Effects of epicatechin, a crosslinking agent, on human dental pulp cells cultured in collagen scaffolds

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological effects of epicatechin (ECN), a crosslinking agent, on human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) cultured in collagen scaffolds. Material and Method To evaluate the effects of ECN on the proliferation of hDPCs, cell counting was performed using optical and fluorescent microscopy. Measurements of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red staining, and real-time polymerase chain reactions were performed to assess odontogenic differentiation. The compressive strength and setting time of collagen scaffolds containing ECN were measured. Differential scanning calorimetry was performed to analyze the thermal behavior of collagen in the presence of ECN. Results Epicatechin increased ALP activity, mineralized nodule formation, and the mRNA expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), a specific odontogenic-related marker. Furthermore, ECN upregulated the expression of DSPP in hDPCs cultured in collagen scaffolds. Epicatechin activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the treatment with an ERK inhibitor (U0126) blocked the expression of DSPP. The compressive strength was increased and the setting time was shortened in a dose-dependent manner. The number of cells cultured in the ECN-treated collagen scaffolds was significantly increased compared to the cells in the untreated control group. Conclusions Our results revealed that ECN promoted the proliferation and differentiation of hDPCs. Furthermore, the differentiation was regulated by the ERK signaling pathway. Changes in mechanical properties are related to cell fate, including proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, our study suggests the ECN treatment might be desirable for dentin-pulp complex regeneration

Effects of epicatechin, a crosslinking agent, on human dental pulp cells cultured in collagen scaffolds

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological effects of epicatechin (ECN), a crosslinking agent, on human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) cultured in collagen scaffolds. Material and Method To evaluate the effects of ECN on the proliferation of hDPCs, cell counting was performed using optical and fluorescent microscopy. Measurements of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red staining, and real-time polymerase chain reactions were performed to assess odontogenic differentiation. The compressive strength and setting time of collagen scaffolds containing ECN were measured. Differential scanning calorimetry was performed to analyze the thermal behavior of collagen in the presence of ECN. Results Epicatechin increased ALP activity, mineralized nodule formation, and the mRNA expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), a specific odontogenic-related marker. Furthermore, ECN upregulated the expression of DSPP in hDPCs cultured in collagen scaffolds. Epicatechin activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the treatment with an ERK inhibitor (U0126) blocked the expression of DSPP. The compressive strength was increased and the setting time was shortened in a dose-dependent manner. The number of cells cultured in the ECN-treated collagen scaffolds was significantly increased compared to the cells in the untreated control group. Conclusions Our results revealed that ECN promoted the proliferation and differentiation of hDPCs. Furthermore, the differentiation was regulated by the ERK signaling pathway. Changes in mechanical properties are related to cell fate, including proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, our study suggests the ECN treatment might be desirable for dentin-pulp complex regeneration

Transcription Factor Sp1 Is Involved in Expressional Regulation of Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor in Cancer Cells

Coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR) was first known as a virus receptor. Recently, it is also known to have tumor suppressive activity such as inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. It is important to understand how CAR expression can be regulated in cancers. Based on an existence of putative Sp1 binding site within CAR promoter, we investigated whether indeed Sp1 is involved in the regulation of CAR expression. We observed that deletion or mutation of Sp1 binding motif (−503/−498) prominently impaired the Sp1 binding affinity and activity of CAR promoter. Histone deacetylase inhibitor (TSA) treatment enhanced recruitment of Sp1 to the CAR promoter in ChIP assay. Meanwhile, Sp1 binding inhibitor suppressed the recruitment. Exogenous expression of wild-type Sp1 increased CAR expression in CAR-negative cells; meanwhile, dominant negative Sp1 decreased the CAR expression in CAR-positive cells. These results indicate that Sp1 is involved in regulation of CAR expression

Effectiveness of interactive augmented reality-based telerehabilitation in patients with adhesive capsulitis: protocol for a multi-center randomized controlled trial

