Nanobubbles (<200 nm in diameter) have several unique properties such as long lifetime in liquid owing to its negatively charged surface, and its high gas solubility into the liquid owing to its high internal pressure. They are used in variety of fields including diagnostic aids and drug delivery, while there are no reports assessing their effects on the growth of lives. Nanobubbles of air or oxygen gas were generated using a nanobubble aerator (BUVITAS; Ligaric Company Limited, Osaka, Japan). Brassica campestris were cultured hydroponically for 4 weeks within air-nanobubble water or within normal water. Sweetfish (for 3 weeks) and rainbow trout (for 6 weeks) were kept either within air-nanobubble water or within normal water. Finally, 5 week-old male DBA1/J mice were bred with normal free-chaw and free-drinking either of oxygen-nanobubble water or of normal water for 12 weeks. Oxygen-nanobubble significantly increased the dissolved oxygen concentration of water as well as concentration/size of nanobubbles which were relatively stable for 70 days. Air-nanobubble water significantly promoted the height (19.1 vs. 16.7 cm; P<0.05), length of leaves (24.4 vs. 22.4 cm; P<0.01), and aerial fresh weight (27.3 vs. 20.3 g; P<0.01) of Brassica campestris compared to normal water. Total weight of sweetfish increased from 3.0 to 6.4 kg in normal water, whereas it increased from 3.0 to 10.2 kg in air-nanobubble water. In addition, total weight of rainbow trout increased from 50.0 to 129.5 kg in normal water, whereas it increased from 50.0 to 148.0 kg in air-nanobubble water. Free oral intake of oxygen-nanobubble water significantly promoted the weight (23.5 vs. 21.8 g; P<0.01) and the length (17.0 vs. 16.1 cm; P<0.001) of mice compared to that of normal water. We have demonstrated for the first time that oxygen and air-nanobubble water may be potentially effective tools for the growth of lives.

It has been suggested that interleukin-6 (IL-6)plays a key role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis(RA), including osteoporosis not only in inflamed joints but also in the whole body. However, previous in vitro studies regarding the effects of IL-6 on osteoblast differentiation are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine the effects and signal transduction of IL-6 on osteoblast differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells and primary murine calvarial osteoblasts. IL-6 and its soluble receptor significantly reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, the expression of osteoblastic genes (Runx2, osterix, and osteocalcin), and mineralization in a dose-dependent manner, which indicates negative effects of IL-6 on osteoblast differentiation. Signal transduction studies demonstrated that IL-6 activated not only two major signaling pathways, SHP2/MEK/ERK and JAK/STAT3, but also the SHP2/PI3K/Akt2 signaling pathway. The negative effect of IL-6 on osteoblast differentiation was restored by inhibition of MEK as well as PI3K, while it was enhanced by inhibition of STAT3. Knockdown of MEK2 and Akt2 transfected with siRNA enhanced ALP activity and gene expression of Runx2. These results indicate that IL-6 negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation through SHP2/MEK2/ERK and SHP2/PI3K/Akt2 pathways, while affecting it positively through JAK/STAT3. Inhibition of MEK2 and Akt2 signaling in osteoblasts might be of potential use in the treatment of osteoporosis in RA.

No abstract

No abstract

OUB prevent bone loss in GIO mice by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis.

Our results suggest that the combined administration of rhBMP-2 and parathyroid hormone 1-34 may lead to efficient bone regeneration.

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare acquired form of hypophosphatemia commonly associated with phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors (PMTs) located in the bone or soft tissue. Resection of the tumor can cure osteomalacia. Fibroblast growth factor 23 has been identified as a major pathophysiological factor responsible for phosphaturia. The majority of PMTs are benign, and malignant PMTs are uncommon. Even in rare cases, the malignant transformation of PMTs is extremely uncommon. The current study presents two cases in which the patients succumbed to malignant PMTs that developed in the pelvis. The first patient was a 35-year-old female with a malignant PMT occurring as a synchronous double cancer associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Diagnosis was difficult, as the multiple uptake on positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose presented as pseudofractures mimicking the metastases of thyroid carcinoma. The patient succumbed to rapidly progressive lung metastases. The second patient presented with a pelvic tumor that had developed over 26 years. The patient was diagnosed with a benign PMT by open biopsy and a complete resection was performed. However, two years later, the tumor recurred and lung metastases were observed. The patient ultimately succumbed to respiratory failure due to relapsing lung metastases and disseminated intravascular coagulation. These two cases demonstrate the potential lethality of malignant PMTs and the malignant transformation of benign PMTs. Therefore, TIO patients must be followed up even if diagnosed with a benign tumor. Although TIO is an extremely rare disease, the possibility of malignant PMTs must be recognized.

No abstract