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The purpose of this study was to compare career choice and future plans of dental students in China and Japan. Information was derived from a self-answered questionnaire. Significant differences were detected for eight items between the two countries. Regarding motivation towards career choice, 41% of Japanese students indicated positive motives related to helping others, achieving self-worth and health-care related interests, whereas Chinese students indicated that their choice was mainly for financial and prestige reasons, and for 32% of them, dentistry was a passive choice. More Chinese dental students (74%) wanted further education compared with Japanese students (22%). The majority of Japanese students (56.9%) planned to work as general dentists. Conversely, Chinese students were more likely to specialise (50%). More than 50% of Japanese students wanted to work in dental offices, but the majority of Chinese students (65%) preferred university hospital. We found it is strange that nearly one-fourth of the Chinese students did not want to be a clinical dentist mainly because of the poor health-care environment. This study provides a description of the perspectives of Japanese and Chinese dental students and enables a better understanding of career choices and future course design issues.

Ras-related protein Rab-5A (Rab5a) has been identified to be overexpressed in several types of human cancer. However, its clinical significance and biological roles in oral cancer remain unclear. In the present study, the protein expression of Rab5a was examined in 79 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma samples using immunohistochemistry. It was demonstrated that Rab5a protein was upregulated in 49.3% (39/79) of cancer samples. Small interfering RNA knockdown was performed on Detroit 562 cells with high endogenous expression. Rab5a transfection was performed in FaDu cells with low endogenous levels. Rab5a depletion was revealed to inhibit cell growth, invasion and colony formation while its overexpression facilitated cell growth, invasion, and colony formation. In addition, Rab5a facilitated cell cycle progression and cell migration. It was also demonstrated that Rab5a depletion downregulated and its overexpression upregulated the expression levels of various cell cycle-associated proteins, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). Furthermore, Rab5a positively regulated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway and promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). ERK inhibitor PD98059 partially inhibited the role of Rab5a on MMP-2, cyclin D1, cell proliferation and invasion. The results of the present study suggest that Rab5a is overexpressed in oral cancer tissue samples and promotes the malignant phenotype through EMT and the ERK/MMP-2 signaling pathway.

Objective The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of concentrated growth factor (CGF) on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and angiogenic potential of rabbit periosteum-derived cells (PDCs) in vitro. Methods PDCs were isolated from the femoral and tibial periosteum of rabbits and cultured with or without CGF membranes or CGF conditioned media. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for the structural characterization. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to measure cell proliferation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of PDCs was also measured. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of CD34. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and Western blot were used to evaluate the secretion and expression levels of osteogenic differentiation markers (bone morphogenetic protein-2, type I collagen, osteocalcin) and angiogenesis markers (vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor) in supernatants and PDCs at days 3, 7, 14, and 21. Results The SEM analysis showed a dense three-dimensional fibrin network in CGF, and CGF membranes were covered by PDCs with elongated or polygonal morphological features. Compared with the control group, CGF significantly promoted the proliferation of PDCs during the experimental period (p

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the association between the implant apex and the sinus floor in posterior maxilla dental implantation by means of three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) analysis. Ten 3D FE models of a posterior maxillary region with a sinus membrane and different heights of alveolar ridge with different thicknesses of sinus floor cortical bone were constructed according to anatomical data of the sinus area. Six models were constructed with the same thickness of crestal cortical bone and a 1-mm thick sinus floor cortical bone, but differing heights of alveolar ridge (between 10 and 14 mm). The four models of the second group were similar (11-mm-high alveolar ridge and 1-mm-thick crestal cortical bone) but with a changing thickness of sinus floor cortical bone (between 0.5 and 2.0 mm). The standard implant model based on the Nobel Biocare® implant system was created by computer-aided design (CAD) software and assembled into the models. The materials were assumed to be isotropic and linearly elastic. An inclined force of 129 N was applied. The maximum von Mises stress, stress distribution, implant displacement and resonance frequencies were calculated using CAD software. The von Mises stress was concentrated on the surface of the crestal cortical bone around the implant neck with the exception of that for the bicortical implantation. For immediate loading, when the implant apex broke into or through the sinus cortical bone, the maximum displacements of the implant, particularly at the implant apex, were smaller than those in the other groups. With increasing depth of the implant apex in the sinus floor cortical bone, the maximum displacements decreased and the implant axial resonance frequencies presented a linear upward tendency, but buccolingual resonance frequencies were hardly affected. This FE study on the association between implant apex and sinus floor showed that having the implant apex in contact with, piercing or breaking through the sinus floor cortical bone benefited the implant stability, particularly for immediate loading.

