Developmental defects of the facial the skull in some forms of craniosynostosis]

Changes in the facial skull of 74 patients with untimely synostosis of craniocerebral sutures and pathologic shape of the cerebral skull are characterized. All the patients presented with shortened base of the skull, gross deformations of the facial skull. Certain regularities in the formation of these defects were distinguished.     

Dermatoglyphics of the relatives of children with congenital defects in development]

The localization of an axial triradius and the flexor creases were studied in 173 phenotypically normal mothers and 104 fathers of congenitally malformed children. The most pronounced changes ofdermatoglyphics were found in the parents of children with polygenic determined defects, less pronounced ones-- in the parents of children with multiple congenital non-chromosomal defects and with Down's syndrome. The frequency of the pathological features studied was similar both in children with polygenically determined isolated defects and with Down's syndrome. The frequency of the pathological determined isolated defects and in their parents. In multiple congenital defects and in Down's syndrome the abnormalities ofof the localization of an axial triradius and of the flexor creases were found in children more frequently than in the parents. It is suggested that the above mentioned peculiarities of parental dermatoglyphics may be useful for the genetic counsleling.     

Prelaminated free flap reconstruction of complex central facial defects

This article is a review of five patients who underwent reconstruction of nasal and paranasal facial defects with prelaminated forearm free flaps. The defects resulted from thermal injury, gunshot wound, excision of tumor, and arteriovenous malformation (n = 2). The forearm flaps were based on the radial artery (n = 4) and ulnar artery (n = 1) and were prelaminated with grafts of skin and cartilage. All flaps were successfully transferred to the face, but revisions were needed to separate the subunits and improve appearance. A prelaminated free flap should be considered for a patient requiring reconstruction of a complex central facial defect.     

Simultaneous optical and electrical recording of single gramicidin channels

We report here an approach for simultaneous fluorescence imaging and electrical recording of single ion channels in planar bilayer membranes. As a test case, fluorescently labeled (Cy3 and Cy5) gramicidin derivatives were imaged at the single-molecule level using far-field illumination and cooled CCD camera detection. Gramicidin monomers were observed to diffuse in the plane of the membrane with a diffusion coefficient of 3.3 x 10(-8) cm(2)s(-1). Simultaneous electrical recording detected gramicidin homodimer (Cy3/Cy3, Cy5/Cy5) and heterodimer (Cy3/Cy5) channels. Heterodimer formation was observed optically by the appearance of a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signal (irradiation of Cy3, detection of Cy5). The number of FRET signals was significantly smaller than the number of Cy3 signals (Cy3 monomers plus Cy3 homodimers) as expected. The number of FRET signals increased with increasing channel activity. In numerous cases the appearance of a FRET signal was observed to correlate with a channel opening event detected electrically. The heterodimers also diffused in the plane of the membrane with a diffusion coefficient of 3.0 x 10(-8) cm(2)s(-1). These experiments demonstrate the feasibility of simultaneous optical and electrical detection of structural changes in single ion channels as well as suggesting strategies for improving the reliability of such measurements.     

The evolution of the relations between brain development, secondary temporomandibular joint and facial development in mammals]

Comparing the development of the face in mammals and sauropsida only in mammals the maxillary process reach forward to fuse with the medial nasal fold. This is the supposition for the maxillary and mandibular process to fuse forming the cheeks. The phylogenetically relations for these developmental events are discussed.     

Surgical correction of facial asymmetry]

It is not possible to group the facial asymmetries in one single nosological entity. However, whatever the origin of these malformations, their surgical treatment is governed by the same principles. In this article, the author attempts to define certain aetiologies:genetic, congenital and developmental, of the minor assymmetries of the face. He then reviews the different techniques in current use, in plastic and reconstructive surgery:autogenic or homogenic tissue grafts (bone, cartilage, derm, fascia, etc.), implants of plastic material, osteotomies. He stresses the use of simple techniques which cause little mutilation, as well as the simultaneous correction of the profile which greatly enhances the aesthetic appearance and the psychological well-being of these patients.     

Bone defects of the facial skeleton - replacement with biomaterials

The authors report on their experience with bone defect treatment following surgery of jaw-bone cysts. This is based on the use of cadaveric ground spongiosis saturated with tetracycline and metronidazol solution. The study shows the above mentioned material is very suitable for bone defect therapy, and cost effective. The results were verified by clinical and X-ray examination.     

