Growth of the maxillary complex in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

The growth of the maxillary complex of 36 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively during four defined stages of postnatal development (i.e., infant, juvenile, adolescent, young adult). At each stage, growth was observed during a 24 week period. Since some animals were observed during two successive stages of development, 47 periods of growth were studied. The incremental growth data were collected by superimposing serial cephalograms on cranial base implants and on maxillary implants. The largest increments of growth were observed in the infant animals and were successively less during the other periods studied. The horizontal growth component was more prominent than the vertical component in all age groups. The contribution of sutural growth to the vertical displacement of the maxilla was greater posteriorly, leading to a rotation of the maxillary complex during growth. The occlusal relationship was maintained by selective bone remodeling in conjunction with dentitional migration.     

Effect of electromagnetic field on bone regeneration around dental implants after immediate placement in the dog mandible: a pilot study

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00525.x Effect of electromagnetic field on bone regeneration around dental implants after immediate placement in the dog mandible: a pilot study Background: Accelerating bone healing around dental implants can reduce the long‐term period between the insertion of implants and functional rehabilitation. Objective: This in vivo study evaluated the effect of a constant electromagnetic field (CEF) on bone healing around dental implants in dogs. Materials and methods: Eight dental implants were placed immediately after extraction of the first pre‐molar and molar teeth on the mandible of two male dogs and divided into experimental (CEF) and control groups. A CEF at magnetic intensity of 0.8 mT with a pulse width of 25 μs and frequency of 1.5 MHz was applied on the implants for 20 min per day for 2 weeks. Result and conclusion: After qualitative histological analysis, a small quantity of newly formed bone was observed in the gap between the implant surface and alveolar bone in both groups.     

Pattern in craniofacial biology: Evidence from the old world monkeys (Cercopithecidae)

An understanding of craniofacial growth, both evolutionarily and clinically, requires an investigation of pattern —geometric relations that remain relatively constant among growing structures or components of the skull. Several craniofacial biologists have suggested that specific morphological relations remain invariant during growth and in interspecific comparisons of adults of varying size. We tested the hypothesized invariance of a series of craniofacial angles in a sample of adult Old World monkeys. Fifteen angles were determined from lateral cranial radiographs. Criteria for examining angular invariance included tests for significant correlations and regression slopes with palatal length (overall skull size), tests for significant mean differences (ANOVAs) in angular values between the two subfamilies of Cercopithecidae — Cercopithecinae and Colobinae — and the computation and ranking of standard deviations (SDs) and coefficients of variation (CVs). Results indicate that most of the cranial angles purported to be invariant do not in fact meet the criteria for acceptance. One of the few cranial angles that evinces a somewhat constant value is that between the posterior maxillary plane and the neutral axis of the orbits, providing very limited support for Enlow’s (1982) claim that this region represents a fundamental anatomical interface (at least within Old World monkeys). Our analysis suggests that while there may be several relatively invariant structural relations within the skull, most of those previously discussed as representing evidence of pattern in primate-wide or mammal-wide comparisons are incorrect.     

Predicting bone remodeling around tissue- and bone-level dental implants used in reduced bone width

The objective of this study was to predict time-dependent bone remodeling around tissue- and bone-level dental implants used in patients with reduced bone width. The remodeling of bone around titanium tissue-level, and titanium and titanium–zirconium alloy bone-level implants was studied under 100 N oblique load for one month by implementing the Stanford theory into three-dimensional finite element models. Maximum principal stress, minimum principal stress, and strain energy density in peri-implant bone and displacement in x- and y- axes of the implant were evaluated. Maximum and minimum principal stresses around tissue-level implant were higher than bone-level implants and both bone-level implants experienced comparable stresses. Total strain energy density in bone around titanium implants slightly decreased during the first two weeks of loading followed by a recovery, and the titanium–zirconium implant showed minor changes in the axial plane. Total strain energy density changes in the loading and contralateral sides were higher in tissue-level implant than other implants in the cortical bone at the horizontal plane. The displacement values of the implants were almost constant over time. Tissue-level implants were associated with higher stresses than bone-level implants. The time-dependent biomechanical outcome of titanium–zirconium alloy bone-level implant was comparable to the titanium implant.     

Approximation of the functional kinematics of posterior stabilised total knee replacements using a two-dimensional sagittal plane patello-femoral model: comparing model approximation to in vivo measurement

Previous in vivo studies have observed that current designs of posterior stabilised (PS) total knee replacements (TKRs) may be ineffective in restoring normal kinematics in Late flexion. Computer-based models can prove a useful tool in improving PS knee replacement designs. This study investigates the accuracy of a two-dimensional (2D) sagittal plane model capable of predicting the functional sagittal plane kinematics of PS TKR implanted knees against direct in vivo measurement. Implant constraints are often used as determinants of anterior–posterior tibio-femoral positioning. This allowed the use of a patello-femoral modelling approach to determine the effect of implant constraints. The model was executed using motion simulation software which uses the constraint force algorithm to achieve a solution. A group of 10 patients implanted with Scorpio PS implants were recruited and underwent fluoroscopic imaging of their knees. The fluoroscopic images were used to determine relative implant orientation using a three-dimensional reconstruction method. The determined relative tibio-femoral orientations were then input to the model. The model calculated the patella tendon angles (PTAs) which were then compared with those measured from the in vivo fluoroscopic images. There were no significant differences between the measured and calculated PTAs. The average root mean square error between measured and modelled ranged from 1.17° to 2.10° over the flexion range. A sagittal plane patello-femoral model could conceivably be used to predict the functional 2D kinematics of an implanted knee joint. This may prove particularly useful in optimising PS designs.     

The comparison of marginal bone loss around mandibular overdenture‐supporting implants with two different attachment types in a loading period of 36 months

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00334.x
The comparison of marginal bone loss around mandibular overdenture‐supporting implants with two different attachment types in a loading period of 36 months Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of attachment types on the marginal bone loss (MBL) around dental implants supporting mandibular overdentures (OVD). Background: There are a number of in vitro studies evaluating the influence of several factors on MBL around implants. Material and methods: Mandibular OVD patients appearing at routine recall sessions consecutively 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after loading were included in the study group. All patients received mandibular OVD with either ball or bar attachments. Measurements were obtained from images of successive radiographs, which were scanned and digitised before, and analysed at ×20 magnification. Statistical analyses were utilised in this study to assess the mean marginal bone level changes as well as to explore the potential effect of several parameters such as the cantilever or the attachment type on bone loss. Results: One hundred and twenty‐six implants in 51 patients with a mean age of 59.39 ± 9.99 years were evaluated. There was no statistical significant difference between the distal and mesial bone loss rates of single or splinted attachment types, whereas bone loss rates were statistically higher in cantilever situations. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, gender, age and diameter of the implants do not play a role in MBL. Length of the implant is an important factor in marginal bone level maintenance. The attachment type for OVD support seems not to influence MBL, but cantilevering of the bars increases bone loss significantly.     

Preparing Single or Serial Sections of Calcified Bones and Teeth

An apparatus for cutting single or serial sections of calcified bone and teeth consists of a motor-driven shaft on which is mounted one saw (for single section cutting) or a gang (for serial sectioning at one cutting operation). The plastic-embedded specimen is attached to a cylindrical plastic holder which is in turn mounted on the machine and fed into the saw. Prior to cutting the specimen may be oriented in two planes, as well as rotated, with respect to the cutting edge. Single or serial sections made by means of repeated cuts with a single saw, may be 0.3 mm or more thick as determined by the setting of a micrometer screw. For serially sectioning a tooth or bone specimen at one cutting operation, the thickness of the separators between adjacent saws (0.5 mm or more) determines the section thickness. After sectioning, specimens may be ground and polished, with or without reimbedding in fresh plastic.     

Treatment of osteoporosis with human parathyroid peptide and observations on effect of sodium fluoride.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate the need for a randomised study of treatment of spinal osteoporosis with human parathyroid peptide in the secondary prevention of crush fractures; to study the effect of human parathyroid hormone peptide 1-34 plus sex hormones on vertebral body cancellous bone; and, separately, to determine the effect of relatively low doses of sodium fluoride plus calcium on spinal bone mineral density. DESIGN--Open study of patients with primary or postmenopausal osteoporosis. All patients had serial bone densitometry of the spine by quantitative computed tomography and dual photon absorptiometry as well as serial densitometry of the radial midshaft (cortical) and radial distal (trabecular) bone by quantitative computed tomography. Changes in the spinal bone not forming the spongiosa of the vertebral bodies ("cortical" bone) were determined from the difference between the two axial measurements, after correction to the same units of measurement. SETTING--Northwick Park Hospital and Medical Research Council Clinical Research Centre. PATIENTS--24 Patients who fulfilled the conventional criteria for type 1 (vertebral) osteoporosis not secondary to recognised causes other than sex hormone deficiency and with at least one crush or wedge vertebral fracture and a spinal bone density (quantitative computed tomography) less than 80 mg/cm3 or two or more fractures. Twelve patients received human parathyroid peptide and 12 sodium fluoride; they were not randomised. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Trends in axial and peripheral bone mass values determined by linear, time dependent regression analyses. RESULTS--The patients receiving the peptide showed a substantial increase in vertebral spongiosa (mean 25.6 mg/cm2 two years after the start of treatment). No significant changes were seen in spinal cortical or radial bone density. The patients receiving sodium fluoride showed roughly equal increases in cancellous and cortical bone over the same period (mean increase in vertebral spongiosa 16.1 mg/cm3). No significant changes were seen in radial bone. CONCLUSIONS--Treatment of postmenopausal women with human parathyroid peptide selectively increases spinal cancellous bone density by amounts that may prove useful in secondary prevention. Peptide treatment should now be tested in a randomised study in which the important end point is prevention of fractures as the usefulness of sodium fluoride in this context is doubtful.     

