Comprehensive analysis of plasma miRNA and related ceRNA network in non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate.

BACKGROUND: Non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P) is a common maxillofacial birth defect, and the etiology of which is complex and still unclear. Accumulating studies indicate that long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs) and microRNAs(miRNAs) play important roles in NSCL/P. However, the potential regulatory associations remain largely unknown. In this study, we screened differentially expressed miRNAs and constructed competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks to lay a foundation for further research on the regulatory mechanism of ncRNAs in NSCL/P. METHODS: NSCL/P plasma RNA was analyzed by miRNA sequencing. The bioinformatics database, GEO and STRING database, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis and Cytoscape software were used to analyze and screen lncRNAs and mRNAs potentially related to differential miRNAs. The expression levels of lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA in ceRNA network were detected by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: In NSCL/P plasma samples, there were 47 differentially expressed miRNAs in CPO group and 36 differentially expressed miRNAs in CL/P group. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that cell cycle, cell response to DNA damage stimulation, and the TGF-ßsignaling pathway were relevant to the formation of NSCL/P. The RT-qPCR results showed that the expression levels of lncRNA NEAT1, hsa-miR-130 b-3p, hsa-miR-212-3p, hsa-miR-200 b-3p and SMAD2 were different in NSCL/P. CONCLUSIONS: We found that differentially expressed miR-212-3p, miR-200 b-3p and miR-130 b-3p may be involved in the pathogenesis of cleft palate by regulating related target genes.

The risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate and Vax1 rs7078160 polymorphisms in southern Han Chinese / Risco de fenda labial não sindrômica com ou sem fenda palatina e polimorfismo Vax1 rs7078160 em indivíduos da etnia Han do sul da China

Abstract Introduction: Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate is a common worldwide birth defect due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Genome-wide association studies reported the rs7078160 of Vax1 is closely related to non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in European populations. The following studies showed the same results in Mongolian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese populations etc. However, conflicting research had been reported in Chinese population, Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the rs7078160 polymorphism and non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Southern Chinese patients. Methods: In this study, we investigated the polymorphism distribution of rs7078160 in 100 complete patient trios (39 patients with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate; 36 patients with non-syndromic cleft lip only; 25 had non-syndromic cleft palate only; and their parents) from Southern ethnic Han Chinese. 60 healthy trios were selected as control. Polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing were used to genotype rs7078160 in Vax1; both case-control and family-based associations were analyzed. Results: The case-control analyses revealed the rs7078160 polymorphism was significant, associated with non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (p = 0.04) and non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (p = 0.01), but not associated with non-syndromic cleft lip only and nonsyndromic cleft palate only patients. The genotype composition of rs7078160 comprises mutated homozygous AA, heterozygous AG and wild homozygous GG. Cases with AG + AA genotypes compared with GG homozygotes showed an increased risk of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (p = 0.04, OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.01-4.16) and non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (p = 0.01, OR = 3.94, 95% CI: 1.34-11.54). In addition, we did not detect any transmissiondisequilibrium in rs7078160 (p = 0.68). Conclusion: This study suggests that rs7078160 polymorphism is a risk factor of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate, and Vax1 is strongly associated with non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Southern Chinese Han populations.

