Effects of Occlusal Contact on Maxillary Alveolar Bone Morphology in Patients with and without Anterior Open Bite: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background/Objectives: Anterior open bite (AOB) is characterized by the absence of occlusal contact between the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth, while the posterior teeth are in contact when occluded. Here, we aimed to clarify the difference in maxillary alveolar bone morphology in adult patients with and without AOB. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 adults aged 18-39 years: 25 patients without AOB (control group; 13 males and 12 females; age: mean ± standard deviation [SD], 22.2 ± 4.5 years) and 25 patients with AOB (9 males and 16 females; age: 24.2 ± 6.4 years). Using cone-beam computed tomography images, the height of the maxillary alveolar bone crest in the anterior and posterior teeth and thickness of the alveolar cortical bone on the labial and palatal sides were measured and compared between the two groups. An independent t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis were used to examine statistical significance (p < 0.05). Results: The AOB group showed a significantly longer (p = 0.016) posterior alveolar crest and thinner cortical bone on the buccal (p < 0.001) and lingual (p = 0.009) sides of the anterior region and the buccal (p = 0.006) sides of the posterior region than the control group did. Moreover, a significant negative correlation (p = 0.046; r = -0.403) was observed between bite force and cortical bone thickness on the buccal side of the posterior region in the AOB group. Conclusions: It is suggested that the absence of occlusal contact in the anterior area influences the alveolar bone morphology of the maxilla.

NF-κB Decoy Oligodeoxynucleotide-Loaded Poly Lactic-co-glycolic Acid Nanospheres Facilitate Socket Healing in Orthodontic Tooth Movement.

Orthodontic space closure following tooth extraction is often hindered by alveolar bone deficiency. This study investigates the therapeutic use of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) decoy oligodeoxynucleotides loaded with polylactic-co-glycolic acid nanospheres (PLGA-NfDs) to mitigate alveolar bone loss during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) following the bilateral extraction of maxillary first molars in a controlled experiment involving forty rats of OTM model with ethics approved. The decreased tendency of the OTM distance and inclination angle with increased bone volume and improved trabecular bone structure indicated minimized alveolar bone destruction. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and histomorphometric analysis demonstrated the suppression of inflammation and bone resorption by downregulating the expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, cathepsin K, NF-κB p65, and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand while provoking periodontal regeneration by upregulating the expression of alkaline phosphatase, transforming growth factor-ß1, osteopontin, and fibroblast growth factor-2. Importantly, relative gene expression over the maxillary second molar compression side in proximity to the alveolus highlighted the pharmacological effect of intra-socket PLGA-NfD administration, as evidenced by elevated osteocalcin expression, indicative of enhanced osteocytogenesis. These findings emphasize that locally administered PLGA-NfD serves as an effective inflammatory suppressor and yields periodontal regenerative responses following tooth extraction.

Low-temperature Ruby Crystal Growth Via a Supersaturation Process Based on Flux Decomposition.

Crystal growth methods that do not require high temperatures are highly needed for the facile growth of oxide single crystals with melting points of several thousand degrees Celsius. This paper represents the first report of a method for the low-temperature growth of ruby crystals (chromium-doped Al2O3) at 750 °C, which is one-third of the conventionally required temperature (2050 °C). In solution-based crystal growth, the target crystal is grown at a temperature considerably lower than its melting point. However, conventional crystal growth processes involving solvent evaporation and cooling require high temperatures to completely liquefy the material, with previously reported solution growth temperatures of ≈1100 °C. Supersaturation based on the decomposition of crystal-solvent intermediates eliminates the need to completely liquefy the material, enabling low-temperature crystal growth. The combination of computational and experimental investigations helps determine the optimum conditions for low-temperature crystal growth. The proposed method is a novel green process that breaks the conventional frontiers of crystal growth while ensuring eco-friendliness and low energy consumption. In addition, its scope can potentially be expanded to the synthesis of various crystals and direct growth on substrates with low melting points.

Periostin splice variants affect craniofacial growth by influencing chondrocyte hypertrophy.

