Two novel missense mutations, c.3350A>G

and c.3305G>C, were identified in exon 49 of COL1A2 in the two families, respectively. The c.3305G>C mutation resulted in substitution of a glycine residue (G) by an alanine residue (A) at codon 1102 (p.G1102A), which was found to be mutated into serine (S), argine (R), Selleck CHIR98014 aspartic acid (D), or valine (V) in other families. The c.3350A>G variant may be a de novo mutation resulting in p.Y1117C. Both mutations co-segregated with OI in respective families, and were not found in 100 normal controls. The G1102 and Y1117 residues were evolutionarily highly conserved from zebrafish to humans. Mutational analysis did not identify any mutation in the COX-2 gene (a modifier gene of OI). This study identifies two novel mutations p.G1102A and p.Y1117C that cause OI, significantly expands the spectrum of COL1A2 Dibutyryl-cAMP molecular weight mutations causing OI, and has a significant implication in prenatal diagnosis of OI.”
“To achieve novel polymer/bioceramic composite scaffolds for use in materials for bone tissue engineering, we prepared organic/inorganic hybrid scaffolds composed of biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and hydroxyapatite (HA), which has excellent biocompatibility with hard tissues and high osteoconductivity and bioactivity.

To improve the interactions between the scaffolds and osteoblasts, we focused on surface-engineered, porous HA/PCL scaffolds that had HA molecules on their surfaces and within them because of the biochemical affinity between the biotin and avidin molecules. The surface modification of HA nanocrystals was performed with two different

methods. Using Fourier transform infrared, GSK1120212 purchase X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis measurements, we found that surface-modified HA nanocrystals prepared with an ethylene glycol mediated coupling method showed a higher degree of coupling (%) than those prepared via a direct coupling method. HA/PCL hybrid scaffolds with a well-controlled porous architecture were fabricated with a gas-blowing/particle-leaching process. All HA/PCL scaffold samples exhibited approximately 80-85% porosity. As the HA concentration within the HA/PCL scaffolds increased, the porosity of the HA/PCL scaffolds gradually decreased. The homogeneous immobilization of biotin-conjugated HA nanocrystals on a three-dimensional, porous scaffold was observed with confocal microscopy. According to an in vitro cytotoxicity study, all scaffold samples exhibited greater than 80% cell viability, regardless of the HA/PCL composition or preparation method. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121:1921-1929, 2011″
“Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) exploits a diverse array of host cell functions in order to replicate. This is mediated through a network of virus-host interactions. A variety of recent studies have catalogued this information.