Rhinometry and open-mouth posture in young children

A biracial sample of 348 elementary school children who were in the first grade were assessed for open-mouth posture (OMP) in the natural environment. In addition, rhinometry was performed on 296 of the children. Means were computed for percent OMP and cross-sectional nasal airway. Results indicated that, in general, these children exhibited relatively high rates of OMP. Boys displayed significantly greater OMP than girls, and black children showed significantly larger cross-sectional nasal areas than white children. A significant correlation between OMP and nasal area only was evident for children exhibiting OMP during more than 80% of the observation intervals. The implications of the findings were discussed.

The endothelial surface of growing coronary collateral arteries. Intimal margination and diapedesis of monocytes. A combined SEM and TEM study

Slowly progressing coronary artery stenosis leading to complete occlusion within about 3 weeks was produced in dogs. Within this time collateral vessels had enlarged sufficiently to prevent myocardial infarction. Early, intermediate, and late (1 year after occlusion) stages of collateral development were studied with the scanning and transmission electron microscope. Early after coronary occlusion the number of endothelial cells per unit inner vascular surface had markedly increased and longitudinal bulges appeared in growing collaterals as opposed to the completely flat inner surface of small normal coronary arteries. The surface of many endothelial cells appeared rough and large numbers of monocytes adhered to the inner vascular surface. The endothelial cells formed three types of patterns: streams, whorls, and nonoriented mosaics suggesting different types of flow-jets, eddies, and lowshear flow, respectively. The existence of nonlaminar flow patterns could well be explained by the extremely tortuous course of collaterals and by segmental caliber changes (microstenoses) resulting from irregularities of the internal elastic lamina. Later stages showed a tendency toward normal endothelial cell density, flattening of bulges, and absence of microstenoses. A completely normal inner surface was, however, never observed in midzone segments although the observation period extended up to 1 year after coronary occlusion.

A longitudinal evaluation of open mouth posture and maxillary arch width in children

Open mouth posture and maxillary arch width were assessed annually for 4 years in a group of children. While younger children exhibited high levels of open mouth posture, this behavior decreased significantly over time. Racial and sex differences, as well as a race-by-time interaction were also evident. The children displayed a significant increase in maxillary arch width across time with sex and racial differences in this growth pattern. Subjects were classified as exhibiting primarily open mouth or closed mouth posture. Although both groups showed increased maxillary arch widths over time, the closed mouth subjects showed significantly greater maxillary arch growth.