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Purpose: Periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) play a significant role in orthodontic force induced bone remodeling. However, the molecular mechanisms by which PDLCs respond to mechanical stimuli and influence osteoclastic activities remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of UCHL1, a key deubiquitinating enzyme involved in protein degradation and cellular responses, in force-treated PDLCs during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM)., Materials and Methods: In this study, we conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments using human PDLCs and a rat model of OTM. Mechanical stress was applied to PDLCs, and UCHL1 expression was analyzed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining. UCHL1 knockdown was achieved using siRNA, and its effects on osteoclast differentiation were assessed. The role of the MAPK/ERK pathway was investigated using the MEK-specific inhibitor U0126. An animal model of OTM was established, and the impact of UCHL1 inhibitor-LDN57444 on OTM and osteoclastic activity was evaluated through micro-CT analysis, histological staining, and immunohistochemistry., Results: Mechanical force induced UCHL1 expression in PDLCs during OTM. UCHL1 knockdown downregulated the RANKL/OPG ratio in PDLCs, affecting osteoclast differentiation. LDN57444 inhibited OTM and osteoclastic activity. UCHL1 activation correlated with ERK1/2 phosphorylation in force-treated PDLCs., Conclusions: Mechanical force mediated UCHL1 activation in PDLCs promotes osteoclast differentiation via the ERK1/2 signaling pathway during OTM.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate the 2-year postoperative change and influencing factors of the upper airway after mandibular advancement with maxillary setback surgery for patients with a skeletal Class II relationship., Methods: Fifty-seven participants who underwent mandibular advancement with maxillary setback surgery were enrolled consecutively. Cone-beam computed tomography was performed preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively (T1), and 2 years (T2) postoperatively. All parameters were measured using Dolphin Imaging software (Dolphin Imaging and Management Solutions, Chatsworth, Calif)., Results: The total volume (V), minimum cross-sectional area (CSA min ), and glossopharynx increased significantly in both the short-term (V, 13.33%; CSA min , 33.03%; glossopharynx, 26.73%) and long-term (V, 10.19%; CSA min , 23.18%; glossopharynx, 18.27%) after the surgery. Mandibular advancement, mandibular width increase, preoperative CSA min , and body mass index (BMI) significantly affected 2-year postoperative V increases. Mandibular advancement and BMI significantly affected 2-year postoperative glossopharynx increases. Backward movement of point PNS may lead to a reduction of the nasopharynx; however, downward movement of point PNS, upward movement of point A, and increased maxillary width may compensate for this effect by increasing the likelihood of the nasopharynx opening. Furthermore, mandibular body length at T1 is positively associated with relapse rate ([T2 - T1] / T1) of V and CSA min ., Conclusions: Mandibular advancement amount, mandibular width increase, preoperative CSA min , and BMI are the 4 factors for long-term V changes. Patients with a longer mandibular body length might have a lower relapse rate., (Copyright © 2023 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) can accelerate tooth movement and preserve tooth and bone integrity during orthodontic treatment. However, the mechanisms by which LIPUS affects tissue remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) remain unclear. Periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) are pivotal in maintaining periodontal tissue equilibrium when subjected to mechanical stimuli. One notable mechano-sensitive ion channel, Piezo1, can modulate cellular function in response to mechanical cues. This study aimed to elucidate the involvement of Piezo1 in the osteogenic response of force-treated PDLCs when stimulated by LIPUS., Method: After establishing rat OTM models, LIPUS was used to stimulate rats locally. OTM distance and alveolar bone density were assessed using micro-computed tomography, and histological analyses included hematoxylin and eosin staining, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and immunohistochemical staining. GsMTx4 and Yoda1 were respectively utilized for Piezo1 functional inhibition and activation experiments in rats. We isolated human PDLCs (hPDLCs) in vitro and evaluated the effects of LIPUS on the osteogenic differentiation of force-treated hPDLCs using real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot, alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining. Small interfering RNA and Yoda1 were employed to validate the role of Piezo1 in this process., Results: LIPUS promoted osteoclast differentiation and accelerated OTM in rats. Furthermore, LIPUS alleviated alveolar bone resorption under pressure and enhanced osteogenesis of force-treated PDLCs both in vivo and in vitro by downregulating Piezo1 expression. Subsequent administration of GsMTx4 in rats and siPIEZO1 transfection in hPDLCs attenuated the inhibitory effect on osteogenic differentiation under pressure, whereas LIPUS efficacy was partially mitigated. Yoda1 treatment inhibited osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs, resulting in reduced expression of Collagen Ⅰα1 and osteocalcin in the periodontal ligament. However, LIPUS administration was able to counteract these effects., Conclusion: This research unveils that LIPUS promotes the osteogenesis of force-treated PDLCs via downregulating Piezo1., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Zheng, Wu, Wang, Li, Tang, Cui, Li, Wang and Jiang.)

