[Role and related mechanism of Mst-1 on regulating hypoxic reoxygenation induced autophagy and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes of mouse].

Objective: To explore the role and related mechanism of mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1(Mst-1)in regulating hypoxia reoxygenation (HR) induced myocardial cell autophagy and apoptosis. Methods: Enzyme digestion method combined with differential adherent method was used to culture neonatal mouse myocardial cells. HR model was established by hypoxia for 24 hours and reoxygenation for 6 hours. The experimental groups including control group (normal cultured cardiomyocytes), Mst-1 empty virus group (cardiomyocytes transfected with recombinant lentiviral empty vector for 48 hours), Mst-1 knockdown group (recombinant lentivirus carrying Mst-1small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into cardiomyocytes for 48 hours), Mst-1 overexpression group (cardiomyocytes were transfected with recombinant lentivirus carrying Mst-1 gene for 48 hours), HR group (cardiomyocytes exposed to HR), Mst-1 knockdown+HR group (HR model of cardiomyocyte was established 48 hours after transfection with recombinant lentivirus carrying Mst-1siRNA) and Mst-1 overexpression+HR group (HR model of cardiomyocyte was established 48 hours after transfection with recombinant lentivirus carrying Mst-1 gene). Real-time fluorescence quantitative RCR (qPCR) and Western blot were used to detect the relative expression of Mst-1 mRNA and protein in the cells, immunofluorescence staining was used to detect cardiomyocyte troponin T (cTnT), and autophagosomes and autophagy enzyme changes. TUNEL method was used to detect myocardial cell apoptosis, Western blot was adopted to detect autophagy-related protein microtubule-related protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ, P62 and apoptosis-related protein cleaved-caspase 9, pro-caspase 9, cleaved-caspase-3, pro-caspase-3, and myeloid leukemia 1 (MCL-1) expression. MCL-1 inhibitor A1210477 was used to validate the signaling pathway of Mst-1 on regulating cardiomyocyte apoptosis and autophagy. Results: Immunofluorescence detection revealed that the cultured cells expressed cardiomyocyte-specific marker cTnT. The expression of Mst-1 in cardiomyocytes increased in HR model. Lentiviral transfection could effectively inhibit or overexpress Mst-1 in treated cells. The levels of autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes in cardiomyocytes undergoing HR and in Mst-1 overexpression+HR group were lower than those of control group, while autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes in cardiomyocytes of Mst-1 knockdown+HR group was significantly higher than in the HR group (all P<0.05). The TUNEL results showed that the proportion of TUNEL positive cells was significantly increased in the HR group and Mst-1 overexpression+HR group than in the control group, while the proportion of TUNEL positive cells was significantly decreased in the Mst-1 knockdown group+HR group as compared to the HR group (all P<0.05). Western blot results showed that the LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ levels were significantly lower, while the expression levels of P62, cleaved-caspase-9 and cleaved-caspase-3 were significantly higher in the HR group and Mst-1 overexpression+HR group than in control group (all P<0.05). The LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ value was significantly higher, and the expression levels of P62, cleaved-caspase-9 and cleaved-caspase-3 were significantly lower in the Mst-1 knockdown+HR group than in the HR group (P both<0.05). The expression level of P-MCL-1 protein was significantly lower in cardiomyocytes of HR and Mst-1 overexpression+HR group than in control group, and the expression level of P-MCL-1 protein was higher in Mst-1 knockdown+HR group than in HR group (P both<0.05). The recovery experiment showed that inhibiting MCL-1 in cells can block the regulatory effect of Mst-1 siRNA on cell autophagy and apoptosis. Conclusion: Inhibiting Mst-1 expression in cardiomyocytes can promote the autophagy of cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxic reoxygenation and reduce the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes via activating McL-1.

[Impact and related mechanism on the improvement of hyperglycemia-induced pyroptosis in H9c2 cells by mircoRNA-214].

