OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare the effects of two orthodontic treatment modalities for skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion on specific changes in airway volume, morphology, palatal angle, mandibular rotation, and bone displacement. Results provide scientific evidence for the selection of orthodontic treatment plans and reduce the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: Thirty-six patients diagnosed with skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion at the Department of Orthodontics, the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2018 to December 2023 were divided into two groups: orthodontic-orthognathic treatment group (18 patients) and camouflage orthodontic treatment group (18 patients). Changes in airway volume, cross-sectional area, palatal angle, mandibular, and tongue positions were observed through pre- and post-operative cone beam computed tomography and 3D cephalometric measurements. RESULTS: In the camouflage orthodontic treatment group, nasopharyngeal volume and oropharyngeal volume statistically increased after treatment (P<0.05). In the orthodontic-orthognathic treatment group, changes in nasopharyngeal volume, nasopharyngeal airway, distance from posterior tongue to pharyngeal wall, palatal angle, mandibular rotation, and hyoid bone displacement were statistically significant after surgery (P<0.05). In the comparison between the two groups after treatment, changes in the distance from posterior tongue to pharyngeal wall, palatal angle, and distance from hyoid bone to sella turcica point were statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Patients in the orthodontic-orthognathic treatment group showed significantly greater changes in oropharyngeal cross-sectional area, palate angle, and tongue position compared with patients in the camouflage orthodontic treatment group. As individuals susceptible to OSAHS often exhibit mandibular retrusion and decreased minimum airway cross-sectional area, special attention should be paid to airway morphology changes when adopting orthodontic-orthognathic treatment to avoid adverse consequences.
Humans ; Hyoid Bone/diagnostic imaging* ; Malocclusion, Angle Class III/therapy* ; Male ; Female ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Cephalometry ; Orthodontics, Corrective/methods* ; Adult ; Mandible ; Pharynx/diagnostic imaging* ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/etiology* ; Orthognathic Surgical Procedures

Objective:To analyze the status of respiratory pathogen detection and the clinical features in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). Methods:A prospective, multicenter study was conducted to collect clinical data, including medical history, laboratory examinations and multiplex PCR tests of children diagnosed with MPP from 4 hospitals in China between November 15 th and December 20 th, 2023. The multiplex PCR results and clinical characteristics of MPP children in different regions were analyzed. The children were divided into severe and mild groups according to the severity of the disease. Patients in the severe group were further divided into Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) alone and Multi-pathogen co-detection groups based on whether other pathogens were detected besides MP, to analyze the influence of respiratory pathogen co-detection rate on the severity of the disease. Mann-Whitney rank sum test and Chi-square test were used to compare data between independent groups. Results:A total of 298 children, 136 males and 162 females, were enrolled in this study, including 204 children in the severe group with an onset age of 7.0 (6.0, 8.0) years, and 94 children in the mild group with an onset age of 6.5 (4.0, 7.8) years. The level of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly higher (10.0 (5.0, 18.0) vs. 5.0 (5.0, 7.5) mg/L, 0.6 (0.4, 1.1) vs. 0.5 (0.3, 0.6) mg/L, 337 (286, 431) vs. 314 (271, 393) U/L, Z=2.02, 2.50, 3.05, all P<0.05), and the length of hospitalization was significantly longer in the severe group compared with those in mild group (6.0 (6.0, 7.0) vs. 5.0 (4.0, 6.0) d, Z=4.37, P<0.05). The time from onset to admission in severe MPP children was significantly shorter than that in mild MPP children (6.0 (5.0, 9.5) vs. 9.0 (7.0, 13.0) d, Z=2.23, P=0.026). All patients completed the multiplex PCR test, with 142 cases (47.7%) MPP children detected with 21 pathogens including adenovirus 25 cases (8.4%), human coronavirus 23 cases (7.7%), rhinovirus 21 cases (7.0%), Streptococcus pneumoniae 21 cases (7.0%), influenza A virus 18 cases (6.0%). The pathogens with the highest detection rates in Tianjin, Shanghai, Wenzhou and Chengdu were Staphylococcus aureus at 10.7% (8/75), adenovirus at 13.0% (10/77), adenovirus at 15.3% (9/59), and both rhinovirus and Haemophilus influenzae at 11.5% (10/87) each. The multi-pathogen co-detection rate in severe MPP children was significantly higher than that in mild MPP group (52.9% (108/204) vs. 36.2% (34/94), χ2=10.62, P=0.005). Among severe MPP children, there are 89 cases in the multi-pathogen co-detection group and 73 cases in the simple MPP group. The levels of LDH, D-dimer and neutrophil counts in the multi-pathogen co-detection group were significantly higher than those in the simple MPP group (348 (284, 422) vs. 307 (270, 358) U/L, 0.8 (0.5, 1.5) vs. 0.6 (0.4, 1.0) mg/L, 4.99 (3.66, 6.89)×10 9vs. 4.06 (2.91, 5.65)×10 9/L, Z=5.17, 4.99, 6.11, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The co-detection rate of respiratory pathogens, LDH and D-dimer in children with severe MPP were higher than those with mild MPP. Among severe MPP children the stress response of children in co-detection group was more serious than that of children with simple MPP.

