Syringaresinol promotes the recovery of spinal cord injury by inhibiting neuron apoptosis via activating the ubiquitination factor E4B/AKT Serine/Threonine kinase signal pathway.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious traumatic disease with no effective treatment. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of syringaresinol on SCI. First, the potential targets and associated signaling pathways of syringaresinol were predicted by bioinformatics analysis and molecular docking. Second, MTT was employed to evaluate cell proliferation rate, Western blot was performed to detect protein expression, RT-qPCR was conducted to detect mRNA expression levels, flow cytometry and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EDU) staining were used to determine cell apoptosis, and immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to estimate the expression of RNA binding fox-1 homolog 3 and clipped caspase 3. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores and inclined plate tests were conducted to analyze hindlimb locomotor function. Results showed that syringaresinol could inhibit the apoptosis of glutamate-treated SHSY5Y cells by upregulating the expression of ubiquitination factor E4B (UBE4B) and activating the AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT) signaling pathway. This effect can be rescued by UBE4B knockdown or AKT pathway inhibition. Syringaresinol remarkably improved locomotor function and increased neuronal survival in SCI rats. Our results suggested that syringaresinol could promote locomotor functional recovery by reducing neuronal apoptosis by activating the UBE4B/AKT signaling pathway.

Molecular subtyping for lung adenocarcinoma and a novel prognostic model based on ligand-receptor pairs.

PURPOSE: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Ligands and receptors play important roles in cell communication. This study aimed to demonstrate the importance of ligand-receptor (LR) pairs in LUAD development through constructing molecular subtypes and a prognostic model based on LR pairs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1110 LUAD samples with clinical and expression data were obtained from public databases. Unsupervised consensus clustering was applied to construct molecular subtypes based on LR pairs. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression and stepwise Akaike information criterion (stepAIC) were conducted to build a prognostic model. RESULTS: Three molecular subtypes (C1, C2 and C3) were constructed based on 17 prognosis-related LR pairs. C1 subtype had the worst prognosis, while C3 subtype had the optimal prognosis. Oncogenic pathways such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were activated in C1 subtype. A prognostic model was built based on 8 LR pairs, and could classify samples into high- and low-LR score groups. Two groups had distinct overall survival and tumor microenvironment (TME). High-LR score group was more sensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs, while low-LR score group could benefit much from anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that LR pairs played critical roles in LUAD development. The prognostic model could predict prognosis and guide personalized therapy for LUAD patients.

Diagnostic efficacy of CBCT, MRI, and CBCT-MRI fused images in distinguishing articular disc calcification from loose body of temporomandibular joint.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of CBCT-MRI fused images for articular disc calcification of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients (24 TMJs) whose image examinations showed dense bodies in the TMJ space were included in the study. The locations of dense bodies evaluated by the three experts were used as a reference standard. Three oral and maxillofacial radiology residents evaluated whether the dense bodies were disc calcification or not, with a five-point scale for four sets of images (CBCT alone, MRI alone, both CBCT and MRI observed at a time, and CBCT-MRI fused images) randomly and independently. Each set of images was observed at least 1 week apart. A second evaluation was performed after 4 weeks. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the intra- and inter-observer agreement. The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) were compared between the four image sets using Z test. RESULTS: Ten cases were determined as articular disc calcifications, and fourteen cases were recognized as loose bodies in the TMJ spaces. The average AUC index for the CBCT-MRI fused images was 0.95 and significantly higher than the other sets (p < 0.01). The intra- and inter-observer agreement in the CBCT-MRI fused images (0.90-0.91, 0.93) was excellent and higher than those in the other images. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT-MRI fused images can significantly improve the observers' reliability and accuracy in determining articular disc calcification of the TMJ. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The multimodality image fusion is feasible in detecting articular disc calcification of the TMJ which are hard to define by CBCT or MRI alone. It can be utilized especially for inexperienced residents to shorten the learning curve and improve diagnostic accuracy.

