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Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a group of clinical problems affecting temporomandibular joint (TMJ), myofascial muscles and other related structures. Splint therapy is the most commonly used approach to treatment of TMD, but its effectiveness is remains unclear. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of splint therapy for TMD in adults. The electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for reports published up to March 31, 2016. Thirteen eligible studies involving 538 patients were identified. The results indicated that splint therapy increased maximal mouth opening (MMO) for patients with a MMO

Objective.Conflicting results on the association between MTHFR polymorphism and head and neck cancer (HNC) risk were reported. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to derive a more precise relationship between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk.Methods.Three online databases of PubMed, Embase, and CNKI were researched on the associations between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk. Twenty-three published case-control studies involving 4,955 cases and 8,805 controls were collected. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate the relationship between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk. Sensitivity analysis, cumulative analyses, and publication bias were conducted to validate the strength of the results.Results.Overall, no significant association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk was found in this meta-analysis (T versus C: OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.92–1.18; TT versus CC: OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.90–1.46; CT versus CC: OR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.85–1.17; CT + TT versus CC: OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.87–1.18; TT versus CC + CT: OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.98–1.26). In the subgroup analysis by HWE, ethnicity, study design, cancer location, and negative significant associations were detected in almost all genetic models, except for few significant risks that were found in thyroid cancer.Conclusion.This meta-analysis demonstrates that MTHFR C677T polymorphism may not be a risk factor for the developing of HNC.

Objective.To investigate the association between bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) rs17563 polymorphism and nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without palate (NSCL/P) risk.Methods.Four online databases were researched and the related publications were collected. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied to assess the relationship; publication bias, metaregression, and sensitivity analysis were conducted to guarantee the strength of results.Results.Six published case-control studies were collected. Overall, no significant association between BMP4 rs17563 polymorphism and NSCL/P risk was found. It was notable that significant susceptibility on different ethnicity was observed in the stratified analysis. For Chinese population, the BMP4 rs17563 polymorphism was a significantly increased risk for NSCL/P (C versus T: OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.28–1.82,P<0.01,I2=0%; CC versus TT: OR = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.74–3.82,P<0.01,I2=0%; TC + CC versus TT: OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.14–1.84,P<0.01,I2=0%; CC versus TT + TC: OR=2.46, 95% CI = 1.46–4.14,P<0.01,I2=47.0%). On the contrary, significantly protective effects were found in Brazilian population (C versus T: OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.50–0.96,P=0.03,I2=68.5%; TC versus TT: OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.40–0.68,P<0.01,I2=0%; TC + CC versus TT: OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.35–0.78,P<0.010,I2=54.4%).Conclusion. This meta-analysis indicated that BMP4 rs17563 polymorphism could play a different role during the development of NSCL/P based on ethnicity diversity.

