MiR-483-3p promotes dental pulp stem cells osteogenic differentiation via the MAPK signaling pathway by targeting ARRB2.

Human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have become an important component for bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to their ability to differentiate into osteoblast precursors. Two miRNA chip datasets (GSE138180 and E-MTAB-3077) of DPSCs osteogenic differentiation were analyzed respectively to find the expression of miR-483-3p significantly increased in the differentiated groups. We further confirmed that miR-483-3p continued to overexpress during osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs, especially reaching its peak on the 7th day. Moreover, miR-483-3p could significantly promote the expression of osteogenic markers including RUNX2 and OSX, and activate MAPK signaling pathway by inducing phosphorylation of ERK, p38, and JNK. In addition, as a significant gene within the MAPK signaling pathway, ARRB2 was identified as the target gene of miR-483-3p by bioinformatic prediction and experimental verification. In conclusion, we identified miR-483-3p could promote osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs via the MAPK signaling pathway by targeting ARRB2.

Discovery of candidate genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways related to peach bud cold resistance.

Background: Low temperature pose significant challenges to peach cultivation, causing severe damage to peach buds and restricting production and distribution. Ethylene, an important phytohormone, plays a critical role in enhancing plant cold resistance. Structural genes and transcription factors involved in ethylene biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways are associated with cold resistance. However, no research has specifically addressed their roles in peach cold resistance. Methods: In this study, we aimed for cold-resistance gene discovery in cold-sensitive peach cultivar "21Shiji" (21SJ) and cold-resistance cultivar "Shijizhixing" (SJZX) using RNA-seq and gas chromatography. Results: The findings revealed that under cold stress conditions, ethylene biosynthesis in "SJZX" was significantly induced. Subsequently, a structural gene, PpACO1-1, involved in ethylene biosynthesis in peach buds was significantly upregulated and showed a higher correlation with ethylene release rate. To identify potential transcription factors associated with PpACO1-1 expression and ethylene signal transduction, weighted gene co-expression network analysis was conducted using RNA-seq data. Four transcription factors: PpERF2, PpNAC078, PpWRKY65 and PpbHLH112, were identified. Conclusion: These findings provide valuable theoretical insights for investigating the regulatory mechanisms of peach cold resistance and guiding breeding strategies.

Identification of a Novel Variant of PDGFC Associated with Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and Palate in a Chinese Family.

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) accounts for 70% of the total number of patients with cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and is the most common type of congenital deformity of the craniomaxillofacial region. In this study, whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were performed on affected members of a Han Chinese family, and a missense variant in the platelet-derived growth factor C (PDGFC) gene (NM_016205: c.G93T: p.Q31H) was identified to be associated with NSCL/P. Bioinformatic studies demonstrated that the amino acid corresponding to this variation is highly conserved in many mammals and leads to a glutamine-to-histidine substitution in an evolutionarily conserved DNA-binding domain. It was found that the expression of PDGFC was significantly decreased in the dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) of NSCL/P cases, compared to the controls, and that the variant (NM_016205: c.G93T) reduced the expression of PDGFC. In addition, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that Pdgfc deficiency disrupted NSCL/P-related signaling pathways such as the MAPK signaling pathway and cell adhesion molecules. In conclusion, our study identified a missense variant (NM_016205: c.G93T) in exon 1 of PDGFC potentially associated with susceptibility to NSCL/P.

E26 transformation-specific 1 is implicated in the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation induced by chronic high glucose by directly regulating Runx2 expression.

Chronic high glucose (HG) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of diabetes-induced osteoporosis by inhibiting the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts. This study aims to examine the role of E26 transformation-specific 1 (ETS1) in the inhibition of osteoblast differentiation and proliferation caused by chronic HG, as well as the underlying mechanism. Chronic HG treatment downregulated ETS1 expression and inhibited differentiation and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Downregulation of ETS1 expression inhibited the differentiation and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells under normal glucose conditions, and ETS1 overexpression attenuated the damage to cells exposed to chronic HG. In addition, ETS1 overexpression reversed the decrease in runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expression in MC3T3-E1 cells treated with chronic HG. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase reporter assays, we confirmed that ETS1 directly bound to and increased the activity of the Runx2 promoter. In summary, our study suggested that ETS1 was involved in the inhibitory effect of chronic HG on osteogenic differentiation and proliferation and may be a potential therapeutic target for diabetes-induced osteoporosis.

