More and more attention has been paid to the early treatment of malocclusion, especially the early treatment of class Ⅲ malocclusion. Class Ⅲ malocclusion not only affects maxillofacial growth and development, occlusal function and facial beauty, but also leads to serious physical and mental problems. Focusing on class Ⅲ malocclusion, the definition, classification, etiological mechanism, craniofacial growth and development rule, and the influence of early treatment on craniofacial growth and development were reviewed. In class Ⅲ patients, the craniofacial growth and development should be evaluated and analyzed when the early intervention carried out. The purpose of treatment of class Ⅲ malocclusion is achieved by using the appliance to affect the craniomaxillofacial growth.

Objective:To compare the effects of expansion screw with maxillary protractor and clear aligners combined with maxillary protractor on the maxilla and maxillary dentition of mixed dentition patients with class Ⅲ skeletal malocclusion using finite element analysis, further providing clinical guidance for clear aligner treatment.Methods:A finite element model was established based on maxillofacial cone-beam CT data of a 10-year-old boy with mixed dentition, class Ⅲ skeletal malocclusion, who visited Department of Orthodontics, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University in January, 2024. The expander with protractor group (group A) and the clear aligners with protractor group (group B) were divided. The arch was extended by 0.25 mm in both groups, and the forward pull force was 2.94 N (working condition 1) and 4.90 N (working condition 2), respectively. The initial displacement trend of maxilla and maxillary dentition in two groups under two working conditions were evaluated.Results:Under two working conditions, the maxilla of both groups showed clockwise rotation and labial inclination. The labial inclination of maxilla was more significant in clear aligners with protractor group, about 2.2-3.0 times that of expander with protractor group under the same working condition. Maxillary dentition showed mesial and buccal displacement, with anterior teeth extrusion and posterior teeth intrusion in two groups under two working conditions. Under the working condition 1 and 2, the labial displacement of central incisor of clear aligners with protractor group (-0.065, -0.089 mm) were greater than that in expander with protractor group (-0.024, -0.024 mm). Under two working conditions, the posterior teeth of expander with protractor group moved close to the buccal bodily direction, while those of clear aligners with protractor group moved tilted towards the buccal direction in the horizontal direction. The forward displacement trend of maxilla and maxillary dentition in clear aligners with protractor group was more obvious than expander with protractor group with the increase of the forward pull force. Under two working conditions, the anterior teeth’ s hydrostatic stress of periodontal membrane and the equivalent stress of alveolar bone in clear aligners with protractor group were higher than those in expander with protractor group, mainly concentrated on the labial cervical region of the incisor.Conclusions:Clear aligners combined with maxillary protractor can produce forward force on the maxilla, but labial inclination occurs in the anterior teeth. It can be an effective orthopedic treatment strategy for mixed dentition patients with class Ⅲ skeletal malocclusion.

