Long-term skeletal stability in the treatment of mandibular prognathism with a physiological positioning strategy

Our aim was to evaluate the long-term skeletal stability of the mandible in 21 patients after orthognathic surgery with physiological positioning. The measurement points SNB, B point (X, Y), Pog (X, Y), and the angle of the ramus were measured on cephalometric photographs to assess skeletal stability preoperatively, immediately after operation, and one and two years postoperatively. In addition, we evaluated the clinical symptoms of disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The analysis of the cephalometric photographs showed that SNB, B point X, and Pog X showed no significant differences among the postoperative time points. On the other hand, B point Y and Pog Y showed no significant differences throughout the study period. We compared the angle of the ramus before operation and two years postoperatively, and no significant difference was found. In addition, no cases showed any pathological symptoms of disorders of the TMJ two years postoperatively. The long-term stability after orthognathic surgery with physiological positioning was confirmed, and it seems to be a reliable orthognathic treatment in patients with mandibular prognathism.     

The Importance of Venous Return in Starling‐Like Control of Rotary Ventricular Assist Devices

Rotary ventricular assist devices (VADs) are less sensitive to preload than the healthy heart, resulting in inadequate flow regulation in response to changes in patient cardiac demand. Starling‐like physiological controllers (SLCs) have been developed to automatically regulate VAD flow based on ventricular preload. An SLC consists of a cardiac response curve (CRC) which imposes a nonlinear relationship between VAD flow and ventricular preload, and a venous return line (VRL) which determines the return path of the controller. This study investigates the importance of a physiological VRL in SLC of dual rotary blood pumps for biventricular support. Two experiments were conducted on a physical mock circulation loop (MCL); the first compared an SLC with an angled physiological VRL (SLC‐P) against an SLC with a vertical VRL (SLC‐V). The second experiment quantified the benefit of a dynamic VRL, represented by a series of specific VRLs, which could adapt to different circulatory states including changes in pulmonary (PVR) and systemic (SVR) vascular resistance versus a fixed physiological VRL which was calculated at rest. In both sets of experiments, the transient controller responses were evaluated through reductions in preload caused by the removal of fluid from the MCL. The SLC‐P produced no overshoot or oscillations following step changes in preload, whereas SLC‐V produced 0.4 L/min (12.5%) overshoot for both left and right VADs. Additionally, the SLC‐V had increased settling time and reduced controller stability as evidenced by transient controller oscillations. The transient results comparing the specific and standard VRLs demonstrated that specific VRL rise times were improved by between 1.2 and 4.7 s ( = 3.05 s), while specific VRL settling times were improved by between 2.8 and 16.1 seconds ( = 8.38 s) over the standard VRL. This suggests only a minor improvement in controller response time from a dynamic VRL compared to the fixed VRL. These results indicate that the use of a fixed physiologically representative VRL is adequate over a wide variety of physiological conditions.     

Peyronie’s disease: Contemporary evaluation and management

Peyronie’s disease is a common yet poorly understood condition characterized by penile pain, curvature, sexual dysfunction and psychological bother. Peyronie’s disease represents a penile wound healing disorder, and is thought to arise from exuberant scarring in response to penile trauma in genetically predisposed men. In the absence of active treatment, the majority of men experience stable or worsening symptoms, with few reporting spontaneous resolution in penile curvature or other deformity. In contrast, penile pain improves or resolves in the majority of men. Treatment options vary based on symptom severity and stability. Several oral therapies are commonly prescribed, although to date there are no strong data to support any oral agents as monotherapy for Peyronie’s disease. Other options including penile traction therapy and intralesional injections result in modest improvements for many patients, particularly when used early after symptom onset. Penile straightening through approaches, such as penile plication and plaque incision or partial excision and grafting, represent the most rapid and reliable approach to correct penile curvature once the symptoms have stabilized. Side-effects vary based on the type of surgery carried out, and include penile shortening, sensation changes and erectile dysfunction in the minority of men. In patients with drug refractory erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease, placement of a penile prosthesis will address both issues, and is associated with high levels of patient satisfaction. The current review provides a practical approach to the modern evaluation and management of patients presenting with Peyronie’s disease.     

Three-dimensional spinal curvature in idiopathic scoliosis

Scoliosis is usually considered as a deformity of the spine in the frontal plane, without reference to curvatures in other planes. In this study, the three-dimensional shape of the spine of 104 patients with untreated idiopathic scoliosis (5-55 degrees Cobb) was studied by means of stereo radiographs to determine relationships between curvature of the spine in the frontal plane view, in the lateral view, and in the intermediate views. There was a weak but statistically significant correlation (r = 0.2) relating greater scoliosis with lesser kyphosis or greater lordosis. In the thoracic region, the sagittal plane spinal curvature was less than that measured in a population without scoliosis (mean difference, 7.72 +/- 9.9 degrees). Seventy-four of 76 scolioses in the upper region of the spine with lateral curvature greater than 5 degrees Cobb were kyphotic. Sixty-four of 84 curves greater than 5 degrees Cobb in the lower region were lordotic. Measuring curvatures in the plane of symmetry of the rotated apical vertebra altered these ratios to 69 of 76 kyphotic in the upper region and 68 of 84 lordotic in the lower region. The plane of maximum curvature of sections of the spine with scoliosis was not related to the plane of symmetry of the rotated apical vertebra, for in kyphotic regions of the spine the rotations of these two planes were in opposite directions. In all cases, the magnitudes of the rotations were quite different, i.e., by a factor of -0.22 for curves in thoracic region and by a factor of 0.24 for curves in the lumbar region. This implies that mechanical measures to correct this spinal deformity or to prevent progression should apply different rotations to the apex from those applied to the curve as a whole and, in opposite senses, in curves in kyphotic regions. There was no evidence of an abnormality of sagittal curvature of a magnitude to implicate it in the etiology or in the treatment.     

