Expanding the mesodermal transcriptional network by genome-wide identification of Zinc finger homeodomain 1 (Zfh1) targets.

The Drosophila transcription factor (TF) Zfh1 has distinct roles compared to the cell lineage-determining TFs in almost all mesoderm-derived tissues. Here, we link Zfh1 to the well-characterized mesodermal transcriptional network. We identify five enhancers integrating upstream regulatory inputs from mesodermal TFs and directing zfh1 expression in mesoderm. Most downstream Zfh1-target genes are co-bound by mesodermal TFs, suggesting that Zfh1 and mesodermal TFs act on the same sets of co-regulated genes during the development of certain mesodermal tissues. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Zfh1 is critical for the expression of a hemocyte marker gene peroxidasin and helps restrict the activity of a hemocyte-specific enhancer of serpent to hemocyte-deriving head mesoderm, suggesting a potential role of Zfh1 in hemocyte development.

Complex facial deformity reconstruction with a surgical guide incorporating a built-in occlusal stent as the positioning reference.

Computer-aided design has gained increasing popularity in clinical practice, and the advent of rapid prototyping technology has further enhanced the quality and predictability of surgical outcomes. It provides target guides for complex bony reconstruction during surgery. Therefore, surgeons can efficiently and precisely target fracture restorations. Based on three-dimensional models generated from a computed tomographic scan, precise preoperative planning simulation on a computer is possible. Combining the interdisciplinary knowledge of surgeons and engineers, this study proposes a novel surgical guidance method that incorporates a built-in occlusal wafer that serves as the positioning reference.Two patients with complex facial deformity suffering from severe facial asymmetry problems were recruited. In vitro facial reconstruction was first rehearsed on physical models, where a customized surgical guide incorporating a built-in occlusal stent as the positioning reference was designed to implement the surgery plan. This study is intended to present the authors' preliminary experience in a complex facial reconstruction procedure. It suggests that in regions with less information, where intraoperative computed tomographic scans or navigation systems are not available, our approach could be an effective, expedient, straightforward aid to enhance surgical outcome in a complex facial repair.

3D segmentation of maxilla in cone-beam computed tomography imaging using base invariant wavelet active shape model on customized two-manifold topology.

Recent advances in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) have rapidly enabled widepsread applications of dentomaxillofacial imaging and orthodontic practices in the past decades due to its low radiation dose, high spatial resolution, and accessibility. However, low contrast resolution in CBCT image has become its major limitation in building skull models. Intensive hand-segmentation is usually required to reconstruct the skull models. One of the regions affected by this limitation the most is the thin bone images. This paper presents a novel segmentation approach based on wavelet density model (WDM) for a particular interest in the outer surface of anterior wall of maxilla. Nineteen CBCT datasets are used to conduct two experiments. This mode-based segmentation approach is validated and compared with three different segmentation approaches. The results show that the performance of this model-based segmentation approach is better than those of the other approaches. It can achieve 0.25 ± 0.2 mm of surface error from ground truth of bone surface.

Optical tracking-based model surgery for orthognathic surgical planning using a quantifying evaluation method.

Traditional cephalometry with a cast-mounted articulator is a useful and well-established tool for orthognathic surgery 7 planning. However, 2-D planning with dental casts cannot provide 8 comprehensive information on facial bone conditions, especially 9 with regards to symmetry. To plan and predict postsurgical facial 10 symmetry and occlusions, this paper uses an optical navigation system to track the movement of the upper and lower dental models 12 in model surgery. The corresponding movement and the new position of the jawbones are demonstrated in the computer and the 14 symmetry status can be evaluated. Surgical splints can be fabricated from the virtual models and used in surgery. The procedure 16 provides more realistic predictions, which can assist surgeons to 17 better control postsurgical facial harmony.

Modelling of mandibular movement.

In this paper, the authors presented a novel method to reconstruct individual mandible movement in three dimensions by a virtual articulator system. The system provides a synchronized 3D mandibular movement that faithfully reappear one's natural occlusion movements--sagittal border, lateral, and open-close movements. Movement trajectories are approximated by cubic or high-degree curves modelling. During the whole process, X-ray exposure on human is avoided. The authors apply the optimal methodology to approach the collected samples of movements in order to generate specific occlusion curves and surfaces. The system provides a novel method of mimicking occlusion of individuals. It is a useful tool for recording dynamic movements of an individual in both pre- and post-surgery and also for predicting surgical outcomes.

High cervical midline punctate myelotomy in the management of visceral pain in the mouse.

Increasing evidence implies the existence of a visceral pain pathway in the dorsal column of the spinal cord. Limited midline myelotomy has been used to treat intractable pelvic cancer pain. However, no obvious evidence has been provided that high cervical punctate midline myelotomy (CPMM) relieves visceral pain originating from the abdomen. This study was designed to examine the pain relief effect of CPMM in a mouse model of visceral pain. Thirty-six Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were divided into three groups: Group 1, healthy controls; Group 2, treated with CPMM at C1 and C2; and Group 3, a sham group that underwent laminectomy at C1 and C2 without CPMM. All animals were tested for antinociception in the writhing test 24 hours after surgery. Visceral pain-related behaviors were counted from 5-20 minutes after intraperitoneal injection of 0.6% acetic acid. Writhing test scores were not significantly different between Groups 1 (56.7 +/- 10.7) and 3 (50.7 +/- 17.4). However, Group 2 (30.0 +/- 14.3) showed more than 40% antinociception after treatment, and writhing test scores were significantly different from those of Groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.001). Our results confirm that midline punctate myelotomy can relieve visceral pain and imply that there is a pathway in the posterior funiculus that signals visceral pain. Punctate midline myelotomy at the cervical or high thoracic level may be an alternative strategy in the management of intractable visceral pain due to abdominal or pelvic cancers.