Assessment of the correlation between supracrestal gingival tissue dimensions and other periodontal phenotypes components via the digital registration method: a cross­sectional study in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Supracrestal gingival tissue dimensions (SGTDs) has been considered to be an essential element of periodontal phenotype (PP) components. This study aimed to explore the relationship between SGTDs and other PP components by digital superposition method that integrated cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) with intraoral scanning. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Stomatology Hospital of Fujian Medical University. Participants were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data obtained from the digital scanner (TRIOS 3, 3Shape, Denmark) and CBCT images were imported into the TRIOS software (Implant Studio, 3Shape, Denmark) for computing relevant parameters. The significant level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 83 participants with 498 maxillary anterior teeth were finally included. The mean values of supracrestal gingival height (SGH) and the distance from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the crest of the alveolar ridge (CEJ-ABC) on the buccal site were significantly higher than palatal SGH (SGH-p) and palatal CEJ-ABC (CEJ-ABC-p). Men exhibited taller CEJ-ABC and SGH-p than women. Additionally, tooth type was significantly associated with the SGH, SGH-p and CEJ-ABC-p. Taller SGH was associated with wider crown, smaller papilla height (PH), flatter gingival margin, thicker bone thickness (BT) and gingival thickness (GT) at CEJ, the alveolar bone crest (ABC), and 2 mm apical to the ABC. Smaller SGH-p displayed thicker BT and GT at CEJ, the ABC, and 2 and 4 mm apical to the ABC. Higher CEJ-ABC showed lower interproximal bone height, smaller PH, flatter gingival margin, thinner GT and BT at CEJ, and 2 mm apical to the ABC. Smaller CEJ-ABC-p displayed thicker BT at CEJ and 2 and 4 mm apical to the ABC. On the buccal, thicker GT was correlated with thicker BT at 2 and 4 mm below the ABC. CONCLUSION: SGTDs exhibited a correlation with other PP components, especially crown shape, gingival margin and interdental PH. The relationship between SGTDs and gingival and bone phenotypes depended on the apico-coronal level evaluated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved by the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee of Stomatology Hospital of Fujian Medical University (approval no. 2023-24).

Introduction of Digital-Assisted Multidisciplinary Treatment in the Functional and Morphological Reconstruction of Naso-Orbital-Ethmoid Fractures.

ABSTRACT: This study summarizes the process of digital-assisted multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) of naso-orbital-ethmoid (NOE) fractures and evaluates the treatment outcomes. From October 2018 to December 2020, 39 patients with NOE fractures were treated in our department, 21 of whom were diagnosed and treated by a multidisciplinary team. After preoperative multidisciplinary discussions and personalized virtual surgical planning, they received MDT with the assistance of a surgical navigation system. The other 18 patients received traditional single-disciplinary treatment, that is, no preoperative multidisciplinary discussions. Oral and maxil-lofacial surgeons performed surgical design and digitally-assisted surgery alone. After the operation, treatment outcomes were evaluated in terms of aesthetic appearance and function. The duration of preoperative preparation and postoperative aesthetic outcomes were not significantly different in patients who received single-disciplinary treatment and MDT ( P > 0.05). However, postoperative functional outcomes were significantly better in patients who received MDT ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, no significant complications were found. Digital-assisted MDT has a high application value in repair and appearance reconstruction, especially restoring functionality after NOE fracture; thus, it should be promoted in clinical practice.

Three-Dimensional Printed Customized Surgical Guides for the Precise Correction of Complex Midfacial Post-Traumatic Deformities.

