Lithium-containing surface pre-reacted glass fillers enhance hDPSC functions and induce reparative dentin formation in a rat pulp capping model through activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Surface pre-reacted glass (S-PRG) fillers are new bioactive molecules used in dental clinic work to fill tooth defects. These fillers release various types of ions (Al⁺³, BO^-3, Na⁺, SiO₃^-2, Sr⁺² and F^-) and exhibit high biocompatibility, antibacterial capability, reduced plaque accumulation, and enhanced osteoblast differentiation. We previously showed that cement of S-PRG fillers could induce tertiary dentin formation in rat models. Previous work also showed that lithium ions can activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in vitro and induce dentin formation in pulpotomized teeth in vivo. In the current study, we sought to enhance the effect of S-PRG cement by incorporating LiCl. We show that treatment of human dental pulp stem cells with eluates from S-PRG/LiCl combination cements leads to an upregulation in cell migration, differentiation, and mineralization in vitro. In pulp-capping animal trials, we found that S-PRG/LiCl cements could induce tertiary dentin formation 28-days post-capping. At 7 days post-capping, we identified both β-catenin and Axin2 expression using immunofluorescence, indicative of Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity. In conclusion, S-PRG/LiCl cement is highly effective in promoting human dental pulp stem cells profiles and in enhancing reparative dentin formation in rat teeth through activation of the Wnt/β-catenin canonical signaling pathway. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study to assess the behavior of S-PRG fillers containing lithium ions on human dental pulp stem cells. We show that this new combination cement promotes positive cell responses by activating the endogenous Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the pulp. The Wnt/β-catenin canonical signaling pathway is involved in many developmental and wound healing processes. The released lithium ions from the S-PRG cement were systematically detected <0.01 mmol/L in our rat model. But it was efficient to induce tertiary dentin formation at the defect site. Since this novel bioactive cement is potentially a promising material for clinical pulp regenerative therapy, future human clinical trials will be needed.

Comprehensive micro-mechanical characterization of experimental direct core build-up resin composites with different amounts of filler contents

Dual-cured resin-based composites are gaining popularity as core build-up materials. Physical and elastoplastic characteristics of new experimental core build-up materials with variable filler contents (+2.5 and +5 wt%) were investigated using classic macroexperiments and nanoindentation. Flexural fracture strength increased from 91.7±11.8 to 114.1±9.1 and 116.6±14.7 MPa in the +2.5 and +5 wt% groups, respectively; similarly, elastic moduli increased from 12.6±0.9 to 15.4±1.2 and 15.3±2.0 MPa, respectively. Fracture toughness increased from 1.82±0.60 to 2.28±0.53 and 2.67±0.88 MPa•m^1/2 for the +2.5 and +5 wt% groups, respectively; indentation hardness increased significantly from 0.45±0.03 to 0.55±0.04 and 0.60±0.10 GPa, respectively. The addition of +5 wt% filler content led to a mechanically superior material; the addition of +2.5 wt% filler led to better reliability.

Effect of tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 1 on human pulp cells in vitro and rat pulp tissue in vivo

AIM

To evaluate the dentinogenetic effects of tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease (TIMP1) on human pulp cells in vitro and rat pulp tissue in vivo.

METHODOLOGY

The effect of TIMP1 on pulp cell functions related to hard tissue formation as part of the wound healing process (i.e. biocompatibility, proliferation, differentiation and mineralized nodule formation) was evaluated in vitro and using a direct pulp capping experimental animal model in vivo. The effects of different-sized cavity preparations on hard tissue formation induced by ProRoot MTA at 2 weeks were evaluated using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Tertiary dentine formation quality and quantity after pulp capping using TIMP1, ProRoot MTA and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was also evaluated after 4 weeks using micro-CT in term of dentine volume (DV), dentine mineral density (DVD) and histological analysis. The data were evaluated by Student's t-test, one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test, the Kruskal-Wallis test or the Steel-Dwass test. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

TIMP1 significantly stimulated dental pulp stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization and was more biocompatible compared with the PBS control (P < 0.05). In the pulp capping model, the amount of tertiary dentine that formed was directly proportional to the size of the pulp exposure; greater amounts of tertiary dentine were observed in pulps with larger exposures after 2 weeks. 4-week samples of TIMP1 and ProRoot MTA had similar characteristics, but both sample significantly induced tertiary dentine formation beneath the cavity compared with PBS (P <  0.05) under standardized cavity preparations.

CONCLUSIONS

TIMP1 has an important role in pulpal wound healing, which makes it a potential biological pulp capping material and candidate molecule for regenerative endodontic therapy.

Abstract P4-08-24: Prognostic significance of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in postmenopausal breast cancer patients

Background: Several studies have shown the association between high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and poor prognosis in various cancer types, including breast cancer. On the other hand, menopausal status, which is an important consideration in breast cancer treatment, has been shown to be associated with changes in NLR levels. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the prognostic significance of preoperative NLR, especially in postmenopausal breast cancer patients.

