To analyze circular RNA (circRNA) expression profiles in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its clinical significance.

The expression of circRNA was detected with circRNA microarray assay in three samples of OSCC tumor and matched adjacent tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to verify the expression of circRNA in 45 pair OSCC tissues and normal adjacent tissues. The relationship between the expression of circRNA and the clinicopathological characteristics of OSCC was analyzed. circRNAs/miRNAs interaction were predicted using Arraystar' s home-made miRNA target prediction software.

155 circRNAs were differentially expressed between the OSCC tissues and matched adjacent tissues, of which 45 circRNAs were up-regulated and 110 circRNAs were down-regulated in OSCC tissues (fold changes ≥1.5 and P < 0.05). In the selected three circRNAs that were most significantly upregulated or downregulated in OSCC, the RT-qPCR results showed that hsa_circ_0001874, hsa_circ_0001971 and has_circ_0067934 were increased, while hsa_circ_0000520, hsa_circ_0023944 and hsa_circ_0000140 were decreased in OSCC tissues versus normal adjacent tissues (P < 0.001). The results were generally consistent with the microarray data. Among the circRNA expression profiles in OSCC, the up-regulation of hsa_circ_0001874 was the highest and the expression of hsa_circ_0001874 was significantly correlated with TNM stage and tumor grade. The result of Arraystar' s home-made miRNA target prediction software indicated that miR-103a-3p, miR-107, miR-593-5p, miR-661 and miR-662 may be potential target genes of hsa_circ_0001874.

The differentially expressed circRNAs in OSCC tissues and normal adjacent tissues were identified, and these dysregulated circRNAs and their potential target gents may play important roles in the development of OSCC.

To investigate the antibacterial properties, biocompatibility and mechanical properties of Cu-ZnO-loaded dental veneering porcelain to provide an experimental basis for the development of new dental veneering porcelain.

Cu-ZnO nanoparticles were added to IPS E.max Ceram for restorative veneer porcelain at different mass percentages of 0 wt%, 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt%, 5 wt%, and 6 wt% using ball milling in ceramic powder. A cylindrical specimen with a diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 2 mm was prepared by high-temperature sintering. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the surface morphologies of nano-Cu-ZnO and the specimens. The antibacterial effect of Escherichia coli (E. coli) was quantitatively studied by the plate colony counting method. The CCK-8 method was used to evaluate in vitro the cytotoxicity of the tested piece to mouse fibroblasts (L929). Live and dead cells were observed by fluorescence microscopy. The mechanical properties of modified IPS E. Max Ceram veneering porcelain were tested by a three-point bending strength test.

Under the scanning electron microscope, Cu-ZnO appears with a block-like structure and can be seen dispersed in the veneering porcelain. When the nano Cu-ZnO loading was 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, and 4 wt%, the antibacterial rates of the specimens were 24.85%, 67.94%, 96.92%, and 99.99%, respectively, and the difference between the experimental groups and the control group was statistically significant (F = 23.308,P = 0.001). The relative growth rate of each group was greater than 80% after coculture with mouse fibroblast cells (L929) for 1 day and 3 days, and there was no significant difference between the groups. The morphology of L929 cells was normal after coculture for 24 hours. With the increase in the Cu-ZnO concentration, the flexural strength of the specimen exhibited an increasing trend followed by a decreasing trend. The bending strength of the specimen loaded with 3 wt% nano Cu-ZnO reached the maximum value (84.728 ± 6.82) MPa, and there was no statistically significant difference between groups (F = 0.633,P = 0.702).

The antibacterial rate of IPS E. max Ceram veneering porcelain loaded with 3 wt% nano Cu-ZnO was more than 96% against E. coli after high-temperature sintering at 750 ℃. The bending strength reached the maximum (84.728 ± 6.82) MPa, and there was no obvious cytotoxicity.

To investigate the effectiveness of an extraoral guide plate system targeting the superior and inferior heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle in improving the accuracy of injection therapy for anterior disc displacement (ADD) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with lateral pterygoid myalgia, and to provide a reference for precise clinical treatment.

With approval from the institutional medical ethics committee and informed consent from patients, spiral CT scans were performed on seven patients with ADD accompanied or not accompanied by lateral pterygoid myalgia to acquire craniofacial data. Mimics 21.0 software was used to reconstruct three-dimensional craniofacial structures, identify attachment points of the superior and inferior heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle, and design dual injection paths along with a retention system. Personalized templates were fabricated using digital light procession-based 3D printing. Under the guide plate, a single targeted injection of 20 U of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) was administered into both the superior and/or inferior heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle. Immediate postoperative CT scans were conducted to compare actual needle placement with preoperative plans. Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) at 3 days and 1, 2, and 4 weeks postoperatively. Joint clicking was recorded at 2 and 4 weeks, and complications were monitored throughout the duration of the study.

A total of 15 sites in 7 patients were injected into the upper / lower head of the lateral pterygoid muscle under the guidance of the guide plate. Under the guide plate, all of the injections achieved an angular deviation within 2.5° (superior head: 2.49° ± 0.17°, inferior head: 2.31° ± 0.16°) and a needle tip positional deviation within 2 mm [superior head: (1.96 ± 0.25) mm, inferior head: (1.65 ± 0.21) mm]. The significant pain improvement rate (defined as ≥3-point reduction in VAS score) increased from 60% (9/15) at day 3 to 85% (13/15) at 2 weeks post-operation, stabilizing at 86.7% (13/15) at 4 weeks post-operation. Joint clicking improvement rates reached 72% (11/15) at 2 weeks post-operation and 75% (11/15) at 4 weeks post-operation. Regarding safety, only one case of injection site swelling and one case of transient paresthesia were observed; both resolved spontaneously within a short period of time. No neurovascular injury events occurred.

CT-guided guide plate achieves precise targeting design to minimize injection errors in the lateral pterygoid muscle. This technology is effective and safe, and it can provide an anatomically specific and operationally versatile targeted therapy for temporomandibular disorders.