To assess the implantation effectiveness of porous scaffolds, it is essential to consider not only their mechanical properties but also their biological performance. Given the high cost, long duration and low reproducibility of biological experiments, simulation studies as a virtual alternative, have become a widely adopted and efficient evaluation method. In this study, based on the secondary development environment of finite element analysis software, the strain energy density growth criterion for bone tissue was introduced to simulate and analyze the cell proliferation-promoting effects of four different lattice porous scaffolds under cyclic compressive loading. The biological performance of these scaffolds was evaluated accordingly. The computational results indicated that in the early stages of bone growth, the differences in bone tissue formation among the scaffold groups were not significant. However, as bone growth progressed, the scaffold with a porosity of 70% and a pore size of 900 μm demonstrated markedly superior bone formation compared to other porosity groups and pore size groups. These results suggested that the scaffold with a porosity of 70% and a pore size of 900 μm was most conducive to bone tissue growth and could be regarded as the optimal structural parameter for bone repair scaffold. In conclusion, this study used a visualized simulation approach to pre-evaluate the osteogenic potential of porous scaffolds, aiming to provide reliable data support for the optimized design and clinical application of implantable scaffolds.
Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry* ; Porosity ; Finite Element Analysis ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Computer Simulation ; Bone Development ; Osteogenesis ; Humans ; Cell Proliferation

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism by which the extract of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract promotes bone growth in mice by modulation of the expression of miR-34a-5p in brain tissue. METHODS: Mice were assigned to four experimental groups:a normal control group, a drug administration group (receiving 0.320 mg·g^-1 body weight of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract via intragastric administration), a positive control group (receiving 0.013 mg·g^-1 body weight of jujube seed saponin via intragastric administration), and a combination group administration with Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract plus a 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) agonist (intragastric administration of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract combined with intracerebroventricular injection of 8 μg P-MPPF per mice for the final three days of the experiment). Following a 20-day administration period, the effects of the interventions on bone growth, serum growth hormone (GH) levels, and 5-HT2AR expression in brain tissue were evaluated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) that were differentially expressed in the brain tissues of mice exhibiting bone growth induced by Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract, as compared to those in normal mice, were identified using a gene chip approach. The interaction between miR-34a-5p and 5-HT2AR was subsequently validated through quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chainreaction (RT-qPCR) and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays. Subsequently, by utilizing the miR-34a-5p inhibitor group and mimics group, along with the normal control group, the drug administration group, the positive control group, and the drug administration combined with miR-34a-5p inhibitor group, the variations in 5-HT2AR expression in mouse brain tissue across all groups were examined, and the binding activity of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) to the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) in mice was assessed. RESULTS: The body lengths of the normal control group and the drug administration group were(8.9±0.3) and(10.4±0.4) cm;femur lengths were (8.5±0.3) and (9.1±0.5) mm;tibia lengths were (10.7±0.3) and (11.2±0.4) mm, respectively. The contents of GH levels were (58.6±8.2) and (72.9±6.1) ng·ml-1;and the contents of 5-HT2AR were (32.0±5.0) and (21.9± 5.5) ng·ml-1, respectively. Compared with the normal control group, the drug administration group promoted the growth of body length, femur, and tibia in mice, and increased GH secretion, showing statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Additionally, it significantly reduced the content of 5-HT2AR in brain tissue, with statistical significance (P<0.01). The gene chip analysis identified a total of 16 differentially expressed miRNAs, of which 13 were up-regulated and 3 were down-regulated. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that the up-regulated miR-34a-5p could regulate the expression of 5-HT2AR, a prediction that was confirmed through a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, demonstrating a direct regulatory interaction between the two. Furthermore, in vivo experiments in mice revealed that overexpression and silencing of miR-34a-5p resulted in corresponding changes in the expression levels of 5-HT2AR in brain tissues/cells, as well as in the binding activity between 5-HT and 5-HT1AR. CONCLUSION The Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract promotes animal bone growth by enhancing miR-34a-5p expression in brain tissue, downregulating the expression level of 5-HT2AR, improving the binding activity between 5-HT and 5-HT1AR, and extending slow-wave sleep duration, thereby stimulating GH secretion.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Mice ; Male ; Brain/metabolism* ; Ziziphus/chemistry* ; Bone Development/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*