Resumo Introdução: A fenda labial não sindrômica, com ou sem fenda palatina, é um defeito congênito comum em todo o mundo, devido a uma combinação de fatores ambientais e genéticos. O genome-wide association studies relatou que o polimorfismo rs7078160 do Vax1 está intimamente relacionado à fenda labial não sindrômica, com ou sem fenda palatina em populações europeias. Estudos subsequentes mostraram os mesmos resultados nas populações mongol, japonesa, filipina e vietnamita etc. No entanto, pesquisas conflitantes foram relatadas na população chinesa. Objetivo: Investigar a associação entre o polimorfismo rs7078160 e fenda labial não sindrômica, com ou sem fenda palatina, em pacientes do sul da China. Método: Tentamos investigar a distribuição do polimorfismo rs7078160 em 100 trios completos de pacientes (39 pacientes com fenda labial e palatina não sindrômica; 36 pacientes com fenda labial somente, não sindrômica; 25 com fenda palatina somente, não sindrômica e seus pais), da etnia Han do sul da China, e em 60 trios saudáveis selecionados como controle. Reação de polimerase em cadeia e o sequenciamento de Sanger foram uszados para genotipar o polimorfismo rs7078160 do Vax1 e tanto os casos-controle quanto as associações baseadas na família foram analisadas. Resultados: As análises de caso-controle revelaram que o polimorfismo rs7078160 estava significativamente associado a fenda labial não sindrômica, com ou sem fenda palatina (p = 0,04) e fenda labial e palatina não sindrômica (p = 0,01), mas não estava associado a pacientes com fenda labial somente não sindrômica e fenda palatina somente não sindrômica. A composição do genótipo de rs7078160 compreende AA homozigoto mutado, AG heterozigoto e GG homozigoto selvagem. Casos com genótipos AG + AA comparados com GG homozigotos mostraram um risco aumentado de fenda labial não sindrômica, com ou sem fenda palatina (p = 0,04, OR = 2,05, IC de 95%: 1,01 ± 4,16) e fenda labial e palatina não sindrômica (p = 0,01, OR = 3,94, IC 95%: 1,34-11,54). Além disso, não detectamos desequilíbrio de transmissão em rs7078160 (p = 0,68). Conclusão: Este estudo sugere que o polimorfismo rs7078160 foi um fator de risco para fenda labial não sindrômica, com ou sem fenda palatina, e o gene Vax1 está fortemente associado com fenda labial não sindrômica, com ou sem fenda palatina em populações da etnia Han do sul da China.

Variational Characteristics of Nasolabial Appearance and Its Influencing Factors for the Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair With Modified Huaxi Technique.

PURPOSE: After many years in clinical practice, the authors found that the long-term aesthetics of the upper lip and nose following repair of a unilateral cleft lip deformity using the Huaxi method remained unsatisfactory. The immediate postoperative effect was often good, while the long-term postoperative effect was poor. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and influencing factors of a modified Huaxi method for repairing unilateral cleft lip over time, and to explore the relationship between immediate and long-term outcomes after cleft lip surgery. METHODS: Patients with unilateral cleft lip who visited the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from June 2014 to March 2016 were selected. The study group consisted of 51 consecutive patients (30 boys and 21 girls), aged between 3 months and 2 years. Of these, 24 presented with complete unilateral cleft lip (12 wore a nasoalveolar mold as required, 12 did not) and 27 with incomplete unilateral cleft lip (13 wore a nasoalveolar mold as required, 14 did not). Photographs were taken of 51 patients before surgery and immediately, 7 days, and 6 months postoperatively. Various indexes of nasolabial contour of each patient were measured using iWitness photogrammetry, and the slit width; lip height ratio, lip width ratio, nostril width ratio, and nostril height ratio of the healthy side; and degree of deviation of the nasal columella were calculated. RESULTS: Long-term symmetry of lip height and width remained stable postoperatively (P > 0.05), whereas nostril height symmetry was significantly reduced (P > 0.05). Nasal width symmetry and midpoint deviation of the nasal columella were stable in patients with nasoalveolar molding (P > 0.05), but significantly decreased in patients without nasoalveolar molding (P < 0.05). In patients with complete unilateral cleft lip, there was a significant correlation between fissure width and lip width symmetry 6 months postoperatively (r = 0.431, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The symmetry of the upper lip is satisfactory and stable following surgical repair with the modified Huaxi technique. However, undercorrection of nasal symmetry is commonplace. Fissure width and nasoalveolar molding may influence long-term aesthetics following unilateral cleft lip repair.

The risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate and Vax1 rs7078160 polymorphisms in southern Han Chinese.

