OBJECTIVETo evaluate methods and clinical performance of crown lengthening surgery for aesthetic restoration improvement of short anterior teeth. Various surgery methods, proper restoration time after surgery, and indications for crown lengthening surgery were discussed.

METHODSCrown lengthening surgery and prosthetic treatment were applied to 148 short anterior teeth of 22 cases. Modified Ryge criteria were used to assess the gingival health after treatment. Restoration results before and after treatment were evaluated by use of Kay's altered dental esthetics classification.

RESULTSWhen patients were re-examined after restoration of two weeks, obvious inflammation was found in 7.4% teeth. After providing the treatment and instruction on oral hygiene, 98.6% gingival health was significantly improved during the follow-up period. Two cases were examined during more than 4-year period and no obvious gingival inflammation and change in dental crown ratio were found. After treatment, all of 22 cases met Kay dental esthetics classification Class II-I (cosmetic) or Class II-I criteria.

CONCLUSIONSRight selection of indications, accurate restoration design, delicate surgery operation, enough recover period for the gingival after surgery, and proper oral hygiene training method, all contribute to the satisfactory aesthetic restoration of anterior teeth.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Crown Lengthening ; Esthetics, Dental ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: ORM1-like 3 (ORMDL3) belongs to a highly conserved protein family which is anchored as transmembrane protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. Gasdermin B (GSDMB) is adjacent to ORMDL3 on chromosome 17q21.2 and belongs to the gasdermin-domain containing the protein family (GSDM family). Recent reports suggest that GSDMB and ORMDL3 are associated with asthma in several populations. However, genetic association studies that examined the association of GSDMB and ORMDL3 gene variants with asthma showed conflicting results. To assess whether combined evidence shows the association between GSDMB/ORMDL3 polymorphism and asthma. METHODS: A bibliographic search from MEDLINE identified 13 original articles using the search keywords 'GSDMB', 'ORMDL3', and 'asthma'. An updated literature-based meta-analysis involving 6,691 subjects with asthma, 9,281 control individuals, and 1,360 families were conducted. Meta-odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on the fixed effects model or the random effects model depended on Cochran's Q-statistic and I2 values. Data from case-control and TDT studies were analyzed in an allelic model using the Catmap software. RESULTS: We selected and identified 3 SNPs of ORMDL3 associated with asthma (rs8076131: OR=1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20; P=0.012. rs12603332: OR=1.15; 95% CI, 1.05-1.25; P=0.002. rs3744246: OR=1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.17; P=0.008) and 1 SNP of GSDMB associated with asthma (rs7216389: OR=1.37; 95% CI, 1.27-1.47; P<0.01). Publication bias was estimated using modified Egger's linear regression test proposed by Harbordetal and revealed no evidence of biases. Furthermore, cumulative meta-analysis in chronological order showed the inclination toward significant association for rs7216389 and rs12603332 with continually adding studies, and the inclination toward null-significant association for rs3744246 and rs8076131. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate evidence exists for associations of the ORMDL3 rs8076131, rs12603332, and rs3744246 and GSDMB rs7216389 variants with asthma. Large sample size and representative population-based studies and TDT studies with homogeneous asthmatic patients and well-matched controls are warranted to confirm this finding.
Asthma* ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Case-Control Studies ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Genetic Association Studies ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Publication Bias ; Sample Size