Quantitative assessment of condyle positional changes before and after orthognathic surgery based on fused 3D images from cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: To establish one method that can be used to quantitatively evaluate the condyle positional changes with 3D images in postoperative mandibular prognathism patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study. Twenty-one patients who underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) were scanned with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for temporomandibular joints (TMJs) at 1 week preoperatively (T0), 1 to 2 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), and 12 months (T4) postoperatively. The data were then grouped into T0T1, T1T2, T2T3, T3T4 and T0T1, T0T2, T0T3, and T0T4. Semi-automatic registration was conducted, and the condyle positional changes were measured in segmented 3D models. Inter- and intra-observer variability and the repeatability of registration were analyzed with paired t test; the repeated measurement analysis of variance was used for analyzing the repeatability of the marked points; the consistency of segmentation was analyzed with nonparametric test of multiple paired samples (Friedman test) and the independent-sample t test was applied to comparing changes between different periods of time. Differences were considered to be statistically significant when P < 0.05. RESULTS: In T0T1 and T1T2, the condylar position was changed greatly. In T2T3, the mean condylar translations were less than 0.2 mm in all directions, the mean rotational changes of condyle were less than 0.2 mm; in the period of T3T4, the mean condylar translations in all directions were less than 0.02 mm. For series 2, the condyle translational changes in axial, coronal, and sagittal views were within 0.10 mm, and the rotation direction of condyle in all three views was the same within 1 year after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Fused three-dimensional images can be used to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate condyle positional changes. The condylar position might be stable at 3 months postoperatively. The condyles of most of patients did not fully return to their preoperative position within 1 year after the operation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: One method for fusing images has been established to detect the condylar positional changes. This method may be applied to estimate the bony changes of condyle, even bony changes in other part of dentomaxillofacial region. Meanwhile, the data of condyle positional changes from asymptomatic patients after the surgery within 1 year can be used as a reference for further exploration of the relationship between orthognathic surgery and the occurrence of osteoarthritis postoperatively in the future. KEY POINTS: • By fused 3D images, the change of condylar position after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy can be observed intuitively. • For the patients with mandibular prognathism, the condylar position would be stable at 3 months postoperatively. • The condyles of most mandibular prognathism patients did not fully return to their preoperative position within 1 year after operation.

Diagnosis of Bilateral Calcifications of Temporomandibular Joint Disc by Image Fusion.

The calcification of the articular disc is an uncommon lesion, usually discovered in hips, elbows, and shoulders, but rarely in temporomandibular joints (TMJ). The TMJ disc calcification may be related to pain and limitation of the mandibular mobility, however, most of the patients were asymptomatic. A 61-year-old female was referred to our hospital after a maxillofacial fist injury, bilateral TMJ disc calcifications were found accidentally by radiological examination. Here the significance of image fusion of cone-beam computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of this lesion was emphasized.

