Arteries of the anterior wall of the maxilla in sinus lift surgery.

Knowledge of the anatomical course of the anterior maxillary wall and alveolar process arteries is essential for sinus lift procedures. The aim of this study was to analyse the localization of anastomoses between the infraorbital and posterior superior alveolar artery on 101 computed tomography (CT) scans of maxillary sinuses (patients aged 18-70 years). The distance from the anastomosis to the bone point was measured on CT scans for each tooth location; for edentulous patients measurements were made to the lower edge of the alveolar process, and for dentate patients to the neck of the tooth. Measurements were done independently by two observers. The anastomosis analysed was identified on 50% of CT scans. The distance to the anastomosis was longest above the premolar (20.4 mm from tooth cervical line) and shortest above the first molar (15.9 mm to the edge of the alveolar process). The anastomosis can be localized on a CT scan for exact positioning of the antrotomy in 50% of patients. For the remaining patients, the anatomical information provided in this study can be used to reduce the risk of damage to the anastomosis. This study provides information on the distance from the anastomosis to the neck of preserved teeth in partially edentulous patients, which can be used as a reference point during sinus lift procedures.

Maxillary sinus anatomy variation and nasal cavity width: structural computed tomography imaging.

Variability of the bony structures located in the maxillary sinus, and of the lateral nasal wall topography, have practical significance during surgical procedures conducted by maxillofacial surgeons or otolaryngologists. The retrospective analysis of 111 computed tomography examinations of patients (52 male and 59 female) diagnosed in our institution was made to evaluate anatomical variations of the maxillary sinus. In the study the frequency of the Haller cell was 29/222 (13%), and the prevalence of one or more septa per sinus was 49/222 (26%). The infraorbital recess was found in 6/222 (3%) of cases. The mean width of the nasal duct was enlarged at the side where the Haller cell was present (p < 0.01) or where bony septa were absent in the maxillary sinus (p < 0.01). Bony structures of the maxillary sinus and changes in topography of the lateral nasal wall should compel surgeons to carefully analyze the computed tomography scans before operations in this area.

The study of arterial anastomoses in the region of the alveolar process and the anterior maxilla wall in foetuses.

The anterior maxilla wall and alveolar process are covered by the arterial network. Procedures in this region can cause heavy bleeding. Knowledge of the anatomical course of a particular artery is essential for performing surgery in this area. The aim of this study was to search for and then analyse anastomoses between the infraorbital and posterior superior alveolar artery. In the study, 19 maxillas of foetuses were analysed. The arteries were injected with coloured latex. The dissection was carried out using a surgical microscope and microsurgical equipment. The lower eyelid with cheek skin was separated and the facial muscles were cut to expose the maxilla and arteries of the alveolar process. The study revealed that in 10 out of 19 of the specimens there was an arterial connection between the infraorbital and posterior superior alveolar artery. The course of the analysed anastomosis was diverse. In all cases we observed an anterior superior alveolar artery. In all specimens the alveolar process was vascularised by many arteries originating from the analysed anastomosis. The location of the analysed anastomosis can be stated before operation, on the line between the medial eye angle and the sixth tooth of the same side. The anastomosis described in the study means that caudally running arteries are important in choosing incisions in procedures performed at the alveolar process.

Transport of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance-carrying plasmids through porous media.

Microbial antibiotic resistance has emerged as not only a major medical problem but also as an environmental engineering challenge, with antibiotic resistance genetic elements as environmental pollutants. The transport characteristics of a tetracycline-resistant bacterium (B. cepacia) and plasmids carrying tetracycline-resistance genes were investigated using flow-through columns packed with porous media. Higher influent cell concentrations (1.1 x 10(8) CFU mL(-1)) resulted in higher breakthrough (C/Co = 0.596+/-0.055) than a solution with lower cell concentration (2.0 x 10(6) CFU mL(- 1), C/Co = 0.461+/-0.037). This decreased extent of filtration suggests fast initial cell deposition and strong subsequent blocking of binding sites, resulting in less-hindered microbial transport through the sandy medium. The addition of a bromide tracer (NaBr) prior to the plasmid solution resulted in DNA retardation and increased filtration in a zirconia-silica bead matrix. Apparently, Na+ binding to the beads decreased electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged DNA and zirconia-silica surface. In contrast, plasmid breakthrough preceded that of the tracer when the plasmids were added first, possibly due to size exclusion chromatography coupled with stronger electrostatic repulsion. This implies that efforts to characterize the dynamics of resistance vector propagation in aquifers should consider the effect of groundwater chemistry and the surface characteristics of the porous media on vector transport.

Development and characterization of complex DNA fingerprinting probes for the infectious yeast Candida dubliniensis.

Using a strategy to clone large genomic sequences containing repetitive elements from the infectious yeast Candida dubliniensis, the three unrelated sequences Cd1, Cd24, and Cd25, with respective molecular sizes of 15,500, 10,000, and 16,000 bp, were cloned and analyzed for their efficacy as DNA fingerprinting probes. Each generated a complex Southern blot hybridization pattern with endonuclease-digested genomic DNA. Cd1 generated an extremely variable pattern that contained all of the bands of the pattern generated by the repeat element RPS of Candida albicans. We demonstrated that Cd1 does not contain RPS but does contain a repeat element associated with RPS throughout the C. dubliniensis genome. The Cd1 pattern was the least stable over time both in vitro and in vivo and for that reason proved most effective in assessing microevolution. Cd24, which did not exhibit microevolution in vitro, was highly variable in vivo, suggesting in vivo-dependent microevolution. Cd25 was deemed the best probe for broad epidemiological studies, since it was the most stable over time, was the only truly C. dubliniensis-specific probe of the three, generated the most complex pattern, was distributed throughout all C. dubliniensis chromosomes, and separated a worldwide collection of 57 C. dubliniensis isolates into two distinct groups. The presence of a species-specific repetitive element in Cd25 adds weight to the already substantial evidence that C. dubliniensis represents a bona fide species.

[Effect of selected weather conditions and air pollution on the number of emergency service calls in Cracow]. / Wplyw wybranych warunków pogodowych i zanieczyszczen powietrza na liczbe interwencji pogotowia ratunkowego w Krakowie.

The paper presents the results of statistical research into the connection between the weather and aerosanitary conditions on the one hand, and on the other hand the number of the emergency service calls in the selected Emergency Wards and kinds of diseases treated during those calls. There seems to be a strong correlation between the number of emergency calls and the appearance of atmospheric fronts and the concentration of dust and sulphur dioxide in the air.