White cell and platelet content affects the release of bioactive factors in different blood-derived scaffolds.

Platelet-derived factors are biomaterials that might accelerate healing process in oral, maxillofacial, and several other applications. Release of specific factors by platelet concentrates is critical to achieving a successful outcome. Here, we have shown that platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) clots were beneficial sources of leukocytes, which may directly affect the release of chemokines and growth factors. When compared with the standard leukocyte-PRF (L-PRF), the experimental low-force modified procedure [defined as advanced-PRF (A-PRF)] entrapped the same content of viable leukocytes, released a similar amount of inflammatory cytokines, but secreted 3-, 1.6-, 3-, and 1.2-fold higher levels of Eotaxin, CCL5, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), respectively. A leukocyte-free scaffold, such as plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF), released only platelet-specific factors and, in particular, the F3 fraction, the richest in growth factors, secreted higher amount of CCL5 and PDGF compared to F1 and F2 fractions. In conclusion, different procedures and leukocyte content affect cytokine, chemokines, and growth factor release from platelet derivatives, which may be helpful in different clinical settings.

Metal partitioning in plant-substrate-water compartments under EDDS-assisted phytoextraction of pyrite waste with Brassica carinata A. Braun.

Soil amendment with chelating agents can increase metal uptake and translocation in biomass species through increased metal bioavailability together with possible increases in metal leaching. In this study, we assessed the efficiency and environmental risk of the fast-degradable [S,S]-EDDS. Cu, Pb and Zn uptake in pot-cultivated Brassica carinata A. Braun, residual substrate metal bioavailability and leaching were investigated after one cycle of EDDS-assisted phytoextraction in mixed metal-contaminated pyrite waste, which is characterised by high Fe content. The chelator was supplied at doses of 2.5 and 5 mmol EDDS kg(-1) waste 1 week before harvest and 1 mmol EDDS kg(-1) waste repeated five times at 5- and 10-day intervals during the growing cycle. Here we demonstrate that EDDS generally increases shoot metal concentrations-especially of Cu-but only seldom improves removals because of markedly impaired growth. Considerable phytotoxicity and Cu leaching occurred under repeated EDDS treatments, although environmental risks may also arise from the single, close-to-harvest applications as Cu bioavailability in waste at plant harvest still remained very high (up to +67 % at 5 mmol EDDS kg(-1) vs. untreated controls). The residual bioavailability of Zn and Pb was instead generally reduced, perhaps due to shifts in cation exchange, whereas Fe mobility was not apparently affected. The amount of metals removed by plants represented a small fraction of the bioavailable pool (<1 %), and mobilised metals quickly reached deep layers in the substrate. We conclude that EDDS assistance can provide only some limited opportunities for improving phytoremediation of pyrite waste, major benefits being achieved by low doses to be traditionally applied shortly before harvest, with due attention to limiting groundwater pollution.

Survey of nursing knowledge on bioterrorism.

With the aim of identifying intervention programmes within the framework of basic and permanent nursing training, we evaluated the knowledge of 187 nurses and nursing students concerning biological emergencies. A questionnaire was used to identify their knowledge of the pathogens that may be used in a terrorist attack and measures for containing them, and their perception of the danger to public health. Analysis of the responses showed that the undergraduates studying for the Triennial Degree were the best informed, and those studying for the specialist degree were the least informed. The question relating to the precautions adopted against transmission of Bacillus anthracis was the most predictive of the total score because it was the only one with a substantial number of correct answers (79/187). It seems that the information derived more from the generalist media than from academic training. We conclude that there is a need to train qualified personnel capable of responding to a possible emergency in terms of both preventive and interventional medicine.

Dental caries and bone mineral density: a cross sectional study.

AIM: The relationship between bone mineral density (BMD), age and dental caries has been studied. Quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) is an economic, non invasive, and reproducible method for measuring both bone mineral density and bone elasticity in growing subjects in large populations. METHODS: This study evaluated the relationship between BMD and prevalence of dental caries (Decayed Missing Filled Tooth - DMFT) in 540 healthy adolescent with mean age 12.3 years, age range 10 to 15 years, resident in two provinces in south Italy. BMD was measured using QUS by calculating the speed of sound (m/s) on the last four fingers of the non dominant hand, with the estimate thus obtained being defined as the AD-SoS (Amplitude-Dependent Speed of Sound and categorised as AD-SoS < or = 1900 m/s and AD-SoS > 1900 m/s). Occurrence of dental caries was defined using the DMFT index (DMFT=0 and DMFT > 0). RESULTS: The results of the multifactorial analysis, carried out with logistic model, confirms the expected statistically significant association between response (DMFT) and explicative variables -- AD-SoS (P < 0.006) and Age (P < 0.004). CONCLUSION: Greater bone mineralisation (AD-SoS1900 m/s) and younger age (Age < or =12 years) are dental caries prevention factors: the probability to have caries for the subjects in such conditions is 0.34, about the half of that recorded in the subjects with lower bone mineralisation and older age (0.62).

Hygiene in dental practices.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the hygienic quality of dental practices on the basis of the self-awareness expressed by dentists respondents to a self-reported questionnaire about the health/hygiene characteristics of practice, the knowledge of biologic/toxicological risks and the preventive procedures and devices improvements in professional practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 127 practitioners contacted, 108 (85%) agreed to participate. The knowledge of infective risks was self- evaluated as good only in 24%: even if vaccinated, most of the dentists (57%) considered HBV the main infective agent to fear, not giving the same importance to the air-borne transmission of diseases. The presence of a single dental unit per surgery (90%) was considered an index of good health/hygiene education but, in spite of the use of disposable gloves, caps and masks, the dentists do not always change their coats or wash their hands between patients yet. The management of dental instruments can be considered efficient as long as they are sterilised in an autoclave (97%) and undergo periodic sterilization efficacy tests (76%). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The results indicate a good structural and organisational status, but there is the need for continuous education concerning the prevention of cross-infections.

