Electrostimulation of the lingual nerve by an intraoral device may lead to salivary gland regeneration: A case series study.

BACKGROUND: Salivary gland function is controlled by the salivary reflex, whose efferent arm is composed by the parasympathetic and the sympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system. Parenchymal injury is the main salivary gland involvement of Sjögren's syndrome and head and neck radiotherapy, but neural damage has been reported as well. Recently an intraoral device for electrostimulation of the lingual nerve in vicinity to the lower third molar has been introduced. At this point this nerve carries efferent fibers for the innervation of the submandibular, sublingual and several minor salivary glands and afferent fibers of the salivary reflex. Therefore, excitation of these fibers potentially leads to increased secretion of all salivary glands. Thus, the study objective was to assess whether comprehensive neural activation by electrostimulation of the lingual nerve carries the potential to induce the regeneration of damaged salivary glands. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The device was tested on three patients with no collectable resting and stimulated secretion of saliva during a double blind, sham controlled period of two months and nine open-label months. RESULTS: All three subjects developed the capacity to spit saliva, not only in direct response to the electrostimulation but also after free intervals without electrostimulation. In addition, their symptoms of dry mouth severity and frequency improved. CONCLUSIONS: This recovery is probably due to the combined effect of increase in secretory functional gland mass and regain of nervous control of the secretory elements and blood vessels. Both are phenomena that would contribute to gland regeneration.

Relationship between salivary calprotectin levels and recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A preliminary study.

AIM: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is an inflammatory condition of the oral mucosa. The etiology of RAS remains unclear. Calprotectin is a major cytoplasmic protein contained in granulocytes, monocytes/macrophages and epithelial cells, and its level is increased body fluids in some inflammatory diseases. The aim is to determine the relationship between salivary calprotectin and RAS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the cross-sectional study, 67 patients with active lesions of RAS (F/M: 43/24, mean age: 30.27 ± 9.14 years) and 42 healthy controls (HC, F/M: 30/12, 30.54 ± 9.49 years) were included. Calprotectin levels were evaluated in unstimulated whole saliva samples by using the ELISA method in both groups. RESULTS: Salivary calprotectin levels were significantly higher in RAS group (23.72 ± 4.28 mg/L) compared to the HC group (21.59 ± 4.27 mg/L) (P = 0.013). No significant relationship was found between calprotectin levels and age or gender in both groups (P >0.05). CONCLUSION: RAS is a very common inflammatory ulcerative condition of the oral cavity and its etiology is uncertain. Regarded as an inflammatory mechanism, releasing a high level of calprotectin in saliva has been suggested that it may play a role in pathogenesis of RAS.

Clinical features and molecular genetic analysis in a Turkish family with oral white sponge nevus.

BACKGROUND: Oral white sponge nevus (WSN) is a rare autosomal dominant benign condition, characterized by asymptomatic spongy white plaques. Mutations in Keratin 4 (KRT4) and 13 (KRT13) have been shown to cause WSN. Familial cases are uncommon due to irregular penetrance. Thus, the aim of the study was: a) to demonstrate the clinical and histopathological features of a three-generation Turkish family with oral WSN b) to determine whether KRT4 or KRT13 gene mutation was the molecular basis of WSN. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Out of twenty members of the family ten were available for assessment. Venous blood samples from six affected and five unaffected members and 48 healthy controls were obtained for genetic mutational analysis. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify all exons within KRT4 and KRT13 genes. These products were sequenced and the data was examined for mutations and polymorphisms. RESULTS: Varying presentation and severity of clinical features were observed. Analysis of the KRT13 gene revealed the sequence variant Y118D as the disease-causing mutation. One patient revealed several previously unreported polymorphisms including a novel mutation in exon 1 of the KRT13 gene and a heterozygous deletion in exon 1 of KRT4. This deletion in the KRT4 gene was found to be a common polymorphism reflecting a high allele frequency of 31.25% in the Turkish population. CONCLUSIONS: Oral WSN may manifest variable clinical features. The novel mutation found in the KRT13 gene is believed to add evidence for a mutational hotspot in the mucosal keratins. Molecular genetic analysis is required to establish correct diagnosis and appropriate genetic consultation.

Associations Between Father Temperament, Character, Rearing, Psychopathology and Child Temperament in Children Aged 3-6 Years.

