Photothermally responsive icariin and carbon nanofiber modified hydrogels for the treatment of periodontitis.

Introduction: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease brought on by various bacteria, and effective antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and alveolar bone regeneration are the main goals of treating periodontal disease. Methods: In the current work, we employed Icariin (ICA) into a hydrogel modified with carbon nanofiber (CNF) to create a multifunctional composite nanoplatform. The composite was activated in the near infrared (NIR) to treat periodontitis. Results: The antibacterial results showed that the ICA+CNF@H showed 94.2% and 91.7% clearance of S. aureus and E. coli, respectively, under NIR irradiation. In vitro experiments showed that NIR-irradiated composites suppressed inflammatory factor (IL-6) and ROS expression and up-regulated the performance of anti-inflammatory factor (IL-10) in RAW264.7 cells. At the same time, the composites promoted the production of osteogenic factors in BMSCs, with an approximately 3-fold increase in alkaline phosphatase activity after 7 days and an approximately 2-fold increase in the rate of extracellular matrix mineralization after 21 days. In vivo tests showed that the alveolar bone height was clearly greater in the ICA+CNF@H (NIR) group compared to the periodontitis group. Discussion: In conclusion, ICA+CNF@H under NIR irradiation achieved a synergistic effect of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, reduction of reactive oxygen species and promotion of osteogenesis, offering a novel approach for treating periodontitis.

Study on the imbalance of M1/M2 macrophage polarization in severe chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Macrophages commonly exist in two distinct subsets in different microenvironments: classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2). The imbalance of M1-M2 macrophage polarization is often related to various diseases or inflammatory states. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an imbalance in the expression of M1 and M2 macrophage-related cytokines in severe chronic periodontitis. METHODS: A total of 30 clinical specimens, including severe chronic periodontitis tissues (n= 15) and healthy control tissues (n= 15), were used in this study. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot methods were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of M1 macrophage-related cytokines (inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1)) and M2 macrophage-related cytokines (arginase-1 (Arg-1) and STAT6), respectively. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression levels of M1 macrophage-related cytokines (iNOS and STAT1) and M2 macrophage-related cytokines (Arg-1 and STAT6) were significantly increased in severe chronic periodontitis patients. In addition, the ratios of iNOS/Arg-1 and STAT1/STAT6 in the severe chronic periodontitis group were also significantly increased (P< 0.01). CONCLUSION: The imbalance of M1/M2 macrophages exists in the pathogenesis of severe chronic periodontitis, and has a tendency towards M1 polarization. Therefore, maintaining the immune balance of M1/M2 macrophages may be a novel therapeutic alternative for the management of severe chronic periodontitis.

Preparation of pro-angiogenic, antibacterial and EGCG-modified ZnO quantum dots for treating bacterial infected wound of diabetic rats.

The complex wound environment and abnormalities in self-metabolism of diabetic skin defects lead to impaired angiogenesis, which can easily lead to bacterial infection and increased inflammation. Therefore, there is an urgent need for multifunctional composites with antimicrobial and pro-angiogenic properties to improve the current therapeutic outcomes of diabetic wounds. In this study, we described an EGCG-modified zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs) hydrogel (ZnO-EGCG@H) for the treatment of delayed diabetic wounds. In vitro antimicrobial assays showed that ZnO-EGCG@H effectively cleared 95.6% of MRSA and 97% of AmprE. coli with good bactericidal activity. Western blotting assay analysis showed that ZnO-EGCG@H downregulated trauma inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6) by 46.9% and 57%, respectively, while upregulating 1.7-fold VEGF and 2-fold EGF, accelerating wound healing by reducing inflammatory response and promoting proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and skin epidermal cells. After 15 days of ZnO-EGCG@H treatment, the rate of skin lesion closure in rats was 96.3%, which was much better than that of 65.4% in the control group. Safety experiments showed that ZnO-EGCG@H was reassuringly biocompatible and harmless to vital organs. The obtained results suggested that ZnO-EGCG@H had the potential to be a safe and effective treatment method with a promising future as a diabetic wound treatment material.

