AIM:To evaluate peri-implant keratinised mucosa augmentation using free gingival grafts (FGG) versus a combined FGG/xenogeneic collagen matrix (XCM) approach in reconstructed maxillae. MATERIALS AND METHODS:This prospective, non-randomised cohort study included patients with vascularised bone flap reconstructed maxillae. Keratinised mucosa width (KMW) was measured pre-operatively (baseline), immediately after operation and at 1 year. The primary outcome was buccal KMW gain, which was analysed using adjusted mixed-effects models with random intercepts. Exploratory histological evaluation was performed. RESULTS:Twenty-five patients (76 implants) were included. Baseline buccal KMW was 0.00 ± 0.00 mm (FGG) and 0.02 ± 0.15 mm (FGG/XCM). At 1 year, it increased to 4.00 ± 1.60 mm (FGG) and 2.51 ± 1.22 mm (FGG/XCM). The adjusted mean difference in buccal KMW gain was 0.84 mm (95% CI: -0.09 to 1.77 mm; p = 0.074); 97% and 93% of implants achieved palatal KMW ≥ 2 mm, respectively (adjusted p = 0.803). Vestibular depth positively predicted buccal KMW gain. Histologically, FGG sites exhibited features of orthokeratinised epithelium, whereas XCM sites resembled parakeratinised epithelium. CONCLUSIONS:KMW increased in both approaches. Although buccal KMW gain tended to be greater with the FGG approach, the non-randomised design and potential residual confounding limit definitive comparisons. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ChiCTR2000041104.

IntroductionType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major systemic risk factor that exacerbates periodontitis, with microbial dysbiosis recognized as an important mechanism. However, whether a well-controlled diabetic state still exerts a distinct influence on the subgingival microbiome remains to be fully elucidated.MethodsThis study compared the subgingival microbiota composition in patients with generalized Stage III/IV periodontitis, categorized into a systemically healthy Control group (n = 30) and a well-controlled T2DM group (HbA1c < 8%, n = 30). Subgingival plaque samples were collected using curettes from the deepest diseased sites. The V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced using Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform.ResultsDemographic characteristics and periodontal parameters were comparable between groups, except for glycemic indices. Alpha and beta diversity analyses demonstrated no significant differences in overall microbial diversity or community structure (ANOSIM, P > 0.05). However, the T2DM group exhibited a distinct diabetic-associated microbial signature. The T2DM group showed a significant enrichment of the phylum Saccharibacteria (formerly TM7), particularly Nanosynbacter lyticus. In contrast, the phylum Actinomycetota, predominantly represented by the genus Actinomyces, was significantly reduced in the T2DM group. Notably, classical “Red Complex” pathogens were not identified as discriminative biomarkers between the groups. Additionally, correlation analysis revealed that Saccharibacteria abundance was positively associated with HbA1c and fasting blood glucose levels.DiscussionThese findings demonstrate that even with adequate glycemic control, the diabetic microenvironment exerts a unique selective pressure on the subgingival microbiome, favoring the expansion of specific epibiotic bacteria like Saccharibacteria while reducing commensal Actinomyces.

