A Retrospective Evaluation of Conventional Rapid Maxillary Expansion versus Alternate Rapid Maxillary Expansion and Constriction Protocol Combined with Protraction Headgear in the Management of Developing Skeletal Class III Malocclusion.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The reverse pull headgear has been widely used to intercept a developing skeletal Class III malocclusion with maxillary deficiency. Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is recommended along with the reverse pull headgear because there is disruption of the circummaxillary and intermaxillary sutures. This, in turn, expedites the orthopedic effect of the reverse pull headgear. However, studies have shown that the circummaxillary sutures may not be fully disrupted by the use of RME alone. The protocol of alternate RME and constriction (Alt-RAMEC) has been found to produce much more beneficial effects. Hence, this retrospective study was conducted to compare and assess the results obtained in the two methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study comprised pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalograms of two groups of nine patients each (total 18 patients - 10 females and 8 males) having skeletal Class III malocclusion (ANB<0°) due to a retrognathic maxilla with or without associated mandibular prognathism treated at the Department of Orthodontics of a teaching institute in Kerala. The patients were treated with either Alt-RAMEC/protraction or RME/protraction. The statistical analysis of the data was done using statistical package SPSS Version 16 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: Skeletal, dental, and soft-tissue parameters in Group 2 (Alt-RAMEC group) showed very significant changes with the maxilla moving forward, mandible rotating backward and downward, and proclination of the maxillary incisors when compared to Group 1. CONCLUSIONS: It may be concluded from the results of our study that the Alt-RAMEC protocol and reverse pull headgear might be more effective than conventional RME and the reverse pull headgear to correct a retruded maxilla in a developing skeletal Class III patient.

Cytomorphometric Analysis on the Effects of Components of Orthodontic Appliances on the Epithelial Cells of the Buccal Mucosa.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of fixed orthodontic appliances on the epithelial cells of buccal mucosa in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group included 30 healthy patients who were advised orthodontic treatment. Applying sterile cement spatula, scrapping of exfoliated buccal epithelial cells was performed from the middle part of the inner cheeks before starting the orthodontic treatment and at 1st week, 2nd week, 1 month, and 45 days after the treatment, followed by smearing and staining with Papanicolaou stain. Light microscope was used to score micronuclei, and independent two-tailed t-test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Micronuclei were assessed during the various stages of treatment and were recorded accordingly. At 1 week, there was increase in micronuclei number compared to before starting the treatment (day 0) and at 15th day; 30th day showed decrease in number compared to 1 week but increase compared to day 0. The results of day 45 were almost equal to day 0 with a significant P value (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Fixed orthodontic appliances induce increased micronuclei frequency, especially in the first weeks of treatment, however, these genotoxic effects tend to approach baseline levels in later period.

Pedunculated haemangioma of the palate.

Haemangiomas are the most common tumours of vascular origin of the head and neck region and can appear anywhere in the oral cavity. They are benign, appear in early childhood and usually involute as the child grows older. The dental surgeon should manage them appropriately if they are symptomatic. This report presents a rare case of a pedunculated haemangioma in a 4-year-old child.

Microleakage in endodontics.

A three-dimensional obturation and complete coronal and apical seal is one the important aims of root canal treatment. Since microorganisms may remain in the root canal system after instrumentation, a tight apical seal is desired to prevent bacteria and their by-products from invading the apex. A perfect apical seal is also desired to prevent apical percolation. One of the major objectives of tooth restoration is the protection of exposed dentine against bacteria and their toxins. The interface between the restoration and dental hard tissue is an area of clinical concern as insufficient sealing can result in marginal discoloration, secondary caries, and pulpitis. For that reason, adequate sealing is essential for the optimal clinical performance Prevention of microleakage in endodontically treated teeth is most important for patients who rely on the combined expertise and quality care of dentist/endodontist colleagues. Microleakage is arguably the single most important risk factor for apical periodontitis.

Comparative evaluation of the efficiency of four ceramic finishing systems.

