Analysis of the Curative Effect of Temporomandibular Joint Disc Release and Fixation Combined with Chitosan Injection in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthrosis

OBJECTIVE

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is common in clinic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of disc release, fixation and chitosan injection in the treatment of TMJ-OA.

METHODS

From March 2021 to March 2022, 32 patients who underwent the unilateral reduction and fixation of temporomandibular joint disc release were retrospectively studied. All patients were diagnosed with TMJ-OA and were treated with chitosan injection. This group of patients was analyzed by the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and improvement of maximum comfortable mouth opening before treatment and 6 months after treatment. A paired t-test was used to evaluate the treatment effect, and p < 0.05 indicated that the difference was statistically significant.

RESULTS

All 32 patients were successfully treated by surgery and chitosan injection in the second week after operation. The duration of disease in this group ranged from 1 to 10 months, with an average of 5.7 months. After 6 months of follow up, 30 patients were satisfied with the treatment and two were unsatisfied. The difference in the treatment effect was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Temporomandibular joint disc release and fixation combined with chitosan injection is effective in the treatment of TMJ-OA.

Efficacy analysis of splint combined with platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of splints combined with PRP for the treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis.

Methods: Thirty-one patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis who were treated with splints combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from January 2021 to June 2021 at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University (Shenyang, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The VAS scores of all the patients were recorded before and 6 months after treatment, and the maximum comfortable mouth opening was recorded. All data were analyzed by the paired t-test using SPSS software, and a p-value &lt; 0.05 indicated statistically significant differences.

Results: Splint + PRP treatment was successful in 31 patients. The mean pretreatment VAS score was 6.1, and the mean VAS score 6 months posttreatment was 4.1. The posttreatment VAS score was significantly lower than the preoperative VAS score (p &lt; 0.05). The mean pretreatment maximum comfortable mouth opening (MCMO) was 27.6 mm, and the mean MCMO 6 months posttreatment was 34.8 mm. The MCMO was significantly increased (p &lt; 0.05).

Conclusion: Splint + PRP is an effective treatment for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis.

Treatment Strategy for Chronic Obstructive Parotitis Related to Diabetes: A Retrospective Analysis of 12 Cases

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe our experience in treating chronic obstructive parotitis (COP) related to diabetes.

Methods: Twelve patients with COP related to diabetes were selected for the study. A sialendoscope was introduced from the orifice to investigate the ductal wall and lumen. During the operation, chymotrypsin and gentamicin were injected. All patients were followed up for 6 months. Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) evaluations and salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS) examinations were applied to evaluate the therapeutic effect; differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.

Results: A sialendoscope was successfully used under local anesthesia in all members of the cohort. As shown by the endoscope, mucus plugs were the most common feature. Some adhered tightly to the ductal wall. We also found ductal congestion in some cases. The postoperative VAS scores and SGS counts were both significantly lower than the preoperative values (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Chymotrypsin administration during interventional sialendoscopy is significantly effective in the treatment of diabetes-related COP.

Piezo1 Affects Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis by Influencing pSmad3

Objective: The aim of this research was to study the expression of Piezo1 in a rat temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis animal model and to explore its mechanism for inducing inflammatory changes. Methods: A total of 24male SD rats aged approximately 8 weeks were randomly divided into three groups: the blank control group, complete Freund's adjuvant group (CFA), and CFA + inhibitor (GsMTx4) group. After 3 weeks, the condylar heads of the rats were evaluated by micro-CT, HE, immunohistochemistry, safranin O staining, and other experimental techniques. Protein was extracted from the subchondral bone, and the changes in Piezo1, Smad3, and pSmad3 levels in each group were detected by Western blotting. p < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: The degree of damage to the cartilage and subchondral bone in the Piezo1 inhibitor group was smaller than that in the CFA group. The expression level of Piezo1 in the CFA group was higher than that in the other groups, and the difference was statistically significant. The expression of pSmad3 in the CFA group was also higher than that in the other groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Piezo1 is expressed in the condylar cartilage and subchondral bone of rats, and the degree of condylar destruction can be improved by influencing the pSmad3 expression.

