Histological Characterization of Sacco's Concentrated Growth Factors Membrane

Along with the emerging needs of the dental patients, numerous techniques for oral tissue stimulation and regeneration were developed to be employed in the modern implant rehabilitation therapies. The Concentrated Growth Factors (CGF) are a relatively new therapeutic presidium that can be used for this purpose, enhancing the regenerative potential property of blood cells. Although literature presents numerous studies evaluating the CGF for their clinical uses and efficacy, data regarding their biological characteristics are very few. The present study evaluates and describes the CGF structural morphology by means of classical histological methods, using haematoxilin-eosin and azan mallory stains. A three layers organization with a fibrin complex network was noted, with blood corpuscular elements entrapped, especially in the most external layer. These descriptions enrich the knowledge about this new type of membrane, showing the bio-morphological side of the regenerative techniques. These findings will be useful in clinical practice for the choice of the most suitable technique in each implant rehabilitation. Junto con las nuevas necesidades dentales de los pacientes, se han desarrollado numerosas técnicas para la estimulación y regeneración de los tejidos orales para ser empleadas en las modernas terapias de rehabilitación de implante. Los Factores de Crecimiento Concentrados (FCC) son relativamente una nueva alternativa terapéutica que pueden utilizarse para este propósito, mejorando la propiedad regenerativa potencial de las células de la sangre. A pesar de que la literatura presenta numerosos estudios que evalúan los FCC por sus usos clínicos y su eficacia, los datos relativos a sus características biológicas son muy escasos. El presente estudio evalúa y describe la morfología estructural de los FCC por medio de métodos histológicos tradicionales, utilizando hematoxilina-eosina y tinción de Azan Mallory. Se observó una organización en tres capas con una compleja red de fibrina, con elementos corpusculares de la sangre atrapados, especialmente en la capa más externa. Estas descripciones enriquecen el conocimiento acerca de este nuevo tipo de membrana, que muestra el lado biomorfológico de las técnicas regenerativas. Estos resultados serán de utilidad en la práctica clínica para la elección de la técnica más adecuada en los casos de rehabilitación con implantes

Hydrogels with natural or chemical compounds: in vitro biocompatibility

Biomaterials are very popular topics in advanced medical applications. Our group performed different types of hydrogels. Two of the most successful concern hydro- gels with natural or chemical compounds inside. The first step of experiments has been the PVP-Hydrogel production. This new hydrogel consists of three polymers – Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), Agar and Polyethylene glycol (PEG) – mixed, reticulated and together sterilized by gamma irradiation at 25 kGy. Simultaneously, a different kind of hydrogel embedding Crocus sativus L. petals compounds was prepared. This hydrogel consists of PVP, Agar, PEG and Kaempferol and/or Crocin. Same sterilization process as the PVP-hydrogel. The target clinical applications of this new biomaterial are the “difficult wounds” and cosmetic sector. These hydrogels were compared with Neoheal. For the in vitro experimental protocol, it was used a primary culture of fibroblasts, from the subcutaneous tissue of a newborn mice, seeding the cells on 1cm2 area of both kinds of hydrogel. As the ISO protocol prescribes, the experiments were repeated 3 times for each kind of hydrogel, stopping the culture at the 3rd, 7th and 14th day after the seeding. For all steps, three Petri dishes were used as controls without biomaterials. At each fixed deadline, all Petri dishes were colored using the Wright method for cell counting and other morphological evaluations. The microscopic analysis revealed the total biocompatibility of both hydrogels at each step of the experiment. The new PVP-Hydrogel was found to be more adsorbent, increasing its dimensions day by day and free floating in the medium. The hydrogel with the compounds extracted from Crocus sativus L. had the cells that growth faster. The Neoheal, indeed, revealed more sticky properties, adhering to the dish floor but neither swelling or increasing its volume. These results showed that both the new hydrogels are biocompatible and the different chemical properties caused a very different behavior in cells growth comparing with Neoheal. It is hoped that this study will stimulate further investigations in this field

Scanning Electron Microscopy Approach for Evaluation of Hair Dyed with Lawsonia inermis Powder: in vitro Study

SUMMARY: During aging, usually graying of the hair occurs as a result of oxidative stress. Driven by social acceptance and self-perception of the exterior appearance, both men and women rely on hair dyeing products, in order to mask the graying hair. At the same time, a frequent use of synthetic products and treatment can damage the hair shaft; for this reason, this study aimed to evaluate the morphological effect of the herbal dye derived from Lawsonia inermis (henna), on hair. Dyed hairs were evaluated by means of SEM. Subsequently, they were compared, qualitatively and quantitatively, with undyed hairs. Results showed a positive impact on the cuticula pattern and on the diameters of the examined samples, after henna application. Different results, about the degree and the type of morphological changes occurring on pigmented hairs, may depend on the phenotype and on the health condition of hair, before dye treatment. RESUMEN: Durante el envejecimiento, generalmente se produce el envejecimiento del cabello como resultado del estrés oxidativo. Motivados por la aceptación social y la autopercepción de la apariencia, tanto hombres como mujeres confían en productos para teñir el cabello para enmascarar las canas. Al mismo tiempo, el uso frecuente de productos y tratamientos sintéticos puede dañar el tallo del cabello. Por esta razón, este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto morfológico del tinte derivado de Lawsonia inermis (henna) en el cabello. Los cabellos teñidos se evaluaron mediante SEM. Posteriormente, se compararon, cualitativa y cuantitativamente, con cabellos sin teñir. Los resultados mostraron un impacto positivo en el patrón de la cutícula y en los diámetros de las muestras examinadas, después de la aplicación de henna. Los diferentes resultados, sobre el grado y el tipo de cambios morfológicos que ocurren en los cabellos pigmentados, pueden depender del fenotipo y del estado de salud del cabello, antes del tratamiento con tinte

