Dental pantomography. The orthopantomograph: a method of patient positioning

The shape of the "in-focus" zone or focal trough given by the Orthopantomograph machine is shown. The anterior part of this zone is only 6 mm in thickness. The roots of the incisor teeth should, if possible, be placed accurately in this zone and a method of achieving this is suggested.     

The active phase-related increase in corticosterone and aggression are linked

Recently we demonstrated that corticosterone exerts an acute facilitatory effect on aggression in male rats. Corticosterone production reaches a maximum at the onset of the dark period, while male rats are more aggressive in the dark. Here we present evidence demonstrating that the corticosterone increase at the beginning of the dark period is causally linked to the increase in aggressiveness. We measured plasma corticosterone and quantified aggressive behaviour of male territorial rats at various time points of the day-night transition. Low aggression levels were observed in the full light period when plasma concentrations of corticosterone were low. An increase in plasma corticosterone occurred just prior to the dark phase, when aggressive responding was the highest. Aggressive behaviour remained high in the early dark period when corticosterone was still high. We found that blocking the high affinity mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) with spironolactone (5 or 10 mg/kg) during the early dark period dramatically and specifically reduced territorial aggression.     

Reduced production of interleukin 12 by interferon gamma primed alveolar macrophages from atopic asthmatic subjects

BACKGROUND: Asthma is characterised pathologically by an inflammatory pulmonary infiltrate rich in T helper (Th) 2 cells and eosinophils. Interleukin (IL)-12 is a heterodimeric cytokine critical for driving the development of uncommitted Th cells to express a Th 1 phenotype. Reduced pulmonary production of IL-12 may therefore play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma by contributing to the pulmonary cytokine imbalance seen in asthma. METHODS: IL-12 p70 protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and p70 protein levels and IL-12 messenger RNA in alveolar macrophage cultures from normal and atopic asthmatic subjects were measured. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the mean IL-12 p70 protein level in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from asthmatic subjects (37.5 pg/ml) and from normal subjects (131 pg/ml, p = 0.04). Alveolar macrophages from asthmatic subjects produced significantly less IL-12 protein (30 pg/ml) and messenger RNA than those from normal subjects (69.5 pg/ml, p<0.005). These differences were not caused by inhibition of IL-12 production by IL-10 nor to generalised hyporesponsiveness of asthmatic alveolar macrophages from subjects to the effects of interferon (IFN)-gamma. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary IL-12 production is lower in asthmatic subjects. This reduction is not the result of generalised hyporesponsiveness to IFN-gamma. Reduced IL-12 levels may contribute to the development of asthmatic pulmonary inflammation through dysregulation of Th cell development.     

Sta-Peg arthroereisis for treatment of the planovalgus foot in cerebral palsy

The Sta-Peg procedure is most effective in the non-rigid foot in which reasonable muscle balance can be attained. Where such balance cannot be attained or where rigid deformity exists, this procedure will not solve the problem and should not be used. The authors want to emphasize that this study pertains to the use of Sta-Peg in the valgus foot caused by cerebral palsy. The procedure is rarely needed in the flexible flatfoot of a normal child.     

Mitral valve replacement with homograft and Maze III procedure

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve disease is often accompanied by atrial fibrillation, which may compromise the patient even after the valvular lesion has been repaired. METHODS: Three patients with rheumatic type mitral valve disease and chronic atrial fibrillation were treated by mitral valve replacement with cryopreserved mitral valve homograft and Maze III procedure, as a method to relieve both the valvular pathology and the rhythm disorder. The patients' clinical courses have been followed for up to 1 year after operation. RESULTS: All patients survived operation, and all have normal sinus rhythm. None are taking cardiac medications. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with warfarin should not be required, and other cardiac medicines may be eliminated following mitral valve replacement with homograft combined with Maze III procedure.