Clinical application of a three-dimensional-printed model in the treatment of intracranial and extracranial communicating tumors: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management for intracranial and extracranial communicating tumors is difficult due to the complex anatomical structures. Therefore, assisting methods are urgently needed. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the utility of a three-dimensional (3D)-printed model in the treatment of intracranial and extracranial communicating tumors as well as its applicability in surgical planning and resident education. METHODS: Individualized 3D-printed models were created for eight patients with intracranial and extracranial communicating tumors. Based on these 3D-printed models, a comprehensive surgical plan was made for each patient, after which the patients underwent surgery. The clinicopathological data of patients were collected and retrospectively analyzed to determine surgical outcomes. To examine the educational capability of the 3D-printed models, specialists and resident doctors were invited to review three of these cases and then rate the clinical utility of the models using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The 3D-printed models accurately replicated anatomical structures, including the tumor, surrounding structures, and the skull. Based on these models, customized surgical approaches, including the orbitozygomatic approach and transcervical approach, were designed for the patients. Although parameters such as operation time and blood loss varied among the patients, satisfactory surgical outcomes were achieved, with only one patient developing a postoperative complication. Regarding the educational applicability of the 3D-printed model, the mean agreement for all eight questionnaire items was above six (seven being complete agreement). Moreover, no significant difference was noted in the agreement scores between specialists and residents. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that 3D-printed models have good structural accuracy and are potentially beneficial in developing surgical approaches and educating residents. Further research is needed to test the true applicability of these models in the treatment of intracranial and extracranial communicating tumors.

PDPN+ CAFs facilitate the motility of OSCC cells by inhibiting ferroptosis via transferring exosomal lncRNA FTX.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are abundant and heterogeneous in tumor microenvironment (TME). Cross-talk between cancer cells and CAFs results in cancer progression. Here, we demonstrated that a distinct cancer-associated fibroblasts subset with podoplanin (PDPN) positive expression (PDPN+ CAFs) was correlated with poor survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). PDPN+ CAFs promoted the progression of OSCC by transferring exosomal lncRNA FTX to OSCC cells. Mechanically, FTX bound to flap endonuclease-1 (FEN1), forming an RNA‒protein complex. FTX enhanced promoter demethylation of FEN1 by recruiting ten-eleven translocation-2 (TET2). In addition, FTX/FEN1 axis promoted OSCC cells motility by inhibiting ferroptosis. In xenograft experiments, RSL-3, a ferroptosis-inducing agent, suppressed the tumorigenesis potential of FEN1-overexpressed OSCC cells. Furthermore, Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) was confirmed to participate in the motility promotion induced by FEN1 overexpression. FEN1 could bind to promoter region of ACSL4 and then inhibit ferroptosis in OSCC cells. Our study reveals that PDPN+ CAFs promote the invasiveness of OSCC cells by inhibiting ferroptosis through FTX/FEN1/ACSL4 signaling cascade. PDPN+ CAFs may serve as a novel potential therapeutic target for OSCC.

Prognostic role of preoperative D-dimer, fibrinogen and platelet levels in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between cancer and coagulation has been intensively studied in recent years; however, the effects of coagulation factors on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have rarely been reported. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between preoperative D-dimer (DD), fibrinogen (FIB), platelets (PLT) and OSCC, as well as the prognostic value of DD, FIB and PLT in OSCC. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated a total of 202 patients with OSCC treated at Guanghua Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Baseline demographic and clinicopathological information as well as both preoperative and postoperative DD, FIB and PLT results were collected from each patient, and patients with primary OSCC were followed up for disease progression, death or the end of the study. The correlations between preoperative DD, FIB, PLT and other clinical features, as well as the therapeutic effect and PFS were analysed statistically, and postoperative DD and surgical parameters were also analysed. RESULTS: Preoperative DD was significantly correlated with T stage, N stage, clinical stage and relapse of OSCC (P = 0.000, 0.001, 0.000 and 0.000, respectively). Univariate Cox regression analyses showed that high preoperative DD predicted poor prognosis in patients with OSCC (HR = 2.1, P = 0.033), while FIB and PLT showed no prognostic values. Postoperative DD was significantly correlated with preoperative DD and surgical type but not the duration of surgery (P = 0.005, 0.001 and 0.244, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this study, we suggested that high preoperative DD level may serve as an indicator for synchronous neck dissection in patients with T1, 2 OSCC, and the elevated DD level might be the marker of disease progression in patient follow up.

