Quality of orthodontic care-A multicenter cohort study in Germany : Part 1: Evaluation of effectiveness of orthodontic treatments and predictive factors.

AIMS: Orthodontic care and its effectiveness have increasingly become the focus of political and public attention in the recent past. Therefore, this multicenter cohort study aimed to report about the effectiveness of orthodontic treatments in Germany and to identify potential influencing factors. METHODS: A total of 586 patients from seven German study centers were screened for this cohort study, of which 361 patients were recruited at the end of their orthodontic treatment. Of these, 26 patients had missing study models and/or missing treatment information. Thus, 335 participants were included. The severity of malocclusion was rated using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) Index at baseline (T0) retrospectively and-prospectively-after the retention period (T1). Practitioner-, treatment- and patient-related information were analyzed in order to detect potential predictive factors for treatment effectiveness. RESULTS: Study participants (202 female and 133 male) were on average 14.8 (standard deviation [SD] ± 6.1) years old at start of active treatment. Average PAR score at T0 was 25.96 (SD ± 10.75) and mean posttreatment PAR score was 3.67 (SD ± 2.98) at T1. An average decrease of total PAR score by 22.30 points (SD ± 10.73) or 83.54% (SD ± 14.58; p < 0.001) was detected. Furthermore, 164 treatments (49.1%) were categorized as 'greatly improved' but only 3 treatments (0.9%) as 'worse or no different'; 81.5% of all cases finished with a high-quality treatment outcome (≤5 PAR points at T1). Logistic regression analyses detected staff experience as a significant predictive factor for high-quality results (odds ratio 1.27, p = 0.001, 95% confidence interval 1.11-1.46). CONCLUSION: The improvement rate among this selected German cohort indicated an overall very good standard of orthodontic treatment. Staff experience proved to be a predictive factor for high-quality results.

Herbst-multibracket appliance treatment: is there an association between lower incisor position changes and the development of labial gingival recessions?

PURPOSE: To assess a potential association between lower incisor (LI) position changes during Herbst-multibracket appliance (Herbst-MBA) treatment and the development of labial gingival recessions (LGR). METHODS: All class II patients (Department of Orthodontics, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany) who had undergone Herbst-MBA treatment until 2015 with study models and lateral cephalograms available from before (T0) and after treatment plus ≥24 months of retention (T3) were included (n = 259). Lateral cephalograms were evaluated regarding LI position changes: iiL/ML (angle between LI long axis and mandibular plane [MP]), ii-MLPg (distance between LI incisal edge and a line perpendicular to MP through pogonion), apex-MLPg (distance between LI apex and a line perpendicular to MP through pogonion), ii-MLii (distance between LI incisal edge and MP on a line perpendicular to MP through incisal edge). Using study models the distance between the cementoenamel junction and the deepest point of the gingival margin was defined as LGR. RESULTS: The following cephalometric mean changes were recorded (T0-T3): iiL/ML +5.9 ± 5.76° (p = 0.929), ii-MLPg -0.2 ± 0.25 mm (p = 0.430), apex-MLPg +0.1 ± 0.32 mm (p = 0.363), ii-MLii +0.1 ± 0.36 mm (p = 0.206). The mean increase of LGR magnitude measured on the study models was 0.1 ± 0.35 mm. However, no association with the cephalometric LI position changes was found (|R| ≤ 0.2). CONCLUSION: There is no association between the amount of LI position changes and the development of LGR during Herbst-MBA treatment plus retention. Nevertheless, individual predisposition or excessive treatment changes and extraordinary treatment approaches, respectively, might still lead to development of LGR.

Leptin reduces in vitro cementoblast mineralization and survival as well as induces PGE2 release by ERK1/2 commitment.

