OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to explore the clinical efficacy of stabilization splint (SS) and the characteristics of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging changes by analyzing the CBCT images and clinical symptoms of patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) complicated with chewing side preference before and after treatment with SS. Me⁃thods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 74 TMJOA patients (aged 18-40 years) who visited the Department of Stomatology, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2021 to January 2025. Among them, 31 patients had no chewing side preference (mean age: 29.81±2.99 years), and 43 patients had chewing side preference (mean age: 30.88±5.65 years). The CBCT imaging features and clinical symptoms of the two groups at the initial visit and follow-up (6 months later) were observed and analyzed. SPSS 27.0 software was used for data analysis. RESULTS:Comparison of patients without chewing side preference before and after SS treatment: the incidence of pain decreased from 100% to 3.23%, limited mouth opening from 96.77% to 3.23%, and joint noise from 80.65% to 38.71%, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). CBCT showed that the ipsilateral posterior joint space and superior joint space increased significantly (P<0.05), whereas no significant differences were observed in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) indices between the two sides (P>0.05). Comparison of patients with chewing side preference before and after SS treatment: the incidence of pain decreased from 100% to 4.65%, limited mouth opening from 88.37% to 2.33%, and joint noise from 79.07% to 39.53%, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). CBCT showed that the medial-lateral diameter of the condyle, anterior-posterior diameter of the condyle, intra-articular space, posterior joint space, superior joint space, slope of the articular eminence, and condylar height on the habitual chewing side increased significantly (P<0.05). Moreover, the medial-lateral diameter of the condyle, anterior-posterior diameter of the condyle, intra-articular space, posterior joint space, and superior joint space on the non-habitual chewing side increased significantly (P<0.05). The posterior joint space, intra-articular space, and condylar height on the habitual chewing side were significantly larger than those on the non-habitual chewing side (P<0.05). Comparison between patients with and without chewing side preference after SS treatment: no significant differences were found in pain, limited mouth opening, and joint noise between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:SS is effective in treating patients suffering from TMJOA with or without chewing side preference because it can effectively relieve joint pain, significantly improve mouth opening, and reduce the incidence of joint noise to a certain extent. Chewing side preference is closely related to the progression of TMJOA. Patients with TMJOA are recommended to receive early intervention with SS treatment, which is particularly important for those cases complicated with chewing side preference.

Diabetic skin wound healing is severely impeded by persistent inflammation dominated by M1 macrophages and an imbalance in macrophage polarization, making the modulation of inflammation and restoration of polarization balance a key therapeutic strategy. Apoptotic vesicles (apoVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise in tissue repair, yet the influence of donor cell inflammatory preconditioning on their biological functions remains unclear. This study compared apoVs from TNF‑α‑pretreated (i‑apoVs) and normal (n‑apoVs) gingival MSCs, which were isolated, characterized, and loaded into GelMA hydrogels for sustained release. In a diabetic rat skin defect model, i‑apoVs significantly accelerated wound closure, promoted re‑epithelialization, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis, and induced a shift from pro‑inflammatory M1 to reparative M2 macrophages. In vitro, i‑apoVs were more potent than n‑apoVs in driving LPS‑stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages toward M2 polarization, as evidenced by decreased iNOS and CD86 and increased Arg‑1 and CD206. miRNA sequencing identified miR‑146a‑5p enrichment in i‑apoVs, which directly targets TRAF6 to inhibited NF‑κB activation and promoted M2 polarization. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that i‑apoVs enhance diabetic wound healing by delivering miR‑146a‑5p to macrophages, regulating the TRAF6/NF‑κB axis and rebalancing macrophage phenotypes, providing a novel cell‑free strategy for diabetic wound therapy.

