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To compare the lip positions found in two ancient Buddha statues with the lip positions in contemporary Japanese adults.

To investigate the relationship between mechanomyogram (MMG), electromyogram (EMG) and bite force during isometric contraction of the human masseter muscle.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of four premolar extractions and orthodontic treatment on changes to the lips and vermilion height during a posed smile.

This study investigated the status of children with obesity before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effects of lifestyle guidance on weight loss among children in Japan. We analysed the data of patients who visited our hospital after check-ups for obesity and evaluated the efficacy of lifestyle guidance. The patients were divided into groups A, B, and C (year 2011, 2019, and 2021, respectively). There were no differences in body weight, obesity index (OI), blood pressure, or alanine transaminase (ALT) levels between the groups; however, aspartate transaminase (AST) level was the highest in Group C. In Group C, only OI increased between the primary and secondary screenings; however, OI and body mass index (BMI) improved during the second screening and more children in the weight loss group followed lifestyle guidance. OI/BMI did not change over the past decade; however, short-term weight gain was significant owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, and simple guidance was effective in reducing weight. Future challenges include identifying methods to achieve long-term weight loss., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2023 Ninchoji, Aoto, Momo, Maruyama, Ioi and Uchida.)

Objective: To evaluate the effects of sliding velocity on friction, particularly at extremely low sliding velocity approximating orthodontic tooth movement., Materials and Methods: Stainless-steel (SS) 0.022-inch preadjusted brackets and 0.016- and 0.016×0.022-inch SS wires and superelastic nickel-titanium 0.016×0.022-inch wires were used for this test. The wire was secured in a SS preadjusted bracket with an elastomeric module. One end of the wire was pulled upward 1.5 mm at a speed of 5.0×10(-7), 1.0×10(-5), 1.0×10(-4), 1.0×10(-3), 1.0×10(-2), and 1.0×10(-1) mm/s by the micrometer. The measurements were conducted 10 times and averaged. Tukey-Kramer tests were used to compare the mean differences of each testing measurement among the different sliding velocities., Results: The frictional forces tended to increase as the sliding velocity decreased. The mean frictional force for 5.0×10(-7) mm/s sliding velocity (approximating orthodontic tooth movement) was 106.8 cN in 0.016×0.022-inch SS wires, almost double the 1.0×10(-1) mm/s sliding velocity., Conclusion: The effects of sliding velocity cannot be ignored when we estimate frictional forces in clinical orthodontics.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of vermilion height on the assessment of lip attractiveness by Japanese and Korean orthodontists and orthodontic patients., Materials and Methods: Vermilion heights were modified by increasing or decreasing the vermilion height in 1.0-mm increments from -3.0 mm to 3.0 mm with reference to an average vermilion height. Participants ranged from 15 to 29 years of age and comprised 29 Japanese and 25 Korean orthodontists and 96 Japanese and 72 Korean orthodontic patients. They all rated the attractiveness of seven images with altered vermilion height using a visual analog scale., Results: Across the participant groups, there were significant differences in the median esthetic scores for the seven vermilion height levels tested. The Japanese and Korean raters assigned the highest scores to the average vermilion height and assigned the lowest scores to the +3-mm increased vermilion height. The ranges of vermilion height preferred by orthodontists were found to be within the ranges preferred by orthodontic patients when evaluating the preferences in lip esthetics by country., Conclusions: We conclude that the -1-mm to +1-mm range for the average vermilion height is considered attractive for lips for both Japanese and Korean people.

