Advances in Medicine and Biology : Volume 168

The role of CYP2D6 in the pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic differences in opiates and opioid consumers is discussed, as well as the associated genetic implications and consequences in the scope of clinical and forensic toxicology. Studies conducted on postmortem pharmacogenetic cases are investigated, and the benefits of CYP2D6 profiling during forensic investigations are discussed. The authors discuss recent advances in the split crest technique, underlining the importance of soft tissue management, especially at the level of the upper jaw where bone augmentation may be sufficient to install dental implants, but soft tissue grafting is necessary to achieve adequate aesthetic results. Hyaluronan or hyaluronic acid, an extracellular polysaccharide usually found associated with the cell surfaces, is explored. The subsequent article deals with the various stages, pathology, etiology and recent treatments associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, a comparative survey of current cardiovascular imaging practices/methodologies is provided, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT), and ultrasonography. The closing study highlights the fundamentals of pharmaceutical gels, their morphological and rheological properties, formulation considerations, and analytical and stability aspects.