Comparison of achieved and predicted crown movement in adults after 4 first premolar extraction treatment with Invisalign.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we compared achieved and predicted crown movements of maxillary and mandibular first molars, canines, and central incisors in adults after 4 first premolar extraction treatment with Invisalign. METHODS: Seventeen adult patients who received 4 first premolar extraction treatment with Invisalign and completed the first series of aligners were included. Superimposition of pretreatment and actual posttreatment dental models was acquired using registrations of pretreatment and posttreatment craniofacial models on the basis of bone surfaces and registrations of craniofacial and dental models on the basis of dental crown surfaces, respectively. Superimposition of pretreatment and predicted posttreatment models was acquired from ClinCheck software. Achieved and predicted 3-dimensional crown movements of maxillary and mandibular first molars, canines, and central incisors were then compared using the paired t test. RESULTS: Relative to predicted changes, first molars achieved greater mesial displacement, mesial tipping, and buccal inclination in both the maxilla and mandible, greater intrusion in the maxilla, and greater mesial-lingual rotation and less constriction in the mandible. Canines achieved greater distal tipping in both the maxilla and mandible, less retraction in the maxilla, and greater lingual inclination and extrusion in the mandible. Central incisors achieved greater distal tipping and lingual inclination and extrusion in both the maxilla and mandible and less retraction in the maxilla. CONCLUSIONS: Tooth crown movements were not fully achieved as predicted following Invisalign treatment. Differences focused on mesial tipping, buccal inclination, mesial displacement, and intrusion of the first molars, as well as distal tipping, lingual inclination, insufficient retraction, and intrusion of the canines and central incisors.

Analysis of correlation of 3-dimensional lip vermilion morphology and dentoskeletal forms in young Chinese adults on the basis of sex and skeletal patterns.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this research was to evaluate the correlation between 3-dimensional (3D) lip vermilion (LV) morphology and skeletal patterns as well as incisor measurements in young Chinese adults. METHODS: In all, 240 young adults were enrolled; these included 80 patients each with skeletal Class I, Class II, and Class III malocclusions, respectively. Each sagittal skeletal pattern included 40 male and 40 female subjects. Twenty-two 3D LV measurements were obtained from 3D facial scans. Skeletal and incisor measurements were evaluated on lateral cephalograms. Correlation and regression analysis were performed between soft and hard tissue measurements. RESULTS: Six of 22 LV measurements showed significant differences between male and female subjects. The 3D LV morphology showed significant differences with respect to different skeletal patterns and sex. Adults with skeletal Class III malocclusion tended to have thinner upper vermilion and fuller lower vermilion than subjects with skeletal Class II and III malocclusion. The mandibular plane angle negatively correlated with the upper-lower vermilion midsagittal curve length and surface area ratio in adults with skeletal Class I and II malocclusion, yet the vertical facial skeletal type showed no correlation in adults with skeletal Class III malocclusion. The vermilion angle, central bow angle, vermilion height, vermilion midsagittal curve length, vermilion height and width ratio, and vermilion surface area showed a significant correlation with incisor measurements. Regression analysis found that the ANB angle was an important factor affecting the upper and lower vermilion midsagittal curve length and surface area ratio. Further, the vermilion height and height and width ratio were closely correlated with the interincisal (U1/L1) angle, whereas the central bow angle was closely correlated with the maxillary incisor torque. CONCLUSIONS: Most LV morphology variables were correlated to skeletal patterns and incisor measurements. Skeletal Class III malocclusion showed significant differences in vermilion morphology. Both the sagittal and vertical skeletal pattern have effects on vermilion proportion. The incisor torque was closely correlated to vermilion shape and central bow angle and might influence the vermilion esthetics. However, the proportion of the upper and lower vermilion was mainly affected by the ANB angle.

Non-optimal effectiveness of convalescent plasma transfusion and hydroxychloroquine in treating COVID-19: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Convalescent plasma (CP) transfusion was reported to be effective in treating critically ill patients with COVID-19, and hydroxychloroquine could potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Herein, we reported a case receiving combination therapy with CP transfusion and hydroxychloroquine for the first time. CASE PRESENTATION: Laboratory findings showed high lactic acid level (2.1 mmol/L) and C-reactive protein (CRP, 48.8 mg/L), and low white blood cell count (1.96 × 109/L) in a 65-year-old Chinese man, who was diagnosed with severe COVID-19. CP was intravenously given twice, and hydroxychloroquine was orally administrated for a week (0.2 g, three times a day). The lactic acid and C-reactive protein levels remained high (2.1 mmol/L and 73.23 mg/L, respectively), while the arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation decreased to 86% with a low oxygenation index (OI, 76 mmHg) on day 4 after CP transfusion. His temperature returned to normal and the OI ascended above 300 on day 11. Moreover, the RNA test remained positive in throat swab, and computed tomography revealed severe pulmonary lesions on day 11 after admission. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that the effectiveness of combination therapy with CP and hydroxychloroquine may be non-optimal, and specific therapy needs to be explored.