A three-dimensional study of hemimandibular hyperplasia, hemimandibular elongation, solitary condylar hyperplasia, simple mandibular asymmetry and condylar osteoma or osteochondroma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the morphological features of hemimandibular hyperplasia (HH) in comparison to other condylar hyperplasia-associated asymmetries, including hemimandibular elongation (HE), solitary condylar hyperplasia (SCH), simple mandibular asymmetry (SMA) and condylar osteoma or osteochondroma (COS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 31 HH, 9 HE, 6 SCH, 10 SMA and 10 COS patients were included in this study. Clinical documentation, panoramic radiography and computed tomography data were retrospectively reviewed. The three-dimensional measurements were performed on multi-planar reformation images and volume rendering images. The accuracy of the subjective radiological signs was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity and receiver operating curve analysis. Discriminant analysis was performed to generate predictive formulas using quantitative data. RESULTS: The condyles in HH were regularly or irregularly enlarged, with significantly enlarged anterior-posterior length [16.2/5.29 (mean/SD, mm) P < 0.001] and volume [5.3/2.9(mean/SD, cm3) P < 0.001] compared to the normal values. The condyles in HE and SMA were normally shaped, and the quantitative measurements were within the normal range. The ramus heights in the HH patients [55.7/5.4(mean/SD, mm)] were enlarged in comparison to the contralateral side (P < 0.001) and normal values (P < 0.001). The ramus heights in the HE [52.4/7.1 (mean/SD, mm), P < 0.001] and SMA [50.3/5.0(mean/SD, mm), P = 0.002] patients were enlarged in the contralateral side comparison but were within the normal range. The mandibular body heights in HH were enlarged in the premolar [16.6/1.3 (mean/SD, mm), P < 0.001] and molar [24.8/1.4 (mean/SD, mm), P < 0.001] regions. The inferior convexity of the lower mandibular border and inferiorly displaced mandibular canal produced high specificity, sensitivity and area under the curve for the diagnosis of HH. Discriminant analysis could predict the diagnoses with a cross-validation accuracy rate of 85.7%. CONCLUSIONS: HH is a distinct clinical entity characterized by enlargement of the condyle, ramus and mandibular body. The inferior convexity of the lower mandibular border and inferiorly displaced mandibular canal is accurate and specific for the diagnosis of HH. The condyles in HE are not hyperplastic. The term "condylar hyperplasia" alone cannot be used to refer to HH or HE.

Congenital infiltrating lipomatosis of the face: A subtype of hemifacial hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical, imaging and pathological features of congenital infiltrating lipomatosis of the face (CILF) and to discuss whether it is a subtype of hemifacial hyperplasia (HH). METHODS: Sixteen patients diagnosed with CILF were included in this study. All patients had undergone panoramic radiography and spiral CT examinations. Thirteen patients received biopsy, surgery treatment and pathological examination. The clinical documentation and imaging data were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The cheeks (14/16), parotid glands (12/16), tongues (9/16), masticatory muscles (8/16) and the lips (7/16) were the most frequently affected soft tissue organs. The maxilla (14/16), zygoma (13/16), mandible (13/16) were involved among the maxillofacial bones. Dental malformations included macrodontia (8/16), poor formation of the roots (7/16), accelerated tooth germ development or premature eruption of permanent teeth (7/16) and missing of the permanent teeth (4/16). All malformations were restricted to one side of the face and did not trespass the middle line. Pathologically, CILF was featured by the diffuse infiltration of redundant mature adipose tissue into the tissue of the affected organ. CONCLUSION: CILF is a congenital developmental facial malformation characterized by infiltration of nonencapsulated, mature adipose tissue, resulting in facial soft and hard tissue hypertrophy and dental malformations in hemifacial structures. CILF could be considered as a subtype of HH.

Bifid variations of the mandibular canal: cone beam computed tomography evaluation of 1000 Northern Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate and quantify variations of bifid mandibular canals (BMCs) in a population of Northern China by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). STUDY DESIGN: CBCT images of 1000 consecutive patients were analyzed by using the NewTom proprietary software. BMCs were identified and classified on the basis of the Naitoh classification. Linear and angular measurements of BMCs were performed. Statistical analyses were conducted by using χ2 and Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: BMCs were observed in 13.2% of 1000 patients and 8.4% of 2000 sides. The prevalence of BMCs was significantly lower in patients in the first 2 decades and in cases with a class II molar relationship. The retromolar canal (68.4%) was the most common type of BMC observed. No buccolingual canals were identified; however, 2 special canals were detected. A classification system of 3 subtypes of retromolar canals was suggested. On average, the beginning site of the branches from the opening of the main canal was at a distance of 8.1 mm. The mean diameter and length of BMCs were 2.1 mm and 12.6 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study underlined the prevalence and characteristics of BMCs in a population of Northern China. Preoperative identification of BMCs with CBCT may help prevent postoperative complications.