Purpose The study aims to provide a theoretical guidance of postmaxillary implant in the augmented sinus without grafting materials by establishing a three-dimensional model of this new implant restorative technique, evaluating failure risk of sinus augmentation without grafting materials of different alveolar ridge heights, and analyzing stress distribution of different healing stage. Materials and Methods Seventeen three-dimensional finite element models of a posterior maxillary region with sinus mucosa and different elevation heights were constructed according to anatomical data of sinus area, and the standard implant model based on Nobel Biocare implant system were created via computer-aided design software. All materials were assumed to be isotropic and linearly elastic. Axial force of 150 N was applied. The von Mises stress, stress distribution, and implant displacement were calculated with software. Results With the height of the alveolar ridge reducing, the maximum von Mises stress of tissues and the displacement of the implant are on the rise, especially when the height of the bone is less than 7 mm. When the height decreased to 4 mm, the data may be doubled. After the stiff callus stage, the stress and displacement were close to the control model. Conclusion For maxillary sinus augmentation without grafting material implant technique, the stress of different tissues and the displacement of the implant were not increased much when the height of alveolar ridge is more than 7 mm. But if the alveolar bone height is less than 4 mm, this implant technique is not suggested. Immediately loading is not suggested and the loading opportunity should be after the stiff callus stage at least to improve the success rate.

The aim of this study was to identify and compare the attitudes of dental students towards dental education in Japan and China. Fifty-four dental students from the Stomatology School of China Medical University and 51 dental students from the Dental Faculty of Kyushu University, Japan, participated in this study. Information was derived from a self-answered questionnaire consisting of 11 items. Significant differences in the responses of the participants from the two countries were detected for 10 of the questionnaire items (P < 0.05). Nearly three-quarters of the Japanese students were satisfied with the teaching faculties of their schools, while only a quarter of the Chinese students indicated satisfaction. A total of 69% of Chinese students thought that learning a foreign language wasted too much time compared with none of the Japanese students. A student-oriented teaching mode was not well accepted by either of the groups, and 62% of Chinese students and 53% of Japanese students wanted to increase the duration of the clinical practice stage of education. The findings from this study enhance our understanding of differences and/or similarities among dental students in the two nations. This information may help to define strategies to improve the quality of dental education, and especially exchange programmes of international students.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the surface characteristics of nanoporous titanium oxide films, formed by anodization on Ti-24Nb-4Zr-8Sn (Ti2448) alloy, on the early adhesion of osteoblast-like MG-63 cells. Nanoporous titanium oxide films with two different pore sizes (30 and 90 nm) were formed by anodization in NH4F solution on Ti2448 alloy. The surface roughness of the nanoporous titanium oxide films was determined using a Surftest Formtracer and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Cell viability was evaluated at different time points using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms involved in the focal adhesion of osteoblasts to Ti2448 alloy, we quantified the expression levels of integrin β1 and paxillin mRNAs on the nanoporous titanium oxide films during early osteoblast adhesion using real-time RT-PCR. Samples with a 30-nm nanoporous film exhibited a greater number of overlapping microporous structures with microprojections compared with the 90-nm nanoporous film samples. The MTT assay indicated that cell viability on the 30-nm nanoporous surface following 24 and 48 h of cell culture was higher than those observed on the unanodized control and 90-nm nanoporous surfaces. Integrin β1 mRNA expression levels on the 30-nm nanoporous surface following cell culture for 48 h were also significantly higher compared with those on the unanodized control and 90-nm nanoporous surfaces. The results demonstrated that a 30-nm nanoporous titanium oxide film on Ti2448 alloy may provide the optimum bioactive implant surface for the initial adhesion of osteoblasts.

