Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase regulates the cell differentiation and mineralization in cultured odontoblasts

The aim of the present study was to investigate the physiological role of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) associated with odontogenic differentiation during tooth development in mice. Mouse dental papilla cell-23 (MDPC-23) cells cultured in differentiation media were stimulated with the specific NAMPT inhibitor, FK866, and Visfatin (NAMPT) for up to 10 days. The cells were evaluated after 0, 4, 7, and 10 days. Cell viability was measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The mineralization assay was performed by staining MDPC-23 cells with Alizarin Red S solution. After cultivation, MDPC-23 cells were harvested for quantitative PCR or Western blotting. Analysis of variance was performed using StatView 5.0 software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The expression of NAMPT increased during the differentiation of murine odontoblast-like MDPC-23 cells. Furthermore, the up-regulation of NAMPT promoted odontogenic differentiation and accelerated mineralization through an increase in representative odontoblastic biomarkers, such as dentin sialophosphoprotein, dentin matrix protein-1, and alkaline phosphatase in MDPC-23 cells. However, treatment of the cells with the NAMPT inhibitor, FK866, attenuated odontogenic differentiation, as evidenced by the suppression of odontoblastic biomarkers. These data indicate that NAMPT regulated odontoblastic differentiation through the regulation of odontoblastic biomarkers. The increase in NAMPT expression in odontoblasts was closely related to the formation of the extracellular matrix and dentin via the Runx signaling pathway. Therefore, these data suggest that NAMPT is a critical regulator of odontoblast differentiation during tooth development.

Alpha-lipoic acid protects human dopaminergic neuronal cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell injury by inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring antioxidant and has been previously used to treat diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, the autophagy effects of ALA against oxidative stress-induced dopaminergic neuronal cell injury remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ALA in autophagy and apoptosis against oxidative stress in the SH-SY5Y human dopaminergic neuronal cell line. We examined SH-SY5Y phenotypes using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (cell viability/proliferation), 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride nuclear staining, Live/Dead cell assay, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, immunoblotting, and immunocytochemistry. Our data showed ALA attenuated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced ROS generation and cell death. ALA effectively suppressed Bax up-regulation and Bcl-2 and BclxL down-regulation. Furthermore, ALA increased the expression of the antioxidant enzyme, heme oxygenase-1. Moreover, the expression of Beclin-1 and LC-3 autophagy biomarkers was decreased by ALA in our cell model. Combined, these data suggest ALA protects human dopaminergic neuronal cells against H2O2-induced cell injury by inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis.

Apoptotic activity of demethoxycurcumin in MG-63human osteosarcoma cells

Demethoxycurcumin (DMC), which is a curcuminoid found in turmeric, has anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. However, the effect of DMC on osteosarcoma has not been established. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of DMC on cell growth and apoptosis induction in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. This study was investigated using 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromid assay, Live/Dead cell assay, 4’, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, and immunoblotting in MG-63 cells. DMC induced MG-63 cell death in a dosedependent manner, with an estimated IC50 value of 54.4 μM. DMC treatment resulted in nuclear condensation in MG-63 cells. DMC-induced apoptosis in MG-63 cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Immunoblotting results showed that Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were downregulated, while Bax and Bad were upregulated by DMC in MG-63 cells. These results indicated that DMC inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptotic cell death in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells via the death receptormediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

Morphology of the temporalis muscle focusing on the tendinous attachment onto the coronoid process / 대한해부학회지