This study was aimed to clone the gene coding mouse CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), to construct the recombinant lentiviral vector carrying enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) and to explore its expression in eukaryotic cells (293FT cells). The full length CXCR4 gene was cloned by RT-PCR using bone marrow cells from C57BL/6 mouse as template and inserted into PCR-Blunt vector. CXCR4 fragment was generated by digestion with restriction endonuclease and subcloned into a lentiviral vector to generate recombinant lentiviral vector LV-IRES-EGFP-CXCR4, which was co-transfected into 293FT cells together with envelope plasmid and packaging plasmid by lipofectamine 2000. Viruses were gathered and concentrated using ultracentrifuge, and then transfected into 293FT cells. Expression of EGFP was detected by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry (FCM). And the expression of CXCR4 protein was detected by Western blot. The results demonstrated that mouse CXCR4 gene was cloned and the lentiviral vector was successfully constructed. The lentiviral particles were correctly packaged, and the virus titers were above 10(8) TU/ml in the supernatant after concentration. Expression of EGFP was detected by fluorescent microscopy in the transfected 293FT cells, and the transfection efficacy > 95% was determined by FCM. Expression of CXCR4 protein detected by FCM and Western blot was significantly higher than that in control group. It is concluded that the CXCR4 gene along with the gene coding EGFP is successfully inserted into a lentiviral vector to construct a recombinant lentiviral vector, which can be expressed in eukaryotic cells.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plasmids ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To investigate epidemiologieal characteristics of hypothyroidism and factors influencing its outcome in the areas with different iodine intakes.Methods An epidemiologic follow-up study of thyroid diseases was performed in Panshan (iodine deficient),Zhangwu [mild iodine deficiency before universal salt iodination (USI) and more than adequate iodine intakes after USI ] and Huanghua ( iodine excessive) in China.A total of 3 761 subjects were investigated in 1999,and 3 018 (80.2% ) of them were followed up in 2004.FT_4,FT_3,TSH,thyroid autoantibodies and urinary iodine concentration were determined and thyroid B ultrasound was performed in all participants.Results Five-year cumulative incidence of overt hypothyroidism was 0.23%,0.47% and 0.35% in Panshan,Zhangwu and Huanghua,respectively.Twenty patients with autoimmune- induced overt hypothyroidism did not comply with the physician's orders to take thyroxine.Thyroid function spontaneously turned to normal in 55% of them,turned to subclinical hypothyroidism in 20% and maintained overt hypothyroidism in 25%.Five-year cumulative incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism in Zhangwu (2.60%) and Huanghua (2.89%) were significantly higher than that in Panshan(0.23% ) (both P＜0.01 ).One hundred patients with subclinical hypothyroidism were followed up,and 5% of them developed overt hypothyroidism,66% turned to euthyroidism and 29% maintained subclinical hypothyroidism.Raised serum TSH (＞6 mU/L) in the original survey ( OR = 3.4),positive thyroid autoantibodies in the follow-up study ( OR = 5.3 ) and more than adequate iodine supplementation in the mild iodine-deficient population ( OR = 8.0) were risk factors influencing outcome of subclinical hypothyroidism.Conclusion More than adequate iodine supplementation among a population in the mildly iodine-deficient area may increase the incidence of overt and subolinical hypothyroidism, and also influence outcome of subclinical hypothyroidism.

Objective To perform a follow-up survey about thyroid disorders in three rural communities with different iodine intakes in China,observe the incidences and natural outcomes of positive thyroid autoantibodies in euthyroid population,and also explore the influence of iodine intakes on these outcomes and autoantibodies.Methods In 1999,a cross-sectional study on thyroid disorders was performed in three rural communities of Pansan ( mild iodine deficient area),Zhangwu ( more than adequate iodine intake area) and Huanghua (excessive iodine intake area) in China.The 5-year follow-up study was performed in 2004.Both in 1999 and 2004,serum levels of TSH,thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) were measured with the same method.Iodine in urine and B ultrasound on thyroid were also examined.Results Among the euthyroid subjects with normal TSH level in 1999,an increased prevalence of positive TPOAb in Zhangwu and an increased prevalence of positive TgAb in Hnanghua were observed in 2004 (both P＜0.05 ).Most of euthyroid subjects with positive TPOAb or positive TgAb in 1999 remained positive thyroid antibodies in 2004. The percentage was even higher in those with high levels of antibodies.Thyroid dysfunction was more frequent in subjects with positive TPOAb and/or TgAh than in those without thyroid antibodies (14.44% vs 3.11%,P＜0.01).For those with positive antibodies in 1999,the incidence of hypothyroidism in 2004 was 1.32%,8.46% and 15.38% in Pansan,Zhangwu and Huanghua,respectively (P＜0.05).The 5-year cumulative incidences of positive TPOAb (≥50 U/ml) and TgAb (≥40 U/ml) were 2.81% and 3.82%,respectively.The incidence of positive TPOAb was the highest in Zhangwu ( 3.84% ).The incidence of positive TgAb was the highest in Huanghua (5.07%),significantly higher than those in other two areas (P＜0.05).Conclusion The incidence of thyroid dysfunction is higher in subjects with positive antibodies than that in those with negative antibodies.The high iodine intake is a risk factor of hypothyroidism in subjects with positive thyroid antibodies.Sustained excessive iodine intake increases the incidence of positive thyroid antibodies.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between iodine intake level and the occurrence and development of thyroid diseases.Methods During the period of 1999-2004,a cross-sectional survey in 1999 and a 5-year follow-up survey were conducted in the 3 communities with different iodine intake levels in China:Panshan (mild deficiency),Zhangwu (more than adequate) and Huanghua (iodine excess).A total of 3 761 subjects were included in 1999 and 80.24% of them participated in the 5-year follow-up survey in 2004.The levels of serum thyroid hormones and thyroid autoantibodies were measured,and thyroid B ultrasound was performed.Results (1) The prevalence of overt hypothyroidism in 1999 in Zhangwu and Huanghua was 3.5 and 7.3 times,and that of subclinical hypothyroidism was 3.2 and 6.6 times as high as in Panshan,respectively.The 5-year cumulative incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 11.3 and 12.6 times as high as in Panshan,but no difference of incidence of overt hypothyroidism was found.(2) The prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) in 1999 in Zhangwu and Huanghua was 3.8 and 6.2 times,and the S-year cumulative incidence of AIT was 4.4 and 5.5 times as high as in Panshan.(3) During the 5-year follow-up period,the incidences of hypothyroidism in subjects with positive thyroid peroxidase antibody and euthyreidism in Zhangwu and Huanghua were 4.2 and 10.3 times as high as in Panshan.(4) No significant differences in both prevalence in 1999 and 5-year cumulative incidence of overt hyperthyroidism were found in the 3 communities.(5) The incidence of thyroid cancer was 19.37/100 000 per year in Huanghua,and all of the cases were papillary thyroid cancer,and no thyroid cancer was found in Zhangwu and Huanghua.Conclusion More than adequate or excessive dietary iodine intake may induce and promote the occurrence and development of hypothyroidism and AIT,therefore,median urinary iodine excretion (MUI)more than 200?g/L in the population appears not safe.The observation that a higher incidence of thyroid cancer occurred in the iodine excessive areas with MUI 600?g/L deserves further investigation.

