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“Bioactive borosilicate glass scaffolds with the pores of several hundred

micrometers and a competent compressive strength were prepared through replication method. The in vitro degradation and bioactivity behaviors of the scaffolds have been investigated by selleck chemicals llc immersing the scaffolds statically in diluted phosphate solution at 37A degrees C, up to 360 h. To monitor the degradation progress of the scaffolds, the amount of leaching elements from the scaffolds were determined by ICP-AES. The XRD and SEM results reveal that, during the degradation of scaffolds, the borosilicate scaffolds converted to hydroxyapatite. The compressive strength of the scaffolds decreased during degradation, in the way that can be well predicted by the degradation products, or the leachates, from the scaffolds. MTT assay

results demonstrate that the degradation products have little, if any, inhibition effect on the cell proliferation, when diluted to a certain concentration ([B] < 2.690 and pH value at neutral level). The study shows that borosilicate glass scaffold could be a promising candidate for bone tissue engineering material.”
“Estrogens have some anti-atherosclerotic properties and they influence nitric oxide (NO) production. The aim of this study was to determine NO, levels in post-menopausal women and the effect of estrogen/estrogen-progesteron therapy (ET/EPT) 3-deazaneplanocin A supplier on plasma NO levels. Eighty postmenopausal women (M(1)) comprising 26 with surgically induced menopause (ET(1)), mean age 50.9 +/- 2.9 yr, and 54 with physiological menopause (EPT(1)), mean age 50.5 +/- selleckchem 3.0 yr, were studied. Forty healthy pre-menopausal women, mean age 48.3 +/- 2.3 yr were the controls (C). The post-menopausal women

were treated for 4 months: group ET, with ET and group EPT(1) with EPT. Serum estradiol (E(2)), FSH, NO(x) and lipid profile before and after therapy were measured. NO, levels were lower in group M, than in group C (8.75 +/- 1.57 vs 10.27 +/- 2.62, p<0.01) and increased after hormonal therapy (10.65 +/- 2.38). NO(x) concentration showed significant positive correlation with E(2) (r=0.25, p<0.05). Total cholesterol (240.9 +/- 43.2), LDL-cholesterol (155.2 +/- 33.6), triglycerides (124.8 +/- 54.1), and apolipoprotein B (1.52 +/- 0.33) were higher in group M1 than in group C (223.1 +/- 44.3, 133.0 +/- 38.2, 108.3 +/- 52.9, and 1.12 +/- 0.36, respectively), and after ET/EPT they decreased to the values observed in group C. There were no correlations between NO and lipids or apolipoproteins. Conclusions: ET and EPT improve NO(x) synthesis and endothelial relaxation. Medroxyprogesterone acetate added to E2 does not significantly influence NO(x) levels.”
“Objective: Centralized adiposity, insulin resistance, excess iron, and elevated oxidative stress place postmenopausal women at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD).