ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Long-term stability of the mucogingival complex following guided tissue regeneration in gingival recession defects.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the stability of soft tissue conditions in gingival recession defects treated with guided tissue regeneration (GTR). The study population was selected among those patients who had been treated with GTR procedures for Miller's class I or II, deep (> or =3 mm), buccal gingival recession defects. Defects were included only when they had revealed recession depth reduction > or =2 mm and root coverage > or =60% at 6 months following GTR treatment. These defects were regarded as successfully treated and scheduled for further monitoring. 20 patients, 11 male and 9 female, aged 23 to 57 years (mean age: 33.2 years), each contributing 1 defect, were selected. 9 patients were smokers (> or =10 cigarette per day). Recession depth (RD), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and width of keratinized gingiva (KG) were assessed immediately before surgery, at 6 months post-surgery (baseline examination), and at 4 years post-surgery (4-year examination). At baseline examination, RD reduction was 3.6+/-0.9 mm (mean root coverage: 80%). CAL gain amounted to 4.2+/-1.3 mm, 60% of the defects showing CAL gain > or =4 mm. KG increased from 1.9+/-1.2 mm at presurgery examination to 3.1+/-0.9 mm at baseline examination. At 4-year examination, no significant changes from baseline RD, CAL and KG recordings were observed. Differences in baseline-4 year changes between smokers and non-smokers were not statistically significant. The results of the present study demonstrate that clinical outcome achieved following GTR procedure in gingival recession defects can be maintained over periods up to 4 years

Healing response of gingival recession defects following guided tissue regeneration procedures in smokers and non-smokers

This retrospective study evaluated healing response in gingival recession defects following guided tissue regeneration (GTR) in smokers. 22 systemically healthy patients who had been treated for deep (> or = 4 mm), buccal, Miller's class I or II gingival recession defects with ePTFE membranes were included. Patients were regarded as smokers if they smoked more than 10 cigarettes/day at the time of surgical procedure. Occasional and former smokers were excluded. 9 patients (6 male, mean age 29 years) were smokers, while 13 patients (4 male, mean age 35 years) were non-smokers. Clinical parameters, recorded presurgery and at 6 months postsurgery, included defect-specific plaque (DP1) and bleeding on probing (BoP) scores, recession depth (RD), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and keratinized tissue width (KG). Extent of membrane exposure (ME) and newly formed tissue (NFT) gain were assessed at membrane removal. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between smokers and non-smokers in demographic and presurgery defect characteristics. DP1 and BoP scores were similar presurgery and remained almost unchanged throughout the observation interval in both groups. ME was significantly greater in smokers (2.6 +/- 1.4 mm) than in non-smokers (1.3 +/- 0.6 mm). NFT gain was 2.8 +/- 1.0 mm in smokers and 3.6 +/- 1.4 mm in non-smokers, the difference being not statistically significant. Smokers showed significantly less RD reduction and root coverage (2.5 +/- 1.2 mm and 57%, respectively) compared to non-smokers (3.6 +/- 1.1 mm and 78%, respectively). In conclusion, the results indicate that treatment outcome following GTR in gingival recession defects is impaired in cigarette smokers

Impaired treatment outcome following GTR in gingival recession defects in cigarette smokers

