Periodontal evaluation of palatally impacted maxillary canines treated by closed approach with ultrasonic surgery and orthodontic treatment: a retrospective pilot study

Aim of this study is the evaluation of the periodontal status of impacted canines treated by closed approach with ultrasonic surgery and orthodontic treatment compared with contralateral spontaneously erupted teeth. The periodontal conditions of the teeth adjacent to the canines (lateral incisors and first premolar) were also considered. 17 patients (9 females and 8 males; mean age: 15.2 years) with unilateral palatal impaction of maxillary canine were selected. All patients were treated by closed-flap surgery with ultrasonic instruments. Periodontal status was evaluated by assessing probing depth (PD), gingival recession and width of keratinized tissue (KT) 4.6 months after the end of the orthodontic treatment, on average. Test group was composed by impacted elements and adjacent teeth and control group by contralateral spontaneously erupted canines and adjacent teeth. Student's t-test was used to compare test and control group values of PD and width of KT. Significance threshold for Student's t-test was set at p < 0.05. The average probing depth values show no significant clinical differences between the test and control groups. Probing depths recorded at the mesiovestibular and distopalatal sides of the impacted canine were statistically significant compared to the control elements (p < 0.05). No gingival recession was detected on the treated canines. The measurement of KT did not differ significantly between the test and the control groups. In conclusion, the ultrasonic surgery for disinclusion associated with a closed approach and orthodontic traction allows the alignment of an impacted palatal canine without damaging the periodontium

Analyzing the Complex Regulatory Landscape of Hfq – an Integrative, Multi-Omics Approach

The ability of bacteria to respond to environmental change is based on the ability to coordinate, redirect and fine-tune their genetic repertoire as and when required. While we can learn a great deal from reductive analysis of individual pathways and global approaches to gene regulation, a deeper understanding of these complex signaling networks requires the simultaneous consideration of several regulatory layers at the genome scale. To highlight the power of this approach we analyzed the Hfq transcriptional/translational regulatory network in the model bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens. We first used extensive ‘omics’ analyses to assess how hfq deletion affects mRNA abundance, mRNA translation and protein abundance. The subsequent, multi-level integration of these datasets allows us to highlight the discrete contributions by Hfq to gene regulation at different levels. The integrative approach to regulatory analysis we describe here has significant potential, for both dissecting individual signaling pathways and understanding the strategies bacteria use to cope with external challenges

Caregiver distress in the early phases of cancer

Principal caregivers (PCs) of cancer patients experience high levels of stress that may significantly impact their quality of life (QoL). PCs' QoL during early phases of the disease (when patients were still on chemotherapy) were assessed

Caregiver distress in the early phases of cancer

Principal caregivers (PCs) of cancer patients experience high levels of stress that may significantly impact their quality of life (QoL). PCs' QoL during early phases of the disease (when patients were still on chemotherapy) were assessed

Predictive value of VEGF gene polymorphisms for metastatic colorectal cancer patients receiving first-line treatment including fluorouracil, irinotecan, and bevacizumab

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of germline vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms (VGPs) on the efficacy of the anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab (Bev) in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients

A Defined Terminal Region of the E. coli Chromosome Shows Late Segregation and High FtsK Activity

Background: The FtsK DNA-translocase controls the last steps of chromosome segregation in E. coli. It translocates sister chromosomes using the KOPS DNA motifs to orient its activity, and controls the resolution of dimeric forms of sister chromosomes by XerCD-mediated recombination at the dif site and their decatenation by TopoIV. Methodology: We have used XerCD/dif recombination as a genetic trap to probe the interaction of FtsK with loci located in different regions of the chromosome. This assay revealed that the activity of FtsK is restricted to a,400 kb terminal region of the chromosome around the natural position of the dif site. Preferential interaction with this region required the tethering of FtsK to the division septum via its N-terminal domain as well as its translocation activity. However, the KOPSrecognition activity of FtsK was not required. Displacement of replication termination outside the FtsK high activity region had no effect on FtsK activity and deletion of a part of this region was not compensated by its extension to neighbouring regions. By observing the fate of fluorescent-tagged loci of the ter region, we found that segregation of the FtsK high activity region is delayed compared to that of its adjacent regions. Significance: Our results show that a restricted terminal region of the chromosome is specifically dedicated to the last step

31st Annual Meeting and Associated Programs of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC 2016) : part two

Background The immunological escape of tumors represents one of the main ob- stacles to the treatment of malignancies. The blockade of PD-1 or CTLA-4 receptors represented a milestone in the history of immunotherapy. However, immune checkpoint inhibitors seem to be effective in specific cohorts of patients. It has been proposed that their efficacy relies on the presence of an immunological response. Thus, we hypothesized that disruption of the PD-L1/PD-1 axis would synergize with our oncolytic vaccine platform PeptiCRAd. Methods We used murine B16OVA in vivo tumor models and flow cytometry analysis to investigate the immunological background. Results First, we found that high-burden B16OVA tumors were refractory to combination immunotherapy. However, with a more aggressive schedule, tumors with a lower burden were more susceptible to the combination of PeptiCRAd and PD-L1 blockade. The therapy signifi- cantly increased the median survival of mice (Fig. 7). Interestingly, the reduced growth of contralaterally injected B16F10 cells sug- gested the presence of a long lasting immunological memory also against non-targeted antigens. Concerning the functional state of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), we found that all the immune therapies would enhance the percentage of activated (PD-1pos TIM- 3neg) T lymphocytes and reduce the amount of exhausted (PD-1pos TIM-3pos) cells compared to placebo. As expected, we found that PeptiCRAd monotherapy could increase the number of antigen spe- cific CD8+ T cells compared to other treatments. However, only the combination with PD-L1 blockade could significantly increase the ra- tio between activated and exhausted pentamer positive cells (p= 0.0058), suggesting that by disrupting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis we could decrease the amount of dysfunctional antigen specific T cells. We ob- served that the anatomical location deeply influenced the state of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. In fact, TIM-3 expression was in- creased by 2 fold on TILs compared to splenic and lymphoid T cells. In the CD8+ compartment, the expression of PD-1 on the surface seemed to be restricted to the tumor micro-environment, while CD4 + T cells had a high expression of PD-1 also in lymphoid organs. Interestingly, we found that the levels of PD-1 were significantly higher on CD8+ T cells than on CD4+ T cells into the tumor micro- environment (p < 0.0001). Conclusions In conclusion, we demonstrated that the efficacy of immune check- point inhibitors might be strongly enhanced by their combination with cancer vaccines. PeptiCRAd was able to increase the number of antigen-specific T cells and PD-L1 blockade prevented their exhaus- tion, resulting in long-lasting immunological memory and increased median survival