Spatial variation in population density across the geographical range in helminth parasites of yellow perch Perca flavescens

The abundance of a species is not constant across its geographical range; it has often been assumed to decrease from the centre of a species’ range toward its margins. The central assumption of this “favourable centre” model is tested for the first time with parasites, using different species of helminth parasites exploiting fish as definitive hosts. Data on prevalence (percentage of hosts that are infected) and abundance (mean no. parasites per host) were compiled for 8 helminth species occurring in 23 populations of yellow perch Perca flavescens, from continental North America. For each parasite species, correlations were computed between latitude and both local prevalence and abundance values. In addition, the relationships between the relative prevalence or abundance in one locality and the distance between that locality and the one where the maximum value was reported, were assessed separately for each species to determine whether abundance tends to decrease away from the presumed centre of the range, where it peaks. For both the cestode Proteocephalus pearsei and the acanthocephalan Leptorhynchoides thecatus, there was a positive relationship between prevalence or abundance and the latitude of the sampled population. There was also a significant negative relationship between relative prevalence and the distance from the locality showing the maximum value in P. pearsei, but no such pattern was observed for the other 7 parasite species. Since this single significant decrease in prevalence with increasing distance from the peak value may be confounded by a latitudinal gradient, it appears that the distribution of abundance in parasites of perch does not follow the favourable centre model. This means that the environmental variables affecting the density of parasites (host availability, abiotic conditions) do not show pronounced spatial autocorrelation, with nearby sites not necessarily providing more similar conditions for the growth of parasite populations than distant sites.     

Suppression of mammalian bone growth by membrane transport inhibitors

Bone lengthening during skeletal growth is driven primarily by the controlled enlargement of growth plate (GP) chondrocytes. The cellular mechanisms are unclear but membrane transporters are probably involved. We investigated the role of the Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter (NHE1) and anion exchanger (AE2) in bone lengthening and GP chondrocyte hypertrophy in Sprague–Dawley 7‐day‐old rat (P7) bone rudiments using the inhibitors EIPA (5‐(N‐ethyl‐N‐isopropyl)amiloride) and DIDS (4,4‐diidothiocyano‐2,2‐stilbenedisulphonate), respectively. We have also determined cell‐associated levels of these transporters along the GP using fluorescent immunohistochemistry (FIHC). Culture of bones with EIPA or DIDS inhibited rudiment growth (50% at approx. 250 and 25 µM, respectively). Both decreased the size of the hypertrophic zone (P < 0.05) but had no effect on overall length or cell density of the GP. In situ chondrocyte volume in proliferative and hypertrophic zones was decreased (P < 0.01) with EIPA but not DIDS. FIHC labeling of NHE1 was relatively high and constant along the GP but declined steeply in the late hypertrophic zone. In contrast, AE2 labeling was relatively low in proliferative zone cells but increased (P < 0.05) reaching a maximum in the early hypertrophic zone, before falling rapidly in the late hypertrophic zone suggesting AE2 might regulate the transition phase of chondrocytes between proliferative and hypertrophic zones. The inhibition of bone growth by EIPA may be due to a reduction to chondrocyte volume set‐point. However the effect of DIDS was unclear but could result from inhibition of AE2 and blocking of the transition phase. These results demonstrate that NHE1 and AE2 are important regulators of bone growth. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 658–668, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Relationships between bone mass and micro-architecture at the mandible and iliac bone in edentulous subjects: a dual X-ray absorptiometry, computerised tomography and microcomputed tomography study