OBJECTIVES:This study aims to analyze the clinical symptoms and imaging manifestations in patients with temporomandibular disorder syndrome (TMD), who are sensitive to sudden temperature drop. METHODS:One hundred and nineteen patients with TMD who attended the Department of Stomatology of the First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from December 2022 to December 2023 were included, including 44 males and 75 females, with a mean age of 32.4±13.7 years.The questionnaire was used to determine whether they were sensitive to temperature drop, and the TMD patients were divided into a temperature plunge-sensitive group and a temperature drop insensitive group. The clinical symptoms and imaging manifestations of patients in the two groups were observed. SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS:There was no statistically significant difference between the gender and age of patients in the temperature plunge-sensitive group (50 patients) and the insensitivity group (69 patients) (P>0.05). The percentage of patients with pain was slightly higher in the temperature plunge-sensitive group [86.0% (43/50)] than in the insensitive group [68.1% (47/69)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.031, P=0.025), while the differences in joint murmur and mouth opening limitation between the two groups were not statistically significant. A total of 238 lateral joints were detected in both groups, the percentage of osteoarthropathic imaging changes was significantly higher in the temperature plunge-sensitive group [82.0% (82/100)] than in the insensitive group [53.6% (74/138)] (χ2=20.675, P<0.001). Magnetic imaging showed that the percentage of joint effusion was higher in patients in the temperature plunge-sensitive group [66.0% (33/50)] than in the insensitive group [42.0% (29/69)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.602, P=0.018). CONCLUSIONS:TMD patients with maxillofacial pain symptoms, joint effusions, and abnormal imaging of osteoarticular structures are more likely to be sensitive to sudden temperature drops.

Masticatory dysfunction induces astrocyte hyperplasia and disrupts brain cholesterol homeostasis, but the specific mechanism by which unilateral mastication drives cognitive decline remains unclear. A rat model of experimental unilateral mastication (EUM) was established via unilateral maxillary anterior and posterior tooth extraction, characterized by asymmetric masseter electromyography (EMG), muscle fiber type distribution, and acetylcholinesterase activity. Behavioral tests assessed learning and memory. Hippocampal changes were analyzed for astrocyte reactivity and synaptic integrity. Targeted cholesterol metabolomics profiled cholesterol species, with correlation analyses exploring links between metabolic perturbations and synaptic dysfunction. EUM rats showed accelerated learning deficits and memory decline. Hippocampal analyses revealed reactive astrocytosis and synaptic degeneration. Metabolomics identified hippocampal cholesterol ester accumulation, with dysregulated biosynthesis and efflux/metabolism pathways. Correlation analyses linked cholesterol dysregulation to synaptic impairment, with reduced 24-hydroxycholesterol as a key mediator. Unilateral mastication impacts brain health via hippocampal cholesterol dysregulation, suggesting targeting cholesterol metabolism may mitigate associated cognitive decline. These findings highlight a potential connection between masticatory dysfunction and cognitive decline mediated by cholesterol metabolic pathways, providing mechanistic insights into oral-brain axis interactions with implications for preventing cognitive impairment.

Bone regeneration is a dynamic, multistage process requiring the orchestrated interplay of cellular recruitment, immune modulation, and balanced osteoblast-osteoclast activity. To address this clinical challenge, we developed a nanocomposite hydrogel-based drug delivery system integrating gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and silk fibroin methacrylate (SFMA) scaffolds containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for spatiotemporally controlled co-delivery of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) and osteoprotegerin (OPG). This dual-delivery platform enabled sustained and localized release of immunoregulatory and osteoprotective agents, achieving a synchronized modulation of the regenerative microenvironment. The MSNs functioned as an effective nanocarrier to preserve bioactivity and prolong release kinetics of bioactive factors, while the hydrogel matrix provided structural integrity and protease-responsive degradation matching bone repair dynamics. The system potentiated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) recruitment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation, reprogrammed macrophage polarization toward a pro-regenerative M2 phenotype, and suppressed osteoclastogenesis. In vivo validation using a rat critical-sized femoral defect model revealed accelerated osseous regeneration. Mechanistically, transcriptomic profiling identified concerted PI3K/Akt-MAPK pathway activation. The immunomodulatory hydrogel reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines while elevating osteogenic factors. Crucially, the hydrogel restored osteoblast-osteoclast crosstalk balance, suppressing TRAP+ osteoclast formation through OPG-mediated RANKL inhibition. Overall, this hydrogel-based delivery platform demonstrates a clinically translatable strategy for drug-enabled bone regeneration, with precise control over therapeutic release, spatial localization, and immuno-osteogenic coupling.

OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to investigate the correlation between clinical symptoms and unilateral chewing habits in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) accompanied by tinnitus. METHODS:A total of 285 patients diagnosed with TMD at the Department of Stomatology of the First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital between December 2020 and May 2024 were included and divided into two groups: tinnitus group and non-tinnitus group. Analysis was conducted on the proportion of patients with unilateral chewing habits in both groups, the correlation between the side of tinnitus and the side of unilateral chewing, and the correlation of tinnitus with TMD clinical symptoms (joint clicking, joint pain, and limited mouth opening) and unilateral chewing habits. The correlation of the type of disc displacement with unilateral chewing and tinnitus was also examined. RESULTS:In the tinnitus group, the proportions of patients with and without unilateral chewing habits were 90.70% (39/43) and 9.30% (4/43), respectively. In the non-tinnitus group, the proportions of patients with and without unilateral chewing habits were 76.03% (184/242) and 23.97% (58/242), respectively. The proportion of patients with unilateral chewing habits in the tinnitus group was significantly higher than in the non-tinnitus group (χ2=4.613, P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between tinnitus and unilateral chewing habits (P<0.05). In the left-sided tinnitus group, the proportion of left-sided unilateral chewers [54.55% (12/22)] was higher than that of right-sided unilateral chewers [45.45% (10/22)]. In the right-sided tinnitus group, the proportion of right-sided unilateral chewers [81.82% (9/11)] was higher than that of left-sided unilateral chewers [18.18% (2/11)]. The difference was statistically significant (χ2=7.282, P<0.05). A positive correlation was also found between the side of tinnitus and the side of unilateral chewing habits (P<0.05). The proportion of patients with pain was significantly higher in the tinnitus group than in the non-tinnitus group (P<0.05). No significant difference in the proportion of joint clicking or limited mouth opening and disc displacement (no disc displacement, unilateral disc displacement, bilateral disc displacement, reducible disc displacement, or irreducible disc displacement) was found between the tinnitus and non-tinnitus groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:TMD with unilateral chewing habits may be a contributing factor to unexplained tinnitus. Unexplained tinnitus is correlated with joint pain in patients with TMD.

The repair and reconstruction of oral mucosal defects are critical for restoring both function and aesthetics of the oral cavity. Tissue engineering, which integrates principles from engineering and life sciences, has enabled the development of biological substitutes that closely mimic the native structure and function of oral mucosa, significantly reducing the risks and complications associated with autologous transplantation. With the rapid advancement of tissue-engineered oral mucosa (TEOM) technology, its applications in regenerative medicine and oral disease modeling have become increasingly prominent. In recent years, innovative strategies such as the development of organoids, prevascularization, immunomodulation, and dermal-epidermal junction biomimicry have emerged, providing effective solutions to challenges related to inadequate vascularization, immune dysregulation, and mechanical performance in TEOM constructs. In addition, the application of cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as 3D bioprinting has accelerated the translation of TEOM toward clinical use. This review outlines the fundamental principles, design strategies, and potential applications of TEOM, and discusses novel approaches and challenges that must be addressed to facilitate its clinical implementation. Impact Statement This review provides a critical synthesis of recent advances in tissue-engineered oral mucosa, emphasizing cutting-edge methodologies in biomaterial development, cell engineering, and microenvironment modulation. By identifying unresolved challenges such as vascularization and immunomodulation, and proposing innovative strategies, including organoids and smart biomaterials, this article provides a valuable framework for researchers and clinicians striving to translate laboratory breakthroughs into effective regenerative therapies. This integrative perspective is poised to accelerate progress in oral mucosal repair across a variety of clinical applications.

