An in-vivo study on the effect of head orientation in the measurement of anthropometric points in stereophotogrammetry.

Background: It is well known that in bidimensional photography the orientation of the head is fundamental to obtain a correct reproduction of the subject. Even minimal errors in yaw, roll and pitch of the head can be cause of unreliability of the photography itself. This is not the case in three-dimensional photography in which head positioning may have no influence on the reliability of the results since on the computer the 3D reconstruction of the face can be oriented as desired, allowing any small errors to be corrected.

Salivary biomarkers for diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction: A systematic review.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) accounts for about 7 million deaths per year worldwide. The early identification of signs and symptoms and the detection of specific serological markers of this disease are mandatory to reach a prompt diagnosis and begin potentially life-saving treatment. Point-of-care technologies applied to salivary diagnostics can provide rapid, simple, low-cost, and accurate measurements of specific markers and can also be used in emergency settings.

Biological Role and Clinical Implications of microRNAs in BRCA Mutation Carriers.

Women with pathogenic germline mutations in and genes have an increased risk to develop breast and ovarian cancer. There is, however, a high interpersonal variability in the modality and timing of tumor onset in those subjects, thus suggesting a potential role of other individual's genetic, epigenetic, and environmental risk factors in modulating the penetrance of BRCA mutations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that can modulate the expression of several genes involved in cancer initiation and progression.

Salivary Cytokines as Biomarkers for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review.

The prognosis of patients with oral squamous carcinoma (OSCC) largely depends on the stage at diagnosis, the 5-year survival rate being approximately 30% for advanced tumors. Early diagnosis, including the detection of lesions at risk for malignant transformation, is crucial for limiting the need for extensive surgery and for improving disease-free survival. Saliva has gained popularity as a readily available source of biomarkers (including cytokines) useful for diagnosing specific oral and systemic conditions.

Are the Reasons Why Patients Are Referred for an Orthodontic Visit Correct?

Who does refer patients for an orthodontic consultation? Which are the main reasons for the referral? Does the visit of the orthodontic specialist confirm these reasons or reveal undiagnosed problems? Is there the risk that only evident dental problems are addressed, while craniofacial malformations remain underdiagnosed? This cross-sectional epidemiologic study aims to answer these questions, analysing the clinical data collected during the orthodontic visits of 500 Caucasian young patients referred to a public health structure of northern Italy. All patients were visited by the same expert specialist in orthodontics. Clinical data were collected, analysing both dental and skeletal features.

Does Head Orientation Influence 3D Facial Imaging? A Study on Accuracy and Precision of Stereophotogrammetric Acquisition.

This study investigates the reliability and precision of anthropometric measurements collected from 3D images and acquired under different conditions of head rotation. Various sources of error were examined, and the equivalence between craniofacial data generated from alternative head positions was assessed. 3D captures of a mannequin head were obtained with a stereophotogrammetric system (Face Shape 3D MaxiLine).

Evaluation of masticatory function in patients with cleft lip and/or palate.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the masticatory pattern in children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) through investigation of the prevalence of reverse sequencing chewing cycles. The study group included 18 patients with CL/P (mean age: 7.4 yr, SD: 1.

Recent Biomarkers for Monitoring the Systemic Fluoride Levels in Exposed Populations: A Systematic Review.

Fluorides are compounds that can be found in the minerals of soil with volcanic rocks. Different populations are exposed to high levels of fluorides through drinking water that, due to their chronic intake, cause several types of damage to health. Nails and hair, denominated as recent biomarkers, have been employed for monitoring systemic fluoride from long-term exposure to fluorides.

ENAM Gene Variation in Students Exposed to Different Fluoride Concentrations.

Unlabelled: The ENAM gene is important in the formation of tooth enamel; an alteration can affect the lengthening of the crystals, and the thickness in enamel. The objective was to determine the presence of the single nucleotide variant (SNV) rs12640848 of the ENAM gene in students exposed to different concentrations of fluoride.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on students exposed to high concentrations of fluoride in the city of Durango which were divided according to the severity of fluorosis and dental caries.

