Dental Malocclusion and Its Relation to the Podal System.

Background and Objective: This study analyzes the possibility that Stomatognathic and Postural systems are related by muscle chains. Malocclusion may influence the posture, contact between the foot and the ground, center of mass, footprint or vice-versa. This study aimed to verify whether there is a relationship between dental occlusion and podal system. Materials and Methods: A cross-cutting, descriptive study was carried out on 409 children (222 boys and 187 girls) between 8 and 14 years old. Dental occlusion was assessed on the sagittal plane (Angle's classification) the contact between the foot and the ground and the center of mass were evaluated using a stabilometric platform. Results: There was a statistically significant relationship between the plantigrade phase, the contact surface area and center of gravity. There was a prevalence of molar and canine Angle's class II malocclusion. In molar class II, an anterior center of gravity was predominant, in class I it was centered and in class III, it was posterior. There was significant correlation between malocclusions and the FPI (foot posture index) of the left foot and the height of the scaphoid in the right foot (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Some authors agree with our results. There is still much uncertainty in terms of showing a relationship between both systems. In addition, there is scarce scientific evidence on the topic. Some kind of relationship between the two systems has been proven. Studies that evaluate a group of subjects in a longitudinal manner are necessary to enable the changes taking place in both systems to be defined.

Role of difucosylated Lewis Y antigen in outcome of locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated with cisplatin regimen.

BACKGROUND: Several mechanisms are involved in the development of resistance to therapy in locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (LACSCC). Studies have shown that CD44 and Lewis Y antigen (LeY) form a complex that is associated with chemoresistance, tumor invasion and metastasis. We assessed the role of CD44 and LeY in the outcome of LACSCC patients treated with different chemotherapy regimens. METHODS: 126 LACSCC patients at FIGO stages IIB-IVA were selected from the GOCS database: 74 patients included in 3 different prospective phase II trials in the neoadjuvant setting (vinorelbine, docetaxel, ifosfamide-vinorelbine-cisplatin) and 52 patients treated with standard radiochemotherapy based on cisplatin (RCBC). Clinical data at baseline, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were recorded. Univariate and multivariate Cox models were employed. RESULTS: Median age was 45.6 years (range: 24.9-80.5). Sixty-three and 47 tumors were CD44+ and LeY+, respectively. Tumors with expansive growth showed higher grade (p = 0.0024), mitotic index (p = 0.0505), tumor necrosis (p = 0.0191), LeY+ (p = 0.0034) and CD44+/LeY+ coexpression (p = 0.0334). CD44+ cells were present in 91.3% of patients with local recurrence (p = 0.0317). Advanced stage was associated with LeY+ tumors. Patients treated with RCBC had worse DFS and OS when their tumors expressed LeY (p = 0.0083 and p = 0.0137, respectively). Pre-treatment hemoglobin level, FIGO stage and tumor response remained the most significant prognostic factors in Cox regression. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of LACSCC patients, the coexpression of CD44 and LeY was not associated with worse outcome. However, in the subgroup of patients receiving RCBC, LeY expression was correlated with shorter DFS and OS.

Do breastfeeding and bottle feeding influence occlusal parameters?

OBJECTIVE: A study was made of the influence of breastfeeding and bottle feeding on development of the dental arches and occlusion in an infant population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In total, 298 infants (163 girls and 135 boys) were selected from a series of 1,643 preschool children in Seville, Spain, evaluating the type of feeding received after birth (breastfeeding only or bottle feeding only), the duration of such feeding, and its influence upon the parameters that define occlusion of the dental arches. The study comprised a full exploration of the stomatognathic system of the infants and a questionnaire for the parents. SPSS Statistical Package software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL) was used to analyze the results. RESULTS: In total, 109 children were exclusively breastfed (36.6%) for an average of 6.8±5.8 months, whereas 189 children were exclusively bottle fed (63.4%) for an average of 17.99±11.5 months. On comparing the occlusal parameters of the two groups, the most beneficial effects (straight terminal plane, canine class I relationship, diastemas, and primate spaces) corresponded to the infants who were breastfed. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfed infants show better development of the dental arches and a lesser incidence of dental occlusion disorders than bottle-fed infants.

Distribution of mosquitoes in the south east of Argentina and first report on the analysis based on 18S rDNA and COI sequences.

Although Mar del Plata is the most important city on the Atlantic coast of Argentina, mosquitoes inhabiting such area are almost uncharacterized. To increase our knowledge in their distribution, we sampled specimens of natural populations. After the morphological identification based on taxonomic keys, sequences of DNA from small ribosomal subunit (18S rDNA) and cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) genes were obtained from native species and the phylogenetic analysis of these sequences were done. Fourteen species from the genera Uranotaenia, Culex, Ochlerotatus and Psorophora were found and identified. Our 18S rDNA and COI-based analysis indicates the relationships among groups at the supra-species level in concordance with mosquito taxonomy. The introduction and spread of vectors and diseases carried by them are not known in Mar del Plata, but some of the species found in this study were reported as pathogen vectors.

