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Background: Maxillary expansion (ME) is a common practice in orthodontics that aims to increase the constricted maxillary arch width. Relapse often occurs, however, and better treatment strategies are needed. In order to develop a more effective method, this study was designed to further examine the process of tissue remodeling during ME, to identify the changes in expression of several proteins of interest, and to clarify the molecular mechanism responsible for tissue remodeling.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated levels of interleukin (IL)-34, a proinflammatory cytokine, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Following coronary artery angiography, 91 patients with CAD (including stable and unstable angina pectoris) were divided into two groups, the CAD group (coronary artery stenosis ≥ 50%) and the control group (coronary artery stenosis < 50%). Serum levels of factors including IL-34 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. RESULTS: IL-34 and hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in the CAD group than in the control group (191.3 ± 17.9 pg/ml versus 125.4 ± 14.8 pg/ml and 3.08 ± 1.81 mg/ml versus 1.42 ± 1.01 mg/ml, respectively), with a significantly positive correlation between IL-34 and hs-CRP levels in the CAD group. Multiple regression analysis showed that IL-34 and hs-CRP levels were independent predictors of CAD (IL-34: odds ratio [OR] 2.073, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.419, 2.672; hs-CRP: OR 1.878, 95% CI 1.172, 2.531). CONCLUSIONS: IL-34 levels were significantly increased in patients with CAD, and positively correlated with hs-CRP levels, suggesting that IL-34 may be an independent predictor of CAD.

Objective To evaluate the effects of early administration of Sacubitril/Valsartan (Sac/Val) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Methods This prospective, controlled, single-center study randomized 186 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients to one of the following two groups: Sac/Val group: early administration of Sac/Val within 24 hours after pPCI; control group: conventional angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) application. The creatine Kinase (CK) peak after the surgery, the incidence of acute heart failure during hospitalization, level of NT-proBNP and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by ultrasound before discharge and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity2 (sST2), LVEF, infarct size determined by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), readmission rate within 6 months were recorded and compared between two groups. Results Compared to the control group, Sac/Val could decrease the CK peak and the incidence of acute heart failure after pPCI; the level of NT-proBNP was lower and LVEF was higher before discharge in the Sac/Val group. After 6 months, the patients who had taken Sac/Val had a higher LVEF, a smaller infarct size determined by SPECT, lower sST2 and readmission rate. Conclusion Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention could benefit from early administration of Sacubitril/Valsartan, the effect was superior to conventional ACEI.