Insight into the effect of osmosis agents on macro- and micro- texture, water distribution, and thermal stability of instant controlled pressure drop drying peach chips.

To investigate the influence of sugar structure on the quality of peach chips produced using osmotic dehydration (OD) in combination with instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) drying, erythritol, glucose, maltose, and trehalose were selected as osmotic agents. The properties of the osmotic solutions, as well as the macro- and micro-texture, water distribution, and thermal stability of peach chips were investigated. Results showed that OD pretreatments inhibited the formation of large cavity structures. The highest hardness (101.34 N) and the lowest hydrophobicity (0°) were obtained in erythritol-OD samples. Trehalose-OD samples with the most homogeneous pore structure exhibited the highest crispness (1.05 mm) and the highest glass transition temperature (52.06 °C). Various absorption peaks of peach chips pretreated with different OD methods, characterized by Raman spectroscopy, suggested changes in composition and functional groups due to the diffusion of sugars into the cells of peach tissues, which also contributed to the higher Tg.

Maxillary sinus floor augmentation: a review of current evidence on anatomical factors and a decision tree.

Maxillary sinus floor augmentation using lateral window and crestal technique is considered as predictable methods to increase the residual bone height; however, this surgery is commonly complicated by Schneiderian membrane perforation, which is closely related to anatomical factors. This article aimed to assess anatomical factors on successful augmentation procedures. After review of the current evidence on sinus augmentation techniques, anatomical factors related to the stretching potential of Schneiderian membrane were assessed and a decision tree for the rational choice of surgical approaches was proposed. Schneiderian membrane perforation might occur when local tension exceeds its stretching potential, which is closely related to anatomical variations of the maxillary sinus. Choice of a surgical approach and clinical outcomes are influenced by the stretching potential of Schneiderian membrane. In addition to the residual bone height, clinicians should also consider the stretching potential affected by the membrane health condition, the contours of the maxillary sinus, and the presence of antral septa when evaluating the choice of surgical approaches and clinical outcomes.

Cone-beam computed tomographic analysis of maxillary sinus septa among Yemeni population: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Maxillary sinus septa increase perforation risk of Schneiderian membrane during the sinus floor elevation (SFE). Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) allows for a more precise assessment of the septal position; thus, preoperative CBCT analysis is substantial to avoid possible complications. This study aims to investigate the 3D characteristics of the maxillary sinus septa based on CBCT images. To our knowledge, no study reported the CBCT-based investigation for the sinus septa among Yemeni population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 880 sinus CBCT images 440 patients. The septa prevalence, locations, orientations, morphology, and associated factors were analyzed. The effect of age, gender, and dental status on the sinus septa and the relationship between sinus membrane pathology and sinus septa were also analyzed. Anatomage (Invivo version 6) was used for CBCT images analysis. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed, and a P-value < 0.05 was significantly considered. RESULTS: The maxillary sinus septa were found among 63.9% of patients and 47% of sinuses. The average septa height was 5.2 mm. 15.7% of patients had septa in the right maxilla, 18% in the left, and 30.2% in both. Gender, age, and dental condition had no influence on the presence of septa, and septa presence did not influence sinus membrane pathology. Many septa originated from the floor (54.5%), located in the middle (43%), with coronal orientation (66%) and complete configuration (58.2%). CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, the septa prevalence, locations, orientations, and morphology were significant and equivalent to the highest recorded in the literature yet. Thus, when sinus floor elevation is planned, CBCT imaging of the maxillary sinus is recommended for safe dental implantation.

A genome-wide association analysis: m6A-SNP related to the onset of oral ulcers.

Oral ulcers are one of the most common inflammatory diseases on oral mucosa that have obvious impacts on patients. Studies have shown that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA transcription modification may be involved in the development of various inflammatory responses, and whether the pathogenesis of oral ulcers is related to m6A is unclear. This study aims to identify how m6A-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (m6A-SNPs) may affect oral ulcers. The UKBB dataset containing 10,599,054 SNPs was obtained from the GWAS database using the keyword "oral ulcer" and compared with the M6AVar database containing 13,703 m6A-SNPs.With 7,490 m6A-SNPs associated with oral ulcers identified, HaploReg and RegulomeDB were used for further functional validation and differential gene analysis was performed using the GEO database dataset GSE37265. A total of 7490 m6A-SNPs were detected in this study, 11 of which were related to oral ulcers (p<5E-08), and all of these SNPs showed eQTL signals. The SNP rs11266744 (p=2.00E-27) may regulate the expression of the local gene CCRL2, thereby participating in the pathogenesis of oral ulcers. In summary, by analyzing genome-wide association studies, this study showed that m6A modification may be involved in the pathogenesis of oral ulcers and CCRL2 may be the targeted gene.