OBJECTIVES: Juvenile obesity is a complex clinical condition that is present more and more frequently in the daily orthodontic practice. Over-weighted patients have an impaired bone metabolism, due in part to their increased levels of circulating adipokines. Particularly, leptin has been reported to play a key role in bone physiology. Leptin is ubiquitously present in the body, including blood, saliva, and crevicular fluid. If, and to what extent, it could influence the reaction of cementoblasts during orthodontic-induced forces is yet unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: OCCM-30 cementoblasts were cultivated under compressive forces using different concentrations of leptin. The expression of ObR, Runx-2, Osteocalcin, Rank-L, Sost, Caspase 3, 8, and 9 were analyzed by RT-PCR. Western blots were employed for protein analysis. The ERK1/2 antagonist FR180204 (Calbiochem) was used and cPLA2 activation, PGE2, and cytochrome C release were further evaluated. RESULTS: In vitro, when compressive forces are applied, leptin promotes ERK1/2 phosphorylation, as well as upregulates PGE2 and caspase 3 and caspase 9 on OCCM cells. Blockade of ERK1/2 impairs leptin-induced PGE2 secretion and reduced caspase 3 and caspase 9 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Leptin influences the physiological effect of compressive forces on cementoblasts, exerting in vitro a pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic effect. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our findings indicate that leptin exacerbates the physiological effect of compressive forces on cementoblasts promoting the release of PGE2 and increases the rate of cell apoptosis, and thus, increased levels of leptin may influence the inflammatory response during orthodontically induced tooth movement.

Red fluorescence of plaque in the dentition-a comparison of Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D) images and conventional images of disclosed plaque.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D) detects red fluorescence of plaque, but is almost solely used on labial anterior tooth surfaces. As distribution and formation of plaque varies distinctly within the dentition, our aim was to investigate, how red fluorescing plaque is related to disclosed plaque depending on tooth type and surface. This was done with habitual plaque and after de-novo plaque formation. METHODS: Thirty subjects were enrolled. QLF-Dimages of undisclosed plaque and conventional images of disclosed plaque were planimetrically analysed. Values were expressed as percentage of red fluorescing plaque (P%QLF-D) and of disclosed plaque (P%D) of the total tooth surface. Images were taken at baseline, after de-novo plaque formation (48 (T2) and 72 (T3) h without oral hygiene after professional tooth cleaning), and after 4-6 weeks of habitual oral hygiene (T4). RESULTS: At the tooth level, P%QLF-D was significantly lower than P%D on vestibular surfaces but reached similar levels on oral surfaces. De-novo plaque formation caused a significant increase in P%D on vestibular surfaces; this was not reflected by QLF-D. At the subject level, on vestibular surfaces and at baseline, some subjects exhibited minor but others gross differences between P%QLF-D and P%D. This was not the case at T3, but the same pattern appeared again at T4. On oral surfaces, the order of differences was more evenly scattered with no clear impact of the observation time point. CONCLUSION: Red fluorescence of dental plaque relates very differently to disclosed plaque depending on sites and maturation stages and has a significant inter-individual component.

Class II:2 malocclusion-prevalence and progression of labial gingival recessions during Herbst-Multibracket appliance treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence, incidence, and changes in magnitude of labial gingival recessions (LGR) in class II:2 patients during Herbst-Multibracket appliance (Herbst-MBA) treatment (Tx) plus retention. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All class II:2 patients of the Department of Orthodontics, University of Giessen, Germany who completed Herbst-MBA Tx (mean pre-Tx age 15.6 years). The cohort had undergone a Herbst phase (mean 8.1 months) as well as a subsequent MBA phase (mean 14.4 months). Study casts were evaluated from pre-Tx and after Herbst-MBA Tx plus ≥ 24 months of retention. RESULTS: Ratable pre-Tx and post-retention study casts (total observation period 53.5 ± 10.3 months) were available from 94 out of 173 patients. No significant difference existed regarding pre-Tx LGR data between patients with and without complete records. The prevalence for teeth with LGR ≥ 0.5 mm was 1.4% pre-Tx respectively 6.7% post-retention. The highest values of up to 5.3% (pre-Tx) and 20.2% (post-retention) were determined for the upper first premolars and lower central incisors. Incidence values of 4.7% (all teeth) and up to 14.9% (upper first right premolars) respectively 11.1% (lower central incisors) were calculated (LGR ≥ 0.5 mm). The overall LGR mean magnitudes were 0.01 mm pre-Tx respectively 0.06 mm post-retention. CONCLUSIONS: For the prevalence of LGR ≥ 0.5 mm an average increase of 5.3% was determined during ≈ 4.5 years of Herbst-MBA Tx plus retention. The highest incidence was seen for lower central incisors and upper right premolars (11.1/14.9%). The overall LGR mean magnitude increased by 0.05 mm. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Herbst-MBA Tx is a common approach for class II:2 malocclusions. Very little, however, is known regarding LGR development in respective patients.

