[MRI evaluation of condylar bone regeneration after temporomandibular joint disc reduction and suture and analysis of factors affecting bone regeneration]

Objective: To evaluate the MRI manifestations of condylar bone regeneration after disc reduction and suture for anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDWoR) patients and to analyze the relevant factors affecting bone regeneration. Methods: A total of 61 patients of 75 joints with ADDWoR who attended the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology of Nanjing Medical University from April 2020 to December 2021 were enrolled in the study. The characteristics of MRI condylar bone regeneration were analyzed before and after surgery (follow-up for 6 months or more), and logistic regression analysis was performed on the influencing factors of bone regeneration. Results: The new bone formation of the condyle was found in 28 patients, with age of (20.2±4.9) years. However, there were 33 patients that had no condylar bone regeneration, with age of (41.9±17.5) years. A total of 35 joints in this study were found new bone formation. There were 16 joints (45.7%) had new bone formation on the posterior slope of the condyle, 10 joints (28.6%) around the condyle, 6 joints (17.1%) on the anterior slope of the condyle, and only 3 joints (8.6%) on the top of the condyle. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, preoperative disc length and degree of condylar bone resorption correlated with postoperative condylar bone regeneration(P<0.05). Patients younger than 30 years with non-shortened preoperative disc length and less condylar bone resorption have a higher probability of new bone formation. Conclusions: The condyle has bone regeneration capacity after correcting the abnormal relationship between disc and condyle, and young age, non-shortened preoperative disc length and less condylar bone resorption are conducive to postoperative condylar bone regeneration.

A 4-miRNAs signature predicts survival in glioblastoma multiforme patients

BACKGROUND

Although O(6)-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status is an important marker for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), there is considerable variability in the clinical outcome of patients with similar methylation profles.

OBJECTIVE

We examined whether a MicroRNA (miRNA) signature can be identified for predicting clinical outcomes and helping in treatment decisions.

METHODS

The differentially expressed miRNAs were evaluated in 6 pairs of short- (⩽ 450 days) and long-term survivors (> 450 days) by using microarray. Real time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was applied to further verify screened miRNAs with a greater number of samples (n= 48). Meanwhile, functional interpretation of miRNA profile was carried out based on miRNA-target databases. In addition, MGMT promoter methylation status was tested by means of pyrosequencing (PSQ) testing.

RESULTS

Six miRNAs were upregulated in the long-term survival group (fold change ⩾ 2.0, P< 0.05). The further verification by qRT-PCR indicated that the increase in let-7g-5p, miR-139-5p, miR-17-5p and miR-9-3p level in long-term survivors was statistically significant. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that high expression of a prognostic 4-miRNA signature was significantly associated with good patient survival (p= 0.0012). The signature regulated signaling pathways including Calcium, MAPK, ErbB, mTOR and cell cycle involved in carcinogenesis from glial progenitor cell to primary GBM.

CONCLUSIONS

The 4-miRNA signature was identified as an independent prognostic biomarker that identified patients who have a favorable outcome.