CA1 Modulates the Osteogenic Differentiation of Dental Follicle Stem Cells by Activating the BMP Signaling Pathway In Vitro.

BACKGROUND: Carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA1) has been found to be involved in osteogenesis and osteoclast in various human diseases, but the molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. In this study, we aim to use siRNA and lentivirus to reduce or increase the expression of CA1 in Dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs), in order to further elucidate the role and mechanism of CA1 in osteogenesis, and provide better osteogenic growth factors and stem cell selection for the application of bone tissue engineering in alveolar bone fracture transplantation. METHODS: The study used RNA interference and lentiviral vectors to manipulate the expression of the CA1 gene in DFSCs during in vitro osteogenic induction. The expression of osteogenic marker genes was evaluated and changes in CA1, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP2) were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting (WB). The osteogenic effect was assessed through Alizarin Red staining. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression levels of CA1, ALP, RUNX2, and BMP2 decreased distinctly in the si-CA1 group than other groups (p < 0.05). In the Lentivirus-CA1 (LV-CA1) group, the mRNA and protein expressions of CA1, ALP, RUNX2, and BMP2 were amplified to varying degrees than other groups (p < 0.05). Apart from CA1, BMP2 (43.01%) and ALP (36.69%) showed significant upregulation (p < 0.05). Alizarin red staining indicated that the LV-CA1 group produced more calcified nodules than other groups, with a higher optical density (p < 0.05), and the osteogenic effect was superior. CONCLUSIONS: CA1 can impact osteogenic differentiation via BMP related signaling pathways, positioning itself upstream in osteogenic signaling pathways, and closely linked to osteoblast calcification and ossification processes.

Comprehensive analysis of a novel subtype of immune microenvironment-derived HPV-infected colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The current study proposed a novel subtype, Human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected colorectal cancer (CRC), to understand the impact of HPV on CRC. METHODS: We assessed the prevalence and clinical implications of HPV in CRC by integrating a single cohort in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and public datasets. Differential gene, pathway enrichment, and immune infiltration analysis were conducted to explore the patterns in HPV-infected CRC. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction, cell proliferation, scratch, and flow cytometry assays were employed to validate the impact of HPV on CRC. RESULTS: The study revealed a high prevalence of HPV infection in CRC, with infection rates ranging from 10% to 31%. There was also a significant increase in tumor proliferation in HPV-infected CRC. The study showed increased immune cell infiltration, including T cells, γδ T cells, cytotoxic cells, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells in HPV-infected CRC (P < 0.05). Furthermore, our findings confirmed that HPV infection promoted M1 polarization. Our results demonstrated that low ISM2 expression was associated with a less advanced clinical stage (P < 0.001) and better survival outcomes (P = 0.039). Low ISM2 expression correlated with a strong tumor immune response, potentially contributing to the improved survival observed in HPV-infected CRC. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provided a novel subtype of HPV-infected CRC. The subtype with a better prognosis showed a "hot" tumor immune microenvironment that may be responsive to immunotherapy.

LAMA5: A new pathogenic gene for non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effect of LAMA5 on palatal development in mice. METHODS: The palatine process of C57BL/6 J fetal mice on the embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5) was cultured in vitro via the rotating culture method. The LAMA5-shRNA adenovirus vector was constructed, then transfected into the palatal process of E13.5 for 48 h in vitro. A fluorescence microscope was used to visualize the fusion of palates. The expression of LAMA5 was also detected. The expression of ki67, cyclin D1, caspase 3, E-cadherin, vimentin and SHH signaling pathway-related signaling factors in the blank control group, the negative control group, and the LAMA5 interference group were detected after virus transfection. RESULTS: The bilateral palates in the LAMA5 interference group were not fused after virus transfection. PCR and WB showed that the mRNA and protein expressions of LAMA5 were decreased in the LAMA5 interference group. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expressions of ki67, cyclin D1 and gli1 were decreased in the LAMA5 interference group, while the mRNA and protein expressions of caspase 3 were increased. However, the mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin, vimentin, Shh and ptch1 did not significantly change in the LAMA5 interference group. CONCLUSIONS: LAMA5 silencing causes cleft palate by inhibiting the proliferation of mouse palatal cells and promoting apoptosis, which may not be involved in EMT. LAMA5 silencing can also cause cleft palate by interfering with the SHH signaling pathway.