Accuracy of impressions for multiple implants: A comparative study of digital and conventional techniques.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Intraoral scanning has benefits over conventional impression making, but whether scanning is sufficiently accurate for multiple implants is unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the trueness of digital scans acquired by using intraoral scanners from a small range to a complete arch with the conventional impression technique and to determine the influence of 2 different evaluation methods (best-fit algorithm versus absolute linear deviation) on the outcomes of accuracy assessment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A mandibular model with 8 implants (A-H) around an edentulous arch was used as the master model. Open-format standard tessellation language (STL) data sets (1 reference file from a highly accurate dental laboratory scanner, 10 files from an intraoral scanner, and 10 files from digitized conventional impressions at room temperature) were imported to a metrology software program, and 5 groups of scanning ranges (AB, FGH, CDEF, BCDEFG, and ABCDEFGH) were identified simulating different clinical situations. Two evaluation methods-root mean square values calculated from the best-fit algorithm and average value of linear discrepancies from absolute linear deviation-were used to describe the trueness values. The impacts of different scanning or impression methods, ranges, and evaluation methods were tested by using a 3-way ANOVA. The effect of the scanning range on accuracy was further identified with 1-way ANOVA. The paired-sample t test was used to determine the differences of trueness values between the 2 methods in different groups. RESULTS: The trueness values of the implant impressions were significantly affected by different scanning or impression methods (P<.001), evaluation methods (P<.001), and scanning ranges (P<.001) as independent variables. With use of the best-fit algorithm, deviations from the digital scans were significantly greater than those from the conventional impressions in cross-arch situations (groups CDEF, BCDEFG, and ABCDEFGH). With use of the absolute linear deviation method, statistically significant lower accuracy was found when larger areas were encountered (groups BCDEFG and ABCDEFGH). Use of the absolute linear deviation method resulted in a higher mean score of inaccuracy than that from the best-fit algorithm method in most situations. CONCLUSIONS: Scanning or impression methods, ranges, and evaluation methods affected the dimensional accuracy (trueness) of scans or impressions with multiple implants. Digital scans had worse trueness values compared with those made with the conventional splinting open-tray technique when cross-arch implant impressions were acquired.

MiR-181d-5p regulates implant surface roughness-induced osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells.

Constructing moderate surface roughness is a widely used, non-toxic, cost-effective, and outcome-predictable approach to accelerate implant osteointegration in clinical settings. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play vital regulatory roles in the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs). However, their specific contribution to the influence of surface roughness on osteoblastic behavior remains unknown. Therefore, applying the smooth titanium surface as a control, a typical titanium surface with moderate roughness was prepared here to reveal the mechanism through which surface roughness regulates cell osteogenic behavior by altering miRNA expression. First, the morphology and roughness of two surfaces were characterized, and the enhanced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs on rough surfaces was verified. Then, twenty-nine differentially expressed miRNAs in BMSCs cultured on different surfaces were selected via miRNA chip and corresponding functional prediction. After verifying the expression of these miRNAs using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, four were considered eligible candidates. Among these, only miR-181d-5p significantly affected RUNX2 gene expression based on overexpression and knockdown experiments. From the osteogenesis-related gene and protein expression, as well as alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red experiments, we further confirmed that the downregulation of miR-181d-5p promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and vice versa. In addition, rescue assays showed that the knockdown of miR-181d-5p improved the inferior osteogenesis observed on smooth surfaces, whereas the overexpression of miR-181d-5p suppressed the superior osteogenesis observed on rough surfaces. These results indicate that the moderate surface roughness of the implant stimulates the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by remarkably downregulating miR-181d-5p. These findings provide helpful information and a theoretical basis for the development of advanced implant materials for fast osteointegration.

Genome-wide DNA-methylation profiles in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on titanium surfaces.

