Dietary zerumbone from shampoo ginger: new insights into its antioxidant and anticancer activity.

The dietary sesquiterpene dienone zerumbone (ZER) selectively targets cancer cells, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis, and protects non-cancerous cells towards oxidative stress and insult. This study examines the in vitro effects of ZER on lipid peroxidation in biological systems (cholesterol and phospholipid membrane oxidation) and explores its antitumor action in terms of its ability to modulate cancer cell lipid profile. Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of ZER showed that this compound is unable to trap lipoperoxyl radicals per se. ZER significantly modulated the total lipid and fatty acid profiles in cancer cells, inducing marked changes in the phospholipid/cholesterol ratio, with significant decreases in the levels of oleic and palmitic acids and a marked increase of stearic acid. Cell-based fluorescent measurements of intracellular membranes and lipid droplets using the Nile Red staining technique showed that in cancer cells, ZER induced significant accumulation of cytosolic lipid droplets and altered cell membrane organization/protein dynamics, depolarizing the mitochondrial membranes and inducing apoptosis and alteration of nuclear morphology. The modulatory activity of ZER on the total lipid and fatty acid profiles and lipid droplets may therefore represent another possible mechanism of its anticancer properties.

Intrusive luxation of primary upper incisors and sequelae on permanent successors: a clinical follow-up study.

AIM: The purpose of this report is to evaluate the epidemiological aspects of intrusion that occur against upper incisors in primary dentition, to determine the statistic correlation of developmental disturbances to permanent teeth in relation to age of children at the time of trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed based on radiographic and clinical data of 34 intruded incisors in 30 patients aged between 12 and 60 months. Baseline data were collected in a questionnaire designed following the guidelines of the IADT-Italy. The descriptive statistical analysis between the different variables was performed with the Chi-squared test and the level of significance was set at 5%. The following parameters were considered: gender, age of patient at the time of injury, emergency treatment, clinical signs (vitality, mobility, spontaneous pain, colour change), presence of complications, degree of spontaneous re-eruption and possible developmental disorders to the following tooth. RESULTS: Intrusive luxation is not statistically related to gender. During the first 6-month follow-ups, 20 incisors belonging to 12 subjects aged between 12-24 months at the time of intrusion exhibited pulpal necrosis. The highest rate of total spontaneous re-eruption occurred in incisors intruded at 12-24 months. The likelihood of spontaneous re-eruption decreased with the child's age. A significant correlation between mobility at clinical follow-up and developmental disorders in permanent teeth was found, whereas a statistical correlation between age of patient at the time of trauma and sequelae was not pointed out, even if 17 primary incisors intruded at 12-24 months did not develop an arrest of root formation. CONCLUSION: The most traumatic intrusions in primary dentition occurs between 12 and 24 months of age, the most common cause being fall while walking. Intruded incisors with moderate mobility developed enamel hypoplasia and ectopic eruption. There was no significant correlation between age at the time of intrusion and type of subsequent developmental disturbances.

A long-term retrospective clinical study on MTA pulpotomies in immature permanent incisors with complicated crown fractures.

AIM: The study was undertaken to evaluate mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) clinically and radiographically as a pulpotomy agent in immature permanent teeth whose pulps were exposed by a complicated crown fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty incisors with exposed pulps in twenty-nine patients were examined for this retrospective study. According to exclusion criteria, only twenty-seven teeth were selected. Each tooth was treated with partial pulpotomy and the wounded pulp was covered with mineral trioxide aggregate. The children were recalled for clinical and radiographic evaluation at 3 months, 6 months, at approximately 12 months and 36 months. RESULTS: Out of 27 cases, 22 were categorized as 'healed' and 1 as 'healing'. The remaining 4 ones highlighted persistent disease and needed further endodontic treatment. CONCLUSION: MTA partial pulpotomy is an effective treatment in maintaining pulpal vitality and allowing physiological root development (apexogenesis).

Isolation and characterization of AAP1. A gene encoding an alanine/arginine aminopeptidase in yeast.

