Treatment of masseteric hypertrophy with botulinum toxin : a report of two cases

Masseter muscle hypertrophy is a rare condition of unknown cause which is important in the differential diagnosis of head and neck masses, located in the cheek. Several treatment options reported for masseter hypertrophy, which range from simple pharmacotherapy to more invasive surgical reduction. Botulinum toxin type A is a powerful neurotoxin which is produced by the anaerobic organism Clostridium botulinum and when injected into a muscle causes interference with the neurotransmitter mechanism producing selective paralysis and subsequent atrophy of the muscle. Injection of botulinum toxin type A into the masseter muscle is generally considered a less invasive modality and has been advocated for cosmetic sculpting of the lower face. Botulinum toxin type A injection is considered to be a beneficial treatment modality in masseter muscle hypertrophy patients. The aim of this article is to report two cases of masseteric muscle hypertrophy which were treated with botulinum toxin type A injection. Marked changes in facial feature were achieved 3 months after the procedure

Comparison of the planimetry and point-counting methods for the assessment of the size of the mandible cysts on orthopantomograms

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the computer-assisted planimetry and point-counting methods in evaluating the sizes of the mandibular cysts with respect to their agreement and the time required to analyze. Study Design: The surface areas of 46 mandibular cyst lesions on orthopantomograms were estimated using the point-counting and computer-assisted planimetry methods. Three observers evaluated the outlined areas twice, using the point-counting (PC) and computer-assisted planimetry (CAP) methods with an interval of two weeks. In the planimetry technique, digitalized images and ImageJ software were used to measure the surface area of the half mandibles and cysts. The grids were superimposed over the same images and the number of points hitting the interested structures was counted for the point-counting technique. The projection area fraction (PAF) of the cysts within the mandible was estimated using the obtained values by means of the two techniques. Intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess the level of agreement between the two methods. Inter-rater reliability analysis using the Kappa statistic was performed to determine consistency among raters. Results: CAP and PC techniques showed consistent intra-observer values in all observers. Intraclass correlation between CAP and PC measurements of first, second and third observers were found to be 0.9986, 0.9988 and 0.9994 respectively. The durations of PC technique was 32% higher than the CAP technique. Conclusion: PC and CAP methods were seemed to show sufficient agreement to be used interchangeably. The main disadvantage of the PC analysis is it takes more time than CAP method

Use of a Simple Appliance to Prevent Mucosal Irritation by the Distractor Rod during Vertical Distraction: Case Report

Patient discomfort due to the excessive length of the distractor rod is one of the disadvantages of alveolar distraction osteogenesis. Although this seems to be a minor complication, it can cause severe mucosal irritation on the opposite arch, and uncontrolled forces can lead to the loosening of the screws and the inactivation of the distractor. The purpose of this case report is to introduce an acrylic appliance that is very useful in avoiding the mucosal irritation caused by the long distractor rod. The appliance is simple, effective, and easy to fabricate

Effects of polyglecaprone 25, silk and catgut suture materials on oral mucosa wound healing in diabetic rats : an evaluation of nitric oxide dynamics

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of monocryl (Polyglecaprone 25), silk and catgut suture materials on wound healing in diabetic rats and to evaluate NO (nitric oxide) dynamics. Study desing: Fourty-eight male Wistar-Albino rats weighting 220-270 g were used in this study. The rats were categorized into 2 groups, as control group (n=24) and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic group (n=24). For each group, incision wounds were created on the inner cheeck mucosa of the animals and wounds were closed primarily with three different types of sutures. These materials were sized 3-0 monocryl (polyglecaprone 25), silk and catgut sutures swaged on. Excisional biopsies were performed at 2nd, 7th, 14th and 21st day (2 rats per day) from the initial surgical procedure. Effects of these suture materials on wound healing and NOS (nitric oxide synthase) activities were compared immunohistochemically in the study. eNOS and iNOS (Endothelial and induced nitric oxide synthase) activities were classified as mild (+), moderate (++) and severe (+++). Results: Mild eNOS activities were seen in both diabetic and control groups at 2nd day specimens. Activities of silk and catgut were similar both in diabetic and control groups at 14th day, this activity in monocryl was mild. 21st day specimens revealed that monocryl has mild eNOS activity than silk and catgut sutures. iNOS activities in diabetic group were greater than control groups and the degrees of the activity in monocryl, silk and catgut sutures were mild, severe and moderate at the 7th day. At the 14th day there was no iNOS activity in diabetic monocryl group. Conclusion: All of the materials have the potential capacity to be well tolerated however monocryl seemed to have more benefical effects on wound healing in diabetic subjects

