Thiel Embalming Technique: A Valuable Method for Teaching Oral Surgery and Implantology

Background: Because of its high requirements on surgical experience and the need of complete understanding of the anatomy, oral surgery and especially implantology belong to the most demanding procedures in dentistry. Therefore, hands‐on courses for oral surgery and implantology are considered a prerequisite to prepare for clinical practice. To achieve teaching conditions as realistic as possible, we used a novel human cadaver embalming method enabling tissue dissection comparable with the living body. Methods: Thirty cadavers which were offered by the Institute of Anatomy for the purpose of running oral surgery and implantology courses were embalmed in the technique described by Thiel. On each cadaver, dissection of soft and hard tissue and implantological procedures were performed according to a structured protocol by each course participant. The conservation of fine anatomical structures and the suitability of the embalmed tissue for dissecting, drilling, and suturing were observed and photographically documented. Results: By means of the Thiel embalming technique, oral surgery and implantological procedures could be performed under realistic conditions similar to the living body. Due to the conservation procedure, preparations could be carried out without any time limit, always maintaining the same high quality of the tissue. The maxillary sinus membrane, mucosa, bone, and nerves could be exposed and allowed dissecting, drilling, and suturing even after weeks like fresh specimens. Conclusion: The Thiel embalming method is a unique technique which is ideally suited to practice and teach oral surgery and implantology on human material.     

Age‐related changes in the composition of the cornified envelope in human skin

The main function of the epidermis is to protect us against a multitude of hostile attacks from the environment. Its main cell type, the keratinocytes have a sophisticated system of different proteins and lipids available to form the cornified envelope, which is responsible for the barrier function of the skin. During ageing, dramatic changes are taking place. Some proteins of the SPRR‐, S100‐ and LCE3‐family are massively up‐regulated, whereas others like loricrin, filaggrin and the LCE1&2 protein families are significantly down‐regulated. The latter ones are known to be under control of calcium and/or ‘calcium response elements’. We were able to show that the calcium peak specific for the stratum granulosum, which is the site where loricrin and the LCE1&2 families are synthesized, is reduced during ageing. The resulting cornified envelope in old skin has an extensively changed composition on the molecular level compared to young skin. This knowledge is of critical importance to understand chronic wound formation and ulcers in old age.     

Lack of multiple copies of pfmdr1 gene in Papua New Guinea

We describe here the results of an analysis of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 (pfmdr1) gene copy number from 440 field isolates from Papua New Guinea. No multiple copies of the gene were found, which corresponds to the lack of usage of mefloquine. These data extend regional knowledge about the distribution of multidrug-resistant P. falciparum.     

Modulation models for seasonal time series and incidence tables

We model monthly disease counts on an age-time grid using the two-dimensional varying-coefficient Poisson regression. Since the marginal profile of counts shows a very strong and varying annual cycle, sine and cosine regressors model periodicity, but their coefficients are allowed to vary smoothly over the age and time plane. The coefficient surfaces are estimated using a relatively large tensor product B-spline basis. Smoothness is tuned using difference penalties on the rows and columns of the tensor product coefficients. Heavy over-dispersion occurs, making it impossible to use Akaike's information criterion or Bayesian information criterion based on a Poisson likelihood. It is handled by selective weighting of part of the data and by the use of extended quasi-likelihood. Very efficient computation is achieved with fast array algorithms. The model is applied to monthly deaths due to respiratory diseases, for U.S. females during 1959-1998 and for ages 51-100.     