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00527.x Relationships between bone mass and micro‐architecture at the mandible and iliac bone in edentulous subjects: a dual X‐ray absorptiometry, computerised tomography and microcomputed tomography study Objectives: To compare bone volume, bone mineral density, cortical thickness and bone micro‐architecture in a series of paired mandibular and iliac bone samples analysed by various imagery techniques to see whether relationships exist between the various techniques and between mandibular and iliac bone. Materials and methods: Bone samples from the mandible and ilium were harvested in 20 cadavers and analysed by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), computerised tomography (CT) on a conventional hospital machine and microCT. Results: Significant correlations were found between Hounsfield density obtained by CT, and bone mass determined by microCT but not with DXA values. Cortical thickness measurements were well correlated between CT and microCT. No relationships were found between mandibular and iliac bone, when considering mineral density, cortical thickness, bone volume or micro‐architecture. Conclusion: In clinical practice, CT remains the most appropriate routine means for bone qualitative and quantitative evaluation at the mandible. In this ex vivo study, these results confirm that mandibular bone status does not reflect the axial skeletal one and assist in the placement of implants with dental prostheses in old or osteoporotic patients.     

Regulation of Osteoblast Gene Expression and Phenotype by Polylactide-fatty Acid Surfaces

Cell function is influenced by surface structure and molecules. Molecules that enhance cellular differentiation can be applied to tissue scaffold surfaces to stimulate endogenous tissue regeneration. The application of this approach to bone implants yields surfaces coated with factors (proteins, peptides, etc...) that promote the differentiation of osteoblasts, the cells that make bone. Increased bone formation leads to increased healing and union of the implant with endogenous bone. To obtain better control over surface coating we developed PLLA copolymers with allyl (PLLA-co-DAG) and 3-hydroxypropyl (PLLA-co-HP) side chains to which we can attach functional groups. Given the potential of fatty acids being able to incorporate into lipid bilayers and/or influence gene expression, we grafted different fatty acid side chains to PLLA-co-HP by esterifying the corresponding fatty acids with the PLLA-co-HP 3-hydroxypropyl side chains. The effects of the polymer modifications on osteoblasts were then evaluated. While cellular morphology differed between surface coatings, they did not reflect changes in cellular phenotype. Changes in gene expression were most evident with arachidonate and 3-hydroxypropyl side-chains which exhibited osteoblast differentiating capabilities. Linoleate, myristate, oleate, and stearate ester side-chains did not have a significant influence on osteoblast phenotype. Growth characteristics of osteoblasts did not differ between the fatty acid copolymer films, although cells grown on PLLA-co-HP exhibited a trend toward increased growth. Taken together our findings demonstrate that surface fatty acid composition can impact osteoblast phenotype.     

Nisin F-loaded brushite bone cement prevented the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in vivo

Aims: To determine if nisin F‐loaded self‐setting brushite cement could control the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in vivo. Methods and Results: Brushite cement was prepared by mixing equimolar concentrations of β‐tricalcium phosphate and monocalcium phosphate monohydrate. Nisin F was added at 5·0, 2·5 and 1·0% (w/w) and the cement moulded into cylinders. In vitro antibacterial activity was determined using a delayed agar diffusion assay. Release of nisin F from the cement was determined using BCA protein assays. Based on scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis, nisin F did not cause significant changes in cement structure or chemistry. Cement containing 5·0% (w/w) nisin F yielded the most promising in vitro results. Nisin F‐loaded cement was implanted into a subcutaneous pocket on the back of mice and then infected with S. aureus Xen 36. Infection was monitored for 7 days, using an in vivo imaging system. Nisin F prevented S. aureus infection for 7 days and no viable cells were isolated from the implants. Conclusions: Nisin F‐loaded brushite cement successfully prevented in vivo growth of S. aureus. Significance and Impact of the Study: Nisin F incorporated into bone cement may be used to control S. aureus infection in vivo.     

