Comparison of anchorage capacity between implant and headgear during anterior segment retraction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the anchorage effects of the implants and the headgear for patients with anterior teeth retraction in terms of incisor retraction, anchorage loss, inclination of maxillary incisors, positional change of maxillary basal bone, and treatment duration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic search for relative randomized controlled trials (RCTs) prospective and retrospective controlled trials was done through the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Embase, Medline, and CNKI, regardless of language of study. Study selection, methodological quality assessment, and data extraction were performed by two reviewers independently. Meta-analysis was performed when possible; otherwise descriptive assessment was done. RESULTS: The search yielded 35 articles, of which eight met the inclusion criteria and were categorized into five groups according to types of intervention. For the midpalatal implant, the anchorage loss was much less than for the headgear group, with insignificant differences in terms of anterior teeth retraction, maxillary incisor inclination, positional change of basal bone, and treatment duration. For the mini-implant, greater anterior teeth retraction and less anchorage loss were demonstrated, with inconsistent results for the other measures. For the onplant, less anchorage loss was noted, with insignificant differences for the other measures. CONCLUSIONS: The skeletal anchorage of the midpalatal implant, mini-implant, and onplant offer better alternatives to headgear, with less anchorage loss and more anterior teeth retraction. There were inconsistent results from the included studies in terms of maxillary incisor inclination, positional change of maxillary basal bone, and treatment duration. More qualified RCTs are required to provide clear recommendations.

Efficacy of short-term chincup therapy for mandibular growth retardation in Class III malocclusion.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of chincup therapy for mandibular growth retardation in early orthopedic treatment of Class III malocclusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic search for articles reporting randomized clinical trials, controlled clinical trials, and cohort studies testing the efficacy of chincup appliance for Class III malocclusion published up to the present was done through four databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; to March 2010), MEDLINE (1950-March 2010), EMBASE (1980-March 2010), and CBM (1978-March 2010). Study quality assessment and data extraction were done by two reviewers independently. Meta-analysis was done with the assistance of Revman 5.01. RESULTS: The search resulted in 50 articles. After selection following the established criteria, four cohort studies qualified for the final review analysis. The results showed that chincup therapy decreased SNB angle and increased ANB angle; the total pooled weighted mean difference values (95% confidence interval) were −1.18 (−1.69, −0.67; P < .00001) and 1.90 (0.60, 3.21; P = .004), respectively. Two studies showed a increase in Gonial angle (P < .05) but no significant change in the mandibular length (Cd-Gn; P = .059 and .39, respectively). One study indicated that chincup therapy exerted no effect on mandibular growth retardation, and mandibular growth continued after the treatment in a downward direction. CONCLUSION: There are insufficient data in these studies to make clear recommendations regarding the efficacy of chincup therapy in the retardation of mandibular growth.

[The predomination of rotavirus G3 serotype among children with diarrhea in Lulong County in 1998].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhea among children in rural population. METHODS: 120 stool specimens collected from children with diarrhea during the winter of 1998 in Lulong County, Hebei Province were examined for rotavirus by PAGE and ELISA and for serotype by ELISA and PCR. RESULTS: Rotavirus was detected in children aged between 2-24 months. The positive rate of rotavirus was 39.2% and the ratio of male to female was 1-1.47. All rotavirus RNA profiles were long pattern. The distribution of rotavirus serotypes was type 3(61.7%), followed by type 1(36.2%), and type 4(6.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhea during 1998 rotavirus season in Lulong County was similar to that of other regions in China, but rotavirus serotype G3 was a prevalent strain in Lulong County, which was uncommon and different from the predominant G1 in other places throughout China.

[Microwave radiation treatment of liver cancer: animal experiment and preliminary clinical application].

Microwave radiation treatment of liver cancer in animals with microwave treatment apparatus (2450 MHz) in either a Single-antenna or 8-antenna (combined) radiator and its clinical use were reported. In laparotomy, the antenna was inserted into liver tissue or the hepatoma. The changes of liver pathology and ultra structure as well as the process of absorption and healing of radiated liver were investigated. The results showed that a large amount of air bubbles were formed in liver tissue and its small veins when the temperature was higher than 80 degrees C in the radiated center. These bubbles were drastically reduced in number when the temperature was controlled around 65 degrees C. The radiated liver was pathologically divided into three parts: necrosis area (the center of radiation), normal area (far from the center) and reactive area (between the necrosis and normal areas). The largest diameter of the coagulated area was about 5 cm. The coagulated tissue was completely absorbed 60 days after the operation. Seventeen cases of primary hepatoma and 8 cases of secondary liver cancers were treated with microwave radiation therapy with satisfactory results. The volume of bleeding during the operation was greatly reduced. No complication was found.

[Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) variant in the diagnosis of small liver cancer].

From May 1983 to June 1986, 40 patients with primary liver cancer, less than 5 cm in diameter, were treated by operation. The smallest lesion was 1.4 x 0.9 x 0.4 cm in size. Fifteen patients came to the hospital for treatment due to the finding of AFP greater than or equal to 31 ng/ml by public survey and 8 with space occupying lesion (SOL) in the liver by ultrasonography (US). The serum AFP levels ranged from 0 to 6800 ng/ml in this group with AFP negative in 6 cases, 31-400 ng/ml in 19 and over 400 ng/ml in 15. The positive rate of AFP was 37.5%. US displayed SOL in 25 cases, suspicious SOL in 5 and negative in 10. The positive rate was 62.5% by US. The overall positive rate was 77.5% by AFP and US combined. In addition, AFP variant was determined by LCA affino-crossed-immunoelectrophoresis autoradiography. LCA-nonreactive-AFP varied from 0 to 100% with a mean value of 57.0 +/- 26.7%. Taking less than 75% as diagnostic criterion for liver cancer, the positive rate of LCA-nonreactive-AFP was 65.0%. 12 patients who were AFP variant positive but SOL suspicious or negative were regularly followed by US for 1-20 months. They all showed distinct SOL. Composite results of AFP, AFP variant and US gave a diagnostic rate of 97.5% for small liver cancer. The determination of AFP variant is helpful in early detection of small liver cancer.