Ameloblastic fibrosarcoma (AFS) is a rare malignant odontogenic neoplasm of the jaw. AFS is characteristically composed of a benign odontogenic epithelium and a malignant mesenchymal component. The posterior region of the mandible is the predominantly occupied site. In the present report, a new case of AFS in a 22-year-old male that originated from ameloblastic fibroma was described. Histologically, the tumor showed biphasic components: Benign epithelium and a malignant mesenchymal component. Immunochemical findings revealed that the tumor cells were positive for cluster of differentiation (CD) 34, vimentin, Ki-67 and p53, but negative for smooth muscle actin, S-100, CD68 and desmin. The clinical presentation, radiographic appearances and treatment measures were additionally described and reviewed.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate conventional acupuncture therapy in the management of clinical outcomes for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in adults. Methods: The electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Clinical Trails.gov were searched for reports published until March 31, 2016. Results: Nine eligible studies from 8 publications involving 231 patients were included in the meta-analysis. A comparison of the main outcome of visual analog scale (VAS) values of pain between the acupuncture group and control group showed a significant decrease (MD = −0.98, 95% CI [−1.62, −0.34], I2=54%, P = 0.003) in the VAS following acupuncture treatment. However, subgroup analysis according to the type of sham control group indicated that there were significant differences in the results when sham acupuncture was used as the control group (MD = −1.54, 95% CI [−2.63, −0.45], I2=58%, P = 0.006) as well as when sham laser treatment was used as the control group (MD = −1.29, 95% CI [−2.32, −0.27], I2 = 0%, P = 0.01). However, there was no significant difference when the splint treatment group was used as the control group (MD = −0.09, 95% CI [−0.69, 0.50], I2 = 0%, P = 0.76). Subgroup analyses of VAS for pain by the classification of diseases indicated that the myogenous TMD subgroup demonstrated a significant difference (MD = −1.49, 95% CI [−2.45, −0.53], I2 = 47%, P = 0.002), and TMD showed no statistically significant difference (MD = −0.42, 95% CI [−1.14, 0.30], I2 = 46%, P = 0.25). Subgroup analysis according to whether the subgroup penetrated the skin showed that nonpenetrating sham acupuncture as the control group showed a significant difference (MD = −1.56, 95% CI [−2.70, −0.41], I2 = 58%, P = 0.008) compared with the conventional acupuncture as the treatment modality, while penetrating sham acupuncture as the control group showed no significant difference (MD = −1.29, 95% CI [−3.40, 0.82], I2 = not applicable, P = 0.23). No publication bias was observed considering the symmetry of the funnel plots. Conclusions: Our results indicate that conventional acupuncture therapy is effective in reducing the degree of pain in patients with TMD, especially those with myofascial pain symptoms.

To study the characteristic of joint sounds from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) without symptom during mandible movement.Joint sounds of 42 asymptomatic TMJ were recorded and analyzed with K6-I system during mandible movement, the waveform, frequency range, peak frequency and amplitude of joint sounds electrosonogram were studied.Joint sounds were recorded in 25 joints of the 42 joints, 4 kinds of joint sounds were found according to the waveform, frequency range, peak frequency and amplitude of the electrosonography.Joint sounds can be recorded in asymptomatic TMJ during mandible movement, 4 kinds of joints sounds were found according to the electrosonographic characteristics.

To investigate the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function of the condylar hyperplasia patients after condylectomy.Twelve patients with condylar hyperplasia were included in this study. Before and after condylectomy, they were examined and the Fricton' s Craniomandibular Index (CMI) was calculated to assess the functional disorder of TMJ.(1) The facial asymmetry was improved after condylectomy. The morphological symmetry of the bilateral condyle and ramus was displayed by X-ray examinations. There was new cortex formed on the surface of the operated condyle. (2) The TMJ function was improved in terms of Fricton's DI and CMI, which decreased from 0.131 and 0.066 to 0.042 and 0.021 respectively (P0.05).Condylectomy is an effective method to remedy facial asymmetry and, at the same time, improve the TMJ function of the condylar hyperplasia patients.

To investigate the electrosonography character of sounds emanating from anterior disc displacement with reduction of TMJ and the value of it in clinical diagnosis.The sounds from healthy TMJ, anterior disc displacement with or without reduction of TMJ, and osteoarthritis of TMJ were recorded and analyzed by K6-I system, then the data was used for diagnosis of anterior disc displacement with reduction in clinic.A special kind of waveform was found in the electrosonography of sounds from anterior disc displacement with reduction repeatedly, and seldom or not in sounds from healthy joints, anterior disc displacement without reduction or osteoarthritis of TMJ. The diagnostic sensitivity of anterior disc displacement with reduction by using electrosonography analysis was 77.2% and specificity was 93.3% when compared with the clinical diagnosis based on clinical appearance and radiography evidence.The special kind of waveform may be characteristic wave of sounds from anterior disc displacement with reduction of TMJ, which is useful for assistant diagnosis of anterior disc displacement with reduction in clinic.