The yeast AAP1 gene, encoding a putative amino-peptidase, was isolated based on its ability to suppress the temperature-sensitive growth on nonfermentable carbon sources of spr5, a stationary phase regulatory mutant. AAP1 was physically mapped to chromosome VIII between PUT2 and CUP1. Sequence analysis of the AAP1 gene showed a 1581-nucleotide open reading frame capable of encoding a 59-kilodalton protein. The protein encoded by this open reading frame exhibits approximately 40% sequence identity to human, rat, and mouse aminopeptidases. In limited regions, sequence identity between Aap1 and the mammalian aminopeptidases ranges from 53% to 93%. Insertional inactivation of the AAP1 gene resulted in a decrease in glycogen accumulation and the loss of the major band of arginine/alanine aminopeptidase activity. Strains carrying the AAP1 gene on a high copy plasmid show an increase in the major arginine/alanine aminopeptidase activity, a dramatic increase in glycogen accumulation, and an increase in transcription from a vector carrying lacZ fused to the promoter of a gene (SSA3) expressed during post-diauxic and stationary phases of the culture cycle. We conclude that although the AAP1 gene is not essential for viability, the Aap1 protein positively affects glycogen accumulation in yeast.

[Transposition of upper permanent canine and premolar. Orthodontic, surgical and conservative solutions]. / Trasposizione del canino e del premolare permanenti superiori: soluzioni ortodontiche, chirurgiche, conservative.

According to the bibliography and their personal experiences, the Authors take into account the transposition of the canine and first premolar, in order to discuss their causes and consider the different therapeutical possibilities. Three clinical cases are here treated.

[Relationship of orthodontics and periodontal support]. / Rapporti tra ortodonzia e supporto parodontale.

The Authors, in the light of available data in the published literature and using their own personal experience as a basis, examine the relationship existing between orthodontia and periodontology, giving prominence to the more immediate and dynamic aspects of the comparison. An obvious cause-and-effect relationship often links the position of the teeth and the periodontal pathology; if this relationship is understood by the orthodontist, it can guide him in his choice of treatment, both where curative treatment is required but also, and more importantly, where prevention can be provided. Emphasis is placed on how serious can be the damages caused to the periodontium where the monitoring of the bacterial plaque and of the inflammation which it brings about is not sufficiently constant. Certain programs of treatment are proposed which, using orthodontal methods, can make a substantial contribution to solving periodontal problems, the kind of problems which are hard to control when traditional methods are used.

[Bonding of fragments in coronal fractures]. / Incollaggio dei frammenti nelle fratture coronali.

The coronal fractures of the upper incisors for traumatic injuries represent the 8% of the total dental trauma. The use of new dentinal adhesive have permitted to obtain new interesting development in dental traumatology and dental aesthetic, like the possibility of the utilization of the dental fragment, of the incisor broken for a trauma. The new dentinal adhesive is the Gluma (Bayer). The Author describes the technique, the times, some particulars and step by step all the method to obtain good final results. The Author described complicated and uncomplicated crown fractures, fractures with several fragments and corono-radicular fractures with reattachment of the fragment. The long distances results (3 years) of 48 cases are presented. Finally are presented all the advantages compared to the traditional methods with the composites materials.

[Biochemical study of the dental pulp in the calf]. / Etude biochimique de la pulpe dentaire de veau.

A biochemical study of dental pulp of calves has been performed concerning: a) peroxydability b) A, E, C vitamins content c) glutation (GSH) content d) presence of paramagnetic compounds e) phosphorylation ratio The dental pulp from incisors of 5-months-old calves has been preserved. Immediately after decapitation the pulp was immersed in liquid nitrogen. Chromatographic (HPLC) and spectroscopic (NMR-ESR) techniques have been used. GSH in dental pulp are present and dosable (4.56 +/- 0.08 n moles/mg prot.) and GSSG (1.05 +/- 0.01 n moles/mg prot.). Because of blood traces in the extracted pulps, the AA. have determined the hemoglobin (Hb) dosage and GSH of erythrocytic derivation (Fig. 1). After deduction of GSH of erythrocytic derivation, the GSH really present in the pulp was 4.41 n moles/mg prot. and the GSSG was 0.90 n moles/mg prot. Peroxydability of the dental pulp has been evaluated with Lowry method with dental pulp homogenate and rat liver homogenate (see Table 1). The ESR spectre shows 4 resonances with the following values: g. 2.24-2.04-2.00-1.97; there are some free intermediary radicals (gr.-2.00) (Fig.2). The NMR spectre shows the presence of ATP (0.22 n moles/g) of inorganic phosphate (16.58 n moles g) (Fig.3). The pulp seems to have a lot of antioxidant factors. The next researches will be to study E, A and C vitamins concentrations. This high presence of GSH and GSSG may be an embryonic peculiarity.

