Functional connectivity alterations in the frontoparietal network and sensorimotor network are associated with behavioral heterogeneity in blepharospasm.

Objective: Primary blepharospasm (BSP) is a clinically heterogeneous disease that manifests not only as spasmodic closure of the eyelids but also sometimes with apraxia of eyelid opening (AEO). This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate differences in the neural mechanisms of isolated BSP and BSP-associated AEO subtypes, which may reveal the pathophysiology underlying different phenotypes. Methods: A total of 29 patients manifested as isolated BSP, 17 patients manifested as BSP associated with AEO, and 28 healthy controls underwent resting-state functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We assessed functional connectivity (FC) between regions of interest (ROIs) in the fronto-parietal control network (PFCN) and sensorimotor network (SMN). We also examined the relationship between altered FC and behavioral data. Results: In the FPCN, ROI- analyses showed decreased FC between the left premotor cortex and supramarginal gyrus in the BSP with AEO group compared to the isolated BSP group. In the SMN, both subgroups showed hypoconnectivity of the left premotor cortex with the right primary motor cortex, primary sensory cortex, and somatosensory association cortex. This hypoconnectivity was positively correlated with the total number of botulinum toxin A treatments, which suggests that long-term botulinum toxin A treatment may modulate motor sequence planning and coordination. Conclusion: These findings showed different connectivity alterations in neural networks associated with motor and cognitive control among different behavioral phenotypes of BSP. The identification of specific alterations in various networks that correspond to clinical heterogeneity may inform the identification of potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and personalized neuromodulation targets for treating different BSP subphenotypes.

[Polarity of ameloblasts and odontoblasts and their related regulators].

The polarity of ameloblasts and odontoblasts is crucial for their differentiation and function. Polarity-related molecules play an important role in this process. This review summarizes the process of polarity formation of ameloblasts and odontoblasts and their related regulators.

[The role of bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathway in tooth root development].

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family is an important factor in the regulation of cell ular life activities and in the development of almost all tissues. BMP-mediated signaling plays an important role in tooth root development, which is a part of tooth development. Epithelial and mesenchymal interactions are involved in tooth root development, but the BMP signaling pathway has a different effect on tooth root development in epithelial and mesenchymal. This review summarizes the advances of BMP signaling in tooth root development.

[A survey of power density of clinical curing-light units used in Changchun].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the power density and other relevant data of clinical curing-light units used in Changchun, and to provide practice recommendations to clinical dentists about maintaining of cuing-light units. METHODS: Stomatology hospitals, departments of stomatology in general hospitals, and private dental offices in Changchun were randomly selected to participate in the Survey. The investigation analyzed 270 curing-light units. The following data of curing-light units were gathered: brand, type, operation ages, numbers and types of light guide, resin build-ups on light guides, damages of light guides, use frequency, monitor and maintenance of curing lights, and unit numbers/chair numbers. RESULTS: There were 174 QTH and 96 LED units. The distribution of power density was from 0 to 1702 mW/cm(2). The mean power density was 413.2 mW/cm(2). The power densities of 73 lights were less than 200 mW/cm(2) and could not polymerize resin composites adequately. The mean number of operation age of the light units was 4.74 years. Most of clinical dentists didn't monitor the light-curing units and the situation of build-up from composite resin or damages on light guides was very severe. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the light-curing units used in Changchun were QTH. Some QTH units degenerate severely and need to be replaced with the new ones. Most of the clinical doctors lack the knowledge of how to properly monitor and maintain the light-curing units.