Objective To evaluate the efficacy of elastic appliances in the early correction of Class Ⅱmalocclusions in the replacement dentition.Methods A total of 15 children aged 7-9 years who were admit-ted to the Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Southwest Medical University from June 2018 to August 2023 were selected as the observation group,and 15 children who were consulted but not treated in the hospital dur-ing the same period were selected as the control group.The changes of bone tissue,dental and alveolar tissue,soft tissue and occlusal relationship before and after treatment were evaluated in the two groups.In addition,X-ray images of the observation group were collected every 8 to 10 months for the whole process dynamic mo-nitoring.Results Before treatment,there was no significant difference in all indexes between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,there were statistical significances in the upper and lower alveolar base Angle(ANB),mandibular branch length(GO-CO),mandibular height(ANS-Me),mandibular position(S-GO),up-per central incisor inclination(U1-NA Angle),upper central incisor inclination convexity(U1-NA),lower central incisor process distance(L1-APo),the Z Angle and FH-N'Pg'Angle of soft tissue between the two groups(P＜0.05).After treatment,the covering OB and covering OJ in the observation group were lower than those in the control group,and the proportion of ClassⅠ patients in molar relationship was higher than that in the control group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).After 3-4 years of treatment,ANB gradual-ly decreased,and the anterior-basilar plane-mandibular plane Angle(SN-MP)remained basically stable,and had a slight decreasing trend in the later period.The U1-NA Angle and the lower central incisor inclination(L1-NB Angle)were close to the normal mean during the whole treatment.Conclusion Using elastic appli-ances to treat patients with early replacement Class Ⅱ malocclusion,after 3-4 years monitoring and guid-ance,it can effectively improve the molar relationship,promote forward jaw growth,and create a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing facial soft tissue.

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on functional connectivity (FC) of thalamic subregions in patients with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).Methods:This study was a cross-sectional investigation. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were retrospectively collected from 56 PMS patients (PMS group) and 66 healthy controls (control group) recruited from various universities and hospitals in Nanning between November 2021 and June 2024. Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) data and fMRI data during taVNS immediate stimulation (2 Hz, 25 Hz) were acquired from subjects during their late luteal phase. Using thalamic subregions (anterior thalamic nucleus, lateral nucleus, ventral nucleus, medial nucleus, central nucleus, posterior nucleus) as seeds, two-sample t-tests or paired t-tests were employed to analyze alterations in thalamic subregion FC in PMS patients and the regulatory effects of taVNS on these changes. Independent samples t-test were used to compare the differences in clinical and laboratory indicators between the PMS group and the control group. The relationship between taVNS regulation of thalamic subregion FC in PMS patients and thalamic internal functional connectivity were analyzed using mediation effect analysis. Results:Compared to the control group, patients in the PMS group showed increased scores on the Daily Record of Severity of Problems, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale 17, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 14 during the late luteal phase ( P<0.05). At baseline, PMS patients exhibited higher FC between the left thalamic lateral nucleus and the left insula, and lower FC between the left medial nucleus, posterior nucleus, and ventral nucleus of the thalamus and the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) compared to the control group (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). During 2 Hz taVNS immediate stimulation in PMS group, FC between the left thalamic medial nucleus, posterior nucleus, ventral nucleus and the right MFG, as well as the FC between the left thalamic ventral nucleu and the left MFG increased compared to baseline levels; meanwhile, FC between the left thalamic posterior nucleus, ventral nucleus and the left insula decreased compared to baseline levels (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). During 25 Hz taVNS immediate stimulation, the FC between the left thalamic ventral nucleus and the right MFG decreased compared to the baseline level (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). Mediation effect analysis showed that the FC between the left thalamic posterior nucleus and the left lateral nucleus mediated part of the association between the FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-left insula and the FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-left putamen/insula; there were significant direct effects between the FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-the left posterior nucleus and FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-the left insula, as well as between the FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-the left MFG and FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-the right MFG. Conclusions:taVNS can modulate abnormal FC of the left thalamic subregions in PMS patients, restoring it toward normalization. The regulatory effects of 2 Hz stimulation are more pronounced than those of 25 Hz stimulation. This modulation primarily operates through two pathways: the left thalamic lateral nucleus-left insula-left thalamic ventral nucleus pathway and the left MFG-left thalamic ventral nucleus-right MFG.

