[Effect of transfected EphB4 on osteogenic differentiation in stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) transfected with EphB4 gene in regulating osteogenic differentiation. METHODS: Human dental pulp tissue were harvested from extracted deciduous teeth and digested by collagenase and dispase. The SHEDs were transfected with transgenic (hEphB4-GFP) vector or empty vector (GFP-vector). Real time-polymerase chain reaction（real time-PCR） analysis and Western blot were used to detect the expression of EphB4 in SHEDs after transfection. EphB4-SHEDs and GFP-SHEDs were subjected to osteogenic induction and assessed by alkaline phosphatase(ALP) assay and Alizarin-red S staining. SPSS 16.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Real time-PCR revealed that the expression of EphB4 was significantly enhanced in EphB4-SHEDs compared to GFP-SHEDs (P<0.05). The expression of EphB4 protein was significantly higher (P<0.05) in EphB4-SHEDs compared to GFP-SHEDs. ALP assay and Alizarin-red S staining demonstrated higher ALP activity and increased mineralization with EphB4-SHEDs. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that transgenic expression of EphB4 in SHEDs could promote osteogenic differentiation.

[The mechanism of corticotomy accelerating orthodontic tooth movement in SD rats].

PURPOSE: To study the influences of corticotomy on orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and the underlying mechanism in rats. METHODS: Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to corticotomy group (Cort, 24 rats) or sham-corticotomy group (Sham, 24 rats). All rats were subjected OTM after corticotomy or sham surgery. 6 rats of each group were sacrificed at 0, 1, 3 and 7 day of OTM. OTM were measured with an electronic digital caliper. Osteoclasts were counted in pressure side with TRAP. RANKL were measure by IHC at pressure side. The data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0 software package. RESULTS: OTM at the 1 and 7 day in Cort group increased compared with sham group. Number of TRAP positive osteoclasts in pressure side increased in Cort group at the 3 and 7 day. Expression of RANKL in pressure side also increased in Cort group at the 3 and 7 day. CONCLUSIONS: Corticotomy accelerates OTM in rats and it may result from promoted bone resorption via increased RANKL expression in periodontal tissue.

Auxiliary Truncated Unscented Kalman Filtering for Bearings-Only Maneuvering Target Tracking.

Novel auxiliary truncated unscented Kalman filtering (ATUKF) is proposed for bearings-only maneuvering target tracking in this paper. In the proposed algorithm, to deal with arbitrary changes in motion models, a modified prior probability density function (PDF) is derived based on some auxiliary target characteristics and current measurements. Then, the modified prior PDF is approximated as a Gaussian density by using the statistical linear regression (SLR) to estimate the mean and covariance. In order to track bearings-only maneuvering target, the posterior PDF is jointly estimated based on the prior probability density function and the modified prior probability density function, and a practical algorithm is developed. Finally, compared with other nonlinear filtering approaches, the experimental results of the proposed algorithm show a significant improvement for both the univariate nonstationary growth model (UNGM) case and bearings-only target tracking case.

Tracking the Turn Maneuvering Target Using the Multi-Target Bayes Filter with an Adaptive Estimation of Turn Rate.

Tracking the target that maneuvers at a variable turn rate is a challenging problem. The traditional solution for this problem is the use of the switching multiple models technique, which includes several dynamic models with different turn rates for matching the motion mode of the target at each point in time. However, the actual motion mode of a target at any time may be different from all of the dynamic models, because these models are usually limited. To address this problem, we establish a formula for estimating the turn rate of a maneuvering target. By applying the estimation method of the turn rate to the multi-target Bayes (MB) filter, we develop a MB filter with an adaptive estimation of the turn rate, in order to track multiple maneuvering targets. Simulation results indicate that the MB filter with an adaptive estimation of the turn rate, is better than the existing filter at tracking the target that maneuvers at a variable turn rate.

[Outcome of one-visit and multiple-visit root canal treatment for cracked tooth with pulpitis: a meta analysis].

