[Three dimensional culturing of human jaw osteoblasts in PLLA/HA scaffold]

Tissue engineering using somatic cells and synthetic extracellular matrix [scaffold] represents a new approach for regeneration of mineralized tissue and bone. This study was carried out to investigate the ability of a PLLA/HA scaffold to culture osteoblast cells in a three dimensional milieu. Three bony samples were taken from extraction sites during surgical extraction of wisdom teeth. Osteoblasts were obtained from specimens by using trypsin and collagenase and were cultured in monolayer up to passage four. Cells were seeded on PLLA/HA scaffolds at density of 106 cells/ml and then incubated for 21 days. The seeded cells were evaluated by Hoechst, von kossa and H and E stainings and scanning electron microscopy. Cellular growth was more pronounced when isolation was carried out by collagenase. According to scanning electron microscopy, osteoblast cells had been proliferated and attached to the scaffolds. H and E, Hoechst and von kossa stainings confirmed the presence of the harvested cells in the scaffold too. Our findings suggest that osteoblast cells can grow onto PLLA/HA scaffold in vitro

[Inability of mouth opening after traumatic maxillomandibular fusion: a case report]

The main cause of decreased mouth opening in patients suffered from trauma is bony or fibrous ankylosis of temporomandibular joint, but other causes such as fibrous or bony union of zygoma and/or maxilla to the coronoid process of the mandible must be considered in preoperative management of such cases. Bony union of the mandible to the maxilla and zygoma is rare. In this report, one case, a victim of earthquake [Bam city, December 2002] with the diagnosis of traumatic maxillomandibular fusion and the performed therapeutic procedure are described

[ laboratory study on human jaw osteoblastic stem cells culturing]

The goal of this study was to evaluate different methods of cultivating human bone cells. Five periosteal and bone specimens obtained from the human jaw were divided into small pieces in the laboratory. After the addition of trypsin and collagenase enzymes and releasing of cells, three primary periostal, endosteal, and bony chips cells were prepared. After passing the required time for the growth of specimens, lamella were prepared and stained with alkaline phosphatase [ALP] in order to determine ALP positive cells. Mean time of cellular growth was 23 days. Human bone cells have the capability of being cultured under special sterile laboratory conditions and three dimensional culturing of them can be used for reconstruction of maxillofacial region defects

Frequency of severe visual disturbance associated with midfacial fractures

Visual loss after traumatic injuries of the maxillofacial area is one of the worst complications of these injuries and if remains untreated will affect seriously the future life of patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of blindness associated with midfacial fractures in Kerman Bahonar Hospital from 1996-2002. This descriptive study was done retrospectively on 207 patients with midface maxillofacial trauma admitted to Kerman Bahonar Hospital from 1996 to 2002. The frequency of unilateral blindness associated with midfacial trauma was 5.3 percent. The main etiologic factor was motor vehicle accidents [81.8%] and the most common area of fracture site of midface associated with blindness was Lefort III, Lefort II and NOE [Naso- Orbito- Ethmoidal] fractures. The evaluated frequency of blindness after midfacial injuries in this study was similar to previous studies. The etiologic factors were different from those of developed countries and similar to developing ones