Objective:To explore the anatomical levels and injection approaches of the major temporal fat compartments through cadaveric head dissection and to analyze the efficacy of high-volume fat transplantation of the temporal region in a clinical retrospective research.Methods:To clarify the safe and stable levels of high-volume filling of the temporal fat compartment by dissecting the temporal fat compartment of 5 fresh cadaveric heads (10 sides, 25-50 years old, 2 males, 3 females). We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with temporal fat transplantation admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and Changsha Mylike Medical Cosmetic Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021. According to the levels and volume of fat filling injection, the patients were divided into large-volume group and conventional group. In the large-volume group the patients were filled with at least three fat compartments with a filling volume of more than 15 ml, while in the conventional group only with 1 to 2 layers, which were the subcutaneous fat and the middle temporal fascia, and the filling volume was generally less than 15 ml. Fat injections were performed with a needle entry within the frontal hairline, targeting the main fat compartments. We compared and studied the mean injection volume per side, postoperative surgeon’s Likert scale score, patient satisfaction and other indicators in the two groups of cases. Stromal vascular fraction-gel(SVF-gel), which was made from surplus fat during the initial operation, was used to locally fine-tune the effect at the 3-month follow-up evaluation.Results:The anatomical study revealed the existence of three main fat compartments in the temporal region: subcutaneous fat layer, superficial and deep temporal fat pad. In the elderly cadavers, the subcutaneous fat was thin, the superficial temporal fat pad and deep temporal fat pad atrophied obviously, and the supporting effect on temporal superficial soft tissue was significantly weakened. The deep temporal fat pad showed obvious atrophy with a certain degree of downward movement. A total of 50 women who underwent bilateral temporal fat transplantation were enrolled in the clinical study, with 25 in the conventional group and 25 in the large-volume group. The age of the patients in the conventional group was (32.7±7.1) years, and the body mass index (BMI) was (20.2±1.9) kg/m 2. In the large-volume group, the age was (32.5±8.3) years, and the BMI was (19.8±2.0) kg/m 2. There were no significant differences in age and BMI between the two groups (all P>0.05). The filling volume was (19.66±4.61) ml/side in the large-volume group, with a Likert scale score of (4.32±0.63) and the patient satisfaction was 92.0%(23/25); the filling volume was (11.06±2.62) ml/side in the conventional group, with a Likert scale score of (3.32±0.80) and the patient satisfaction was 68.0%(17/25). There were statistical differences between the two groups (all P<0.05), suggesting that the large-volume group had better efficacy and patients were more satisfied. No severe complications such as infection, liquefaction, embolism, and nerve injury occurred in all patients during the follow-up period. Conclusion:Anatomical studies have proved that the main three-layer fat compartments filling in the temporal region have a clear approach, especially the feasibility of the puncture approach of the deep temporal fat pad, which provides the basis and feasibility for temporal fat filling with large volume. Compared with the conventional fat filling, multi-level and large-volume filling can significantly improve the surgical effect and patient satisfaction.

