Interface of unloaded titanium implants in the iliac crest, fibula, and scapula: a histomorphometric and biomechanical study in the pig

PURPOSE: Prefabrication of free vascularized fibular flaps is a 2-stage procedure for the reconstruction of maxillary and mandibular defects. The delay between prefabrication and flap transfer is 6 weeks and depends on biomechanical stability and osseointegration of the implants. The purpose of this animal study was to evaluate implant stability by measuring the removal torque values (RTVs) at 3, 6, and 12 weeks and to compare the results with interface strength of the bone-implant surface in the fibula, the scapula, and the iliac crest under unloaded conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ITI implants (n = 108) with a sandblasted and acid-etched surface were placed in the fibula, the scapula, and the iliac crest of 6 Yorkshire pigs. Biomechanical, histologic, and histomorphometric results were collected at 3, 6, and 12 weeks, respectively. RESULTS: Bicortical anchored 8-mm implants in the fibula (63.7 to 101.8 Ncm) showed RTVs similar to those of monocortical anchored 12-mm implants in the scapula (62.3 to 99.7 Ncm). The RTVs of monocortical anchored 8-mm and 10-mm implants in the iliac crest (19.1 to 44.3 Ncm) and the scapula (27.2 to 55.3 Ncm) were significantly lower. The bone-to-implant contact in the fibula at 3, 6, and 12 weeks (35.2%, 44.4%, and 46.8%, respectively) was similar to that in the iliac crest (24.2%, 44.2%, and 52.5%, respectively), but significantly lower than in the scapula (63.7%, 73.8%, and 74.2%, respectively). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Bicortical anchorage determined implant stability in the fibula, whereas interfacial strength seemed to define stability in the scapula. The quality and type of bone determined the bone's response in terms of biomechanical press fit or biologic interface strength.     

SERPINB2 and miR-146a/b are coordinately regulated and act in the suppression of psoriasis-associated inflammatory responses in keratinocytes

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with numerous involved factors. miR-146a and miR-146b (miR-146a/b) are anti-inflammatory miRNAs that are increased in psoriatic skin. SERPINB2 has been shown to be upregulated in the inflammation and infections. Here we aimed to study the relationship between miR-146a/b and SERPINB2 and to delineate the role of SERPINB2 in association of plaque psoriasis. We report increased SERPINB2 expression in the skin of psoriasis patients, which was in a positive relationship with psoriasis severity and in a negative relationship with miR-146a/b in psoriatic lesions. In cultured keratinocytes, both cellular and secreted SERPINB2 levels were strongly induced in response to IFN-γ and TNF-α. Interestingly, SERPINB2 mRNA was downregulated by IL-17A and the combination of TNF-α and IL-17A at time points when miR-146a was increased. The predicted binding site for miR-146a/b in 3’ untranslated region of SERPINB2 revealed no activity in luciferase assay, while siRNA silencing of miR-146a/b direct targets IRAK1 and CARD10 resulted in reduced expression of SERPINB2, suggesting that miR-146a/b indirectly control SERPINB2 expression in the skin. The siRNA silencing of SERPINB2 increased the expression of IL-8, CXCL5 and CCL5 and migration of neutrophils revealing its anti-inflammatory role in keratinocytes. Our data together suggest that SERPINB2 and miR-146a/b are part of disease-related network of molecules that are coordinately regulated and act in controlling the inflammatory responses in psoriatic skin.     

Long-term physical inactivity and oral health in Finnish adults with intellectual disability

Physical inactivity is prevalent among patients with intellectual disability. Because little is known about the oral effects of poor mobility, we reviewed the medical and dental charts of institutionalized dentate patients (n = 214; 40.2 years +/- 12.1) of the Special Welfare District of Southwestern Finland. The number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), the number of retained teeth, dental treatment visits, and the type of the first treatment visit were recorded. Physical activity was good in 55% and severely reduced or completely absent in 45% of the patients. The degree of intellectual disability was mild or moderate in 40% and severe or profound in 60% of the patients. The walking patients weighed more (64.3 (19.6) versus 44.4 (14.4) kg; P< 0.001), had fewer secondary diagnoses (1.4 (1.3) versus 2.2 (1.4); P< 0.001), fewer daily medications (4.0 (2.1) versus 4.8 (2.4); P< 0.02), higher DMFT scores (18.5 (8.2) versus 14.8 (9.2); P < 0.05), and more dental treatment visits (2.7 (2.4) versus 2.0 (1.3); P< 0.03) than patients with poor physical activity. Periodontal treatment given as the primary type of dental care was more common among subjects with poor mobility than among those with good motor activity (P < 0.002). Poor physical activity was related to better dental health, higher need for periodontal therapy, and fewer dental visits than in patients with good motor activity.     