Objective: To investigate whether microRNA(miR)-214 can improve hyperglycemia induced pyroptosis in H9c2 cells through targeting caspase-1. Methods: H9c2 cells of rats those in good growth condition were selected and incubated into the T25 culture bottle after digestion and passage. Cells were cultured in an incubator at 37 ℃ with 5%CO(2), repeat passage was made after cell density reached about 80%, The 5(th) to 8(th) generations of cells were selected for the subsequent experiments. To observe the effect of overexpression of miR-214 on pyroptosis and caspase-1 expression in H9c2 cells induced by hyperglycemia, the cells were divided into 4 groups: Control group(H9c2 cells cultured normally), Hyperglycemia group (HG group, 50 mmol/L glucose was used to intervene H9c2 cells for 24 hours), miR-214 mimics+hyperglycosis group (mimics+HG group, H9c2 cells were transfected with miR-214 mimics for 24 hours and then treated with 50 mmol/L hyperglycosis for 24 hours), miR-214 mimic-negative control+hyperglycaemic group(MNC+HG group, H9c2 cells were transfected with miR-214 mimic-negative control for 24 hours and then treated with 50 mmol/L hyperglycaemic for 24 hours). In order to further verify the anti-pyroptosis effect of miR-214 was mediated by targeted inhibition on caspase-1, cells overexpressing caspase-1 were used in the rescue experiment. The cells overexpressing caspase-1 were divided into 4 groups: Hyperglycemia group (HG group, 50 mmol/L glucose was used to intervene H9c2 cells for 24 hours), miR-214 mimics+hyperglycosis group (mimics+HG group, H9c2 cells were transfected with miR-214 mimics for 24 hours and then treated with 50 mmol/L hyperglycosis for 24 hours), miR-214 mimics+hyperglycosis+recombinant adenovirus (Ad-caspase-1-EGFP) group with caspase-1 gene and EGFP green fluorescent protein expression (mimics+HG+Ad-caspase-1-EGFP group, H9c2 cells were transfected with caspase-1-green fluorescent protein-carrying adenovirus for 48 hours, followed by transfection of miR-214 mimics for 24 hours, and then treated with 50 mmol/L hyperglycaemia for 24 hours), miR-214 mimics+HG+Ad-EGFP empty virus group (mimics+HG+Ad-EGFP group, H9c2 cells were transfected with empty adenovirus containing green fluorescent protein for 48 hours, followed by transfection with miR-214 mimics for 24 hours, and then treated with 50 mmol/L hyperglycosis for 24 hours). The mRNA expression levels of miRNA-214 and caspase-1 in cells were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The expression and localization of caspase-1 protein were detected by immunofluorescence assay. Western blot was used to detect protein expression levels of procaspase-1, cleaved caspase-1, NLRP3 and ACS with ß-actin as internal reference. The secretion of IL-1ß and IL-18 in cell culture medium was detected by ELISA. The correlation between miR-214 and caspase-1 was detected by double luciferase reporter gene. Results: (1) The mRNA expression levels of miR-214 and caspase-1 in each group: the mRNA expressions of miR-214 in HG group and MNC+HG group were significantly lower than that in control group(P<0.05). The mRNA expression of miR-214 in mimics+HG group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of caspase-1 in HG group and MNC+HG group were significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.05). The mRNA expression level of caspase-1 in mimics+HG group was lower than that in control group(P<0.05). (2) The expression of caspase-1 in each group: the green fluorescence intensity in the control group was weak, which was strong in the HG group and MNC+HG group. The green fluorescence expression was weaker in mimics+HG group than in HG group. (3) ASC and NLRP3 protein expression levels in each group: ASC and NLRP3 protein expression levels in HG group and MNC+HG group were higher than those in control group(P<0.05). ASC and NLRP3 protein expression levels were significantly lower in mimics+HG group than in mimics+HG group (P<0.05). (4) The secretion of IL-1ß and IL-18 in the cell culture medium of each group: the content of IL-1ß and IL-18 in the cell culture medium of HG group and MNC+HG group was significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.05). The content of IL-1ß and IL-18 in the cell culture medium of mimics+HG group was significantly lower than that of the HG group (P<0.05). (5) Correlation between miR-214 and caspase-1: miR-214 specifically binds to caspase-1 3 'UTR. Meanwhile, Western blot results showed that cleaved caspase-1 protein expression levels were significantly higher in both HG group and MNC+HG group than in control group (P<0.05). The levels of cleaved caspase-1 were significantly lower in mimics+HG group than in HG group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in procaspase-1 expression among groups (P>0.05). (6) The expression levels of procaspase-1, cleaved caspase-1, ASC and NLRP3 in each group in rescue experiment: there was no significant difference in the expression of procaspase-1 in each group (P>0.05). Cleaved caspase-1, ASC and NLRP3 protein expressions were significantly lower in mimics+HG group than in HG group (P<0.05). However, cleaved caspase-1, ASC and NLRP3 protein expressions were significantly higher in mimics+HG+ Ad-caspase-1-EGFP group than in mimics+HG group (P<0.05). (7) The expression of IL-1ß and IL-18 in rescue experiment: the secretions of IL-1ß and IL-18 in the cell culture medium of the mimics+HG group were significantly lower than that of HG group (P<0.05), which were significantly higher in mimics+HG+Ad-caspase-1-EGFP group than in mimics+HG group (P<0.05). Conclusion: miR-214 can improve the hyperglycemia induced pyroptosis in H9c2 cells by targeted inhibition of the caspase-1.