Prevalence of WNT10A gene mutations in non-syndromic oligodontia.

OBJECTIVES: Non-syndromic oligodontia is an infrequent clinical condition whose etiology is not yet completely understood being a wide spectrum of gene mutations described in concomitance with this severe form of tooth agenesis. Recently, multiple observations have linked up to 50% of cases with isolated hypodontia to mutations in the WNT10A gene. Here, we hypothesized that mutations in the WNT10A gene could also be present in families affected by non-syndromic oligodontia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All available patients with non-syndromic oligodontia (n = 20) treated at the Department of Orthodontics, University of Giessen, Germany between 1986 and 2013 as well as their family members were analyzed for mutations in the WNT10A gene. RESULTS: Mutation screening was positive in 50% of the 20 patients. The analysis revealed that the mutations 2:219755011(c.682T>TA)(p.F228I), 2:219754822(c.493G>GA)(p.G165R), 2:219754816(c.487C>CT)(p.R163W), and 2:219747090(c.321C>CA)(p.C107*), the novel missense mutation 2:219757676(c.937G/GT)(p.G313C), and the novel synonym variant 2:219754854(c.525C>CT)(p.H175H) were present. CONCLUSION: Multiple phenotypes are found in individuals presenting mutations in the WNT10A gene. Among them, the stop codon p.C107* as well as the biallelic p.F228I variants correlate with the most severe oligodontia phenotypes. In addition, we diagnosed the monoallelic mutations p.F228I, p.G165R, and p.G313C in healthy relatives with normal dentitions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A correct diagnosis of non-syndromic oligodontia is fundamental to discard a possible underlying pathology in which multiple tooth agenesis could be the most evidential clinical sign. Due to the wide spectrum of pathologies that are associated to mutations in the WNT10A gene, an extended genetic analysis of these individuals' relatives is also essential.

Long-term effects of Class II orthodontic treatment on oral health.

AIM: To investigate the long-term (≥15 years) benefit of orthodontic Class II treatment (Tx) on oral health (OH). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All patients (Department of Orthodontics, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany) who underwent Class II correction (Herbst-multibracket Tx, end of active Tx ≥ 15 years ago) and agreed to participate in a recall (clinical examination, interview, impressions, and photographs) were included. Records after active Tx were used to assess the long-term OH effects. Data were compared to corresponding population-representative age-cohorts as well as to untreated Class I controls without orthodontic Tx need during adolescence. RESULTS: Of 152 treated Class II patients, 75 could be located and agreed to participate at 33.7 ± 3.0 years of age (pre-Tx age: 14.0 ± 2.7 years). The majority (70.8%) were fully satisfied with their teeth and with their masticatory system. The Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth Index (DMFT) was 7.1 ± 4.8 and, thus, almost identical to that of the untreated Class I controls (7.9 ± 3.6). In contrast, the DMFT in the population-representative age-cohort was 56% higher. The determined mean Community Periodontal Index (CPI) maximum score (1.6 ± 0.6) was also comparable to the untreated Class I controls (1.7 ± 0.9) but in the corresponding population-representative age-cohort it was 19-44% higher. The extent of lower incisor gingival recessions did not differ significantly between the treated Class II participants and the untreated Class I controls (0.1 ± 0.2 vs. 0.0 ± 0.1 mm). CONCLUSION: Patients with orthodontically treated severe Class II malocclusions had a lower risk for oral health impairment than the general population. The risk corresponded to that of untreated Class I controls (without orthodontic Tx need during adolescence).

Orthodontic Class II:1 treatment-efficiency and outcome quality of Herbst-multibracket appliance therapy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective investigation was to assess the efficiency and outcome quality of Class II:1 treatment (Tx). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The investigation is based on the evaluation of all Class II:1 patients that ever (1986-2014) started Tx with a Herbst appliance and subsequently a multibracket appliance (MBA) at the study center. Study casts from before Tx, after Herbst-MBA Tx, and (if available) after ≥ 24 months of retention were evaluated using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index, the Ahlgren scale, and standard occlusal variables. RESULTS: In total, 526 Class II:1 patients with a mean pre-Tx age of 14.4 years (range 9.8-44.4) had received Herbst-MBA Tx; 18 patients discontinued Tx before completion. For 240 patients, data from ≥ 24 months of retention were available. The pre-Tx PAR score of 32.4 ± 8.83 was reduced to 8.0 ± 4.51 during Tx. A slight increase to 8.8 ± 5.11 occurred during retention. The percentage of patients which could be assigned to the category "greatly improved" was 62% after Tx and 57% after retention; only 2-3% had to be assigned to the category "worse/no different." The outcome ratings according to the Ahlgren scale revealed 17% excellent, 35% good, 45% satisfactory, and 3% unsuccessful results. CONCLUSIONS: Class II:1 Tx using Herbst-MBA is an efficient approach in orthodontic care. During a mean active Tx period of 2 years, high-quality results can be obtained in the majority of patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present investigation is the first to investigate a large unselected cohort of consecutive Herbst-MBA patients to determine representative data on the efficiency and the outcome quality of this Tx approach.

