Search

• Time-varying dynamic coefficients of journal bearing are estimated without the tachometers. • Instantaneous angular speed of the journal bearing-rotor system is extracted. • An iteration strategy based on the square-root cubature Kalman filter is formulated. Accurate estimation of time-varying dynamic coefficients (TVDCs) of the journal bearing is important for the dynamic characteristic analysis of rotating machinery. This paper proposes a novel estimation method to identify TVDCs of journal bearings without the tachometers. Firstly, a phase-based method is introduced to extract the instantaneous angular speed (IAS) from the shaft displacement. Secondly, an iteration strategy based on the square-root cubature Kalman filter (SRCKF) is developed to estimate the TVDCs in the time domain. The state-space model and the measured shaft displacements of the journal bearing-rotor system have been applied in the estimation process. The proposed method can estimate TVDCs of journal bearing under speed-variable conditions without a tachometer by combining the phase-based and SRCKF methods. Finally, the simulation and experiments studies are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods. The results show that the proposed method can efficiently estimate TVDCs of the journal bearing under speed-variable conditions and at varied measurement noise levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle damage and disuse muscular atrophy are detrimental for fracture healing. It has been reported that the Akt signaling pathway plays a role in skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy. The aim of this study was to further investigate whether promoting local muscle function through regulating Akt signaling affects fracture healing. For this purpose, we combined a rat model of short-term atrophy of the quadriceps with a femoral fracture model. In brief, botulinum toxin-A (BTX) were administered locally into the quadriceps one week before femur osteotomy to induce muscle atrophy. For the following weeks after BTX treatment, animals received injection of the Akt activator SC79 (20 mg/kg/week) or the Akt inhibitor MK2206 (100 mg/kg/week). We found that SC79 significantly accelerated the recovery of quadriceps weight and fiber size after BTX treatment. Moreover, animals that received SC79 injection showed greater bone callus volumes and superior femur mechanical properties. Immunological analysis revealed that the expression levels of the muscle-specific marker myosin heavy chain (MHC) were increased while expression of a negative regulator of muscle mass and function, myostatin, was decreased after SC79 treatment. Furthermore, SC79 increased the mRNA levels of the myogenic regulatory factors MyoD, MRF4 and Myf5 and promoted myotube formation in vitro . Taken together, these findings reveal that SC79 could accelerate the recovery of reversible muscular atrophy induced by BTX and subsequently promote fracture healing through activation of the Akt signaling pathway, which suggests its therapeutic potential in orthopedics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent skeletal system diseases; yet, its pathophysiological mechanisms remain elusive. Adipocytes accumulate remarkably in the bone marrow of osteoporotic patients. The potential processes and molecular mechanisms underlying adipogenesis in osteoporotic BMSCs have attracted significant attention as adipocytes and osteoblasts share common precursor cells. Some environmental factors influence bone mass through epigenetic mechanisms; however, the role of epigenetic modifications in osteoporosis is just beginning to be investigated, and there is still little data regarding their involvement. In the current study, we investigated how epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, lead to adipogenesis in the bone marrow during osteoporosis. A glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) mouse model was established, and BMSCs were isolated from the bone marrow. Compared with normal BMSCs, osteoporotic BMSCs had significantly increased adipogenesis potential and decreased osteogenesis potential. In osteoporotic BMSCs, PPARγ2 regulatory region DNA hypo-methylation, histone 3 and 4 hyper-acetylation and H3K9 hypo-di-methylation were observed. These epigenetic modifications were involved not only in PPARγ2 expression but also in osteoporotic BMSC adipogenic differentiation potential. We also found that Wnt/β-catenin signal played an important role in the establishment and maintenance of epigenetic modifications at PPARγ2 promoter in osteoporotic BMSCs. Finally, we inhibited adipogenesis and rescued osteogenesis of osteoporotic BMSCs by modulating those epigenetic modifications. Our study provides a deeper insight into the pathophysiology of osteoporosis and identifies PPARγ2 as a new target for osteoporosis therapy based on epigenetic mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a well-known human hepatotoxicant and genotoxicant. Recent studies demonstrated that aberrant miRNA expression patterns were correlated with the cellular and genetic lesions induced by chemicals. To explore the role of miRNAs in AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity, we examined alterations in miRNA expression patterns in F334 rat livers after exposure to 100 μg/kg or 200 μg/kg AFB1 for 28 days. Using high-throughput sequencing, we discovered that rno-miR-34a-5p, rno-miR-200b-3p, and rno-miR-429 were up-regulated and that rno-miR-130a-3p was down-regulated in liver tissue from rats that received 200 μg/kg of AFB1; this finding was validated by real-time PCR. AFB1 treatment resulted in the upregulation of rno-miR-34a-5p and rno-miR-200b-3p in the rat H-4-II-E cell line similar to our in vivo observations. Moreover, rno-miR-34a-5p