Hepatitis C Epidemiology: Insights from a Comprehensive Cohort Study in ASST Melegnano and Martesana, Lombardia Region, Northern Italy.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant public health problem affecting 58 million people worldwide, including 3.9 million in Europe. Many of these infections go undiagnosed because chronic infection is often asymptomatic. This observational cohort study presents a detailed examination of hepatitis C virus epidemiology in Lombardia (Italy) and was conducted within the ASST "Melegnano e della Martesana". The study involved comprehensive HCV screening of 3290 patients accessing the collection points and/or hospitalized in the facilities of the ASST from 20 May 2022 to 13 April 2023. Screening was conducted using serological assays. The prevalence of anti-HCV-positive patients (HCV-Ab) and then HCV-positive patients (RNA) was calculated. Chi-square tests examined the associations between continuous and categorical variables. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the influence of demographic and geographic variables as predictors of HCV positivity. The study revealed an overall HCV-Ab prevalence of 0.912% (CI (0.59-1.24%)) in the examined cohort, of whom 15.15% (two females and three males) were positive for HCV RNA. The prevalence of HCV RNA positivity was 0.152% (CI (0.05-0.35%)). Sex disparity was evident, with male patients exhibiting a higher prevalence compared to females, confirmed by logistic regression (0.0147 vs. 0.0061-OR = 2.44; CI (0.0059-0.0124)). Age stratification indicated an ascending trend in prevalence with age, peaking at 1.35% in individuals aged over 50. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted HCV screening, contributing valuable insights to the global epidemiology of HCV in the era of DAAs.

Impact of TNF and IL-33 Cytokines on Mast Cells in Neuroinflammation.

Mast cells (MCs) are derived from hematopoietic progenitors, mature in vascularized tissues, and participate in innate and acquired immunity. Neuroinflammation is a highly debated topic in the biomedical literature; however, the impact of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-33 on MCs in the brain has not been widely addressed. MCs can be activated by IgE binding to FcεRI, as well as by different antigens. After activation, MCs mediate various immunological and inflammatory responses through TNF and IL-33. TNF has two receptors: TNFR1, a p55 molecule, and TNFR2, a p75 molecule. This cytokine is the only one of its kind to be stored in the granules of MCs and can also be generated by de novo synthesis via mRNA. In the central nervous system (CNS), TNF is produced almost exclusively by microglial cells, neurons, astrocytes, and, minimally, by endothelial cells. After its release into brain tissue, TNF rapidly induces the adhesion molecules endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) in endothelial cells. TNF causes the chemoattraction of neutrophils by inducing several molecules, including CXC chemokines (IL-8). Both MCs and microglial cells act as a primary barrier against foreign molecules in the CNS, producing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-33. IL-33 belongs to the IL-1 family, is activated through the ST2L/IL1-RAcP receptor complex, and mediates both the innate and adaptive immune response. IL-33 is a nuclear transcription factor expressed in the brain, where it induces pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF and IL-1) and chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, and CXCL10). Therefore, MCs and microglia in the CNS are a source of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF and IL-33, that mediate many brain diseases. The inhibition of TNF and IL-33 may represent a new therapeutic approach that could complement existing neuroinflammatory therapies.

Prevalence of Enterococci and Vancomycin Resistance in the Throat of Non-Hospitalized Individuals Randomly Selected in Central Italy.

Enterococci are commonly found in the environment and humans as a part of the normal microbiota. Among these, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium can convert into opportunistic pathogens, making them a major cause of nosocomial infections. The rapid diffusion of vancomycin-resistant strains and their impact on nosocomial settings is of considerable concern. Approximately one-third of the E. faecium infections in Italy are caused by vancomycin-resistant strains. This study explored the hypothesis that the oral cavity could represent a silent reservoir of virulent enterococci. A sample of 862 oral flora specimens collected from healthy human volunteers in Central Italy was investigated by real-time PCR to detect E. faecalis and E. faecium, as well as the genetic elements that most frequently determine vancomycin resistance. The prevalence of E. faecalis was 19%, a value that was not associated with alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, or age of the subjects. Less frequently detected, with an overall prevalence of 0.7%, E. faecium was more common among people older than 49 years of age. The genes conferring vancomycin resistance were detected in only one sample. The results indicate that the oral cavity can be considered a reservoir of clinically relevant enterococci; however, our data suggest that healthy individuals rarely carry vancomycin-resistant strains.

