Accuracy in predicting soft tissue changes of orthodontic class III cases using Dolphin® software.

OBJECTIVES: The prediction of posttreatment outcomes is conducive to the final determination of ideal therapeutic options. However, the prediction accuracy in orthodontic class III cases is unclear. Therefore, this study conducted exploration on prediction accuracy in orthodontic class III patients using the Dolphin® software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, lateral cephalometric radiographs of pre- and posttreatment were collected from 28 angle class III adults who received completed non-orthognathic orthodontic therapy (8 males, 20 females; mean age = 20.89 ± 4.26 years). The values of 7 posttreatment parameters were recorded and inserted into the Dolphin® Imaging software to generate a predicted outcome, and then the prediction radiograph and actual posttreatment radiograph were superimposed and compared in terms of soft tissue parameters and landmarks. RESULTS: The prediction showed significant differences with the actual outcomes in nasal prominence (the difference between the prediction and the actual value was - 0.78 ± 1.82 mm), the distance from the lower lip to the H line (0.55 ± 1.11 mm), and the distance from the lower lip to the E line (0.77 ± 1.62 mm) (p < 0.05). Point subnasale (Sn) (an accuracy of 92.86% in the horizontal direction and 100% in the vertical direction in 2 mm) and point soft tissue A (ST A) (an accuracy of 92.86% in the horizontal direction and 85.71% in the vertical direction in 2 mm) were proven to be the most accurate landmarks, while the predictions in the chin region were relatively inaccurate. Furthermore, the predictions in the vertical direction were of higher accuracy compared to the horizontal direction except for the points around the chin. CONCLUSIONS: The Dolphin® software demonstrated acceptable prediction accuracy in midfacial changes in class III patients. However, there were still limitations for changes in the chin and lower lip prominence. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clarifying the accuracy of Dolphin® software in predicting soft tissue changes of orthodontic class III cases will facilitate physician-patient communication and clinical treatment.

Advances in single-cell nanoencapsulation and applications in diseases.

Single-cell nanoencapsulation is a method of coating the surface of single cell with nanomaterials. In the early 20th century, with the introduction of various types of organic or inorganic nano-polymer materials, the selection of cell types, and the functional modification of the outer coating, this technology has gradually matured. Typical preparation methods include interfacial polycondensation, complex condensation, spray drying, microdroplet ejection, and layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly. The LbL assembly technology utilises nanomaterials with opposite charges deposited on cells by strong interaction (electrostatic interaction) or weak interaction (hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction), which drives compounds to spontaneously form films with complete structure, stable performance and unique functions on cells. According to the needs of the disease, choosing appropriate cell types and biocompatible and biodegradable nanomaterials could achieve the purpose of promoting cell proliferation, immune isolation, reducing phagocytosis of the reticuloendothelial system, prolonging the circulation time in vivo, and avoiding repeated administration. Therefore, encapsulated cells could be utilised in various biomedical fields, such as cell catalysis, biotherapy, vaccine manufacturing and antitumor therapy. This article reviews cell nanoencapsulation therapies for diseases, including the various cell sources used, nanoencapsulation technology and the latest advances in preclinical and clinical research.

[Platelet rich plasma--a new biotechnology for treatment of sports injuries].

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a relatively new biotechnology backed by over two decades of research in diverse areas. With its growing use for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine may be the discipline in which translational use of PRP has progressed most rapidly. PRP therapy involves the injection of a small volume of plasma or the application of PRP gel foam directly to the site of injury. It is composed of numerous growth factors (GF) secreted from large numbers of 'activated' platelets, directed at facilitating and enhancing physiological wound healing and rapid tissue regeneration. With wide variations in preparation protocols, kits, activation methods, platelet concentrations and growth factors, many questions are still unanswered. Similarly, application methods, timing of treatment and volume of injection are inconsistent, emphasizing the need for appropriately powered level 1 and 2 studies with adequate and relevant outcome measures and clinically appropriate follow-up in order to assess the efficacy and effectiveness of all elements of PRP therapy. Clinical interventions in sports and musculoskeletal medicine aim to achieve predictable, rapid tissue repair and enhance wound heating and to restore the high mechanical performance and functional levels of non-injured tissue in the shortest possible time. PRP may be a remarkable step forward in this quest. This review will evaluate the evolution and most recent contributions of PRP treatment.

