Three-dimensional verification of volumetric measurements and relationships between the condyle and the rest of the mandible; a novel approach.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the volumetric relationship between the condyles and the mandible bilaterally. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Condylar and mandibular segmentations from a sample of cone-beam computed tomography for 37 individuals were selected. T-test, correlation and linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationships between the volumes of the condyles and mandible. RESULTS: The volume of the condyles and the mandible was significantly different between genders (p < 0.05). There was a significant but moderate correlation between the volumes of the condyle and the rest of the mandible on the same side (p < 0.01). A regression analysis model demonstrated that condylar volume is related to the volume of the mandible. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between the condylar volume and the rest of the mandible was found to be moderate. The relation between the condylar volume and mandibular volume is described by the regression equations for each side of the jaw. Sexual dimorphism exists in condylar and mandibular volumes.

Occlusal dysesthesia: a topical narrative review.

Occlusal dysesthesia (OD) is a disorder characterised by the sensation of uncomfortable bite with no obvious occlusal discrepancy. It is usually associated with emotional distress and is elicited by dental occlusal procedures. Multiple dental treatments are often provided to try to resolve the symptoms, but the outcome is usually dissatisfying for the dentist and disappointing for the patient. To summarise the specific features of OD, a PubMed search was carried out looking for all papers related to the topic. The references from the studies selected and from review articles were also examined for further relevant papers. A total of 138 articles were first identified, of which 18 of them were considered relevant to the topic. This article reviews the epidemiology, taxonomy and etio-pathophysiology, symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment of OD, with special relevance to issues of clinical importance and dental therapy. Any dental treatment must be avoided in patients with OD, because the results could be inadequate and it usually worsens the symptoms.

Moesin-induced signaling in response to lipopolysaccharide in macrophages.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Many physiological and pathophysiological conditions are attributable in part to cytoskeletal regulation of cellular responses to signals. Moesin (membrane-organizing extension spike protein), an ERM (ezrin, radixin and moesin) family member, is involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated events in mononuclear phagocytes; however, its role in signaling is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the LPS-induced moesin signaling pathways in macrophages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Macrophages were stimulated with 500 ng/mL LPS in macrophage serum-free medium. For blocking experiments, cells were pre-incubated with anti-moesin antibody. Moesin total protein and phosphorylation were studied with western blotting. Moesin mRNA was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. To explore binding of moesin to LPS, native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) gel shift assay was performed. Moesin immunoprecipitation with CD14, MD-2 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and co-immunoprecipitation of MyD88-interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) and IRAK-tumor necrosis factor receptor-activated factor 6 (TRAF6) were analyzed. Phosphorylation of IRAK and activities of MAPK, nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and IkappaBalpha were studied. Tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1beta and interferon beta were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Moesin was identified as part of a protein cluster that facilitates LPS recognition and results in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Lipopolysaccharide stimulates moesin expression and phosphorylation by binding directly to the moesin carboxyl-terminus. Moesin is temporally associated with TLR4 and MD-2 after LPS stimulation, while CD14 is continuously bound to moesin. Lipopolysaccharide-induced signaling is transferred downstream to p38, p44/42 MAPK and NF-kappaB activation. Blockage of moesin function interrupts the LPS response through an inhibition of MyD88, IRAK and TRAF6, negatively affecting subsequent activation of the MAP kinases (p38 and ERK), NF-kappaB activation and translocation to the nucleus. CONCLUSION: These results suggest an important role for moesin in the innate immune response and TLR4-mediated pattern recognition in periodontal disease.

Five-year follow-up of temporomandibular disorders and other musculoskeletal symptoms in dental students.

AIM: The aim of this epidemiologic study was to evaluate the intensity and variation of temporomandibular disorders and other musculoskeletal symptoms in a population of dental students during the five years of Dental School. METHODS: A 0-to-3 numeric scale questionnaire (0=absence of the symptom, 1=mild intensity, 2=moderate intensity, 3=severe intensity) was submitted to all the students enrolled in the first year of the Dental School at the University of Saint Joseph (Beirut, Lebanon). The same questionnaire was filled out by the same students every year until they reached the fifth (last) year. RESULTS: Temporomandibular disorders and musculoskeletal symptoms were generally of mild intensity and fluctuating in time. No significant differences were found among years in the intensity of earache, headache, face pain, arm symptoms, neck pain, and toothache. Ear stuffiness decreased from the first to the third and fifth year. Temporomandibular joint pain, temporomandibular joint sounds, upper back pain, and lower back pain showed a similar trend generally increasing from the first and second years to the third year, and then decreasing until the fourth and fifth years. CONCLUSION: A higher risk of developing such symptoms associated with dental work in the laboratory can be hypothesized in case of improper ergonomics.