Application of nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan scaffolds on rat calvarial critical-sized defects: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate for the first time the effect of 75/25 w/w nano-Hydroxyapatite/Chitosan (nHAp/CS) scaffolds on Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) in rat calvarial critical-sized defects (CSDs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six adult Sprague Dawley rats, 3 males and 3 females, were used. Two CSDs, full thickness and 5mm in diameter, were trephined in both sides of the parietal bone. The right CSD was filled with nHAp/CS scaffold, while the left CSD remained empty, as the control group. The wound was sutured in layers. Rats were euthanized with diethyl ether inhalation at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after surgical procedure. Histological and histomorphometric analysis was performed within distinct regions of interest (ROI): the lateral area inward of the middle sagittal seam; the lateral area outward of the middle sagittal seam and the central area. RESULTS: The mean surface of newly formed bone (in µm2) in the lateral area inward of the middle sagittal seam of all rats was significantly higher (P=0.039) in the experimental group (91733.00±38855.60) than the control group (46762.17±25507.97). The NOex-c, defined as total number of osteocytes (OST) in newly formed bone surface in experimental group [experimental OST] minus the total number of osteocytes in newly formed bone surface in control group [control OST], was significantly greater (P=0.029) at 4th week post-surgery. Within the experimental group, a statistically significant increase (P=0.042) in the surface of newly formed bone was noticed in rats euthanized in 4th week compared with rats euthanized in 2nd week after surgery in the lateral area inward of the middle sagittal seam. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that 75/25 w/w nHAp/CS scaffolds should be considered as a suitable biomaterial for GBR.

Generalized pulp stones: report of a case with 6-year follow-up.

AIM: To present a mildly mentally retarded patient with generalized pulp stone formation and the six-year follow-up and to discuss the differential diagnosis of the case. SUMMARY: Pulp stones were radiographically detected in the pulp chamber of all permanent teeth in a 25-year-old woman with mild mental retardation who presented for endodontic treatment on tooth no 11 (FDI). The patient's medical, dental and family history was noncontributory. The pulp stone in the pulp chamber of tooth no 11 was removed during canal filing, and root canal treatment completed uneventfully. Six years later, the patient was re-evaluated and the pulp stones were unchanged radiographically. The patient's family history, facial phenotype and karyotype as well as the radiographic, laboratory and physical examination were not consistent with any of the known genetic syndromes associated with generalized pulp stones. Molecular analysis for the DSPP gene proved negative. The aetiology of this case remains unknown. KEY POINTS: Generalized pulp stones occur rarely; Such patients should be referred for genetic evaluation because pulp stones are mostly associated with genetic dentine defects; Pulp stones may hinder root canal treatment; Pulp stones may remain unchanged overtime.

Hyalinosis cutis et mucosae: diagnosis based on oral manifestations--report of a case.

Hyalinosis cutis et mucosae is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by diffuse deposition of a hyaline-like material in the skin and mucous membrane of the oral cavity, upper respiratory tract, and internal organs. In the first weeks of life it begins with typical hoarseness due to hyaline deposits in the larynx. Rough, yellowish-white papular deposits in the skin and the oral mucosa usually develop during childhood. The etiology and pathogenesis are unknown and the treatment is only symptomatic. A 14-year old boy developed several typical clinical features of the disease since birth and remained undiagnosed until he was referred by his dentist to our department for oral evaluation. The clinical, histopathological and immunological aspects of the patient are discussed in detail. Oral and systemic manifestations of the disease are also reviewed. The oral mucosa appeared nodular, diffusely enlarged and thickened because of infiltration with waxy-yellowish-white plaques and nodules. The patient also exhibited a thickened, furrowed appearance of the skin with several skin scars, eyelid nodules, loss of eyelashes and voice hoarseness. The clinical diagnosis of hyalinosis cutis et mucosa was confirmed histologically.

[The nutrient canals. Radiographic alterations of the mandibular anterior region in diabetic patients]. / Oi trophophoroi poroi tes prosthias perioches tes kato gnathou, se atoma me sakcharode diabete.

The aim of this investigation was to study the incidence of the appearance of the nutrient canals in the mandibular anterior region of periapical radiographs of patients with diabetes mellitus. A total of 133 patients were examined, 73 patients exhibited diabetes mellitus, where 60 patients did not. The results of this investigation showed that: 1. The incidence of the appearance of the nutrient canals is much greater in the patients with diabetes mellitus (75.34%) than in the patients were used as control (41.66%). 2. In patients with diabetes mellitus, nutrient canals are seen more frequent in males (54.52%) than in females (45.48%). 3. The number of nutrient canals seems to have relation with the duration of disease and the recent value of blood glucose.

[Incidence of xerostomia in patients with drug-controlled diabetes mellitus]. / Euchnoteta emphanises xerostomias se astheneis me sakcharode diabete rythmizomeno pharmaka.

A hundred and fifty patients with drug-controlled diabetes mellitus complaining for xerostomia were examined, in order to evaluate the incidence of xerostomia with sex, duration of the disease and recent value of blood glucose. Xerostomia was recorded in 76% of the patients with a predilection for women (50.87%). Finally, the incidence of xerostomia was not related with duration of the disease and recent value of blood glucose.