INTRODUCTION: Periostin, an extracellular matrix protein, plays an important role in osteogenesis and is also known to activate several signals that contribute to chondrogenesis. The absence of periostin in periostin knockout mice leads to several disorders such as craniosynostosis and periostitis. There are several splice variants with different roles in heart disease and myocardial infarction. However, little is known about each variant's role in chondrogenesis, followed by bone formation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the role of several variants in chondrogenesis differentiation and bone formation in the craniofacial region. Periostin splice variants included a full-length variant (Control), a variant lacking exon 17 (ΔEx17), a variant lacking exon 21 (ΔEx21), and another variant lacking both exon 17 and 21 ***(ΔEx17&21). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used C56BL6/N mice (n = 6) for the wild type (Control)*** and the three variant type mice (n = 6 each) to identify the effect of each variant morphologically and histologically. Micro-computed tomography demonstrated a smaller craniofacial skeleton in ΔEx17s, ΔEx21s, and ΔEx17&21s compared to Controls, especially the mandibular bone. We, thus, focused on the mandibular condyle. RESULTS: The most distinctive histological observation was that each defected mouse appeared to have more hypertrophic chondrocytes than Controls. Real-time PCR demonstrated the differences among the group. Moreover, the lack of exon 17 or exon 21 in periostin leads to inadequate chondrocyte differentiation and presents in a diminutive craniofacial skeleton. DISCUSSION: Therefore, these findings suggested that each variant has a significant role in chondrocyte hypertrophy, leading to suppression of bone formation.

NF-κB Decoy ODN-Loaded Poly(Lactic-co-glycolic Acid) Nanospheres Inhibit Alveolar Ridge Resorption.

Residual ridge resorption combined with dimensional loss resulting from tooth extraction has a prolonged correlation with early excessive inflammation. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) are double-stranded DNA sequences capable of downregulating the expression of downstream genes of the NF-κB pathway, which is recognized for regulating prototypical proinflammatory signals, physiological bone metabolism, pathologic bone destruction, and bone regeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of NF-κB decoy ODNs on the extraction sockets of Wistar/ST rats when delivered by poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanospheres. Microcomputed tomography and trabecular bone analysis following treatment with NF-κB decoy ODN-loaded PLGA nanospheres (PLGA-NfDs) demonstrated inhibition of vertical alveolar bone loss with increased bone volume, smoother trabecular bone surface, thicker trabecular bone, larger trabecular number and separation, and fewer bone porosities. Histomorphometric and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed reduced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-expressing osteoclasts, interleukin-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand, turnover rate, and increased transforming growth factor-ß1 immunopositive reactions and relative gene expression. These data demonstrate that local NF-κB decoy ODN transfection via PLGA-NfD can be used to effectively suppress inflammation in a tooth-extraction socket during the healing process, with the potential to accelerate new bone formation.

Computational fluid dynamic analysis of the nasal respiratory function before and after postero-superior repositioning of the maxilla.

Morphological changes in the upper airway and the resulting alteration in the nasal respiratory function after jawbone repositioning during orthognathic surgery have garnered attention recently. In particular, nasopharyngeal stenosis, because of the complex influence of both jaws, the effects of which have not yet been clarified owing to postero-superior repositioning of the maxilla, may significantly impact sleep and respiratory function, necessitating further functional evaluation. This study aimed to perform a functional evaluation of the effects of surgery involving maxillary repositioning, which may result in a larger airway resistance if the stenosis worsens the respiratory function, using CFD for treatment planning. A model was developed from CT images obtained preoperatively (PRE) and postoperatively (POST) in females (n = 3) who underwent maxillary postero-superior repositioning using Mimics and ICEM CFD. Simultaneously, a model of stenosis (STENOSIS) was developed by adjusting the severity of stenosis around the PNS to simulate greater repositioning than that in the POST. Inhalation at rest and atmospheric pressure were simulated in each model using Fluent, whereas pressure drop (ΔP) was evaluated using CFD Post. In this study, ΔP was proportional to airway resistance because the flow rate was constant. Therefore, the magnitude of ΔP was evaluated as the level of airway resistance. The ΔP in the airway was lower in the POST compared to the PRE, indicating that the analysis of the effects of repositioning on nasal ventilation showed that current surgery is appropriate with respect to functionality, as it does not compromise respiratory function. The rate of change in the cross-sectional area of the mass extending pharynx (α) was calculated as the ratio of each neighboring section. The closer the α-value is to 1, the smaller the ΔP, so ideally the airway should be constant. This study identified airway shapes that are favorable from the perspective of fluid dynamics.