Comparative study of stress characteristics around the adjacent teeth tissues during insertion of mini-screws with different insertion angles: A three-dimensional finite element study.

With a limited alveolar bone position, there is a high risk that mini-screws (MS) implants could cause damage to the adjacent teeth. To reduce this damage, the position and tilt angle of the MS must be optimized. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of MS implantation angle on the stress exerted on adjacent periodontal membrane and roots. A three-dimensional finite element model containing dentition, periodontal ligament, jaw and MS were established based on the CBCT images and MS scanning data. The MS was first inserted perpendicular to the surface of the bone at specific locations and then tilted at an angle of 10° and 20° to the mesial and distal teeth, respectively. The stress distribution in the periodontal tissue of the adjacent teeth was analyzed after MS implantation at different angles.The stress on the adjacent tooth root and periodontal ligament was most uniformly distributed when the MS was inserted vertically. It changed 9.4-97.7% when the axis of MS was tilted at 10-degree and 20-degree angles from the point of vertical insertion. The stresses experienced by the periodontal ligament and the root are similar. When the horizontal angle of the MS insertion was changed, the MS was closer to the adjacent tooth, resulting in greater stress near the PDL and root. It was recommended to insert the MS vertically into the alveolar bone surface to avoid root damage due to excessive stress.

Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases may attenuate scar proliferation after cleft lip surgery in rabbits via Smads signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Cleft lip repair surgery always results in visible scarring. It has been proved that scar formation can be reduced by inhibiting the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPKs) signaling pathway. However, the interaction between p38MAPK and Smads in scar formation is still controversial. METHODS: This study was designed to investigate whether inhibition of p38MAPK reduces postoperative scar formation of cleft lips on rabbits via the Smads signaling pathway. Scar models in rabbits after cleft lip surgery were created and their fibroblasts were extracted. Then the expression of p38MAPK was disturbed by adenovirus in vitro and Vivo. The scar thickness was measured and scar tissues were excised for Sirius red staining and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of type I collagen (col I), type III collagen (col III), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The underlying mechanisms of p38MAPK knockdown on the extracellular matrix and Smad signaling pathway were invested in vitro using the EdU assay, Western blot, RT PCR, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: p38MAPK knockdown suppresses the expression of p-smad3 and p-smad2 in fibroblasts, modulating the expression of its target genes, such as α-SMA, col I, and col III. When Ad-P38MAPK-1 was injected into lip scar, it reduced the expression of scar-related genes and scar thickness when compared to the negative control groups. CONCLUSIONS: In rabbits, inhibiting p38MAPK expression prevents scar proliferation through inhibiting the Smad signaling pathway after cleft lip surgery.

The Development of GABAergic Network in Depression in Recent 17 Years: A Visual Analysis Based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer.

In this study, we analyzed the status and research trends of the GABAergic system in depression from 2004 to 2020 to provide a reference for further research. The Web of Science database was used as the data source and 1,658 publishments were included. Using two visualization analysis software, CiteSpace and VOSviewer, we analyzed the publishing years, countries, institutions, authors, journals, categories, keywords, and research frontiers in depression. The publishments revealed an upward trend from 2004 to 2020; the most prolific country and institutions were the United States and INSERM, respectively. The journal of Neuroscience was the most published and cited journal. The most relevant category was neurosciences. The hot topics in this field were GABAergic research in Gaba(a) receptor; the research frontier was depressive model. These analysis results provide a new perspective for researchers to conduct studies on related topics in the future and guidance for scientists to identify potential collaborators and research cooperation institutions.

p38MAPK silencing attenuates scar proliferation after cleft palate repair surgery in rats via MRTF-A/SRF pathway.

Scarring is the primary factor of maxilla growth restriction among people who have undergone cleft palate repair surgery. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) promotes fibrosis in a variety of organs. However, its role in post-surgery scarring on the hard palate has not been fully understood. This study is designed to investigate the role of p38MAPK in scar formation and maxilla growth of rats. We removed the mucosa on the hard palate of rats and applied the p38MAPK silencing adenovirus vector on it two weeks after surgery. Then the scarring tissue and maxilla growth were evaluated by histological and morphological examination. The effect of p38MAPK silencing on scarring-related genes in fibroblasts was also studied. We found that local injection of Ad-p38MAPK-1 in vivo effectively reduces the expression of p38MAPK and scarring-related proteins and weakens the impact of scarring on the width of the hard palate. Mechanistically, p38MAPK silencing inhibits the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) via mediating the production and nuclear localization of myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) in fibroblasts. These results reveal a molecular pathway of scar formation involving p38MAPK/MRTF-A stimulation and support targeting p38MAPK as a potentially effective treatment for post-surgery scarring on the hard palate.