Beyond the Gut: A Systematic Review of Oral Manifestations in Celiac Disease.

BACKGROUND: Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated gluten-sensitive enteropathy, affecting about 1% of the population. The most common symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and malabsorption. Extra-intestinal symptoms include oral manifestations. This systematic review aims to catalog and characterize oral manifestations in patients with CD. METHODS: a systematic literature review among different search engines using PICOS criteria has been performed. The studies included used the following criteria: tissues and anatomical structures of the oral cavity in humans, published in English and available in full text. Review articles and papers published before 1990 were excluded. RESULTS: 209 articles were identified in the initial search. In the end, 33 articles met the selection criteria. The information extracted from the articles was classified based on the type of oral manifestation. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (34.6%), atrophic glossitis and geographic tongue (15.26%), enamel defects (42.47%), delayed dental eruption (47.34%), xerostomia (38.05%), glossodynia (14.38%), and other manifestations including cheilitis, fissured tongue, periodontal diseases, and oral lichen planus were found in the celiac subjects of the studies analyzed. The quality of articles on the topic should be improved; however, oral manifestations in CD patients are widely described in the literature and could help diagnose celiac disease.

Activation of Mast Cells by Neuropeptides: The Role of Pro-Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines.

Mast cells (MCs) are tissue cells that are derived from bone marrow stem cells that contribute to allergic reactions, inflammatory diseases, innate and adaptive immunity, autoimmunity, and mental disorders. MCs located near the meninges communicate with microglia through the production of mediators such as histamine and tryptase, but also through the secretion of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF, which can create pathological effects in the brain. Preformed chemical mediators of inflammation and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are rapidly released from the granules of MCs, the only immune cells capable of storing the cytokine TNF, although it can also be produced later through mRNA. The role of MCs in nervous system diseases has been extensively studied and reported in the scientific literature; it is of great clinical interest. However, many of the published articles concern studies on animals (mainly rats or mice) and not on humans. MCs are known to interact with neuropeptides that mediate endothelial cell activation, resulting in central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory disorders. In the brain, MCs interact with neurons causing neuronal excitation with the production of neuropeptides and the release of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and chemokines. This article explores the current understanding of MC activation by neuropeptide substance P (SP), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and neurotensin, and the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a therapeutic effect of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-37 and IL-38.

The use of autologous bone for augmentation procedures leads to low prevalence of peri-implantitis-a retrospective study over a 20-year period.

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of peri-implantitis in implants inserted into pristine bone (control) to implants where autologous bone was used for grafting procedures (study). All patients who underwent implant surgery during a 20 years interval by one maxillofacial implant surgeon and received a prosthodontic rehabilitation afterwards were eligible for inclusion in the study. Periimplant bone resorption and periimplant disease were assessed. Of 421 patients 384 (91.2%) patients responded to a recall after having been treated over a 20-year period by one maxillofacial surgeon and several dentists. A total of 110 patients had 239 implants in pristine bone, and 274 patients had 607 implants placed in combination with autologous bone grafting procedures. Mean time in function was 74 months (range 15-236 months). In all, 342 implants (34.8%) were in function for longer than 7 years. A total of 64 implant sites (7.6%) in 39 patients (10.2%) showed signs of peri-implant mucositis. In addition, 17 implants (2.0%) in 14 patients (3.6%) revealed signs of peri-implantitis, of which five implants were in the control group (2.09%) whereas 12 implants were in the study group (1.98%), with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.8405). More than half of the patients with peri-implantitis had a history of periodontitis. Three implants were lost due to peri-implantitis and four implants failed for other reasons, resulting in an overall success rate of 99.2% in 846 implants. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of the study it seems that the use of autologous bone still is a relevant option when performing augmentation procedures because of the low prevalence of peri-implantitis.