Spontaneous brain activity and connectivity in female patients with temporomandibular joint synovitis pain: a pilot functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

OBJECTIVE: It has been proposed that mechanisms in the central nervous system contribute to the development and maintenance of pain in temporomandibular disorders. In this study, we tested whether spontaneous brain activity and functional connectivity (FC) were altered in patients with temporomandibular joint synovitis pain. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, cross-sectional design was adopted. Each of 8 patients and 10 healthy controls (HCs) underwent 2 sessions of functional magnetic resonance imaging: mouth closed and mouth open (painful for patients). Regional homogeneity (ReHo) was used to measure spontaneous brain activity in each participant. Brain areas with altered ReHo in patients compared with HCs were identified, and their FCs with the rest of the brain was examined and compared. RESULTS: Compared with HCs, patients showed decreased pain-related ReHo in the right anterior insula (rAI). The rAI showed a weaker positive FC with the left middle cingulate cortex (MCC) and a weaker negative FC with the right precuneus in patients compared with HCs. Furthermore, the rAI-MCC FC showed a negative correlation with pain intensity in patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence supporting altered pain-related spontaneous brain activity and functional connectivity in the central nervous system in patients with temporomandibular joint synovitis pain.

Buccal mucosa cell damage in individuals following dental X-ray examinations.

The aim of the present study was to monitor genotoxic and cytotoxic effect of X-ray on exfoliated buccal mucosa cells and investigate the association between the effects and the accumulated absorbed doses of oral mucosa. 98 participants' buccal mucosa cells were collected before and 10 days after different series of dental radiographs performed. Cytological preparations were successively dyed with the methods of Feulgen and fast-green, and analyzed under a light microscope. Micronuclei (MN)and other cells were scored. Accumulated absorbed dose of buccal mucosa was estimated with the method of anthropomorphic phantom and dosimeter chips. The dose rang was 0.18-3.54 mGy. A significant difference in the rate of MN cell was found before and after X-ray examinations (P = 0.008) as well as in the rates of Pyknotic (p < 0.001) and Karyolytic cell (p = 0.0021). When only the patients whose mucosa absorbed dose is lower than 1 mGy was analyzed, significant differences were not found except for Karyolytic cells (p = 0.0313). There was a correlation between the accumulated does and the change rate (ρ = 0.25, p = 0.0118). The frequency of micronuclei cells in buccal mucosa may be increased when a series of dental radiographs including a CBCT examination was performed.

Evaluation of trabecular structure changes in osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint with cone beam computed tomography imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the possibility of using 2-dimensional image assessments in combination with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) to enhance the clinical significance and applicability of the CBCT findings on TMJOA changes. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-two patients with unilateral TMJOA and 40 healthy adults who had undergone CBCT in preparation for orthodontic treatment were selected for this study. Temporomandibular joint images were acquired with CBCT. All images were classified into 4 phases (slight erosion, widespread erosion, appearance of bone maintenance, and partial loss of condylar head with a remodeled cortical surface) and 4 levels of severity (absent, slight, moderate, and extensive). Quantitative microstructural analysis, including bone value fraction (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness, and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) of each image, was performed by using a customized software. RESULTS: In patients with unilateral TMJOA, the affected side had significantly higher BV/TV and Tb.N and significantly lower Tb.Sp compared with the unaffected side. Compared with healthy individuals, the affected joints in patients with TMJOA had significantly higher BV/TV and trabecular thickness and significantly lower Tb.N and Tb.Sp. No significant difference was found among different phase groups or different severity levels. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT combined with a software investigation protocol for microstructure measurement can be used to provide reliable trabecular parameters in assessing TMJOA.

The secreted protein WNT5A regulates condylar chondrocyte proliferation, hypertrophy and migration.