Wound dressing diligently facilitate healing by fostering hemostasis, immunoregulation, the angiogenesis, and collagen deposition. Our methodology entails fabricating chitosan-taurine nanoparticles (CS-Tau) through an ionic gelation method. The morphology of CS-Tau was observed utilizing Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The nanoparticles are subsequently incorporated into carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels for crosslinking by EDC-NHS, yielding hydrogel dressings (CMCS-CS-Tau) designed to extend the duration of taurine release. In vitro investigations confirmed that these innovative compound dressings displayed superior biodegradation, biocompatibility, cytocompatibility, and non-toxicity, in addition to possessing anti-inflammatory properties, and stimulating the proliferation and mobility of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Experiments conducted on mice models with full-thickness skin removal demonstrated that CMCS-CS-Tau efficaciously aided in wound healing by spurring angiogenesis, and encouraging collagen deposition. CMCS-CS-Tau can also minimize inflammation and promote collagen deposition in chronic diabetic wound. Hence, CMCS-CS-Tau promotes both acute and chronic diabetic wound healing. Furthermore, the sustained release mechanism of CMCS-CS-Tau on taurine reveals promising potential for extending its clinical utility in relation to various biological effects of taurine.

Abstract Background Insulin has been known to regulate bone metabolism, yet its specific molecular mechanisms during the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the effects of insulin on the bone formation capability of human DPSCs and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods Cell proliferation was assessed using a CCK-8 assay. Cell phenotype was analyzed by flow cytometry. Colony-forming unit-fibroblast ability and multilineage differentiation potential were evaluated using Toluidine blue, Oil red O, Alizarin red, and Alcian blue staining. Gene and protein expressions were quantified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Bone metabolism and biochemical markers were analyzed using electrochemical luminescence and chemical colorimetry. Cell adhesion and growth on nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen (nHAC) were observed with a scanning electron microscope. Bone regeneration was assessed using micro-CT, fluorescent labeling, immunohistochemical and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results Insulin enhanced the proliferation of human DPSCs as well as promoted mineralized matrix formation in a concentration-dependent manner. 10− 6 M insulin significantly up-regulated osteogenic differentiation-related genes and proteins markedly increased the secretion of bone metabolism and biochemical markers, and obviously stimulated mineralized matrix formation. However, it also significantly inhibited the expression of genes and proteins of receptors and receptor substrates associated with insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling (IIS) pathway, obviously reduced the expression of the phosphorylated PI3K and the ratios of the phosphorylated PI3K/total PI3K, and notably increased the expression of the total PI3K, phosphorylated AKT, total AKT and mTOR. The inhibitor LY294002 attenuated the responsiveness of 10− 6 M insulin to IIS/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway axis, suppressing the promoting effect of insulin on cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and bone formation. Implantation of 10− 6 M insulin treated DPSCs into the backs of severe combined immunodeficient mice and the rabbit jawbone defects resulted in enhanced bone formation. Conclusions Insulin induces insulin resistance in human DPSCs and effectively promotes their proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and bone formation capability through gradually inducing the down-regulation of IIS/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway axis under insulin resistant states.

Dental trauma is highly prevalent in children and adolescents, alongside tooth decay. This condition mainly induces pulp contamination, pulp necrosis, and tooth avulsion in the clinical context. The disturbance to root growth is prone to occur in immature permanent teeth. However, conventional endodontic treatment may not achieve favorable outcomes in these cases, necessitating conducting relevant exploration. Therefore, this study was performed to examine the impact of Annexin A1 (ANXA1) on the vascular repair of dental pulp using human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Specifically, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and functional clustering analyses were employed to identify key genes involved in pulp regeneration. ANXA1 was detected in DPSCs and may correlate with pulp restoration. However, it remains undefined about the potential of ANXA1 to promote the angiogenetic differentiation of DPSCs. The results of this study revealed that the addition of ANXA1 significantly enhanced the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in DPSCs. Moreover, the incubation of DPSCs with ANXA1 resulted in a higher expression level of endothelial markers and promoted vessel formation through the upregulation of the phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) pathway. The in vivo results corroborated that the ANXA1 group exhibited more blood vessels and an increased ratio of positive staining for CD31. In conclusion, these findings indicate that ANXA1 enhances the in vivo and in vitro vascularization of DPSCs, and the activation of p-p38 may play a pivotal role in mediating the differentiation process.