Objective:To investigate the expression and correlation of C-reactive protein(CRP)with IL-18,IL-37 in gingival crevic-ular fluid(GCF)after invisible orthodontics treatment and fixed orthodontics treatment respectively.Methods:10 patients with invisible orthodontic treatment were included in the study group,and 12 patients with fixed orthodontic treatment were included in the control group.The expression levels of IL-18,IL-37 and CRP in GCF before,24 h,1 and 3 months after orthodontic treatment were detected by ELISA.Results:Before orthodontic treatment,there was no significant difference in the expression levels of IL-18,IL-37 and CRP in GCF between the 2 groups(P＞0.05).The expression levels of IL-18,IL-37 and CRP in GCF increased at 24 h after treatment,and those in the study group were higher than in the control group(P＜0.05).After 1 month of treatment,those in the study group were low-er than in the control group(P＜0.05).After 3 months of treatment,the expression levels of the factors were not statistically different between the 2 groups(P＞0.05).The leves of CRP,IL-18 and IL-37 in GCF were positivelly correlated in both groups(P＜0.001).Conclusion:The levels of IL-18,IL-37 and CRP in GFC in the subjects treated with invisible correction are increased due to high stress stimulation in a period of 24 hours,suggesting that the effect on the periodontal tissue by the invisible correction may be greater than that by the fixed correction.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of combining carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) with serum Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in patients with psoriasis complicated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods Thirty-eight patients with psoriasis complicated with CVD were included in CVD group, 51 patients with psoriasis alone were included in psoriasis group, and 60 healthy subjects were selected as control group. Clinical data were collected from each group. The cIMT was measured using carotid ultrasound, and serum Gal-3, PTX3, and inflammatory markers[high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)]were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors of CVD in patients with psoriasis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum Gal-3, PTX3, and cIMT for CVD. Results The cIMT was greater in the CVD group and the psoriasis group than in the control group, and the CVD group was greater than the psoriasis group (P < 0.05). The serum levels of Gal-3, PTX3, hs-CRP, PCT, and TNF-α were higher in the CVD group and the psoriasis group than in the control group, and their levels were higher in the CVD group than in the psoriasis group (P < 0.05). The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score was higher in the CVD group than in the psoriasis group (P < 0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that cIMT, Gal-3, and PTX3 were separately positively correlated with hs-CRP, PCT, and TNF-α (P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that PASI score, cIMT, Gal-3, PTX3, hs-CRP, and TNF-α were independent influencing factors for CVD in patients with psoriasis (OR=1.250, 1.451, 1.432, 1.365, 1.413, 1.465; P < 0.05). The diagnostic model based on cIMT combined with serum Gal-3 and PTX3 had higher diagnostic value for CVD in patients with psoriasis than single diagnosis. The area under the curve was 0.922, with sensitivity and specificity of 0.91 and 0.85, respectively. Conclusion The cIMT, serum Gal-3, and serum PTX3 are independent influencing factors for CVD in patients with psoriasis. The combination of the three indicators has higher diagnostic value for CVD in patients with psoriasis.

Objective:Based on the high-throughput detection technique of multiplex PCR combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, constructing the characteristic SNP profiles of different strains, and establishing a rapid, accurate and highly sensitive method for the diagnosis of bloodstream infection pathogens.Methods:Seven kinds of pathogens such as common Escherichia coli were selected as target. The multiple PCR reaction conditions was optimized, and the characteristic peaks of each target bacteria were detected by MALDI-TOF MS to establish the joint detect system. Common primer pairs and central homo-sequence primer pairs were designed to analyse the formation of primer dimer. Using simulated bacterial infection blood samples with detection system to determine specificity and sensitivity. One hundred and fifty blood samples from suspected bacteremia patients were collected from June to September 2020 in a hospital in Beijing, and the identification results were compared to traditional identification method of clinical application that are using χ 2 test. Results:The cycle threshold (Ct) value of the central homo-sequence primers that were designed were more than 38, with a delay of 6-10 cycles. The joint mass spectrometry detection system could detect seven kinds of bacteria divided into two groups at the same time. The target bacteria can be detected specific product of the peak, and the clinical strains other than the target strains only had primer peaks. All maps had non-specific miscellaneous peaks. The sensitivity of Escherichia coli could reach 50 CFU/ml, and the detection limit of other bacteria was 100 CFU/ml. The detection results of 150 patients showed that 46 cases were positive by traditional method. The positive rate was 30.67% (46/150), including two cases of mixed infection. Forty-eight cases were positive by mass spectrometry, and the positive rate was 32.0% (48/150), including three cases of mixed infections. The negative coincidence rate was 100% (101/101). The comparison of the two methods showed that the P=0.625>0.01, the Kappa=0.938, the sensitivity and specificity was 97.82%(45/46) and 97.11%(101/104), respectively. There was no significant difference between the two methods, and the results of nucleic acid mass spectrometry could also be used in clinic. Conclusions:The established detection system can not only quickly and accurately detect seven common pathogens causing bloodstream infection, and effectively shorten the time needed for traditional culture and identification, but also can detect multiple bacterial mixed infections at the same time to make up for the possibility of missed detection. Besides, the method can also be used to identify other bacteria.

