[Physiological and pathological roles of apoptosis]. / Roluri fiziologice si patologice ale apoptozei.

An understanding of the cellular events leading to apoptosis is important for the design of new chemotherapeutic agents directed against the types of leukemias and lymphomas that are resistant to currently used chemotherapeutic protocols. Malignant cell proliferation and accumulation depend on an imbalance between the rate of cell production and the rate of cell death. Apoptosis has been demonstrated to be involved not only in the regulation of normal tissues but also in the development and control of tumour cells. The relationship between oncogenes, apoptosis and growth factors is very important in determining prognosis when analysing the potential benefits of different treatment regimens.

[Periodontitis, a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases?]. / Periodontitele, factor de risc pentru bolile cardiovasculare?

Exist a statistically significant association between a diagnosis of coronary heart disease and certain oral health parameters. These parameters are independent and more strongly associated with coronary heart disease than were recognized risk factors, such as serum cholesterol levels, body mass index, diabetes and smoking status. The correlation between serum and salivary cholesterol concentration and the role of salivary lipids in oral health have been poorly characterized. Lipids in saliva are mostly glandular in origin, through some may diffuse diffuse directly from the serum. The surface of the enamel (in case of dietary fat which have an cariostatic effect) is protected against demineralization by a mixture of salivary lipids and proteins. Salivary lipids may have anucleating role in the early mineralization of the dental plaque. The prevalence of periodontal disease may be increased in patients with atherosclerosis, and dental and periodontal infections have been shown to be associated with occurrence of acute and chronic coronary heart disease. Among the known risk factors of atherosclerosis, high serum lipid levels, especially cholesterol may be important with regard to periodontal health.

New trends in "mystery SIDS" research.

The aim of this study is to suggest some new trends of research in SIDS, leaving from the pathologist's observations of the presence of unusual lesions in SIDS. The histopathological study was made on 27 cases of SD, representing 1996 SIDS cases registered to hospital. There were put in evidence the oesophageal inflammation, the hyperplasia of submucosal laryngeal glands, different grades of bronchiolar mucous hypersecretion and reducing of elastic lung tissue and the hypertrophy of muscular lung small arteries. This lesions are frequently encountered to SIDS cases.