Patients and methods: Between October 2003 and December 2014, 1868 women underwent surgery without neoadjuvant systemic therapy for primary breast cancer in our department. The optimal cutoff value of preoperative NLR was determined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The patients were divided into two groups based on the NLR cutoff value of 3.34: High NLR (NLR value ≥ 3.34) and Low NLR (NLR value &lt; 3.34). Correlations between clinicopathological characteristics and preoperative NLR were analyzed, and relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated.

Results: Among the 1868 patients, 286 (15.3%) and 1582 (84.7%) patients were classified into High NLR and Low NLR, respectively. Although the patients in High NLR was younger (p=0.0023), there were no significant correlations between NLR and all other prognostic factors, such as tumor size, lymph node status, and histological grade. High NLR was associated with tendency to shorter RFS (p=0.0583) and shorter OS (p=0.0303). In postmenopausal patients (n=1177), significant correlations were observed between High NLR and shorter RFS and OS (p=0.0002 and p=0.0011). However, NLR was not correlated with RFS and OS in premenopausal patients (n=691). Although the postmenopausal patients with relapsed cancer had higher NLR levels than those without relapse (p=0.0252), NLR levels were not correlated with relapse occurrence in premenopausal patients. Both univariate (p=0.0009) and multivariate (p=0.0015) analyses revealed that High NLR as well as larger tumor size, lymph node metastases, and higher histological grade was significantly associated with relapse in postmenopausal patients. Moreover, in postmenopausal patients, subgroup analysis according to cancer subtype revealed that High NLR was correlated with shorter RFS only in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer (p=0.0009), in those without adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.0034) but not in those with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Conclusion: Elevated preoperative NLR is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in postmenopausal but not premenopausal patients with breast cancer. In postmenopausal patients, adjuvant chemotherapy may improve prognosis in patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer, especially in those with elevated preoperative NLR.

Citation Format: Ijichi H, Tajiri W, Masuda T, Koga C, Tanaka J, Nakamura Y, Okamoto M, Tokunaga E. Prognostic significance of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in postmenopausal breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-08-24.

Complete renal response at 12 months after induction therapy is associated with renal relapse-free rate in lupus nephritis: a single-center, retrospective cohort study

Background

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major risk factor for overall morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed cases of proliferative and membranous LN patients who underwent a renal biopsy at our hospital in 1993–2016. We analyzed the association between complete renal response (CR) rates at 12 months after induction therapy and predictive factors for CR and their association with renal flares.

Results

Of the 95 cases analyzed, we were able to track the therapeutic responses of 81 patients at 12 months after their induction therapy. The median follow-up duration after renal biopsy was 51 months (interquartile range: 16.5–154.5 months). The Cox proportional hazards model showed that, compared to not attaining CR at 12 months, the attainment of CR at 12 months was correlated with being free from renal flares. The multivariate logistic analysis revealed that the predictive factors for CR at 12 months were the anti-La/SSB antibodies (U/ml) (odds ratio (OR) 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.63, p = 0.0220), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.44–0.90, p = 0.00048) and serum β2 microglobulin (MG) (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.06–0.74, p = 0.00098) levels.

Conclusions

Among LN patients, being free from renal flares was associated with attaining CR at 12 months after induction therapy. Anti-La/SSB antibodies were a positive predictive factor, and BUN and serum β2MG levels were negative predictive factors of CR at 12 months.

Enhanced coupling of broadband light into amorphous silicon via periodic nanoplasmonic arrays

Achieving enhanced coupling of solar radiation over the full range of the silicon absorption spectrum up to the bandgap is essential for increased efficiency of solar cells, especially thin film versions. While many designs for enhancing trapping of radiation have been explored, detailed measurements of light scattering inside silicon cells is still lacking. Here, we demonstrate experimentally and computationally that plasmonic-assisted localized and traveling modes can efficiently couple red and infrared radiation into ultrathin amorphous silicon (a-Si) layers. Utilizing patterned periodic arrays of aluminum nanostructures on thin a-Si, we perform specular and diffuse reflectivity and transmission measurements over a broad spectrum. Based on these results, we are able to separate parasitic absorption in aluminum plasmonic arrays from enhanced light absorption in the 200 nm thick amorphous silicon layer, as compared to a blank silicon layer. We discover a very efficient near-infrared a-Si absorption mechanism that occurs at the transition from the radiative to evanescent diffractive coupling, analogous to earlier surface-enhanced infrared studies. These results represent a direct demonstration of enhanced radiation coupling into silicon due to large angle scattering and show a path forward to improved ultrathin solar cell efficiency.

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor antagonist, SKL-14959, suppressed body weight gain on diet-induced obesity mice

Objective

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide plays a role in glucose and lipid metabolism and is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. The objective of this study is to confirm the anti-obesity effects of the gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor antagonist, SKL-14959, on diet-induced obesity mice.