Comparison of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma and Chitosan in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to study the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injected into the upper cavity of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) on the treatment of TMJ osteoarthritis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 27 patients with TMJ osteoarthritis treated at the China Medical University Hospital of Stomatology from September 2018 to September 2019. Maximal interincisal opening, pain intensity, and TMJ sounds were recorded and compared before treatment and at the 3rd and 6th months after the treatment. SPSS 24.0 software was used to analyze the data of each group, and the imaging changes in the condylar bone were compared before and 6 months after the treatment. The P-value was set at .05.

RESULTS

Better results were observed in the group treated with PRP on maximal interincisal opening and pain intensity than in the group receiving chitosan treatment. Regarding TMJ sounds, relief was observed in both groups, with no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of PRP on the improvement of the maximal interincisal opening and pain intensity of patients with TMJ osteoarthritis is better than that of chitosan. However, it should be noted that the incidence of complications associated with the injection of PRP may be higher than that with injection of chitosan.

Diagnostic development for parallel wave-number measurement of lower hybrid waves in EAST

An eight-channel magnetic probe diagnostic system has been designed and installed adjacent to the 4.6 GHz lower hybrid (LH) grill antenna in the low-field side of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) in order to study the n_∥ evolution of LH waves in the first pass from the launcher to the core plasma. The magnetic probes are separated by 6.6 mm, which allows measurement of the dominant parallel refractive index n_∥ up to n_∥ = 5 for 4.6 GHz LH waves. The magnetic probes are designed to be sensitive to the magnetic field component perpendicular to the background magnetic field with a slit on the casing that encloses the probe. The intermediate frequency stage, which consists of two mixing stages, down-coverts the frequency of the measured wave signals at 4.6 GHz to 20 MHz. A bench test demonstrates the phase stability of the magnetic probe diagnostic system. By evaluating the phase variation of the measured signals along the background magnetic field, the dominant n_∥ of the LH wave in the scrape-off layer has been deduced during the 2019 experimental campaign. In the low density plasma, the measured dominant n_∥ of the LH waves is about 2.1, corresponding to the main peak 2.04 of the launched n_∥ spectrum. n_∥ deduced by the least-squares linear fit method remains near this value in the low density plasma with a high spatial correlation magnitude of 0.9. With an eight-channel probe system, a wave-number spectrum has also been deduced, which has a peak near to the measured dominant n_∥.

Sialendoscopy-Assisted Treatment of Stensen's Duct Injury: A Case Series

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical value of sialendoscopy in the treatment of Stensen's duct injury.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 5 patients with Stensen's duct injuries who had been treated from December 2017 to April 2019 were included in the present study. The operations were performed with the help of a sialendoscope. All patients were followed for 6 months.

RESULTS

The distal end of the ductal system was found precisely with the use of the sialendoscope, and the proximal end was identified by the location of the distal end. The end-to-end anastomosis was performed successfully. None of the patients complained of salivary gland fistula at the 6-month follow-up examination.

CONCLUSIONS

The stumps of the ductal system could be precisely and effectively located with the help of a sialendoscope.

Advantages of submandibular gland preservation surgery over submandibular gland resection for proximal submandibular stones

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to compare surgical outcomes after the removal of submandibular gland (SMG) stones via 2 different surgical methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From June 2015 to July 2016, a total of 40 patients with SMG stones were selected from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University (Shenyang, China), and were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Twenty patients underwent sialendoscopy-assisted stone removal via extraoral incision with preservation of the SMG, and 20 patients underwent traditional SMG resection. The outcomes of the 2 surgical procedures were assessed.

RESULTS

The operation time and hospital stay were shorter in the SMG preservation group than the SMG resection group. There were no significant differences in stone size or location between the groups. The mean visual analog scale (VAS) score was lower in the SMG preservation group than the SMG resection group. All patients in the SMG resection group exhibited varying degrees of scarring and concave deformity on the face and neck, whereas all patients in the SMG preservation group retained intact facial morphology.

CONCLUSIONS

Sialendoscopy-assisted stone removal with preservation of the SMG exhibited many advantages relative to traditional SMG resection.

