Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the mucosa, some of which will develop into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the pathogenesis of OLP remains unknown, but autoimmunity has been suggested as a potential cause. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which are small noncoding RNAs, have been reported to be involved in a series of physiological events as well as the progression of diseases. The evidence indicates that miRNAs may be highly related to both the initiation and malignant progression of OLP. MiR-146a, miR-26b, miR-155, miR-19a and miR-125a are able to trigger OLP by regulating autoimmunity, and miR-137, miR-125b, and miR-27b may accelerate the carcinogenesis of OLP. These miRNAs may be potential targets for prognosis and treatment. Subsequent studies are expected to focus on a more comprehensive exploration of the role of miRNAs in OLP (including specific action pathways and other OLP-related miRNAs), as well as the potential for miRNAs to predict the treatment outcome of OLP. This review provides an updated summary of the roles of miRNAs in OLP to provide new ideas and approaches to OLP research.

Hemangiomas and vascular malformations are common clinical diseases. According to their clinical and imaging characterizations, the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) has systematically classified infantile hemangioma and vascular malformations, and the classification has been widely recognized and applied. To date, most vascular malformations involve the following important signaling pathways: PI3K/Akt/mTOR and RAS/MAPK/ERK. This discovery has major impacts on the diagnosis and treatment of vascular malformations including the following: the understanding of the biology of vascular malformations has been increased; the understanding of vascular malformations based on genotype has been refined; and the development of targeted drugs for the treatment of vascular malformations has been promoted. Despite facing many challenges, with the development of gene sequencing, molecular biology and imaging technology, the relevance of vascular malformation classification and the accuracy of diagnosis are improving, and this is accompanied by innovations in surgical treatment and sclerotherapy, interventional embolization, and continuous progress in targeted therapy. At present, investigations on vascular malformations are mostly retrospective clinical studies or low-level clinical trials. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the treatment of infantile hemangioma, lymphatic malformation, venous malformation and arteriovenous malformation and to review the research progress in evidence-based treatment of infantile hemangioma and vascular malformation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the predominant contribution of methyl-metabolism pathway to the regulation of LuxS of Strecptococcus mutans.

METHODSThe differences in biofilm formation and aciduricity of Strecptococcus mutans among the methyl-metabolism-complementation strain (KO-S), the parental wide-type strain (WT) and the luxS null strain (KO) were observed by real-time PCR for monitoring the transcriptional level of genes related to biofilm formation (smu.238, gtfD) and aciduricity (smu.44, smu.46) of the studied strains, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) for quantifying the biofilm of the exhibited strains and confocal laser scanning microscopy for estimating the structure of the biofilm.

RESULTSThe transcriptional level of smu.44, smu.46, smu.238, gtfD in WT were 1.289 ± 0.051, 1.694 ± 0.140, 1.565 ± 0.107, 1.667 ± 0.196 respectively; in KO were 1.001 ± 0.045, 1.007 ± 0.151, 1.000 ± 0.021, 1.012 ± 0.196 respectively, downregulated compared with WT (P < 0.05); in KO-S were 4.662 ± 0.091, 5.019 ± 0.258, 3.462±0.029, 3.071 ± 0.136 respectively, upregulated compared both with KO and with WT (P < 0.05). The quantity of biofilms formed by the studied strains were WT (1.592 ± 0.213), KO (0.939 ± 0.029), KO- S (2.177 ± 0.226), KO- P (1.020 ± 0.093), respectively, representing a less quantity by KO and KO-P than WT (P < 0.05) and a more quantity by KO-S than other three stains (P < 0.05). According to the observation of biofilms texture by confocal laser scanning microscopy, the WT biofilm was condensed and even. In contrast, fissures and gaps were found scattered in biofilms of KO, KO-P while lessened in that of KO-S, in which high-density bacterial aggregates were observed. The acid assay indicated a smaller biofilm decrease by WT and KO-S than that by KO and KO- P(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe methyl- metabolism pathway contributes to LuxS regulation on biofilm formation and auiduricity of Strecptococcus mutans.