Statement of Problem: The perception of a pleasing smile may differ between the countries in Asia or may be converging on a more internationally pleasing one., Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of vertical positions of anterior teeth on smile esthetics as assessed by Japanese and Korean orthodontists as well as by orthodontic patients., Materials and Methods: A standard composite smile was constructed from different females' intraoral and extraoral photographs. Vertical positions of anterior teeth were modified digitally in 1-mm increments, from 5 mm upper lip coverage of the incisors to 5 mm gingival exposure. Using a visual analog scale, 41 Japanese orthodontists and 96 Japanese orthodontic patients, 25 Korean orthodontists, and 72 Korean orthodontic patients rated the attractiveness of 11 smiles with altered gingival displays., Results: Overall, the Japanese and Korean raters assigned similar esthetic scores between the corresponding groups. The male orthodontic patients assigned higher scores to the smiles with upper lip coverage of the teeth than the corresponding females did in both countries. The female patients assigned clinically significant higher scores to the smiles from 2 mm upper lip coverage of the teeth to 0 mm gingival exposure in both countries., Conclusions: In both countries, the orthodontists and the female patients shared the similar preference in the smile evaluation of vertical positions of anterior teeth, whereas the male orthodontic patients were more tolerant of upper lip coverage of the anterior teeth than the orthodontists and the female patients., Clinical Significance: This study proposes 0 mm to 2 mm of upper lip coverage of the teeth as a threshold of acceptability for esthetic smile evaluations in female orthodontic patients. For male orthodontic patients, the paper proposes negative gingival display as a threshold of acceptability for esthetic smile evaluations., (© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of orthodontic treatment, involving the extraction of four premolars, on vermilion height and lip area. Twenty-eight female patients (mean 21.9 ± 3.1 years) who were diagnosed with bimaxillary protrusion were selected for this study to be treated by extraction of four premolars. The control group consisted of 28 female volunteers (mean 25.0 ± 3.0 years) with Angle Class I normal occlusion. Frontal photographs of the patients were taken both before and after the orthodontic treatment in resting position. Thirty-five landmarks on the upper and lower lips were identified for the measurements of vermilion height and lip area. Lateral cephalograms were taken before and after active orthodontic treatment, and linear and angular measurements were performed. The mean pre-treatment values of vermilion height and lip area were significantly greater in the treatment group than those of the control group and decreased significantly after the orthodontic treatment towards the values in the control group. There were no significant differences in the vermilion height and lip area between the post-treatment and the control groups, except for lower lip area values. Significant correlations found between the changes in incisor position and the changes in vermilion height were few in number for the upper lip but greater in number for the lower lip. Thus, the results of this study show that bimaxillary protrusion cases can be treated by the extraction of four premolars to produce an aesthetic improvement in frontal facial features.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in children can be associated with acute encephalopathy. However, the roles of cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of such patients remain unevaluated. In this study, a profile of 17 cytokines was determined for eight RSV-infected children with neurological complications. In one patient with high levels of 13 cytokines, a cytokine storm was considered to have occurred. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β levels were also high in other patients. These data suggest that chemokines in CSF play roles in neurological complications in RSV-infected children.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the size of buccal corridors on the assessment of attractive smile esthetics by Japanese and Korean orthodontists and orthodontic patients., Methods: Buccal corridors were modified digitally from 0% to 25% compared with the inner intercommissural width. Using a visual analog scale, 41 Japanese and 25 Korean orthodontists, and 96 Japanese and 72 Korean orthodontic patients (15-29 years old) rated the attractiveness of 6 smiles with altered buccal corridors. The influence of the size of the buccal corridor on smile esthetics was assessed., Results: Although there was no significant sex difference in judging the effects of buccal corridors for the Korean and Japanese orthodontists, significant sex differences were shown for the Japanese orthodontic patients. There were significant differences in the 6 levels of median esthetic scores for all groups: 0%, 5%, and 10% buccal corridors in the smiles tended to be preferred to the other smiles, to become clinically significant for all groups. The median esthetic score decreased to become clinically significant from 10% to 15% buccal corridors for all groups., Conclusions: Japanese and Korean orthodontists and orthodontic patients prefer narrow or medium buccal corridors to broad buccal corridors., (Copyright © 2012 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) occurs in various diseases and pathologies, and the clinical symptoms are not consistent with the impaired region. The mechanism of the region specificity is unclear. We investigated the cytokine profiling in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum obtained from a child with MERS during influenza infection, and compared them with those of serious another serious type of influenza-associated encephalopathy. There was no elevation of Interleukin (IL)-1β, which induces convulsion. The inhibitory cytokines of IL-10 and IFN-γ were elevated in the early phase in CSF. Comparing them with other patients, the elevation of the cytokine levels were generally mild. Considering that the prognosis of this MERS case was favorable and high levels of inhibitory cytokines including IL-10 and IFN-γ might work to localize the lesion and to prevent sequelae., (© 2012 The Authors. Pediatrics International © 2012 Japan Pediatric Society.)

