The effect of facial fractures on mouth opening range: a case series

Introduction: Facial fractures can result in limitation of mouth opening range, which consequently leads to functional impairments. Objective: To identify the influence of facial fractures and their corrective surgery on mouth opening range. Material and methods: Consecutive patients submitted to maxillofacial surgery had their mouth opening range measured at four different moments: preoperative (T0), immediate post-operative (within 24 hours afteroperation) (T1), one-week post-operative (T2) and one-month postoperative (T3). Eighteen subjects composed the sample, majorly represented by male gender, fractures caused by direct trauma as in traffic accidents, age among 21-30 years old and presenting mandible fracture. Results: Mouth opening at T0 demonstrated a mean value of 26.63 mm, T1 decreased to a mean of 22.59 mm, T2 mean value evolved to 26.42 mm and T3 displayed mean value of34.57 mm. Statistical evaluation demonstrated overall significance forthe comparison among all different periods, particularly for isolated mandible fractures, except between T0 and T2. Conclusion: It can be suggested that fracture itself and surgery for its correction have a negative effect on mouth opening range; however, the capacity of mouth opening presents signs of recovery since the first post-operative week, with notable progression until one month after surgery.Introduction: Facial fractures can result in limitation of mouth opening range, which consequently leads to functional impairments. Objective: To identify the influence of facial fractures and their corrective surgery on mouth opening range. Material and methods: Consecutive patients submitted to maxillofacial surgery had their mouth opening range measured at four different moments: preoperative (T0), immediate post-operative (within 24 hours afteroperation) (T1), one-week post-operative (T2) and one-month postoperative (T3). Eighteen subjects composed the sample, majorly represented by male gender, fractures caused by direct trauma as in traffic accidents, age among 21-30 years old and presenting mandible fracture. Results: Mouth opening at T0 demonstrated a mean value of 26.63 mm, T1 decreased to a mean of 22.59 mm, T2 mean value evolved to 26.42 mm and T3 displayed mean value of34.57 mm. Statistical evaluation demonstrated overall significance forthe comparison among all different periods, particularly for isolated mandible fractures, except between T0 and T2. Conclusion: It can be suggested that fracture itself and surgery for its correction have a negative effect on mouth opening range; however, the capacity of mouth opening presents signs of recovery since the first post-operative week, with notable progression until one month after surgery

Genome-Wide Identification of RNA Silencing-Related Genes and Their Expressional Analysis in Response to Heat Stress in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an economically important crop cultivated in temperate climates all over the world. Adverse environmental factors negatively affect its survival and productivity. RNA silencing is a conserved pathway involved in the regulation of growth, development and stress responses. The key components of RNA silencing are the Dicer-like proteins (DCLs), Argonautes (AGOs) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRs). Despite its economic importance, there is no available comprehensive report on barley RNA silencing machinery and its regulation. In this study, we in silico identified five DCL (HvDCL), eleven AGO (HvAGO) and seven RDR (HvRDR) genes in the barley genome. Genomic localization, phylogenetic analysis, domain organization and functional/catalytic motif identification were also performed. To understand the regulation of RNA silencing, we experimentally analysed the transcriptional changes in response to moderate, persistent or gradient heat stress treatments: transcriptional accumulation of siRNA- but not miRNA-based silencing factor was consistently detected. These results suggest that RNA silencing is dynamically regulated and may be involved in the coordination of development and environmental adaptation in barley. In summary, our work provides information about barley RNA silencing components and will be a ground for the selection of candidate factors and in-depth functional/mechanistic analyses