Anatomy of Maxillary Sinus: Focus on Vascularization and Underwood Septa via 3D Imaging.

The study of the maxillary sinus anatomy should consider the presence of two features of clinical importance. The arterial supply course and the presence of the so-called Underwood septa are two important factors to consider when planning surgical treatment to reduce the risk of surgical complications such as excessive bleeding and Schneiderian membrane perforations. This study aimed to investigate the above-mentioned anatomical structures to improve the management of eventual vascular and surgical complications in this area. This study included a total of 200 cone-beam computed topographies (CBCTs) divided into two groups of 100 CBCTs to evaluate the arterial supply (AAa) course through the lateral sinus wall and Underwood's septa, respectively. The main parameters considered on 3D imaging were the presence of the AAa in the antral wall, the length of the arterial pathway, the height of the maxillary bone crest, the branch sizes of the artery in the first group, and the position of the septa, the length of the septa, and their gender associations in the second group. The CBCT analysis showed the presence of the arterial supply through the bone wall in 100% of the examined patients, with an average size of 1.07 mm. With regard to the septa, 19% of patients presented variations, and no gender difference was found to be statistically significant. The findings add to the current understanding of the clinical structure of the maxillary sinus, equipping medical professionals with vital details for surgical preparation and prevention of possible complications.

Psoriatic Arthritis Involving TMJ: A Review on Pathogenesis and Consideration on Eventual Gender Differences.

Psoriatic arthritis is defined as chronic inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis. The current data regarding gender differences in clinical manifestation and therapeutic outcomes of psoriatic arthritis are limited. Generally, men show a peripheral disease manifestation, while women have an axial distribution of the lesions. If we look at temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement, epidemiological data on the involvement of the TMJ are hard to find. Few studies on therapeutic management and the related impact on the quality of life are reported in the literature. Given the morpho-functional peculiarities of the TMJ and the different pain burdens between male and female genders, when manifestation of psoriatic arthritis occurs, clinicians should face it using a multidisciplinary approach for a correct diagnosis and successful treatment. This review aims to examine the diagnostic signs of psoriatic arthritis in the TMJ, the eventual variations of this disease in male and female patients, and the therapeutical strategies. The coordination of different specialties is fundamental to the remission of clinical symptoms and lesion regression.

Plasmacytoma in the Maxillary Jaw: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge.

Plasmacytoma is a neoplastic disorder originating from plasma cells, with bone and soft tissue being common sites of manifestation. This report presents the clinical and radiological findings of a 65-year-old female patient who presented with an exophytic lesion in the upper right lateral incisor region. The lesion appeared as a unilocular radiotransparent area in imaging tests. Following an excisional biopsy, histological and immunohistochemical evaluations confirmed the presence of mature plasmacellular elements and small infiltrates of B and T lymphocytes. The patient did not exhibit systemic manifestations of multiple myeloma. Surgical intervention, in the form of enucleation of the lesion combined with root canal treatment and apicoectomy, was performed. This case underscores the rare occurrence of plasmacytoma in the jaw region and highlights the importance of surgical management in cases where structural damage or functional impairment is present. Further research on novel treatment approaches is also mentioned, including targeted therapies, immunomodulatory agents, and monoclonal antibodies. The patient is currently under the care of a hematologist for further investigation and the choice of the most appropriate therapy.

Dentistry and Gender Gap: An Overview of the Italian Situation.