The temporalis muscle is usually described as a single layer originating at the temporal line, converging to a tendon, and inserting onto a narrow site of the coronoid process. However, recent studies have shown that the temporalis muscle can be divided into two or three separate segments and the distal attachment continues inferiorly beyond the coronoid process. Therefore, the aims of this study were to analyze the morphology of the temporalis muscle focusing on the tendinous attachment onto the coronoid process and to provide educational values. The temporalis muscle was carefully dissected in 26 cadavers and classified based on the muscle fascicle direction. Each divided part was sketched and measured based on bony landmarks to elucidate its tendinous insertion site onto the coronoid process, and the results obtained were reviewed through the literature. The temporalis muscle ends at two distinct terminal tendons with wider insertion sites than usually presented in textbooks and atlases and separates into two parts that combine to act as a single structural unit. The superficial part is a large fan-shaped muscle commonly recognized as the temporalis muscle. This converges infero-medially to form the superficial tendon and the lateral boundary of the retromolar triangle. Meanwhile, the deep part is a narrow vertically oriented rectangular muscle that converges postero-laterally to form the deep tendon and the medial boundary of the retromolar triangle. These results indicate that understanding the temporalis muscle’s insertion site onto the coronoid process will be useful clinically with educational values during surgical procedures.

Alpha-lipoic acid protects human dopaminergic neuronal cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell injury by inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring antioxidant and has been previously used to treat diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, the autophagy effects of ALA against oxidative stress-induced dopaminergic neuronal cell injury remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ALA in autophagy and apoptosis against oxidative stress in the SH-SY5Y human dopaminergic neuronal cell line. We examined SH-SY5Y phenotypes using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (cell viability/proliferation), 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride nuclear staining, Live/Dead cell assay, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, immunoblotting, and immunocytochemistry. Our data showed ALA attenuated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced ROS generation and cell death. ALA effectively suppressed Bax up-regulation and Bcl-2 and BclxL down-regulation. Furthermore, ALA increased the expression of the antioxidant enzyme, heme oxygenase-1. Moreover, the expression of Beclin-1 and LC-3 autophagy biomarkers was decreased by ALA in our cell model. Combined, these data suggest ALA protects human dopaminergic neuronal cells against H2O2-induced cell injury by inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis.

Apoptotic activity of demethoxycurcumin in MG-63human osteosarcoma cells

Demethoxycurcumin (DMC), which is a curcuminoid found in turmeric, has anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. However, the effect of DMC on osteosarcoma has not been established. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of DMC on cell growth and apoptosis induction in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. This study was investigated using 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromid assay, Live/Dead cell assay, 4’, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, and immunoblotting in MG-63 cells. DMC induced MG-63 cell death in a dosedependent manner, with an estimated IC50 value of 54.4 μM. DMC treatment resulted in nuclear condensation in MG-63 cells. DMC-induced apoptosis in MG-63 cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Immunoblotting results showed that Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were downregulated, while Bax and Bad were upregulated by DMC in MG-63 cells. These results indicated that DMC inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptotic cell death in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells via the death receptormediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

Morphology of the temporalis muscle focusing on the tendinous attachment onto the coronoid process / 대한해부학회지

The temporalis muscle is usually described as a single layer originating at the temporal line, converging to a tendon, and inserting onto a narrow site of the coronoid process. However, recent studies have shown that the temporalis muscle can be divided into two or three separate segments and the distal attachment continues inferiorly beyond the coronoid process. Therefore, the aims of this study were to analyze the morphology of the temporalis muscle focusing on the tendinous attachment onto the coronoid process and to provide educational values. The temporalis muscle was carefully dissected in 26 cadavers and classified based on the muscle fascicle direction. Each divided part was sketched and measured based on bony landmarks to elucidate its tendinous insertion site onto the coronoid process, and the results obtained were reviewed through the literature. The temporalis muscle ends at two distinct terminal tendons with wider insertion sites than usually presented in textbooks and atlases and separates into two parts that combine to act as a single structural unit. The superficial part is a large fan-shaped muscle commonly recognized as the temporalis muscle. This converges infero-medially to form the superficial tendon and the lateral boundary of the retromolar triangle. Meanwhile, the deep part is a narrow vertically oriented rectangular muscle that converges postero-laterally to form the deep tendon and the medial boundary of the retromolar triangle. These results indicate that understanding the temporalis muscle’s insertion site onto the coronoid process will be useful clinically with educational values during surgical procedures.

Inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis by acacetin in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells

Acacetin, which is present in damiana (Turnera diffusa) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), has several pharmacologic activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. However, the effect of acacetin on head and neck cancers has not been clearly established. This study aimed to examine the effects of acacetin on cell growth and apoptosis induction in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells. These were investigated by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, Live/Dead cell assay, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride staining, caspase-3 and caspase-7 activation assay, and immunoblotting in FaDu cells. Acacetin induced FaDu cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with an estimated IC50 value of 41.9 µM, without affecting the viability of L-929 mouse fibroblasts as normal cells. Acacetin treatment resulted in nuclear condensation in the FaDu cells. It promoted the proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, -7, -8, and -9 with increasing amounts of the cleaved caspase isoforms in FaDu cells. Acacetin-induced apoptosis in FaDu cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Immunoblotting showed downregulation of the anti-apoptotic mitochondrial proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, but upregulation of the mitochondria-dependent pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Badin FaDu cells after acacetin treatment. These findings indicate that acacetin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptotic cell death in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells via both the death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

Effect of Resveratrol on Cell Differentiation and Mineralization in Cultured Odontoblasts

Resveratrol (3,4′,5,-trihydroxystilbene), a phytoalexin present in grapes, exerts a variety of actions to reduce superoxides, prevents diabetes mellitus, and inhibits inflammation. Resveratrol acts as a chemo-preventive agent and induces apoptotic cell death in various cancer cells. However, the role of resveratrol in odontoblastic cell differentiation is unclear. In this study, the effect of resveratrol on regulating odontoblast differentiation was examined in MDPC-23 mouse odontoblastic cells derived from mouse dental papilla cells. Resveratrol significantly accelerated mineralization as compared with the control culture in differentiation of MDPC-23 cells. Resveratrol significantly increased expression of ALP mRNA as compared with the control in differentiation of MDPC-23 cells. Resveratrol significantly accelerated expression of ColImRNA as compared with the control in differentiation of MDPC-23 cells. Resveratrol significantly increased expressions of DSPP and DMP-1 mRNAs as compared with the control in differentiation of MDPC-23 cells. Treatment of resveratrol did not significantly affect cell proliferation in MDPC-23 cells. Results suggest resveratrol facilitates odontoblast differentiation and mineralization in differentiation of MDPC-23 cells, and may have potential properties for development and clinical application of dentin regeneration materials.

Effect of Metformin on Cell Growth and Differentiation in Cultured Odontoblasts

Metformin (1,1-dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride), derived from French lilac (Galega officinalis), is a first-line anti-diabetic drug prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the role of metformin in odontoblastic cell differentiation is still unclear. This study therefore undertook to examine the effect of metformin on regulating odontoblast differentiation in MDPC-23 mouse odontoblastic cells derived from mouse dental papilla cells. As compared to controls, metformin significantly accelerated the mineralization, significantly increased and accelerated the expressions of ALP and Col I mRNAs, and significantly increased the accelerated expressions of DSPP and DMP-1 mRNAs, during differentiation of MDPC-23 cells. There was no alteration in cell proliferation of MDPC-23 cells, on exposure to metformin. These results suggest that the effect of metformin on MDPC-23 mouse odontoblastic cells derived from mouse dental papilla cells, facilitates the odontoblast differentiation and mineralization, without altering the cell proliferation.

3-dimensional reconstruction of mandibular canal at the interforaminal region using micro-computed tomography in Korean

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the complex course of the mandibular canal using 3D reconstruction of microCT images and to provide the diagram for clinicians to help them understand at the interforaminal region in Korean. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six hemimandibles obtained from cadavers were examined using microCT, and the images were reconstructed. At both the midpoint of mental foramen and the tip of anterior loop, the bucco-lingual position, the height from the mandibular inferior border, the horizontal distance between two points, and position relative to tooth site on the mandibular canal were measured. The angle that the mental canal diverges from the mandibular canal was measured in posteriorsuperior and lateral-superior direction. RESULTS: The buccal distance from the mandibular canal was significantly much shorter than lingual distance at both the mental foramen and the tip of anterior loop. The mandibular canal at the tip of anterior loop was significantly located closer to buccal side and higher than at the mental foramen. And the mental canal most commonly diverged from the mandibular canal below the first premolar by approximately 50° posterior-superior and 41° lateral-superior direction, which had with a mean length of 5.19 mm in front of the mental foramen, and exited to the mental foramen below the second premolar. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that it could form a hazardous tetrahedron space at the interforaminal region, thus, the clinician need to pay attention to the width of a premolar tooth from the mental foramen during dental implant placement.