Preparation of exosomes encapsulated nanohydrogel for accelerating wound healing of diabetic rats by promoting angiogenesis.

Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) were helpful for injury repair, but whether HUCMSCs-derived exosomes could be encapsulated in a novel nanohydrogel to regulate diabetic wound healing was unclear. Here, HUCMSCs-derived exosomes encapsulated in a bioactive scaffold composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/alginate (Alg) nanohydrogel (exo@H) was applied to wound healing of diabetic rats. Results found that exo@H could facilitate the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs and sped up the process of diabetic wound healing. We confirmed that exo@H contributed to the expression of the molecules related to wound healing, including SMA, SR-B1 and CD31. Besides, we also found that exo@H up-regulated VEGF level via regulating ERK1/2 pathway. These data demonstrated that exo@H significantly accelerated healing of diabetic wounds in rats by promoting angiogenesis.

Expression of WNT1 in ameloblastoma and its significance.

The present study aimed to measure the expression of WNT1 in ameloblastoma (AB). Immunohistochemistry was used to observe changes in WNT1 expression in 80 AB samples, 10 keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) samples and 10 normal oral mucosa (NOM) samples. Western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to measure WNT1 protein and mRNA expression, respectively, in 30 AB samples, 5 KCOT samples, 5 NOM samples and 3 tooth germ samples. Ectopic cytoplasmic expression of WNT1 was detected in AB; 88.8% (71/80) of the samples were WNT1-positive. The western blotting results demonstrated that compared with NOM (0.57±0.05), WNT1 expression was significantly higher in AB tissue (1.74±0.36, P<0.05), whereas it was not significantly different between AB and KCOT samples (0.80±0.06, P>0.05). RT-qPCR revealed that the level of WNT1 gene expression in AB was increased 2.43-fold compared with normal mucosa, and 1.77-fold compared with tooth germ tissue. In conclusion, WNT1 protein and mRNA expression were increased in AB, and there was ectopic cytoplasmic expression. This indicates that WNT1 may serve an important role in AB occurrence and development.

The impact of smoking on levels of chronic periodontitis-associated biomarkers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of smoking on the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-10 in patients with chronic periodontitis (ChP). METHODS: This is an ex-vivo study. Our study consisted of 78 cases, all of which were diagnosed with ChP and were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among these 78 cases, 38 patients were classified into the smoking group (S-ChP group), and 40 patients in the non-smoking group (NS-ChP group). The clinical periodontal parameters of all patients were recorded, including the plaque index (PLI), probing depth (PD), loss of attachment (LA) and sulcus bleeding index (SBI). Serum was collected from forearm blood to establish a Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) internalizing KB cell model. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the KB cell lysis solution as well as IL-10 and TNF-α in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). RESULTS: Fewer Pg internalizing KB cell colonies were observed in the NS-ChP group than in the S-ChP group (P<0.01). When 400µL serum was added, there were remarkable differences in the concentrations of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 secreted from the KB cells between the S-ChP and NS-ChP groups (MMP-1: t=-21.71, P<0.01; TIMP-1: t=64.35, P<0.001). Additionally, when 800µL serum was added, there were significant differences in the concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the KB cells between the S-ChP and NS-ChP groups (MMP-1: t=-81.89, P<0.001; MMP-9: t=-15.67, P<0.001; TIMP-1: t=109.4, P<0.001). The TNF-α levels were higher, but the IL-10 levels were lower in the GCF from the ChP patients in the S-ChP group than those in the NS-ChP group (both P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The serum of S-ChP patients can enhance the concentrations of MMP-1 and MMP-9, but reduce TIMP-1 secreted from Pg internalizing KB cells. However, the concentration of TNF-α was increased and IL-10 was decreased. Abnormal concentrations of ChP-associated biomarkers may be conducive to the development and progression of ChP.

