The role of semaphorin 3A on chondrogenic differentiation.

Osteoblast-derived semaphorin3A (Sema3A) has been reported to be involved in bone protection, and Sema3A knockout mice have been reported to exhibit chondrodysplasia. From these reports, Sema3A is considered to be involved in chondrogenic differentiation and skeletal formation, but there are many unclear points about its function and mechanism in chondrogenic differentiation. This study investigated the pharmacological effects of Sema3A in chondrogenic differentiation.

Head and neck cancer patients show poor oral health as compared to those with other types of cancer.

Purpose: Several studies have found associations between periodontitis and various types of cancer. Since the site of head and neck cancer (HNC) has contiguity or proximity to the oral cavity, it may be particularly influenced by oral inflammation. This study aimed to determine whether HNC patients have poor oral health as compared to those with other types of cancer.

Longitudinal effects of estrogen on mandibular growth and changes in cartilage during the growth period in rats.

Estrogen is a steroid hormone that induces skeletal growth and affects endochondral ossification of the long tubular bone growth plate during the growth period. However, the effects of estrogen on endochondral ossification of the mandibular condylar cartilage are unclear. In this study, ovariectomized Wistar/ST rats were used to investigate the longitudinal effects of estrogen on mandibular growth.

FAK inhibition protects condylar cartilage under excessive mechanical stress.

Objectives: Excessive mechanical stress is assumed to be a major cause of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA). +Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a cytoplasmic non-receptor tyrosine kinase involved in a variety of signaling pathways. Little has been reported on the function of FAK in TMJ-OA.