INTRODUCTION: Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate is a common worldwide birth defect due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Genome-wide association studies reported the rs7078160 of Vax1 is closely related to non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in European populations. The following studies showed the same results in Mongolian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese populations etc. However, conflicting research had been reported in Chinese population, OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the rs7078160 polymorphism and non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Southern Chinese patients. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the polymorphism distribution of rs7078160 in 100 complete patient trios (39 patients with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate; 36 patients with non-syndromic cleft lip only; 25 had non-syndromic cleft palate only; and their parents) from Southern ethnic Han Chinese. 60 healthy trios were selected as control. Polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing were used to genotype rs7078160 in Vax1; both case-control and family-based associations were analyzed. RESULTS: The case-control analyses revealed the rs7078160 polymorphism was significant, associated with non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (p=0.04) and non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (p=0.01), but not associated with non-syndromic cleft lip only and non-syndromic cleft palate only patients. The genotype composition of rs7078160 comprises mutated homozygous AA, heterozygous AG and wild homozygous GG. Cases with AG+AA genotypes compared with GG homozygotes showed an increased risk of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (p=0.04, OR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.01-4.16) and non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (p=0.01, OR=3.94, 95% CI: 1.34-11.54). In addition, we did not detect any transmission-disequilibrium in rs7078160 (p=0.68). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that rs7078160 polymorphism is a risk factor of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate, and Vax1 is strongly associated with non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Southern Chinese Han populations.

Effects of icariin on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering technology has been applied extensively for clinical research and human amnion mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) could cause mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into the bone tissue. However, it is necessary to develop and identify the safer appropriate amount of osteogenic inducer. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of icariin (ICA) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hAMSCs. METHODS: The morphology and phenotype of hAMSCs were discovered by flow cytometry and immunocytochemical staining. The osteogenic differentiation of hAMSCs under the influence of different concentrations of ICA were assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity substrate assay and alizarin red staining. RESULTS: MTT assay revealed that the hAMSCs pretreated with ICA exhibited increased proliferation when compared with the control group, and the most optimum concentration of ICA was 1 × 10- 6 mol/L. The combined analysis of ALP activity and ARS staining showed that ICA could significantly promote the osteogenic differentiation of hAMSCs, and the effect was most significant when the concentration of ICA was 1 × 10- 6 mol/L. CONCLUSION: All the above results implied that ICA could significantly increase proliferation and enhance the osteogenic differentiation of hAMSCs, especially when the concentration of ICA was 1 × 10- 6 mol/L.

The Effect of Zigzag Palatoplasty on the Repair of Cleft Palate and its Comparative Study With Sommerlad Palatoplasty and the Double Opposing Z Palatoplasty.

PURPOSE: At present, there are a variety of surgical methods for cleft palate repair, the authors first created the zigzag plasty of nasal mucosa musculature. The method is characteristic of better repair effect for anatomy and function of palatopharyngeal compared with the traditional method. METHODS: Fifty patients with cleft palate were involved in this study, and treated with 3 different operative methods, respectively: zigzag palatoplasty for the repair of nasal mucosa myometrium (n = 17), Sommerlad palatoplasty (n = 18) and the double opposing Z palatoplasty (n = 15), respectively. The length of soft palate (the distance from incisor to the tip of uvula) and the distance from uvula to posterior pharynx before and after operation were selected as outcome index. The post-operative speech intelligibility, nasal resonance, and nasal leaking were also evaluated. RESULTS: The results showed that the lengths of soft palate were increased by 14.50%, 13.23%, 10.10% with the zigzag palatoplasty, the double opposing Z palatoplasty and Sommerlad palatoplasty, respectively; the distances from the vertical tip to the posterior pharyngeal wall of 3 kinds of operation were reduced by 49.03%, 47.78%, 49.03%, respectively. The comparison of speech intelligibility, nasal resonance and nasal resonance assessment between/among groups were not significant. CONCLUSION: The authors' research showed that the effect of zigzag palatoplasty works well in the repair of nasal mucosa myometrium and can be used as an optional method for functional repair of cleft palate.

The Postoperative Speech Intelligibility Evaluation of Modified Z-Plasty Palatoplasty.

The aim of the present study is to test the feasibility of modified Z-plasty palatoplasty for cleft palate repair in surgeries and provide a new surgical method. Forty cleft palate patients were selected as participants and divided into 2 groups in random. Twenty patients in the experiment group were treated by modified Z-plasty palatoplasty while the other 20 patients in the control group by double opposing Z-plasty and Sommerlad palatoplasty. By evaluating and observing postoperative velopharyngeal movement, speech intelligibility, nasal leaking, analysis of CSL (Computer Structure Language) and X-ray velopharyngeal lateral radiographs, Modified Z-plasty palatoplasty achieved better results than traditional operation. Satisfactory linguistic effects on incomplete cleft palate can be observed after modified Z-plasty palatoplasty treatment. So this method may be used as a clinical choice.

