MicroRNAs as systemic biomarkers to assess distress in animal models for gastrointestinal diseases.

Severity assessment of animal experiments is mainly conducted by using subjective parameters. A widely applicable biomarker to assess animal distress could contribute to an objective severity assessment in different animal models. Here, the distress of three murine animal models for gastrointestinal diseases was assessed by multiple behavioral and physiological parameters. To identify possible new biomarkers for distress 750 highly conserved microRNAs were measured in the blood plasma of mice before and after the induction of pancreatitis. Deregulated miRNA candidates were identified and further quantified in additional animal models for pancreatic cancer and cholestasis. MiR-375 and miR-203 were upregulated during pancreatitis and down regulated during cholestasis, whereas miR-132 was upregulated in all models. Correlation between miR-132 and plasma corticosterone concentrations resulted in the highest correlation coefficient, when compared to the analysis of miR-375, miR-203 and miR-30b. These results indicate that miR-132 might function as a general biomarker for distress, whereas the other miRNAs were altered in a disease specific manner. In conclusion, plasma miRNA profiling may help to better characterize the level of distress in mouse models for gastrointestinal diseases.

Changes in Peri-Implant Bone Level and Effect of Potential Influential Factors on Dental Implants in Irradiated and Nonirradiated Patients Following Multimodal Therapy Due to Head and Neck Cancer: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in the marginal bone level of dental implants in irradiated and nonirradiated patients and to identify possible influential factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with 194 implants were involved in the study (7 women and 29 men). The mean age of the patients was 65.8 years (39 to 90 yr). In all patients, a squamous cell carcinoma in the floor of the mouth involving the mandible or tongue was surgically removed. In 17 patients, adjuvant radiochemotherapy was completed a minimum of 6 months before implant placement. Mean crestal bone changes using standardized orthopantomographs were evaluated. The Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney U test were used to determine correlations between bone crestal changes and age, gender, radiation therapy (yes vs no), augmentation (yes vs no), and type of superstructure. RESULTS: In total, 194 implants were placed (73 in the maxilla and 121 in the mandible). Mean amounts of peri-implant bone loss were 1 mm mesially and 0.9 mm distally after 1 year and 1.4 mm mesially and 1.3 mm distally after 3 years. During the observation period, 4 implants were lost. The overall success rate was 98.4% (maxilla, 100%; mandible, 96.7%). There was no relevant difference in changes in bone level according to age, gender, prosthetic superstructure, or augmentation procedure (yes vs no). Radiation therapy was found to have an effect on crestal bone loss. CONCLUSION: The present study showed a high success rate of dental implants after 3 years. Peri-implant crestal bone loss was comparable to that in patients without tumor. The mean amount of crestal bone change in irradiated patients was twice as high as that in nonirradiated patients.

Contemporary Correction of Dentofacial Anomalies: A Clinical Assessment.

Contemporary computer-assisted technologies can support the surgical team in the treatment of patients affected by dentofacial deformities. Based on own experiences of 350 patients that received orthognathic surgery by the same team from 2007 to 2015, this clinical review is intended to give an overview of the results and risks related to the surgical correction of dentofacial anomalies. Different clinical and technological innovations that can contribute to improve the planning and transfer of corrective dentofacial surgery are discussed as well. However, despite the presence of modern technologies, a patient-specific approach and solid craftsmanship remain the key factors in this elective surgery.

Role of distraction osteogenesis in craniomaxillofacial surgery.

In the field of orthopedic surgery, distraction osteogenesis (DO) is well known for limb lengthening procedures or secondary corrective surgery in the fracture treatment of the extremities. The principle of gradual expansion of bone and surrounding soft tissues as originally described by G.A. Ilizarov is also applicable to the craniofacial skeleton when growth deficiency is present, and the patients affected by craniofacial or dentofacial anomalies may require distraction procedures. The surgical management is comparable. After osteotomy and the mounting of a specific craniomaxillofacial distraction device, active distraction is started after a latency phase of several days, with a distraction rate of up to 1 mm/day until the desired amount of distraction has been achieved. Subsequently, distractors are locked to provide appropriate stability within the distraction zone for callus mineralization during the consolidation phase of 3-6 months, which is followed by a further remodeling of the bony regenerate. After 14 years of clinical application, the role and significance of craniomaxillofacial DO are discussed after reviewing the files of all patients who were treated by craniomaxillofacial distraction procedures.