AIM:To identify shared genetic architectures and molecular pathways underlying the frequent co-occurrence of stage III/IV grade C periodontitis under 35 years of age (PIII/IV-C< 35y) and abnormal root morphology (ARM), using a family-based SNP set and transcriptomic approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS:We conducted a family-based study using whole-genome genotyping of 148 Han Chinese individuals from 52 families, including 52 probands, 35 mothers, 32 fathers and 29 siblings. The participants included 65 comorbidity cases, 29 PIII/IV-C< 35y-only cases, 27 ARM-only cases and 27 controls. Whole-genome genotyping and bi-clustering were used to identify SNP sets associated with each phenotype, and transcriptomic profiling was performed to validate gene expression changes. RESULTS:Among 109 SNP sets, 91 (83.5%) showed ≥ 40% comorbidity risk. Fifty-four and 27 SNP sets were significantly associated with PIII/IV-C< 35y and ARM, respectively. Six genotype subnetworks were enriched for neural development and inflammation pathways, particularly IL-17 signalling. Transcriptome data confirmed down-regulation of KLHL29, HSF2 and COL13A1 in PIII/IV-C< 35y, and a reduction in GJA1 expression in comorbidity cases. CONCLUSIONS:This study reveals a shared genetic architecture between PIII/IV-C< 35y and ARM, implicating neural development and inflammatory pathways in their co-occurrence. Key genes such as GJA1 may advance mechanistic understanding and support early identification of high-risk individuals.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the wound healing of recipient and donor sites following keratinized mucosa augmentation (KMA) around implants in reconstructed jaw areas and to compare these outcomes with gingival grafts in native jawbone, so as to provide clinical guidance for postoperative maintenance, and to investigate the impact of clinical experience on the evaluation of KMA postoperative healing through subgroup comparisons. METHODS:This study included patients who underwent resection of maxillofacial tumors, fibular or iliac flap reconstruction, and implant placement at Peking University Dental Hospital from October 2020 to April 2023. Three months post-implant placement, the patients were referred for KMA procedures. Clinical photographs of the reconstructed area were taken preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 3 weeks and 3 months post-surgery. Additionally, photographs of the palatal donor site were obtained preoperatively and 3 weeks later. Wound healing was assessed by four junior and three senior clinicians utilizing the early healing index (EHI), early wound healing score (EHS), and pink esthetic score (PES).And senior clinicians evaluated the healing effect compared with gingival transplantation on natural jawbone using a 10-point scale. RESULTS:A total of 26 patients with jawbone reconstruction were included, with an average age of (34.2±10.2) years, 11 males (42.3%) and 15 females (57.7%). Among them, 13 cases (50.0%) underwent fibula flap reconstruction, and 13 cases (50.0%) underwent iliac flap reconstruction. The average number of implants per patient was 3.2±0.7. In the recipient area, 3 weeks postoperatively, the EHS was 7.0 (4.0, 9.0), with sub-item scores as follows: Clinical signs of re-epithelialization (CSR) 6.0 (3.0, 6.0), clinical signs of haemostasis (CSH) 1.5 (1.0, 2.0), and clinical signs of inflammation (CSI) 1.0 (0.0, 1.0), indicating that the average appearance of the wound in the recipient area was characterized by generally well-approximated wound edges with minimal fibrin lines and mild erythema and swelling. The EHI for the recipient area was 2.0 (1.5, 2.5), suggesting that the incision was mostly closed with some fibrin lines 3 weeks postoperatively. The long-term healing evaluation system, PES, was 2.5 (2.0, 3.0), with sub-scores for color [1.0 (1.0, 1.5)] and texture [1.5 (1.0, 2.0)], which were slightly different from the reference values.In the palatal donor area, 3 weeks postoperatively, the EHI score was lower at 1.3 (1.0, 2.5), while the EHS score was higher at 8.5 (6.0, 10.0), indicating better soft tissue healing in the donor area compared with the recipient area. Among the clinicians with different levels of experience, the assessment of wound healing revealed that except for the CSI sub-item, where the junior group scored higher than the senior group, all other sub-items showed significantly higher scores in the senior group compared with the junior group. In the EHS evaluation system, the CSH sub-item demonstrated no significant differences between the groups with varying levels of experience. Experienced clinicians' evaluation outcomes of healing effect compared with gum graft on natural alveolar bone was 8.5 (7.5, 9.5), showing high consistency [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC): 0.892; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.791－0.949], suggesting slightly suboptimal healing results after KMA surgery. CONCLUSION:The healing process following KMA in the context of jawbone reconstruction is relatively protracted, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive postoperative management. Moreover, clinician experience plays a significant role in the assessment of wound healing outcomes for KMA in maxillofacial reconstruction.

