Skeletal effects of bite jumping therapy on the mandible - removable vs. fixed functional appliances

AUTHORS: Shen G, Hagg U, Darendeliler MA. OBJECTIVE: Based on an extensive review of the literature, the aim of this study was to explore the mainstream consensus on the controversial topic of whether the bite jumping treatment could enhance mandibular growth. DESIGN: The data for removable and fixed functional appliances were respectively comprehended and analyzed with regard to their attributes in mandibular growth modification. Furthermore, numerous reported findings were assessed by relating them to some important factors influencing the effects of bite jumping, such as treatment timing, treatment duration and post-treatment follow-up, to allow for a more objective and accurate evaluation. RESULTS: The key differences between removable and fixed appliances are working hours (intermittent vs. continuous), length of treatment time (long vs. short), optimal treatment timing (before puberty growth vs. at or after puberty spurt), and mode of bite-jumping (considerable vertical opening vs. limited vertical opening). These different features lead to different treatment effects on mandibular and TMJ growth, such as the intensity of possibly increased growth (clinically less significant vs. significant), the direction of enhanced growth (vertical vs. horizontal), and the stability of treatment changes (unstable vs. stable). The short-term or long-term post-treatment relapse mainly relates to the rebound of dental position. CONCLUSION: The immediate effects of bite jumping functional appliances on the mandibular growth enhancement are convincing during actual treatment. This extra gain of growth might be sustainable during the short-term and long-term post-treatment period.     

Post-treatment circulating plasma BMP6 mRNA and H3K27 methylation levels discriminate metastatic prostate cancer from localized disease

BackgroundWe evaluated the utility of post-treatment plasma levels of the circulating bone-morphogenetic protein-6-specific mRNA (cBMP6 mRNA), cell-free DNA (cf-DNA), apoptotic nucleosomes and Histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), in discriminating metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) from organ confined, locally controlled disease.MethodsPeripheral blood was taken from the patients at the end of therapy, and quantitative PCR was performed to amplify cBMP6 mRNA or cf-DNA from plasma while apoptotic nucleosomes and H3K27me3 were determined by ELISA-based approaches. Following blinded measurements, the markers were compared between the patients with local (n = 22), local advanced (n = 11) or metastatic disease (n = 28).ResultsOf the four markers investigated, the cBMP6 mRNA and H3K27me3 levels revealed significant differences between the three subgroups. We found higher levels of cBMP6 mRNA in the patients with metastases than in those with localized (p = 0.001) or local advanced disease (p = 0.05). When compared to cBMP6, H3K27me3 displayed an inverse distribution and was significantly lower in the patients with metastatic disease than in those with localized (p = 0.05) or local advanced disease (p = 0.024). There was no correlation between the different markers and total PSA levels or Gleason score at diagnosis.ConclusionOur study provides evidence that post-treatment analysis of cBMP6 mRNA and H3K27me3 may be used to distinguish metastatic PCa from organ confined, locally controlled disease.     

Iron deficiency in infancy and mother-child interaction at 5 years

Five-year-old Costa Rican children, who had either chronic, severe iron deficiency or good iron status in infancy, were observed with their mothers during a structured interaction task in a laboratory setting and everyday interactions in their home. Child affect and behavior as well as the quality of mother-child interaction of the formerly chronic iron-deficient children (n = 40) were compared to those with good iron status in infancy (n = 102). Children who had chronic iron deficiency in infancy were more likely to display lower levels of physical activity, positive affect, and verbalization during the structured task at 5 years, despite iron therapy that corrected their iron deficiency anemia in infancy. Mother-child reciprocity during the structured task (e.g., eye contact, shared positive affect, turn taking) was more likely to be lower in the chronic iron deficiency group compared to the good iron group. Mothers of children in the chronic iron deficiency group showed less responsivity in both settings. These results show that children with chronic, severe iron deficiency in infancy continue at behavioral disadvantage relative to their peers at school entry. Sustained differences in mother-child interaction might contribute to the long-lasting behavioral and developmental alterations reported in children with chronic, severe iron deficiency in infancy.     

Recurrence of brain tumours in patients treated with growth hormone: analysis of KIGS (Pfizer International Growth Database)

Background: Growth hormone (GH) has been used successfully in the treatment of short stature secondary to GH deficiency in survivors of childhood brain tumours. There has been concern that GH might increase the risk of recurrence. Aim: To analyse KIGS (Pfizer International Growth Database) with respect to tumour recurrence in patients with brain tumours. Methods: Data for tumour recurrence were analysed retrospectively in 1038 patients with craniopharyngiomas, 655 with medulloblastomas, 113 with ependymomas, 297 with germinomas, and 400 with astrocytomas or gliomas. All patients had received recombinant human GH (Genotropin®, Pfizer Inc.). Results: Recurrence-free survival rates were 63% at a follow-up of 10.3 y in craniopharyngioma, 69% in 9.1 y in the glial tumours, 71% in 7.4 y in germinomas, 92% in 4.6 y in medulloblastomas and 89% in 2.5 y in ependymomas. Dose of GH and treatment modalities did not differ significantly between patients with and without recurrence.
Conclusion: Tumour recurrence rates in surviving patients with brain tumours receiving GH treatment do not appear to be increased compared with published reports. However, longer follow-up regarding recurrences and secondary neoplasms remains essential.     

Bilateral idiopathic inflammatory perioptic neuritis simulating optic nerve sheath meningioma on computed tomography

Idiopathic inflammatory perioptic neuritis is a rare inflammatory condition of the optic nerve sheaths. The differential diagnosis is important because the disease has radiologic findings resembling those of optic nerve sheath meningioma and management is quite different in each condition. A case of bilateral idiopathic inflammatory perioptic neuritis is reported in which the computed tomographic (CT) appearance simulated optic nerve sheath meningioma and there was progressive visual loss. Presented as a scientific poster at the XIth Congress of the European Society of Ophthalmology, Hungary, Budapest, June 1–5, 1997.     

Lumbar extradural infiltrating angiolipoma: a case report and review of 17 previously reported cases with infiltrating spinal angiolipomas

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spinal extradural angiolipomas are rare benign tumors, and most of them are noninfiltrating tumors located in the extradural space. However, there are 17 cases with extradural infiltrating spinal angiolipomas extending into the vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral arches in literature. These 17 tumors are mostly located at the thoracic region, and anterior or in the anterolateral extradural space, and they generally infiltrate only one vertebra. Only two of them are located at the lumbar region, four are mainly located in the posterior extradural space, and three infiltrate more than one vertebra. PURPOSE: To present an exceptional case with infiltrating extradural spinal angiolipoma involving two lumbar segments and mainly located in the posterior extradural space. STUDY DESIGN: A case report. METHODS: A 41-year-old woman with infiltrating spinal angiolipoma was treated by incomplete surgical removal of the tumor. RESULTS: There were no complaints nor recurrence after 18 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Outcome after surgery for spinal angiolipomas is very good overall even in the cases with infiltrating tumors. Although complete removal is certainly preferred, outcomes remained favorable despite incomplete resections.