Objective : To analyze the relationship between tongue volume, tongue position, dental and skeletal parameters in adult patients with different skeletal malocclusions, providing references for the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of skeletal malocclusions. Methods: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee, and informed consent has been obtained from patients. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and cephalometric radiographs were collected from 60 adult patients, divided into three groups based on ANB angle values: skeletal Class I (0° < ANB < 4°), II (ANB > 4°), and III (ANB < 0°), with 20 cases in each group. Dental and skeletal parameters were measured using Dolphin software. Mimics software was used for 3D reconstruction of the tongue, oral cavity, and upper airway to measure tongue position, tongue volume, oral cavity volume, and upper airway volume, followed by statistical analysis. Results: The skeletal Class III group had significantly larger tongue and oral cavity volumes than the skeletal Class I and Class II groups (P = 0.02). Tongue length in the skeletal Class III group was also greater than in the skeletal Class I and Class II groups (P = 0.016). There was no significant difference in the ratio of tongue volume/oral cavity capacity among the three skeletal malocclusion groups (P > 0.05). Tongue volume was positively correlated with U1-SN and negatively correlated with overbite and overjet (P < 0.05). Additionally, tongue volume showed a significant positive correlation with Go-Gn and Pg-Np (P < 0.01), as well as with maxillary and mandibular dental arch width and basal bone arch width (P < 0.01). Upper airway volume was positively correlated with TT-VRL and TP-VRL (P < 0.05). Conclusion Patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion have larger tongue volumes and longer tongues. Patients with larger tongue volumes may also have larger, more forward-positioned mandibles. Patients with more posterior tongue positions may have smaller upper airway volumes. When developing orthodontic or orthognathic treatment plans, it is crucial to consider the relationship between tongue position, tongue volume, the jaws, and the airway to ensure optimal outcomes for both dental and orofacial function.

Pancreatic cancer often has an insidious onset and difficulties in treatment,with various limitations in early diagnosis and treatment.This article reviews the application of Mendelian randomization(MR)in exploring the risk factors for pancreatic cancer,with a special focus on the causal relationships of factors such as gut microbiota,lifestyle,and metabolic diseases.Leveraging data from large-scale genome-wide association studies(GWAS),MR analysis has revealed several biomarkers associated with the risk of pancreatic cancer.The two-sample MR approach is commonly used in current research,including the methods such as Inverse Variance Weighted,Weighted Median,and MR-Egger,which helps to explain the causal network of the disease from a genetic perspective.While MR strategy provides a new perspective for understanding the etiology of pancreatic cancer,caution is still needed in data synthesis,selection of instrumental variables,and pleiotropy assessment.The use of emerging analytical models such as BWMR,CAUSE,and MVMR offers new possibilities for the comprehensive evaluation of multiple risk factors and their interaction.In the future,with the combination of these methods and the ever-increasing genetic epidemiological data,MR analysis is expected to provide more solid evidence for identifying potential therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer and formulating prevention strategies.

Objective: To investigate the levels of cytidine/uridine monophosphate kinase 2(CMPK2) expression in CD4+T cells of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) patients and its correlation with clinical indicators. Additionally, to explore whether CMPK2 can induce pyroptosis in CD4+T cells of SLE patients through NLRP3, potentially providing a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of SLE. Methods: RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses were used to assess the gene and protein expression levels of CMPK2 in SLE CD4+T cells and healthy controls(HC). Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between CMPK2 mRNA expression levels and clinical indicators. Subsequently, the expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins, including NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC), caspase-1, gasdermin D(GSDMD), and the N-terminal domain of GSDMD(GSDMD-N), were examined in SLE CD4+T cells and HC. Furthermore, the protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N were detected after silencingCMPK2in SLE CD4+T cells. Results: CMPK2 expression was significantly elevated in SLE CD4+T cells, exhibiting a positive correlation with SLE disease activity index(SLEDAI), anti-dsDNA antibody, anti-nucleosome antibody, anti-C1q antibody, and a negative correlation with complement C3 and C4 levels. Additionally, the expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins, including NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N significantly increased in SLE CD4+T cells(P<0.05), Moreover, the levels of cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 in the cell culture supernatants were elevated, and there was a notable increase in the rate of cellular pyroptosis(P<0.05). Silencing CMPK2 led to a reduction in the levels of these markers(P<0.05). Conclusion CMPK2 is highly expressed in SLE CD4+T cells and may serve as a diagnostic marker for SLE. Moreover, it is likely involved in the pathogenesis of SLE by promoting CD4+T cell pyroptosis through NLRP3.

Objective To determine the optimal placement of miniscrews,this study compared adult male and fe-male patients in terms of cortical bone density,cortical bone thickness,and available bone width in the infrazygomatic crest region.Methods The cone beam computed tomography imaging data of 200 patients(20-30 years old;100 males and 100 females)were collected.The right maxillary posterior teeth in the sagittal plane were divided into six levels from proximal to distal,and three measurement sites were positioned at vertical distances of 8,10,and 12 mm from the cementum.Cortical bone density,cortical bone thickness,and available bone width were measured in 18 measurement sites in the infrazygomatic crest and analyzed statistically.Results The highest cortical bone density,cortical bone thickness,and available bone width in the infrazygomatic crest in adult male and female patients were at the level of the interradicular space between the maxillary second premolar and maxillary first molar.The bone cortical density and thickness increased with vertical height,whereas the available bone width decreased with increasing vertical height.Dif-ferences were observed in cortical bone density,cortical bone thickness,and available bone width between adult male and female patients.Conclusion The optimal im-plantation sites of the micro-implant anchorages in the in-frazygomatic crest were at the level of the interradicular space between the maxillary second premolar and the maxillary first molar,and the vertical height of the optimal implan-tation site in males was appropriately higher than that in females.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of neural mobilization based on shoulder control training on shoulder pain and upper limb function in stroke patients with hemiplegia. MethodsFrom January, 2020 to November, 2021, 43 patients with hemiplegia after stroke in the Second People's Hospital of Nantong were randomly divided into control group (n = 21) and treatment group (n = 22). The control group received shoulder control training, while the treatment group received neural mobilization in addition. Before and after four weeks of treatment, they were evaluated with the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) of pain and Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE). ResultsOne case dropped off in the control group and two cases dropped off in the treatment group. After treatment, the NRS score and FMA-UE score improved in both groups (|t| >7.898, P < 0.001), and they were better in the treatment group than in the control group (|t| >2.337, P < 0.05). ConclusionNeural mobilization based on shoulder control training can significantly alleviate shoulder pain and improve upper limb motor function in stroke patients with hemiplegia.