Skeletal anchorage for everybody? a questionnaire study on frequency of use and clinical indications in daily practice.

AIM: The purpose of this survey was to determine how commonly, and in what clinical situations, German-based orthodontists use skeletal anchorage devices in daily clinical practice. METHOD: In early 2013, a set of questionnaires on the subject of skeletal anchorage devices was mailed to 2459 members of the German Orthodontic Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kieferorthopädie, DGKFO). The questions dealt separately with mini screws (MSCs) and osseointegrated palatal implants (OPIs). The addresses were asked whether or not, as well as how frequently and in what clinical situations, they used these MSCs and/or OPIs, what their experience was, and to elaborate on their reasons for using or not using these devices. RESULTS: The rate of returned questionnaires was 48 %. To correctly interpret our data, it should be kept in mind that an unknown number of respondents did not distinguish between OPIs and palatally inserted MSCs. Overall, 62 % indicated that they did use MSCs and/or OPIs, although most of them (> 50 %) infrequently (≤ 2 new patients/3 months). Only ≤ 2 % were frequent users (> 2 new patients/week). While most users (> 70 %) indicated that their experience was mostly good, only ≤ 50 % considered the devices easy and trouble-free to use in daily clinical practice. The median percentage of insertion procedures conducted by the respondents themselves was 2 % for MSCs and 0 % for OPIs. Many of the non-users indicated that their treatment concept did not include suitable clinical indications (≥ 50 %), expressed skepticism about the success rates (56 % of MSC and 21 % of OPI non-users), or thought that the insertion procedures involved were too complex or time-consuming (33 % of MSC and 56 % of OPI non-users). CONCLUSION: A total of 62 % of German-based orthodontists participating in this survey indicated using skeletal anchorage devices, although most of them infrequently. Major reasons for non-use were lack of clinical indications, skepticism about the success rate of MSCs, and overly complex or time-consuming procedures of surgical OPI insertion.

Novel Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Photoinactivation of In Situ Oral Biofilms by Visible Light plus Water-Filtered Infrared A.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT) has gained increased attention as an alternative treatment approach in various medical fields. However, the effect of APDT using visible light plus water-filtered infrared A (VIS + wIRA) on oral biofilms remains unexplored. For this purpose, initial and mature oral biofilms were obtained in situ; six healthy subjects wore individual upper jaw acrylic devices with bovine enamel slabs attached to their proximal sites for 2 h or 3 days. The biofilms were incubated with 100 µg ml(-1) toluidine blue O (TB) or chlorin e6 (Ce6) and irradiated with VIS + wIRA with an energy density of 200 mW cm(-2) for 5 min. After cultivation, the CFU of half of the treated biofilm samples were quantified, whereas following live/dead staining, the other half of the samples were monitored by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). TB- and Ce6-mediated APDT yielded a significant decrease of up to 3.8 and 5.7 log10 CFU for initial and mature oral biofilms, respectively. Quantification of the stained photoinactivated microorganisms confirmed these results. Overall, CLSM revealed the diffusion of the tested photosensitizers into the deepest biofilm layers after exposure to APDT. In particular, Ce6-aided APDT presented elevated permeability and higher effectiveness in eradicating 89.62% of biofilm bacteria compared to TB-aided APDT (82.25%) after 3 days. In conclusion, antimicrobial photoinactivation using VIS + wIRA proved highly potent in eradicating oral biofilms. Since APDT excludes the development of microbial resistance, it could supplement the pharmaceutical treatment of periodontitis or peri-implantitis.

Facial-profile attractiveness changes in adult patients treated with the Herbst appliance.