Spin-Orbital-Angular-Momentum Coupled Bose-Einstein Condensates.

We demonstrate coupling between the atomic spin- and orbital-angular momentum (OAM) of the atom's center-of-mass motion in a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). The coupling is induced by Raman-dressing lasers with a Laguerre-Gaussian beam and creates coreless vortices in an F=1 ^{87}Rb spinor BEC. We observe correlations between spin and OAM in the dressed state and characterize the spin texture; the result is in good agreement with the theory. In the presence of the Raman field, our dressed state is stable for 0.1 s or longer, and it decays due to collision-induced relaxation. As we turn off the Raman beams, the vortex cores in the bare spin |m_{F}=1⟩ and |-1⟩ split. These spin-OAM coupled systems with the Raman-dressing approach have great potential for exploring new topological textures and quantum states.

Rotating Atomic Quantum Gases with Light-Induced Azimuthal Gauge Potentials and the Observation of the Hess-Fairbank Effect.

We demonstrate synthetic azimuthal gauge potentials for Bose-Einstein condensates from engineering atom-light couplings. The gauge potential is created by adiabatically loading the condensate into the lowest energy Raman-dressed state, achieving a coreless vortex state. The azimuthal gauge potentials act as effective rotations and are tunable by the Raman coupling and detuning. We characterize the spin textures of the dressed states, in agreements with the theory. The lowest energy dressed state is stable with a 4.5-s half-atom-number-fraction lifetime. In addition, we exploit the azimuthal gauge potential to demonstrate the Hess-Fairbank effect, the analogue of Meissner effect in superconductors. The atoms in the absolute ground state has a zero quasiangular momentum and transits into a polar-core vortex when the synthetic magnetic flux is tuned to exceed a critical value. Our demonstration serves as a paradigm to create topological excitations by tailoring atom-light interactions where both types of SO(3) vortices in the |⟨F[over →]⟩|=1 manifold, coreless vortices and polar-core vortices, are created in our experiment. The gauge field in the stationary Hamiltonian opens a path to investigating rotation properties of atomic superfluids under thermal equilibrium.

