Dose- and time-dependent effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 on the osteogenic and adipogenic potentials of alveolar bone-derived stromal cells

Park J‐C, Kim J.C, Kim B‐K, Cho K‐S, Im G‐I, Kim B‐S, Kim C‐S. Dose‐ and time‐dependent effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 on the osteogenic and adipogenic potentials of alveolar bone‐derived stromal cells. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 645–654. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2) is a well‐known growth factor that can induce robust bone formation, and recent studies have shown that rhBMP‐2‐induced osteogenesis is closely related to adipogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine the dose‐ and time‐dependent effects of rhBMP‐2 on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of human alveolar bone‐derived stromal cells (hABCs) in vivo and in vitro. Material and Methods: hABCs were isolated and cultured, and then transplanted using a carrier treated either with or without rhBMP‐2 (100 μg/mL) into an ectopic subcutaneous mouse model. Comprehensive histologic and histometric analyses were performed after an 8‐wk healing period. To further understand the dose‐dependent (0, 10, 50, 200, 500 and 1000 ng/mL) and time‐dependent (0, 3, 5, 7 and 14 d) effects of rhBMP‐2 on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, in vitro osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of hABCs were evaluated, and the expression of related mRNAs, including those for alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein, peroxisome‐proliferator‐activated receptor gamma‐2 and lipoprotein lipase, were assessed using quantitative RT‐PCR. Results: rhBMP‐2 significantly promoted the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of hABCs in vivo, and gradually increased both the osteogenic and adipogenic potential in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner with minimal deviation in vitro. The expression of osteogenesis‐ and adipogenesis‐associated mRNAs were concomitantly up‐regulated by rhBMP‐2. Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that rhBMP‐2 significantly enhanced the adipogenic as well as the osteogenic potential of hABCs in dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. The control of adipogenic differentiation of hABCs should be considered when regenerating the alveolar bone using rhBMP‐2.     

Factors Influencing Improvement of Trauma-Related Symptoms Among Somali Refugee Youth in Urban Kenya

Somali refugee youth present with a heightened risk for common mental disorders (CMDs), and yet few studies have discussed factors influencing mental health outcomes after psychosocial interventions. This study aimed to identify key factors that contribute to the improvement of CMD symptoms among Somali youth displaced in urban Kenya. Logistic regression analyses revealed that trauma exposure and emotional coping predict overall symptom improvement, pointing to a differential intervention effect on those with differing levels of religious belief and attitudes toward violence. This study provides insights into how psychosocial factors likely contribute to positive intervention outcomes in Somali refugee youth.

     

Submucosal Hemangioma of the Trachea in an Infant: Diagnosis and Follow-Up with 3D-CT/Bronchoscopy

Introduction:

Infantile hemangiomas of the airway are diagnosed at bronchoscopy as part of the investigation of stridor or other respiratory symptoms. Here, we present three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT)/bronchoscopy findings of submucosal subglottic hemangioma missed at bronchoscopy.

Case Presentation:

We report on the clinical usefulness of 3D-CT/bronchoscopy as the primary diagnostic tool and follow-up method in the evaluation of suspected airway infantile hemangiomas, especially when the hemangioma is the submucosal type.

Conclusions:

3D-CT/bronchoscopy will reduce the need for invasive laryngoscopic studies and help to diagnose submucosal hemangiomas undetected on laryngoscope. Additionally, 3D-CT/bronchoscopy will help evaluating the extent of the lesion, degree of airway narrowing, and treatment response.     

The neuroradiological findings of children with developmental language disorder

PURPOSE: To investigate the general characteristics of glucose metabolism distribution and the functional deficit in the brain of children with developmental language delay (DLD), we compared functional neuroradiological studies such as positron emission tomography (PET) of a patient group of DLD children and a control group of attention- deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen DLD children and 10 ADHD children under 10 years of age were recruited and divided into separate groups consisting of children less than 5 years of age or between 5 and 10 years of age. The PET findings of 4 DLD children and 6 control children whose ages ranged from 5 to 10 years were compared by Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) analysis. RESULTS: All of the DLD children revealed grossly normal findings in brain MRIs, however, 87.5% of them showed grossly abnormal findings in their PET studies. Abnormal findings were most frequent in the thalamus. The patient group showed significantly decreased glucose metabolism in both frontal, temporal and right parietal areas (p < 0.005) and significantly increased metabolism in both occipital areas (p < 0.05) as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that DLD children may show abnormal findings on functional neuroradiological studies, even though structural neuroradiological studies such as a brain MRI do not show any abnormal findings. Frequent abnormal findings on functional neuroradiological studies of DLD children, especially in the subcortical area, suggests that further research with quantitative assessments of functional neuroradiological studies recruiting more DLD children and age-matched normal controls could be helpful for understanding the pathophysiology of DLD and other disorders confined to the developmental disorder spectrum.     

The epidemiology and role of surgery in the treatment of urethral clear cell carcinoma

International Urology and Nephrology - To perform a retrospective analysis of the epidemiology and role of surgery on survival in patients with urethral clear cell carcinoma (UCCC) using the...