Background: Given the difficulties or incapacity of teeth movement in orthodontic treatment, the ways to speed tooth movement must be investigated. Besides, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were utilized to treat pain caused by tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of aspirin and low-frequency high-intensity ultrasound (LFHIU) on rat orthodontic tooth movement in rats., Methods: Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: orthodontic (O), ultrasound-treated orthodontic (OU), and ultrasound-treated orthodontic with aspirin gavage (OUA) group. In the OU and OUA group, LFHIU (44 W/cm2, 28 kHz) was applied to the buccal side of the maxillary first molar alveolar bone for 10 s every day. In the OUA group, aspirin was given by gavage every day. The rats were sacrificed on days 1, 3, 7, and 14., Results: After ultrasonic treatment, the speed of tooth movement was increased by about 1.5 times. And the number of osteoclasts considerably increased by about 2 times. However, they decreased slightly after aspirin gavage. By Applying ultrasound therapy, Receptor Activator for Nuclear Factor-κ B Ligand (RANKL) levels in periodontal tissue were elevated. Aspirin was able to reduce these increases. Results from Micro Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) revealed that bone mineral density decreased by about 1/5 after ultrasound treatment on the compression side. The rate of bone mineral apposition indicated that bone was forming under tension, and that of the OU group increased by about 1.3 times that O group., Conclusions: Although aspirin slowed this trend, LFHIU still enhanced overall tooth mobility in orthodontic treatment., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the effects of premolar extraction treatment with vertical control on changes in the anatomy and aerodynamics of the oropharynx in Class II hyperdivergent malocclusion with nonsevere crowding., Methods: Thirty-nine patients with Class II hyperdivergent malocclusion were enrolled consecutively. All the participants underwent 4 premolar extractions. The high-pull J-hook and mini-implants were used to provide vertical control. Cone-beam computed tomography was performed before and after treatment. The participants were divided into a decreased lower vertical facial height group (n = 23) and an increased lower vertical facial height group (n = 16) on the basis of superimposition. The aerodynamic characteristics, including airway resistance (inspiration, R in ; expiration, R ex ) and maximum velocity (inspiration, Vmax in ; expiration, Vmax ex ) at inspiration and expiration, were calculated using computational fluid dynamics. Anatomic characteristics, including volume and cross-sectional area (CSA min ), were measured using the Dolphin Imaging software (Dolphin Imaging and Management Solutions, Chatsworth, Calif)., Results: After treatment, the median volume and CSA min increased by 2357 mm 3 and 43 mm 2 , respectively, and median R in and Vmax ex decreased by 0.15 Pa/L/min and 0.24 m×s -1 , respectively, in decreased lower vertical facial height group. In contrast, the median CSA min decreased by 9.5 mm 2 in the increased lower vertical facial height group. All the changes were statistically significant (all P <0.05). Significant differences in volume, CSA min , R in , and Vmax ex were observed between the 2 groups., Conclusions: Vertical control might improve the anatomic and aerodynamic characteristics of the oropharyngeal airway during premolar extraction treatment of Class II hyperdivergent malocclusion with nonsevere crowding., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Cuteness perception is a basic function in social interactions. Most studies focus on the impact of facial elemental features on cuteness ratings, but there are many factors that affect cuteness perception. Spatial frequency (SF) is one of the most important parameters in studies on faces. However, few studies have investigated the impact of SFs on cuteness perception. In this study, 16 images of infant faces with four cuteness levels were selected by a prerating experiment. Using a 7-point Likert scale paradigm, participants were asked to rate the cuteness of infant faces, including one version of broad unfiltered faces and four versions of filtered faces. The results showed that filtered SFs reduced