AIM:To compare the efficacy of free gingival graft (FGG) around implants in reconstructed mandibles with free fibula flaps (FFFs) or iliac bone flaps (IBFs). MATERIALS AND METHODS:We included patients receiving mandibular reconstruction with FFFs or IBFs due to the removal of maxillofacial tumors who underwent implant and FGG placement prior to restoration. Clinical data were evaluated before (T0), immediately after (T1), 3 months after (T2), 6 months after (T3) and 1 year after (T4) FGG placement. We analyzed the keratinized mucosa width (KMW) gain and the shrinkage rate. RESULTS:A total of 30 patients were enrolled in this study, including 15 patients with 48 implants in the FFFs group and 15 patients with 52 implants in the IBFs group. The buccal KMW gain and shrinkage rate in the FFFs group were not statistically significant compared with the IBFs group at T4. In the IBFs group, the buccal KMW gain and shrinkage rate remained relatively stable after 6 months. The lingual KMW gain in the FFFs group was significantly greater than that in the IBFs group at T4 (2.1 ± 0.2 mm vs. 1.5 ± 0.2 mm, p < 0.05). The lingual shrinkage rate in the FFFs group was significantly smaller than that in the IBFs group at T4 (27.8% ± 5.5% vs. 47.3% ± 5.5%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:FGG can reconstruct the keratinized mucosa effectively in a reconstructed mandible. The keratinized mucosa width gain decreases over time.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the short-term effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) on clinical and hematological indices in stage III/IV grade C periodontitis patients. METHODS:A total of 121 systemically healthy patients with generalized stage III/IV, grade C periodontitis were enrolled. Clinical indices (plaque index, probing depth, bleeding index, attachment loss) and hematological biomarkers [white blood cell count (WBC), mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil count (NEUT), neutrophil percentage (NEUT%), lymphocyte percentage (LYM%)] were measured before and 6-8 weeks after NSPT. Patients were divided into younger (≤ 35 years) and elder (> 35 years) groups, further stratified by systemic antibiotics usage. Analyses were performed using chi-squared tests, paired t-tests, and Pearson's correlation. RESULTS:NSPT resulted in clinical indices improvement, as well as a reduction in WBC, NEUT, NEUT%, and an increase in MPV and LYM% in both groups. SRP-with-antibiotics subgroups showed more significant changes. SRP-without-antibiotics subgroups showed six significant correlations in both groups (p < 0.05); SRP-with-antibiotics subgroups showed 11 correlations in the younger and five in the elder group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:NSPT improved clinical and hematological outcomes in stage III/IV grade C periodontitis patients over 6-8 weeks. Younger patients exhibited more significant changes than elder patients, especially in the SRP-without-antibiotics subgroup.

BACKGROUND:Periodontitis is characterized by local inflammatory conditions in the periodontium, its severe form has been associated with elevated systemic inflammatory markers. However, the long-term effects of periodontal inflammation control on systemic inflammatory markers are unclear. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of periodontal therapy on the levels of peripheral venous blood inflammatory markers in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP), all of whom were now diagnosed as Stage III or IV Grade C periodontitis. METHODS:Patients with GAgP were consecutively recruited from April 2013 to August 2014 (T0). Active periodontal treatment (APT) was provided, and follow-ups were conducted over a 3- to 5-year period (T1). Clinical parameters were assessed and fasting venous blood was collected at T0 and T1. Complete blood cell counts were obtained, and biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate the levels of serum components. The correlations between probing depth (PD) and hematological parameters were analyzed. RESULTS:A total of 49 patients with GAgP completed APT and follow-ups. Probing depth (PD) reduced from 5.10 ± 1.07 mm at T0 to 3.15 ± 0.65 mm at T1. For every 1-mm reduction in PD after treatment, the neutrophil count, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and total protein concentration were reduced by 0.33 × 109/L, 0.26, and 1.18 g/L, respectively. In contrast, the albumin/globulin ratio increased by 0.10. CONCLUSION:This study indicated that periodontal therapy may have beneficial effects on peripheral venous blood inflammatory markers in patients with GAgP during long-term observation.

