E93 is indispensable for reproduction in ametabolous and hemimetabolous insects.

Ecdysone-induced protein 93 (E93), known as the "adult-specifier" transcription factor in insects, triggers metamorphosis in both hemimetabolous and holometabolous insects. While E93 is conserved in ametabolous insects, its spatiotemporal expression and physiological function remain poorly understood. In this study, we first discovered that in the ametabolous firebrat Thermobia domestica, the previtellogenic ovary exhibits cyclically high E93 expression, and E93 mRNAs are broadly distributed in previtellogenic ovarioles. E93 homozygous mutant females of T. domestica exhibit severe fecundity deficiency due to impaired previtellogenic development of the ovarian follicles, likely because E93 induces the expression of genes involved in ECM (extracellular matrix)-receptor interactions during previtellogenesis. Moreover, we revealed that in the hemimetabolous cockroach Blattella germanica, E93 similarly promotes previtellogenic ovarian development. In addition, E93 is also essential for vitellogenesis to guarantee ovarian maturation and promotes the vitellogenesis-previtellogenesis switch in the fat body of adult female cockroaches. Our findings deepen the understanding of the roles of E93 in controlling reproduction in insects and of E93 expression and functional evolution, which are proposed to have made crucial contributions to the origin of insect metamorphosis.

Alveolar ridge preservation of two-wall bone defects using mineralized dentin matrix: An experimental pre-clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: To study bone healing of two-wall bone defects after alveolar ridge preservation using mineralized dentin matrix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After distal roots extraction of second and fourth premolars (P2, P4) on one lateral mandible in 12 beagles, two-wall bone defects (5 × 5 × 5 mm) were surgically created distally to the remaining mesial roots of P2 and P4. A total of 24 sites were randomly allocated to three groups (implant material- time of execution): mineralized dentin matrix (MDM)-3 m (MDM + collagen membrane; 3 months), MDM-6 m (MDM particles + collagen membrane; 6 months), and C-6 m (collagen membrane only; 6 months). Clinical, radiographic, digital, and histological examinations were performed 3 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The bone healing in MDM groups were better compared to Control group (volume of bone regenerated in total: 25.12 mm3 vs. 13.30 mm3, p = .046; trabecular volume/total volume: 58.84% vs. 39.18%, p = .001; new bone formation rate: 44.13% vs. 31.88%, p = .047). Vertically, the radiological bone level of bone defect in MDM-6 m group was higher than that in C-6 m group (vertical height of bone defect: 1.55 mm vs. 2.74 mm, p = .018). Horizontally, no significant differences in buccolingual bone width were found between MDM and C groups at any time or at any level below the alveolar ridge. The percentages of remaining MDM were <1% in both MDM-3 m and MDM-6 m groups. CONCLUSIONS: MDM improved bone healing of two-wall bone defects and might be considered as a socket fill material used following tooth extraction.

Isolation and characterizations of multidrug-resistant human cancer cells by a biodegradable nano-sensor.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a significant challenge in cancer therapy, with inherent and acquired resistance distinct. While conventional drug selection processes enable the isolation of cancer cells with acquired multidrug resistance, identifying cancer cells with inherent drug resistance remains challenging. Herein, we proposed a molecular beacon (MB)-based strategy to identify and isolate the inherent MDR cancer cells. A lipid/PLGA core-shell nanoparticulate system (DNCP) was designed to deliver MB for intracellular MDR1 mRNA imaging. DNCP-MB - possess a surface potential of -8 mV and a size of 150 nm - demonstrated effective delivery of MB, remarkable selectivity towards the selected intracellular mRNA targets, and low cytotoxicity. Following DNCP transfection, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was employed to differentiate MCF-7 cells into two distinct sub-populations: the Top 10 cells with a high level of MDR gene expression and the Bottom 10 cells with a low level of MDR gene expression, which represent inherent drug-resistant and non-drug-resistant cells, respectively. Intriguingly, we observed a positive correlation between elevated MDR1 mRNA expression and increased migration, enhanced proliferation rate, and tighter spheroid formation. Moreover, we conducted RNA sequencing analysis on the Top 10, Bottom 10, and MCF-7/ADR cells. The findings revealed a notable disparity in the gene ontology enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes between the Top 10 and Bottom 10 cells when compared to the Bottom 10 and MCF-7/ADR cells. This novel approach provides a promising avenue for isolating inherent drug-resistant cells and holds significant potential in unraveling the mechanisms underlying inherent drug resistance.