cuteness ratings and that the impact of SFs was related to the cuteness levels of faces. Specifically, faces with low SFs got the lowest cuteness ratings. The ratings of faces with low SFs in neutral cuteness had a greater reduction than that in positive cuteness. In comparison, faces with medium and high SFs obtained relatively high cuteness ratings. However, the ratings in medium SFs were higher than that in high SFs if the cuteness of faces exceeded a certain level. Interestingly, their ratings reduction size increased with the improvement of cuteness levels. These results extend our understanding of the cuteness mechanism from an SF processing perspective. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

This study was conducted in the purpose of investigating the effect of Tai Chi on drug craving for women with drug disorders. One hundred and twelve women were recruited from a drug rehabilitation center in China, and 47 and 48 were finally analyzed in the control group and exercise group, respectively. The exercise group underwent a 3-month Tai Chi training, whereas the control group experienced no exercise intervention during the same time period. The drug craving was measured by the visual analog scale. In data analysis, repeated-measures were utilized to test the differences between the control and exercise group over the course of the experiment time. The mean of the craving score significantly dropped from pre-test (control: mean = 5.38, SD = 3.04; exercise: mean = 4.68, SD = 2.93) to post-test (control: mean = 4.03, SD = 2.73; exercise: mean = 1.91, SD = 1.90) in both groups (control group: t  = 3.84, df  = 46, p  < 0.001; exercise group: t  = 5.941, df  = 47, p  < 0.001), with more decrease witnessed in the exercise group. Repeated-measures analysis with a Huynh-Feldt correction showed the significant effect of time ( F  = 27.383, p  < 0.001) as well as the study group by time interaction ( F  = 3.52, p  = 0.024). Tai Chi can ameliorate the drug craving in women and it could be a supportive treatment for drug addiction., Competing Interests: Conflict of InterestThe authors declare no competing interests., (© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2022, Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

Perceptual learning is commonly assumed to enhance perception through continuous attended sensory input. However, learning is generalizable to performance in untrained stimuli and tasks. Although previous studies have observed a possible generalization effect across tasks as a result of working memory (WM) training, comparisons of the contributions of WM training and continuous attended sensory input to perceptual learning generalization are still rare. Therefore, we compared which factors contributed most to perceptual generalization and investigated which skills acquired during WM training led to tactile generalization across tasks. Here, a Braille-like dot pattern matching n -back WM task was used as the WM training task, with four workload levels (0, 1, 2, and 3-back levels). A tactile angle discrimination (TAD) task was used as a pre- and posttest to assess improvements in tactile perception. Between tests, four subject groups were randomly assigned to four different workload n -back tasks to consecutively complete three sessions of training. The results showed that tactile n -back WM training could enhance TAD performance, with the 3-back training group having the highest TAD threshold improvement rate. Furthermore, the rate of WM capacity improvement on the 3-back level across training sessions was correlated with the rate of TAD threshold improvement. These findings suggest that continuous attended sensory input and enhanced WM capacity can lead to improvements in TAD ability, and that greater improvements in WM capacity can predict greater improvements in TAD performance. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Perceptual learning is not always specific to the trained task and stimuli. We demonstrate that both continuous attended sensory input and improved WM capacity can be used to enhance tactile angle discrimination (TAD) ability. Moreover, WM capacity improvement is important in generalizing the training effect to the TAD ability. These findings contribute to understanding the mechanism of perceptual learning generalization across tasks.