Large-scale object detection and instance segmentation face a severe data imbalance, seriously degrading their ability to detect rarely seen categories. Most existing approaches for long-tailed object detection rely on heuristic or experimental discovery, lacking theoretical foundations. They primarily focus on improving the classification scores of rare categories in the long-tailed data distribution, neglecting the impact of the long-tailed distribution on the detector's model average precision (AP). In this study, we introduce the theory of the most compact boundary of AP and propose a margin calibration loss. We integrate a feedback factor to dynamically adjust the model's classification boundaries. Moreover, by incorporating the AP loss, we investigate the impact of long-tailed object detection on AP computation and devise a calibration method to rectify biases induced by imbalanced data distribution. Experimental results substantiate the efficacy of our approach in augmenting the AP performance of detectors under long-tailed data distributions.

OBJECTIVE:To analyze the histopathological characteristics of peri-implant soft tissue in reconstructed jaws and the changes after keratinized mucosa augmentation (KMA) with free gingival graft (FGG).METHODS:Twenty patients were enrolled in this study. Five patients of them, who were periodontal and systemic healthy and referred for crown lengthening before restoration with healthy keratinized gingiva collected were enrolled as healthy controls. 15 patients of them were with fibula or iliac bone flaps jaw reconstruction (10 with fibula flap and 5 with iliac flap), who were referred to FGG and implant exposures before restoration. Soft tissue was collected before FGG in reconstructed jaws, and in 5 patients (3 with fibula flap and 2 with iliac flap) 8 weeks after FGG if a second surgery was conducted. Histological analysis with hematoxylin-eosin stain and immunological analysis to interlukin-1 (IL-1), interlukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were performed.RESULTS:Thickness from the bottom of stratum basale to the top of stratum granulosum and thickness of keratinized layer in reconstructed jaws were significantly lower compared with that of natural healthy keratinized gingiva [0.27 (0.20, 0.30) mm vs. 0.36 (0.35, 0.47) mm, P<0.05; 16.49 (14.90, 23.37) μm vs. 26.37 (24.12, 31.53) μm, P<0.05]. In the reconstructed area, thickness from the bottom of stratum basale to the top of stratum granulosum increased after KMA with FGG [0.19 (0.16, 0.25) mm vs. 0.38 (0.25, 0.39) mm, P=0.059] and the thickness of keratinized layer significantly increased after KMA with FGG [16.42 (14.16, 22.35) μm vs. 28.57 (27.16, 29.14) μm, P<0.05], which was similar to that in the control group. Furthermore, the number of positive cells of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α significantly increased after KMA [0.67 (0.17, 8.93) vs. 11.00 (9.16, 18.00); 13.00 (8.50, 14.14) vs. 21.89 (15.00, 28.12); 0.22 (0.04, 0.63) vs. 2.83 (1.68, 5.00), respectively, P<0.05] as well as the average optical density value [0.15 (0.14, 0.17) vs. 0.18 (0.17, 0.21); 0.28 (0.26, 0.33) vs. 0.36 (0.33, 0.37); 0.23 (0.22, 0.29) vs. 0.30 (0.28, 0.42), respectively, P<0.05], which was similar to that in the healthy keratinized gingiva.CONCLUSION:The lack of rete pegs and inflammatory factors were common in soft tissue with jaw reconstruction. FGG can improve the quality of the epithelium and may improve the stability of the mucosa around implants.

