Downregulation of MicroRNA-494 inhibits the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway and prevents the development of hypospadias through upregulating Nedd4L.

Background: Hypospadias, as a congenital disorder of the urethra, is the second most common birth abnormality of the male reproductive system. This study primarily investigates the effects of microRNA-494 (miR-494) on the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smads signaling pathway and on the development of hypospadias by binding to neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated gene 4-like (Nedd4L).

Methods: We induced a mouse model of hypospadias through di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate treatment.

MicroRNA-129-5p suppresses nasopharyngeal carcinoma lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis by targeting ZIC2.

Purpose: The etiology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is multifactorial, complex and not fully characterized yet. MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) have been found to contribute to the development and progression of NPC. Here, we aimed to investigate the putative role of miR-129-5p in NPC lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis (LNM), including the involvement of its target gene ZIC2 and the Hedgehog signaling pathway.

Downregulated microRNA-488 enhances odontoblast differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells via activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) are primarily derived from the pulp tissues of permanent third molar teeth. They were widely used in human bone tissue engineering. It was previously indicated that microRNA (miR) expressions are closely associated with hDPSCs development.

[Effect of simvastatin on bone morphogenetic protein-2 expression in the periodontal tissue after rat tooth movement].

Objective: To investigate the effect of systematic administration of simvastatin on the bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) expression in the periodontal tissue after rat tooth movement and on the relapse of tooth movement.

Methods: Orthodontic tooth movement of upper first molar was performed in 32 rats with coil spring for 21 days. The 32 rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups: negative control group (isotonic saline) and three experimental groups (2.

[The relationship between cbfalpha1 and the mechanism of the bone remodeling in the process of orthodontic tooth movement].

Purpose: To perform qualitative and quantitative analyses of core binding factor alpha1 (cbfalpha1) in periodontal tissue during the experimental rat tooth movement process and to investigate the active mechanism of cbfalpha1 in the osteoblast differentiation.

Methods: 42 male Wistar rats aged 8 weeks were divided into 7 groups (0,1,3,5,7,10 and 14 days groups) in random, 6 rats in each group. 42 rats were perfused and sacrificed at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th and 14th day.