Effect of a digital guide on the positional accuracy of intermaxillary fixation screw implantation in orthognathic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Intermaxillary fixation screw (IMFS) implantation is a common procedure in orthognathic surgery (OGS) performed to the temporary maxillary-mandibular fixation and stable bite relationships. The study aims to assess the accuracy of IMFS implantation with a digital guide to reduce the occurrence of root damage. METHODS: This prospective study involved 40 patients undergoing OGS at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from August 2017 to May 2021. The patients were randomly divided into two groups according to whether the IMFS implantation was with or without digital guide (20 patients in the experimental group and 20 controls). The digital guides used in the experimental group were designed according to a virtual implantation plan and printed using stereolithography. In the control group, IMFSs were directly implanted by a surgeon based on clinical experience. Postoperatively, cone-beam computed tomography was performed to compare root proximity of IMFSs between the two groups and verify the accuracy of IMFS placement. RESULTS: In the experimental group, there was no case of root damage, the incidence of the periodontal ligament (PDL) injured was 22.1%, and 77.9% IMFSs were placed without contacting adjacent anatomic structures. In the control group, the incidence of root damage had been up to 20.8%, 31.7% IMFSs injured the PDL, and only 47.5% IMFSs were placed between the roots (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: IMFSs can be placed more accurately with surgical guides, reducing the incidence of root and PDL damages.

Clinical study on obstructive sleep apnea following pharyngeal flap surgery.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the incidence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in cleft patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) after pharyngeal flap surgery (PFS) and explore the influence of operation age. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 82 cleft patients after PFS. The patients were divided into two groups according to their age at the time of surgery. The incidence and severity of OSA were assessed at least 1.2 years (mean 6.0 years) postoperatively by polysomnography (PSG). RESULTS: The incidence rates of OSA were 20% in the adult group and 31% in the child group. No significant difference was found between the two groups (P=0.289). Patients with OSA in the adult and child groups were classified into different levels of severity (mild, moderate, severe) according to the apnea hypoventilation index (AHI). No statistically significant difference in the severity of OSA was found between the two groups (P=0.079). CONCLUSIONS: Some patients still have OSA average of 6.0 years after PFS, and operation ageis unrelated to the incidence and severity of OSA.

Virtual Surgical Planning and Three-Dimensional Printing to Aid the Anatomical Reduction of an Old Malunited Fracture of the Mandible.

ABSTRACT: Mandible fracture is a common injury in maxillofacial surgery. It causes not only maxillofacial dysfunction but also facial deformities. Malunited fractures of the mandible have been a vast challenge in clinical treatment due to the misalignment of the broken ends and the occurrence of occlusal disorders. This case report describes using virtual surgical planning and three-dimensional printing to treat a patient with malunited fracture of the mandible. Failing to perform mandibular surgery due to severe brain trauma after the car accident, the patient got malunited healing of mandible. The authors applied virtual surgical planning to perform preoperative analysis and surgical design on this patient, three-dimensional printing to fabricate occlusal plate, and models of the preoperative and postoperative mandible to guide the operation. Finally, the authors achieved the reduction and reconstruction of the mandible with satisfactory clinical results.

Clinical study on obstructive sleep apnea following pharyngeal flap surgery / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aims to investigate the incidence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in cleft patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) after pharyngeal flap surgery (PFS) and explore the influence of operation age.@*METHODS@#A retrospective study was conducted in 82 cleft patients after PFS. The patients were divided into two groups according to their age at the time of surgery. The incidence and severity of OSA were assessed at least 1.2 years (mean 6.0 years) postoperatively by polysomnography (PSG).@*RESULTS@#The incidence rates of OSA were 20% in the adult group and 31% in the child group. No significant difference was found between the two groups (@*CONCLUSIONS@#Some patients still have OSA average of 6.0 years after PFS, and operation ageis unrelated to the incidence and severity of OSA.

