Integration of autonomous maximal smile 3D image with digital 3D dental model and investigation of its accuracy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to establish an approach to integrate autonomous maximal smile (AMS) 3D facial image with digital 3D dental models to demonstrate the digital orthodontic set-up in the 3D facial context. METHODS: Using Geomagic Studio software, the AMS 3D facial image and pre-treatment dental model were manually and globally registered. Subsequently, the pre-treatment dental model was substituted with the predicted post-treatment dental model. The intraoral region of the AMS 3D facial image was removed, achieving a conjunctive display of the AMS 3D facial image and the post-treatment dental set-up. The distances between four groups of corresponding landmark pairs on the AMS 3D facial image and the pre-treatment dental set-up were calculated, and the accuracy of the registration operation was evaluated by paired t-test. RESULTS: The novel approach effectively facilitated the integration of AMS 3D facial images with the pre-treatment and predicted post-treatment 3D dental models. The average distances between the pairs of points were (1.19±0.55) mm and (1.55±0.59) mm for the two registrations, respectively. Notably, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two measurements (P>0.05), indicating a high agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.914). CONCLUSIONS: This study established an approach to integrate AMS 3D facial images with digital 3D dental models. Through this approach, the digital orthodontic set-up design can be displayed in the context of a 3D facial image, which may help to improve the quality of outcome set-up in digital orthodontics, such as clear aligner therapy.

Comparison of dental anesthetic efficacy between the periodontal intraligamentary anesthesia and other infiltration anesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Uncertainty exists regarding the pain scores and the success rate of intraligamentary anesthesia compared to other infiltration anesthesia. Based on the conditions of clinical anesthesia techniques, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of intraligamentary anesthesia with other infiltration anesthesia. Methods: The search was carried out in PubMed Central, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE (via OVID), Embase (via OVID), and Scopus from the inception to March 26, 2023. Results: Seven eligible randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated no significant difference in the success rate (RR = 0.96; 95% CI [0.81-1.14]; p = 0.65; I2= 73%) and visual analog scale (VAS) during dental procedures (MD = 3.81; 95% CI [-0.54-8.16]; p = 0.09; I2= 97%) between intraligamentary anesthesia and other infiltration anesthesia. However, intraligamentary anesthesia exhibited a higher VAS score during injection than other infiltration anesthesia (MD = 8.83; 95% CI [4.86-12.79]; p < 0.0001; I2= 90%). A subgroup analysis according to infiltration techniques showed that supraperiosteal anesthesia had a lower VAS score during dental procedures than intraligamentary anesthesia. Conclusions: Intraligamentary anesthesia and other infiltration anesthesias have the same success rate and pain during dental procedures. However, the pain during injection of intraligamentary anesthesia is heavier than that of other infiltration anesthesia.

Metabolic reprogramming in cancer: Mechanisms and therapeutics.

Cancer cells characterized by uncontrolled growth and proliferation require altered metabolic processes to maintain this characteristic. Metabolic reprogramming is a process mediated by various factors, including oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, changes in growth factors, and tumor-host cell interactions, which help to meet the needs of cancer cell anabolism and promote tumor development. Metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells is dynamically variable, depending on the tumor type and microenvironment, and reprogramming involves multiple metabolic pathways. These metabolic pathways have complex mechanisms and involve the coordination of various signaling molecules, proteins, and enzymes, which increases the resistance of tumor cells to traditional antitumor therapies. With the development of cancer therapies, metabolic reprogramming has been recognized as a new therapeutic target for metabolic changes in tumor cells. Therefore, understanding how multiple metabolic pathways in cancer cells change can provide a reference for the development of new therapies for tumor treatment. Here, we systemically reviewed the metabolic changes and their alteration factors, together with the current tumor regulation treatments and other possible treatments that are still under investigation. Continuous efforts are needed to further explore the mechanism of cancer metabolism reprogramming and corresponding metabolic treatments.

