diagnostic accuracy in MSUS comparable to that achieved by highly experienced international experts. Reliability may increase slightly with additional experience. Further study is needed to determine the minimal training requirement to achieve proficiency in MSUS.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65036/1/20063_ftp.pd

Anticancer Potential of 3-(Arylideneamino)-2- Phenylquinazoline-4(3H)-One Derivatives

Different quinazoline derivatives have showed wide spectrum of pharmacological activities. Some 3- (arylideneamino)-phenylquinazoline-4(3H)-ones have been reported to possess antimicrobial activity. The present study has been undertaken to evaluate the anticancer effect of these quinazolinone derivatives. The quinazolinone derivatives were synthesized as reported earlier. Compounds containing NO2, OH, OCH3, or OH and OCH3 as substituent(s) on the arylideneamino group were named as P(3a), P(3b), P(3c), and P(3d) respectively. Out of these, P(3a) and P(3d) showed better cytotoxic activity than P(3b) and P(3c) on a panel of six cancer cell lines of different origin, namely, B16F10, MiaPaCa-2, HCT116, HeLa, MCF7, and HepG2, though the effect was higher in B16F10, HCT116, and MCF7 cells. P(3a) and P(3d) induced death of B16F10 and HCT116 cells was associated with characteristic apoptotic changes like cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, and annexin V binding. Also, cell cycle arrest at G1 phase, alteration of caspase-3, caspase- 9, Bcl-2 and PARP levels, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and enhanced level of cytosolic cytochrome c were observed in treated B16F10 cells. Treatment with multiple doses of P(3a) significantly increased the survival rate of B16F10 tumor bearing BALB/c mice by suppressing the volume of tumor while decreasing microvascular density and mitotic index of the tumor cells