Objective: In this study, nanofibrous scaffolds base on pure polylactic acid (PLA) and chitosan/PLA blends were fabricated by emulsion eletrospinning. By modulating their mechanical and biological properties, cell-compatible and biodegradable scaffolds were developed for periodontal bone regeneration. Methods: Pure PLA and different weight ratios of chitosan nano-particle/PLA nano-fibers were fabricated by emulsion eletrospinning. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was performed to observe the morphology of nano-fibers. Mechanical properties of nano-fibers were tested by single fiber strength tester. Hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature of the nano-fibers was observed by stereomicroscope. In vitro degradation was also tested. Cells were seeded on nano-fibers scaffolds. Changes in cell adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were tested by MTT assay and Alizarin Red S staining. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was used to evaluate the expression of (Toll-like receptor 4) TLR4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, OPG, RUNX2 mRNA. Results: It is shown that the mean diameter of nano-fibers is about 200 nm. The mean diameter of chitosan nano-particles is about 50 nm. The combination of chitosan nano-particles enhanced the mechanical properties of pure PLA nano-fibers. By adding a certain amount of chitosan nano-particles, it promoted cell adhesion. It also promoted the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) by elevating the expression of osteogenic marker genes such as BSP, Ocn, collagen I, and OPN and enhanced ECM mineralization. Nonetheless, it caused higher expression of inflammatory mediators and TLR4 of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). Conclusion: The combination of chitosan nano-particles enhanced the mechanical properties of pure PLA nano-fibers and increased its hydrophilicity. Pure PLA nano-fibers scaffold facilitated BMSCs proliferation. Adding an appropriate amount of chitosan nano-particles may promote its properties of cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. The higher expression of inflammatory mediators caused by nano-fibers may be regulated via TLR4 pathway.

Backgrounds: Salivary biomarkers hold huge potential for the non-invasive diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Angiogenic factors and matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) are highly expressed in OSCC tissue, but their expression patterns in the saliva are unknown. This study aimed to analyze the levels of angiogenic factors and MMPs in tumor tissue and saliva of OSCC patients. Methods: OSCC-tissue, adjacent normal tissue (ANT), saliva from OSCC patients, and healthy controls were obtained. The expression patterns of angiogenic factors and MMPs were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, protein chip array, and RT-qPCR. Results: Results showed higher expression of ANG, ANG-2, HGF, PIGF, VEGF, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP-13, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in OSCC-tissues compared to the ANT. Among the overexpressed markers in OSCC-tissues, HGF, VEGF, PIGF, PDGF-BB, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP-13, and TIMP-2 were significantly upregulated in the saliva of OSCC patients compared to healthy controls. Conclusions: The levels of HGF, VEGF, PIGF, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP-13, and TIMP-2 were upregulated both in OSCC tissue and saliva of OSCC patients. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the correlation of these factors with patient survival and cancer functional states in head and neck cancer, indicating these factors as possible saliva-based non-invasive diagnostic/prognostic markers and therapeutic targets of OSCC.

Objective: To evaluate whether Er:YAG laser etching could be an alternative surface treatment to hydrofluoric (HF) acid etching. Background: Surface treatment is important to bonding properties and utility times of computer aided design/computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) dental ceramics. The traditional method of HF acid etching is harmful to humans if not handled properly. Materials and methods: Four different CAD/CAM ceramics (Vita Mark II, IPS Empress CAD, IPS e.max CAD, and Vita Enamic) were cut into 72 blocks and divided into 6 groups according to different surface treatments ( n = 12): Group A: no treatment; Group B: HF acid; and Group C to F: different Er:YAG laser power settings (300, 400, 500, and 600 mJ). Ten blocks of each group were measured for shear bond strength (SBS) and the failure modes were evaluated; the rest blocks were observed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Results: HF acid etching resulted in the highest SBS for Vita Mark II, IPS Empress CAD, and Vita Enamic; however, the difference was not statistically significant ( p > 0.05) compared to the second highest group of laser with 600 mJ in IPS Empress CAD. For IPS e.max CAD, the highest SBS was obtained from laser group with 400 mJ. The SBS results were consistent with failure modes and surface characterizations in SEM images. Conclusions: Our results showed that Er:YAG laser had little impact on Vita Mark II and Vita Enamic; but proper power settings could be an alternative surface treatment to HF acid etching (600 mJ for IPS Empress CAD and 400 mJ for IPS e.max CAD).