Scenario analysis of carbon emissions' anti-driving effect on Qingdao's energy structure adjustment with an optimization model, Part II: Energy system planning and management

In this study, an inexact multistage stochastic mixed-integer programming (IMSMP) method was developed for supporting regional-scale energy system planning (EPS) associated with multiple uncertainties presented as discrete intervals, probability distributions and their combinations. An IMSMP-based energy system planning (IMSMP-ESP) model was formulated for Qingdao to demonstrate its applicability. Solutions which can provide optimal patterns of energy resources generation, conversion, transmission, allocation and facility capacity expansion schemes have been obtained. The results can help local decision makers generate cost-effective energy system management schemes and gain a comprehensive tradeoff between economic objectives and environmental requirements. Moreover, taking the CO₂ emissions scenarios mentioned in Part I into consideration, the anti-driving effect of carbon emissions on energy structure adjustment was studied based on the developed model and scenario analysis. Several suggestions can be concluded from the results: (a) to ensure the smooth realization of low-carbon and sustainable development, appropriate price control and fiscal subsidy on high-cost energy resources should be considered by the decision-makers; (b) compared with coal, natural gas utilization should be strongly encouraged in order to insure that Qingdao could reach the carbon discharges peak value in 2020; (c) to guarantee Qingdao's power supply security in the future, the construction of new power plants should be emphasised instead of enhancing the transmission capacity of grid infrastructure.

Sialendoscopy-Assisted Treatment for Chronic Obstructive Parotitis—Our Treatment Strategy with 31 Patients

PURPOSE

Chronic obstructive parotitis (COP) is the most common non-neoplastic salivary disorder. The aim of this study was to describe the authors' experience using sialendoscopy for diagnosing and treating COP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-one patients with COP who were treated with sialendoscopy from January 2013 through June 2014 at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University (Shenyang, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The cohort underwent ultrasonography and salivary gland scintigraphy examinations before sialendoscopy. Patients without stones underwent sialography before surgery. All patients were asked to report visual analog scale (VAS) scores before and 6 months after surgery to evaluate their condition. A paired t test was conducted and differences with a P value less than .05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Thirty patients (44 parotid glands) successfully underwent interventional sialendoscopy under local anesthesia; 1 patient (1 parotid gland) received general anesthesia. The mean preoperative VAS score was 6, and the mean VAS score 6 months after sialendoscopy was 4.9. The postoperative VAS score was significantly lower than the preoperative VAS score (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Interventional sialendoscopy plays an important role in the treatment of COP.

Sialendoscopy-assisted treatment for radioiodine-induced sialadenitis

PURPOSE

Chronic sialadenitis is a common complication of radioactive iodine for the treatment of thyroid disease. The aim of this study was to describe the authors' experience with interventional sialendoscopy for the management of radioiodine-induced sialadenitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve patients with radioiodine-induced sialadenitis treated with sialendoscopy from January 2013 through December 2013 at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University were retrospectively reviewed. Age, gender, and time to development of radioiodine-induced sialadenitis were obtained from the hospital database. All patients were asked to undergo visual analog scale (VAS) and salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS) examinations before and 6 months after surgery. A paired t test was conducted, and a P value less than .05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Twelve patients (15 parotid glands and 4 submandibular glands) successfully underwent interventional sialendoscopy under local anesthesia. Ductal stenosis was the most common feature identified by endoscopy. Among the 12 patients, swelling occurred in 91.7%. Compared with the preoperative score of 6, the mean VAS score 6 months after sialendoscopy was 3; 15 glands (78.9%) showed improved uptake and excretion by SGS. The postoperative VAS score was significantly lower than the preoperative VAS score (P < .05), and the postoperative SGS result was significantly higher than the preoperative SGS result (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Interventional sialendoscopy could be an effective technique for the treatment of sialadenitis caused by radioactive iodine.

[Preparation and in vitro embolic efficiency evaluation of hydroxycamptothecine-loaded liquid embolic agent]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the preparation of hydroxycamptothecine (HCPT)-loaded cubic crystal liquid embolic precursor solution, and evaluate its in vitro embolic efficiency. Phytantriol was used as cubic crystal liquid embolic material, and the optimal formulation was selected according to ternary phase diagram. Polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) were used to characterize the cubic crystal structure. High performance liquid chromatography and X-ray diffraction analysis were used to investigate the lactone ring of HCPT. In vitro dissolution was preliminary evaluated, and the simulation embolic model was constructed to evaluate the embolic efficiency of precursor solution. Meanwhile, the gelation time and adhesion force were investigated. The results showed that HCPT-loaded precursor solution for embolization had been successfully prepared with low viscosity which was injectable. The precursor solution could transform into Pn3m structure liquid crystal phase gel rapidly when contracting with excess water. The formed HPCT gel remained its lactone form as the same in precursor solution, and expressed the good ability to block the saline flow, and HCPT could keep sustained releasing drug over 30 days. The prepared drug-loaded embolic precursor solution showed a promising potential for vascular embolization and application in clinical treatment of tumor.

