The prevalence of Class III malocclusion varies among different countries and regions. The populations from Southeast Asian countries (Chinese and Malaysian) showed the highest prevalence rate of 15.8%, which can seriously affect oral function, facial appearance, and mental health. As anterior crossbite tends to worsen with growth, early orthodontic treatment can harness growth potential to normalize maxillofacial development or reduce skeletal malformation severity, thereby reducing the difficulty and shortening the treatment cycle of later-stage treatment. This is beneficial for the physical and mental growth of children. Therefore, early orthodontic treatment for Class III malocclusion is particularly important. Determining the optimal timing for early orthodontic treatment requires a comprehensive assessment of clinical manifestations, dental age, and skeletal age, and can lead to better results with less effort. Currently, standardized treatment guidelines for early orthodontic treatment of Class III malocclusion are lacking. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the etiology, clinical manifestations, classification, and early orthodontic techniques for Class III malocclusion, along with systematic discussions on selecting early treatment plans. The purpose of this expert consensus is to standardize clinical practices and improve the treatment outcomes of Class III malocclusion through early orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Malocclusion, Angle Class III/classification* ; Orthodontics, Corrective/methods* ; Consensus ; Child

OBJECTIVE: Humans are exposed to complex mixtures of environmental chemicals and other factors that can affect their health. Analysis of these mixture exposures presents several key challenges for environmental epidemiology and risk assessment, including high dimensionality, correlated exposure, and subtle individual effects. METHODS: We proposed a novel statistical approach, the generalized functional linear model (GFLM), to analyze the health effects of exposure mixtures. GFLM treats the effect of mixture exposures as a smooth function by reordering exposures based on specific mechanisms and capturing internal correlations to provide a meaningful estimation and interpretation. The robustness and efficiency was evaluated under various scenarios through extensive simulation studies. RESULTS: We applied the GFLM to two datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). In the first application, we examined the effects of 37 nutrients on BMI (2011-2016 cycles). The GFLM identified a significant mixture effect, with fiber and fat emerging as the nutrients with the greatest negative and positive effects on BMI, respectively. For the second application, we investigated the association between four pre- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and gout risk (2007-2018 cycles). Unlike traditional methods, the GFLM indicated no significant association, demonstrating its robustness to multicollinearity. CONCLUSION GFLM framework is a powerful tool for mixture exposure analysis, offering improved handling of correlated exposures and interpretable results. It demonstrates robust performance across various scenarios and real-world applications, advancing our understanding of complex environmental exposures and their health impacts on environmental epidemiology and toxicology.
Humans ; Environmental Exposure/analysis* ; Linear Models ; Nutrition Surveys ; Environmental Pollutants ; Body Mass Index

Objective: To investigate the use of e-cigarette and analyze its influencing factors among high school students in Wuhan City, so as to provide insights into developing control measures for adolescents. Methods: From September to November 2019, high school students in Wuhan City were selected by the multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method, and basic information, e-cigarette use and second-hand smoke exposure were collected through questionnaire surveys. Proportions of e-cigarette current use and attempt to use were analyzed, and factors affecting the current use of e-cigarettes were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Totally 5 700 questionnaires were allocated, and 5 602 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective rate of 98.28%. The respondents included 2 925 males (52.21%) and 2 677 females (47.79%); 4 033 high school students (71.99%) and 1 569 vocational high school students (28.01%). The proportion of attempt to use e-cigarettes was 9.23%, and the proportion of current e-cigarette use was 2.03%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified male (OR=2.112, 95%CI: 1.285-3.471), vocational high school (OR=1.967, 95%CI: 1.214-3.186), private high school (OR=9.684, 95%CI: 5.648-16.605), family second-hand smoke exposure (OR=3.064, 95%CI: 1.741-5.392), second-hand smoke exposure in public places (OR=4.402, 95%CI: 1.687-11.484) and having close friends who were smokers (OR=6.432, 95%CI: 3.219-12.852) as factors affecting current e-cigarette use among high school students. Conclusions The proportion of current e-cigarette use among high school students in Wuhan City was 2.03%. Male, vocational high school, private high school, second-hand smoke exposure and having close friends who were smokers may be promoting factors for e-cigarette use.