The problems caused by proximal contact loss(PCL)of dental implants have been a mainstream research topic in recent years,and scholars are unanimously committed to analyzing their causes and related factors,aiming to identify solutions to the problems related to PCL.The effects of the anterior component of force(ACF),the lifelong re-molding of the adult craniofacial jaw and alveolar socket,and the osseointegration characteristics of dental implants are the main causes of PCL.On the one hand,the closing movement of the mandible causes the ACF of the tooth to move through the posterior molar cusp.Moreover,drifting between the upper and lower posterior teeth and mandibular anteri-or teeth can cause the anterior teeth of the upper and lower jaws to be displaced labially.On the other hand,reconstruc-tion of the jaw,alveolar socket and tooth root,the forward horizontal force of the masticatory muscles,the dynamic com-ponent of the jaw and the forward force generated by the oblique plane of the tooth cusp can cause the natural tooth to experience near-middle drift.Additionally,natural teeth can shift horizontally and vertically and rotate to accommodate remodeling of the stomatognathic system and maintain oral function.Nevertheless,the lack of a natural periodontal mem-brane during implant osseointegration,the lack of a physiological basis for near-medium drift,the small average degree of vertical motion and the integrated silence of dental implants without the overall drift characteristics of natural teeth increases the probability of PCL.The high incidence of PCL is clearly associated with the duration of prosthesis delivery and the mesial position;but it is also affected by the magnitude of the bite force,occlusion,the adjacent teeth,restora-tion design,implant location,jaw,and patient age and sex.PCL has shown a significant correlation with food impaction,but not a one-to-one correspondence,and did not meet the necessary and sufficient conditions.PCL is also associated with peri-implant lesions as well as dental caries.PCL prevention included informed consent,regular examinations,se-lection of retention options,point of contact enhancement,occlusal splints,and the application of multipurpose digital crowns.Management of the PCL includes adjacent contact point additions,orthodontic traction,and occlusal adjust-ment.Existing methods can solve the problem of food impaction in the short term with comprehensive intervention to seek stable,long-term effects.Symmetric and balanced considerations will expand the treatment of issues caused by PCL.

Patients with diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) often suffer from poor osseointegration of artificial implants, which is a challenge that affects implant outcomes. The osteogenic differentiation ability of human jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (JBMMSCs) is the key to implant osseointegration. Studies have shown that the microenvironment of hyperglycemia affects the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), but the mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to isolate and culture JBMMSCs from surgically derived bone fragments from DOP patients and control patients to investigate the differences in their osteogenic differentiation ability and to elucidate its mechanisms. The results showed that the osteogenic ability of hJBMMSCs was significantly decreased in the DOP environment. Mechanism study showed that the expression of senescence marker gene P53 was significantly increased in DOP hJBMMSCs compared to control hJBMMSCs according to RNA-sequencing result. Further, DOP hJBMMSCs were found to display significant senescence using β-galactosidase staining, mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS assay, qRT-PCR and WB analysis. Overexpression of P53 in hJBMMSCs, knockdown of P53 in DOP hJBMMSCs, and knockdown followed by overexpression of P53 significantly affected the osteogenic differentiation ability of hJBMMSCs. These results suggest that MSC senescence is an important reason for decreasing osteogenic capacity in DOP patients. P53 is a key target in regulating hJBMMSCs aging, and knocking down P53 can effectively restore the osteogenic differentiation ability of DOP hJBMMSCs and promote osteosynthesis in DOP dental implants. It provided a new idea to elucidate the pathogenesis and treatment of diabetic bone metabolic diseases.

