Micro-Nano Bioactive Glass Particles Incorporated Porous Scaffold for Promoting Osteogenesis and Angiogenesis in vitro

Constructing the interconnected porous biomaterials scaffolds with osteogenesis and angiogenesis capacity is extremely important for efficient bone tissue engineering. Herein, we fabricated a bioactive micro-nano composite scaffolds with excellent in vitro osteogenesis and angiogenesis capacity, based on poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) incorporated with micro-nano bioactive glass (MNBG). The results showed that the addition of MNBG enlarged the pore size, increased the compressive modulus (4 times improvement), enhanced the physiological stability and apatite-forming ability of porous PLGA scaffolds. The in vitro studies indicated that the PLGA-MNBG porous scaffold could enhance the mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells (mBMSCs) attachment, proliferation, and promote the expression of osteogenesis marker (ALP). Additionally, PLGA-MNBG could also support the attachment and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and significantly enhanced the expression of angiogenesis marker (CD31) of HUVECs. The as-prepared bioactive PLGA-MNBG nanocomposites scaffolds with good osteogenesis and angiogenesis probably have a promising application for bone tissue regeneration

A novel clinical−radiomic nomogram for the crescent status in IgA nephropathy

ObjectiveWe used machine-learning (ML) models based on ultrasound radiomics to construct a nomogram for noninvasive evaluation of the crescent status in immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy.MethodsPatients with IgA nephropathy diagnosed by renal biopsy (n=567) were divided into training (n=398) and test cohorts (n=169). Ultrasound radiomic features were extracted from ultrasound images. After selecting the most significant features using univariate analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm, three ML algorithms were assessed for final radiomic model establishment. Next, clinical, ultrasound radiomic, and combined clinical−radiomic models were compared for their ability to detect IgA crescents. The diagnostic performance of the three models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.ResultsThe average area under the curve (AUC) of the three ML radiomic models was 0.762. The logistic regression model performed best, with AUC values in the training and test cohorts of 0.838 and 0.81, respectively. Among the final models, the combined model based on clinical characteristics and the Rad score showed good discrimination, with AUC values in the training and test cohorts of 0.883 and 0.862, respectively. The decision curve analysis verified the clinical practicability of the combined nomogram.ConclusionML classifier based on ultrasound radiomics has a potential value for noninvasive diagnosis of IgA nephropathy with or without crescents. The nomogram constructed by combining ultrasound radiomic and clinical features can provide clinicians with more comprehensive and personalized image information, which is of great significance for selecting treatment strategies

Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction Attenuates DSS-Induced Colitis in Rats by Reducing Inflammation and Improving Intestinal Barrier Function via Upregulating the MSP/RON Signalling Pathway

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, nonspecific, inflammatory disease for which an effective treatment is lacking. Our previous study found that Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction (QCWZD) can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of UC and ameliorate dextran sulphate sodium- (DSS-) induced ulcerative colitis in rats by downregulating the IP10/CXCR3 axis–mediated inflammatory response. The purpose of the present study was to further explore the mechanism of QCWZD for UC in rats models, which were established by 7-day administration of 4.5% dextran sulphate sodium solution. QCWZD was administered daily for 7 days; then we determined the serum macrophage-stimulating protein concentration (MSP) and recepteur d’origine nantais (RON) expression and its downstream proteins (protein kinase B [Akt], phosphorylated [p] Akt, occludin, zona occluden- [ZO-] 1, and claudin-2) in colon tissue using Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In DSS-induced UC, QCWZD significantly alleviated colitis-associated inflammation, upregulated serum MSP expression and RON expression in the colon, reduced the pAkt levels, promoted colonic occluding and ZO-1 expression, and depressed claudin-2 expression. In conclusion, the MSP/RON signalling pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of UC by involving the inflammatory response and improving intestinal barrier function. QCWZD appears to attenuate DSS-induced UC in rats by upregulating the MSP/RON signalling pathway

Investigating the Effect of SiCp Particle Shape on the Mechanical Behaviors of SiCp/WE43 Magnesium Matrix Composites by Finite Element Simulation

