Introduction: this study was conducted to investigate the osteogenic ability of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) derived exosomes (PDLSCs-Exos) and the effect of PDLSCs-Exos with hydrogel on alveolar bone defect repairment in the rat. Methods: the PDLSCs were obtained through primary cell culture, and PDLSCs-Exos were purified by the ultracentrifugation method. The CCK-8 kit and ALP staining were used to explore the effect of PDLSCs-Exos on promoting the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). In vivo, the alveolar bone defect models were made mesial to the bilateral maxillary first molars of rats. MicroCT, HE staining, and Masson staining were used to analyze the new bone at the bone defect of rats. Results: the periodontal ligament stem cells and the periodontal ligament stem cells derived exosomes were successfully extracted. The results of the CCK-8 kit and ALP staining showed PDLSCs-Exos significantly promoted the proliferation osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. In vivo experiment results revealed that compared with the control group and the hydrogel group, the rats in the hydrogel with exosomes group showed more new bone formation in alveolar bone defects. Conclusion: Periodontal ligament stem cells and exosomes derived from periodontal ligament stem cells were successfully extracted. The results demonstrated that the hydrogel successfully delivered periodontal ligament stem cells derived exosomes for repairing alveolar bone defects in rats in vivo at the initial stage.

Background: Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is a most invasive cancer with high mortality and poor prognosis. It is reported that lncRNA DANCR has implications in multiple types of cancers. However, its biological role and underlying mechanism in TSCC progress are not well elucidated. Methods: Our present study first investigated the function of DANCR on the proliferation, migration and invasion of TSCC cells by silencing or overexpressing DANCR. Further, the miR-135a-5p-Kruppel-like Factor 8 (KLF8) axis was focused on to explore the regulatory mechanism of DANCR on TSCC cell malignant phenotypes. Xenografted tumor growth using nude mice was performed to examine the role of DANCR in vivo. Results: DANCR knockdown reduced the viability and inhibited the migration and invasion of TSCC cells in vitro, while ectopic expression of DANCR induced opposite effects. In vivo, the tumor growth and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 and KLF8 were also blocked by DANCR inhibition. In addition, we found that miR-135-5p directly targeted DANCR, which was negatively correlated with DANCR on TSCC progression. Its inhibition reversed the beneficial effects of DANCR silence on TSCC malignancies. Furthermore, the expression of KLF8 evidently altered by both DANCR and miR-135a-5p. Silencing KLF8 using its specific siRNA showed that KLF8 was responsible for the induction of miR-135a-5p inhibitor on TSCC cell malignancies and MMP-2/9 expression. Conclusions: These findings, for the first time, suggest that DANCR plays an oncogenic role in TSCC progression via targeting miR-135a-5p/KLF8 axis, which provides a promising biomarker and treatment approach for preventing TSCC.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNps) are well established antibacterial agents, which have been reported to promote osteogenesis of stem cells. Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) and Tafazzin (TAZ) have been recently shown to be involved in osteogenic differentiation. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of AgNps on osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLFs), and investigate the underlying mechanisms of AgNps activity. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was employed to determine the safe concentration of AgNps in HPDLFs. Using an alkaline phosphatase assay, Alizarin red S staining and detection of the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin (OCN), osterix (OSX), and collagen‐I, we found that AgNps, at a concentration range of 25–100 μM, promoted osteogenic differentiation of HPDLFs in a dose‐dependent manner. We also found that 100 μM AgNps up‐regulated the active RhoA expression level. The results of ALP activity and expression of osteogenic markers showed that the effects of AgNps on osteogenic differentiation were abrogated by a RhoA pathway inhibitor, C3 reagent. Additionally, silencing of TAZ attenuated the AgNps‐induced osteogenic differentiation of HPDLFs, as shown by decreased ALP activity and down‐regulation of osteogenic markers. Interestingly, TAZ knockdown had a very small effect on the activity of RhoA, whereas C3 suppressed the expression of TAZ, indicating that TAZ was a downstream effector of RhoA. In conclusion, the present work demonstrated that AgNps promoted osteogenic differentiation of HPDLFs by activating the RhoA–TAZ axis.

This study aims to assess the morphological appearance, incidence of bridging, linear dimensions of sella turcica and establish cephalometric standards in Bosnian, Chinese and Nepalese subjects. This retrospective study examined digital standardized lateral cephalograms of 540 subjects, which consisted of 116 females and 64 males with an age range of 8 to 28 years. The sella morphology, bridging, and size were analyzed on the lateral cephalograms. Steiner's and Rickett's analyses were performed on 270 subjects. Sella turcica presented a normal morphology in most Bosnian (86.7%), and Nepalese (90%) subjects whereas flat-shaped morphology was highly prevalent among Chinese subjects (36.7%). The frequency of full bridging was 7.2%, 2.8%, and 11.7% for Bosnian, Chinese, and Nepalese subjects, respectively. A significant correlation was detected between the length of sella turcica and gender of Bosnian subjects, whereas the size of sella turcica and gender of Chinese and Nepalese subjects were not affected. A direct correlation existed between age and size of sella turcica of Bosnian subjects. A significant correlation was detected between length and diameter of sella turcica and age in Chinese and Nepalese subjects. A statistically significant difference was found in length (P < 0.001), depth (P < 0.01) and diameter (P < 0.001) of sella turcica with race. The diameter of sella turcica was the only parameter significantly associated with race, gender and age. Significant differences were found between cephalometric norms in different racial groups. These findings assist orthodontists, neurosurgeons, and forensic medical investigatiors during orthodontic treatment planning, diagnosis of pathology of the pituitary gland, and age determination.

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