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Aim: Although ameloblastoma is a benign tumor, its local invasiveness and recurrence rate are both high. Thus, the regulation of the invasiveness of ameloblastoma cells into the surrounding tissue is required to understand its pathogenesis. Ameloblastoma cells secrete several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs); however, the factors inducing their secretion remain unclear. We previously suggested that interleukin (IL)‐1α derived from ameloblastoma cells triggers the production of inflammatory cytokines by stromal fibroblasts. In this study, we estimated whether IL‐1α affects the behavior of ameloblastoma cells. Methods: The gene expression of MMP‐9 was assessed by real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The secretion of MMP‐9 was assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The motility of AM‐3 ameloblastoma and Raw264.7 （macrophage derived cells） cells and the invasiveness of AM‐3 cells were calculated using the Boyden chamber. The invasiveness of AM‐3 cells toward human foreskin fibroblast (HFF)‐2 fibroblasts were assessed using modified double‐layered collagen gel hemisphere (DL‐CGH). Results: The mRNA expression and secretion of MMP‐9 by AM‐3 ameloblastoma cells were significantly increased by IL‐1α stimulation. The motilities of AM‐3 and RAW264.7 macrophage derived cells and the invasiveness of AM‐3 cells were significantly enhanced by IL‐1α and suppressed by an IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra). The invasiveness of AM‐3 cells towards HFF‐2 fibroblasts in a DL‐CGH model was suppressed by a treatment with IL‐1Ra or an anti‐IL‐1α neutralizing antibody. Conclusion: IL‐1α itself or the IL‐1α‐dependent production of unidentified chemo attractants by stromal cells may be important for the local invasiveness of ameloblastoma cells, and IL‐1α might be a therapeutic target of the ameloblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: It is widely known that orthognathic surgery affects changes in facial soft tissue morphology. However, the effect of orthognathic surgery on facial expression remains to be verified. The purpose of this study was to examine the pros and cons of the effects of orthognathic surgery on facial expression in skeletal Class III patients. Methods: Fifteen patients (5 males, 10 females) were captured pre‐surgery and at 6 months' post‐surgery using Kinect camera while performing facial soft tissue movements (opening mouth, smiling, and blowing). The three‐dimensional coordinates, amount of movement, and velocity of the eight facial soft tissue landmarks during motion were obtained. As controls, 15 Japanese healthy volunteers with Class I occlusion were included. Results: Differences in the three‐dimensional coordinate values during movement were confirmed, and there were some landmarks in the lower face region of the preoperative patient that showed significant differences compared with the control. Total amount of movement and velocity of Pogonion during smiling were significantly smaller than those of the control group, but there was no significant difference between the control and postoperative groups at any landmarks after surgery. It was suggested that patients with skeletal Class III may have limited movement in some movements, and it was confirmed that with orthognathic surgery, the aspect of movement would be similar to that of the control. Conclusions: Orthognathic surgery may be beneficial to the facial muscles without limiting facial movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the wound healing process in a rat skin wound model dressed with a hexanoyl group‐modified alkaline‐treated gelatin porous (HxAlGltn) film with angiogenesis‐inducing and strong bioadhesive properties or a collagen sponge (CS). A circular 10‐mm full‐thickness skin defect was created on the backs of 8‐week‐old rats and then dressed with a HxAlGltn film (HxAlGltn group), collagen sponge (CS group), and no dressing (control group). Wound distances and areas were assessed macroscopically at specific time points after surgery, the lengths and thicknesses of the neo‐epithelium histologically, and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), collagen type I, and fibronectin immunohistochemically. Wound distances and areas were significantly greater in the HxAlGltn group than in the CS and control groups. The expression of α‐SMA in myofibroblasts was significantly weaker in the HxAlGltn group than in the other groups on day 7. Furthermore, angiogenesis was prominent on days 4 and 7 in the HxAlGltn group. No significant differences were observed in the length of the neo‐epithelium between all groups, whereas the thickness of the neo‐epithelium was greater in the HxAlGltn group than in the CS group. The present results suggest the potential of the HxAlGltn film as a dressing material in the wound healing process of full‐thickness skin defects because it reduces scar contraction and promotes angiogenesis more than CS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]