AIM: To compare the effect of four different finishing systems and diamond paste on ceramic roughness with the objectives of evaluating the roughness of ceramic surface of prepared specimens after abrasion, finishing and polishing. MATERIALS & METHODS: A total of 50 test specimens were fabricated in the form of discs of diameter 13mm and 0.6mm thickness. Test specimens were then randomly distributed into five groups of 10 and coded. All the test specimens were then abraded with 125µm diamond in unidirectional motion to create surface roughness that will simulate occlusal or incisal correction. The values were recorded and the specimens were then finished using the various finishing systems. multiple range tests by Duncan's procedure. One way Anova was used to calculate the p-value Results:After fini shing, the Ra,Rq,Rz and Rt values showed a tendency to decline to levels much inferior to the values obtained after the preparation of the specimens. Ra values of group III specimens were slightly higher and the increase was significant. The highest Rt value [5.29] obtained after polishing is below the lowest roughness values [7.42] obtained after finishing the specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Finishing and polishing procedures have a significant role in reducing the roughness of ceramics.Following abrasion with diamond point to simulate clinical adjustment the roughness values doubled when compared to the initial reading.Ra, Rq,Rz and Rt values suggest that Sof lex is the most efficient of all the systems tested followed by auto glazing.After the final diamond paste polishing, sof lex group specimens showed the best finish and auto glazed specimens showed a value almost as equal to the so flex group. How to cite this article: Aravind P, Razak PA, Francis PG, Issac JK, Shanoj RP, Sasikumar TP. Comparative Evaluation of the Efficiency of Four Ceramics Finishing Systems. J Int Oral Health 2013; 5(5):59-64.

A double blind study on the efficacy of local application of hemocoagulase solution in wound healing.

AIM: The present double blind study has been designed to evaluate the efficacy of local application of hemocoagulase solution as compared to a placebo in wound healing following dental extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients who required dental extraction for orthodontic intervention were included. The hemocoagulase solution and a placebo were locally applied to the extraction sockets and the efficacy of the solution in terms of bleeding control, anti-inflammatory responses, its antiseptic properties and efficacy in wound healing were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean time required to achieve hemostasis was found to be 1.37 minutes in side A (test) and 2.33 minutes in side B (control) indicating that side A achieved faster hemostasis when compared to side B. At the 6th hour postoperatively, bleeding was not evident on either sides, and the amount of pain in side A was found to be less compared to side B. The number of RBCs, polymorphs, chronic inflammatory cells were not different in both the groups, whereas at 3rd postoperative day epithelial cells were greater in side A (test) compared to side B (control). Biopsy reports on the 12th postoperative day indicated that the number of fibroblasts, epithelial cells, collagen count was found to be greater in side A (test) compared to side B (control). CONCLUSION: The topical hemocoagulase solution may be advocated in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery, as a hemostatic agent and promoter of wound healing. However, further studies, with large number of cases and different clinical situations should be considered to authenticate the efficacy of this hemocoagulase solution in the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Wound healing plays an important role in the success of any surgical procedure, such as extractions, and the hemocoagulase system may act as a hemostatic agent and a promoter of wound healing.

Expression of the counter-regulatory peptide intermedin is augmented in the presence of oxidative stress in hypertrophied cardiomyocytes.

BACKGROUND: Intermedin (IMD), a novel cardiac peptide related to adrenomedullin (AM), protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and attenuates ventricular remodelling. IMD's actions are mediated by a calcitonin receptor-like receptor in association with receptor activity modifying proteins (RAMPs 1-3). AIM/METHOD: using the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat at 20 weeks of age, to examine (i) the presence of myocardial oxidative stress and concentric hypertrophy; (ii) expression of IMD, AM and receptor components. RESULTS: In left and right ventricular cardiomyocytes from SHR vs. WKY cell width (26% left, 15% right) and mRNA expression of hypertrophic markers ANP (2.7 fold left, 2.7 fold right) and BNP (2.2 fold left, 2.0 fold right) were enhanced. In left ventricular cardiomyocytes only (i) oxidative stress was indicated by increased membrane protein carbonyl content (71%) and augmented production of O(2-) anion (64%); (ii) IMD (6.8 fold), RAMP1 (2.5 fold) and RAMP3 (2.0 fold) mRNA was increased while AM and RAMP2 mRNA was not altered; (iii) abundance of RAMP1 (by 48%), RAMP2 (by 41%) and RAMP3 (by 90%) monomers in cell membranes was decreased. CONCLUSION: robust augmentation of IMD expression in hypertrophied left ventricular cardiomyocytes indicates a prominent role for this counter-regulatory peptide in the adaptation of the SHR myocardium to the stresses imposed by chronic hypertension. The local concentration and action of IMD may be further enhanced by down-regulation of NEP within the left ventricle.

