Clinical Prediction Models for Upper Airway Volume Based on Soft Palate and Airway Lumen Dimensions in Adults With Varying Vertical Skeletal Patterns.

Objectives: To determine the intricate associations between soft palate dimensions, pharyngeal airway lumen area, the minimal constricted area of the airway (MinAx), and pharyngeal airway volume in subjects with diverse vertical skeletal patterns, and to develop prediction models that could help clinicians predict upper airway volume using soft palate dimensions, airway lumen dimensions, and MinAx.

Materials And Methods: Pre-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 80 women were classified into three vertical skeletal groups based on Frankfort-mandibular plane angle (FMA angle): hypodivergent (FMA < 26.9°, n = 26), normodivergent (26.

Comprehensive clinical evaluation of indirect and direct bonding techniques in orthodontic treatment: a single-centre, open-label, quasi-randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Few prospective investigations have compared direct and indirect techniques through comprehensive and detailed clinical evaluations, considering the impact of all factors.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare and evaluate direct and indirect bonding methods at a single institution and to clarify the selection criteria for the bonding method.

Materials And Methods: This single-centre, quasi-randomized controlled clinical trial included 153 patients who required fixed orthodontic treatment.

Novel prediction models for pharyngeal-airway volume based on the cranial-base and midsagittal cross-sectional area of the airway in the pharyngeal region: A cephalometric and magnetic resonance imaging study.

Objective: The objective of the study was to elucidate the association between cranial base (Bjork-Jarabak analysis), midsagittal cross-sectional area of the airway in the pharyngeal region (MCSA-PR) data and pharyngeal-airway volume (PAV) and develop a model that could help clinicians predict PAV using two-dimensional (2D) data (Bjork polygon and MCSA-PR).

Materials And Methods: Pre-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 82 women were categorized into three anteroposterior skeletal groups based on ANB angle: Class I (n = 29), 1.5° ≤ ANB≤5.

ThPOK Inhibits Osteoclast Formation Via NFATc1 Transcription and Function.

Both LRF () and ThPOK () belong to the POK (BTB/POZ and Kruppel) family of transcription repressors that participate in development, differentiation, and oncogenesis. Although LRF mediates osteoclast differentiation by regulating NFATc1 expression, the principal established function of ThPOK is transcriptional control of T-cell lineage commitment. Whether ThPOK affects osteoclast formation or function is not known.

Macrophage Motility in Wound Healing Is Regulated by HIF-1α via S1P Signaling.

Accumulating evidence indicates that the molecular pathways mediating wound healing induce cell migration and localization of cytokines to sites of injury. Macrophages are immune cells that sense and actively respond to disturbances in tissue homeostasis by initiating, and subsequently resolving, inflammation. Hypoxic conditions generated at a wound site also strongly recruit macrophages and affect their function.

O-GlcNAcylation drives calcium signaling toward osteoblast differentiation: A bioinformatics-oriented study.

This study aimed to reveal the possible mechanisms by which O-linked-N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) regulates osteoblast differentiation using a series of bioinformatics-oriented experiments. To examine the influence of O-GlcNAcylation levels on osteoblast differentiation, osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA) inhibitors. Correlations between the levels of O-GlcNAcylation and the expression of osteogenic markers as well as OGT were evaluated by qPCR and western blotting.

Roles for B[a]P and FICZ in subchondral bone metabolism and experimental temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis via the AhR/Cyp1a1 signaling axis.

Bone loss due to smoking represents a major risk factor for fractures and bone osteoporosis. Signaling through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and its ligands contributes to both bone homeostasis and inflammatory diseases. It remains unclear whether the same AhR signaling axis affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

HIF-1α controls palatal wound healing by regulating macrophage motility via S1P/S1P signaling axis.

Objectives: To investigate the role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) signaling, the expression profile of M1 and M2 macrophages, and the role of the sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P)/S1P receptor system in palatal wound healing of heterozygous HIF-1α-deficient (HIF-1α HET) mice.

Materials And Methods: HIF-1α HET and wild-type (WT) littermates underwent palatal tissue excision at the mid-hard palate. Histological analysis, immunostaining, real-time PCR, Western blotting (WB), and cellular migration assays were performed to analyze wound closure and macrophage infiltration.

The immunoregulatory role of p21 in the development of the temporomandibular joint-osteoarthritis.

Objective: We aimed to identify the immunoregulatory role of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 in the homeostasis of mandibular condylar cartilage affected by mechanical stress.

Materials And Methods: Ten C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and ten p21 mice aged 8 weeks were divided into the untreated and treated groups. In the treated groups, mechanical stress was applied to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) through forced mouth opening for 3 hr/day for 7 days.

Loading history changes the morphology and compressive force-induced expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand/osteoprotegerin in MLO-Y4 osteocytes.

Background: In this study, we investigated the effect of the mechanical loading history on the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in MLO-Y4 osteocyte-like cells.

Methods: Three hours after MLO-Y4 osteocytes were seeded, a continuous compressive force (CCF) of 31 dynes/cm with or without additional CCF (32 dynes/cm) was loaded onto the osteocytes. After 36 h, the additional CCF (loading history) was removed for a recovery period of 10 h.

Crosstalk between Fas and S1P signaling via NF-kB in osteoclasts controls bone destruction in the TMJ due to rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) mainly affects various joints of the body, including the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and it involves an infiltration of autoantibodies and inflammatory leukocytes into articular tissues and the synovium. Initially, the synovial lining tissue becomes engaged with several kinds of infiltrating cells, including osteoclasts, macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Eventually, bone degradation occurs.

Skeletal open bite with amelogenesis imperfecta treated with compression osteogenesis: a case report.

Background: We successfully treated a 37-year-old male who had skeletal open bite with severe amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) with orthodontics, compression osteogenesis, and prosthodontics.