A description of chick wing bud development and a model of limb morphogenesis

The location of the prospective cartilage-forming regions in the embryonic chick wing bud was ascertained by implantation of blocks of wing mesenchyme labeled with tritiated thymidine during the early stages of wing development. The position of the implanted cells was determined by autoradiography, and the location of the implanted block in the limb and its relation to the cartilaginous bones was determined by reconstruction of the host limb from serial sections. The areas corresponding to all of the future wing bones, including the digits, were mapped at each stage from stage 18 to stage 24. Growth of the wing and the prospective bone areas was found to be almost exclusively parallel to an axis perpendicular to the base of the limb. The rate of growth in all areas of the wing reflected the rate of cell division, and all changes in the rate of growth corresponded to changes in the number of dividing cells in the wing and each of the prospective bone regions. Differentiative changes and changes in the growth rate are initiated at a constant distance of 0.4-0.5 mm from the apical ectodermal ridge. These results, considered in conjunction with results of earlier studies in this and other laboratories, suggest that the definitive morphogenetic pattern of the limb arises from four component processes; polarized growth, changes in cell proliferation, cell death, and cytodifferentiation.     

Bone surface texture as an ontogenetic indicator in long bones of the Canada goose Branta canadensis (Anseriformes: Anatidae)

Growth series of femora, tibiotarsi, and humeri of the Canada goose Branta canadensis were examined to evaluate whether bone surface textures are reliable indicators of relative age and skeletal maturity in this taxon. The relationship between surface texture and skeletal maturity was analysed by comparing element texture types with both size-based and size-independent maturity estimates. A subsample of hindlimb elements was thin sectioned to observe histological structures underlying various surface textures. Three relative age classes of elements are identifiable based on surface texture. Juvenile and subadult bone textures have fibrous and/or porous areas on the bone shaft and are distinguished by the presence (in juveniles) or absence (in subadults) of coarse longitudinal striations in proximal and/or distal regions. Adult bone texture lacks surface porosity. Immature textures are caused by channels in fibrolamellar bone intersecting the bone surface; the presence or absence of striations is determined by channel orientation. Mature textures may be underlain by fibrolamellar bone with little to no surface exposure of channels, or by lamellar bone deposited after rapid growth ceases. The utility of the textural ageing method appears intimately related to the uninterrupted determinate growth regime of Branta . This suggests that bone surface textures may prove useful as skeletal maturity indicators in both modern and fossil taxa with similar growth regimes, but may not necessarily be reliable for taxa with interrupted and/or indeterminate growth.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 148 , 133–168.     

Evaluation of bone remodeling around single dental implants of different lengths: a mechanobiological numerical simulation and validation using clinical data

Algorithmic models have been proposed to explain adaptive behavior of bone to loading; however, these models have not been applied to explain the biomechanics of short dental implants. Purpose of present study was to simulate bone remodeling around single implants of different lengths using mechanoregulatory tissue differentiation model derived from the Stanford theory, using finite elements analysis (FEA) and to validate the theoretical prediction with the clinical findings of crestal bone loss. Loading cycles were applied on 7-, 10-, or 13-mm-long dental implants to simulate daily mastication and bone remodeling was assessed by changes in the strain energy density of bone after a 3, 6, and 12 months of function. Moreover, clinical findings of marginal bone loss in 45 patients rehabilitated with same implant designs used in the simulation (n = 15) were computed to validate the theoretical results. FEA analysis showed that although the bone density values reduced over time in the cortical bone for all groups, bone remodeling was independent of implant length. Clinical data showed a similar pattern of bone resorption compared with the data generated from mathematical analyses, independent of implant length. The results of this study showed that the mechanoregulatory tissue model could be employed in monitoring the morphological changes in bone that is subjected to biomechanical loads. In addition, the implant length did not influence the bone remodeling around single dental implants during the first year of loading.     

Variability of measurements of cranial growth in the rabbit

This study concerns techniques used in experimental cranial growth research: roentgen cephalometry, roentgen stereophotogrammetry, and gross measurements (osteometry). A comparison of the precision of these methods has not been found in the literature. Computation of technical errors is fundamental to the sound evaluation of registered findings, and such a presentation must be obligatory in all biometric reports. We compared the measurement error of roentgen cephalometric and osteometric data with that obtained by roentgen stereophotogrammetry (RSA). RSA demonstrates a superior replicability, and this technique gives possibilities for kinematic and volumetric determinations simultaneously with distance evaluation. Roentgen cephalometry has the advantage of enabling distance and angular measurements between any well-defined skeletal points or lines. This technique, preferably after implantation of bone markers, is a reliable alternative, but optimal results necessitates calculations of the magnification factor for each bone segment involved. Direct osteometry does not contribute additional information, but problems of image magnification are omitted. Preferably, one individual should perform all measurements regardless of the method used. Growth rates and values calculated by one technique cannot be directly transformed to some other approach. In all probability, assessments of distance changes would gain substantially by using one technical approach consistently throughout actual age intervals. The least variable measurements of sutural growth are made for sutures growing primarily in one plane and with substantial growth rates. One must realize that differences among studies may be due to the limitations of, in particular, the cephalometric and osteometric techniques.     