Objective To understand the gender selection and prognosis of children with 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) after surgery,and to provide reference for future clinical decision-making.Methods Data of 85 (80 males and 5 females) postoperative patients with 46,XY DSD with follow-up age of 6(4,11) years who were treated at the Department of Endocrinology,Genetics and Metabolism of Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University during the period from September 2009 to April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were grouped based on diagnosis.The basis of postoperative gender selection,patient satisfaction and related factors,gender characteristics,and adolescent development were analyzed.The Pre-school Activities Inventory or the Children's Sex Role Inventory were used in the analysis of gender tendency.Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare postoperative gender satisfaction of different factors.The Kruskal-Wallis method was used to compare the postoperative gender satisfaction of each group.Fisher's test was used to compare the follow-up status of male children over 11 years old in each group.Results Among the 85 patients,62 individuals were raised as girls after birth,9 were facultative and 14 as boys.According to the diagnosis,there were 31 individuals in group 1 (with 5α-reductase deficiency),11 individuals in group 2 (with androgen insensitivity syndrome),9 individuals in group 3 (with NR5A1 gene mutation),4 individuals in group 4 (with hypergonadotropic gonadal dysplasia),and 30 indiviudals in group 5 (with unclear diagnosis and normal human choionic gonadotophin test).Among the 71 children who were raised as girls or facultative children after birth,66 selected as boys,and 5 continued as girls (among them,3 individuals were female with passive selection,and 2 individuals of testicular dysplasia with uterus in group 4 and 5 were female with active selection).Among the 71 patients faced with gender selection,only one was unsatisfied,that was a postoperative female.There was no significant difference in postoperative gender satisfaction among different disease diagnoses,surgical age and penis length (x2(H)=6.007,P=0.199;Z=-0.860,P=0.390;Z=-0.438,P=0.661).Fifty-nine of the 85 cases completed the gender tendency scale test and 46 cases (78％) were consistent.In the male patients,45 cases were consistent.Thirteen inconsistent patients (22％) were female or facultative after birth who were 5 years old or older.There was no stigmatization noticed in the inconsistent patients' daily life and school social settings.There were 22 male patients aged 11 years and older.They were 13(12,16) years old.Fourteen (64％) individuals' penile length reached the normal minimum,15 (68％) individuals' testicular volume were equal or more than 4 ml,16 (73％) individuals' sex hormones entered puberty levels,12 (55％) individuals had been spermatorrhea,the age of first spermatorrhea was (13.3±2.4) years.They were satisfied and adaptable after surgery.There was no significant difference in the above indicators among the groups (x2 =2.999,P=0.694;x2 =7.278,P=0.086;x2 =5.597,P=0.358;x2 =6.904,P=0.127).Conclusions The appropriate gender of 46,XY DSD patients was selected according to gonadal status after diagnosis.Regardless the diagnosis,the age of operation and the length of the penis at the first diagnosis,male patients were satisfied with the gender after the operation.A few of patients were inconsistent with the results of gender tendency scale test who were raised as girls or facultative children after birth,and they required sustained special attention.Some of the children showed natural adolescent development in males,and the prognosis may be ideal.

Objective To shorten the turn around time of positive blood culture results by optimizing the blood culture positive specimen processing flow.Methods In January 26,2015,the microbiology department started the blood culture positive specimen processing flow optimization project,and applied the Lean Six Sigma method in the microbiological process management.The TAT data of 124 positive blood cultures containing Enterobacteriaceae were collected before and after the start of the project in about two months.We analyzed the turnaround time median,mean and standard deviation and reference Z value,process performance index,millions of error opportunities.We decompose the turnaround time into six time periods to find the key points of the process improvement and the influencing factors,and then put forward the reform measures to optimize the blood culture inspection process.MiniTab17.0 statistical software was used to process capability analysis and double sample t test.Results After the implementation of the project,the average turnaround time of the blood culture was shortened from 77.10 h to 64.03 h,improved by 13.06 h(16.94％).Process performance greatly improved in Ppk value increased from 0.49 to 0.88,the benchmark Z value increased from 1.48 to 2.63.After the improvement,except the positive alarm time of blood culture,the mean of the other decomposition time was significantly shorter than before.Conclusions The application of Six Sigma in process management can greatly improve the work efficiency and process performance.This project can save a lot of manpower,material and financial resources,reduce the waiting,shorten turnaround time,that achieve the desired results.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between normal serum uric acid (SUA) levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among postmenopausal women, and determine the possible risk factors of NAFLD in this patient population.

