BACKGROUND TRPV6 ion channels are key mediators of regulated transepithelial absorption of Ca2+ within the small intestine. Trpv6-/- mice were reported to have lower bone density than wild-type littermates and significant disturbances in calcium homeostasis that suggested a role for TRPV6 in osteoblasts during bone formation and mineralization. TRPV6 and molecules related to transepithelial Ca2...

BACKGROUND Insulin glargine (Lantus) is a long-acting basal insulin analog that demonstrates effective day-long glycemic control and a lower incidence of hypoglycemia than NPH insulin. After subcutaneous injection insulin glargine is partly converted into the two main metabolites M1 ([Gly(A21)]insulin) and M2 ([Gly(A21),des-Thr(B30)]insulin). The aim of this study was to characterize the glargi...

Thyroid hormones influence both bone formation and bone resorption. In vitro studies demonstrate direct effects of thyroid hormones on cells of the osteoblast lineage. Transcriptional regulation by thyroid hormones is mediated by ligand-dependent transcription factors called TRs. The three main T(3)-binding TR isoforms are TRalpha1, TRbeta1, and TRbeta2. TRs have been identified in cells of the...

Selective killing of tumor cells is an important goal for cancer therapeutics. The tumor suppressor transcription factor p53 is absent or mutated in more than 50% of human tumors. Thus, determining approaches that use p53 status to regulate therapy may be an important strategy for attaining cancer selectivity. We have shown previously that a designed transcriptional repressor, K2-5F, strongly a...

BACKGROUND Investigation of the mechanisms of guided cell migration can contribute to our understanding of many crucial biological processes, such as development and regeneration. Endogenous and exogenous direct current electric fields (dcEF) are known to induce directional cell migration, however the initial cellular responses to electrical stimulation are poorly understood. Ion fluxes, beside...

The purpose of the present work was to examine the effect of different Ti-6Al-4V surface treatments on osteoblasts behaviour. Previous work in this laboratory has demonstrated that an ageing treatment reduces metal ion release from this alloy compared to standard passivation procedures. In this study. human osteosarcoma MG-63 were used in short-term in vitro tests to assay for cell viability an...

PURPOSE The effect of ultraviolet (UV)-riboflavin cross-linking (CXL) has been measured primarily using the strip extensometry technique. We propose a simple and reliable methodology for the assessment of CXL treatment by using an established rheologic protocol based on small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) measurements. It provides information on the average cross-link density and the elast...

The study assessed 12-month chronic pain (CP)-related health care utilization and costs among chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) patients who initiated various long-term opioid treatments. Treatments included monotherapy with long-acting opioids (mono-LAOs), mono-therapy with short-acting opioids (mono-SAOs), both LAOs and SAOs (combination), and opioid therapy initiated with SAO or LAO and switched...