Background As the primary treatment for adhesive capsulitis, intensive and accurate home exercise is as important as physical therapy in hospitals. Augmented reality (AR)-based telerehabilitation has been implemented recently in various musculoskeletal conditions to increase patient compliance and enable patients to exercise with the correct posture. The objective of this study is to present a protocol for investigating the additive effect of interactive AR-based telerehabilitation in comparison with the usual care for patients with adhesive capsulitis. Methods This study presents the protocol of a prospective, multi-center, single-blinded, two-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT). One hundred patients with stage I or II adhesive capsulitis will be recruited at the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic. Patients will be randomly divided into two groups with 1:1 allocation. The intervention group will receive 3 months of hospital-based physical therapy in conjunction with home-based telerehabilitation. The control group will receive 3 months of hospital-based physical therapy in conjunction with a home-based exercise described in a brochure provided by the hospital. The primary outcome will be the change in passive range of motion (ROM) of the affected shoulder joint from baseline to 12 weeks after baseline assessment. The secondary outcomes will be active ROM, pain measured with the numeric rating scale, shoulder pain and disability index, 36-Item Short Form Survey, EuroQoL-5D-5L, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Discussion This will be the first RCT study protocol to investigate the effect of telerehabilitation in patients with adhesive capsulitis. The result of this RCT will determine whether AR-based telerehabilitation is more effective than a brochure-based home exercise program and will provide evidence of the usefulness of telerehabilitation using hardware (IoT) and software (monitoring platform) technologies to develop digital therapeutics for the future. Trial registration This trial was retrospectively registered at the Clinicaltrials.gov website on 20 March 2020, with the identifier NCT04316130This research was reviewed by external peers during funding process and is being financially supported by a grant from the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant number: HI19C0781). The funding body supports the design of the study and collection, participant support costs, and publication fee

Optimization of culture media of pathogenic Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae by a response surface methodology

Composition of culture medium for mass production of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae was optimized using a response surface methodology (RSM). Initially, the influence of glucose, thallium acetate, fresh yeast extract, horse serum, and porcine serum on the production of mycoplasmal protein was assessed using a 'one factor at a time' technique. Next, factors with a significant effect, including fresh yeast extract, and horse and porcine sera, were selected for further optimization using a central composite design (CCD) of RSM. The experimental results were fitted into a second order polynomial model equation. Estimated optimal condition of the factors for maximum production of mycoplasmal protein (i.e., triple-fold increase from 0.8 mg/L produced by basal mycoplasma media to 2.5 mg/L) was 10.9% fresh yeast extract, 15% horse serum, and 31.5% porcine serum (v/v). For the optimized conditions, a 2.96 mg/L experimental result was observed, similar to the estimated optimal conditions result of the CCD

Real-time interactive digital healthcare system for post-operative breast cancer patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background After receiving breast cancer surgery or reconstruction, shoulder dysfunctions including weakness, post-operative pain, shoulder joint instability, and limited range of motion (ROM) often occur. Due to limited ROM, patients may suffer difficulty in activities of daily living, and quality of life may be reduced. The objective of this study is to compare the effects on shoulder ROM of a real-time interactive digital healthcare system and brochure-based home rehabilitation program in post-operative breast cancer patients. Methods This study is a prospective, multi-center, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. The study aims to recruit 100 breast cancer patients exhibiting limited shoulder ROM after undergoing axillary lymph node dissection or breast reconstruction following mastectomy. Patients will be randomly assigned to two groups for 8 weeks of rehabilitation: a digital healthcare system rehabilitation (intervention) group and a brochure-based rehabilitation (control) group. The primary outcome is the change in ROM of the affected shoulder between baseline and 12 weeks after enrollment. Secondary outcomes include pain in the affected shoulder, as measured using a numerical rating scale, functional outcomes (QuickDASH scores), and quality of life (FACT-B and EQ-5D-5L scores), all of which will be measured on enrollment and 4, 8, and 12 weeks thereafter. Discussion This study will compare the effectiveness of a newly developed, augmented reality-based real-time interactive digital healthcare system with that of brochure-based home rehabilitation for improving the shoulder ROM, pain, functional outcomes, and quality of life of post-operative breast cancer patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04316156 . Registered on 20 March 2020.This study is being financially supported by a grant of the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant number: HI19C0781)

A complication of subclavian venous catheterization: extravascular kinking, knotting, and entrapment of the guidewire -A case report-

Various complications of central venous catheterization have been reported, some of which are well-known, while others are described as a sporadic events. We experienced a case of left subclavian venous catheterization complicated by extravascular knotting, kinking, and entrapment of the guidewire and the guidewire was removed surgically. Although minimal resistance was encountered during guidewire insertion, the guidewire was advanced approximately 30 cm. Physicians should be aware of these rare potential complications when a guidewire is advanced if any resistance is encountered