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on functional connectivity (FC) of thalamic subregions in patients with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).Methods:This study was a cross-sectional investigation. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were retrospectively collected from 56 PMS patients (PMS group) and 66 healthy controls (control group) recruited from various universities and hospitals in Nanning between November 2021 and June 2024. Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) data and fMRI data during taVNS immediate stimulation (2 Hz, 25 Hz) were acquired from subjects during their late luteal phase. Using thalamic subregions (anterior thalamic nucleus, lateral nucleus, ventral nucleus, medial nucleus, central nucleus, posterior nucleus) as seeds, two-sample t-tests or paired t-tests were employed to analyze alterations in thalamic subregion FC in PMS patients and the regulatory effects of taVNS on these changes. Independent samples t-test were used to compare the differences in clinical and laboratory indicators between the PMS group and the control group. The relationship between taVNS regulation of thalamic subregion FC in PMS patients and thalamic internal functional connectivity were analyzed using mediation effect analysis. Results:Compared to the control group, patients in the PMS group showed increased scores on the Daily Record of Severity of Problems, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale 17, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 14 during the late luteal phase ( P<0.05). At baseline, PMS patients exhibited higher FC between the left thalamic lateral nucleus and the left insula, and lower FC between the left medial nucleus, posterior nucleus, and ventral nucleus of the thalamus and the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) compared to the control group (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). During 2 Hz taVNS immediate stimulation in PMS group, FC between the left thalamic medial nucleus, posterior nucleus, ventral nucleus and the right MFG, as well as the FC between the left thalamic ventral nucleu and the left MFG increased compared to baseline levels; meanwhile, FC between the left thalamic posterior nucleus, ventral nucleus and the left insula decreased compared to baseline levels (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). During 25 Hz taVNS immediate stimulation, the FC between the left thalamic ventral nucleus and the right MFG decreased compared to the baseline level (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). Mediation effect analysis showed that the FC between the left thalamic posterior nucleus and the left lateral nucleus mediated part of the association between the FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-left insula and the FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-left putamen/insula; there were significant direct effects between the FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-the left posterior nucleus and FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-the left insula, as well as between the FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-the left MFG and FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-the right MFG. Conclusions:taVNS can modulate abnormal FC of the left thalamic subregions in PMS patients, restoring it toward normalization. The regulatory effects of 2 Hz stimulation are more pronounced than those of 25 Hz stimulation. This modulation primarily operates through two pathways: the left thalamic lateral nucleus-left insula-left thalamic ventral nucleus pathway and the left MFG-left thalamic ventral nucleus-right MFG.

Objective To evaluate the potential clinical value of T2 mapping and mDixon Quant in the diagnosis of early interver-tebral disc degeneration.Methods A total of 79 volunteers who underwent lumbar MRI examination were enrolled.All subjects were examined for 3.0T MR with T2WI,T2 mapping,and mDixon Quant while recording the condition of low back pain.The differ-ences between T2 mapping(map)value and fat fraction(FF)values of the vertebral(V)and nucleus pulposus(NP)within the Pfir-rmann Ⅰ and Pfirrmann Ⅱ intervertebral disc(grade Ⅰ 76,grade Ⅱ 87)were statistically analyzed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analyses were performed for meaningful parameters.Results V-FF showed a mild positive correlation with degenera-tive intervertebral disc lesions,and NP-FF and NP-map values showed a mild negative correlation with lesions.There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in V-FF(P＜0.001),NP-FF(P=0.005),and NP-map(P＜0.001).Some measure-ments had statistically significant differences when different intervertebral disc segments were compared.Conclusion V-FF,NP-FF,and NP-map are associated with intervertebral disc degeneration.T2 mapping and mDixon Quant are potentially valuable as diagnostic tools to quantitatively assess early intervertebral disc degeneration and help diagnose.

