Oestrogen regulates proliferation, osteoblastic differentiation, collagen synthesis and periostin gene expression in human periodontal ligament cells through oestrogen receptor beta

Objective

The present study was designed to examine how oestrogen regulates proliferation, osteoblastic differentiation, collagen synthesis and periostin gene expression in primary human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells.

Design

The short interfering RNA (siRNA) technique was used to inhibit oestrogen receptor beta (ERβ) expression hPDL cells. hPDL cell were isolated and fully characterized. A colorimetric assay was applied for the determination of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). An ELISA kit was used to detect osteocalcin (OCN) levels. Collagen synthesis was determined by measuring the incorporation of L-[3H] praline. RT-PCR was performed to detection of periostin mRNA relative gene expression.

Results

ERβ mRNA was expressed in hPDL cells and significant inhibition of mRNA expression and ERβ mature protein of the ERβ was evident in the siRNA group. At 72 h, there was a significant increase in non-transfected hPDL cell proliferation after estradiol stimulation. Addition of 17β-estradiol significantly enhanced ALP activity and production of OCN in non-transfected cells but had no effect on collagen synthesis. A clear increase in periostin mRNA expression levels was observed after incubating hPDL cells with estradiol. In hPDL-siERβ cells, the application of estradiol did not produce any evident differences in periostin mRNA expression

Conclusions

ERβ may play important roles in oestrogen-induced effects on hPDL cell proliferation, osteoblastic differentiation and expression of key molecules for the functional and structural integrity of the periodontium (i.e. periostin).     

Thrombosis risk and survival in cancer patients with elevated C‐reactive protein

Summary. Background: The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increased among cancer patients. Objective: We assessed serum levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) in order to study their prognostic significance for VTE and survival in the prospective observational Cancer and Thrombosis Study (CATS). Patients and methods: This study includes patients with recently diagnosed cancer or progression of disease after remission. Occurrence of VTE and information on the patients’ anti‐cancer‐treatment are recorded. Observation ends with occurrence of objectively confirmed VTE, death or after 2 years. CRP levels were determined by an immunonephelometric method. Results: We included 705 consecutive patients with solid tumors. During the observation period, VTE occurred in 43 (6.1%) patients and 413 (58.6%) died. The cumulative probability of VTE was 6.6% after 1 year. In univariate analysis, CRP (as metric variable, per double increase) was associated with VTE [hazard ratio (HR) 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–1.3 P = 0.048]. However, in multivariable analysis including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy, metastasis, cancer‐site and sP‐selectin the association with VTE (HR 1.0, 95% CI 0.9–1.2 P = 0.932) was no longer observed. CRP was clearly associated with worse survival probability with a HR of 1.3 (95% CI 1.2–1.3, P < 0.0001) in multivariable analysis. The cumulative survival after 12 months was 43% in patients with CRP above the 75th percentile (1.8 mg dL^?1) and 82% in those below the 75th percentile. Conclusions: In cancer patients elevated CRP was not independently associated with VTE. CRP was significantly associated with worse survival.     

Enteroscopy in small bowel Crohn’s disease: A review

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract resulting in inflammation, stricturing and fistulae secondary to transmural inflammation. Diagnosis relies on clinical history, abnormal laboratory parameters, characteristic radiologic and endoscopic changes within the gastrointestinal tract and most importantly a supportive histology. The article is intended mainly for the general gastroenterologist and for other interested physicians. Management of small bowel CD has been suboptimal and limited due to the inaccessibility of the small bowel. Enteroscopy has had a significant renaissance recently, thereby extending the reach of the endoscopist, aiding diagnosis and enabling therapeutic interventions in the small bowel. Radiologic imaging is used as the first line modality to visualise the small bowel. If the clinical suspicion is high, wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is used to rule out superficial and early disease, despite the above investigations being normal. This is followed by push enteroscopy or device assisted enteroscopy (DAE) as is appropriate. This approach has been found to be the most cost effective and least invasive. DAE includes balloon-assisted enteroscopy, [double balloon enteroscopy (DBE), single balloon enteroscopy (SBE) and more recently spiral enteroscopy (SE)]. This review is not going to cover the various other indications of enteroscopy, radiological small bowel investigations nor WCE and limited only to enteroscopy in small bowel Crohn’s. These excluded topics already have comprehensive reviews. Evidence available from randomized controlled trials comparing the various modalities is limited and at best regarded as Grade C or D (based on expert opinion). The evidence suggests that all three DAE modalities have comparable insertion depths, diagnostic and therapeutic efficacies and complication rates, though most favour DBE due to higher rates of total enteroscopy. SE is quicker than DBE, but lower complete enteroscopy rates. SBE has quicker procedural times and is evolving but the least available DAE today. Larger prospective randomised controlled trial’s in the future could help us understand some unanswered areas including the role of BAE in small bowel screening and comparative studies between the main types of enteroscopy in small bowel CD.     

香港地区肿瘤放射治疗发展简史

通过回顾香港地区肿瘤放射治疗设备、人员、技术等情况的进展,可为广大读者提供一个简单清晰的脉络,并帮助了解香港地区肿瘤放射治疗学创建与发展过程。此报告是对香港地区肿瘤放射治疗学发展的宣传与肯定,也更是为扩大放射肿瘤学科交流和发展提供契机。     

A comparison of the effects of imposed extension and flexion movements on Parkinsonian rigidity.

OBJECTIVE: To test a hypothesis that Parkinsonian rigidity is more pronounced in imposed extension than flexion movement. METHODS: Twelve Parkinsonian subjects (both "Off" and "On" medication states) and seven control subjects participated in the protocol, in which a servomotor imposed wrist flexion and extension. Rigidity was quantitatively evaluated by the rectified torque integral with time, i.e., temporal score, and by the torque integral with joint angle, i.e., work score, for extension and flexion, respectively. RESULTS: In the "Off" state, the imposed extension induced a significantly higher resistance than did flexion. Dopaminergic medication significantly reduced the temporal score associated with imposed extension, and significantly decreased the work score of both movements. Compared with controls, the scores were higher for patients in the "On" state. CONCLUSIONS: Rigidity is more readily elicited in extension movement. The distinction is not evident in clinical practice, whereas it can be clearly revealed with the application of biomechanical analyses. SIGNIFICANCE: This distinction may prove to be a standard feature of rigidity. The procedures may be helpful in diagnosis and useful in evaluating new treatments and developing rehabilitation programs.     

Systemic interleukin 1 administration suppresses arachidonic acid-induced ear oedema in the mouse

Recombinant human interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), given intraperitoneally to mice as a single injection, significantly suppressed the development of arachidonic acid (AA)-induced ear oedema. This effect was noted 2 h after administration and for at least 5 days afterwards. IL-1 beta was effective in the dose range of 250 ng-20 micrograms/mouse. Injection of IL-1 beta per se resulted in erythema of the ears, and thus, IL-1 beta has the capacity not only to induce and augment but also to suppress inflammatory responses. Indomethacin administered as subcutaneously-implanted pellets did not influence the IL-1 beta induced-ear erythema, but suppressed to some extent the effect of IL-1 beta on the AA-induced ear oedema.     

Oculocutaneous albinism

Oculocutaneous albinism represents a group of inherited skin disorders characterized by a generalized reduction of cutaneous, ocular and pilar pigmentation from the time of birth. Oculocutaneous albinism types 1 and 2 are the most common, but several other types have been described. A defect in the melanin synthesis pathway, resulting in reduced formation of melanin, is responsible for oculocutaneous albinism. Aetiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management are discussed.