PURPOSE: The introduction of intraoperative computed tomography and image-guided navigation have demonstrated some advantages for the correction of midfacial post-traumatic deformities. However, these methods still do not achieve satisfactory results. The authors sought to describe a novel method for the precise correction of complex midfacial post-traumatic deformities using three-dimensional printing customized surgical guides. METHODS: Ten patients with midfacial post-traumatic deformities admitted between January 15, 2018 and August 20, 2020 were included. To design the surgical guide for each patient, preoperative planning and simulation datasets were used as a virtual template. Each surgical guide comprised three-dimensional printing cutting guides and customized titanium plates to guide the osteotomy and repositioning of the fracture fragments intraoperatively. Reduction and fixation were confirmed by intraoperative navigation. Postoperative deviation chromatography analysis and clinical examination were conducted to evaluate the surgical outcome. All operations were successfully performed. RESULTS: The average difference between the virtual plans and postoperative results was less than 1.5 mm. The 3- to 6-month follow-up evaluation demonstrated that symptoms were alleviated, and postoperative function and esthetics improved considerably. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional-printed customized surgical guides can accurately and effectively transfer the virtual surgical plan to the patient and could be considered an ideal and valuable option for this potentially complicated procedure.

The Anterolateral Thigh Perforator Flap for Mandibular Reconstruction: A Volumetric and Patient Satisfaction Analysis.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the stability and quality of life (QoL) outcomes of patients who received mandibular reconstructions with the anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTF) following tumor resection. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with oral tumors that were resected and reconstructed with ALTF were included in this study. Volumetric analyses of each ALTF were performed at 6 to 18 months postoperatively. A QoL survey was also conducted 2 years postoperatively and compared by means of an independent-sample t test with 28 patients who had mandibular reconstructions with free fibula flap. RESULTS: There were no significant volumetric changes in the ALTF or the QoL results of either group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with advanced oral cancers have a higher risk of recurrence that mandates closer radiographic surveillance. This may be impaired by artifacts from metallic implants required in free fibula flap reconstructions. Anterolateral thigh perforator flap may be a viable alternative because it is easier for secondary resection, amenable for direct repairs, has volumetric stability, has a lower cost and results in a comparable QoL outcome.

IMPERFECTIVE EXINE FORMATION (IEF) is required for exine formation and male fertility in Arabidopsis.

KEY MESSAGE: IEF, a novel plasma plasma membrane protein, is important for exine formation in Arabidopsis. Exine, an important part of pollen wall, is crucial for male fertility. The major component of exine is sporopollenin which are synthesized and secreted by tapetum. Although sporopollenin synthesis has been well studied, the transportation of it remains elusive. To understand it, we analyzed the gene expression pattern in tapetal microdissection data, and investigated the potential transporter genes that are putatively regulated by ABORTED MICROSPORES (AMS). Among these genes, we identified IMPERFECTIVE EXINE FORMATION (IEF) that is important for exine formation. Compared to the wild type, ief mutants exhibit severe male sterility and pollen abortion, suggesting IEF is crucial for pollen development and male fertility. Using both scanning and transmission electron microscopes, we showed that exine structure was not well defined in ief mutant. The transient expression of IEF-GFP driven by the 35S promoter indicated that IEF-GFP was localized in plasma membrane. Furthermore, AMS can specifically activate the expression of promoterIEF:LUC in vitro, which suggesting AMS regulates IEF for exine formation. The expression of ATP-BINDING CASSETTE TRANSPORTER G26 (AGCB26) was not affected in ief mutants. In addition, SEM and TEM data showed that the sporopollenin deposition is more defective in abcg26/ief-2 than that of in abcg26, which suggesting that IEF is involved in an independent sporopollenin transportation pathway. This work reveal a novel gene, IEF regulated by AMS that is essential for exine formation.

AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR17 Directly Regulates MYB108 for Anther Dehiscence.