Objective:To preliminarily evaluate the myocardium of pilots by noninvasive and radiation free cardiac MRI mapping technology, and to explore its application value in evaluating the myocardium of pilots.Methods:Case-control study was adopted in this study. Pilots and normal personnel who had cardiac MRI in Air Force Medical Center from October of 2020 to July of 2022 were selected, and they were divided into 20-40 years group and >40 years group. The differences of myocardial longitudinal relaxation time T1, transverse relaxation time T2 and T2 * values between pilots and normal personnel at different ages were analyzed and compared. Pilots were divided into groups according to flying hours and aircraft types, and the differences of myocardial T1, T2 and T2 * values among pilots in different flying hours and aircraft types were analyzed and compared. Results:The average myocardial T1 value of pilots [(1 011.18±24.70) ms] was lower than that of normal personnel [(1 025.07±25.74) ms], and the difference was significant ( t=2.10, P=0.040). The myocardial T1 value of pilots >40 years old [(1 006.04±29.15)ms] was lower than that of normal personnel [(1 029.68±20.24) ms], and the difference was significant ( t=2.30, P=0.032). The myocardial T1 value of fighter pilots [(999.04±17.39)ms] was lower than that of the bomber, transporter, helicopter pilots [(1 023.33±25.53) ms], and the difference was significant ( t=2.73, P=0.012). There was no significant difference in myocardial T1, T2 and T2 * values between pilots and nornal personnel aged 20-40 years old; there was no significant difference in T2 and T2 * values between pilots and normal personnel in the age group of >40 years old (all P>0.05). There was also no significant difference in myocardial T1, T2 and T2 * values among the pilots in different flying hours (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The level of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy or myocardial fibrosis in fighter pilots might be lower than that in other aircraft types pilots. Cardiac MRI mapping has potential value in evaluating the myocardium of pilots.

Objective:To compare the clinical effect of surgical treatment of congenital preauricular fistulas in children during the local infection period and static inflammatory period. Methods:Forty children with congenital preauricular fistula infection treated in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as the experimental group, and 39 children with congenital preauricular fistula inflammation at static period were selected as the control group. The fistula of the two groups of children aged between 1-14 years old was located in front of the foot of the ear wheel or the foot of the ear wheel, and all were unilateral fistulas. The postoperative follow-up was 6 months to 2 years, and the efficacy of the two groups was compared. Results:There was no significant difference in the healing rate of stage Ⅰ and stage Ⅱ between the two groups（P>0.05）. There was no significant difference in fistula recurrence rate and satisfaction with the preauricular scar between the two groups after treatment（P>0.05）. There was no significant difference in postoperative hospital stay between the experimental group and the control group（P>0.05）. Conclusion:The effect of surgical treatment of congenital preauricular fistula in the infected period is similar to that of surgical treatment in the static period of inflammation, and it can reduce the pain of dressing change under local anesthesia in children, avoid the second operation in children, and reduce the economic cost. This treatment method is worthy of clinical promotion. Appropriate incision and resection method were designed according to the fistula and infection sites.
Humans ; Child ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Adolescent ; Fistula/surgery* ; Inflammation ; Craniofacial Abnormalities/surgery* ; Cicatrix ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To analyze the correlation between serum vitamin D level and ovarian artery blood flow index and ovarian reserve function in women.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Women aged from 18 to 40 years who were admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from September 2020 to November 2021 and had regular sexual life were selected as subjects. The data of age, height and weight were collected. And the indexes of vitamin D, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were detected in the laboratory. Color Doppler ultrasound was used to measure antral follicle count and bilateral ovarian interstitial artery blood stream resistance index (RI) and plusatility index (PI) in early follicular phase. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the related factors of serum vitamin D level.Results:A total of 218 women were included in the study, including 137 cases of vitamin D deficiency, accounting for 62.8%, 39 cases of vitamin D insufficiency, accounting for 17.9%, 42 cases of normal vitamin D, accounting for 19.3%. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between serum vitamin D level and ovarian blood flow ( P=0.024), but no correlation with other indexes (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Serum vitamin D level affected ovarian interstitial artery blood flow RI to some extent, but had no significant correlation with ovarian interstitial artery blood flow PI, serum AMH level and other indexes related to ovarian reserve function.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between serum vitamin D level and ovarian artery blood flow index and ovarian reserve function in women.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Women aged from 18 to 40 years who were admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from September 2020 to November 2021 and had regular sexual life were selected as subjects. The data of age, height and weight were collected. And the indexes of vitamin D, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were detected in the laboratory. Color Doppler ultrasound was used to measure antral follicle count and bilateral ovarian interstitial artery blood stream resistance index (RI) and plusatility index (PI) in early follicular phase. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the related factors of serum vitamin D level.Results:A total of 218 women were included in the study, including 137 cases of vitamin D deficiency, accounting for 62.8%, 39 cases of vitamin D insufficiency, accounting for 17.9%, 42 cases of normal vitamin D, accounting for 19.3%. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between serum vitamin D level and ovarian blood flow ( P=0.024), but no correlation with other indexes (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Serum vitamin D level affected ovarian interstitial artery blood flow RI to some extent, but had no significant correlation with ovarian interstitial artery blood flow PI, serum AMH level and other indexes related to ovarian reserve function.

