[A modular software concept for individual numerical simulation (FEM) of the human mandible].

A new modular software concept for individual numerical simulation of the human mandible using the finite element method (FEM) is presented. The main task is an individual analysis of regional stress and stress-compatibility on the basis of computed tomographic data in individual patients. Simulation should, however, also be possible in parallel with biomechanical experiments, or for further research projects.

Nasalance distance and ratio: two new measures.

Objectives: Mean nasalance in speakers with perceptually normal nasal resonance can differ in magnitude considerably. In addition, categorizations of speech based on nasalance scores may not agree with perceptual judgments. To overcome this limitation, we evaluated two new simple measures derived from mean nasalance data: the nasalance distance (range between maximum and minimum nasalance) and the nasalance ratio (minimum nasalance divided by maximum nasalance).

Role of interleukin-8 in neutrophil signaling.

Interleukin-8 was originally discovered as one of the first chemokines activating neutrophil granulocytes (neutrophils) after secretion by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes. A wealth of information has been gathered concerning the intracellular events mediated by interleukin-8 and the role of interleukin-8 in numerous physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. We discuss recent advances in the understanding of the initial intracellular signals elicited by interleukin-8.

[Ambulatory diagnosis and therapy of gonarthrosis].

Aim Of Study: To develop recommendations for appropriate diagnostic procedures and conservative treatment of knee osteoarthritis in outpatients.

Material And Methods: Following a consensus conference and expert reviews basic recommendations were developed.

Results: While standardized radiographic assessment is mandatory, MRI investigation should be restricted to problems apart from osteoarthritis.

Rapid protyping technology in medicine--basics and applications.

Using medical models built with Rapid Prototyping (RP) technologies represents a new approach for surgical planning and simulation. These techniques allow one to reproduce anatomical objects as 3D physical models, which give the surgeon a realistic impression of complex structures before a surgical intervention. The shift from the visual to the visual-tactile representation of anatomical objects introduces a new kind of interaction called 'touch to comprehend'.

Calcium-dependent inactivation of neuronal calcium channel currents is independent of calcineurin.

Dephosphorylation by the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin has been suggested as an important mechanism of Ca2+-dependent inactivation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. We have tested whether calcineurin plays a role in the inactivation process of two types of high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels (L and N type) widely expressed in the central nervous system, using the immunosuppressive drug FK506 (tacrolimus), which inhibits calcineurin after binding to intracellular FK506 binding proteins. Inactivation of L- and N-type Ca2+ channels was studied in a rat pituitary tumor cell line (GH3) and chicken dorsal root ganglion neurons, respectively.

[Speech rate of compensatory articulation in patients with cleft lip and palate].

Infolge eines primären Defizits der velopharyngealen Funktion liegen bei vielen Patienten mit Lippen-Kiefer-Gaumenspalten sekundäre kompensatorische Lautbildungen vor. Mit zwei neuen Computerprogrammen werden die Auswirkungen der kompensatorischen Artikulation auf die durchschnittliche Sprechgeschwindigkeit von 146 Patienten mit Lippen-Kiefer-Gaumen-spalten untersucht. Die Patienten wurden dabei nach dem Schweregrad der artikulatorischen Auffälligkeit gruppiert.

[Quality of life research in patients with cleft lip and palate: preliminary results].

While esthetic and functional outcomes of treatment have improved for patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP), a CLP remains a severe problem for patients and relatives. To date, psychological research has dealt with issues such as intelligence, self-consciousness or treatment satisfaction but the long-term impact of a CLP on a psychological construct such as quality of life has yet to be explored. From a pool of 156 patients with CLP, subgroups of varying sizes were examined with a set of standardized questionnaires (KINDL, SF-36, Social Support Survey).

[Quantitative diagnosis of hypernasality in cleft lip and palate patients by computerized nasal quality assessment].

In patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP), the assessment of velopharyngeal morphology and function and the quantitative analysis of perceptual consequences of velopharyngeal insufficiency are of major importance regarding the effective planning of velopharyngoplasties for speech improvement. The NasalView, a new instrument for the objective assessment of rhinophonia, is presented. The NasalView measures nasalance, the relative sound pressure level of the nasal signal in speech, expressed as a percentage.

[Significance of profile prognosis in implant management of the atrophic maxilla].