PURPOSE: To compare the treatment effect between one-visit and multiple-visit endodontic treatment for cracked tooth with pulpitis. METHODS: The literatures published before 2016-06-01 regarding to one-visit and multiple-visit root canal treatment for cracked tooth with pulpitis were searched through MEDLINE, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Database et al. Then the included studies were chosen according to the inclusion criteria. Collection of features, quality evaluation and analysis of treatment effect, follow-up results (half year/1 year) and postoperative pain of the included studies were analyzed using Stata/SE12.1 software. RESULTS: A total of 24 Chinese literatures were included and no eligible foreign literatures were found. There were 3065 cases including 1608 with one-visit endodontic treatment and 1457 with multiple-visit endodontic treatment. Meta analysis showed that the effective rate (96.90%) and follow-up success rate (94.90%,94.60%) of one-visit endodontic treatment were significantly higher than multiple-visit one (84.00%,81.40%,89.00%),while there was no significant difference in postoperative pain [RR=0.96，95%CI (0.82，1.13)].The results did not change after sensitivity analysis. However，there were some differences in assignment methods and operations details among the literatures. CONCLUSIONS: The existing limited evidences show that one-visit endodontic treatment has higher effective rate than multiple-visit endodontic treatment and its postoperative pain is acceptable. However, more standard randomized controlled trials are needed.

[Clinical effect of Nd:YAG laser combined with total glucosides of paeony for the treatment of erosive oral lichen planus].

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical effect of Nd:YAG laser combined with total glucosides of paeony (TGP) taken orally for the treatment of erosive oral lichen planus (OLP). METHODS: Sixty patients who were diagnosed as erosive OLP with clinical symptoms were divided into experimental group (n=28) and control group (n=32) using a random number table. All patients received TGP while the patients in the experimental group were given Nd:YAG laser irradiation. The clinical effects were evaluated 3 months after treatment. The data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software package. RESULTS: Three months later, the average VAS score and sign score had improved significantly to (1.36±1.39) and (2.32±1.56) in the experimental group. The same tendency was observed in the control group and at the time point no significant difference was observed between the experimental group and the control group. The effectiveness of the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (82.1% vs 53.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Nd: YAG laser combined with TGP can improve the efficacy of erosive OLP. The regime is safe and effective, which is worth of wide clinical application.

[Quality of life and its influential factors of children and adolescents with congenital cleft lip and palate].

PURPOSE: To investigate the quality of life of children undergoing clef lip or and palate repair as well as the influential factors of the quality of life, and provide theoretical foundation for future studies such as psychological interventions. METHODS: Totally 164 children and young adolescent patients with cleft lip and palate undergoing maxillofacial surgery and orthodontic treatment in Xuzhou Stomatology Hospital were selected as experimental group, and 102 normal children and young adolescents were selected as control group. Both groups were investigated by general information questionnaire and child and adolescents' quality of life scale (CAQOL). The results were analyzed and the influential factors on quality of life were evaluated by multivariate regression analysis with SPSS 19.0 software package. RESULTS: The overall CAQOL scores and most of the subscale scores (teacher-student relationship, peer relationships, parent-child relationship, self-awareness, physical discomfort, negative emotions, attitude about homework, access to transportation from home, extra curricular activities, self-esteem) in the experimental group were significantly lower compared with the control group (P<0.05). Single factor analysis of the quality of life showed that there was no significant difference between gender distribution; on the contrary, residential areas, parents' level of education, the main caregivers, family income and types of the disease had significant difference (P<0.05). Multiple linear regression equation showed that mother's education level of patients, cleft lip and palate category, family income, the main caregivers and residential areas were the important influential factors on children' quality of life. Among them, the type of disease was the most important influential factor (beta=0.260), followed by mother's education level (beta=0.215). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life of children with cleft lip/palate is poor. Patients' scores of CAQOL are closely related with mothers' education level, type of cleft lip/palate, family income, the main caregivers and residential areas.