Background: Children infected with rotavirus often show increased levels of transaminase, and symptoms are characterized by white stool, similar to biliary atresia. Rotavirus infections are also sporadically accompanied with convulsions, encephalopathy and Reye syndrome. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate transaminase and interleukin (IL)-6 levels in rotavirus infection, in order to better understand their clinical significance., Methods: Results of liver function tests, mainly the elevation of transaminase and IL-6 in rotavirus gastroenteritis with or without convulsions, were evaluated., Results: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were high in 23 of 26 samples (88.5%), and in three of 26 samples (11.5%), respectively. No significant differences in liver function tests could be found between the groups with or without convulsions. Three patients whose direct bilirubin levels were above the upper normal limit were all classified into the group without convulsions. Spearman's correlation coefficient was 0.89 between increasing AST levels and IL-6 levels., Conclusion: Rotavirus infection is occasionally accompanied with hepatitis, but only in a mild form, and does not correlate with neurological complications. High levels of transaminase might reflect high IL-6., (© 2011 The Authors. Pediatrics International © 2011 Japan Pediatric Society.)

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection occurs frequently in neonates. However, there are no screening tests or definitive treatments for this infection in Japan. We report a case of a 21-day-old Japanese boy with congenital CMV infection. He was referred to our hospital for treatment of congenital bilateral deafness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed cortical dysplasia of the temporal poles, enlarged ventricles, and areas of abnormal intensity in the white matter. He was given a diagnosis of congenital CMV infection based on the detection of CMV DNA in his urine and the umbilical cord. After the administration of valganciclovir, no CMV DNA was detected in his serum, and brain MRI and electroencephalogram findings, motor development, and deafness improved. Further investigation is needed to establish a screening test and treatment for congenital CMV infection in Japan.

Infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is known to be associated with central nervous system symptoms such as convulsions. We investigated cytokines, nitrogen oxide (NO)( x ), and the viral genome in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from children with RSV infection-related convulsions or central nervous symptoms and compared the data with type of encephalopathy. Of nine patients enrolled (six boys and three girls; aged 10 days-3 years), one metabolic error, five excitotoxicity, one cytokine storm, and two hypoxia cases were found. The patients presented with unilateral convulsions, generalized convulsions, and convulsions following cardiopulmonary arrest, apnea, and nuchal rigidity. In all patients, a rapid check for RSV of nasal fluid was positive. The RSV genome (subgroup A) was detected in the CSF of five of the nine patients; two patients with hypoxic encephalopathy were negative for the RSV genome. The CSF interleukin (IL)-6 levels were high only in patients with the excitotoxicity and cytokine storm type of encephalopathy. NO( x ) levels were high in all the subject cases. In the excitotoxicity type, NO( x ) levels were significantly higher than those in the control and other groups. NO( x ) level may become an important parameter for the diagnosis and classification of acute encephalopathy in RSV. Strategies to treat each type of encephalopathy, targeting cytokines and free radicals, should be established.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of retraction of anterior teeth and the initial soft tissue profile variables on upper and lower lip changes in Japanese adults. Pre- and post-treatment cephalometric radiographs of 33 Japanese female adults (aged 23.0±5.0 years), with a Class II division 1 malocclusion, who had two or four first premolars extracted, were evaluated. Lateral cephalograms taken with the lips in a voluntary relaxed position were traced and compared. Nine linear and eight angular measurements were constructed for the hard tissue measurements and 16 linear and 2 angular for the soft tissue measurements. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the horizontal upper lip position could be explained by the position of the maxillary incisor cervical point and the occlusal plane to SN with a 54 percent contribution ratio, and horizontal lower lip position, maxillary incisor tip position, initial interlabial gap, and aesthetic line to the tip of lower lip with a 51 percent contribution ratio. All parameters employed explained the horizontal position of the upper and lower lip with higher than 96 percent confidence. While the horizontal positions could not be predicted by a limited number of parameters, the vertical positions of lips could be explained by three parameters with higher than 62 percent confidence. The predictability found in this study could be beneficial for orthodontists in treatment planning.

