Hypoxia-induced Semaphorin 3A promotes the development of endometriosis through regulating macrophage polarization.

BACKGROUND: Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) is a member of neural guidance factor family well-known for inducing the collapse of nerve cell growth cone and regulating nerve redistribution. It also has been characterized as an immunoregulatory and tumor promoting factor. Our previous study showed that Sema3A was involved in the regulation of sympathetic innervation and neuropathic pain of endometriosis. Nevertheless, the role of Sema3A in the development of endometriosis and its potential upstreaming factor are still not clear. METHODS: Histology experiments were carried to detect the expression of Sema3A, hypoxia -inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and the distribution of macrophages. Cell experiments were used to explore the effect of Sema3A on the proliferation and migration of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) and to confirm the regulatory action of HIF-1α on Sema3A. In vivo experiments were carried out to explore the role of Sema3A on the development of endometriosis. RESULTS: Sema3A was highly expressed in endometriotic lesions and could enhanced the proliferation and migration abilities of ESCs. Aberrant macrophage distribution was found in endometriotic lesions. Sema3A also promoted the differentiation of monocytes into anti-inflammatory macrophages, so indirectly mediating the proliferation and migration of ESCs. Hypoxic microenvironment induced Sema3A mRNA and protein expression in ESCs via HIF-1α. Administration of Sema3A promoted the development of endometriosis in a mouse model. CONCLUSIONS: Sema3A, which is regulated by HIF-1α, is a promoting factor for the development of endometriosis. Targeting Sema3A may be a potential treatment strategy to control endometriotic lesions.

Use of anterior ramus bone graft for mandibular reconstruction in elderly patients.

In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using a geometrically designed anterior ramus graft to reconstruct lateral mandibular defects. This was achieved by assessing the anatomical dimensions of the mandibular ramus on computed-tomographies. The design sequence and application of the graft was also demonstrated using one of our cases. The following dimensions were measured; a and b - horizontal length from mid-ramus to the posterior and anterior ramus border respectively, c - longest length of the graft, Mp - width at the centre of the ramus, h - vertical length of the angle at its cross-section, w - horizontal length of the angle at its cross-section, x - cross-sectional area along the mandible angle. A total of 80 mandibular rami were examined. The mean length of a, b, c were 17.3 ± 1.8 mm, 15.9 ± 1.2 mm, 54.6 ± 3.8 mm, respectively. The mean width of Mp was 9.8 ± 1.1 mm. The mean cross section area of Eo-Md (x) was 326.7 ± 67.8 mm2. The average length of h and w were 26.5 ± 3.2 and 15.6 ± 2.1 mm, respectively. The use of virtual surgical planning (VSP) to geometrically design the graft was also described. Together with VSP, the anterior ramus bone graft will allow for reconstruction of the mandible with greater surgical efficiency, reduced complexity and without the need for extra-oral bone harvest. This may be an useful alternative in situations where simpler reconstructive procedures are preferred.

[Clinical application and accuracy analysis of occlusion-guided functional mandibular reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of the design and application of novel surgical template on the accuracy of reconstructed mandibula and implant position in occlusion-guided functional mandibular reconstruction, so as to provide guidance for clinical treatment. METHODS: Between January 2017 and May 2019, 11 patients with segmental mandible defects were treated, including 8 males and 3 females with an average age of 31.8 years (range, 19-45 years). There were 6 cases of ameloblastoma, 3 cases of keratocystic tumor, and 2 cases of ossifying fibroma. According to Urken classification of mandible defects, there were 1 case of CRB, 4 cases of RB, 2 cases of RBS, and 4 cases of SB. According to the occlusion relationship, a novel surgical template with the reconstruction titanium plate screws and implants drill-guided information was designed and manufactured. With the help of the novel surgical template, the "one and a half" fibula reconstruction mode was used for jaw functional reconstruction, and the implant supported denture was finally completed. The postoperative CT at 1 week were collected to analyze the morphology of the preoperative virtual design jaw and postoperative jaw. The coincidence of fibular reconstructed mandible (fibular upper barrel, fibular reconstructed ramus and condyle, and whole mandible) and implant in mandible were calculated. When the coincidence was less than 80%, it was considered that the deviation was obvious. Oral panoramic X-ray film and cone beam CT were examined at 6 months after operation to evaluate the osseointegration before implant repair. RESULTS: None of the 11 flaps had postoperative vascular crisis. One flap occurred necrosis at 1 month after reconstruction combined with 3 implants failed, and had been removed at 6 months after reconstructed surgery; the others had no flap necrosis. One week postoperatively, the coincidence of the fibular upper barrel was 87.55%±3.08%, the whole mandible was 82.68%±5.94%, and the implant in mandible was 88.00%, with significant differences ( t=8.131, P=0.000; t=2.118, P=0.046; Z=4.070, P=0.000) when compared to 80%, respectively. The fibular reconstructed ramus and condyle was 77.82%±3.54%, with no significant difference ( t=-2.042, P=0.068) when compared to 80%. Six months postoperatively, oral panoramic X-ray film and cone beam CT showed that all 22 implants achieved osseointegration and the palatal mucosa transplantation was performed, then finally completed the denture rehabilitation at 6-9 months after operation. All patients were satisfied with their postoperative appearance. CONCLUSION: The novel surgical template can guarantee the accuracy of functional mandible reconstruction guided by occlusal guidance, and ultimately achieve the beautiful contour of jaw and occlusal function reconstruction, and improve the patient's life quality.

Utilization of a pre-bent plate-positioning surgical guide system in precise mandibular reconstruction with a free fibula flap.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effects of three-dimensional virtual planning and the use of a plate-embedded surgical guide in mandibular reconstruction with microvascular fibula flaps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 35 patients who underwent primary mandibular reconstruction with a free fibula flap. They were divided into three groups according to the therapy they received. In group A, 12 patients underwent reconstruction using the modified surgical guide system, including virtual surgeries, pre-bent titanium plates, screw-predesignated cutting guides for mandibular and fibular osteotomies, and plate-embedded shaping guides. In group B, 14 patients underwent reconstruction using the common surgical guide system, including virtual surgeries, cutting guides and pre-bent plates. In group C, 9 patients underwent reconstruction based on the surgeon's experience. All cases were reviewed for the total operative time, ischemia time of the fibula flaps, accuracy of surgery, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: All of the fibula flaps survived. In group A, the ischemia time was shorter than that of groups B and C (P < .05). The average gonion and condyle shift was lower in group A than in groups B and C (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Application of the screw-predesignated and plate-embedded surgical guide system can reduce the ischemia time and operation time in mandibular reconstruction with a fibula flap, and can increase reconstruction accuracy. This method is a precise and highly reliable technique for improving the clinical outcome of mandibular reconstruction.