[Preparation and in vitro study on diffusion of capsaicin cubosome]

This study was to investigate the permeability and absorbability of capsaicin cubosome across abdominal skin of the SD rats in vitro. Diffusion of capsaicin cubosome and cream was performed with the modified Franz diffusion cell technique. The capsaicin cubosome showed no enhancement of skin permeation within 24 hours. However, the deposition amounts of capsaicin in the rat skin in the cubosome group was markedly higher than those in the commercial cream group (P < 0.01). Cubosome showed excellent characetristic of skin-targed which could be a good carrier for the local transdermal drug delivery system.

[In vivo imaging in tumor-bearing animals and pharmacokinetics of PEGylated liposomes modified with RGD cyclopeptide]

The hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) PEGylated liposomes (HCPT-LP) were modified with RGD cyclopeptide formed the tumor-targeting liposomes (HCPT-RGD-LP). HCPT-LP and HCPT-RGD-LP were injected intravenously with single dose of 5 mg x kg(-1) to rats. The drug concentration in plasma was determined and the pharmacokinetic behaviour was compared. The HCPT distribution in heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and plasma of mice was investigated following intravenous administration of HCPT-LP and HCPT injection. The nude mice implanted human hepatoma HepG2 cells were studied by in vivo imaging. The fluorescent probe was DiR and the nude mice were injected with DiR PEGylated liposomes (DiR-LP) and DiR-LP modified with RGD cyclopeptide (DiR-RGD-LP). The results showed that there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) of main pharmacokinetic parameters t1/2beta, CL, V(c), AUC(0-48 h), AUC(0-inifinity), MRT(0-48 h), MRT(0-infinity) between HCPT-RGD-LP and HCPT-LP. HCPT-LP had a remarkably better long-circulating effect than HCPT injection in mice and the concentration of HCPT was highest in liver. The DiR accumulation in tumors of DiR-RGD-LP was higher than that of DiR-LP by the visualized fluorescence of in vivo imaging. It indicated that such PEGylated liposomes modified with RGD cyclopeptide could improve the tumor targeting efficacy.

[Improving the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble resveratrol by the ordered mesoporous silica]

The aim of this study is to synthesize the ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) as drug carrier to improve release property of insoluble drug and investigate the dissolution profile of insoluble drug from the porous carrier. The OMS was obtained by using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide as the template and resveratrol was selected as the model drug. The resveratrol-loaded OMS (Res-OMS) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FT-IR spectroscopy. In vitro drug release behavior was also investigated. It was found that the synthesized OMS showed a large surface area, a narrow pore size distribution and an important mesoporosity associated to hexagonally organized channels. Compared with physical mixture and crystalline powder, resveratrol was in amorphous or molecular form after loading into OMS. The release rate ofresveratrol from drug-loaded OMS was significantly increased suggesting the great potential application of OMS for the formulation of poorly soluble drugs.

In vitro study of transdermal penetration and iontophoresis of hepatitis B vaccines through rat skin