The development of bone in human body and the maintenance of bone mass in adulthood are regulated by a variety of biological factors. Myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), as one of the many factors regulating bone tissue development and balance, has been shown to play a key role in bone development and metabolism. However, there is limited systematic analysis on the effects of MEF2C on bone tissue. This article reviews the role of MEF2C in bone development and metabolism. During bone development, MEF2C promotes the development of neural crest cells (NC) into craniofacial cartilage and directly promotes cartilage hypertrophy. In terms of bone metabolism, MEF2C exhibits a differentiated regulatory model across different types of osteocytes, demonstrating both promoting and other potential regulatory effects on bone formation, with its stimulating effect on osteoclasts being determined. In view of the complex roles of MEF2C in bone tissue, this paper also discusses its effects on some bone diseases, providing valuable insights for the physiological study of bone tissue and strategies for the prevention of bone diseases.
Humans ; MEF2 Transcription Factors/physiology* ; Bone and Bones/metabolism* ; Animals ; Bone Development/physiology* ; Osteogenesis/physiology* ; Myogenic Regulatory Factors/physiology*

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multifunctional growth factors of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily. They regulate steroid secretion from mammalian granulosa cells, promote granulosa cell survival and proliferation, and inhibit follicular atresia, luteinization, and granulosa cell apoptosis, thereby promoting the development and maturation of mammalian follicles. At the same time, BMPs play an important role in embryonic morphogenesis, induction of uterine receptivity, and blastocyst attachment. This paper describes the effects of BMPs on mammalian follicular and embryonic development and the roles of BMPs in female reproduction, focusing on the process in which BMPs promote follicular maturation by regulating steroid secretion from granulosa cells during mammalian oocyte maturation. This review aims to provide a reference for further research on mammalian oocyte culture and improvement of reproductive efficiency in female animals.
Animals ; Embryonic Development/drug effects* ; Female ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins/pharmacology* ; Reproduction/physiology* ; Humans ; Granulosa Cells/cytology* ; Oocytes

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of aromatase inhibitor letrozole in treatment of male adolescents with idiopathic short stature (ISS). Seventy five boys with height less than 2 standard deviation (SD) below the mean who had entered puberty were enrolled in our study from 2004 to 2017, in the Pediatric Department of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University. Among 75 patients, 28 in letrozole group received letrozole and spironolactone, 30 in gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) group received GnRHa injection and 17 had no intervention. Height velocity (HV), increment of bone age/chronological age (ΔBA/ΔCA), the final adult height (FAH) were compared among groups and the safety of letrozole treatment was evaluated. HV maintained faster during letrozole treatment when compared with other groups. HV during GnRHa treatment showed slightly decline in the first 6 months, but decreased remarkably after 6 months, and was significantly lower than that in letrozole group ( < 0.05). The maturation of BA slowed down in both letrozole and GnRHa groups. But the ΔBA/ΔCA in letrozole group during the first and the second year of treatment were significantly higher (0.67±0.09, 0.50±0.15, respectively) when compared with GnRHa group (0.59±0.16, 0.44±0.13, respectively) ( =2.78 and 2.20, all < 0.05). FAH in letrozole group and GnRHa group were (170±4) cm and (170±6)cm, there was no significant differences between the two groups ( >0.05), and both were higher than that in no intervention group (162±4 cm, < 0.01). After 6 months of letrozole treatment, testicular volumes and serum testerone levels increased; 39.2% (11/28) boys had clinical manifestations of hyperandrogenemia, and 82.1% (23/28) boys had decreased serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Serum levels of HDL and testerone returned normal and the hyperandrogenemia disappeared after the cessation of letrozole treatment. No significant changes in serum triglyceride, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), fating serum levels of insulin and glucose, HOMA-IR were observed. No abnormal liver function, myalgia, scoliosis or aggravations of scoliosis was found. Long term letrozole therapy during puberty in boys with ISS can delay bone maturation without significant decrease of linear growth, and thus can improve the final adult height. No severe adverse reactions were found.
Adolescent ; Body Height ; Bone Development ; Child ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Growth Disorders ; Humans ; Letrozole ; therapeutic use ; Male

PURPOSE: The modified minimally invasive surgical technique (M-MIST) has been successfully employed to achieve periodontal regeneration. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is known to enhance wound healing through the release of growth factors. This study aimed to observe the outcomes of periodontal surgery when M-MIST was used with or without PRF for the treatment of isolated intrabony defects.METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 36 systemically healthy patients, who had chronic periodontitis associated with a single-site buccal probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level of ≥5 mm. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: the test group treated with M-MIST and PRF, and the control group treated with M-MIST alone. The primary periodontal parameters analyzed were PPD, relative attachment level (RAL), and relative gingival margin level. The radiographic parameters analyzed were change in alveolar crest position (C-ACP), linear bone growth (LBG), and percentage bone fill (%BF). Patients were followed up to 6 months post-surgery.RESULTS: Intragroup comparisons at 3 and 6 months showed consistently significant improvements in PPD and RAL in both the groups. In intergroup comparisons, the improvement in PPD reduction, gain in RAL, and the level of the gingival margin was similar in both groups at 3 and 6 months of follow-up. Furthermore, an intergroup comparison of radiographic parameters also demonstrated similar improvements in C-ACP, LBG, and %BF at 6 months of follow-up.CONCLUSIONS: M-MIST with or without PRF yielded comparable periodontal tissue healing in terms of improvements in periodontal and radiographic parameters. Further investigation is required to confirm the beneficial effects of PRF with M-MIST.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03169920
Bone Development ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Fibrin ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Microsurgery ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Regeneration ; Wound Healing