Ultra-Rare Variants Identify Biological Pathways and Candidate Genes in the Pathobiology of Non-Syndromic Cleft Palate Only.

In recent decades, many efforts have been made to elucidate the genetic causes of non-syndromic cleft palate (nsCPO), a complex congenital disease caused by the interaction of several genetic and environmental factors. Since genome-wide association studies have evidenced a minor contribution of common polymorphisms in nsCPO inheritance, we used whole exome sequencing data to explore the role of ultra-rare variants in this study. In a cohort of 35 nsCPO cases and 38 controls, we performed a gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and a hypergeometric test for assessing significant overlap between genes implicated in nsCPO pathobiology and genes enriched in ultra-rare variants in our cohort. GSEA highlighted an enrichment of ultra-rare variants in genes principally belonging to cytoskeletal protein binding pathway (Probability Density Function corrected p-value = 1.57 × 10-4); protein-containing complex binding pathway (p-value = 1.06 × 10-2); cell adhesion molecule binding pathway (p-value = 1.24 × 10-2); ECM-receptor interaction pathway (p-value = 1.69 × 10-2); and in the Integrin signaling pathway (p-value = 1.28 × 10-2). Two genes implicated in nsCPO pathobiology, namely COL2A1 and GLI3, ranked among the genes (n = 34) with nominal enrichment in the ultra-rare variant collapsing analysis (Fisher's exact test p-value < 0.05). These genes were also part of an independent list of genes highly relevant to nsCPO biology (n = 25). Significant overlap between the two sets of genes (hypergeometric test p-value = 5.86 × 10-3) indicated that enriched genes are likely to be implicated in physiological palate development and/or the pathological processes of oral clefting. In conclusion, ultra-rare variants collectively impinge on biological pathways crucial to nsCPO pathobiology and point to candidate genes that may contribute to the individual risk of disease. Sequencing can be an effective approach to identify candidate genes and pathways for nsCPO.

Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and mec-A Cassette in the Throat of Non-Hospitalized Individuals Randomly Selected in Central Italy.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a cause of life-threatening infections that are difficult to treat because of resistance to several antibiotics. Most documented MRSA infections are acquired nosocomially or among community with frequent contact with health facilities. However, an increasing attention to community acquired MRSA strains appears justified. A population of Central Italy was investigated for the presence of S. aureus and for the methicillin-resistance determinant mec-A gene. Exclusion was due to systemic diseases, pathologies or therapies inducing systemic immunosuppression, facial trauma or poor oral hygiene. Throat swabs obtained from 861 randomly selected participants were tested for the presence of DNA sequences of S. aureus and the mec-A gene by real-time PCR. The DNA of S. aureus was detected in 199 specimens (23.1%), while the mec-A gene was detected in 27 samples (3.1%). The prevalence of patients carrying methicillin-resistant strains was higher in younger and older strata. The prevalence of mec-A among S. aureus positive samples was 7.5%. Our data confirm that S. aureus and methicillin-resistant strains are common in the throat of the general population of Central Italy. Although the PCR methods used in this study are different from traditional culture-based approaches, the observed prevalence was consistent to those observed in Italians and other populations. Considering that carriers have a higher risk to develop post surgically life-threatening infections, it is worth evaluating a preventive approach based on rapid PCR screening of incoming patients to reduce the risk of developing health-care-associated infections.

