Some of the biomarkers identified have already been extensively studied regarding their diagnostic and prognostic capacity. However, there are also more potential biomarkers that still need to be addressed in future studies.

The aim of the research was to realize a clinical study on menopausal patients, focused on 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) assays versus Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) categories. This transversal, observational, real-life study was effectuated on Caucasian Romanian females. A total of 60 subjects were grouped according to lumbar T-score: normal T-score (N=28), osteopenia (N=22), and osteoporosis (N=10). The lowest average value of 25OHD is found in patients with osteoporosis, which is statistically significant lower than in patients with osteopenia. The average values of PTH were within normal levels for each group. 25OHD did not correlate with PTH or lumbar BMD. Overall the mean values of 25OHD are in deficient ranges regardless osteoporosis, osteopenia or normal DXA.

Our results were obtained on a total of 48 adult human skulls, assessing the morphological characteristics of the hard palate, measuring the palatine processes and analyzing the sutures (intermaxillary, interpalatine and maxillo-palatine); were determined the size, shape and features of the palatine foramens and incisive fossa. For the incisive fossa we describe three shapes: oval, round and rhombic. In 2 cases the incisive fossa was absent, being replaced by three round holes arranged in a triangle. The palatine process has a very irregular inferior face, being smoother only in its posterior quarter. Each palatine process of maxilla has a trapezoidal shape with the lesser base oriented anteriorly. The median palatine suture starts at the middle of the posterior circumference of the incisive fossa and ends, more often, on the line between second and third molars. The suture may be regular, located on the midline, so the two palatine processes of the maxilla are symmetrical and of equal size. The horizontal palatine lamina is thin, smooth and glossy, with very few vascular openings on its surface, mostly on its sides. The transverse palatine suture is most commonly curved posteriorly, with irregular contour and with an oblique posterior-lateral traject; it ends at the large palatine foramen. The large palatine foramens are voluminous, sometimes larger than the incisor one. The most common shape is oval and less frequently are rounded. The lesser palatine foramens are variable in number from 1 to 5; commonly are two on each side.

No abstract

Sucking the thumb is considered an inborn reflex. However, after the age of four (in case of emotional instability and anxiety) this reflex becomes a bad habit. This vicious habit is one of the most important etiological factors which determine the Angle Class II/1 malocclusion. The research relied on the analysis of the photos of schoolchildren aged 6 to 14 who admitted the persistence of this bad habit and also had Angle Class II/1 malocclusions. We analysed the photos of the face and of the exobuccal and endobuccal profiles. We have chosen two cases from the researched group to highlight the clinical aspects of Angle Class II/1 malocclusions. The patients maintained the bad habit of sucking the thumb which, accompanied by other etiological factors, led to a skeletal disequilibrium. Thus, many modifications may appear such as: upper jaw prognathism and lower jaw retrognathism with a sagittal inocclusion as well as changes of the physiognomy specific to Angle Class II/1 malocclusions. In the case of Angle Class II/1 malocclusions, the coexistence of hereditary and functional pathologic factors generally leads to skeletal and neuro-muscular modifications with aesthetic repercussions.