Morphological analysis of apical foramen over-instrumented by three rotary NiTi systems.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate morphological changes of the apical surface after root canal preparation with 1 mm beyond the apical foramen using ProTaper Universal (PTU) files, K3 files and Twisted files (TF), respectively. METHODS: Seventy teeth with a centered apical foramen and 70 teeth with a deviated apical foramen were included as group A and group B respectively. In each group, 20 teeth were randomly assigned for root canal preparation with PTU, K3 and TF files, respectively; the remaining 10 teeth were used as the control group without any preparation. The apical foramens were examined with scanning electronic microscopy. The foramen integrity damage (FID) and dentin defects (DDs) were noted and compared between different groups. RESULTS: FID and DD were significantly less in Group A. DDs was not found in the control group. Preparation with PTU, K3, and TF files caused FID in 6.67%, 10%, and 3.33% of teeth in the group A, and in 20%, 26.67%, and 10% in Group B, respectively. Preparation with PTU, K3, and TF files caused DD in 6.67%, 6.67%, and 3.33% of teeth in Group A, and in 23.33%, 26.67%, and 6.67% in Group B, respectively. PTU and K3 files produced more DDS than TF files. However, no significant difference was found between groups using PTU and K3 files. CONCLUSION: Rotary instrumentation caused less damage on the apical surface in foramencentered root canals than foramen-deviated root canals when working beyond the canal length. TF files had a tendency to produce less DDS compared with PTU or K3 files during over-instrumented root canals.

[Coculture of stem cells from the apical papilla and human umbilical vein endothelial cells enhances the angiogenic potential of dental pulp tissues].

PURPOSE: To observe the effect of coculture of stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on the angiogenic potential of dental pulp tissues. METHODS: SCAPs were incubated in osteo/odontogenic, adipogenic, neurogenic induction medium and α-MEM medium, whose multilineage differentiation capacities were confirmed using alizarin red staining, oil red O staining and ßIII-tubulin immunofluorescent staining. The tubular length, branching points number and junctional areas were detected after 3, 6, 9 h since cells were seeded onto matrigel, and the data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0 software package. RESULTS: SCAPs in the experimental groups were detected having more lipid droplets, mineralization nodules and neuron-like cells. Coculture of SCAPs and HUVECs formed more vessel-like structures in tubular formation assay. CONCLUSIONS: SCAPs are capable of differentiating into fat, bone, and nerve-like cells in vitro. Coculture of SCAPs and HUVECs can enhance the angiogenic potential of dental pulp tissues.

[An analysis of soft tissue profile features of beautiful men and women with polar coordinates].

PURPOSE: To analyze the profile features of soft tissues of beautiful young men and women with Han nationality by polar coordinates. METHODS: Sixty-two beautiful college students (aged 18-23 years, average 20.1 years, 31 men, 31 women) were chosen according to inclusion criteria as study samples. The lateral cephalograms of the samples were taken in natural head position. The polar system was established with the Bolton (Bo) point as the pole, and the Bo-N line as the polar axis. The polar coordinates were measured of the mark points on the soft tissues of the samples' maxillofacial regions respectively. The measured data were statistically analyzed with SPSS 17.0 software package. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the polar angles of the marking points on the soft tissues (P>0.05), the results were not statistically significant; there were significant differences among the measured data of line distances (P<0.01); the ratios of the polar radius of each mark point and Bo-N were not significantly different (P>0.05); there were significant differences among the values of Bo-Pos/ Bo-Sn, Bo-LL/Bo-Pos between men and women, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Polar coordinates can be applied to cephalometry to accurately and integrally describe maxillofacial profile features. There are minor differences between the profile features of beautiful men and women, and the differences are mainly shown in mandible and the fullness of lips.

