Antibodies for COVID-19 - which, when and how long?

Infection with SARS-CoV2 leads to COVID-19, the severity of which derives from the host's immune response, especially the release of a storm of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This coronavirus infects by first binding to the ectoenzyme Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), a serine protease acting as the receptor, while another serine protease is necessary for priming the viral spike "S" protein required for entering the cells. Repurposing existing drugs for potential anti-coronavirus activity have failed. As a result, there were intense efforts to rapidly produce ways of providing prophylactic active immunization (vaccines) or abortive passive (convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies) neutralizing antibodies. The availability of vaccines for COVID-19 have been largely successful, but many questions still remain unanswered. In spite of the original enthusiasm, clinical studies using convalescent serum or monoclonal antibodies have shown limited benefit. Moreover, the emergence of Long-COVID syndrome in most infected patients necessitates the development of treatment approaches that may prevent viral entry by blocking both serine proteases involved, as with a liposomal blend of the natural flavonoids luteolin and quercetin.

Neurohormonal markers in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), especially with nasal polyps, continues to elude precise pathogenesis and effective treatment. Prior work in our laboratory demonstrated interleukin-33 (IL-33) and Substance P (SP) activation of mast cells, and inhibitory effect of interleukin-37 (IL-37). Our objective is to study the expression of these neurohormonal mediators in mast cell stimulation of nasal polyposis. This was a prospective research study involving collection of nasal lavage fluid and nasal polyp tissue from adult patients with CRS. The study was divided into two arms. First, nasal lavage fluid was collected from normal controls, and patients with allergic rhinitis, CRS, or CRS with nasal polyposis. The second arm was collection of nasal tissue from normal controls undergoing inferior turbinoplasty, or patients with nasal polyposis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative polymerase chain reaction techniques were used to determine levels in the lavage fluid and relative gene expression in the tissue of SP, IL-33, and IL-37. In total, 70 lavage and 23 tissue specimens were obtained. The level of SP was highest in patients with polyps; however, gene expression was reduced compared to normal controls. The level of IL-33 was reduced in patients with polyps as compared to patients with allergy and sinusitis, and its gene expression was not significantly different from normal controls. IL-37 was elevated in the lavage fluid of patients with nasal polyps and its gene expression was increased in the polyp tissue. Levels of SP and IL-37 were elevated in the lavage fluid of patients with nasal polyps as compared to normal controls and other sinonasal pathologies, and gene expression of IL-37 was significantly increased in the polyp tissue itself. These findings implicate these neurohormonal molecules in the pathophysiology of nasal polyposis and provide possible novel therapeutic targets.

One-piece implants: an alternative rehabilitation of edentuluos jaws.

The popularity of one-piece implants has increased considerably between patients and dentists. The advantages of one-piece immediate loading for rehabilitation of edentulous mandibles are to reduce the number of interventions and timing of prosthetic. These parameters can be better controlled with a one-piece implant. Twenty-one patients with one-piece implants inserted in totally edentulous mandibles were considered for this retrospective study. Inclusion criteria were: Good oral hygiene, absence of lesions of the oral mucosa, no smoking or smoking less than 20 cigarettes a day, drinking less than 2 glasses of wine a day, good general health no pregnancy. Twenty-one (12 female 9 males) patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. The mean follow-up was 1 year. A total 84 one-piece implants (Biohorizon, Italy) were inserted in edentulous mandible. Implants diameter was 3,0 mm in all fixtures. Implant's length was equal and longer than 12 mm in 44 and 40 fixtures respectively. 48 were inserted in females 36 in males (range 33-67; mean age 58,3). One-piece immediate loading implants has non-difference in survival rate respect to two-piece implant and delayed loading for rehabilitation of totally edentulous mandibles. In conclusion one-piece immediate loading implant is a reliable device for mandible rehabilitation.

Bleeding control with calcium sulphate after oral surgery in anticoagulant therapy patients.

