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PDLSCs (periodontal ligament stem cells), derived from dental tissues, are candidate cells for regeneration of dental tissues. MiRNAs could regulate osteogenic differentiation and the transformation into osteoblasts. This study was conducted to figure out how miR-184 regulates osteoblastic differentiation in PDLSCs.

PDLSCs were isolated from premolars, and the osteoblastic differentiation was validated via Alizarin red staining and determination of ALP (alkaline phosphatase) activity. Expression of osteogenic specific genes were evaluated by western blot, and the expression pattern of miR-184 was determined by qRT-PCR. Target gene of miR-184 was then verified by dual luciferase reporter assay.

Osteogenic-induced PDLSCs were successfully established with increased mineral deposition, ALP activity and protein expression of RUNX2 (runt-related transcription factor 2), osterix and BSP (bone sialoprotein). MiR-184 was reduced during osteoblastic differentiation of PDLSCs, and over-expression of miR-184 suppressed osteoblastic differentiation, as evidenced by reduction in mineral deposition, ALP activity and protein expression of RUNX2, osterix and BSP. MiR-184 could target NFI-C (nuclear factor I-C), and inhibit NFI-C expression in PDLSCs. NFI-C was enhanced during osteoblastic differentiation of PDLSCs, suggesting negative correlation with miR-184. Forced NFI-C expression promoted osteoblastic differentiation, and counteracted with the suppressive effects of miR-184 on osteoblastic differentiation.

Downregulation of miR-184 facilitates osteoblastic differentiation in PDLSCs by modulating NFI-C, providing novel therapeutic strategy for regeneration of dental tissues.

Downregulation of miR-184 facilitates osteoblastic differentiation in PDLSCs by modulating NFI-C, providing novel therapeutic strategy for regeneration of dental tissues.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of tumor microenvironment-related genes on the prognosis of HNSCC and to obtain tumor microenvironment-related genes that can predict poor prognosis in HNSCC patients.

The ESTIMATE algorithm was applied to the HNSCC transcriptomic data downloaded from the TCGA (The cancer genome atlas), and then the samples were divided into two groups high and low immune scoring groups, and high and low basal scoring groups to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with poor patient outcomes. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis was performed to explore the potential functions of DEGs, and then to explore the potential prognostic value of individual DEGs. The results of survival analysis between DEGs and overall survival (OS) to explore tumor microenvironment-related genes relevant to the prognosis of HNSCC patients.

Fifty-nine tumor microenvironment-related genes were screened for association of OS with HNSCC (P < 0.05). The GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the selected DEGs may mediate immune response, extracellular matrix, and immunoglobulin binding via neutrophil activation in HNSCC. Six of these DEGs, GIMAP6, SELL, TIFAB, KCNA3, P2RY8 and CCR4 were most significantly associated with OS (P < 0.001).

We identified six tumor microenvironment-related genes that were significantly associated with poor prognosis in HNSCC. These genes may inspire researchers to discover new targets and approaches for HNSCC treatment.

We identified six tumor microenvironment-related genes that were significantly associated with poor prognosis in HNSCC. These genes may inspire researchers to discover new targets and approaches for HNSCC treatment.

Laser-activated root canal irrigation (LAI) with an ErYAG laser is considered more effective than other irrigation methods, whereas the effectiveness of LAI in cleaning lateral canals far from the laser tip remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of removing calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)

] paste from lateral canals using LAI or ultrasonic-activated irrigation (UAI), and to examine the effect of tip insertion depth and laser irradiation parameters on cleaning efficacy.

Radiopaque Ca(OH)

paste (Calcipex II) was injected into lateral canals 6 mm from the root apex in 192 J-shaped simulated root canal models. LAI (Erwin AdvErl; 30 or 70 mJ; 10 or 20 pulses per second; laser tip R200T or R600T) and UAI (ENAC SE10; output setting 3) were performed 3 times for 20 s. L-685,458 clinical trial The laser tip was placed at 8-0 mm coronal to the lateral canal location. The volume of Ca(OH)

paste before and after the experiment was measured using micro-CT (SMX-100CT).

The Ca(OH)

removal rate by LAI was significantly higher than UAI at all tip insertion depths. Ca(OH)

removal rate in LAI was significantly lower at the 8 mm position compared with other positions (P < 0.05). When the tip insertion depth was fixed at this position, Ca(OH)

removal rate increased significantly when pulse energy and tip diameter were increased (P < 0.05).

LAI removed Ca(OH)

paste from lateral canals away from the tip more effectively than UAI. Increasing the pulse energy and tip diameter improved the removal efficiency.

LAI removed Ca(OH)2 paste from lateral canals away from the tip more effectively than UAI. Increasing the pulse energy and tip diameter improved the removal efficiency.

Natural compounds have become alternatives for bone regeneration. Acemannan, the main polysaccharide extracted from

vera, has been demonstrated as a promising osteoinductive material

and

. This clinical study investigated the effect of acemannan on tooth socket healing.

Thirty-five otherwise healthy patients, 18-25 years old and diagnosed with horizontal or vertical partial impaction of the lower third molars, were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial. After removing the teeth, the sockets randomly received one of the following treatments spontaneous blood-clotting (control), 20 mg acemannan sponge, or 50 mg acemannan sponge. Cone-beam computed tomography of the mandible was performed immediately (baseline), and at 3-, 6-, and 12-months postoperatively; the data were analyzed using the OsiriX MD program. Bone healing in the socket was determined measuring the socket volume. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the differences within each group and between groups.

Thirty-five patients with 43 partially impacted lower third molars participated in this study.