Objective:To investigate the role of TiRobot combined with O-arm assisted closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation in unstable pelvic fracture surgery.Methods:Twelve patients with unstable pelvic fractures, 7 males and 5 females, aged 39.41±12.56 years (range 25-60 years), admitted from January 2020 to January 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. The duration between injury and surgery was 9.67±5.81 d (range 4-24 d). The following are the causes of injury, namely traffic injury in 6 cases, fall from height injury in 4 cases, crush injury in 2 cases. Tile type of pelvic fractures were 3 cases of type B (2 cases of type B2, 1 case of type B3), 9 cases of type C (4 cases of type C1, 3 cases of type C2, 2 cases of type C3). Sacral fractures with Denis division were 5 cases of zone I, 7 cases of zone II. Seven patients were repositioned by intraoperative traction on the injured side of the limb and maintained by fixation with a Starr frame. Two cases were repositioned by intraoperative longitudinal bone traction on each lower limb for fracture displacement. The other 3 B-type fractures were repositioned by inserting Schanz nails into the anterior inferior iliac spine bilaterally. Then, the fractures were maintained with external pelvic fixators. The fractures were assessed by O-arm fluoroscopy. Hollow screws were placed with the aid of orthopedic robotic guidance, and the screw positions were verified by O-arm fluoroscopy again after the nail placement. The duration of each screw placement and operation were recorded. The quality of fracture repositioning, hip function and postoperative complications were observed at the follow-up.Results:All patients were followed up for 8.17±1.99 months (range, 6-12 months). There were 27 screws inserted in 12 patients, with a single screw insertion duration of 19.9±1.8 min (range, 9-31 min). In all patients, one O-arm fluoroscopy was performed in each row after closed reduction and after completion of nail placement. The operative duration was 257.78±80.63 min (range, 160-450 min). The O-arm fluoroscopy after nail placement verified that 23 screws were placed in a satisfactory position at one time, with satisfactory rate of 85% (23/27) for the first nail placement. Two patients with preoperative grade II sacral plexus nerve injury recovered to grade I in one case and grade II in one case. However, the numbness was reduced after operation. No further aggravation of nerve injury occurred after surgery. The quality of fracture repositioning was evaluated according to the Matta score, including excellent in 9 cases, good in 2 cases, and acceptable in 1 case, with an excellent rate of 92% (11/12). At the last follow-up, the Majeed pelvic fracture quantitative assessment system scored 85.75±5.82 (range, 74-96). There were 8 cases in excellent and 4 cases in good. Twelve patients had one-stage wound healing. No complications, such as incision infection, nerve injury, loosening and breaking of the internal fixation occurred during the follow-up.Conclusion:TiRobot combined with O-arm assisted closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation for unstable pelvic fractures has some advantages, including safety, precision, convenient nail placement, and less fluoroscopic radiation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE).

