Oral manifestations of monkeypox and potential tools for their management

Since May 2022, cases of monkeypox have been reported in around 70 countries where the disease is not endemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the 2022 monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The monkey poxvirus, like that of smallpox, is a member of the Orthopoxvirus group. There are two distinct strains (or clades, i.e., groups of similar microorganisms that are descended from a common ancestor) of monkeypox: the West African strain and the Congo Basin strain [1]. Particularly, all cases associated with the 2022 global outbreak are caused by the West African strain. Despite the name, nonhuman primates are not a reservoir for the virus. Although the reservoir is unknown, the main candidates are small rodents (eg, squirrels) of African rainforests, mainly in western and central Africa. Dentists and oral pathologists should be aware of the clinical manifestations of the new monkeypox virus. Even if this last is transmitted through large respiratory droplets and typically requires prolonged close contact (in contrast to the current SARS-CoV-2 infection), the possibility of transmission through saliva splashes during dental procedures is concret

Achieving macro- and micro-roughness on Ti alloy by etching without prior sandblasting: a surface characterization

INTRODUCTION: Etching is currently the most popular method used to texture the surface of dental implants. Sandblasting prior to etching (SLA) is the only method to achieve a macro- and micro-surface texture with a Sa in the 1-2 μm range, a ‘moderately rough’ surface considered to be an optimized surface. However, SLA surfaces harbor remnant particles from the sandblasting process [l]. Some manufacturers consider the residual alumina particles as a foreign material worth getting rid of. Subsequently, they forgo an optimized moderately rough surface and stick to a ‘minimally rough’ micro-roughened surface displaying a Sa < 1 μm [l]. It has been recently claimed [2] that acid etching is typically not an appropriate treatment for α-β alloys because its biphasic nature leads to an enrichment of the Vanadium-rich β-phase on the surface. The aim of the present paper is to show that it is feasible to achieve an optimized ‘moderately rough’ macro- and micro-textured surface on titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) through etching only, without any prior sandblasting and to characterize the resulting surface

Photodynamic therapy for the successful management of cyclosporine-related gum hypertrophy: A novel therapeutic option

Background: Drug-induced gingival overgrowth is associated with the intake of three classes of drugs: anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants, and calcium channel blockers. It is clinically characterized by hyperplasia of the gingival connective tissue which appears edematous, bloody, and purplish-red in color. In more severe cases, drug-induced gingival hyperplasia negatively affects the patient’s quality of life, making it difficult to eat and practice good oral hygiene. Drug-induced gingival overgrowth therapy is controversial and, in fact, no studies in the literature highlight a well-defined therapeutic protocol. The therapies that are described provide primarily for non-surgical periodontal treatment and second-line surgical treatment. The aim of this work is to highlight a case of drug-induced gingival hyperplasia which was completely resolved thanks to photodynamic therapy which is completely free from side effects. Design and Methods: Photodynamic therapy was performed on an 18year-old female patient with LEDs at a power of 450–470nm and 5500mW/cm2+7500mW/cm2, combined with a Curcuma longa-based photosensitizer. A single session was performed, with applications of approximately 30s for each interdental papilla. Results: The patient improved markedly after only one cycle of PDT. There was an absence of clinically detectable inflammation, edema, and rubor of the involved dental papillae. At the 4, 6, and 12week follow-ups there were no recurrences. Conclusions: This case report highlights the first case of drug-induced gingival hypertrophy entirely treated with photodynamic therapy to be described in the literature. Therefore, although it is only a case report, this therapy which is free from side effects should be investigated as an alternative to current therapies

Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome: A case report

Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a rare disorder with a still unknown etiology. It is defined by three main symptoms, which are orofacial granulomatosis (OFG), facial palsy, and fissured tongue. It generally presents in young people, during the second or third decade, and its incidence in the entire population is about 1%. We focus our attention on a 69-year-old man who came to us with an important swelling of the upper lip. His anamnesis revealed that he suffered from a facial palsy four times in his life and at the physical examination we attested the presence of scrotal tongue. We suspected a misdiagnosed MRS and we searched the web in order to give him a diagnosis and a therapy. We found that OFG is the most common symptom of MRS and that it can show as a non complete form, where the three main symptoms cannot occur simultaneously. We also prescribed a therapy based on the use of topic steroids and antiviral, according to literature. After the positive response to the therapy and according to data found in the most recent literature, we can assume that our patient suffers from a misdiagnosed MRS for about 40 years

Polarized Light as an Adjuvant to Drug Therapy for the Treatment of Refrectory Oral Erosive Lichen Planus: A Case Report

Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, associated with a malignant transformation in 1.2% of cases. It can be predominantly white and therefore almost always asymptomatic, or with the presence of large erosions in different areas of the oral cavity. In this case the pathology can be disabling, causing severe chewing difficulties and compromising the patient's quality of life. The gold standard for the treatment of this pathology is the use of topical cortisones combined with nystatin. The use of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of these lesions is also documented in the scientific literature. Polarized light is a light with a very wide wavelength variability, created for the treatment of erosive and ulcerative skin lesions and then also introduced in other fields, such as in oral medicine. It has an excellent analgesic and bio stimulating effect. We propose a case of erosive lichen planus refractory to systemic cortisone therapy, present for 4 years without remission, successfully treated with 6 15-minute sessions of phototherapy with polarized light, using a Bioptron device at 25 watts of power. After an important improvement, the therapy was concluded with gel based on ozonated olive oil (Ialozon, Gemavip, Cagliari, Italy) and topical cortisone, due to the impossibility of continuing the therapies in the study (lockdown). Polarized light is very easy to use, has no side effects, does not require special eye protection and has proven to be very effective in the clinical resolution of refractory lesions to drug therapy

Efficacy of ozonated water as a PS in photodynamic therapy: A tool for dental caries management? An in vitro study

Background: The most prevalent noncommunicable disease in the world is dental caries; and when it is not adequately treated, it is usually associated with tooth loss or severe dental lesions. In fact, expensive care or tooth extraction may be necessary due to the negative effects dental caries have on general health. This is due to its frequent pain and secondary bacterial infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of ozonated water as such and in combination with appropriate light radiation so as to perform a photodynamic treatment (PDT) against the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans. Design and methods: This work has been performed in vitro by using an S. mutans strain mainly structured in a biofilm status, reproducing the natural condition of the tooth infection. The ozone was tested at three different concentrations by using a commercial device able to generate different O3 formulations in water. The PDT treatment requires an appropriate light wavelength, evaluated in this work through the UV-Vis adsorption spectrum of the ozonated water. Results: The obtained results suggested an effective and synergic property of O3 and light at 460–470nm against this microorganism. The most antibiofilm activity was observed using a concentration of ozone of 0.06mg/L alone as well as with PDT treatment. Conclusions: The results are encouraging for additional research and in vitro/in vivo fresh experimental investigations to perform an exhaustive antimicrobial treatment protocol against the S. mutans tooth infection

Is a Genetic Variant associated with Bipolar Disorder Frequent in People without Bipolar Disorder but with Characteristics of Hyperactivity and Novelty Seeking?

Objective: The objective is to verify whether a genetic condition associated with bipolar disorder (BD) is frequent in old adults adapted to their environment, without BD, but with aptitudes for hyperactivity and novelty seeking (H/NS). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the study sample included healthy elderly people (40 participants, aged 60 or older) living in an urban area and recruited from a previous study on physical exercise and active aging, who were compared with 21 old adults with BD from the same area. The genetic methodology consisted of blood sampling, DNA extraction, real-time PCR jointly with FRET probes, and the SANGER sequencing method. The genetic variant RS1006737 of CACNA1C, found to be associated with bipolar disorder diagnosis, was investigated. Results: The frequency of the RS1006737 genetic variant in the study group (H/NS) is not higher than in the BD group and is statistically significantly higher than in all the control groups found in the literature. However, the familiarity for BD is higher in old adults with BD than in the H/NS sample without BD. The risk of BD in the family (also considering those without BD but with family members with BD) is not associated with the presence of the genetic variant examined. Conclusion: The study suggests that the gene examined is associated with characteristics of hyperactivity rather than just BD. Nevertheless, choosing to participate in an exercise program is an excessively general way to identify H/NS. The next step would be to identify the old adults with welldefined H/NS features with an adequate tool

