Evaluation of midpalatal suture maturation stage in 5- to 20-year-olds using cone-beam computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the midpalatal suture (MPS) maturation stages using the cone-beam computed tomography classification method in Chinese children aged 5-10 years, adolescents aged 11-15 years, and postadolescents aged 16-20 years and identify a correlation between maturation stage and age and sex. METHODS: Axial sections of tomographic images from 717 participants (369 female and 348 male participants) aged 5-20 years were used to classify the maturation stage of the MPS (stages A, B, C, D, and E). Kappa statistics were used to evaluate the measurement error. The chi-square test was applied to analyze the differences in the distribution of MPS stages by age group and by sex among all participants, as well as the adolescent group. The Fisher exact test was employed to assess the differences in MPS stage distribution by sex among children aged 5-10 years and among the postadolescent group. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess the potential variance in age distribution between stages C and D. RESULTS: The most prevalent maturation stage was stage C (40.3%). Of the total population, 69.4% had MPS in stages A, B, or C. A significant difference in age distribution was observed between stage C and stage D (P <0.001). The distribution of the MPS maturation stage significantly varied by age group (P <0.001) and sex (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of participants in advanced maturation stages increases with age. Female patients generally experience earlier MPS maturation than male patients, particularly between the ages of 11-20 years.

New Generation of Orthodontic Elastomeric Ligature to Prevent Enamel Demineralization In Vivo.

This study aimed to synthesize a novel elastomeric ligature with dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) grafted, providing a new strategy for improving the issue of enamel demineralization during fixed orthodontics. DMAHDM was incorporated into elastomeric ligatures at different mass fractions using ultraviolet photochemical grafting. The antibacterial properties were evaluated and the optimal DMAHDM amount was determined based on cytotoxicity assays. Moreover, tests were conducted to evaluate the in vivo changes in the mechanical properties of the elastomeric ligatures. To assess the actual in vivo effectiveness in preventing enamel demineralization, a rat demineralization model was established, with analyses focusing on changes in surface microstructure, elemental composition, and nanomechanical properties. Elastomeric ligatures with 2% DMAHDM showed excellent biocompatibility and the best antibacterial properties, reducing lactic acid production by 65.3% and biofilm bacteria by 50.0% within 24 h, without significant mechanical property differences from the control group (p > 0.05). Most importantly, they effectively prevented enamel demineralization in vivo, enhancing elastic modulus by 73.2% and hardness by 204.8%. Elastomeric ligatures incorporating DMAHDM have shown great potential for application in preventing enamel demineralization, providing a new strategy to solve this issue during fixed orthodontics.

Exploring the efficacy of photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy on diabetic foot ulcers in rats.

We investigate the efficacy of photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) and its combination with an antibiotic in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in rats using a novel cationic amino acid porphyrin-based photosensitizer. The research findings demonstrate that the combination of novel cationic photosensitizer-mediated PACT and an antibiotic exhibits significant therapeutic efficacy in treating deep ulcers in a rat model of DFUs. Moreover, the PACT + Antibiotic group displays enhanced angiogenesis, improved tissue maturation, and superior wound healing effect. Micro-computed tomography examination showed that the periosteal reaction was most obvious in the PACT + Antibiotic group. The cortical bone volume ratio (BV/TV), the bone mineral density, and trabecular thickness were significantly higher in the PACT + Antibiotic group than in the model group (p < 0.05). The combination of PACT and antibiotic plays a sensitizing therapeutic role, which provides a new idea for the clinical treatment of DFUs.

New generation of orthodontic devices and materials with bioactive capacities to improve enamel demineralization.