Recently, the issue of the gender gap in dentistry and in the leadership in the dental field has placed new challenges on dental profession representatives and politicians. Indeed, the inequity between genders in healthcare workforces represents a limit to the progression of those in the professions, inhibiting talented colleagues from accessing high positions in the academic world and not providing adequate role models to inspire future generations. The Italian population practicing dentistry in 2021 was composed of 74% males and 26% females. The aim of this study is to analyze the level of the gender gap in the dental field in Italy by focusing on the gender distribution of professional leaders in institutional category associations and invited speakers at dental conferences accredited for the Continue Education in Medicine program. The search strategy considered three different fields in the national dentistry scene: the dental committee boards, the union category associations, and the cultural field. The roles in the dental boards were retrieved from the website of the National Medical and Dental Committee from 2018 to 2022; the roles in the union category associations at the provincial, regional, and national levels were retrieved from the related web pages, considering the period from 2018 to 2021; and the information about the speakers at national conferences from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021 was retrieved from the National Agency for Regional Health Services (Agenzia nazionale per i servizi sanitari regionali (AGENAS)) websites. The extracted data were grouped and examined using descriptive statistics (frequency), and due to the categorical nature of the data, non-parametric tests (chi-square tests) were used to assess any differences between the two genders. The null hypothesis was that there were no statistical differences between the two genders' distributions. A p-value was considered significant when <0.05. In addition, aiming to understand the representation of male and female dentists, a comparison of the distributions of males and females in the dental boards with the percentages of female and male dentists operating in Italy in 2021 was performed using a binomial test. The analysis of the data regarding the composition of the dental boards and of the union category association boards revealed a statistically significant difference in the distribution of the roles between the two genders at the regional and local levels, with a p-value of <0.05, and a significantly low representation of the women practicing dentistry (p < 0.05). In Italy, women practicing dentistry are underrepresented in dental organizations and in cultural events, given the low numbers of female dentists in leadership and/or speaker roles in the years 2018-2021. Even though the glass ceiling effect continues to affect Italian female dentists, initiatives and political measures have been taken to improve this condition and reach gender equity.

Proliferation and Morphological Assessment of Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblast towards Bovine Pericardium Membranes: An In Vitro Study.

Over the past decade regenerative branches of dentistry have taken on more and more importance, resulting in the development of performing scaffold materials. These should induce cell adhesion, support, and guide the tissues' growth. Among the developed materials, we can include resorbable or non-membranes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the proliferation abilities and the attachment of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLIFs) over two bovine pericardium membranes with different thicknesses, 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm, respectively. These membranes have been decellularized by the manufacturer, preserving the three-dimensional collagen's structure. The HPLFs were cultured in standard conditions and exposed to the tested materials. XTT was performed to assess cell proliferation, while light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations assessed fibroblast morphology at different times (T1, T2, and T3). Proliferation assays have shown a statistically significant difference in growth at T1 (p < 0.05) in the cells cultured with a thicker membrane compared to the thinner one. LM analysis showed healthy fibroblasts in contact with the membranes, appearing larger and with a polygonal shape. SEM observation demonstrated thickening of the fibroblasts which continued to adhere to the membrane's surface, with enlarged polygonal shape and developed filipodia and lamellipodia. These results showed a similar cell behavior over the two bovine pericardium membranes, demonstrating a cellular migration along and within the layers of the membrane, binding with membrane fibers by means of filopodial extensions. Knowledge of the effects of the collagen membranes derived from bovine pericardium on cellular behavior will help clinicians choose the type of scaffolds according to the required clinical situation.

Histopathological Features of SARS-CoV-2 in Extrapulmonary Organ Infection: A Systematic Review of Literature.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global health concern responsible for the ongoing pandemic. Histopathological pieces of evidence on COVID-19 are not fully investigated. This review aims to provide, through microscopy investigations, a histopathological overview of COVID-19 structural and ultrastructural alterations in different organs and tissues, excluding the respiratory system. The authors systematically reviewed the literature over the period February 2020-July 2022. Selected databases were PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The search strategy included the following terms: "COVID-19" or SARS-CoV-2 and "histopathology" or "pathology"; and "microscopy" and "liver", "myocardium"," spleen", "testis", and "placenta". Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. Thirty-one articles included in this systematic review demonstrated, at a histopathological level, that COVID-19 exerts detrimental effects on tissues, often promoting degenerative processes. Even if COVID-19 shows a histopathological tropism for the respiratory system, other tissues, from cardiovascular to reproductive, are affected by COVID-19. Therefore, this paper provides an up-to-date view of histopathological observations of the structural and ultrastructural alterations associated with COVID-19 and may contribute to a better knowledge of the physiopathological bases of this disease.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Accessory Mandibular Canals: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study in a European Adult Population.

