This study examines the relationship between spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) closure and puberty onset in a modern American population. It also investigates the timing and the rate of SOS closure in males and females. The sample includes cross-sectional and longitudinal 3D Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans of 741 individuals (361 males and 380 females) aged 6–20 years. Each CBCT scan is visualized in the mid-sagittal plane, and the spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) is scored as completely open, partially fused, mostly fused, and completely fused. The Menarche commencement is used as an indicator of puberty onset in females. Mean ages of open, partially-fused, mostly-fused, and completely fused SOS were 11.07, 12.95, 14.44, and 16.41 years in males, and 9.75, 11.67, 13.25, and 15.25 in females, respectively. The results show there is a significant association between the SOS closure stage and the commencement of menarche (Fisher's Exact Test p < 0.001). It was found that females had a higher SOS closure rate (38.60%) per year than males at the age of 10 years. The closure rate in males appears slower than females at age 10, but it lasts a longer time, ranging between 22 and 26% per year from age 11 to 14 years. There is a significant relationship between puberty onset and SOS closure, suggesting its closure is at least partially affected by systemic, hormonal changes in the growing adolescent. Also, SOS closure occurs at a faster rate and at an earlier age in females compared to males.

In our study, the structural and morphological applications of hydroxyapatite and chitosan nanoparticles and coated micro-implants were assessed for their ability to combat oral pathogenic bacteria. The hydroxyapatite, as well as chitosan nanoparticles, were synthesized from the Salvadora persica plant. The crystal morphology, phase composition, particle size, and surface functional groups of the nano-samples were analyzed via classical examinations and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The prepared nanoparticles have been examined for antibacterial activity against four common oral bacterial strains. The antimicrobial effect was also assessed by the Live/Dead BacLight technique in combination with confocal scanning laser microscopy. Titanium micro-implants were coated with regular hydroxyapatite (HAP) and chitosan nanoparticles, and the surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The analysis asserted elemental composition of the prepared nanoparticles and their textural features, metal crystallization, and functional bonds. The antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles was evaluated against oral pathogenic microorganisms by the disc diffusion method, minimum bacterial concentration (MBC), and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Chitosan nanoparticles showed (MICs) of 8 μg mL⁻¹ for (Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis), and 16 μg mL⁻¹ for Streptococcus sanguinis. HAP nanoparticles showed (MICs) of 16 μg/mL for E. faecalis, and S. sanguis, 8 μg/mL for S. salivarius and finally 4 μg/mL for S. mutans. HAP nanoparticles showed enhanced antibacterial activity and more obvious damage in the bacterial cell membrane than that of synthesized chitosan nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles could successfully coat titanium microplates to enhance their efficiency.

Background: In recent years, there has been remarkable growth in AI-based applications in healthcare, with a significant breakthrough marked by the launch of large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Google Bard. Patients and health professional students commonly utilize these models due to their accessibility. The increasing use of LLMs in healthcare necessitates an evaluation of their ability to generate accurate and reliable responses. Objective: This study assessed the performance of LLMs in answering orthodontic-related queries through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted up to 31 October 2024. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST), and R Studio software (Version 4.4.0) was employed for meta-analysis and heterogeneity assessment. Results: Out of 278 retrieved articles, 10 studies were included. The most commonly used LLM was ChatGPT (10/10, 100% of papers), followed by Google’s Bard/Gemini (3/10, 30% of papers), and Microsoft’s Bing/Copilot AI (2/10, 20% of papers). Accuracy was primarily evaluated using Likert scales, while the DISCERN tool was frequently applied for reliability assessment. The meta-analysis indicated that the LLMs, such as ChatGPT-4 and other models, do not significantly differ in generating responses to queries related to the specialty of orthodontics. The forest plot revealed a Standard Mean Deviation of 0.01 [CI: 0.42–0.44]. No heterogeneity was observed between the experimental group (ChatGPT-3.5, Gemini, and Copilot) and the control group (ChatGPT-4). However, most studies exhibited a high PROBAST risk of bias due to the lack of standardized evaluation tools. Conclusions: ChatGPT-4 has been extensively used for a variety of tasks and has demonstrated advanced and encouraging outcomes compared to other LLMs, and thus can be regarded as a valuable tool for enhancing educational and learning experiences. While LLMs can generate comprehensive responses, their reliability is compromised by the absence of peer-reviewed references, necessitating expert oversight in healthcare applications.

Introduction: The epidemic of tobacco use poses one of the most severe public health challenges globally, responsible for over 8 million deaths annually according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This study investigates the factors associated with tobacco use among Saudi Arabian youth...

Objectives: To examine the correlation between spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion stages and the hand - wrist skeletal maturity index. Materials and Methods: Digital records of 164 individuals (77 males, 87 females) aged 10 to 18 years old were examined. Three-dimensional CBCT scans and hand-wrist two-dimensional radiographs were scored for the spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion stages and hand-wrist skeletal maturity index, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed for associations using R software with a significance threshold of P < .01. Results: A significant positive relationship was demonstrated between spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion stages and hand-wrist skeletal maturity in both sexes. The Kendall's rank correlation τ between hand-wrist skeletal maturity index and spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion percentage were high and positive in males and females ( r = .74 and r = .71, respectively). Conclusions: The significant, positive relationship between the hand-wrist skeletal maturity index and spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion stages support the idea of using spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion as a biological indicator for craniofacial and mandibular growth spurt prediction.