Relationship of distraction rate with inferior alveolar nerve degeneration-regeneration shift

Distraction osteogenesis is an important technique for the treatment of maxillofacial abnormities and defects. However, distraction osteo- genesis may cause the injury of the inferior alveolar nerve. The relationship between distraction rate and nerve degeneration-regeneration shift remains poorly understood. In this study, 24 rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. To establish the rabbit mandibular distraction osteogenesis model, the mandibles of rabbits in distraction osteogenesis groups were subjected to continuous osteogenesis dis- traction at a rate of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm/d, respectively, by controlling rounds of screwing each day in the distractors. In the sham group, mandible osteotomy was performed without distraction, Pin-prick test with a 10 g blunt pin on the labium, histological and histomorpho- metric analyses with methylene blue staining, Bodian＇s silver staining, transmission electron microscopy and myelinated fiber density of inferior alveolar nerve cross-sections were performed to assess inferior alveolar nerve conditions. At 28 days after model establishment, in the pin-prick test, the inferior alveolar nerve showed no response in the labium to a pin pricks in the 2 mm/d group, indicating a severe dysfunction. Histological and histomorphometric analyses indicated that the inferior alveolar nerve suffered more degeneration and in- juries at a high distraction rate （2 mm/d）. Importantly, the nerve regeneration, indicated by newborn Schwann cells and axons, was more abundant in 1.0 and 1.5 mm/d groups than in 2.0 mm/d group. We concluded that the distraction rate was strongly associated with the inferior alveolar nerve function, and the distraction rates of !.0 and 1.5 mm/d had regenerative effects on the inferior alveolar nerve. This study provides an experimental basis for the relationship between distraction rate and nerve degeneration-regeneration shift during dis- traction osteogenesis, and may facilitate reducing nerve complications during distraction osteogenesis.

In vitro study of the PLLA-Mg_(65)Zn_(30)Ca_(5)composites as potential biodegradable materials for bone implants

PLLA-magnesium composites have been widely investigated as potential biodegradable materials for bone implants.Lower/higher corrosion resistance of the crystalized/amorphous magnesium alloys allows tailoring of biodegradability rate.In this work,the amorphous Mg_(65)Zn_(30)Ca_(5)was investigated versus traditional crystalized Mg_(65)Zn_(30)Ca_(5),and a PLLA-Mg_(65)Zn_(30)Ca_(5)composite has been successfully fabricated using hot injection process.Furthermore,the high corrosion resistance of the amorphous Mg_(65)Zn_(30)Ca_(5)prevented the high alkalization and deterioration of mechanical strength.In addition,the high Zn content intended to improve the glass forming ability,also enhances the anti-bacterial property of the PLLA-Mg_(65)Zn_(30)Ca_(5)composite.The remarkable performance of the PLLA-Mg_(65)Zn_(30)Ca_(5)composite shows its promising application in bone repair and tissue regeneration.

KIF18A is a potential prognostic factor and promotes tumor progression in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma

The kinesin family member 18A protein was dysregulated in several human cancers and involved in cancer progression.However,the significance in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma(OTSCC)has not been studied.The present study was intended to explore the functions of KIF18A in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.The immunohistochemistry(IHC)assay was performed to assess the relationships between the KIF18A protein expression level and clinical-pathological features of the patients.The biological functions of KIF18A in OTSCC cells were investigated by the experiments in vitro and in vivo.Based on immunohistochemistry,we found that KIF18A was correlated with the clinical-pathological features of OTSCC patients.High expression of KIF18A was associated with the lymph node metastasis,and clinical stages.In vitro experiments revealed that silencing of KIF18A significantly inhibited the expression of the proliferation and migration related proteins such as Ki67,proliferating cell nuclear antigen,matrix metalloproteinase-7 and matrix metalloproteinase-9,and thereby inhibiting the proliferation,migration and invasion of tumor cells.In vivo,knocking-down of KIF18A could inhibit the tumor growth in nude mice.In conclusion,we found KIF18A promoted tumor progression in vivo and in vitro and might become an effective target for the treatment of OTSCC.

Li-Mg-Si bioceramics provide a dynamic immuno-modulatory and repair-supportive microenvironment for peripheral nerve regeneration

Biomaterials can modulate the local immune and repair-supportive microenvironments to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. Inorganic bioceramics have been widely used for regulating tissue regeneration and local immune response. However, little is known on whether inorganic bioceramics can have potential for enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration and what are the mechanisms underlying their actions. Here, the inorganic lithium-magnesium-silicon (Li-Mg-Si, LMS) bioceramics containing scaffolds are fabricated and characterized. The LMS-containing scaffolds had no cytotoxicity against rat Schwann cells (SCs), but promoted their migration and differentiation towards a remyelination state by up-regulating the expression of neurotrophic factors in a β-catenin-dependent manner. Furthermore, using single cell-sequencing, we showed that LMS-containing scaffolds promoted macrophage polarization towards the pro-regenerative M2-like cells, which subsequently facilitated the migration and differentiation of SCs. Moreover, implantation with the LMS-containing nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) increased the frequency of M2-like macrophage infiltration and enhanced nerve regeneration and motor functional recovery in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury. Collectively, these findings indicated that the inorganic LMS bioceramics offered a potential strategy for enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration by modulating the immune microenvironment and promoting SCs remyelination.