[Reliability of iWitness photogrammetry in maxillofacial application].

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to test the accuracy and precision of iWitness photogrammetry for measuring the facial tissues of mannequin head. METHODS: Under ideal circumstances, the 3D landmark coordinates were repeatedly obtained from a mannequin head using iWitness photogrammetric system with different parameters, to examine the precision of this system. The differences between the 3D data and their true distance values of mannequin head were computed. RESULTS: Operator error of 3D system in non-zoom and zoom status were 0.20 mm and 0.09 mm, and the difference was significant (P 0.05). Image captured error of 3D system was 0.283 mm, and there was no significant difference compared with the same group of images (P>0.05). Error of 3D systen with recalibration was 0.251 mm, and the difference was not statistically significant compared with image captured error (P>0.05). Good congruence was observed between means derived from the 3D photos and direct anthropometry, with difference ranging from -0.4 mm to +0.4 mm. CONCLUSION: This study provides further evidence of the high reliability of iWitness photogrammetry for several craniofacial measurements, including landmarks and inter-landmark distances. The evaluated system can be recommended for the evaluation and documentation of the facial surface.

[Influence of different surgeries on growth and development of alar cartilage in young-rabbit].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to observe the affection of different clinical surgeries on alar nasal cartilages' growth and development. The experimental results can provide some theory basis for clinical surgeries. METHOD: Twenty-eight New Zealand immature rabbits were used in this study, and divided into normal control group, hidden dissection group and cutting off alar nasal cartilages group randomly, which included 4,12 and 12 rabbits, separately. Arc incision were made on the mucous membrane of nasal cavity,and then dissect the alar nasal cartilages hidden or cut off the alar nasal cartilages, separately. The growth and development of the alar cartilage were observed at different stages after the surgery using histological and immuno-histochemical methods. RESULT: Four weeks, eight weeks, twelve weeks and sixteen weeks after surgery, there were no significant differences in the indexes of chondrocytes between hidden dissection group and control group. In cutting off alar nasal cartilages group, fiber tissue were observed in the vacancy left after being cut off cartilages, and even mucous membrane tissue could be seen in some slices. CONCLUSION: There is no adverse influence on the growth and development of the alar cartilage after being hidden dissected. Contrarily, the restoring capability of transparent cartilage cannot counteract the injury resulted form the surgery after the alar nasal cartilages being cut off.

[Submandibular sialoadenectomy by a modified retroauricular approach].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and the surgical procedures of submandibular sialoadenectomy by a modified retroauricular approach. METHODS: Between October 2008 and April 2009, 8 patients with benign submandibular gland disorders underwent removal of benign submandibular gland lesions using a retroauricular approach. There were 4 males and 4 females with an average age of 38.5 years (range, 32-54 years), including 3 pleomorphic adenoma and 5 chronic sialadenitis with sialolithiasis. The disease duration was from 2 months to 5 years. The anterior facial vein and the facial artery were reserved only by the ligation of branching vessels in the submandibular gland. RESULTS: Submandibular sialoadenectomy were successfully performed in 8 cases. The operative time was 45-75 minutes (mean, 60 minutes). All incisions obtained healing by first intention. No nerve paralysis occurred, including marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve, the lingual nerve, and hypoglossal nerve. One patient had poor blood circulation of flap due to excessive traction during operation, but it returned normal after 24 hours without special treatment. Other flaps had good blood circulation. All patients were followed up 1-6 months (mean, 3 months). The incision scars were hidden with satisfactory appearance. CONCLUSION: The modified retroauricular approach has some advantages such as simple operation, better cosmetic outcome, and no complication.

