The osteotomy line in sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) has a wide variation among surgeons. Recently, short lingual osteotomy (SL), in which the lingual split is limited up to the area near the mandibular foramen, is performed in many facilities. The reason for this is that SL can reduce the amount of interference between the proximal and distal segments, and shorten the operation time compared with Obwegeser osteotomy (Ob). However, since medial pterygoid muscles (MPM) are included in the proximal segments, SL is prone to induce backward rotation and distal positioning of the mandibular ramus due to the interference between MPM and distal segments when mandibular setback is performed.The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative outcome of SL and Ob for mandibular prognathism. Twenty-two skeletal Class III cases without lateral deviation treated by SSRO in Meikai University Hospital, were examined. Among the 22 cases, 15 and 7 cases underwent SL and Ob, respectively. The postoperative changes of the proximal and distal segments were evaluated in lateral and postero-anterior cephalograms taken immediately before the surgery (T1), immediately after the surgery (T2), and one year after the surgery (T3). At T1, there was no significant difference in SNB, FMA, or gonial angle between the SL and Ob groups. No significant difference in the amount of mandibular setback was found between the two groups. Comparing values at T1 and T2, the proximal segments tended to rotate backward in the SL group, but there was no significant difference in the anterio-posterior position of proximal segments between the two groups. Comparing values at T2 and T3, counter-clockwise rotation of proximal segments was seen in the SL group but not in the Ob group. It is likely that this rotation of proximal segments in the SL group was caused by the muscular strength of MPM attached mainly to the proximal segments. Moreover, a significant negative correlation in the amount of rotation of proximal segments was detected between T1-T2 and T2-T3 in the Ob group, but not in the SL group.These findings indicate that special attention to the rotation in SL cases is important since a wider variation in the rotation of proximal segments may occur compared with the Obwegeser method.
In the Bandung basin, Indonesia, excessive groundwater pumping caused by rapid increases in industrialization and population growth has caused subsurface environmental problems, such as excessive groundwater drawdown and land subsidence. In this study, multiple hydrogeochemical techniques and numerical modeling have been applied to evaluate the recharge processes and groundwater age (rejuvenation). Although all the groundwater in the Bandung basin is recharged at the same elevation at the periphery of the basin, the water type and residence time of the shallow and deep groundwater could be clearly differentiated. However, there was significant groundwater drawdown in all the depression areas and there is evidence of groundwater mixing between the shallow and deep groundwater. The groundwater mixing was traced from the high dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12) concentrations in some deep groundwater samples and by estimating the rejuvenation ratio (R) in some representative observation wells. The magnitude of CFC-12 concentration, as an indicator of young groundwater, showed a good correlation with R, determined using 14C activity in samples taken between 2008 and 2012. These correlations were confirmed with the estimation of vertical downward flux from shallower to deeper aquifers using numerical modeling. Furthermore, the change in vertical flux is affected by the change in groundwater pumping. Since the 1970s, the vertical flux increased significantly and reached approximately 15% of the total pumping amount during the 2000s, as it compensated the groundwater pumping. This study clearly revealed the processes of groundwater impact caused by excessive groundwater pumping using a combination of hydrogeochemical methods and modeling.
In this paper, by analyzing three-dimensional spatial and temporal variations of soil water content at two field sites, temporal variations of three-dimensional rainfall infiltration process in heterogeneous soil were studied. The three-dimensional soil water contents were obtained by soil moisture tomography. For eight rain events, the temporal variations of the homogeneity of the infiltration process were investigated. The results show that the three-dimensional rainfall infiltration process in heterogeneous soil varies with rainfall process. For rain events with short duration time and low rain intensity the infiltration behaves preferentially and heterogeneously. The preferential flow plays important roles in the conduction of soil water. While for rain events with long duration time and high rain intensity the infiltration shows more homogeneous characteristics. The preferential flow becomes less important. In a rain event, at the initial period of the rain, the infiltration process usually is a heterogeneous and preferential one. However, with continuing rainfall the infiltration gradually becomes more homogeneous and plug-like.
Previous gene expression profiles revealed the T‐lymphocyte maturation‐associated protein ( MAL ) gene as being frequently downregulated in head and neck cancer. To define the relationship between the MAL gene and the metastatic process, we evaluated the expression status of the gene in matched primary and metastatic tumors of head and neck cancer by semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, we aimed to identify potential genetic and epigenetic mechanisms associated with downregulation of MAL, including loss of heterozygosity (LOH), mutation, and hypermethylation. Thirty‐five cell lines of University of Turko squamous cell carcinoma (UT‐SCC) series derived from head and neck cancer, including nine pairs from matched primary and metastatic tumors, and 30 pairs of matched primary and metastatic tumor samples were analyzed. Twenty out of 35 (57%) cell lines showed downregulation of MAL expression, whereas no expression was found in 10 cell lines (29%). Considering matched primary and metastatic tumor‐derived cell‐line pairs, four pairs showed decreased expression only in metastasis‐derived cells compared with their primary counterparts. Expression analysis of 21 tissue samples demonstrated decreased or no expression of MAL mRNA in 43% of metastatic tumors compared with matched primary tumors. Relating to mechanisms of downregulation, LOH was observed in 30% of primary tumors and 38% of their metastatic counterparts by a MAL‐specific microsatellite marker. Furthermore, we found restoration of MAL mRNA after treatment with demethylating agent (5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine) in 9 (45%) out of 20 cell lines. No mutation was found in UT‐SCC cell lines. In conclusion, our findings indicate selective downregulation of MAL expression in metastatic cells, suggesting the MAL gene as a new metastasis‐suppressor candidate for head and neck cancer. LOH and hypermethylation appeared to be important mechanisms for inactivation of MAL function. ( Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 873–880)
