Objective: To study the effects of Simvastatin on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. Methods: The fourth passage human PDLs were cultured in conditioned mineralization medium with different concentrations of Simvastatin. Proliferation ability was detected by MTT method. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured with 4-nitrophenyl phosphate hexahydrate (PNPP) assay. Results: Proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of human PDLs were increased in all treatment groups with different concentrations of Simvastatin(10-9, 10-8, 10-7, 10-6 mol/L). Compared with control group, significant statistical difference was found in 10-8 mol/L, 10-7 mol/L and 10-6 mol/L groups(P<0.05). The maximum effect was observed at the concentration of 10-7 mol/L. Conclusion: Optimal concentration of Simvastatin can improve the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of human PDLs.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of conversion therapy to mizoribine (MZR) for renal transplant patients who suffered MMF or Aza adverse reaction. Methods In 56 patients with adverse reactions at different time points after renal transplantation, there were 23 cases of pulmonary infection, 14 cases of bone marrow depression, 6 cases of hepatic functional lesion and 13 cases of diarrhea. The immunosuppressive protocols of these patients were changed to CNI + MZR + Pre when the adverse reaction occurred. During the follow-up period (11 to 53 months), the effect and adverse events of conversion treatment were observed. Results After conversion treatment, 1 of 23 patients with pulmonary infection was re-infected after 26 months and finally died of heart and lung function failure. In 14 patients with bone marrow depression, blood test returned to normal in 13cases. Six patients with hepatic functional lesion were administered hepatoprotection treatment and their liver function was restored without recurrence of impaired liver function. All 13 patients with diarrhea were relieved without recurrence. The serum creatinine was 123 ± 21.3 μmol/L and 119±18. 2 μmol/L before and after the conversion therapy respectively (P＞0. 05). During the follow-up period, all patients' graft function was good. The incidence of rejection was 1.7 % (1 case). Nine patients (16. 1 %) had a higher level of uric acid after conversion. One patient had finger and toe joint pain. The symptoms were relieved after symptomatic treatment. Conclusion There were high security and good effect of conversion therapy to MZR due to MMF or Aza adverse reaction. Besides, MZR conversion therapy for renal transplantation patients provided a new option for individual immunosuppression.

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on physical and chemical properties of sandblasted and acid-etched (SA) titanium surface and their ability to adsorb human fibronectin (HFn).

METHODSSA and UV-SA surfaces were separately prepared. Surface morphology, roughness, elemental composition, wettability and HFn adsorption assay were performed for comparative analysis of these two surfaces.

RESULTSSA and UV-SA surface had a similar morphology with multi-holes, and average roughness. UV-SA surface had a lower C content (22.83%) and higher O content (51.20%) and presented hydrophilicity, while SA surface showed hydrophobicity. But the quantity of adsorbed HFn on SA surface at 10 min assay point [(0.41 ± 0.07) µg] was statistically higher than that on UV-SA surface [(0.26 ± 0.08) µg](P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONSUV irradiation would not change the morphology and roughness of SA surface. However, it could reduce the hydrocarbon and increase the hydroxyl groups, and the absorption of HFn on UV-SA surface at 10 min assay point was statistically lower than that on SA surface. Therefore, the in-vitro bioactivity of UV-SA surface was not as good as that of SA surface.

Adsorption ; Fibronectins ; chemistry ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Wettability