Computed tomography study of cranial vault thickness in Malaysian subadult population.

Cranial vault thickness (CVT) and its variations provide valuable insights into an individual's biological attributes such as age and sex. This paper aimed to assess the correlations of CVT with age and sex and develop a regression model for age estimation in Malaysian subadults using computed tomography (CT) images. A total of 521 CT images (male/female: 279/242; age range: 0-20 years; Malay/Chinese/Indian: 221/145/155) were included in the study.

Validation of the Malay version of Epworth sleepiness scale for children and adolescents (MESS-CHAD).

Background: Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (ESS-CHAD) is a valid and reliable eight-item self-administered questionnaire for the assessment of excessive daytime sleepiness and is commonly used to screen sleep-disordered breathing for children and adolescents. The cross-sectional study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt ESS-CHAD into a Malay version of Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (MESS-CHAD) for the Malaysian population, and to assess the validity and reliability of MESS-CHAD.

Methods: Forward-backward translation method was used to translate and cross-culturally adapt ESS-CHAD.

Inflammatory Responses in Periodontitis with or Without Rheumatoid Arthritis Alter Salivary Metallothionein and Zinc.

Periodontitis (PD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are causally linked by their common inflammatory responses, yet it is largely unknown if these inflammatory responses might have an impact on salivary metallothionein (MT), zinc (Zn), and calcium (Ca) content. In this study, we analysed salivary concentrations of pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-17) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines, as well as MT, Zn, and Ca in four groups of participants, namely control (without PD or RA, n = 21), PD (n = 21), RA (n = 21), or RAPD (n = 19). As expected, an increased amount of salivary pro-inflammatory cytokines were observed in the PD, RA, and RAPD groups.

Biomechanical Effects of Unidirectional Expansion Using Anisotropic Expanders in Horse Skin Tissue.

The use of a self-inflating tissue expander is a technique to stretch cutaneous tissues for potential use in reconstructive skin surgeries. This study investigates the mechanical properties of horse skin stretched by the subcutaneous implantation of anisotropic tissue expanders at the forehead, right shoulder, and dorsomedial part of the cannon region of the right forelimb in six (n = 6) horses. After 14 days of skin expansion, expanded and normal (control) skin samples were harvested and their mechanical properties of elastic modulus (EM), maximum force (MF), maximum stress (MSs) and maximum strain (MSr) were evaluated using uniaxial tension test.

Inflammatory Responses in Oro-Maxillofacial Region Expanded Using Anisotropic Hydrogel Tissue Expander.

Objective: Reconstruction of oral and facial defects often necessitate replacement of missing soft tissue. The purpose of tissue expanders is to grow healthy supplementary tissue under a controlled force. This study investigates the inflammatory responses associated with the force generated from the use of anisotropic hydrogel tissue expanders.

Effect of reconstruction parameters on cone beam CT trabecular bone microstructure quantification in sheep.

Background: Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is a reliable radiographic modality to assess trabecular bone microarchitecture. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of CBCT image reconstruction parameters, namely, the threshold value and reconstruction voxel size, on trabecular bone microstructure assessment.

Methods: Five sectioned maxilla of adult Dorper male sheep were scanned using a CBCT system with a resolution of 76 μm (Kodak 9000).

Alveolar restoration following rapid maxillary expansion with and without corticotomy: A microcomputed tomography study in sheep.

Objective: This study examined bone microstructure restoration after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) with and without corticotomy over multiple retention periods.

Methods: Eighteen male Dorper sheep were randomly distributed into three groups (n = 6 each group): group 1, RME with corticotomy on the buccal and palatal sides; group 2, conventional RME treatment; and group 3, no treatment. Post-RME, trabecular bone microstructure and new bone formation were evaluated by using microcomputed tomography (microCT) and histomorphometry after a 4- or 12-week retention period.

Histological changes of immediate skin expansion of the distal limb of rats.

Aim: Tissue expansion is an applicable technique to reconstruct many surgical defects. The aim of this research was to evaluate the histological changes caused by immediate skin tissue expansion in rats as an animal model.

Materials And Methods: Immediate skin tissue expansion in 18 adult female rats was performed using three different sizes (small, medium, and big) of polymethylmethacrylate tissue expanders at the dorsal surface of the metatarsal area of the right limb.

Effects of non-surgical rapid maxillary expansion on nasal structures and breathing: A systematic review.

Objective: This systematic review aims to determine the effects of non-surgical rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on breathing and upper airway structures.

Materials And Methods: An electronic search of the scientific literature from January 2005 to June 2016 was done using Web of Science, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source and PubMed databases. A combination of search terms "rapid maxillary expansion", "nasal", "airway" and "breathing" were used.

Bone-borne accelerated sutural expansion: A microcomputed tomography study in rabbits.

Introduction: In this study, we evaluated the effect of bone-borne accelerated expansion protocols on sutural separation and sutural bone modeling using a microcomputed tomography system. We also determined the optimum instant sutural expansion possible without disruption of bone modeling.

Methods: Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits, 20 to 24 weeks old, were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups.

Is there an optimal initial amount of activation for midpalatal suture expansion? : A histomorphometric and immunohistochemical study in a rabbit model.

Objective: Accelerated bone-borne expansion protocols on sutural separation and sutural bone formation were evaluated via histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry to determine the optimal initial activation without disruption of bone formation.