Intermittent hypoxia inhibits mandibular cartilage growth with reduced TGF-ß and SOX9 expressions in neonatal rats.

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) has been associated with skeletal growth. However, the influence of IH on cartilage growth and metabolism is unknown. We compared the effects of IH on chondrocyte proliferation and maturation in the mandibular condyle fibrocartilage and tibial hyaline cartilage of 1-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were exposed to normoxic air (n = 9) or IH at 20 cycles/h (nadir, 4% O2; peak, 21% O2; 0% CO2) (n = 9) for 8 h each day. IH impeded body weight gain, but not tibial elongation. IH also increased cancellous bone mineral and volumetric bone mineral densities in the mandibular condylar head. The mandibular condylar became thinner, but the tibial cartilage did not. IH reduced maturative and increased hypertrophic chondrocytic layers of the middle and posterior mandibular cartilage. PCR showed that IH shifted proliferation and maturation in mandibular condyle fibrocartilage toward hypertrophic differentiation and ossification by downregulating TGF-ß and SOX9, and upregulating collagen X. These effects were absent in the tibial growth plate hyaline cartilage. Our results showed that neonatal rats exposed to IH displayed underdeveloped mandibular ramus/condyles, while suppression of chondrogenesis marker expression was detected in the growth-restricted condylar cartilage.

Intermittent hypoxia retards mandibular growth and alters RANKL expression in adolescent and juvenile rats.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH), a common state experienced in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), retards mandibular growth in adolescent rats. The aim of this study was to elucidate the differential effects of IH on mandibular growth in different growth stages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-week-old (juvenile stage) and 7-week-old (adolescent stage) male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent IH for 3 weeks. Age-matched control rats were exposed to room air. Mandibular growth was evaluated by radiograph analysis, micro-computed tomography, real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistology. Tibial growth was evaluated as an index of systemic skeletal growth. RESULTS: IH had no significant impact on the general growth of either the juvenile or adolescent rats. However, it significantly decreased the total mandibular length and the posterior corpus length of the mandible in the adolescent rats and the anterior corpus length in the juvenile rats. IH also increased bone mineral density (BMD) of the condylar head in adolescent rats but did not affect the BMD of the tibia. Immunohistological analysis showed that the expression level of receptor activation of nuclear factor-κB ligand significantly decreased (in contrast to its messenger ribonucleicacid level) in the condylar head of adolescent rats with IH, while the number of osteoprotegerin-positive cells was comparable in the mandibles of adolescent IH rats and control rats. LIMITATIONS: The animal model could not simulate the pathological conditions of OSA completely and there were differences in bone growth between humans and rodents. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the susceptibility of mandibular growth retardation to IH depends on the growth stage of the rats.

Intermittent hypoxia induces turbinate mucosal hypertrophy via upregulating the gene expression related to inflammation and EMT in rats.

PURPOSE: Chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH) plays a pivotal role in the consequences of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It has been demonstrated that IH impairs nasomaxillary complex growth to reduce nasal airway cavity size in rodent models. Although turbinate dysfunction with inflammatory mucosal hypertrophy is related to OSA, the role of IH in turbinate hypertrophy with inflammation-driven fibrosis is unknown. Here, we aimed to clarify the pathogenesis of inflammatory mucosal hypertrophy and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the nasal turbinate under IH. METHODS: Seven-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to IH (4% O2 to 21% O2 with 0% CO2) at a rate of 20 cycles/h. RESULTS: Hypertrophy of the turbinate mucosa occurred after 3 weeks, with the turbinate mucosa of the experimental group becoming significantly thicker than in the control group. Immunostaining showed that IH increased the expression of TGFß and N-cadherin and decreased E-cadherin expression in the turbinate mucosa. Quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated that IH enhanced the expression of not only the inflammatory markers Tnf-a, Il-1b, and Nos2 but also the EMT markers Tgf-b1, Col1a1, and Postn. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these results suggest that IH induced turbinate hypertrophy via upregulation of gene expression related to inflammation and EMT in the nasal mucosa.

A cone-beam computed tomographic assessment of the proximity of the maxillary canine and posterior teeth to the maxillary sinus floor: Lessons from 4778 roots.

