BACKGROUND: Bone growth factors, particularly bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2), are required for effective treatment of significant bone loss. Despite the extensive development of bone substitutes, much remains to be desired for wider application in clinical settings. The currently available bone substitutes cannot sustain prolonged BMP-2 release and are inconvenient to use. In this study, we developed a ready-to-use bone substitute by sequential conjugation of BMP to a three-dimensional (3D) poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) scaffold using novel molecular adhesive materials that reduced the operation time and sustained prolonged BMP release. METHODS: A 3D PLLA scaffold was printed and BMP-2 was conjugated with alginate-catechol and collagen. PLLA scaffolds were conjugated with different concentrations of BMP-2 and evaluated for bone regeneration in vitro and in vivo using a mouse calvarial model. The BMP-2 release kinetics were analyzed using ELISA. Histological analysis and microCT image analysis were performed to evaluate new bone formation. RESULTS: The 3D structure of the PLLA scaffold had a pore size of 400 lm and grid thickness of 187–230 lm. BMP-2 was released in an initial burst, followed by a sustained release for 14 days. Released BMP-2 maintained osteoinductivity in vitro and in vivo. Micro-computed tomography and histological findings demonstrate that the PLLA scaffold conjugated with 2 lg/ml of BMP-2 induced optimal bone regeneration. CONCLUSION The 3D-printed PLLA scaffold conjugated with BMP-2 enhanced bone regeneration, demonstrating its potential as a novel bone substitute.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Zanthoxylum schinifolium is traditionally used as a spice for cooking in East Asian countries. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-proliferative potential of ethanol extracts of Z. schinifolium leaves (EEZS) against human bladder cancer T24 cells.MATERIALS/METHODS: Subsequent to measuring the cytotoxicity of EEZS, the anti-cancer activity was measured by assessing apoptosis induction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). In addition, we determined the underlying mechanism of EEZS-induced apoptosis through various assays, including Western blot analysis. RESULTS: EEZS treatment concentration-dependently inhibited T24 cell survival, which is associated with apoptosis induction. Exposure to EEZS induced the expression of Fas and Fas-ligand, activated caspases, and subsequently resulted to cleavage of poly (ADPribose) polymerase. EEZS also enhanced the expression of cytochrome c in the cytoplasm by suppressing MMP, following increase in the ratio of Bax:Bcl-2 expression and truncation of Bid. However, EEZS-mediated growth inhibition and apoptosis were significantly diminished by a pan-caspase inhibitor. Moreover, EEZS inhibited activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, and the apoptosis-inducing potential of EEZS was promoted in the presence of PI3K/Akt inhibitor. In addition, EEZS enhanced the production of ROS, whereas N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, markedly suppressed growth inhibition and inactivation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway induced by EEZS. Furthermore, NAC significantly attenuated the EEZS-induced apoptosis and reduction of cell viability. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results indicate that exposure to EEZS exhibits anticancer activity in T24 bladder cancer cells through ROS-dependent induction of apoptosis and inactivation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the effects of nurse-physician collaboration on nursing performance and organizational commitment in intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was used and data were collected from 203 ICU nurses working in two advanced general hospitals and two general hospitals. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, One-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients and Hierarchical multiple regression with SPSSWIN 23.0 program. RESULTS: The sub-domains of nursephysician collaboration were as follows: 3.77±0.51 for sharing of patient information, 3.36±0.65 for decision-making process on the cure or care, and 3.20±0.72 for relationship between nurse and physician. Nurse-physician collaboration was significantly positively correlated with nursing performance and organizational commitment. Regression analysis showed that nurse-physician collaboration explained an additional 24.9%p of nursing performance and an additional 13.4%p of organizational commitment. 'Sharing of patient information' and 'Relationship between nurse and physician' were significant predictors of nursing performance. 'Relationship between nurse and physician' was a significant predictor of organizational commitment. CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence that the collaboration between nurses and physicians should be enhanced in terms of sharing patient information and mutual respect, to improve nursing performance and organizational commitment of ICU nurses.
Cooperative Behavior ; Critical Care ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Nursing ; Work Performance

PURPOSE: Although acute renal failure (ARF) commonly develops in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), the impact of ARF on disease severity is rarely reported in Korea. This study was performed to compare the clinical findings, morbidity and mortality between SAP patients with and without ARF. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 102 patients with SAP between january 2001 and June 2008 in 3 hospitals. We investigated the incidence and clinical course of ARF in SAP patients. Then, we compared morbidity and mortality between the patients with ARF and normal renal function (NRF). RESULTS: Of the total 102 SAP patients, ARF was observed in 39 patients (38.2%). The peak serum creatinine level in ARF patients was 4.5+/-2.3 mg/dL. Eight of the 39 ARF patients (20.5%) received hemodialysis and ten patients (25.6%) died. When compared to NRF patiens, ARF patients (n=39) had higher incidence of dyspnea (17.9% vs 3.2%, p=0.011), loss of consciousness (17.9% vs 1.6%, p=0.003), and APACHE II scores more than 8 (92.3% vs 0%, p<0.001). The ARF group had also higher incidences of sepsis (35.9% vs 7.9%, p<0.001), multiorgan failure (15.4% vs 0%, p=0.001), respiratory failure (28.2% vs 4.7%, p=0.001) and mortality (25.6% vs 3.2%, p=0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration, and high LDH as independent risk factors of ARF in SAP patients. CONCLUSION: The incidence of ARF was high (38.2%) and ARF patients showed higher morbidity and mortality, compared to NRF patients. We suggest that early management of ARF should be performed for reducing the mortality in SAP patients.
Acute Kidney Injury ; APACHE ; Creatinine ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pancreatitis ; Renal Dialysis ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis ; Thrombocytopenia ; Unconsciousness

BACKGROUND: Four platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) family members have been identified; the classical PDGFs, PDGF-A and PDGF-B, and the novel PDGFs, PDGF-C and PDGF-D, which were only recently discovered. METHODS: The present study was designed to determine the changes of the platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) subtypes (C & D) and their receptors (PDGFR)-alpha & beta expression in kidneys during pre- and postnatal development. RESULTS: All the protein levels of PDGFR-alpha and -beta and the mRNA levels of PDGF-C and D were high in kidneys during the prenatal period and decreased differently during the postnatal period. PDGFR-alpha was expressed in the interstitial space at embryo day 18. PDGFR-beta protein were expressed in metanephric blastema at embryo day 18. PDGF-C mRNA was expressed in metanephric blastema, developing glomerulus at embryo 18 day and in collecting duct at postnatal day 7. PDGF-D mRNA was expressed in the parietal and vesceral epithelial cells during pre and postnatal period. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the PDGF subtypes (C & D) and their receptors (PDGFR-alpha & -beta) are differently expressed in the kidney during the prenatal and postnatal period.
Embryonic Structures ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Kidney ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; Rabeprazole ; Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor* ; RNA, Messenger