The sustainability of stock price fluctuations: Explanation from a recursive dynamic model.

The sustainability of stock price fluctuations indicated by many empirical studies hardly reconciles with the existing models in standard financial theories. This paper proposes a recursive dynamic asset pricing model based on the comprehensive impact of the sentiment investor, the information trader and the noise trader. The dynamic process of the asset price is characterized and a numerical simulation of the model is provided. The model captures the features of the actual stock price that are consistent with the empirical evidence on the sustainability of stock price fluctuations. It also offers a partial explanation for other financial anomalies, for example, asset price's overreaction, asset bubble and the financial crisis. The major finding is that investor sentiment is the key factor to understand the sustainability of stock price fluctuations.

[Changes of the upper airway in children with Class â ¡ mandibular retrusion and snoring during night before and after functional treatment by sagittal-guidance Twin-block appliance].

PURPOSE: To study the changes of dimension and morphology of upper airway in children with ClassⅡ mandibular retrusion after functional treatment by sagittal-guidance Twin-block appliance. METHODS: Cone-beam CT (CBCT) data of upper airway of the subjects were measured by Dolphin 11.5 software and Mimics 17.0 software , and the changes of dimension and morphology of upper airway before and after functional treatment with sagittal-guidance Twin-block(SGTB) appliance were compared. SPSS 16.0 software package was used for data processing. RESULTS: After functional treatment，the volume of total upper airway，nasopharynx airway, oropharynx airway, the sectional area of tip of the epiglotti(TE), the lateral diameter of TE, the base of the epiglottis(EB) significantly increased (P<0.05) in children with SGTB appliance. CONCLUSIONS: SGTB functional treatment is effective in the treatment of skeletal ClassⅡ mandibular retrusion of children by increase of the upper airway and improvement of respiration．.

[Morphological characteristics of upper alveolar bone around central incisor in Class II division 1 and division 2 malocclusion on cone-beam CT].

PURPOSE: During orthodontic treatment, the incisors in patients with Class II division 1 and division 2 malocclusion showed different clinical features, which determine the different ways to move the teeth to the suitable position. This study analyzed the morphology of alveolar bone around upper central incisor with cone-beam CT (CBCT). METHODS: The sample consisted of 20 normal malocclusion and 40 patients with Class II malocclusion （division 1 20 cases and division 2 20 cases）. CBCT images before orthodontic treatment were reconstructed by INVIVO 5.0 image processing software. Paired t test was used for statistical analysis with SPSS 19.0 software package. RESULTS: At the upper central incisors, the alveolar thickness between normal malocclusion and Class II division 1 and division 2 malocclusion had significant difference except the palate thickness between normal malocclusion and Class II division 2 malocclusion (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontist should consider the relationship between the teeth position and alveolar bone shape comprehensively, choose the correct plan in order to avoid root desorption, alveolar bone loss, fenestration and other adverse reactions.

[A study on the thickness of buccal bone in the mandible of different vertical facial type in adults using cone-beam CT].

PURPOSE: To provide some references of using micro-implant anchorage in clinical orthodontic treatment, the thickness of buccal bone of mandible of different vertical facial type in adults with cone-beam CT (CBCT) were measured. METHODS: Initial 3-dimensional images of 45 adult patients (15 men, 30 women)were reoriented by using a standardized protocol, and divided into 3 groups by angle of mandibular plane (G1: high angle, 15 patients; G2: average angle, 15 patients; G3: low angle, 15 patients). After signing the informed consent form, three measurement points were defined at 4, 6, and 8mm from the alveolar crest in each measurement area. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS11.0 software package. RESULTS: The thickness of buccal bone in mandible was thinner in G1 than in G2, and was thinnest in G3. The cortical bone thickness was thickest at the 8 mm level and thinnest at the 4mm level. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggested that the cortical bone thickness at 4mm level from the alveolar crest was safe for implantation. It is more stable when the distance of implants was more away from the alveolar crest. Patients with low mandibular plane angle should use self-tapping micro-implant anchorage. Supported by Nantong Science and Technology Fund (HS2013033).