This retrospective study evaluated healing response in gingival recession defects following GTR in smokers. Twenty-two systemically healthy patients who had been treated for deep ( ³ 4 mm), buccal, Miller’s Class I or II gingival recession defects with e-PTFE membranes were included. Patients were regarded as smokers if they smoked more than 10 cigarettes/day at the time of surgical procedure. Occasional and former smokers were excluded. Nine patients (6 males, mean age: 29 years) were smokers, while 13 patients (4 males, mean age: 35 years) were non-smokers. Clinical parameters, recorded presurgery and at 6 months postsurgery, included defect-specific plaque (DPl) and bleeding on probing (BoP) scores, recession depth (RD), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (PAL), and keratinized tissue width (KT). Extent of membrane exposure (ME) and newly formed tissue (NFT) gain were assessed at membrane removal. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between smokers and non-smokers in demographic and presurgery defect characteristics. DPl and BoP scores were similar presurgery and remained almost unchanged thoroughout the observation interval in both groups. ME was significantly greater in smokers (2.6 ± 1.4 mm) than in non-smokers (1.3 ± 0.6 mm). NFT gain was 2.8 ± 1.0 mm in smokers and 3.6 ± 1.4 mm in non-smokers, the difference being not statistically significant. Smokers showed significantly less RD reduction and root coverage (2.5 ± 1.2 mm and 57%, respectively) compared to non-smokers (3.6 ± 1.1 mm and 78%, respectively). In conclusion, the results indicate that treatment outcome following GTR in gingival recession defects is impaired in cigarette smokers. This study was partly supported by MURST grant #95/60/06/1

Histologic evaluation of a collagen/hydroxyapatite/chondroitin sulphate implant in post-extraction defects

Objectives: The aim of this study was to histologically evaluate the healing following implantation of a collagen/hydroxyapatite/chondroitin sulphate graft (Biostite) in human post-extraction defects. Methods: After tooth removal and socket degranulation, Biostite was implanted to fill the defect. Flaps were mobilized and sutured to ensure complete coverage of the graft. Hard tissue biopsies were harvested with a 2 mm-diameter trephine bur after 3 and 6 months post-implantation. Results: Healing progressed uneventfully, no esfoliation or infective complication were recorded. 3-month histologic observations demonstrated new bone formation around Biostite particles. The newly formed bone was represented by immature bone trabeculae undergoing mineralization, with an osteoblastic layer lining the osteoid matrix. CD68-positive multinucleated cells with features similar to osteoclasts were present along the surface of graft particles. At 6 months, the newly formed bone was more mature, well-vascularized, although some areas were still undergoing mineralization. Osteoclastic-mediated resorption was also observed. Particles of biomaterial were still evident and appeared integrated with surrounding bone. Biostite appeared well-tolerated, in no cases inflammatory infiltrate was observed around the implanted particles. Conclusions: This study indicates that bone regeneration in post-extraction defects can be favorably supported by the implantation of a collagen/hydroxyapatite/chondroitin sulphate graft . This study was partly supported by VEBAS s.r.l., Italy and Research Center for the Study of Periodontal Diseases, University of Ferrara

I materiali bioceramici osteoconduttivi e il loro ruolo come sostituti dell’osso.

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GTR with bioabsorbable membrane in the treatment of human gingival recession defects

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of GTR procedure in comparison to subpedicle connective tissue graft (SCTG) in the treatment of gingival recession defects. A total of 12 patients, each contributing a pair of Miller's Class I or II buccal gingival recessions was treated. According to a randomization list, in each patient one defect received a polyglycolide/lactide bioabsorbable membrane, while the paired defect received a SCTG. Treatment effect was evaluated 6 months postsurgery. Clinical recordings included full-mouth and defect-specific oral hygiene standards and gingival health, recession depth (RD), recession width (RW), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and keratinized tissue (KT). Mean RD significantly decreased from 3.1 mm presurgery to 1.5 mm at 6 months postsurgery fo the GTR group (48% root coverage), and from 3.0 mm to 0.5 mm for the SCTG group (81% root coverage). RD reduction and root coverage were significantly greater in SCTG group compared to GTR group. No significant differences in PD changes were observed within and between groups. KT increased significantly from presurgery for both treatment groups, however gingival augmentation was significantly greater in the SCTG group compared to GTR group. Results indicate that 1) treatment of human gingival recession defects by means of both GTR and SCTG procedures results in clinically and statistically significant improvement of soft tissue conditions of the defect, and 2) treatment outcome was significantly better following SCTG compared to GTR in terms of recession depth reduction, root coverage and keratinized tissue increase. This study was partly supported by W.L. Gore Associates Inc. and MURST Grant #96/60/06/01