Objective:To explore the effect of Qixian Tongluo Prescription fumigation on nerve function and rehabilitation effect in patients with hemiplegia after cerebral infarction of qi-deficiency blood stasis syndrome.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. Sixty-eight patients with hemiplegia after cerebral infarction of qi-deficiency blood stasis syndrome in the hospital were enrolled between October 2020 and December 2021. According to random odd-even numbering method, participants were divided into the control group (routine western medicine) and the observation group (Qixian Tongluo Prescription fumigation on basis of control group), 34 in each group. All were continuously treated for 8 weeks. TCM syndromes were scored before and after treatment. The severity of neurological impairment was evaluated by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The severity of limb movement disorder was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). The levels of central nervous specific protein (S-100β), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), endothelin (ET), nitric oxide (NO), C-reactive protein (CRP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected by ELISA. The clinical response rate was assessed.Results:There were significant differences in total response rate between the observation group and the control group [94.12% (32/34) vs. 76.47% (26/34); χ2=4.22, P=0.040]. After treatment, scores of hemiplegia, shortness of breath, palpitation and limbs swelling in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=3.44, 2.37, 2.72, 3.89, P<0.05 or P<0.01), NIHSS score was significantly lower than that of the control group ( t=6.56, P<0.01), and FMA scores of upper and lower limbs were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t=2.17, 2.78, P<0.05). After treatment, levels of serum S-100β [(0.69±0.27) μg/L vs. (0.85±0.36) μg/L, t=2.07], NSE [(8.36±3.69) μg/L vs. (11.34±4.93) μg/L, t=2.82] and ET [(53.16±12.12) ng/L vs. (61.25±11.31) ng/L, t=2.85] in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), while NO [(82.26±14.53) μmol/L vs. (70.16±12.27) μmol/L, t=3.71] was significantly higher than that of the observation group ( P<0.01). The level of serum CRP in observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group ( t=2.74, P<0.01), and SOD activity was significantly higher than that of the control group ( t=2.49, P<0.05). Conclusion:Qixian Tongluo Prescription fumigation can promote the recovery of nerve function and vascular endothelial function in patients with hemiplegia after cerebral infarction, improve limb disorders and clinical effect.

Objective:To survey the knowledge, attitudes, and practice about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among general practitioners in Sichuan province.Methods:From October to November 2020, a questionnaire survey on knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) among 104 general practitioners who participated in the training of the comprehensive prevention and control of COPD organized by Sichuan Provincial Health Commission. The content of the questionnaire included the basic information and the KAP status of COPD. The descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis H were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 104 questionnaires were distributed and 102 were returned with a response rate of 98.1%. General practitioners with different ages, professional titles, visits of COPD patients each month, and whether or not to refer COPD patients to higher-level hospitals were not significantly different in the scores of knowledge( U=1 276.00, H=0.78, U=1 074.00, U=589.00), attitude( U=1 141.50, H=1.75, U=1 090.00, U=585.00), and practice( U=1 221.00, H=0.31, U=1 163.00, U=499.50) (all P>0.05). In knowledge part the highest correctness rate was "quitting smoking is the most powerful interventions affecting the natural disease course of COPD" (100.0%, 102/102); the lowest was that"the main objective examination for judging the airflow limitation of COPD patients is the lung function test"(5.9%, 6/102). In the part of the attitude, the highest positive rate was "educating patients to quit smoking and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke" (65.7%,67/102); the lowest positive rate was "provide exercise guidance to patients "(43.1%, 44/102) and " be responsible for long-term treatment follow-up" (43.1%, 44/102). In the part of practice, the highest behavioral rate was "when receiving patients with COPD, actively pay attention to the treatment of comorbid diseases" (95.1%, 97/102); the lowest behavioral rate was "when patients with COPD were seen at the clinic, and the patients were advised of the best time to use the inhaler" (65.7%, 67/102). Conclusions:The study indicates that the relevant departments need to increase the intensity of knowledge training for general practitioners in Sichuan province. General practitioners should continuously improve their education, prevention, and treatment ability and implement the primary responsibilities for COPD management.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and assoicated factors of tuberculosis (TB) aggregation in schools in Wuhan from 2017 to 2020, and to provide scientific basis for school based TB prevention and control strategies. Methods: Questionnaire star was used to collect data on tuberculosis prevention and control in various schools in Wuhan. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of tuberculosis aggregation in schools. Results: A total of 37 outbreaks of tuberculosis aggregation in schools were reported in Wuhan from 2017 to 2020, which involved 28 different schools, including 24 colleges and universities and 4 senior high schools, 176 cases were reported, among which 39 were positive for pathogens and 17 cases of rifampicin resistant, and the median duration of single cluster epidemic was 48 (28, 368) days, universities were more prone to cluster outbreaks than middle schools ( χ 2=75.27, P <0.01), the incidence in male was higher than that of in female in cluster outbreak ( χ 2=22.82, P =0.00). The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that boarding school ( OR =5.12), TB screening at school entry ( OR =3.27), etiology tracking and registrationin school ( OR =7.28), treatment and isolation of sick students on time ( OR =9.12), whether the dormitories and classrooms were often ventilated ( OR =4.97), and whether the management of school suspension and return was strictly implemented ( OR =4.68) were associated with the occurrence of TB cluster outbreak( P <0.05). Conclusion Schools should actively strive for policies and funding, strictly implement TB screening and physical examination for freshmen, as well as the management of contact tracing and registeration, targeted TB health education, guidance for teachers and students for cleaning, disinfection and hand hygiene, timely treatment and reporting of suspected symptoms, to prevent the occurrence of TB clustering outbreaks.

