The present study targeted patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) undergoing either one - (Wardill technique) or two-stage palatoplasty (Perko technique). Correlations between Goslon Yardstick scores and orthodontic appliances used and whether an osteotomy was performed were investigated. No differences were observed between the two types of palatoplasty in terms of Goslon Yardstick scores. A palatal expander and protraction facemask were used in Phase I of orthodontic treatment. The palatal expander was selected for most patients with UCLP in Phase I, regardless of the surgical technique used. A protraction facemask was used in patients undergoing the Wardill procedure who had a Goslon Yardstick score placing them in Group 3 or 4. In contrast, a protraction facemask was used in patients undergoing the Perko procedure who had a Goslon Yardstick score placing them in Group 4. No significant differences were observed in the Goslon Yardstick scores yielded by either type of procedure. The Goslon Yardstick score in relation to whether an osteotomy was performed in Phase II as part of orthodontic treatment was determined, focusing on the relationship between that score and the palatoplasty method used. A protraction facemask was used in patients undergoing the Perko procedure, which eliminated the need for an osteotomy at a future date. However, a protraction facemask was also used in patients undergoing the Wardill option, and those patients were likely to require an osteotomy. In other words, the results suggest that the type of palatoplasty selected will determine the effectiveness of any orthodontic appliances used.

Statins have demonstrated to be effective for treating chondrodysplasia and its effects were believed to be associated with the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3). Statins promoted the degradation of FGFR3 in studies using disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells and model mice, however, recent studies using normal chondrocytes reported that statins did not degrade FGFR3. In order to further investigate the effects of statins in endochondral ossification, this study examined the influence of statins on Indian hedgehog (Ihh), another important component of endochondral ossification, and its related pathways. The chondrocyte cell line ATDC5 was used to investigate changes in cell proliferation, mRNA, and protein expression levels. In addition, an organ culture of a mouse metatarsal bone was performed followed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and fluorescent immunostaining. Results indicated that expression level of Ihh increased with the addition of statins, which activated the Ihh pathway and altered the localization of Ihh. Changes in cholesterol modification may have affected Ihh diffusibility; however, further experiments are necessary. A reactive increase in parathyroid hormone–related protein (PTHrP) was observed in addition to changes in the Wnt pathway through secreted-related protein 2/3 and low-density lipoprotein 5/6. This led to the promotion of cell proliferation, increase of the hypertrophic chondrocyte layer, inhibition of apoptosis, and decrease in mineralization. This study demonstrated that statins had an influence on Ihh, and that the hyperfunction of Ihh may prevent premature cell death caused by FGFR3-related chondrodysplasia through an indirect increase in the expression of PTHrP.

Aim: Facial asymmetry not only affects the mandible, but jaw deformation also extends to the cranial base, maxilla, alveolar bone, and dentition. The position of teeth and the form of the dental arch, which are located on the alveolar bone, are also affected by jaw deformity. The purpose of this study was to analyze the tooth position and arch form of mandibular dentition in skeletal Class Ⅲ facial asymmetry patients. Materials and methods: Skeletal Class Ⅲ patients diagnosed with facial asymmetry who had undergone surgical orthodontic treatment were selected as subjects. The control group consisted of skeletal Class Ⅲ patients without facial asymmetry who had undergone surgical orthodontic treatment. Twenty patients (10 males and 10 females) were selected for each group. For evaluation, mandibular study models of selected patients were scanned using a laser scanner. Using a 3D digital model, the cusp-tip and facial axis points were projected on the occlusal plane, and point dimensions were measured using modeling software. Arch forms of the two groups were drawn and compared using a polynomial formula and compared. Results: In the molar region of the facial asymmetry group, the cusp-tip and facial axis points were located lingually on the deviated side and buccally on the non-deviated side, and a significant difference was indicated. A symmetric arch form was expressed with the 6 th polynomial formula in the facial symmetry group. Meanwhile, an asymmetric arch form with an S curve on the deviated side was expressed with a 6 th polynomial formula in the facial asymmetry group. Conclusion: This study confirmed that the asymmetrical arch form is caused by differences in transverse positioning of the molars in cases with skeletal Class Ⅲ facial asymmetry. facial asymmetry, mandibular arch form, pre-surgical orthodontic treatment

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the vibration of osteoblasts on the cell cycle, cell differentiation, and aging. Materials and Methods: Primary maxilla osteoblasts harvested from eight-week-old mice were subjected to vibration at 3, 30, and 300 Hz once daily for 30 min; control group, 0 Hz. A cell proliferation assay and Cell-Clock Cell Cycle Assay were performed 24 h after vibration. Osteoblast differentiation assay, aging marker genes, SA-β-Gal activity, and telomere length (qPCR) were assayed two weeks post- vibration once every two days. Results: Cell proliferation increased significantly at 30 and 300 Hz rather than 0 Hz. Several cells were in the late G2/M stage of the cell cycle at 30 Hz. The osteoblast differentiation assay was significantly higher at 30 Hz than at 0 Hz. Runx2 mRNA was downregulated at 30 Hz compared to that at 0 Hz, while osteopontin, osteocalcin, and sclerostin mRNA were upregulated. p53/p21, p16, and c-fos were activated at 30 Hz. SA-β-Gal activity increased significantly at 30 or 300 Hz. Telomere length was significantly lower at 30 or 300 Hz. Conclusions: The results suggest that providing optimal vibration to osteoblasts promotes cell cycle progression and differentiation and induces cell aging.

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of unilateral occlusal elevation in the molar region on facial and mandibular development in growing rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty 5-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to three groups (n = 10). The control group was allowed to develop naturally until 9 weeks of age. A device fitted on the caused unilateral occlusal elevation at 5 weeks in the removal group. The device was removed at 7 weeks and the rats were observed until 9 weeks. In the continuation group, the same device fitted on the left-side molars caused unilateral occlusal elevation continuously for 9 weeks. All groups underwent craniofacial scanning with three-dimensional micro-computed tomography at 5, 7, and 9 weeks. Results: In the removal and continuation groups, the mandible was displaced to the unelevated side. At 7 weeks, both these groups showed greater skeletal growth and molar extrusion on the elevated side, with significant differences between the elevated and unelevated sides. At 9 weeks, there were significant differences in both skeletal and alveolar growth between these groups; the asymmetry ameliorated in the removal group. Limitations: We evaluated three-dimensional morphometry by fitting a device to rat molars for a short observation period; thus, future studies are warranted to acquire data following long-term observation. Conclusion: Unilateral occlusal elevation during the growth period suppressed molar eruption and extrusion on the elevated and unelevated sides, respectively. The height of the mandibular ramus increased on the elevated side, resulting in asymmetric growth.