Endoscopically-assisted extraction of broken roots or fragments within the mandibular canal: a retrospective case series study.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of endoscope-assisted fractured roots or fragments extraction within the mandibular canal, along with quantitative sensory testing (QST) alterations in the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN). METHODS: Six patients with lower lip numbness following mandibular third molar extraction were selected. All patients had broken roots or fragments within the mandibular canal that were extracted under real-time endoscopic assistance. Follow-up assessments were conducted on postoperative days 1, 7, and 35, including a standardized QST of the lower lip skin. RESULTS: The average surgical duration was 32.5 min, with the IAN exposed in all cases. Two of the patient exhibited complete recovery of lower lip numbness, three experienced symptom improvement, and one patient remained unaffected 35 days after the surgery. Preoperative QST results showed that the mechanical detection and pain thresholds on the affected side were significantly higher than those on the healthy side, but improved significantly by postoperative day 7 in five patients, and returned to baseline in two patients on day 35. There were no significant differences in the remaining QST parameters. CONCLUSIONS: All endoscopic surgical procedures were successfully completed without any additional postoperative complications. There were no cases of deterioration of IAN injury, and lower lip numbness recovered in the majority of cases. Endoscopy allowed direct visualization and examination of the affected nerve, facilitating a comprehensive analysis of the IAN.

Prediction of condylar movement envelope surface based on facial morphology.

The present study aimed to predict the envelope surfaces from facial morphology. Condylar envelope surfaces for 34 healthy adults were formed and simplified as sagittal section curves. Cephalometric and maximum mandibular moving distances measurement were performed on the participants. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.763) between the left and right maximum lateral movements. There was a statistically significant difference in the mandibular body length between the sexes. The envelope surfaces were divided into type 1 with Hp2 ≥ 1/3 Hp1 and type 2 with Hp2 < 1/3 × Hp1. SNA and SNB for type 2 were significantly greater than those for type 1 (p < 0.001). Therefore, the participants were divided into four groups based on gender and envelope surface morphology. The curves could be fitted using the second-order Fourier function (R-square ≥0.95). Six facial parameters were selected and a matrix was used to map facial morphology to the envelope surface. Individual sagittal curves were predicted using the matrix and facial parameters, and the envelope surface was predicted using the curve and the condyle model. Deviation analysis for the predicted envelope surface using the actual envelope as a reference was carried out (root mean square = 0.9970 mm ± 0.2918 mm). This method may lay a foundation for the geometric design of artificial fossa components of temporomandibular joint replacement systems. It may improve prosthesis design without flexible tissue repair and guide the movement of the artificial joint head.

Re-Exploring the Inflammation-Related Core Genes and Modules in Cerebral Ischemia.

The genetic transcription profile of brain ischemic and reperfusion injury remains elusive. To address this, we used an integrative analysis approach including differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis, weighted-gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and pathway and biological process analysis to analyze data from the microarray studies of nine mice and five rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and six primary cell transcriptional datasets in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). (1) We identified 58 upregulated DEGs with more than 2-fold increase, and adj. p < 0.05 in mouse datasets. Among them, Atf3, Timp1, Cd14, Lgals3, Hmox1, Ccl2, Emp1, Ch25h, Hspb1, Adamts1, Cd44, Icam1, Anxa2, Rgs1, and Vim showed significant increases in both mouse and rat datasets. (2) Ischemic treatment and reperfusion time were the main confounding factors in gene profile changes, while sampling site and ischemic time were not. (3) WGCNA identified a reperfusion-time irrelevant and inflammation-related module and a reperfusion-time relevant and thrombo-inflammation related module. Astrocytes and microglia were the main contributors of the gene changes in these two modules. (4) Forty-four module core hub genes were identified. We validated the expression of unreported stroke-associated core hubs or human stroke-associated core hubs. Zfp36 mRNA was upregulated in permanent MCAO; Rhoj, Nfkbiz, Ms4a6d, Serpina3n, Adamts-1, Lgals3, and Spp1 mRNAs were upregulated in both transient MCAO and permanent MCAO; and NFKBIZ, ZFP3636, and MAFF proteins, unreported core hubs implicated in negative regulation of inflammation, were upregulated in permanent MCAO, but not in transient MCAO. Collectively, these results expand our knowledge of the genetic profile involved in brain ischemia and reperfusion, highlighting the crucial role of inflammatory disequilibrium in brain ischemia.

Endoscopic visualization of the inferior alveolar nerve associated with somatosensory changes after impacted mandibular third molar extraction.