MNSs genotyping by MALDI‐TOF MS shows high concordance with serology,allows gene copy number testing and reveals new St(a) alleles

Results of genotyping with true high‐throughput capability for MNSs antigens are underrepresented, probably because of technical issues, due to the high level of nucleotide sequence homology of the paralogous genes GYPA, GYPB and GYPE. Eight MNSs‐specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were detected using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization, time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) in 5800 serologically M/N and S/s pre‐typed Swiss blood donors and 50 individuals of known or presumptive black African ethnicity. Comparison of serotype with genotype delivered concordance rates of 99·70% and 99·90% and accuracy of genotyping alone of 99·88% and 99·95%, for M/N and S/s, respectively. The area under the curve of peak signals was measured in intron 1 of the two highly homologous genes GYPB and GYPE and allowed for gene copy number variation estimates in all individuals investigated. Elevated GYPB:GYPE ratios accumulated in several carriers of two newly observed GYP*401 variants, termed type G and H, both encoding for the low incidence antigen St(a). In black Africans, reduced GYPB gene contents were proven in pre‐typed S‐s‐U‐ phenotypes and could be reproduced in unknown specimens. Quantitative gene copy number estimates represented a highly attractive supplement to conventional genotyping, solely based on MNSs SNPs.     

Impact of Fc gamma-receptor polymorphisms on the response to rituximab treatment in children and adolescents with mature B cell lymphoma/leukemia

Annals of Hematology - Recent studies in adult lymphoma patients have indicated a correlation between polymorphisms of Fc gamma-receptors (FcγRs, encoded by the respective FCGR genes) and the...     

A newly developed miniaturized heart-lung machine--expression of inflammation in a small animal model

Cardiopulmonary bypass may cause severe inflammatory reactions and multiorgan failure, especially in premature and low‐weight infants. This is due in part to the large area of contact with extrinsic surfaces and the essential addition of foreign blood. Thus, we developed a new miniaturized heart‐lung machine (MiniHLM) with a total static priming volume of 102 mL (including arterial and venous lines) and tested it in a small animal model. Seven Chinchilla Bastard rabbits were perfused with the MiniHLM (dynamic priming volume 127 mL). Seven animals serving as a control were perfused using Dideco Kids and a Stöckert roller pump (modified dynamic priming volume 149 mL). The rabbits were anesthetized and sternotomized, followed by cannulation of the aorta and the right atrium. The aorta was clamped for 1 h. Blood for examination of inflammation (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, and IL‐10) and blood gas analysis were taken before skin incision, 5 min before opening of the aorta, 15 min after opening of the aorta, and 4 h after the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass. The parameters of inflammation were expressed by means of the comparative C_T method (ΔΔC_T method). After gradual reduction of perfusion with the HLM, the heart was decannulated, and the sternum was closed. All rabbits were successfully weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass. Blood gas analysis was unremarkable in all cases. Foreign blood was not administered. Although statistical significance was not achieved, there was a reduced expression of inflammatory markers in the MiniHLM group. The newly developed MiniHLM prototype was tested successfully in a small animal model in terms of technical function and expression of inflammation. Upcoming tests with the industrially manufactured MiniHLM may reveal the advantages of the MiniHLM in comparison with the conventional HLM.     

Cholesterol induces apoptosis-associated loss of the activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) in human monocytes

The activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM/CD166) is associated with cell migration and leukocyte invasion into the vessel wall. This study investigates the impact of cholesterol loading on the expression of ALCAM, as compared with P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in monocytic U937 cells and human primary monocytes. Cells were enriched with cholesterol by incubation with a cyclodextrin-cholesterol complex. Expression of adhesion molecules and apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Migration was quantified by chemotaxis toward serum. Incubation with cholesterol (10-100 μg/ml) for 16 h caused a concentration-dependent increase in apoptosis. Enhanced apoptosis was associated with reduction of ALCAM by >70%. While PSGL-1 was affected similarly, expression of VCAM-1 was markedly increased by cholesterol and ICAM-1 levels were not regulated. The nonselective caspase/apoptosis inhibitor Q-VD-OPh partially prevented cholesterol-modulated alteration of adhesion molecule expression. Migration of cholesterol-rich monocytic cells toward serum was greatly reduced. This effect was partially restored by Q-VD-OPh and was dependent on ALCAM as shown by ALCAM-neutralizing antibodies. In conclusion, cholesterol-induced apoptosis in monocytes is accompanied by reduced expression of ALCAM and attenuated monocyte migration. This may restrain monocytes at cholesterol-rich sites and thereby expedite vascular lesion formation.