Pre-stroke physical activity is associated with fewer post-stroke complications, lower mortality and a better long-term outcome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Physical activity is associated with a reduced incidence of first-time stroke. However, few studies have examined the effect of pre-stroke physical activity on post-stroke complications and clinical outcomes. METHODS: A total of 39 835 cases of stroke registered in the nationwide stroke registry system of Taiwan between 2006 and 2009 were analyzed according to five levels of severity as determined by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score upon hospital admission. Pre-stroke physical activity was defined in the Taiwan Stroke Registry as dedicated leisure-time physical activity for at least 30 min/day for 3 days/week for more than 6 months. A Cox model was used to compare complications and outcomes between active and inactive groups. RESULTS: The active and inactive groups were similar in age distribution and stroke type distribution, but the active group had better National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores upon admission. The active group also had significantly fewer post-stroke complications. Active patients had lower hospital mortality and better functional outcomes upon discharge as per the modified Rankin Scale. Improved functional status in the active group was significant at 1, 3 and 6 months post-stroke. CONCLUSION: Dedicated leisure-time physical activity for at least 30 min/day, at least three times per week for more than 6 months was associated with decreased stroke severity, fewer post-stroke complications, lower mortality and better outcomes.

Immunologic assessment and KMT2D mutation detection in Kabuki syndrome.

Kabuki or Niikawa-Kuroki syndrome (KS) is a rare disorder with multiple malformations and recurrent infections, especially otitis media. This study aimed to investigate the genetic defects in Kabuki syndrome and determine if immune status is related to recurrent otitis media. Fourteen patients from 12 unrelated families were enrolled in the 9-year study period (2005-2013). All had Kabuki faces, cleft palate, developmental delay, mental retardation, and the short fifth finger. Recurrent otitis media (12/14) and hearing impairment (8/14) were also more common features. Immunologic analysis revealed lower memory CD19+ cells (11/13), lower memory CD4+ cells (8/13), undetectable anti-HBs antibodies (7/13), and antibody deficiency (7/13), including lower IgA (4), IgG (2), and IgG2 (1). Naïve emigrant lymphocytes, lymphocyte proliferation function, complement activity, and superoxide production in polymorphonuclear cells were all normal. All the patients had KMT2D mutations and 10 novel mutations of R1252X, R1757X,Y1998C, P2550R fs2604X, Q4013X, G5379X, E5425K, R5432X, R5432W, and R5500W. Resembling the phenotype of common variable immunodeficiency, KS patients with antibody deficiency, decreased memory cells, and poor vaccine response increased susceptibility to recurrent otitis media. Large-scale prospective studies are warranted to determine if regular immunoglobulin supplementation decreases the frequency of otitis media and severity of hearing impairment.

The effect of botulinum toxin A in unilateral cleft lip scar: comparison of results with different sites of injection.

Botulinum toxin type A (BTA) injections into the subjacent orbicularis oris muscle have been shown to improve appearance and produce narrower cheiloplasty scars. This study was performed to determine the effect of BTA injected at different sites on the unilateral cleft lip scar and cleft side nostril width. A double-blind, randomized prospective trial was conducted involving 64 consecutive patients with unilateral cleft lip undergoing primary cheiloplasty between September 2016 and January 2019. The patients were randomized to receive BTA injections either into the subjacent orbicularis oris muscle (4 points group) or into the bilateral nasolabial fold region (6 points group) during cheiloplasty. The scars were assessed by photographic scar width measurements and Vancouver scar scale assessment tool. The cleft side nostril width was compared to the non-cleft side width. Fifty-six patients completed the trial, 24 in the 4 points group and 31 in the 6 points group. There was no significant difference in scar width or nostril width measurements between the groups at the end of follow-up. The Vancouver scar scale assessment was also similar between the groups. There was no significant difference in scar width or nostril width measurements after cleft lip repair between patients treated with botulinum toxin injections to the subjacent orbicularis oris muscle and patients treated with injections in the nasolabial region.

Mandible changes evaluated by computed tomography following Botulinum Toxin A injections in square-faced patients.

