Mechanical assessment and odontogenic behavior of a 3D-printed mesoporous calcium silicate/calcium sulfate/poly-ε-caprolactone composite scaffold

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Tissue engineering in dentistry has fundamentally changed the way endodontists assess treatment options. Our previous study found that quercetin-contained mesoporous calcium silicate/calcium sulfate (MSCSQ) could induce hard tissue defect region regeneration. This study focused on whether the MSCSQ scaffold could also be effective in regulating odontogenesis and dentin regeneration.

METHODS

In this study, we fabricated MSCSQ composite scaffolds using the 3D printing technique. The characteristics of the MSCSQ scaffold were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and mechanical properties were also assessed. In addition, we evaluated the cell viability, cell proliferation, odontogenic-related protein expression, and mineralization behavior of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) cultured on different scaffolds.

RESULTS

We found the precipitation of spherical-apatite on the scaffold surface rapidly in short periods. The in-vitro results for cell behavior revealed that hDPSCs with an MSCSQ scaffold were significantly higher in cell viability as followed time points. In addition, the specific makers of odontogenesis, such as DSPP and DMP-1 proteins, were induced obviously after culturing the hDPSCs on the MSCSQ scaffold.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that MSCSQ scaffolds could enhance physicochemical and biological behaviors compared to mesoporous calcium silicate/calcium sulfate (MSCS) scaffolds. In addition, MSCSQ scaffolds also enhanced odontogenic and immuno-suppressive properties compared to MSCS scaffolds. These results indicated that MSCSQ scaffolds could be considered a potential bioscaffold for clinical applications and dentin regeneration.

Macrocyclic chelators with paramagnetic cations are internalized into mammalian cells via a HIV-tat derived membrane translocation peptide

A major obstacle to using paramagnetic MR contrast agents for in vivo cell tracking or molecular sensing is their generally low cellular uptake. In this study, we show that a paramagnetically labeled DOTA chelator derivatized with a 13-mer HIV-tat peptide is efficiently internalized into mammalian cells. Intracellular concentrations were attained that were readily detectable by MR imaging using both gadolinium and dysprosium chelates. Using this paradigm, it should be feasible to internalize a variety of chemically different agents into mammalian cells.

Screening admission CT scans in patients with AIDS--a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the length of hospital stay could be reduced for patients with AIDS by performing screening head and abdominal-pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans within 24 hours of admission, regardless of presenting signs and symptoms.

DESIGN

Randomized, prospective trial.

SETTING

Tertiary, academic medical center.

PATIENTS

On presentation to the emergency department, 42 patients with AIDS were identified as being eligible to participate in our study. Twenty-two patients consented to participate and were assigned to screening CT or control group.

INTERVENTION

Patients assigned to the screening CT group had head and abdominal-pelvic CT scans within 24 hours of admission, regardless of presenting signs or symptoms. The findings of the screening CT scans were immediately communicated to the patient's referring physician. Patients assigned to the control group had CT studies done solely at the discretion of their physician.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Length of stay for patients in the screening CT and control groups.

RESULTS

The average length of stay for patients in the screening CT group was 1.3 days longer than the average length of stay for patients in the control group (95% CI, 1.4 days shorter to 4 days longer). The study was terminated after 22 patients were enrolled.

CONCLUSION

Screening CT scans of the head and abdomen and pelvis at the time of hospital admission do not reduce the length of stay for patients with AIDS.