Unfavourable results in temporomandibular joint ankylosis surgery

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is a debilitating condition usually afflicting children and young adults. Treatment is surgical, i.e., release of the ankylosed joint/s with or without interposition arthroplasty and correction of secondary deformities (mandibular retrusion and asymmetry) This article deals with identifying potential setbacks in TMJ ankylosis surgery and preventing them.KEY WORDS: Ankylosis, complications, temporomandibular joint     

Postoperative Cardiac Arrhythmias in Children

Opinion statement  

Highly Thermotolerant SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Elicits Neutralising Antibodies against Delta and Omicron in Mice

As existing vaccines fail to completely prevent COVID-19 infections or community transmission, there is an unmet need for vaccines that can better combat SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC). We previously developed highly thermo-tolerant monomeric and trimeric receptor-binding domain derivatives that can withstand 100 °C for 90 min and 37 °C for four weeks and help eliminate cold-chain requirements. We show that mice immunised with these vaccine formulations elicit high titres of antibodies that neutralise SARS-CoV-2 variants VIC31 (with Spike: D614G mutation), Delta and Omicron (BA.1.1) VOC. Compared to VIC31, there was an average 14.4-fold reduction in neutralisation against BA.1.1 for the three monomeric antigen-adjuvant combinations and a 16.5-fold reduction for the three trimeric antigen-adjuvant combinations; the corresponding values against Delta were 2.5 and 3.0. Our findings suggest that monomeric formulations are suitable for upcoming Phase I human clinical trials and that there is potential for increasing the efficacy with vaccine matching to improve the responses against emerging variants. These findings are consistent with in silico modelling and AlphaFold predictions, which show that, while oligomeric presentation can be generally beneficial, it can make important epitopes inaccessible and also carries the risk of eliciting unwanted antibodies against the oligomerisation domain.     

N-myc amplified in retinoblastoma cell line FMC-RB1

A recently described retinoblastoma cell line, FMC-RB1, showed a 16-fold N-myc oncogene amplification. The patient from whom the cell line was obtained died from an aggressive disease. It is suggested that N-myc amplification may be an adverse prognostic indicator.     

The Digital Imaging Workstation

Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are expected to convert film-based radiology into a computer-based digital environment, with associated cost savings and improved physician communication. The digital workstation will be used by physicians to display these soft-copy images; however, difficult technical challenges must be met for the workstation to compete successfully with the familiar viewbox. Issues relating to image perception and the impact on physicians practice must be carefully considered. The spatial and contrast resolutions required vary according to imaging modality, type of procedure, and class of user. Rule-based software allows simple physician interaction and speeds image display. A consensus appears to be emerging concerning the requirements for the PACS workstation. Standards such as the American College of Radiology/National Electrical Manufacturers Association Digital Imaging and Communication Standard are facilitating commercial applications. Yet much careful study is needed before PACS workstations will be fully integrated into radiology departments. Abbreviations: CRT = cathode ray tube, H&D = Hurter and Drifield, PACS = picture archiving and communication system, ROC = receiver operating characteristic, S/N = signal-to-noise ratio. Partially supported by grant HL-33332 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood institute, U.S. Public Health Service. Address reprint requests to R.L.A. Copyright © 1990 by the Radiological Society of North America. Radiology 176:303-315, 1990. Reprinted with permission.