The use of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) has yielded successful outcomes in late adolescence and early adulthood, particularly in correcting transverse maxillary discrepancies and enhancing airway expansion. This report presents three cases of children at different dentition stages treated with MARPE. In one patient with severe crowding, MARPE enabled dental alignment without the need for premolar extractions. Additionally, MARPE combined with facemask therapy improved the patient’s facial profile, resulting in high patient and guardian satisfaction. These cases highlight MARPE’s potential as an effective treatment for maxillary discrepancies and severe arch length discrepancies in children.

Purpose: Prostate cancer ranks as the second most common cancer in men globally, representing a significant cause of cancer-related mortality. Metastasis, the spread of cancer cells from the primary site to distant organs, remains a major challenge in managing prostate cancer. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) is implicated in the regulation of aerobic glycolysis, emerging as a potential player in various cancers. However, its role in prostate cancer remains unclear. This study aims to analyze PDK4 expression in prostate cancer cells and human samples, and to explore the gene's clinical significance. Materials and Methods: PDK4 expression was detected in cell lines and human tissue samples. Migration ability was analyzed using Matrigel-coated invasion chambers. Human samples were obtained from the Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital. Results: PDK4 expression was elevated in prostate cancer cell lines compared to normal prostate cells, with particularly high levels in DU145 and LnCap cell lines. PDK4 knockdown in these cell lines suppressed their invasion ability, indicating a potential role of PDK4 in prostate cancer metastasis. Furthermore, our results revealed alterations in epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers and downstream signaling molecules following PDK4 suppression, suggesting its involvement in the modulation of invasion-related pathways. Furthermore, PDK4 expression was increased in prostate cancer tissues, especially in castration-resistant prostate cancer, compared to normal prostate tissues, with PSA and PDK4 expression showing a significantly positive correlation. Conclusions PDK4 expression in prostate cancer is associated with tumor invasion and castration status. Further validation is needed to demonstrate its effectiveness as a therapeutic target.

The use of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) has yielded successful outcomes in late adolescence and early adulthood, particularly in correcting transverse maxillary discrepancies and enhancing airway expansion. This report presents three cases of children at different dentition stages treated with MARPE. In one patient with severe crowding, MARPE enabled dental alignment without the need for premolar extractions. Additionally, MARPE combined with facemask therapy improved the patient’s facial profile, resulting in high patient and guardian satisfaction. These cases highlight MARPE’s potential as an effective treatment for maxillary discrepancies and severe arch length discrepancies in children.

The use of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) has yielded successful outcomes in late adolescence and early adulthood, particularly in correcting transverse maxillary discrepancies and enhancing airway expansion. This report presents three cases of children at different dentition stages treated with MARPE. In one patient with severe crowding, MARPE enabled dental alignment without the need for premolar extractions. Additionally, MARPE combined with facemask therapy improved the patient’s facial profile, resulting in high patient and guardian satisfaction. These cases highlight MARPE’s potential as an effective treatment for maxillary discrepancies and severe arch length discrepancies in children.

Background: It is well known that a large number of patients with diabetes also have dyslipidemia, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination drugs consisting of metformin and atorvastatin, widely used as therapeutic agents for diabetes and dyslipidemia. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group and phase III multicenter study included adults with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels >7.0% and <10.0%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >100 and <250 mg/dL. One hundred eighty-five eligible subjects were randomized to the combination group (metformin+atorvastatin), metformin group (metformin+atorvastatin placebo), and atorvastatin group (atorvastatin+metformin placebo). The primary efficacy endpoints were the percent changes in HbA1c and LDL-C levels from baseline at the end of the treatment. Results: After 16 weeks of treatment compared to baseline, HbA1c showed a significant difference of 0.94% compared to the atorvastatin group in the combination group (0.35% vs. −0.58%, respectively; P<0.0001), whereas the proportion of patients with increased HbA1c was also 62% and 15%, respectively, showing a significant difference (P<0.001). The combination group also showed a significant decrease in LDL-C levels compared to the metformin group (−55.20% vs. −7.69%, P<0.001) without previously unknown adverse drug events. Conclusion The addition of atorvastatin to metformin improved HbA1c and LDL-C levels to a significant extent compared to metformin or atorvastatin alone in diabetes and dyslipidemia patients. This study also suggested metformin’s preventive effect on the glucose-elevating potential of atorvastatin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, insufficiently controlled with exercise and diet. Metformin and atorvastatin combination might be an effective treatment in reducing the CVD risk in patients with both diabetes and dyslipidemia because of its lowering effect on LDL-C and glucose.

This research aimed to evaluate the outcomes of autotransplantation in both children and adolescents, with a focus on root growth, and determine the clinical and radiographic factors associated with the success rate. In this study, 73 teeth, autogenously transplanted in 63 patients, were examined over an observation period of 3.2 years on average. The mean age at the time of autotransplantation was 11.9 years. Based on the radiographic criteria, the success rate was 73.97% and the survival rate was 100%. Based on the radiographic criteria, the success rate was 73.97%, and the survival rate was 100%. A significant increase in root length was observed in the transplanted teeth with an open apex. An association was found between the success rate and use of bone graft and surgeon experience. In conclusion, greater clinical experience in autotransplantation (> 36 cases) and prohibiting the use of bone grafts may improve the prognosis of the transplanted teeth in children and adolescents.