Impaired Th17 cell proliferation and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine production in CXCR3/CXCR4 double-deficient mice of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common observed infection, affecting approximately 75% of women of reproductive age. Drug resistance represents a troublesome stumbling block associated with VVC therapy. Thus the aim of the present study was to provide information regarding the selection of potential drug targets for VVC. CXCR3-, CXCR4-, or CXCR/CXCR4 double-deficient mouse models of VVC were subsequently established, with changes to the load of Candida Albicans evaluated accordingly. The biological behaviors of the vaginal epithelial cells were characterized in response to the CXCR3-, CXCR4-, or CXCR3/CXCR4 double-knockout in vivo. Our initial observations revealed that in mice with VVC, CXCR3-, CXCR4-, or CXCR3 - CXCR4 double-knockout resulted in a decreased load of C. Albicans as well as reduced levels and proportion of Th17 cells. Proinflammatory cytokine production was found to be inhibited by CXCR3-, CXCR4-, or CXCR3/CXCR4 double-knockout whereby the mRNA and protein expressions CXCR3, CXCR4, IL-17, IL-6, and TNF-α exhibited decreased levels. CXCR3-, CXCR4-, or CXCR3/CXCR4 double-knockout appeared to function as positive proliferation factors, while playing a negative role in the processes of apoptosis and the cell cycle of vaginal epithelial cells. Taken together, the key findings of the study suggested that CXCR3/CXCR4 double-knockout could act to hinder the progression of VVC, highlighting its promise as a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of VVC. CXCR3 and CXCR4 genes may regulate Th17/IL-17 immune inflammatory pathways to participate in antifungal immunity.

Correlation Between Cephalometric Measures and End-of-Treatment Facial Attractiveness.

Sixty-nine experienced Chinese orthodontists evaluated 108 Chinese patients' facial attractiveness from set of photographs (frontal, lateral, and frontal smiling photos) taken at the end of orthodontic treatment. These 108 patients, which contained an equal number of patients with Class I, II, and III malocclusion, were randomly selected from 6 orthodontic treatment centers throughout China. Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients (rs) analyses were performed to examine agreement in ranking between all judge pairs. Pearson correlation and multivariate regression were performed to examine the correlation between cephalometric measures and end-of-treatment Photo Attractiveness Rank.96.68% judge pairs showed moderate correlated (+0.4 ≤ rs < +0.7) subjective rankings. Cephalometric measures significantly correlated with end-of-treatment Photo Attractiveness Rank included interincisal angle (r = 0.330, P < 0.05), L1/MP° (r = 0.386, P < 0.05), L1-NBmm (r = 0.451, P < 0.01), L1/NB° (r = 0.374, P < 0.05), and profile angle (r = 0.353, P < 0.05) in Class I patients with an explained variance of 32.8%, and ANB angle (r = 0.432, P < 0.01), angle of convexity (r = 0.448, P < 0.01), profile angle (r = 0.488, P < 0.01), Li to E-line (r = 0.374, P < 0.05), Li to B-line (r = 0.543, P < 0.01), and Z angle (r = 0.543, P < 0.01) in Class II patient with an explained variance of 43.3%.There was less association than expected between objective measurements on the lateral cephalograms and clinicians' rankings of facial attractiveness on clinical photography in Chinese patients. Straight-stand lower incisor was desired for facial attractiveness of Class I malocclusion; and sagittal relationship and lip prominence influence the esthetics of Class II malocclusion in Chinese population.

Distalization of the maxillary and mandibular dentitions with miniscrew anchorage in a patient with moderate Class I bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion.

This case report describes the treatment of a 25-year-old woman with a skeletal Class I pattern and moderate bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion. The orthodontic treatment included distal movement of her maxillary and mandibular dentitions using 1-stage miniscrews. The total active treatment time was about 12 months. Her tooth alignment and profile were significantly improved by the orthodontic treatment. The 2-year posttreatment records show a stable occlusion and satisfactory facial esthetics.

[Reproducibility and repeatability of the determination of occlusal plane on digital dental models].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the repeatability(intraobserver comparison)and reproducibility(interobserver comparison)of two different methods for establishing the occlusal plane on digital dental models. METHODS: With Angle's classification as a stratification factor,48 cases were randomly extracted from 806 ones which had integrated clinical data and had their orthodontic treatment from July 2004 to August 2008 in Department of Orthodontics ,Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology.Post-treatment plaster casts of 48 cases were scanned by Roland LPX-1200 3D laser scanner to generate geometry data as research subjects.In a locally developed software package,one observer repeated 5 times at intervals of at least one week to localize prescriptive landmarks on each digital model to establish a group of functional occlusal planes and a group of anatomic occlusal planes, while 6 observers established two other groups of functional and anatomic occlusal planes independently.Standard deviations of dihedral angles of each group on each model were calculated and compared between the related groups.The models with the five largest standard deviations of each group were studied to explore possible factors that might influence the identification of the landmarks on the digital models. RESULTS: Significant difference of intraobserver variability was not detected between the functional occlusal plane and the anatomic occlusal plane (P>0.1), while that of interobserver variability was detected (P<0.001). The pooled experimental standard deviation the 6 observers established for the functional occlusal plane was 0.2° smaller than that of the anatomic occlusal plane.The functional occlusal plane's variability of intraobserver and interobsever did not differ significantly (P>0.1), while the anatomic occlusal plane's variability of the intraobserver was significantly smaller than that of the interobserver (P<0.001), with a 0.12° difference value of the pooled experimental standard deviation. CONCLUSION: When one observer measures a number of digital models,both the functional and the anatomic occlusal planes are suitable as a conference plane with equal repeatability. When several observers measure a large number of digital models,the functional occlusal plane is more reproducible than the anatomic occlusal plane ,but the difference is small.