In vitro percutaneous delivery of hepatitis B vaccines was investigated in order to assess the penetration of vaccine under passive diffusion and iontophoresis conditions. The study was carried out using Franz vertical diffusion cell through the hairless abdominal skin of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the cumulative amount of permeation and the retention amount of drug in skin. Passive diffusion alone resulted in less skin permeation and retention of hepatitis B vaccines, only (2.1 +/- 0.1) ng x cm(-2) and (2.3 +/- 0.1) ng x cm(-2) after 24 h when the initial concentration of vaccine in the donor compartment was 23 microg x mL(-1) and 46 microg x mL(-1), respectively. After removing the stratum corneum, the permeation and retention amount of hepatitis B vaccines increased to (383.7 +/- 86.2) ng x cm(-2) and (16.8 +/- 4.6) ng x cm(-2), respectively, 171.6-folds and 2.1-folds more than that from its intact skin with the drug loaded at 46 microg x mL(-1). Iontophoresis induced a significant increase of cumulative and retention amount of hepatitis B vaccines through the skin (P < 0.05). Application of iontophoresis significantly enhanced the permeation of hepatitis B vaccines (P < 0.05) by 2.7-folds and 6.6-folds for the intact skin, and by 1.6-folds and 1.8-folds for the tape-stripped skin with initial drug loading of 23 microg x mL(-1) and 46 microg x mL(-1), respectively. Iontophoresis also significantly increased the amount of drug retained in the skin. After applying iontophoresis for 6 h, the amount of skin retention was nearly the same as passive diffusion for 24 h both from intact skin [(16.8 +/- 4.6) ng x cm(-2) vs (13.3 +/- 5.4) ng x cm(-2)] (P > 0.05) and tape-stripped skin [(36.7 +/- 14.1) ng x cm(-2) vs (26.8 +/- 11.2) ng x cm(-2)] (P > 0.05). Overall, these findings revealed that the transportation efficiency of bioactive substance like hepatitis B vaccines may be improved by iontophoresis, which can be potentially used in the field of transcutaneous immunization.

A serum-resistant polyamidoamine-based polypeptide dendrimer for gene transfection

A serum tolerant polycation gene vector, G(2) PAMAM-PGlu-G(1) PAMAMs (ALA), was designed, synthesized, characterized and evaluated. A honeycomb-like molecular structure model for mechanistic explanation of ALA was postulated and discussed. Designed as a star-shaped polyamidoamine (PAMAM)-based polypeptide dendrimer through peptide bond linkages, ALA was with non-toxic low generation G(2) PAMAM (G(2)) as its central core, polyglutamate (PGlu)s as its star-shaped backbone branches and G(1) PAMAM (G(1))s as its branch grafts and peripheral terminals. IR, (1)H NMR demonstrated its successful combination. As a gene carrier, ALA exhibited good DNA binding and condensation capacity with particle size (approximately 87 nm for N/P 40, approximately 170 nm for N/P 30) and ζ-potential (approximately 16 mV for N/P 30-40), negligible cytotoxicity, exciting serum tolerant capacity and significant serum-promoted (serum-containing 56.6%>serum-free 32.7%), cell line dependent (Hek 293 > Bel 7402 > Hela), incubation period dependent (38 h > 18 h > 12 h > 9 h > 4 h > 2 h > 1 h) and sustained (peak transfection appeared at 30 h incubation) transfection efficiency. The presence of serum had not only no inhibition on, but also prominent promotion to, the transfection activity of ALA. All above features differentiated ALA clearly from most other serum-inhibitive nonviral gene carriers, and proved ALA the promising and challenging potential efficient gene vector for practical clinical application.

[Plant regeneration from protoplast culture in flax (Linum usitatissimum)]

Shoot protoplasts of four fiber flax (Linum usitatissimum) varieties (7309, 948, Belinka and Viking) were isolated and cultured. The optimal condition for higher protoplast yield 1.8 x 10(6)/gFW and activity 85.5% (c.v. 948) were from 10 day old seedings. Culture in V-KM Agroase-island medium led to first divisions after 3 days (c. v. 948), and after twenty days with an efficiency of 36% of divided cells and 5.2% in plating efficiency. Plant regeneration was obtained in 7309 and Belinka on agar media B5-2, MS3 containing 0.6 mg/L 6-BA and 0.1 mg/L NAA. Roots and leaves regeneration were observed in Viking and 948 respectively.

Phosphorylation of the proteins of the extracellular matrix of mineralized tissues by casein kinase-like activity