OBJECTIVE: The article reviewed novel orthodontic devices and materials with bioactive capacities in recent years and elaborated on their properties, aiming to provide guidance and reference for future scientific research and clinical applications. DATA, SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: Researches on remineralization, protein repellent, antimicrobial activity and multifunctional novel bioactive orthodontic devices and materials were included. The search of articles was carried out in Web of Science, PubMed, Medline and Scopus. CONCLUSIONS: The new generation of orthodontic devices and materials with bioactive capacities has broad application prospects. However, most of the current studies are limited to in vitro studies and cannot explore the true effects of various bioactive devices and materials applied in oral environments. More research, especially in vivo researches, is needed to assist in clinical application. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Enamel demineralization (ED) is a common complication in orthodontic treatments. Prolonged ED can lead to dental caries, impacting both the aesthetics and health of teeth. It is of great significance to develop antibacterial orthodontic devices and materials that can inhibit bacterial accumulation and prevent ED. However, materials with only preventive effect may fall short of addressing actual needs. Hence, the development of novel bioactive orthodontic materials with remineralizing abilities is imperative. The article reviewed the recent advancements in bioactive orthodontic devices and materials, offering guidance and serving as a reference for future scientific research and clinical applications.

Clinical study on the necessity and feasibility of routine MRCP in patients with cholecystolithiasis before LC.

BACKGROUND: In the past quite a long time, intraoperative cholangiography(IOC)was necessary during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Now magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is the main method for diagnosing common bile duct stones (CBDS). Whether MRCP can replace IOC as routine examination before LC is still inconclusive. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical data of patients undergoing LC for cholecystolithiasis, and to explore the necessity and feasibility of preoperative routine MRCP in patients with cholecystolithiasis. METHODS: According to whether MRCP was performed before operation, 184 patients undergoing LC for cholecystolithiasis in the Department of General Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018 were divided into non-MRCP group and MRCP group for this retrospective study. The results of preoperative laboratory test, abdominal ultrasound and MRCP, biliary related comorbidities, surgical complications, hospital stay and hospitalization expenses were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Among the 184 patients, there were 83 patients in non-MRCP group and 101 patients in MRCP group. In MRCP group, the detection rates of cholecystolithiasis combined with CBDS and common bile duct dilatation by MRCP were higher than those by abdominal ultrasound (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in non-MRCP group (8.43%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in MRCP group (0%). There was no significant difference in hospital stay (P > 0.05), but there was significant difference in hospitalization expenses (P < 0.05) between the two groups. According to the stratification of gallbladder stone patients with CBDS, hospital stay and hospitalization expenses were compared, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative MRCP can detect CBDS, cystic duct stones and anatomical variants of biliary tract that cannot be diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound, which is helpful to plan the surgical methods and reduce the surgical complications. From the perspective of health economics, routine MRCP in patients with cholecystolithiasis before LC does not increase hospitalization costs, and is necessary and feasible.

Involvement of the γ Isoform of cPLA2 in the Biosynthesis of Bioactive N-Acylethanolamines.

Arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide) acts as an endogenous ligand of cannabinoid receptors, while other N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), such as palmitylethanolamide and oleylethanolamide, show analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and appetite-suppressing effects through other receptors. In mammalian tissues, NAEs, including anandamide, are produced from glycerophospholipid via N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE). The ɛ isoform of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) functions as an N-acyltransferase to form NAPE. Since the cPLA2 family consists of six isoforms (α, ß, γ, δ, ɛ, and ζ), the present study investigated a possible involvement of isoforms other than ɛ in the NAE biosynthesis. Firstly, when the cells overexpressing one of the cPLA2 isoforms were labeled with [14C]ethanolamine, the increase in the production of [14C]NAPE was observed only with the ɛ-expressing cells. Secondly, when the cells co-expressing ɛ and one of the other isoforms were analyzed, the increase in [14C]N-acyl-lysophosphatidylethanolamine (lysoNAPE) and [14C]NAE was seen with the combination of ɛ and γ isoforms. Furthermore, the purified cPLA2γ hydrolyzed not only NAPE to lysoNAPE, but also lysoNAPE to glycerophospho-N-acylethanolamine (GP-NAE). Thus, the produced GP-NAE was further hydrolyzed to NAE by glycerophosphodiesterase 1. These results suggested that cPLA2γ is involved in the biosynthesis of NAE by its phospholipase A1/A2 and lysophospholipase activities.