Control of bleeding after oral surgery, is mandatory in patients taking anticoagulants. There are different haemostatic measure to prevent post-surgical bleeding. The aim of our study is to use a homeostatic agent, Calcium sulphate (P30, Ghimas, Bologna, Italy) for controlling post-surgical bleeding in a group of patients treated with warfarin therapy for thromboembolic states. Twenty teeth (12 mandibular molars, 8 maxillary molars) in 20 patients (14 men and 6 woman) with a mean age of 54.3 years (± 10.3 years) were included in the study. The patients were divided in 2 group; in 10 patients of the study group was used Calcium sulphate (P30, Ghimas, Bologna, Italy) in layers to fill the socket after extraction, while in control group was recommended to put a gauze with tranexamic acid in the extraction site immediately after extraction, and half an hour after extraction. The outcome was bleeding in subsequent days. Bleeding at post operative day 1 was significant in 5 patients of control group, otherwise in study group treated with calcium sulfate there was no bleeding in any patient (p. value 0.0055). CaS demonstrated to be a good hemostatic agent for controlling bleeding after oral surgery in patients taking anticoagulants.

A new chemical device for the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a case control study.

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of supportive periodontal therapy (i.e. scaling and root planning, SRP) alone, versus a chemical device silica dioxide (SiO2) colloidal solutions (SDCS) used in association with SRP in the treatment of chronic periodontitis in adult patients. A total of 20 patients with a diagnosis of chronic periodontitis (40 localized chronic periodontitis sites) in the age group of 35 to 55 were selected. None of these patients have previously received any surgical or non-surgical periodontal therapy and demonstrated radiographic evidence of moderate bone loss. Two non-adjacent sites in separate quadrants were selected in each patient to monitor treatment efficacy (split mouth design). Clinical pocket depth (PD) and microbial analysis (MA) were analyzed at baseline day 15. SPSS program and paired simple statistic T-test were used to detect significant differences. Total bacteria loading, Tannerella forsitia and Treponema denticola loading were statistically reduced when SiO2 is locally delivered. SDCS gel is an adjuvant therapy which should be added to SRP in the management of moderate to severe chronic periodontitis.

Intra and extra oral clinical manifestations of Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome: case report and literature review.

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia or Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome is an incomplete penetrance dominant autosomal transmission disease which determines microcirculatory beds alterations (capillary and venules), caused by the loss of the support tissues that usually enclose blood vessels, and hemorrhage potentially in every organ. The syndrome clinical manifestations are multiple telangiectasia of small proportions on the skin or on the mucous membranes (e.g. of the gastrointestinal tract or other organs), in association with recurring bleedings of the affected areas and external and internal melena. The treatment is a supportive one so to prevent complications. This study reports a case of a patient affected by this syndrome in need of a dental implant following the fracture of a tooth. Furthermore, a bibliographical review of etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations and therapy options has been made.

PRGF® endoret injections for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis treatment: a one-year follow-up.

This clinical trial investigates the efficacy of PRGF-Endoret® injections for the treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis by providing patient evaluations at a one-year follow-up. Fifty-two patients with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis according to the American Society of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons' guidelines underwent a cycle of 3 injections (1 per month) of platelet-derived growth factors (PRFG). Two clinical parameters, pain at rest and maximum non-assisted mouth opening, were assessed by the same blinded operator at the time of the diagnosis (baseline), at each appointment during the treatment and at a 1-year follow-up visit. Both the parameters showed improvements that were maintained over time. Statistical analyses evidenced significant changes within the first two injections. Data from the present investigation support findings from studies on other joints, which show the efficacy of PRGF-Endoret injections to reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis and to maintain improvements over time.

Hypnotic approach during dental treatment: analysis of descriptive data of a case series.