面神经解剖结构复杂,分支较多,临近较多有重要的解剖结构,一旦出现病变或损伤,对患者影响较大,在临床诊疗过程中需要重点关注.MRI因其良好的空间分辨率和较高的信噪比,在临床上用于腮腺肿瘤、贝尔面瘫、面神经鞘瘤等临床疾病的诊断,对疾病诊治、术前规划、术中面神经保护、术后疗效评价具有重要的临床价值.但是面神经走行曲折,周围组织结构复杂,单一序列很难获取完整面神经影像,往往需要多种技术、序列相结合,才能获取精准完整的面神经影像.本文对临床常用的面神经MRI成像技术进行回顾并对其在腮腺肿瘤、贝尔面瘫、Ramsay Hunt综合征、面神经肿瘤诊断中的研究进展作一综述.

Aging is an irreversible natural phenomenon that occurs with age. Anti-aging medicine refers to the application of advanced science and medical technology to early detect, prevent, treat and reverse age-related dysfunctions and diseases. The research on aging and anti-aging has always been a hot spot in the field of medicine and life science. Stem cells are the basis of tissue regeneration and repair, and also the key to maintain the metabolism of the body. At present, it is generally accepted that there is a close relationship between stem cell aging and body aging. The aging process of the body must be accompanied by the aging of a variety of stem cells in the body, and similarly, stem cell aging will also accelerate the aging of the body. Numerous studies in recent years have shown that reversing stem cell aging plays an important role in body anti-aging, which is also an important research direction that is conducive to delaying the aging of the population. This article reviews the mechanism of stem cell aging, the methods of reversing stem cell aging, and the application and mechanism of stem cells in the anti-aging of the body, aiming to provide reference for the application of stem cells in the anti-aging and treatment of aging related diseases.

The alveolar bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (ABM-MSCs) play an important role in oral bone healing and regeneration. Insulin is considered to improve impaired oral bones due to local factors, systemic factors and pathological conditions. However, the effect of insulin on bone formation ability of ABM-MSCs still needs to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the responsiveness of rat ABM-MSCs to insulin and to explore the underlying mechanism. We found that insulin promoted ABM-MSCs proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner, in which 10-6 M insulin exerted the most significant effect. 10-6 M insulin significantly promoted the type I collagen (COL-1) synthesis, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin (OCN) expression, and mineralized matrix formation in ABM-MSCs, significantly enhanced the gene and protein expressions of intracellular COL-1, ALP, and OCN. Acute insulin stimulation significantly promoted insulin receptor (IR) phosphorylation, IR substrate-1 (IRS-1) protein expression, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation, but chronic insulin stimulation decreased these values, while inhibitor NT219 could attenuate these responses. When seeded on β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), ABM-MSCs adhered and grew well, during the 28-day culture period, ABM-MSCs+β-TCP +10-6 M insulin group showed significantly higher extracellular total COL-1 amino-terminus prolongation peptide content, ALP activity, OCN secretion, and Ca and P concentration. When implanted subcutaneously in severe combined immunodeficient mice for 1 month, the ABM-MSCs+β-TCP +10-6 M insulin group obtained the most bone formation and blood vessels. These results showed that insulin promoted the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of ABM-MSCs in vitro, and enhance osteogenesis and angiogenesis of ABM-MSCs in vivo. Inhibition studies demonstrated that the insulin-induced osteogenic differentiation of ABM-MSCs was dependent of insulin/mTOR signaling. It suggests that insulin has a direct anabolic effect on ABM-MSCs.

The convergence of computer-aided technology and dental implant technology has shown that dynamic navigation technology can effectively improve the accuracy and reliability of clinical implant placement. To address this, a navigation system for oral implant surgery based on Mixed Reality (MR) technology has been developed. Using a standard dentition experimental model, the stability of linear and curved dental positioning and tracking brackets was studied by constructing a real-time monitoring system. The design and fixing methods of the positioning and tracking brackets were determined. The dental positioning and tracking bracket designed in this study provides a more accurate and convenient auxiliary implant bracket for implant surgery and ensures the accuracy of guided implant placement.