The timely release of mature pollen following anther dehiscence is essential for reproduction in flowering plants. AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR17 (ARF17) plays a crucial role in pollen wall pattern formation, tapetum development, and auxin signal transduction in anthers. Here, we showed that ARF17 is also involved in anther dehiscence. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) arf17 mutant exhibits defective endothecium lignification, which leads to defects in anther dehiscence. The expression of MYB108, which encodes a transcription factor important for anther dehiscence, was dramatically down-regulated in the flower buds of arf17 Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed ARF17 directly binds to the MYB108 promoter. In an ARF17-GFP transgenic line, in which ARF17-GFP fully complements the arf17 phenotype, ARF17-GFP was observed in the endothecia at anther stage 11. The GUS signal driven by the MYB108 promoter was also detected in endothecia at late anther stages in transgenic plants expressing promoterMYB108::GUS Thus, the expression pattern of both ARF17 and MYB108 is consistent with the function of these genes in anther dehiscence. Furthermore, the expression of MYB108 driven by the ARF17 promoter successfully restored the defects in anther dehiscence of arf17 These results demonstrated that ARF17 regulates the expression of MYB108 for anther dehiscence. Together with its function in microcytes and tapeta, ARF17 likely coordinates the development of different sporophytic cell layers in anthers. The ARF17-MYB108 pathway involved in regulating anther dehiscence is also discussed.

Treatment of mandibular symphyseal fracture combined with dislocated intracapsular condylar fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the treatment methods of mandibular symphyseal fracture combined with dislocated intracapsular condylar fractures (MSF&DICF) and to compare the effect of different treatment methods of condylar fractures. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with MSF&DICF were included in this study. Twenty-two sites were treated by open reduction, and all the medial condylar fragments were fixed with titanium screws; whereas the other 22 sites underwent close treatment. The surgical effect between these 2 groups was compared based on clinical examination and radiographic examination results. RESULTS: Seventeen of 22 condyle fractures were repositioned in the surgery group, whereas 4 of 22 condyle fractures were repositioned in the close treatment group. Statistical difference was observed between these 2 groups (P < 0.01). Functional outcomes of the patients treated in the surgical treatment group also were better than those in the close treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: The dislocated intracapsular condyle fractures should be treated by surgical reduction with the maintenance of the attachment of lateral pterygoid muscle, which is beneficial to repositioning the dislocated condyle to its original physiological position, to closure of the mandibular lingual gap, to restore the mandibular width.

Deep Circumflex Iliac Artery Flap Reconstruction in Brown Class I Defect of the Mandible Using a Three-Component Surgical Template System.

BACKGROUND: Computer-assisted surgery is widely used in mandibular reconstruction, but the process is not well described for cases using the deep circumflex iliac artery flap (DCIA) as the donor site. This study aimed to present a DCIA-based three-component surgical template system (3-STS) in patients with a mandibular Brown class I defect. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study compared clinical outcomes of mandibular reconstruction with DCIA flap using 3-STS or conventional surgical templates. The primary outcome of the study was the accuracy of reconstruction, and the secondary outcomes included surgical time and bone flap ischemia time. Surgery-related parameters and functional outcomes were also recorded and compared. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (23 in the 3-STS group and 21 in the control group) between 2015 and 2021 were included. Compared with the control group, the 3-STS group had higher accuracy of reconstruction, indicated by lower deviation in absolute distance (1.45 ± 0.76 mm versus 2.02 ± 0.89 mm; P = 0.034), and less deviation in coronal and sagittal angles (0.86 ± 0.53 degree versus 1.27 ± 0.59 degrees, P = 0.039; and 2.52 ± 1.00 degrees versus 3.25 ± 1.25 versus, P = 0.047) between preoperative and postoperative computed tomographic imaging. Surgical time and bone flap ischemia time were significantly reduced in the 3-STS group compared with the control group (median time, 385 minutes versus 445 minutes and 32 minutes versus 53 minutes, respectively; P < 0.001). In addition, masseter attachment was preserved in the 3-STS group but not in the control group. No differences were found in adverse events or other clinical variables. CONCLUSION: The 3-STS can improve accuracy, simplify intraoperative procedures to increase surgical efficiency, and preserve functionality in mandibular reconstruction for Brown class I defects. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

No primexine and plasma membrane undulation is essential for primexine deposition and plasma membrane undulation during microsporogenesis in Arabidopsis.