The purpose of this observational study is to evaluate the prevalence and main characteristics of bifid canals within a European adult population, analyzing cone-beam-computed tomography (CBCT). The population study examined 300 subjects. The CBCTs were performed between 2012 and 2019, using PaX-Zenith3D with a standard protocol of acquisition. The parameters analyzed were the presence and lengths of the bifid mandibular canals. The sample included 49% male and 51% female participants. The mean age of the patients was 47.07 ± 17.7 years. Anatomical variants of the mandibular canal were identified in 28.8% of the sides and 50.3% of the patients. In 7.3% of the subjects, the anatomical variants were present bilaterally. The most frequently encountered bifid canal was Type 3 (40.5%), followed by the Type 1 canal (39.3%), the Type 2 canal (14.5%), and the Type 4 canal (5.9%), 40% on the right side and 60% on the left side. The average length of the bifid canals located on the right side of the mandible was 11.96 ± 5.57 mm, compared to 11.38 ± 4.89 mm for those measured on the left side. The bifid mandibular canal is a common anatomical variation of the mandibular canal. It is fundamental to performing an accurate preoperative evaluation using CBCT analysis to avoid and/or reduce intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Ultrastructural Evaluation of the Human Oocyte at the Germinal Vesicle Stage during the Application of Assisted Reproductive Technologies.

After its discovery in 1825 by the physiologist J.E. Purkinje, the human germinal vesicle (GV) attracted the interest of scientists. Discarded after laparotomy or laparoscopic ovum pick up from the pool of retrieved mature oocytes, the leftover GV was mainly used for research purposes. After the discovery of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) such as in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), its developing potential was explored, and recognized as an important source of germ cells, especially in the case of scarce availability of mature oocytes for pathological/clinical conditions or in the case of previous recurrent implantation failure. We here review the ultrastructural data available on GV-stage human oocytes and their application to ARTs.

Morphological and Biological Evaluations of Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts in Contact with Different Bovine Bone Grafts Treated with Low-Temperature Deproteinisation Protocol.

Several types of deproteinised bovine bone mineral (DBBM) are available on the market, and each one is obtained with a thermic and chemical process that can differ, achieving different results. Currently, several protocols using low temperature are suggested to reduce the possible particle crystallisation during the production process. This study aimed to evaluate the biomorphological reaction of periodontal fibroblast cultures in contact with different DBBM particles treated with a low-temperature protocol (Thermagen®) and without exposure to sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Morphological evaluation was performed using light, confocal laser, and scanning electron microscopy, and the biological reaction in terms of proliferation was performed using an XTT proliferation assay at 24 h (T1), 72 h (T2), and 7 days (T3). The morphological analysis highlighted how the presence of the materials stimulated a change in the morphology of the cells into a polygonal shape, surface reactions with the thickening of the membrane, and expression of actin. In particular, the morphological changes were appreciable from T1, with a progressive increase in the considered morphological characteristics at T2 and T3 follow-ups. The proliferation assay showed a statistical significance between the different experimental materials and the negative control in T2 and T3 follow-ups. The post hoc analysis did not reveal any differences between the materials. In conclusion, the grafts obtained with the low-temperature extractions protocol and not exposed to NaOH solution showed positive morphological reactions with no differences in the sizes of particles.

Platelets' Role in Dentistry: From Oral Pathology to Regenerative Potential.

Platelets are a cellular subgroup of elements circulating in the bloodstream, responsible for the innate immunity and repairing processes. The diseases affecting this cellular population, depending on the degree, can vary from mild to severe conditions, which have to be taken into consideration in cases of minor dental procedures. Their secretion of growth factors made them useful in the regenerative intervention. The aim of this review is to examine the platelets from biological, examining the biogenesis of the platelets and the biological role in the inflammatory and reparative processes and clinical point of view, through the platelets' pathology and their use as platelets concentrates in dental regenerative surgery.

Bio-Morphological Reaction of Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts to Different Types of Dentinal Derivates: In Vitro Study.