[Valuable information from the medical history and intraoral examination of diabetic patients]. / Axiologese tou historikou kai tes klinikes exetases tou stomatos asthenon me sakcharode diabete.

A hundred and eighty patients with drug-controlled diabetes mellitus were examined, in order to find out mainly if there is any correlation between their medical history and their intraoral manifestations. The results of this study showed that: 1. Seventy five per cent of patients with diabetes mellitus control their disease with antidiabetic drugs. 2. Almost half of the patients with controlled diabetes mellitus (49.44%) maintain the recent value of blood glucose in low level (170 mgr%). 3. The duration of the disease was related to the dental and gingival clinical features, while the recent value of blood glucose and the antidiabetic regimen were not.

[Incidence of nutrient canals in hypertensive patients]. / Eychnoteta emphanises trophophoron poron se hypertasikous astheneis.

The purpose of this investigation was to study the incidence of the appearance of the nutrient canals in periapical radiographs of the mandibular anterior region, in hypertensive patients. Of the 120 patients studied, 60 exhibited hypertension where the rest 60 did not. The results of the present study showed that: 1. The incidence of the appearance of the nutrient canals is much greater in the patients with hypertension (55%) than in the patients without (41.66%). 2. In patients with hypertension nutrient canals are seen more frequent in males (68.75%) than in females (39.28%). 3. The number of nutrient canals increases with age in both groups of patients.

[Determination of absorbed doses of radiation in patients during orthopantomography]. / Prosdiorismos ton doseon aktinobolias se astheneis kata te lepse orthopatnomographematos.

The aim of this study was to determine the absorbed doses of radiation in the skin region of temporomandibular joint (T.M.J.) maxillary sinus, parotid gland, body of mandible and thyroid gland during orthopantomographic examination. For this purpose were used a siemens orthopantomograph-OP2, Palomex OY: 75 KVp, 15 mA and 15 sec; 47 male patients about the same age, weighing and height who were selected from the oral Diagnosis Clinic of Athens University, and had indication for orthopantomographic examination. The calculation was performed with thermoluminescent dosimeters (T.L.D.) which were calibrated by a known source of Co60 before use. Dosimetry were calculated in T.L.D. detector Model 2000 A-2000 C Harshaw Chemical Co. and the results of calculations were the following: 1. Dose above 0.35 cGy received the parotid and the thyroid region. 2. Dose below 0.35 cGy received the T.M.J., maxillary sinus and body of mandible region. 3. Doses on the right side were greater than the left side.

[Incidence of nutrient canals in hypertensive patients with alveolar bone loss. A radiographic study]. / Euchnoteta emphanises trophophoron poron se aktinographemata asthenon me ypertase kai phainiolysia.

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of the appearance of nutrient canals in periapical radiographs of the mandibular anterior region of hypertensive patients with alveolar bone loss. A total of 220 patients were examined, 120 patients exhibited hypertension and radiographic signs of alveolar bone loss, where 100 patients did not. The results of the present study showed that: 1. The incidence of the appearance of the nutrient canals is much greater in the hypertensive patients with alveolar bone loss (58.33%) than in the nonhypertensive patients without alveolar bone loss (54%). 2. In hypertensive patients with alveolar bone loss, nutrient canals are seen more frequent in females (59.01%) than in males (57.62%). 3. The number of nutrient canals increases with severity of alveolar bone loss.

[Determination of absorbed doses of radiation during lateral cephalometric radiography]. / Prosdiorismos ton doseon aktinobolias kata te lepse plagiou kephalometrikou aktinographematos.

The aim of this study was to determine the absorbed doses of radiation in skin and deeper tissues as well as in critical organs, in vitro. For this purpose were used: a Siemens Orthoceph-10 cephalometric unit; a tissue equivalent Phantom head, type Rando; 43 thermoluminescencent dosimeters (T.L.D.), rare earth screens type, Siemens titan ZHS and Dupont Cronex-4 films 24 x 30 cm. Of the 43 T.L.D. 21 were places on the skin head, face and neck surface and 22 were places in deeper tissues and organs, and the exposure parameters were: 77 Kvp, 12 mA and 0.8 sec. The results of this study showed that: 1. doses on the left side towards focus were greater than the right side. 2. surface skin doses were ranged between 0.10 to 0.21 mGy. 3. Doses in deeper tissues or organs were varied and depended on the location and the consistency of tissue and were greater than the surface skin doses. Comparing our results with the results of other studies we can conclude that dose reduction to patient, can be achieved with use of rare earth screens in combination with fast speed film and the use of low exposure parameters.

[Stress and immunity in cattle]. / Stress und Immunität beim Rind.

Stress of variable length may be caused in calf by parenteral administration of supercortisol and application of acute thermal load. Hormonal or thermal stress may have negative impact on postvaccinal immunity to paratyphoid (Salmonella dublin 81), as may be interpreted with reference to the O-agglutination titre of blood serum. The extent to which immunity is suppressed by stress was found to depend on the moment of stress application, duration of stress, and age of the calf.