The extracellular matrix of the connective tissue contains non-collagenous proteins (NCP) which are acidic in character. The NCP of mineralizing systems (bone, dentin) differ from those of the non-mineralizing systems (skin, tendon) in that the mineralized tissue NCP are frequently phosphorylated. The phosphorylated proteins have been implicated in various aspects of the mineralization process. Thus, it is of interest to consider the mechanism and regulation of phosphorylation of the major matrix NCP. The majority of the phosphorylation takes place at Ser or Thr residues embedded within acidic sequences, and therefore are targets for casein kinase I (CK1) or casein kinase II (CK2)-like kinases. CK1 and CK2 are distantly related members of the protein kinase family. They are ubiquitous, constitutively active, second-messenger-independent kinases. CK1 is found in a variety of isoforms, all homologous to the alpha-subunit of the protein kinase family. It acts as a monomer. The active form of CK2 is a tetrameric holoenzyme, with 2 alpha catalytic subunits and 2 beta regulatory subunits. The CK2 alpha has activity alone, but the holoenzyme is four- to five-fold that activity. CK2 can use either ATP or GTP as the phosphate donor, but CK1 can use only ATP. The CK2 activity which phosphorylates the mineralized tissue NCP appears to be localized to membrane-associated cell fractions, and is present in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi compartments in osteoblasts, where phosphorylation of the secreted proteins appears to take place as co- and post-translational processes. Data indicate that both alpha and beta subunits of the membrane-associated CK2 are isoforms of the cytosolic CK2 in the same cells. The CK1 has not been specifically localized. Studies of dephosphorylated NCP such as phosphophoryn (PP) have shown that CK1 will not phosphorylate dephosphorylated dPP unless prior phosphorylation with CK2 has been carried out. In turn, CK2 activity may be initiated only after an initial phosphorylation of one of the messenger-dependent kinases. Thus, the phosphorylation reactions in mineralized tissues may be a tightly regulated hierarchical or sequential cascade of intracellular phosphorylation events.

Characterization and partial purification of microsomal casein kinase II from osteoblast-like cells: an enzyme that phosphorylates osteopontin and phosphophoryn

Microsomal casein kinase II (mCKII) is a membrane-bound enzyme present in the microsomal fractions of ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells. It phosphorylates acidic matrix phosphoproteins such as phosphophoryn and osteopontin. Addition of 1.0% Nonidet P-40 facilitates extraction of the optimum amount of detergent-solubilized and -activated enzyme from microsomal fractions. mCKII was partially purified over 3000-fold by sequential chromatography over DEAE-cellulose and heparin-agarose. SDS-polyacrylamide gels, showed that mCKII contained 43 kDa and 31 kDa polypeptides, corresponding to the alpha- and beta-subunits of the enzyme, respectively. The alpha subunit was identified by anti-CKII antiserum and the beta subunit, by its ability to undergo autophosphorylation. The enzyme was inhibited by 50% with 0.4 micrograms/ml heparin and stimulated by 100% with 1.0 mM spermine when casein was used as a substrate. The phosphorylation of phosphophoryn was reduced to 50% by 0.8 micrograms/ml heparin, but was increased to 2-2.5 fold by 5 to 15 mM spermine, which may be due to substrate-directed effects. Kinetic analysis showed that the apparent Km values for phosphophoryn (0.39 microM) and for osteopontin (2.1 microM) were lower than that for casein (21.3 microM). Vmax values of phosphophoryn and osteopontin were 2.2-fold and 4.6-fold higher than that of casein. Using the ratio Vmax/Km as a measure of kinetic specificity, osteopontin and phosphophoryn appear to be the more specific substrates than casein for mCKII. Thus, both proteins can be considered as physiological substrates for mCKII.

Microsomal casein kinase II in endoplasmic reticulum- and Golgi apparatus-rich fractions of ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells: an enzyme that modifies osteopontin

Osteopontin is an acidic phosphoprotein containing casein kinase II (CKII) phosphorylatable sites and an acidic amino acid cluster. The metabolically 32P-labelings of both serines and threonines in vitro in osteopontin immunoprecipitated from rat osteoblast-like ROS 17/2.8 cells may suggest that casein kinase II catalyzes this modification. The enzyme occurs in microsomal fractions of rat osteoblast-like ROS 17/2.8 cells. Subcellular fractions containing endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus were isolated by differential centrifugation and were identified according to their ultrastructures and the presence of marker enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase, respectively. both fractions phosphorylated the partially dephosphorylated osteopontin and the specific substrate peptide RRREEETEEE. Endoplasmic reticulum-catalyzed peptide phosphorylation was 2.7 times lower than that of Golgi although both endoplasmic reticulum- and Golgi-catalyzed peptide reactions were 50% inhibited by 20 and 100 ng/ml heparin, respectively. Western blot analysis revealed that both fractions contained osteopontin and microsomal CKII. Furthermore, microsomal CKII was immunogold-labeled in endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Heparin inhibition and utilization of [gamma-32P]GTP as a phosphate donor by both fractions confirmed their capacity to phosphorylate osteopontin. The results suggest that microsomal CKII modifies the acidic matrix proteins during transportation. These matrix phosphoproteins may participate in the mineralization process of hard tissues.

