Effect of micro-osteoperforations on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement and expression of biomarkers: a randomized controlled clinical trial

ABSTRACT Introduction: Micro-osteoperforation is a minimally invasive technique that has been used to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement and reduce treatment duration. However, literature presents conflicting reports about this technique. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of micro-osteoperforations on the rate of canine retraction and expression of biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial with split-mouth study design. Thirty adult subjects with age above 18 years (20.32 ± 1.96) who required fixed orthodontic treatment and extraction of maxillary first premolars were enrolled and randomly allocated to either the experimental or control group. Randomization was performed by block randomization method, with a 1:1 allocation ratio. The experimental group received three micro-ostoperforations (MOPs) distal to maxillary canine, using the Lance pilot drill. The retraction of maxillary canine was performed with NiTi coil-spring (150g) in both experimental and control groups. The primary outcome was the evaluation of canine retraction rate, measured on study models from the baseline to 16 weeks of canine retraction. Secondary outcomes were the estimation of alkaline and acid phosphates activity in GCF at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of canine retraction only after the first 4 weeks. Subsequently there was no statistically significant difference from the eighth to the sixteenth weeks between MOPs and control group. There was a statistically significant difference in alkaline and acid phosphates activity in GCF between MOPs and control groups during the initial 4 weeks of canine retraction. Conclusion: Micro-ostoperforation increased the rate of tooth movement only for the first 4 weeks; thereafter, no effect was observed on the rate of canine retraction during 8, 12 and 16 weeks. A marked increase in biomarker activity in the first month was observed.

RESUMO Introdução: As micro-osteoperfurações (MOPs) são uma técnica minimamente invasiva que tem sido utilizada para acelerar a movimentação dentária ortodôntica e reduzir o tempo de tratamento. No entanto, existem relatos conflitantes sobre o uso dessa técnica. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia das MOPs em acelerar a taxa do movimento de retração de caninos e na expressão de biomarcadores no fluido crevicular gengival (FCG). Métodos: Esse foi um ensaio clínico randomizado com desenho de estudo do tipo boca dividida. Trinta indivíduos adultos com idade acima de 18 anos (20,32 ± 1,96 anos) que necessitavam de tratamento ortodôntico fixo e extração de primeiros pré-molares superiores foram incluídos e aleatoriamente alocados para o grupo experimental ou grupo controle. A randomização foi realizada pelo método de randomização em bloco, com proporção de alocação de 1:1. O grupo experimental recebeu três MOPs distais ao canino superior, utilizando uma broca piloto em formato de lança. A retração do canino superior foi realizada com mola helicoidal de NiTi (150g) nos dois grupos, experimental e controle. O desfecho primário foi a avaliação da taxa de retração dos caninos, medida em modelos de estudo do início da retração até 16 semanas depois. O desfecho secundário foi a estimativa da atividade da fosfatase alcalina e ácida no FCG após 0, 1, 2, 3 e 4 semanas. Resultados: Houve uma diferença estatisticamente significativa na taxa de retração dos caninos somente após as quatro primeiras semanas. Após isso, não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos experimental e controle entre a oitava e a décima sexta semanas. Houve uma diferença estatisticamente significativa na atividade da fosfatase alcaline e ácida no FCG entre os grupos experimental e controle durante as quatro primeiras semanas de retração dos caninos. Conclusão: As micro-osteoperfurações aumentaram a taxa de movimentação dentária apenas nas primeiras quatro semanas; depois disso, nenhum efeito foi observado na taxa de retração dos caninos após 8, 12 e 16 semanas. Houve aumento considerável na atividade do biomarcador no primeiro mês.

Novel insights into the genetic and epigenetic paternal contribution to the human embryo

The integrity of the sperm genome and epigenome are critical for normal embryonic development. The advent of assisted reproductive technology has led to an increased understanding of the role of sperm in fertilization and embryogenesis. During fertilization, the sperm transmits not only nuclear DNA to the oocyte but also activation factor, centrosomes, and a host of messenger RNA and microRNAs. This complex complement of microRNAs and other non-coding RNAs is believed to modify important post-fertilization events. Thus, the health of the sperm genome and epigenome is critical for improving assisted conception rates and the birth of healthy offspring.

Unilateral linear punctate palmoplantar keratoderma.

Punctate palmoplantar keratoderma (Brauer-Buschke-Fischer syndrome) is a rare entity. Among punctate keratoderma, the linear presentation is much rarer, and exact incidence is not known. Unilateral linear punctate palmoplantar keratoderma is not yet reported in the literature. Here we report a case 12-year-old child presented with asymptomatic linear punctate plaque on the left sole and hand; histology revealed hyperkeratotic epidermis without columns of parakeratosis or cornoid lamella.

Multifocal cutaneous melanoacanthoma with ulceration: A case report with review of literature.

We report a case of a 58-year-old female patient who presented with multiple, asymptomatic, slowly-growing, raised pigmented lesions all over her body for the past 10 years with ulceration in one of the lesions on the trunk for the past five months. Histopathology of the lesion revealed features consistent with melanoacanthoma. Here, we report the first case of cutaneous melanoacanthoma presenting with an ulcerated plaque and the third case of cutaneous melanoacanthoma with multiple lesions. To the best of our knowledge, ulceration has not yet been reported as a feature of cutaneous melanoacanthoma in the medical literature.

Lack of association of primary iron overload and common HFE gene mutations with liver cirrhosis in adult Indian population.

Aim To find out the association of common HFE mutations (viz., C282Y and H63D) with primary iron overload (PIL) in liver cirrhosis (CLD) patients of Indian origin. Methods Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used for screening C282Yand H63D mutation in 496 CLD patients (hepatitis B virus associated cirrhosis (HBVc)=74, hepatitis C virus associated cirrhosis (HCV)=50, alcoholic cirrhosis with hepatitis (ALcW) = 38, alcoholic cirrhosis without hepatitis (ALc)=92, cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC)=242) and 502 healthy controls. Transferrin saturation of >45 or serum ferritin of >300 ng/mL (males)/>200 ng/mL (females) with normal total exogenous iron intake was suggestive of PIL. Histological liver iron grading was done by Perl’s Prussian blue stain. Results Of 496 patients, 13 (2.6; 9 CC, 2 ALc, 1 HBVc, 1 AlcW) had PIL. However, only two (15.3) of 13 patients (1 CC and 1 HBVc) were positive for H63D heterozygous mutation. All the subjects were found to be C282Y wild type, except a single case of double heterozygous (C282Y/H63D) who however, did not have PIL. Overall frequency of H63D allele in patients and controls was not significantly different (5.95 and 4.58 respectively, p=0.17). A highly significant H63D allele frequency (p<0.005) was observed in HBVc (10.82) and ALcW (11.84) groups but they were not associated with PIL. Conclusion The frequency of PIL, and the HFE gene mutaion (C282Y) are both rare in Indian patients and explain why hemochromatosis is a rare cause of liver cirrhosis in India. A highly significant H63D allele frequency in HBV and alcohol-related cirrhosis suggest a possible predisposing role for liver fibrosis of this allele.