OBJECTIVES: To examine the reliability and accuracy of Walker's model for estimating the sex of Han adults in western China by using cranium three-dimensional (3D) CT reconstruction, and to study the suitable cranial sex estimation model for Han people in western China. METHODS: A total of 576 cranial CT 3D reconstructed images from Hanzhong Hospital in Shaanxi Province from 2017 to 2021 were collected. These images were divided into the experimental group with 486 samples and the validation group with 90 samples. Walker's model was used by observer 1 to estimate the sex of experimental group samples. The logistic function applicable to Han people in western China was corrected by observer 1. The 90 samples in the validation group were scored and substituted into the modified logistic function to complete the back substitution test by observer 1, 2 and 3. RESULTS: The accuracy of sex estimation of Han adults in western China was 63.2%-77.2% by applying Walker's model. The accuracy of modified logistic function was 82.9%. The accuracy of sex estimation through back substitution test by 3 observers was 75.6%-91.1%, with a Kappa value of 0.689 (P<0.05) for inter-observer consistency and 0.874 (P<0.05) for intra-observer consistency. CONCLUSIONS There are great differences in bone characteristics among people from different regions. The modified logistic function can achieve higher accuracy in Han adults in western China.
Humans ; Adult ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sex Determination by Skeleton/methods* ; Forensic Anthropology ; Skull/anatomy & histology* ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; China ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Bone development shows certain regularity with age. The regularity can be used to infer age and serve many fields such as justice, medicine, archaeology, etc. As a non-invasive evaluation method of the epiphyseal development stage, MRI is widely used in living age estimation. In recent years, the rapid development of machine learning has significantly improved the effectiveness and reliability of living age estimation, which is one of the main development directions of current research. This paper summarizes the analysis methods of age estimation by knee joint MRI, introduces the current research trends, and future application trend.
Epiphyses/diagnostic imaging* ; Age Determination by Skeleton/methods* ; Reproducibility of Results ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Knee Joint/diagnostic imaging*

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (Nr-CWS) in the treatment of persistent cervical high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. Methods: A randomized, double blind, multi-center trial was conducted. A total of 688 patients with clinically and pathologically confirmed HR-HPV infection of the cervix diagnosed in 13 hispital nationwide were recruited and divided into: (1) patients with simple HR-HPV infection lasting for 12 months or more; (2) patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Ⅰ and HR-HPV infection lasting for 12 months or more; (3) patients with the same HR-HPV subtype with no CINⅡ and more lesions after treatment with CINⅡ or CIN Ⅲ (CINⅡ/CIN Ⅲ). All participants were randomly divided into the test group and the control group at a ratio of 2∶1. The test group was locally treated with Nr-CWS freeze-dried powder and the control group was treated with freeze-dried powder without Nr-CWS. The efficacy and negative conversion rate of various subtypes of HR-HPV were evaluated at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months after treatment. The safety indicators of initial diagnosis and treatment were observed. Results: (1) This study included 555 patients with HR-HPV infection in the cervix (included 368 in the test group and 187 in the control group), with an age of (44.1±10.0) years. The baseline characteristics of the two groups of subjects, including age, proportion of Han people, weight, composition of HR-HPV subtypes, and proportion of each subgroup, were compared with no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). (2) After 12 months of treatment, the effective rates of the test group and the control group were 91.0% (335/368) and 44.9% (84/187), respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ²=142.520, P<0.001). After 12 months of treatment, the negative conversion rates of HPV 16, 18, 52, and 58 infection in the test group were 79.2% (84/106), 73.3% (22/30), 83.1% (54/65), and 77.4% (48/62), respectively. The control group were 21.6% (11/51), 1/9, 35.1% (13/37), and 20.0% (8/40), respectively. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.001). (3) There were no statistically significant differences in vital signs (body weight, body temperature, respiration, pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, etc.) and laboratory routine indicators (blood cell analysis, urine routine examination) between the test group and the control group before treatment and at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months after treatment (all P>0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions related to the investigational drug between the two groups of subjects [8.7% (32/368) vs 8.0% (15/187), respectively; χ²=0.073, P=0.787]. Conclusion: External use of Nr-CWS has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of high-risk HPV persistent infection in the cervix.
Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Cervix Uteri/pathology* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology* ; Papillomavirus Infections/diagnosis* ; Cell Wall Skeleton ; Persistent Infection ; Powders ; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia/pathology* ; Immunotherapy ; Papillomaviridae

