Transplantation of bFGF-expressing neural stem cells promotes cell migration and functional recovery in rat brain after transient ischemic stroke.

Cerebrovascular disease such as stroke is one of the most common diseases in the aging population, and neural stem cells (NSCs) transplantation may provide an alternative therapy for cerebral ischemia. However, a hostile microenvironment in the ischemic brain offers is challenging for the survival of the transplanted cells. Considering the neuroprotective role of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), the present study investigated whether bFGF gene-modified NSCs could improve the neurological function deficit after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. These rats were intravenously injected with modified NSCs (5×106/200 µL) or vehicle 24 h after MCAO. Histological analysis was performed on days 7 and 28 after tMCAO. The survival, migration, proliferation, and differentiation of the transplanted modified C17.2 cells in the brain were improved. In addition, the intravenous infusion of NSCs and bFGF gene-modified C17.2 cells improved the functional recovery as compared to the control. Furthermore, bFGF promoted the C17.2 cell growth, survival, and differentiation into mature neurons within the infarct region. These data suggested that bFGF gene-modified NSCs have the potential to be a therapeutic agent in brain ischemia.

[The prevalence of dehiscence and fenestration on anterior region of skeletal Class III malocclusions:a cone-beam CT study].

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and distribution of alveolar bone dehiscence and fenestration in anterior region of skeletal Class III malocclusions. METHODS: The sample consisted of 19 males and 25 females with skeletal Class III malocclusions selected from consecutive patients of Department of Oral and Cranio maxillofacial Science from May 1st to June 1st, 2012. Five hundred and twenty-three teeth were examined by cone-beam CT (CBCT) in total while alveolar bone dehiscences and fenestrations were detected and measured using a new method. The data was processed using SAS8.02 software package. RESULTS: The prevalence of dehiscence was 61.57% in all teeth, while fenestration was 31.93% and the prevalence of defect (dehiscence or fenestration) was 77.44%. More defects were found in the mandible (58.52%) especially. The tooth site which was most commonly affected was lower canine, while the least was upper central incisor. No significant difference was found between both genders on most tooth sites of anterior region but more defects was found in lower central incisor and lower lateral incisor in male subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Alveolar defect is an extremely common finding in this sample. Whether alveolar defects such as dehiscence and fenestration are potential factors of root resorption and addition bone loss is still unclear, and further researches are needed.

[Exploration for micro-osteotomy assisted orthodontic treatment of skeletal Class III malocclusions with alveolar hypoplasia in the lower anterior region].

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes of periodontal conditions after micro-osteotomy assisted lower incisor decompensation for skeletal Class III malocclusions with alveolar hypoplasia in the lower anterior region. METHODS: The sample consisted of 22 cases diagnosed as skeletal Class III malocclusions with alveolar hypoplasia in the lower anterior region, selected from consecutive patients of Department of Oral & Cranio-maxillofacial Science of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital during 2009-2012. The samples were divided into 2 groups; G1 comprised 10 patients who accepted micro-osteotomy assisted lower incisor decompensation; G2 comprised 12 patients who chose traditional pre-surgical decomposition. The changes of periodontal conditions of both groups were evaluated with the help of cone-beam CT(CBCT). Data was processed using SAS8.02 software package. RESULTS: For subjects in G1, during the micro-osteotomy assisted pre-surgical orthodontics, no significant difference was found in the amount of root resorption of lower incisors.But labial and lingual vertical alveolar bone loss were 2.60 mm and 2.22 mm; alveolar bone thickness increased by 3.05 mm on the labial side and decreased by 0.88 mm on the lingual side (P<0.05). Better periodontal conditions were reserved compared with those of G2. CONCLUSIONS: Micro-osteotomy assisted pre-surgical orthodontics was much safer than traditional orthodontics for skeletal Class III malocclusions with alveolar hypoplasia in the lower anterior region.