Shuang Tong

In vitro culture of hFOB1.19 osteoblast cells on TGF-β1-SF-CS three-dimensional scaffolds

The aim of the present study was to examine the biocompatibility of transforming growth factor-β1-silk fibroin-chitosan (TGF-β1-SF-CS) scaffolds. In order to provide an ideal scaffold for use in bone tissue engineering, TGF-β1 was introduced into the SF-CS scaffold in order to reconstruct a three dimensional scaffold, following which hFOB1.19 osteoblast cells were seeded onto TGF-β1-SF-CS and SF-CS scaffolds. On the TGF-β1-SF-CS and SF-CS scaffolds, the cell adhesion rate increased in a time-dependent manner. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the cells grew actively and exhibited normal morphological features with multiple fissions, and granular and filamentous substrates were observed surrounding the cells. In addition, the cell microfilaments were closely connected with the scaffolds. The cells exhibited attached growth on the surfaces of the scaffolds, however, the growth also extended into the scaffolds. Cell Counting Kit-8 and ALP analyses revealed that TGF-β1 significantly promoted the growth and proliferation of the hFOB1.19 osteoblast cells in the SF-CS scaffolds, and the enhancement of osteoblast cell proliferation and activity by TGF-β1 occurred in a time-dependent manner. The TGF-β1-SF-CS composite material may offer potential as an ideal scaffold material for bone tissue engineering.

Oral Propranolol With Topical Timolol Maleate Therapy for Mixed Infantile Hemangiomas in Oral and Maxillofacial Regions.

Purpose:The combination treatment for mix infantile hemangiomas (IHs) using oral propranolol with topical timolol maleate was not well documented in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety of oral propranolol along with topical timolol maleate or oral propranolol alone for treating mixed IHs in the oral and maxillofacial regions. Methods:Between March 2013 and June 2014, a total of 31 patients with mixed IHs in the oral and maxillofacial regions were recruited to the study and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Fourteen patients in the experimental group (A) were treated with oral proranolol in combination with topical timolol maleate, and 17 patients in the control group (B) underwent orally proranolol treatment alone. The maximal treatment duration was planned for 8 months. Ultrasonography and serial photographs based on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to assess the effects of treatment before and after treatment, as well as adverse effects after medication were evaluated and managed accordingly. Results:All patients completed treatment. Among the most patients, there was obvious fading of color or decrease in size of the IHs when compared with pretreatment. There was significant reduction of color fading in A (mean VAS score: 8.36 ± 1.39) than that in B (7.18 ± 1.71) (P = 0.043) after the end of treatment, whereas the reduction of sizes in A (8.00 ± 1.75) had no significant difference than that in B (7.59 ± 1.80) (P = .51). The treatment duration of A (5.64 ± 1.45) was shorter than that of B (6.71 ± 1.10) (P = .037). No major collateral effects were observed in both the groups throughout the course of treatment. Conclusions:Oral proranolol combined with topical timolol maleate was well tolerated and effective treatment, mild side effects, and especially gave rise to better clinical response in the treatment of mixed IHs than oral propranolol alone.

Synthesis of the New-Type Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Silk Fibroin-Chitosan Three-Dimensional Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering and In Vitro Evaluation.

AbstractThe objective of the study was to discuss the biocompatibility of the vascular endothelial growth factor–silk fibroin–chitosan (VEGF-SF-CS) scaffolds. To offer an ideal scaffold for bone tissue engineering, the author added vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) into silk fibroin–chitosan (SF-CS) scaffold directly to reconstruct a three-dimensional scaffold for the first time, SF-CS scaffold was loaded with VEGF and evaluated as a growth factor-delivery device. Human fetal osteoblast cell was seeded on the VEGF-SF-CS scaffolds and SF-CS scaffolds. On VEGF-SF-CS and SF-CS scaffolds, the cell adhesion rate was increased as time went on. Scanning electron microscopy: the cells grew actively and had normal multiple fissions, granular and filamentous substrates could be seen around the cells, and cell microfilaments were closely connected with the scaffolds. The cells could not only show the attached growth on surfaces of the scaffolds, but also extend into the scaffolds. Cell Counting Kit-8 and alkaline phosphatase analysis proved that the VEGF could significantly promote human fetal osteoblast1.19 cells growth and proliferation in the SF-CS scaffolds, but the enhancement of osteoblasts cell proliferation and activity by VEGF was dependent on time.

Synthesis of and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a novel TGF-β1-SF-CS three-dimensional scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

