[Evaluation of the efficacy of medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy combined with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the treatment of varus knee osteoarthritis with anterior cruciate ligament injury].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) combined with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in the treatment of varus knee osteoarthritis (OA) with ACL injury. Methods: A follow-up study. The study retrospectively analyzed the patients underwent MOWHTO combined with ACL reconstruction for treatment of varus knee OA with ACL injury in Tianjin Hospital between April 2018 and September 2022. The preoperative and postoperative posterior slope angle (PSA), hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, and Tegner score were compared. The follow-up indicators were recorded at 6 weeks, 3 months and 1 year after operation, and the complications were recorded. Results: The study included 32 patients (23 males, 9 females) with a mean age of (50.7±8.4) years. The mean follow-up time was (21.2±4.8) months. PSA increased from 9.2°±1.8° preoperatively to 11.1°±2.4° postoperatively, and HKA increased from 168.7°±2.2° to 181.5°±2.2° (both P<0.01). The indicators such as VAS score (6.8±1.1 vs 1.8±0.4), Lysholm score (52.6±7.1 vs 82.0±6.4), IKDC score (64.7±6.2 vs 80.3±10.0), WOMAC score (51.8±6.3 vs 81.8±6.5), and Tegner score (1.9±0.6 vs 5.0±1.0) were all improved after the operation (all P<0.01). Complications occurred in 5 patients (15.6%), including hematomas, sensory abnormalities, intermuscular vein thrombosis and correction angle loss. Conclusion: MOWHTO combined with ACL reconstruction is a safe and effective approach for the treatment of varus knee OA with ACL injury.

[Applications of collagen extrafibrillar demineralization in dentin bonding].

The existing dentin bonding systems based on acid-etching technique lead to the loss of both extrafibrillar and intrafibrillar minerals from dentin collagen, causing excessive demineralization. Because resin monomers can not infiltrate the intrafibrillar spaces of demineralized collagen matrix, degradation of exposed collagen and resin hydrolysis subsequently occur within the hybrid layer, which seriously jeopardizing the longevity of resin-dentin bonding. Collagen extrafibrillar demineralization can effectively avoid the structural defects within the resin-dentin interface caused by acid-etching technique and improve the durability of resin-dentin bonding, by preserving intrafibrillar minerals and selectively demineralizing extrafibrillar dentin. The mechanism and research progress of collagen extrafibrillar demineralization in dentin bonding are reviewed in the paper.

[Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 in mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and possible role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) at the maternal-fetal interface following Toxoplasma gondii infection during early pregnancy. METHODS: Twenty pregnant C57BL/6 mice, each weighing 16 to 20 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups, including the 12-d control group, 12-d infection group, 18-d control group and 18-d infection group. Mice in the 12-d and 18-d infection groups were injected intraperitoneally with 150 tachyzoites of the T. gondii PRU strain on day 6 of pregnancy, while mice in the 12-d control and 18-d control groups were injected with the same volume of phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Mice in the control and infection groups were sacrificed on days 12 and 18 of pregnancy, and the placental and uterine specimens of the pregnant mice in each group were sampled for pathological examinations. The mRNA expression of HIF-1α, HIF-1ß and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was quantified using quantitative fluorescent real-time PCR (qPCR) assay in the placental and uterine specimens, and the correlation between HIF-1α and VEGF mRNA expression was examined. In addition, and the HIF-1α expression was detected using immunohistochemical staining in the placental and uterine specimens of pregnant mice. RESULTS: Compared with the 12-d and 18-d control groups, adverse pregnant outcomes were observed in mice in 12-d and 18-d infection groups, such as teratism and placental dysplasia. HE staining showed swelling and blood stasis of cells, sinusoid reduction and inflammatory cell infiltration in the labyrinth area of the placenta specimens of mice in 12-d and 18-d infection groups relative to 12-d and 18-d control groups, and columnar epithelial cell injury and inflammatory cell infiltration were seen in the mouse uterine specimens in both infection groups. qPCR assay detected significantly higher HIF-1α (F = 132.6, P < 0.05) and HIF-1ß mRNA expression (F = 286.9, P < 0.05) in the placental specimens and lower HIF-1α (F = 111.5, P < 0.05) and HIF-1ß mRNA expression (F = 55.2, P < 0.05) in the uterine specimens in the 12-d infection group than in the 12-day control group, and significantly lower HIF-1α and HIF-1ß mRNA expression was detected in the placental and uterine specimens in the 18-d infection group than in the 18-day control group (F = 215.8, 418.9, 156.8 and 200.1; all P values < 0.05). Significantly lower VEGF-A (F = 426.2, P < 0.05), VEGF-B (F = 104.6, P < 0.05) and VEGF-C mRNA expression (F = 566.9, P < 0.05) in the placental specimens and higher VEGF-A (F = 426.2, P < 0.05), VEGF-B (F = 104.6, P < 0.05) and VEGF-C mRNA expression (F = 566.9, P < 0.05) in the uterine specimens were detected in the 12-d infection group than in the 12-d control group, and higher VEGF-A, VEGF-B and VEGF-C mRNA expression was found in the placental and uterine specimens in the 18-d infection group than in the 18-d control group (F = 521.9, 100.6, 275.9, 224.6, 108.2 and 333.4; all P values < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed strongly and mildly positive HIF-1α expression in the mouse placental labyrinth area in the 12-d and 18-d infection groups relative to 12-d and 18-d control groups, while no HIF-1α expression was detected in mouse uterine specimens. CONCLUSIONS: HIF-1α expression appears a tendency towards a rise in the second trimester and a reduction in the third trimester in mice following T. gondii infection during early pregnancy, which is contrary to the changing tendency of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and VEGF-C expression. It is hypothesized that HIF-1α inhibits placental angiogenesis in mice during pregnancy through suppressing VEGF expression, resulting in adverse pregnant outcomes.

[Epidemiological survey of mental disorders in the rural left behind elderly aged 60 years and older in Gansu].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, demographic characteristics and social life function of mental disorders in the rural left behind elderly aged 60 years and older in Gansu. Methods: Between November 2017 and June 2018, a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used to randomly select the rural left behind elderly aged 60 years and older in Gansu, and totally 6 000 elderly were enrolled. By using the extended general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the American Handbook for Diagnosis and Statistics of Mental Disorders (DSM-Ⅳ) Axis Ⅰ Disorders Formal Clinical Examination Patient Edition, all the included subjects were screened and diagnosed. Functional status was assessed by the Global Assessment Function scale (GAF). Statistical analysis of the prevalence of various mental illnesses, as well as the differences in the prevalence of different gender, marital status and age groups was performed. Results: Totally, 6 000 subjects completed the survey. The adjusted current prevalence of any mental disorder was 20.11% (95%CI 17.70%-22.85%). The six most prevalent specific disorders were major depressive disorder (9.20%), pain disorder (2.71%), mood disorder due to the body condition (2.08%), generalized anxiety disorder (1.99%), anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (1.15%) and dysthymic disorder (0.84%). The lifetime prevalence of mental disorders was 20.54% (95%CI 18.40%-23.39%). The overall current prevalence of mental disorders was higher in women (242.89‰) than in men (119.55‰), and the unmarried (248.37‰) was higher than those married (187.53‰). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of mental disorders among different age groups (P>0.05). The GAF score of mental disorders was 56±11, and 71.82% was moderate to severe functional impairment. Conclusions: The prevalence of mental disorders is high in rural left-behind population aged 60 years and over in Gansu Province. Major depression is a condition that deserves special attention.

Phytophthora Species Are Common on Nursery Stock Grown for Restoration and Revegetation Purposes in California.