Primexine deposition and plasma membrane undulation are the initial steps of pollen wall formation. However, little is known about the genes involved in this important biological process. Here, we report a novel gene, NO PRIMEXINE AND PLASMA MEMBRANE UNDULATION (NPU), which functions in the early stage of pollen wall development in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Loss of NPU function causes male sterility due to a defect in callose synthesis and sporopollenin deposition, resulting in disrupted pollen in npu mutants. Transmission electronic microscopy observation demonstrated that primexine deposition and plasma membrane undulation are completely absent in the npu mutants. NPU encodes a membrane protein with two transmembrane domains and one intracellular domain. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that NPU is strongly expressed in microspores and the tapetum during the tetrad stage. All these results together indicate that NPU plays a vital role in primexine deposition and plasma membrane undulation during early pollen wall development.

Synthesis of a novel low-bandgap polymer based on a ladder-type Heptacyclic arene consisting of outer thieno[3,2-b]thiophene units for efficient photovoltaic application.

A novel conjugated polymer PIDTT-quinoxaline (Qx) based on the coplanar thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-phenylene-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene structure is synthesized and evaluated as an electron-donor material for bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells (BHJ PSCs). The absorption spectra, electrochemical, charge transport, and film morphology properties as well as theoretical modeling of PIDTT-Qx are investigated to understand its intrinsic structure-property relationship. As expected, this polymer with an extended π-conjugated backbone exhibits a narrow-bandgap and board absorption spectrum for enhanced light harvesting. BHJ PSCs (ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer:PC71 BM/interlayer/Al) afford a maximum power conversion efficiency of 5.05% with an open-circuit voltage of 0.84 V, a short-circuit current density of 11.26 mA cm(-2) , and a fill factor of 53.4%. These results demonstrate the potential of PIDTT-Qx as an efficient electron-donor material for BHJ PSCs.

Demineralized dentin matrix promotes gingival healing in alveolar ridge preservation of premolars extracted for orthodontic reason: a split-mouth study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of a demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) in decreasing the initial inflammatory response of the gingiva and facilitating the repair and regeneration of soft tissue in alveolar ridge preservation. Methods: This clinical study employed a split-mouth design. Fourteen patients with a total of forty-four sites underwent extraction and alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) procedures. A Bilaterally symmetrical extraction operation were conducted on the premolars of each patient. The experimental group received DDM as a graft material for ARP, while the control group underwent natural healing. Within the first month postoperatively, the pain condition, color, and swelling status of the extraction sites were initially assessed at different time points Subsequently, measurements were taken for buccal gingival margin height, buccal-lingual width, extraction socket contour, and the extraction socket area and healing rate were digitally measured. Additionally, Alcian Blue staining was used for histological evaluation of the content during alveolar socket healing. Results: Both groups experienced uneventful healing, with no adverse reactions observed at any of the extraction sites. The differences in VAS pain scores between the two groups postoperatively were not statistically significant. In the early stage of gingival tissue healing (3 days postoperatively), there were statistically significant differences in gingival condition and buccal gingival margin height between the two groups. In the later stage of gingival tissue healing (7, 14, and 30 days postoperatively), there were statistically significant differences in buccal-lingual width, extraction socket healing area, and healing rate between the two groups. Furthermore, the histological results from Alcian Blue staining suggested that the experimental group may play a significant role in promoting gingival tissue healing, possibly by regulating inflammatory responses when compared to the control group. Conclusion: The application of DDM in alveolar ridge preservation has been found to diminish initial gingival inflammation after tooth extraction. Additionally, it has shown the ability to accelerate early gingival soft tissue healing and preserve its anatomical contour. Clinical trial registration: chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2100050650.

Corrigendum: Demineralized dentin matrix promotes gingival healing in alveolar ridge preservation of premolars extracted for orthodontic reason: a split-mouth study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1281649.].

OCCS Classification and Treatment Algorithm for Comminuted Mandibular Fractures Based on 109 Patients and 11 Years Experiences: A Retrospective Study.