Influence of Tyrosol on Cell Growth Inhibition of KB Human Oral Cancer Cells

Tyrosol, a phenylethanoid and a derivative of phenethyl alcohol, possesses various biological properties, such as anti-oxidative and cardioprotective activity. Olive oil is the principal source of tyrosol in the human diet. However, so far the anti-cancer activity of tyrosol has not yet been well defined. This study therefore undertakes to examine the cytotoxic activity and the mechanism of cell death exhibited by tyrosol in KB human oral cancer cells. Treatment of KB cells with tyrosol induced the cell growth inhibition in a concentration- and a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, the treatment of tyrosol induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation of KB cells. Tyrosol also promoted proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, -7, -8 and -9, increasing the amounts of cleaved caspase-3, -7, -8 and -9. In addition, tyrosol increased the levels of cleaved PARP in KB cells. These results suggest that tyrosol induces the suppression of cell growth and cell apoptosis in KB human oral cancer cells, and is therefore a potential candidate for anti-cancer drug discovery.

Effect of β-carotene on Cell Growth Inhibition of KB Human Oral Cancer Cells

β-carotene is present in carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. It suppresses many types of cancers by regulating cellular proliferation and apoptosis through a variety of mechanisms. However, the effects of β -carotene on oral cancer cells have not been clearly established. The main goal of this study was to investigate the effects of β-carotene on cell growth and apoptosis in oral cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that treatment with β-carotene induced inhibition of cell growth, and that the effect was dependent on β-carotene treatment time and concentration in KB cells. Furthermore, treatment with β-carotene induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation in KB cells. β-carotene promoted proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, -7, -8 and -9 with associated increases in the concentration of cleaved caspase-3, -7, -8 and -9. In addition, the level of cleaved PARP was increased by β-carotene treatment in KB cells. These results suggest that β-carotene can suppress cell growth and induce apoptosis in KB human oral cancer cells, and that it may have potential usefulness in anti-cancer drug discovery efforts.

Apoptotic Activity of Curcumin and EF-24 in HTB-41 Human Salivary Gland Epidermoid Carcinoma Cells

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a constituent of turmeric powder derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, has been shown to inhibit the growth of various types of cancer cells by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, a need exists to design more effective analogs because of curcumin's poor intestinal absorption. EF-24 (diphenyl difluoroketone), the monoketone analog of curcumin, has shown good efficacy in anticancer screens. However, the effects of curcumin and EF-24 on salivary gland epidermoid carcinoma cells are not clearly established. The main goal of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin and EF-24 on cell growth and induction of apoptosis in human salivary gland epidermoid carcinoma cells. Our studies showed that curcumin and EF-24 inhibited the growth of HTB-41 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the potency of EF-24 was > 34-fold that of curcumin. Treatment with curcumin or EF-24 resulted in nuclear condensation and fragmentation in HTB-41 cells, whereas the control HTB-41 cell nuclei retained their normal regular and oval shape. Curcumin and EF-24 promoted proteolytic cleavages of procaspase-3/-7/-9, resulting in an increase in the amount of cleaved caspase-3/-7/-9 in the HTB-41 cells. Caspase-3 and -7 activities were detected in viable HTB-41 cells treated with curcumin or EF-24. These results suggest that the curcumin and EF-24 inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in HTB-41 human salivary gland epidermoid carcinoma cells, and that they may have potential properties as an anti-cancer drug therapy.

