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Biomedical subjects

M R Wexler

Publications and source records attributed to M R Wexler.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Elevated concentrations of elements and abnormalities of neuromuscular junctions in tongue muscles of Down's syndrome.

X-ray spectrometry was used to measure the concentrations of calcium, iron, copper and zinc in tongue muscles from patients with Down's syndrome (DS) undergoing partial glossectomy. Similar measurements on samples from autopsies served as controls. Electron microscopy was used to examine neuromuscular junctions. The calcium and copper were significantly elevated and correlated in DS while the iron and zinc showed little change. The copper increase is probably connected with the known high level of Zn-Cu superoxide dismutase (SOD), coded for by chromosome 21. (In DS there is a trisomy 21). The excess of SOD may interfere with free radicals needed for excitation-contraction coupling and may be instrumental in damaging junctional membranes. The high calcium may result from such membrane damage. It is suggested that neuromuscular junction pathology, either genetic or free radical induced, may cause the tongue weakness in DS.

Adolescent↗

Capping the wire.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Bone Wires↗

Screw fixation of silicone implants.

A simple and safe procedure for fixation of silicone prostheses is presented. Two screws ensure accurate location, helping to avoid displacement and probably reducing the incidence of bone damage.

Bone Screws↗

Eikenella corrodens infection of the hand--a case report and literature review.

Eikenella corrodens, a gram-negative, slow-growing rod, belongs to the normal flora of mucous membranes. Infections of the hand including this pathogen, are described in human bite and clenched fist injuries. Our case demonstrates another possibility of wound contamination with normal oral flora causing Eikenella corrodens infection. The consequences due to the delay of appropriate therapy are discussed.

Bacteroides Infections↗

Myofibers in tongues of Down's syndrome.

Muscle samples from the anterior part of the tongue in 15 patients with Down's syndrome (undergoing partial glossectomy), and 6 post-mortem controls, were examined histochemically. In most cases there was a Type 2 myofiber hypertrophy and preponderance, with frequent type 'grouplet' formation. In four cases examined ultrastructurally, hyperplastic, disorganized and atrophic neuromuscular junctions were seen. These preliminary ultrastructural findings suggest that synaptic morphometry could be a rewarding method of studying neuromuscular deficits in Down's syndrome.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Mandibular resorption from silicone chin implants in children.

Silicone implants were placed in the nasal, cheek, and chin areas in children with Down's syndrome to improve facial appearance. Clinical and radiologic follow-up evaluation revealed significant crater-like bone resorption in the mandibular symphysis in 75% of the cases. All of these implants were removed, and the bone showed regrowth to the presurgical state. No sign of bone damage was present in the malar or nasal areas.

Adolescent↗

The effects of cold upon bone growth: a preliminary study.

The effects of various degrees of cold injury upon bone growth were experimentally studied. Young rabbits' feet, rendered ischemic by the application of a tourniquet, were cooled down by immersion in either an ice bath at 0 degrees C or an alcohol bath at -20 degrees C. The bone injuries were assessed clinically, radiologically, and histologically. Prolonged exposures to low temperatures above freezing do not cause any bone damage. Brief exposures to temperatures between -20 degrees C and -15 degrees C affect bone growth by inducing premature arrest of the epiphyseal plate, destruction of the epiphysis, and reactive-endosteal and periosteal bone formation. These effects lead to a statistically significant shortening and widening of the affected bones, which can be demonstrated radiologically. Low temperatures have a primary direct lethal effect upon the highly sensitive chondrocytes of the epiphyseal growth plate. Bone damage is independent of associated soft-tissue injuries and not linked to frostbite of the extremity or to solidification of tissues.

Animals↗

Capsule around silicone implants in diabetic rats: histological and biochemical study.

Polydimethylsiloxane (silicone) implants were subcutaneously placed in the back of diabetic and normal rats. After three months the rats were killed and the fibrous capsule around the implants was histologically and biochemically examined. A significant quantitative difference (p less than 0.001) was found in the thickness of the capsules, which were two to three times thicker in the diabetic animals. The biochemistry showed an increase of neutral salt-soluble collagen in the diabetic group; electrophoresis revealed only type I collagen in the diabetic and type I and III in the normal rats. From this experimental trial it seems that diabetes mellitus is another factor in formation of a thick capsule around silicone implants.

Animals↗

Rehabilitation of the face in patients with Down's syndrome.

Fifty patients with Down's syndrome underwent surgery for improvement of the facial stigmata. Partial glossectomy, lateral canthoplasty, and nose, cheek, and chin augmentation were the common procedures. With a follow-up of 18 to 24 months, the results were recorded by a multidisciplinary team with similar judgments on the glossectomy, the most satisfactory procedure, and some discrepancy on the other procedures, canthoplasty, and cheek augmentation. There were no infections or extrusion of prostheses, and a rather high incidence of extrusion of prostheses, and a rather high incidence of bone resorption was noted in the mandibular area. The facial changes were satisfactory in the majority of the cases in both medical and nonmedical evaluation and improved self-confidence, especially in the older patients. The satisfactory results here presented advocate certain procedures for attenuation of the Down's syndrome stigmata and improvement of some functions by diminishing the size of the tongue.

Adolescent↗

Passing the cartilage graft through.

Cartilage grafts could be passed to their exact destination using suction-tube-needle combination so that fixation of the graft is more accurate. This is routinely used for tip grafts and dorsum of the nose grafts, and it could be used elsewhere.

Cartilage↗