A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapies.

BACKGROUND: Align technology has developed greatly over past few years. Patients tended to prefer clear aligners over conventional brackets because of the superior comfort and esthetics, while the effectiveness of clear aligners was still controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to verify whether the treatment effectiveness of clear aligners was similar to the conventional fixed appliances. METHODS: A comprehensive search of the Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials Register databases for studies published through to August 20, 2018 was conducted. Comparative clinical studies assessing the effectiveness of clear aligners compared with braces were included. RESULTS: Eight papers were included in this study. Two of the included papers were randomized controlled trials and six were cohort studies. Clear aligners might not be as effective as braces in producing adequate occlusal contacts, controlling teeth torque, increasing transverse width and retention. While no statistically significant difference was found between two groups in Objective Grading System score (WMD = 8.38, 95% CI [- 0.17, 16.93]; P = 0.05). On the other hand, patients treated with clear aligners had a statistically significant shorter treatment duration than with braces (WMD = - 6.31, 95% CI [- 8.37, - 4.24]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both clear aligners and braces were effective in treating malocclusion. Clear aligners had advantage in segmented movement of teeth and shortened treatment duration, but were not as effective as braces in producing adequate occlusal contacts, controlling teeth torque, and retention.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for uterine fibroids: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive uterine-preserving treatment alternative to hysterectomy for women with fibroids. METHODS: We performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of HIFU in the treatment of women with symptomatic fibroids comparing it to other approaches including medical treatment with mifepristone (Mife), traditional surgery with myomectomy or hysterectomy (MYC/HRM), and radiofrequency ablation (RF). 16 studies with 1725 women were included. RESULTS: The pooled data of HIFU comparing it to other methods in terms of complete or partial response rate (CR/PR) was not significantly better, but in subgroup analysis, the response rate was significantly higher than Mife, significantly lower than RF and comparable to MYC/HRM, respectively. For the endpoints of safety, the superiority of HIFU compared to MYC/HMR or Mife was found to be significant in terms of pain/discomfort, fever, transfusion, genital tract, gastrointestinal tract, and anesthesia-related complications, while no superiority was identified for skin burn, urinary tract, and nervous system complications. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that HIFU treatment of uterine leiomyomas leads to clinical improvement with few significant clinical complications and adverse events.

The Effects of Anthropomorphism, Message Framing, and Voice Type on Unhealthy Sleep Behavior in Young Users: The Mediating Role of Risk Perception.

Insufficient sleep is a severe social public health problem that can adversely affect the physical and mental health of young people. This study examined risk perceptions for unhealthy sleep behaviors and intentions for healthy sleep behaviors under different combinations of anthropomorphism, message framing, and voice type in cartoons. We used a three-factor between-subject experiment of two (anthropomorphism: anthropomorphic vs. non-anthropomorphic) × two (message framing: positive frame vs. negative frame) × two (voice type: cartoon child voice vs. adult female voice) design. We examined the effects of different audiovisual combinations of cartoon attitude, risk perception, and behavioral intention and the mediating role of risk perception. The research results show that (1) the integration of anthropomorphic design elements can positively impact users' attitudes toward cartoons; (2) when the interface information is presented in a negative frame, anthropomorphism can more positively influence users' attitudes toward cartoons than non-anthropomorphism; and (3) anthropomorphism, message framing, and voice type in cartoons significantly interact with risk perception. In addition, risk perception mediates the influence of anthropomorphism, message framing, and voice type on behavioral intention.

A Comparative evaluation of CBCT outcomes of two closed treatment methods in intracapsular condylar fractures.

PURPOSE: The cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 2 closed treatments are compared for intracapsular condylar fractures (ICFs) to learn whether splint treatment could promote better radiologic outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients with 60 sides of ICF were divided into 2 groups. In the control group (C-group), patients had a liquid diet for 1 month. In the trial group (T-group), patients wore splints with anterior elastic traction. Local CBCT images of the temporomandibular joint were obtained at T0 (mean 8.8 days), T1 (mean 37.4 days), and T3 (mean 3.3 months) after trauma. Six parameters, including 2 horizontal, 1 sagittal, and 3 vertical distances, were calculated using the coordinates of 10 points marked on CBCT sections. Statistical analysis included intragroup comparison at T0, T1, and T3, and intergroup comparison among subgroups classified by age and ICF types. RESULTS: Compared to C-group, vertical distances were significantly changed in T-group, specifically in adults and patients with ICF type B. Significant changes at stage T1 were also observed in T-group. CONCLUSION: During the natural healing process, ICF healed in the displaced position and the stump tended to move closer to the joint fossa in the vertical dimension. Splint treatment with elastic traction was helpful to increase joint space and promote better radiologic healing shape.