Comminuted mandibular fractures (CMFs) pose significant challenges to surgeons for their serious complications and poor outcomes. We aimed at proposing a classification with treatment algorithm of each category for CMFs. Patients with CMFs were retrospectively reviewed and classified into five categories: Type I: relatively good occlusion, no or slightly displaced fragments, no continuity destruction or bone defect; Type II: relatively good occlusion, damaged morphology, low comminution degree but intact continuity without bone defect; Type III: damaged morphology and higher comminution degree with intact continuity and relatively good occlusion; Type IV: high comminution, impaired continuity and poor occlusion without segmental bone defect; Type V: segmental bone defect. Conservative treatment, open reduction and internal fixation or microvascular osteocutaneous free flap transplantation was performed, accordingly. Demographics, perioperative data, complications and reasons for reoperations were recorded. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. In total, 109 patients were included in the study. After surgery, in the following group, 5 manifested infections, 1 manifested bone non-union, and 2 experienced reoperations, while in the unfollowing group, 10 manifested infections, 5 manifested bone non-union and 8 experienced reoperations. The OCCS classification and algorithm for CMFs achieve better outcomes and with lower complication rate.

Influence of enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation during rice plant growth on rice straw decomposition with nitrogen deposition.

Although straw decomposition is important for ecosystem fertility and carbon balance, influence of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation and nitrogen (N) deposition on this process is unclear. In this study, UV-B-exposed rice straw was decomposed under different N addition treatments for 15 months to investigate the indirect effects of UV-B radiation on straw chemistry and direct effects of N deposition on decomposition. UV-B exposure during rice plant growth changed the rice straw chemical composition, increasing the concentrations of acid-insoluble fraction (AIF), acid-soluble fraction, and UV-B-absorbing compounds. High N content had a negative effect on decomposition of rice straw exposed to enhanced and ambient UV-B radiation. Both AIF concentration and FTIR peak intensities indicated that lignin in rice straw was selectively preserved following N addition and UV-B radiation, reducing straw decomposition rate, which corresponded to lower activities of lignin-degrading enzymes in the later stage of decomposition. Thus, enhanced UV-B radiation during rice plant growth produced more recalcitrant substrates (lignin) and N reacted with lignin to produce more resistant compounds, further decreasing straw decomposition rate. UV-B radiation during plant growth and N deposition inhibit litter decomposition in agroecosystem, and their effects should be considered when establishing biogeochemical models in response to global changes.

Molecular cloning and expression of a second zebrafish aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene (aldh2b).

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is primarily responsible for detoxification of short-chain aldehydes in vivo. Previously it was reported that zebrafish has an aldh2 gene. Here we report the presence of a second aldh2 gene (aldh2b) in zebrafish. Zebrafish aldh2b locates adjacently to aldh2 on Chromosome 5 and the two genes share the same genomic organizations. aldh2b was predicted to encode a protein comprising 516 amino acids. The protein exhibits 95% amino acid identity with zebrafish ALDH2 and more than 76% identity with other vertebrate ALDH2s, respectively. Employing RT-PCR analysis, we demonstrated that both aldh2 and aldh2b mRNAs were present in embryos at cleavage stage (2 hpf: hour post fertilization) throughout protruding-mouth stage (72 hpf) and in different adult tissues of zebrafish. Taken together, our results reveal that zebrafish has two orthologues of aldh2 gene and the two genes share similar expression patterns during early development and in adult tissues.

[Current diagnosis and therapy of anterior mandibular fracture associated with condyle fractures].

Anterior mandibular fracture, which includes symphyseal and parasymphyseal mandibular fractures, is one of the most common types of fracture in clinical work, and is usually associated with condyle fracture. This type of fracture predisposes the patients to facial widening, malocclusion, and ankylosis when not properly and timely treated because of the influence of its anatomic structure. This article reviews the characteristics, complication, diagnosis, and therapy of this type of fracture.