角膜地形图与角膜曲率计在白内障手术前后评价

本文应用计算机辅助的角膜地形图系统TMS-1和角膜曲率计TOPCONOM-4同时测定了200例(278眼)的角膜地形图和中央角膜屈光状态。比较了角膜地形图的模拟角膜曲率SIMK值和角膜曲率计的垂直和水平屈光度。结果显示,白内障术前组116例150眼的SIMK平均值分别为44.22D(垂直轴)和44.26D(水平轴),角膜曲率计的中央屈光度垂直轴平均为44.16D,水平轴为44.23D。统计学处理表明,2种组方法的结果之间差异无显著性(P>0.05),第2种术后组67例90眼的SIMK平均值分别为46.37D(垂直轴)和43.06D(水平轴),角膜曲率计的中央屈光度垂直轴平均为46.09D,水平轴平均为42.88D,统计学处理二种方法的结果之间差异无显著性(P>0.05)。研究提示,角膜地形图系统的模拟角膜曲率SIMK值和角膜曲率计的屈光度无论在白内障手术前还是在手术后其结果是一致的,临床应用具有同等的价值。但是,当角膜中央屈光度异常范围小于3毫米,角膜混浊,角膜严重不规则散光时,角膜曲率计不能满足临床需要。而计算机辅助的角膜地形图系统则具有极大的诊断及检测价值。眼科学报 1994;10:85—89。     

特发性颈椎后凸畸形的手术治疗

目的 :明确颈椎前路手术治疗特发性颈椎后凸畸形的可行性和局限性。方法 :本文对 14例颈椎特发性后凸畸形患者采取手术方法进行治疗 ,所有患者均采用颈椎前路椎间盘切除减压 ,椎间隙植骨和前路钢板内固定。结果 :手术后患者临床体征明显改善 ,颈椎后凸畸形由手术前平均 -15 6°矫正为手术后平均 -6 4° ,矫正效果明显 ;手术后患者的短期随访表明颈椎矫正度数在随访中没有丢失。结论 :前路手术 ,延长颈椎前柱能够矫正颈椎的后凸畸形 ,改善临床症状和体征     

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function in T cells: implications for organ transplantation

P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a member of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) family of transporter molecules, is responsible for maintaining low intracellular concentrations of a variety of extracellular compounds and xenobiotics, and for transport of various intracellular molecules. Many drugs are P-gp substrates and intracellular concentrations of these agents may be critical for drug action. Experience in oncology indicates that repeated exposure to P-gp substrate cytotoxic drugs leads to the selection of drug-resistant tumor cells that overexpress P-gp. Since immunosuppressive agents such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus and corticosteroids are substrates for P-gp and since T-cells also express P-gp, it is conceivable that an analogous mechanism exits for therapy-resistant graft rejection. As will be discussed in this article, P-gp may interfere with the response to immunosuppressive therapy through several distinct mechanisms, and as such may represent an attractive therapeutic target.     

两种根管弯曲度测量法间数学关系的推导

目的:研究2种根管弯曲度测量法测值(Schneider法的测值为θS,Weine法的测值为θW)间的数学关系。方法:将弯曲根管长轴简化为依次由相切的线段(长度为l1)、圆弧(半径为r、圆心角为θ)、线段(长度为l2)组成的连线,根据2测量法确定简化弯曲根管长轴测量角时不同的定点、连线方式,推导θS、θW间的函数方程以及与l1、l2、r、θ间的数学关系,分析方程与函数图形的特征。结果:θS与θW间存在以下数学关系:(1)tanθS=(1-cosθW ksinθW)/(sinθW kcosθW),k=l2/r;(2)θW/2≤θS≤θW。k取不同值时函数曲线的形态具有不同的特点。θW在0,π的区间内,θS与θW间呈近似的线性关系;k越大,θS越接近θW,k越小,θS越接近θW/2。结论:Schneider法与Weine法测值间存在着复杂的函数关系,根管根尖部直段的长度(l2)与弯曲段曲率半径(r)之比值是影响2种方法测值间差异的重要因素。     

The effects of a reduced exercise duration taper programme on performance and muscle enzymes of endurance cyclists

Summary The influence of tapering on the metabolic and performance parameters in endurance cyclists was investigated. Cyclists (n = 25) trained 5 days · week^–1, 60 min·day^–1, at 75–85% maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2max) for 8 weeks and were then randomly assigned to a taper group: 4D (4 days;n = 7), 8D (8 days;n = 6), CON (control, 4 days rest;n = 6), NOTAPER (non-taper, continued training;n = 6). Muscle biopsy specimens taken before and after training and tapering were analysed for carnitine palmityltransferase (CPT), citrate synthase, ß-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD), cytochrome oxidase (CYTOX), lactate dehydrogenase, glycogen and protein. Significant increases inVO_2max (6%), a 60-min endurance cycle test (34.5%), oxidative enzymes (77–178%), glycogen (35%) and protein (34%) occurred following training. After the taper, HOAD and CPT decreased 25 % (P<0.05) and 26% respectively, in the CON. Post-taper CYTOX values were different (P<0.05) for 4D and 8D compared with CON. Muscle glycogen levels were increased (P<0.05) after tapering in the 4D, 8D and CON, but decreased in NOTAPER. Similarly, power output at ventilation threshold was significantly increased in the 4D (27.4 W) and 8D (27 W) groups, but decreased (22 W) in the NOTAPER. These findings suggest that tapering elicited a physiological adaptation by altering oxidative enzymes and muscle glycogen levels. Such an adaptation may influence endurance cycling during a laboratory performance test.