Biomechanical evaluation of various rigid internal fixation modalities for condylar-base-associated multiple mandibular fractures: A finite element analysis.

Condylar-base-associated multiple mandibular fractures are more prevalent than single ones. Direct trauma to mandibular symphysis, body or angle are prone to induce indirect condylar fracture. However, little is known about the effects of various rigid internal fixation modalities in condylar base for relevant multiple mandibular fractures, especially when we are confused in the selection of operative approach. Within the finite element analysis, straight-titanium-plate implanting positions in condylar base contained posterolateral zone (I), anterolateral zone (II), and intermediate zone (III). Von Mises stress (SS) in devices and bone and mandibular displacement (DT) were solved, while maximum values (SSmax and DTmax) were documented. For rigid internal fixation in condylar-base-and-symphysis fractures, I + II modality exhibited least SSmax in screws and cortical bone and least DTmax, I + III modality exhibited least SSmax in plates. For rigid internal fixation in condylar-base-and-contralateral-body fractures, I + III modality exhibited least SSmax in screws and cortical bone, I + II modality exhibited least SSmax in plates and least DTmax. For rigid internal fixation in condylar-base-and-contralateral-angle fractures, I + III modality exhibited least DTmax. The findings suggest that either I + II or I + III modality is a valid guaranty for rigid internal fixation of condylar base fractures concomitant with symphysis, contralateral body or angle fractures.

Porphyromonas gingivalis Gingipains-Mediated Degradation of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Leads to Delayed Wound Healing Responses in Human Endothelial Cells.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a serine protease inhibitor, is constitutively produced by endothelial cells and plays a vital role in maintaining vascular homeostasis. Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease characterized by bleeding of periodontal tissues that support the tooth. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of PAI-1 produced by endothelial cells in response to infections caused by the primary periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. We demonstrated that P. gingivalis infection resulted in significantly reduced PAI-1 levels in human endothelial cells. This reduction in PAI-1 levels could be attributed to the proteolysis of PAI-1 by P. gingivalis proteinases, especially lysine-specific gingipain-K (Kgp). We demonstrated the roles of these degradative enzymes in the endothelial cells using a Kgp-specific inhibitor and P. gingivalis gingipain-null mutants, in which the lack of the proteinases resulted in the absence of PAI-1 degradation. The degradation of PAI-1 by P. gingivalis induced a delayed wound healing response in endothelial cell layers via the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein. Our results collectively suggested that the proteolysis of PAI-1 in endothelial cells by gingipains of P. gingivalis might lead to the deregulation of endothelial homeostasis, thereby contributing to the permeabilization and dysfunction of the vascular endothelial barrier.

The interaction between serum amyloid A and Toll-like receptor 2 pathway regulates inflammatory cytokine secretion in human gingival fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Serum amyloid A (SAA) has been identified to trigger inflammation response, and play a crucial role in chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the regulatory mechanism of SAA still remains unclear during the development of periodontitis METHODS: SAA mRNA and protein expression were detected in healthy and inflammatory gingival tissues using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Human recombinant SAA (Apo-SAA), Pam3CSK4 (a Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 ligand), siRNA-SAA, or TLR2 neutralizing antibody was applied to treat human gingival fibroblasts, respectively, or combined. SAA, TLRs, and inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were analyzed by real-time PCR, western blotting, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: SAA expression increased in human inflammatory gingival tissues from patients with periodontitis (P <0.05). Apo-SAA could increase not only the mRNA expression of TLR2 (P <0.05), but also IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA and protein levels (P <0.05) which was suppressed by TLR2 antibody in human gingival fibroblasts. Pam3CSK4 increased SAA, IL-6, and IL-8 levels (P <0.05). However, the expression of SAA, IL-6, and IL-8 decreased after transfection of siRNA-SAA (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: SAA not only increases in inflammatory gingiva, but also triggers inflammatory cytokine secretion via interacting with TLR2 pathway in human gingival fibroblasts, which indicates that SAA is involved in periodontal inflammation.

[Corrosion resistance of a new Ti-12.5Zr-3Nb-2.5Sn alloy].