Introduction: The purposes of this study were to assess and determine the range of a well-balanced anteroposterior lip position as evaluated by orthodontic patients from a series of varying lip positions in facial silhouettes, and whether the rater's sex and age were factors in the assessment., Methods: The average profiles were constructed from 30 Japanese male and female subjects with normal occlusion. A series of 13 profiles was developed for males and females, respectively. The lips were protruded or retruded by 1-mm increments from the average profile. One hundred fifty Japanese orthodontic patients were asked to choose the top 3 most-favored, well-balanced profiles for each sex., Results: The orthodontic patients tended to prefer a slightly retruded lip position than the average facial profile for both the male and female profiles. There was no significant difference between male and female raters in selecting the top 3 most-favored profiles. In the comparison of age groups, the over 30-year-old patients significantly preferred a more retruded lip position than did the 15- to 19-year-old and the 20- to 29-year-old patients for the female profile., Conclusions: These results suggest that, when we formulate a treatment plan, we should ask the patients about lip position before we start treatment., (Copyright © 2011 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background:   Neuromuscular disorders can be the cause of sudden death of infants because of their weakness and gastroesophageal reflux (GER)., Methods:   Muscle biopsy and genetic studies were performed by usual method., Results:   In this report four cases of infants with neuromuscular disorders (two cases of congenital myopathy and two cases of spinal muscular atrophy) who had unexpected cardiopulmonary arrest on arrival (CPAOA) are presented. Two of the cases did not show any symptoms, such as muscle weakness prior to CPAOA. The diagnosis was based on the results of the muscle biopsy and genetic examination., Conclusion:   These results suggest that sudden infant death caused by neuromuscular disorders should be considered., (© 2011 The Authors.Pediatrics International © 2011 Japan Pediatric Society.)

Aim: To compare the kinetic frictional force of a conventional plastic preadjusted bracket with thermoplastic low-friction module ligation and a self-ligating bracket., Materials and Methods: The testing model consisted of four 0.022-inch conventional plastic preadjusted brackets; four 0.022-inch self-ligating brackets for the first premolar, canine, and lateral and central incisors; and a 0.014-inch superelastic nickel-titanium and a 0.019 × 0.025-inch stainless steel wire. The brackets were either aligned for both wires or out of line by 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm for only the 0.014-inch superelastic wire. The wires were pulled for 3.0 mm at a speed of 0.1 mm per second. Unpaired t tests were used to compare the mean differences of the measurements between the two bracket systems with both wires., Results: No significant difference in the kinetic frictional force between the two bracket systems and the two wires were found for the 0.014-inch superelastic wire at 0-mm deflection., Conclusion: Both bracket systems demonstrate low friction, which is beneficial for effective orthodontic tooth movement with light forces., (© 2009 BY QUINTESSENCE PUBLISHING CO, INC.)