The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between somatosensory functional changes and inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) exposure after impacted mandibular third molars (M3M) removal. We recruited 35 patients who underwent impacted M3M extraction near the IAN. The M3Ms were extracted by combined endoscopy, piezosurgery, and contra-angle high-speed turbine handpiece. All IAN canal perforations and exposed regions were recorded and measured by endoscopy after extraction and on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images before extraction. The patients were followed up 1, 7, and 35 days after surgery. A standardized quantitative sensory testing (QST) battery was performed on the lower lip skin. All of 35 cases had exposed IAN on CBCT images, 5 of which had no exposed IAN under endoscopy. For the other 30 cases, the endoscopy-measured IAN length and width were shorter than the CBCT measurements (P < 0.001). The warm and mechanical detection thresholds (MDT) on the operation side were significantly higher than the contralateral side after surgery (P < 0.05). Thermal sensory limen, MDT, and cold pain threshold were strongly correlated with the exposed IAN length and MDT also with the exposed IAN width one day after surgery. In conclusion, it was found that not all exposed IAN in CBCT images were real exposure after surgery. The intraoperative exposed IAN endoscopic measurements were smaller than by CBCT and strongly correlated with some QST parameters.

A High Serum Phosphate and Calcium-Phosphate Product Is Associated With Cerebral Small Vascular Disease in Patients With Stroke: A Real-World Study.

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a slowly progressive disease, often accompanied by stroke, and results in dementia, depression, and cognitive impairment. It was already known that calcium and phosphorus metabolism (CPM) disorders were associated with vascular-related adverse events. The risk factors of CSVD and the relationship between serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), calcium-phosphate product (Ca × P), and CSVD in patients with stroke without CPM disorders are still obscure. In our study, 528 patients with stroke without CPM disorders were enrolled in a cohort from a consecutive hospital-based stroke registry, with 488 patients with CSVD as cases and 140 without CSVD as controls. The patients with CSVD were further sub-grouped into lacunes, white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). By applying univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, the following novel findings were obtained: (i) up to 76.19% of patients with stroke had signs of CSVD, and lacunes are the most common subtype. Notably, 22.96% of patients with CSVD had multiple subtypes coexisted. (ii) Compared with patients without CSVD, patients with CSVD had higher levels of age, rate of hypertension or diabetes, serum Ca, P, Ca × P, and lower levels of white blood cell (WBC) and hemoglobin (HB). (iii) We developed 2 predictive models and nomograms for predicting CSVD, in addition to the known factors (age and hypertension). The levels of P and Ca × P were positively correlated with the risk of CSVD (P: OR = 3,720.401, 95% CI (646.665-21,404.249); Ca × P: OR = 1.294, 95% CI (1.222-1.370)). (iv) The models were further validated in subtypes of CSVD, including lacunes, WMHs, and CMBs, and the results were still valid among the subtypes. In summary, CSVD was highly prevalent in patients with stroke, and high serum P and Ca × P are potential risk factors of CSVD and all subtypes including lacunes, WMHs, and CMBs.

Molecular Characterization of Neoseiulus barkeri Vitellogenin Genes and Vitellogenin Receptor during Reproductive Diapause.

The relationship between reproductive diapause and the genes related to vitellogenin (Vg) and its receptor (VgR) in insectoid ovarian development is still unclear. Accordingly, in the present study, we used hematoxylin and eosin staining to study the ovarian structure in the predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri, a species that shows promise as a biological pest control agent. Staining revealed the presence of oocytes on ovary surfaces, and the oocytes were deposited as yolk granules through the intake of Vg and other nutrients with the development of the ovary. Development of the ovary stopped at the oocyte stage in diapausing adult mites, and this stage presented the same characteristics as the first day of adulthood in non-diapause female adults, where oocytes with nutrient cells, but no yolk granules are observed. In order to further explore the effects of the Vg gene and its receptor on reproduction, the sequences of the N. barkeri vitellogenin genes NbVg1, NbVg2, NbVg3, and NbVgR were analyzed using bioinformatics, and the expression levels of the NbVgs and the VgR at different developmental stages were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The results showed that the NbVgs and NbVgR have complete domains and that the positions of many conservative regions and conservative motif are consistent. The expression levels of the NbVgs and NbVgR were highest in the ovipositional period, followed by those in the preovipositional period. The expression levels of the NbVgs and the VgR in non-diapause female adult mites were significantly higher than those in reproductive diapause female adult mites.

Identification and characterization of the glycoside hydrolase family 18 genes from the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria cicadae genome.