Oxygen-Ozone Therapy Associated with Alpha Lipoic Acid Plus Palmitoylethanolamide and Myrrh versus Ozone Therapy in the Combined Treatment of Sciatic Pain Due to Herniated Discs: Observational Study on 318 Patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our observational study is to compare the therapeutic efficacy of combined treatment of oxygen-ozone therapy and oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) + palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and myrrh in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain (sciatica) on radicular disc conflict from disc herniation and the results obtained with oxygen-ozone treatment alone. METHODS: We enrolled 318 patients with the neuroradiological diagnosis of disc herniation performed with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and symptoms characterized by low back pain complicated by sciatica, which we divided into two groups. Group A was composed of 165 patients who were treated only with oxygen-ozone therapy with CT-guided intraforaminal technique, while the remaining 153 (Group B) have undergone combined oral treatment with ALA + PEA and myrrh. Follow-up visits for the evaluation of the clinical outcome of the treatment were conducted after 60 ± 8 days using a modified version of McNab's method. RESULTS: At the clinical check-up, 126/165 patients included in Group A had a complete remission of pain (76.4%), while in Group B, 119/153 (77.8%) had a complete remission of pain. CONCLUSION: The results highlight how the treatment associated with ozone therapy and oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid + palmitoylethanolamide and myrrh is preferred over the simple treatment with only ozone in such patients in the phase of greatest acuity of the disease, where the pain appears to be better controlled.

Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus in the Oropharynx of Healthy Individuals in an Italian Population.

Oral cavity and oropharynx cancer associated with human papil loma virus infection, particularly in young people who are continuously exposed to this virus, is a serious public health problem worldwide, especially for high-risk strains that are most associated with premalignant lesions and tumors. These neoplasms remain asymptomatic for a long time and, when they occur, they are already at an advanced stage. If diagnosed and treated early, oral cancer induced by human papilloma virus allows for high survival, as it often has a more favorable prognosis than oral cancers not directly related to viral infection. In this study, the presence of different high-risk and low-risk HPV strains was investigated to assess the epidemiological status in a population of healthy individuals. Two types of samples, one from the tonsils and one from the base of the tongue, were collected from 2015 healthy individuals of different sex and age. A total of 1885 DNA samples belonging to 1285 patients were tested for the presence of 11 high-risk HPV types plus 4 low-risk HPV types using real-time PCR. Of the patients' DNA samples screened for 15 HPV types, only four samples were positive, all of which were taken from male smokers. These results indicate that newly acquired oral oncogenic HPV infections in the healthy population are rare and, in many cases, controversial. Therefore, more studies are needed to ensure fewer variations in outcomes and a greater clarification of HPV infection and its prevalence in the oropharynx of the healthy population, and to guide efforts to prevent the development of this infection which, if undiagnosed, can lead to the onset of malignant tumors in the oral cavity.

New Approach to Chronic Back Pain Treatment: A Case Control Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Our study compares the clinical outcome of chronic low back pain present for over six months treated with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) + palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and myrrh and periradicular infiltrations of oxygen-ozone under CT guide to periradicular steroidal infiltrations in a short (one week), medium (three months) and long-term period (six months). METHODS: We enrolled 246 patients (Group A) with low back pain treated with periradicular infiltrations of oxygen-ozone under CT guide combined with 800 mg/day of ALA + 600 mg/day of PEA + 200 mg/day of myrrh orally. Group B consisted of 176 patients with low back pain treated with periradicular infiltrations of steroids. Patients were clinically monitored one week after the end of treatment, at three months, and at six months using a modified version of McNab's method. RESULTS: In Group A, the one-week clinical follow-up registered a complete remission of painful symptoms in 206 patients (83.7%), and this manifestation remained optimal in 191 patients at the three-month follow-up (77.6%) and in 178 at six months (72.3%). While the results were satisfactory in 28 patients (10.9%) at one week, 32 (13%) in the medium term, and 41 (16.6%) in the long term, non-significant results were found in 12 patients in the control at one week (4.6%), in 23 at three months (9.3%) and in 27 at six months (10.9%). In Group B, at the short-term follow-up we obtained an excellent clinical result in 103 patients (80.5%), while at three months 85 patients reported the persistence of clinical benefit (66.4%) and at six months, 72 (56.2%) reported the same result. The result was rated satisfactory in 11 (8.5%) and poor in 4 (3%). At the three-month follow-up, 23 (18%) reported a satisfactory result, and 20 (15.6%) had a poor result. At six months, 24 (18.8%) reported the persistence of a satisfactory result while for 32 the result was poor (25%). CONCLUSION: The results highlight how the treatment associated with ozone therapy and oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid + palmitoylethanolamide and myrrh can be considered a valid alternative to common therapeutic approaches in the treatment of chronic low back pain.

