Self-seeding, a distinct biological behavior of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), is prevalent in many malignant tumors and closely linked to tumor progression. While most research focuses on the relationship between CTCs and distant metastasis, the understanding of the biological impact of CTCs self-seeding on tumor initiation and local progression remains limited. This article reviews the role of CTCs in tumor progression via self-seeding, providing a new perspective for exploring the mechanisms underlying malignant tumor development.

Objective: To research the role of zinc finger protein 260 (Zfp260) in osteoclast differentiation under the periodontitis microenvironment.Methods: Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into the monocyte/macrophage cell line RAW264.7. The transfected cells were induced into osteoclasts by receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL） for 7 days. Differentiated cells were harvested for tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression level of osteoclast differentiation-related genes. In vivo, experimental periodontitis models were established in Zfp260^flox/flox mice (Control group) and Zfp260^flox/flox Lyz2-cre^- myeloid cell conditional Zfp260-knockout mice (Zfp260^cko, Experimental group). The Micro-CT scan and histological staining were used to analyze alveolar bone resorption.Results: Zfp260 was up-regulated during osteoclast genesis. The knockdown of Zfp260 inhibited the differentiation of RAW264.7 cells into osteoclasts, and the expression of osteoclast-related factors was down-regulated (P<0.05). In vivo, the bone resorption was significantly decreased on the experimental side in Zfp260^CKO mice.Conclusion: Zfp260 regulates the osteoclast differentiation ability, which will provide a new target for solving periodontitis.

Objective: To explore the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A/p21) in the healing process of tooth extraction wounds in diabetic mice and the effect on migration and polarization of macrophages.Methods: C57BL/6 male mice were selected to construct a model of diabetes mellitus and the right maxillary first molar was removed. The changes of bone tissue at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after tooth extraction were observed and recorded by Micro-CT. The mRNA expression changes of p21, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CXCL14) and the macrophage polarization markers in tissue samples were detected. In addition, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of p21 and CXCL14 in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLFs) stimulated by high glucose in vitro, and the cell migration experiment was used to observe the changes in the migration ability of macrophages RAW264.7. CXCL14 protein was used to stimulate macrophages for 24 h, and its effect on the polarization of macrophages was verified by RT-qPCR.Results: Compared with the control group, the healing process of the tooth extraction wound was delayed in the experimental group. The mRNA expression of p21 in tissue was significantly increased on the third day after surgery, and the mRNA expression of CXCL14 showed the same trend (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA expression of M2 macrophage markers arginase-1 (ARG-1) and cluster of differentiation 206 (CD206) in tooth extraction callus tissue of diabetic mice increased synchronously on the third day after surgery (P<0.01). After high glucose stimulation of hPDLFs, the mRNA expression levels of p21 and CXCL14 increased. CXCL14 can increase the migration ability of macrophages and promote the M2 phenotype transformation. The expression of CXCL14 mRNA in hPDLFs was decreased by using the p21 small molecule inhibitor UC2288.Conclusion: During the healing process of tooth extraction wounds in diabetic mice, hPDLFs with high expression of p21 can promote macrophage migration and M2 polarization by secreting CXCL14.

Objective: To investigate the expression levels of lumican (LUM) and fibromodulin (FMOD) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues, and their correlation with the prognosis of OSCC patients.Methods: A total of 30 fresh OSCC tissues and 30 normal tissues were detected by Western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The 50 paraffin-embedded samples of OSCC and 9 paraffin-embedded samples of normal oral mucosa were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The correlation of LUM and FMOD expressions in OSCC tissues was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis.Results: The protein and mRNA expression levels of LUM and FMOD in the OSCC tissue were significantly higher than those in the normal tissues (P<0.001). However, there was no difference in the protein and mRNA levels of both LUM and FMOD in OSCC tissues of different degrees of differentiation (P>0.05). IHC results suggested significantly increased expression of LUM and FMOD in OSCC tissues, which were correlated with both tumor clinical staging (P<0.001) and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between the expression of LUM and FMOD in OSCC tissues. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that overall survival rate (OS) and tumor-specific survival rate (TSS) of patients with high LUM and FMOD expression levels were lower than those of patients with low expression levels. The Cox regression model showed that the expression of LUM and FMOD and clinical staging can be used as independent factors for predicting the prognosis of OSCC patients.Conclusion: The expressions of LUM and FMOD in OSCC are significantly increased, which may play a promoting role in the development of OSCC and suggest the prognosis of patients with OSCC.

