Temporary tongue thrust: failure during orthodontic treatment

This report presents the case of a 25-year-old male patient who sought orthodontic treatment. Oral examination revealed an Angle Class I relation, with a bimaxillary dento-alveolar protrusion, evidence of anterior crowding, and a large overbite and overjet. Radiographic examination revealed a skeletal Class I occlusion. During the distal movement of the canines, occlusal interferences between the canines occurred and the commencement of a tongue thrust was observed. After correction of the applied forces, the canine movement was completed and the habit was no longer detectable. The incident indicates that an unusual oral habit suspiciously occurring during treatment should lead to an immediate reconsideration of the orthodontic treatment strategy

Suppressive effects of the Chinese herbal remedy Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f on eosinophilia and IgE hyperproduction in mice

The effects of chloroform extract of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f (TWH extract) on eosinophilia and IgE hyperproduction induced by Mesocestoides cortii infection were examined in BALB/c mice. Mice were infected with M. cortii by intraperitoneal injection of 500 tetrathyridia. The number of peripheral blood eosinophils and IgE levels were examined 21 days after infection. Oral administration of TWH extract once per day for three weeks dose-dependently suppressed peripheral blood eosinophilia and serum IgE levels, which are enhanced by M. cortii infection. Significant suppression of both eosinophilia and serum IgE levels were first noted in mice treated with 300 μg/kg of the extract. The maximum inhibition was observed when mice were treated with 410 μg/kg TWH extract. The ability of spleen cells to produce interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 in response to M. cortii somatic antigen was also significantly suppressed when donor mice were treated with more than 400 μg/kg of the extract. Extraxct treatment at a daily dose of 400 μg/kg suppressed costimulatory molecule (CD40 and CD86) expression on spleen cells induced by M. cortii infection. These results may suggest that TWH extract will be a good candidate for immunotherapy in allergic diseases

Predominant but silent C1q deposits in mesangium on transplanted kidneys - long-term observational study

Abstract Background C1q nephropathy (C1qN) was first described as glomerular disease characterized by predominant meangial C1q deposits in patients with proteinuria and no evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus. Several studies, however, revealed the clinical heterogeneity of C1qN, showing some cases with normal urinalysis. To confirm the existence of cases with predominant mesangial C1q deposits and negative or mild proteinuria and/or hematuria, we investigated renal graft biopsy specimens showing negative to mild proteinuria (less than or equal to 1+ by dip stick test) and/or hematuria. Methods Eligible participants were kidney transplant cases who corresponded to the criteria for C1qN and were followed more than 10 years. Their medical records were reviewed to determine the age at detection of predominant mesangial C1q deposits, gender, original renal disease and reason for renal graft biopsy, blood pressure, degree of proteinuria and hematuria, and serum creatinine levels. Results From 414 cases in adults and children, five pediatric patients (the male to female ratio, 1:1.5) were eligible. At the time when predominant mesangial C1q deposits were detected, 2 cases presented with mild proteinuria without hematuria, but the other 3 cases showed normal urinalysis. Light microscopy revealed minor glomerular abnormality in all the cases. Immunofluorescent study showed predominant mesangial C1q deposits with IgG, IgM and C3 in all cases. All selected specimens presented electron dense-depos in the mesangium. Ten years later from the detection, 2 cases continued to be normal urinalysis and 3 cases had mild proteinuria without hematuria. During this follow-up period, no cases presented with persistent proteinuria and/or hematuria greater than or equal to 2+ by dip stick test. And no cases developed systemic lupus erythematosus. Follow-up renal graft biopsies were performed once in 2 cases 8 years later from the detection. They showed minor glomerular abnormalities. C1q deposit disappeared in one case. In another case, immunofluorescent study was not examined. Conclusions This long-term observational study on transplanted kidneys confirms the existence of cases with predominant but silent C1q deposits in the mesangium who have negative or mild proteinuria