The characteristics of titanium (Ti) have been shown to influence dental implant fixation. Treatment of surfaces using the sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) method is widely used to provide effective osseointegration. However, the DNA methylation-associated mechanism by which SLA surface treatment affects osseointegration of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) remains elusive. Genome-wide methylation profiling of hBMSCs on SLA-treated and machined smooth Ti was performed using Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip at day 7 of osteogenic induction. In total, 2,846 CpG sites were differentially methylated in the SLA group compared with the machined group. Of these sites, 1,651 (covering 1,066 genes) were significantly hypermethylated and 1,195 (covering 775 genes) were significantly hypomethylated. Thirty significant enrichment pathways were observed, with Wnt signaling being the most significant. mRNA expression was identified by microarray and combined with DNA-methylation profiles. Thirty-seven genes displayed negative association between mRNA expression and DNA-methylation level, with the osteogenesis-related genes insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and carboxypeptidase X, M14 Family Member 2 (CPXM2) showing significant up-regulation and down-regulation, respectively. In summary, our results demonstrate differences between SLA-treated and machined surfaces in their effects on genome-wide DNA methylation and enrichment of osteogenic pathways in hBMSCs. We provide novel insights into genes and pathways affected by SLA treatment in hBMSCs at the molecular level.

Hospital-based epidemiological and clinical characterisation of the malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia in a Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to analyse, systematically, hospital-based epidemiological information concerning the malignant transformation rate (MTR) of oral leukoplakia (OL) in a Chinese population, as well as the associated risk factors. METHODS: Four electronic databases were searched for studies dealing with OL and related risk factors, including age, gender, type of lesion, site, and smoking and drinking habits. RESULTS: The MTR of OL in the hospital-based Chinese population ranged from 4% to 13%, based on the studies analysed. Regarding risk factors, we found that female patients had a higher MTR than male patients, and that patients older than 50 years of age also had a higher MTR. Patients who smoked had a lower MTR, while alcohol consumption seemed to have no association with MTR. Malignant transformation occurred most commonly on the tongue. Regarding lesion type, non-homogeneous OL had a higher MTR, with the granular type having the highest MTR. Our results regarding the epidemiology of OL showed a similar trend to those reported in western populations and provided preliminary epidemiological information on the Chinese population. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that female gender, age >50 years and non-homogeneous OL are risk factors for malignant transformation. It is important to develop clinical strategies to educate, diagnose and treat patients with OL and to minimise the MTR of OL.

miR-375 inhibits cell growth and correlates with clinical outcomes in tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

miR-375 has been implicated in various types of cancers. However, its role in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of miR-375 on cell growth and the prognosis of TSCC patients. Using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, we evaluated miR-375 expression in TSCC samples and TSCC cell lines. The results showed that miR-375 expression was significantly reduced in the TSCC tissues and cell lines. A low level expression of miR-375 in TSCC patients was related to poor of prognosis. Moreover, the effects of miR-375 overexpression on cell proliferation, the cell cycle and the expression of Sp1 and cyclin D1 were examined in TSCC cells. We demonstrated that overexpression of miR-375 significantly inhibited the cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in TSCC cell lines. Overexpression of miR-375 inhibited Sp1 expression by targeting the 3' untranslated region of the Sp1 transcript. The knockdown of Sp1 expression resulted in the subsequent downregulation of cyclin D1. Taken together, our study suggests that miR-375 inhibits the cell growth, and its expression is correlated with clinical outcomes in TSCC.

miR-29b suppresses proliferation, migration, and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma through PTEN-AKT signaling pathway by targeting Sp1.

OBJECTIVES: miR-29b has been implicated in various cancers. However, the role of miR-29b in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-29b in TSCC progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of miR-29b was analyzed in TSCC tissues and cells. Functional studies were performed in TSCC cells. Real time-PCR, Western blot, cell proliferation, transwell, and dual luciferase reporter assays were performed according to standard procedures. RESULTS: miR-29b was significantly decreased in TSCC specimens and cell lines compared with corresponding normal counterparts. Overexpression of miR-29b significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell-cycle progression of TSCC cells, and promoted apoptosis. Moreover, miR-29b targeted the 3' untranslated region of the Sp1 transcript and resulted in the deregulation of Sp1. The inhibition of Sp1 by miR-29b subsequently resulted in the upregulation of PTEN, leading to a decline of phosphorylated AKT. Knockdown of Sp1 in TSCC cell lines mimicked the effects of miR-29b overexpression. In addition, the expression of miR-29b was inversely correlated with Sp1 and positively correlated with the PTEN in TSCC specimens. CONCLUSION: miR-29b functions as a tumor suppressor in TSCC, and the miR-29b/Sp1/PTEN/AKT axis might represent a potential therapeutic target for TSCC intervention.