Materials And Methods: Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. Modified Hyrax expanders were placed across the midsagittal sutures and secured with miniscrew implants with the following activations: group 1 (control), 0.

Adjunctive buccal and palatal corticotomy for adult maxillary expansion in an animal model.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the usefulness of adjunctive buccal and palatal corticotomy for adult maxillary expansion in an animal model using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods: Twelve adult sheep were randomly divided into two groups (each n = 6): a control group, where no treatment was administered, and a treatment group, where buccal and palatal corticotomy-assisted maxillary expansion was performed. CBCT scans were taken before (T1) and after (T2) treatment.

AFM analysis of collagen fibrils in expanded scalp tissue after anisotropic tissue expansion.

Successful use of tissue expanders depends on the quality of expanded tissue. This study evaluates the impact of anisotropic self-inflating tissue expander (SITE) on the biomechanics of skin. Two different SITE were implanted subcutaneously on sheep scalps; SITE that requires 30days for maximum expansion (Group A; n=5), and SITE that requires 21days for maximum expansion (Group B; n=5).

Effect of Piezoelectric Sutural Ostectomies on Accelerated Bone-Borne Sutural Expansion.

Purpose: The present study investigated the effect of piezoelectric sutural ostectomies on accelerated bone-borne sutural expansion.

Materials And Methods: Sixteen male New Zealand white rabbits (20 to 24 weeks old) were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups (n = 4): group 1, conventional rapid sutural expansion; group 2, accelerated sutural expansion; group 3, accelerated sutural expansion with continuous ostectomy; and group 4, accelerated sutural expansion with discontinuous ostectomy. All sutural ostectomies were performed using a piezoelectric instrument (Woodpecker DTE, DS-II, Guangxi, China) before expander application with the rabbits under anesthesia.

Uniformly Porous Nanocrystalline CaMgFeTi₃O Ceramic Derived Electro-Ceramic Nanocomposite for Impedance Type Humidity Sensor.

Since humidity sensors have been widely used in many sectors, a suitable humidity sensing material with improved sensitivity, faster response and recovery times, better stability and low hysteresis is necessary to be developed. Here, we fabricate a uniformly porous humidity sensor using Ca, Ti substituted Mg ferrites with chemical formula of CaMgFeTi₃O as humidity sensing materials by solid-sate step-sintering technique. This synthesis technique is useful to control the grain size with increased porosity to enhance the hydrophilic characteristics of the CaMgFeTi₃O nanoceramic based sintered electro-ceramic nanocomposites.

Cellular and Molecular Responses to Mechanical Expansion of Tissue.

The increased use of tissue expander in the past decades and its potential market values in near future give enough reasons to sum up the consequences of tissue expansion. Furthermore, the patients have the right to know underlying mechanisms of adaptation of inserted biomimetic, its bioinspired materials and probable complications. The mechanical strains during tissue expansion are related to several biological phenomena.

Design and Development for Capacitive Humidity Sensor Applications of Lead-Free Ca,Mg,Fe,Ti-Oxides-Based Electro-Ceramics with Improved Sensing Properties via Physisorption.

Despite the many attractive potential uses of ceramic materials as humidity sensors, some unavoidable drawbacks, including toxicity, poor biocompatibility, long response and recovery times, low sensitivity and high hysteresis have stymied the use of these materials in advanced applications. Therefore, in present investigation, we developed a capacitive humidity sensor using lead-free Ca,Mg,Fe,Ti-Oxide (CMFTO)-based electro-ceramics with perovskite structures synthesized by solid-state step-sintering. This technique helps maintain the submicron size porous morphology of the developed lead-free CMFTO electro-ceramics while providing enhanced water physisorption behaviour.

Molecular Mechanisms of Stress-Responsive Changes in Collagen and Elastin Networks in Skin.

Collagen and elastin networks make up the majority of the extracellular matrix in many organs, such as the skin. The mechanisms which are involved in the maintenance of homeostatic equilibrium of these networks are numerous, involving the regulation of genetic expression, growth factor secretion, signalling pathways, secondary messaging systems, and ion channel activity. However, many factors are capable of disrupting these pathways, which leads to an imbalance of homeostatic equilibrium.

Synthesis and Characterizations of Novel Ca-Mg-Ti-Fe-Oxides Based Ceramic Nanocrystals and Flexible Film of Polydimethylsiloxane Composite with Improved Mechanical and Dielectric Properties for Sensors.

Armalcolite, a rare ceramic mineral and normally found in the lunar earth, was synthesized by solid-state step-sintering. The in situ phase-changed novel ceramic nanocrystals of Ca-Mg-Ti-Fe based oxide (CMTFOx), their chemical reactions and bonding with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were determined by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and microscopy. Water absorption of all the CMTFOx was high.

Characteristics and Young's Modulus of Collagen Fibrils from Expanded Skin Using Anisotropic Controlled Rate Self-Inflating Tissue Expander.

Mechanical properties of expanded skin tissue are different from normal skin, which is dependent mainly on the structural and functional integrity of dermal collagen fibrils. In the present study, mechanical properties and surface topography of both expanded and nonexpanded skin collagen fibrils were evaluated. Anisotropic controlled rate self-inflating tissue expanders were placed beneath the skin of sheep's forelimbs.