BACKGROUND:Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) refer to a type of stem cells, which is characterized by great differentiation potential and is easy to obtain. DPSCs are able to be employed for treating immune diseases and tissue regeneration. However, the differentiation ability exhibited by aging DPSCs is reduced, thereby limiting the application. As speculated by the microarray analysis, different expressions of miRNAs might be involved in DPSC senescence, whereas comprehensive transcriptome level detection has been rare. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS:To gain insights into the molecular mechanisms involved, RNA-sequencing, pathway enrichment and Gene Ontology Analysis were conducted on aging and young DPSCs. RESULTS:In this study, the differences in long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA expressions) of the aging and young DPSCs were demonstrated, and the vital factors and the relevant pathways were speculated. On the whole, 18950 mRNAs and 21854 lncRNAs were detected, among which 14 mRNAs and 7 lncRNAs were differentially expressed. Furthermore, hsa-miR-6724-5p may be a vital node in the aging process of DPSCs, and its target genes was involved in the dopaminergic synapse. CONCLUSION:In brief, the aging of DPSCs was significantly dependent of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) which is related to dopaminergic synapse. However, the specific function and internal relationship of the DEGs should be verified in depth.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between basic characteristics and clinical features of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Methods: The R language statistical tool was used to analyze the clinical information of 500 TMD patients, i.e., age, sex, joint noises, mouth opening pattern, and pain symptoms, as well as the results of the mandibular push-back test. A pairwise correlation analysis of each clinical feature was carried out. Results: The highest incidence of TMD was observed in the age group of 20 to 30 years (240/500). Around 2/3 of the patients showed pain symptoms. Abnormal mouth opening patterns, joint noises, and temporomandibular joint synovitis (TMJS) were observed in 48.4, 65.4, and 34% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: Joint click and the corrected deviation of the mouth opening pattern are signs of early-stage TMD, whereas limited mouth opening and TMJS are indicators of progressive stage and complicated TMD.

This study is aimed at assessing the Cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) characteristics of temporomandibular joints (TMJ) in degenerative temporomandibular joint disease (DJD) patients with chewing side preference (CSP). CBCT images of 98 patients with DJD (67 with CSP and 31 without CSP) and 22 asymptomatic participants without DJD were measured retrospectively to compare the osteoarthritic changes and the morphology of TMJ. Quantitative analysis of the TMJ radiographic images was performed to present a comparison between the three inter-group groups and between the two sides of the joints. The frequencies of the articular flattening and surface erosion occur more often in the preferred side joints of DJD patients with CSP than the contralateral side. In addition, the horizontal angle of condyle, the depth of glenoid fossa (DGF), and the inclination of articular eminence (IAE) were larger in DJD patients with CSP than that in asymptomatic participants (p<0.05). Also, the condylar anteroposterior dimension of preferred side joints was significantly less than that of non-preferred side (p=0.026), while the width of condyles (p=0.041) and IAE (p=0.045) was greater. DJD patients with CSP appear to have a higher prevalence of osteoarthritic changes, with the morphological changes such as flat condyle, deep glenoid fossa, and steep articular eminence, which might be considered the characteristic imaging features. This study found that CSP is a predisposing factor for the development of DJD, and attention should be paid to the existence of CSP in DJD patients during the clinical practice.

With the development and progress of science and technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has been widely used in the field of Stomatology, which promotes the intelligent, accurate and minimally invasive development of Stomatological treatment. Orthodontics, as a branch of Stomatology, has carried out many researches on the clinical application of AI, including cephalometric analysis, making treatment plan, determination of growth and development stage, prediction of postoperative effect, etc. In this paper, the application progress of AI technology in orthodontics is reviewed, hence to promote the application of AI in the field of orthodontics.