ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the current status and problems of the development of dental technology specialty in higher vocational colleges in China, and to provide a reference for the establishment of national standards for vocational education on dental technology and the development of high-quality higher vocational education.Methods:We selected 54 higher vocational colleges in eastern, central, and western China offering dental technology programs by stratified random sampling to survey the specialty development situation using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the independent samples t test, one-way analysis of variance, or chi-square test with the use of SPSS 18.0. Results:Among the surveyed colleges, the average annual enrollment scale in recent three years was 6 415 students, with the largest enrollment in western regions, accounting for 47.39%. In terms of teaching faculty, there were differences in educational attainment, professional title structure, vocational qualification, and professional background between different regions ( P<0.05). Regarding training conditions, only 26.42% and 3.77% of colleges were equipped with virtual simulation training rooms and dental materials training rooms, respectively; and 18.52% and 22.22% of colleges were equipped with chairside repair systems and virtual simulation software, respectively. Conclusions:Regional imbalances exist in the development of dental technology specialty in higher vocational colleges in China. The overall level of teaching staff, practical training conditions, and curriculum construction need to be improved.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Objective This study aims to explore the effects of miR-223-3p and miR-155-5p on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methodology EMT markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, P120 catenin (P120ctn), and vimentin) expression was determined by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis in SCC-9 cells which overexpress miR-155-5p and/or not express miR-223-3p. Scratch assays and Transwell migration assays were conducted to evaluate cell migration ability. Results When miR-223-3p was inhibited in OSCC cells, P120ctn and E-cadherin mRNA levels were dramatically downregulated (P<0.05), while N-cadherin levels were significantly upregulated, and the migration ability of OSCC cells increased. The overexpression of miR-155-5p in OSCC cells upregulated miR-223-3p significantly (34-fold) compared to the control group. It also led to significant downregulation of the mRNA of P120ctn and E-cadherin and significant upregulation of the mRNA of N-cadherin and Vimentin (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the migratory ability of OSCC cells significantly increased. When miR-155-5p was overexpressed while miR-223-3p was inhibited, the highest expression of E-cadherin and P120ctn mRNA and the lowest expression of N-cadherin(P<0.05) was observed. Simultaneously, tumor cell migration was significantly facilitated. Conclusion miR-223-3p inhibits the migration of OSCC cells, while miR-155-5p can elevate the miR-223-3p mRNA expression. The simultaneous miR-155-5p overexpression and miR-223-3p inhibition can activate pEMT, increasing OSCC migration in vitro. This provides a novel approach and potential target for the effective treatment of OSCC.