Postoperative cosmetic results in soft tissue after combined surgical and prosthetic treatment of the extremely atrophic edentulous maxilla by maxillary advancement, sinus lift, and insertion of enosseous implants are rarely considered during preoperative planning. In a prospective study that began in 1993 in 23 patients, the treatment concept was determined by a medical rapid prototyping model and video imaging to predict the soft tissue profile, taking into consideration the appearance of the front teeth. In eight patients, the surgical and/or the prosthetic concept was modified according to the treatment plan decided on with the patient.

Capsaicin, protons and heat: new excitement about nociceptors.

The past few years have witnessed a remarkable progress in understanding the neurobiology of pain. Important advances have been made particularly in the field of peripheral signal transduction in nociceptors. Membrane receptors have been identified for capsaicin, a pungent ingredient of chilli peppers, protons (i.

Mechanisms of IL-8-induced Ca2+ signaling in human neutrophil granulocytes.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) plays an important role in the activation of neutrophil granulocytes. Although intracellular Ca2+ signals are essential in this process, they have not been studied in great detail so far. Here, we have measured IL-8-induced Ca2+ signals in single human neutrophil granulocytes using the Ca2+ indicator dye FURA-2 AM and we have investigated the signal transduction that leads to these Ca2+ signals with various pharmacological tools.

[Perceptive and instrumental examination of voice quality in patients with lip-jaw-palate clefts].

Background: In Anglo-American literature, prevalences as high as 41% are reported for voice disorders in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients. Because of considerable variability in the reported findings and because no prevalence data are available for the German-speaking area, a screening study was conducted.

Method: 154 patients with CLP were examined.

Expression of early hippocampal CA1 LTP does not lead to changes in AMPA-EPSC kinetics or sensitivity to cyclothiazide.

We have analysed whether the expression of long-term potentiation (LTP) in rat hippocampal CA1 neurons involves a change in the kinetics of (S)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) (AMPA-EPSCs) or their susceptibility to the AMPA receptor modulator cyclothiazide. AMPA-EPSCs in the CA1 region were evoked by alternate stimulation of two independent Schaffer collateral-commissural inputs of slices of adult rat hippocampus. In the current-clamp mode a strong tetanus (100 Hz, 1 s) applied to one input (input I) induced stable LTP of AMPA-EPSCs in this input, while the control input (input II) remained unaffected.

Synaptic modulation of oscillatory activity of hypothalamic neuronal networks in vitro.

1. Rhythmic bursts of action potentials in neurosecretory cells are a key factor in hypothalamic neurosecretion. Rhythmicity and synchronization may be accomplished by pacemaker cells synaptically driving follower cells or by a network oscillator.

Fractional Ca2+ currents through capsaicin- and proton-activated ion channels in rat dorsal root ganglion neurones.

1. Capsaicin and protons cause excitation and sensitization of primary nociceptive afferents. In a subset of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones, which probably represent nociceptive neurones, both capsaicin and protons induce slowly inactivating non-selective cation currents.

Synaptic connectivity in cultured hypothalamic neuronal networks.

We have developed a novel approach to analyze the synaptic connectivity of spontaneously active networks of hypothalamic neurons in culture. Synaptic connections were identified by recording simultaneously from pairs of neurons using the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique and testing for evoked postsynaptic current responses to electrical stimulation of one of the neurons. Excitatory and inhibitory responses were distinguished on the basis of their voltage and time dependence.

Modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission by nociceptin in superficial dorsal horn neurones of the neonatal rat spinal cord.

1. The modulatory actions of nociceptin/orphanin FQ on excitatory synaptic transmission were studied in superficial dorsal horn neurones in transverse slices from 7 to 14 day old rats. 2.

Spinally delivered nociceptin/orphanin FQ reduces flinching behaviour in the rat formalin test.

The aims of this study were to investigate the dose-dependent effects of spinally delivered nociceptin (0.3, 1, 3.3 and 10 nmol) on flinching behaviour in the rat formalin test and whether these effects were influenced by the concomitant systemic administration of naloxone (3 mg/kg, i.

[Video matching as intraoperative navigation aid in operations to improve the facial profile].

Planning and simulation of individual interventions are not yet the common standard treatment in general surgery. Improvements in planning and simulation of individual orthognatic and craniofacial interventions have led to the need to transfer the results of preoperative planning to the location. Videomatching offers a new approach to the surgeon so that simulation output can be used in a highly intuitive way.

[Precision of 3D-assisted surgical planning with rapid prototype techniques].

Our clinical results show that 3D model building is an excellent method for 3D preoperative planning. Dependent on the number of steps, however, there are many possibilities of failures. Standardization and quality control of data acquisition and industrial manufacturing must be recommended.