Viability of homologous and heterologous subcutaneous transplantation of fresh germ cells in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare heterologous to homologous transplantation of fresh ovarian germ cells in rabbits. METHODS: Twelve female white New Zealand rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were randomly numbered and submitted to bilateral oophorectomies. The ovaries from the six odd-numbered rabbits were dissected and cortical germinal tissue was digested in collagenase type 1 to obtain six solutions containing stromal and germ cells, which were injected in the abdominal region of the odd-numbered rabbits themselves (homologous transplantation) and of the even-numbered rabbits (heterologous transplantation) off immunosuppression. Sixty days after transplantation, the tissue around the transplanted region was excised, processed and sent to histological analysis with hematoxylin-eosin staining and Bcl-2 immunohistochemistry to verify the presence and viability of the transplanted cells. RESULTS: The analyzed specimens contained ovarian stroma, while follicular cells were found in 66.6% of the homologous and in 60% of the heterologous transplant specimens. Mild inflammatory reaction was observed in all heterologous specimens, and in only one (16.7%) of the homologous specimens. However, this inflammatory reaction was not so intense as to cause the death of the implanted cells. Except for the specimens from rabbits 7 and 8, all specimens were stained for Bcl-2, indicating that most of them were viable. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study supported the viability of heterologous transplantation of fresh ovarian germ cells. However, more studies are required to further our understanding and improve the germ cell separation technique.

Oral health-related quality of life following dental treatment under general anaesthesia for early childhood caries - a UK-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess parental reports of changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of young children in the UK with early childhood caries (ECC) following dental treatment under general anaesthesia (DGA). To compare the impact of oral rehabilitation (OR) and extraction-only (Exo) treatment approaches on this. METHODS: Data were collected using the proxy reported components of the Child Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (COHRQoL® ) questionnaire: the Parent-Caregivers Perceptions questionnaire (P-CPQ) and Family Impact Scale (FIS), from a convenience sample of parents of children receiving DGA at a UK Paediatric Dental Department. Mean scores and prevalence impacts were compared pre- and postoperatively with mean change score and effect sizes calculations. RESULTS: Seventy-eight parents were recruited (51 children undergoing OR, 27 Exo) with 6 lost to follow-up (92.3%). Following treatment, changes in mean P-CPQ and FIS scores were statistically significant (P < 0.0001) with medium to large effect sizes (0.45-1.39). The differences in change scores between the two treatment approaches were not statistically different. CONCLUSION: DGA for young children with early childhood caries resulted in substantial improvements in parent's ratings of their child's OHRQoL and of the impact on their families. Larger cohort studies are needed to validate these preliminary findings.

Case Report: Beware the Silver Nitrate Stick--A Risk Factor for Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (BRONJ).

Topical silver nitrate may be used in oral and maxillofacial clinical settings owing to its astringent, caustic and disinfectant properties. Uses of the toughened silver nitrate pencil stick include haemostasis at bleeding points and for the management of aphthous ulcers, hypergranulation tissue, warts and verrucas. We present an interesting case of apparent silver nitrate-induced, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the hard palate following mucosal lesion biopsy in a multiple myeloma patient receiving zoledronic acid intravenous infusions. Our review of the literature indicates that this is the first report of such a scenario. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Clinicians must consider all potential sources of chemical and mechanical trauma to the bone and overlying mucosa when managing patients at risk of developing bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Unilateral parotid mass as an unusual presentation of lupus erythematosus profundus.

Unilateral parotid swelling or mass in the lupus erythematosus profundus person is a rare or under reported clinical scenario in existing literature. This is a case of a 49-year-old man with such presentation for whom medical management of the underlying condition led to the resolution of the swelling. Lupus erythematosus profundus must be considered as a differential diagnosis of unexplained parotid swelling to prevent incorrect diagnosis, unnecessary surgical intervention (eg, parotidectomy) and the morbidity that comes with it (eg, facial nerve weakness, Frey's syndrome etc).