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the amount of buccal corridor has no influence on smile evaluations of Japanese orthodontists and dental students., Materials and Methods: One photograph of a smiling female, displaying first molar to first molar, was constructed. Buccal corridors were modified digitally in 5% increments, from 0% to 25% buccal corridor compared with the inner commissural width. Using a visual analog scale (VAS), 32 Japanese orthodontists and 55 Japanese dental students rated the attractiveness of six smiles with altered buccal corridors. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was conducted to compare the distributions of the median scores between the male and female raters for each of the rater groups. Differences in the median esthetic scores were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. We used 15% VAS difference to determine the clinical significance of the esthetic scores., Results: There was no significant difference in judging the effects of buccal corridors on the smile attractiveness between the male and female raters for both the orthodontists and dental students. There were significant differences in the median esthetic scores for both the orthodontists and dental students. The median esthetic score decreased to become clinically significant from 10% to 25% buccal corridor for both the orthodontists and dental students., Conclusions: The hypothesis was rejected. Both the orthodontists and dental students preferred broader smiles to medium or narrow smiles.

Objective: To compare frictional resistance of the plastic preadjusted brackets ligated with the low-friction ligatures with those of the conventional elastomeric ligatures., Design: In vitro study., Setting: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan., Materials and Methods: The testing model consisted of four 0.022-inch plastic preadjusted brackets for the first premolar, the canine, the lateral incisor, and the central incisor. A superelastic nickel-titanium 0.014-inch wire and a stainless steel 0.019 x 0.025-inch wire were used for this test. The brackets were either aligned or out of line by 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm for the 0.014-inch wire and aligned for the 0.019 x 0.025-inch wire. The frictional forces in plastic preadjusted brackets with low-friction ligatures and conventional elastomeric ligatures were measured at a pulling speed of 0.1 mm/second. Welch t-tests were used to compare the mean differences of each testing measurement between the low-friction and the conventional elastomeric ligatures., Results: In both use of the superelastic nickel-titanium 0.014-inch wire and the stainless steel 0.019 x 0.025-inch wire, the brackets with the low-friction ligatures showed significantly lower frictional forces than those of the conventional elastomeric ligatures in both aligned and all misaligned brackets (P < 0.0001)., Conclusion: The study found the significantly lower frictional forces for the low-friction ligatures than those of the conventional elastomeric ligatures.

We report 3 cases of respiratory syncytial virus infection-associated seizures; their abnormalities of cerebrospinal fluid (increased interleukin-6 and positive for virus by highly sensitive assay) were documented. These data revealed that neurological involvement might be caused by a direct invasion.

Aim: To test whether there is a relationship between head and cervical posture and dentofacial morphology in patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis (OA)., Methods: The subjects consisted of 34 Japanese females with TMJ OA (aged 24.7 +/- 6.1 years). Six craniocervical angular measurements were constructed for head posture. Two angular and 6 linear measurements were constructed for the skeletal relationship, while 1 angular and 6 linear measurements were constructed for the dental relationship. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between head posture and dentofacial variables., Results: In the skeletal relationship, increased craniocervical angulations were significantly associated with a more posterior position of the maxilla, a decreased Frankfort to mandibular plane angle, decreased mandibular length, and a decreased lower facial height. In the dental relationship, increased craniocervical angulations were significantly associated with more posterior positions of the anterior teeth to the basal bone and decreased alveolar height of the anterior-posterior teeth., Conclusion: The hypothesis was rejected. These results suggest that an association may exist between head and cervical posture and dentofacial morphology in patients with TMJ OA.

Introduction: A consensus on the contemporary perception of beauty might have been developed between different countries because of increased worldwide access to variations in pleasing facial profiles. The objectives of this study were to determine, assess, and compare the ranges of values of the most-favored facial profiles rated by young Korean and Japanese adults., Methods: Average profiles were constructed from the profiles of 30 Japanese men and women with normal occlusions. A series of 13 profiles each was developed for men and women. In the series, the average profile was located in the center (number 7), and the lips were protruded or retruded in 1-mm increments from the average profile. Forty-six Korean dental students and 52 Japanese dental students were asked to rate the top 3 most-favored profiles., Results: Both the Korean and the Japanese dental students tended to select a slightly more retruded lip profile compared with the averages for men and women, and the tendency to prefer a more retruded lip position was evident for the women., Conclusions: These findings suggest that young Korean and Japanese adults prefer a retruded profile, even though their profiles have historically been characterized by more convex facial features.