METHODSThirteen cases of EHE were analyzed by gross examination, light microscopy and immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSThe patients included 6 males and 7 females. The age of patients ranged from 11 to 74 years (mean = 43 years). The tumors were located in soft tissue, liver, lung, mediastinum, sacrum, and pleura. The tumor cells were epithelioid, spindled or polygonal-shaped and exhibited cord-like or small nest growth pattern. Some tumor cells formed cytoplasmic vacuoles, which contained erythrocytes. The tumor cells showed abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. The stroma varied from highly myxoid to hyaline. In 3 cases, the tumors contained areas with significant atypia, brisk mitotic activity and necrosis. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells were positive for CD31, ERG, FLI-1, CD34, factor VIII and CKpan to different extents. Follow-up information was available in 10 patients with duration ranging from 8 to 65 months. Seven patients were alive and three died.

CONCLUSIONSEHE is easily a rare maligant vascular tumor,occurs in many organs other than soft tissue.EHE is misdiagnosed as carcinoma for its significant epithelioid morphology. Recognizing its clinicopathologic characteristics and combined application of specific vascular endothelial immunohistochemical markers are important to avoid confusion with other lesions.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of the modified lamina replantation for the treatment of unstable lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

METHODSFrom March 2009 to August 2011,63 patients with unstable lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were treated by discectomy, interbody fusion, pedicle screw fixation, and modified lamina replantation. There were 33 males and 30 females with an average age of 48.4 years old ranging from 22 to 68 years old. The average duration of disease was 38.8 months ranging from 3 months to 13 years. All patients had lower back and leg pains. X-ray,CT and MR results showed unstable lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Preoperative and postoperative ODI, JOA scores, complication incident rates,radiographic healing rates,and lower back and leg pain recurrence rates were observed and recorded.

RESULTSSixty-two incisions were healed at first stage, 1 at second stage. There were no complications such as deep vein thrombosis, intervertebral infection and so on. Sixty-one patients were followed up for more than one year, and the mean duration was 33 months. Nerve and dural injury occurred in 2 patients and 1 patient respectively. One-year fusion happened in 58 patients while the recurrence of lower back pain and leg pain after 1 year were noted in 4 patients and 1 patient respectively. ODI, and JOA scores were respectively re-assessed at 2 weeks, 6 months and 1 year after the operation, and the results showed a significant difference from the preoperative scores (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONModified lamina replantation for unstable lumbar intervertebral disc herniation showed lower rates of dural and nerve damage, as well as a higher lamina healing rate, lower back and leg pain recovery rate, and a better clinical score. It is a safe and efficient operation choice for lumbar spine surgery.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Diskectomy ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy ; methods ; Replantation ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive therapy based on Chinese medicine (CM) patterns on self-efficacy and satisfaction with its effectiveness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: A total of 216 patients were randomly divided into the trial group (n =108) and the control group (n=108) based on the stratified and block randomization design. Patients in the trial group were treated with conventional Western medicine combined with Bufei Jianpi Granules (), Bufei Yishen Granules (), and Yiqi Zishen Granules () according to the CM patterns respectively, and patients in the control group were treated with conventional Western medicine. The COPD Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES) and the Effectiveness Satisfaction Questionnaire for COPD (ESQ-COPD) were employed in a 6-month treatment and in further 6 month follow-up visit. RESULTS: Among the 216 patients, 191 patients (97 in the trial group and 94 in the control group) fully completed the study. After 12-month treatment and follow-up, the mean scores of the trial group all continued to increase over time, which were significantly higher than those of the control group (P <0.05), and the improvement in the following trial group domain: negative affect domain (12.13%), intense emotional arousal domain (12.21%), physical exertion domain (11.72%), weather/environmental domain (13.77%), behavioral risk domain (7.67%) and total score (10.65%). The trial group also exhibited significantly higher mean scores in the ESQ-COPD (P <0.05) and the improvement in the following domain: capacity for life and work domain (30.59%), clinical symptoms domain (53.52%), effect of therapy domain (35.95%), convenience of therapy domain (35.54%), and whole effect domain (52.47%). CONCLUSIONS Bufei Jianpi Granules, Bufei Yishen Granules and Yiqi Zishen Granules can improve the self-efficacy and satisfaction of COPD patients.