[Latest Research Findings on the Regulation of Bone Homeostasis by ALK3].

Bone remodeling, which is well orchestrated by osteogenesis of osteoblasts and osteoclastogenesis of osteoclasts, maintains the homeostasis of osteal development and metabolism under physiological conditions. Bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1A, also known as activin receptor-like kinase 3 (ALK3), which exists on cytomembrane, is one of the key receptors of BMP factors, and is an important "gateway" that regulates the entrance of BMP signaling into cells in order to perform biological functions. The roles of BMP signaling in bone remodeling have been extensively studied. Many new discoveries have been reported in recent years through research based on transgenic mice models and focused on ALK3 as targets, shedding new light on the regulations of bone remodeling, cartilage and joint development, and the occurrence and treatment of bone-related diseases. Established understanding has been expanded, but new challenges on existing clinical application of BMPs also appeared. Hence, we reviewed recent studies on ALK3's involvement in bone formation and bone resorption, analyzed its mechanism of action in bone regulation, summarized the roles of ALK3 in the development of cartilage and temporomandibular joint, and reported the latest progress in treatment in preclinical studies, intending to provide references for subsequent studies and clinical applications in the future.

Distribution of bacteria infected by metagenomic sequencing technology in maxillofacial space.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare and analyze the consistency and difference between metageno-mic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and conventional bacterial culture in the detection of pathogenic microorganisms in maxillofacial space infection, as well as to provide a new detection method for the early clinical identification of pathogenic bacteria in maxillofacial space infection. METHODS: The clinical data of 16 patients with oral and maxillofacial space infections in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2020 to June 2020 were collected. mNGS and conventional bacterial culture methods were used to detect pus. We then analyzed and compared the test results of the two methods, including the test cycle, positive detection rate, anaerobic bacteria, facultative anaerobes and aerobic bacteria detection rates, distribution of pathogenic bacteria, relative species abundance, and resistance genes. RESULTS: The average inspection period of mNGS was (18.81±3.73) h, and the average inspection period of bacterial culture was (83.25±11.64) h, the former was shorter than the latter (P<0.05). The positive detection rate of mNGS was 100% (16/16), and the positive detection rate of conventional bacterial culture was 31.25% (5/16), the former was higher than the latter (P<0.05). The detection rate of mNGS anaerobic bacteria was 93.75% (15/16), the detection rate of bacterial culture anaerobes was 0 (0/16), the former was higher than the latter (P<0.05). Using mNGS, the detection rate of facultative anaerobes in bacterial culture was 75.00% (12/16), and the detection rate of facultative anaerobes in bacterial culture was 25.00% (4/16), the former was higher than the latter (P<0.05). The detection rate of aerobic bacteria in bacterial culture was 12.50% (1/16), the former was higher than the latter (P>0.05). mNGS detected 15 kinds of pathogenic bacteria, among which 3 were Gram positive, 12 were Gram negative, 49 were non-pathogenic, 16 were Gram positive, and 32 were Gram negative, 1 was fungus. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with conventional bacterial culture, mNGS has the characteristics of short test time, high sensitivity, and high accuracy. Thus, it is a new detection method for the early identification of pathogenic bacteria in maxillofacial space infection and is beneficial to the early clinical diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

[Clinical value of oral repair membrane and ß-tricalcium phosphate in the treatment of the postoperative bone defect of jaw cyst].

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the clinical effect of oral repair membrane and ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) on the treatment of jaw cyst. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 81 cases of jaw cysts, and clinical data were collected for the comparison of traditional surgical curettage (group A, 27 cases), biofilm covering bone wounds after curettage (group B, 27 cases), and ß-TCP filling combined with biofilm covering. RESULTS: No recurrence occurred in 81 patients, and no significant difference in preoperative CT value among the three groups (P<0.05). Follow-up CT reexamination 3, 6, and 12 months after operation showed significant differences among the three groups of CT values (P<0.05). Group C was better than Group B or Group A (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In traditional jaw cyst curettage, the application of biofilm exhibited good osteogenesis effect, and the combined application of ß-TCP and biofilm exerted a better effect.

[Clinical value of vacuum sealing drainage in the treatment of oral and maxillofacial space infection].

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to observe the efficacy of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) by continuous negative pressure drainage and saline irrigation in the treatment of oral and maxillofacial space infection. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted on 116 cases of maxillofacial space infection, and clinical data were collected to compare the therapeutic effects of routine incision with drainage treatment (traditional treatment group, 58 cases) and VSD treatment (VSD group, 58 cases). RESULTS: The length of hospital stay, white blood cell count, scar length, frequency of dressing change, and pain degree of patients in the VSD group were all lower than those in the traditional treatment group. Moreover, the improvement degree of mouth opening in the VSD groups was better than that in the traditional treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: VSD is a more effective method for the treatment of oral and maxillofacial space infection.