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Segmental body defects of the mandible result in the complete loss of the affected region. In our previous study, we investigated the clinical applicability of a customized mandible prosthesis (CMP) with a pressure-reducing device (PRD) in an animal study. In this study, we further incorporated dental implants into the CMP and explored the use of dental implant PRD (iPRD) designs. By employing a finite element analysis approach, we created 4 types of CMP: CMP, CMP with iPRD, CMP-PRD, and CMP-PRD with iPRD. We developed 2 parameters for the iPRD: cone length (CL) in the upper part and spring pitch (SP) in the lower part. Using the response surface methodology (RSM), we determined the most suitable structural assignment for the iPRD. Our results indicate that CMP-PRD had the highest von Mises stress value for the entire assembly (1076.26 MPa). For retentive screws and abutments, CMP with iPRD had the highest von Mises stress value (319.97 and 452.78 MPa, respectively). CMP-PRD had the highest principal stress (131.66 MPa) in the anterior mandible. The iPRD reduced principal stress in both the anterior and posterior mandible. Using the RSM, we generated 25 groups for comparison to achieve the most favorable results for the iPRD and we might suggest the CL to 12 mm and the SP to 0.4 mm in the further clinical trials. Use of the PRD and iPRD in CMP may resolve the challenges associated with CMP, thereby promoting its usage in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As science and technology continue to advance, the utilization of intraoral scanners (IOSs) has become increasingly popular in the orthodontic workflow. The aim of this study was to discuss whether the degree of crowded arches affects scan accuracy. Three different crowding levels of dental models (model MI: mild, model MO: moderate, and model SE: severe) were scanned using both an IOS and desktop scanner. Stereolithographic files were obtained and superimposed via CAD software to calculate differences between each measuring point of a model and the farthest corresponding point. The deviations from three models were compared with statistical analysis. The trueness of different crowding arches showed that the deviation value of model SE was the maximum, followed by model MI, and model MO in the maxillary arch. In the mandibular arch, the order of the deviation from greatest to least was firstly model SE, then model MO, and model MI. Significant differences were observed among the maxillary models (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference between models in the mandible (P = 0.669). The trueness of the three crowded arches is in the clinically acceptable range. The degree of crowding increases, the trueness of scanning at each position decreases. In the maxillary arch, more severe crowding corresponds to higher deviations. In the mandible, the degree of crowding is not explicitly related to the maximum deviation; therefore, the clinician should notice the deviation when using IOSs for crowding cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinically, dentists are suggested to immerse autopolymerizing interim fixed restorations in hot water during fabrication. However, this suggestion, without including the best temperature, mostly comes from clinical experience instead of scientific evidence. This in vitro study evaluated the effect of water temperature on the cytotoxicity of interim partial fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) and examined its correlation with residual MMA. Tempron was chosen as the autopolymerizing polymethyl methacrylate material. Tempron was mixed and then soaked in water at different temperatures, except control group (Control air) was not being soaking in water. The specimens were incubated with conditioned medium. The concentration of residual MMA was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The cell viability of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) was evaluated by MTT assay. The 60 °C and 80 °C groups exhibited significantly higher cell viabilities than those of the other groups (P < 0.05) at 48 and 72 h. The concentration of residual MMA was highly correlated with this outcome: the higher the concentration of residual MMA detected in the eluates, the poorer the cell viability was; the longer the incubation time was, the stronger the correlation was between the concentration of residual MMA and the cell viability. Autopolymerizing PMMA interim FDPs that are polymerized in water up to at least 60 °C could reduce cell toxicity. Higher water temperature could certainly decrease the amount of residual MMA, which is closely correlated with the outcome of cell viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first paper evaluating the efficacy of laser Doppler imager in diagnosis of pulpal vitality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic benefits of laser Doppler imaging and electric pulp test (EPT) in dental trauma. Seven patients were selected for pulp vitality evaluation in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital between 2018 and 2019. EPT and laser Doppler imager evaluation were performed for patients with traumatic injury to teeth. Statistical methods included the Kappa consistency test and the chi-square test. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the area under the curve (AUC) were used. There was a significant difference in Doppler flow values between the severe trauma group and the mild trauma group, regardless of patient self-reported symptoms (P = 0.043) or physicians' diagnostic classification (P = 0.018). For an EPT instrument, the Kappa coefficient was 0.67 and 1-year pulpal status findings were highly consistent (P < 0.001). Using a Doppler instrument, the Kappa coefficient was 0.85. According to the ROC curve, the AUC for EPT was 0.94, the AUC for Doppler was 1, and the optimal cut-off value was 31.55, indicating that both were superior diagnostic tools. Both laser Doppler imager and EPT can be used as tools for diagnosing traumatic pulp necrosis. Doppler imaging instruments allow for a more timely and accurate assessment of pulp vitality in dental trauma. In the future, ongoing research and related training are necessary for interpretation of Doppler data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, the heart is regarded as the main internal organ governing the body and mind. TCM doctors believe that abnormalities in the organ may be reflected on the meridians. However, there are few studies linking meridian energy to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of the study was to explore the net impact of CVD on the balance of yin and yang and overall meridian energy. Methods In this retrospective study, health examination data was obtained from patients at a university hospital between 2005–2012. Adult participants who underwent physiological health and meridian energy examinations on the same day were recruited into the study. The physiological examination consisted of blood tests and diagnostic data from the patients’ medical charts. Meridian energy was examined using a meridian energy analysis device. We compared the differences of meridian energy between participants with and without CVD, having adjusted for the propensity scores. Results The mean meridian energy of 2875 adult participants was 24.5 μA (SD = 18.1). Eighty-six participants (2.99%) had cardiovascular disease. The regression model showed that current cardiovascular disease was negatively associated with overall, yin, and yang meridian energy (overall: adjusted β = −6.03, 95% CI: −9.95 to −0.21; yin: adjusted β = −6.16, 95% CI:−10.35 to −1.97; yang: adjusted β = −5.89, 95% CI: −9.67 to −2.12). Conclusions These findings suggest that the occurrence of CVD was associated with low meridian energy. Further studies on the mechanisms linking CVD and meridian energy are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To explore the effects of non-sporting qigong (NSQG) and sporting qigong (SQG) on frailty and quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer patients during chemotherapy. Methods A time series (three-group, pre-test–post-test) quasi-experimental design was applied in the study. Ninety-five participants were assigned to three groups: controls (n = 31), NSQG (n = 33), or SQG (n = 31). All patients performed the qigong interventions three times per week for at least 30 min per session. