Neutrophils are involved in early bone formation during midpalatal expansion.

Objective: Midpalatal expansion (MPE) is routinely employed to treat transverse maxillary arch deficiency. Neutrophils are indispensable for recruiting bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) at the initial stage of bone regeneration. This study aimed to explore whether neutrophils participate in MPE and how they function during bone formation under mechanical stretching.

Matrix mechanics regulate the polarization state of bone marrow-derived neutrophils through the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Matrix mechanics regulate essential cell behaviors through mechanotransduction, and as one of its most important elements, substrate stiffness was reported to regulate cell functions such as viability, communication, migration, and differentiation. Neutrophils (Neus) predominate the early inflammatory response and initiate regeneration. The activation of Neus can be regulated by physical cues; however, the functional alterations of Neus by substrate stiffness remain unknown, which is critical in determining the outcomes of engineered tissue mimics.

[Protective effect and immune mechanism of berberine on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats].

To investigate the protective effect and immune mechanism of berberine on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham), model group (Model), berberine low dose groups (BBR-L, 25 mg/kg), berberine medium dose groups (BBR-M, 50 mg/kg) and berberine high dose groups (BBR-H, 100 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Longa suture method was used to establish a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, after 2 hours of ischemia, reperfusion for 24 hours.

A cone-beam computed tomographic study evaluating the efficacy of incisor movement with clear aligners: Assessment of incisor pure tipping, controlled tipping, translation, and torque.

Introduction: This retrospective clinical study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different types of incisor movements with clear aligners in the sagittal plane.

Methods: Pretreatment and posttreatment cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were collected from 69 patients who underwent nonextraction treatment with clear aligners (Invisalign; Align Technology, San Jose, Calif). Integrated 3-dimensional models of the virtual incisor position (ClinCheck; Align Technology) and the posttreatment incisor position (from posttreatment CBCT scans) were superimposed over the pretreatment position (from pretreatment CBCT scans) using Mimics software (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium).

How well do integrated 3D models predict alveolar defects after treatment with clear aligners?

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of integrated models (IMs) constructed by pretreatment cone-beam computed tomography (pre-CBCT) in diagnosing alveolar defects after treatment with clear aligners.

Materials And Methods: Pre-CBCT and posttreatment cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans from 69 patients who completed nonextraction treatment with clear aligners were collected. The IMs comprised anterior teeth in predicted positions and alveolar bone from pre-CBCT scans.

Clear aligners for maxillary anterior en masse retraction: a 3D finite element study.

To evaluate tooth behaviours under various maxillary incisor retraction protocols for clear aligner therapy. A three-dimensional finite element model of maxillary dentition was constructed for first premolar extraction. A loading method was developed to mimic the mode of action of clear aligners for incisor en masse retraction.

Tension-loaded bone marrow stromal cells potentiate the paracrine osteogenic signaling of co-cultured vascular endothelial cells.

Co-culture of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and vascular endothelial cells (VECs) is a promising strategy for better osteogenesis and pre-vascularization in bone tissue engineering. Recent reports have shown that mechanical stretching further promotes osteogenesis in BMSC/VEC co-culture systems, but the underlying mechanism of this process remains unclear. In this study, noncontact co-cultures of rat primary BMSCs and VECs were employed to interrogate paracrine cell-to-cell communications in response to tension.

[The impact of personality traits on adolescents' adaptation and compliance to clear retainers].

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adolescents' adaptation and compliance to clear retainers, and to investigate their associations with personality traits.

Methods: Fifty adolescents at the end of fixed orthodontic treatment were consecutively recruited. After debonding the fixed orthodontic appliances, clear retainers were used.

[Clinical effect of premolar extraction with high torque self-locking appliances].

Purpose: To analyze the clinical effect of extraction correction of patients with maxillary protrusion by using Damon high torque appliances.

Methods: Forty patients with extraction of four first premolars due to orthodontic treatment were selected. They had protrusion of maxilla and were randomly divided into two groups.

[Effect of Serum Uric Acid on Renal Function of Patients with Abnormal Glucose Metabolism].

Objective: To determine the effect of serum uric acid on renal function of patients with abnormal glucose metabolism.

Methods: A total of 1 495 people who took physical examinations in West China Hospital of Sichuan University in May 2014 were recruited in this study. Serum nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (SCr), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and uric acid (SUA) of the participants were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer.

[The Association Between Serum Uric Acid and Creatinine in Patients with Hypothyroidism].

Objective: To determine the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and creatinine (SCr) in patients with hypothyroidism.

Methods: A total of 2 078 people who took physical examinations in the West China Hospital, Sichuan University in May 2014 participated in this study. Serum thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) were detected by electrochemiluminescence.

[A clinical evaluation on the stability of orthodontic mini-implants using resonance frequency analysis].