Plant-derived nanovesicles have gained attention given their similarity to mammalian exosomes and advantages such as low cost, sustainability, and tissue targeting. Thus, they hold promise for disease treatment and drug delivery. In this study, we proposed a time-efficient method, PEG 8000 combined with sucrose density gradient centrifugation to prepare ginger-derived nanovesicles (GDNVs). Subsequently, curcumin (CUR) was loaded onto GDNV by ultrasonic incubation. The optimum conditions for ginger-derived nanovesicles loaded with curcumin (CG) were ultrasound time of 3 min, a carrier-to-drug ratio (GDNV:CUR) of 1:1. The study achieved a high loading capacity (94.027% ± 0.094%) and encapsulation efficiency (89.300% ± 0.344%). Finally, the drugs' in vivo distribution and anti-colitis activity were investigated in mice. CG was primarily distributed in the colon after oral administration. Compared to CUR and GDNV, CG was superior in improving disease activity, colon length, liver and spleen coefficients, myeloperoxidase activity, and biochemical factor levels in ulcerative colitis (UC) mice. In addition, CG plays a protective role against UC by modulating serum metabolite levels and gut flora. In summary, our study demonstrated that GDNV can be used for CUR delivery with enhanced therapeutic potential.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a Twin-block appliance on the condyles of patients with ClassⅡmalocclusion by conducting a systematic review and a Meta-analysis. METHODS: Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and VIP Database were electronically searched. Randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, and single-arm trials on condylar changes produced by a Twin-block appliance in patients with ClassⅡmalocclusion were included. Two reviewers independently extracted and assessed the risk of bias. Meta-analyses were conducted with Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: Eight studies were included; among which, seven were of high quality. After treatment with a twin block appliance, condyles moved anteriorly. The anterior joint spaces decreased (P<0.000 01), whereas the posterior spaces increased (P<0.000 01). The superior spaces were not changed (P=0.11). Moreover, a significant difference was observed in the increase of the condylar space index (P<0.000 01). After treatment, the anteroposterior diameters of the condyles and condylar height increased (P=0.000 2 and P<0.000 01, respectively). By contrast, no significant changes were discovered in the medial external diameters of the condyles (P=0.42). CONCLUSIONS A Twin-block appliance can promote the growth of a condyle in the posterior and upper direction and move it forward in favor of the correction of Class Ⅱ malocclusion.
Humans ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II/therapy* ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Bone and Bones ; China ; Orthodontic Appliances, Functional ; Cephalometry

Purpose: Bone destruction and pain caused by cancer is one of the most devastating complications of cancer patients with bone metastases, and it seriously affects the quality of patients’ life. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is a cell adhesion molecule with increased expression in a variety of tumors. This study focused to clarify the specific function of EMMPRIN in bone metastasis of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Adenovirus with shRNA-EMMPRIN was transfected into MRMT-1 rat breast carcinoma cells, and the MRMT-1 cells with different expression levels of EMMPRIN were implanted into the bone marrow cavity of rat tibia. Next, the effect of down-regulation of EMMPRIN was evaluated as follows: bone damage was detected by X-ray radiological and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining; the tumor burden was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining; the test of pain-related behaviors was assessed used the bilateral paw withdrawal mechanical threshold; and the levels of secretory factors in tumor conditioned medium were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: We found that down-regulation of EMMPRIN in tumor cells can simultaneously reduce tumor burden, relieve cancer-induced bone destruction and pain. Conclusion: Materials and Methods EMMPRIN is expected to be a therapeutic target for relieving bone metastasis of breast cancer and alleviating cancerinduced bone destruction and pain. The method of targeting EMMPRIN may be a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer in the future.

Purpose: Bone destruction and pain caused by cancer is one of the most devastating complications of cancer patients with bone metastases, and it seriously affects the quality of patients’ life. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is a cell adhesion molecule with increased expression in a variety of tumors. This study focused to clarify the specific function of EMMPRIN in bone metastasis of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Adenovirus with shRNA-EMMPRIN was transfected into MRMT-1 rat breast carcinoma cells, and the MRMT-1 cells with different expression levels of EMMPRIN were implanted into the bone marrow cavity of rat tibia. Next, the effect of down-regulation of EMMPRIN was evaluated as follows: bone damage was detected by X-ray radiological and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining; the tumor burden was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining; the test of pain-related behaviors was assessed used the bilateral paw withdrawal mechanical threshold; and the levels of secretory factors in tumor conditioned medium were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: We found that down-regulation of EMMPRIN in tumor cells can simultaneously reduce tumor burden, relieve cancer-induced bone destruction and pain. Conclusion: Materials and Methods EMMPRIN is expected to be a therapeutic target for relieving bone metastasis of breast cancer and alleviating cancerinduced bone destruction and pain. The method of targeting EMMPRIN may be a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer in the future.

Hotlines ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; prevention & control ; virology ; Internet ; Preventive Health Services ; methods