Reconstructive Options after Oncological Rhinectomy: State of the Art

Background: The nose is a central component of the face, and it is fundamental to an individual's recognition and attractiveness. The aim of this study is to present a review of the last twenty years literature on reconstructive techniques after oncological rhinectomy. Methods: Literature searches were conducted in the databases PubMed, Scopus, Medline and Google Scholar. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA)" for scoping review was followed. Results: Seventeen articles regarding total rhinectomy reconstruction were finally identified in the English literature, with a total of 447 cases. The prostheses were the reconstructive choice in 213 (47.7%) patients, followed by local flaps in 172 (38.5%) and free flaps in 62 (13.8%). The forehead flap (FF) and the radial forearm free flap (RFFF) are the most frequently used flaps. Conclusions: This study shows that both prosthetic and surgical reconstruction are very suitable solutions in terms of surgical and aesthetic outcomes for the patient

Ileal neuroendocrine tumor in a patient with sclerosing mesenteritis: Which came first?

Objective: Unusual clinical courseBackground: Jejunoileal neuroendocrine tumors (JI-NETs) are rare tumors that can be associated with mesenteric fibrosis. This case report is of an incidental finding of a JI-NET in a patient who was previously misdiagnosed with sclerosing mesenteritis.Case Report: A 42-year-old man was admitted to our institution with diffuse abdominal pain and clinical and radiographic signs of bowel obstruction. He had a previous diagnosis of sclerosing mesenteritis, which had been histologically diagnosed after an exploratory laparoscopy performed in 2009 for recurrent acute abdominal pain. He was also annually monitored through computed tomography scans for an incidentally discovered, gradually enlarging mesenteric mass for which a "wait and watch" management approach was adopted. After a period of fasting and observation, the patient underwent an urgent exploratory laparotomy because of his worsening condition. Intraoperatively, an ileocecal resection was performed, along with excision of the known mesenteric mass. The pathology report revealed an ileal NET with nodal metastases within the mesentery and mesenteric tumor deposits (pT3N1).Conclusions: JI-NETs are rare entities, which are usually encountered as incidental findings or in patients with unspecific abdominal pain. Our case represents a probable delayed diagnosis of JI-NET in the context of sclerosing mesenteritis; therefore, a possible association between these 2 conditions should be investigated

Orthodontic glass-fiber reinforced composites (G-FRCs) with different storage modality dry and wet versus orthodontic twisted wires: a three-point bending test at 5 mm of span lenghts.

Scopo del presente lavoro è quello di evidenziare eventuali analogie e differenze nel comportamento meccanico dei compositi rinforzati con fibre di vetro (G-FRCs) quando analizzati in condizioni di conservazione differente (ambiente umido e ambiente secco), nonché di confrontare le caratteristiche meccaniche dei G-FRCs con quelle dei tradizionali fili intrecciati in acciaio, comunemente utilizzati per la contenzione fissa postortodontica nei settori anteriori dell’arcata mascellare e mandibolare. Per ogni campione è stato effettuato un test di flessione (three-point bending test) con distanza tra i supporti di 5 mm, al fine di simulare il più possibile la situazione clinica. A parità di distanza tra i supporti di 5 mm e di deflessione pari a 1 mm, i G-FRCs conservati in ambiente umido (Gruppo A1) raggiungono valori di massimo carico e massimo stress inferiori ai G-FRCs conservati in ambiente secco (Gruppo A2) e sovrapponibili a quelli ottenuti dai test effettuati sui fili ortodontici intrecciati in acciaio (Gruppo B). L’analisi statistica ha evidenziato differenze statisticamente significative tra i Gruppi A2 e B (p < 0,001) e non statisticamente significative tra i Gruppi A1 e B (p < 0,088). Questo studio confronta le proprietà meccaniche di due diversi materiali utilizzati in ortodonzia per la realizzazione di contenzioni fisse e mette in evidenza l’effetto del tipo di conservazione (secco/umido) sulle proprietà meccaniche degli stessi. The aim of this study was to highlight analogies and differences on flexural properties of G-FRCs in different storage conditions: dry and wet, and to investigate the flexural properties of orthodontic G-FRCs vs stainless steel twisted retainers. For each sample a three-point bending test was carried out with a material testing machine. Condition being equal (span length and deflection) the wet fibers reach inferior loads, showing characteristics more similar to steel and demonstrate more elasticity compared to the dry fibers. However, the steel wire, reach loads much inferior than the glass fibers and demonstrate more elasticity compared to the glass fibers dry and wet. The different material and the different storage modality (dry and wet) significantly influenced the maximum load and the maximum stress (p < 0.001). In all the tests carried out no samples showed complete fractures, but microfractures clinically was observed as white spots

Fixed space maintainer for use with a rapid palatal expander

The authors describe the clinical importance of space maintenancy in primary and mixed dentition, a particualr attention must be paid because of the problems that may often arise during skeletal and occlusal growth. This article shows a fixed appliance that was used to maintain the space of a missing lateral incisor during rapid palatal expansion

Effects of stannous fluoride on eroded enamel permeability

This study aimed to evaluate the effect in vitro of a single application of a stannous fluoride- (SnF2-) containing toothpaste on eroded enamel. Forty-eight teeth were subjected to three acid treatments: 15% hydrochloric acid for 120 s (HA group); 1% citric acid (pH=4) for 180 s (CA group); 37% phosphoric acid for 30 s (PA group). They were brushed with an electric toothbrush with pressure control and 1 g of SnF2 (1100 ppm) toothpaste for 2 min. Polyether replicas of buccal enamel surfaces were obtained at baseline, after acid exposure and after brushing, gold sputtered and inspected by SEM for fluid droplets presence. Hydrochloric and citric acid treatments increased enamel permeability while, on the contrary, phosphoric acid reduced enamel fluid release. SnF2 application of ameliorated acid induced permeability in citric and hydrochloric treated samples. Permeability in phosphoric treated enamel was unchanged after topical application of SnF2. Our data show specific acid-dependent effects on enamel permeability and demonstrate that SnF2 application can reverse acid-induced permeability

Iron oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticles conjugated with a conformationally blocked \u3b1-Tn antigen mimetic for macrophage activation.

Among new therapies to fight tumors, immunotherapy is still one of the most promising and intriguing. Thanks to the ongoing structural elucidation of several tumor antigens and the development of innovative antigen carriers, immunotherapy is in constant evolution and it is largely used either alone or in synergy with chemotherapy/radiotherapy. With the aim to develop fully synthetic immunostimulants we have recently developed a mimetic of the \u3b1-Tn mucin antigen, a relevant tumor antigen. The (4)C1 blocked mimetic , unique example of an \u3b1-Tn mimetic antigen, was functionalized with an \u3c9-phosphonate linker and used to decorate iron oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), employed as multivalent carriers. MNPs, largely exploited for supporting and carrying biomolecules, like antibodies, drugs or antigens, consent to combine in the same nanometric system the main features of an inorganic magnetic core with a bioactive organic coating. The superparamagnetic glyconanoparticles obtained, named GMNPs, are indeed biocompatible and immunoactive, and they preserve suitable characteristics for use as heat mediators in the magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) treatment of tumors. All together these properties make GMNPs attracting devices for innovative tumor treatment