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Background and Objective The interleukin ( IL)-1 receptor antagonist ( Ra) binds to IL-1 receptors and inhibits IL-1 activity. However, it is unclear whether the IL-1 Ra plays a protective role in periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to compare IL-1 Ra knockout ( KO) and wild-type ( WT) mice in regard to proinflammatory cytokine production, osteoclast formation and bone resorption in response to periodontal bacterial lipopolysaccharide ( LPS). Material and Methods Peritoneal macrophages ( Mφs) were obtained from 13-wk-old IL-1 Ra KO and WT mice. Peritoneal Mφs were cultured with or without 10 μg/mL of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans LPS for 24 h. The levels of IL-1alpha ( IL-1α), IL-1beta ( IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α) and IL-6 were measured in periotoneal Mφs supernatant fluid ( PM-SF) using an ELISA. Bone marrow cells were obtained from the mice and stimulated with PM-SF for 9 d, then stained with TRAP. The frequency of TRAP-positive multinucleated giant cell formation was calculated based on a fusion index. PM-SF-stimulated calvarial bone resorption was analyzed using micro-computed tomography, and calvarial histological analysis was performed using hematoxylin and eosin and TRAP staining. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 ( Cox2), prostanoid receptor EP4 ( Ep4) and Rank m RNAs in bone marrow cells were measured using real-time quantitative PCR, while prostaglandin E2 ( PGE2) production was determined by ELISA. Results The levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 in IL-1 Ra KO mice PM-SF stimulated with A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS were significantly increased by approximately 4- ( p < 0.05), 5- ( p < 0.05), 1.3- ( p < 0.05) and 6- ( p < 0.05) fold, respectively, compared with the levels in WT mice. Moreover, osteoclast formation, expression of Rank, Ep4 and Cox2 m RNAs and production of PGE2 were significantly increased by approximately 2- ( p < 0.05), 1.6- ( p < 0.05), 2.5- ( p < 0.05), 1.6- ( p < 0.05) and 1.9- ( p < 0.05) fold, respectively, in IL-1 Ra KO mice stimulated with A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS compared with WT mice. Conclusion IL-1 Ra regulates IL-1 activity and appears to reduce the levels of other inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-6, while it also reduces expression of the EP4 receptor related to prostanoid sensitivity and osteoclast formation. These results suggest that IL-1 Ra is an important molecule for inhibition of inflammatory periodontal bone resorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates inducible transgenic expression in the exceptionally short-lived turquoise killifish Nothobranchius furzeri, which is a useful vertebrate model for ageing research. Transgenic N. furzeri bearing a green fluorescent protein (Gfp) containing construct under the control of a heat shock protein 70 promoter were generated, heat shock-induced and reversible Gfp expression was demonstrated and germline transmission of the transgene to the F1 and F2 generations was achieved. The availability of this inducible transgenic expression system will make the study of ageing-related antagonistically pleiotropic genes possible using this unique vertebrate model organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interleukin (IL)- 1 is closely related to the initiation and progression of periodontal disease. IL- 1 levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of subjects with periodontitis are higher than those in periodontally healthy controls, and the levels of IL-1 correlate with disease severity. However, soluble IL-1 receptor type II (sIL-1RII), which acts as a decoy receptor for IL-1s, has not been investigated in detail in periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to measure sIL-1 RII levels in the GCF of subjects with chronic or aggressive periodontitis; the correlation between the sIL-1 RII levels in GCF and clinical parameters also was examined. Methods: IL-1β and sIL-1RII were measured in 64 GCF samples collected from 47 subjects with chronic periodontitis (CP) and 17 subjects with aggressive periodontitis (AgP). The clinical characteristics of each site were recorded at the time of GCF sampling. IL-1β and sIL-1RII were measured by specific non-cross-reactive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The disease severity was comparable in CP and AgP. IL1β was detected in 98% of CP GCF samples and 88% of AgP GCF samples, sIL-1RII was detected in 55% of CP GCF samples and 35% of AgP GCF samples. However, the concentrations of IL-β and sIL-1RII detected in GCF from subjects with CP or AgP were similar. Conclusion: sIL-IRII was detected more often in CP GCF than in AgP GCF, and there was no correlation between GCF sIL-1RII concentration and clinical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Aggressive periodontitis (AgP) is a specific type of periodontal disease that is characterized by rapid attachment loss and bone destruction. While attempting to identify genetic polymorphisms associated with AgP, previous research has focused on candidate genes that may be involved in immune responses to microbial infections. In this study, the focus was on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the key mediators of osteoclast differentiation and activation, which involve receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ( RANK), RANK ligand ( RANKL) and osteoprotegrin ( OPG), in the Japanese population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of RANK/ RANKL/ OPG gene polymorphisms with AgP in the Japanese population. Material and Methods: We examined 99 patients with AgP and 89 controls from the Japanese population to explore the possibility of RANK/ RANKL/ OPG loci as candidate regions associated with the disease. All exons and relevant exon–intron boundaries of these three candidate genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 19 primers, followed by direct sequencing. The polymorphisms were identified by comparing the sequences obtained from 48 subjects. Results: We identified 27 SNPs in RANK, including 10 novel SNPs and seven SNPs each in both RANKL and OPG. A pairwise linkage disequilibrium analysis using the r 2 statistic showed that some SNP pairs from the three loci are in tight linkage disequilibrium. Conclusion: An association analysis with allelotypes showed that SNPs identified in the RANK/ RANKL/ OPG genes have no significant association with AgP in the Japanese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Titanium-29niobium-13tantalurri-4.6zirconium (TiNb) has recently been developed as a new implant material. TiNb is composed of non-toxic elements and has a lower modulus of elasticity than the other titanium alloys. However, its biocompatibility has not been