Tooth or dentition missing compromises human health physically and psychiatrically. Although several prosthesis methods are used to restore tooth loss, these restorations are still non-biological methods. It is a dream for human being to regenerate a real tooth for hundreds years. There are two ways to regenerate the tooth. One is application of conventional tissue engineering techniques including seed cells and scaffold. The other is regeneration tooth using dental epithelium and dental mesenchymal cells based on the knowledge of tooth initiation and development. Marked progress has been achieved in these two ways, while there is still a long way to go. Recently a new concept has been proposed for regeneration of a biological tooth root based on tooth-related stem cells and tissue engineering technique. A biological tooth root has been regenerated in swine. It may be a valuable method for restoration of tooth loss before successful whole tooth regeneration. A latest research showed that a subpopulation in bone marrow cells can give rise to ameloblast-like cells when mixed with embryonic epithelium and reassociation with integrated mesenchyme, which may provide a new seed cell source for tooth regeneration.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Regeneration ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering ; Tooth ; Tooth Root

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells are organized in a hierarchical fashion, with only the most primitive rare population (leukemia stem cell, LSC) of AML cells capable of maintaining the leukemic clone. A broad range of studies has indicated that AML results from mutations at the level of the stem cells of AML cells. The changes of cellular and molecular features in these malignant stem cells determine the features of leukemic clone and give rise to different subtypes of AML. LSCs share some similar characteristics with normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) including the ability to self-renew, and also have the potential of limited differentiation. LSCs, also have some features that are not found in normal HSC. LSCs have unique phenotype such as CD90-, CD117- and CD123+. Tumor-suppressor protein-death associated protein kinase and interferon regulatory factor 1 were overexpressed in LSCs, but not in normal HSC. Due to a predominantly G0 cell-cycle status, LSCs may not be responsive to conventional chemotherapeutic agents, compared with leukemia blasts. It is proposed that surviving LSCs are a major contributing factor to leukemic relapse. Although LSC population is likely to be drug-resistant, quiescent LSCs are preferentially susceptible to apoptosis induction while sparing normal HSC, with the appropriate stimulus such as proteasome inhibitor MG-132. This article reviewed the data emerging from the study of LSCs, and elucidated the distinct cellular and molecular characteristics of the LSC population, which may shed new light on AML therapy and leukemogenesis study.
Cell Count ; Cell Cycle ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; pathology ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis

This study was aimed to analyze the different proteomes between human acute leukemia (AL) cells and normal white blood cells by proteomic technology in order to lay the basis for diagnosing AL and understanding the mechanism of leukemogenesis. The proteins from AL cells of 40 AL patients identified by FAB classification and proteins from normal lymphocytes and granulocytes of 20 normal volunteers were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), and the differentially expressed proteins between the two groups were identified by both matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and electronspray ionization (ESI)-MS/MS. The results showed that among the differentially expressed proteins between AL cells and normal lymphocytes and granulocytes, some proteins involved in the process of malignant transformation (such as Op18, NM23-H1), cell proliferation (such as PCNA) and apoptosis inhibition (such as tumor necrosis factor inhibitor protein) were found to be up regulated in AL cells. However, some proteins involved in differentiation and physiological functions of normal cells were down regulated in AL cells. It is concluded that there are many events involved in the process of leukemogenesis, expression of some proteins relating to the malignant transformation, cell proliferation and apoptosis inhibition are up-regulated in AL cells. The proteome analysis may provide a new approach to explaining the molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of AL.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Marrow Cells ; chemistry ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; chemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proteome ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanisms of apoptotic NB4 cells induced by the histone deacetylase inhibitor, sodium butyrate(SB).

METHODSSB was exposed to NB4 cells at a final concentration of 1.0 mmol/L. The untreated and treated cells were analysed with FACS and 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) at 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. The changed protein spots were identified with MALDI-TOF-MS and ESI-TOF-MS/MS.