After the articular cartilage injury, the metabolic level is increased during the progressive degeneration, the chondrocytes secrete a variety of inflammatory factors, and the original cell phenotype is gradually changed. For a long time, a large number of researchers have done a lot of researches to promote anabolism of chondrocytes and to maintain the stability of chondrocyte phenotype. There are many molecular signaling pathways involved in the process of promoting cartilage repair. This review focuses on the key signaling molecules in articular cartilage repair, such as transforming growth factor-beta and bone morphogenetic protein, and reveals their roles in the process of cartilage injury and repair, so that researchers in related fields can understand the molecular mechanism of cartilage injury and repair widely and deeply. Based on this, they may find promising targets and biological methods for the treatment of cartilage injury.
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; physiology ; Cartilage, Articular ; growth & development ; injuries ; Chondrocytes ; physiology ; Humans ; Regeneration ; Signal Transduction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; physiology

BACKGROUND: For the bone-specific imaging, a structure-inherent targeting of bone tissue recently has been reported a new strategy based on incorporation of targeting moieties into the chemical structure of near-infrared (NIR) contrast agents, while conventional methods require covalent conjugation of bone-targeting ligands to NIR contrast agents. This will be a new approach for bone-targeted imaging by using the bifunctional NIR contrast agents. METHODS: The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the recent advances in optical imaging of bone tissue, highlighting the structure-inherent targeting by developing NIR contrast agents without the need for a bone-targeting ligand such as bisphosphonates. RESULTS: A series of iminodiacetated and phosphonated NIR contrast agents for the structure-inherent targeting of bone tissue showed excellent bone-targeting ability in vivo without non-specific binding. Additionally, the phosphonated NIR contrast agents could be useful in the diagnosis of bone metastasis. CONCLUSION: By developing bone-targeted NIR contrast agents, optical imaging of bone tissue makes it very attractive for preclinical studies of bone growth or real-time fluorescence guided surgery resulting in high potential to shift the clinical paradigms.
Bone and Bones ; Bone Development ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis ; Diphosphonates ; Fluorescence ; Ligands ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Optical Imaging ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted

Jugular bulb diverticulum is an irregular extension of the jugular bulb into the temporal bone that may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. The jugular bulb has rarely been reported to extend into the occipital condyle; such extension is termed a condylar jugular diverticulum and is characterized as a defect in the occipital condyle contiguous with the jugular bulb. This report details 3 cases of condylar jugular diverticulum. Extension of the jugular bulb into the ipsilateral occipital condyle was noted as an incidental finding on cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images of 3 patients. All 3 patients were asymptomatic, and this finding was unrelated to the initial area of interest. CBCT use is becoming ubiquitous in dentistry, as it allows 3-dimensional evaluation, unlike conventional radiography. Proper interpretation of the entire CBCT is essential, and recognition of the indicators of condylar jugular diverticulum may prevent misdiagnosis of this rare entity.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dentistry ; Diagnostic Errors ; Diverticulum ; Growth and Development ; Humans ; Incidental Findings ; Jugular Veins ; Radiography ; Temporal Bone

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of masticatory muscle injection of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) on the growth of the mandibular bone in vivo. METHODS: Eleven Sprague-Dawley rats were used, and BTX-A (n = 6) or saline (n = 5) was injected at 13 days of age. All injections were given to the right masseter muscle, and the BTX-A dose was 0.5 units. All of the rats were euthanized at 60 days of age. The skulls of the rats were separated and fixed with 10% formalin for micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis. RESULTS: The anthropometric analysis found that the ramus heights and bigonial widths of the BTX-A-injected group were significantly smaller than those of the saline-injected group (P < 0.05), and the mandibular plane angle of the BTX-A-injected group was significantly greater than in the saline-injected group (P < 0.001). In the BTX-A-injected group, the ramus heights II and III and the mandibular plane angles I and II showed significant differences between the injected and non-injected sides (P < 0.05). The BTX-A-injected side of the mandible in the masseter group showed significantly lower mandibular bone growth compared with the non-injected side. CONCLUSION: BTX-A injection into the masseter muscle influences mandibular bone growth.
Animals ; Bone Development ; Botulinum Toxins ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; Formaldehyde ; Mandible ; Masseter Muscle ; Masticatory Muscles ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skull