OBJECTIVE:To analyze the concentration of formic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ periodontitis, and their relationship with periodontitis. METHODS:The study enrolled 37 systemically healthy patients with periodontitis and 19 healthy controls who visited Department of Periodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from February 2008 to May 2011. Their GCFs were collected from the mesial-buccal site of one molar or incisor in each quadrant. Periodontal clinical parameters, including plaque index(PLI), probing depth(PD), bleeding index(BI), and attachment loss(AL). Concentrations of formic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid in the supernatant of the GCFs were analyzed by high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE). The prediction ability of formic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid with the risk of periodontitis and the differences between grade B and grade C periodontitis were analyzed. RESULTS:In this study, 32 patients with stage Ⅲ and 5 patients with stage Ⅳ were enrolled, including 9 patients with grade B and 28 patients with grade C. Clinical periodontal variables in the patients with periodontitis were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.001). Formic acid was significantly lower in periodontitis than that in the control group [5.37 (3.39, 8.49) mmol/L vs. 12.29 (8.35, 16.57) mmol/L, P<0.001]. Propionic acid and butyric acid in periodontitis were significantly higher than those in the control group: Propionic acid, 10.23 (4.28, 14.90) mmol/L vs. 2.71 (0.00, 4.25) mmol/L, P < 0.001; butyric acid, 2.63 (0.47, 3.81) mmol/L vs. 0.00 (0.00, 0.24) mmol/L, P<0.001. There was no significant difference in formic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid concentrations between grade B and grade C periodontitis (P>0.05). Propionic acid and butyric acid in the deep pocket were significantly higher than in the shallow pocket, while the concentration of formic acid decreased with the increase of PD. Propionic acid (OR=1.51, 95%CI: 1.29-1.75) and butyric acid (OR=3.72, 95%CI: 1.93-7.17) were risk factors for periodontitis, while formic acid (OR=0.87, 95%CI: 0.81-0.93) might be a protective factor for periodontitis. Propionic acid (AUC=0.852, 95%CI: 0.805－0.900), butyric acid (AUC=0.889, 95%CI: 0.841－0.937), f (formic acid, AUC=0.844, 95%CI: 0.793－0.895) demonstrated a good predictive capacity for the risk of periodontitis. CONCLUSION:The concentration of formic acid decrease in the GCF of periodontitis patients, which is a protective factor for periodontitis, its reciprocal have good predictive capacity. However, propionic acid and butyric acid increase, which are risk factors for periodontitis and have good predictive capacity. The concentration of formic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid vary with probing depth, but there is no significant difference between grade B and grade C periodontitis.

Previous studies have suggested a potential link between the crown-to-root ratio (CRR) and root morphology in patients with mild chronic periodontitis, which may be associated with tooth mobility. However, these findings have not been thoroughly investigated. Our previous study found that 76

Mobile edge computing (MEC) has emerged as a transformative paradigm by deploying computing and storage resources at the edge of access networks. This enables real-time processing, reduces latency, and improves user experiences, particularly with the advent of 5G networks. However, the limited resources of edge servers pose a challenge in ensuring service-level agreement (SLA) while optimizing resource utilization. Autoscaling, a dynamic resource adjustment mechanism, can play a pivotal role in meeting these demands. This paper explores the application of multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) to address autoscaling in MEC. The proposed algorithm models the horizontal autoscaling problem in MEC, defines state and action spaces, and introduces a global reward function. Additionally, time-series data prediction enhances scaling responsiveness. A testing platform is employed to validate the algorithm's effectiveness. This work contributes a novel approach to autoscaling in MEC, addressing the complex interplay of autonomous scaling decisions, SLA compliance, and resource optimization within edge server clusters.

Aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) have an intrinsic role in regulating vessel homeostasis and pathological remodelling. In two-dimensional (2D) cell culture formats, however, SMCs are not embedded in their physiological extracellular matrix (ECM) environment. To overcome the limitations of conventional 2D SMC cultures, we established a 3D in vitro model of engineered vascular smooth muscle cell tissues (EVTs). EVTs were casted from primary murine aortic SMCs by suspending a SMC-fibrin master mix between two flexible silicon-posts at day 0 before prolonged culture up to 14 days. Immunohistochemical analysis of EVT longitudinal sections demonstrated that SMCs were aligned, viable and secretory. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics analysis of murine EVT lysates was performed and identified 135 matrisome proteins. Proteoglycans, including the large aggregating proteoglycan versican, accumulated within EVTs by day 7 of culture. This was followed by the deposition of collagens, elastin-binding proteins and matrix regulators up to day 14 of culture. In contrast to 2D SMC controls, accumulation of versican occurred in parallel to an increase in versikine, a cleavage product mediated by proteases of the A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) family. Next, we tested the response of EVTs to stimulation with transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ-1). EVTs contracted in response to TGFβ-1 stimulation with altered ECM composition. In contrast, treatment with the pharmacological activin-like kinase inhibitor (ALKi) SB 431542 suppressed ECM secretion. As a disease stimulus, we performed calcification assays. The ECM acts as a nidus for calcium phosphate deposition in the arterial wall. We compared the onset and extent of calcification in EVTs and 2D SMCs cultured under high calcium and phosphate conditions for 7 days. Calcified EVTs displayed increased tissue stiffness by up to 30 % compared to non-calcified controls. Unlike the rapid calcification of SMCs in 2D cultures, EVTs sustained expression of the calcification inhibitor matrix Gla protein and allowed for better discrimination of the calcification propensity between independent biological replicates. In summary, EVTs are an intuitive and versatile model to investigate ECM synthesis and turnover by SMCs in a 3D environment. Unlike conventional 2D cultures, EVTs provide a more relevant pathophysiological model for retention of the nascent ECM produced by SMCs.

AIM:To explore the immunological defensive effects of platelets on periodontal pathogens in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF).MATERIALS AND METHODS:GCF samples were collected from 20 patients with periodontitis and 10 healthy controls. Platelets in the GCF were detected by immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence. Isolated platelets from healthy volunteers were co-cultured with Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn). The interactions between platelets and periodontal pathogens were observed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The isolated platelets plus neutrophils were co-cultured with Pg or Fn, and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was evaluated by staining with Sytox Green.RESULTS:The platelet level in the GCF was higher in patients with periodontitis than in healthy controls. Platelets interacted with bacteria and neutrophils in the GCF. In vitro, platelets recruited and engulfed periodontal pathogens. In response to periodontal pathogens, neutrophils released web chromatin, and platelets promoted the formation of intensive NETs.CONCLUSIONS:Platelets, migrating to the gingival sulcus, may exert direct antibacterial effects or assist neutrophils.

The reconstruction effect of peri-implantitis bone defects depends on their morphological characteristics. This paper reviews the morphological classification and treatment of peri-implantitis bone defects. A literature review shows that the morphological classification of bone defects in peri-implantitis includes morphology classification and clinical classification. At present, the Renvert classification is more commonly used in the clinic and is divided into four-wall bone pockets, three-wall bone pockets, two-wall bone pockets, one-wall bone pocket and dehiscence according to the number of bone walls. This has guiding significance in the treatment plan of peri-implantitis. The treatment of peri-implantitis depends on the severity of peri-implant bone defects. Peri-implantitis with mild bone defects is treated by nonsurgical treatment, peri-implantitis with severe bone defects is recommended to remove the implant, and peri-implantitis with moderate bone defects is further judged according to the shape of the bone defects. Four-wall bone pockets, three-wall bone pockets and dehiscence are mostly treated by bone regenerative surgery. For shallow two-wall bone pockets, one-wall bone pockets and horizontal bone resorption, bone resection is often used. However, most peri-implantitis has a variety of bone defect forms at the same time, which need to be treated with bone regenerative surgery and bone resection surgery.

This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the treatment outcomes of keratinized mucosa augmentation (KMA) on the buccal and palatal/lingual sides of implants in jaws reconstructed after oncological surgery. Forty-two implants in 12 patients whose jaws had been reconstructed with a fibula or iliac bone flap were included. KMA was performed at 3 months after implant placement; this included an apically displaced partial-thickness flap and a free gingival graft (FGG) around the implants to increase the keratinized mucosa width (KMW). Patients were followed up for at least 6 months post-surgery. KMW, shrinkage, and patient pain and discomfort measured on a visual analogue scale were analysed. A histological analysis was performed of tissue epithelium from two patients. The results showed that KMW was >2 mm on both the buccal and palatal/lingual sides during follow-up. Before surgery, histological analysis showed epithelium with no epithelial spikes; normal keratinized epithelial spikes were observed at 8 weeks after KMA. Greater KMW was observed around implants in reconstructed maxillae than around those in reconstructed mandibles (P < 0.001). Patients felt more pain at the donor site than at the recipient site during the first 3 days post-surgery. KMA with FGG was predictable in reconstructed jaws and may help maintain the long-term stability of implants.