was transcriptionally elevated via p53 activation after AFB1 exposure. Upregulation of rno-miR-34a-5p suppressed the expression of the cell cycle-related genes CCND1, CCNE2 and MET and led to cell cycle arrest in the G0-G1 phase. The CBMN assay indicated that inhibition of rno-miR-34a-5p and p53 expression aggravated the DNA damage induced by AFB1, which might be associated with shortening of the DNA damage repair period. Circulating miR-34a-5p in rat sera preceded a significant increase in ALT activity and other miRNAs in the 100 μg/kg AFB1 group. These observations demonstrated that rno-miR-34a-5p responded sensitively to AFB1 exposure and facilitated p53 repair of DNA damage by impacting the cell cycle. Thus, circulating rno-miR-34a-5p may be a sensitive indicator for the induction of hepatic genotoxicity by AFB1 in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium (Ti) particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis and subsequent aseptic loosening are a primary reason for total hip arthroplasty failure. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of myricetin on Ti particle-induced osteolysis and osteoclastogenesis. We demonstrated that myricetin, a natural plant extract, exerts potent inhibitory effects on Ti particle-induced osteolysis in a mouse calvarial model. Further histological analysis indicated that the inhibition of osteoclast formation and function, and the secretion of inflammatory factors, are key targets for therapeutic agents in the treatment of wear particle-induced osteolysis. In vitro , we found that myricetin suppressed receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-mediated osteoclast differentiation, bone resorption, and F-actin ring formation in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, myricetin significantly reduced the expression of osteoclast-specific markers in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages, including tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), cathepsin K, the calcitonin receptor, V-ATPase d2, c-fos, and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c1. Further investigation revealed that myricetin inhibited osteoclastogenesis through the suppression of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways involving extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2). While, the inhibition of TNF-α and IL-1β secretion was another reason for the suppressive effect of myricetin on Ti particle-induced osteolysis. Collectively, these findings suggest that myricetin is a potential natural agent for the treatment of periprosthetic osteolysis and other osteoclast-related osteolytic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Wear particle-induced aseptic prosthetic loosening is one of the most common reasons for total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Extensive bone destruction (osteolysis) by osteoclasts plays an important role in wear particle-induced peri-implant loosening. Thus, strategies for inhibiting osteoclast function may have therapeutic benefit for prosthetic loosening. Here, we mimicked the process of magnesium (Mg) degradation in vivo and obtained Mg leach liquor (MLL) by immersing pure Mg in culture medium. For the first time, we demonstrated that MLL suppresses osteoclast formation, polarization, and osteoclast bone resorption in vitro. An in vivo assay demonstrated that MLL attenuates wear particle-induced osteolysis. Furthermore, we found that MLL significantly inhibits nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation by retarding inhibitor-κB degradation and subsequent NF-κB nuclear translocation. We also found that MLL attenuates the expression of NFATc1 at both the protein and mRNA levels. These results demonstrate that MLL has anti-osteoclast activity in vitro and prevents wear particle-induced osteolysis in vivo. Collectively, our study suggests that metallic magnesium, one of the orthopedic implants with superior properties, has significant potential for the treatment of osteolysis-related diseases caused by excessive osteoclast formation and function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of enoxacin on osteoclastogenesis and titanium particle-induced osteolysis. Wear particles liberated from the surface of prostheses are associated with aseptic prosthetic loosening. It is well established that wear particles induce inflammation, and that extensive osteoclastogenesis plays a critical role in peri-implant osteolysis and subsequent prosthetic loosening. Therefore, inhibiting extensive osteoclast formation and bone resorption could be a potential therapeutic target to prevent prosthetic loosening. In this study, we demonstrated that enoxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, exerts potent inhibitory effects on titanium particle-induced osteolysis in a mouse calvarial model. Interestingly, the number of mature osteoclasts decreased after treatment with enoxacin in vivo, suggesting that osteoclast formation might be inhibited by enoxacin. We then performed in vitro studies to confirm our hypothesis and revealed the mechanism of action of enoxacin. Enoxacin inhibited osteoclast formation by specifically abrogating RANKL-induced JNK signaling. Collectively, these results suggest that enoxacin, an antibiotic with few side effects that is widely used in clinics, had significant potential for the treatment of particle-induced peri-implant osteolysis and other diseases caused by excessive osteoclast formation and function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bone defects are common in elderly patients suffering from osteoporosis. Current methods of bone defect treatment for osteoporosis are not always satisfactory. In this study, we demonstrated that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) harvested