Case Presentation: The patient was diagnosed with severe anterior open bite caused by severe AI. Corticotomy was performed on both buccal and palatal sides of the molar regions, and anchor plates were placed onto the bilateral zygomatic buttress and the center of the hard palate.

Design and Performance of a 1 ms High-Speed Vision Chip with 3D-Stacked 140 GOPS Column-Parallel PEs .

We have developed a high-speed vision chip using 3D stacking technology to address the increasing demand for high-speed vision chips in diverse applications. The chip comprises a 1/3.2-inch, 1.

Effectiveness of presurgical nasoalveolar molding therapy on unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity.

To evaluate the effectiveness of pre-surgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) in patients with unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 29 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate defects, of whom 13 were treated with palatal devices with nasal stents (PNAM group) and 16 were treated with palatal devices without nasal stents or surgical tapes (control group). Submental oblique photographs and orthodontic models were longitudinally obtained at the initial visit (T1) and immediately before (T2) and  after cheiloplasty (T3).

Skeletal anchorage for intrusion of bimaxillary molars in a patient with skeletal open bite and temporomandibular disorders.

The treatment of severe skeletal anterior open bite is extremely difficult in adults, and orthognathic surgery is generally selected for its treatment. We report the case of an 18-year-old adult patient with skeletal anterior open bite and temporomandibular disorders who was successfully treated using temporary anchorage devices. She had an open bite of -2.

Potential Role of Rebamipide in Osteoclast Differentiation and Mandibular Condylar Cartilage Homeostasis.

Background: Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is a degenerative disease that involves changes in subchondral bone and progressive degradation of cartilage. Currently, rebamipide, a gastroprotective drug, is administered to protect gastric mucosa and accelerate ulcer healing.

Objectives: Recent studies have shown that rebamipide also attenuates cartilage degeneration by suppressing oxidative damage and inducing homeostasis of the extracellular matrix of articular chondrocytes.

Scanning Micro-Mirror with an Electrostatic Spring for Compensation of Hard-Spring Nonlinearity.

A scanning micro-mirror operated at the mechanical resonant frequency often suffer nonlinearity of the torsion-bar spring. The torsion-bar spring becomes harder than the linear spring with the increase of the rotation angle (hard-spring effect). The hard-spring effect of the torsion-bar spring generates several problems, such as hysteresis, frequency shift, and instability by oscillation jump.

Fas/S1P crosstalk via NF-κB activation in osteoclasts controls subchondral bone remodeling in murine TMJ arthritis.

Enhanced turnover of subchondral trabecular bone is a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and it results from an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation activities. To investigate the formation and activation of osteoclasts which mediate bone resorption, a Fas-deficient MRL/lpr mouse model which spontaneously develops autoimmune arthritis and exhibits decreased bone mass was studied. Various assays were performed on subchondral trabecular bone of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) from MRL/lpr mice and MRL+/+ mice.

Long-term follow-up of a patient with achondroplasia treated with an orthodontic approach.

We successfully treated a patient with achondroplasia with conventional orthodontic techniques. It was followed by long-term retention. The patient, a 12-year-old boy, had chief complaints of occlusal disturbance and mandibular protrusion.

The Nuclear Receptor AhR Controls Bone Homeostasis by Regulating Osteoclast Differentiation via the RANK/c-Fos Signaling Axis.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway plays a key role in receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-mediated osteoclastogenesis. However, the mechanism underlying the regulation of AhR expression in osteoclasts and the signaling pathway through which AhR controls osteoclastogenesis remain unclear. We found that the expression of AhR in bone marrow-derived osteoclasts was upregulated by RANKL at an earlier stage than was the expression of signature osteoclast genes such as those encoding cathepsin K and NFAT, cytoplasmic, calcineurin-dependent 1.

Roles of hypoxia inducible factor-1α in the temporomandibular joint.

Objective: Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is a degenerative disease characterized by permanent cartilage loss. Articular cartilage is maintained in a low-oxygen environment. The chondrocyte response to hypoxic conditions involves expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), which induces chondrocytes to increase expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Correction: Rebamipide Attenuates Mandibular Condylar Degeneration in a Murine Model of TMJ-OA by Mediating a Chondroprotective Effect and by Downregulating RANKL-Mediated Osteoclastogenesis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Amelotin gene expression is temporarily being upregulated at the initiation of apoptosis induced by TGFβ1 in mouse gingival epithelial cells.

Amelotin (AMTN) is expressed and secreted by ameloblasts in the maturation stage of amelogenesis and persist with low levels in the junctional epithelium (JE) of erupted teeth. The purpose of this study is to investigate the transcriptional regulation of the AMTN gene by transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFβ1) in gingival epithelial (GE1) cells in the apoptosis phase. Apoptosis was evaluated by the fragmentation of chromosomal DNA and TUNEL staining.

Rebamipide Attenuates Mandibular Condylar Degeneration in a Murine Model of TMJ-OA by Mediating a Chondroprotective Effect and by Downregulating RANKL-Mediated Osteoclastogenesis.

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is characterized by progressive degradation of cartilage and changes in subchondral bone. It is also one of the most serious subgroups of temporomandibular disorders. Rebamipide is a gastroprotective agent that is currently used for the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcers.

The Effectiveness of Human Parathyroid Hormone and Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on the Fracture Healing in Osteoporotic Bones.

Osteoporotic fracture has become a major public health problem, and until today, the treatments available are not satisfactory. While there is growing evidence to support the individual treatment of parathyroid hormone (PTH) administration and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) exposure as respectively systemic and local therapies during osteoporotic fracture healing, their effects have not yet been investigated when introduced concurrently. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combined treatment with PTH (1-34) and LIPUS on fracture healing in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.