Epigenetic regulation by long noncoding RNAs in osteo-/adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells and degenerative bone diseases.

Bone is a complex tissue that undergoes constant remodeling to maintain homeostasis, which requires coordinated multilineage differentiation and proper proliferation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Mounting evidence indicates that a disturbance of bone homeostasis can trigger degenerative bone diseases, including osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. In addition to conventional genetic modifications, epigenetic modifications (i.e., DNA methylation, histone modifications, and the expression of noncoding RNAs) are considered to be contributing factors that affect bone homeostasis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were previously regarded as 'transcriptional noise' with no biological functions. However, substantial evidence suggests that lncRNAs have roles in the epigenetic regulation of biological processes in MSCs and related diseases. In this review, we summarized the interactions between lncRNAs and epigenetic modifiers associated with osteo-/adipogenic differentiation of MSCs and the pathogenesis of degenerative bone diseases and highlighted promising lncRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic targets for bone diseases.

Orthodontic retreatment of an adult woman with mandibular backward positioning and temporomandibular joint disorder: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The role of occlusal factors on the occurrence of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) is still unclear and it is tricky for orthodontists to treat malocclusions in patients with TMDs. We report the case of the second orthodontic treatment of an adult female with Class II division 2 malocclusion associated with TMD. With the removal of anterior occlusal interference, TMD symptoms were alleviated and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images showed the bilateral condyles shifted forward. CASE SUMMARY: This case report presented an orthodontic retreatment of an adult female with TMD and mandibular backward positioning based on CBCT examination and Joint Space Index (JSI) analysis. The left and right JSI values of -38.5 and -52.6 indicated that the position of bilateral condyles had posterior displacement. Ten years prior to this evaluation, she underwent orthodontic treatment resulting in the extraction of two upper premolars and one lower central incisor. The joint symptoms, including pain and sounds, were alleviated along with verified mandibular forward repositioning by extraction of another lower central incisor. CONCLUSION: Mandibular backward positioning could be associated with TMD. JSI analysis based on CBCT is a convenient way to examine condylar positions quantitatively.

[Effects of reductive soil disinfestation during low-temperature stubble free period on the control of watermelon Fusarium wilt]. / ä½Žæ¸©èŒ¬å£ç©ºé—²æœŸåœŸå£¤å¼ºè¿˜åŽŸæ¶ˆæ¯’å¯¹è¥¿ç“œæž¯èŽç— çš„å½±å“.

In order to clarify the controlling effect of reductive soil disinfestation (RSD) during low-temperature stubble idle period on watermelon Fusarium wilt, we conducted a pot experiment, containing control (CK), flooded control (FCK), and RSD treatments incorporated with 2% (w/w) alfalfa meal (AL), 0.25% acetic acid (AC), and AL+AC. Real time PCR and Illumian Miseq sequencing were used to determine the abundances of fungi and Fusarium oxysporum as well as fungal community composition. The disease incidence and yield of watermelon were measured. Results showed that the abundance of Fusarium oxysporum and the ratio of Fusarium oxysporum to fungi significantly decreased in the FCK and three RSD treatments, and the disinfestation effects of these treatments ranged from 86.1% to 94.6%. The yield and disease incidence of watermelon significantly increased and decreased in all of the RSD treatments, respectively. There was no significant diffe-rence between FCK and CK treatments. The control efficiencies of Fusarium wilt in AL, AC, and AL+AC were 63.2%, 73.7%, and 94.7%, respectively. The compositions of fungal community in the AL and AC treatments were significantly changed, whereas FCK did not affect fungal community. The relative abundances of dominant fungal genera, such as Zopfiella, Pseudeurotium, Geotrichum, Ascobolus, Westerdykella, and Guehomyces, increased in the RSD treatments. Most of those genera were significantly and negatively correlated with the abundance of Fusarium oxysporum, the ratio of Fusarium oxysporum to fungi, and the disease incidence. In conclusion, RSD treated in the low-temperature stubble free period could effectively control watermelon Fusarium wilt by reshaping fungal community composition.

Surface Epitaxial Nano-Topography Facilitates Biomineralization to Promote Osteogenic Differentiation and Osteogenesis.