OBJECTIVE: Our previous study showed that WNT5A, a member of the noncanonical WNT pathway, is involved in interleukin-1beta induced matrix metalloproteinase expression in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condylar chondrocytes. The purpose of this study is to further explore the roles of WNT5A in cartilage biology of the TMJ. METHODS: An early TMJ osteoarthritis-like rat model was constructed by a mechanical method (steady mouth-opening). The gene and protein levels of WNT5A during the condylar cartilage changes were measured. Effects of WNT5A on chondrocyte proliferation, hypertrophy and migration were analyzed after WNT5A gain or loss of function in vitro. A c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125 was used to evaluate the involvement of JNK pathway in these effects of WNT5A. The expression and transcription activity of cell cycle regulators c-MYC and Cyclin D1 were examined to determine the mechanism behind WNT5A regulation of chondrocyte proliferation. RESULTS: WNT5A was significantly upregulated in the condylar cartilage of rats in the early TMJ osteoarthritis-like model. Activating WNT5A facilitated condylar chondrocyte proliferation, hypertrophy and migration. Conversely, inhibiting WNT5A activity in chondrocytes decreased their proliferation, hypertrophy and migration. Blockage of the JNK pathway by its inhibitor, SP600125, impaired these effects of WNT5A on chondrocytes. WNT5A regulated both the expression and transcriptional activity of c-MYC and Cyclin D1 in chondrocytes, both of which were upregulated in condylar cartilage of the rat early TMJ osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION: WNT5A regulates condylar chondrocyte proliferation, hypertrophy and migration. These findings provide new insights into the role of WNT5A signaling in TMJ cartilage biology and its potential in future therapy for TMJ degenerative diseases.

Comparison of micro-CT and cone beam CT on the feasibility of assessing trabecular structures in mandibular condyle.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of CBCT in assessing trabecular structures. METHODS: Two human mandibles were scanned by micro-CT (Skyscan 1173 high-energy spiral scan micro-CT; Skyscan NV, Kontich, Belgium) and CBCT (3D Accuitomo 170; Morita, Japan). The CBCT images were reconstructed with 0.5 and 1 mm thicknesses. The condylar images were selected for registration. A parallel algorithm for histogram computation was introduced to perform the registration. A mutual information (MI) value was used to evaluate the match between the images obtained from micro-CT and CBCT. RESULTS: In comparison with the micro-CT image for the two samples, the CBCT image with 0.5 mm thickness has a MI value of 0.873 and 0.903 while that with 1.0 mm thickness has a MI value of 0.741 and 0.752. The CBCT images with 0.5 mm thickness were better matched with micro-CT images. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT shows comparable accuracy with high-resolution micro-CT in assessing trabecular structures. CBCT can be a feasible tool to evaluate osseous changes of jaw bones.

Lung cancer resection with concurrent off-pump coronary artery bypasses: safety and efficiency.

BACKGROUND: To assess the safety and efficacy of combined surgery for patients with concurrent lung cancer and severe coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: Between 2003 and 2014, 34 patients with stage I or II lung cancer and simultaneous severe CHD underwent combined off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting and lung resection. Surgically, myocardial revascularization was performed first and followed by lobectomies through the same or a second incision. Video-assisted thoracoscopes were used in some cases. Five patients also received chemotherapy before or after combined surgery in an effort to improve the long-term survival. RESULTS: All patients survived the operation and no new myocardial infarctions (MIs) occurred in the perioperative period. The most frequent complications were cardiac arrhythmias (5 cases), atelectasis (4 cases), and pulmonary infections (2 cases). All patients were followed up for 5-60 months. Within this period, 6 patients (17.6%) died due to cancer recurrence. The 3- and 5-year survivals were 75% and 67% for these lung cancer patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Combined OPCAB and pulmonary resection for early stage lung cancer patients with concurrent severe CHD is a relatively safe and effective treatment with satisfactory long-term survival rates, especially for those patients with three-vessel disease who are not usually candidates for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before open surgery.

Age estimation based on pulp cavity/chamber volume of 13 types of tooth from cone beam computed tomography images.