Genetic diversity of cry gene sequences of Bacillus thuringiensis strains analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.

PCR has been widely used to identify cry-type genes, to determine their distribution, to detect new such genes and to predict insecticidal activities. We describe here a molecular approach to analyze the genetic diversity of B. thuringiensis cry-like genes based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). This analysis demonstrated that different B. thuringiensis isolates can be distinguished according to its PCR-DGGE profile of cry-like genes. Identification of the resolvable DNA fragments was easy to accomplish by DNA sequencing, which was confirmed in this work. Importantly, the strategy allowed the identification of unknown B. thuringiensis cry-like sequences present in a single strain that remained cryptic after PCR analysis using degenerate primers. The method developed in this work contributes to the availability of molecular techniques for both B. thuringiensis strains and cry-like genes identification and discovery.

Vinorelbine and paclitaxel for locoregional advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.

A phase II trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the novel combination of vinorelbine and paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy in patients with stages IIIB and IV non-small-cell lung cancer. From January 1997 to September 1999, 34 patients (9 stage IIIB and 25 stage IV) received a regimen consisting of the following: vinorelbine 30 mg/m2 20 minutes intravenous (i.v.) infusion, days 1 and 8; and paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 3-hour i.v. (starting 1 hour after vinorelbine) on day 1. Cycles were repeated every 28 days until progression of disease or unacceptable toxicity development. The median age was 57 years (range 41-70 years); median performance status was 1. Histology was as follows: squamous cell in 24 (71%), large cell in 1 (3%), and adenocarcinoma in 9 (26%). All patients are evaluable for toxicity, whereas 30 are evaluable for response (4 patients refused treatment). Objective response was recorded in 4 of 30 patients (13%, 95% CI 1-25%). No complete response was observed. Partial response was recorded in 4 patients (13%), no change in 10 patients (34%), and progressive disease in 16 patients (53%). The median time to treatment failure was 4 months and median survival was 9 months. The limiting toxicity was myelosuppression: leukopenia in 23 patients (68%), whereas neutropenia was observed in 25 patients (78%). Peripheral neurotoxicity developed in 14 patients (41%) (without G3 or G4 episodes), and constipation (G1-G2: 10 patients), myalgia (G1-G2: 11 patients), diarrhea (G1-G2: 7 patients), and stomatitis were observed in 7 patients. Vinorelbine-paclitaxel combination showed only modest activity against locoregionally advanced or metastatic NSCLC.

La clinica del litio en el hospital psiquiátrico de La Habana: estudio longitudinal de diez años / The lithium clinic at the Psychiatric Hospital of Havana: ten-year longitudinal study

En el presente trabajo se estudia la evolución de treinta pacientes psicóticos que han recibido tratamiento con carbonato de litio en un período de tiempo promedio de 10 años. Se valoran varios parámetros en los pacientes estudiados, entre ellos: diagnóstico nosólogico, tiempo de evolución clínica, tiempo de tratamiento con litio, propensión a abandono del tratamiento, presencia de reacciones tóxicas, enfermedades orgánicas concomitantes, número de recaídas, incorporación a actividades socialmente útiles y otros, igualmente importantes. Entre los resultados obtenidos, tenemos que en los pacientes maniacodepresivos con crisis principalmente maníacas, se reducen las mismas a prácticamente cero, mientras se mantiene bajo tratamiento, tendiendo éstas a aparecer de nuevo si abandonan el mismo, lográndose una total incorporación laboral y social. En los pacientes con crisis fundamentalmente depresivas, el resultado es menos espectacular, aunque se obtiene generalmente un alargamiento del período de sanidad intercrisis. Se analiza el resultado en otras entidades nosológicas. Se describe el funcionamiento de la Clínica del Litio del Hospital Psiquiátrico de La Habana

La clinica del litio en el hospital psiquiátrico de La Habana: estudio longitudinal de diez años / The lithium clinic at the Psychiatric Hospital of Havana: ten-year longitudinal study

En el presente trabajo se estudia la evolución de treinta pacientes psicóticos que han recibido tratamiento con carbonato de litio en un período de tiempo promedio de 10 años. Se valoran varios parámetros en los pacientes estudiados, entre ellos: diagnóstico nosólogico, tiempo de evolución clínica, tiempo de tratamiento con litio, propensión a abandono del tratamiento, presencia de reacciones tóxicas, enfermedades orgánicas concomitantes, número de recaídas, incorporación a actividades socialmente útiles y otros, igualmente importantes. Entre los resultados obtenidos, tenemos que en los pacientes maniacodepresivos con crisis principalmente maníacas, se reducen las mismas a prácticamente cero, mientras se mantiene bajo tratamiento, tendiendo éstas a aparecer de nuevo si abandonan el mismo, lográndose una total incorporación laboral y social. En los pacientes con crisis fundamentalmente depresivas, el resultado es menos espectacular, aunque se obtiene generalmente un alargamiento del período de sanidad intercrisis. Se analiza el resultado en otras entidades nosológicas. Se describe el funcionamiento de la Clínica del Litio del Hospital Psiquiátrico de La Habana