Objective:To explore the anatomical levels and injection approaches of the major temporal fat compartments through cadaveric head dissection and to analyze the efficacy of high-volume fat transplantation of the temporal region in a clinical retrospective research.Methods:To clarify the safe and stable levels of high-volume filling of the temporal fat compartment by dissecting the temporal fat compartment of 5 fresh cadaveric heads (10 sides, 25-50 years old, 2 males, 3 females). We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with temporal fat transplantation admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and Changsha Mylike Medical Cosmetic Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021. According to the levels and volume of fat filling injection, the patients were divided into large-volume group and conventional group. In the large-volume group the patients were filled with at least three fat compartments with a filling volume of more than 15 ml, while in the conventional group only with 1 to 2 layers, which were the subcutaneous fat and the middle temporal fascia, and the filling volume was generally less than 15 ml. Fat injections were performed with a needle entry within the frontal hairline, targeting the main fat compartments. We compared and studied the mean injection volume per side, postoperative surgeon’s Likert scale score, patient satisfaction and other indicators in the two groups of cases. Stromal vascular fraction-gel(SVF-gel), which was made from surplus fat during the initial operation, was used to locally fine-tune the effect at the 3-month follow-up evaluation.Results:The anatomical study revealed the existence of three main fat compartments in the temporal region: subcutaneous fat layer, superficial and deep temporal fat pad. In the elderly cadavers, the subcutaneous fat was thin, the superficial temporal fat pad and deep temporal fat pad atrophied obviously, and the supporting effect on temporal superficial soft tissue was significantly weakened. The deep temporal fat pad showed obvious atrophy with a certain degree of downward movement. A total of 50 women who underwent bilateral temporal fat transplantation were enrolled in the clinical study, with 25 in the conventional group and 25 in the large-volume group. The age of the patients in the conventional group was (32.7±7.1) years, and the body mass index (BMI) was (20.2±1.9) kg/m 2. In the large-volume group, the age was (32.5±8.3) years, and the BMI was (19.8±2.0) kg/m 2. There were no significant differences in age and BMI between the two groups (all P>0.05). The filling volume was (19.66±4.61) ml/side in the large-volume group, with a Likert scale score of (4.32±0.63) and the patient satisfaction was 92.0%(23/25); the filling volume was (11.06±2.62) ml/side in the conventional group, with a Likert scale score of (3.32±0.80) and the patient satisfaction was 68.0%(17/25). There were statistical differences between the two groups (all P<0.05), suggesting that the large-volume group had better efficacy and patients were more satisfied. No severe complications such as infection, liquefaction, embolism, and nerve injury occurred in all patients during the follow-up period. Conclusion:Anatomical studies have proved that the main three-layer fat compartments filling in the temporal region have a clear approach, especially the feasibility of the puncture approach of the deep temporal fat pad, which provides the basis and feasibility for temporal fat filling with large volume. Compared with the conventional fat filling, multi-level and large-volume filling can significantly improve the surgical effect and patient satisfaction.

IL-34 can promote osteoclast differentiation and activation, which may contribute to steroidinduced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Animal model was constructed in both BALB/c and IL-34 deficient mice to detect the relative expression of inflammation cytokines. Micro-CT was utilized to reveal the internal structure. In vitro differentiated osteoclast was induced by culturing bone marrow-derived macrophages with IL-34 conditioned medium or M-CSF. The relative expression of pro-inflammation cytokines, osteoclast marker genes, and relevant pathways molecules was detected with quantitative real-time RT-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot. Up-regulated IL-34 expression could be detected in the serum of ONFH patients and femoral heads of ONFH mice. IL-34 deficient mice showed the resistance to ONFH induction with the up-regulated trabecular number, trabecular thickness, bone value fraction, and down-regulated trabecular separation. On the other hand, inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12, IL-2, and IL-17A, showed diminished expression in IL-34 deficient ONFH induced mice. IL-34 alone or works in coordination with M-CSF to promote osteoclastogenesis and activate ERK, STAT3, and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. These data demonstrate that IL-34 can promote the differentiation of osteoclast through ERK, STAT3, and non-canonical NF-κB pathways to aggravate steroid-induced ONFH, and IL-34 can be considered as a treatment target.

Objective    To analyze the effect of microecological preparation on digestive tract complications and nutritional status after esophageal cancer surgery. Methods    A total of 146 patients with esophageal cancer admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from October 2017 to June 2019 were selected. There were 91 males and 55 females, aged 65 (61.9±8.2) years. They were randomly divided into two groups (an observation group and a control group, n=73 in each group) according to whether microecological preparation was given when they could take food one week after the surgery. Nutritional status and the incidence of gastrointestinal complications including anorexia, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (≥3 times per day) in the first month after operation were compared between the two groups. Results    The incidence of anorexia, nausea, diarrhea (≥3 times per day), anastomotic fistula and stenosis in the observation group was lower and the index of nutritional status was higher than those in the control group within one month after the operation (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in acid reflux, vomiting, lung infection and incision infection between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion    Microecological preparation can regulate gastrointestinal microecological balance, improve nutritional status, reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal complications and accelerate the postoperative rehabilitation.