INTRODUCTION: When tooth roots protrude into the maxillary sinus, apical root resorption and tipping may occur during horizontal tooth movement across the sinus floor. Three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images may provide detailed information without distortion and overlap. We evaluated the relationships between the maxillary tooth root apices and the maxillary sinus floor using CBCT. METHODS: We evaluated 4778 roots from 76 men (aged 27.6 ± 10.4 [mean ± standard deviation] years; range, 18-69 years), and 225 women (aged 30.4 ± 12.0 years; range, 18-68 years). The positional relationships between the maxillary tooth root apices, including the canine, premolar (first and/or second), and molar (first and/or second), and the inferior wall of the maxillary sinus were comprehensively evaluated on 2 cross-sectional CBCT images (ie, the sagittal and coronal planes). These distances were measured in both images simultaneously. RESULTS: The sagittal plane distances were significantly larger than coronal plane distances, except for the distobuccal root of the first molar. Pearson correlation test revealed a significant negative correlation between the distance and the patient's age. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides valuable information for planning orthodontic tooth movement through the maxillary sinus, which may help to predict the occurrence and severity of root resorption.

Alveolar bone morphology in patients with a unilateral palatally displaced maxillary lateral incisor: A cone-beam computed tomography study.

INTRODUCTION: Lingual displacement of the maxillary anterior teeth is 1 of the most common forms of malocclusion. The labial alveolar bone is thinner for the maxillary lateral incisor than for the central incisor and canine; however, the alveolar bone width at the actual position of the maxillary lateral incisor has not been examined. We investigated the morphologic characteristics of the alveolar bone around palatally displaced maxillary lateral incisors using cone-beam computed tomography and a split-mouth model. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with a unilateral palatally displaced maxillary lateral incisor were included. Axial, sagittal, and horizontal measurements were recorded at 3 levels (ie, 25%, 50%, and 75% of the root length) using cone-beam computed tomography. All obtained data were statistically analyzed using paired t tests. RESULTS: The labial alveolar bone width at 25% of root length was significantly lesser on the affected side. At all 3 levels, the distance between a line tangential to the labial alveolar bone of the central incisor and canine and the position of the labial alveolar bone of the lateral incisor was significantly greater on the affected side. At 50% and 75% of root length, the horizontal distance between the posterior nasal spine and the labial alveolar bone of the lateral incisor was significantly lesser on the affected side. CONCLUSIONS: Palatal displacement of maxillary lateral incisors is significantly associated with decreased alveolar bone width at the apical level and asymmetry. However, a further elaborate investigation is necessary to determine the clinical relevance of the study.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound reduces periodontal atrophy in occlusal hypofunctional teeth.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify whether low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) exposure has recovery effects on the hypofunctional periodontal ligament (PDL) and interradicular alveolar bone (IRAB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (n = 5 each): a normal occlusion (C) group, an occlusal hypofunction (H) group, and an occlusal hypofunction group subjected to LIPUS (HL) treatment. Hypofunctional occlusion of the maxillary first molar (M1) of the H and HL groups was induced by the bite-raising technique. Only the HL group was irradiated with LIPUS for 5 days. The IRAB and PDL of M1 were examined by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) analysis. To quantify mRNA expression of cytokines involved in PDL proliferation and development, real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed for twist family bHLH transcription factor 1 (Twist1), periostin, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the PDL samples. RESULTS: Micro-CT analysis showed that the PDL volume was decreased in the H group compared with that of the C and HL groups. Both bone volume per tissue volume (BV/TV) of IRAB was decreased in the H group compared with that in the C group. LIPUS exposure restored BV/TV in the IRAB of the HL group. qRT-PCR analysis showed that Twist1, periostin, and CTGF mRNA levels were decreased in the H group and increased in the HL group. CONCLUSION: LIPUS exposure reduced the atrophic changes of alveolar bone by inducing the upregulation of periostin and CTGF expression to promote PDL healing after induction of occlusal hypofunction.