Anxiety and worry are important components that affect the patient’s behaviour during dental sessions and influence the effectiveness of dental treatment. Psychological approach and hypnotic approach (HA) have in recent years assumed increasing prominence as effective treatment regimes. Dentists have used a number of methods in the management of dental phobic disorders through HA. However the efficacy of HA in controlling anxiety and worry is controversial. The aim of the present study is to describe the response of patient to HA during dental treatment. The study of the population consisted of 42 patients, these being 50% random sample of consecutive patients presenting to a private practise over an 8-year period. In 38 patients HA was induced. 4 patients were not susceptible to HA. There were 20 women (52.6%) and 18 men (47.3%) with a mean age of 47.2 years (range 30-69 years). At the end of dental sessions with HA all the patients were asked to answer the following questions: 1) Have you been hypnotized in the past? 2) Were you aware of dental applications of HA? 3) How do you evaluate the use of this technique in the field of dental care? 4) Do you think that you can use this procedure in the future too? The answers were as follows: question 1: 34 patients answered yes, 4 no; question 2: 34 answered yes, 4 no; question 3: the choice was between “very useful”, “useful”, “Indifferent”, “to avoid”. Twenty-nine patients indicated “very useful”, and 9 “useful”; question 4: the choice was between yes and no. All patients answered yes. This study adds further support to a growing body of evidence relating HA to a better compliance to dental treatment. The dental situation in particular lends itself to carefully controlled investigation providing further evidence to support a robust theory.

Anatomic relationship between temporomandibular joint and middle ear.

The present study was designed to identify a relationship between temporomandibular joint and tympanic cavity and potentially justify the possible clinical correlations between these two anatomical entities. For this reason the authors conducted an anatomic-pathological study about the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the neighboring anatomical areas of the middle ear by autopsy finds of human adults.

Prevalence of HIV-related oral manifestations and their association with HAART and CD4+ T cell count: a review.

HIV infection is one of the major health problem of the last decades. This disease causes a chronic infection that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). According to the Global AIDS update, released in 2016 by HIV department of World Health Organization (WHO) and by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), at the end of 2015, 36.7 million people were infected by HIV: 34.9 million of these were adults and 1.8 million were children under 15 years of age. The same report shows that during 2015, 2.1 million of new infection cases have occurred all over the world and about 1.1 million people have died for HIV. The aim of this short review is to up-date of the main HIV-related oral manifestations and their correlation with HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) and CD4+ T-cell count. Despite that more than 20 years have elapsed, this classification still remains valid: even today, group 1 lesions are found in the majority of HIV-positive patients with oral manifestations. Group 1 includes the following conditions: oral candidiasis (pseudomembranous candidiasis, erythematous candidiasis, angle cheilitis), oral hairy leukoplakia, periodontal diseases (necrotizing gingivitis, necrotizing periodontitis, linear gingival erythema), Kaposi’s sarcoma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Melanotic hyperpigmentation, HSV infection and HPV infection, which are included in group 2, are also common. Oral candidiasis, oral hairy leukoplakia, Kaposi’s sarcoma and HSV infection are the lesions that have seen the major drop in their incidence after the HAART introduction. The increase in CD4+ T-cell count is not significantly correlated to the decrease of every type of oral lesions, but it is statistically significant only in relation to oral candidiasis (p-value less than 0.001). Oral lesions are an important sign of immunodepression and with the introduction of HAART their incidence has strongly decreased, particularly in urban areas. Nevertheless, developing countries still have a high prevalence of these manifestations because of the persistence of many risk factors, like the difficulty to access treatment, poor oral hygiene, low socioeconomic status and late diagnosis.

Impact of mold on mast cell-cytokine immune response.

Molds include all species of microscopic fungi, the spores of which are small molecules, ubiquitous, mostly found in soil with higher rainfall and high humidity, in the atmosphere of urban and rural settings and in decaying vegetation. They originate from pathogenic fungi and have a crucial role in inflammatory response, causing a broad range of diseases. Immune suppressed subjects may develop mycoses caused by opportunistic common pathogenic fungi. Mast cells (MCs) are immune cells involved in the pathophysiology of infected skin, lung, and organs, where there is an increase of angiogenesis. Airways fungi infections can induce allergic lung disease mediated by MCs and other immune cells. In addition, fungal infection may cause and/or aggravate asthma inflammation. Spores are able to navigate in the airways of the lung and can be recognized trough toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling by the innate immune cells including MCs. Activated MCs release preformed mediators including histamine, proteases (tryptase, chimase), pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and they also generate arachidonic acid products. MCs activated by fungi provoke an increases of PGD2 levels and lead to hypersensitivity diseases which present signs such as irritation of the respiratory tract and eyes, recurrent sinusitis, bronchitis, cough and neurological manifestations including fatigue, nausea, headaches and brain fog. Therefore, fungi activate the innate immune response through the TLRs, leading to the release of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) which, with a series of cascade reactions, induces the stimulation of AP-1 and NF-kB with subsequent activation of inflammatory IL-1 family members. Here, we report that fungi can activate MCs to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines which may be inhibited by IL-37, a new anti-inflammatory IL-1 family member.