Phytophthora tentaculata was detected for the first time in North America in 2012 in a nursery on sticky monkeyflower plant (Diplacus aurantiacus) and again in 2014 on outplanted native plants. At that time, this species was listed as a federally actionable and reportable pathogen by the USDA. As a result of these detections, California native plant nurseries were surveyed to determine the prevalence of Phytophthora species on native plant nursery stock. A total of 402 samples were collected from 26 different native plant nurseries in California between 2014 and 2016. Sampling focused on plants with symptoms of root and crown rot. Symptomatic tissue was collected and tested by immunoassay, culture, and molecular techniques (PCR). Identifications were made using sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA region, a portion of the trnM-trnP-trnM, or the atp9-nad9 mitochondrial regions. Phytophthora was confirmed from 149 of the 402 samples (37%), and from plants in 22 different host families. P. tentaculata was the most frequently detected species in our survey, followed by P. cactorum and members of the P. cryptogea complex. Other species include P. cambivora, P. cinnamomi, P. citricola, P. hedraiandra, P. megasperma, P. multivora, P. nicotianae, P. niederhauserii, P. parvispora, P. pini, P. plurivora, and P. riparia. A few Phytophthora sequences generated from mitochondrial regions could not be assigned to a species. Although this survey was limited to a relatively small number of California native plant nurseries, Phytophthora species were detected from three quarters of them (77%). In addition to sticky monkeyflower, P. tentaculata was detected from seven other hosts, expanding the number of associated hosts. During this survey, P. parvispora was detected for the first time in North America from symptomatic crowns and roots of the nonnative Mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata). Pathogenicity of P. parvispora and P. nicotianae was confirmed on this host. These findings document the widespread occurrence of Phytophthora spp. in native plant nurseries and highlight the potential risks associated with outplanting infested nursery-grown stock into residential gardens and wildlands.

Protein Arginine Methyltransferase PRMT1 Is Essential for Palatogenesis.

Cleft palate is among the most common birth defects. Currently, only 30% of cases have identified genetic causes, whereas the etiology of the majority remains to be discovered. We identified a new regulator of palate development, protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1), and demonstrated that disruption of PRMT1 function in neural crest cells caused complete cleft palate and craniofacial malformations. PRMT1 is the most highly expressed of the protein arginine methyltransferases, enzymes responsible for methylation of arginine motifs on histone and nonhistone proteins. PRMT1 regulates signal transduction and transcriptional activity that affect multiple signal pathways crucial in craniofacial development, such as the BMP, TGFß, and WNT pathways. We demonstrated that Wnt1-Cre;Prmt1 fl/fl mice displayed a decrease in palatal mesenchymal cell proliferation and failure of palatal shelves to reach the midline. Further analysis in signal pathways revealed that loss of Prmt1 in mutant mice decreased BMP signaling activation and reduced the deposition of H4R3me2a mark. Collectively, our study demonstrates that Prmt1 is crucial in palate development. Our study may facilitate the development of a better strategy to interrupt the formation of cleft palate through manipulation of PRMT1 activity.

Smad6 Methylation Represses NFκB Activation and Periodontal Inflammation.

The balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory signals maintains tissue homeostasis and defines the outcome of chronic inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis, a condition that afflicts the tooth-supporting tissues and exerts an impact on systemic health. The induction of tissue inflammation relies heavily on Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, which drives a proinflammatory pathway through recruiting myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) and activating nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB). TLR-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines is reined in by anti-inflammatory cytokines, including the transforming growth factor ß (TGFß) family of cytokines. Although Smad6 is a key mediator of TGFß-induced anti-inflammatory signaling, the exact mechanism by which TGFß regulates TLR proinflammatory signaling in the periodontal tissue has not been addressed to date. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that the ability of TGFß to inhibit TLR-NFκB signaling is mediated by protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1)-induced Smad6 methylation. Upon methylation, Smad6 recruited MyD88 and promoted MyD88 degradation, thereby inhibiting NFκB activation. Most important, Smad6 is expressed and methylated in the gingival epithelium, and PRMT1-Smad6 signaling promotes tissue homeostasis by limiting inflammation. Consistent with this, disturbance of Smad6 methylation exacerbates inflammation and bone loss in experimental periodontitis. The dissected mechanism is therapeutically important, as it highlights the manipulation of PRMT1-Smad6 signaling as a novel promising strategy to modulate the host immune response in periodontitis.

Zymography of Hybrid Layers Created Using Extrafibrillar Demineralization.

