The modified superiorly based pharyngeal flap. Part IV. Position of the base of the flap.

The modified superiorly based pharyngeal flap surgical technique developed by Epker et al. was performed on 13 patients with moderate to severe hypernasality. The flap base was attached close to the level of the palatal plane and was found to maintain a consistent longitudinal relationship to the level of the atlas. This technique corrected hypernasality in a range of patients with velopharyngeal incompetence, as predicted.     

Inflammation induced by Bothrops asper venom: release of proinflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids, and role of adhesion molecules in leukocyte infiltration.

Bothrops asper venom (BaV) causes systemic and local effects characterized by an acute inflammatory reaction with accumulation of leukocytes and release of endogenous mediators. In this study, the effects of BaV on the release of the cytokines IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha and the eicosanoids LTB4 and TXA2 in the peritoneal cavity of mice were analyzed. We also investigated the participation of beta2 integrin chain, l-selectin, LFA-1, ICAM-1 and PECAM-1 adhesion molecules in the BaV-induced leukocyte accumulation. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha, as well as eicosanoids LTB4 and TXA2 were significantly increased after BaV injection (250 microg/kg), whereas no increment in IL-1 was observed. Anti-mouse l-selectin, LFA-1, ICAM-1, PECAM-1 and beta2 integrin chain monoclonal antibodies resulted in a reduction of neutrophil accumulation induced by BaV injection compared with isotype-matched control injected animals. These data suggest that BaV is able to induce the activation of leukocytes and endothelium to express adhesion molecules involved in the recruitment of neutrophils into the inflammed site. Furthermore, these results showed that BaV induces the release of cytokines and eicosanoids in the local of the venom injection; these inflammatory mediators may be important for the initiation and amplification of the inflammatory reaction characteristic from Bothrops sp envenomation.     

Maxillary incisor impaction and its relationship to canine displacement.

This study aimed to examine the eruption status of unerupted maxillary permanent canines in patients who also had an impacted central incisor. Seventy-five unilateral cases of the incisor anomaly were retrospectively examined. Using the initial panoramic films, we assessed the positions of the ipsilateral and contralateral canines and the lateral incisors and the timing (eruption progress) of the canines. The final position of the canines was evaluated from patient records and progress photographs. The data showed a significant increase in prevalence and severity of displaced canines in the ipsilateral side (41.3%) compared with the contralateral side (4.7%). Palatally displaced canines occurred in 9.5%, buccally displaced canines in 30.2%, and canine-lateral incisor transposition in 1.6% of the patients. Half of the buccally displaced canines in the ipsilateral side were pseudotransposed with the adjacent lateral incisor. The eruption timing of ipsilateral undisplaced canines was either similar or delayed, relative to the contralateral tooth, but never accelerated. The ipsilateral lateral incisor was strongly angulated because of a more distally located apex (5 mm) rather than a mesially tipped crown. The ipsilateral canine was relatively more superiorly positioned (undererupted). Patients who had trauma had a significantly higher prevalence and severity of canine displacement and more distally displaced lateral incisor apices. Initial height of incisor impaction did not influence the results. These data provide evidence of a significant environmental influence of an impacted maxillary central incisor in delaying and altering the eruption path of the ipsilateral maxillary canine.     

Physiopathology of nitric oxide in the oral environment and its biotechnological potential for new oral treatments: a literature review

Clinical Oral Investigations - A narrative review on the NO properties and their relationship with the oral environment describing NO’s molecular origin, role, and perspectives regarding oral...