PDGF-BB exhibited therapeutic effects on rat model of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw by enhancing angiogenesis and osteogenesis.

The mechanism and effective treatment of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) are still uncertain. Our previous study revealed that zoledronate (ZOL) preferentially inhibited osteoclasts formation and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) secretion, causing suppression of angiogenesis and osteogenesis in vitro. The present study aimed to elucidate whether PDGF-BB had therapeutic effects on rat model of BRONJ by enhancing angiogenesis and angiogenesis. Firstly, rat model of BRONJ was established by ZOL and dexamethasone administration, followed by teeth extraction. The occurrence of BRONJ was confirmed and detected dead bone formation by maxillae examination, micro-CT scan and HE staining (10/10). Compared to control rats (0/10), both angiogenesis and mature bone formation were suppressed in BRONJ-like rats, evidenced by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for VEGF (P < 0.01), immunohistochemistry of CD31 (P < 0.05) and OCN (P < 0.01). Moreover, in the early stage of bone healing, the number of preosteoclasts (P < 0.001) and PDGF-BB secretion (P < 0.05) were significantly decreased in bisphosphonates-treated rats, along with the declined numbers of microvessels (P < 0.05) and osteoblasts (P < 0.05). In vitro study, CCK8 assay, alizarin red S staining and western blot assay showed that mandible-derived bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) in BRONJ-like rats presented suppressed functions of proliferation, osteogenesis and angiogenesis. Interestingly, recombinant PDGF-BB was able to rescue the impaired functions of BMMSCs derived from BRONJ-like rats at more than 10 ng/ml. Then fibrin sealant with or without recombinant PDGF-BB were tamped into the socket after debridement in BRONJ rats. After 8 weeks, fibrin sealant containing PDGF-BB showed significant therapeutic effects on BRONJ-like rats (bone healing: 8/10 vs 3/10, P < 0.05) with enhancing microvessels and mature bone formation. Our study suggested that the inhibition of angiogenesis and osteogenesis, the potential mechanisms of BRONJ, might partly result from suppression of PDGF-BB secretion in the early stage of bone healing. PDGF-BB local treatment after debridement might avail the healing of BRONJ by increasing angiogenesis and osteogenesis.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts contribute to oral cancer cells proliferation and metastasis via exosome-mediated paracrine miR-34a-5p.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in regulating tumor progression by transferring exosomes to neighboring cells. Our aim was to clarify the role of microRNA encapsulated in the exosomes derived from CAFs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: We examined the microRNA expression profiles of exosomes derived from CAFs and donor-matched normal fibroblasts (NFs) from patients with OSCC. We used confocal microscopy to examine the transportation of exosomal miR-34a-5p between CAFs and OSCC cells. Next, luciferase reporter and its mutant plasmids were used to confirm direct target gene of miR-34a-5p. Phenotypic assays and in vivo tumor growth experiments were used to investigate the functional significance of exosomal miR-34a-5p. FINDINGS: We found that the expression of miR-34a-5p in CAF-derived exosomes was significantly reduced, and fibroblasts could transfer exosomal miR-34a-5p to OSCC cells. In xenograft experiments, miR-34a-5p overexpression in CAFs could inhibit the tumorigenesis of OSCC cells. We further revealed that miR-34a-5p binds to its direct downstream target AXL to suppress OSCC cell proliferation and metastasis. Stable ectopic expression of AXL in OSCC cells overexpressing miR-34a-5p restored proliferation and motility abolished by the miRNA. The miR-34a-5p/AXL axis promoted OSCC progression via the AKT/GSK-3ß/ß-catenin signaling pathway, which could induce the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to promote cancer cells metastasis. The miR-34a-5p/AXL axis enhanced nuclear translocation of ß-catenin and then induced transcriptional upregulation of SNAIL, which in turn activated both MMP-2 and MMP-9. INTERPRETATION: The miR-34a-5p/AXL axis confers aggressiveness in oral cancer cells through the AKT/GSK-3ß/ß-catenin/Snail signaling cascade and might represent a therapeutic target for OSCC. FUND: National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Synergistic effects of ischemic preconditioning and immediate post-conditioning in the protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbit submandibular glands.