A chelate-and-rinse extrafibrillar calcium chelation dentin bonding concept has recently been developed and investigated for its effectiveness in improving resin-dentin bonding by bridging the gap between wet and dry dentin bonding. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the gelatinolytic activity of hybrid layers (HLs) created using the chelate-and-rinse bonding technique. Gelatinolytic activity within the HL was examined using in situ zymography and confocal laser-scanning microscopy after 24-h storage or after thermomechanical cycling. Dentin specimens were bonded with Prime&Bond NT (Dentsply Sirona) after conditioning with 15 wt% phosphoric acid for 15 s (control) or 15 wt% polymeric chelators (sodium salt of polyacrylic acid; PAAN) of 2 different molecular weights for 60 s. For each reagent, bonding was performed using dry-bonding and wet-bonding techniques ( n = 10). Slices containing the adhesive-dentin interface were covered with fluorescein-conjugated gelatin and examined with a confocal laser-scanning microscope. Fluorescence intensity emitted by the hydrolyzed fluorescein-conjugated gelatin was quantified. Gelatinolytic activity was expressed as the percentage of green fluorescence emitted within the HL. After storage for 24 h, enzymatic activity was only detected within the completely demineralized phosphoric acid-etched dentin, with values derived from dry bonding higher than those from wet bonding ( P < 0.05). Almost no fluorescence signals were detected within the HL when dentin was conditioned with PAANs compared with the controls ( P < 0.05). After thermomechanical cycling, enzymatic activities significantly increased for the phosphoric acid-conditioned, drying-bonding group compared with 24-h storage ( P < 0.05). The present study showed that the use of the chelate-and-rinse bonding concept for both dry-bonding and wet-bonding approaches results in the near absence of matrix-bound collagenolytic activities in the HL even after aging. This may be attributed to fossilization of endogenous proteases via preservation of intrafibrillar minerals within the dentin collagen matrix.

Bioinformatics-based design of novel antigenic B-cell linear epitopes of Deinagkistrodon acutus venom.

OBJECTIVE: With the help of bioinformatics analysis, we wished to develop a novel antivenom against the Deinagkistrodon (D.) acutus snake venom using B-cell linear epitopes of three primary toxins (serine protease, metalloprotease, and phospholipase A2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: cDNA sequences of three toxins of D. acutus venom were retrieved from the NCBI database. B-cell linear epitopes were predicted using DNAStar and the website server software provided by IEDB. Then, the sequences of the predicted epitopes were artificially synthesized and inserted into the vector pET-32a-c(+). Recombinant antigen peptide was expressed and purified. BALB/c mice were immunized with the recombinant antigen peptide. The immunoprotective effect of this novel antivenom was measured by neutralization of venom haemorrhagic activity. RESULTS: Six epitopes were obtained by bioinformatics analysis. ELISA analysis showed that antibody titre was >8,000 against snake venom and >64,000 against the recombinant peptide. Neutralization assays confirmed that the developed antivenom could effectively reduce the haemorrhagic activity of snake venom. CONCLUSIONS: Six B-cell linear epitopes of D. acutus snake venom were predicted by bioinformatics analysis and successfully utilized to produce a novel antivenom.

Diversity and structure of a bacterial community in grassland soils disturbed by sheep grazing, in the Loess Plateau of northwestern China.

The relationship between disturbance, biodiversity, and ecosystem function has been a hot topic recently in international ecological research, and a universally applicable model remains elusive. In this study, we assessed the diversity and structure of a bacterial community in grassland soils along a disturbance gradient due to sheep grazing. Bacteria were identified based on 16S rDNA gene libraries prepared from a 12-year field experiment that included four grazing, intensity treatments: no grazing, light grazing, moderate grazing and heavy grazing in the Loess Plateau of northwestern China. We found that diversity indices of bacterial 16S rDNA increased with grazing intensity, suggesting that disturbance led to higher bacterial diversity. The bacterial community structure, measured as species composition, was also affected by grazing. In addition, the change in soil bacterial community composition was maximum under heavy grazing, based on the Sorensen similarity index. Overall, the relationship between disturbance and bacterial diversity is complex, therefore, more studies are required to determine the possibility of using microbial diversity as an indicator of ecosystem stability.

Qualitative Analyses of Protein Phosphorylation in Bovine Pluripotent Stem Cells Generated from Embryonic Fibroblasts.

