Effect of Vitronectin Bound to Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 on Porcine Enamel Organ-Derived Epithelial Cells

The aim of this paper was to determine whether the interaction between IGF, IGFBP, and VN modulates the functions of porcine EOE cells. Enamel organs from 6-month-old porcine third molars were dissociated into single epithelial cells and subcultured on culture dishes pretreated with VN, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 (IGF-IGFBP-VN complex). The subcultured EOE cells retained their capacity for ameloblast-related gene expression, as shown by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Amelogenin expression was detected in the subcultured EOE cells by immunostaining. The subcultured EOE cells were then seeded onto collagen sponge scaffolds in combination with fresh dental mesenchymal cells and transplanted into athymic rats. After 4 weeks, enamel-dentin-like complex structures were present in the implanted constructs. These results show that EOE cells cultured on IGF-IGFBP-VN complex differentiated into ameloblasts-like cells that were able to secrete amelogenin proteins and form enamel-like tissues in vivo. Functional assays demonstrated that the IGF/IGFBP/VN complex significantly enhanced porcine EOE cell proliferation and tissue forming capacity for enamel. This is the first study to demonstrate a functional role of the IGF-IGFBP-VN complex in EOE cells. This application of the subculturing technique provides a foundation for further tooth-tissue engineering and for improving our understanding of ameloblast biology

Protective effect of photodegradation product of nifedipine against tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced oxidative stress in human glomerular endothelial cells

Recently, increasing evidence suggests that the antihypertensive drug nifedipine acts as a protective agent for endothelial cells, and that the activity is unrelated to its calcium channel blocking. Nitrosonifedipine (NO-NIF) is metabolically and photochemically produced from nifedipine, and NO-NIF has been recognized as a contaminant of nifedipine because it has no antihypertensive effect. Treatment of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) suppressed the cell viability and facilitated the expression of Inter-Cellular Adhesion Molecule 1(ICAM-1) in human glomerular endothelial cells (HGECs) though, pretreatment of NO-NIF significantly recovered the TNF-α-induced cell damage to the same extent as Trolox-C did, and suppressed the ICAM-1 expression in a concentration dependent manner. In addition, NO-NIF inhibited the cell toxicity induced by cumene hydroperoxide, which hampers the integrity of cell membrane through oxidative stress, as effective as Trolox-c. These data suggest that NO-NIF is a candidate for a new class of antioxidative drug that protect cells against oxidative stress in glomerular endothelial cells

SDGs をめぐるESG 投資を通じた グローバル・ガバナンスの可能性 ― ビッグデータを用いた株保有ネットワークの分析 ―

要　旨本稿はESG 投資を通したSDGs 達成のためのグローバル・ガバナンスの可能性を模索すべく、ビッグデータを用いてグローバルな株保有ネットワークと、上場投資信託（ETF）の分析を行なった。その際、これまでのESG 投資に関する分析の射程を拡大するため二つの新機軸を打ち出した。一つは、ESG 投資の基準として、これまでは非ESG 企業への直接的な投融資に着目していたところ、本稿は、複数リンク先への株保有の連結を分析する方法を提示することで、間接投資を分析射程に収めることが可能であることを示した。もう一つは、ESG投資の実践手法として、ICAN のネガティブキャンペーンに代表されるような非ESG 企業からの投資撤退ではなく、個人・機関投資家が保有する非ESG 企業の株式を合従して集合的に経営決定に対して影響力を発揮するスチュワードシップの可能性を可視化した

In vitro anticancer effects of a RAGE inhibitor discovered using a structure-based drug design system.

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系Receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is a pattern recognition receptor implicated in the pathogenesis of certain types of cancer. In the present study, papaverine was identified as a RAGE inhibitor using the conversion to small molecules through optimized‑peptide strategy drug design system. Papaverine significantly inhibited RAGE‑dependent nuclear factor κ‑B activation driven by high mobility group box‑1, a RAGE ligand. Using RAGE‑ or dominant‑negative RAGE‑expressing HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cells, the present study revealed that papaverine suppressed RAGE‑dependent cell proliferation and migration dose‑dependently. Furthermore, papaverine significantly inhibited cell invasion. The results of the present study suggested that papaverine could inhibit RAGE, and provided novel insights into the field of RAGE biology, particularly anticancer therapies.Embargo Period 6 month