Submandibular gland autotransplantation is an effective approach for treating severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca. However, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, which inevitably occurs during transplantation, is involved in the hypofunction and structural damage that occur early after transplantation. Therefore, it is critical to identify effective strategies to ameliorate I/R injury in submandibular glands. In this study, we investigated the ability of immediate post-conditioning combined with ischemic preconditioning to attenuate I/R injury. We observed that after I/R injury, the level of reactive oxygen species was increased, inflammatory response was strengthened, and severe apoptosis had occurred. In addition, the salivary flow rate was greatly decreased. However, the pathogenesis of I/R injury was significantly ameliorated by ischemia post-conditioning or ischemia preconditioning treatments. In addition, the combination of ischemia preconditioning and post-conditioning achieved synergistic protective effects against I/R injury compared with ischemia preconditioning or ischemia post-conditioning alone. The secretion function was restored in the combination group. Furthermore, the combination treatment involved the same mechanisms of ischemia preconditioning or ischemia post-conditioning, including suppression of the inflammatory reaction and neutrophil accumulation, attenuation of oxidation stress, and inhibition of apoptosis. In conclusion, the combination of ischemia preconditioning and ischemia post-conditioning treatment is a simple and effective approach for treating I/R injury in submandibular glands.

Microvascular Submandibular Gland Transplantation for Severe Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca: A Single-Institution Experience of 61 Grafts.

PURPOSE: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is a relatively common disease that results in discomfort, tear film instability, visual impairment, and ocular surface damage. Artificial tear substitutes may be suitable for the treatment of mild KCS, but no effective treatment currently exists for severe KCS. Therefore, this study evaluated the effectiveness of autologous microvascular submandibular gland transplantation in the treatment of severe KCS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 61 eyes (56 patients) with severe KCS were treated with autologous submandibular gland transplantation from June 2002 to June 2017. The cephalic vein or the great saphenous vein was applied to solve the problem of unmatched veins. RESULTS: In 53 cases (53 of 56, 94.6%), 58 glands (58 of 61, 95.1%) were transplanted successfully. The mean Schirmer I test value improved from 0.78 ± 0.84 mm preoperatively to 18.83 ± 5.72 mm in the stable period after transplantation. Epiphora (14 of 58, 24.14%) was the most common complication of this procedure. Other postoperative complications included venous thrombosis (6 of 61, 9.84%), local infection (2 of 58, 3.45%), xerostomia (2 of 53, 3.77%), duct fistula (1 of 58, 1.72%), sialolithiasis (1 of 58, 1.72%), and ranula (1 of 58, 1.72%). CONCLUSIONS: Autologous microvascular submandibular gland transplantation is a credible and effective solution for severe KCS.

Marsupialization of mandibular cystic ameloblastoma: Retrospective study of 7 years.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study investigated the reduction rate and speed of shrinkage after marsupialization in mandibular cystic ameloblastoma and clarified whether marsupialization is appropriate for unicystic ameloblastoma and multicystic ameloblastoma. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with mandibular cystic ameloblastoma were initially treated with marsupialization. Premarsupialization and postmarsupialization panoramic radiographs were reviewed for reduction rate and speed of shrinkage, and then were evaluated with age, sex, tumor location, and tumor type. RESULTS: The overall recurrence rate was 4.5% (2/44). The average reduction rate after marsupialization was 65.6%. No significant difference was found between unicystic ameloblastoma and multicystic ameloblastoma in reduction rate. The speed of shrinkage of unicystic ameloblastoma was significantly faster than that of multicystic ameloblastoma (P < .05). Similarly, patients with multicystic ameloblastoma had longer marsupialization periods than those with unicystic ameloblastoma (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Marsupialization is effective in reducing tumor size for both unicystic ameloblastoma and multicystic ameloblastoma. Marsupialization plus second-stage curettage is recommended as the primary treatment for mandibular cystic ameloblastoma.

