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The article presents information on the microdontic pin system (MPS) in dentistry, which is a specially designed pin and applicator system for dental restorations. It is stated that the MPS system is designed in such a way that it prevents trauma to the dentin and reduces the risk of crazing and cracking of dentin and enamel. The MPS pin is made of bioinert titanium. It is stated that the use of a noncorrosive material such as titanium prevents the corrosion and discoloration of the retentive pin.

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a non-malignant condition caused by post-zygotic, activating mutations of the GNAS gene that results in inhibition of the differentiation and proliferation of bone-forming stromal cells and leads to the replacement of normal bone and marrow by fibrous tissue and woven bone. The phenotype is variable and may be isolated to a single skeletal site or multiple sites and sometimes is associated with extraskeletal manifestations in the skin and/or endocrine organs (McCune-Albright syndrome). The clinical behavior and progression of FD may also vary, thereby making the management of this condition difficult with few established clinical guidelines. This paper provides a clinically-focused comprehensive description of craniofacial FD, its natural progression, the components of the diagnostic evaluation and the multi-disciplinary management, and considerations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit α9 gene (CHRNA9) codes for a component of the AChR in hair cells of the inner ear. While no direct evidence presently links this gene to known hearing disorders, it may underlie individual susceptibility to acoustic inner ear injury, and is associated with the autoimmune skin disorder Pemphigus vulgaris. Future studies will depend upon a thorough characterization of the nAChR α9 gene. CHRNA9 was localized to chromosome 4p15.1→p14 by FISH analysis. Radiation hybrid mapping further localized the gene between markers D4S405 and D4S496 (Stanford G3 panel), and between markers WI-3875 and D4S1231 (Genebridge 4 panel), representing a distance of approximately 3.1 cR. The D4S405 marker has been linked to a non-syndromic form of hereditary hearing loss, DFNB-25. The gene contains five exons, separated by four introns. Exons 1–5 are 78, 145, 154, 532 and 877 bases, respectively. Introns 1–4 are 294, 1239, 11517, and 4571 bases, respectively. The intron-exon splice junction sites correlate identically with those of the rat α9 gene and are nearly identical to those of the human α10 gene. Sequence promoter analysis reveals a number of potential regulatory elements, including several in common with the nAChR α10 gene, whose expressed protein is assumed to combine with α9 in the inner ear. Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anaesthetic properties of pregnanolone emulsion, which is a new pharmaceutically and clinically acceptable preparation of pregnanolone, have been evaluated and compared with those of thiopentone in the mouse. 'Loss of the righting reflex' for 15 sec. was used as a criterion for the anaesthetic effect. The range for the optimal infusion rate to reach the threshold anaesthetic dose was 0.25-1.0 mg/kg/min. for pregnanolone and 10-40 mg/kg/min. for thiopentone. Potency, measured at the optimal infusion rate as the mean anaesthetic dose, AD50, or as the threshold anaesthetic dose, was about six times higher for pregnanolone than for thiopentone. The induction of anaesthesia, which ensured directly after a complete dose was given, and the duration of anaesthesia were similar for pregnanolone and thiopentone in equipotent doses. The approximate therapeutic index for pregnanolone was about four times higher than that for thiopentone. The range for the time of anaesthesia was about 150 min. for pregnanolone emulsion but only about 50 min. for thiopentone. Recovery of the mice from anaesthesia occurred within minutes after pregnanolone, whereas it took hours following thiopentone. In conclusion, these results show that the advantage of pregnanolone emulsion over thiopentone include a higher therapeutic index, a wider range for the duration of anaesthesia and a shorter recovery period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of complications resulting from suppurative otitis media has significantly decreased since the introduction of antibiotics. At the start of the 20th century 50% of all cases of otitis media developed a coalescent mastoiditis. By 1959, the incidence had fallen to 0.4%. Recent studies suggest a current incidence of only 0.24%. Additionally, during the time of Friedrich Bezold (1824-1908), 20% of patients with mastoiditis developed subperiosteal abscess. Interestingly, this has incidence increased; today nearly 50% of patients diagnosed with coalescent mastoiditis have subperiosteal abscess.Objective: To review the contemporary presentation, diagnosis, and management of a spectrum of mastoid abscesses.Design: Retrospective case series.Setting: Hospitals associated with the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco.Patients: Three patients with mastoid abscesses are reported. One patient displayed "classic" Bezold's abscess, with pus escaping the mastoid near the incisura digastrica and tracking along the digastric and sternocleidomastoid muscles into the neck. The second and third patients exhibited temporoparietal swelling secondary to mastoid abscess eroding the root of the zygomatic process, a complication noted by Bezold in 1908 as occurring "in only very rare cases."Results and Conclusions: Since only one third of patients show pathologic tympanic membrane changes, and since complaints of otalgia, fever, and tenderness are inconstant, subperiosteal mastoid abscess is frequently a delayed diagnosis. The clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and routes of abscess spread are presented with photographic and radiographic illustration. Medical and surgical management is reviewed, and methods for accurate diagnosis are emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented on how to to evaluate a predatory journal. Topics mentioned include the invitations from new open access journals that are not legitimate, the lack of editorial review process and fake science papers that are computer generated, and the guidelines in evaluating the journal.