Objective To investigate the effects of sodium butyrate on the activity of RAW264.7 cells and the osteoclast differentiation.Methods The RAW264.7 cells were treated by sodium butyrate at concentrations of 0,0.25,0.50,1.00,2.00,3.00,4.00 and 5.00 mmol/L,with 3 double pores for each concentration.The cytotoxicity of sodium butyrate on RAW264.7 cells was detected by a CCK-8 kit.The effects of sodium butyrate (0,0.25,0.50 and 1.00 mmol/L) on apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells were detected by Hoechst33342 staining.RAW264.7 cells were induced into osteoclasts by osteoclast differentiation factors.The experiment was carried out in 2 groups (n =3).After induced maturation,the experimental group was treated with 1.00 mmol/L sodium butyrate and the control medium was added only with the same volume of solvent.The number of osteoclasts and the area of bone resorption were observed and compared.The differentiation of RAW264.7 cells was detected by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining.Western blotting was used to detect the effects of sodium butyrate (0,0.25,0.50 and 1.00 mmol/L) on NF-κB-related signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells.Results Compared with the group of 0 mmol/L sodium butyrate,the activity of cells treated with 1.00,2.00,3.00,4.00 and 5.00 mmol/L sodium butyrate for 24 h was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05).Treatment with 1.00 mmol/L sodium butyrate for 24 h induced apoptosis.The number of osteoclasts in the control group and the experimental group were 9.33 ± 2.08 and 4.67 ± 1.16,respectively,showing a significant difference between the 2 groups (t =3.395,P =0.027).The percentages of bone resorption area in the control group and the experimental group were 52.43％ ± 5.38％ and 14.28％ ± 2.72％,respectively,also showing a significant difference between the 2 groups (t =10.970,P ＜ 0.001).Western blot results showed that,compared with other concentrations of sodium butyrate,treatment with 1 mmol/L sodium butyrate on RAW264.7 cells for 24 h led to an increase in the expression levels of cytoplasmic p65,B lymphoma-2 associated X protein and cleaved-caspase 3 and the acetylation of Histone H3 but a decrease in the phosphorylation level of α/β subunit of NF-κB kinase.Conclusions With the increased concentration of sodium butyratecan,the activity of NF-κB may be suppressed and the number of apoptotic cells may increase.1.00 mmol/L sodium butyrate can reduce osteoclast formation and bone resorption area.

Objective To explore the effects of ApoC3 gene on the severity of hypertriglyceridemiainduced acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods ApoC3 transgenetic mice and C57BL/6J mice AP model was induced by cerulein intraperitoneal injection,and ApoC3 transgenetic mice and C57BL/6J mice injected by normal saline solution in equal volume served as control group.Serum triglyceride and cholesterol were detected,and the pathological changes of the pancreas were observed.RT PCR method was used to examine the changes of the inflammatory factor including IL-1β,IL-6,α-SMA and TNF-α mRNA levels,which reflected the severity of the inflammation.Results Serum triglyceride and cholesterol were higher in ApoC3 transgenetic mice than in C57BL/6J mice [(3.434 ± 0.931) mmol/L vs (0.766 ± 0.120) mmol/L,(2.553 ±0.178) mmol/L vs (1.996 ± 0.080) mmol/L],and the differences were statistically different (P ＜ 0.05).The pathological changes of the pancreas were more severe in ApoC3 transgenetic AP mice than in C57BL/6J AP mice,and the IL-1β,IL-6 and α-SMA mRNA levels in the pancreatic tissue were obviously higher in ApoC3 transgenetic AP mice than in C57BL/6J mice (1.72 ± 0.07vs 0.78 ± 0.09,1.58 ± 0.09vs 0.87 ±0.04,0.83 ± 0.05vs 0.44 ± 0.04),and the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05),while there was no statistical difference on TNF-αmRNA level (0.70 ± 0.09vs 0.65 ± 0.08,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions ApoC3 gene could aggravate the severity of the inflammation in hypertriglyceridemia-induced AP.

Objective This is the first study to explore clinical application value of serum Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) detection in diagnosis of heptocellular carcinoma (HCC) by magnetic solid phase chemiluminescent immunoassay.Methods The level of serum DKK-1 and AFP in 205 cases of HCC,40 cases of liver cirrhosis,and 200 cases of healthy control were quantitatively detected by Magnetic solid phase chemiluminescent immunoassay.The area under ROC curve,sensitivity and specificity of DKK-1 and AFP for diagnosing HCC were calculated.Results The serum level of DKK-1 in HCC group was significantly higher than those of the liver cirrhosis group and healthy control group (P<0.01).DKK-1 maintained diagnostic sensitivity for patients with HCC who were alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) negative (66.3%).ROC curves showed optimum diagnostic cut-off value was 2.4 ng/mL,area under curve (AUC) was 0.822 (95% CI:0.783-0.856),sensitivity 65.9%,and specificity 87.5%).Moreover,measurement of DKK1 and AFP together improved diagnostic accuracy for HCC versus all controls compared with either test alone [AUC 0.915,95%CI:0.886-0.940),sensitivity 81.5 %(P<0.05)].Conclusion Serum DKK-1 detection has an important clinical value for diagnosis of HCC,especially for HCC with AFP negative.The combined detection of serum DKK-1 and AFP can greatly increase sensitivity and accuracy for diagnosing HCC.