[Objective:] To investigate the effect of N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) on the healing of tooth extraction sockets in mice. [Methods:] A mouse model of tooth extraction socket healing was established, and the expression of NAT10 in extraction socket tissues at different time points was evaluated. A total of 48 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. Following tooth extraction, the experimental group received local injection of the NAT10 inhibitor Remodelin, whereas the control group received vehicle treatment. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence staining, and Micro-CT were performed to evaluate extraction socket healing. Jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (JBMMSCs) were isolated and cultured in vitro. NAT10 expression was inhibited using Remodelin, and the effects on osteogenic differentiation were assessed by RT-qPCR, Western blotting, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, and alizarin red S (ARS) staining. [Results:] HE staining demonstrated that newly formed bone appeared in the extraction sockets on day 7 after tooth extraction, whereas bone matrix mineralization and bone remodeling occurred from day 14 to day 21. RT-qPCR analysis showed that NAT10 expression reached its peak on day 3 after tooth extraction. Following Remodelin treatment, NAT10 expression in extraction socket tissues was markedly reduced. Immunofluorescence staining, HE staining, and Micro-CT analyses revealed that, compared with the control group, the experimental group exhibited fewer RUNX2-positive cells, reduced new bone formation, decreased bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and delayed extraction socket bone healing. In vitro experiments showed that inhibition of NAT10 downregulated the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins in JBMMSCs, reduced ALP and ARS staining intensity, and impaired osteogenic differentiation. [Conclusion:] NAT10 maintained the osteogenic differentiation ability of JBMMSCs to some extent, and was beneficial to bone healing after tooth extraction in mice.
Reconstruction of upper and lower lip defects poses a considerable challenge to plastic and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The upper and lower lips are important dynamic structures of the lower third of the face and play a key role in maintaining facial aesthetics, speech, swallowing, and expression. Therefore, the repair of defects after lip cancer resection should not only restore the continuity of the tissue, but also consider the lip morphology, the function of the orbicularis oris muscle, and the sensation. This article focuses on the application of cross-lip flaps, cheek advancement flaps, rotation advancement lip flaps, and free flaps in the repair and reconstruction of lip defects, and summarizes the key points for postoperative aesthetic and functional evaluation.
[Objective:] To construct folic acid (FA)-modified liposomes (LPs) loaded with 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI) using microfluidic technology and to evaluate their physicochemical properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and reparative potential in periodontal inflammatory bone defects. [Methods:] FA-modified, 4-OI-loaded targeted liposomes (4-OI/FA-LPs) were prepared using a microfluidic approach and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size analysis, and zeta potential measurement. Encapsulation efficiency (EE), drug loading (DL), and in vitro drug-release behavior were determined by ultrafiltration centrifugation and equilibrium dialysis. The biocompatibility of 4-OI/FA-LPs was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages were used as an in vitro inflammatory model, and the inflammation-regulating effects of 4-OI/FA-LPs were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunofluorescence staining. A ligature-induced mouse model of periodontitis was established, and the effects of 4-OI/FA-LPs on alveolar bone resorption and periodontal tissue damage were evaluated by Micro-CT and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. [Results:] The 4-OI/FA-LPs exhibited a regular spherical morphology with uniform distribution, an average particle size of 138.80±0.60 nm, and a negative surface charge. The EE and DL capacity were 81.94% and 4.49%, respectively, and sustained release of 4-OI was observed for up to 2 weeks. The CCK-8 assay demonstrated good biocompatibility of 4-OI/FA-LPs. RT-qPCR showed that, compared with the LPS group, 4-OI/FA-LPs significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and MMP13 while upregulating Arg-1 mRNA expression. Immunofluorescence analysis showed decreased iNOS expression and increased Arg-1 expression. Micro-CT and HE staining revealed that 4-OI/FA-LPs alleviated alveolar bone resorption and periodontal tissue damage in mice with periodontitis and improved bone mineral density (BMD) and bone volume fraction (BV/TV). [Conclusion:] The 4-OI/FA-LPs were successfully constructed and exhibited favorable physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. The LPs attenuated inflammatory responses and alleviated periodontitis-related alveolar bone resorption, suggesting potential for promoting the repair of periodontal inflammatory bone defects.
Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign tumor of the salivary glands, but it is extremely rare for it to originate from the cheek, and preoperative diagnosis is challenging. This article reports the diagnosis and treatment process of a case of PA in the left cheek of a young female patient, and reviews relevant literature to systematically explore the clinical and imaging manifestations, differential diagnosis, and other aspects of PA in the cheek, with the aim of providing a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of similar cases.
[Objective:] To investigate the clinical value of serum microRNA-942-5p (miR-942-5p) and microRNA-675-5p (miR-675-5p) expression levels in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of oral cancer. [Methods:] A total of 116 patients with oral cancer admitted to Huanggang Central Hospital from February 2020 to February 2022 were enrolled as the observation group, and 120 healthy individuals undergoing routine physical examination during the same period were recruited as the control group. Serum expression levels of miR-942-5p and miR-675-5p were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with oral cancer occurrence. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of serum miR-942-5p and miR-675-5p for oral cancer. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between the expression levels of the two miRNAs. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate their association with patient prognosis. [Results:] Compared with the control group, the relative expression levels of serum miR-942-5p and miR-675-5p in the observation group were both decreased (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that miR-942-5p and miR-675-5p were significantly associated with the occurrence of oral cancer (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between serum miR-942-5p and miR-675-5p levels in patients with oral cancer (r=0.516, P<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for miR-942-5p, miR-675-5p, and their combination in diagnosing oral cancer was 0.802, 0.768, and 0.846, respectively. Combined detection showed superior diagnostic performance compared with either marker alone (Z=2.201, 3.205, both P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that patients with low expression of miR-942-5p or miR-675-5p had significantly lower 2-year survival rates than those with high expression (P<0.05). [Conclusion:] Serum miR-942-5p and miR-675-5p levels are decreased in patients with oral cancer. Combined detection of these two biomarkers may have good value in the auxiliary diagnosis of oral cancer, and their expression levels are associated with patient prognosis.