Sebaceous lymphadenocarcinoma of the parotid gland: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Sebaceous lymphadenoma is a benign tumor that occurs rarely in the salivary glands, most commonly in the parotid glands or periparotid lymph nodes, and even more rarely undergoes malignant transformation into a sebaceous lymphadenocarcinoma. CASE SUMMARY: We report an 82-year-old woman who presented with a painless mass in the right parotid region. We performed extended surgical resection of the parotid gland mass. Intraoperative pathology revealed a sebaceous lymphadenocarcinoma with metastasis into the periparotid cervical lymph nodes, so we also performed neck dissection and lymph node resection. Postoperative pathology confirmed the diagnosis. The literature review revealed that this was the seventh reported case of sebaceous lymphadenocarcinoma and the second reported case of cervical lymph node metastasis and infiltration of the skin of the parotid gland. CONCLUSION: Treatment of sebaceous lymphadenocarcinoma depends on the typing and clinical staging of the cancer. Extensive resection is the first choice, and adjuvant radiotherapy should be given to patients with high-grade tumors or those at an advanced clinical stage.

The relationship between maternal corticosteroid use and orofacial clefts-a meta-analysis.

The aim was to evaluate the relationship between maternal corticosteroid use during first trimester of pregnancy and risk of orofacial clefts (OC). The overall findings showed a certain association between maternal corticosteroid use and occurrence of OC, compared with non-users (OR=1.16 [95% CI: 1.01-1.33]). When study type was considered this association was significant only for case-control studies (OR=1.22 [95% CI: 1.02-1.47]), and not for cohort studies (OR=1.09 [95% CI: 0.88-1.34]) when there are many confounders (dose, route of application, disease etc.) and biases (re-call, loss-to follow-up etc.) that still need to be considered. A subgroup analysis based on the type of OC gave an overall OR of 1.41 (95% CI: 1.14-1.74) in the case-control studies for cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P) and 1.09 (95% CI: 0.80-1.48) for cleft palate only (CPO), when comparing maternal corticosteroid users with non-users. However, for cohort studies, the overall OR for CL/P is 1.06 (95% CI: 0.82-1.37) and 1.20 (95% CI: 0.83-1.75) for CPO. The absolute risk of facial cleft after prenatal exposure to corticosteroids, if any, is small.

Studies on OAZI-1 protein complex in inducing specific antitumor effects in mice / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To analyze whether the OAZI-1 (ornithine decarboxylase antizyme inhibitor-1) protein complex isolated from tumor cells could induce specific antitumor effects in the experiment mice .Methods:OAZI-1 protein complexes were isolated from B16-F1 melanoma cells by immune magnetic beads coated with OAZI-1 antibody and used as the vaccine to immune the C 57BL/6 mice.After immunization,the mice were inoculated subcutaneously with live B 16-F1 cells and then tumor formation and growth were ob-served.ELISA was used to determine the level of cytokine IFN-γin the serum of immunized mice.Lactate dehydrogenase assay (LDH) was performed to evaluate killing effect of spleen lymphocytes on B 16-F1 cells.The mice immunized by purified OAZI-1 from prokaryotic expression and PBS were used as controls in the animal experiment .Results: Compared with the control mice ,the spleen lymphocytes ( effector cells ) from the mice inoculated with OAZI-1 protein complexes had stronger killing ability on B 16-F1 cells (target cells).At three different effector:target ratio (10:1,50:1,100:1),the killing ability of these spleen lymphocytes were 46.2%, 59.5%and 92.5% respectively,which was significantly higher than the spleen lymphocytes from the mice inoculated with purified AZIN-1 protein (36.1%,26.8% and 45.9%) or inoculated with PBS (24.6%,24.0% and 27.2%).In addition,the content of serum anti-tumor cytokine IFN-γwas also significantly higher in the mice inoculated with OAZI-1 protein complexes (538.3 pg/ml) than the mice inoculated with purified AZIN-1 ( 256.2 pg/ml ) or with PBS ( 131.0 pg/ml ) .When B16-F1 live cells were subcutaneously inoculated into the immunized mice described above ,the tumor formation rate was only 40%in the mice immunized with OAZI-1 protein complex ,but 100%in the mice immunized with PBS or purified OAZI-1.The growth of inoculated tumors in the mice immunized with OAZI-1 protein complex was also much slower than the control mice .Conclusion:The results in this study suggest that the OAZI-1 protein complex isolated from B 16-F1 tumor cells could contain some tumor antigens .When used as tumor vaccine to inoculate mice ,this complex can induce anti-tumor immune killing activity in experimental animals .