RESULTSSB induced apoptosis of NB4 cells. Twenty-one changed proteins involving apoptotic signal transduction, immunological regulation, transcriptional control, cellular metabolism, molecular transport and so on were identified. Thirteen of them had been reported to be related to apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSB can induce apoptosis and many functional protein changes in tumor cells. These results pave the way to further explore the anti-tumor mechanism of SB.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Butyrates ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Proteomics

Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; Liver Diseases ; immunology ; Th17 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo present data from a baseline investigation on stroke-related cohort population in rural area of Shanghai.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was carried out in a cluster sampling population aged 40 years and over. General information and data on common risk factors in the population were gathered and cerebral vascular hemodynamic indexes were checked. Hemodynamic score was estimated according to single indexes by unified methods. 5335 persons who had met the inclusion criteria were enlisted in the study. Exposure level of risk factors, prevalence of stroke, and hemodynamic indexes were analyzed and distributional characteristics were described.

RESULTSExposure rate of hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, family history of hypertension, overweight or obesity in males were 31.74%, 6.09%, 1.16%, 3.22%, 17.64%, 29.68% and were 32.76%, 9.22%, 1.55%, 3.84%, 19.22%, 29.44% in female respectively. Standard prevalence of stroke was 1167.3/100000, which in male was significantly higher than that in female (P < 0.05). The change of cerebral vascular hemodynamic indexes was significantly associated with age. Hemodynamic score in 21.3% of the subjects was below 75 points.

CONCLUSIONSAmong population of 40 years old and over in rural areas, hypertension was the principal risk factor regarding the rate of stroke. Prevalence of stroke in males was significantly higher than that in females. Abnormal rate of hemodynamic score was about 20% in this population.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain ; blood supply ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Rural Health ; Sampling Studies ; Sex Factors ; Stroke ; epidemiology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the ex vivo effect of sirolimus on capacity of splenic dendritic cells (DC) from traumatized mice in inducing T cell responses.

METHODSTwenty-four BALB/c mice were divided into control group and trauma group according to the random number table, with 12 mice in each group. Mice in trauma group were bled followed by closed femur fracture after anaesthesia, while mice in control group were only anaesthetized without injury. Twenty-four hours later DC were isolated from spleens and divided into 4 subgroups: sirolimus devoid control (trauma) groups [consisted of cells from control (trauma) groups, without sirolimus treatment] and sirolimus treated control (trauma) groups [consisted of cells from control (trauma) groups, treated with 10 microg/L sirolimus for 6 hours]. Then their autophagic activity, DC-induced mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) were measured and recorded as fluorescence intensity (FI) value and absorbance value respectively. The expression of major histocompatibility complex class (MHC) II and costimulatory molecules CD40, CD80, and CD86 on DC surface were measured with flow cytometry. IL-12p40, IL-12p70 and IL-10 levels in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated DC supernatants were determined by ELISA. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS(1) Compared with those of sirolimus devoid control group (FI value = 22 +/- 6), DC autophagic activity (FI value = 13 +/- 2) and DC-induced MLR in mice from sirolimus devoid trauma group were significantly weakened (F = 212.836, P < 0.05). Compared with those of sirolimus devoid control (trauma) groups, DC autophagic activity in mice from sirolimus treated control (trauma) groups (FI = 45 +/- 8, 44 +/- 8 respectively) were significantly strengthened (F = 212.836, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). MLR in mice from sirolimus treated trauma group was stronger than that from sirolimus devoid trauma group (with F value respectively 101.426, 86.533, P values all below 0.05). (2) Compared with those of sirolimus devoid control group [MHC II (85 +/- 6)%, CD40 (8 +/- 1)%], the expressions of MHCII [(60 +/- 9)%] and CD40 [(4 +/- 1)%] on DC surface from sirolimus devoid trauma group were significantly reduced (with F value respectively 37.918, 40.426, P values all below 0.05). The expression of MHCII from sirolimus treated trauma group [(78 +/- 7)%] was higher than that from sirolimus devoid trauma group (F = 37.918, P < 0.05). (3) IL-12p40, IL-12p70 secretion by DC from sirolimus devoid trauma group [(120 +/- 13), (10 +/- 3) pg/mL] were significantly reduced as compared with those from sirolimus devoid control group [(200 +/- 25), (20 +/- 6) pg/mL, with F value respectively 218.646, 310.253, P values all below 0.05]. Compared with those from sirolimus devoid control (trauma) groups, IL-12p40 [(560 +/- 34), (540 +/- 29) pg/mL], IL-12p70 [(55 +/- 8), (60 +/- 11) pg/mL] secretion by DC from sirolimus treated control (trauma) groups were obviously enhanced (with F value respectively 218.646, 310.253, P values all below 0.01), while IL-10 secretion levels were significantly decreased (F = 246.108, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSirolimus can partially ameliorate DC functions ex vivo in traumatized mice, and further enhance the capacity of DC in inducing T cell responses.