AIM: The goal of this study was to compare facial profile attractiveness changes of adult patients treated with the Herbst appliance assessed by orthodontists and laypeople. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient sample comprised 28 adult Herbst patients. Facial profile photographs of the patients were randomly divided into two evaluation sets (before T0, after treatment T1). Ten members of the Angle Society of Europe (orthodontists) and 10 dental students in their third semester (laymen) rated both sets of photographs using Visual Analog Scales (VAS) with an interval of 1 day between the ratings. RESULTS: On average, both orthodontists and students found an improvement in facial profile attractiveness through Herbst appliance treatment (VAS T1-T0 = 0.3 ± 1.9 cm). However, the interindividual perception of profile attractiveness varied greatly in the two rater groups. For both time periods (T0, T1), lower VAS ratings were given by students than by orthodontists. CONCLUSION: Herbst therapy in adult patients generally improves facial profile attractiveness. Students rated facial profiles more critically than orthodontists.

The Erasmus programme for postgraduate education in orthodontics in Europe: an update of the guidelines.

In 1989, the ERASMUS Bureau of the European Cultural Foundation of the Commission of the European Communities funded the development of a new 3-year curriculum for postgraduate education in orthodontics. The new curriculum was created by directors for orthodontic education representing 15 European countries. The curriculum entitled 'Three years Postgraduate Programme in Orthodontics: the Final Report of the Erasmus Project' was published 1992. In 2012, the 'Network of Erasmus Based European Orthodontic Programmes' developed and approved an updated version of the guidelines. The core programme consists of eight sections: general biological and medical subjects; basic orthodontic subjects; general orthodontic subjects; orthodontic techniques; interdisciplinary subjects; management of health and safety; practice management, administration, and ethics; extramural educational activities. The programme goals and objectives are described and the competencies to be reached are outlined. These guidelines may serve as a baseline for programme development and quality assessment for postgraduate programme directors, national associations, and governmental bodies and could assist future residents when selecting a postgraduate programme.

Class II division 2 treatment--does skeletal maturity influence success and stability?

AIM: To analyze the influence of skeletal maturity on Herbst multibracket (MB) treatment of Class II division 2 malocclusions and its stability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 37 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria (Class II division 2, fully erupted premolars and canines, Class II molar relationship ≥1/2 cusp widths bilaterally or 1 cusp width unilaterally, retention period ≥24 months). According to pretreatment hand wrist skeletal maturity the subjects were assigned to the groups EARLY (n=9), LATE (n=14) and ADULT (n=14). Lateral headfilms (T1: before treatment, T2: after Herbst MB treatment, T3: after retention) were analyzed using the Sagittal-Occlusal analysis and standard cephalometrics. RESULTS: During Herbst MB treatment (T2-T1), significant (p<0.001) molar relationship improvement was seen in all groups (EARLY: 3.6 mm; LATE: 3.7 mm; ADULT: 3.2 mm). The amount of skeletal effects contributing to molar correction varied markedly between the groups (EARLY: 19%; LATE: 62%; ADULT: 31%). Improvement (p<0.01) was also seen for ssNB angle (EARLY: 1.8°; LATE: 1.8°; ADULT: 0.9°) and overbite (EARLY: 3.3 mm; LATE: 4.5 mm; ADULT: 4.3 mm). During retention (T3-T2), minimal changes of molar relationship (<0.2 mm) and ssNB angle (<0.5°) were seen in all groups. Also the overbite relapsed (EARLY: 0.5 mm; LATE: 1.0 mm; ADULT: 1.1 mm) only to a clinically irrelevant extent. CONCLUSION: Irrespective of skeletal maturity, Herbst MB treatment of Class II division 2 malocclusions showed to be successful and stable. However, the LATE group showed the highest amount of skeletal effects contributing to the correction of the molar relationship.

