Effects of FKBP-12 ligands following tibial nerve injury in rats.

The neuroregenerative properties of FK506, an FKBP-12 ligand that inhibits calcineurin, and V-10,367, an FKBP-12 ligand that does not inhibit calcineurin, were evaluated in crush and transection models. Rats were randomly assigned to one of seven groups, including untreated controls and FK506- or V-10,367-treated experimental groups. Following crush or transection nerve injury, animals were assessed with walking tracks, and histomorphometry. FK506-treated animals demonstrated significant functional recovery 11 days following crush and 18 days following transection injury. In untreated and V-10,367 treated animals, nerves recovered 13 days following crush injury, but did not improve significantly prior to sacrifice at 28 days in animals sustaining a transection injury. No statistically significant differences in histomorphometric parameters were identified between any of the groups. The study confirms that FK506 accelerates recovery from tibial nerve injury.

Child abuse and dentistry: orofacial trauma and its recognition by dentists.

Orofacial trauma was found in 49% of 260 documented cases of child abuse seen during of five-year period at the Children's Hospital Medical Center, Boston. An additional 16% of the cases involved head trauma; the total percentage of head and facial trauma was 65%. Head or facial trauma was the principal reason for admission to the hospital in 45% of the cases. A survey of 537 dentists in Massachusetts showed that the majority were unaware of their legal and social responsibilities to report suspected cases of child abuse. Eleven percent of all dentists surveyed saw orofacial trauma cases that were of a suspicious nature, by only 22 confirmed cases of child abuse were noted by the dentists. Of these, only four were reported to social agencies. In general, oral surgeons and pedodontists saw a higher percentage of these cases and were more aware of their responsibilities than were general practitioners.