Morphological assessment of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal in Koreans / 대한해부학회지

The mandibular canal divides into the mental and incisive canals at the premolar region, forms the anterior loop which crosses anterior to the mental foramen, and turns back to reach the mental foramen. The aim of this study was to elucidate the general anatomical structure of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal using morphometry. Twenty-six hemimandibles from 19 cadavers (16 males, 3 females; mean age at death, 54.4 years) were studied by meticulous dissection with the aid of a surgical microscope. The location of the anterior loop, the diameters of the mandibular, mental, and incisive canals, and their distances from bony landmarks were measured using digital calipers. The anterior loop of the mandibular canal was located 3.05+/-1.15 mm (mean+/-SD) anterior to the anterior margin of the mental foramen and 2.72+/-1.41 mm inferior to the superior margin of the mental foramen, and was 4.34+/-1.46 mm long. The diameters of the mandibular, mental, and incisive canals were 2.8+/-0.49, 2.63+/-0.64, and 2.22+/-0.59 mm, respectively. The distances between the inferior border of the mandible and each of these canals were 7.82+/-1.52, 10.11+/-1.27, and 9.08+/-1.66 mm, respectively. The anterior loop of the mandibular canal was located a mean of 3.1 mm anterior and 2.7 mm inferior to the mental foramen, and continued upward and backward into the mental canal, and forward into the incisive canal. These detailed morphological features of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal represent useful practical anatomical knowledge regarding the interforaminal region.

Morphometric Analysis of the Facial Artery in Perioral Region / 체질인류학회지

The facial artery is the largest and main arterial supply of the face, and the inferior and superior labial arteries supply blood to the lower and upper lips and intersect on the opposite site. The aim of this study was to provide quantitative data on the course of facial artery and the distribution of inferior and superior labial artery in perioral region. The location, distance, course, and diameter of the facial artery, inferior labial artery, and superior labial artery were measured directly on 50 hemifacial cadavers of Koreans and statistically analyzed using oneway ANOVA. The facial artery was located 18.50 mm lateral to the mouth corners (Cheilions). The inferior labial artery at its origin was located 15.11 mm inferior and 19.63 mm lateral to the Cheilions. The superior labial artery at its origin was located 5.83 mm superior and 11.28 mm lateral to the Cheilions. The diameter of facial artery, inferior labial artery, and superior labial artery was 2.19, 1.56, and 1.48 mm, respectively. The courses of the facial artery and it's branches showed no significant differences on laterality except for the diameter of the superior labial artery (p=0.026). The buccal branch of facial artery was showed in 44% of the cases in the deep layer of perioral region. In conclusion, this study provides that the data will be useful in predicting the courses of the facial artery and helpful for reconstructive surgery in perioral region.

Effect of Sambucus sieboldiana Extract on the Cell Growth and Extracellular Matrix Formation in Osteoblast Cells

Sambucus sieboldiana (SS) is a member of the family Caprifoliaceae and has been recommended as a functional material because of its several bioactivities. Although numerous literatures are available on the pharmacological and biological activities, the biological activity of SS in bone regeneration process has not yet been well-defined. Therefore, in this study, the effect of SS was investigated in the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell line. The treatment of SS did not significantly affect the cell proliferation in MC3T3-E1 cells. SS significantly accelerated the mineralization and significantly increased the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) mRNAs, compared to the control, in the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. SS significantly accelerated the decrease of osteonectin (ON) mRNA expression as compared with the control in a time-dependent manner in the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. These results suggest that the SS facilitate the osteoblast differentiation and mineralization in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. Therefore, there may be potential properties for development and clinical application of bone regeneration materials.