Previous studies have paid special attention to the relationship between local features (e.g., raised dots) and human roughness perception. However, the relationship between global features (e.g., curved surface) and haptic roughness perception is still unclear. In the present study, a series of roughness estimation experiments was performed to investigate how global features affect human roughness perception. In each experiment, participants were asked to estimate the roughness of a series of haptic stimuli that combined local features (raised dots) and global features (sinusoidal-like curves). Experiments were designed to reveal whether global features changed their haptic roughness estimation. Furthermore, the present study tested whether the exploration method (direct, indirect, and static) changed haptic roughness estimations and examined the contribution of global features to roughness estimations. The results showed that sinusoidal-like curved surfaces with small periods were perceived to be rougher than those with large periods, while the direction of finger movement and indirect exploration did not change this phenomenon. Furthermore, the influence of global features on roughness was modulated by local features, regardless of whether raised-dot surfaces or smooth surfaces were used. Taken together, these findings suggested that an object's global features contribute to haptic roughness perceptions, while local features change the weight of the contribution that global features make to haptic roughness perceptions., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Ti-24Nb-4Zr-8Sn (Ti2448) alloys, with a relatively low elastic modulus and unique mechanical properties, are desirable materials for oral implantation. In the current study, a multifaceted strontium-incorporating nanotube coating was fabricated on a Ti2448 alloy (Ti2-NTSr) through anodization and hydrothermal procedures. In vitro, the Ti2-NTSr specimens demonstrated better osteogenic properties and more favorable osteoimmunomodulatory abilities. Moreover, macrophages on Ti2-NTSr specimens could improve the recruitment and osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts. In vivo, dense clots with highly branched, thin fibrins and small pores existed on the Ti2-NTSr implant in the early stage after surgery. Analysis of the deposition of Ca and P elements, hard tissue slices and the bone-implant contact rate (BIC%) of the Ti2-NTSr implants also showed superior osseointegration. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the Ti2-NTSr coating may maximize the clinical outcomes of Ti2448 alloys for implantation applications.

This paper presents a novel approach for hand-held low-cost MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) gyroscope in-self calibration. This method does not need the support of external high-precision equipment compared with traditional calibration scheme and can be accomplished by user hand rotation. In this approach, Kalman filter is designed to perform the calibration procedure and estimate gyroscope bias error, scale factor error and non-orthogonal error. The system observability is analyzed and the dynamic rotating conditions under which the sensor errors become observable are derived. The design principles of optimal calibration procedure are provided as well. Both simulated and practical experiments are carried out to test the validation of the proposed calibration algorithm. The achieved results demonstrate that the introduced approach can provide promising calibration scheme for the low-cost MEMS gyroscope.

Ti-24Nb-4Zr-8Sn (Ti2448) alloy is a novel low elastic modulus β-titanium alloy without toxic elements. It also has the advantage of high strength, so it has potential application prospects for implantation. To develop its osteogenic effects, it can be modified by electrochemical, and physical processes. The main research aim of this study was to explore the bioactivity of Ti2448 alloy modified by sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA), micro-arc oxidation (MAO) and anodic oxidation (AO), and to determine which of the three surface modifications is the best way for developing the osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). In vitro studies, the cytoskeleton, focal adhesion and proliferation of BMMSCs showed that both pure titanium and Ti2448 alloy have good biocompatibility. The osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs with the Ti2448 alloy were examined by detecting alkaline phosphatase (ALP), mineralization nodules and osteogenic proteins and were better than that with pure titanium. These results showed that the Ti2448 alloy treated by SLA has a better effect on osteogenesis than pure titanium, and AO is the best way of three surface treatments to improve osteogenesis in this study., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To explore the correlation of expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 antisense RNA 1 (ZEB2-AS1) in gastric cancer tissues, analyze the correlations of its expression level with the clinicopathological features of gastric cancer and the malignant phenotype of tumor cells, and investigate the molecular mechanism of action of ZEB2-AS1 in gastric cancer., Methods: The expression level of ZEB2-AS1 in gastric cancer tissues and cancer-adjacent tissues in 56 patients was detected by fluorescence real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). AGS human gastric cancer cells were transiently transfected with small interfering lncRNA (si-lncRNA) ZEB2-AS1 using RNA interference technique, and its effect on proliferation of gastric cancer cells was assessed via MTT assay. Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry were performed to examine the effect of ZEB2-AS1 on the apoptosis of AGS cells and scratch and Transwell assay were applied to detect the effect of si-ZEB2-AS1 on the invasion and metastasis of AGS cells., Results: qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of ZEB2-AS1 in cancer tissues was increased compared with cancer-adjacent tissues. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) results indicated that knockdown of ZEB2-AS1 could significantly inhibit the proliferation of AGS cells. Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry demonstrated that knockdown of ZEB2-AS1 obviously promoted the apoptosis of AGS cells. According to scratch and Transwell assay, knocking down ZEB2-AS1 could remarkably inhibit the invasion and metastasis of AGS cells. Western blotting results revealed that knocking down ZEB2-AS1 could inhibit cell invasion and metastasis by suppressing the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) as well as the expressions of matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in AGS cells., Conclusions: The expression of lncRNA ZEB2-AS1 in gastric cancer tissues is significantly higher than in cancer-adjacent tissues. Patients with highly expressed lncRNA ZEB2-AS1 have a poor prognosis, and knockdown of lncRNA ZEB2-AS1 in AGS cells inhibits cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, and promotes apoptosis.