Correlation between body mass index and orthodontic treatment outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a correlation between body mass index (BMI), patient cooperation, and treatment success during multibracket (MB) appliance therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All adolescent MB patients started and finished between 2007 and 2010 were analyzed. The pretreatment BMI was calculated and negative file entries such as bad oral hygiene, missed appointments, and appliance breakage were recorded. According to the number of negative entries, cooperation was classified as good, bad, or poor. Additionally, the treatment duration and the number of appointments were recorded. For the evaluation of treatment success, the pretreatment and posttreatment PAR (peer assessment rating) scores were measured. RESULTS: Of the 77 subjects, 61 had a normal BMI (79.2%) and 16 were considered overweight (20.8%). Whereas 51.7% of the normal-weight children had a good cooperation, only 25% of the overweight patients cooperated sufficiently. Consequently, the number of patients exhibiting bad or poor cooperation was higher in the overweight group (37.5% bad, 37.5% poor) than in the normal-weight group (30.6% bad, 17.7% poor). Patients with an increased BMI had a slightly longer treatment duration (21.4 months) and needed more appointments (19.9) than their normal-weight peers (18.9 months, 18.1 appointments). The PAR (peer assessment rating) score reduction, however, was comparable (normal BMI: 17.8 points, 64.0%; increased BMI: 15.2 points, 65.3%). CONCLUSION: In the present study, children with increased BMI did not cooperate as well during MB therapy as their normal-weight peers, but the treatment outcome was comparable in the two groups.

Comparison of six different specimen types for Epstein-Barr viral load quantification in peripheral blood of pediatric patients after heart transplantation or after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) a gamma-herpes virus is associated with a spectrum of lymphoid and epithelial malignancies including posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD). EBV-load measurement has been shown to be important for the monitoring of these patients. However, in contrast to the viral quantification of human immunodeficiency virus or human hepatitis C virus, the EBV-load measurement has not been completely standardized as yet. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we compared the EBV DNA levels in whole blood (WB), plasma, peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) and B-cells (BC) in children and adolescents after heart transplantations (HTx) and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCT). STUDY DESIGN: In a period of 2 years (from May 2007 to May 2009) we collected 547 samples of 96 cardiac transplant recipients and 248 samples of 37 patients who underwent HSCT. For EBV DNA quantification we used a duplex real-time PCR (ABI Prism 7500, Applied Biosystems). Additionally, EBV-load of PBMC and BC were normalized with respect to endogenous cell DNA. RESULTS: In both patient populations we found no significant difference of test sensitivity for the EBV detection. In PBMC as well as BC, there was a high correlation between the analysis of cells with and without normalization in both populations. Spearman's correlation coefficient ρ between PBMC without and PBMC with normalization was ρ=0.98 (P<0.0001) in patients after HTx and ρ=0.99 (P<0.0001) in patients after HSCT. Correlation between BC with and without normalization was ρ=0.98 (P<0.0001) in patients after HTx and ρ=0.995 (P<0.0001) in patients after HSCT. When comparing the different blood compartments for EBV quantification in both populations, the strongest correlations were found between the EBV DNA levels in WB and PBMC (HTx: ρ=0.93, P<0.0001; HSCT: ρ=0.81, P<0.0001) followed by PBMC and BC (HTx: ρ=0.87, P<0.0001; HSCT: ρ=0.81, P<0.0001) as well as WB and BC (HTx: ρ=0.86, P<0.0001; HSCT: ρ=0.75, P<0.0001). In contrast, the correlation coefficients between plasma and the other blood compartments (WB as well as PBMC or BC) were lower. Six patients developed seven episodes of PTLD (five patients after HTx and one after renal transplantation). Analyzing the different blood compartments, we found that a threshold of WB ≥20,000EBV-copies/ml and plasma ≥1000EBV-copies/ml had the highest sensitivities and specificities (WB: sensitivity 100%, specificity 87% and plasma: sensitivity 88%, specificity 98%). CONCLUSION: Normalization towards an endogenous control does not seem to be necessary for EBV quantification in peripheral blood. The analysis of whole blood correlates well with B-cells and PBMC. Routine screening of EBV DNA in whole blood appeared to be a useful tool supplemented by EBV-load measurement in plasma to discriminate chronic high EBV-load carrier without risk for PTLD from those who are at risk for PTLD. Values in whole blood higher than 20,000EBV-copies/ml WB and plasma values higher than 1000EBV-copies/ml plasma indicated PTLD in our series.

Cleaning removable orthodontic appliances: a survey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this survey was to analyze the recommendations commonly followed in Germany for cleaning removable orthodontic appliances (ROAs) and to compare these with published procedures. METHODS: A total of 450 randomly-selected orthodontists were contacted by telephone and asked for their recommendations for cleaning ROA. RESULTS: The most frequent recommendation was mechanical cleaning with a toothbrush (99.8%). Chemical detergents (37.1%) and treatment with diluted vinegar or citric acid (30.5%) were mentioned less often. CONCLUSION: The use of cleaning solutions was recommended comparatively infrequently, even though the scientific literature suggests that this is the most hygienic way to care for ROA.

Orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a systematic review of the literature.

To systematically review the literature published on orthodontic treatment principles in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Several electronic databases (PubMed, Medpilot, Web of Science, and DIMDI) and orthodontic and rheumatologic literature were systematically searched for studies published until May 2010. The articles were rated by two independent reviewers and included after three selection steps (title-abstract-full text). Articles had to be studies performed on ≥ 5 patients with a disease onset before the age of 16. The selection process resulted in the inclusion of three publications on dentofacial orthopedics and six on combined surgical orthodontic therapy. The three studies on dentofacial orthopedics aimed to improve the mandibular retrusion by means of removable functional appliances (activator). Whereas these orthodontic approaches comprised relatively large and homogeneous patient samples (14, 22, and 72 subjects, aged 6-16), the surgical studies were basically case series with a large age span of the patients (5-12 subjects, aged 10-44). In these surgical treatment approaches, orthodontics was limited to pre-surgical leveling and post-surgical finishing, while the skeletal discrepancy was treated surgically by a variety of techniques (costochondral grafts, bilateral sagittal spilt osteotomy, Le Fort I, and genioplasty). The treatment goals of both approaches were improvement of esthetics and function and/or pain reduction, and both approaches showed satisfactory results. Because of the heterogeneity of the subject material and the low level of evidence of the papers, it is difficult to draw any conclusions on the orthodontic/dentofacial orthopedic management of JIA. It appears as if removable functional appliances may be beneficial in adolescent patients with JIA.

Advancement genioplasty in Class I patients: predictability and stability of facial profile changes.

This retrospective study evaluated the skeletal and soft tissue facial profile changes as well as the predictability and the short-term stability of the soft-tissue response to advancement genioplasty in Class I dental arch relationship patients. The study included 14 adult patients who presented a Class I dental arch but a Class II skeletal arch relationship and underwent advancement genioplasty exclusively. Lateral cephalograms taken immediately preoperatively (T1), immediately postoperatively (T2) and 1 year postoperatively (T3) were analysed. The hard tissue pogonion was sagittally advanced by an average of 7.9 mm (p<0.001) (T1-T2). The soft tissue chin followed the sagittal skeletal chin movement and exceeded chin advancement due to the initial soft tissue swelling. In the vertical dimension, the skeletal chin moved 3.0mm (p<0.01) upwards whilst the soft tissue chin moved only 2.1mm upwards (p<0.01). All profile convexity angles increased significantly (p<0.001), implying that the profile was straightened by the advancement of the chin. In the short term, advancement genioplasty was a predictable and stable procedure for chin correction. A ratio of 1:1 may be used to predict the sagittal soft tissue to bony movements for the period from before to 1 year after surgery.

Smoking accelerates the progression of hypertension-induced myocardial hypertrophy to heart failure in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial hypertrophy often develops in response to hypertension, and it is causal to and an independent predictor of heart failure. Several risk factors modify the progression of hypertrophy, the associated progressive impairment of myocardial function, and eventually the transition to overt congestive heart failure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of smoking on the progression of pressure-dependent myocardial hypertrophy. METHODS: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used as a model for pressure-dependent hypertrophy. SHR were exposed to mainstream smoke from the Kentucky reference cigarette 2R4F (450 microg total particulate matter/l) or to fresh air (control), 5 days a week, twice for 1 h per day with a 30-minute fresh air exposure break for 30, 60, or 90 days. Endpoints for hypertrophy-associated changes were heart weight to body weight ratio, ventricular expression of hypertrophy-associated genes, ischemic tolerance, and inotropic responsiveness to isoprenaline in post-ischemic hearts. RESULTS: Smoke-exposed SHR showed a significant elevation in heart weight to body weight ratio, increased mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), and parathyroid hormone-related protein in both ventricles compared to controls. Hearts from smoke-exposed SHR showed a reduced recovery after 30 min global ischemia during the first 5 min of reperfusion and loss of inotropic stimulation after 30 min reperfusion. Smoke cessation was sufficient to reverse most of these alterations. WKY exposed to smoke did not develop similar changes. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that several aspects of myocardial hypertrophy are accelerated by smoking.