Impaction of the tooth can cause functional and esthetic problems, so early intervention is critical. This report describes two cases of orthodontic traction of impacted mandibular canine and mandibular premolar teeth using a modified mandibular lingual arch soldered with traction hooks rather than a conventional orthodontic appliance. By planning the position and shape of the traction hooks with consideration for the three-dimensional position and angulation of the impacted teeth, clinicians can apply the intended direction and magnitude of traction force. Furthermore, this appliance can be used for multiple impacted teeth in various locations within the mandibular arch by modifying the position and shape of the traction hooks.

In clinical pediatric dentistry, a base material with optical properties, including transparency, that can mask the color of the material used for root canal-filling is preferred. This study aimed to examine the optical properties of various base materials by thickness. The disk-shaped specimens were photopolymerized and fabricated using Ionosit (IN), TheraCal LC (TL), TheraCal PT (PT), and A2 shade of FiltekTM Supreme Flowable Restorative (FZ), Fuji II LC (FL), and KetacTM Fil (KF) with 1 and 2 mm thickness. The color parameters of these specimens were measured using a spectrophotometer on a black and white background and were measured using the same method on a mold containing Vitapex® and gutta-percha. The translucency parameter (TP) and color difference were calculated for each group. The Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni tests were used in the statistical analyses. The TP decreased when the thickness was 2 mm compared with 1 mm. The TP values of TL and PT were the lowest at all thicknesses. The TP values of 2 mm thickness in all molds filled with Vitapex® and gutta-percha were the lowest for TL, PT, KF, and IN. In TL and PT, the color difference before and after the application of the canal-filling material was the smallest, regardless of material thickness. Within the limits of this in vitro study, TL, PT, KF, and IN demonstrated better masking of the color of canal-filling material.

This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of molar root-incisor malformation (MRIM) and provide clinical considerations for treatments. Panoramic radiographs and electronic medical records of 64 patients with MRIM were retrospectively reviewed. Age, gender, follow-up period, medical history, complications, distribution of MRIM teeth, treatment, and prognosis were analyzed. Females were affected 1.56 times more than males, and the average age was 8.2 years. Dental complications, including periapical lesions, abscesses, and alveolar bone loss, were observed in 71.9%, and eruption disturbance of adjacent teeth was noticed in 37.5%. Most patients had medical histories in the first year of life. The most prevalent history was prematurity or low birthweight, followed by neurological conditions, surgeries, medications, and infections. All patients had MRIM on permanent first molars. The primary second molars were the second most frequently involved, followed by maxillary permanent central incisors and primary first molars. The prevalence was low on permanent lateral incisors and canines. Extraction was the most prevalent treatment done on MRIM-affected teeth, and most extraction sockets were managed by the eruption of permanent second molars. Few cases received endodontic treatment but with low success rates. Early detection of MRIM and prompt, appropriate treatment are important to avoid unnecessary discomfort from complications.

This study aimed to evaluate the differences in optical properties, such as color and translucency, between single-shade composite resins (Omnichroma) and multi-shade composite resins (Filtek Z350XT). Furthermore, the study assessed the influence of the surrounding structure’s shades on the shade matching of Omnichroma. Two types of disc-shaped specimens were prepared: Single specimen (diameter, 8.0 mm; thickness, 1.0 and 2.0 mm), consisting of either Omnichroma or Filtek Z350XT in the A1B, A2B, and A3B shades, and dual specimen (diameter, 8.0 mm; thickness, 2.0 mm), featuring a bottom layer (diameter, 8.0 mm; thickness, 1.0 mm) of Filtek Z350XT in the A1B, A2B, and A3B shades, and a top layer (diameter, 8.0 mm; thickness, 1.0 mm) filled with Omnichroma. Commission Internationale d’Eclairage L*a*b* color measurements and calculations for color differences (ΔE*ab) and translucency parameters (TP) of each specimen were performed. Omnichroma exhibited a lighter, more greenish, and blueish color compared to the Filtek Z350XT in A1B, A2B, and A3B shades. With increased thickness, Omnichroma became more yellowish, whereas Filtek Z350XT became less yellowish. Additionally, when Omnichroma was applied over Filtek Z350XT in dual specimens, the yellowness increased further beyond Omnichroma’s original yellowness level. Consequently, Omnichroma achieved clinically acceptable shade matching, especially in the A3 shade, because it aligns well with the original high yellowness of the A3 shade. Additionally, Omnichroma’s superior shade-matching ability was attributed to its higher translucency compared to Filtek Z350XT. Therefore, Omnichroma might be considered useful in pediatric dentistry by simplifying the shade selection process.