Does Le Fort I osteotomy have an influence on nasal cavity and septum deviation?

AIMS: Le Fort I (LI) osteotomy has been used for the correction of dento-facial deformities of the midface. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of advancement and impaction of the maxilla with LI osteotomy on the nasal cavity and septum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, 40 adult patients, 23 females and 17 males (mean age 20.52 ± 4.4 years), who underwent single-piece LI advancement and impaction surgery combined with a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) were included. Posterior-anterior (PA) and lateral cephalometric radiographs taken before surgery (T0) and at least three months after surgery (T1) were evaluated. The superior and anterior movements of maxilla, changes of the nasal cavity, nasal septum and maxillo-mandibular parameter were measured on the cephalometric radiographs. Treatment changes were statistically analyzed using paired sample t-test, and Pearson correlation analysis was applied for the determination of the relationship between variables. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant change in the deviation parameters (P > 0,05). However, a statistically significant decrease was found for left and right nasal cavity heights after LI osteotomy (P < 0.05). Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between septal deviation angle and extent of maxillary movement (P > 0.05). Positive correlation was found between nasal cavity width and amount of maxillary impaction. (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The influence of maxillary impaction with LI osteotomy on nasal septum deviation was not found significant but maxillary impaction with LI osteotomy significantly increased the nasal cavity width.

Control of triboelectric charges on common polymers by photoexcitation of organic dyes.

Triboelectric charging of insulators, also known as contact charging in which electrical charges develop on surfaces upon contact, is a significant problem that is especially critical for various industries such as polymers, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and space. Several methods of tribocharge mitigation exist in practice; however, none can reach the practicality of using light in the process. Here we show a light-controlled manipulation of triboelectric charges on common polymers, in which the tribocharges are mitigated upon illumination with appropriate wavelengths of light in presence of a mediator organic dye. Our method provides spatial and temporal control of mitigation of static charges on common polymer surfaces by a mechanism that involves photoexcitation of organic dyes, which also allows additional control using wavelength. This control over charge mitigation provides a way to manipulate macroscopic objects by tribocharging followed by light-controlled discharging.

Synthesis of a Cu-infiltrated Zr-doped SBA-15 catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation into methanol and dimethyl ether.

A catalytically active nanoassembly comprising Cu-nanoparticles grown on integrated and active supports (large pore Zr-doped mesoporous SBA-15 silica) has been synthesized and used to promote CO2 hydrogenation. The doped mesoporous material was synthesized using a sol-gel method, in which the pore size was tuned between 11 and 15 nm while maintaining a specific surface area of about 700 m2 g-1. The subsequent Cu nanoparticle growth was achieved by an infiltration process involving attachment of different functional groups on the external and internal surfaces of the mesoporous structure such that 7-10 nm sized Cu nanoparticles grew preferentially inside the pores. Chemisorption showed improved absorption of both CO2 and H2 for the assembly compared to pure SBA-15 and 15% of the total CO2 was converted to methanol and dimethyl ether at 250 °C and 33 bar.

Effects of spironolactone in an experimental model of chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Cyclosporine (CsA)-associated nephrotoxicity is a long-term complication in transplant patients. Chronic CsA nephrotoxicity is associated with renal fibrosis and hyaline arteriolopathy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of spironolactone on functional and structural alterations as well as on platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF-B) and transforming growth factor (TGF) beta expression induced by CsA in a rat model of chronic CsA nephrotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (G1) received vehicle only (V); G2, CsA (15 mg/kg/d; CsA) by intraperitoneal (IP) injection; and G3, a similar CsA dosage + spironolactone (20 mg/kg/d; CsA + Ald.) by the oral route. At the end of 28 days, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and blood CsA levels were measured as well as histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses performed on renal tissue. RESULTS: Mean CsA trough levels in G2 and G3 were both above 2000 ng/mL. In G2, GFR was lower than G1 and G3 (0.35 +/- 0.05, 1.64 +/- 0.24, and 1.20 +/- 0.25 mL/min, respectively; P < .001). There was a significantly increased number of arteriolopathic changes in G2 and G3 vs G1 (16% +/- 3.7%, 15% +/- 6.8%, 3% +/- 1.2%, respectively; P < .001). Interstitial fibrosis was significantly increased in G2 vs G1 and G3 (52%, 0%, 27%, respectively; P < .05). Marked by up-regulated PDGF-B and TGF beta expressions were observed in G2 vs G1 or G3: 100%, 0%, 37.5%, respectively, for PDGF-B (P < .001) and 87.5%, 0%, 12.5%, respectively, for TGF beta (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that chronic CsA nephrotoxicity may be mitigated by aldosterone receptor blockade which seemed to be associated with down-regulation of PDGF-B and TGF beta expression.