Biodegradation of two new biomaterials

Introduction. As in the previous experiments the haemostatic swab Antema revealed the disadvantage of troublesome adhesion both to surgical instruments and to serous surfaces of internal organs, the addition of Matemo could speed up the haemostatic performances of both biomaterials reducing the adhesion. For that reason Antema pads were treated with Matemo obtaining new haemostatic swabs. A comparison between the Matemo and the Antema + Matemo pads was then performed to test the haemostatic power and the biodegradation of both biomaterials. Materials and methods. For the experimental protocol the dorsal skin of each anesthetized animal was shaved, incised and two pouches were performed inside the subcutaneous tissue of the back, to introduce a specimen (1 cm2 of size) of Matemo on the left side, and Matemo+Antema on the right side. The same operation was repeated in 3 animals, and 3 other rats were used as controls and treated only with the selected anesthetic without intervention. The treated animals were all killed after 90 days from the operation. All the animals were daily controlled and no accident happens during the post-operation time. After death the dorsal skin of each animal was inspected in the two sides of implant and the samples from the skin and the subcutaneous tissues were taken in both sides of the back, to submit to the histological studies. Results. The microscopic analysis of the histological sections showed that at the deadline of the experiment both biomaterials disappeared from the site of implant, but the two regions were very different. In the left side (Matemo) the subcutaneous tissue appeared quite normal and very poorly infiltrated by the inflammatory cells, without proliferation of new fibrous tissue, neither dermal adhesion to the musculature. In the right side (Antema + Matemo) indeed, a significant infiltration of inflammatory cells was jet detectable and many dense neo-proliferate connective tissue attached the dermal plane to the muscular layer. Then, this protocol confirmed the very interesting results obtained in these studies in which the new synthesized haemostatic biomaterial Matemo was compared with Tabotamp and Antema, both currently used surgical sponges. Also in this experiment Matemo revealed a significant decrease in bleeding time with an absorption rate of the blood very quick and fast and its biodegradation at the 90th day were almost perfect

Student learning performance in human anatomy using a virtual dissection table

In medical training it is fundamental to have a 3D understanding of human anatomy [1]. Body dissection is considered mandatory in most of the bio-medical schools. Medical schools around the world, constantly face the problem of availability of the cadavers. Apart from the classic methods (lectures, podcasts, atlas or photographs, models) technology advances made available new instruments to learn/teach 3D anatomy, which allow cadaverless dissection with the help of simulator software or virtual cadavers. The Anatomage® and Sectra® tables are advanced anatomy visualization systems, adopted by many of the world’s leading medical schools and institutions [2,3]. Here we report our experience with Anatomage® during the Academic Year 2016-17, in the Postgraduate Courses of Medical and Surgical Specialization, Master degrees in Medicine, Dental Medicine, Biology of Health and Nutrition, as well as Basic Degrees in Nursing and Biotechnology, of the University of L’Aquila. We enrolled 30 MD postgraduate students, and 440 undergraduate students. Both postgraduate and undergraduate medical students were allowed to handle the table. The other students assisted to class table demonstrations. An evaluation test was administered to all students at the end of the Courses. Our preliminary observations suggest that the use of virtual dissection table into the anatomical curriculum improves the learning student performance. Each student have a different set of needs, and the base line skills may be different. So, the teacher should take in consideration the variable scope of practice of the specific health professions. We are currently evaluating the efficacy of this technology at the end of the examinations. In the present preliminary report, we account with our results that are indicative of a positive impact on both basic and advanced anatomical learning

Orthodontic brackets removal: morphological in vitro evaluation

Debonding procedure is a fundamental stage in the orthodontic treatment (1). Adhesive removal should lead to a complete polished enamel in order to prevent the plaque accumulation and enamel injures (2). Aim of this study is to evaluate in vitro by use of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) the enamel surface after the bracket removal and the enamel polishing with four different techniques. Two groups of teeth, group A (n=12) and group B (n=12) were evaluated. The images were analyzed by the Image J software. After the debonding procedure the two groups were subcategorized in four groups (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B 3A, 3B and 4A, 4B, n.=3). The discriminant between the two main categories was the use of a magnification system (Group A) during the polishing stages. From the qualitative and quantitative images analysis the most conservative technique resulted to be the use of tungsten carbide bur, followed by the final polishing using the soft-polisher tip for composites. In group A, the percentage of the residual adhesive resulted 8% and the damages on the enamel surface showed to be 7%. In group B the percentage of the residual adhesive resulted 35% and the damages on the enamel surface showed to be 15%. This analysis showed how the use of a magnification system aids in significant way during the debonding procedures in the enamel surfaces’ preservation.The authors are grateful to Dr. M. Gianmatteo and to Dr. E. Nazaj, University of L’Aquila, for their help in the sampling and microscopy procedures