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Mutation in SP7, encoding the osteoblast-specific transcription factor SP7 (also known as osterix), has been described to cause osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type XII. However, the exact dental phenotype has not been well described. We report the detailed dental manifestation of a boy known to have OI type XII, presented with impacted dentition, necessitating combined oral and maxillofacial surgical and orthodontic treatment. This case also highlighted the need of multidisciplinary team assessment in this group of children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Our aim was to evaluate the validity of the cervical vertebra maturation (CVM) method as an indicator of skeletal age during the circumpubertal period by correlating the CVM method with the hand–wrist maturation (HWM) method in an attempt to eliminate the need for hand–wrist radiographs for maturity assessment. Hand–wrist and lateral cephalometric radiographs of 400 Chinese were randomly selected. The age for girls was between 10 years and 15 years and for boys it was between 12 years and 17 years, so that they were within the circumpubertal period. The CVM was assessed by a method developed by Baccetti and co-workers, whereas hand–wrist maturation was assessed by Fishman’s method. The CVM was significantly correlated with HWM skeletal age. (Spearman’s r boys = 0.9206, girls = 0.9363). All the patients in cervical vertebra stage 3 (CVS3) of CVM corresponded to skeletal maturation indicator 2 (SMI2) or SMI3 stages of HWM (around the peak of the growth spurt). The method error was insignificant. CVM is a valid indicator of skeletal growth during the circumpubertal period. This work will provide dental practitioners with information on jaw growth modification therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major active constituents of ginseng are ginsenosides, and Rg1 is a predominant compound of the total extract. Recent studies have demonstrated that Rg1 can promote angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we used a DNA microarray technology to elucidate the mechanisms of action of Rg1. We report that Rg1 induces the proliferation of HUVECs, monitored using [3H]-thymidine incorporation and Trypan blue exclusion assays. Furthermore, Rg1 (150600 nM) also showed an enhanced tube forming inducing effect on the HUVEC. Rg1 was also demonstrated to promote angiogenesis in an in vivo Matrigel plug assay, and increase endothelial sprouting in the ex vivo rat aorta ring assay. Differential gene expression profile of HUVEC following treatment with Rg1 revealed the expression of genes related to cell adhesion, migration and cytoskeleton, including RhoA, RhoB, IQGAP1, CALM2, Vav2 and LAMA4. Our results suggest that Rg1 can promote angiogenesis in multiple models, and this effect is partly due to the modulation of genes that are involved in the cytoskeletal dynamics, cellcell adhesion and migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the treatment of two orthodontic patients by the recipient of the Gold Medal for the Conjoint Membership in Orthodontics of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong in November 2007.