Intermittent hypoxia causes mandibular growth retardation and macroglossia in growing rats.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to examine the role of intermittent hypoxia (IH) in dentofacial morphologic changes in growing rats. METHODS: Seven-week-old male rats were exposed to IH at 20 cycles per hour (nadir of 4% oxygen to peak of 21% oxygen) for 8 hours per day for 6 weeks. Control rats were exposed to normoxia (N). Maxillofacial growth was compared between the 2 groups by linear measurements on cephalometric radiographs. To examine the dental arch morphology, study models and microcomputed tomography images of the jaws were taken. Additionally, tongue size was measured. RESULTS: The gonial angle and the ramus of the mandible were smaller in the IH group than in the N group, whereas the body weights were not different between the 2 groups. Morphometric analysis of the dentition showed a significantly wider mandibular dentition and narrower maxillary dentition in the IH than in the N group. The relative width (+4.2 %) and length (tongue apex to vallate papillae, +3.5 %) of the tongue to the mandible were significantly greater in the IH group than in the N group. CONCLUSIONS: IH induced dentofacial morphologic discrepancies in growing rats.

Intermittent Hypoxia Influences Alveolar Bone Proper Microstructure via Hypoxia-Inducible Factor and VEGF Expression in Periodontal Ligaments of Growing Rats.

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) recapitulates morphological changes in the maxillofacial bones in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Recently, we found that IH increased bone mineral density (BMD) in the inter-radicular alveolar bone (reflecting enhanced osteogenesis) in the mandibular first molar (M1) region in the growing rats, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we focused on the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway to assess the effect of IH by testing the null hypothesis of no significant differences in the mRNA-expression levels of relevant factors associated with the HIF pathway, between control rats and growing rats with IH. To test the null hypothesis, we investigated how IH enhances mandibular osteogenesis in the alveolar bone proper with respect to HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in periodontal ligament (PDL) tissues. Seven-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to IH for 3 weeks. The microstructure and BMD in the alveolar bone proper of the distal root of the mandibular M1 were evaluated using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Expression of HIF-1α and VEGF mRNA in PDL tissues were measured, whereas osteogenesis was evaluated by measuring mRNA levels for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). The null hypothesis was rejected: we found an increase in the expression of all of these markers after IH exposure. The results provided the first indication that IH enhanced osteogenesis of the mandibular M1 region in association with PDL angiogenesis during growth via HIF-1α in an animal model.

Intermittent hypoxia induces disturbances in craniofacial growth and defects in craniofacial morphology.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate intermittent hypoxia (IH) induced changes in craniofacial morphology and bone mineral density (BMD) in the mandible of growing rats. DESIGN: Seven-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to IH for 4 days or 3 weeks. Sham-operated rats simultaneously breathed room air. Lateral and transverse cephalometric radiographs of the craniofacial region were obtained, and the linear distances between cephalometric landmarks were statistically analyzed. BMD and bone microstructure of the mandible were evaluated using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). RESULTS: Cephalometric analyses demonstrated that exposure to IH only in the two groups for 3 weeks decreased the size of the mandibular and viscerocranial bones, but not that of the neurocranial bones, in early adolescent rats. These findings are consistent with upper airway narrowing and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Micro-CT showed that IH increased the BMD in the cancellous bone of the mandibular condyle and the inter-radicular alveolar bone in the mandibular first molar (M1) region. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to identify growth retardation of the craniofacial bones in an animal model of sleep apnea. Notably, 3 weeks of IH can induce multiple changes in the bones around the upper airway in pubertal rats, which can enhance upper airway narrowing and the development of OSA. The reproducibility of these results supports the validity and usefulness of this model. These findings also emphasize the critical importance of morphometric evaluation of patients with OSA.

Fabrication of La2Ti2O7 crystals using an alkali-metal molybdate flux growth method and their nitridability to form LaTiO2N crystals under a high-temperature NH3 atmosphere.