OBJECTIVE To explore the correlation of cytochrome B-245 alpha chain (CYBA) rs4673 and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) rs12720922 polymorphisms with the susceptibility of gene-ralized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP). METHODS The study was a case-control trial. A total of 372 GAgP patients and 133 periodontally healthy controls were recruited. The CYBA rs4673 and CETP rs12720922 polymorphisms were detected by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the correlation of CYBA rs4673 and CETP rs12720922 variants with the susceptibility of GAgP. The interaction between the two gene polymorphisms to the susceptibility of GAgP was analyzed by the likelihood ratio test. The interaction model adopted was the multiplication model. RESULTS The mean age of GAgP group and control group was (27.5±5.2) years and (28.8±7.1) years respectively. There was significant difference in age between the two groups (P < 0.05). The gender distribution (male/female) was 152/220 and 53/80 respectively, and there was no significant difference between GAgP group and controls (P>0.05). For CYBA rs4673, the frequency of CT/TT genotype in the GAgP group was significantly higher than that in the controls [18.0% (66/366) vs. 10.6% (14/132), P < 0.05]. After adjusting age and gender, the individuals with CT/TT genotype had a higher risk of GAgP (OR=1.86, 95%CI: 1.01-3.45, P < 0.05), compared with CC genotype. There was no statistically significant difference in distributions of the CETP rs12720922 genotypes (GG, AA/AG) between GAgP patients and healthy controls (P>0.05). A significant interaction between CYBA rs4673 and CETP rs12720922 in the susceptibility to GAgP was observed. The GAgP risk of the individuals with CYBA rs4673 CT/TT and CETP rs12720922 GG genotypes was significantly increased (OR=3.25, 95%CI: 1.36-7.75, P < 0.01), compared with those carrying CC and AA/AG genotypes. CONCLUSION CYBA rs4673 CT/TT genotype is associated with GAgP susceptibility. There is a significant interaction between CYBA rs4673 CT/TT genotype and CETP rs12720922 GG genotype in the susceptibility of GAgP.

Background/purpose:Although some studies have taken an interest in the participation of platelets in periodontitis, so far, we know very little about the roles of platelets in periodontitis. The objective of this study is to explore the involvement of platelets in the development of experimental periodontitis in mice.Materials and methods:Twenty C57BL/6 male mice were used for this study. Experimental periodontitis models of mice were constructed by ligating for 1, 3, 7, and 14 days, respectively. Morphological changes in the alveolar bone were assessed by micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT). The gingival crevicular fluid samples of ligation sites were collected and stained by immunocytochemistry. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect platelets infiltration in gingival tissues of mice.Results:The results of Micro-CT showed that with the extension of ligation time, alveolar bone resorption increased, suggesting that the experimental periodontitis models were established. Immunochemical staining showed that there were almost no platelets in the gingival crevicular fluid of mice ligated for 1 and 3 days. And at 7 and 14 days of ligation, a large number of platelets were present in the gingival crevicular fluid and formed complexes with neutrophils. And with the extension of ligation time, the extent of platelet infiltration increased in mice gingival tissues.Conclusion:Platelets were infiltrated increasedly in the gingival sulcus and gingival tissues following the experimental time, and may participate in the development of mouse experimental periodontitis.

Aortic stenosis affects over 25% of the population over 65 years of age. Hyalectans are key structural proteoglycans of the aortic valve (AV) that are cleaved by ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) proteases. While ADAMTS proteases have been implicated in developmental extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling of AVs, their involvement in the pathology of aortic stenosis remains unexplored.