Prognosis of Deantigenated Equine Bone Used for Bone Augmentation: A Multicenter Retrospective Study on Early and Late Postsurgical Complications in 81 Consecutive Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcome of deantigenated equine bone (DEB) grafts in a series of patients treated with DEB at six months postaugmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred DEB grafts were inserted in 81 patients between January 2004 and December 2006. Thirty-two DEBs were blocks and 68 were granules (52 sinus lift and 16 guided bone regeneration [GBR] procedures performed). A total of 147 implants were inserted. A Pearson chi-square test was used to detect any statistically significant correlation between the studied variables and early and/or late failures. RESULTS: There were 6 early and 26 late graft failures and another 16 failures after prosthesis placement. The overall failure rate was 25% in the GBR procedures, 31.9% in sinus lift, and 54.3% with blocks, for a total complication rate of 39.5%. A statistically significant relation was detected with respect to graft type and early complications (p = .005), with a worse outcome for DEB blocks compared to granules. After provisional prosthesis restoration, 23 implants were lost, and another 41 failed after definitive prosthesis delivery, for an overall failure rate of 43.5%. The follow-up period was 3 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: DEB grafting material had a very high rate of complications. Blocks had more than 50% failures, mainly in the immediate postoperative period. Other procedures such as GBR and sinus lift also showed more than 25% infections and resorption, and late failures (i.e., after-implant placement) were also common. Our results show that DEB is less than ideal for crestal bone reconstruction.

Evaluation of a new antibacterial coating of the internal chamber of an implant via real time measurement of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of an antibacterial coating of implant-abutment prosthetic junctions by real time measurement of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). A total of 20 patients and 40 internal prosthetic junction implants were evaluated in the present investigation: 20 fixtures with antibacterial internal coating (Test) and 20 without treatment (Control). The VOCs measurements were evaluated at the baseline (T0) after the cover unit unscrewing, after 7 days (T1) and at 14 days (T2). No significant difference were detected at T0 (baseline), as Test and Control groups showed a VOCs max peak mean respectively of 2.15 ± 0.71 and 2.21 ± 0.69 (p > 0.05). At T1 and T2 as significant difference between the Test and Control Groups was detected (p < 0.01). At T2 the Test max peak was 2.29 ± 0.73 and the Control was 3.65 ± 0.91 (p < 0.01). The antibacterial internal coating demonstrated the capacity to prevent microbial VOCS activity at the level of the implant internal chamber and could be useful for long-term peri-implant tissue health.

Oral Health Status among Migrants from Middle- and Low-Income Countries to Europe: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Economic inequality, political instability and globalization have contributed to the constant growth of the migration phenomenon in recent years. In particular, a total of 4.2 million people migrated to Europe during 2019 and most of them settled in Germany, France and Italy. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of studies analyzing the oral health condition among migrants from middle- and low-income countries to Europe and assessing the eventual association between their sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics and oral health status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Science Direct databases. After titles, abstracts and full-text examination, only 27 articles were selected on the basis of inclusion criteria and consequently included for quality assessments and data extraction. RESULTS: Most of the studies reported a higher prevalence of caries experience, a poorer periodontal health and more difficulties in accessing dentalcare services among migrant groups compared with the non-migrant population. Inequalities were mostly associated with ethnic background, economic condition and social grade. CONCLUSION: Our review demonstrates the lack of dental health among migrants, underlining that their cultural beliefs and their social and economic living conditions could influence their oral health.

