Is group C really needed as a separate group from D in COPD? A single-center cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: GOLD 2017 report proposed that the combined COPD assessment should be done according only to symptom burden and exacerbation history in the previous year. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the change in the COPD groups after the GOLD 2017 revision and also to discuss the evaluation of group C and D as a single group after the GOLD 2019 report. METHOD: The study was designed as a cross-sectional. 251 stable COPD patients admitted to our out-patient clinic; aged ...40 years, at least one-year diagnosis of COPD and ...10 pack-year smoking history were consecutively recruited for the study. RESULTS: In GOLD 2017, a significant difference was found between the distribution of all groups compared to GOLD 2011 (P...=...0,001). 31 patients included in group C were reclassified into group A and 37 patients in group D were reclassified into group B. The FEV1 values of group A and B patients were significantly low and group C and D patients had had exacerbations in more frequently the previous year in GOLD 2017 compared to GOLD 2011. CONCLUSION: After the GOLD 2017 revision, the rate of group C patients decreased even more compared to GOLD 2011 and the group C and D may be considered as a single group in terms of the treatment recommendations with the GOLD 2019 revision. We think that future prospective studies are needed to support this suggestion.

Double-edged-sword effect of IL-1ß on the osteogenesis of periodontal ligament stem cells via crosstalk between the NF-κB, MAPK and BMP/Smad signaling pathways.

Microenvironmental conditions can interfere with the functional role and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Recent studies suggest that an inflammatory microenvironment can significantly impact the osteogenic potential of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), but the precise effects and mechanisms involved remain unclear. Here, we show for the first time that interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) has dual roles in the osteogenesis of PDLSCs at concentrations ranging from physiologically healthy levels to those found in chronic periodontitis. Low doses of IL-1ß activate the BMP/Smad signaling pathway to promote the osteogenesis of PDLSCs, but higher doses of IL-1ß inhibit BMP/Smad signaling through the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, inhibiting osteogenesis. These results demonstrate that crosstalk between NF-κB, MAPK and BMP/Smad signaling mediates this dual effect of IL-1ß on PDLSCs. We also show that the impaired osteogenesis of PDLSCs results in more inflammatory cytokines and chemokines being released, inducing the chemotaxis of macrophages, which further clarifies the role of PDLSCs in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.

[Development and application of the facial soft tissue 3D measuring system].

OBJECTIVE: To combine measurement and image technology as an objective means to help prosthodontists provide better service. METHODS: The system was developed by consisting of two CCD cameras, real time hardware for the recognition of markers and software for the 3D reconstruction. RESULTS: It allowed efficient, direct and noninvasive calculation of the 3D liner and angular measurements of the human face. CONCLUSION: This system is a useful way to get 3D information of the human face. It will be a good supplement to the classic cephalometric analyses.

[Validation of the 3D measuring system].

OBJECTIVE: To test the validation of the 3D measuring technique. METHODS: A life-size plaster cast of human head was used as the anthropomorphic model. Fifteen experimental conditions were studied. Nine linear distances between landmarks and Nasion were measured each time. These were compared to the standard anthropometric measurements using the same landmarks. RESULTS: The mean difference was 1.21mm (2.09%). Among the 8 conditions imitating different head posture,only the one turning 10 degrees to the left had a significant difference from the normal position. CONCLUSION: In accordance with the requirements of " human measurement handbook", the system error is acceptable.

[Facial soft tissue three dimensional morphometry].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article were to assess the reproducibility of the landmark locating, and to obtain some facial soft tissue measurements data of the teenagers. METHODS: 8 males were selected to refix the black markers by the same operator and remeasure 14 items by the system, then compare both results. Three dimensional facial morphametry was investigated in a sample of 20 teenagers at the early stage of the permanent dentition. RESULTS: No item of the remeasurement test showed statistical difference error. The sexual dimorphism was found in the measurements connecting with lower face height(Sn-Pg). CONCLUSION: It indicated that the landmarks selected in this study had biologic significance and unique definition. The result of teenager facial measurements is in accordance with growth rule.

