Dawei Liu

Repeatable acquisition of smiling and rest-related facial states is essential for longitudinal three-dimensional (3D) facial imaging, yet the effect of task instructions may depend on the state and measurement. This within-participant study compared conventional (CONV) and state-specific phoneme-guided (PHON) acquisition in 162 adults. For SMILE, CONV elicited a posed smile, whereas PHON used /tʃ/ articulation followed by maintenance of the resulting perioral configuration; for the REST-related condition, CONV elicited relaxed rest, whereas PHON used sustained /m/ to define a closed-lip reference configuration rather than unconstrained physiological rest. Each protocol–state condition was recorded twice. Within-session repeatability was characterized by absolute error between repeated acquisitions, technical error of measurement, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC(2,1)], and Bland–Altman agreement. State-specific protocol differences were assessed using paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Holm correction. During SMILE, PHON reduced median error for the 3D Sn–Gn distance (3.79 vs. 2.36 mm), interlabial distance (3.48 vs. 1.84 mm), and sagittal lip step (1.33 vs. 0.66 mm; adjusted p < 0.001), but increased commissure-distance error (1.50 vs. 1.89 mm; adjusted p = 0.007). During the REST-related condition, no prespecified linear outcome differed after correction. Phoneme guidance changed, rather than uniformly improved, repeatability, and its effect depended on facial state and outcome.

The repair of diabetic bone defects remains challenging due to disrupted bone immune homeostasis and increased susceptibility to infection. Under hyperglycemic conditions, the immune microenvironment fails to switch between the pro‐inflammatory environment required for pathogen clearance and the anti‐inflammatory environment for osteogenesis. Here, a glucose‐responsive hydrogel (PEG‐ZnO‐sita) is developed by integrating zinc oxide (ZnO) and sitagliptin into a network formed by dopamine‐modified tetra‐armed poly(ethylene glycol) succinimidyl glutarate (DA‐PEG‐SG) and phenylboronic acid‐modified gelatin (PBA‐Gel). PEG‐ZnO‐sita, enabled by amidation, phenylboronic ester bonds, and metal‐catechol coordination, confers rapid gelation, injectability, mechanical stability, self‐healing, and robust tissue adhesion, adapting to the local complexity at the bone defect. In a diabetic microenvironment, the rapid breakage of boronate ester bonds triggers the early burst release of Zn ²⁺ to inhibit infection by promoting M1 polarization, along with sitagliptin‐intervening glucose regulation. Whereafter, the sustained Zn ²⁺ and sitagliptin release induce M2 polarization and facilitate osteogenic differentiation, demonstrating a self‐adaptive strategy in response to inflammatory environments. Both in vitro and in vivo studies confirm that PEG‐ZnO‐sita effectively promotes bone regeneration by local hyperglycemic microenvironment modulation and sequential regulation of macrophage polarization. So, this temporal immunoregulation of hyperglycemia‐immune‐osteogenic cascade presents a promising strategy for diabetic infected bone defects.

Diabetes mellitus is a global health threat, with chronic wounds, including oral mucosal wounds, being a severe complication. These wounds are characterized by delayed healing and increased inflammation due to hyperglycemia, affecting patients' quality of life. Current treatments for oral mucosal wounds cannot offer sustained management of these injuries in diabetic patients. Here, a glucose/ROS dual-responsive hydrogel incorporating sitagliptin was developed for the treatment of diabetic oral mucosal wounds. After chemical modification of tetra-armed poly(ethylene glycol) succinimidyl glutarate (tetra-PEG-SG) by dopamine (DA) and tetra-armed poly(ethylene glycol) amine (tetra-PEG-NH₂) by phenylboronic acid (PBA), the resulting hydrogel was capable of rapid gelation, robust tissue adhesion, self-healing, antioxidant capacity, and dual response to glucose and reactive oxygen species (ROS), enabling the feasible injection and stable adherence in the moist oral environment while ensuring sustained therapeutic sitagliptin release. In vivo experiments on oral mucosal defects in diabetic mice revealed that the sitagliptin-loaded hydrogel could effectively reduce inflammation and promote wound healing. Collectively, this finding identifies a potential wound dressing as a therapeutic strategy for diabetic oral mucosal wounds.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and efficacy of a new wireframe template methodology in analyzing three-dimensional facial soft tissue asymmetry. Materials and methods: Three-dimensional facial soft tissue data were obtained for 24 patients. The wireframe template was established by identifying 34 facial landmarks and then forming a template on the face with the MeshLab 2020 software. The angle asymmetry index was automatically scored using the template. The mirroring and overlapping technique is accepted as the golden standard method to diagnose facial asymmetry by acquiring deviation values of one’s face. Consistency rates between the two methodologies were determined through a statistical comparison of the angle asymmetry index and deviation values. Results: Overall consistency rates in the labial, mandibular angle, cheek, chin, and articular regions were 87.5%, 95.8%, 87.5%, 91.7%, and 100%, respectively. Regions with consistency rates in three dimensions of more than 85% are the x-axis and the z-axis of all regions and the y-axis of the mandibular angle, chin, and articular region. Conclusions: Soft tissue facial asymmetry can be diagnosed accurately and effectively by using a three-dimensional soft tissue spatial angle wireframe template. Precise localization of asymmetry can be offered, and indiscernible tiny asymmetry can be identified.