adequately characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of TiNb using an osteoblast-titanium co-culture system. Methods: MG63 cells were cultured on three kinds of titanium disks: TiNb, pure titanium (pTi), and titanium-6aluminum 4vanadium (TiAl), prepared with two different surfaces, a polished and acid-etched surface and a machined-grooved surface. The surface topography and roughness were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After 48 hours culture, the number of proliferating cells and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in the culture supernatant were determined. Results: There was no significant difference in surface roughness among the three titanium disks with a polished and acid-etched surface. After 48 hours of culture, the number of cells was significantly reduced on pTi and TiAl compared to TiNb and the control. PGE2 production was significantly higher on pTi than on TiAl, TiNb, and the control. We further examined the effect of surface roughness on PGE2 production using machine-grooved titanium disks. While pTi and TiAl stimulated the production of PGE2 depending on surface roughness, roughened TiNb did not affect PGE2 production. Conclusions: These results suggest that TiNb may exhibit favorable biocompatibility because it has an efficient surface topography for cell proliferation, and the level of PGE2 production does not depend on surface roughness. We conclude that TiNb may be useful as an implant material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: The interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (Ra) binds to IL-1 receptors and inhibits IL-1 activity. However, it is unclear whether the IL-1Ra plays a protective role in periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to compare IL-1Ra knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice in regard to proinflammatory cytokine production, osteoclast formation and bone resorption in response to periodontal bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)., Material and Methods: Peritoneal macrophages (Mφs) were obtained from 13-wk-old IL-1Ra KO and WT mice. Peritoneal Mφs were cultured with or without 10 μg/mL of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans LPS for 24 h. The levels of IL-1alpha (IL-1α), IL-1beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6 were measured in periotoneal Mφs supernatant fluid (PM-SF) using an ELISA. Bone marrow cells were obtained from the mice and stimulated with PM-SF for 9 d, then stained with TRAP. The frequency of TRAP-positive multinucleated giant cell formation was calculated based on a fusion index. PM-SF-stimulated calvarial bone resorption was analyzed using micro-computed tomography, and calvarial histological analysis was performed using hematoxylin and eosin and TRAP staining. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox2), prostanoid receptor EP4 (Ep4) and Rank mRNAs in bone marrow cells were measured using real-time quantitative PCR, while prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) production was determined by ELISA., Results: The levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 in IL-1Ra KO mice PM-SF stimulated with A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS were significantly increased by approximately 4- (p < 0.05), 5- (p < 0.05), 1.3- (p < 0.05) and 6- (p < 0.05) fold, respectively, compared with the levels in WT mice. Moreover, osteoclast formation, expression of Rank, Ep4 and Cox2 mRNAs and production of PGE2 were significantly increased by approximately 2- (p < 0.05), 1.6- (p < 0.05), 2.5- (p < 0.05), 1.6- (p < 0.05) and 1.9- (p < 0.05) fold, respectively, in IL-1Ra KO mice stimulated with A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS compared with WT mice., Conclusion: IL-1Ra regulates IL-1 activity and appears to reduce the levels of other inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-6, while it also reduces expression of the EP4 receptor related to prostanoid sensitivity and osteoclast formation. These results suggest that IL-1Ra is an important molecule for inhibition of inflammatory periodontal bone resorption., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Immunological responses to influenza vaccination administered to liver transplantation recipients are not fully elucidated. To compare inactivated influenza vaccine's immunogenicity between adult and pediatric recipients, 16 adult and 15 pediatric living donor liver transplantation recipients in the 2010-11 influenza season, and 53 adult and 21 pediatric recipients in the 2011-12 season, were investigated. Seroprotection rates (hemagglutinin-inhibition [HI] antibody titer 1:40) were 50-94% to all three antigens among adults and 27-80% among children in both seasons. Seroconversion rates (fourfold or more HI antibody rise) were 32-56% among adults and 13-67% among children in both seasons. No significant differences were observed between the two groups. In addition, 20/53 adult and 13/21 pediatric recipients received a vaccine containing identical antigens in both of these seasons. Geometric mean titer fold increases of all three antigens in adult recipients were significantly lower than those in recipients who had not received a preceding vaccination. In contrast, in pediatric recipients, there were no significant differences between the groups who had and had not received preceding vaccinations. The number of patients with rejection did not differ significantly between the two groups (0/53 vs. 1/21) in the 2011-12 season. The incidence of influenza after vaccination was significantly different between adult and pediatric recipients (0/16 vs. 5/15 in 2010-11 and 0/53 vs. 3/21 in 2011-12, respectively). Overall, there were no significant differences in antibody responses between adult and pediatric groups. Influenza infection was more frequent in pediatric recipients. Long-term response to preceding vaccinations appeared to be insufficient in both groups., (© 2013 The Societies and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

We found that mononuclear phagocytes formed a distinct number of clusters and colonies on the bottom of a culture dish 7 days later but granulocytes did not, when a large number of human spleen cells were cultured in liquid medium. In all gastric cancer bearers and patients with portal hypertension operated on, however, colony formation was restricted to spleen cells from patients with advanced gastric cancer and from a group of patients with portal hypertension. These spleen cells formed mononuclear phagocyte colonies without the help of exogeneous colony stimulating factor (CSF). We further demonstrated that the colony-forming cells were glass non-adherent and nylon wool adherent, and that spontaneous colony formation required cooperation between the colony-forming cells and colony-stimulating cells adherent to a plastic surface.