Ti–24Nb–4Zr–8Sn (abbreviated as Ti2448) is a multifunctional β type titanium alloy consisting of nontoxic alloying elements and possessing better balanced biomechanical properties of high strength and low elastic modulus. To improve its bioactivity, the anodic oxidation of Ti2448 alloy in neutral electrolyte containing small amounts of NH4F was applied to produce the nanotubes consisting of the amorphous mixed oxides of TiO2, Nb2O5, SnO2 and ZrO2. The in vitro studies of the oestoblast-like MG-63 cells were performed to evaluate the biological behavior of the nanotubes with the outer diameters of 30, 50, 70 and 90 nm in comparison with the polished pure titanium and Ti2448 alloy. The results showed that the smaller diameter of 30 nm promoted the cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation whereas the larger diameter of 90 nm had the worst cell viability with small spreading area of cytoskeletal actin. Although the nanotubes of Ti2448 alloy consist of the amorphous mixed oxides, it exhibits similar biological behavior with that of the amorphous TiO2 of pure titanium. This suggests that the topography of the amorphous nanotube plays important role on cell response. Additionally, the studies did not detect statistical difference of the bioactivity for the polished pure titanium and Ti2448 alloy.

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes/hydroxyapatite (MWCNTs/HA) composites with 20%, 40% and 60% HA were successfully fabricated at 1200 °C and 120 MPa by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations showed that MWCNTs/HA composites kept the nanostructure of MWCNTs after SPS treatment. The bulk density of the MWCNTs/HA composites was increased by the addition of HA. However, the Vickers hardness, porosity, Young's modulus, flexure strength and compression strength of the MWCNTs/HA composites were decreased with increasing content of HA. To test their biocompatibility, the MWCNTs/40% HA composites were inserted into rat femur. The in vivo reaction of four weeks showed that the composites possessed better osseointegration compared to pure MWCNTs. The results indicated that the MWCNTs/HA composites have potential for a wide variety of bonegraft applications in the future.

To evaluate the adaptation of different lithium disilicate glass-ceramic crown and whether different fabrication processes affect the adaptation of crowns.Thirty epoxy dies crowns were divided into 3 groups. They were cemented to domestic lithium disilicate glass-ceramic crowns in Group A, to IPS e.max CAD crowns in Group B and to IPS e.max Press crowns in Group C respectively. All crowns were cut by cutting machine. A confocal laser scanning microscope was used to measure the gap between crown tissue surface and die.There were significant differences in the three groups of measurement points(P0.05). Within the groups, specimens in group A showed in the lowest marginal fit([46.8±9.1] μm). Those in group B showed the lowest shoulder suitability([59.3±7.9] μm), axial plane([50.5±3.6] μm) and occlusal surface([87.6±11.6 μm]. Those in group C demonstrated the lowest axial plane angle[(84.4±10.1) μm]. In addition to the axial plane angle, the CAD/CAM system exhibited good accuracy of fit.The three groups of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic crowns appeared to have clinically acceptable fit.

This study stressed on the effect of fluoride-ion implantation upon the biocompatibility of titanium. By using plasma immersion ion implantation technique, fluoride ions were implanted into the smooth surface of pure titanium. The chemical composition and physical structure of the modified surface layers were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as well as scanning electron microscope (SEM). At the same time, in vitro co-culture assays were performed to evaluate the biocompatibility of MG-63 cells to the modified titanium. It was confirmed by SEM observations that cell growth on the fluoride-ion-implanted titanium acquired better morphological characters. In addition, the cells on the fluoride-ion-implanted titanium showed the more increasingly and rapidly substrates-attaching capabilities than those on the non-implanted titanium via aridine orange stain assay. Fluoride-ion-implanted titanium could increase the percentages of cells in S phase but without affecting the ratios of cells in G0/G1 and G2/M phases was confirmed by flow cytometry assay. The current results indicated that fluoride-ion implantation could improve the biocompatibility of titanium.