Effect of nerve repair after unilateral partial facial paralysis on craniofacial growth and development

The effect of partial transection, coaptation, and freezing of the left facial nerve on craniofacial growth and development was investigated. Twelve-day-old New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups: control group (n = 15), nerve ablation group (n = 15) with a surgically induced partial facial paralysis, nerve coaptation group (n = 15) with a surgically induced partial facial paralysis treated by immediate microsurgical nerve coaptation, and nerve freezing group (n = 13) with a freezing-induced partial facial paralysis. All animals were operated on at the age of 12 days; follow-up evaluations were performed at the ages of 2 months (end-point prepubertal growth) and 6 months (full grown). Computerized dorsoventral roentgencephalometric analysis and computer tomographic three-dimensional volumetric measurements were performed at both ages. Roentgencephalometric analysis revealed that the growth disturbances of the nerve ablation group and the nerve coaptation group were analogous. In contrast, in the nerve freezing group, hardly any growth disturbances as compared with the control group were seen. The CT volume measurements revealed a significant left-right difference in maxillary volume at the ages of 2 and 6 months in the nerve coaptation group as compared with the control group. Muscle histomorphometric analysis revealed a shift in muscle fiber composition in the nerve coaptation group and the nerve freezing group, with an increase of type I fibers at the cost of type IIA fibers. This shift was significantly less pronounced in the latter than in the former. Nerve histomorphometric analysis revealed a significant increase in the number of nerve fibers in the nerve coaptation group as compared with the control group. In the nerve freezing group, the increase in the number of nerve fibers was not significantly different as compared with the control group and the nerve coaptation group. Both the equivalent diameter and the myelin area were equally reduced in the nerve coaptation and nerve freezing groups. Thus, the nerve coaptation group and the nerve freezing group did not differ significantly in the extent of nerve recovery, although they differed in the extent of muscle recovery. The extent of muscle recovery, in turn, was related to the extent of abnormal craniofacial growth and development. Indeed, the growth and development were hardly abnormal in the nerve freezing group and as abnormal as after untreated paralysis in the nerve coaptation group. Therefore, factors related to nerve regeneration, other than those assessed by nerve histomorphology, were considered to be responsible for these differences between both groups. The duration of the denervation time was regarded to be considerably shorter in the nerve freezing group than in the nerve coaptation group, resulting in the observed improved muscle recovery. The difference in the degree of axonal malalignment between both groups was considered to be negligible, because of the tolerance toward axonal malalignment at neonatal age.     

Computer-assisted evaluation of surface electromyograms of 8 different arm muscles]

The aim of the present study was, via digitization of the EMG signals and processing them in the computer, to make possible effective evaluation of electromyographically detectable modifications of the activity of the forearm muscles developing during wrist movements under defined conditions of loading. The search for the optimal measuring parameter was of particular importance. In groups of test subjects the electric voltage potentials generated by 8 arm muscles were measured simultaneously on the skin and evaluated using suitable variables (integral, RMS [root mean square] value, mean amplitude, summed amplitude, amplitude peak count [peaks], zero crossings) with the aid of a PC and a computer program specially developed for the task. On evaluation it was found that the parameters reacting sensitively mainly to amplitude size--integral, RMS value, mean amplitude height and summed amplitude--reflected, with gradually decreasing clarity, the activities of each muscle. The correlation among the first three parameters was almost linear. The parameters sensitive primarily to frequency modulations, such as peaks and number of zero crossings, yielded little information under the load applied. They did not adequately reflect the extension and flexion of the hand.     

光学方法同步记录成群前庭神经节细胞膜电位

目的 :采用电压敏感染料和多位点光学成像系统研究前庭神经节细胞 (vestibularganglioncells ,VGCs)电生理特性。方法 :自新生小鼠内耳分离并培养的VGCs ,用吸光性电压敏感染料RH15 5染色后 ,多个或成群VGCs被同时成像于 16× 16记录单元Photodiodearrays (PDA)光学成像系统。 结果 :用高钾溶液灌流刺激时发现当VGCs膜电位变化时 ,膜表面的光吸收增强 ,光吸收度为 0 .2 3%± 0 .0 8%。并且所记录的光学反应具有波长特性。另外 ,在本实验条件下 ,光损伤和染料的药毒性副作用不明显或者可忽略不计。结论 :光学记录可以同步观测多个和成群VGCs膜电位变化 ,是电生理研究的新方法