Purpose: To evaluate the stability of mini-implant by resonance frequency analysis and to determine the optimal loading timing of orthodontic force.

Methods: Fourteen orthodontic patients who had upper first premolars extraction and needed mini-implants to reinforce the anchorage were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups: delay-loading group and selective-loading group.

[Osteoclasts and early bone remodeling after orthodontic micro-implant placement].

Purpose: To observe the incidence of osteoclasts during early bone remodeling after orthodontic micro-implant placement.

Methods: Twenty New Zealand rabbits were randomly allotted into 4 groups. One micro-implant was implanted proximal to the epiphyseal plate of the tibia.

Effects of lithium on extraction socket healing in rats assessed with micro-computed tomography.

Objective: Lithium is an activator of β-catenin signaling and β-catenin plays an important role in regulating bone formation and remodeling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lithium on bone repair in tooth extraction sockets in rats.

Material And Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats were subjected to maxillary left second molar extraction.

[Centrographic analysis in Shanghai adults with normal occlusion].

Purpose: To obtain the reference value of centrographic analysis of Shanghai adults with normal occlusion.

Methods: Seventy five subjects of Han nationality at permanent dentition with normal occlusion were selected from Shanghai region (34 males, 41 females, age rang:18-21 years). Centrographic analysis was conducted on the basis of the lateral cephalograms, and the obtained data was compared with that of Caucasian.

[Correlation of CpG methylation status of Runx3 with pathogenesis of gastric carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the role of Runx3 gene CpG island methylation in the development of human gastric carcinoma.

Methods: A total of 150 tumor specimens from patients with gastric carcinoma and 50 normal tissue specimens were selected. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) and pyrosequencing (PS) were used to detect the methylation status of Runx3 gene promoter.

Effects of tensile forces on serum deprivation-induced osteoblast apoptosis: expression analysis of caspases, Bcl-2, and Bax.

Background: Apoptosis is involved in the adaptive responses of bone to mechanical loading. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tensile forces on osteoblast apoptosis and the related mechanism by analyzing the expression of caspases, Bcl-2, and Bax.

Methods: Primary osteoblasts were harvested from neonatal rat calvaria and were subjected to cyclic tensile forces for 72 hours using Flexcell 4000 strain unit in Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) or with serum deprivation.

STGC3 inhibits xenograft tumor growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by altering the expression of proteins associated with apoptosis.

STGC3 is a potential tumor suppressor that inhibits the growth of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2; the expression of this protein is reduced in nasopharyngeal carcinoma compared with normal nasopharyngeal tissue. In this study, we investigated the tumor-suppressing activity of STGC3 in nude mice injected subcutaneously with Tet/pTRE-STGC3/CNE2 cells. STGC3 expression was induced by the intraperitoneal injection of doxycycline (Dox).

[Clinical evaluation of lingual fixed retainer combined with Hawley retainer and vacuum-formed retainer].

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs) and lingual fixed retainers combined with Hawley retainers (combined retainers, CRs).

Methods: Forty five patients immediately after orthodontic treatment were randomly allocated to either VFRs (n=25) or CRs (n=20) groups. Overbite, overjet and calculus index scores (CIS) were recorded at pretreatment (T0), debonding (T1), 6 months (T2) and 12 months (T3) after maintenance.

[Proliferative responses of osteoblasts in expanding pre-maxillary suture determined using sustained-release bromodeoxyuridine].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the proliferative responses of osteoblasts in expanding pre-maxillary suture using sustained-release bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU).

Methods: Poloxamer thermosensitive BrdU gel was prepared and injected to the rats subcutaneously. Blood samples were collected and subjected to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for quantitative determination of BrdU levels in serum.

[Expression of beta-catenin during premaxillary suture distraction osteogenesis in rat].

Purpose: beta-catenin, as a glycoprotein in cytoplasm, was involved in osteoblast development and bone formation. This study was designed to observe the spacial and temporal expression of beta-catenin during premaxillary suture distraction osteogenesis in rat.

Methods: Thirty two female SD rats were randomly allotted into experimental group (n=20) and control group (n=12).

[Morphological and histological adaptation after mandibular functional positioning only in vertical dimension].

Purpose: To elucidate the role of mandibular vertical functional positioning in condylar adaptive remodeling.

Methods: Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats at the age of 5 weeks were randomly divided into 4 control and experimental groups. All the animals were sacrificed on day 3, 6, 9 and 12 (n=5).

[Identification of cell apoptosis during premaxillary suture expansion in rat].

Purpose: To identify the incidence of cell apoptosis during premaxillary suture expansion.

Methods: Forty SD rats were randomly allotted into experimental and control groups. The experimental animals were subjected to premaxillary suture expansion by a helix spring with (200+/-10)g initial force.