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) generated from somatic cells via ectopic expression of specific transcription factors provide an unlimited cell resource for regenerative medicine and transgenic breeding. Here, we describe the successful generation of bovine induced PSCs (biPSCs) from foetal fibroblasts by lentivirus-mediated delivery of bovine pluripotency reprogramming factors (PRFs) OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4, c-MYC, NANOG and LIN28. The generated biPSCs resembled embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in their gene expression profiles, self-renewal capabilities and proliferation, as well as maintenance of a normal karyotype and differentiation into diverse cell types of all three germ layers both in vitro and in vivo. Qualitative phosphoproteomics of biPSCs revealed a large number of phosphorylated proteins, which might be related to the control of biPSCs status. The successful generation of biPSCs and the analysis of their phosphoproteome would further our understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms underlying iPSC pluripotency, thus promoting their application in bovine transgenic breeding and marking avenues for future research.

Intravitreal AAV2.COMP-Ang1 Prevents Neurovascular Degeneration in a Murine Model of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in the working-age population in the U.S. The vision-threatening processes of neuroglial and vascular dysfunction in DR occur in concert, driven by hyperglycemia and propelled by a pathway of inflammation, ischemia, vasodegeneration, and breakdown of the blood retinal barrier. Currently, no therapies exist for normalizing the vasculature in DR. Here, we show that a single intravitreal dose of adeno-associated virus serotype 2 encoding a more stable, soluble, and potent form of angiopoietin 1 (AAV2.COMP-Ang1) can ameliorate the structural and functional hallmarks of DR in Ins2Akita mice, with sustained effects observed through six months. In early DR, AAV2.COMP-Ang1 restored leukocyte-endothelial interaction, retinal oxygenation, vascular density, vascular marker expression, vessel permeability, retinal thickness, inner retinal cellularity, and retinal neurophysiological response to levels comparable with nondiabetic controls. In late DR, AAV2.COMP-Ang1 enhanced the therapeutic benefit of intravitreally delivered endothelial colony-forming cells by promoting their integration into the vasculature and thereby stemming further visual decline. AAV2.COMP-Ang1 single-dose gene therapy can prevent neurovascular pathology, support vascular regeneration, and stabilize vision in DR.

Effects of hypoxia on the immunomodulatory properties of human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

The environment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is hypoxic, which plays an important role in maintaining their self-renewal potential and undifferentiated state. MSCs have been proven to possess immunomodulatory properties and have been used clinically to treat autoimmune diseases. Here, we tested the effects of hypoxia on the immunomodulatory properties of MSCs and examined its possible underlying mechanisms. We found that hypoxic stimulation promoted the immunomodulatory properties of human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hGMSCs) by enhancing the suppressive effects of hGMSCs on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The proliferation of PBMCs was significantly inhibited, while the apoptosis of PBMCs was increased, which was associated with the Fas ligand (FasL) expression of hGMSCs. The in vivo study showed that systemically infused hGMSCs could enhance skin wound repair, and 24-h hypoxic stimulation significantly promoted the reparative capacity of hGMSCs. For mechanism, hGMSC treatment inhibited the local inflammation of injured skin by suppressing the inflammatory cells, reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10), which was promoted by hypoxia. Hypoxia preconditioning may be a good optimizing method to promote the potential of MSCs for the future cell-based therapy.

Osteoimmunology in orthodontic tooth movement.

The skeletal and immune systems share a multitude of regulatory molecules, including cytokines, receptors, signaling molecules, and signaling transducers, thereby mutually influencing each other. In recent years, several novel insights have been attained that have enhanced our current understanding of the detailed mechanisms of osteoimmunology. In orthodontic tooth movement, immune responses mediated by periodontal tissue under mechanical force induce the generation of inflammatory responses with consequent alveolar bone resorption, and many regulators are involved in this process. In this review, we take a closer look at the cellular/molecular mechanisms and signaling involved in osteoimmunology and at relevant research progress in the context of the field of orthodontic tooth movement.

Myocardium-derived angiopoietin-1 is essential for coronary vein formation in the developing heart.

