Blood flow changes using a 3D xenogeneic collagen matrix or a subepithelial connective tissue graft for root coverage procedures: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The study investigated the early healing process following the treatment of single Miller class I and II recessions with a 3D xenogeneic collagen matrix (CMX) or connective tissue graft (CTG). METHODS: This pilot investigation was designed as a single-center randomized controlled parallel trial. A total of eight subjects (four per group) were treated with either CMX or CTG in the anterior maxilla. Vascular flow changes were assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) before and after surgery and at days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 30 while clinical evaluations took place at baseline and at days 60 and 180. Pain intensity perception was evaluated by the short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), at days 1 and 14. RESULTS: The vascular flow fluctuated similarly in both groups pre- and post-operatively, but the CTG exhibited a more homogeneous pattern as opposed to CMX that showed a second phase of increased blood flow at 14 days. Clinically, the CTG led to greater change in mean root coverage and keratinized tissue gain but CMX was associated with lower early pain intensity scores. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of the study, the vascular flow alterations during the early healing of both graft types followed a similar pattern. The CMX was associated with a second peak of increased blood flow. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The vascular flow changes after the application of CMX for single tooth recession root coverage did not show major differences from those observed after the use of a CTG. A trend for better clinical performance in terms of root coverage and keratinized tissue gain was noted for the CTG, but the initial patient morbidity was less for CMX

First Evidence of Dinosaurian Secondary Cartilage in the Post-Hatching Skull of Hypacrosaurus stebingeri (Dinosauria, Ornithischia)

Bone and calcified cartilage can be fossilized and preserved for hundreds of millions of years. While primary cartilage is fairly well studied in extant and fossilized organisms, nothing is known about secondary cartilage in fossils. In extant birds, secondary cartilage arises after bone formation during embryonic life at articulations, sutures and muscular attachments in order to accommodate mechanical stress. Considering the phylogenetic inclusion of birds within the Dinosauria, we hypothesized a dinosaurian origin for this “avian” tissue. Therefore, histological thin sectioning was used to investigate secondary chondrogenesis in disarticulated craniofacial elements of several post-hatching specimens of the non-avian dinosaur Hypacrosaurus stebingeri (Ornithischia, Lambeosaurinae). Secondary cartilage was found on three membrane bones directly involved with masticatory function: (1) as nodules on the dorso-caudal face of a surangular; and (2) on the bucco-caudal face of a maxilla; and (3) between teeth as islets in the alveolar processes of a dentary. Secondary chondrogenesis at these sites is consistent with the locations of secondary cartilage in extant birds and with the induction of the cartilage by different mechanical factors - stress generated by the articulation of the quadrate, stress of a ligamentous or muscular insertion, and stress of tooth formation. Thus, our study reveals the first evidence of “avian” secondary cartilage in a non-avian dinosaur. It pushes the origin of this “avian” tissue deep into dinosaurian ancestry, suggesting the creation of the more appropriate term “dinosaurian” secondary cartilage

A toothed turtle from the Late Jurassic of China and the global biogeographic history of turtles

Turtles (Testudinata) are a successful lineage of vertebrates with about 350 extant species that inhabit all major oceans and landmasses with tropical to temperate climates. The rich fossil record of turtles documents the adaptation of various sub- lineages to a broad range of habitat preferences, but a synthetic biogeographic model is still lacking for the group.Results: We herein describe a new species of fossil turtle from the Late Jurassic of Xinjiang, China, Sichuanchelys palatodentata sp. nov., that is highly unusual by plesiomorphically exhibiting palatal teeth. Phylogenetic analysis places the Late Jurassic Sichuanchelys palatodentata in a clade with the Late Cretaceous Mongolochelys efremovi outside crown group Testudines thereby establishing the prolonged presence of a previously unrecognized clade of turtles in Asia, herein named Sichuanchelyidae. In contrast to previous hypotheses, M. efremovi and Kallokibotion bajazidi are not found within Meiolaniformes, a clade that is here reinterpreted as being restricted to Gondwana.Conclusions: A revision of the global distribution of fossil and recent turtle reveals that the three primary lineages of derived, aquatic turtles, including the crown, Paracryptodira, Pan-Pleurodira, and Pan- Cryptodira can be traced back to the Middle Jurassic of Euramerica, Gondwana, and Asia, respectively, which resulted from the primary break up of Pangaea at that time. The two primary lineages of Pleurodira, Pan-Pelomedusoides and Pan-Chelidae, can similarly be traced back to the Cretaceous of northern and southern Gondwana, respectively, which were separated from one another by a large desert zone during that time. The primary divergence of crown turtles was therefore driven by vicariance to the primary freshwater aquatic habitat of these lineages. The temporally persistent lineages of basal turtles, Helochelydridae, Meiolaniformes, Sichuanchelyidae, can similarly be traced back to the Late Mesozoic of Euramerica, southern Gondwana, and Asia. Given the ambiguous phylogenetic relationships of these three lineages, it is unclear if their diversification was driven by vicariance as well, or if they display a vicariance-like pattern. The clean, primary signal apparent among early turtles is secondarily obliterated throughout the Late Cretaceous to Recent by extensive dispersal of continental turtles and by multiple invasions of marine habitats

