Suchergebnisse

Introduction: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key enzymes involved in degradation of extracellular colagen matrix during periodontal disease progression. The aim of our work was to study the levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-10 in saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis. Materials and methods: The study included 22 patients with chronic periodontal disease and 15 controls. We collect unstimulated whole saliva from all volunteers included in the study. Salivary levels of mentioned MMPs were analyzed using magnetic bead-based multiplex assays and Luminex technology. Results: MMP-1, MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-10 present statistically increased salivary levels at patients with periodontal disease versus the control group (p<0.05). Salivary level of MMP-2 at patients with chronic periodontitis was increased but statistically insignificant compared with healthy subjects (p=0.1). Conclusions. The increased level of these enzymes in patients diagnosed with periodontal disease reflects their implication in periodontal tissue degradation. Saliva is an excellent fluid useful in monitoring the severity of this oral disease that affects about half of the adult population around the world.

One of the most obvious trends in current prosthetic dentistry is the introduction of digital techniques. Of these, the techniques that offer the possibility of aesthetic prefiguration of the final prosthetic result are of particular interest to the dentist. The aim of this paper was to verify the applicability of the Digital Smile Design application, which is the most commonly, used aesthetic prefiguration application, an application designed for the dentate patient, to full edentulism. Two groups of full edentulous patients were formed: the first group, complete denture carriers, dissatisfied with the aesthetic aspects, that they wanted to improve in the new denture, and, the second group, newly bimaxillary full edentulous patients with high aesthetic expectations. Thus, on the first group, the tests were performed on the existing denture, and the second one with the maxillary occlusion template. However, the view of the final result offered the patients the chance to have a realistic picture of their desires regarding the shape, color, size of the teeth, which were inadequate in relation to age and facial typology. The use of this application also improves communication with the dental laboratory. In full edentulism, the current DSD technique can be used with some limitations and the use of it in this field needs more complex studies on larger groups of patients.

"Introduction: As general population tends to have increasing life expectancy, the risk associated with developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) with multiple incapacitating concequences, also increases. Method: For the present study, we registered the data from the observation files of 37 patients diagnosed with CKD undergoing treatment by chronic hemodialysis and noted the CKD associated diagnoses included in the notion of comorbidities. We monitored their statistical incidence both in the whole group and separately, in women and men using TTEST and CORREL. Results: The median age of the subjects was 55.86 (± 12.00) years. The study population mean weight was 74.90 (± 14.44) kg, with a mean weight of 69.33 kg for female subjects, and 77.92 kg for males, respectively. Diabetes was identified in 35.13% of patients, whilst heart failure was present in 16.21% of patients. Conclusions: Following the analysis of the information about the patients with CKD in the dialysis program, which we included in the study group, we observed the existence of variations that occur with age, significant correlations between age and weight and between albuminemia and weight. The most common comorbidity is high blood pressure followed by anemia. "

Aim. The assessment of distribution of supernumerary permanent teeth (SPT) and the disturbances caused by them. Material and method. Cross-sectional study upon a sample of 85 children (58 boys) aged between 3 and 18 years (mean age=9.08±3.09 years) with at least one SPT. Were analyzed: patients' distribution according to gender, age and number of dental units; SPT distribution according to arch and topography and also the disturbances noticed. Results. a) boys:girls ratio=2.14:1; b) the 85 patients had 107 SPT, mean number=1.25; c) 76.47% of patients had one SPT; d) 89.72% of SPT were on maxillary arch, maxilla:mandible ratio = 8.7:1; d) 92.52% of SPT were localized in anterior region, anterior:posterior region ratio = 12.3:1; e) mesiodens –71.96%, supernumerary lateral incisor – 19.62%; f) disturbances caused by SPT: ectopic eruption of permanent teeth – 36.47%; delay or failure of eruption of permanent teeth – 21.17%; crowding – 20%. Conclusions. 1. Supernumerary teeth were most frequent noticed in boys, in maxillary anterior region. 2. Most often they caused eruption disturbances of permanent teeth. Keywords: supernumerary permanent teeth, distribution, complications.

The pneumatization of all nasal turbinates is an extremely rare finding. Several previous reports have presented the bilateral superior, middle, and inferior conchæbullosæ. We report the bilateral pneumatization of middle and superior nasal turbinates. The variant was documented in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in all three dimensions. The inferior concha bullosa was a bilaterally moderate subtype of lamellar pneumatization that presented as a conchal recess of the maxillary sinus. The concha bullosa media was bilaterally of the extensive or true type and associated unilaterally with an uncinate bulla. The concha bullosa superior was asymmetrical bilaterally, narrower on the right side, and larger on the left where it was also septated and tri-cameral. The supreme conchæ were rudimentary, as were their pneumatizations. For an accurate anatomic diagnosis of conchæbullosæ in computed tomography, sagittal, coronal, and axial cuts, as well as three-dimensional reconstructions, should be used to ensure adequate planning of functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

"Currently, the educational process must integrate new tools, to keep pace with technological progress. Our paper aims to investigate the extent to which the preferences of medical students for the autonomous use of multimedia resources in the learning process are correlated with their opinions towards the Internet and the intensity of using it in their daily activities. Methods: We investigated 395 medical students from 4 medical universities in Romania, 75.9% females, and 88.8% in the 1st and 2nd years of study. Students were asked to express on Likert-scales their agreement with a list of statements about Internet services, as well as whether they like learning using multimedia tools and how intensively they use Internet services. Results: The students agree to a medium to large extent with the favorable statements about Internet services but are also aware of the negative influences that indiscriminate use of such technology can have. The intensity of Internet usage is high, although not exaggerated. With small exceptions, the students who enjoy using multimedia resources during the learning process have also favorable opinions about Internet services, and use them constantly, mainly for information and instant messaging on social networks."

Background: Head and neck cancers, and particularly, oral cancers have a complex pathogenesis that includes genetic
mutations and epigenetic alterations which interfere with cellular signaling and can trigger tumor development. The purpose of
this study was to reveal whether low-frequency hotspot mutations may be detected in a study lot with histopathological evidence
of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral mucosa and skin of the head and neck. Methods: Tumor biopsies from treatment
naïve patients were tested for BRAF V600, NRAS G12/G13, NRAS Q61, KRAS Q61 mutations, and EGFR exon 19 deletions (Ex19Del)
using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). The tumors were also analyzed for EGFR T790M mutations by RT-PCR, using a CE-IVD validated
kit, with a limit of detection of 0.05%. Results: None of the examined cases exhibited NRAS G12/G13, NRAS Q61, KRAS Q61, BRAF
V600, or EGFR T790M mutations, indicating that these alterations are rare events in SCC pathogenesis. Interestingly, among the
12 specimens tested by ddPCR for EGFR Ex19Del, an HPV-negative cSCC tumor occurring in the parotid region tested positive for
this drug-sensitizing mutation, offering unexplored therapeutic perspectives to the patient from whom it was collected.
Conclusions: Our study highlights the important clinical implications of detecting low-frequency hotspot mutations in tumor
biopsies by ddPCR. We believe that the ddPCR-assisted analysis of these mutations in larger SCC cohorts may provide us with
mechanistic insights regarding their role in SCC pathogenesis and guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies for this
problematic disease.