Spectroscopic investigations of fungal biomarkers after exposure to heavy ion irradiation.

The main objective of the ongoing and future space exploration missions is the search for traces of extant or extinct life (biomarkers) on Mars. One of the main limiting factors on the survival of Earth-like life is the presence of harmful space radiation, that could damage or modify also biomolecules, therefore understanding the effects of radiation on terrestrial biomolecules stability and detectability is of utmost importance. Which terrestrial molecules could be preserved in a Martian radiation scenario? Here, we investigated the potential endurance of fungal biomolecules, by exposing de-hydrated colonies of the Antarctic cryptoendolithic black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus mixed with Antarctic sandstone and with two Martian regolith analogues to increasing doses (0, 250 and 1000 Gy) of accelerated ions, namely iron (Fe), argon (Ar) and helium (He) ions. We analyzed the feasibility to detect fungal compounds with Raman and Infrared spectroscopies after exposure to these space-relevant radiations.

Implant overdentures: recommendations and analysis of the clinical benefits.

Due to the progress made in implantology, in recent years the interest in prosthetic rehabilitation in edentulous mouths using overdentures has increased considerably. Indications to the treatment of implant supported overdenture could be classified in three groups: the first group consists of younger members of the elderly population who have an edentulous upper jaw rehabilitated with a conventional complete denture but experience discomfort with it and therefore desire a stable prosthesis and greater comfort in the mouth; the second group, for which the use of implant overdentures is recommended, consists of older patients who require greater stability from a complete mandibular denture; the third group consists of compromised patients and those with acquired or congenital maxillofacial conditions. Moreover, advantages of overdentures supported by implants are analyzed; in fact, they allow a lower bone reabsorption, a better retention and stability of the prosthesis than the traditional complete denture, an increased masticatory effectiveness, a reduction of pain during mastication tanks to the higher stability, a better sensory perception, a considerable patient satisfaction, and the option of making an immediate prosthetic rehabilitation with implants through immediate load.

[Edentulousness and prosthetic treatment needs in a sample of the adult inhabitants of Palermo (Italy)]. / Condizioni di edentulismo e necessità di trattamento prote- sico in un campione della popolazione adulta della città di Palermo.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of edentulousness and the prosthetic treatment need in a sample of the over 18-year-old inhabitants of Palermo (Italy). A stratified sample of 385 subjects (183 female and 202 male) was taken to represent the population of the city. Each subject included in the study was examined to record the level of edentulousness (complete edentulousness, partial edentulousness, intact dentition) and the level of denture wearing. Requirement for repair of dentures was recorded according to the marginal fitting for fixed dentures, and to the extension, stability and retention for removable dentures. Complete edentulousness of one or both arches was present in 4,6% of the studied population, whereas 184 (34.8%) of the sample population had intact dentition. Partial edentulousness was present in 60.6% of the subjects surveyed, but only the 45.9% of these was wearing dentures. Loss of structural integrity or incongruous marginal fitting was found in the 37.9% of fixed dentures. The majority of partial and complete removable dentures (74.5%) did not ever undergo relining, and the 51.7% of them needed relining or replacement. Statistical analysis (chi-square test) showed that the level of edentulousness was correlated with age; similarly, the frequency of dental visits significantly impacted on the number of missing tooth (P < 0.01). The results of the present study show that the adult inhabitants of Palermo had high level of partial edentulousness and low level of denture wearing. The majority of existing removable dentures required relining or replacement.

