Orofacial signs and dental abnormalities in patients with Mulvihill-Smith syndrome: A literature review on this rare progeroid pathology

BACKGROUND: Mulvihill-Smith syndrome is a rare sporadic condition that was first recognized in 1975. A total of 11 cases have been described in the literature. The aim of this study was to describe the orofacial signs and dental anomalies, their frequency, and the relationship between Mulvihill-Smith syndrome and other progeroid syndromes via a review of the literature.METHODS: A systematic PubMed search was performed to retrieve articles published between 1975 and the present day that described patients affected by Mulvihill-Smith syndrome. The search identified 14 articles, and data on 11 patients were extracted from the selected articles.RESULTS: A total of 7 patients (63.6%) affected by Mulvihill-Smith syndrome were described as having a typical "bird" face. Dental abnormalities, including irregular shape, enamel defects, hypodontia, and taurodontism, were described in 6 patients (54.5%). All patients (100%) had multiple pigmented nevi on the face and a lack or thinning of subcutaneous tissue around the neck and face. Three patients with Mulvihill-Smith syndrome exhibited early onset of tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, including the tongue.CONCLUSION: Mulvihill-Smith syndrome is a clinically complex disease that may be caused by a single gene mutation. Numerous different tissues of the body are affected. This analysis of the orofacial signs may help clinicians to diagnose this rare pathology

Removal of Accumulated Hard Tissue Debris (AHTD) from Root Canals with an Electric Current Device: A MicroCT Preliminary Report

In modern endodontics, removal of accumulated hard tissue debris (AHTD) from root canals is requested. In the last decade, different irrigating solutions and activation methods have been successfully tested. Sonic activation has been shown to be effective in the removal of AHTD. Electric current has been tested before in restorative dentistry, but not in endodontics. An experimental electric current delivering device was compared in the removal of AHTD, using microCT analyses. Fifteen single-rooted teeth were shaped with TruNatomy system endodontic files and divided into three groups: negative control group: specimens underwent no activation; EA group: specimens were activated with EndoActivator (EA); EB group: specimens were activated with ElectroBond (EB). The 2D images, 3D images and morphometric analysis from the microCT showed a statistically significant increased AHTD removal when EB was used. Results of the present preliminary study showed that the irrigant activation with ElectroBond is encouraging when compared to EndoActivator along the entire root canal system. The AHTD was significantly statistically reduced, validating the clinical use of electric fields in endodontics

Oral management of adult patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are the current treatments for patients with hematological diseases; they result in myelosuppression, and increase the susceptibility of patients to severe infections. The oral cavity is a potential site of complications in HSCT patients, because it is the entrance for agents that can cause systemic infections; it is one of the most frequent locations for side effects deriving from conditioning therapy. The importance of dental pre-chemotherapy and transplant prescription is often stressed, since both therapies depress the immune system and platelets, making each intervention at this stage a high risk. The aim of this article is to review the potential complications of HSCT, and to extrapolate from the scientific literature the treatments and timeframes in which dental therapies can be performed, avoiding important risks for patients

Exploring the drivers of vascular plant richness at very fine spatial scale in sub-Mediterranean limestone grasslands (Central Apennines, Italy)

International audienceSecondary dry grasslands in Europe can host high levels of vascular plant richness at small spatial scales. However, in Southern Europe their biodiversity patterns are largely unexplored. In this work, we aim at: (i) estimating plant species richness patterns at very fine scales in montane dry grasslands, on limestone bedrock, in Abruzzo Lazio and Molise National Park (Central Apennines, Italy); (ii) assessing the most important physical and edaphic drivers of biodiversity patterns at multiple plot sizes. We used randomly placed nested-plot series where we measured alpha-diversity at three different plot sizes (1 m2, 0.1 m2 and 0.01 m2) and within-plot beta-diversity (as expressed by the slope of the species-area curve across plot sizes). Variable selection was performed by means of Random Forests. Relationships between selected variables and diversity measures were then assessed using Regression Trees, Linear and Generalized Linear Models. Overall, results pointed to topographically-controlled edaphic factors (soil pH and silt fraction) as the main drivers positively influencing alpha-diversity at all spatial scales, with a positive effect of rock cover and slope inclination at smaller spatial grains. Beta-diversity was positively influenced by rock cover. We suggest that high-pH, steep and/or rocky sites feature higher species richness because they lack competitive grass species. Our results are in agreement with previous works underlining the importance of less productive habitats for the conservation of secondary grassland biodiversity

Micro-computed tomography evaluation of microleakage of Class II composite restorations: An in vitro study