Differential effects of an anti-oxidant intervention on cardiomyocyte expression of adrenomedullin and intermedin and their receptor components in chronic nitric oxide deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Chronic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis is associated with hypertension, myocardial oxidative stress and hypertrophic remodeling. Up-regulation of the cardiomyocyte adrenomedullin (AM) / intermedin (IMD) receptor signaling cascade is also apparent in NO-deficient cardiomyocytes: augmented expression of AM and receptor activity modifying proteins RAMP2 and RAMP3 is prevented by blood pressure normalization while that of RAMP1 and intermedin (IMD) is not, indicating that the latter is regulated by a pressure-independent mechanism. AIMS: to verify the ability of an anti-oxidant intervention to normalize cardiomyocyte oxidant status and to investigate the influence of such an intervention on expression of AM, IMD and their receptor components in NO-deficient cardiomyocytes. METHODS: NO synthesis inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 35 mg/kg/day) was given to rats for 8 weeks, with/without con-current administration of antioxidants (Vitamin C (25mg/kg/day) and Tempol (25mg/kg/day)). RESULTS: In left ventricular cardiomyocytes isolated from L-NAME treated rats, increased oxidative stress was indicated by augmented (3.6 fold) membrane protein oxidation, enhanced expression of catalytic and regulatory subunits of pro-oxidant NADPH oxidases (NOX1, NOX2) and compensatory increases in expression of anti-oxidant glutathione peroxidase and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutases (SOD1, SOD3). Vitamin C plus Tempol did not reduce systolic blood pressure but normalized augmented plasma levels of IMD, but not of AM, and in cardiomyocytes: (i) abolished increased membrane protein oxidation; (ii) normalized augmented expression of prepro-IMD and RAMP1, but not prepro-AM, RAMP2 and RAMP3; (iii) attenuated (by 42%) increased width and normalized expression of hypertrophic markers, skeletal-alpha-actin and prepro-endothelin-1 similarly to blood pressure normalization but in contrast to blood pressure normalization did not attenuate augmented brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) expression. CONCLUSION: normalization specifically of augmented IMD/RAMP1 expression in NO-deficient cardiomyocytes by antioxidant intervention in the absence of blood pressure reduction indicates that these genes are likely to be induced directly by myocardial oxidative stress. Although oxidative stress contributed to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, induction of IMD and RAMP1 is unlikely to be secondary to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

Inhibition of RhoA-mediated SRF activation by p116Rip.

p116Rip, originally identified as a binding partner of activated RhoA, is an actin-binding protein that interacts with the regulatory myosin-binding subunit (MBS) of myosin-II phosphatase and is essential for Rho-regulated cytoskeletal contractility. Here, we have examined the role of p116Rip in RhoA-mediated activation of the transcription factor SRF. We show that p116Rip oligomerizes via its C-terminal coiled-coil domain and, when overexpressed, inhibits RhoA-induced SRF activation without affecting RhoA-GTP levels. Mutant forms of p116Rip that fail to oligomerize or bind to MBS are still capable of inhibiting SRF activity. Our results suggest that p116Rip interferes with RhoA-mediated transcription through its ability to disassemble the actomyosin cytoskeleton downstream of RhoA.

Retinal axon guidance: novel mechanisms for steering.

Axons from the retina traverse different molecular territories as they navigate to the tectum. A single territory might span only a few cell diameters and harbour multiple guidance cues, many of which are beginning to be characterized. Also present in the pathway are 'modulators' that influence a growth cone's response to a coincident signal but do not guide growth directly. An emerging principle is that the growth cone, itself, changes molecularly as it journeys through the visual pathway. Growing retinal axons contain mRNAs, ubiquitinating and apoptotic enzymes, translation and degradation machinery. Guidance cues can trigger rapid and local synthesis, degradation and endocytosis of proteins, providing a fast and flexible way for growth cones to respond to cues in their microenvironment and to alter their responsiveness. The data raise the idea that the localized synthesis and downregulation of proteins might help to steer retinal axon growth and, further, might contribute to the changing character of a growth cone as it ages.

Essential role of type I(alpha) phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase in neurite remodeling.

Rapid neurite remodeling is fundamental to nervous system development and plasticity and is regulated by Rho family GTPases that signal f-actin reorganization in response to various receptor ligands. Neuronal N1E-115 cells show dramatic neurite retraction and cell rounding in response to serum factors such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P), and thrombin, due to activation of the RhoA-Rho kinase pathway. Type I phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinases (PIPkinase), which regulate cellular levels of PtdIns(4,5)P(2), have been suggested as targets of the RhoA-Rho kinase pathway able to modulate cytoskeletal dynamics. Here, we show that the introduction of Type Ialpha PIPkinase into N1E-115 cells leads to cell rounding and complete inhibition of neurite outgrowth, perhaps through the dissociation of vinculin and the destabilization of focal adhesions. This occurs independently of RhoA, Rho kinase, and the activation of actomyosin contraction. Strikingly, expression of kinase-dead PIPkinase promotes the outgrowth of neurites, which fail to retract in response to LPA, S1P, thrombin, or active RhoA. Moreover, neurite retraction in response to an endogenous neuronal guidance cue, Semaphorin3A, was also dependent on Type Ialpha PIPkinase. Our results suggest an essential role for a Type I PIPkinase during neurite retraction in response to a number of diverse stimuli.

