Palatoplasty and growth of the temporal bone mastoid air cells.

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to analyze the relationship between the method used for manipulation of the levator veli palatini muscle and the area of the mastoid air cells in patients with cleft palate.

Design: Retrospective study.

Patients: The subjects were 50 patients seen for surgical treatment of cleft palate.

Suppressive activity of macrolide antibiotics on nitric oxide production by lipopolysaccharide stimulation in mice.

Background: Low-dose and long-term administration of macrolide antibiotics into patients with chronic airway inflammatory diseases could favorably modify their clinical conditions. However, the therapeutic mode of action of macrolides is not well understood. Free oxygen radicals, including nitric oxide (NO), are well recognized as the important final effector molecules in the development and the maintenance of inflammatory diseases.