Temperament refers to the totality of individual characteristics present from birth that determine a child's unique style of behavior. Maternal personality and attitudes, one of the factors affecting temperament traits in children, is a frequently investigated subject. However, paternal variables have remained insufficiently studied. The purpose of this study is to investigate the associations between the fathers' temperament, character, attitudes, psychopathology and temperament of the 3-6 years-old children. The parents of 36-60 months-old children in the preschool settings in Samsun were included in the study (n:200). Their mothers completed "Maternal Sociodemographic Form" prepared by the researcher, and the temperament of children "Children Behaviour Questionnare" were scored by the mothers. Their fathers completed "Paternal Sociodemographic Form", and to assess father psychopathology "Brief Symptom Inventory", to determine father temperament and character "Temperament and Character Inventory" and to determine attitudes "Parenting Attitudes Scale" were scored by the fathers. In this study, we found several significant associations between children's temperament and fathers temperament and character, attitudes styles and psychopathology. The scores of paternal harm avoidance increase and self directedness decrease were found to be significantly positivily correlated with negative temperamental charecteristics of the children. The democratic attitudes of fathers were significantly correlated with positive temperamental scores of the children. All domains of paternal psychopathology were found to be in significant association with negative temperamental characteristics of the children. Our findings showed the complex interplay between determinants of parenting. Specifically, this study is one of the first to investigate paternal personality, psychopathology and attitudes, alone and in interaction with preschool child temperament.

Efficacy of hyaluronic acid spray on swelling, pain, and trismus after surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars.

The aim of this study was compare the efficacies of two oral sprays in reducing swelling, pain, and trismus after the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. This prospective double-blind, randomized, crossover clinical trial included 34 patients with bilateral symmetrically impacted mandibular third molars of similar surgical difficulty. Hyaluronic acid or benzydamine hydrochloride spray was applied (two pumps) to the extraction area, three times daily for 7 days. Swelling was evaluated using a tape measure method, pain with a visual analogue scale (VAS), and trismus by measuring the maximum inter-incisal opening. Assessments were made on the day of surgery and on days 2 and 7 after surgery. Statistically significant differences were detected for the swelling and trismus values between the two treatment groups on the second postoperative day (P=0.002 and P=0.03, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups. The administration of hyaluronic acid spray was more effective than benzydamine hydrochloride spray in reducing swelling and trismus. Although no evidence of a reduction in pain levels was detected, hyaluronic acid appears to offer a beneficial effect in the management of swelling and trismus during the immediate postoperative period following impacted third molar surgery.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: The authors present the results of Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery performed in a series of children with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). METHODS: Between June 2005 and January 2014, 75 patients 18 years old or younger received Gamma Knife radiosurgery for AVMs. Of these, 58 patients were eligible for further analysis. The median age of the population was 12 years; 41% presented with hemorrhage, 34% with neurological insult, and 24% patients were diagnosed incidentally. The median AVM volume was 3.5 cm(3). The median radiosurgery-based AVM score (RSBAVMS) was 0.86. The median follow-up period was 32 months. RESULTS: Single session Gamma Knife radiosurgery resulted in complete AVM obliteration in 40 (68.9%) patients. There were 35 (60.3%) excellent outcome (complete obliteration with no new deficits) in this series. During the follow-up period, nine (15.51%) patients experienced new deficits and three (5.1%) patients experienced intracranial hemorrhage. The annual rate of developing new deficits and hemorrhage was calculated as 5.45 and 1.8%, respectively. Volume, gender, RSBAVMS, and nidus type factor were factors associated with excellent outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Radiosurgery was successful in majority of patients with minimal morbidity. Gamma Knife radiosurgery for AVMs can be a safe and successful method in pediatric patients.

Dentists' knowledge and opinions about oral mucosal lesions.

This study aims to identify, compare and analyse the knowledge and opinions of dentists regarding oral mucosal lesions and evaluate the differences between the attitudes of dentists by practice settings. 300 dentists were enrolled in the study. Three groups were formed. The first group included general dental practitioners working in private dental offices; the second group were dentists practising in dental polyclinics; the third group was composed of dentists employed at universities in Istanbul, working in departments except for the department of oral surgery and medicine. A 17-item self constructed questionnaire investigating demographic attributes, dental practice characteristics, oral mucosal lesions (OML) knowledge and respondents' opinions was completed and all questions were asked by the same author. 85% of the dentists admitted difficulties in diagnosing OML. 62% failed to update their knowledge from the literature, 93% did not undertake biopsies or consult other practitioners. Dentists practising at universities attempted to treat fewer patients with OML (p=0.0001). The results of this questionnaire conclude that most dentists experience difficulties in diagnosing some OML.

Effects of erucic acid supplemented feeding on chronic doxorubucin toxicity in rats.

One of the undesired complications of the chemotherapy with doxorubicin is cardiotoxicity. Cardiac effect of erucic acid, which is a member of omega-9 fatty acid, is investigated on doxorubicin treatment in this study. Forty-eight rats were divided into eight groups and each group contained six rats. First group rats were fed with milk. In the third and fifth groups we fed rats with milk supplemented 0.5% and 5% erucic acid respectively. The groups 2, 4, 6 were fed as the groups 1, 3, 5 respectively; we injected 2 mg/kg twice weekly intraperitoneal doxorubicin to these groups whereas we injected isovolumous normal saline to the groups 1, 3, 5. Two other groups (groups 7 and 8) were fed with standard pellet. Group 8 received 2 mg/kg doxorubicin twice weekly; group 7 received normal saline. After 4 weeks hearts were isolated and mounted on a Langendorff apparatus perfused by modified Tyrode solution. Surviving rats were significantly less in erucic acid + doxorubicin groups at the end of the treatment period (p<0.05). No significant difference was found between groups for malondialdehyde, catalase, cytochrome c oxidase and isolated heart measurements. Concomitant application of erucic acid and doxorubicin showed profound toxicity.