Prevention of transmission of sheep pulmonary adenomatosis by embryo transfer.

Two-hundred-and-fifteen embryos recovered from 76 donor ewes from flocks endemically infected with sheep pulmonary adenomatosis (SPA) and mated with uninfected rams were transferred to 131 uninfected recipients under strict sanitary conditions using International Embryo Transfer Society protocols. The recipients and their progeny were kept in a closed, isolated SPA-free flock. Thirty-eight of 51 progeny from SPA-positive donors and 55 of 74 progeny from donors in which no lesions of SPA were detected survived for at least five years after birth. In a similar study 11 embryos from four uninfected donors mated to an SPA-infected ram were transferred to seven recipients, and four of five progeny born to four recipients survived for at least five years. No evidence of SPA was found in the recipients or their progeny by embryo transfer in either study. On the basis of clinical and pathological criteria, it is concluded that embryo transfer can be used to provide an effective barrier against the transmission of SPA from donors from infected flocks, whether or not the parents show clinical signs of the disease.

Pathological changes following implantation of intramammary devices (IMD) and immunological mediator release by cells on recovered IMDs.

Implantation of abraded polyethylene intramammary devices (IMD) for six months in the mammary glands of cows resulted in macroscopic and microscopic pathological changes in udder tissue. These changes were characterised by hyperplasia and metaplasia of the epithelial cells and hypertrophy of the subepithelial connective tissue examined by light and electron microscopy (EM). Quarters containing IMDs also had increased numbers of neutrophils and macrophages in the subepithelial stroma compared with control quarters. IMDs recovered six months after implantation were shown by transmission and scanning EM to be covered with plaque and cells. These cells were mainly macrophages, although other leucocytes were also present. In vitro culture of recovered IMDs in the presence of lipopolysaccharide resulted in the release of neutrophil chemotactic factor, or factors, and interleukin-1. Some quarters with IMDs also had concurrent infections at the time of slaughter. In these cases both the pathological changes seen in the tissues and the release of soluble mediators following in vitro culture of the IMDs were significantly increased compared with sterile quarters containing IMD.

Observations on the incidence of clinical bovine mastitis in non-lactating cows in England and Wales.

Epidemiological features of clinical mastitis in dry cows from a three year prospective study are described. Two hundred and seventy-three herds in England and Wales participated in the first year (1980) and 209 and 159 of them continued in the study in the subsequent two years. Clinical mastitis was recorded in 1.5 per cent of cows during the dry period in each of the three years. These cases represented between 3.6 and 4.2 per cent of samples from all clinical cases examined. The incidence of clinical mastitis in dry cows increased during the winter housing period (October to March), a peak occurring at the end of this period. A secondary peak in incidence was recorded in August. Streptococcus uberis was the predominant pathogen. Variations in the monthly incidences of cases associated with the major mastitis pathogens were observed. A greater proportion of cases which occurred during the dry period exhibited systemic signs than of cases which occurred during lactation, with the exception of cases associated with Escherichia coli. The risk of clinical mastitis was apparently higher during the last 30 days of the dry period than during the earlier stages of the dry period.

Incidence of clinical mastitis in a cohort of British dairy herds.

A three-year survey to determine the incidence of clinical mastitis and the associated bacteria in dairy herds in England and Wales is described. Escherichia coli was the predominant organism in each year. Streptococcus uberis and Staphylococcus aureus were important for part for each year. The annual incidence of mastitis declined from 54.6 cases per 100 cows in 1980 to 41.2 in 1982. The incidence increased with age and declined with increasing herd size. The culling rate due solely to mastitis was 3 per cent. Strep uberis was the pathogen most frequently isolated from clinical cases which occurred in the dry period. Thirty per cent of all cases recurred at least once and staphylococcal cases exhibited the highest frequency of recurrence.

The basic phage set for typing bovine staphylococci.

Two hundred and sixty-nine Staphylococcus aureus cultures isolated from bovine milk were subjected to phage typing using the International basic set of 16 phages at Routine Test Dilution. In the current study 73.6% of cultures were 'typable' compared with 84-89% in 1972 when the set was first recommended. The set remains capable of typing the majority of bovine staphylococci but shows a reduction in lysogenicity of most of its phages.