The origin and developmental mechanisms underlying coronary vessels are not fully elucidated. Here we show that myocardium-derived angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) is essential for coronary vein formation in the developing heart. Cardiomyocyte-specific Ang1 deletion results in defective formation of the subepicardial coronary veins, but had no significant effect on the formation of intramyocardial coronary arteries. The endothelial cells (ECs) of the sinus venosus (SV) are heterogeneous population, composed of APJ-positive and APJ-negative ECs. Among these, the APJ-negative ECs migrate from the SV into the atrial and ventricular myocardium in Ang1-dependent manner. In addition, Ang1 may positively regulate venous differentiation of the subepicardial APJ-negative ECs in the heart. Consistently, in vitro experiments show that Ang1 indeed promotes venous differentiation of the immature ECs. Collectively, our results indicate that myocardial Ang1 positively regulates coronary vein formation presumably by promoting the proliferation, migration and differentiation of immature ECs derived from the SV.

Immunomodulatory properties of dental tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

In addition to their well-established self-renewal and multipotent differentiation properties, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) also possess potent immunomodulatory functions both in vitro and in vivo, which render them a potential novel immunotherapeutic tool for a variety of autoimmune and inflammation-related diseases. The major mechanisms may involve (1) the secretion of an array of soluble factors such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ), indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO), transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), and human leukocyte antigen G5 (HLA-G5); (2) interactions between MSCs and immune cells such as T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Recently, increasing evidence has supported that MSCs derived from dental tissues are promising alternative sources of multipotent MSCs. We here provide a thorough and extensive review about new findings in the immunomodulatory functions of MSCs derived from several dental tissues, including dental pulp, periodontal ligament, gingiva, exfoliated deciduous teeth, apical papilla, and dental follicle, respectively. The immunomodulatory properties of dental MSCs place them as a more accessible cell source than bone marrow-derived MSCs for cell-based therapy of immune and inflammation-related diseases.

Comparison of methods for localization of impacted maxillary canines by panoramic radiographs.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare three methods for localization of impacted maxillary canines using only conventional panoramic radiographs. METHODS: The panoramic radiographs of 94 patients (102 impacted maxillary canines) were reviewed and evaluated using the methods magnification, angulation and superimposition. The actual positions of them were decided with cone beam CT images. The predicted positions of impacted canines from the magnification and angulation methods were compared using the McNemar χ(2) test. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive-likelihood ratio and negative-likelihood ratio were calculated. The canine-incisor index values and α angles of palatally and bucally non-rotated impacted canines were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference between the magnification and angulation methods (p < 0.01). Using the magnification method, 68.00% of buccal canines and 69.57% of palatal canines could be localized correctly. The results of the angulation method were 28.57% and 84.91%, respectively. The sensitivity of the angulation method for buccal canines was very low. In the superimposition method, 82.98% of the superimposing samples were palatal. CONCLUSIONS: The magnification and angulation methods were not reliable methods for locating the impacted canine with a single panoramic radiograph. Magnification was more successful than the angulation method. Further research is needed on the magnification method. The image superimposition method could be used as an adjunct to others.

The diagnostic value of ultrasound elastography in patients with hepatitis B virus infection: a prospective study.

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound elastography for evaluating liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in 74 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, treated with telbivudine (22 with chronic HBV infection, 32 with compensated cirrhosis and 20 with decompensated cirrhosis). Each patient underwent ultrasound elastography measurements and serum liver marker assays before and after 6 months' treatment with 600 mg telbivudine, orally, once daily. In the 22 patients with chronic HBV infection, LSM values measured by ultrasound elastography decreased significantly following the treatment period compared with baseline. The LSM values were significantly higher in the 20 patients with decompensated cirrhosis than in the 32 patients with compensated cirrhosis after treatment. Significant decreases in serum hepatic fibrosis indices occurred in all patients following treatment. The correlation between fibrosis index, hyaluronic acid level and LSM was statistically significant in all patients, whereas the correlation between alanine aminotransferase and LSM was not. The findings suggest that liver stiffness in patients with HBV can be measured simply with ultrasound elastography and that it is reduced within 6 months by treatment with telbivudine. The main adverse events noted during the study period were that creatine kinase levels were increased in seven patients and that seven patients had influenza-like symptoms.