Childhood polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposure and executive function in children in the HOME Study

Prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been reported to impair executive function in children, but little is known whether childhood PBDE exposures play a role. Using the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study, a prospective birth cohort in the greater Cincinnati area, we investigated the association between repeated measures of PBDEs during childhood and executive function at 8 years in 208 children and whether effect modification by child sex was present. We used child serum collected at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 years to measure PBDEs. The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function was completed by parents to assess executive function at 8 years. We used multiple informant models to examine childhood PBDEs during several exposure windows. Null associations were observed between early childhood PBDEs and executive function. However, we observed significant adverse associations between a 10-fold increase in concurrent concentrations of BDE-28 (β = 4.6, 95% CI 0.5, 8.7) and BDE-153 (β = 4.8, 95% CI 0.8, 8.8) with behavioral regulation. In addition, PBDEs at 8 years were significantly associated with poorer emotional and impulse control. No associations were noted between childhood PBDEs and metacognition or global executive function. However, child sex significantly modified the associations, with significantly poorer executive function among males with higher concurrent BDE-153, and null associations in females. Our study findings suggest that concurrent PBDE exposures during childhood may be associated with poorer executive function, specifically behavior regulation. Males may also be more sensitive to adverse associations of concurrent PBDEs on executive function.     

Odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma: a case report with reference to the relation between apoptosis and ghost cells

The neoplastic variant of calcifying odontogenic cyst has various designations, and its malignant counterpart has been reported as aggressive epithelial odontogenic ghost cell tumor or odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma. We present a case of odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma with reference to the relation between the ghost cells and apoptosis. A 33-year-old man complained of a mandibular mass. The mass occupied the entire right side of the mandible with destruction of both buccal and lingual bone. The mass also infiltrated into submandibular and sublingual spaces. Histologically, the mass was composed of a solid proliferation of hyperchromatic and pleomorphic epithelial cells with abnormal mitoses. Islands of ghost cells were frequently admixed with nucleated cells, and there were foci of ameloblastic differentiation. Immunohistochemical stains for cytokeratins, involucrin, and apoptosis-related proteins such as Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L), and Bax were done. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was also performed. The nucleated cells adjacent to the ghost cells expressed cytokeratins and involucrin, but the ghost cells had no reaction. Bcl-2 was negative. Both Bcl-X(L) and Bax were demonstrated in the nucleated cells adjacent to the ghost cells. The ghost cells exhibited Bax protein. Some nucleated cells adjacent to the ghost cells were positive with TUNEL assay. The above results indicate that ghost cells undergo abnormal terminal differentiation as an apoptotic process.     

Anthropometric study of the upper lip and the nose of infants less than a year of age

We divided healthy newborns (aged between 2 weeks and 6 months) into four groups, less than 2 weeks old, 60 +/- 7 days, 120 +/- 7 days, and 180 +/- 7 days, between June 2001 and February 2002, and each group had 40 infants. The lineal distances included 13 items related to the nose, mouth, and lips.The average width of the columella at the midpoint was 3.2, 3.5, 3.7, and 3.8 mm for the 2-week-old group, the 2-month-old group, the 4-month-old group, and the 6-month-old group, respectively. The average height of the columella was 4.7, 4.9, 5.2, and 5.3 mm. The average length between the medial alar bases was 13.7, 14.4, 17.4, and 17.6 mm. The average length from the base to the tip of Cupid's bow was 9.5, 10.0, 10.5, and 10.6 mm. The average length from the columella lateral base to the tip of Cupid's bow was 8.4, 9.9, 10.2, and 10.5 mm. The average length from the columella central base to the center of Cupid's bow was 8.3, 9.5, 9.8, and 9.9 mm. The average width of one limb of Cupid's bow was 2.7, 3.1, 3.4, and 3.5 mm. The average length from the tip of Cupid's bow to the commissure was 13.4, 14.7, 16.4, and 16.9 mm. The average intercommissural distance was 26.8, 30.3, 30.8, and 32.7 mm. The average width of the philtral column at the columella base was 3.1, 3.6, 3.7, and 4.0 mm. The average width of the philtral columns at the mid-portion was 3.7, 4.6, 4.6, and 4.6 mm. The average height of the nasal tip protrusion was 8.7, 11.0, 11.7, and 12.1 mm. The average width of the nose was 20.7, 23.7, 25.3, and 25.9 mm. In conclusion, these data are expected to be useful for patients with a bilateral cleft lip.     