Expression and mechanism of regulation of PP2A/Pr65 in ameloblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the expression of PP2A/PR65 protein in ameloblastoma and the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of PP2A/PR65. The association between PP2A/PR65 and the clinicopathological characteristics of tumor specimens in ameloblastoma were to provide a theoretical basis for the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of ameloblastoma. STUDY DESIGN: Streptavidin-peroxidase (S-P) immunohistochemical staining was used to detect PP2A/Pr65 expression changes in a total of 68 cases of ameloblastoma, six ameloblastic carcinomas, 21 squamous cell carcinomas and seven normal oral mucosas. Western blot was used to analyze PP2A/PR65 protein expression in 15 cases of ameloblastoma and three cases of normal oral mucosa. RESULTS: Of the 68 cases analyzed, four cases were negative, 25 cases were weakly positive, 20 cases were moderately positive and 19 cases were strongly positive. In six cases of ameloblastic carcinoma, three cases were weak positive, one case was positive, two cases were strongly positive and none were negative. In 21 cases of squamous cell carcinomas, three cases were negative, 17 cases were weakly positive, one case was moderately positive and none were strongly positive. Western blot analysis showed that, PP2A/Pr65 protein expression was lower in ameloblastoma tissue compared with normal oral mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced expression of PP2A/PR65 in ameloblastoma compared with normal oral mucosa indicates that PP2A/PR65 is involved in the occurrence and development of ameloblastoma.

Association between Cyclin D1 polymorphism and oral cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

Data from several case-control studies on the relation between the Cyclin D1 (CCND1) G870A polymorphism and oral cancer susceptibility implicated conflicting conclusions. Thus, a meta-analysis was performed to derive a more precise evaluation of the association. We searched PubMed and Embase for related studies that had been published in English and eight available studies were finally included in the meta-analysis. Odd ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each study. Our meta-analysis suggested that CCND1 G870A polymorphism was not associated with oral cancer risk (OR AA vs. GG = 1.08, 95 % CI = 0.90-1.30, P heterogeneity = 0.175; OR AA + GA vs. GG = 1.02, 95 % CI = 0.91-1.14, P heterogeneity = 0.781; OR AA vs. GA + GG = 1.16, 95 % CI = 0.98-1.36, P heterogeneity = 0.107; OR A vs. G = 1.05 95 % CI = 0.96-1.15, P heterogeneity = 0.211; OR GA vs. GG = 0.94, 95 % CI = 0.82-1.08, P heterogeneity = 0.935). However, in the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, possible significance among Asian groups was indicated in two genetic models (OR AA vs. GA + GG = 1.27, 95 % CI = 1.05-1.54, P heterogeneity = 0.572; OR allele A vs. allele G = 1.11, 95 % CI = 1.00-1.24, P heterogeneity = 0.211). Taken together, the meta-analysis revealed that CCND1 G870A polymorphism might be correlated with the susceptibility of oral cancer in Asians.

[A comparative study of marginal microleakage using different cements in porcelain-fused-to-metal crown].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the marginal microleakage of porcelain-fused-to-metal crown using four different cements. METHODS: Sixteen porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns were built and randomly divided into 4 group, luted onto standard prepared human forward molars using four different cements (glass ionomer cement, resin-modified glass ionomer cement, PanaviaF, Super-Bond C&B adhesive luting system). After temperature cycling test, all the crowns were then submerged in 2% fuchsin for 24 h. The marginal microleakage at tooth cement interfaces was observed using light stereomicroscopy and evaluated in classification index. The marginal microleakage grade of 4 groups were analyzed by SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: The PanaviaF demonstrated the least marginal microleakage, Super-Bond C&B adhesive luting system, resin-modified glass ionomer cement showed an intermediate level of marginal microleakage, glass ionomer cement was associated with severe marginal microleakage (total, Chi2 = 157.60, P < 0.01; among the different groups, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Adhesive resin luting system which is the first selection in clinical is better than glass ionomer cement and is good at porcelain-fused-to-metal crown.