Probiotic Streptococcus salivarius Reduces Symptoms of Denture Stomatitis and Oral Colonization by Candida albicans

Denture stomatitis (DS) is an inflammatory status of oral mucosae frequently observed in denture wearers, and mainly associated with oral overgrowth of Candida albicans. DS is the cause of multiple visits to the dental office and is thought to enhance the risk of systemic infections. The treatment of DS mainly relies upon improvement of oral hygiene measures and prescription of topical or systemic antifungal agents, and disinfectants that, although effective, are not without drawbacks. Since, in recent years, some probiotics were investigated as a means to contrast oral colonization by Candida spp., this study was designed to preliminarily evaluate the effects of probiotic strain Streptococcus salivarius K12, in subjects affected by DS, and the duration of these effects. Fifty adult denture wearers affected by DS were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group was instructed to perform careful oral and denture hygiene and to assume the probiotic preparation for 30 days; the control group received only oral hygiene instructions. Patients were evaluated for signs of DS at the beginning of the study, at the end of treatment and 30 days later. Microbiological samples were obtained at the beginning of the study and at the end of treatment to quantify Candida albicans cells. Experimental treatment reduced clinical signs and symptoms of DS and the count of C. albicans. The clinical effects of experimental treatment were still evident after 30 days, suggesting that administration of probiotic strain Streptococcus salivarius K12 could be a promising approach in the treatment of DS

In vitro evaluation of carrier based obturation technique: a CBCT study

AIM: The goal of the study was to compare the ability of two different carrier based obturation (CBO) techniques to reach working length and fill in three-dimensions root canal systems, by using CBCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six extracted molars were scanned with CBCT and 40 curved canals were selected (between 30° and 90°) and divided in two similar groups (n=20). All canals were prepared up to size 25 taper .06 using nickel-titanium instrumentation. The canals in the Group SC were obturated using Soft-Core obturators (Kerr, Romulus, Mi, USA), while Group TH canals (n= 20) were obturated using Thermafil Endodontic Obturators (Tulsa Dental Products, Tulsa, OK, USA), strictly following manufacturers' instructions for use. The obturations were analyzed by means of CBCT to measure the distance from the apical limit of obturation to the apical foramen and the presence of voids inside root canals. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean distance of the apical extent of the obturation (t test, p>0.05). Overfilling occurred in only 3 cases (2 in Group TH and 1 in Group SC). The percentages of voids in both groups were very low with no significant difference (Z test, p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The two tested CBO techniques showed similar positive results in terms of performance, even if, after checking with verifiers, in most cases the size of the selected Soft-Core obturator was one size smaller than Thermafil

Comparing Phylogeographies to Reveal Incompatible Geographical Histories within Genomes

Modern phylogeography aims at reconstructing the geographic movement of organisms based on their genomic sequences and spatial information. Phylogeographic approaches are often applied to pathogen sequences and therefore tend to neglect the possibility of recombination, which decouples the evolutionary and geographic histories of different parts of the genome. Genomic regions of recombining or reassorting pathogens often originate and evolve at different times and locations, which characterize their unique spatial histories. Measuring the extent of these differences requires new methods to compare geographic information on phylogenetic trees reconstructed from different parts of the genome. Here we develop for the first time a set of measures of phylogeographic incompatibility, aimed at detecting differences between geographical histories in terms of distances between phylogeographies. We study the effect of varying demography and recombination on phylogeographic incompatibilities using coalescent simulations. We further apply these measures to the evolutionary history of human and livestock pathogens, either reassorting or recombining, such as the Victoria and Yamagata lineages of influenza B and the O/Ind-2001 foot-and-mouth disease virus strain. Our results reveal diverse geographical paths of migration that characterize the origins and evolutionary histories of different viral genes and genomic segments. These incompatibility measures can be applied to any phylogeography, and more generally to any phylogeny where each tip has been assigned either a continuous or discrete “trait” independent of the sequence. We illustrate this flexibility with an analysis of the interplay between the phylogeography and phylolinguistics of Uralic-speaking human populations, hinting at patrilinear language transmission

Detection of bone defects using CBCT exam in an Italian population

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo incidence and the location of fenestrations in a young Italian population by using CBCT. Materials and Methods. Fifty patients who had previously performed CBCT for planning third molar extraction or orthodontic therapy were selected for the study. No previous dental treatment had been performed on these patients. Overall, 1,395 teeth were evaluated. Root fenestrations were identified according to the definition of Davies and the American Association of Endodontists. Data was collected and statistically analyzed. Results. Fenestrations were observed in 159 teeth out of 1,395 (11% of teeth). In the lower jaw, we found 68 fenestrations (5%) and 91 in the maxilla (6,5%). Incisors were the teeth with the highest incidence of fenestrations. Conclusion.The relative common finding (11%)of fenestration supports the need for CBCT exams before any surgical/implant treatment to avoid complications related to the initial presence of fenestrations. CBCT was found to be an effective and convenient tool for diagnosing fenestration

Update on Postnatal Corticosteroids to Prevent or Treat Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

AbstractBronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major complication of premature birth that significantly affects mortality and long-term morbidity in numerous immature infants. Corticosteroids are particularly suitable for treating BPD, as lung inflammation is central to its pathogenesis. Corticosteroids have considerable, fast beneficial effects on lung function in premature infants with lung disease, but they are also associated with several serious adverse effects, which may have a detrimental impact on long-term outcome. Dexamethasone is the most often used corticosteroid for systemic administration. Despite its value in preventing and treating BPD, its use is associated with several alarming short-term effects and, worst of all, with an increased rate of cerebral palsy in the long term. Dexamethasone nonetheless remains an important therapeutic option for infants with severe lung disease beyond the second to third week of life. Hydrocortisone is an important alternative to dexamethasone, as its use does not appear to be associated with any neurotoxic effects. Its efficacy in the prevention and treatment of BPD has yet to be clearly demonstrated, however. Inhaled corticosteroids might reduce lung inflammation with fewer systemic adverse effects; however, a recent, large randomized trial showed that inhaled budesonide was associated with an excess mortality, despite its beneficial respiratory effects. In another study, instilling budesonide together with surfactant in the trachea of intubated infants with severe respiratory distress appeared safe and achieved a significant reduction in the rate of BPD at 36 postmenstrual weeks. This important finding needs to be confirmed in a larger trial currently underway

The influence of a new clinical motion for endodontic instruments on the incidence of postoperative pain

Previous studies showed that motor motions play an important role in determining apical extrusion of debris. Therefore a new clinical motion (MIMERACI) has been proposed. The basic idea is to progress slowly (1mm advancement), and after each 1mm, to remove the instrument from the canal, clean flutes and irrigate. The aim of the study was to prove whether the clinical use of MIMERACI technique would influence or not postoperative pain.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 teeth requesting endodontic treatment were selected for the study and divided into two similar groups based on anatomy, pre-operative symptoms and vitality, presence or absence of periapical lesion. All teeth were shaped, cleaned and obturated by the same operator, using the same NiTi instruments. The only difference between the two groups was the instrumentation technique: tradional (group A) vs MIMERACI (group B). Assessment of postoperative pain was performed 3 days after treatment. Presence, absence and degree of pain were recorded with a visual analogue scale (VAS), validated in previous studies. Collected data statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA post hoc Tukey test. RESULTS: For VAS pain scores MIMERACI technique showed significantly better results than group A (p=0,031). Overall, both incidence and intensity of symptoms were significantly lower. Flare ups occurred in 3 patients, but none treated with the MIMERACI Technique. CONCLUSIONS: Since extruded debris can elicit more postoperative pain, results obtained by using MIMERACI technique are probably due to many factors: better mechanical removal and less production of debris and more efficient irrigation during instrumentation

One-stage laser-microtextured implants immediately placed in the inter-radicular septum of molar fresh extraction sockets associated with GBR technique. A case series study

The outcome of one-stage trans-mucosal immediate implants with simultaneous guided bone regeneration (GBR) technique has become highly predictable. Furthermore, when this approach is performed to place one-stage implants into the inter-radicular septum of fresh extraction sockets in the molar region, the risk of incorrect emergence profile and off-angle loading is reduced. The aim of the present study was to clinically evaluate the horizontal hard and soft tissue changes, and radiographically the vertical socket walls remodeling, and the early peri-implant marginal bone loss (EMBL) following the placement of immediate one-stage implants in the inter-radicular septum of molar fresh extraction sockets, associated with a collagen membrane. Twenty patients were selected to receive a one-stage implant with laser-microtextured collar surface into the inter-radicular septum of a fresh molar extraction sockets, associated with a simultaneous placement of a collagen membrane. Intraoral radiographs and model casts were used for the evaluation. Correlation between the amount of the keratinized tissue thickness (KTT) with EMBL was also analyzed. After 4 months, the vertical radiographic mesial and distal EMBL around implants was of 0.06 ±0.01 mm and 0.04±0.02 mm, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between T0 and T1 (P >0.05). No statistical differences were found also for each radiographic measure used for the examination of implant sites vertical bone changes (p >0.05). Clinically, horizontal changes of the bucco-lingual central width were found statistically significant (p0.05). In addition, no statistically significant correlation between EMBL and the amount of KTT was found (P >0.05). Results suggest that the immediate placement of one-stage laser-microtextured implants could provide advantages in preserving the extraction socket?s hard and soft tissue remodeling, and the peri-implant marginal bone level before the prosthetic loading

Immediate non-submerged implants with laser-microtextured collar placed in the inter-radicular septum of mandibular molar extraction sockets associated to GBR : results at 3-year

Background: The aim of the present study was to radiographically evaluate the vertical socket walls changes, and the peri-implant marginal bone remodelling, and clinicallly the soft tissues conditions around the non-submerged single implants placed into the inter radicular septum of mandibular molar sockets, associated with a collagen membrane, after 3 years of loading.Material and Methods: Thirty patients underwent to placement of a non-submerged implants with a laser-micro-textured collar into the inter radicular septum of mandibular molar fresh extraction sockets. A collagen membrane and the mucoperiosteal flap were adapted around the neck of the implants, leaving the laser-microtextured collar to heal in a transmucosal fashion. Results: At the end of the follow-up period, no statistical differences were found for each radiographic measure-ments used for the examination of extraction sockets vertical bone changes. Compared to implants placement, at the end of the 3-year follow-up, the vertical radiographic mesial and distal peri-implant marginal bone levels showed a statistically significant gain of 0.9 (SD 0.5), and 1.0 mm (SD 0.6), respectively (P=0.037).Conclusions: in mandibular fresh extraction sockets, the method of GBR around transmucosal implants with la-ser-microtextured surface placed into the interadicular septum may be used successfully to counteract the ridge remodelling