[Toxico-allergic phenomena connected to the use of nickel-containing alloys]. / Fenomeni tossico-allergici correlati all'impiego di leghe contenenti nichel.

The biocompatibility of unprecious metal alloys, particularly those containing nickel, is controversial. Nickel is a known cancerous agent, and the main responsible of metal allergic reactions in human. Dentists must be aware about risks related to this material. It is mandatory carry out careful anamnesis about nickel hypersensitivity avoiding it in subject with known hypersensibility.

[Role of lower third molars in the development of dental malocclusion: review of the literature]. / Ruolo dei terzi molari inferiori nell' insorgenza di malocclusioni dentarie: revisione della letteratura.

The Author's aims was to review the role of the lower third molars in delayed crowding of the jaw. A global agreement exists on the fact that lower molars should be considered only one between several factors able to cause malocclusion. Finally, the germectomy of the third molars has to be performed only in carefully selected patients after a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of the single case.

Kinetic properties of mitochondrial ATPase during isoproterenol-induced cardiomyopathy.

1. The kinetic characteristics of the ATP hydrolysis by membrane-bound and Triton X-100 solubilized mitochondrial ATPase, during the isoproterenol-induced cardiomyopathy, were investigated. 2. An increase in the inhibitory action of the oligomycin, a decrease in the affinity of the ATP binding sites and an increase of both activation energy and rate of thermal inactivation were observed for mitochondrial ATPase. 3. The possibility that the changes described are related to the modifications of the active configuration of mitochondrial ATPase, during the isoproterenol-induced cardiomyopathy, is discussed.

[Multidisciplinary approach to repositioning of impacted upper canines]. / Approccio multidisciplinare al riposizionamento dei canini superiori inclusi.

In this paper, the Authors present epidemiology, ethiopatology, diagnosis and treatments elements of the impacted canines. Furthermore they describe the different surgical techniques needed for the exposure of these teeth.

[Optimization of the surgical technic for extraction of the lower third molars]. / Ottimizzazione della tecnica chirurgica per l'avulsione dei terzi molari inferiori.

The high incidence of third molar extraction is related to their frequent pathology. The use of an uncomplicated and reliable diagnostic and therapeutic protocol therefore became extremely important. The protocol has to include careful selection and preparation as well as the appropriate choice of instruments and surgical techniques. This is even more important, considering the elective nature of the procedure and the local and more rarely, systemic complications that could develop.

Effect of Zn(II) and Mg(II) on phosphohydrolytic activity of rat matrix-induced alkaline phosphatase.

Rat matrix-induced alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme which requires magnesium and zinc ions for its maximal activity. Two Zn(II) ions and one Mg(II) ion are bound to each subunit of native dimeric enzyme. The presence of magnesium ion (10-100 microM) or zinc ion (7-20 nM) alone is sufficient to stimulate apoenzyme activity. However maximal activity (264 U/mg) requires the presence of both ions. Binding of Zn(II) ions to the Mg(II) binding site causes a strong inhibition of the apoenzyme while the binding of Mg(II) on Zn(II) binding site is not sufficient to stimulate PNPPase activity of the apoenzyme. Binding of both ions to the enzyme molecule did not change the apparent dissociation constant for PNPP hydrolysis.