Assessment of the Relationship between Antero-Posterior Dental Malocclusions, Body Posture Abnormalities and Selected Static Foot Parameters in Adults.

Objectives: This study aimed to find if a relationship exists between antero-posterior malocclusions and the level of musculoskeletal disorders in adults, including body posture and static foot analysis. Methods: In all, 420 participants were recruited through convenience sampling (Kraków University students and patients of a local dentist's practice). Following general medical interviews, dental examinations and consideration of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 90 healthy volunteers (ages 19-35) were enrolled and assigned to three groups (n = 30) based on occlusion type (Angle's molar Class I, II or III). The research procedure involved occlusion and temporomandibular disorder assessment conducted by a dental specialist. Comprehensive morphological measurements of body asymmetry were performed using the Videography 2D package and FreeSTEP software, which calculated the parameters determined from anterior, posterior and lateral projection photos. Foot loading distribution was analyzed using the FreeMED baropodometric platform. Results: Significant differences were demonstrated in the positioning of the head, cervical and lumbar spine in the sagittal plane among individuals with the analyzed occlusal classes (p < 0.05). Individuals with Angle's Class II exhibited significantly greater forward head positions and greater depths of cervical and lumbar lordosis compared with individuals with Class III or Class I. Those with overbites had higher forefoot loading. The Class III individuals exhibited greater L-R displacement, indicating a larger angle of displacement of the centers of the right and left feet relative to the lower edge of the measurement platform, suggesting pelvic rotation. Conclusions: An inclination for concurrent occurrences of malocclusions and posture deviations in the sagittal plane was observed. An interdisciplinary approach involving dentistry and physiotherapy specialists which utilizes tools for comprehensive posture assessment is crucial for diagnosing and treating such conditions.

Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and hip abductor strength can predict Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test performance in healthy males.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess whether strength and range of motion (ROM) of the hip and ankle are the factors determining performance in the Lower Quarter Y-Balance test (YBT-LQ). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: 66 healthy males (age: 25.2±6.8 years) participated in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants underwent assessments of ankle dorsiflexion (DF) ROM, hip internal rotation (IR) ROM, external rotation (ER) ROM and isometric strength of hip abductor (ABD), extensor (EXT) and external rotators (ERS) muscles together with YBT-LQ for both legs. A forward 2-steps multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the predictor variables and the criterion variable. RESULTS: Ankle DF ROM predicted anterior (ANT) reach (R2 = 0.49; R2 = 0.33; p < 0.001). The model with hip ABD strength and ankle DF ROM explained posteromedial (PM) reach variance for stance leg (R2 = 0.35; p < 0.001), while only hip ABD strength was included for kicking leg (R2 = 0.19; p = 0.007). The model with ankle DF ROM and hip ABD strength explained posterolateral (PL) reach for stance leg (R2 = 0.41; p < 0.001). Hip ABD was the only predictor for kicking leg PL reach (R2 = 0.15; p < 0.001). YBT-LQ composite score was explained by ankle DF ROM and hip ABD strength for both legs (R2 = 0.44; p < 0.001) and (R2 = 0.25; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Hip ABD strength and ankle DF ROM can determine performance in the YBT-LQ. Strength of hip EXT, ERS as well as ROM of hip IR and ER did not predict YBT-LQ performance.

An effective antibiofilm strategy based on bacteriophages armed with silver nanoparticles.

The emerging antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria is a key problem in modern medicine that has led to a search for novel therapeutic strategies. A potential approach for managing such bacteria involves the use of their natural killers, namely lytic bacteriophages. Another effective method involves the use of metal nanoparticles with antimicrobial properties. However, the use of lytic phages armed with nanoparticles as an effective antimicrobial strategy, particularly with respect to biofilms, remains unexplored. Here, we show that T7 phages armed with silver nanoparticles exhibit greater efficacy in terms of controlling bacterial biofilm, compared with phages or nanoparticles alone. We initially identified a novel silver nanoparticle-binding peptide, then constructed T7 phages that successfully displayed the peptide on the outer surface of the viral head. These recombinant, AgNP-binding phages could effectively eradicate bacterial biofilm, even when used at low concentrations. Additionally, when used at concentrations that could eradicate bacterial biofilm, T7 phages armed with silver nanoparticles were not toxic to eukaryotic cells. Our results show that the novel combination of lytic phages with phage-bound silver nanoparticles is an effective, synergistic and safe strategy for the treatment of bacterial biofilms.