Objective: To investigate the effect of early growth response gene 1 (EGR1) on osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) by regulating long non-coding RNA human leukocyte antigen complex group 11 (lnc-HCG11) and wingless/β-catenin (Wnt/β-catenin) pathway.Methods: The expression levels of EGR1 and lnc-HCG11 were changed in hPDLSCs through gene overexpression and interference assays, while the activation level of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was altered by the β-catenin inhibitor IWR-1. Subsequently, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting experiments were conducted to validate the intervention effect. After osteogenic induction, RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression levels of osteogenic genes runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), collagen type Ⅰα 1 (COL1A1), osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN), and alizarin red staining was used to detect the mineralization level of cells.Results: The overexpression of EGR1 was observed to promote the expression of lnc-HCG11 in hPDLSCs, while the overexpression of lnc-HCG11 promoted the expression levels of RUNX2, COL1A1, OPN, OCN, and mineralization in hPDLSCs. The pro-osteogenic effect of EGR1 was inhibited by silencing lnc-HCG11, while treatment with IWR-1 suppressed the expression of active β-catenin and weakened the pro-osteogenic effect of lnc-HCG11 on hPDLSCs.Conclusion: EGR1 promotes osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs by activating the lnc-HCG11/Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Objective: To study the effect of pedicle composite tissue flap transplantation combined with fractional laser (FL) therapy in the cosmetic restoration of patients with moderate to severe burns of the head and face.Methods: A total of 82 patients with moderate to severe burns on the head and face, who attended our hospital from May 2018 to May 2023, were selected and divided into the control group and the research group, 41 cases each, using a statistical randomization method. The control group underwent pedicle composite tissue flap transplantation, while the research group received pedicle composite tissue flap transplantation combined with FL therapy. The intervention effect, flap survival rate, skin healing time, skin elasticity score, luster score, scar score, and serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention. Additionally, the number of adverse reaction cases (infection, hematoma, flap contracture, wound dehiscence) was recorded.Results: After the intervention, the research group was higher than the control group in terms of total treatment efficiency, flap survival rate, skin elasticity score, luster score, and scar score (P<0.05); the research group was shorter than the control group in terms of skin healing time (P<0.05); the research group was lower than the control group in terms of serum TNF-α and IL-8 levels (P<0.05); and the research group was less than the control group in terms of the number of cases of adverse reactions (P<0.05).Conclusion: The combination of pedicle composite tissue flap transplantation and FL therapy improves cosmetic restoration in patients with moderate to severe burns of the head and face, accelerates skin healing, reduces inflammatory irritation, and decreases adverse reactions, demonstrating significant clinical application value.

Objective: To explore the imaging features and clinical significance of the white blocking line appearing on the newly formed maxillary sinus floor surface after lateral maxillary sinus floor elevation.Methods: A total of 41 patients who had lateral maxillary sinus floor elevation and bone grafting were followed up for 8 to 64 months. Cone beam CT (CBCT) was used to observe the changes in the bone grafts. Systemic information (such as smoking, diabetes) and local conditions (such as sinus membrane thickening or maxillary sinus cyst) were recorded.Results: A total of 45 sinuses in 41 patients had lateral maxillary sinus floor elevation and received bone grafting. Among them, 6 sinuses in 6 patients (with an incidence rate of 13.3%) showed the imaging changes of the white blocking line on the newly formed maxillary sinus floor surface (this radiographic feature is hereinafter referred to as the "analogous bony white line", and the formed structure is hereinafter referred to as the "cortical-like structure"). The formation time of the cortical-like structure is 10 to 36 months after the operation. In 2 patients, the formation of the cortical-like structure was detected 10 months after the operation, and the thickening of the cortical-like structure was observed at 26 months and 30 months after the operation respectively.Conclusion: After lateral maxillary sinus floor elevation, in some cases, the cortical-like structure will appear on the newly formed surface of the maxillary sinus floor during the process of osseointegration, with progressive thickening over time.