Relations between brain volumes, neuropsychological assessment and parental questionnaire in prematurely born children

The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between brain volumes at term equivalent age and neuropsychological functions at 5 years of age in very low birth weight (VLBW) children, and to compare the results from a neuropsychological assessment and a parental questionnaire at 5 years of age. The study group included a regional cohort of 97 VLBW children and a control group of 161 children born at term. At term equivalent age, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on the VLBW children, and analysed for total and regional brain volumes. At 5 years of age, a psychologist assessed the neuropsychological performance with NEPSY II, and parents completed the Five to fifteen (FTF) questionnaire on development and behaviour. The results of the control group were used to give the age-specific reference values. No significant associations were found between the brain volumes and the NEPSY II domains. As for the FTF, significant associations were found between a smaller total brain tissue volume and poorer executive functions, between a smaller cerebellar volume and both poorer executive functions and motor skills, and, surprisingly, between a larger volume of brainstem and poorer language functions. Even after adjustment for total brain tissue volume, the two associations between the cerebellar volume and the FTF domains remained borderline significant (P = 0.05). The NEPSY II domains Executive Functioning, Language and Motor Skills were significantly associated with the corresponding FTF domains. In conclusion, altered brain volumes at term equivalent age appear to affect development still at 5 years of age. The FTF seems to be a good instrument when used in combination with other neuropsychological assessment.     

The Association of Parental Monitoring and Peer Rejection on Antisocial Behavior among Malaysian Juvenile Offenders

ABSTRACT

Frequent reports concerning vandalism, bullying, and other delinquent behaviors have revealed that antisocial behaviors among adolescents are a major social issue in Malaysia. This study examined the relationships between poor parental monitoring, peer rejection, and antisocial behavior of Malaysian juvenile offenders. The participants consisted of three hundred and sixty (n = 360) juvenile offenders. Participants were selected randomly from three juvenile rehabilitation residential schools (Tunas Bakti Schools; TBS). The findings revealed a gender difference in antisocial behavior with a significant positive relationship between poor parental monitoring, peer rejection, and antisocial behavior. Parental monitoring was the strongest predictor of antisocial behavior among Malaysian juvenile offenders, followed by peer rejection. The result of the study reveals the importance of developing integrated preventive intervention programs focusing on positive parenting monitoring practices and the development of self-resilience among juvenile offenders     

Salivary variables in relation to tobacco smoking and female sex steroid hormone-use in 30 to 59-year-old women

Several systemic conditions may have an influence on oral health. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has a positive effect on alveolar bone of menopausal women and smoking a negative effect. However, little is known about their effect on saliva. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of hormone-use and tobacco smoking on the composition of saliva, in particular on the inorganic constituents. Salivary samples were collected from a representative study group comprising 1013 women (30-59 years) participating in a pre-screen referral program for osteoporosis. The participants were divided into 2 subgroups according to age. The younger group ( &#104 45 years) comprised 413 women and the older group ( &#83 50 years) 600 women. Salivary calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, inorganic phosphate, total protein, and flow rate of paraffin-stimulated saliva were measured. In the older age group, female sex steroid users (hormone users) had lower salivary protein concentrations than non-users. Smoking was associated with high salivary calcium, magnesium, and potassium levels in the group of older participants. Neither tobacco smoking nor female sex steroid hormones had any significant effect on the salivary composition in the younger age group. In conclusion, smoking was reflected more clearly than female sex steroid hormone-use in the inorganic composition of saliva in the older age group. The salivary composition was not affected by hormone-use or by smoking among the younger age group.