Bacterial Proteins ; metabolism ; Biofilms ; Carbon-Sulfur Lyases ; metabolism ; Glucosyltransferases ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Streptococcus mutans ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of quorum sensing luxS gene on biofilm formation through construction of a luxS overexpression strain by Streptococcus mutans (Sm).

METHODSIn order to construct pIB-luxS plasmid, the luxS gene fragment amplified by PCR was inserted into the shuttle plasmid pIB169 by corresponding double digests. The pIB-luxS plasmid was linearized electro-transformed into Sm cell and the overexpression strain was selected on chloramphenicol plate and testified by electrophoresis and western blot. The growth rate of both Sm wild type strain and its luxS overexpression strain were observed. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay method was used to compare the biofilm formation quantification by both strains at different time points and containing different sucrose. The structures of the biofilms were observed by using confocal laser scanning microscopy, and biofilm-related gene expressions were investigated by real-time PCR. All experiments were performed in triplicate.

RESULTSThe luxS overexpression strain was successfully constructed and confirmed by electrophoresis and Western blotting. The planktonic growth mode of the wild-type and luxS overexpression strain showed no difference, but biofilm formed by Sm overexpression strain was 0.400 ± 0.009 and 0.609 ± 0.041 at 14 and 24 h, higher than the wild type strain biofilm at the same time point (0.352 ± 0.028 and 0.533 ± 0.014, respectively, P < 0.05). After adding 0.125% sucrose, biofilm formed by Sm overexpression strain raised to 1.041 ± 0.038, higher than that by the wild type strain (0.831 ± 0.020, P < 0.05). The biofilm formed by both strains were also increased with the sucrose concentration increase, but there was no difference between them. The overexpression strain aggregated into distinct clusters on structure, genes expression including gtfB, ftf, gbpB, relA, brpA, smu630, comDE, vicR were increased (6.10 ± 0.12, 3.34 ± 0.07, 8.75 ± 0.13, 2.96 ± 0.04, 5.20 ± 0.19, 2.20 ± 0.06, 2.32 ± 0.07 and 10.67 ± 0.57 fold) compared to the wild-type strain (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSQuorum sensing luxS gene can promote the biofilm formation of Sm.

Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Biofilms ; growth & development ; Carbon-Sulfur Lyases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Quorum Sensing ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Streptococcus mutans ; physiology ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Time Factors

Objective • To describe and analyze the epidemiological status of dental erosion in 3- to 5-year-old children in Shanghai. Methods • A cluster, multi-stage random sampling method was applied to 3- to 5-year-old children in Shanghai. Clinical oral examination was performed, and the status of dental erosion was evaluated by O'Sullivan index, including the involved tooth position, surface and severity. Descriptive analysis was applied for the prevalence of dental erosion and the distribution of tooth position and surface. Results • A total of 1 148 children aged from 3 to 5 years old in Shanghai were randomly selected. Among them, 168 children suffered from dental erosion, and the prevalence of dental erosion in the sample was 14.6%. A total of 102 males (17.3%) and 66 females (11.8%) showed the condition of dental erosion. The ratio of male and female was 1:0.68, and the prevalence of dental erosion in the male was significantly higher than that in the female (χ2=6.972, P=0.008). The upper second deciduous molar in the dentition was most likely involved (8.6%) and the lower later incisor was least involved (1.7%). The surface of occlusal or incisal surface was more likely involved (37.1%). With regard to the severity of dental erosion, the loss of horizontal enamel was more common (58.4%). Conclusion • The prevalence of dental erosion in the 3- to 5-year-old children in Shanghai is relatively high and it is necessary to raise the awareness of dental erosion prevention.

microRNA (miRNA, miR) has attracted great interest in recent years. miR-138 is closely related to the occurrence, development and prognosis of different kinds of malignant tumors.Present studies have shown that miR-138 is frequently down-regulated in tumor cells and tissues. Down-regulation expression of miR-138 can promote the proliferation, invasion and metastasis in a variety of malignant tumor cells. Up-regulation expression of miR-138 may play a crucial role in tumor suppression, and enhance sensitivity of tumor cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Therefore, miR-138 can be considered as a biomarker of tumor prognosis, and also one of the tumor therapeutic targets.