Histological assessment of the palatal mucosa and greater palatine artery with reference to subepithelial connective tissue grafting / 대한해부학회지

This study aimed to measure the thickness of the epithelium and lamina propria of the palatal mucosa and to elucidate the location of the greater palatine artery to provide the anatomical basis for subepithelial connective tissue grafting. Thirty-two maxillary specimens, taken from the canine distal area to the first molar distal area, were embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. The thickness of the epithelium and lamina propria of the palatal mucosa was measured at three positions on these specimens, starting from 3 mm below the alveolar crest and in 3-mm intervals. The location of the greater palatine artery was evaluated by using image-processing software. The mean epithelial thickness decreased significantly in the posterior teeth; it was 0.41, 0.36, 0.32, and 0.30 mm in the canine, first premolar, second premolar, and first molar distal areas, respectively. The lamina propria was significantly thicker in the canine distal; it was 1.36, 1.08, 1.09, and 1.05 mm, respectively. The mean length from the alveolar crest to the greater palatine artery increased toward the posterior molar; it was 7.76, 9.21, 10.93, and 11.28 mm, respectively. The mean depth from the surface of the palatal mucosa to the greater palatine artery decreased from the canine distal to the first premolar distal but increased again toward the posterior molar; it was 3.97, 3.09, 3.58, and 5.50 mm, respectively. Detailed histological assessments of the lamina propria of the palatal mucosa and the greater palatine artery are expected to provide useful anatomical guidelines for subepithelial connective tissue grafting.

MicroRNA Analysis during Cultured Odontoblast Differentiation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are about 21-25 nucleotides in length and regulate mRNA translation by base pairing to partially complementary sites, predominantly in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the target mRNA. In this study, the expression profile of miRNAs was compared and analyzed for the establishment of miRNA-related odontoblast differentiation using MDPC-23 cells derived from mouse dental papilla cells. To determine the expression profile of miRNAs during the differentiation of MDPC-23 cells, we employed miRNA microarray analysis, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Alizaline red-S staining. In the miRNA microarray analysis, 11 miRNAs were found to be up- or down-regulated more than 3-fold between day 0 (control) and day 5 of MDPC-23 cell differentiation among the 1,769 miRNAs examined. In qRT-PCR analysis, the expression levels of two of these molecules, miR-194 and miR-126, were increased and decreased in the control MDPC-23 cells compared with the MDPC-23 cells at day 5 of differentiation, respectively. Importantly, the overexpression of miR-194 significantly accelerated mineralization compared with the control cultures during the differentiation of MDPC-23 cells. These results suggest that the miR-194 augments MDPC-23 cell differentiation, and potently accelerates the mineralization process. Moreover, these in vitro results show that different miRNAs are deregulated during the differentiation of MDPC-23 cells, suggesting the involvement of these genes in the differentiation and mineralization of odontoblasts.

Localization of the Mental and Infraorbital Foramen with related to the Soft-tissue Landmarks

During maxillofacial surgery, the infraorbital and mental nerves are blocked at eac foramen to induce local anesthesia. This study examined the relative locations of the infraorbital foramen (IOF) and mental foramen (MF) based on soft-tissue landmarks. Twenty-eight hemifacial cadavers were dissected to expose the IOF and MF. The distances between the bilateral IOFs, the bilateral MFs, the alae of the nose (alares), and the corners of the mouth (cheilions) were measured directly on cadavers by using a digital vernier caliper. The vertical and horizontal distances of the IOF and MF relative to the alare and cheilion were measured indirectly on digital photographs using Adobe Photoshop (Adobe, CA, USA). The distance between the bilateral IOFs (58.09 +/- 4.04 mm) was longer than the distance between the bilateral MFs (50.32 +/- 1.93 mm). The distances between the bilateral alares and cheilions were 41.22 +/- 3.44 mm and 58.43 +/- 6.62 mm, respectively. The IOF was located 12.92 +/- 3.75 mm superior and 7.88 +/- 2.56 mm lateral to the alare, and the vertical angle (Angle 1) between these structures was 31.67 +/- 13.36degrees superolaterally. The MF was located 21.83 +/- 3.26 mm inferior and 5.56 +/- 3.37 mm medial to the cheilion, and the vertical angle (Angle 2) between these structures was 14.05 +/- 10.12degrees inferomedially. In conclusion, these results provide more detailed information about the locations of the IOF and MF relative to soft-tissue landmarks.