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the microleakage attained with three resin‑based material used to restore deep Class II cavities. A null hypothesis was chosen: there is no difference in microleakage among the tested materials. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 Class II cavities were prepared in freshly extracted molars with the proximal mesial and distal margins located, respectively, 1.5 mm apically and 1.5 mm coronally to the cementum‑enamel junction. Restorations were completed using a three‑step enamel‑dentin adhesive system “Etch and Rinse,” margins were relocated using a micro‑hybrid, preheated, or flowable composite and restorations were then completed using a conventional composite. All samples were coated with nail varnish with the exception of an area along the margins and apex was sealed using epoxide cement and then thermocycled (30‑s dwell time, 5°C/55°C, 1000 cycles). A 50% ammoniac AgNO3 solution was used as tracer according to Tay’s protocol. The microleakage analysis was performed using a microtomography system Sky‑scan 1072 (SKYSCAN, Kartuizersweg 3B 2550, Konitch, Belgium). Results: The mean microleakage of all the tested materials showed greater leakage in the cementum margins; flowable composite exhibit greater leakage among the groups. Significant differences (P < 5%) within groups in both enamel and dentin margins were present. None of the tested materials eliminated marginal microleakage. Preheated composite showed significantly lesser microleakage. Conclusion: Tested materials showed statistical differences in microleakage; thus, the null hypothesis has been rejected. Within the limitations of the present experimental procedure, it can be concluded that flowable resin composite should be avoided at the dentin/cementum margi

Dopamine, vesicular transporters, and dopamine receptor expression in rat major salivary glands

The localization of dopamine stores and the expression and localization of dopamine (DAT) and vesicular monoamine transporters (VMAT) type-1 and -2 and of dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptor subtypes were investigated in rat submandibular, sublingual, and parotid salivary glands by HPLC with electrochemical detection, as well as immunochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. Male Wistar rats of 2 mo of age were used. The highest dopamine levels were measured in the parotid gland, followed by the submandibular and sublingual glands. Western blot analysis revealed DAT, VMAT-1, VMAT-2, and dopamine receptors immunoreactivity in membrane preparations obtained from the three glands investigated. Immunostaining for dopamine and transporters was developed within striated ducts. Salivary glands processed for dopamine receptors immunohistochemistry developed an immunoreaction primarily in striated and excretory ducts. In the submandibular gland, acinar cells displayed strong immunoreactivity for the D2 receptor, while cells of the convoluted granular tubules were negative for both D1-like and D2-like receptors. Parotid glands acinar cells displayed the highest immunoreactivity for both D1 and D2 receptors compared with other salivary glands. The above localization of dopamine and dopaminergic markers investigated did not correspond closely with neuron-specific enolase (NSE) localization. This indicates that at least in part, catecholamine stores and dopaminergic markers are independent from glandular innervation. These findings suggest that rat major salivary glands express a dopaminergic system probably involved in salivary secretion. The stronger immunoreactivity for dopamine transporters and receptors in striated duct cells suggests that the dopaminergic system could regulate not only quality, but also volume and ionic concentration of saliva

Smear layer removal and canal cleanliness using different irrigation systems (EndoActivator, EndoVac, and passive ultrasonic irrigation): field emission scanning electron microscopic evaluation in an in vitro study

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different irrigating methods in removing the smear layer at 1, 3, 5, and 8 mm from the apex of endodontic canals. Methods: Sixty-five extracted single-rooted human mandibular premolars were decoronated to a standardized length of 16 mm. Specimens were shaped to ProTaper F4 (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and irrigated with 5.25% NaOCl at 37C. Teeth were divided into 5 groups (2 control groups [n = 10] and 3 test groups [n = 15]) according to the final irrigant activation/delivering technique (ie, sonic irrigation, passive ultrasonic irrigation [PUI], or apical negative pressure). Root canals were then split longitudinally and observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The presence of debris and a smear layer at 1, 3, 5, and 8 mm from the apex was evaluated. Scores were analyzed by Kruskal- Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The EndoActivator System (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK) was significantly more efficient than PUI and the control groups in removing the smear layer at 3, 5, and 8 mm from the apex. The EndoVac System (Discus Dental, Culver City, CA) removed statistically significantly more smear layer than all groups at 1, 3, 5, and 8 mm from the apex. At 5 and 8 mm from the apex, PUI and the EndoVac did not differ statistically significantly, but both performed statistically better than the control groups. Conclusions: In our study, none of the activation/delivery systems completely removed the smear layer from the endodontic dentine walls; nevertheless, the EndoActivator and EndoVac showed the best results at 3, 5, and 8 mm (EndoActivator) and 1, 3, 5, and 8 mm (EndoVac) from the apex