Objective To explore the epidemic characteristics and spatial clustering of pulmonary tuberculosis in Wuhan from 2011 to 2019, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating intervention strategies and measures. Methods Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the epidemic characteristics of tuberculosis data in Wuhan registered in the national tuberculosis information management system in the last 9 years, and spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed on the incidence of tuberculosis in 155 communities or in the city using Arcgis10.5 software. Results From 2011 to 2019, there were 56,432 cases of tuberculosis reported in Wuhan, and the annual average reported incidence rate of tuberculosis was 59.24/100 000. The overall incidence rate showed a fluctuating downward trend, with an average annual decline rate of 1.99%. The ratio of the number of cases between men and women was 2.35:1, and the incidence rate in males was higher than that in females (χ²=285.36，P<0.001). The 45-64 years old group had the largest number of patients, accounting for 35.33% of the total. The peak incidence of the disease was from March to June, while the lowest was from December to February of the next year. The main occupations were housekeepers, house and unemployed workers, and farmers and retirees, accounting for 31.93%, 18.81% and 12.84% of the total number of cases, respectively. Spatial correlation analysis showed that there was a positive spatial autocorrelation in the incidence of tuberculosis in Wuhan from 2011 to 2019 (Moran's I>0,P<0.001), and the high-high aggregation areas of tuberculosis were mainly distributed in Erqi community, Baibuting community, Liujiaoting community, Yijiadun community, Heping Street, Changqian Street, Tonghu farm, Yuxian Town, Zhifang Town, Wulijie Town, Fenghuang Street, Liji Street, and Daoguanhe Street. Conclusion The overall epidemic situation of pulmonary tuberculosis in Wuhan showed a slow downward trend. The main population and the clustering time of cases were relatively fixed, and the overall epidemic showed a certain spatial clustering. Active screening should be carried out for high-risk populations and high-aggregation areas, and effective prevention and control strategies should be developed based on time and location classification.

Objective: To understand delay in treatment student tuberculosis (TB) patients in Wuhan from 2011 to 2018, and to provide a reference for prevention and control measures of tuberculosis in schools. Methods: The medical cases of students with tuberculosis in Wuhan recorded by the national tuberculosis management information system during 2011-2018 were analyzed for the delay and change trend of medical treatment of students with tuberculosis, and Logistic regression was used to analyze influencing factors. Results: The median number of student TB patients seeking treatment in Wuhan was 9(3,21) days, and 51.14% of student TB patients were delayed. From 2011 to 2018, the overall delay rate of TB patients in students decreased slowly and then gradually increased, decrea sing from the highest rate (56.4%) in 2011 to the lowest one (45.6%) in 2014, and then gradually increased to 53.8% in 2018, there was no significant difference in the delay rate between the first and the second four years(χ2=2.84, P=0.09); The delay rate of different gender students was the same as that of the whole. The fluctuation of female students was slightly obvious, but the difference was not statistically significant(χ2=0.07, P>0.05); Among the students of different age groups, the delay rate of 13-18 years old was the lowest(χ2=87.23, P<0.01). The delay rate of 19-22 years old and university groups of different school levels showed a slow decline, while that of other age groups and other school level groups showed an overall upward trend. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the main factors affecting the delay rate of medical treatment were the remote urban area(OR=1.84, 95%CI=1.56-2.16), the ethnic minorities (OR=2.73, 95%CI=1.46-5.09) and the age of 13-18(OR=0.57, 95%CI=0.33-1.00). Conclusion Delay in treatment of TB patients in Wuhan is not optimistic, with more than half of the students have delayed in treatment, the main factors that affect the high rate of TB patients’ treatment delay are the students in the far urban areas and ethnic minorities. It is very important to take targeted prevention and control measures to guide the students to actively seek medical treatment according to the time, the place and the person.