AIM: The aims of this study are to identify which type of tooth has the strong relationship between age and pulp cavity/chamber volume among 13 types of tooth from the same dentition and to determine whether the inclusion of multiple types of tooth may improve the accuracy of age estimation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from 115 females and 125 males aged between 16 and 63 years were analyzed. The DICOM data of all the images were imported into ITK-SNAP 2.4 for the calculation of pulp cavity/chamber volumes. Logarithmic regression analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to establish the relationship between age and pulp cavity/chamber volumes. RESULTS: Among the 13 types of tooth, maxillary second molars have the largest R (2) (0.491, 0.642, and 0.498) and the smallest SEE (8.119, 6.754, and 8.022) in male, female, and pooled gender samples, respectively. The multiple linear regression analysis for the combination of multi-types of tooth indicated that a larger R (2) (0.627, 0.701, and 0.631) and smaller SEE (7.100, 6.258, and 6.970) than the counterpart calculated from the logarithmic regression analysis of a single type of tooth in male, female, and pooled gender samples, respectively. CONCLUSION: The pulp chamber volume of the maxillary second molars has the largest correlation coefficient with age. Using multiple types of tooth may improve the accuracy of age estimation compared with only one type of tooth used.

DNA methylation profiling in different phases of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a complex disease with strong genetic and epigenetic components in its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate DNA methylation in mandibular head cartilage in different phases of experimentally-induced TMJOA in rats. DESIGN: DNA methylation was evaluated using microarrays in the mandibular head cartilage of early, intermediate and late stage experimentally-induced TMJOA, and of the normal age-matched control groups. Genes with differentially methylated CpG sites were analyzed to reveal the over-represented gene ontologies and pathways at different stages, and were compared with published expression profiles to assess their overlappings. The DNA methylation patterns of the target genes were validated by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation qPCR in additional independent cartilage samples and mRNA levels were analyzed by real-time PCR. RESULTS: We observed 9489 differentially methylated regions between the TMJOA and controls. A total of 440 consistently altered genes were revealed in all three stages; most (80%) were hypomethylated and many were associated with cell cycle regulation. We also detected different DNA methylation changes in early and late stage TMJOA (Rearly=0.68, Rlate=0.47), while the differences between age-matched healthy cartilage were subtle. Strong inverse changes between methylation status and mRNA levels were confirmed in Adamts5, Chad, Cldn11 and Tnf. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveals dynamic DNA methylation patterns during the progression of TMJOA, with a different host of genes and pathways. The changes of cartilage DNA methylation patterns might contribute to understand the etiologic mechanisms of TMJOA epigenetically.

Synovial TRPV1 is upregulated by 17-ß-estradiol and involved in allodynia of inflamed temporomandibular joints in female rats.

Women with reproductive capability are more likely to suffer from temporomandibular disorders (TMD), with orofacial pain as the most common complaint. In the past, we focused on the role of estradiol in TMD pain through the nervous system. In this study, we explored estradiol's influence on synoviocyte gene expressions involved in the allodynia of the inflamed TMJ. The influence of 17-ß-estradiol on NGF and TRPV1 expression in TMJ synovium was determined in vivo and in vitro and analyzed by Western blot and real-time PCR. Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection into the TMJ was used to induce TMJ arthritis. Capsazepine served as a TRPV1 antagonist. Head withdrawal threshold was examined using a von Frey Anesthesiometer. We observed that estradiol upregulated the expressions of TRPV1 and NGF in a dose-dependent manner. In the primary cultured synoviocytes, TRPV1 was upregulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), estradiol, and NGF, while NGF antibodies fully blocked LPS and estradiol-induced upregulation of TRPV1. Activation of TRPV1 in the primary synoviocytes with capsaicin, a TRPV1 agonist, dose-dependently enhanced COX-2 transcription. Moreover, intra-TMJ injection of TRPV1 antagonist, capsazepine, significantly attenuated allodynia of the inflamed TMJ induced by intra-TMJ injection of CFA in female rats. This article presents a possible local mechanism for estradiol that may be involved in TMJ inflammation or pain in the synovial membrane through the pain-related gene TRPV1. This finding could potentially help clinicians understand the sexual dimorphism of TMD pain.

