Involvement of Bcl-2 Family and Caspases Cascade in Sodium Fluoride-Induced Apoptosis of Human Gingival Fibroblasts

Sodium fluoride (NaF) has been shown to be cytotoxic and elicit inflammatory response in human. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying NaF-induced cytotoxicity in periodontal tissues have not yet been elucidated. This study is aimed to investigate the mechanisms of NaF-induced apoptosis in human gingival fibroblast (HGF). NaF decreased the cell viability of HGF in a dose- and time-dependent manner. NaF gave rise to apoptotic morphological changes including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation. However, NaF did not affect the production of ROS. In addition, NaF augumented cytochrome c release from mitochondria into the cytosol, and enhanced caspase -9 and -3 activities., cleavage (85 kDa fragments) of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and upregulation of voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) 1. These results demonstrated that NaF-induced apoptosis in HGF may be mediated with mitochondria. Furthermore, NaF elevated caspase-8 activity and upregulated Fas-ligand (Fas-L), suggesting involvement of death receptor mediated pathway in NaF-induced apoptosis. Expression of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, was downregulated, whereas expression of Bax, a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, was not affected in NaF-treated HGF. These results suggest that NaF induces apoptosis in HGF through both mitochondria- and death receptor-mediated pathway mediated by Bcl-2 family.

Remodelling after conservative treatment of the mandibular condylar fractures in children

The management of mandibular condylar fractures in children has long been a matter of controversy. The fracture, if not treated appropriately, may result in complications such as disturbance of mandibular growth and temporomandibular joint ankylosis. They are usually treated nonsurgically, which has been proved to be satisfactory in the long term results. Nineteen children with 25 condylar fractures experienced during their growth period (age at trauma from 10 months to 12 years, mean 7.0 years) were studied. All patients were treated by arch bars and intermaxillary fixation for 7-14 days. They have been evaluated with clinical and radiographic examination. The maximum mouth opening and lateral movement of the mandible were within normal limits. There was no malocclusion or ankylosis. Beginning of remodelling was evident at postoperative 1.3 months. Remodelling of the condyle was good in 21, while partial adjustment occured in the other 4 condyles. These results suggest that the conservative treatment of condylar fractures in growing children results in good functional results and good remodelling of the condyle.

The effect of retractive force on jaw growth in growing rabbits / 대한치과교정학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of jaw growth in a growing rabbits, when they are subjected to retractive force and after removal of retractive force. The experimental animals were Oryctolagus couniculus, male rabbits of 4 weeks of age. The mandible is retracted with 200gm in force of each side to the posterior and superior direction for 14 hours a day. Then rabbits were used as control group. First experimental group received retractive force for 4 weeks. Second experimental group received for 8 weeks. Third experimental group received for 12 weeks. True lateral films and dorso-ventral films were taken before wearing appliances, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks after wearing appliance. The changes of rabbits jaw growth were observed radiographically. The findings were as follows: 1. Mandibular retractive force decreased total mandibular length, mandibular condylar length and angular length. 2. Mandibular retractive force increased nasal height, condylar width and angular width. 3. Mandibular retractive force decreased mandibular length growth but increased mandibular width growth. 4. There is no phenomena of catch-up growth after retractive force removal.

Frictional forces between orthodontic wire and bracket under artificial saliva / 대한치과교정학회지

It has been suggested that the frictional force between bracket and arch wire may impede the tooth movement. The present study was aimed to compare and analyze the effect of wire size, type of ligation, and duration of ligation on the magnitude of frictional force between cobalt chromium wire and stainless steel bracket under the artificial saliva. The results were as follows: 1. Type of ligation and size of wire were the main influencing factor on the level of friction. 2. Stainless steel ligature generated higher frictional forces thanelastomeric module. 3. The rectangular wire consistently exhibited more frictional force values than round wires, while there was no significant difference between frictional forces of round wires. 4. In elastic ligature, frictional force decreased with time. 5. Artificial saliva had no significant influence on the frictional force between cobalt chromium wire and bracket.