Zoledronate suppressed angiogenesis and osteogenesis by inhibiting osteoclasts formation and secretion of PDGF-BB.

PURPOSE: Bisphosphonates related osteonecrosis of jaw (BRONJ) is a severe complication of systemic BPs administration, the mechanism of which is still unclarified. Recently, platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) secreted by preosteoclasts was reported to promote angiogenesis and osteogenesis. This study aimed to clarify whether bisphosphonates suppressed preosteoclasts releasing PDGF-BB, and whether the suppression harmed coupling of angiogenesis and osteogenesis, which could contribute to BRONJ manifestation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Zoledronate significantly inhibited osteoclast formation by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and PDGF-BB secretion tested by ELISA. In line with decreasing secretion of PDGF-BB by preosteoclasts exposed to zoledronate, conditioned medium (CM) from the cells significantly induced less migration of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) compared to CM from unexposed preosteoclasts. Meanwhile, angiogenic function of EPCs and osteoblastic differentiation of MSCs also declined when culturing with CM from preosteoclasts treated by zoledronate (PZ-CM), evidenced by tube formation assay of EPCs and alkaline phosphatase activity of MSCs. Western blot assay showed that the expression of VEGF in EPCs and OCN, RUNX2 in MSCs declined when culturing with PZ-CM compared to CM from preostoeclasts without exposure of zoledronate. CONCLUSION: Our study found that zoledronate was able to suppress preosteoclasts releasing PDGF-BB, resulting in suppression of angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Our study may partly contributed to the mechanism of BRONJ.

Distribution and significance of interstitial fibrosis and stroma-infiltrating B cells in tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Inflammation and desmoplasia are frequently identified in the tumor microenvironment, and have been demonstrated to be effective modulators of malignant biological events. However, the mechanisms by which the inflammatory microenvironment and interstitial fibrosis interact with one another remain to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the degree of inflammation and interstitial fibrosis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC), and how this acts to affect the outcome of TSCC. Tissue samples from 93 cases of TSCC and paired tumor-adjacent non-neoplastic tongue epithelium, as well as 14 cases of epithelial dysplasia, were used. Interstitial collagen fibers were assessed using Masson's trichrome stain. Immunohistochemical identification of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and stroma-infiltrating B cells was performed via detection of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), vimentin, desmin and cluster of differentiation 19 (CD19). The clinicopathological significance and overall survival of the TSCC patients were statistically analyzed. Regularly distributed CAFs and CD19+ B cells were identified in the TSCC stroma, whereas no CAFs or CD19+ B cells were observed in epithelial dysplasia samples or paired tumor-adjacent non-neoplastic tongue epithelium samples. The distribution of interstitial collagen fibers and CAFs was closely associated with the tumor stage of the primary cancer, and high levels of CD19+ B cells together with low CAF infiltration were identified to be associated with favorable prognosis in TSCC. In conclusion, the inflammatory and interstitial fibrotic microenvironments coexist in TSCC, and each has specific effects on disease outcome, individually or perhaps collectively. However, it remains to be determined exactly how the microenvironments affect one another in TSCC.

