Unilateral overgrowth and remodeling processes after fracture of the mandibular condyle

abstract – An overgrowth of the fractured side of the mandible coincided with the general skeletal growth spurt during puberty in two boys with unilateral fracture of the condylar neck and dislocation of the condyle. In one of the cases is demonstrated the formation of a condyle-like bony process and resorption of the dislocated condyle, which took place within a few months after fracture. The observation of mandibular overgrowth indicates that if no functional disorders necessitate interference, facial asymmetry after fracture of the condylar neck should not be corrected surgically in young persons until the prognosis of mandibular growth is estimated by means of cephalometric radiographic analysis.     

LOW CONCENTRATION OF PLASMA AMINO ACIDS IN NEWBORN BABIES OF DIABETIC MOTHERS

Abstract Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured in maternal peripheral vein and in umbilical vein and artery at birth (caesarean section) in 6 diabetic and 5 non-diabetic pregnancies. The mean birth weight in the control group amounted to 3.9 kg as oversize of the foetus in three cases contributed to the indication for caesarean section. The infants in the diabetic group consisted of "small for gestational age" babies (mean weight 2.8 kg). Free amino acid levels in the normal group and in diabetic maternal blood were in agreement with previous investigations. No difference in amino acid concentrations in the maternal plasma was found, but the concentrations of the umbilical vein plasma were significantly lower in the diabetic group. Foetal hyperinsulinaemia may be a cause of the low amino acid concentrations. Besides, abnormalities of the placenta and maternal vascular complications increase and the mean birth weights decrease significantly through the White classes. Conditions of impairment of placental transfer of amino acids may thus be present. Characteristic features of the foetus may be consistent with the hypothesis as follows: The foetus in diabetic pregnancy is in varying degree exposed to an oversupply of glucose, hyperinsulinaemia, imbalanced uptake and a slightly diminished supply of amino acids.     

ACID GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS IN MYXOEDEMA

Acid glycosaminoglycans were measured in the tissues of a virtually untreated 83-year-old woman with myxoedema. Intercellular oedema was demonstrated histologically in the tongue, myocardium, striated muscles, and in the skin. Tissue oedema was absent in two female control patients. All tissues from the patient with myxoedema, apart from the stomach, showed high concentrations of hyaluronic acid, but there was no consistent elevation of chondroitin-4,6-sulphate, heparan sulphate or dermatan sulphate. The accumulation of hyaluronic acid might contribute to the oedema formation in myxoedema.