Effect of unilateral masticatory function on craniofacial growth in the rabbit

In this study the main purpose was to investigate the effect of altered masticatory function on the shape and inclination of the articular surface of the glenoid fossa, and on the growth of the mandible in the rabbit. The maxillary and mandibular molars of 14, 10-d-old rabbits were ground down to the gingiva on the right side twice a week; 9 were controls. At age SO d all rabbits were killed, soft tissue of the heads was removed, and the measurements were made. The inclination of the articular surface of the glenoid fossa was shallower on both sides in the experimental group than in the controls; the difference was greater on the right side. There were dimensional and angular differences between right and left sides of the mandible and maxilla in the experimental animals. In conclusion, unilateral masticatory function was found to cause an asymmetric craniofacial growth. Furthermore, function has an effect on the shape of the glenoid fossa, especially on the balancing side, in conjunction with asymmetric function.     

SPEEDY babies: A putative new behavioral syndrome of unbalanced motor-speech development

Even though difficulties in motor development in children with speech and language disorders are widely known, hardly any attention is paid to the association between atypically rapidly occurring unassisted walking and delayed speech development. The four children described here presented with a developmental behavioral triad: 1) atypically speedy motor development, 2) impaired expressive speech, and 3) tongue carriage dysfunction resulting in related misarticulations. Those characteristics might be phenotypically or genetically clustered. These children didn’t have impaired cognition, neurological or mental disease, defective sense organs, craniofacial dysmorphology or susceptibility to upper respiratory infections, particularly recurrent otitis media. Attention should be paid on discordant and unbalanced achievement of developmental milestones. Present children are termed SPEEDY babies, where SPEEDY refers to rapid independent walking, SPEE and DY to dyspractic or dysfunctional speech development and lingual dysfunction resulting in linguoalveolar misarticulations. SPEEDY babies require health care that recognizes and respects their motor skills and supports their needs for motor activities and on the other hand include treatment for impaired speech. The parents may need advice and support with these children.     

Nickel antigen induces IL-2 secretion and IL-2 receptor expression mainly on CD4+ T cells, but no measurable gamma interferon secretion in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures in delayed type hypersensitivity to nickel.

Nickel sulphate antigen-induced peripheral blood lymphocyte activation in vitro was characterized by lymphokine measurement (IL-2, IFN-gamma) and phenotyping of the IL-2 responsive cells. Mononuclear cells from nickel-sensitive patients synthesized more DNA, produced more IL-2 and had more IL-2 receptor positive cells in response to nickel than did those of the control subjects. On the other hand no IFN-gamma was detectable in the nickel supernatants, while PPD, used as the control antigen, induced pronounced quantities of IFN-gamma with an equal amount of DNA synthesis. The increase in IL-2 receptor positive cells was due to activation of CD4+ (helper/inducer) T cells. T cells with HLA-DR antigen surface markers were more numerous on each day of culture than cells with IL-2 receptors. These two activation markers were co-expressed on the same cells only to a certain extent, thus perhaps reflecting different types or phases of activation. In conclusion, nickel-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell activation in vitro differs from microbial antigen-induced activation with respect to its modest or non-existent IFN-gamma response.     

Relationship ofcampylobacter pylori and duodenogastric reflux

We have examined the relationship of Campylobacter -like organism (CLO) and duodenogastric reflux (DGR) in 107 patients with unoperated stomachs. Neither the extent of externally measured bile reflux nor the concentrations of bile acids or lysolecithin in the gastric fluid differed significantly in the groups with different numbers of CLO in the gastric mucosa. Our results suggest that DGR, in the quantities commonly present in unoperated stomachs, does not effect the presence of C. pyloriin the gastric mucosa.     

An immunohistochemical study of laminin, type-IV collagen and type-III pN-collagen with relation to reticular fibres in Hodgkin's disease

The distribution of aminoterminal propeptides of type-III procollagen (indicating the presence of type-III pN-collagen, i.e., type-III collagen molecule with a non-cleaved aminoterminal propeptide), laminin and type-IV collagen was studied by immunohistochemical methods. The results were compared with the distribution of reticular fibres using Gomori's reticulin stain. Lymph nodes from 20 cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD) and 3 spleens affected by nodular sclerosis HD were studied. The reticular fibres stained for all the antigens investigated, the strongest reaction being for pN type-III collagen. Thick fibres stained mainly for type-III pN-collagen, the BM proteins being located in a fragmented rim on the surface. The distribution and composition of fibres was similar in both nodal and extranodal infiltrations. The morphological alterations noted in the fibres comprised (1) compression between nodules in the nodular type of lymphocyte-predominant HD, and (2) fragmentation, present in collections of histiocytes in lymphocyte-predominant HD. BM proteins and type-III pN-collagen were present in the walls of the sinuses and vessels. The marginal sinuses were often partially spared in spite of extracapsular invasion. Our results suggest that laminin, type-IV collagen and type-III pN-collagen are important components of reticular fibres in HD and that the composition of the fibres is similar to that seen in the normal lymph node.     

The Production of Interleukin 2 as a Measure of Reactivity in Mixed Lymphocyte Culture

Interleukin 2 (IL2) produced in vitro in mixed lymphocyte cultures was measured by induction of growth in cells dependent on IL2 for proliferation. The amount of IL2 in early cultures (24 and 48 hours) clearly differentiated the degree of HLA-D locus identity between various individuals. Very low amounts of IL2 were produced in cultures between HLA-D identical subjects. The use of IL2 measurement offers a method in the early culture phase for predicting the T cell proliferation which is dependent on the presence of IL2.     

Hypotensive potential of sildenafil and tamsulosin during orthostasis

We describe pronounced hypotension in a patient during orthostatic testing while receiving treatment with sildenafil and tamsulosin, but not with placebo. The patient was 71 years of age and had no history of orthostatic reactions. He had been diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and glaucoma simplex (open-angle glaucoma). The only regular medication used was a combination of latanoprost and timolol one drop daily into each eye. The patient was among 16 men with BPH enrolled in a study of the haemodynamic effects of tamsulosin and sildenafil. The present patient was excluded from data analysis because of atypical reactions: he experienced a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance upon orthostasis during treatment with sildenafil and tamsulosin. This led to marked hypotension and cancellation of the tilt tests with both sildenafil alone (Riva-Rocci [RR] 75/50 mm Hg) and a combination of sildenafil and tamsulosin (RR 60/45 mm Hg); however, tamsulosin alone also lowered blood pressure to some extent (RR 100/80 mm Hg). In conclusion, even though sildenafil and tamsulosin are considered haemodynamically safe, they may induce considerable vasodilation and, subsequently, harmful hypotension in susceptible patients.     

Gastropericardial fistula, purulent pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication

Gastropericardial fistula, purulent pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade developed 7 years after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. The patient was successfully managed through a thoracotomy by open drainage of the pericardium, excision and closure of the fistula, and an omentum flap.     

Serious pregnancy complications in a patient with previously undiagnosed carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 deficiency

Fetal defects in mitochondrial beta-oxidation have been linked with an increased risk for acute fatty liver of pregnancy and preeclampsia-related conditions. A woman with previously undiagnosed carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 deficiency experienced hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets-like syndrome late in her first pregnancy with an unaffected fetus. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 deficiency should be considered as a potential cause of life-threatening complications of pregnancy.