The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of forced mouth opening on murine mandibular condylar head remodeling. We hypothesized that forced mouth opening would cause an anabolic response in the mandibular condylar cartilage. Six-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups: (1) control, (2) 0.25 N, and (3) 0.50 N of forced mouth opening. Gene expression, micro-CT, and proliferation were analyzed. 0.5 N of forced mouth opening caused a significant increase in mRNA expression of Pthrp, Sox9, and Collagen2a1, a significant increase in proliferation, and a significant increase in trabecular spacing in the subchondral bone, whereas 0.25 N of forced mouth opening did not cause any significant changes in any of the parameters examined. Forced mouth opening causes an increase in the expression of chondrocyte maturation markers and an increase in subchondral trabecular spacing.

Objective-Little is known about the natural progression of the disease process of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA), which affects approximately 1 % of the US population. The goal of this study was to examine the early microarchitectural and molecular changes in the condylar cartilage and subchondral bone in biglycan/fibromodulin (Bgn/Fmod) doubledeficient mice, which develop TMJ-OA at 6 months.Methods-TMJs from 3 month old (n=44) and 9 month old (n=52) wild-type (WT n=46) and Bgn/ Fmod (n=50) double-deficient mice were evaluated. Micro-CT analysis of the subchondral bone (n=24), transmission electron microscopy for condylar cartilage fibril diameters (n=26), and real time PCR analysis for gene expression for bone and cartilage maturation markers (n=45) was performed.Results-A statistically significant increase in collagen fibril diameter of the condylar cartilage and a decrease in expression of Parathyroid related protein in the mandibular condylar head were observed in the 3 month Bgn/Fmod double-deficient mice compared to WT controls. The 9 month Bgn/Fmod double-deficient mouse demonstrated an increase in bone volume and total volume in subchondral bone, and an increase in the expression of Collagen Type X and Aggrecan in the mandibular condylar head compared to the WT controls.Conclusion-We found that changes in the microarchitecture of the condylar cartilage preceded changes in the subchondral bone during OA in the TMJ in Bgn/Fmod double-deficient mice.

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Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide. Among NSCLC patients, almost half have wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR WT). The primary therapeutic option for these EGFR WT NSCLC patients is chemotherapy, while NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations have more diverse therapeutic options, including EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Moreover, NSCLC patients with EGFR WT have worse chemotherapy response than EGFR mutant NSCLC patients. Thus, an urgent need exists for novel therapeutic strategies to improve chemotherapy response in EGFR WT NSCLC patients. Hedgehog signaling is known to be highly active in NSCLC; however, its potential role in chemoresistance is not fully understood. In the present study, we found that paclitaxel (PTX) treatment induces hedgehog signaling in EGFR WT NSCLC cells, and inhibition of hedgehog signaling with GDC-0449 (Vismodegib) increases sensitivity to PTX-stimulated apoptosis. Furthermore, GDC-0449 potentiates PTX-induced reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction. In contrast, a hedgehog agonist, Hh-Ag1.5, attenuates PTX-induced apoptosis. Mechanistic experiments revealed that hedgehog induces phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473. Akt then phosphorylates Bax at Ser184, which can switch its activity from pro-apoptosis to anti-apoptosis. Taken together, our findings suggest that inhibition of hedgehog signaling might be a promising therapeutic strategy to improve PTX response in EGFR WT NSCLC.

KEY WORDSanterior superior iliac spine, avulsion fracture, sonography Anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) avulsion fractures are not common. We describe a 15-yearold boy who suffered from sudden onset of pain on the left side of his groin when running a race, accompanied by weakness in raising his left leg. Physical examination revealed local tenderness over left ASIS area, initial pelvic radiograph showed no abnormalities, but kidney-ureter-bladder radiograph revealed a small indistinct radiopaque shadow lateral to iliac bone. Then, musculoskeletal sonography disclosed the displacement of the apophysis from the left ASIS, and avulsion fracture was impressed. Pelvic computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis. The patient gradually recovered after conservative treatment. Groin pain in athletes is a dilemma in diagnosis, and careful correlation of the clinical condition and radiological findings is essential to avoid misdiagnosis. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a useful tool for quick screening and to facilitate diagnosis. ª