BACKGROUND: A facial contour that is oval is more pleasing in Asian women. Patients with a square face often seek facial contouring procedures to improve their appearance. Treatment often involves various combinations of Botulinum NeuroToxin A (BoNTA) injections into the masseters and/or mandibular angle resection. Many physicians claim that muscle paralysis with injections alone will decrease pulling on the underlying bone and also treat underlying bony flaring when present. Muscular changes after BoNTA injections have been well documented. However, the effect of BoNTA injections on the underlying mandibular bone morphology has not been studied to the best of the authors' knowledge. The goal of this study was to determine whether there are mandibular changes after masseter injection with botulinum toxin. METHODS: In this retrospective study of ten female patients seeking treatment for a square face, three-dimensional CT scans were taken before and 3 months after standardized BoNTA injections in bilateral masseters. Mandibular cortex thickness, mandibular bone thickness, and mandibular volume were measured. RESULTS: Soft-tissue changes were observed but no bony changes were observed 3 months after injections. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of adult patients, there were no statistically significant mandibular changes 3 months after BoNTA injection. The current theory of mandibular flaring resolution after partial muscle paralysis is not supported by our findings. Therefore, a patient presenting both masseteric hypertrophy and bony flaring will most likely require a combined muscular and bony procedure.

Reconstruction of an idiopathic hemipalatal hypoplasia: report of a case.

Idiopathic hemipalatal hypoplasia is rare and leads to speech problems and the regurgitation of fluids, and the reconstruction of asymmetrical velopharyngeal incompetence is a challenge to the cleft surgeon. We present a case in a 5-year-old boy, and introduce the one-stage surgical technique that we used to resolve it.

Long-term comparison study of philtral ridge morphology with two different techniques of philtral reconstruction.

Cleft lip and/or cleft palate are the most common congenital craniofacial anomalies. Philtral ridge morphology is an important aesthetic component of unilateral cleft lip (UCL) repair. To this end, we have developed two techniques of philtral ridge reconstruction: (1) asymmetric mattress muscle sutures, and (2) overlapping mattress muscle sutures. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to compare their outcomes in UCL repairs. Group I patients (n=30) underwent UCL repair before August 2003, including philtral ridge reconstruction by asymmetric mattress muscle sutures. Group II patients (n=30) underwent UCL repair after August 2003, including philtral ridge reconstruction by overlapping mattress muscle sutures. Philtral morphology was evaluated by ultrasonographic and three-dimensional photographic measurements, examining cleft side philtral projection and philtral ridge symmetry. These demonstrated that group II patients had better philtral column symmetry and projection on the cleft side when compared to group I. Overlapping mattress muscle sutures produced better philtral morphology in UCL repairs than asymmetric mattress muscle sutures.

Cough headache: a study of 83 consecutive patients.

To delineate the differences in clinical characteristics and evaluate the outcome between primary and secondary cough headache, 83 consecutive patients (59M/24F, mean age 61.5 +/- 17.7 years) with cough headache (1.2%) out of 7100 patients in a headache clinic were studied. All of them received brain imaging studies. Most did not have relevant brain lesions (n = 74, 89.2%, primary group) except for nine patients (10.8%, the secondary group). Most of the intracranial lesions were located in the posterior fossa (n = 6, 67%), including only two patients with Chiari malformation. The primary group had a higher response rate to indomethacin than the secondary group (72.7% vs. 37.5 %, P = 0.046). Mild to moderate headache intensity and age onset < 50 years predicted a favourable response. At a mean follow-up of 51.4 months, 83.9% of patients with primary cough headache completely remitted. Inconsistent with the proposed International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edn criteria, 10.8% of patients with primary cough headache had headache duration of > 30 min. Clinical features, neurological examinations and drug response could not safely differentiate primary from secondary cough headache. Neuroimaging studies are required in each patient.

Sodium benzoate for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week trial.