Animals ; B7-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD40 Antigens ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II ; immunology ; Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 ; metabolism ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Sirolimus ; pharmacology ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Wounds and Injuries ; immunology

China is the cradle of Chinese herb medicines,with rich plant resources. However, traditional processing methods have many disadvantages, such as high comsumption of organic solvent, long extraction time and high loss of effective constituents. For the purpose of rational use of Chinese herb medicines and accurate analysis on their constituents,the sample pre-treatment method with magnetic nanoparticles as the carrier brought new opportunities in recent years. after consulting literatures,the essay summarizes traditional extraction methods of Chinese herb medicines, characteristics of magnetic materials and their application in the analysis on Chinese herb medicines.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Magnetics ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the podocyte injury in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and analyze its relationship with glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and proteinuria.

METHODSThe clinical data of 48 patients diagnosed as DN by renal biopsy were reviewed. All patients were divided into two groups according to proteinuria (>3.5 g/d, n=31 and 3.5 g/d, n=17). The density of podocytes was illustrated by immunohistochemistry staining of Wilms tumor-1 (WT-1), and the immunofluorescence double-staining results of synaptopodin and GRP78 in podocytes were detected.

RESULTSThe podocyte dentistry of urine protein > 3.5 g/d group was significantly lower than that of urine protein>3.5 g/d group urine protein<3.5 g/d group(P=0.003), and it was negatively correlated with proteinuria (P=0.005). The expressions of synaptopodin and GRP78 in podocytes were also negatively correlated with proteinuria (P=0.004 and P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe podocyte injury is aggravated with increased proteinuria in DN patients, along with the decrease of the adaptive ability of endoplasmic reticulum to stress.

Adult ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Podocytes ; pathology ; Proteinuria ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the exposed level of stroke risk factors in Fengxian county of Shanghai and the relationships between risk factors and stroke.

METHODSCommunity based populations including 10,565 individuals aged 40 years old and over were cluster sampled from Fengxian county in 2003 or 2004. Status of exposure on common risk factors such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, family history of stroke, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake were gathered while cerebral vascular hemodynamic index (CVHI) was examined, with CVHI score below 75 points as abnormal. During 2003 to 2006, 78 stroke cases occurred. The relationships between risk factors and stroke were analyzed by univariate and Cox proportional hazards regression models.

RESULTSRates of exposure regarding hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, family history of stroke, obesity (BMI > or = 28 kg/m2), smoking, drinking and CVHI score abnormal were 21.14%, 6.72%, 1.88%, 5.63%, 4.17%, 34.96%, 17.81% and 29.43%, respectively. Data from Univariate analysis indicated that relative risk (95% CI) of above-mentioned risk factors were 2.76 (1.76-4.32), 2.19 (1.16-4.14), 1.52 (0.38-6.19), 1.58 (0.69-3.62), 1.24 (0.45-3.38), 1.75 (1.12-2.73), 2.10 (1.30-3.39) and 12.72 (7.02-23.06), respectively. Results from Cox proportional hazards regression models analysis showed that cigarette smoking, CVHI score abnormal were screened into equation.

CONCLUSIONAmong all the risk factors, rate of hypertension was the highest while hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and abnomal CVHI score had remarkable etiological correlations to stroke. Abnormal CVHI score, cigarette smoking seemed to be the independent forecasting factors related to stroke.

Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; complications ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Complications ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; complications ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Stroke ; epidemiology ; etiology