Renal protective effects of leukotriene receptor blockers in an experimental model of cyclosporine nephrotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cyclosporine (CsA) nephrotoxicity is associated with renal fibrosis and hyaline arteriolopathy. Fibrogenic cytokines, such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), play a pivotal role in CsA nephrotoxicity. Previous studies have demonstrated the possible role of leukotrienes (LT) in chronic CsA nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to examine the possible beneficial effects of LT blockers in attenuating the morphological and histochemical effects induced by CsA in a rat model of CsA nephrotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 8). The first group (G1) was treated with vehicle intraperitoneally (IP) for 60 days. The second group (G2) was treated with 15 mg/kg CsA IP for 60 days. The third group (G3) was treated with the same dose of CsA plus 4 mg/kg montelukast administered by oral gavage for 60 days. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) among G2 compared with G1 animals: 0.41 +/- 0.03 vs 1.63 +/- 0.12 mL/min (P < .001), or G3 hosts: 0.41 +/- 0.03 vs 0.95 +/- 0.05 mL/min (P < .005), respectively. The percentage of hyaline arteriolopathic changes was higher in G2 than G1 or G3: 81.66% +/- 8.2% vs 11.83% +/- 0.87% (P < .01) or 37.0% +/- 8.8% (P < .01), respectively. Fibrosis score was higher in G2 compared with G1 or G3: 1.5 +/- 0.04 vs 0.16 +/- 0.02 (P < .001) and 1.0 +/- 0.05 (P < .05), respectively. TGF-beta and VEGF immunoexpression were significantly increased in G2 compared with G1 (P < .05) or G3 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that LT may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of chronic CsA nephrotoxicity; the administration of montelukast, a LT receptor blocker, may prevent CsA-induced nephrotoxicity.

Angiotension converting enzyme inhibition and calcium channel blockage improves cyclosporine induced glucose intolerance in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of quinapril, valsartan, and amlodipin on glucose tolerance in cyclosporine (CsA)-toxic rats. Among 40 male Wistar rats 32 were administered cyclosporine (CsA) (15 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 6 weeks. Quinapril (10 mg/kg per day) (group Q), valsartan (40 mg/kg per day) (group V), and amlodipine (10mg/kg per day) (group A) were administered to individual sets of eight CsA-treated animals via the drinking water with the remaining untreated hosts followed as a control group (group C) and 8 healthy controls (group H). A Glucose-tolerance test was performed by administering oral glucose (2 g/kg) followed by blood samples obtained from the tail vein at baseline as well as 30,60,90, and 120 minutes after the glucose load. Glucose area under the curve (AUC) was calculated according to the trapezoidal rule. CsA levels were determined using an immunofluorescence method. Kruskal Wallis ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis. Median CsA levels were 1968 ng/mL, 1982 ng/mL, 1580 ng/mL, 1600 ng/mL; and glucose AUC, 232.4 +/- 130 mg/min per dL, 63.1 +/- 25 mg/min per dL, 115.0 +/- 90 mg/min per dL, 47.4 +/- 34 mg/min per dL 53.4 +/- 38 mg/min per dL for groups C,Q,V,A and H, respectively. Quinapril-treated and amilodipine-treated rats displayed a lower glucose AUC than group C (P <.01), which had higher glucose levels than healthy controls (P <.001). In summary, CsA treated rats show impaired glucose tolerance, which is improved by quinapril or amlodipine treatment. Angiotensin converting enzymes inhibitors and calcium channel blockers affect beta cell function rather than insulin sensitivity.