Objective: To explore the clinical manifestation, imaging features, treatment methods, and prognostic characteristics of paradental cyst (PC), providing reference and basis for clear diagnosis.Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical data of 10 patients with PC treated at the Hospital of Stomatology, Shandong University between September 2016 and September 2022 was performed, including clinical manifestations, imaging features, pathological results, treatment methods and prognosis.Results: Among the 10 patients with PC, 8 were male and 2 were female, with an average age of 34.9 years. A total of nine cases occurred in the mandible (five cases involving 48 teeth, four cases involving 38 teeth); one case occurred in the maxilla, involving 18 teeth. Four cases had a partial eruption of affected teeth, while six cases had no eruption of affected teeth. Seven patients presented with symptoms such as swelling and pain, while three had no clinical symptoms. All patients underwent surgical treatment, including curettage of the lesion and extraction of relevant teeth. Follow-up for 1-5 years after surgery showed no recurrence.Conclusion: PC is a type of inflammatory root cyst that mainly occurs in the third molar area of the lower jaw. On imaging, it presents a clear crescent-shaped transmission shadow. Swelling and pain are the most common clinical manifestations, and the prognosis of surgical treatment is good.

The influence of component composition, pore size, porosity, and mechanical properties of bone tissue engineering (BTE) scaffolds on bone regeneration has been extensively studied. However, there is currently a lack of research on the impact of multi-scale structural design on bone regeneration. With the advancement of biomimetic technology, mimicking the multi-scale structures of natural materials presents a promising strategy to enhance the mechanical performance and biological activity of BTE scaffolds and facilitate bone regeneration. As such, this review provides a summary of recent advances in biomimetic structural materials utilized in BTE scaffolds, discussing future development opportunities and challenges with the aim of inspiring the design of BTE scaffolds with superior properties.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the structural basis of mandibular movements, but its poor self-repairing ability makes the cartilage and bone defects hard to regenerate under pathological conditions. Adult mesenchymal stem cells（MSCs）have become a research hotspot in the tissue repairing of the TMJ due to their ability to differentiate toward chondrocytes and osteocytes. This article will focus on adult MSCs in the TMJ and review their recent research progress.

Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) could reduce the amount of required bone graft and the complexity of the augmentation procedure during the consequent implant placement. Although ARP is an effective way to reduce bone resorption, there is still controversy about the surgical method and timing of surgery. This article systematically reviewed ARP procedure in terms of material selection, clinical procedure, clinical efficacy, prognostic factors, treatment decision trees, and postoperative complications.

Neurotrophin receptor kinase (NTRK)-rearranged spindle cell tumor is a new and rare soft tissue tumor. This article reports a case of NTRK-rearranged spindle cell tumor in the left cheek and aims to improve awareness of the disease and reduce clinical misdiagnosis.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis and treatment of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma of nasal type (ENKTL-NT), and to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of clinicians.Methods: A case of palatal mucosa with a midline symmetry ulcer was followed up and ENKTL-NT was discussed, and analyzed in combination with literature.Results: After multiple biopsies were taken and the diagnosis was confirmed, the patient's condition was obviously improved by combined treatment. During nine months of postoperative follow-up, the patient died.Conclusion: ENKTL-NT is rare for stomatologists, and its clinical features are complex. Biopsy is often difficult to confirm the diagnosis. It is necessary to implement repeated multi-site biopsy strategies to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Objective: To retrospectively analyse a case of uncontrollable bleeding after supragingival scaling that occurred in May 2023 at the People's Hospital of Fengqing County, Yunnan Province. The prevention and management of uncontrollable bleeding caused by systemic factors after invasive oral procedures were discussed.Methods: A multidisciplinary consultation was conducted with the cardiology, pharmacy, and hematology-endocrinology departments. Local treatment included the application of levonordefrin tartrate and cold saline. Intravenous administration of vitamin K and tranexamic acid was also provided.Results: Hemostasis was achieved locally within 48 hours after admission. The patient's vital signs stabilized, and follow-up laboratory examinations showed no significant abnormalities.Conclusion: A thorough inquiry into the patient's medical history is essential before performing invasive oral procedures. For patients on long-term anticoagulant therapy, particularly those using multiple anticoagulants, multidisciplinary consultations can effectively guide treatment and reduce the risk of postoperative bleeding.