Accuracy of computer-assisted dynamic navigation when performing coronectomy of the mandibular third molar: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: The study represents a preliminary evaluation of the accuracy of the dynamic navigation system (DNS) in coronectomy of the mandibular third molar (M3M). METHODS: The study included participants with an impacted M3M near the inferior alveolar canal. The coronectomy planes were designed before the surgery using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging data and then loaded into the DNS program. Intraoperatively, the navigation system was used to guide the complete removal of the target crown. Postoperative CBCT imaging was used to assess any three-dimensional deviations of the actual postoperative from the planned preoperative section planes for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 12 patients (13 teeth) were included. The root mean square (RMS) deviation of the preoperatively designed plane from the actual postoperative surface was 0.69 ± 0.21 mm, with a maximum of 1.45 ± 0.83/-1.87 ± 0.63 mm deviation. The areas with distance deviations < 1 mm, 1-2 mm, and 2-3 mm were 71.97 ± 5.72 %, 22.96 ± 6.57 %, and 4.52 ± 2.28 %, respectively. Most patients showed extremely high convexity of the surface area located in the mesial region adjacent to the base of the extraction socket. There was no observable evidence of scratching of the buccolingual bone plate at the base of the extraction socket by the handpiece drill. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide preliminary support for the use of DNS-based techniques when extracting M3M using a buccal approach. This would improve the accuracy of coronectomy and reduce the potiential damage to the surrounding tissue. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: DNS is effective for guiding coronectomy.

Endoscopic visualization of the inferior alveolar nerve associated with somatosensory changes after impacted mandibular third molar extraction.

The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between somatosensory functional changes and inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) exposure after impacted mandibular third molars (M3M) removal. We recruited 35 patients who underwent impacted M3M extraction near the IAN. The M3Ms were extracted by combined endoscopy, piezosurgery, and contra-angle high-speed turbine handpiece. All IAN canal perforations and exposed regions were recorded and measured by endoscopy after extraction and on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images before extraction. The patients were followed up 1, 7, and 35 days after surgery. A standardized quantitative sensory testing (QST) battery was performed on the lower lip skin. All of 35 cases had exposed IAN on CBCT images, 5 of which had no exposed IAN under endoscopy. For the other 30 cases, the endoscopy-measured IAN length and width were shorter than the CBCT measurements (P < 0.001). The warm and mechanical detection thresholds (MDT) on the operation side were significantly higher than the contralateral side after surgery (P < 0.05). Thermal sensory limen, MDT, and cold pain threshold were strongly correlated with the exposed IAN length and MDT also with the exposed IAN width one day after surgery. In conclusion, it was found that not all exposed IAN in CBCT images were real exposure after surgery. The intraoperative exposed IAN endoscopic measurements were smaller than by CBCT and strongly correlated with some QST parameters.

Feasibility and Efficacy of a Degradable Magnesium-Alloy GBR Membrane for Bone Augmentation in a Distal Bone-Defect Model in Beagle Dogs.

We explored the feasibility and efficacy of a degradable magnesium (Mg) alloy guided bone regeneration (GBR) in the treatment of bone defects after tooth extraction. A GBR membrane (MAR-Gide (MG)) was used to treat a mandibular second molar (M2M)-distal bone defect (DBD). In eight beagle dogs, bilateral mandibular second and fourth premolars were hemi-sected. The distal roots were removed to create a two-wall bony defect of dimension 5 mm × 5 mm × 5 mm to simulate M2M-DBD. Thirty-two bone defects were assigned randomly into four groups according to GBR membranes (MG and Bio-Gide (BG)) applied and the time of killing (3 months and 6 months after surgery). The osteogenesis of bone defects and MG degradation were analyzed using micro-CT, histology (staining, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. MG did not increase the prevalence of infection, wound dehiscence, or subcutaneous emphysema compared with those using BG. Trabecular volume/total volume at 3 months (63.71 ± 10.4% vs. 59.97 ± 8.94%) was significantly higher in the group MG than that in the group BG. Implanted MG was degraded completely within 3 months, and "island-shaped" new bone was found near MG degradation products. A significant difference was not found in vertical bone height or percent of new bone formation (45.44 ± 12.28% vs. 43.49 ± 7.12%) between the groups. The concentration of rare-earth elements in mandibular lymph nodes of the group MG was significantly higher than that of the group BG (P ≤ 0.017) but did not lead to histopathological changes. In summary, MG exhibited good biocompatibility and clinical applicability compared with BG in vivo. The osteogenic effect of MG could be enhanced by regulating the degradation rate of Mg-alloy.

Somatosensory changes in Chinese patients after coronectomy vs. total extraction of mandibular third molar: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to quantitatively compare the somatosensory function changes of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) after mandibular third molar extraction with a surgery protocol of coronectomy, as opposed to the conventional method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with a lower third molar directly contacting IAN were recruited and assigned either to a test group (coronectomy group) or a control group (conventional extraction). A standardized quantitative sensory testing (QST) battery was performed for four times: one week before surgery and the second, seventh, and 28th days after surgery. Z-scores and the loss/gain coding system were applied for each participant. RESULTS: A total of 140 molars (test group: n = 91, control group: n = 49) were enrolled. The sensitivity of the mechanical detection threshold (MDT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) significantly increased after surgery more than before surgery in both groups (P ≤ 0.001). After the surgery, the sensitivities of the cold detection threshold (CDT), cold pain threshold (CPT), and heat pain threshold (HPT) were significantly higher in the test group than in the control group (P ≤ 0.027). The risk of IANI was significantly larger (P = 0.041) in the test group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: QST was a sensitive way to detect somatosensory abnormalities even with no subjective complaint caused by surgery. Coronectomy had less influence on IAN function than conventional total extraction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The somatosensory function changes after mandibular third molar extraction were quantitatively studied, and coronectomy was proved a reliable alternation to reduce IAN injury rate.