Age estimation based on pulp chamber volume of first molars from cone-beam computed tomography images.

AIM: To establish a method that can be used for human age estimation on the basis of pulp chamber volume of first molars and to identify whether the method is good enough for age estimation in real human cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT images of 373 maxillary first molars and 372 mandibular first molars were collected to establish the mathematical model from 190 female and 213 male patients whose age between 12 and 69 years old. The inclusion criteria of the first molars were: no caries, no excessive tooth wear, no dental restorations, no artifacts due to metal restorative materials present in adjacent teeth, and no pulpal calcification. All the CBCT images were acquired with a CBCT unit NewTom VG (Quantitative Radiology, Verona, Italy) and reconstructed with a voxel-size of 0.15mm. The images were subsequently exported as DICOM data sets and imported into an open source 3D image semi-automatic segmenting and voxel-counting software ITK-SNAP 2.4 for the calculation of pulp chamber volumes. A logarithmic regression analysis was conducted with age as dependent variable and pulp chamber volume as independent variables to establish a mathematical model for the human age estimation. To identify the precision and accuracy of the model for human age estimation, another 104 maxillary first molars and 103 mandibular first molars from 55 female and 57 male patients whose age between 12 and 67 years old were collected, too. Mean absolute error and root mean square error between the actual age and estimated age were used to determine the precision and accuracy of the mathematical model. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. RESULTS: A mathematical model was suggested for: AGE=117.691-26.442×ln (pulp chamber volume). The regression was statistically significant (p=0.000<0.01). The coefficient of determination (R(2)) was 0.564. There is a mean absolute error of 8.122 and root mean square error of 5.603 between the actual age and estimated age for all the tested teeth. CONCLUSION: The pulp chamber volume of first molar is a useful index for the estimation of human age with reasonable precision and accuracy.

Multiple complex odontoma of the maxilla and the mandible.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present a literature review and case report of multiple odontoma. METHODS: A case of multiple odontoma is presented with a review of the English-language literature. The clinical and radiologic features are summarized. RESULTS: In total, 12 cases of multiple odontoma were retrieved from the literature for analysis. The multiple odontomas were localized or extensive and involved two to four quadrants of the jaws. The histologic types were compound or complex. CONCLUSION: Odontomas can be multiple and involve multiple quadrants of the jaws.

Cheek fistula from the ectopic salivary gland: a variant of the oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to investigate the diagnosis and management of a distinct developmental deformity syndrome characterized by congenital cheek fistula, ectopic accessory parotid gland, and preauricular appendage. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: We analyzed the medical records, radiologic and histopathologic findings, and follow-up data for seven patients (four males) with a congenital cheek salivary fistula. Computed tomography, fistulography, and sialography had been performed for diagnosis. Surgical treatment effect was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 8.1 years (range, 2-16 years). The distinctive clinical feature was a congenital skin orifice lateral to the commissure with saliva discharge during eating. The cheek fistulae were accompanied by ipsilateral preauricular appendages in all seven patients. The skin orifice connected to an ectopic gland anterior to the masseter and inferior to Stensen's duct. Parotid sialography demonstrated an intact Stensen's duct in all cases. Hypoplasia of the ipsilateral mandible could be observed in five cases. Excision of the ectopic gland, skin orifice, and fistula was performed in five cases resulting in optimal treatment outcomes with no recurrent or adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: A congenital saliva-discharging fistula with an ectopic accessory parotid gland, ipsilateral preauricular appendage, and mandibular hypoplasia constitutes a rare developmental syndrome. Surgical excision can effectively treat congenital cheek salivary fistula. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.