Analysis of complications after reconstruction of bone defects involving complete mandibular resection using finite element modelling.

Background: In a retrospective study, risk factors for complications after the bridging of mandibular defects using reconstruction plates were reviewed. Especially the loosening of the plate-screw-mandible complex should be analyzed with a finite element model in order to reduce plate complications in future.

Patients And Methods: We examined 60 patients who underwent a treatment with reconstruction plates after tumor resection during a period of 10 years.

Early cytoskeletal rearrangement during dendritic cell maturation enhances synapse formation and Ca(2+) signaling in CD8(+) T cells.

The interplay between dendritic cells (DC) and T cells is a dynamic process critically depending on DC maturation. Ca(2+) influx is one of the initial events occurring during DC/T cell contacts. To determine how DC maturation influences DC/T cell contacts, time-lapse video microscopy was established using TCR-transgenic CD8(+) T cells from P14 mice.

Cellular uptake of Clostridium difficile toxin B. Translocation of the N-terminal catalytic domain into the cytosol of eukaryotic cells.

Clostridium difficile toxin B (269 kDa) is one of the causative agents of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Toxin B acts in the cytosol of eukaryotic target cells where it inactivates Rho GTPases by monoglucosylation. The catalytic domain of toxin B is located at the N terminus (amino acid residues 1-546).