Maxillary reconstruction assisted by preoperative planning and accurate surgical templates.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical reconstruction of maxilla is technically challenging and time consuming. The study reports a new method of maxillary reconstruction assisted by preoperative surgical simulation and accurate transferring templates. STUDY DESIGN: Six patients requiring maxillary reconstruction were enrolled in our study. Templates of maxillary resection, fibula cutting, and positioning were designed based on computed tomography (CT) data and fabricated via rapid prototyping technique. Resection, fibula cutting, and positioning were performed according to the templates. Accuracy was evaluated by measuring deviation, performed by superimposing preoperative planning and postoperative maxilla. RESULTS: The surgery was performed faithfully to the preoperative planning. The facial contour was satisfied. Postoperative CT scans showed high accuracy of the surgical implementation. The average central point deviation, maximum deviation, and rotation were 0.58 mm, 1.53 mm, and 6.0°, respectively. CONCLUSION: With preoperative surgical simulation and templates, maxillary reconstruction can be performed accurately.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic neck dissection in the treatment of early-stage oral cancer: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic neck dissection in the treatment of early-stage oral cancer and to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Six patients with early-stage oral cancer were enrolled in this pilot study from December 2006 to May 2007. All the patients underwent endoscopic selective neck dissection (levels I-IV) of the ipsilateral neck and partial glossectomy or hemiglossectomy as the primary treatment. RESULTS: All endoscopic procedures were successfully performed, with important neck structures identified and preserved. All the patients survived with no persistent or recurrent disease during the 76- to 83-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results indicated that endoscopic neck dissection is a technically feasible and safe technique for treating early-stage oral cancer. The oncologic indications and validation should be further confirmed in patients with clinically positive neck lymph nodes in a future study.

Reinnervated nerves contribute to the secretion function and regeneration of denervated submandibular glands in rabbits.

This study aimed to investigate the contribution of redistributed nerves in the secretory function and regeneration of a denervated submandibular gland (SMG). The postganglionic parasympathetic and sympathetic denervated SMGs of rabbits were wrapped in polyester or acellular dermal matrices to block nerve regeneration either partially or completely. Submandibular glands were removed 4, 8, 16, and 24 wk after the operation and examined histologically. Furthermore, the aquaporin-5 (AQP5), muscarinic-3 (M3), and ß1-adrenergic receptors were evaluated by immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. After denervation, salivary flow was decreased and acinar cells were atrophic, and the expression levels of the M3, ß1-adrenergic, and AQP5 receptors were decreased. However, both impaired secretion function and atrophic parenchyma were gradually ameliorated with the growing redistribution of parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves. Apoptosis was markedly inhibited and expression of the M3, ß1-adrenergic, and AQP5 receptors was increased after reinnervation. In contrast, SMGs without reinnervated nerves maintained hyposecretion and atrophic parenchyma. In conclusion, reinnervated nerves in a rabbit's denervated SMG played an important role in the secretion function and regeneration of SMGs via up-regulation of the expression of neurotransmitter receptors and AQP5.

Mandibular reconstruction assisted by preoperative simulation and accurate transferring templates: preliminary report of clinical application.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the application of a computer-aided design and manufacturing technique of defining tumor resection, fibula cutting, and positioning by surgical templates in mandibular reconstructive surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four patients who required mandibulectomy and simultaneous reconstruction were enrolled in this study. Preoperative surgical simulation was performed. The surgical templates that defined tumor resection, fibula cutting, and positioning were designed and fabricated. RESULTS: The surgeries were performed to the preoperative plan. All flaps survived. Superimposition of the postoperative image and the preoperative plan showed a satisfactory surgical accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: This method of defining tumor resection, fibula cutting, and positioning by surgical templates was accurate enough for mandibular reconstructive surgery.

Mandible reconstruction assisted by preoperative simulation and transferring templates: cadaveric study of accuracy.

PURPOSE: In this study we tried to define tumor resection, fibula cutting, and positioning by surgical templates to perform the mandible reconstruction surgery according to the preoperative simulation. The accuracy was evaluated through cadaveric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five cadaveric mandibles and fibulas were obtained. Preoperative surgical simulation was performed. Surgical templates that defined tumor resection, fibula cutting, and positioning were designed and fabricated. Translation, angular deviation, and rotation of bone grafts, as well as translation of condyles, were measured. RESULTS: The reconstructed mandibles showed high similarity to the surgical planning. The mean translation, angular deviation, and rotation of fibula segments of the reconstructed mandibles were 1.35 ± 0.86 mm, 3.36° ± 1.86°, and 8.13° ± 5.35°, respectively. In the mandible remnants, the translation of condyles was measured, with a mean of 1.39 ± 0.66 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Our method of defining the tumor resection, fibula cutting, and positioning by surgical templates was accurate enough for mandible reconstruction surgery.