Method

Diet-induced obesity mice at 20 weeks of age were administered with or without SKL-14959 for 96 d. Body weight and food intake were monitored throughout the experiment. Mice were sacrificed, and physiological and biochemical markers were measured, and then histochemical and gene expression analyses were also performed. In further studies, mice were orally gavaged with [14C]-oleic acid to investigate the excursion of digested lipids.

Results

SKL-14959 significantly suppressed weight gain without affecting food intake, decreased triacylglycerol contents in the liver and the muscle and the intensity stained with oil-red in the liver. It also improved plasma glutamic pyruvic transaminase and 3-hydroxybutyrate levels in addition to notably down-regulated relative gene expression of srebf1 and dgat1 in the liver despite not altering in the adipose tissue. Furthermore, SKL-14959 showed remarkable inhibition of lipid uptake in the adipose tissue after the oil challenge.

Conclusion

SKL-14959 inhibited lipids uptake and improved lipids metabolism, results in suppression of body-weight gain.

Evaluation of the Function of Primary Human Hepatocytes Co-Cultured with the Human Hepatic Stellate Cell (HSC) Line LI90

Most bioartificial liver devices utilise primary hepatocytes alone although some have considered the use of non parenchymal cells in addition. However the effects of co-culture of human hepatocytes with different sinusoidal cell types has not been fully investigated. In this study we have examined the influence of co-culturing primary human hepatocytes with the human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line, LI90. Cultures were monitored by light microscopy and on days 4, 8 and 14 urea synthesis and cytochrome P450 activity were measured. Morphologically LI90 cells proliferated to fill spaces between and into adjacent islands of hepatocytes. On day 14 cytochrome P450 activity in co-culture was significantly improved compared to hepatocytes cultured alone. By contrast, urea synthesis in hepatocytes was unaffected by single or co-culture. Therefore it can be concluded that a combination of primary human hepatocytes with LI90 cells is beneficial for growth and some stability of hepatocytes and may therefore be appropriate for seeding bioartificial liver devices.

High IL-1α Production Was Induced in the WBN/Kob-Leprfa Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Rat Model and Inhibited by Syphacia Muris Infection

The novel WBN/Kob-Lepr^fa (fa/fa) congenic rat strain is considered a useful rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Accumulating findings suggest that low-grade inflammation is a causative factor in T2DM and that circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines are associated with insulin resistance. However, inflammatory cytokine profiles and their correlations with T2DM development/ progression in fa/fa rats have not been studied. In this study, we found that the fa/fa rats had considerably high plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1α. Abundant cecal IL-1α mRNA expression and cecal inflammation with infiltrating IL-1α-producing macrophages was observed in fa/fa rats. Bone marrow derived macrophages from fa/fa rats expressed high levels of IL-1α upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Furthermore, Syphacia muris infection, which delays the onset of T2DM, reduced both plasma and cecal IL-1α levels in fa/fa rats. These results suggest that macrophage infiltration and IL-1α secretion comprise an important part of T2DM development and that S. muris infection inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in fa/fa rats.

Prediction of muscle strength and postoperative function after knee flexor muscle resection for soft tissue sarcoma of the lower limbs

INTRODUCTION

Oncological margins and prognosis are the most important factors for operative planning of soft tissue sarcomas, but prediction of postoperative function is also necessary. The purpose of this study was to predict the knee flexion strength and postoperative function after knee flexor muscle resection for soft tissue sarcoma of the lower limbs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventeen patients underwent knee flexor muscle resection for soft tissue sarcoma of the lower limbs between 1991 and 2015. The type of resected muscles was surveyed, knee flexion strength (ratio of affected to unaffected side) was evaluated using the Biodex System isokinetic dynamometer, and differences between the type of resected muscles were examined. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score, Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS), European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), and Short Form 8 (SF-8) were used to assess postoperative function and examine correlations with flexion strength. The cutoff value for flexion strength to predict good postoperative results was calculated by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Median flexion strength decreased in the resection of sartorius (97.8%), gracilis (95.4%), gastrocnemius (85.2%; interquartile range (IQR): 85.0-86.2), medial hamstrings (semimembranosus and semitendinosus, 76.2%; IQR: 73.3-78.0), lateral hamstrings (long and short head of biceps femoris, 66.1%; IQR: 65.9-70.4), and bilateral hamstrings (27.3%; IQR: 26.6-31.5). A significant difference was observed between lateral and bilateral hamstrings resection (P=0.049). Flexion strength was associated with lower functional scales (MSTS score, P=0.021; TESS, P=0.008; EQ-5D, P=0.034). Satisfactory function was obtained at a flexion strength cutoff value of 65.7%, and strength remained above the cutoff value up to unilateral hamstrings resection.

DISCUSSION

Greater knee flexor muscles resection can result in functional deficits that are associated with decreased flexion strength. If continuity of unilateral hamstrings is maintained, good postoperative results can be expected.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective study.