Total alloplastic temporomandibular joint reconstruction combined with orthodontic treatment in a patient with idiopathic condylar resorption

This case report describes the successful treatment of an adult patient with skeletal Class II open-bite malocclusion secondary to idiopathic condylar resorption. Total alloplastic joint reconstruction and counterclockwise rotation of the maxillomandibular complex combined with orthodontic treatment provided a satisfying outcome with maximum functional and esthetic improvement.     

The effect of aspirin on gingival crevicular fluid levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators in patients with gingivitis

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators may play a significant role in patients with gingivitis. The purpose of this study was to assess the short-term effects of the systemic administration of two different concentrations of aspirin (81 and 325 mg/day, by mouth) on clinical periodontal parameters and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of 15-epi-lipoxin A4 (15-epi-LXA4), lipoxin A4, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and interleukin (IL)-6 and -1beta in a sample of naturally occurring gingivitis patients. METHODS: At day 0, after initial screening for entry, baseline periodontal parameters, including bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal probing depths (PDs), and plaque index (PI) were measured, and GCF was sampled from 12 intrasulcular sites with filter paper strips for the measurement of six types of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators using competitive enzyme immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (prevalues). Forty-seven subjects were assigned randomly to one of three treatment groups: placebo (15 subjects); aspirin, 81 mg (16 subjects); and aspirin, 325 mg (16 subjects) once daily. On day 7, subjects were recalled for the measurement of periodontal parameters and collection of GCF samples for the measurement of six types of mediators (postvalues). RESULTS: Changes in inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediator levels were not statistically significant for any of the three treatment groups. However, when pre- and postvalues were compared in the subjects receiving aspirin, 325 mg, there was a negative trend in the relationship between 15-epi-LXA4 and PGE2, whereas the relationship between LTB4 and PGE2 was not as strong. This might indicate that the subjects responding to aspirin-mediated PGE2 suppression effects produced higher 15-epi-LXA4 in GCF than non-responders. No statistically significant differences in PD and PI between pre- and postvalues were found for any of the three treatment groups. However, the results demonstrated a significant increase in BOP when aspirin, 325 mg was compared to placebo (P <0.001) and aspirin, 81 mg (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Aspirin can have an affect on BOP in naturally occurring gingivitis patients. Although most of the inflammatory mediators did not show significantly detectable changes after aspirin treatment for 7 days, the trend of aspirin-associated increases of 15-epi-LXA4 implied that this recently discovered aspirin-dependent eicosanoid may be associated with the increased incidence of BOP observed in the subjects who received aspirin therapy.     

Mutational analysis of candidate genes in 24 amelogenesis imperfecta families

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a heterogeneous group of inherited defects in dental enamel formation. The malformed enamel can be unusually thin, soft, rough and stained. The strict definition of AI includes only those cases where enamel defects occur in the absence of other symptoms. Currently, there are seven candidate genes for AI: amelogenin, enamelin, ameloblastin, tuftelin, distal-less homeobox 3, enamelysin, and kallikrein 4. To identify sequence variations in AI candidate genes in patients with isolated enamel defects, and to deduce the likely effect of each sequence variation on protein expression and structure, families with isolated enamel defects were recruited. The coding exons and nearby intron sequences were amplified for each of the AI candidate genes by using genomic DNA from the proband as template. The amplification products for the proband were sequenced. Then, other family members were tested to determine their genotype with respect to each sequence variation. All subjects received an oral examination, and intraoral photographs and dental radiographs were obtained. Out of 24 families with isolated enamel defects, only six disease-causing mutations were identified in the AI candidate genes. This finding suggests that many additional genes potentially contribute to the etiology of AI.