Decision-making algorithm in treatment of the atrophic mandible fractures.

AIM: Closed treatment of atrophic mandible fractures often results in malunion, pseudoarthrosis and pain. Open reduction and rigid internal fixation (ORIF) is still indicated for displaced atrophic mandible fractures. The Authors report a treatment protocol that allows to gain the best results using reconstruction plates, autologous bone grafting and free fibula flap reconstruction when necessary. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 15 patients with atrophic mandible fractures who underwent treatment between 2007 and 2011. 7 cases did not receive any treatment because of their general condition, while the others 8 were surgically managed by external approach. In all cases load-bearing osteosynthesis plates with locking screws were used; in 2 of them contextual bone grafts were performed; in 1 case mandible reconstruction needed harvesting a free fibula flap. RESULTS: In 6 out of 8 cases complete functional and morphological restoration were obtained without any major complication. In 1 case suppurative infection and necrosis of the bone graft occurred, which made necessary its removing, leaving in situ only the reconstruction plate. In another case, during the first year after surgical treatment, atrophic mandible resorption occurred from one angle to the other, resulting in loss of the anchoring reconstruction plate. CONCLUSIONS: ORIF is the gold standard procedure for the of atrophic mandible fractures, because it guarantees best morpho-functional outcomes and predictability. Nevertheless the Authors suggest contextual bone grafting in case of substance loss, or a poor quality bone or for dental implant surgery and free fibula flap in selected cases.

THIP inhibits feeding behavior in fasted rats.

The effects of 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo-[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol (THIP) were compared with those of d-amphetamine and GABA in fasted rats. Intravenously-administered THIP produced a dose-dependent decrease in food consumption (ED50 congruent to 1.5 mg/kg) by an action that was not reversed by prior subcutaneous or simultaneous intravenous (IV) injection of bicuculline. d-Amphetamine-SO4 also produced a decrease in food consumption in this model (ED50 congruent to 0.2 mg/kg, IV). Unlike THIP, GABA (in doses up to 100 mg/kg, IV) did not produce a marked anorexigenic effect. These results provide further evidence that THIP can penetrate the "blood-brain barrier", and that central GABA-ergic systems are involved in controlling food intake.

High-affinity binding processes for GABA, glycine, and beta-alanine in synaptosome-enriched fractions of rats CNS.

A bicuculline-sensitive component of the binding of GABA and strychnine-sensitive components of the binding of glycine and beta alanine to synaptosome-enriched fractions of rat CNS have been demonstrated in the presence of physiological concentrations of Na+ and other inorganic ions. These processes might be related to synaptic receptors for these inhibitory amino-acids.

'Binding' of glutamate and asparatate to synaptosomal fractions of six regions of the feline brain.

The order of potency of 'binding' of both glutamate and aspartate to synaptosomal fractions of brain regions was: cerebellar cortex greater than caudate nucleus greater than or equal to cerebral cortex greater than medulla approximately pons greater than corona radiata. Glutamate was bound to a greater extent than aspartate to particles of all regions studied, except for cerebral cortex.

[Constancy of total protein contents in various regions of the feline central nervous system (author's transl)]. / Constancia del contenido total de proteínas en varias regiones del sistema nervioso central del gato

A striking constancy of total protein content was shown in 45 regions of the feline CNS, recognized as markedly heterogeneous. The hypophysis differed from these tissues, due perhaps to its high blood element content. Synaptosomal fractions prepared from 17 regions of the CNS did not exhibit this constancy.