Objective: To study the efficacy and safety of oral mucoadhesive containing chitosan for the treatment of recurrent aphothous stomatitis (RAS) Methods: 72 subjects, who were diagnosed with RAS, were involved in the study. The subjects were randomly allocated to the test or control group and shown how to use the films. The film con⁃taining chitosan was provided to the participants in the test group and the polyvinyl alcohol film was provided to the con⁃trol group. Baseline, pain score (visual analog scale), ulcer size and adverse effects were recorded Results : The reduc⁃tion in ulcer size was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the treatment group (2.91 ± 3.66)mm 2 than in the control group (1.10 ± 2.26) mm 2 between days 4 and 6. There was no significant difference between the treatment and control groups in the pain score, ulcer size, or reduction in the pain score (P > 0.05). No obvious adverse effects were observed. Con⁃clusion The oral mucoadhesive film containing chitosan promotes healing of RAS.

Enamel matrix proteins (EMP) are deposited on the surface of developing roots before dentin formation and may play a role in osteogenesis. Amelogenins (Am) are the main and active component in EMPs. Studies had showed great clinical values of EMPs in periodontal regenerative treatment and other fields. By affecting the expression of growth factors and inflammatory factors, EMPs could act on various periodontal regeneration-related cells to promote angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, bacteriostasis and tissue healing, achieving the clinical effect of periodontal tissue regeneration (newly generated cements and alveolar bones as well as functionally penetrated periodontal ligament). EMPs alone or combined with bone graft material and barrier can be used for regenerative surgical treatment in intrabony defects and degree Ⅱ furcation-involved at maxillary buccal or mandibular teeth. EMPs can also be adjunctively used to treat recession type 1 or 2 gingival recessions, forming periodontal regeneration on the exposed root surface. Through a comprehensive understanding of the principle and current clinical application of EMPs on periodontal regeneration, we can look forward to their future development. The development of recombinant human amelogenin to replace animal-derived EMPs through bioengineering technologies, the study of the clinical application of EMPs combined with other collagen biomaterials, and the specific application of EMPs in severe soft and hard periodontal tissue defects and peri-implant lesions are all important development directions of future EMPs-related researches.

Objective: To investigate the function of sahH gene in exopolysaccharides synthesis of Streptococcus mutans LuxS null strain. Methods: sahH+luxS-SmUA159 was constructed by introducing sahH gene into Streptococcus mutans LuxS null strain, while PIB169+luxS-SmUA159 and its wild strain SmUA159 were used as vector control and blank control. Real-time qPCR and anthrone test were performed to investigate the differences in exopolysaccharides synthesis among sahH+luxS-SmUA159, PIB169+luxS-SmUA159 and the wide-type strain SmUA159. Results: The transcriptional levels of gtfA and gtfD were upregulated in the sahH+luxS-SmUA159, compared to SmUA159 and PIB169+luxS-SmUA159 (both P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the transcriptional levels of gtfB and gtfC. The results of the anthrone test showed exopolysaccharides synthesis of the three groups was also similar. Conclusion: sahH gene affects the expression of some genes related to exopolysaccharides synthesis, but it has little effect on the whole content of bacterial exopolysaccharides.

The pathogenesis of pulpal and periapical diseases is related with not only bacterial infection but also physicochemical irritations such as trauma and thermal changes. During orthodontic therapy, the application of orthodontic forces on teeth may produce a series of changes in periodontal ligament, alveolar bone and pulpo-dentinal complex. This article reviewed the influences of orthodontic therapy on dental pulp and periapical tissues.
Dental Pulp ; Dental Pulp Diseases ; etiology ; Dentin ; Humans ; Orthodontics ; Periapical Diseases ; etiology ; Periapical Tissue ; Periodontal Ligament