Effect of polysorbate 80 on the intranasal absorption and brain distribution of tetramethylpyrazine phosphate in rats.

Drug delivery to the brain is limited by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Intranasal delivery is a non-invasive route of drug administration which can bypass the BBB and contributed to a direct and rapid transport of drugs to the brain. However, intrinsic drug distribution to the brain after intranasal administration may not be sufficient to achieve required clinical efficacy. In this study, taking 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine (TMPP) as a model drug, the feasibility of using polysorbate 80 as an absorption enhancer and message guider to increase drug distribution in the brain was employed. After intravenous/intranasal administration of TMPP formulations with/without polysorbate 80, drug concentration in both plasma and brain was measured at specific time points, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were compared. It was demonstrated that compared with intravenous administration, brain targeting efficiency of TMPP was improved remarkably by intranasal route. Upon intranasal administration, the addition of polysorbate 80 significantly increased TMPP concentration in both plasma and brain linearly up to polysorbate 80 concentration 2%. Based on drug targeting efficiency, drug targeting index, and nose-to-brain direct transport percentage, polysorbate 80 decreased the nose-to-brain direct transport ratio of TMPP in a polysorbate 80 concentration-dependent manner although the total brain targeting efficiency was unchanged, with significantly enhanced absolute drug concentration in the brain achieved. In summary, polysorbate 80 is a promising excipient to increase drug concentration in both plasma and brain via intranasal route.

Self-assembled polyelectrolyte nanocomplexes between chitosan derivatives and enoxaparin.

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC) formed from chitosan derivatives and enoxaparin were prepared and parameters influencing complex formation were characterized. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and laser doppler anemometry (LDA) were used to study the complexation process. Surface morphology of the PECs was observed with atomic force microscopy (AFM). The PEC formation process was influenced by a variety of parameters, including the system pH, polymer/enoxaparin mass ratio, polymer molecular weight, concentration and structure. Soluble complexes in the size range of 200-500 nm with spherical morphology could be obtained at optimized polymer/enoxaparin ratios in the pH range of 3.0-6.5, with positive charge and drug encapsulation efficiency of approximately 90%. An increase in ionic strength of the medium accelerated the dissociation of chitosan/enoxaparin complexes. In contrast, chitosan thiolation, methylation and PEGylation significantly improved the stability of the complexes. Physicochemical properties of the PECs, including particle size, charge density and morphology, could be modified by using different chitosan derivatives. On the basis of our results, we suggest that interactions involved in PEC formation were partly electrostatic in nature, involving the positively charged chitosan derivatives and the negatively charged enoxaparin at pH values in the vicinity of the pKa interval of the two polymers. Oral absorption of the polyelectrolyte nanocomplexes will be studied in vivo.

Stress reactivity and personality in extreme sport athletes: The psychobiology of BASE jumpers.

This is the first report of the psychobiology of stress in BASE jumpers, one of the most dangerous forms of extreme sport. We tested the hypotheses that indicators of emotional style (temperament) predict salivary cortisol reactivity, whereas indicators of intentional goal-setting (persistence and character) predict salivary alpha-amylase reactivity during BASE jumping. Ninety-eight subjects completed the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) the day before the jump, and 77 also gave salivary samples at baseline, pre-jump on the bridge over the New River Gorge, and post-jump upon landing. Overall BASE jumpers are highly resilient individuals who are highly self-directed, persistent, and risk-taking, but they are heterogeneous in their motives and stress reactivity in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) stress system (cortisol reactivity) and the sympathetic arousal system (alpha-amylase reactivity). Three classes of jumpers were identified using latent class analysis based on their personality profiles, prior jumping experience, and levels of cortisol and alpha-amylase at all three time points. "Masterful" jumpers (class 1) had a strong sense of self-directedness and mastery, extensive prior experience, and had little alpha-amylase reactivity and average cortisol reactivity. "Trustful" jumpers (class 2) were highly cooperative and trustful individuals who had little cortisol reactivity coincident with the social support they experienced prior to jumping. "Courageous" jumpers (class 3) were determined despite anxiety and inexperience, and they had high sympathetic reactivity but average cortisol activation. We conclude that trusting social attachment (Reward Dependence) and not jumping experience predicted low cortisol reactivity, whereas persistence (determination) and not jumping experience predicted high alpha-amylase reactivity.