Hypericum scruglii Bacchetta, Brullo &amp; Salmeri, is it a possible natural resource against Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (FM) is today a serious public health issue. Tested treatments have shown limited efficacy.Oxidative stress probably interacting with the glutamatergic / gamma -Aminobutyric acid balance may play a role.Antidepressants improve sleep and mood especially those with double action on serotonin and norepinephrine, but these are also those with a greater risk of manic switch considering the high frequency of comorbidity with bipolar disorders.This narrative review tries to evaluate, on the basis of in vitro and animal studies, the potential utility in fibromyalgia of Hypericum Scruglii, an endemic species peculiar to the island of Sardinia.The studies that have verified the antidepressant efficacy of Hypericum Perforatum and the first attempts of its use in fibromyalgia are reported as well as the studies that found the phloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum longistylum (well-known in traditional Chinese medicine) that facilitate the differentiation of neural progenitor cells, and increase the efficiency of differentiation into serotonergic neurons.The advantage of Hypericum Scruglii may be represented by the anti-oxidant potential revealed to be greater than in other species of the same genus.The paper also describes new approaches to improving the oral bioavailability of very poor water-soluble molecules of hypericum extracts.

Usefulness of salivary sampling for the molecular detection of a genetic variant associated with bipolar disorders

Under certain conditions, the hyperthymic temperament traits associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar disorders may in fact produce adaptive responses. The purpose of this study is to see if the type of biological material used for genetic analysis (saliva or blood) affects the detection of mutations in the CACNA1C (RS1006737) gene. The first experimental group consisted of Sardinian migrants (“volunteers”) in South American and European megacities. The second experimental group consisted of older healthy subjects with hyperactivity and novelty-seeking characteristics from Cagliari, Italy. The genetic procedure included DNA extraction, real-time PCR, and the Sanger method. Nonetheless, the authors believe that saliva is the most appropriate biological material, given its many advantages. In contrast to blood, saliva can be collected by any type of healthcare provider after following a few simple instructions

Studio del deficit di alfa-1 antitripsina nella popolazione Sarda

Introduzione: L’ AATD e’ una forma genetica abbastanza comune di malattia epatica nel bambino e di enfisema polmonare ed epatopatia nell’adulto, pur facendo parte delle malattie rare. Si manifesta spesso con sintomatologia clinica aspecifica, con tempi e modalità variabili, e spesso non sono utilizzati i test molecolari per una diagnosi definitiva. La diagnosi di laboratorio è spesso casuale e può essere posta partendo dall’assenza del picco delle α1-globuline all’ESP. Tale carenza induce a sospettare l’AATD, che deve essere prima confermata con il dosaggio sierico e quando necessario deve essere studiato il profilo genico. Per questi motivi, è ragionevole pensare che l’AATD sia una condizione clinica sottostimata, da considerarsi probabilmente non una malattia rara, ma raramente diagnosticata. In Sardegna i casi di AATD sono correlati ad una mutazione nota come M-Malton/ M-Cagliari, rarissima nelle altre popolazioni, o alla mutazione S. Non disponiamo ancora di dati attendibili circa la frequenza di questa mutazione. Scopo del lavoro è quello di individuare i soggetti con AATD e calcolare la frequenza della mutazione nella popolazione da noi considerata, trovare un cut-off decisionale di laboratorio da utilizzare per stabilire quali pazienti studiare per la mutazione