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes (Exos) were reported to a prospective candidate in accelerating diabetic wound healing due to their pro-angiogenic effect. MSCs pretreated with chemistry or biology factors were reported to advance the biological activities of MSC-derived exosomes. Hence, this study was designed to explore whether exosomes derived from human umbilical cord MSCs (hucMSCs) preconditioned with Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (Nr-CWS) exhibited superior proangiogenic effect on diabetic wound repair and its underlying molecular mechanisms. The results showed that Nr-CWS-Exos facilitated the proliferation, migration and tube formation of endothelial cells in vitro. In vivo, Nr-CWS-Exos exerted great effect on advancing wound healing by facilitating the angiogenesis of wound tissues compared with Exos. Furthermore, the expression of circIARS1 increased after HUVECs were treated with Nr-CWS-Exos. CircIARS1 promoted the pro-angiogenic effects of Nr-CWS-Exos on endothelial cellsvia the miR-4782-5p/VEGFA axis. Taken together, those data reveal that exosomes derived from Nr-CWS-pretreated MSCs might serve as an underlying strategy for diabetic wound treatment through advancing the biological function of endothelial cells via the circIARS1/miR-4782-5p/VEGFA axis.
Humans ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Cell Wall Skeleton/metabolism* ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Wound Healing/physiology* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism*

Four new sesquiterpene quinone meroterpenoids, dysideanones F-G (1-2) and dysiherbols D-E (3-4), were isolated from the marine sponge Dysidea avara collected from the South China Sea. The new structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data including HR-MS and 1D and 2D NMR spectra, and their absolute configurations were assigned by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and ECD calculations. Anti-inflammatory evaluation showed that dysiherbols D-E (3-4) exhibited moderate inhibitory activity on TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation in human HEK-293T cells with IC₅₀ values of 10.2 and 8.6 μmol·L^-1, respectively.
Animals ; Dysidea/chemistry* ; Porifera ; Quinones/pharmacology* ; Sesquiterpenes/pharmacology* ; Skeleton

OBJECTIVES: To find the appropriate method for age estimation for different ages and sexes. METHODS: The costal cartilage, sternum and pubic symphysis of 91 unknowns from 2000 to 2020 from the Forensic Department of the Criminal Investigation Team of Shanghai Public Security Bureau were collected. Costal cartilage, sternal and pubic symphysis inferences were used to estimate the age, and the consistency between the estimated results and the actual physiological age of the unknowns was tested. The accuracy of age estimation of different samples was compared, and the relationship between accuracy and age and sex was analyzed. RESULTS: Using the costal cartilage method, the inference errors of males, females and the whole population under 40 years old were (0.608±2.298) years, (0.429±1.867) years and (0.493±2.040) years, while those over 40 years old were (-1.707±3.770) years, (-3.286±4.078) years and (-2.625±4.029) years. The differences between different age groups in these three populations were statistically significant (P<0.05). Using the sternum method, the inference errors of males and females under the age of 40 were (0.921±3.019) years and (0.452±1.451) years, while those over the age of 40 were (-5.903±5.088) years and (-1.429±2.227) years. The differences between different age groups in males and females were statistically significant (P<0.05). Using the pubic symphysis method, the inference errors of males and females under 40 years old were (-0.204±1.876) years and (0.238±2.477) years, while those over 40 years old were (1.500±2.156) years and (-2.643±4.270) years. The differences between different age groups in males and females were statistically significant (P<0.05). Using the sternum method and pubic symphysis method for age estimation of over 40 years old, the difference between different sexes was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS All three methods of age estimation are stable and effective and more accurate for people under 40 years old. For age estimation of unknowns over 40 years old, the pubic symphysis method is preferred in males and the sternum method is preferred in females.
Adult ; Age Determination by Skeleton/methods* ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Forensic Anthropology/methods* ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Pubic Symphysis/anatomy & histology*