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the corrosion resistance of a new titanium alloy for dental restoration in artificial saliva. METHODS: in simulated oral environment, the electrochemical behavior of a new titanium alloy (Ti-12.5Zr-3Nb-2.5Sn) for dental restoration based on the d-electron alloy design method with high elastic modulus, high mechanical and good biological safety properties was investigated together with that of Ti-6Al-4V and TA2 as control groups. The anodic polarization curve and polarization resistance of these alloys were analyzed and the element release of Ti-12.5Zr-3Nb-2.5Sn and Ti-6Al-4V alloy after immersion in artificial saliva for 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 15 d were measured. RESULTS: polarization curve indicated that Ti-6Al-4V alloy had lower breakdown potential (0.8 V) than Ti-12.5Zr-3Nb-2.5Sn alloy did (> 2.5 V). Ti-6Al-4V alloy showed higher passivation current density (1.45 × 10(-4) - 1.09 × 10(-3) A/cm(2)) than Ti-12.5Zr-3Nb-2.5Sn alloy (3.32 × 10(-6) - 3.46 × 10(-5) A/cm(2)) and TA2(5.03 × 10(-6) - 2.65 × 10(-5) A/cm(2)) did. Polarization resistance results showed that polarization resistance volume of TA2, Ti-12.5Zr-3Nb-2.5Sn alloy and Ti-6Al-4V alloy were 371.0, 252.0, and 60.1 kΩ×cm(2) respectively. With the increasing of dipping time in artificial saliva, the ion release of Ti-12.5Zr-3Nb-2.5Sn alloy and Ti-6Al-4V alloy increased to different degrees. Ti-6Al-4V alloy always showed more ion release than Ti-12.5Zr-3Nb-2.5Sn alloy did in the experiment. CONCLUSIONS: data from this study indicated that Ti-12.5Zr-3Nb-2.5Sn alloy, as a dental restoration material, had good corrosion resistance in artificial saliva.

Study of the surface wear resistance and biological properties of the Ti-Zr-Nb-Sn alloy for dental restoration.

A new titanium alloy (Ti-12.5Zr-3Nb-2.5Sn) was developed to meet the needs of clinical requirements for medical titanium alloys and improve the properties of existing titanium alloys. The as-prepared alloy was solution treated at 500 °C for 3 h in vacuum followed by water quenching. Tensile, wear and hardness tests were carried out to examine the mechanical properties of the Ti-Zr-Nb-Sn alloy. Oral mucous membrane irritation test was performed to evaluate the surface biological properties of the Ti-Zr-Nb-Sn alloy. The results suggested that the surface hardness and wear-resistant properties of the Ti-12.5Zr-3Nb-2.5Sn alloy were superior to commercially pure Ti. The oral mucous irritation test showed that all samples had no mucous membrane irritation. It indicates that Ti-12.5Zr-3Nb-2.5Sn has large potential to be used as dental restoration material.

[Effect of different heat treatment on mechanical properties and microstructure of laser welding CoCr-NiCr dissimilar alloys].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of heat treatment and porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) processing on mechanical properties and microstructure of laser welding CoCr-NiCr dissimilar alloys. METHODS: Samples of CoCr-NiCr dissimilar alloys with 0.5 mm thickness were laser-welded single-side under the setting parameters of 280 V, 10 ms pulse duration. After being welded, samples were randomly assigned to three groups, 10 each. Group1 and 2 received heat treatment and PFM processing, respectively. Group 3 was control group without any treatment. Tensile strength, microstructure and element distribution of samples in the three groups were tested and observed using tensile test, metallographic examinations, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. RESULTS: After heat treatment and PFM processing, tensile strength of the samples were (537.15 +/- 43.91) MPa and (534.58 +/- 48.47) MPa respectively, and elongation rates in Group 1 and 2 were (7.65 +/- 0.73)% and (7.40 +/- 0.45)%. Ductile structure can be found on tensile fracture surface of samples and it was more obvious in heat treatment group than in PFM group. The results of EDS analysis indicated that certain CoCr alloy diffused towards fusion zone and NiCr side after heat treatment and PFM processing. Compared with PFM processing group, the diffusion in the heat treatment group was more obvious. CONCLUSIONS: Heat treatment and PFM processing can improve the mechanical properties and microstructure of welded CoCr-NiCr dissimilar alloy to a certain degree. The improvements are more obvious with heat treatment than with porcelain treatment.