We observed how combined mechanical stimuli affect the proliferation and differentiation of pre-osteoblasts. For this research, a bioreactor system was developed that can simultaneously stimulate cells with cyclic strain and ultrasound, each of which is known to effectively stimulate bone tissue regeneration. MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts were chosen for bone tissue engineering due to their osteoblast-like characteristics. 3-D scaffolds were fabricated with polycaprolactone and poly-L-lactic acid using the salt leaching method. The cells were stimulated by the bioreactor with cyclic strain and ultrasound. The bioreactor was set at a frequency of 1.0 Hz and 10% strain for cyclic strain and 1.0 MHz and 30 mW/cm2 for ultrasound. Three experimental groups (ultrasound, cyclic strain, and combined stimulation) and a control group were examined. Each group was stimulated for 20 min/day. Mechanical stimuli did not affect MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation significantly up to 10 days when measured with the cell counting kit-8. However, gene expression analysis of collagen type-I, osteocalcin, RUNX2, and osterix revealed that the combined mechanical stimulation accelerated the matrix maturation of MC3T3-E1 cells. These results indicate that the combined mechanical stimulation can enhance the differentiation of pre-osteoblasts more efficiently than simple stimuli, in spite of no effect on cell proliferation.
Animals ; Bioreactors ; *Bone Regeneration ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Lactic Acid/chemistry ; *Mechanical Processes ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular/physiology ; Mice ; Osteoblasts/cytology/*metabolism ; Polyesters/chemistry ; Polymers/chemistry ; Tissue Engineering/methods ; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry/utilization

Early loss of the primary maxillary second molar can lead to complications in which mesial drift of the adjacent first molar (M1) can disturb eruption of the succedaneous second premolar (P2). This study reports two cases of space loss for P2 caused by early exfoliation of its predecessor. After the eruption of the first premolar, the Jones jig appliance was used to distalize M1 and regain space for the eruption of P2. The appliance was further utilized to align the palatally erupted P2 into the dental arch. In both cases, the space and corrected position of P2 were well maintained. Early exfoliation of the primary second molar caused by mesial encroachment of M1 is a common phenomenon, and pediatric dentists should attend to this during routine examinations. An appropriate intervention should be initiated when the primary second molar is lost during the mixed dentition period. If used with careful anchorage control, the Jones jig appliance can effectively resolve this problem.