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Statement of problem The effect of aging and the surface treatment of implants on osseointegration needs to be evaluated. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of aging and the surface treatment of titanium with ultraviolet (UV) radiation and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) on hydrophilicity and cell growth and thus on osseointegration. Material and methods A total of 28 specimens were divided into 2 groups to measure hydrophilicity (n=14) and cell growth (n=14). Each group was further divided into 4 groups according to surface modification. These include the control group (CG) (nascent specimens), aged group (AG) (nascent specimens aged for 4 weeks), photofunctionalized group (PG) (aged specimens UV-A treated), and mimed group (MG) (aged specimens UV-A and FGF2 treated). The PG and MG specimens were treated with UV-A light for 40 minutes. The biomimetic surface modification was performed for MG. Hydrophilicity was measured by using the contact angle in relation to the surface of titanium disks with the help of a drop shape analyzing device (KRUSS), and cell growth was measured by calculating the number of stem cells per cm2 with the help of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis with a statistical software program (α=.05). Results The lowest contact angle values were found in PG (13.52 ±0.90 degrees) and the highest in AG (70.54 ±1.72 degrees). The highest number of cells per cm2 (2880 ±99.33) were found for MG, and the lowest number of cells per cm2 (760 ±9.17) for AG. Conclusions Aging decreased the hydrophilicity and cell adhesion, migration, and growth on the titanium surface. UV treatment improved the hydrophilicity, cell adhesion, migration, and growth for both CG and AG. FGF2 treatment increased the cell adhesion, migration, and growth for CG, AG, and PG.

Background: The present study aims to comparatively evaluate the isolation and quantification of stem cells derived from dental pulp and periodontal ligament of a permanent tooth and to assess their viability and proliferation on a platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) scaffold. Materials and Methods: A total of 15 systemically healthy individuals between the age group of 15–25 years requiring third molar or orthodontic premolar extractions. Teeth were extracted atraumatically and transported to the laboratory. Stem cells were isolated from dental pulp and periodontal ligament. After attaining more than 90% confluency by the 7th day, these cells were tested for their viability and characterization. Stem cells were also incubated with PRF and viability was assessed on the 7th day. Results: The mean number of cell for dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC) was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). The mean live cell viability was compared between DPSC (98.07%) and PDLSC (98%). Both DPSC and PDLSC showed a high percentage of expression of CD73 markers, 30.40% and 29.80%, respectively. However, DPSCs and PDLSCs lacked expression of CD34 expressing only 3.47% and 3.53%, respectively. PRF membrane as a scaffold exhibited no cytotoxic effects on DPCS's or PDLSC's. The cell viability of cells cultured with PRF was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05) when compared to the cells cultured with culture media. Conclusion: The study thus indicates that dental pulp and periodontal ligament are both rich sources of mesenchymal stem cells and can be successfully used for obtaining stem cells. PRF exhibits no cytotoxic effects on the cells and can be used in conjunction with dental stem cells.

Despite substantial clinical advances over the past decades, inflammatory lung diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and have become one of the major public health issues across the world. The World Health Organization positions lung diseases second in epidemiology, mortality, and cost and predicts that about one-fifth deaths will be attributed to lung diseases by 2020. Currently, there are no therapeutic ways to inhibit or reverse the pathobiology of many destructive lung diseases that results in dysfunctional lung renovation. However, recent studies indicate that lung mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are triggered by local factors to differentiate into myofibroblasts that contribute to disease progression. Therefore, it is of critical significance to understand the molecular and cellular basis of endogenous lung MSCs participation in lung injury and repair. Interestingly, while the lung exhibits tremendous regenerative capacity, restoration of pulmonary function does not occur in many adult lung diseases. To address this condition emphasis has been increased on the development of cell-based therapies, but due to diverse cell types and functions lung is considered as a recalcitrant candidate for these strategies. Currently, origins and contributions of stem cells are under intense investigation for cell-based therapy and pulmonary remodelling. Specialized microenvironments for resident multipotent MSCs have been identified in many adult tissues and normal differentiation processes of these may be disrupted by pathologic micro-environmental stimuli during disease, epigenetic changes, or genetic alteration, which program their contribution to pathologic expansion at the expense of functional tissue regeneration. MSCs are most widely investigated and clinically tested type of stem cell because of their regenerative capacity to mesoderm/non-mesoderm-derived tissues and they also display immune-enhancing as well as immunosuppressive properties. MSCs especially from human are widely studied as compared to other cells, different early stage clinical and scientific studies show potential for repair and renewal of lung tissues and offer great ability for the treatment of several devastating and incurable lung diseases. Bone marrow derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) are currently tested in clinical trials as a potential therapy in patients with such inflammatory lung diseases. Here, we will review the biology of MSCs, their interaction with molecular and cellular pathways, and their modulation of immune responses in lung disorders. Additionally, we discuss what stem cell therapy offers in specific acute and chronic lung disorders which includes respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and pulmonary hypertension.