[Resting pressure of the tongue body on the tongue anchorage pad].

OBJECTIVE: To measure the resting pressure of the tongue body on the sagittal and vertical dimensions of the tongue anchorage pad (TAP), and to investigate the proper position of TAP as an anchorage. METHODS: Nineteen volunteers with individual normal occlusion (4 males and 15 females, age 23-33 years) were recruited in the study. Individualized TAP was designed and made for each subject. On the sagittal dimension, the pressure along the midline at the level of the distal of the second premolar (PM2), the first molar (M1) and the second molar (M2) were measured. On the vertical dimension, pressures on TAPs with height of -3 mm, 0 mm, and 3 mm were measured, with 0 mm standing for the reference point recorded by the tongue position record. The tongue resting pressure of the volunteers in the upright position was measured by miniature sensors (FSS1500NS, Honeywell, USA) embedded in TAP. Nonparametric analysis was applied with the significant level of 0.05. RESULTS: On the vertical dimension, the pressure obtained at the height of -3 mm, 0 mm, and 3 mm were 105.83 Pa, 167.75 Pa, and 254.25 Pa, respectively (P<0.001). On the sagittal dimension, the pressure detected at the level of PM2, M1, and M2 were 177.64 Pa, 126.72 Pa, and 109.37 Pa, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Tongue pressure rises significantly with the increase of TAP height. On the sagittal dimension, pressure decreases along the palatal midline in an anteroposterior direction. But in the clinical practice, we should also put comfort into consideration.

[Validation of subjective and objective evaluation methods for orthodontic treatment outcome].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlations between objective measurements of 108 finished orthodontic cases and subjective assessments made by 69 orthodontic specialists, to explore the statistically significant measuring categories of cast and cephalogram and to validate the regression model. METHODS: A stratified random sample of 108 cases was drawn from the large sample of 2 383 patients who finished orthodontic treatment between July 2006 and August 2008 in six orthodontic treatment centers around China. For each patient, the post-treatment information sources evaluated in this study included standardized plaster study casts and a lateral cephalometric X-ray image. These information sources were evaluated both singly and in combination by a panel of 69 orthodontic specialists. The average subjective grading scores of 69 orthodontists were regarded as the gold standard. Six examiners used the peer assessment rating (PAR) index and American board of orthodontics-objective grading system (ABO-OGS) to measure all the study casts respectively and three other examiners measured all the lateral cephalometric X-ray images by using customized software. The objective measuring data were correlated with the gold standard. The correlations between the objective measurement and the subjective evaluation were assessed, the statistically significant measuring categories of cast and cephalogram were explored and the regression model was validated. RESULTS: The ABO-OGS scores of "occlusal relationship" correlated most strongly with the subjective scores of cast (r=0.655, P<0.01), and the secondarily correlated category with those were the PAR scores of "overjet" (r=0.525, P<0.01). The proclination of the lower incisors correlated most strongly with the subjective scores of cephalogram (r=0.446, P<0.01), and the secondarily correlated category with those was the protrusion of the lower lips (r=0.436, P<0.01). Nine components were predictive for the post-treatment model and lateral ephalometric film (Post-M+C) outcome: alignment (ABO-OGS), occlusal relationship (ABO-OGS), interproximal contact(ABO-OGS), L1/NB°, overjet (PAR), SNB°, occlusal contacts (ABO-OGS), U1/SN2° and centerline (PAR). These 9 components accounted for 72% of the variability in the average subjective grading scores. CONCLUSION: The objective regression model could replace the averaged opinion of Chinese orthodontic experts effectively, making objective assessment of orthodontic treatment outcome for Chinese patients.

In vitro and in vivo anti-cancer activity of formononetin on human cervical cancer cell line HeLa.

Worldwide, cervical cancer (CC) is the third most common malignancy in women, and it remains a leading cause of cancer-related death of women. Genomic studies indicate that phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling is one of the most frequently deregulated pathways in several human cancers, including CC. This signaling pathway has an important role in cancer cell proliferation, survival, motility, and metabolism, and therefore could be an attractive therapeutic target. In a previous study, we used a sensitive and high-speed homogeneous assay for the detection of kinase activity and for screening of PI3K/AKT signaling inhibitors in a high-throughput screening (HTS) format and then obtain formononetin, as an O-methylated isoflavone existed in a number of plants and herbs like Astragalus membranaceus. We showed that formononetin inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and induced the apoptosis of CC cell line HeLa in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, formononetin suppressed xenograft tumor growth in nude mice. Our results indicated that formononetin may be used as an anti-cancer drug for cervical cancer in the future.