The clinical effect of early percutaneous ultrasound guided percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in treating severe acute pancreatitis complicated with acute fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity was analyzed. A total of 178 patients with severe acute pancreatitis complicated with acute fluid accumulation in peritoneal cavity admitted from January, 2011 to January, 2015 to Chuiyangliu Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the treatment, patients were divided into the following groups: PCD group and conservative treatment control group. Time-period of systemic inflammatory response (SIRS), time-period of abdominal pain, bowel sounds recovery time, dietary recovery time, hospitalization days, white blood cell count, serum amylase, C-reactive protein, serum calcium and complications in both groups were observed and compared. The measurement data between the two groups were presented as mean ± standard deviation (±SD), and analyzed by t-test. Classification data were analyzed by the Chi-square test, with P<0.05 indicating a statistically significant difference. Time-period of systemic inflammatory response (SIRS), time-period of abdominal pain, bowel sounds recovery time, dietary recovery time and hospitalization days were shorter in the PCD group than those in the control group (P=0.001). Improvements of white blood cell count, serum amylase, C-reactive protein and serum calcium were better than those of the control group (P<0.001), the rate of transferring to surgical department in the PCD group was lower than that of the control group (P=0.042), and complications of severe acute pancreatitis were not significantly different in the two groups (P>0.05). In this study, 6 adverse events occurred in the PCD group, accounting for 7.9% (6/76), including 1 case of puncture bleeding and 5 cases of obstruction. In conclusion, early ultrasound-guided PCD in treating severe acute pancreatitis is effective and safe.

Evaluation of [99mTc]oxotechnetium(V) complexes of the amine-amide-dithiol (AADT) chelates containing tertiary amine substituents as small-molecule probes for the diagnostic imaging of metastatic melanoma has shown that technetium-99m-labeled AADT-(CH2)2-NEt2 (99mTc-1) has the highest tumor uptake and other favorable biological properties. We have, therefore, assessed this agent in a more realistic metastatic melanoma model in which, after i.v. tail injection, a highly invasive melanoma cell line, B16F10, forms pulmonary tumor nodules in normal C57BL6 mice. Small melanotic lesions develop in the lungs and, on histologic examination, appear as small black melanoma colonies, increasing in size and number with time after tumor cell injection. Groups of mice received tumor cell inocula of 2 x 10(5), 4 x 10(5), or 8 x 10(5) B16F10 cells; 14 days later, 2 hours after 99mTc-1 administration, lung uptake of 2.83 +/- 0.21%, 3.63 +/- 1.07%, and 4.92 +/- 1.61% injected dose per gram of tissue (% ID/g), respectively, was observed, compared with normal lung uptake of 2.13 +/- 0.2% ID/g (P < 0.05). Additionally, a higher level of 99mTc-1 accumulation was seen 17 days after tumor cell inoculation as the lung lesions grew. These in vivo studies coupled with additional in vitro and ex vivo assessment show that 99mTc-1 has high and specific uptake in melanoma metastases in lungs and can potentially follow the temporal growth of these tumors.