Transpalatal distraction for the management of maxillary constriction in pediatric patients.

CONTEXT: The management of severe maxillary constriction can be challenging. For that purpose surgically assisted maxillary expansion by transpalatal distraction (TPD) can typically be recommended after skeletal maturity. However in selected cases bone borne transpalatal distraction devices can contribute to improve maxillary constriction considerably earlier already during mixed dentition. AIMS: To assess the possibility of bone borne transpalatal distraction in pediatric patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Clinical paper. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 2010 TPD has been applied to six pediatric patients during mixed dentition when severe maxillary constriction was present and conventional orthodontic widening has already failed. Individually selected devices (Surgitec, Belgium) were inserted in general anaesthesia and distraction was performed according to well known parameters. RESULTS: Maxillary constriction could be improved in all six patients without any drawbacks by bone borne devices during mixed dentition. Skeletal conditions were obviously improved for subsequent orthodontic or orthognathic therapy without functional impairment. Follow-up is up to 36 months after device removal. CONCLUSIONS: Transpalatal Distraction is recommendable in selected pediatric patients if massive growth disturbance is present or has to be expected. TPD allows for individually adapted maxillary expansion by selection and positioning of appropriate devices in combination with intraoperative testing of maxillary movements and controlled bone removal.

Transpalatal distraction--state of the art for the individual management of transverse maxillary deficiency--a review of 50 consecutive cases.

Transpalatal distraction has been established as a technique for surgical assisted rapid palatal/maxillary expansion (SARPE/SARME) in order to correct transverse maxillary deficiency. From 2007 until 2013 bone borne transpalatal distraction devices have been inserted in 50 patients affected by transverse maxillary deficiency and transpalatal distraction has been performed by the same surgical team. Patient records were retrospectively evaluated after ending of the active distraction phase with respect to indication, achieved expansion, additional procedures and side effects. In all cases the existing transverse maxillary deficiency was corrected by means of transpalatal distraction according to the individual needs. No complications were observed that interfered with that therapeutic aim. Evaluation of the records showed a wide variance of parameters which impedes evidence based statements. According to that series transpalatal distraction is a safe, powerful and reliable procedure and can be recommended as a state of the art procedure for the individually adapted correction of transverse maxillary deficiency if well known parameters of distraction are respected.

Significance of distraction osteogenesis of the craniomaxillofacial skeleton - a clinical review after 10 years of experience with the technique.

INTRODUCTION: Distraction osteogenesis (DO) has been applied to the field of craniomaxillofacial surgery for more than two decades. Although relevant factors for successful distraction osteogenesis are well known there are ongoing controversies about indications and limitations of the method and there is still a lack of evidence based data. Since 2003 the principle of gradual lengthening has been applied to patients affected by different types of skeletal craniomaxillofacial deficiency within individualized treatment protocols at the Campus Virchow Klinikum - Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin - by the same surgical team. The records of these patients were reviewed in order to assess the significance of the technique within the spectrum of a craniomaxillofacial department. During 10 years DO has been applied in 80 patients representing less than 1% of all patients that have been treated since 2003. Review of the protocols showed a heterogeneous group with a wide variance of parameters, the age ranging from 2½ to 51 years. Internal distraction devices were used in all cases and individually selected with respect to optimal stability during active distraction and consolidation phase. Although distraction related complications occurred the majority of procedures ended up with the favoured result and skeletal stability. However additional reconstructive surgery was required despite successful distraction in the majority of patients. Although DO has a low significance with respect to overall patient counts the method is a powerful tool within individual therapeutic concepts for the surgical correction of craniofacial anomalies that are characterized by skeletal deficiencies and should be seen as addendum to other surgical options. Predictable and stable results can be expected if the basic principles of the method are regarded.