Immediate effects of rhythmic joint mobilization of the temporomandibular joint on pain,mouth opening and electromyographic activity in patients with temporomandibular disorders

BackgroundRhythmic joint mobilizations (RJM) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are employed to relieve pain and improve function in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, the evidence on the immediate effects of RJM in patients with TMD is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the immediate clinical and functional effects of RJM in patients with TMD.Materials and methodsThis was a one-group quasi-experimental before and after study. Thirty-eight patients with TMD were assessed by means of pain intensity (visual analogue score, VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT, measured through pressure algometry on the masseter and temporal muscles), mouth opening (MO, measured with a ruler), and surface electromyographic activity of the masseter and temporal muscles (asymmetry index, AI). Measurements were performed before and after a single, 1-min session of RJM of each TMJ. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS version 20.0 statistical package.ResultsA statistical significant difference was found in pain intensity, PPT and MO after the intervention (p < 0.05). No difference was found in the AI. A large effect size was observed for pain intensity, PPT of the left and right masseter muscles and MO (d = 0.85–1.13), whereas for the left and right temporal muscles the effect size was moderate (d = 0.62) and small, respectively (d = 0.49).ConclusionIn this sample of patients with TMD, a single session of RJM of the TMJ seemed to be effective in reducing pain intensity, increasing PPT and improving MO immediately after the intervention, without differences in the AI.     

Helicobacter pylori and gastric hyperacidity,and their association with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Helicobacter pylori is an established cause of gastric ulcers. Its role in causing recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) remains controversial. Fifty-two RAS patients and 52 sex-matched controls were recruited in this case–control study. All subjects were screened for hematinic deficiencies and H. pylori. The latter was assessed quantitatively using the ¹⁴C-urea breath test. The χ² test and Wilcoxon signed ranks test were used to compare H. pylori and hematinic indices between cases and controls, while conditional logistic regression was used to assess the associations between the occurrence of RAS and independent factors. H. pylori was positive in 56.7% of the overall sample, with no difference between RAS patients (50.8%) and controls (49.2%) (P = 0.843). The median H. pylori and haematological indices values did not show any association with ulcer diameter, number, or frequency. Interestingly, gastric hyperacidity was significantly associated with RAS, and this association was independent from tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, and H. pylori (odds ratio 14.99, 95% confidence interval 2.47–90.95; P = 0.003). This study found no association between H. pylori and RAS. The association between RAS and gastric hyperacidity suggests that gastric refluxate, not H. pylori, has an effect on the oral mucosa that favours an ulcerative change.     

Biomarker directed chronic wound therapy – A new treatment paradigm

AimTo develop a treatment paradigm for chronic leg ulcers that incorporates new biomarkers of wound healing with currently available therapies.MethodsRecently published data on GM-CSF and MMP-13 as biomarkers of venous leg ulcer (VLU) healing status with accuracies of 92% and 78% respectively, was reviewed along with the wound bed preparation (WBP) theoretical framework for treatment of chronic wounds. The broad categories of wound treatments that align with the WBP concepts were identified. These were then considered in a hierarchical order that initially improves the wound bed and subsequently incorporates more complex advanced wound therapies. Identification of the non-healing status of the wound is the driver to advance through the different treatments.ResultsA point of care test of wound healing status is the key to the systematic use of currently available therapies for chronic leg ulcers in a timely fashion. The different therapies address – debridement, moisture control, bacterial contamination, protease inhibition, formation of granulation tissue, application of growth factors, application of matrix constructs, and application of cellular components. Progression through this hierarchical order of therapies is directed by the leg ulcer remaining in a non-healing state with the previous therapies having been implemented.ConclusionCombining a validated point of care test of wound healing with a systematic approach to wound therapies, has the potential to create a new paradigm of chronic leg ulcer treatment - biomarker directed wound therapy.     

Topical tacrolimus therapy in the management of lower extremity ulcers due to prolidase deficiency

Prolidase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cutaneous ulcers, facial dysmorphism, recurrent infections, and intellectual disability. We report a unique case of a 6‐year‐old boy with prolidase deficiency and Crohn's disease who presented with lower extremity ulcers. Cutaneous ulcers due to prolidase deficiency are historically resistant to treatment, and we report success with the novel use of topical tacrolimus.     

Clinicopathological characteristics and perineural invasion in adenoid cystic carcinoma: a systematic review

IntroductionAdenoid cystic carcinoma is the most frequent malignant tumor of the submandibular gland and the minor salivary glands. It is a malignant neoplasm that, despite its slow growth, shows an unfavorable prognosis.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature on Adenoid cystic carcinoma in the head and neck region and its clinicopathological characteristics, with emphasis on the perineural invasion capacity of the tumor.MethodsA systematic search of articles published between January 2000 and January 2014 was performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, Science Direct, and Scopus databases.ResultsNine articles were selected for this systematic review. These demonstrated that the female gender was more often affected and that malignant tumors showed a high rate of distant metastasis, recurrence, and a low survival rate. The presence of perineural invasion ranged from 29.4% to 62.5% and was associated with local tumor recurrence.ConclusionAdenoid cystic carcinoma is commonly characterized by the presence of pain, high rate of recurrence, metastasis, and a low survival rate. Reporting studies with patient follow-up is of utmost importance for a better clinical-pathological understanding and to improve the prognosis of this pathology.     

148例口腔颌面部恶性肿瘤的临床统计及随访观察

本文将我科1974年至1983年收治的148例口腔颌面部恶性肿瘤就性别、年龄、发病部位、肿瘤性质以及所随访的102例口腔领面部恶肿瘤的存活率与肿瘤性质、部位、治疗等的关系进行了统计分析,并评价了冷冻治疗及颈淋巴结根治术。同时阐明了唇癌、皮肤癌淋巴结根治术的指征。     

口腔粘膜恶性黑色素瘤的超微结构

目的：探讨口腔粘膜恶性黑色素瘤超微结构特征及其对诊断的意义。方法：对５例肿瘤的手术标本，采用透射电镜技术进行研究。结果：瘤细胞表面有丰富的微绒毛样突起，细胞间连接很少见。胞质内可见特征性的黑色素小体。胞核不规则，核仁大且数目多。结论：电镜观察有助于判断口腔恶性黑色素瘤的恶性程度及淋巴结转移。     

Suppurative corneal ulceration in Bangladesh

Suppurative keratitis is an important preventable cause of blindness, particularly in the developing world. This study analyses 142 cases of suppurative keratitis referred to Chittagong Eye Infirmary, Bangladesh. Some 53.5% of cases were bacterial and 35.9% were fungal. The five most common pathogens were: Pseudomonas sp. 24%, Streptococcus pneumoniae 17%, Aspergillus sp. 13%, Fusarium sp. 7% and Curvularia sp. 6%. Gram stain and culture results were consistent in 62.6% of cases. Previous antibiotic treatment was a significant factor for failure of culture isolation and less so for Gram stain failure. On Gram stain, 55.9% of pseudomonal cases were missed, but only 2% of fungal cases were missed. Over all, Gram stain had a sensitivity of 62% and positive predictive value of 84% for bacterial cases, and 98% and 94% for fungal cases, respectively. Fungal ulcers were typically filamentous, but an antecedent history of trauma was not common. The most frequent injury was due to rice grains, but the inoculum appeared to be introduced during eye washing with contaminated water. Pseudomonal ulcers occurred most frequently in the monsoon season, and Fusarium cases were seen only in the hot, dry season.