Fluconazole and/or hexetidine for management of oral candidiasis associated with denture-induced stomatitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the influence of fluconazole capsules and/or hexetidine mouthrinses for the management of oral candidiasis associated with denture stomatitis. DESIGN RELEVANT: Sixty-one patients (ages 43-76 years, mean: 61) admitted to the Department of Oral Surgery and Medicine and diagnosed as suffering from oral candidiasis associated with denture stomatitis by microbiological examination were involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients in group 1 (n = 21) were given only fluconazole capsules (Zolax 50 mg once a day), those in group 2 (n = 18) were given only hexetidine mouthrinses (Heksoral 0.1%, twice daily), whereas those in group 3 (n = 22) were given both fluconazole capsules and hexetidine mouthrinses for 14 days. The yeast colonies of the saliva samples were counted and calculated as the number of colony forming units per milliliter. The presence of yeasts in the lesion and denture samples were evaluated as present/absent according to their growth on cultures. Candida albicans was identified by means of germ tube analysis. RESULTS: Patients in groups 1, 2 and 3 had a statistically significant decrease in the amount of C. albicans in saliva, lesions and dentures after treatment, when compared with pretreatment results (P < 0.05). Candida albicans counts in saliva, lesion and denture after treatment detected no statistically significant difference when the three groups were compared. CONCLUSION: Of the three study groups, group 2, where hexetidine was the only medication prescribed, was found to be superior on account of fewer potential complications. We conclude that dentists should employ a more conservative intervention with oral mouthrinses rather than risk adverse effects and complications of systemic drugs for the management of oral candidiasis.

Comparison of four different suture materials in soft tissues of rats.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this in vivo study was to histopathologically evaluate the inflammatory reaction incited by Vicryl in rats and compare this material with various suture materials that are widely used in the clinic. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Four different suture materials, catgut, silk, polypropylene, and Vicryl were used in soft tissues of 32 Sprague-Dawley rats. Incisions performed were sutured by a standard technique. Eight rats were killed at the first, third, fifth, and seventh days. Histopathological evaluation of the en bloc samples was performed by determining the density of seven cell-types. A numerical grading from one to three was used. The data were statistically analysed by Kruskal-Wallis one way ANOVA and Dunn's tests. RESULTS: Vicryl has produced the mildest tissue reaction among the test materials at all experimental periods (P<0.05). Total cell number value in Vicryl group was found to be significantly lower than the one in catgut group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of this study, the results demonstrated that Vicryl as a suture material produced the mildest tissue reaction during early healing period.

The evaluation of anxiety and salivary cortisol levels in patients with oral lichen planus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine any association between anxiety and salivary cortisol levels in oral lichen planus (OLP) patients by the case-control method. DESIGN RELEVANT: Forty patients with OLP were evaluated. The OLP diagnosis was established through a composite of accepted clinical and histopathological characteristics. Forty patients from the register of patients who obtained general dental care were selected as controls. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The saliva samples collected between 9:00 and 9:15 am were analysed for the level of cortisol with Cortisol EIA that used competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Trait and state anxiety levels of 80 patients were measured using the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. RESULTS: The mean level of cortisol from 40 saliva samples in study group was 1.46 and 0.93 microg dl(-1) in 40 controls (P=0.001). The mean level for state anxiety in the study group were 48.85 and 39.45 in control group (P=0.001). Trait anxiety levels in study group were 49.77 and 38.51 in control group (P=0.001). We found that salivary cortisol, state and trait anxiety levels in OLP group were significantly higher than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Because of the fact that the level of anxiety and salivary cortisol of OLP patients were high, our findings concluded that this disease is closely related with stress. Thus besides traditional treatment of OLP patients, our findings suggest that psychological support is also needed.

The effects of fluorides and/or trace elements on the solubilities of enamel and cementum.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of fluorides and trace elements applied alone or in combination at different concentrations on the solubilities of enamel and cementum surfaces of the same teeth. The study has been performed on enamel and cementum surfaces of the impacted third molars extracted by surgical operation. Aqueous solutions of sodium fluoride, aluminum potassium phosphate, strontium chloride and titanium tetrachloride at different concentrations were applied to the surfaces. The solubilities of enamel and cementum and the depth of etchings have been calculated by means of the inorganic phosphorus in these etching solutions. According to the results, higher concentrations of fluoride and lower concentrations of strontium and titanium led to a significant reduction into solubilities of enamel and cementum. As certain combined applications of fluorides and trace elements decreased both of the enamel and cementum solubilities, it may be assumed that if such a treatment is beneficial during the adolescence of an individual, it may also be used when he is older.