Previous results reported that SiCp (Silicon Carbide particles) particle doping proved to be effective in enhancing the wear performance of WE43 magnesium alloy. In this work, finite element simulation was employed to investigate the effect of SiCp particle shape on the mechanical behaviors of SiCp/WE43 magnesium matrix composites. SiCp particles underwent larger load internally and a smaller plastic deformation under tensile loading, leading to the enhanced strength and stiffness of the composites. Polygonal SiCp particles provided a better enhancement in strength for the composites than round SiCp particles, but the enhancement in stiffness was opposite. Meanwhile, the damage is likely to initiate at the interface between the matrix and particle, at the location of the highest stress concentration. This phenomenon was more prominent in polygonal particle-reinforced composites. These current findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the effect of SiCp particle shape on the mechanical behaviors of magnesium matrix composites

Investigating the Effect of SiCp Particle Shape on the Mechanical Behaviors of SiCp/WE43 Magnesium Matrix Composites by Finite Element Simulation

Previous results reported that SiCp (Silicon Carbide particles) particle doping proved to be effective in enhancing the wear performance of WE43 magnesium alloy. In this work, finite element simulation was employed to investigate the effect of SiCp particle shape on the mechanical behaviors of SiCp/WE43 magnesium matrix composites. SiCp particles underwent larger load internally and a smaller plastic deformation under tensile loading, leading to the enhanced strength and stiffness of the composites. Polygonal SiCp particles provided a better enhancement in strength for the composites than round SiCp particles, but the enhancement in stiffness was opposite. Meanwhile, the damage is likely to initiate at the interface between the matrix and particle, at the location of the highest stress concentration. This phenomenon was more prominent in polygonal particle-reinforced composites. These current findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the effect of SiCp particle shape on the mechanical behaviors of magnesium matrix composites

Preparation and properties of poly(ε-caprolactone)/bioactive glass nanofibre membranes for skin tissue engineering

Poly(ε-caprolactone) composite nanofibres for skin tissue engineering and regeneration applications were prepared via electrospinning of poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofibres with bioactive glass nanoparticles at bioactive glass contents of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 wt%. The surface properties, water absorptivities, porosities, mechanical properties and biocompatibilities of the composite electrospun nanofibres were characterised in detail. Addition of bioactive glass improved the hydrophilicity and elastic modulus of membranes. The fibre diameter of the neat poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofibres was only 700 nm, but reinforcement with 2, 4, 6 and 8 wt% bioactive glass nanofibres increased the diameter to 1000, 1100, 900 and 800 nm, respectively. The minimum elongation at break of the bioactive glass–reinforced poly(ε-caprolactone) exceeded 100%, which indicated that the composite nanofibres had good mechanical properties. The porosities of the various nanofibres containing different mass loadings of bioactive glass all exceeded 90%. The best performance in terms of cell proliferation and adhesion was found when the bioactive glass mass percent reached 6 wt%. However, higher loadings were unfavourable for cell growth. These preliminary results indicate that poly(ε-caprolactone)/bioactive glass composite nanofibres have promise for skin tissue engineering applications.</p

Correction: 3D Printing Nanoscale Bioactive Glass Scaffolds Enhance Osteoblast Migration and Extramembranous Osteogenesis through Stimulating Immunomodulation (Advanced Healthcare Materials, (2018), 7, 16, (1800361), 10.1002/adhm.201800361)

In the original version of this article, in Figure 3A, the image of the BGSE+RAW group after 7 days was incorrect. The corrected figure is shown below. This mistake doesn't affect any conclusions made in the paper. 3 Figure (Figure presented.) Osteogenic differentiation of 3T3 cells under inflammatory state. A) ALP staining and B) ALP quantitative assay of 3T3 cells after cultured for 7 and 14 days. C) mRNA expression of osteogenesis-related genes (ALP, OCN, OPN, COL1, RUNX2) in 3T3 cells cultured for 7 and 14 days. *p < 0.05 versus BGSE group; #p < 0.05 versus RAW group. The authors apologize for any inconvenience caused to the readers by this change.</p