Biomimetic modification of hydroxyapatite on a polymer surface is a potent strategy for activating biological functions in bone tissue engineering applications. However, the polymer surface is bioinert, and it is difficult to introduce a uniform calcium phosphate (CaP) layer. To overcome this limitation, we constructed a specific nano-topographical structure onto a poly(ε-caprolactone) substrate via surface-directed epitaxial crystallization. Formation of the CaP layer on the nano-topological surface was enhanced by 2.34-fold compared to that on a smooth surface. This effect was attributed to the abundant crystallization sites for CaP deposition because of the increased surface area and roughness. Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) were used to examine the biological effect of biomineralized surfaces. We clearly demonstrated that BMSCs responded to surface biomineralization. Osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of BMSCs were significantly promoted on the biomineralized nano-topological surface. The expression of alkaline phosphatase and osteogenic-related genes as well as extracellular matrix mineralization was significantly enhanced. The proposed strategy shows potential for designing bone repair scaffolds.

CircPOMT1 and circMCM3AP inhibit osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells by targeting miR-6881-3p.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), novel endogenous non-coding RNAs with the special circular structure, have been found to play critical roles in various development of tissues and diseases. However, few studies have focused on the functions and mechanisms of circRNAs in the osteogenesis of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs). Here, we performed the circRNAs sequencing and bioinformatic analysis to investigate the expression profiles of hASCs during osteogenic differentiation. There were 150 upregulated circRNAs and 60 downregulated circRNAs expressed differentially. Among them, the expression of circPOMT1 and circMCM3AP were downregulated during the osteogenesis of hASCs. hsa-miR-6881-3p could promote the osteogenic differentiation of hASCs, while the expression of circPOMT1 and circMCM3AP were negatively correlated with it. Smad6 and Chordin, critical inhibitors of the BMPs signaling pathway, were predicted to be the targets of hsa-miR-6881-3p. Therefore, circPOMT1 and circMCM3AP might influence the osteogenic differentiation of hASCs by targeting hsa-miR-6881-3p via BMPs signaling pathway. CircPOMT1 and circMCM3AP are potential novel targets for the repairment of bone defects.

[Orthodontic intrusion of the first and second mandibular molars with a vacuum-formed removable appliance: a case report].

This case report focused on a patient with supraeruption of the first and second mandibular molars as a result of loss of the first and second maxillary molars for a long time. We adopted a combination of a vacuum-formed removable appliance and elastics to intrude the first and second mandibular molars by using a continuous, light force to acquire sufficient restoration space for maxillary molars. Thus, the dental-implant treatment was successful, and a good and stable occlusal relationship was established.

Long noncoding RNAs: a new regulatory code in osteoarthritis.

It is reported that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were expressed aberrantly in cartilage of osteoarthritis (OA). Current evidence indicates that lncRNAs not only serve as positive or negative regulators of OA, but also crosstalk with multiple potential targets to impact on the critical events in OA process. This review summarized the lncRNAs identified in OA to date, discussed their influence on the survival of chondrocytes and synoviocytes, arthritis-associated factors, and angiogenesis, and indicated the potential in diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis.

Application of Trichoderma harzianum SQR-T037 bio-organic fertiliser significantly controls Fusarium wilt and affects the microbial communities of continuously cropped soil of cucumber.

BACKGROUND: The reduction in diversity of the soil microbial community causes the disorder of continuous cropping. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of applying Trichoderma harzianum SQR-T037 bio-organic fertiliser (BIO) on the microbial community in continuously cropped cucumber soil. Four treatments were set: (1) control, where neither seedling nursery soil (N) nor transplanted soil (T) was amended with BIO; (2) N treatment, where nursery soil was amended with BIO (1% w/w) but transplanted soil was not; (3) N + T treatment, where BIO was added to both nursery soil (1% w/w) and transplanted soil (0.5% w/w); (4) uncropped soil, where soil was left uncropped consistently. RESULTS: A disease index of 72.2% was found for the control treatment, while the N and N + T treatments had disease indices of only 25 and 15% respectively. Analysis of the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles showed that the bacterial communities of the N and N + T treatments were similar to those of the uncropped soil but distinct from those of the control soil. The fungal communities of the N and N + T treatments differed from those of both the uncropped soil and the control. CONCLUSION: Addition of BIO to both the nursery soil and the transplanted soil can diversify the microbial community in continuously cropped cucumber soil and thus effectively control Fusarium wilt of cucumber plants.