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews before chemotherapy and at 1 and 3 months after chemotherapy. Frailty was assessed using the Edmonton Frail Scale. The Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Form 36–Taiwanese version was used to evaluate the physical and mental component scores of QOL. Results In the 1st and 3rd months after practicing qigong, patients in the SQG group had lower frailty scores than those in the control group. In the 3rd month after the intervention, patients in the NSQG group also had lower frailty scores and higher mental component scores for QOL than those in the control group. Patients with higher frailty scores had worse physical and mental component scores for QOL than those with lower frailty scores. The Sobel test showed that the frailty score mediated SQG and physical component scores for QOL. Conclusions SQG and NSQG appeared to be beneficial for improving frailty and QOL among the breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in the study. The results are preliminary and larger, well-constructed clinical studies are needed to verify the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Qi, known as meridian energy, runs throughout the human body via meridian vessels. This study compared symptom severity, interference, and meridian energy among breast carcinoma patients who had training in meditative qigong with those who did not. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 57 patients receiving routine care and 33 receiving qigong training. Data was collected before the start of treatment and at 4 and 12 weeks after the start of treatment. Symptom severity, interference, and meridian energy were assessed. The generalized linear mixed model was used to analyze the independent effect of meditative qigong after adjusting for potential confounders. Results At 12 weeks, patients in the qigong group had lower symptom severity and interference scores than those in the control group (symptom severity: β = −1.13, p < 0.01; symptom interference: β = −1.10, p = 0.02). Whether or not the participants were in the qigong group, there were no significant differences in the meridian energy over time. Higher meridian energy was related to lower symptom severity and interference (symptom severity: β = −0.01, p = 0.01; symptom interference: β = −0.01, p = 0.01). Conclusions The indications from this study show that cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy may benefit from learning qigong before treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health-seeking behavior has a direct impact on individual's health. A proper understanding of patients' demographics and health factors is essential in constructing high-quality health care services toward Chinese or Western medicine. The objective of this study was to understand the tendency among Taiwanese to opt for either Chinese or Western medicine when both services are available. This study was based on the analysis of secondary data. A total of 13,151 individuals with an age of 30 years or more were selected from the Taiwan Biobank Research Database in Taiwan. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with health-seeking behaviors toward Chinese or Western medicine. Among all the participants, 50.8% showed a greater tendency to seek Western medicine treatment, while 10.4% showed a preference for Chinese medicine treatment. Main drivers for a Chinese medicine health-seeking behavior were women, hypotension, low income, normal HbA1c, normal total cholesterol, and yang deficiency. The preference for Western medicine treatment was associated mainly with men, an older age, a married status, lower income, a lower education, an abnormal cholesterol level, and the absence of stasis. Healthcare providers should understand the factors associated with health-seeking behavior and refer patients to their desired treatment. • The percentages of the preferences for Chinese and Western medicine treatment were 10.4% and 50.8% in Taiwan. • Main predictors for a Chinese medicine treatment were women, hypotension, low income, normal HbA1c, normal total cholesterol, and yang deficiency. • Main drivers for Western medicine health-seeking behavior were men, an older age, a married status, low income, a lower education, an abnormal cholesterol level, and the absence of stasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, yang deficiency pattern defined as an insufficiency of meridian energy (qi) is related to worsening disease symptoms. However, there is a lack of studies portraying the relationship among complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, symptoms, and meridian energy. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to describe the changes of CAM use, symptoms, and yang deficiency pattern among patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. Additionally, the study explored factors predicting yang deficiency pattern.Method: A longitudinal study was performed with 153 women with breast cancer at four teaching hospitals in northern Taiwan from June 1, 2009 to July 31, 2013. Researchers collected data before treatment and the 1st and 3rd months after chemotherapy. Yang deficiency pattern was examined using the Meridian Energy Analysis Device Me-Pro. Symptom severity and interference were assessed using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Taiwan version. CAM use was evaluated using the US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) classification.Results: Meridian energy remained essentially the same over the 3-month period as the difference was not statistically significant. As time went by, patients developed worsening symptom severity and interference. More than 66% of the patients used CAM during chemotherapy. Older women had lower overall meridian energy. The more severe the symptoms were, the lower the overall meridian energy was. The patients who used tai chi or qi gong had higher overall meridian energy and those who used prayer or spirituality had lower overall meridian energy.Conclusion and Implications: Symptom severity and interference among patients deteriorated during chemotherapy. Health providers should observe symptom changes and improve yang deficiency pattern. Whether or not use of CAM practices such as tai chi or qi gong improves the overall health of breast cancer patients on chemotherapy is worth further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]