Cytotoxicity of four types of resins used for removable denture bases: in vitro comparative analysis.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to compare the cytotoxicity of four types of resins used for manufacturing denture bases. METHODS: Nine disk-shaped samples of four resin (two heat-polymerized, one auto-polymerized, and one light-polymerized), 9 samples of glass (negative control) and 9 samples of lead (positive control) were made according to the manufacturer instructions. The materials were tested by contact with BALB/C 3T3 fibroblast cells. Each sample was tested after 24, 48 and 72 hours. The cellular vitality was verified through spectrophotometric analysis of the solution where the colour is directly related to the amount of metabolically active and living cells. The results were analyzed through the one way variance analysis (ANOVA) in order to evaluate significant differences in the behaviour of the resins at 24, 48 and 72 hours. When a significant difference was present, the Games/Howell test for multiple comparisons was used. The significativity level was fixed at P0.05). The light-polymerized resin and the negative control (glass) were so compatible with the cellular carpet that all their values did not show statistically significant differences in any of the three periods of time considered (p>0.05), and their cellular vitality values almost reached the 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The autopolymerized resin showed the major cytotoxicity; the light-polymerized resin, instead, showed an optimal biocompatibility due to the absence of free monomer from its chemical composition.

[Tenoxicam in treatment of oral inflammation and pain]. / Tenoxicam nel trattamento delle affezioni flogistiche dolorose del cavo orale.

The efficacy of a new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, Tenoxicam, was valued in a study of 58 patients distinguished into 3 groups, group A consist of 29 patients with inflammatory diseases of the mouth, group 1B and 2B (29 patients) with acute postoperative pain. Drug was given at doses of: 1) 20 mg/die in group A; 2) 40 mg/die for the first two days and 20 mg/die for successive days in group 1B; 3) 20 mg/die in group 2B, for a period variable from 5 to 7 days. The outcomes showed that the administration of Tenoxicam resulted in a effective reduction of all inflammatory valued parameters (fever in 100%, inflammatory pain in 94% and edema in 90% of all cases) for the group A: acute postoperative pain was significantly reduced in group 1B where the patients have assumed drug at dose of 40 mg/die for the first two days and 20 mg/die for successive days. In group 2B (20 mg/die) drug's smaller dose showed reduced efficacy for control of postoperative pain. Although Tenoxicam was well tolerated and mild side effects were recorded only in 5% of cases.

[Color science in shade determination for ceramometal]. / Elementi di scienza del colore nella determinazione della tonalita per le metallo-ceramiche.

The authors in this study analyse some elements of color science, necessary to an adequate shade choice for ceramo-metal systems. Some light's physical properties, such as reflection, refraction and metamerism, light sources, contrast's effects can determine a change of real color shade. Adoption of some practice devices allows an appropriate porcelain shade selection for give to final crowns a naturalness' character in armony with patient's dentition.

[Evaluation of a method for determination of the occlusal plane in complete dentures]. / Valutazione di una metodica per la determinazione del piano occlusale in protesi totale.

The Authors have experimentally verified Monteith's mathematical formula validity for determination of occlusal plane in edentulous patients in order to realize some complete dentures. They have held the inquiry on two groups of patients: group A, edentulous patients that need a complete denture for first time (ex novo); group B, patients that before had a complete denture and regretted a short aesthetic and functional adaptation. The results obtained for every patient confirm mathematical formula validity and show the importance of a correct determination of occlusal plane in edentulous patients for construction of complete dentures.

[Influence of condylar position and translation movement in the development of temporomandibular dysfunction]. / L'influenza della posizione condilare e del movimento di traslazione nello sviluppo di disfunzioni temporo-mandibolari.

In this work we have examined a population of symptomatic patients (group A, B, C) for troubles to the TMJ and we analyzed the sagittal relation condyle-fossa using the cephalometric analysis on latero-lateral radiograms: we have compared the results with those obtained from a population of asymptomatic TMJ people. We have observed a great variability in the position of the condyle as to the glenoid fossa: we have not noted any significant statistically difference in the middle position of the condyle between the considered groups and the controlled group.

[Iatrogenic peripheral facial paralysis]. / Paralisi periferiche iatrogene del faciale.

The Authors have made a research on the peripheric palsy of the facial nerve caused by surgical operations and anesthetic methods; they emphasize the importance of the prevention of the esthetic and functional damage that results from the injury. This prevention not always is possible in relation to the anatomic conditions and to the anomalies of the course of the nerve.