Short-term variation in the subgingival microbiota in two groups of patients treated with clear aligners and vestibular fixed appliances: A longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the subgingival microbiological changes during the first six months of therapy with clear aligners (CAs) and fixed appliances (FAs). The null hypothesis was that there would be no microbiological differences between the two. SETTING/SAMPLE: Two groups of patients to be treated, respectively, with CAs (14 patients; 9 females and 5 males; mean age 21 years ± 0.25) and FAs (13 patients; 8 females and 5 males; mean 14 years ± 0.75) were consecutively recruited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subgingival microbiological samples were obtained at the right upper central incisor and right first molar at four different time points: before appliance fitting (T0), and at 1 month (T1), 3 months (T3) and 6 months (T6) thereafter. Total bacterial load (TBL) and counts of the bacteria Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Campylobacter rectus, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia were determined using real-time PCR. RESULTS: Total bacterial load did not vary in the CA group, while a significant increase was detected after 3 and 6 months of treatment in the FA group. Unlike red complex species, C rectus and F nucleatum were often detected: levels remained stable in the CA group but increased progressively in the FA group. CONCLUSION: The type of orthodontic appliance influences the subgingival microbiota. TBL increased in the FA group but not in the CA group, although the levels of the individual periodontal pathogenic bacteria species did not significantly increase during the observation period.

Drug-Induced Gingival Overgrowth: A Pilot Study on the Effect of Diphenylhydantoin and Gabapentin on Human Gingival Fibroblasts.

INTRODUCTION: The administration of several classes of drugs can lead to the onset of gingival overgrowth: anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants, and calcium channel blockers. Among the anticonvulsants, the main drug associated with gingival overgrowth is diphenylhydantoin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we compared the effects of diphenylhydantoin and gabapentin on 57 genes belonging to the "Extracellular Matrix and Adhesion Molecule" pathway, present in human fibroblasts of healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Both molecules induce the same gene expression profile in fibroblasts as well as a significant upregulation of genes involved in extracellular matrix deposition like COL4A1, ITGA7, and LAMB3. The two treatments also induced a significant downregulation of genes involved in the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteases like MMP11, MMP15, MMP16, MMP24, and transmembrane receptor ITGB4. CONCLUSIONS: Data recorded in our study confirmed the hypothesis of a direct action of these drugs at the periodontium level, inducing an increase in matrix production, a reduction in its degradation, and consequently resulting in gingival hyperplasia.

Non-syndromic Cleft Palate: An Overview on Human Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors.

The epithelial and mesenchymal cells involved in early embryonic facial development are guided by complex regulatory mechanisms. Any factor perturbing the growth, approach and fusion of the frontonasal and maxillary processes could result in orofacial clefts that represent the most common craniofacial malformations in humans. The rarest and, probably for this reason, the least studied form of cleft involves only the secondary palate, which is posterior to the incisive foramen. The etiology of cleft palate only is multifactorial and involves both genetic and environmental risk factors. The intention of this review is to give the reader an overview of the efforts made by researchers to shed light on the underlying causes of this birth defect. Most of the scientific papers suggesting potential environmental and genetic causes of non-syndromic cleft palate are summarized in this review, including genome-wide association and gene-environment interaction studies.

The Association between Periodontitis and Human Colorectal Cancer: Genetic and Pathogenic Linkage.