[To study the effect of oral mucosa cell transfected with IFN-gamma recover denuded hard palate to the growth of maxilla].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of oral mucosa cell transfected with IFN-gamma recover denuded hard palate to the growth of maxilla in rats. METHODS: Divide 3-week-age 80 female rats with left denuded hard palate into 4 groups randomly, depends on different methods recovered the denuded hard palate, granulation tissue growing itselves (I), transplanting amnion (II), transplanting oral mucous cell loaded by amnion (III), or oral mucous cell transfected with IFN-gamma (IV), 20 rats in one group. After 9 weeks, measure the width of left hard palate and the right, and analyse the width of hard palate by different methods. RESULTS: The antisymmetry rate of hard palate width of groups I, II, III and IV are (68.64 +/- 9.03)%, (58.53 +/- 7.40)%, (53.12 +/- 4.92)% and (52.25 +/- 4.61)%, statistical analysis through SNK of SPSS 11.0 show group I is different from groups II, III, IV (P < 0.05), group II is different from groups III, IV (P < 0.05), but group III is not different from group IV (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It has energetic significance to prevent maxillary secondary deformity with amnion and tissue-engineered oral mucosa recover denuded hard palate, the tissue-engineered oral mucosa is better than amnion, the tissue-engineered oral mucosa transfected with IFN-gamma is better than not transfected.

[Study on repair approach of bilateral cleft lips and nose deformity].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the operative technique and aesthetic problem of reconstruction to deformity of bilateral cleft lip. METHODS: From March 2003 to December 2004, 26 patients with bilateral cleft lip were treated, aged 10 months to 11 years. Of 26 patients, there were 13 bilateral complete cleft lip and palate, 9 bilateral incomplete cleft lip and 4 mixed cleft lip with unilateral complete cleft palate. The chief design principle was keeping the length of prolabium. During operation, sufficient dissociation was made in the base of the ala base and orbicularis oris muscle to reconstruct these structures. The circle suture was made for the bilateral orbicularis oris muscle. The shape of vermilion was achieved by lateral red lip muscle flap and simultaneous simple rhinoplasty was performed. RESULTS: Primary healing of the incisions was achieved in all cases. After the 10 days-3 months follow-up, the results were satisfactory in the width and chubbiness of the nose bottom, the shapes of nostril and Cuspid's bow were good without whistle deformity. The appearance of upper lip was good in either dynamic or static state. CONCLUSION: Excellent shapes and function of the nose and lip, and opportunity for two-stage repair could be obtained with this method, which being believed important methods for the primary repair of bilateral cleft lip.

Effects of lip repair on maxillary growth and facial soft tissue development in patients with a complete unilateral cleft of lip, alveolus and palate.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between lip repair and inhibition of maxillary growth, and to investigate the characteristics of upper lip in patients with complete unilateral clefts of lip, alveolus and palate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Lateral cephalometric radiographs and photographs (anterior-posterior and profile) were taken for 3 groups of patients: (1) 35 complete unilateral cleft lip, alveolus and palate cases in whom only a labioplasty was performed as infants; (2) 47 cases who had both lip and palate repaired; and (3) 37 non-cleft peers as controls. RESULTS: There was maxillary retrusion in groups (1) and (2). Surface area and height of the upper lip was reduced in both these groups when compared with the normal controls. CONCLUSION: Lip repair is a most important factor in the restraint of maxillary growth in patients with complete unilateral clefts of lip, alveolus and palate. And height and projection of the upper lip are reduced following lip repair.

[Different histological changes of hard palates in rats with different areas of denudated bone].

PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between the histological changes of the denudated bone in the hard palate of rats and its sizes. METHODS: Sixteen three-week-old SD male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (a control group and 3 experimental groups). In the three experimental groups, one and two and three quarters of the bilateral palatal mucoperiosteum were excised respectively. One animal in each group was sacrificed every two weeks and the histological differences were observed. RESULTS: Different histological changes were found among the groups. When the denuded part was over half of the palate, tight connections between scar tissues and both the palatal bone and the periodontal fibers were observed. Many necrotic bone tissues appeared in the mid-palate if more than three quarters of areas were exposed. CONCLUSION: Different sizes of denuded bone may lead to different histological appearances. Structures and tissues change more when denuded part of the bone is larger.

[The influence to maxillary growth by exposed bone wound in hard palate of rat].

OBJECTIVE: To confirm if denuded bone on lateral aspects of the hard palate of surgical repairs of the cleft palate is the main reason of causing disturbance of facial growth and to investigate the mechanism. METHODS: 48 SD rats were employed in the study. Among them 40 animals were divided into normal control and experimental group randomly. Normal control was not operated. Hard palate mucoperiosteum on the left side in experimental group were excised. Left hard palate mucoperiosteum in another 8 female three-week-old SD rats were excised with same method and were sacrificed at 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 12th day, respectively. The 8 rats were used for histological research. RESULTS: The width of all left sides hard palates in experimental group was significantly narrower than right side, and demonstrated statistical difference. Chronic osteomyelitis on the denuded hard palate was observed. CONCLUSION: The denuded bone wound might be a principal factor for the following maxillary growth deformity in cleft palate patients who received palatoplasty in childhood. The mechanism of causing the deformity might be wound and scar contraction, decreased blood flow and nutrition plus chronic osteomyelitis.