METHODSChinese postmenopausal women who participated in the annual health check-up program from March 2009 to February 2010 were retrospectively assessed to identify individuals with SUA within normal range for study inclusion. For the total 1425 study participants, the recorded data of anthropometric parameters, metabolic factors, and serum biochemical parameters were collected. Results from abdominal ultrasonography examination were used to group participants according to presence of fatty liver. Women with fatty liver were divided into NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups. Further sub-grouping was performed according to SUA quartiles, as follows: Q1 group: less than 226.1 mumol/L); Q2 group: 226.1 mumol/L less than or equal to SUA less than 267.8 mumol/L; Q3 group: 267.8 mumol/Lless than or equal to SUA less than 303.5 mumol/L); Q4 group: 303.5 mumol/Lless than or equal toSUAless than or equal to357.0 mumol/L. The independent-sample t-test was used to compare normally distributed variables between groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze variables with skewed distribution. Categorical variables were examined by the R * C x2 test. Binary logistic analysis was used to determine the risk factors for fatty liver and to adjust for possible confounders. The multiple non-parameter independent-sample test (Kruskal-Wallis test) was used to compare the differences of SUA levels among NAFLD groups with different disease severity.

RESULTSThe prevalence of NAFLD among Chinese postmenopausal women with normal SUA was 32.8%, with NAFLD prevalences of 20.4% (70/343) in women with Q1 SUA, 26.3% (104/395) with Q2 SUA, 35.2% (128/364) with Q3 SUA, and 51.4% (166/323) with Q4 SUA. The prevalence of fatty liver showed a significant increasing trend according to the SUA quartile (x2 = 76.470, P-trend less than 0.01). Women in the SUA Q3 and Q4 groups had significantly higher risk of fatty liver presence than women in the Q1 group (P less than 0.01 for both, with or without adjustment of confounders). Disease severity did not appear to be related to disease severity, as the SUA levels in women with mild, moderate or severe fatty liver were not significantly different (286.8+/-48.2 mumol/L vs. 277.9+/-53.0 mumol/L vs. 281.4+/-48.2 mumol/L, respectively; x2 = 3.025, P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUA levels were independently correlated with NAFLD in Chinese postmenopausal women. SUA levels in the higher quartiles of the normal range may be an independent risk factor of NAFLD.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; blood ; diagnosis ; Postmenopause ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Uric Acid ; blood

Objective To detect the main virulence genes and biofilm formation of Enterococci strains isolated from blood samples .Methods Twenty-eight strains of Enterococcus faecalis ( E.faecalis) and 54 strains of Enterococcus faecium ( E.faecium) were collected from blood samples .Five main virulence genes (asa1, esp, hyl, cylA and gelE) were detected by multiplex PCR.Biofilm formation was investigated by using microtiter dish biofilm formation assay .Results All E.faecalis strains were positive for at least one kind of virulence genes , of which 14 strains were concurrently positive for asa1, esp, cylA and gelE.asa1, cylA and gelE were only detected in E.faecalis strains, while hyl gene only existed in E.faecium strains. Twenty-seven strains of E.faecium were esp positive, of which 12 strains were both hyl and esp positive. None of the 5 virulence genes were identified in 10 strains of E.faecium.85.7% of E.faecalis strains and 63.0%of E.faecium strains could form biofilm.Conclusion Compared with E.faecium strains, more types of virulence genes were detected in E.faecalis strains with higher positive rates .Moreover , E.faecalis strains were more likely to form biofilms than E.faecium strains.

BACKGROUND:Preliminary experiments have demonstrated that rat liver homogenate supernatants can induce the morphological changes of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. However, little is known about whether the induced cells have some phenotypic and functional features of hepatocytes.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells have some phenotypic and functional characteristic of hepatocytes after being induced by liver homogenate supernatants.
METHODS:Passage 3 human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were used and divided into control group (cells were cultured in basic culture medium) and liver homogenate supernatant group (cells were cultured in liver homogenate supernatants for 3, 5, 7 days). Meanwhile, positive control group (QSG-7701 human liver celllines) and negative control group (simple liver homogenate supernatants) were set up. The protein and mRNA level of hepatocyte markers, alpha-fetoprotein, cytokeratin 18 and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase enzyme, were detected at different time points.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After inducement, the stem cells of fusiform shape began to lose their sharp edges and progressively shrunk, and then they changed into hepatocyte-like cells with the morphous of triangle, polygon and anomalism shape. Compared with the control group, the protein and mRNA level of alpha-fetoprotein, cytokeratin 18 and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase enzyme significantly increased time dependently after inducement with liver homogenate supernatants (P<0.01). This study demonstrated that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells are able to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro that possess some functions of liver cells.