Zygomaticomaxillary suture maturation evaluation in patients with and without cleft lip and palate.

INTRODUCTION: The zygomaticomaxillary suture (ZMS) maturation evaluation is a reliable method for predicting the optimal timing of maxillary protraction. The objective of this study was to compare age distribution patterns of ZMS maturation stages between cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients and non-cleft lip and palate (non-CLP) patients to aid our comprehension in choosing the optimal timing of maxillary protraction. METHODS: Samples of 216 non-CLP and 220 CLP Asian patients without orthodontic and orthognathic treatment aged 5-25 years were scanned to evaluate the ZMS maturation stage by 2 evaluators blindly. Evaluators' agreements and bilateral ZMS maturation consistency were assessed by weighted kappa tests. Age distribution patterns of each ZMS maturation stage were described. Gender effect and age distribution differences between groups were analyzed using an independent t-test. RESULTS: Evaluators' agreements and bilateral ZMS maturation consistency were satisfying (weighted kappa coefficient >0.90). At stages A and B, patients with CLP were 1.3 and 0.4 years older than patients in the non-CLP group (P <0.001 and P = 0.01). In contrast, at stage C, patients with CLP were approximately 1.2 years younger (P = 0.004). Gender barely played a role in the divergence of ZMS maturation (P >0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between ZMS maturation of patients with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (UBCLP) and patients with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip (UBCL) (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The ZMS development of patients with CLP was premature at stage C, whereas delayed at stages A and B.

[Impact of maxillary sinus floor on the mesial movement of maxillary first molar].

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of maxillary sinus floor on the mesial movement of maxillary first molar. METHODS: Orthodontic patients with maxillary first premolars extracted were selected. Their maxillary first molars were divided into case group and control group according to whether their roots were in contact with the maxillary sinus floor. The case group was further divided into three subtypes according to the depth of the root extruded into the maxillary sinus. A total of 64 maxillary first molars from 32 patients were enrolled in this study, including 34 in the case group (five in subtype Ⅱ, fourteen in subtype Ⅲ, and 15 in subtype Ⅳ) and 30 in the control group. The mesial movement distance of each root and crown and the inclination of each root long axis were measured, and resorption of each root was evaluated. SPSS 22.0 software package was used for data analysis. RESULTS: After orthodontic treatment, the mesial movement distance of roots from both groups were all lager than 2 mm. The mesial movement distance of the crown was not statistically different between the two groups (P＞0.05), while the mesial movement distance of the roots in the control group was significantly larger than in the case group（P＜0.05）. Inclined movement towards the mesial direction was found in both groups, and the inclination angle was significantly larger in the case group（P＜0.05）. The inclination angle of the first molars in the subtype Ⅳ was significantly larger than that in the subtype Ⅲ and the control group. Most of the maxillary first molars from both groups had no obvious root resorption（P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS: With the proper force system, maxillary first molars with roots extruded into the maxillary sinus floor can be moved mesialy with mild or no root resorption, while a larger inclination can be found compared with maxillary first molars without root extruding into the maxillary sinus floor. The deeper the root extruding into the maxillary sinus, the larger the inclination angle will be.

Epigenetic changes caused by diabetes and their potential role in the development of periodontitis.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Periodontal disease, a chronic inflammation induced by bacteria, is closely linked with diabetes mellitus. Many complications associated with diabetes are related to epigenetic changes. However, the exact epigenetic changes whereby diabetes affects periodontal disease remain largely unknown. Thus, we sought to investigate the role of diabetes-dependent epigenetic changes of gingival tissue in the susceptibility to periodontal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in minipigs on gingival morphological and epigenetic tissue changes. Accordingly, we randomly divided six minipigs into two groups: streptozotocin-induced diabetes group, n = 3; and non-diabetes healthy control group, n = 3. After 85 days, all animals were killed, and gingival tissue was collected for histology, deoxyribonucleic acid methylation analysis and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A diabetes mellitus model was successfully created, as evidenced by significantly increased blood glucose levels, reduction of pancreatic insulin-producing ß-cells and histopathological changes in the kidneys. The gingival tissues in the diabetes group presented acanthosis of both gingival squamous epithelium and sulcular/junctional epithelium, and a significant reduction in the number and length of rete pegs. Deoxyribonucleic acid methylation analysis showed a total of 1,163 affected genes, of which 599 and 564 were significantly hypermethylated and hypomethylated, respectively. Immunohistochemistry staining showed that the hypomethylated genes - tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 - were positively expressed under the junctional epithelium area in the diabetes group. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes mellitus induces morphological and epigenetic changes in periodontal tissue, which might contribute to the increased susceptibility of periodontal diseases in patients with diabetes.

Enhanced antiproliferative effect of resveratrol in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using GE11 peptide conjugated liposome.

The present study describes the preparation of a dodecapeptide YHWYGYTPQNVI (GE11)­conjugated liposome bound with polyethylene glycol to enhance the therapeutic effect of resveratrol (RSV) in head and neck cancer cells. The results indicated that (RSV)­loaded GE11­conjugated liposomes (RSV­GL) exhibited a high entrapment efficiency of >95%, with an active drug loading level of 19.5% w/w. Release kinetics revealed that RSV was released in a slow and sustained manner from the RSV­GL and RSV­loaded liposome (RSV­L) nanoparticulate systems. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)­overexpressing squamous cell carcinoma HN cells specifically internalized GE11 surface­conjugated liposome in a manner that was markedly increased compared with that of the non­targeted carrier. Consistently, RSV­GL exhibited a significantly increased cytotoxic effect compared with that of the non­targeted nanoparticles. Notably, RSV­GL induced significantly increased proportions of early (~60%) and late (~10%) apoptotic cells in head and neck cancer cell populations. To the best of our knowledge, the application and development of EGFR­targeted peptide­conjugated liposome system for RSV delivery has not been studied previously in the treatment of head and neck cancer. In addition, RSV­GL exhibited the greatest antitumor efficacy compared with any other group. RSV­GL exhibited a 2­fold decrease in tumor volume compared with the free RSV and a 3­fold decrease in volume compared with the control. Overall, the nanomedicine strategy described in the present study may potentially advance the chemotherapy­based treatment of head and neck cancer, with promising applications in other EGFR­overexpressing tumors.