The Effects of Organic or Inorganic Zinc and Microbial Phytase, Alone or in Combination, on the Performance, Biochemical Parameters and Nutrient Utilization of Broilers Fed a Diet Low in Available Phosphorus

This study examined the effects of zinc (Zn) from different sources and microbial phytase on the broiler performance, biochemical parameters and digestibility of nutrients when they were added to broiler diets containing low available phosphorus. A total of 875, 1-day-old male broilers of the Ross 308 strain were randomly separated into two control groups (positive and negative) and five treatment groups each containing 125 birds; each group was divided into 5 replicates of 25 birds. The positive control (PC) group was fed a diet containing adequate concentration (0.45%) of available phosphorus due to mineral premix (except zinc) and feeds. The negative control (NC) group was fed a basal diet including low concentration (0.30%) of available phosphorus due to mineral premix (except zinc) and feeds. The basal diet was supplemented with 0.30% phosphorus and 500 FTU phytase (PH); 0.30% phosphorus and organic zinc (OZ; 75mg/kg of Zn from Zn-proteinate); 0.30% phosphorus and inorganic zinc (IZ; 75 mg/kg of Zn from ZnSO4); 0.30% phosphorus, organic zinc and 500 FTU phytase (OZ + PH); and 0.30% phosphorus, inorganic zinc and 500 FTU phytase (IZ + PH) in the treatment groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. The lowest value for mean body weight was in the negative control group on a diet containing low available phosphorus. The use of supplementation with organic and inorganic zinc alone or in combination with microbial phytase significantly (P<0.05) increased the digestibility of Zn in the male broilers. Supplementation of those diets with OZ + PH or IZ + PH was very effective for increasing the body weight, body weight gain and the feed conversion ratio. In conclusion, the effects on broilers of diets with low phosphorus levels may be overcome by the addition of inorganic or organic zinc compounds in combination with microbial phytase

Coordination controlled electrodeposition and patterning of layers of palladium/copper nanoparticles on top of a self-assembled monolayer

Support by EPSRC (EP/E061303/1, EP/D048761/1) and the Chinese Scholarship Council and the University of St Andrews for a stipend (Z. Y.) are gratefully acknowledged.A scheme for the generation of bimetallic nanoparticles is presented which combines electrodeposition of one type of metal, coordinated to a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), with another metal deposited from the bulk electrolyte. In this way PdCu nanoparticles are generated by initial complexation of Pd2+ to a SAM of 3-(4-(pyridine-4-yl)phenyl)propane-1-thiol (PyP3) on Au/mica and subsequent reduction in an acidic aqueous CuSO4 electrolyte. Cyclic voltammetry reveals that the onset of Cu deposition is triggered by Pd reduction. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) shows that layers of connected particles are formed with an average thickness of less than 3 nm and lateral dimensions of particles in the range of 2 to 5 nm. In X-ray photoelectron spectra a range of binding energies for the Pd 3d signal is observed whereas the Cu 2p signal appears at a single binding energy, even though chemically different Cu species are present: normal and more noble Cu. Up to three components are seen in the N 1s signal, one originating from protonated pyridine moieties, the others reflecting the SAM-metal interaction. It is suggested that the coordination controlled electrodeposition yields layers of particles composed of a Pd core and a Cu shell with a transition region of a PdCu alloy. Deposited on top of the PyP3 SAM, the PdCu particles exhibit weak adhesion which is exploited for patterning by selective removal of particles employing scanning probe techniques. The potential for patterning down to the sub-10 nm scale is demonstrated. Harnessing the deposition contrast between native and PdCu loaded PyP3 SAMs, structures thus created can be developed into patterned continuous layers.PostprintPeer reviewe