Understanding the biological and morphological reactions of human cells towards different dentinal derivate grafting materials is fundamental for choosing the type of dentin for specific clinical situations. This study aimed to evaluate human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPLF) cells exposed to different dentinal derivates particles. The study design included the in vitro evaluation of mineralized dentine (SG), deproteinized and demineralized dentine (DDP), and demineralized dentine (TT) as test materials and of deproteinized bovine bone (BIOS) as the positive control material. The materials were kept with the hPLF cell line, and the evaluations were made after 24 h, 72 h, and 7 days of in vitro culture. The evaluated outcomes were proliferation by using XTT assays, the morphological characteristics by light microscopy (LM) and by the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and adhesion by using confocal microscopy (CLSM). Overall, the experimental materials induced a positive response of the hPLFs in terms of proliferation and adhesion. The XTT assay showed the TT, and the SG induced significant growth compared to the negative control at 7 days follow-up. The morphological data supported the XTT assay: the LM observations showed the presence of densely packed cells with a modified shape; the SEM observations allowed the assessment of how fibroblasts exposed to DDP and TT presented cytoplasmatic extensions; and SG and BIOS also presented the thickening of the cellular membrane. The CLMS observations showed the expression of the proliferative marker, as well as and the expression of cytoskeletal elements involved in the adhesion process. In particular, the vinculin and integrin signals were stronger at 72 h, while the actin signal remained constantly expressed in all the follow-up of the sample exposed to SG material. The integrin signal was stronger at 72 h, and the vinculin and actin signals were stronger at 7 days follow-up in the sample exposed to DDP material. The vinculin and integrin signals were stronger at 72 h follow-up in the sample exposed to TT material; vinculin and integrin signals appear stronger at 24 h follow-up in the sample exposed to BIOS material. These data confirmed how dentinal derivates present satisfying biocompatibility and high conductivity and inductivity properties fundamental in the regenerative processes. Furthermore, the knowledge of the effects of the dentin's degree of mineralization on cellular behavior will help clinicians choose the type of dentine derivates material according to the required clinical situation.

Ultrastructure of mitochondria of human oocytes in different clinical conditions during assisted reproduction.

Infertility affects around 8% of couples with a slight change in percentage in the last years. Despite the significant efforts made in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) in handling this disorder, oocyte quality remains a crucial factor for a positive outcome. A better understanding of the dynamics underlying oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development remains one of the main areas for progress in the ARTs field. Mitochondria are believed to play an essential role in these processes. Mitochondria have a crucial part in producing energy for oocyte maturation and embryo development throughout precise cellular functions comprising Ca2+ homeostasis regulation, glycolysis, amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, and regulation of apoptosis. Recent studies suggest that mitochondrial structure, content, and function may be related to oocyte competence, embryo viability, and implantation success during ARTs. Their defects could lead to low fertilization rates and embryonic development failure. This review aimed to provide an overview of the available literature data surrounding the correlation between changes at ultrastructural level of mitochondria or correlated-mitochondrial aggregates and oocyte quality and ARTs treatments. Our reported data demonstrated that oocyte mitochondrial ultrastructural alterations could be partial or complete recovery during the early embryo stages. However, these changes could persist as quiescent during the pre-implantation embryo development, causing abnormalities that become evident only during fetal and postnatal life. These factors led to consider the mitochondria as a crucial marker of oocyte and embryo quality, as well as a strategic target for further prospective therapeutical approaches.

Dental Education Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period in Italy: Undergraduate Student Feedback, Future Perspectives, and the Needs of Teaching Strategies for Professional Development.