Severe side effects on all the anterior lower teeth of a bonded retainer: a clinical case : Gravi effetti collaterali sui denti anteriori inferiori di un retainer fisso: un caso clinico

OBJECTIVES This case report presents the possible and unexpected clinical severe complications of a bonded mandibular lingual retainer and an achievable therapeutic solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS 18-year-old boy comes to our observation; he reports a previous orthodontic treatment and not to carry out regular check-ups. Intraoral examination shows: class I malocclusion, flexible and intact spiral wire retainer bonded on the lingual surface of the lower front teeth, inferior midline deviated to the left side, lower incisors proclined and inclined to the left side, both mandibular canines and incisors wrongly torqued. Orthopantomography (OPT) shows a moderate root resorption of the lower front teeth with a very important divergence of the roots of left canine and lower incisors. Cone beam computed tomography shows the root of the right canine almost completely out of the bone on its lingual side and the root of the left canine out of the bone on its buccal side. We start a new orthodontic treatment to realign the teeth and to correct the transverse malocclusion. At the end of treatment, the smile of the patient was normalized with a good balance of the occlusal plane. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS At the end of treatment, the smile of the patient was normalized with a good balance of the occlusal plane. A good and stable molar and canine class I occlusion was achieved with correct overjet, overbite and transversal relationships. Orthopantomography showed the correction of the inclination of the lower front teeth with a moderate apical root resorption of the four lower incisors that was present also in the initial OPT. CBCT showed the correction of the axial inclination of the right canine with a good lingual bone thickness. On the left canine the good axial inclination achieved was evident; lingual bone thickness was ideal but on the buccal side there was no adequate amount of cortical bone. Although fixed retainers are generally adequate in preventing relapse, sometimes their inadvertent activity causes distortion of the dental arch. If not periodically checked by clinicians, such reported in this case report, fixed retainers may cause devastating complications and orthodontic retreatment could be the solution in restoring the physiological arch shape. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Fixed retainers can cause major complications for the dental elements affected by the retainer in terms of unwanted inclinations and movements with consequent damage to the periodontal structures. Regular monitoring by clinicians is therefore highly recommended. Orthodontic retreatment may prove to be the ideal solution to restore the physiological shape of the arch and the correct inclination of the roots of the affected teeth. OBJECTIVES This case report presents the pos sible and unexpected clinical se vere complications of a bonded mandibular lingual retainer and an achievable therapeutic solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS 18-year-old boy comes to our ob servation; he reports a previous orthodontic treatment and not to carry out regular check-ups. In traoral examination shows: class I malocclusion, flexible and intact spiral wire retainer bonded on the lingual surface of the lower front teeth, inferior midline deviated to the left side, lower incisors pro clined and inclined to the left side, both mandibular canines and in cisors wrongly torqued. Orthop antomography (OPT) shows a moderate root resorption of the lower front teeth with a very important divergence of the roots of left canine and lower incisorsCone beam computed tomogra phy shows the root of the right canine almost completely out of the bone on its lingual side and the root of the left canine out of the bone on its buccal side. We start a new orthodontic treat ment to realign the teeth and to correct the transverse malocclu sion. At the end of treatment, the smile of the patient was normal ized with a good balance of the occlusal plane. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS At the end of treatment, the smile of the patient was normal ized with a good balance of the occlusal plane. A good and sta ble molar and canine class I oc clusion was achieved with cor rect overjet, overbite and transversal relationships. Orthopan tomography showed the correc tion of the inclination of the lower front teeth with a moderate apical root resorption of the four lower incisors that was present also in the initial OPT. CBCT showed the correction of the axial inclination of the right canine with a good lin gual bone thickness. On the left canine the good axial inclination achieved was evident; lingual bone thickness was ideal but on the buccal side there was no ade quate amount of cortical bone. Although fixed retainers are gener ally adequate in preventing relapse, sometimes their inadvertent activi ty causes distortion of the dental arch. If not periodically checked by clinicians, such reported in this case report, fixed retainers may cause devastating complications and orthodontic retreatment could be the solution in restoring the physiological arch shape. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Fixed retainers can cause major complications for the dental ele ments affected by the retainer in terms of unwanted inclinations and movements with consequent dam age to the periodontal structures. Regular monitoring by clinicians is therefore highly recommended. Orthodontic retreatment may prove to be the ideal solution to restore the physiological shape of the arch and the correct inclination of the roots of the affected teeth