[Splinting technique for traumatic luxation of anterior permanent teeth]. / Tecniche di splintaggio nelle lussazioni traumatiche dei denti permanenti anteriori.

Extrusive luxations of both, upper and lower incisors, represent a frequent event in dental traumatology. The Authors present some cases in which elastic splints have been used. In fact recent researches show that, even soon after a traumatic event, is not indicated to immobilize teeth with rigid fixed splints because they don't allow any dental function. It is therefore preferable the use of elastic splints for 2-4 weeks, instead of rigid splints for long periods. The Authors then describe the techniques, the methods and the radiographic controls and pulp tests used in this kind of traumatic pathology, showing the positive long term results obtained by using elastic splints instead of rigid splints which often present as result root resorptions or pulp necrosis. In fact with elastic splints is possible to replace and maintain luxated teeth, allowing at the same time a certain function of teeth and their support tissues.

[New methods and new technics in pedodontics: "conscious sedation"!]. / Nuove metodiche e nuove tecniche in pedodonzia: "la sedazione cosciente"!

The reasons why is it sometimes necessary to resort in paediatric dentistry to the use of conscious sedation with N2O/O2 are explained together with clinical indications and applications. The excellent results obtained with this technique lead to greater cooperation of the child, to a positive emotional contact with dental treatment and the possibility of performing the necessary therapies with greater precision.

[Dental trauma: coronal fractures of permanent incisors. A new technique of bonding fragments]. / Traumi dentali: fratture coronali degli incisivi permanenti. Nuova tecnica di incollaggio dei frammenti.

The coronal fractures of the upper incisors for traumatic injuries represent the 8% of the total dental trauma. The use of new dentinal adhesive have permitted to obtain new interesting development in dental traumatology and dental esthetic, like the possibility of the utilisation of the dental fragment, of the incisor broken for a trauma. The new dentinal adhesive is the Gluma (Bayer). The Authors describe the technique, the times, some particulars and step by step all the method to obtain good final results. Finally are presented all the advantages compared to the traditional methods with the composites materials.

[Morphological research on the dental pulp of the calf]. / Ricerche morfologiche nella polpa dentaria di vitello.

Morphological researches have been carried out through histological studies with fine and semifine sections at the electronic scan microscope on the dental pulp of calves. The general aim was to identify the antioxidant properties of pulp and study cellular density and microfibrillar architecture. The dental pulps of calves of 5-6 months taken immediately after slaughtering were used with immersions into the fixing liquid. The scan microscope showed fibroblasts in the deepest regions of the pulp in a stroma of collagenic fibres, not organised but scattered among the cells of the connective tissue. The odontoblasts presented well ordered one beside the others with well visible details such as the swollen basal portion, the nucleus and a very tight villosity. No clear interodontoblastic connections were evident. The electron transmission microscope revealed typical cells with histiocyte appearance with microfilaments evident in the cytoplasma (myofibroblasts) presenting a wide variety of cytoplasmatic interconnections with interdigitations.

[Evaluation of fluoride content in Modena water]. / Valutazione del contenuto in fluoro nelle acque del modenese.

The Authors confirm the importance of fluoroprophylaxis in the prevention of Dental caries. They analyze the main methods of fluoroprophylaxis pointing out the systemic fluoroprophylaxis, effected by means of water fluoruration, as the best one for a valid prevention of dental caries on a large scale. In view of such a kind of fluoroprophylaxis in our country the Authors considered quite interesting to effect a research about the amount of fluoride in the waters of the district of Modena. The whole of results are reported.

[Supernumerary teeth in the deciduous dentition]. / I denti sovrannumerari in "dentizione decidua".

