Comparison of cone-beam computed tomography incidental findings between patients with moderate/severe obstructive sleep apnea and mild obstructive sleep apnea/healthy patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the incidental radiographic findings in the maxillofacial structures and the pharyngeal airway between subjects with moderate/severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and mild OSA/healthy subjects using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.

Study Design: A total of 53 subjects with moderate/severe OSA (with a Respiratory Disturbance Index [RDI] ≥ 15 events/h) and 33 mild OSA/healthy subjects (RDI < 15), based on ambulatory somnographic assessment, were recruited. Supine CBCTs were taken and sent for radiological report.

Three-dimensional computed tomography comparison of the maxillary palatal vault between patients with rapid palatal expansion and orthodontically treated controls.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to use cone-beam computed tomography to compare changes of skeletal and dental structures of the maxillary palatal vault in a group of growing patients treated for posterior crossbite before and after rapid palatal expansion (RPE) with changes over time in a control group.

Methods: The sample for this retrospective study included 19 patients treated with a hyrax palatal expander at a graduate orthodontic clinic and 19 control subjects who received no RPE. Beginning and progress cone-beam computed tomography scans of all patients were analyzed to measure the anatomic volume, width, height, and anteroposterior dimensions of the palatal region.

Oropharyngeal airway changes after rapid palatal expansion evaluated with cone-beam computed tomography.

Introduction: The aims of this retrospective study were to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to assess changes in the volume of the oropharynx in growing patients with maxillary constriction treated by rapid palatal expansion (RPE) and to compare them with changes in age- and sex-matched orthodontic patients.

Methods: The experimental group consisted of 24 patients (mean age, 12.8+/-1.

Comparison of cone-beam CT parameters and sleep questionnaires in sleep apnea patients and control subjects.

Objective: The aim of this work was to compare the cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) scan measurements between patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snorers to develop a prediction model for OSA based on CBCT imaging and the Berlin questionnaire.

Study Design: Eighty subjects (46 OSA patients with apnea-hypoapnea index [AHI] >or= 10 and 34 snorers with AHI <10 based on ambulatory somnographic assessment) were recruited through flyers and mail at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry and at a private practice. Each patient answered the Berlin questionnaire, and was imaged with CBCT in supine position.

Analysis of Msx1 and Msx2 transactivation function in the context of the heat shock 70 (Hspa1b) gene promoter.

Previous studies have shown that Msx proteins control gene transcription predominantly through repression mechanisms. However, gene expression studies using either the gain-of-function or the loss-of-function mutants revealed many gene targets whose expression require functional Msx proteins. To date, investigations into the mechanisms of Msx-dependent transactivation have been hindered by the lack of a responsive promoter.

Dynamic intracellular distribution of Eaf2 and its potential involvement in UV-Induced DNA damage response.

Eaf2 encodes a tumor suppressor that plays multiple functions in transcriptional activation, apoptosis, and embryonic development. In this study, we utilized GFP-EAF2 fusion protein to describe the dynamic subcellular movement of Eaf2. GFP-EAF2 is preferentially localized to the nucleus, and in the presence of ELL, it accumulates in nuclear speckles.

Gender- and age-based differences in computerized tomographic measurements of the orophaynx.

Objective: Our aim was to examine the influence of aging and body mass index (BMI) on the oropharynx configuration in male and female Japanese patients.

Study Design: This study examined the computerized tomography (CT) images of 19 man and 19 women, group matched for age and BMI. The airway and the soft tissue volumes between the posterior nasal spine and top of the epiglottis were compared.

Deficient Alk3-mediated BMP signaling causes prenatal omphalocele-like defect.

BMP signaling plays important roles in many embryonic developmental processes. Alk3 is one of two BMP type I receptors that transduces BMP signal from the cell surface into cell. Conventional knockout of Alk3 resulted in early embryonic lethality around E7.