from goats with long-term estrogen deficiencies exhibited a lower proliferation rate and decreased osteogenic capacity, which are critical obstacles for bone defect repair in the elderly. However, by combining autologous enriched bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with porous β-TCP, we successfully repaired critical-sized bone defects in the medial femoral condyle of the osteoporotic goats. Both micro-CT images and histomorphometry analysis illustrated improved bone formation following the enriched MSC therapy. Thus, we proposed autologous enriched bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells as a quick, safe therapeutic strategy to treat osteoporotic bone defects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although Sox9 is essential for chondrogenic differentiation and matrix production, its application in cartilage tissue engineering has been rarely reported. In this study, the chondrogenic effect of Sox9 on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro and its application in articular cartilage repair in vivo were evaluated. Rabbit BMSCs were transduced with adenoviral vector containing Sox9. Toluidine blue, safranin O staining and real-time PCR were performed to check chondrogenic differentiation. The results showed that Sox9 could induce chondrogenesis of BMSCs both in monolayer and on PGA scaffold effectively. The rabbit model with full-thickness cartilage defects was established and then repaired by PGA scaffold and rabbit BMSCs with or without Sox9 transduction. HE, safranin O staining and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the repair of defects by the complex. Better repair, including more newly-formed cartilage tissue and hyaline cartilage-specific extracellular matrix and greater expression of several chondrogenesis marker genes were observed in PGA scaffold and BMSCs with Sox9 transduction, compared to that without transduction. Our findings defined the important role of Sox9 in the repair of cartilage defects in vivo and provided evidence that Sox9 had the potential and advantage in the application of tissue engineering. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bone-like fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHA) coatings were prepared on Mg-6 wt.%Zn substrates using electrochemical method. Human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) were utilized to investigate the cellular biocompatibility of Mg-6 wt.%Zn alloy after surface modification. The adhesion of hBMSCs was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). The proliferation of the cells was also measured by carrying out the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. And the alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) was assessed to evaluate the early stage of differentiation. Lastly, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was taken. It was found that the hBMSCs displayed better cell functions on the bioactive FHA coated alloy, compared to the bare Mg-6 wt.%Zn alloy. The in vitro results indicated that the bioactive FHA coating can improve the interfacial bioactivity of Mg-6 wt.%Zn substrate, specifically, both on biodegradation behavior control and good cellular proliferation and differentiation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We introduced a wavelet-transform technique into the carrier-envelope phase extraction from the spectral interferogram of amplified ultrashort optical pulses. With this technique, carrier-envelope phases were directly extracted from the ridges of the wavelet transforms. This technique did not need filters; therefore, the uncertainty introduced from filter was avoided naturally. The Wavelet transforms technique produced a two-dimensional topography on which the time-frequency information of the spectral interferogram was shown apparently. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chlorinated organic chemical 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) is used widely in industrial production processes, and excessive exposure may lead to liver damage. The mechanisms underlying 1,2-DCE-induced hepatotoxicity are not fully understood. Numerous studies have demonstrated that long-non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a pivotal role in the chemical-induced toxicity. To explore whether aberrant lncRNA expression is involved in hepatotoxicity mediated by 1,2-DCE exposure, we detected alterations of lncRNA expression profiling in a mouse model of 1,2-DCE-induced hepatotoxicity by microarray chip. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that a down-regulated lncRNA (lncRNA241) after 1,2-DCE exposure might be involved in 1,2-DCE-induced hepatotoxicity. We treated AML12 cells with 1,2-DCE and its metabolite 2-chloroacetic acid (2-CA) for 48 h, and the results revealed that it was 2-CA rather than primary form (1,2-DCE) that resulted in the decline of lncRNA241 expression in hepatocytes. In vitro intervention studies revealed that the repression of lncRNA241 expression after 2-CA exposure led to the down-regulation of anti-apoptosis-associated factor insulin growth factor-1 (Igf1) at mRNA and protein levels through modulation of their common target mmu-miR-451a, which promoted hepatic apoptosis. This study provides valuable insight into the role of lncRNAs in response to hepatocyte apoptosis induced by 1,2-DCE. Unlabelled Image • Exposure of 1, 2-DCE can result in the downregulation of LncRNA241 expression in the liver tissue of mice. • The decline of lncRNA241 expression in hepatocytes might be mediated by 1, 2-DCE's metabolite 2-chloroacetic acid (2-CA). • LncRNA241 can regulate the expression of mmu-miR-451a and Igf1 and involve in the hepatocyte apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]