The Authors presented sovrannumeraries (S) teeth in primary dentition, and the pedodontic, surgical and orthodontic problems. Semeiotics signs, and X Ray suggested, are described. All the types of S. teeth are showed: supplementaries, conoides, tuberculates and infundibuliformes. For every type characteristics, problems and surgical timing are described. Tuberculates and infundibuliformes teeth are the most dangerous for the permanent teeth interrupted: eruption delay, dilacerations, impactions, fusion, follicles, diseases, are reported. The direction of the growth of S. teeth must be analyzed. If the direction is external the timing of surgery is very important. Finally the Authors emphasized the role of cooperation of pedodontist, with oral surgeon and orthodontist for to obtain good results.

[Caridex--conscious sedation association. A new approach in pedodontics]. / Associazione Caridex-sedazione cosciente. Nuovo approccio alla pedodonzia.

Psycological approach and analgesia are very important in paediatric dentistry. Sometimes the first is not enough and it is necessary the use of pharmacological methods. They are represented with sure and useful technique like "relative analgesia" with N2O/O2. The use of Caridex method is also very good in operative paediatric dentistry because there is not the necessity of local anesthesia with injection and the use of burns and drills. The AA. have connected together these two methods, and they present some very interesting clinical reports. With Caridex it's possible to remove only decayed dentine saving so the healthy dentine and reducing fear and stress in very young children. The association with relative analgesia permits to do a very early and global therapy in children also very young (24-36 months). The AA. have obtained a reduction of hemotivity, of odontogenous stress, and last but not least with this method there is the opportunity to avoid the general anesthesia.

Temporal expression of transcription and relative copy number of plasmid pSFB-1 in Scytalidium flavo-brunneum.

Wild-type cultures of Scytalidium flavo-brunneum produce a 15-azasterol antifungal agent and a reddish brown pigment as secondary metabolites. Spontaneous mutants of S. flavo-brunneum that had simultaneously lost the ability to produce the 15-azasterol and the pigment were transformed with plasmid pSFB-1, which was obtained from wild-type S. flavo-brunneum. Each transformant possessed the plasmid and coincidentally reacquired azasterol and pigment production. Regulation of transcription and relative plasmid copy number was determined as a function of the culture cycle of the organism. Twenty-five-fold amplification of the plasmid was observed in the fungus during the stationary phase. RNA transcripts of 0.9, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 kilobases were expressed from the plasmid by the organism. While differences in the temporal regulation of the transcripts were seen, all except the 1.0-kilobase transcript increased in abundance on entry of the culture into the stationary phase of growth.

[Treatment of dental agenesis in the child]. / El tratamiento de las agenesias dentarias en el niño.

This paper aims to emphasize the highly interdisciplinary nature of the relationship between the pedodontist, the orthodontist and the prosthodontist in monitoring and successfully dealing with the special cases of oral pathology represented by agenesis of the lateral incisors, with the possibility of creating space. The use of prosthetic appliances is all but mandatory in the treatment of agenesis of the upper lateral incisors.

[Root fracture and tooth luxation. Endo-orthodontic technic after 15 years]. / Fratture radicolari e lussazioni dentali. Technica endo-ortodontica - dopo 15 anni.

The authors described a personal treatment method for the traumatic root fractures in the permanent incisors, and the review of their results after 15 years. The method consists in the good immobilisation and fixation of the injured teeth, with orthodontic bands and brackets and arch wire. They put this orthodontic contention for one-two months, and after x-ray control and pulp vitality checks, removed it. They presented also the use of the same technique in the luxations of permanent incisors, and compared the results. In the root fractures the authors obtain good long distance results, such as pulp vitality, good health, calcified tissue in the fracture zone, good stability of the tooth. Otherwise in the incisors luxations they frequently founded pulp necrosis, and root resorption in the long distance controls.

[Histological and ultrastructural observations of dentin dysplasia type I]. / Osservazioni istologiche ed ultrastrutturali nella displasia dentinale di tipo I.

The Authors described a case of dentinal dysplasia type I in one patient (7.6 years). The father also presented the same pathology. The AA. presented the histological and ultra-structural observations, with scansion electron microscopy aut they showed the main aspects of these pathology: pulpal root canal obliterated with dysplastiques dentinal masses, globuliform dentin with irregular form of tubuli and rest of organic pulpar tissue with calcified material.