Evaluation of Bone Height and Bone Mineral Density Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography After Secondary Bone Graft in Alveolar Cleft.

The purpose of this study was to assess the optimal timing of subsequent dental implant placement and orthodontics after alveolar bone grafting (ABG) in patients with unilateral complete clefts of the alveolar process. Iliac bone graft surgery was performed on 60 patients. Bone mineral density (BMD) and height of the ABG areas were assessed using cone beam computed tomography at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The heights of the labial and palatal bone graft areas were classified using the modified Bergland classification. The study found that there was no change in BMD between 3 months (mean ±â€ŠSD: 406.51 ±â€Š71.28 Hounsfield units [HU]) and 6 months (409.53 ±â€Š46.37 HU; P = 0.381). Significant changes in the distribution of bone height classifications were observed in the labial and palatal sides of the ABG between 3 and 6 months (P = 0.025 for labial bone height, P = 0.008 for palatal bone height). These results indicate that the alveolar density remained stable between 3 and 6 months, whereas bone height level declined during that period after ABG, the latter indicating bone graft absorption over time. It is, therefore, suggested that subsequent orthodontic or dental implants be placed 3 months after ABG rather than at 6 months or later.

[Preliminary report of botulinum toxin type A injection at trigger point for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: experiences of 16 cases].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of injection of botulium toxin type A at trigger point for treatment of patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia. METHODS: Sixteen patients with primary Trigeminal Neuralgia were treated with injection of botulium toxin type A. Visual analog scores(VAS) at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment and Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain evaluation criteria were utilized to measure the degree of pain. The data was analyzed with SPSS 10.0 software package. RESULTS: The VAS score was 9.12±0.65 before botulium toxin type A injection while the scores were 2.8±1.36, 2.2±1.26, 1.3±1.45, 1.3±1.45 and 1.2±2.52 at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month,3 months and 6 months after treatment. There was significant difference in VAS compared with before treatment. VAS score was lower and stable at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment, but no significant difference was found at 1-week and 2-week after treatment. BNI evaluation results showed good therapeutic effect 1 week after treatment, while the best therapeutic effect was noted 1-3 months after treatment. 6 months later, 1 patient had recurrence and 11 patients had complete relief of pain. CONCLUSIONS: Botulium toxin type A injection is an effective way for treatment of patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia.

Soft tissue perineurioma of the tongue: report of a case and review of the literature.

Perineurioma is a rare benign tumor of the peripheral nervous system distinct from schwannomas and neurofibromas. It may be intraneural or extraneural (in the soft tissue). Extraneural soft tissue perineuriomas are uncommon; rare cases have been reported in the oral cavity. We present a case of soft tissue perineurioma in the tip of the tongue. The tumor was characterized by slender spindle cells, arranged in short fascicles or whorls, and focal areas showing a distinct storiform pattern. Tumor cells showed the immunohistochemical profile of perineurial cells, including epithelial membrane antigen. Smooth muscle actin, S-100, and CD34 were not expressed by the tumor cells. The tumor was surgically excised and in 2 years there has been no recurrence. Knowledge of the tumor in the oral cavity is important to reach a correct diagnosis and to avoid unnecessary aggressive local excision.

[Role of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase on cyclic stretch in human facial hypertrophic scar fibroblasts differentiation into myofibroblasts].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the signal transduction mechanism of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) in human facial hypertrophic scar fibroblast (FB) differentiation into myofibroblasts (MFB). METHODS: Fibroblasts of primary culture were simple randomly assigned into two groups: cyclic stretch (control group) and cyclic stretch pre-treated with SB203580(experimental group). Expression of P-p38MAPK and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein were examined using Western blotting and expression of transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) mRNA and α-SMA mRNA were examined using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS: In control group, the expressions of α-SMA, p38MAPK, TGF-ß1 mRNA and α-SMA mRNA (0 h: 0.134 ± 0.011, 0.239 ± 0.015, 0.214 ± 0.018, 0.252 ± 0.010; 6 h: 0.152 ± 0.014, 0.287 ± 0.016, 0.288 ± 0.011, 0.277 ± 0.013; 12 h: 0.172 ± 0.017, 0.320 ± 0.017, 0.335 ± 0.013, 0.297 ± 0.006) , were significantly increased with loading time (6 h>0 h; 12 h>0 and 6 h). In experimental group (pre-treated with SB203580), the expressions of α-SMA, p38MAPK, TGF-ß1 mRNA,α-SMA mRNA (6 h: 0.116 ± 0.017,0.128 ± 0.016,0.134 ± 0.014,0.163 ± 0.009; 12 h: 0.149 ± 0.013,0.136 ± 0.018,0.144 ± 0.013,0.187 ± 0.010) on corresponding time decreased sharply compared with those in control groups (6, 12 h). CONCLUSIONS: The human facial hypertrophic scar fibroblasts differentiation in response to cyclic stretch was mediated by p38MAPK phosporylation.