The COVID-19 pandemic literally stopped most human movement and activities as it initially spread, which included dental practices and dental education. This defined the need for significative changes in teaching and learning with the use of "e-learning" methods, also for traineeships. This study was designed to determine the undergraduate student perception of these new methods as part of their education. This involved 353 students attending the Dental School of the G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, from the first to the sixth years. A questionnaire in Italian and was set-up using "Google Forms" and sent by email to the students. The questionnaire was divided into three parts: the first part included questions for general information, including age, sex and year of course; the second part had multiple choice questions related to their evaluation of the e-learning teaching, using a scale of opinion in the replies to each question (e.g., "scarce", "fair", "satisfying", "very good" and "excellent"); and the third part included two open questions to indicate the strengths and limitations of these new teaching and learning approaches. The categorical variables in the first and second parts of the questionnaire were evaluated using Chi squared tests, setting significance at p < 0.05, while the comments were evaluated qualitatively. The student feedback showed significant appreciation (p < 0.05) of the new methods and the efforts that the lecturers put in to provide lectures of as high a quality as possible. However, a lack of practical training was significantly perceived as an important problem in the structure of their new curriculum (p < 0.05). COVID-19 has been an epic tragedy that has hit the human population not only in terms of health and healthcare, but also quality of life. This includes the quality of dental education within universities. However, the pandemic can be seen to also represent motivation to invest in the necessary technological innovation to deliver the best possible education to our future dentists.

Long-term immune protection against HBV: associated factors and determinants.

In Italy, vaccination against hepatitis B became compulsory for all the newborns and 12-years-old adolescents in 1991. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the persistence of long-term protection against HBV in medical students of the University of L'Aquila and in postgraduates Medical Doctors (HCWs) working in San Salvatore Hospital. The second aim was to study the variables associated with a protective anti-HBs antibody level, such as age at vaccination, gender, time elapsed from the last dose of vaccination.Three hundred and forty-two subjects were enrolled from January 2017 to January 2019 and a blood sample was collected to evaluate the levels of serum HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc. Statistical analysis calculated a multivariable logistic regression model to examine predictors of a protective anti-HBs titer. The larger part (239, 70%) of the students had an anti-HBs titer >10 mIU/mL, those were statistically significant older (26.7 vs 24.5 years, p < .001), vaccinated at age 12 years (83.5% vs 59.9% among vaccinate at infancy, p < .001) and more frequently attending postgraduate medical school (80.8% vs 57.5% among healthcare profession school, p < .001). The multivariable logistic regression model showed that HBV vaccination at age of 12 was significantly and independently associated with protective titers (OR = 10.27, p = .019).The results agreed with literature on HBV vaccination, confirming the efficacy of vaccination after 20 years. In particular, our results suggest that adolescent administration is the main predictor of a protective title, regardless of gender, course and years since vaccinations.

Histological and Histomorphometric Evaluation of New Bone Formation after Maxillary Sinus Augmentation with Two Different Osteoconductive Materials: A Randomized, Parallel, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

This study aimed to investigate the histological features of deproteinized equine bone mineral (DEBM) and anorganic bovine bone (ABB) after human sinus augmentation with the lateral approach. Twenty-three sinus augmentations were performed in 16 patients (male: 10/female: 6) using DEBM or ABB in a randomized fashion. Healing took place over the next 6 months. Bone core biopsies (N = 23) were obtained for each subject prior to placing the dental implants. The biopsies were processed for both histological descriptions and histomorphometric analysis. Statistical analyses were applied as appropriate, defining statistical significance as p < 0.05. Core bone biopsies revealed no differences in terms of newly formed bone between groups, or differences in terms of tissue inflammation. Both DEBM and ABB appear to be suitable biomaterials for bone augmentation in sinus lift surgery in the short term. However, dedicated studies are required to confirm these results and their stability in the long term.

Commercial oral hygiene products and implant collar surfaces: Scanning electron microscopy observations.