The role of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in normal human fracture healing has been previously demonstrated. The objective of the present study was to examine the biocompatibility of TGF-β1-silk fibroin-chitosan (TGF-β1-SF-CS) three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds in order to construct an ideal scaffold for bone tissue engineering. We added TGF-β1 directly to the SF-CS scaffold to construct a 3D scaffold for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, and performed evaluations to determine whether it may have potential applications as a growth factor delivery device. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were seeded on the TGF-β1-SF-CS scaffolds and the silk fibroin-chitosan (SF-CS) scaffolds. On the TGF-β1-SF-CS and the SF-CS scaffolds, the cell adhesion rate increased in a time-dependent manner. Using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and analyzing the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression proved that TGF-β1 significantly enhanced the growth and proliferation of BMSCs on the SF-CS scaffolds in a time-dependent manner. To examine the in vivo biocompatibility and osteogenesis of the TGF-β1-SF-CS scaffolds, the TGF-β1-SF-CS scaffolds and the SF-CS scaffolds were implanted in rabbit mandibles and studied histologically and microradiographically. The 3D computed tomography (CT) scan and histological examinations of the samples showed that the TGF-β1-SF-CS scaffolds exhibited good biocompatibility and extensive osteoconductivity with the host bone after 8 weeks. Moreover, the introduction of TGF-β1 to the SF-CS scaffolds markedly enhanced the efficiency of new bone formation, and this was confirmed using bone mineral density (BMD) and biomechanical evaluation, particularly at 8 weeks after implantation. We demonstrated that the TGF-β1-SF-CS scaffolds possessed as good biocompatibility and osteogenesis as the hybrid ones. Taken together, these findings indicate that the TGF-β1-SF-CS scaffolds fulfilled the basic requirements of bone tissue engineering, and have the potential to be applied in orthopedic, reconstructive and maxillofacial surgery. Thus, TGF-β1-SF-CS composite scaffolds represent a promising, novel type of scaffold for use in bone tissue engineering.

Treatment of Severe Infantile Hemangiomas With Propranolol: An Evaluation of the Efficacy and Effects of Cardiovascular Parameters in 25 Consecutive Patients

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic results and effects of propranolol on cardiovascular parameters in infants receiving systemic propranolol for complicated infantile hemangiomas (IHs), as well as to evaluate the adverse effects of propranolol throughout the course of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five consecutive patients who presented with complicated IHs were prospectively recruited into this study between April 2012 and June 2013. All patients were treated with systemic propranolol at a dose of 1.0 to 1.5 mg/kg, and the drug was taken once per day. The length of treatment was 8.2 months on average and ranged from 6 to 12 months. The follow-up visits were scheduled monthly after discharge. Changes were recorded during the 3-day hospitalization, including systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate, and blood glucose level. The treatment responses were scored according to a 4-point scale system as very good, good, mild, or no response. The adverse effects after medication administration were evaluated and managed accordingly. RESULTS Of the 25 patients, 8 (32%) had a very good response, 11 (44%) had a good response, and 6 (24%) had a mild response. When pretreatment and post-treatment values were compared, there was no significant decrease in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures and mean heart rate (all P > .05). The decreases in the cardiovascular parameters were not commonly associated with observable clinical symptoms. No major collateral effects were observed, and no infants were withdrawn from treatment because of side effects. CONCLUSIONS Fluctuations from the normal ranges of cardiovascular parameters occurred frequently with the initiation of propranolol, but were clinically asymptomatic. Therefore oral propranolol was an effective and safe treatment for IHs, particularly for early intervention suitable for severe IHs.

In vitro evaluation of a bone morphogenetic protein‑2 nanometer hydroxyapatite collagen scaffold for bone regeneration

Scaffold fabrication and biocompatibility are crucial for successful bone tissue engineering. Nanometer hydroxyapatite (nHAP) combined with collagen (COL) is frequently utilized as a suitable osseous scaffold material. Furthermore, growth factors, including bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), are used to enhance the scaffold properties. The present study used blending and freeze-drying methods to develop a BMP-2-nHAP-COL scaffold. An ELISA was performed to determine the BMP-2 release rate from the scaffold. Flow cytometry was used to identify rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) prior to their combination with the scaffold. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the scaffold structure and BMSC morphology following seeding onto the scaffold. BMSCs were also used to assess the biological compatibility of the scaffold in vitro. BMP-2-nHAP-COL and nHAP-COL scaffolds were assessed alongside the appropriate control groups. Cells were counted to determine early cell adhesion. Cell Counting kit-8 and alkaline phosphatase assays were used to detect cell proliferation and differentiation, respectively. Gross morphology confirmed that the BMP-2-nHAP-COL scaffold microstructure conformed to the optimal characteristics of a bone tissue engineering scaffold. Furthermore, the BMP-2-nHAP-COL scaffold exhibited no biological toxicity and was demonstrated to promote BMSC adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. The BMP-2-nHAP-COL scaffold had good biocompatibility in vitro, and may therefore be modified further to construct an optimized scaffold for future bone tissue engineering.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of topical timolol maleate combined with oral propranolol treatment for parotid mixed infantile hemangiomas

The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy and safety of topical timolol maleate combined with oral propranolol for parotid infantile hemangiomas. Between October 2012 and April 2014, propranolol was administered orally at a dose of 1.0–1.5 mg/kg/day to 22 infants with proliferating hemangiomas in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China). A small amount of 0.5% timolol maleate eye drop solution was topically applied with medical cotton swabs to the area of the lesion twice a day, every 12 h. The study group consisted of 9 males and 13 females, aged 2–9 months, with a median age of 4.7 months. The lesions were all located in the parotid region, and measured between 3.5×4×0.5 and 7×8×3 cm in volume. The planned duration of therapy was 6–8 months, or the two drugs were stopped when complete regression of the lesions was obtained. The therapeutic outcomes and safety were assessed by the change in the size and color of the tumor, and the presence of adverse effects throughout the course of treatment. The mean duration of therapy was 21.1 weeks and ranged from 3 to 8 months. Of the 22 patients, 16 demonstrated an excellent response, 6 showed a good response and 2 displayed a moderate response. No major collateral effects were observed. Overall, oral propranolol combined with topical timolol maleate may be used as the first-line therapeutic choice in the treatment of infantile parotid mixed hemangioma.