Carbon Nanotubes Activate <i>Limulus</i> Amebocyte Lysate Coagulation by Interface Adsorption

<i>Limulus</i> amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay is worldwide requested in the assessment of endotoxin contamination for biomaterials. As carbon nanotubes are one major nanomaterial with multiple potentials in biomedical application, here we investigate whether oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (O-MWCNT) interferes the assessment by LAL assays. We showed that the endotoxin free O-MWCNT dispersing in aqueous solutions could activate both the gel-clotting and the end-point chromogenic LAL assay by converting coagulogen into coagulin through interfacial interactions between O-MWCNT and enzymes in the assays. In conclusion, the O-MWCNT could induce false positive results by activating the enzyme cascade of LAL

Review of Margaret Simey, From Rhetoric to Reality: A Study of the Work of F. G. D'Aeth, Social Administrator (Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2005)

<p>Forest plot of pooled odds ratio with 95% CI for comparing porcine small intestinal submucosa with polypropylene in open hernioplasty based on the assessment of hematomas.</p

Comparison of Porcine Small Intestinal Submucosa versus Polypropylene in Open Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) with polypropylene in open inguinal hernia repair.</p><p>Method</p><p>Electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were used to compare patient outcomes for the two groups via meta-analysis.</p><p>Result</p><p>A total of 3 randomized controlled trials encompassing 200 patients were included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in recurrence (P = 0.16), hematomas (P = 0.06), postoperative pain within 30 days (P = 0.45), or postoperative pain after 1 year (P = 0.12) between the 2 groups. The incidence of discomfort was significantly lower (P = 0.0006) in the SIS group. However, the SIS group experienced a significantly higher incidence of seroma (P = 0.03).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Compared to polypropylene, using SIS in open inguinal hernia repair is associated with a lower incidence of discomfort and a higher incidence of seroma. However, well-designed larger RCT studies with a longer follow-up period are needed to confirm these findings.</p></div

Forest plot of pooled odds ratio with 95% CI for comparing porcine small intestinal submucosa with polypropylene in open hernioplasty based on the assessment of recurrence.

<p>Forest plot of pooled odds ratio with 95% CI for comparing porcine small intestinal submucosa with polypropylene in open hernioplasty based on the assessment of recurrence.</p

Forest plot of secondary analysis (2 RCTs) of the incidence of seroma after surgery.

<p>Forest plot of secondary analysis (2 RCTs) of the incidence of seroma after surgery.</p

DFC-CM microenvironments induce ADSC differentiation into cementoblast-like cells.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Real-time PCR analysis of the expression of CAP, ALP, BSP and OPN in ADSCs grown in DFC-CM for 7 days. The expression levels were normalized to that of β-actin. The results represent mean values ( ± SD) from three independent experiments performed in triplicates. *<i>P</i><0.05 vs. the control group. (<b>B</b>) CAP, BSP, and OPN were measured by Western blot in ADSCs grown in basal medium or in cells cultured in DFC-CM for 7 d. GAPDH was used as control for equal loading. (<b>C</b>) Quantitative analysis of the OPN, BSP, ALP and CAP. *<i>P</i><0.05 vs. the control group.</p

Isolation and identification of ADSCs.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Representative images of colonies formed by ADSCs at low seeding density after 2 weeks in culture. (<b>B</b>). Flow cytometry analysis of the expression of cell surface markers related to mesenchymal (CD31, CD90, CD105, CD146 and STRO-1) or hematopoietic stem cells (CD34 and CD45). Cont: isotype control. (<b>C</b>) After ADSCs were cultured under osteogenic inductive conditions for 21 days, mineralized nodules were detected following alizarin red staining. ADSCs formed lipid clusters that stained positive for Oil Red O after 21 days of adipogenic induction. Scale bars represent 100 µm.</p

Additional file 1 of Temporomandibular joint disc repositioning and occlusal splint for adolescents with skeletal class II malocclusion: a single-center, randomized, open-label trial

Supplementary Material

Wnt3a or DKK1 activate or inactivate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

<p>(<b>A</b>) The expression of β-catenin as well as GSK3β were measured by Western blot in ADSCs grown in DFC-CM or in basal medium (control) with or without the presence of Wnt3a (100 ng/mL)/DKK-1 (100 ng/mL) for 7 d. Beta-actin was used as control for equal loading. (<b>B, C</b>) Expression of LEF-1 (<b>B</b>) and TCF-4 (<b>C</b>) genes in ADSCs cultured in basal medium or in DFC-CM with Wnt3a (100 ng/mL)/DKK-1 (100 ng/mL) for 7 d. PBS was used as control condition. The expression levels were normalized to that of β-actin. The results represent mean values (SD) from three independent experiments performed in triplicates. *<i>P</i><0.05 vs. the PBS group.</p

Primer sequences.

<p>Primer sequences.</p