Objective To investigate the effect of different fluid shear stress (FSS) on the regulation of planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling, and further to explore the relationship among FSS, PCP signaling pathway and ciliogenesis. Methods The hydrodynamic cell model of adjustable FSS was established. qPCR and immunofluorescence were used to detect the mRNA expression of PCP signaling pathway core protein Dvl2 and cilia assembly protein IFT88, cell targeting and co-localization under different FSS. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the protein expression of Dvl2 at 18 h under different FSS. Results The qPCR result showed that compared with 1.5 Pa FSS, under 0.1 Pa FSS, the mRNA expression of Dvl2 was higher at 6 h and 18 h (P＜0.05), significantly higher at 12 h (P＜0.01); the mRNA expression of IFT88 was significantly higher at 18 h (P＜0.01). The WB result showed that compared with 0 h, under 0.1 Pa FSS, the protein expression of Dvl2 was higher at 18 h (P＜0.05), significantly lower under 1.5 Pa FSS (P＜0.01); compared with 1.5 Pa FSS, the protein expression of Dvl2 was higher at 18 h under 0.1 Pa FSS (P＜0.05). The immunofluorescence result showed that the positive expression of Dvl2 increased with the loading time on FSS increasing, and gradually aggregated at a point around the nucleus; the positive expression of IFT88 was gradually transferred from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and aggregated at a point under 0.1 Pa FSS, and gradually decreased and depolymerized under 1.5 Pa FSS. Protein Dvl2 and IFT88 were located in the same position in cells under 0.1 Pa FSS and before 18 h under 1.5 Pa FSS, and colocalization of proteins Dvl2 and IFT88 was not observed after 18 h under 1.5 Pa FSS due to IFT88 depolymerization. Conclusions Laminar FSS played an inhibition on the transduction of PCP signaling pathway and a hindrance on the process of ciliogenesis, while low FSS played a promotion on the transduction. PCP signaling pathway might regulate FSS-induced ciliogenesis by Dvl2.

Objective To evaluate the validity and security of our self-designed bone marrow stem cell Screen-Enrich-Combine(-Biomaterials) Circulating System(SECCS) for bone non-union of limbs. Methods From May 2013 to December 2015, 24 patients with limb non-union were treated at our de-partment. They were aged from 20 to 65 years (mean, 42.8 years). Their non-union involved femur in 17 cases, tibia in 4, radius in one, humerus in one and fibula in one. In surgery, 80 mL bone marrow blood was aspirated from the anterior superior iliac spine for rapid preparation of bone substitute(β-TCP)composite with bone marrow stem cells by SECCS which was then implanted at the non-union locations. The bone marrow blood was collected before and after enrichment for stem cell counts. The bone union, clinical union time and related com-plications were evaluated by follow-up X-rays at 1, 3, 6 and 9 months after surgery. Results Each collection of bone marrow blood took 13.5 minutes on average. The enrichment rate of stem cells was 81.2%. 11,751 ± 1,011 stem cells were implanted per patient on average. All the patients were followed up for 9 to 48 months (mean, 19.2 months). Twenty-two patients acquired clinical union 9 months after operation and the other 2 suffered from malunion due to insufficient bone implant, yielding a union rate of 91.6% and an average union time of 6.5 months. No graft infection or internal fixation failure occurred and no severe complications hap-pened at the donor or implant sites.Conclusion The bioactive bone substitute manufactured by our self-designed SECCS can be used as a novel therapy for limb non-union, and this device is moreover charac-terized with convenience, limited invasion and satisfactory osteogenesis so that complications of autologous bone transplantation can be avoided.