Background: The use of medicated mouthwashes and gels in the home care maintenance of dental implants is controversial due to the possibility of residue deposition on the implant collar. The aim of this in vitro study was to analyse, by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the amount of residues on dental implant collars treated with various commercial home dental care products. Methods: Gel and mouthwash products were tested on 10 implants. The gels included sodium fluoride, amine fluoride, and sodium hyaluronate products. The mouthwashes tested contained triclosan, nimesulide, stannous fluoride, amine fluoride, and hexetidine-chlorobutanol. The SEM observations were performed at different magnifications in double modality SE (secondary electrons) and BSE (backscattered electrons) to qualitatively assess any residual products. The image quantitative analysis was performed by Image J® software to assess areas occupied by residuals. All results were analysed by the same researcher with experience in electron microscopy. Results: The fluoride-based gel products left wider areas occupied by residuals than the mouthwash products. In particular the fluoride-based and hyaluronate products left the highest amount of residues. Among mouthwashes, fluoride-based and triclosan products showed the highest amount of residuals deposition. Discussion: Oral hygiene procedures and related professional products are fundamental to the prevention, treatment, and control of microorganisms. In the case of implants, mechanical and chemical plaque control strategies are even more important since the potentially harmful biofilm covers abiotic titanium surfaces. In situ fixture maintenance is crucial for dental implant therapy success. Correct recommendation of home care products for bacterial control is fundamental to the health of implants and their surrounding tissues. Conclusions: Data from this experimental study showed that home care commercial products in gel formulation, especially those containing fluoride, leave more residuals on titanium smooth surfaces than mouthwash products. The longer permanence of the products may lead to a more effective plaque control than other products.

Contexte: L'utilisation de bains de bouche et de gels médicamentés lors des soins d'entretien à domicile des implants dentaires porte à controverse en raison de la possibilité de dépôts de résidus sur le collet de l'implant. La présente étude in vitro visait à analyser par microscopie électronique à balayage (MÉB) la quantité de résidus sur les collets d'implants dentaires traités in vitro avec divers produits commerciaux de soins dentaires à domicile. Méthodologie: Les produits de gels et de bains de bouche ont été testés sur 10 implants. Les gels comprenaient les produits de fluorure de sodium, de fluorure d'amine et de hyaluronate de sodium. Les bains de bouche évalués contenaient du triclosan, de la nimésulide, du fluorure d'étain et du hexétidine-chlorobutanol. Les observations par MÉB ont été effectuées à diverses amplifications en modalité double SE (électrons secondaires) et BSE (électrons rétrodiffusés) pour évaluer de manière qualitative tout produit résiduel. L'analyse quantitative de l'image a été effectuée à l'aide du logiciel Image J® pour évaluer les zones ayant des résidus. Tous les résultats ont été analysés par le même chercheur expérimenté dans le domaine de la microscopie électronique. Résultats: Les produits de gels à base de fluorure ont laissé des résidus sur de plus vastes zones que les produits de bains de bouche. En particulier, les produits à base de fluorure et le hyaluronate ont laissé la plus grande quantité de résidus. Parmi les bains de bouche, les produits à base de fluorure et de triclosan ont révélé la plus grande quantité de dépôts de résidus. Discussion: Les procédures d'hygiène buccodentaire et les produits professionnels qui y sont liés sont essentiels à la prévention, au traitement et au contrôle des microorganismes. En matière d'implants, les stratégies de contrôle mécanique et chimique de la plaque sont encore plus importantes puisque le biofilm potentiellement nocif couvre les surfaces abiotiques du titane. L'entretien in situ du montage est primordial au succès de la thérapie de l'implant dentaire. La bonne recommandation de produits de soins à domicile pour le contrôle des bactéries est essentielle à la santé des implants et des tissus environnants. Conclusions: Les données de cette étude expérimentale ont montré que les produits commerciaux de soins à domicile en formule de gels, surtout ceux contenant du fluorure, laissent une plus grande quantité de résidus sur les surfaces lisses du titane que les produits de bains de bouche. La permanence plus longue des produits peut mener à un contrôle plus efficace de la plaque que d'autres produits.

Autologous Materials in Regenerative Dentistry: Harvested Bone, Platelet Concentrates and Dentin Derivates.

The jawbone is a peculiar type of bone tissue, unique for its histological, anatomical and physiological characteristics. Therefore, a defect in the maxilla or in the mandible, because of pathological sequelae is difficult to prevent and to restore. Several biomaterials have been and are currently being developed to respond to the demands of regenerative medicine. A specific group of biomaterials used in regenerative dentistry is represented by the autologous materials. Platelet concentrates harvested bone and dentin derivates are indeed used in an attempt to minimise the alveolar resorption or in vertical ridge augmentation procedures or in sinus lift interventions. The aim of this review is to examine the properties of the above-listed materials, to compare them and to indicate eventual clinical applications.