Background: The incidence rate of Angle Class I and Class II malocclusions in mixed dentition is higher than Class III. In orthodontic interceptive treatment, it is necessary to identify pubertal growth spurt peak individually because the best growth modification could be obtained during this period. One of the methods in assessing the pubertal growth spurt peak is cervical vertebrae maturation (CVM), which is done using a lateral cephalometric radiograph. CVM evaluates potential growth and skeletal maturity by assessing cervical vertebrae anatomy. Identifying the duration of growth spurt peak on both malocclusion classes is the most pivotal aspect of optimizing remodeling and correction of children’s malocclusion. Objective: Distinguishing the duration of pubertal growth spurt peak of children with Angle Class I and II malocclusions based on CVM analysis in Deutero-Malay children so that it can be used in determining optimal orthodontic treatment plan and timing in children with Class I and Angle II malocclusion for Deutero-Malay children. Methods: Analytical observational with cross-sectional approach was applied using lateral cephalometric radiographic images from patients’ medical records attending or had attended orthodontic treatment in the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic, Airlangga University Dental Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia, in 2014-2019 that met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed with Baccetti’s method of CVM analysis. This study involved 66 conventional lateral cephalometric photographs that were selected using total sampling. The data were analyzed using Independent T-Test and Mann Whitney U Test. Result: The duration of pubertal growth spurt peak in Angle Class I and II malocclusions was 11 and 7 months, respectively. The age of onset for Class I with CS3 was 9 years and 5 months, while for Angle Class II malocclusion starts entering the stage at 10 years 3 months of age, while for CS4 skeletal maturity we found that the age of onset for subjects with Angle Class I and II were 11 years 2 months and 12 years 4 months, respectively. The average duration of the pubertal growth spurt peak in female and male patients was 11.3 months and 18.2 months, respectively. All of these results were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001) and representative of the population, in this case, Deutero-Malays. Conclusion Four-month differences in the duration of pubertal growth spurt peak of children with Angle Class I and II were found. This may lead to a shorter treatment duration of 4 months in children with Angle Class II malocclusion when compared to children with Angle Class I malocclusion. Angle Class II malocclusion exhibit shorter pubertal growth spurt peak duration, which may account for the difference in mandibular growth on the two malocclusion classes.
Puberty ; Malocclusion ; Malocclusion, Angle Class I ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Age Determination by Skeleton ; Cephalometry ; Asian People ; Age of Onset

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (Nr-CWS) for the treatment of erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP). METHODS: Sixty patients with clinically and pathologically diagnosed EOLP were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group according to the random number. Patients in the experimental group were treated with lyophilized powder containing Nr-CWS combined with normal saline. Patients in the control group received topical placebo without Nr-CWS combined with normal saline. Changes in the EOLP lesion area and the patient's pain level were recorded at the timepoints of weeks 1, 2, and 4 after the two different treatments, respectively. The changes of the patient's REU scoring system (reticulation, erythema, ulceration), the visual analogue scale and the oral health impact score (OHIP-14) were compared between the experimental group and control group after treatment, and the safety indicators of the two groups at the initial diagnosis and after 4 weeks' treatment were also observed, respectively. RESULTS: Totally, 62 patients with clinically and pathologically diagnosed EOLP were enrolled, 2 of whom were lost to the follow-up, with 31 in the experimental group, and 29 in the control group. The mean age of the experimental group and control group were (52.9±12.4) years and (54.07±12.40) years, respectively. There was no significant difference in the oral periodontal index between the experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, the erosive area of oral lichen planus was significantly reduced 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the Nr-CWS's treatment (P < 0.05), the reduction rate was 81.75%, the patient's pain index was also decreased (P < 0.05), and in addition, the OHIP-14 was reduced (P < 0.05). The changes of the REU scoring system, the visual analogue scale and the OHIP-14 were significantly different between the experimental group and control group after treatment. There was no significant difference in the safety index between the two groups. CONCLUSION The priliminary data show that the Nr-CWS is effective and safe to treat EOLP.
Adult ; Aged ; Cell Wall Skeleton ; Humans ; Lichen Planus, Oral/drug therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Pain Measurement ; Rhodococcus

Individual identification based on imaging data of the skeleton of a corpse is a key technique for forensic identification. To reduce the influence of artificial factors, computer-aided semi-automatic or automatic individual identification has become one of the research directions of skeleton-based individual identification in forensic radiology. Therefore, this paper reviews and summarizes literatures related to estimation of anthropological information such as, age and sex by computer-aided forensic radiology bone characteristics and individual identification based on bone imaging characteristics, in order to provide reference on skeleton-based individual identification in forensic radiology.
Age Determination by Skeleton ; Bone and Bones ; Computers ; Forensic Anthropology ; Radiology

OBJECTIVE: To explore the integration method and technical realization of artificial intelligence bone age assessment system with the hospital RIS-PACS network and workflow. METHODS: Two sets of artificial intelligence based on bone age assessment systems (CHBoneAI 1.0/2.0) were developed. The intelligent system was further integrated with RIS-PACS based on the http protocol in Python flask web framework. RESULTS: The two sets of systems were successfully integrated into the local network and RIS-PACS in hospital. The deployment has been smoothly running for nearly 3 years. Within the current network setting, it takes less than 3 s to complete bone age assessment for a single patient. CONCLUSIONS The artificial intelligence based bone age assessment system has been deployed in clinical RIS-PACS platform and the "running in parallel", which is marking a success of Stage-I and paving the way to Stage-II where the intelligent systems can evolve to become more powerful in particular of the system self-evolution and the "running alternatively".
Age Determination by Skeleton ; Artificial Intelligence ; Bone and Bones ; Hospital Information Systems ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Radiology Information Systems ; Systems Integration