Flux growth is a promising method that allows one to control over the crystalline phase, crystal shape, crystal size, and crystal surface through the selection of a suitable flux. In this work, lanthanum titanate (La2Ti2O7) crystals with different morphologies were grown using the Na2MoO4, K2MoO4, NaCl, and mixed NaCl + K2MoO4 (molar ratio = 3:7) fluxes, and their nitridability to form LaTiO2N crystals under a high-temperature NH3 atmosphere was also investigated. The effects of the solute concentration and cooling rate on the growth of the La2Ti2O7 crystals were also studied. The X-ray diffraction results revealed that the {100} plane was dominant in the La2Ti2O7 platelet crystals grown using the alkali-metal molybdate fluxes. When the solute concentration was increased from 1 to 20 mol %, the average size of the crystals decreased without considerable alteration of the overall crystal morphology. The La2Ti2O7 crystals with the preferred ⟨010⟩ and ⟨001⟩ growth directions along the b and c axes were grown using the Na2MoO4 and K2MoO4 fluxes, respectively. Compared to the Na2MoO4 flux, the K2MoO4 flux did not show a cooling-rate-dependent effect on the growth of the La2Ti2O7 crystals. It was found that conversion of the La2Ti2O7 crystals to the LaTiO2N crystals was strongly dependent on the flux used to grow the precursor La2Ti2O7 crystals. That is, the La2Ti2O7 crystals grown using the K2MoO4 and NaCl fluxes were nearly completely converted into the LaTiO2N crystals, while conversion of the La2Ti2O7 crystals grown using the Na2MoO4 and mixed NaCl + K2MoO4 fluxes to the LaTiO2N crystals seemed to be not completed yet even after nitridation at 950 °C for 15 h using NH3 because of the larger crystal size and the presence of unintentional impurities (sodium and molybdenum from the flux) in the La2Ti2O7 crystal lattice. Nevertheless, the LaTiO2N crystals fabricated by nitriding the La2Ti2O7 crystals grown using the K2MoO4 and NaCl fluxes should be suitable for direct solar water splitting.

Impairment of nasal airway under intermittent hypoxia during growth period in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the influences of intermittent hypoxia (IH) on the growth and development of the midfacial area, including the nasal cavity, in growing rats. DESIGN: Seven-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: the experimental group (n=5), which was exposed to IH for 8h during light periods at a rate of 20 cycles/h (nadir, 4% O2 to peak, 21% O2 with 0% CO2), and the control group (n=5), which was exposed to room air. After 3 weeks, the maxillofacial structures in both groups were evaluated with respect to the height, width, length, surface area, cross-sectional area, and volume of the nasal cavity using soft X-ray and micro-CT. RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significantly smaller cross-sectional area and volume than did the control group. The surface area exhibited no significant differences between the two groups, although it tended to be smaller in the experimental group than in the control group. The nasal volume divided by the length of the tibia (for comparison with whole-body growth) was significantly smaller in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that IH exposure suppresses growth and development of the nasal cavity and may result in nasal breathing disturbance.

Fabrication of Ni compound nanocrystal/nanocarbon composites by cooling of chloride-based fluxes.

Unique Ni compound nanocrystals were successfully grown on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by cooling a mixed chloride flux. Cup-stacked CNTs (CSCNTs) were used as the nanocarbon materials because of their structural features. The grown nanocrystals had a nanosheet structure, which was densely assembled and had a ribbon-like morphology. Therefore, the nanocrystal/CSCNT composites were expected to have a highly active surface area for the catalyst composites. The selected area electron diffraction pattern and the related radial intensity profiles indicated that the grown nanocrystals were Ni(OH)2. When the pristine CSCNTs were used as a starting material, the formation efficiency of the nanocrystal/CSCNT composites decreased because the pristine CSCNTs were not dispersed in the KCl-LiCl flux. Therefore, functionalization of the CSCNTs was carried out with VUV light irradiation. The dispersibility of the VUV light-treated CSCNTs increased in the KCl-LiCl flux in comparison with the pristine CSCNTs because oxygen-containing functional groups, such as -COOH and -CO, were introduced onto the surfaces of the CSCNTs.

Cobalt-modified porous single-crystalline LaTiO2N for highly efficient water oxidation under visible light.

Highly efficient water oxidation utilizing visible photons of up to 600 nm is a crucial step in artificial photosynthesis. Here we present a highly active photocatalyst for visible-light-driven water oxidation, consisting of single-crystalline meso- and macroporous LaTiO(2)N (LTON) with a band gap of 2.1 eV, and earth-abundasnt cobalt oxide (CoO(x)) as a cocatalyst. The optimized CoO(x)/LTON had a high quantum efficiency of 27.1 ± 2.6% at 440 nm, which substantially exceeds the values reported for previous particulate photocatalysts with a 600-nm absorption edge.