The effect of low and ultra-low oxygen tensions on mammalian embryo culture and development in experimental and clinical IVF.

Over the last forty years, many trials have been performed using mammalian embryo cultures with reduced oxygen tension (O2) to encourage proper embryo development and increase the success rate for in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. Even if the use of atmospheric O2 (20%) affects in vitro embryo development and intracellular redox balance, the use of low (5% O2, physiologic) and ultra-low (close or less to 5% O2) O2 applied to in vitro embryo culture is still under debate. Numerous studies in various mammalian species have shown that embryo development improves when culturing embryos under low O2, although culture conditions are not the only factors involved in the success of IVF. This article reviews the literature data of the last four decades and discusses the current evidence on the use of low and ultra-low O2 in embryo culture, and examines the impact of multiple factors on IVF outcomes. ABBREVIATIONS: O2: oxygen tension; IVF: in vitro fertilization; IVC: in vitro culture; ET: embryo transfer; ROS: reactive oxygen species; ARTs: assisted reproductive technologies.

Evaluation of Different Autologous Platelet Concentrate Biomaterials: Morphological and Biological Comparisons and Considerations.

The field of regeneration interventions in oral and maxillofacial surgeries still represents a challenge for researchers and clinicians. Understanding the biological and morphological behaviour of human cells towards the materials used for the regeneration surgeries is key to successfully choosing and applying the appropriate biomaterials for specific clinical situations. The aim of the study was the biological and morphological evaluation of autologous platelet concentrate materials obtained with different protocols, in culture with human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF). The study design included the evaluation of Leukocyte-Platelet-Rich-Fibrin (L-PRF), Concentrated Growth Factors (CGF) and autologous platelet gel (APG) in contact with the HPLF cell line after 24 h, 72 h and 7 days of in vitro culture. Cell proliferation and, therefore, viability were evaluated with XTT assays. The morphological response of the cells was evaluated by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. The XTT assay showed an interesting response in the growth curve. In particular, the material that gave the best results was the CGF. The morphological data supported the XTT assay, showing the best results for the CGF and L-PRF. In conclusion, all the platelet-derived materials stimulated the onset of the growth of the HPLF cell line, making them promising options for periodontal regeneration interventions.

Repeated hyperstimulation affects the ultrastructure of mouse fallopian tube epithelium.

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is routinary used in assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) to increase the yields of mature oocytes. The possibility that patients with a history of failures or poor-responders may develop side-effects following these treatments is still debated. Epidemiological studies reported controversial results about pregnancy outcome and the risk of developing gynecological cancers. By using a mouse model, here we compared the ultrastructural features of fallopian tubes (FTs) obtained from mice undergoing or not (control, CTR) four (4R) and eight (8R) rounds of gonadotropin stimulation. Although the morphological characteristics of oviductal layers seemed unaffected by repeated treatments, dose-response ultrastructural alterations in the ampulla appeared in the 4R group and even more in the 8R group. The targets were oviductal ciliated (CCs) and non-ciliated (NCCs) cells, which showed damaged mitochondria and glycogen accumulations in the cytoplasm. The drastic reduction of CCs, evident after 4R, was supported by the absence of cilia. After 8R, glycogen granules were significantly reduced and massive degeneration of mitochondria, which appeared swollen and/or vacuolated, occurred in NCCs. Moreover, disintegrated mitochondria were found at the periphery of mitophagic vacuoles with evident signs of cristolysis. The morphometric analysis evidenced a significant increase in the density and frequency of damaged mitochondria after 4R and 8R. The absence of cilia, necessary to sustain oviductal transport of oocytes, spermatozoa and embryos, may originate from either mitochondrial dysfunction or glycogen consumption. These results suggest that repeated COH treatments could induce alterations impairing fertilization and embryo transport toward the uterus.