[Preliminary research for constructing tissue-engineered oral mucosa].

OBJECTIVE: To search for a method of constructing tissue-engineered oral mucosa. METHODS: Hard palate mucoperiosteum were excised and extracted from raw SD milk rat. Tissue-engineered oral mucosa was made with the cultured oral keratinocytes that had been digested by Dispase and cultured in the serum-free keratinocytes medium, the supportive membrane being made from sodium alginate. RESULTS: Rat oral mucosal epithelial cells could be obtained with Dispase digestion. It was found that the best time for oral mucosa membrane to be digested to independent cells by Dispase again is ten minutes after the mucosa membrane has been obtained by Dispase; the best density of rat oral mucosa cells cultured is 1.5 x 10(5)/cm2, and the mucosa cells will be difficult to form the colon if the density of cells is too low. The keratinocytes can be cultured in serum-free keratinocytes medium without fibroblast contamination; the mucosa cells grow well on the sodium alginate membrane. CONCLUSION: Tissue-engineered oral mucosa can be constructed with the cultured oral keratinocytes in the serum-free keratinocytes medium and the self-made sodium alginate membrane.

[Maxillary growth following tissue engineered oral mucosal implantation on mucoperiosteal denudated palate process in young rat].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effectiveness of prevention and cure for maxillary growth deformity following tissue engineered oral mucosa implantation on mucoperiosteal denuded palate process in young rat. METHODS: Hard palate mucoperiosteum of a SD baby rat were excised and oral keratinocytes were isolated and cultured. Tissue engineered oral mucosa was fabricated with the cultured oral keratinocytes and the membrane made of sodium alginate (SA). 80 female three-week-old SD rats were used as subjects in this study. The animals were divided randomly into a normal control group and 3 experimental groups, each group included 20 rats. Normal control group (NG) were not operated. Hard palate mucoperiosteum on left side in all experimental groups were excised, exposed bone were not treated in denuded group (DG), but repaired with membrane in material group (MG) and repaired with the tissue engineered oral mucosa in mucosal group (MUG). All the animals were sacrificed at 9th week postoperatively (12 weeks old), and the clean widths of right and left hard palatal were measured under a dissection microscope. The difference between palatal widths of two sides and the asymmetry ratio between the different groups were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: No significant difference in asymmetry was discovered between the DG and the MG, but the asymmetry in MUG was less than DG or MG. CONCLUSION: Tissue engineered oral mucosal implantation in palatoplasty is an effective method in preventing and curing secondary maxilla deformity by repairing denuded bone wound.

[A histological study on healing process of palatal wound with denuded bone restored with transplanted buccal or palatal mucosa].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to observe the healing process of palate wound with denuded bone restored with transplanted buccal or palatal mucosa and to elucidate the mechanism of maxillary growth inhibition following palate repair. METHODS: 32 Japan white rabbits, 5 weeks old, were selected as the subjects for this study. They were divided into 4 groups at random. The rabbits in group I was the control without receiving any treatment. The rabbits in group II, III, IV was surgically denuded the bone of palate, and afterwards, the rabbits in group II were not received further restoration, but rabbits in group III and IV were restored with transplanted buccal and palatal mucosa respectively. From 2 to 14 weeks after surgery, at regular intervals, palatal wounds were observed by using a light microscope. Histological changes were also compared among different groups. RESULTS: It was found in group II that dense connective tissue was formed 2 weeks after the surgery, and Sharpey's fibers was formed between the scar and bone tissue 4 weeks after the surgery. However, no Sharpey's fiber was found in group III and group IV, and in the latter two groups, the histological character of tissue was similar to that of the control. CONCLUSION: Prevention of the attachment of Sharpey's fibers to the palatal bone could be effectively accomplished by covering the denuded palatal bone with the transplanted buccal or palatal mucosa.