Correcting mucogingival deformities for pescatarian patients: A clinical case study.

AIM: This clinical case study is to highlight the improvement of periodontal health of mandibular canines using a soft tissue alternative of fish origin, a piscine graft. METHODS: A 37-year-old female patient was referred to a periodontal practice for evaluation of mucogingival deformities around teeth #22 and #27 that were also diagnosed with recession, lack of keratinized tissue (KT), and bilateral high frenum attachment. Multiple soft tissue treatment options were presented to the patient, including autogenous, allograft, or xenograftporcine or piscine. RESULTS: Given the patient's dietary preference, piscine option was preferred. The procedures were completed one at a time, first #22 and later #27, using the standard of care procedures for correcting mucogingival deformities using soft tissue alternatives. Post-surgical visits were scheduled at regular intervals (2, 4, 12, 24, 52 weeks) to evaluate the clinical outcomes. Healing was uneventful and clinical outcomes reveal correction of the mucogingival deformities. The amount of KT at the 52 weeks healing time, measured using an intraoral scanner was 2.12 mm on #22 and 1.78 mm on #27. CONCLUSION: Within this clinical case's scope, piscine xenograft demonstrates to be a safe and effective soft tissue alternative to correct mucogingival deformities, increasing the KT width and achieving recession coverage. In addition, integration of patient's preference may lead to increased case acceptance and patient compliance. KEY POINTS: What new information is this case providing? The use of a soft tissue alternative of piscine origin that was selected based on the patient's preference to correct bilateral combined mucogingival deformities (recession, lack of KT, and aberrant frenum attachment) around teeth. What is a key step to integrating this soft tissue alternative in clinical practice? The pre-hydration of the soft tissue alternative is preferred, compared to other soft tissue alternatives that might not require hydration (xenograft bovine origin). What are the limitations to success in this case? Confirming with the patient no pre-existing fish allergies.

Facial Soft-tissue Mobility: Baseline Dynamics of Patients with Unilateral Facial Paralysis.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this observational study were 2-fold: (1) To demonstrate a method and measures to quantify impaired facial soft-tissue movements in patients with facial paralysis; and (2) To quantify the differences in magnitude and velocity of facial soft-tissue movements between patients with facial paralysis and control participants. METHODS: The study sample that addressed both aims consisted of 20 adults with acute, unilateral, flaccid facial paralysis who presented at the onset of their paralysis, and a control group of 20 healthy adults. Dynamic 3D facial movement data were collected from each participant during 11 facial animations. To compare the movements between the patients and control participants, dynamic modeling comparisons of mean facial movements were computed as well as plots of movement vectors for each animation, in addition, measures of maximum displacement, movement velocity, and asymmetry were computed. RESULTS: Dynamic 3D modeling of critical facial landmarks provided precise profiles of zone-specific asymmetries and customized reporting that highlighted areas of importance for individual patients. The dynamic 3D movement data confirmed that the nonparalyzed side of patients' faces had abnormal directional movements. As expected, the controls had significantly higher excursive facial movements during all animations except during gentle eye closure, which was greater for the patients and the controls had significantly greater movement velocity than the patients. The patients had significantly greater asymmetry for all the animations, and the hierarchy of the asymmetry was such that maximum smile > lip purse > grimace > cheek puff. CONCLUSION: Dynamic 3D modeling appeared to be an effective tool to provide precise profiles of zone-specific asymmetries and customized reports for patients with facial paralysis.

Circadian neuron feedback controls the Drosophila sleep--activity profile.

Little is known about the ability of Drosophila circadian neurons to promote sleep. Here we show, using optogenetic manipulation and video recording, that a subset of dorsal clock neurons (DN1s) are potent sleep-promoting cells that release glutamate to directly inhibit key pacemaker neurons. The pacemakers promote morning arousal by activating these DN1s, implying that a late-day feedback circuit drives midday siesta and night-time sleep. To investigate more plastic aspects of the sleep program, we used a calcium assay to monitor and compare the real-time activity of DN1 neurons in freely behaving males and females. Our results revealed that DN1 neurons were more active in males than in females, consistent with the finding that male flies sleep more during the day. DN1 activity is also enhanced by elevated temperature, consistent with the ability of higher temperatures to increase sleep. These new approaches indicate that DN1s have a major effect on the fly sleep-wake profile and integrate environmental information with the circadian molecular program.