The effect of the amount of protrusion built into the bionator on condylar growth and displacement: a clinical study

To evaluate the treatment effects of a variable degree of forward posturing of the mandible incorporated into the Bionator, a study was undertaken on 14 patients with Class II, Division 1 malocclusion, treated for 1 year with a Bionator, maintaining the mandible in an edge-to-edge incisal position (Be group). This group was compared with a matched group of patients treated with the Bionator in whom the mandible was maintained in a "functional maxipropulsion" (Bmax group). Both groups were subdivided further according to sex for selected parameters. Twenty-nine measurements on cephalometric x-ray films taken before and after 1 year of treatment were statistically analyzed. According to this study, "edge-to-edge" protrusion is superior to "functional maxipropulsion" in increasing ramal height. The difference in increase in corpus length after treatment (greater in boys than in girls) was sex related rather than dependent on appliance characteristics. When studying the effect of functional appliances, it is suggested that a patient group be subdivided by sex. After treatment a repositioning of the condyle was found in a more downward and possibly slightly forward direction relative to sella point (S) in both groups. A relocation of the condyle should be considered as another treatment effect of functional appliances. The more important lowering of the condyle found in the Bmax group may partly explain the significant increase in SNB, the 1.6-fold larger decrease in overbite, and the highly significant increase in anterior lower facial height in this group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of sex and gestational age on cord blood IgE

Cord blood IgE (CB-IgE) is widely used as a screening parameter for atopy. Therefore it is necessary to define the normal values accurately. In this study influence of sex and gestational age on CB-IgE is evaluated. 5,305 cord blood samples were analysed. Boys had a higher CB-IgE than girls (p less than 0.001). Using a cut-off value for normal of 2.4 micrograms/l, boys had significantly more abnormal values than girls (p = 0.0475). Using a lower cut-off value (2.16, 1.92, 1.68 micrograms/l) the difference became more significant (p = 0.0029, p = 0.0036 and p = 0.0019 respectively). Gestational age (in the range from 34-42 weeks of gestation) had no influence on the absolute CB-IgE concentration nor on the number of abnormal values. From this study we may conclude that, when CB-IgE is used in prediction and prevention programs for atopic disease, the sex of the newborn should be taken into consideration when evaluating the results, in particular when the cut-off limit is lowered. No correction needs to be made for gestational age if the baby is born after the 34th week of gestation.

Magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis

The relationship between cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis and brain lesions seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was studied. Three groups of 11 patients with multiple sclerosis, matched for the variables of disability, duration of illness, age and sex, were included. On the basis of neuropsychological testing, the groups were seen to differ in their level of cognitive impairment. The first group showed no cognitive impairment, the second group a moderate, and the third group a serious cognitive impairment. These differences between the groups were reflected by MRI, which revealed more abnormalities in the groups with cognitive impairment compared with the group with normal cognitive function. However, by MRI it was not possible to distinguish between the groups with moderate and that with serious cognitive impairment.

Cord blood IgE and month of birth

If cord blood IgE is used to detect those predisposed to become allergic it is important to define appropriately the normal values for this measurement. A commonly cited cut off point is 1.0 IU/ml. We analysed 5353 cord blood samples for IgE by means of an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Descriptive statistics of the distribution curve of cord blood IgE concentrations showed that most normal values were well below the cut off value of 1.0 IU/ml and that most abnormal values were in the neighbourhood of 1.0 IU/ml. It seems advantageous, therefore, to lower the cut off value for cord blood IgE. When cord blood IgE was analysed according to the child's month of birth a significantly uneven distribution of abnormal cases of cord blood IgE concentrations over the year was found. The occurrence of an abnormal cord blood IgE concentration showed a significant cyclic trend, with a peak near the end of April and a trough in late October.