3D Printing Nanoscale Bioactive Glass Scaffolds Enhance Osteoblast Migration and Extramembranous Osteogenesis through Stimulating Immunomodulation

Bioactive glass (BG) can repair bone defects, however, it is not clear whether BG has the ability for bone augmentation without making any bone defect. Unlike the intramembranous osteogenesis in bone defect repair, the extramembranous osteogenesis occurs outside the cortical bone and the osteoprogenitor cells show the reversed migration. Herein, nanoscale bioactive glass scaffolds (BGSs) are fabricated, and their role and immunomodulation-related mechanism in the extramembranous osteogenesis are investigated. The in vitro migration and differentiation of calvaria preosteoblasts are studied by culturing with peripheral macrophage-conditioned medium after stimulating with BGSs. The results indicate that the proinflammatory environment significantly promotes preosteoblast migration, but has limited effect on osteogenic differentiation. However, the anti-inflammatory environment and BGSs significantly increase the osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts. The in vivo extramembranous osteogenesis evaluation shows that the active osteogenesis is observed near the skull. The osteoblasts derived from the reverse migration of cranial cells can be confirmed by comparing with the scaffolds implanted in back subcutaneous which is just colonized by fibrous tissue. This study may bring a fresh perspective for BG in bone regeneration and explore the osteogenic immunomodulation of peripheral macrophages in a nonosteogenic environment.</p

Efficacy Comparison of Five Different Acupuncture Methods on Pain, Stiffness, and Function in Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Network Meta-Analysis

The principal objective of this present study was to compare the effects of different acupuncture methods on pain, stiffness, and physical function for osteoarthritis of the knee by the pairwise and network meta-analysis (NMA). A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was searched from three English databases and one Chinese database until January 2018. A pairwise meta-analysis was performed with a random effects model. Then we carried out the NMA within a Bayesian framework. Mean difference (MD) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by R 3.4.1, Stata 14.0, and RevMan 5.3 software to assess the relief of pain, the effectiveness for stiffness, and physical function recovery. Node-splitting method was used to calculate the inconsistency. Rank probabilities were assessed and clustered by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). 16 trials mostly researched short-term effectiveness and showed that fire needle and electro-acupuncture were statistically significant to decrease WOMAC pain and physical function scores when compared with other treatments, but there was no significant difference in stiffness calculations. Our NMA demonstrated that acupuncture with heat pain or electrical stimulation might be suggested as the better choices in all acupuncture methods to osteoarthritis of the knee

Enhanced wound healing in diabetic rats by nanofibrous scaffolds mimicking the basketweave pattern of collagen fibrils in native skin

Nanofibrous scaffolds that offer proper microenvironmental cues to promote the healing process are highly desirable for patients with chronic wounds. Although studies have shown that fiber organization regulates cell behaviors in vitro, little is known about its effects on the wound healing process in vivo. Most of the nanofibrous scaffolds currently used in skin repair are randomly oriented. Herein, inspired by the basketweave-like pattern of collagen fibrils in native skin, we fabricated biomimetic nanofibrous scaffolds with crossed fiber organization via electrospinning. The regulation of crossed nanofibrous scaffolds on fibroblasts was compared with that of aligned and random nanofibrous scaffolds. Unexpectedly, crossed nanofibrous scaffolds induced different cellular responses in fibroblasts, including differences in cellular morphology, migration and wound healing related gene expression, in comparison to either aligned or random nanofibrous scaffolds. More importantly, the regulation of nanofibrous scaffolds with different fiber organizations on wound repair was systematically investigated in diabetic rats. While the healing processes were enhanced by all nanofibrous scaffolds, wounds treated with crossed nanofibrous scaffolds achieved the best healing outcome, which was evidenced by the resolution of inflammation, the accelerated migration of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, and the promotion of angiogenesis. These findings helped reveal the role of fiber organization in regulating the wound healing process in vivo and suggest the potential utility of biomimetic crossed nanofibrous scaffolds for the repair of chronic wounds.</p