OBJECTIVE: Sodium benzoate, a D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) inhibitor, improved cognitive function of early-phase Alzheimer's disease (AD) after 24-week treatment. This study examined benzoate treatment for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). METHODS: In a double-blind, 6-week trial, 97 patients with BPSD were randomized to receive placebo or benzoate (mean dose: 622.0 mg/day). The primary outcomes were ADAS-cog and BEHAVE-AD. RESULTS: Two treatments showed similar safety and primary and secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to antecedent 24-week, higher-dose treatment for early-phase AD, benzoate appeared ineffective in this 6-week trial. Longer-duration, higher-dose trials are warranted to clarify its efficacy for BPSD.

Management of velopharyngeal insufficiency by modified Furlow palatoplasty with pharyngeal flap: a retrospective outcome review.

The surgical approach for the correction of residual velopharyngeal insufficiency requiring secondary surgery at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital is the modified Furlow palatoplasty with pharyngeal flap (mFP-PF). The aim of this study was to describe the mFP-PF technique and to determine the results obtained with regard to improvements in velopharyngeal function in patients undergoing this surgery. This retrospective analysis included 58 non-syndromic patients treated during the period 1992-2015 who complained of hypernasal speech after primary cleft palate repair and failed postoperative speech therapy. All of them underwent mFP-PF surgery. Preoperative and postoperative perceptual speech assessment results were obtained. The male to female ratio in the study group was 1.2:1, and the mean patient age at the time of surgery was 8.27 years. The patients underwent nasoendoscopic examination and the velar closing ratio was categorized as 0.1-0.4 in 53.4% and 0.5-0.7 in 46.6%. The assessment of speech after mFP-PF showed statistically significant changes for all perceptual speech outcomes. The incidence of repeat surgery was 3.4%. This study revealed that 96.6% of patients did not require second surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency. Further studies on obstructive sleep apnoea in post-mFP-PF patients and improvements to the surgical technique should be considered.

Periodontal regeneration using ex vivo autologous stem cells engineered to express the BMP-2 gene: an alternative to alveolaplasty.

The regeneration of the periodontal attachment apparatus remains clinically challenging because of the involvement of three tissue types and the complexity of their relationship. Human recombinant bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) can accelerate the regeneration of bone and cementum and the insertion of periodontal ligament fibers but may lead to a deranged periodontal relationship, ankylosis and root resorption.This study evaluated a novel approach to regeneration of the periodontal attachment apparatus using a combination of ex vivo autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) engineered by replication-defective adenovirus to express the BMP-2 gene and Pluronic F127 (PF127). Twenty-four periodontal defects were surgically created in 12 New Zealand white rabbits and randomly assigned to three experimental groups with MSCs: the advBMP-2 group; the advbetagal group; the MSC group and one control group: PF127 only. The regenerated periodontal attachment apparatus was assessed histologically and the total regenerated bone volume was calculated from three-dimensional computed tomography analysis.This approach regenerated not only cementum with Sharpey's fiber insertion, but also statistically significant quantities of bone, re-establishing a more normal relationship among the components of the regenerated periodontal attachment apparatus, which is beneficial for the maintenance of periodontal health.Ex vivo gene transfer using stem cells as vectors may provide an advantage of slower BMP-2 release, increasing cementogenesis. There is regeneration of the periodontal attachment apparatus, whereas direct usage of the protein (rhBMP-2) yields unhinged periodontal relationship. Thus, this approach may represent an alternative means for periodontal alveolar bone graft in clinical settings.

Alveolar bone grafting in the treatment of midline alveolar cleft and diastema in incomplete median cleft lip.