Characterization of early B lymphocyte precursors present in long-term bone marrow cultures

Lymphoid precursor cells are present in long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC), but their differentiation into mature lymphocytes is blocked. A quantitative assay for B cell precursors in LTBMC, which gives a linear relationship between the number of grafted LTBMC cells and the frequency of B cell colony forming units (CFU-B) in the spleen and bone marrow of immunodeficient CBA/N mice 19 days after reconstitution, is described. Characterization of the B cell precursor indicates that this assay is detecting a very early precursor and not a B lymphocyte or a late pre-B cell. This conclusion is based on the observations that a) pre-B cells transformable by Abelson murine leukemia virus are not present in LTBMC by 3 days postrecharge and CFU-B are absent by 6 days postrecharge; b) late B cell progenitors capable of rapid repopulation of irradiated CBA/N mice are not present in LTBMC, since a lag in the kinetics of B cell reconstitution in animals grafted with LTBMC cells is observed compared with fresh bone marrow cells; c) the B cell precursors in LTBMC have high proliferative potential, since they can stably repopulate recipient mice for at least 8 wk postreconstitution and through two serial passages in irradiated CBA/N recipients; and d) the B cell precursors are large, rapidly sedimenting cells as determined by velocity sedimentation. The serial transplantation experiment further shows that a split is often observed between lymphoid and myeloid reconstituting ability of LTBMC cells. The LTBMC B cell precursor may be a pluripotent stem cell or a lymphoid stem cell, although its differentiative potential remains to be determined.     

Surgical management of the anophthalmic orbit, part 1: congenital

Congenital microphthalmos and anophthalmos are rare conditions in which orbital growth is deficient. Hypoplasia of the globe affects the bony orbit (micro-orbitism), the conjunctival sac, and eyelids (microblepharism), and it may be associated with abnormalities of the entire hemifacial skeleton (hemifacial microsomia). In the present article, the authors review a series of 19 patients with microphthalmos (nine had right-sided, one had bilateral, and nine had left-sided microphthalmos) who were treated in the Orbitopalpebral Unit at Hospital Foch over a period of 15 years (follow-up, 5 months to 18 years).Orbital expansion was achieved using spherical implants (n = 13), orbital osteotomies (n = 4), and orbital expanders (n = 2). Both expanders were removed within 6 months because of failure (one infection and one rupture). The current preferred method for orbital expansion is to use serial implants in the growing orbit and osteotomies in cases of late referral or insufficient orbital volume in the older child. The target proportions of the reconstructed orbit are not planned to mirror the healthy side exactly. The inferior orbital rim is kept higher to support the orbital implant, and the orbit is kept shallow to avoid a sunken appearance.Cranial bone grafts were used to augment deficient orbital contours; they were assisted by anterior transposition of the temporalis muscle (n = 5) when additional orbital volume was required. Conjunctival sac reconstruction was achieved by the use of serial conformers placed in the conjunctival sac during the neonatal period, followed by grafts of buccal mucosa and full-thickness skin maintained in place with a tarsorrhaphy for 3 to 6 months. Eyelid reconstruction using local flaps and skin grafts proved to be necessary in cases treated by osteotomy expansion, although reconstruction was not required after expansion using serial solid shapes. The results illustrate an evolution in approach and concepts of reconstruction of the microphthalmic orbit and emphasize the need for an integrated craniofacial approach for this complex deformity.     

Growth hormone affects behaviour of wild brown trout Salmo trutta in territorial owner–intruder conflicts

The effects of growth hormone (GH) implants on aggression, and ability to win dyadic territorial conflicts were studied in brown trout Salmo trutta parr. Bovine GH or vehicle (C) was given to either the territory owner or the intruder in four treatment combinations: C and C, C and GH, GH and C, GH and GH (owner and intruder). GH‐treated intruders initiated significantly more conflicts compared to control intruders. Furthermore, GH treatment of either the owner or intruder tended to increase aggression of the intruder. This indicates that intruders have more scope for motivational increase, while the motivation of owners is already at a maximum. The GH treatment, however, did not affect the outcome of the conflict. It thus appears that growth enhancement increases intruder aggression without increasing the chance of winning the conflict, which may have implications for the effect of growth‐selected or growth‐enhanced farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar on wild populations.