Plasma membrane ion fluxes and NFAT-dependent gene transcription contribute to c-met-induced epithelial scattering.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling drives epithelial cells to scatter by breaking cell-cell adhesions and causing them to migrate as solitary cells, a process that parallels epithelial-mesenchymal transition. HGF binds and activates the c-met receptor tyrosine kinase, but downstream signaling required for scattering remains poorly defined. We have applied a chemical biology approach to identify components of HGF signaling that are required for scattering in an in vitro model system.

Pericoronal ostectomy: an alternative surgical technique for management of mandibular third molars in close proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve.

Purpose: Close proximity of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) to mandibular third molars (MTMs) may result in nerve injury during the extraction of third molars. Alternative surgical techniques, such as coronectomy, have been suggested to decrease this risk. This study examined a new alternative technique, the pericoronal ostectomy (PO), that is intended to decrease IAN injury in high-risk cases.