Periodontitis has been associated with an increased risk of and mortality associated with human colorectal cancer (CRC). Current evidence attributes such an association to the direct and indirect effects of virulence factors belonging to periodontal pathogens, to inflammatory mediators and to genetic factors. The aims of the study were to assess the existence of a genetic linkage between periodontitis and human CRC, to identify genes considered predominant in such a linkage, thus named leader genes, and to determine pathogenic mechanisms related to the products of leader genes. Genes linking periodontitis and CRC were identified and classified in order of predominance, through an experimental investigation, performed via computer simulation, employing the leader gene approach. Pathogenic mechanisms relating to leader genes were determined through cross-search databases. Of the 83 genes linking periodontitis and CRC, 12 were classified as leader genes and were pathogenically implicated in cell cycle regulation and in the immune-inflammatory response. The current results, obtained via computer simulation and requiring further validation, support the existence of a genetic linkage between periodontitis and CRC. Cell cycle dysregulation and the alteration of the immuno-inflammatory response constitute the pathogenic mechanisms related to the products of leader genes.

Eradication of Benign Skin Lesions of the Face by Voltaic Arc Dermabrasion (Atmospheric Plasma): Postoperative Pain Assessment by Thermal Infrared Imaging.

OBJECTIVES: The face aging processes are associated with physiologic and biochemical alteration that produces wrinkles, skin pigmentation and benign growths. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of voltaic arc dermabrasion with plasma to remove benign facial skin lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Voltaic arc dermabrasion plasma technique was used to remove the facial benign skin lesions. The study involved 45 patients (26 females;19 males) treated for benign facial skin lesions with voltaic arc dermabrasion also called plasma exeresis technique. The subjects age ranged between 43 and 65 years. The clinical observations and comparison of pretreatment and post-treatment photographs of the treated regions were performed by a joint examiner at each follow-up visit. RESULTS: During plasma irradiation, the average temperature of the skin was 290.3 ± 21.7 °C, while immediately after it was 90.6 ± 21.8 °C. Overall clinical improvement was 100% in six lesions with complete resolution of all lesions. Three patients observed a transient post-inflammatory pigmentation with a peak at 1 month after VAD treatment, gradually fading spontaneously over 2 to 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: The voltaic arc dermabrasion technique (atmospheric plasma) should be considered for lesions, especially relatively superficial ones, and small lesions that are located on the face. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Titanium Implants Coated with a Bifunctional Molecule with Antimicrobic Activity: A Rabbit Study.

BACKGROUND: Various surface treatments have been tested for titanium implants aiming at increasing their surface biocompatibility and their biological characteristics, but also the efficiency of the implant surface will have to be improved to drastically decrease peri-implantite and mucosite. In fact, the peri-implantitis and peri-implant mucositis have a high incidence in clinical practice. The nanofabrication techniques that offer the possibility to achieve the implant surface that reduces bacterial colonization could influence the osteointegration. The aim of this research was to evaluate the bone response to titanium implants coated with a bifunctional molecule with antimicrobic activity consisting of a combination of silver ions covalently bound to titanium dioxide nanoparticles. METHODS: A total of 36 implants were inserted into 18 older New Zealand white male rabbits. They had two different surfaces. The implants Control group was characterized by an acid-etched and sandblasted surface treatment, and the Test implants had an acid-etched and sandblasted surface coated with a silver ion covalently bound to titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the solution. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference of the bone density was evidenced between Control and Test implants at two weeks (p-value = 0.623), four weeks (p-value = 0.339), and eight weeks (p-value = 0.461). Moreover, no statistically significant difference of the bone-implant contact percentage was evidenced between Control and Test implants at two weeks (p-value = 0.938), four weeks (p-value = 0.307), and eight weeks (p-value = 0.294). The effectiveness of the present investigation demonstrated no adverse effects on osseointegration, and no statistically significant differences were observed in the bone density and percentage of bone-implant contact between Test and Control implants at all the experimental time points (two, four, and eight weeks). CONCLUSIONS: Titanium implants coated with the silver-anatase solution bind very well to the bone and did not have an adverse effect on the bone tissue in a rabbit model. These facts suggest possible clinical applications for the silver composition.