Role of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase on cyclic stretch in human facial hypertrophic scar fibroblasts differentiation into myofibroblasts / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the signal transduction mechanism of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) in human facial hypertrophic scar fibroblast (FB) differentiation into myofibroblasts (MFB).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fibroblasts of primary culture were simple randomly assigned into two groups: cyclic stretch (control group) and cyclic stretch pre-treated with SB203580(experimental group). Expression of P-p38MAPK and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein were examined using Western blotting and expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA and α-SMA mRNA were examined using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In control group, the expressions of α-SMA, p38MAPK, TGF-β1 mRNA and α-SMA mRNA (0 h: 0.134 ± 0.011, 0.239 ± 0.015, 0.214 ± 0.018, 0.252 ± 0.010; 6 h: 0.152 ± 0.014, 0.287 ± 0.016, 0.288 ± 0.011, 0.277 ± 0.013; 12 h: 0.172 ± 0.017, 0.320 ± 0.017, 0.335 ± 0.013, 0.297 ± 0.006) , were significantly increased with loading time (6 h>0 h; 12 h>0 and 6 h). In experimental group (pre-treated with SB203580), the expressions of α-SMA, p38MAPK, TGF-β1 mRNA,α-SMA mRNA (6 h: 0.116 ± 0.017,0.128 ± 0.016,0.134 ± 0.014,0.163 ± 0.009; 12 h: 0.149 ± 0.013,0.136 ± 0.018,0.144 ± 0.013,0.187 ± 0.010) on corresponding time decreased sharply compared with those in control groups (6, 12 h).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The human facial hypertrophic scar fibroblasts differentiation in response to cyclic stretch was mediated by p38MAPK phosporylation.</p>

Clinical significance of FDG single-photon emission computed tomography: Computed tomography in the diagnosis of head and neck cancers and study of its mechanism.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic changes of malignant cells are earlier than these of morphology. (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-computed tomography (CT) systems provide functional and anatomic images that could significantly improve its diagnostic capability. The molecular mechanisms of increased FDG uptake are still not fully understood. The correlation between FDG uptake and the expression of Glut in various tumor cells is still under debate. Further study is necessary to correlate increased FDG uptake by tumors with their Glut-1 and Glut-3 expression, which will lead to a better understanding and interpretation of SPECT-CT imaging. In this study, we, therefore, investigated in patients with head and neck carcinoma (HNC) the relationship between tumor FDG accumulation and the mRNA expression and protein expression of Glut-1 and Glut-3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 25 patients with HNC who underwent SPECT-CT imaging and CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were performed between April 2002 and March 2004. Then, the mRNA and protein expression of Glut-1 and Glut-3 in these 25 surgical or biopsied samples were studied with HNC to determine the correlate increased FDG uptake by tumors with their Glut-1 and Glut-3 expression. RESULTS: Visual analysis of (18)F-FDG SPECT-CT gave sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy levels of 100%, 62.5%, and 88%, respectively. The tumor-to-background (T/B) ratios were 94.1%, 87.5%, and 92.0% for (18)F-FDG SPECT/CT, and 64.7%, 50.0%, and 60.0% for CT and MRI. This indicates that (18)F-FDG SPECT-CT is superior to CT and MRI. Significant correlation was found between FDG and Glut-1 mRNA or Glut-1 protein (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between T/B ratio and Glut-3 mRNA (r = 0.14, p > 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: (18)F-FDG SPECT-CT can be as a prospective tool that can judge the malignancy or benignity of head and neck tumor, stage and classify the tumor, distinguish recurrence or necrosis or fibrosis of the tumor after treatment by surgery or radiotherapy, and detect unknown primary tumor. Glut-1 may largely mediate basal glucose transport in HNC cells.