Integrated Blue and Green Corridor Restoration in Strasbourg: Green Toads, Citizens, and Long-Term Issues

The Ostwaldergraben is an urban stream located in Strasbourg (northeast of France). Mostly fed by groundwater, it was enlarged some forty years ago, which led to a radical alteration of the flow dynamics and a strong siltation. According to the European Water Framework, the stream displayed a bad status with sediments polluted by discharges of former tanneries. Hence, a project of restoration-both of the stream and the adjacent wasteland-was launched by the City of Strasbourg in 2010 to solve these issues of environmental degradation in accordance with the European regulation. The stream bed was redesigned to energize the flows and to create meanders and vegetated benches. To improve the connectivity between two adjacent wetlands, new habitats and a network of ponds have been created. A hybrid type of stormwater treatment system-a pond followed by a constructed wetland-was implemented to complete the restoration project. In this chapter, we propose to study this project from its construction to its current development, through the lens of ecological engineering and a perspective on long-term issues. We aim at illustrating the facts that nature-based solution management can differ from technological management and that the ecosystem services provided by a nature-based solution result from trade-offs, which requires a global analysis of such restoration project. To reach this goal, the project will be studied from ecological, engineering, and sociological perspectives. Our study shows that the restored socio-ecosystem works on a rustic basis and provides several ecosystem services: supporting services (habitat for amphibians), regulating services (water quality enhancement), and cultural services (urban landscape greening)

The application of an enamel matrix protein derivative (Emdogain) in regenerative periodontal therapy: a review.

Contains fulltext : 53648.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Regenerative periodontal therapy aims at reconstitution of the lost periodontal structures such as new formation of root cementum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Findings from basic research indicate that enamel matrix protein derivative (EMD) has a key role in periodontal wound healing. Histological results from animal and human studies have shown that treatment with EMD promotes periodontal regeneration. Moreover, clinical studies have indicated that treatment with EMD positively influences periodontal wound healing in humans. This review aims to present an overview of evidence-based clinical indications for regenerative therapy with EMD

Soft tissue substitutes in non-root coverage procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives The present systematic review compared the effectiveness of soft tissue substitutes (STSs) and autogenous free gingival grafts (FGGs) in non-root-coverage procedures to increase keratinized tissue (KT) width around teeth. Materials and methods Included studies fulfilled the following main eligibility criteria: (a) preclinical in vivo or human controlled trials using FGG as control, (b) non-root-coverage procedures, and (c) assessment of KT width. Meta-analysis was performed on the gain in KT width (primary outcome variable) and several secondary variables. Results Eight human trials with short observation time evaluating five different STSs were identified. FGG yielded consistently significantly (p < 0.001) larger increase in KT width irrespective whether the comparison regarded an acellular matrix or a tissue-engineered STS. Further, FGG yielded consistently ≥2 mm KT width postoperatively, while use of STS did not, in the few studies reporting on this outcome. On the other hand, STSs resulted in significantly better aesthetic outcomes and received greater patient preference (p < 0.001). Conclusions Based on relatively limited evidence, in non-root-coverage procedures, FGG (1) resulted consistently in significantly larger increase in KT width compared to STS and (2) yielded consistently ≥2 mm KT width postoperatively, while STSs did not. STSs yielded significantly better aesthetic outcomes, received greater patient preference, and appeared safe. Clinical relevance Larger and more predictable increase in KT width is achieved with FGG, but STSs may be considered when aesthetics is important. Clinical studies reporting relevant posttreatment outcomes, e.g., postop KT width ≥2 mm, on the long-term (>6 months) are warranted. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00784-016-2044-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users