[Comparative analysis of the relationship between of chronic periodontitis patients' compliance and clinical efficacy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of patients' compliance on clinical parameters in patients with chronic periodontitis during periodontal maintenance therapy period. METHODS: Chronic periodontitis patients who had completed non-surgical periodontal basic treatment were incorporated into the periodontal maintenance therapy(PMT). Clinical examination was performed in the baseline and each quarterly recall, over 3-year period. Clinical parameters including number of teeth, probing depth(PD), attachment loss(AL) level and bleeding on probing(BOP), were recorded. According to the number of PMT visit, the patients were classified into three groups:regular complier(RC); erratic complier(EC); non-complier(NC). The final parameters(three years later) were obtained by outpatient follow-up and telephone interviews. The data were calculated for the pecentage of sites with PD 4-5 mm, PD ≥ 6 mm, AL 4-5 mm, AL ≥ 6 mm, BOP, and the number of tooth loss per patient and the rates of progression of periodontitis.Statistical analyses including ANOVA test and Chi-square test were performed by SPSS 16.0 software package. RESULTS: The percentage of clinical parameters in RC [AL 4-5 mm :(14.8 ± 5.0)%, AL ≥ 6 mm: (9.3 ± 3.1)%, BOP: (22.8 ± 4.2)%] were significantly decreased compared with that at baseline [AL 4-5 mm:(19.0 ± 6.0)%, AL ≥ 6 mm: (10.6 ± 3.1)%, BOP:(30.3 ± 5.6)%] (P < 0.01). There was significant difference between RC and NC [AL 4-5mm:(43.3 ± 1.3)%, AL ≥ 6 mm:(31.3 ± 1.7)%, BOP (91.5 ± 5.4)%] (P < 0.01), and between RC and EC[AL 4-5 mm: (18.9 ± 6.7)%, AL ≥ 6 mm: (12.6 ± 5.4)%, BOP:(38.4 ± 5.2)%] (P < 0.05). The progression rate of periodontitis [19.1% (4/21) at subject level, 0.7% (434/61 362) at site level] and tooth loss (1.0) was significantly lower in RC compared with EC and NC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Regular periodontal maintenance enables the patients with chronic periodontitis to maintain long-term efficacy.

[The influential factors of patients' compliance with supportive periodontal therapy].

PURPOSE: To discuss the influential factors of patients' compliance with chronic periodontitis during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) period and the counter measures. METHODS: Chronic periodontal patients completing intial non-surgical therapy with SPT were investigated with a self-designed questionnaire after 2 years by outpatient follow-up and telephone interviews to obtain information for analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and one effective scales were collected. Factors influenced patients' compliance including disease awareness, health care quality, age, education level, economic status and so on. CONCLUSIONS: There are many factors influencing patients' compliance, and the key to improve patient compliance is that doctors should instruct the patients appropriately, follow up annually, and improve the quality of medical services.

[The application of problem-based learning and case-based study in the practice teaching of clinical prosthodontics courses].

PURPOSE: To study the effect of problem-based learning(PBL) and case-based study(CBS) for knowledge acquisition and clinical performance in the practice teaching of clinical prosthodontics courses. METHODS: Consecutive cohorts of year 2 clinical students taught using a traditional prosthodontics curriculum (students who practiced in Xuzhou Stomatological Hospital from June 2007 to June 2008, n=30) and a PBL and CBS curriculum (who practiced in Xuzhou Stomatology hospital from June 2008 to June 2009, n=30) were compared.Students completed an end-of-attachment examination and a questionnaire in which students were requested to rate themselves on 7 competencies. The data was analyzed with CS10.34 software package. RESULTS: The PBL and CBS curriculum resulted in significantly better examination performance than did the traditional teaching curriculum (P<0.05). The excellent rate was 46.7% in the PBL and CBS curriculum while 23.3% in the traditional teaching curriculum. It was found that most students considered PBL and CBS useful for them. CONCLUSIONS: Examination performance indicates that the PBL and CBS curriculum is more successful than the previous course. PBL and CBS can be used to stimulate and underpin the acquisition of knowledge, skill and attitudes, and is worthy of generalization in clinical prosthodontics courses.

[Clinical study on the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcer with zhong tong'an combined with dexamethasone].

100 cases of recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) were randomly divided into two groups, 55 cases in the experimental group who were given traditional Chinese medicine Zhong tong'an capsules combined with dexamethasone tablets, while 45 cases in the control group who were given dexamethasone tablets alone. The course of treatment was 9 days, and follow up period was 6 months. The overall effective rates were 94.45% and 77.78% in the experimental group and the control group respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups in the treatment outcome (P < 0.05).