Three lateral osteotomy designs for bilateral sagittal split osteotomy: biomechanical evaluation with three-dimensional finite element analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The location of the lateral osteotomy cut during bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) varies according to the surgeon's preference, and no consensus has been reached regarding the ideal location from the perspective of biomechanics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical behavior of the mandible and screw-miniplate system among three lateral osteotomy designs for BSSO by using three-dimensional (3-D) finite element analysis (FEA).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Trauner-Obwegeser (TO), Obwegeser (Ob), and Obwegeser-Dal Pont (OD) methods were used for BSSO. In all the FEA simulations, the distal segments were advanced by 5 mm. Each model was fixed by using miniplates. These were applied at four different locations, including along Champy's lines, to give 12 different FEA miniplate fixation methods. We examined these models under two different loads.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The magnitudes of tooth displacement, the maximum bone stress in the vicinity of the screws, and the maximum stress on the screw-miniplate system were less in the OD method than in the Ob and TO methods at all the miniplate locations. In addition, Champy's lines models were less than those at the other miniplate locations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The OD method allows greater mechanical stability of the mandible than the other two techniques. Further, miniplates placed along Champy's lines provide greater mechanical advantage than those placed at other locations.</p

Glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms, asthma susceptibility and confounding variables: a meta-analysis

Oxidative stress is one of the main risk factors for asthma development. Glutathione S-transferases play an important role in antioxidant defences and may influence asthma susceptibility. In particular, GSTM1 and GSTT1 positive/null genotypes and the GSTP1 Ile105 Val polymorphism have been analyzed in a number of genetic association studies, with conflicting outcomes. Two previous meta-analyses have attempted to clarify the associations between GST genes and asthma, but these studies have also showed contrasting results. Our aim was to perform a meta-analysis that included independent genetic association studies on GSTM1, GSTP1, and GSTT1, evaluating also the effect of potential confounding variables (i.e. ethnicity, population age, and urbanization). Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of GST genes on asthma were conducted. The meta-analyses were performed using a fixed or, where appropriate, random effects model. The meta-analysis of the GSTM1 (n = 35), GSTT1 (n = 31) and GSTP1 (n = 28) studies suggests that no significant associations with asthma susceptibility were observed for GSTM1 and GSTP1 gene polymorphisms, whereas a significant outcome was detected for the GSTT1 positive/null genotype (pooled OR = 1.33, 95 %CI = 1.10-1.60). However, high between-study heterogeneity was identified in all the general analyses (p heterogenetity < 0.05). The stratification analysis seems to explain the heterogeneity only in few cases. This picture is probably due to the interactive process of genetics and environment that characterizes disease pathogenesis. Further studies on interactions of GST genes with the potential oxidative stress sources and with other antioxidant genes are needed to explain the role of GST enzymes in asthma