Recent advances in engineering of tooth and tooth structures using postnatal dental cells

Since cells isolated from the developing tooth possess an enormous regenerative potential, it has been proposed that they could be applied to the in vivo regeneration of teeth in dental practice. The generation of the entire tooth structure depends upon the developmental stage of tooth when the cells are harvested. This review focuses on the performance of postnatal and adult dental cells that have been used for generating teeth. Their ability to contribute to tooth development was assessed in the omentum or in the tooth socket. Adult dental cells were limited in their potential owing to various parameters. From these results described, new approaches for regenerated teeth are proposed in this review. One strategy to replace teeth is tooth root engineering using tissue from postnatal teeth. Since the enamel organ epithelium disappears after tooth maturation, the epithelial rest cells of Malassez were evaluated to determine their capacity to generate enamel. From these results, it is suggested that erupted mature teeth have cell sources with the capacity to produce tooth root. The development of biological approaches for tooth root regeneration using postnatal dental cells is promising and remains one of the greatest challenges in the dental field in the years to come

Geochemical behavior of zirconium during Cl–rich fluid or melt infiltration under upper amphibolite facies metamorphism -- A case study from Brattnipene, Sør Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica

The appropriateness of Zr as an ‘immobile element’ during garnet–hornblende (Grt–Hbl) vein formation potentially caused by the Cl–rich fluid or melt infiltration under upper amphibolite facies condition is examined. The sample used is a Grt–Hbl vein from Brattnipene, Sør Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica that discordantly cuts the gneissose structure of the mafic gneiss. Modal analysis of the wall rock minerals combined with the quantitative determination of their Zr contents reveals that most of the whole–rock Zr resides in zircon whereas ~ 5% is hosted in garnet and hornblende. The Zr concentration of garnet and hornblende is constant irrespective of the distance from the vein. Zircon shows no resorption or overgrowth microstructures. Moreover, the grain size, chemical zoning (CL, Th/U ratio and REE pattern) and rim ages of zircon are also similar irrespective of the distance from the vein. LA–ICPMS U–Pb dating of zircon rims does not give younger ages than the granulite facies metamorphism reported by previous studies. All of these detailed observations on zircon support that zircon is little dissolved or overgrown, and that Zr is not added nor lost during the Grt–Hbl vein formation. Therefore, Zr can be described as an appropriate ‘immobile element’ during the Grt–Hbl vein formation. Detailed microstructural observation of zircon is thus useful in evaluating the appropriateness of Zr as an immobile element

Autologous adipose-derived stem cell transplantation enhances healing of wound with exposed bone in a rat model.

ObjectivesSoft tissue wounds with exposed bone often require extended healing times and can be associated with severe complications. We describe the ability of artificial dermis with autogenic adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to promote the healing of wounds with exposed bone in a rat model.MethodsAdipose tissues harvested from the bilateral inguinal regions of Wistar rats were used as ADSCs. Rats were randomly divided into control and ADSC groups to investigate the efficacy of ADSC transplantation for wound healing (n = 20 per group). Soft tissue defects were created on the heads of the rats and were covered with artificial dermis with or without the seeded ADSCs. Specimens from these rats were evaluated using digital image analysis, histology, immunohistochemistry, cell labeling, and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR).ResultsThe average global wound area was significantly smaller in the ADSC group than in the control group on days 3, 7, and 14 after surgery (pConclusionsIn wounds with exposed bone, autogenic ADSCs can promote vascularization and wound healing. Use of this cell source has multiple benefits, including convenient clinical application and lack of ethical concerns

Lengthening for functional acetabular dysplasia due to limb length discrepancy: A report of two cases

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint as a complication of limb length discrepancy (LLD) caused by lower extremity deformity is rarely reported in the literature. We report two such cases of osteoarthritic changes of the long leg hip joint due to severe LLD but no developmental dysplasia of the hip. Both underwent limb lengthening, and the symptoms were improved without further treatment. The osteoarthritic changes are secondary to functional acetabular dysplasia resulting in insufficient acetabular coverage of the femoral head and lateral inclination of the pelvis caused by LLD. Thus, lengthening treatment may be one option for such patients with osteoarthritis due to functional acetabular dysplasia