[Research of dynamic measurements of perioral soft tissue]

OBJECTIVE:This article introduced a concept of dynamic image measurement for calculate the quantity of cirumoral soft tissue movements. METHODS: A developed computer image analyzing system was used to calculate the quantity of circumoral soft tissue movement under the three conditions. RESULTS: (1)When/mo/is pronounced,lip protrudes,the upper lip landmarks move upwards,imwards and forwards,and the lower lip landmarks downwards and backwards.The variation of upper lip triangular area will be M2M2>M1. (2)When/si/is pronounced,as a result of vowel,the amount of lower lip moving down backwards is more than that when/mo/is pronounced,which makes the lower lip triangular area comes to be M3>M2>M1. CONCLUSION: Pronunciation is one of the important oral functins. It could be used as a method of research to measure the facial soft tissue change dynamically and effectively.

[The establishment of the digital imaging analysis system on the lower maxillofacial soft tissue]

Soft tissue shape is an important parameter to evaluate the postprosthetic effect of facial profile.In this study,the technique of digital imaging analysis was used to transferring from imaging informations to digital information,and then these information were imputed to computer for capturing,measuring and analyzing.So far,a set of digital imaging analysis system relating to the speciality of prosthodontics has been established preliminarily,with the advantage of quantitative analysis,non invasion and accuracy.It will provide a new way for reconstructing vertical dimension of occlusion.

[Analysis of the measurement on of the maxillofacial soft tissue's parameters association with vertical dimension]

The rehabilitation of vertical dimension of occlusion(VDO) exactly is one of the most important procedure for dental prosthesis in the field of prosthodontics.In this study,total of 19 subjects with normal range occlusion were selected.We measured 33 parameters relating to VDO of their facial soft tissue at intercusping position,with the technique of digital imaging analysis.The results as follows:we established a set of normal values of facial soft tissue parameters,which is suitable for the age group of 21-24 years old.It would provide an objective criterion for the rehabilitation of VDO.Also the normal values in this studies had been compared with other other studies,and it showed that the values of some parameters in our study,such as CH-CH',nasolabial angle were very close to oter data.Furthermore,it was found that both the position of the upper lip and the lower lip of the subjects were more anterior to that of white men,while the degrees of nasolabial and labiomental convexity were less obvious.

[Computer-aided analysis of maxillofacial soft tissue simulating with vertical dimensions of 4 different types]

In this study,33 parameters relating to vertical dimension of occlusion(VDO) of 19 subjects' maxilofacial soft tissue of four different vertical dimentsions(VDs) were measured.All of them were in intercusping position,with the technique of digital imaging analysis.The findings as follows:(1)A set of normal values of facial soft tissue's parameters of four different VDs was established,which was suitable for the age group of 21-24 years old.(2)When the VD was raised to the certain height(H4),it would affect the size of angle of the inferior soft tissue of lip distinctly,furthermore,the correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between the variance of VDs would arouse the change of the inferior soft tissues of lip,especially its size of angle,is very correspondingly and obviously.

Paternal antigen and progesterone effects on conceptus size in laboratory mice.

Reports in the scientific literature conflict regarding the possible effects of immunizing mothers with paternal antigens on placental and fetal size of the progeny. Several investigators noted an enhancement effect, while others were unable to demonstrate any effect or found an inhibitory influence. The principal differences among these previous experiments were in dosage and frequency of administration of antigen. A series of mice (C57BL/6J females immunized against A/J-strain male spleen cells and the reciprocal) was tested over a broad range of dosages, including repetitions of those given previously by other workers. Late-gestation conceptus weights and other measurements were negatively but highly correlated, with the loge of total paternal spleen cells used for preimmunization. However, the preimmunization effect could be nullified by treatment with medroxyprogesterone during pregnancy. Prior impregnation by males of the spleen-cell donor strain also countered the preimmunization inhibition of conceptus growth. Preimmunization dosage differences do not account for discrepancies observed by previous investigators.