The presence of functional mannose receptor on macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface.

BACKGROUND: The mannose receptor (MR) is involved in the initiation of the immune response and regulation of homeostasis during inflammation and tissue remodeling. METHODS: Distribution, endocytosis and possible natural ligand tumor associated glycoprotein-72 (TAG-72) for the MR have been examined by immunohistology, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry at the maternal-fetal interface, characterized by extensive tissue remodeling. RESULTS: Contrary to disseminated distribution of the MR positive (MR+) cells in term placenta, the MR+ cells of early pregnancy decidua intimately surrounded glands and followed tissue distribution of CD14 positive cells. The mannose receptor was present on freshly isolated first trimester decidual mononuclear cells and distributed mostly on macrophages (77.08 +/- 10.55%, mean +/- SD). The expression of the MR on CD14 positive cells decreased following 18 h culture (P < 0.01) and was accompanied by the reduction of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran uptake. PAM-1 anti-MR antibody, mannan and TAG-72 reduced FITC-dextran uptake by decidual macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the MR+ macrophages, surrounding early decidual glands, are able to internalize ligands for carbohydrate recognition domain of the receptor, including decidual secretory phase mucin TAG-72.

Epidemiological analysis of oral surgery procedures.

The epidemiological study was conducted to assess oral health of patients referred to the Department of Oral Surgery at Clinical Hospital Center in Rijeka. The distribution of particular diagnoses and surgical interventions in relation to frequency of occurrence was tested. The total of 1,268 patients aged from 5 to 89 years, both sexes, were included in the study. All the patients were treated under local anesthesia. The most common reason for referral to oral surgery was chronic periapical lesion (33.3%), followed by retained root (26.7%), impacted tooth (12.7%), and radicular cyst (8.3%). The majority of patients, residents of Rijeka city area, were treated for the diagnosis of adult periodontitis, while the radicular cysts and hypertrophy of the upper frenulum were more frequent referral diagnoses in patients coming from the areas around Rijeka. Extractions were performed more frequently in patients from Rijeka, while cystectomies with apicectomies and frenulectomies in other patients.