To determine the effect of different denture cleaning methods on surface roughness in resin denture base.We established 20 wafer samples of fuser base resin (14 mm×14 mm×3 mm), and then randomly divided them into 4 groups: group A was the control group, which were placed in water, while group B, C and D were the experimental groups, whose cleaning methods were toothbrush and water, toothbrush and toothpaste, denture cleaning tablets, respectively. Each procedure in group B and C lasted for 3 seconds, but group D lasted 5 min and repeated for 1080 times. We cleaned twice a day to simulate the method of cleaning dentures. Surface roughness was checked after different procedures by laser scanning confocal microscopy.Significant difference on surface roughness was found between group B, C and A (P0.05), while no significant difference in the surface roughness between group A and D (P0.05).Significant surface roughness alterations have been observed in toothbrush and toothpaste group, but no change has been found in denture cleaning tablets group, which does not produce scratches on the surface of resin denture base.

This study investigated the efficacy of cold light bleaching using different bleaching times and the effects thereof on tooth enamel. Before and after bleaching, stained tooth specimens were subjected to visual and instrumental colorimetric assessments using Vita Shade Guide and spectrophotometric shade matching. Enamel surface alterations were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze surface morphology, surface microhardness (SMH) measurement to determine changes in mechanical properties, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to characterize post-bleaching enamel composition. Cold light bleaching successfully improved tooth color, with optimal efficacy when bleaching time was beyond 10 min. Significant differences in surface morphology were observed among the different bleaching times, but no significant differences were observed for enamel composition and surface microhardness among the different bleaching times. Results of this study revealed an association between the bleaching time of cold light bleaching and its whitening efficacy. Together with the results on enamel surface changes, this study provided positive evidence to support cold light bleaching as an in-office bleaching treatment.

We investigated how the thickness of an adhesive layer between two Co-Cr alloy plates affected the mode I fracture toughness of dental adhesive resin by varying the type of resin using a double cantilever beam (DCB) test. Two typical adhesive resins (PV and SB) were used. The adhesive layers of the DCB test specimens were 20, 100 and 200 microns thick. The fracture modes of PV differed with the thickness of the adhesive layer, such as interface fracture at 20 microns thickness, and similar cohesive fracture at 100 and 200 microns thickness. In the case of SB, crack-propagating areas were observed as cohesive fractures in all test specimens with different adhesive layer thickness, and the surfaces of these areas became remarkably rougher as the thickness of the adhesive layer increased. The fracture toughness of PV was not affected by the differences in thickness between the 100 and 200 microns adhesive layers, but there was a notable decrease in fracture toughness when the adhesive layer decreased to a thickness of 20 microns. That of SB showed a tendency to increase as the adhesive layer became thicker.

Corrigendum to ‘‘Effect of fluoride-ion implantation on the biocompatibility of titanium for dental applications’’ [Applied Surface Science 254 (20) (2008) 6305–6312] H.Y. Liu , X.J. Wang , L.P. Wang , F.Y. Lei , X.F. Wang , H.J. Ai * a School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, PR China Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian 116001, PR China c State Key Laboratory of Advanced Welding Production Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, PR China d The Graduate Program of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA e School of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, PR China

Background This elite education reform that commenced in 2001 aims to improve the quality of Chinese dentists. It is expected to be one of the biggest drivers that lead dental education of China to a new stage. The authors identified and analyzed the perspectives of Chinese 8-year stomatology medical doctor (SMD) program students toward their career choice and future plan. Methods The data from a self-administered questionnaire (4 items regarding career choice and 6 items about future plan), administered to 87 8-year SMD program students from the School of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing, China, were used. The authors performed a comparison of the students of different sexes and home locations using the Chi-square test. Results Of the students, 34.5% indicated interpersonal motives as the reason to choose the 8-year SMD program, and only 52.9% thought that they had made good choices. The top three popular careers were those of prosthodontists (20.7%), oral surgeons (14.9%), and orthodontists (13.8%). The majority of students preferred first-tier cities (85.7%) and university hospitals (71.3%). Conclusion In China, most 8-year S.M.D students would like to work as clinical dentists of university hospitals in first-tier cities. The top three career choices of graduates would be prosthodontists, oral surgeons, and orthodontists.