Objective: To determine whether there is an association between temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis (OA) and immune system factors in a Japanese sample., Materials and Methods: The records of 41 subjects (7 men, aged 22.0 +/- 3.8 years; 34 women, aged 24.8 +/- 6.3 years) and 41 pair-matched controls (7 men, aged 22.1 +/- 2.3 years; 34 women, aged 24.8 +/- 6.4 years) based on age and gender were reviewed. Information on medical history included local or systemic diseases, details on medication type and use, and the presence of allergies and asthma. Dental history questions referred to details regarding past oral injuries. The validity of the hypothesis, defining allergies and asthma as risk factors in OA, was tested by using a logistic regression analysis., Results: The incidence of allergy was significantly higher in the TMJ OA (P = .008), with a mean odds ratio of 4.125 and a 95% confidence interval of 1.446-11.769., Conclusion: These results suggest that allergy may be a risk factor in association with TMJ OA in this Japanese sample.

Background: In the pathology of autoimmune hepatitis the immunity mechanism of T-helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells was recently evaluated. The purpose of the present study was to measure the mRNA levels in peripheral mononuclear cells and serum cytokines obtained from children with autoimmune hepatitis for a better understanding of the mechanism., Methods: Twenty-five patients with autoimmune hepatitis and seven controls were enrolled. mRNA levels in peripheral mononuclear cells and serum cytokines were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoassay., Results: Serum interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were rarely detected. In contrast the IFN-gamma/beta-actin mRNA levels were high., Conclusion: Autoimmune hepatitis is a Th1-predominant state, therefore immune modulation therapies that target the control of Th1 cytokines should be used.

For a better understanding of the role of the viral load, free radicals, and cytokines in viral meningitis, we surveyed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from patients below 1 year of age who showed positive for enterovirus. In their first examinations interleukin (IL)-6 and free radicals increased whereas pleocytosis was rarely observed. IL-6 decreased within the short period. Viral loads and free radicals increased simultaneously. IL-6 and free radicals of CSF are helpful for diagnosis and treatment of viral meningitis at an early stage., ((c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

We report three infants and one teenager with fatal virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS). Two infants were admitted to our hospital because of cardio-pulmonary arrest (CPA). The third infant was admitted to our department because of fever and liver dysfunction, and he was diagnosed as combined immunodeficiency with predominant T cell defect. The teenager was diagnosed as systemic lupus erythema (SLE) when she was 10 years old and admitted to our department because of fever and thrombocytopenia . The histological findings for the four patients' organs revealed many haemophagocytic cells . The patients were infected by Parainfluenza virus type 2 (PIV2), Enterovirus (EV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), respectively. Their laboratory data revealed elevated levels of ferritin and IL-6, which also suggested virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS). Although aggressive therapies were performed in all cases, the outcome was fatal. Further investigation would be needed to clarify the mechanism of VAHS and an effective therapeutic regimen is needed.

Objectives: To compare the lip positions found in two ancient Buddha statues with the lip positions in contemporary Japanese adults., Methods: The facial profiles of Yakushi-ji temple Sho Kannon (male) and Chugu-ji temple Bodhisattva (female), generally considered to be two of the most beautiful Buddha statues in existence, were compared with the facial profiles of 30 Japanese dental students. Profiles of the statues were measured on photographs and profiles of the adults on cephalometric radiographs. The adults comprised 15 men between 22 and 26 years of age (Mean age: 23.8+/-1.3 years) and 15 women between 22 to 25 years of age (Mean age: 22.9+/-1.0 years)., Results: The Buddha statues had retrusive lips compared with the lip positions in contemporary Japanese adults., Conclusion: Flat profiles may be favoured by Japanese adults who, typically, have protrusive lips.