Abaloparatide outperforms teriparatide in protecting against alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two osteoanabolic drugs, abaloparatide (ABL) and teriparatide (TPTD), on protecting alveolar bone in experimental periodontitis. METHODS: Twenty-four 9-week-old, male, Sprague-Dawley rats were placed with silk suture around the right maxillary second molar, and then were randomly divided into three groups, that is, the ABL, TPTD, and saline group, receiving intermittent subcutaneous injections of ABL (80 µg/kg), TPTD (80 µg/kg) or saline respectively every other day for 4 weeks. Samples on both sides were assessed through micro-computerized tomography, histological, and immunohistochemical analysis. Mouse pre-osteoblast MC3T3 cell was cultured with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and treated with ABL or TPTD, before assays of cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: On the ligature side, both ABL and TPTD significantly reduced alveolar bone loss, and ABL had significantly better effects with higher expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and Bglap (formerly called osteocalcin); meanwhile, the ligature induced osteoclastogenesis and down-regulation of osteoprotegerin (OPG) was affected by neither drug. On the non-ligature side, ABL also showed better osteoanabolic effects. In vitro studies revealed that, in the presence of LPS, ABL, and TPTD similarly promoted MC3T3 proliferation, whereas ABL induced higher ALP activity and osteoblastic gene expression compared to TPTD. CONCLUSION: Both ABL and TPTD protect and regenerate alveolar bone in experimental periodontitis, and ABL behaves even better than TPTD at the same dose, attributed to its stronger osteoanabolic effects in this context.

Abaloparatide and teriparatide enhance mandibular growth in adolescent rats with site-specific and mechano-related effects.

OBJECTIVE: Teriparatide (TPTD) and abaloparatide (ABL) are two osteoanabolic drugs targeting parathyroid hormone (PTH)1R signalling. This study aimed to investigate the effects of TPTD and ABL on the adolescent mandibular growth. METHOD: In total, 70 4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 14 groups, treated with intermittent TPDT or ABL at various doses, accompanied by mandibular advancement (MA) or not. 3D printing was used to fabricate an innovative splint for MA. After a 4-week treatment, morphological measurement, histological and immunohistochemical analysis were performed. Mandibular condylar chondrocytes (MCCs) were treated with TPTD or ABL, followed by CCK-8 assay, alcian blue staining, real time-PCR and immunofluorescent staining. RESULT: In vivo, TPTD or ABL alone increased the condylar length and cartilage thickness, with up-regulated SOX9 and COL II, whilst down-regulated COL X; however, when combined with MA, the promotive effects were attenuated. TPTD or ABL alone increased the mandibular body height and mandibular angle width, whilst increased the mandibular body length and alveolar bone width when combined with MA. In vitro, TPTD or ABL enhanced the MCC proliferation, glycosaminoglycan synthesis, COL II and SOX9 expression, whilst down-regulated COL X, Ihh and PTH1R expression. CONCLUSION: Both ABL and TPTD enhance mandibular growth in adolescent rats with site-specific and mechano-related effects, including propelling chondrogenesis at the condylar cartilage and promoting bone apposition at other mechano-responsive sites. They behave as promising drugs for mandibular growth modification, and in general ABL seems more potent than TPTD in this context.

Prognostic Value of Tumor-Stroma Ratio in Rectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) is a promising new prognostic predictor for patients with rectal cancer (RC). Although several studies focused on this pathologic feature, results from those studies were still inconsistent. METHODS: This research aimed to estimate the prognostic values of TSR for RC. A search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science was carried out. A meta-analysis was performed on disease-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival in patients with RC. RESULTS: The literature search generated 1,072 possible studies, of which a total of 15 studies, involving a total of 5,408 patients, were eventually included in the meta-analysis. Thirteen of the 15 articles set the cutoff for the ratio of stroma at 50%, dividing patients into low-stroma and high-stroma groups. Low TSR (rich-stroma) was significantly associated with poorer survival outcome. (DFS: HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.32-1.79; OS: HR 1.52 95% CI 1.34-1.73; CSS: HR 2.05 95% CI 1.52-2.77). CONCLUSION: Present data support TSR to be a risk predictor for poor prognosis in RC patients.

The effect of N-acetylcysteine on the antibacterial capability and biocompatibility of nano silver-containing orthodontic cement.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the incorporation of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) improves the antibacterial ability and biocompatibility of nano silver (NAg)-containing orthodontic cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NAg was synthesized using a sodium citrate reduction method. NAg particles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra. NAg and NAC were incorporated into a resin-modified glass ionomer cement. Enamel shear bond strength (SBS), antibacterial capability, and cytotoxicity were evaluated. RESULTS: Incorporating 0.15% NAg and 20% NAC had no adverse effect on the SBS of orthodontic cement (P > .1). Adding NAC into NAg-containing cement greatly reduced the biofilm metabolic activity and lactic acid production (P < .05) and lowered the colony unit-forming counts by approximately 1 log (P < .05). The cell viability against NAg-containing cement was improved by NAC (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of NAC into NAg-containing cement achieved stronger antibacterial capability and better biocompatibility, without compromising the enamel SBS. The combined use of NAC and NAg is promising to combat caries in orthodontic practice.