Repair of large bone defects remains a challenge for surgeons, tissue engineering represents a promising approach. However, the use of this technique is limited by delayed vascularization in central regions of the scaffold. Growth differentiation factor 15(GDF15) has recently been reported to be a potential angiogenic cytokine and has an ability to promote the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs). Whether it can be applied for promoting vascularized bone regeneration is still unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that GDF15 augmented the expression of cyclins D1 and E, induced Rb phosphorylation and E2F-1 nuclear translocation, as well as increased HUVECs proliferation. Furthermore, we also observed that GDF15 promoted the formation of functional vessels at an artificially-induced angiogenic site, and remarkably improved the healing in the repair of critical-sized calvarial defects. Our results confirm the essential role of GDF15 in angiogenesis and suggest its potential beneficial use in regenerative medicine.

The result of this study demonstrated that scaling and root planning was beneficial to periodontal healing of M2 after impacted M3 extraction. Addition of autogenous bone grafting for the treatment of osseous defects distal to M2 was safe and more effective than periodontal treatment alone. (Registry Number: ChiCTR-IOC-15006561).

Compound infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are problematic and usually require intervention. This retrospective study aimed to introduce a combined therapy of oral propranolol and topical timolol, and evaluate its efficacy and safety. Eighty-nine infants with compound IHs were treated with oral propranolol 2 mg/kg/day divided 2 times per day and timolol maleate 0.5% gel 3 times per day, for at least 3 months. Two observers evaluated the hemangioma independently at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9 months after the initiation of treatment. Changes in the hemangioma score values were evaluated using paired t test. Rebound growth and adverse effects were recorded. After treatment was completed, this combined therapy achieved clinical response in 100% of the patients (89/89). Significant positive effects were demonstrated at 1, 3, 6 months (p < 0.001), but not obvious after 6 months (p = 0.06). The response of IHs to the therapy was depending on the age at initial treatment. The average treatment duration was 6.48 (5.77–7.19) months. One patient (1.1%) relapsed after cessation of 6-month treatment, and 7 children (7.8%) developed side effects. Our study suggested that oral propranolol combined with topical timolol treatment is very effective and well-tolerated for compound IHs, which can be used as a first line treatment.