Class III dento-skeletal anomalies: rotational growth and treatment timing.

AIM: The interception of a Class III malocclusion requires a long-term growth prediction in order to estimate the subject's evolution from the prepubertal phase to adulthood. The aim of this retrospective longitudinal study was to highlight the differences in facial morphology in relation to the direction of mandibular growth in a sample of subjects with Class III skeletal anomalies divided on the basis of their Petrovic's auxological categories and rotational types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 20 patients (11 females and 9 males) who started therapy before reaching their pubertal peak and were followed up for a mean of 4.3 years (range: 3.9-5.5 years). RESULTS: Despite the small sample size, the definition of the rotational type of growth was the main diagnostic element for setting the correct individualised therapy. CONCLUSION: We therefore believe that the observation of a larger sample would reinforce the diagnostic-therapeutic validity of Petrovic's auxological categories, allow an evaluation off all rotational types, and improve the statistical significance of the results obtained.

Microbiologic investigation on patients with cystic fibrosis subjected to bilateral lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: In cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, lung transplantation is the only way to improve both quality and length of life. Data in the literature show that, in 80% of the cases, mortality after lung transplantation in CF patients is due to infections. METHODS: We microbiologically monitored 34 patients subjected to bilateral lung transplantation in during 1996 to 1999 to ascertain whether a change in the bacterial species isolated from the lower respiratory tract took place that might have influenced the clinical conditions of the patients. RESULTS: Our results show that the percentage of nonfermenting Gram-negative bacteria isolated from the lower respiratory tract remains high even in the posttransplantation phase. Nevertheless, the general clinical conditions of most of the patients were good and the three patients who died did not do as a consequence of an infection. CONCLUSIONS: Lung transplantation constitutes a valid therapeutic choice for CF patients because the microorganisms that we isolated from the lungs of the patients in our study behave mostly as contaminants rather than as colonizers. However, the transplanted patients remain at risk and thus require constant microbiological surveillance.

Circulating thyroglobulin and antithyroglobulin antibodies after fine needle aspiration of thyroid nodules.

Circulating thyroglobulin and antithyroglobulin antibodies were assayed in fifteen patients affected by solitary "cold" nodules of the thyroid who had undergone fine needle aspiration for cytologic diagnosis. The aim of the study was to investigate whether a minor insult to thyroid tissue such as fine needle aspiration is able to release thyroglobulin into the circulation and to induce the formation of antithyroglobulin antibodies. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Circulating thyroglobulin increased substantially after fine needle aspiration in 11 out of 15 patients. 2. Antithyroglobulin antibodies did not appear in any patient during a follow-up period of two months. 3. The magnitude of basal thyroglobulin and thyroglobulin increase after needle aspiration were unrelated to cytologic diagnosis.

Plasma ACTH-response to the corticotropin releasing factor in patients with Cushing's disease. Comparison with the lysine-vasopressin test.

In three female patients with Cushing's disease, 100 micrograms of synthetic ovine corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) were administered before surgery and 1 week after transsphenoidal microadenomectomy. In these patients a test with lysine-vasopressin (LVP), 10 U intramuscularly, was also performed before and after pituitary surgery. Before surgery, both stimuli induced a clear increase in plasma ACTH and cortisol in all patients; the response of ACTH to CRF was of greater magnitude. Postoperatively, the responses were virtually absent in two patients, but were still present in the third one in whom the removal of adenoma had been partially unsuccessful. The CRF test was also performed in a female patient with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal adenoma; in this patient no responses of plasma ACTH and cortisol to CRF were recorded. This paper demonstrates that pituitary microadenomas causing Cushing's disease may retain the ability to respond to CRF; this stimulus may be useful in the differential diagnosis between ACTH-dependent and independent Cushing's syndrome; the lack of response after microadenomectomy indicates successful removal of the tumor. CRF is more potent than LVP in releasing ACTH at the doses employed.

Gonadotropin response to gonadotropin releasing hormone in acute schizophrenia.

To evaluate hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in acute schizophrenia, plasma FSH and LH concentrations were estimated both in basal conditions and after stimulation with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH, 200 micrograms i.v.) in 14 young male patients with acute schizophrenia and in a age-matched group of 14 healthy male controls. Basal plasma PRL and testosterone levels were also measured. The mean basal levels of LH and FSH were slightly lower in schizophrenics, while the mean testosterone and prolactin levels were similar in the two groups. The FSH response to GnRH was significantly reduced in patients with acute schizophrenia, while the response of LH was similar in schizophrenics and in the controls. The possible significance of these findings is discussed in the contest of the complex neuroendocrine regulation of gonadotropin secretion and the overactivity of dopaminergic systems in acute schizophrenia.

Pompe's disease: ultrastructural alterations of muscle tissue in parents.

A histological, histochemical and ultrastructural study of muscle tissue was performed in the parents of a patient affected by a infantile form of acid maltase deficiency (Pompe's disease). In both parents the clinical examination was normal, but serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) and aldolase were high. Histological and histochemical examination of muscle did not reveal any abnormality. Ultrastructural study showed an excess of glycogen granules below the sarcolemmal sheat and between myofibrils, often associated with clusters of mitochondria. There was no glycogen trapped in lysosomal vesicles. The mechanism of glycogen storage in Pompe's disease seems to involve an enzymatic deficiency other than acid maltase.