Proteomic analysis of salivary inflammatory biomarkers of developmental gingival enlargements in patients with West and Noonan syndromes: a preliminary pilot single-center retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the preliminary pilot single-center retrospective cross-sectional study was to analyze and compare the presence of non-secretory salivary inflammatory biomarkers in pediatric patients with West syndrome, Noonan syndrome, and a healthy control group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 60 saliva samples were collected during dental check-ups. The saliva samples collected were analyzed by liquid chromatography. The results were analyzed with a t-test, and the statistical significance was given by a p-value lower than 0.05. RESULTS: We found statistical significance for defensin α1 (p=0.006) and thymosin ß4 (p=0.025) in the Noonan syndrome. In the West syndrome, only the defensin α1 had a statistically significant difference with the other groups (p=0.022). Proteomic analysis revealed an overexpression of peptides related to the innate (thymosin ß4) and acquired (defensin α1, α3) immunity. CONCLUSIONS: West and Noonan's syndromes showed the overexpression of molecular biomarkers involved in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis. The inflammatory status is triggered and amplified by the abnormal overgrowth of gingival tissues, the amplified release of proinflammatory cytokines from the immune cells, and the poor cooperation in maintaining adequate oral hygiene.

[Symptom: spontaneous pneumothorax. Indications for drainage therapy?]. / Symptom: Spontanpneumothorax. Indikation zur Drainagetherapie?

Spontaneous pneumothoraces follow lesions of pleuropulmonary tissues. Improvements of diagnostical and therapeutical management seem to change the traditional way by using thoracic drainage-systems. What value does drainage-therapy still have?