Fungal chitinases play essential roles in chitin degradation, cell wall remodeling, chitin recycling, nutrition acquisition, autolysis, and virulence. In this study, 18 genes of the glycoside hydrolase 18 (GH18) family were identified in the Isaria cicadae genome. Seventeen of the genes belonged to chitinases and one was an endo-ß-N-acetylglucosaminidase (ENGase). According to phylogenetic analysis, the 17 chitinases were designated as subgroups A (7 chitinases), B (7), and C (3). The exon-intron organizations of these genes were analyzed. The conserved regions DxxDxDxE and S/AxGG and the domains CBM1, CBM18, and CBM50 were detected in I. cicadae chitinases and ENGase. The results of analysis of expression patterns showed that genes ICchiA1, ICchiA6, ICchiB1, and ICchiB4 had high transcript levels in the different growth conditions or developmental stages. Subgroup A chitinase genes had higher transcript levels than the genes of all other chitinases. Subgroup B chitinase genes (except ICchiB7) presented higher transcript levels in chitin medium compared with other conditions. ICchiC2 and ICchiC3 were mainly transcribed in autolysis medium and in blastospores, respectively. Moreover, ICchiB1 presented higher transcript levels than genes of other chitinases. This work provides an overview of the GH18 chitinases and ENGase in I. cicadae and provides a context for the chitinolytic potential, functions, and biological controls of these enzymes of entomopathogenic fungi.

Expression Patterns, Molecular Characterization, and Response to Host Stress of CYP Genes from Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae).

The quarantine insect pest Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) has a broad host range and is distributed worldwide. Each year, P. solenopsis causes significant crop losses. The detoxification of various xenobiotic compounds involves the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP) superfamily of enzymes. However, the functions of CYPs in P. solenopsis are poorly understood. In the present study, P. solenopsis was reared from the egg to the adult stage on three host plants: Tomato, cotton, and hibiscus. Thirty-seven P. solenopsis CYP genes were identified and their phylogenetic relationships were analyzed. Eleven CYP genes (PsCYP4NT1, PsCYP4G219, PsCYP6PZ1, PsCYP6PZ5, PsCYP301B1, PsCYP302A1, PsCYP305A22, PsCYP315A1, PsCYP353F1, PsCYP3634A1, and PsCYP3635A2) were selected for quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The results demonstrated marked differences in CYP expression levels in P. solenopsis grown on different host plants. The results will aid the molecular characterization of CYPs and will increase our understanding of CYP expression patterns in P. solenopsis during development and growth on different hosts.

Molecular characterization and expression patterns of Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) heat shock protein genes and their response to host stress.

As a polyphagous insect, little is known at the molecular level about the effects of different host plants on physiological changes in Phenacoccus solenopsis. In this study, four heat shock protein (Hsp) genes (PsHsp60, PsHsp70, PsHsp90, and PsHsp20.7) were identified from the transcriptome of P. solenopsis. Analysis of Hsp expression levels revealed significant differences in Hsp gene expression levels in P. solenopsis fed on different host plants. In host conversion tests, the expression levels of PsHsp90 and PsHsp60 were upregulated after transfer of second instar nymphs from tomato to cotton. The expression levels of PsHsp70 and PsHsp20.7 were, respectively, significantly upregulated at 9 and 48 hr after transfer from tomato to Hibiscus. The results of this study aid molecular characterization and understanding of the expression patterns of Hsp genes during different developmental stages and host transfer of P. solenopsis.

[Effects of insecticides on insect pest-natural enemy community in early rice fields].

This paper studied the effects of triazophos, shachongshuang, abamectin, and Bt + imidacloprid on the insect pest-natural enemy community in early rice fields in the Yangtze-Huaihe region of Anhui Province. The results showed that all of the test insecticides had significant effects in controlling the growth of major insect pest populations. The average value of insect pest-natural enemy community diversity under effects of triazophos, shachongshuang, abamectin, and Bt + imidacloprid was 1.545, 1.562, 1.691 and 1.915, respectively, while that in control plot was 1.897. After two weeks of applying insecticides, the plots applied with shachongshuang and abamectin had a similar composition of insect pest-natural enemy community, but the community composition was significantly different between the plots applied with triazophos and Bt + imidacloprid. From the viewpoints of community stability and pest control, Bt + imidacloprid had the best effect, and shachongshuang and abamectin were better than triazophos.

[Effects of rare earth elements on soil fauna community structure and their ecotoxicity to Holotrichia parallela].

By the method of OECD filter paper contact, this paper studied the effects of applied rare earth elements on soil fauna community structure and their ecological toxicity to Holotrichia parallela in bean field. The results showed that there were no significant differences between the treatments and the control in soil fauna species, quantity of main species, and diversity index. Urgent and chronic toxic test showed that the differences between the treatments and the control were not significant. It was suggested that within the range of test dosages, rare earth elements had little ecological toxicity to Holotrichia parallela, and did not change the soil fauna community structure.