Objective:To preliminarily evaluate the myocardium of pilots by noninvasive and radiation free cardiac MRI mapping technology, and to explore its application value in evaluating the myocardium of pilots.Methods:Case-control study was adopted in this study. Pilots and normal personnel who had cardiac MRI in Air Force Medical Center from October of 2020 to July of 2022 were selected, and they were divided into 20-40 years group and >40 years group. The differences of myocardial longitudinal relaxation time T1, transverse relaxation time T2 and T2 * values between pilots and normal personnel at different ages were analyzed and compared. Pilots were divided into groups according to flying hours and aircraft types, and the differences of myocardial T1, T2 and T2 * values among pilots in different flying hours and aircraft types were analyzed and compared. Results:The average myocardial T1 value of pilots [(1 011.18±24.70) ms] was lower than that of normal personnel [(1 025.07±25.74) ms], and the difference was significant ( t=2.10, P=0.040). The myocardial T1 value of pilots >40 years old [(1 006.04±29.15)ms] was lower than that of normal personnel [(1 029.68±20.24) ms], and the difference was significant ( t=2.30, P=0.032). The myocardial T1 value of fighter pilots [(999.04±17.39)ms] was lower than that of the bomber, transporter, helicopter pilots [(1 023.33±25.53) ms], and the difference was significant ( t=2.73, P=0.012). There was no significant difference in myocardial T1, T2 and T2 * values between pilots and nornal personnel aged 20-40 years old; there was no significant difference in T2 and T2 * values between pilots and normal personnel in the age group of >40 years old (all P>0.05). There was also no significant difference in myocardial T1, T2 and T2 * values among the pilots in different flying hours (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The level of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy or myocardial fibrosis in fighter pilots might be lower than that in other aircraft types pilots. Cardiac MRI mapping has potential value in evaluating the myocardium of pilots.

ObjectiveTo observe the mechanism of modified Shengjiangsan in necroptosis and renal fibrosis of rats with diabetic nephropathy based on receptor-interacting protein （RIP）1/RIP3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein （MLKL） signaling pathway. MethodSeventy-five SD rats were randomly divided into a model group， a normal group， three high， medium， and low-dose modified Shengjiangsan groups （4.365， 8.73， 17.46 g·kg^-1）， and an irbesartan group （0.013 5 g·kg^-1）. After 4 weeks of intragastric administration， the levels of 24 h urine protein （UTP）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） of rats in each group were determined， as well as the changes in degree of renal pathology. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1）， transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）， and nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB） in kidney tissues of rats. Western blot assay was used to detect the expression levels of key proteins in the RIP1/RIP3/MLKL signaling pathway. ResultAs compared with the normal group， the renal interstitial fibrosis in the model group was obvious， and the 24 h UTP， IL-1β， TNF-α levels were significantly increased （P<0.05）. In the model group， the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， MCP -1， TGF-β₁， and NF-κB in the kidney tissues were significantly increased （P<0.05）， and protein expression levels of RIP1， RIP3， p-MLKL， and MLKL were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， all modified Shengjiangsan groups and the irbesartan group improved the levels of renal interstitial fibrosis in rats to varying degrees. As compared with the model group， the 24 h UTP levels in all modified Shengjiangsan groups and the irbesartan group were decreased to varying degrees （P<0.05）， the content of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum were decreased （P<0.05）， the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， MCP-1， TGF-β₁， and NF-κB in renal tissues was down-regulated （P<0.05）， and the protein expression levels of RIP1， RIP3， p-MLKL， and MLKL were down-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Shengjiangsan ameliorates renal injury of rats with diabetic nephropathy， and the mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the RIP1/RIP3/MLKL signaling pathway， the prevention of renal tissue necroptosis， and the inhibition of renal fibrosis.