Three-dimensional (3D) facial models have been increasingly applied in orthodontics, orthognathic surgery, and various medical fields. This study proposed an approach to reconstructing 3D facial models from standard orthodontic frontal and lateral images, providing an efficient way to expand 3D databases. A total of 23 participants (average age 20.70 ± 5.36 years) were enrolled. Based on the Hifi3D face model, 3D reconstructions were generated and compared with corresponding face scans to evaluate their accuracy. Root mean square error (RMSE) values were calculated for the entire face, nine specific facial regions, and eight anatomical landmarks. Clinical feasibility was further assessed by comparing six angular and thirteen linear measurements between the reconstructed and scanned models. The RMSE of the reconstruction model was 2.00 ± 0.38 mm (95% CI: 1.84–2.17 mm). High accuracy was achieved for the forehead, nose, upper lip, paranasal region, and right cheek (mean RMSE < 2 mm). The forehead area showed the smallest deviation, at 1.52 ± 0.88 mm (95% CI: 1.14–1.90 mm). In contrast, the lower lip, chin, and left cheek exhibited average RMSEs exceeding 2 mm. The mean deviation across landmarks was below 2 mm, with the Prn displaying the smallest error at 1.18 ± 1.10 mm (95% CI: 0.71–1.65 mm). The largest discrepancies were observed along the Z-axis (Z > Y > X). Significant differences (p < 0.05) emerged between groups in the nasolabial, nasal, and nasofrontal angles, while the other 13 linear and 3 angular measurements showed no statistical differences (p > 0.05). This study explored the feasibility of reconstructing accurate 3D models from 2D photos. Compared to facial scan models, the Hifi3D face model demonstrated a 2 mm deviation, with potential for enriching 3D databases for subjective evaluations, patient education, and communication. However, caution is advised when applying this model to clinical measurements, especially angle assessments.

The treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis in children is a great challenge for surgeons. Costochondral graft (CCG) is a common method of reconstructing the TMJ in children. However, the growth pattern of CCG is unpredictable. In this study, we introduced a surgical–orthodontic approach and evaluated the growth results of the mandible and maxilla in children with TMJ ankylosis through 3-dimensional computed tomography measurements. A prospective cohort study was conducted on child patients diagnosed as having TMJ ankylosis between September 1, 2018 and June 1, 2020. Computer-aided virtual mandibular position guided the CCG, and removable functional appliance was used after surgery. The maximal incisal opening (MIO), the maxilla height, and the length of mandibular ramus were determined. Paired t test was performed to analyze the differences among various stages. Six patients (3 females, 3 males; aged 6–9 y) were included in this study. MIO was 12.4 mm before surgery and improved to 36.8 mm after 42.8 months’ follow-up. Mandible length increased by 5.1 mm in the affected side and by 5.3 mm in the unaffected side, without significant difference. The affected maxilla height increased by 6.7 mm, which was more than 5.0 mm in the unaffected side. In conclusion, continued growth of mandible and maxilla can be achieved through CCG combined with functional appliance treatment for children TMJ ankylosis.

Inflammation‐responsive hydrogels loaded with therapeutic factors are effective biomaterials for bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this study, a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐responsive injectable hydrogel is constructed by integrating an MMP‐cleavable peptide (pp) into a covalent tetra‐armed poly‐(ethylene glycol) (PEG) network for precise drug release upon inflammation stimulation. To establish a pro‐regenerative environment, phosphatidylserine (PS) is encapsulated into a scaffold to form the PEG‐pp‐PS network, which could be triggered by MMP to release a large amount of PS during the early stage of inflammation and retain drug release persistently until the later stage of bone repair. The hydrogel is found to be mechanically and biologically adaptable to the complex bone defect area. In vivo and in vitro studies further demonstrated the ability of PEG‐pp‐PS to transform macrophages into the anti‐inflammatory M2 phenotype and promote osteogenic differentiation, thus, resulting in new bone regeneration. Therefore, this study provides a facile, safe, and promising cell‐free strategy on simultaneous immunoregulation and osteoinduction in bone engineering.

探讨建立一种基于三维颜面软组织标志点的颏部对称性评价方法, 并对该方法的评价效果进行初步检验。 使用标准对称人脸进行颏结节点坐标变换, 用以筛选软组织三维空间线角并构建相应的三维空间线角模板, 从2021年3月至2022年3月就诊于北京大学口腔医院正畸科的初诊患者中选取10例临床诊断存在颏部不对称的患者, 年龄12~32岁; 收集患者的三维软组织面部扫描数据, 通过MeshMonk非刚性配准算法程序自动确定测试患者面部扫描数据的标志点, 并以此生成三维软组织空间线角模板及相应参数。同时在Geomagic Studio 2015软件中进行人脸镜像重叠分析, 并生成颏部偏差色谱图作为检验参照, 对比三维软组织空间线角模板指标相对于重叠分析的识别率。 通过坐标变换方式筛选三维空间线角指标9项, 在10例患者中对其面部扫描数据进行镜像重叠分析和三维空间线角模板分析, 以镜像重叠为"金标准", 计算用三维软组织空间线角模板分析法评价颏部不对称情况的识别率, 颏部不对称识别率为90%(9/10), 其中X维度识别率为86%, Y维度识别率为89%, Z维度识别率为100%。 应用三维软组织线角模板法在评价颏部软组织不对称上有一定的可行性, 其在三维方向上具有分别识别不同维度不对称的能力, 优于镜像重叠方法, 但在识别率方面稍差, 仍需进一步改进和优化。