Median cleft lip is a rare congenital anomaly. The wide diastema with mesial tipping observed in these patients has been largely overlooked. A midline submucosal alveolar cleft prevents adequate treatment. The purpose of this article is to describe an alveolar bone grafting (ABG) technique used in the combined surgical-orthodontic approach to diastema treatment in patients presenting with incomplete median cleft lip. Patients treated for incomplete median cleft lip and diastema were identified in the clinic registry from 1981 to 2007. Six patients were identified; 4 underwent ABG before permanent maxillary incisor eruption, the other 2 were seen later when they were 11 years old. All 6 ABGs were successful. The incisors erupted through the graft or were successfully moved into it with lasting results. Follow-up ranged from 8 to 21 years. The existence of a midline submucosal alveolar cleft and subsequent diastema should be recognized and addressed in all patients who present with incomplete median cleft lip repair. This includes taking maxillary occlusal view X-rays before the age of 5 years to detect the cleft, and proceed to ABG if necessary, generally before permanent maxillary incisor eruption.

Septal anchoring suture: a key suture to improve the nasolabial symmetry in unilateral cheiloplasty.

Since 2008, a septal anchoring suture has been used in unilateral cleft lip repair at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in order to stabilize the lateral lip centrally. This study compared the symmetry of two groups of patients: those treated with and without an anchoring suture. Multiple standardized direct and photographic facial measurements were performed on the faces of all patients pre-cheiloplasty and at 5 years post-cheiloplasty. The degree of nasolabial symmetry was evaluated by comparing the ratios of measurements of the cleft vs. non-cleft sides. The ratio of change in these measurements was also compared postoperatively. The vertical lip length ratio approached 1 in the septal anchoring suture group, which differed significantly from the group without the suture (0.968 vs. 0.873, P<0.001). As expected, the horizontal lip length and central lip height ratios showed no statistically significant change. The ratio of change from pre- to postoperative also showed a significant improvement (P=0.028) in the vertical lip length of the group with the septal anchoring suture compared to the one without. The septal anchoring suture is a useful method to correct the tendency of the lip to shift to the cleft side.

Comparison of the adult three-dimensional craniofacial features of patients with unilateral craniofacial microsomia with and without early mandible distraction.

This study was conducted to analyze the long-term facial growth of patients with craniofacial microsomia (CFM) after early mandible distraction osteogenesis (DO), and compared adult three-dimensional (3D) craniofacial features of patients with and without early mandibular DO for Pruzansky grade II deformities. The study included 20 patients: 9 with early mandible DO (the DO group) and 11 without previous treatment (the NDO group). Longitudinal radiographs were measured for growth changes after DO. The 3D craniofacial images were constructed to compare the craniofacial forms between the two groups. The patients with early DO presented 8 to 9mm forward and downward maxillary growth and 4.6mm limited forward and 17.3mm substantial downward mandibular growth. The ramus length ratio (affected/nonaffected) was 90.8% at DO completion and decreased to 69.5% at growth completion during 13 years of follow-up. Both groups showed obvious craniofacial asymmetry, as indicated by occlusal plane canting, chin deviation, transverse and vertical condyle positions, and mandibular contours. Although all the bilateral differences were higher in the NDO group than in the DO group, no statistical differences were found. Early mandible distraction could not alter the inherent facial growth pattern in patients with grade II CFM. Limited changes are derived for definitive facial correction with early DO.

Successful replantation of an amputated nasal tip by microvascular anastomosis.

Successful microsurgical replantation of a completely avulsed nasal tip is presented. The result is excellent. The technical challenge involved no sizable veins for drainage. This problem was solved by an artery-to-vein shunting. For facial avulsions, there is nothing superior to the original tissue, and replantation should always be attempted first.

Unusual complications of the Le Fort I osteotomy.

In this report we describe three very different and interesting complications of the Le Fort I osteotomy. The first case is of a unilateral third nerve palsy developing as a result of a carotid-cavernous fistula and false aneurysm of the internal carotid artery. The second complication to be reported is total unilateral blindness. The third case is one of total avulsion of a lateral segment of the palate in a patient with a complete bilateral cleft of the primary and secondary palates. All complications were the result of a Le Fort I osteotomy performed for correction of midface hypoplasia secondary to congenital cleft lip and palate. The literature is reviewed, and the pathomechanics of each injury are hypothesized.