Salivary MicroRNA for Diagnosis of Cancer and Systemic Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Unlabelled: Background: The aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been associated with several diseases, including cancer, inflammatory, and autoimmune conditions. Interest in salivary miRNAs as non-invasive tools for the diagnosis of malignancies and systemic diseases is rapidly increasing. The present systematic review was developed for answering the question: "Are salivary microRNAs reliable biomarkers for diagnosis of cancer and systemic diseases?"

Methods: The application of inclusion and exclusion criteria led to the selection of 11 papers.

Three-dimensional evaluation of facial asymmetry in patients with hemifacial microsomia using stereophotogrammetry.

Purpose: To quantify the surface facial asymmetry in a group of young patients with hemifacial microsomia (HFM) and to investigate differences with a homogeneous sample of healthy subjects, using a novel stereophotogrammetric method.

Materials And Methods: Twelve patients (mean age 13.1 ± 3.

Orthodontics and Moebius syndrome: an observational study.

Background: Moebius syndrome is a rare condition characterized by bilateral facial and abducens nerve paralysis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the main orthodontic features and the frequency of associated clinical characteristics in patients with Moebius syndrome (MS).

Methods: According to Terzis classifications, 58 patients with MS aged 8 months to 46 years old underwent orthodontics and clinical examination.

Early Orthopaedic Treatment of Hemifacial Microsomia.

The aim of this paper is to report treatment effects of functional therapy in a growing patient affected by hemifacial microsomia (HM). According to Kaban's classification, the patient was classified as grade IIa as she presented all mandibular and temporomandibular joint components and a normal shaped, hypoplastic mandible. The therapeutic approach included the use of an asymmetrical functional activator (AFA) to stimulate the growth of the affected side and consequently to improve symmetry of the mandible and maxillary deficiency.

Dentoalveolar Effects of Early Orthodontic Treatment in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate.

No agreement exists on the most appropriate timing of orthodontic treatment in patients with cleft lip and palate. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of early orthodontic treatment on development of the dental arches and alveolar bone.A dental casts analysis was performed on 28 children with cleft lip and palate before orthodontic treatment (T0; mean age, 6.

Combined photographic and ultrasonographic measurement of the ANB angle: a pilot study.

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of noninvasive measurement of the ANB angle using photographic and ultrasonographic methods.

Methods: Twenty consecutive orthodontic patients were evaluated. The ANB angle and soft tissue thickness covering the N, A, and B cephalometric points were measured by lateral teleradiography; these measurements were made by two expert operators.

Functional Treatment of a Child with Extracapsular Mandibular Fracture.

Condylar fractures are among the most frequent fractures in the context of traumatic lesions of the face. The management of condylar fractures is still controversial, especially when fractures occur in children: if overlooked or inappropriately treated, these lesions may lead to severe sequelae, both cosmetic and functional. The therapy must be careful because severe long-term complications can occur.

Asymmetric Expansion with a Modified Quad Helix for Treatment of Isolated Crossbite.

Unilateral posterior crossbite often involves only one tooth, especially upper first molar; in these cases it is never easy to obtain an asymmetrical movement of a molar and a proper planning of the orthodontic device with its anchorage is necessary to avoid arch overexpansion. Thanks to its simplicity and efficacy, the modified Quad Helix here described represents a valid therapeutic tool in cases of isolated posterior crossbite.

Pre- and Postsurgical Orthodontics in Patients with Moebius Syndrome.

The authors report a combined orthodontic-surgical correction of an adult patient's malocclusion affected by Moebius Syndrome (MS). The treatment was conducted at the Dentistry Unit and the Maxillofacial Surgery Unit of the University Hospital of Parma. Treatment of malocclusion was performed after the correction of facial mimic mobility with smile surgery.