Autosomal dominant, familial spastic paraplegia, type I: clinical and genetic analysis of a large North American family

"Familial spastic paraplegia" (FSP) refers to clinically and genetically diverse syndromes characterized by insidiously progressive lower extremity spasticity. We evaluated 126 members of a large kindred, including 31 affected subjects, in which FSP was transmitted as a stereotyped, autosomal dominant disorder that showed complete genetic penetrance. Affected subjects developed insidiously progressive gait disturbance between ages 12 and thirty-five. Neurologic examination revealed hyperreflexia and spasticity in the lower extremities, weakness of hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion, extensor plantar response, diminished vibratory sense in the feet, and pes cavus. Using genetic linkage analysis, we excluded the FSP1 locus on chromosome 14q11.2 as the disease locus in this family. We present the clinical and genetic features of FSP type I, including the age-adjusted risk of developing the disorder in this family.

[Studies on distribution of magnetic gelatin microspheres in rabbits]

In this report, the technique of labelling MG-ms with 99mTc as pertechnetate in the presence of a reducing agent such as SnCl2 was described. The distribution of intravenously injected 99mTc-labelled MG-ms in rabbits at different intervals of magnetic field applied and different magnetic field intensity was investigated by using an externally applied magnetic field and measuring the radioactivity at the rabbit head and other organs. When magnet was used, the radioactivity in the head, target site, was 15 times more than that when magnet was not used. At the same time, the radioactivity of the lung was 5 times less than when magnet was not used. The newly designed magnetic field equipment was presented.

The in vitro phosphorylation of the native rat incisor dentin phosphophoryns

Phosphophoryns are the major non-collagenous proteins of the mineralized matrix of rat incisor dentin. Nearly half the phosphophoryn residues are serines, and 85-90% of these are phosphorylated. Since phosphorylation may be important for phosphophoryn function, it was of interest to identify the kinase(s) responsible for catalyzing their phosphophorylation. Rat osteosarcoma (ROS) 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells were selected as the enzyme source. Native rat incisor phosphophoryns (RIPP-I, II, III) were not substrates for any of the ROS 17/2.8 messenger-dependent kinases but were phosphorylated by membrane-associated endogenous messenger-independent kinases. These were resolved chromatographically and identified as casein kinase (CK) I and II by elution properties and immunoblotting with a CKII antibody. The CKI preferentially used RIPP-III as substrate, while CKII preferred RIPP-I and II. Heparin at 100 and 500 ng/assay and NaCl at 0.25-0.4 M inhibited phosphorylation of the RIPP by CKI and CKII in parallel. At 10 mM spermine, phosphorylation of RIPP-I and II by CKII, and of RIPP-III by CKI were inhibited, but phosphorylation of RIPP-III by CKII was enhanced. Purified sea star oocyte CKII demonstrated the same substrate specificity and spermine concentration shift as the ROS 17/2.8 CKII. These data show that osteoblast-like cells are a rich source of membrane-bound CKI and CKII activity. The different patterns of phosphorylation of RIPP-I, II, and III further show that they are distinct synthetic products of the odontoblast.

Phosphorylation of extracellular bone and dentine matrix proteins

Phosphoproteins appear to be involved in several ways in the regulation of the orderly deposition and crystal growth of mineral within the performed collagenous matrix of bone and dentine. The phosphorylation of these proteins is not yet understood. Potential protein kinases were extracted from an osteoblast-like cell line, ROS 17/2.8. The ROS 17/2.8 line was shown to produce a full complement of known kinases. However, neither bone phosphoproteins (BPP) nor dentine phosphophoryn (DPP) could be phosphorylated by the messenger dependent kinases. DPP and dephosphorylated BPP (dBPP) were substrates for a unique messenger independent kinase distinct from casein kinase II, and dDPP was a still better substrate. Thus, BPP and DPP are phosphorylated by a unique kinase or set of kinases which are messenger independent and have very specific substrate sequence requirements.