Transcranial direct current stimulation in the treatment of anxiety and depression in patients with oral cancer during perioperative period.

This study retrospectively investigated the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the treatment of anxiety and depression in patients with oral cancer (OC) during the perioperative period (PPP). This retrospective study reviewed the electronic medical records of patients who underwent OC surgery and experienced anxiety and depression during PPP. The patients were divided into the treatment (n = 36) and control (n = 36) groups. The patients in the treatment group received tDCS, whereas those in the control group did not receive tDCS. The primary outcomes included the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Secondary outcomes included adverse events (AEs). We analyzed the outcome data before and after treatment. After treatment, patients in the treatment group achieved greater relief in SAS (P < .01) and SDS (P < .01) scores than those in the control group. Regarding safety, no electronic medical records reported any AEs in this study. The results of this study showed that tDCS may help relieve depression and anxiety in patients with OC during PPP. However, high-quality prospective randomized controlled trials are required to confirm these findings.

[MicroRNA-125b regulates osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of microRNA-125b (miR-125b) on osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSCs). METHODS: The surface factor of isolated PDLSCs was detected by flow cytometry. After transfected with miR-125b or anti-miR125b in PDLSCs, MTT and LDH were used to detect cell viability and cytotoxicity; ALP activity and calcium level were detected by ALP assay kit and calcium colorimetric assay kit. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to determine the expression of osteogenesis-related genes. The interaction between miR-125b and connexin 43 (Cx43) was detected by dual luciferase gene reporter assay. The data were analyzed with SPSS 17.0 software. RESULTS: The cultured PDLSCs showed the characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells. After transfected with miR-125b in PDLSCs, the cell viability was decreased, cytotoxicity was increased; ALP activity, calcium level and the expression of osteogenesis-related genes were significantly decreased. On the contrary, cell viability, ALP activity, calcium level and the expression of osteogenesis-related genes in PDLSCs were increased after anti-miR-125b transfection. Dual luciferase gene reporter assay showed that miR-125b could target Cx43. In addition, the effect of miR-125b on osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs was reversed after Cx43 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS: miR-125b may inhibit osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs by targeting Cx43.

[SiRNA silencing Rsk2 gene expression inhibits proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells].

PURPOSE: To study the effect of ribosomal S6 kinase (Rsk2) gene on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) and underlying mechanism. METHODS: Premolar surgically extracted were collected, the periodontal ligament was separated and hPDLCs were primarily cultured. Cells of 4 to 6 passage were used in the experiment. The silencing efficiency of small interfering RNA (siRNA) on Rsk2 in hPDLCs was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. MTT assay was used to detect the effect of Rsk2 siRNA on cell proliferation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) kit was used to detect ALP activity. P38MAPK signal pathway inhibitor SB203580 was used to detect hPDLCs after transfection. Western blot was used to detect the effect of Rsk2 siRNA on MAPK signaling pathway p38 protein phosphorylation. The expressions of Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2), osteocalcin (OCN) and osteogenic protein BMP2 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The data were analyzed using SPSS18.0 software package. RESULTS: The expression of Rsk2 was down-regulated by hPDLCs transfected with Rsk2 siRNA, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Rsk2 siRNA significantly reduced phosphorylation of p38 protein (P<0.05), inhibition of hPDLCs proliferation (P<0.05), decreased ALP activity (P<0.01); the expression of Runx2, OCN and BMP2 was different, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After SB203580 treatment, hPDLCs transfected with Rsk2 siRNA showed increased cell proliferation, ALP activity, Runx2, OCN and BMP2 expression; compared with Rsk2 siRNA transfected hPDLCs, the difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Rsk2 siRNA inhibits hPDLCs proliferation and osteogenic differentiation through p38MAPK signaling pathway.