The application of 3D-printed titanium mesh in maxillary tumor patients undergoing total maxillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of reconstruction of maxillary class III defect using 3D-printed titanium mesh. METHODS: Twelve patients with maxillary class III defect from April 2015 to December 2016 were retrospectively studied. A 3D individualized maxillary stereo model based on mirror images of the unaffected maxilla was obtained to fabricate an anatomically adapted titanium mesh using computer-assisted design and manufacture. The individual titanium mesh was inserted into the maxillary class III defect after total maxillectomy. The incidence of postoperative complications was evaluated. The postoperative orbital volume and protrusion degree of eye were measured. RESULTS: All patients were satisfied with their postoperative facial symmetry, without developing diplopia or endophthalmos. The postoperative orbital volumes were 26.41 ± 0.52 mL on the affected side and 26.55 ± 0.45 mL on the unaffected side. The postoperative protrusion degrees of affected and unaffected eyes were 16.21 ± 0.48 and 16.82 ± 0.79 mm, respectively. Titanium mesh exposure was observed in 2 patients and mild limitation of mouth opening was observed in 4 patients who underwent postoperative radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of maxillary class III defect with 3D-printed titanium mesh can achieve successful clinical outcomes, which recovered orbital volume and protrusion degree of eye. Twelve patients with maxillary class III defect were satisfied with their postoperative facial symmetry, without developing diplopia or endophthalmos. We investigated that reconstruction of maxillary class III defect with 3D-printed titanium mesh can achieve successful clinical outcomes.

Identification of differentially expressed genes in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma cells associated with metastasis.

INTRODUCTION: Salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) is a frequent type of salivary gland cancer which is characterized by slow growth but high incidence of distant metastasis. We aimed to identify therapeutic targets which are associated with metastasis of SACC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total RNA was isolated from a low metastatic SACC cell line (ACC-2) and a highly metastatic SACC cell line (ACC-M), which was screened from ACC-2 by combination of in vivo selection and cloning in vitro. Then the total RNA was subjected to microarray analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened from ACC-M compared with ACC-2, followed by Gene Ontology function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Function annotation for DEGs also was performed. A protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed for DEGs. RESULTS: A total of 1128 DEGs were identified from ACC-M cells compared with ACC-2 cells. Both up- and down-regulated DEGs were enriched in different functions in biological process (BP), cellular component (CC) and molecular function (MF). Additionally, down-regulated DEGs were mainly enriched in "Apoptosis" and "Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction" pathways which involved IFN-α1, NTRK1 and TGF-ß1. In the PPI network, PIK3CA, PTPN11 and PIK3R1 had a number of nodes greater than 10. CONCLUSIONS: Transforming growth factor ß1 might play a pivotal role during lung metastasis of SACC and be selected as a candidate target for treatment of metastatic SACC. IFNA1, NTRK1 and PIK3CA were also associated with tumor metastasis.

[Knockdown of Grb7 inhibits growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma, cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis through ERK/FOXM1 pathway].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of growth factor receptor-bound 7 (Grb7) on oral squamous cell carcinoma growth and tumor xenografts. METHODS: Cal27 and hNOK cells were cultivated, real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of Grb7 in hNOK and Cal27. Cal27 was transfected with Grb7 siRNA for 48 h, cell proliferation was assayed using MTT. Flow cytometry was used to determine the cell cycle and apoptosis. Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of caspase3, Bax, bcl-2, Cyclin D1, Rb, E2F1, ERK and FOXM1. Grb7 siRNA and negative control were designed and injected subcutaneously into the mice, tumor volume and weight were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 11.0 software package. RESULTS: Grb7 was highly expressed in Cal27 compared with hNOK. Depletion of Grb7 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, blocked G1/S phase transition, promoted cell apoptosis. Knockdown of Grb7 suppressed the expression of Cyclin D1 and Rb, upregulated E2F1 expression. Moreover, c-caspase 3 and Bax was also reduced after inhibition of Grb7. ERK/FOXM1 signaling pathway was also inhibited by Grb7. In addition, the volume and weight of tumor xenografts were reduced by siGrb7. CONCLUSIONS: Depletion of Grb7 inhibits cell proliferation, promotes apoptosis and reduces tumor xenografts through ERK/FOXM1 pathway.

[Reconstruction of anterior mouth floor defects with depressor labii inferioris flap: a preliminary report].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the method and efficacy of reconstruction of anterior mouth floor defects with depressor labii inferioris flap. METHODS: Between March 2010 and August 2011, 4 patients with cancer in the anterior part of oral floor underwent tumour resection and simultaneous reconstruction with depressor labii inferioris flap. The patients were followed up for 2 - 18 months. The survival of the flaps, mobility of tongue and esthetic outcome of lip and mental region were evaluated. RESULTS: All the flaps survived completely, tongues moved well, and functional and esthetic results were good. CONCLUSIONS: The depressor labii inferioris flaps are suitable for repairing defects of anterior oral floor.