Coverage of multiple recessions using the tunnel technique and a collagen matrix in the maxilla or mandible: a 6-month study.

Multiple recession defects in the dentition of the patients are routinely encountered in clinical practice and as such present a challenge for clinicians. Periodontal plastic surgical procedures aim to restore both esthetics as function in periodontal tissues. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of using a tunnel technique with a collagen matrix to cover multiple recessions in the maxilla or mandible. Fourteen patients were enrolled in the study. Patients in the maxilla-group and mandible-group were treated with xenogeneic collagen matrix using the tunnel technique. Clinical recordings were obtained at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. The percentage of average recession coverage (ARC), the percentage rate of patients with complete coverage of all recessions (CRC-1) and the percentage rate of complete coverage of recession defects (CRC-2) were evaluated after 3 and 6 months after the surgery. Statistically significant differences were observed in every parameter except probing depth between the baseline values compared to the values 3 and 6 months after the procedure in both groups. The mean ARC 6 months after the procedure was 96.8% in the maxilla and 81.3% in the mandible. At 6 months after the procedure, a complete root coverage was obtained in 2 out of 9 patients and 31 out of 39 recessions (79%) in the maxilla and 0 out of 5 patients and 10 out of 20 recessions (50%) in the mandible. A collagen matrix combined with the tunnel technique led to a satisfactory ARC, CRC- 2 and resulted in an unsatisfactory CRC-1.

The effect of gingival wall location on the marginal seal of class ii restorations prepared with a flowable bulk-fill resin-based composite.

SureFil SDR is a flowable resin-based composite that allows a single incremental bulk placement. The marginal seal of SureFil SDR at the gingival margins of class II restorations located apical to the cemento-enamel-junction (CEJ) has not been adequately evaluated compared to those located occlusal to the CEJ. Forty class II cavities were prepared in human molars. The gingival margins of 20 preparations were located 0.5 mm occlusal to the CEJ, and the other 20 preparations were located 0.5 mm apical to the CEJ. The cavities surfaces were bonded with XenoV dental adhesive and filled with SDR in one bulk increment up to 4 mm, after which they were covered with CeramX. The teeth were subjected to thermo-and load-cycling, and their gingival margins were exposed to 0.5% basic-fuchsin solution. The specimens were sectioned mesio-distally and scored for microleakage. A Wilcoxon test for pairwise comparison was performed to determine significance. Dye penetration was observed in 30% of the 20 restorations with cavo-surface margins located occlusal to the CEJ and in 55% of the 20 restorations with cavo-surface margins located apical to the CEJ. The bulk-fill flowable resin base SureFil SDR with XenoV dental adhesive provided a better marginal seal in class II restorations with gingival margins above the CEJ compared to restorations with gingival margins below the CEJ. SDR should not be recommended for class II cavity preparations with gingival margins located below the CEJ.

Clinical applications of Natural Bone Morphoproteins in dentistry: a narrative review.

The need to restore bone loss in maxilla and mandible has led to find natural bone substitutes, such as fresh autogenous bone grafts. Fresh autogenous bone grafts (FABGs) have a remarkable capacity to induce new bone formation, a phenomenon called ‘osteoinduction.’ FABGs are useful in craniomaxillofacial and oral applications to restore bone deficiencies. The isolation of those proteins believed to be responsible for the osteoinductive activity of FABGs, namely Natural Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (NBMPs), led to a new era in bone regeneration. NBMPs have been approved for use in specific oral and maxillofacial applications. Clinical trials and studies of oral and craniofacial surgery have indicated that NBMPs can promote bone repair. Information about the biology, chemistry, and actions of NBMPs has called into question whether NBMPs would result in clinically useful bone induction and morphogenesis. Preclinical and specific clinical trials have indicated the efficacy of NBMPs either combined with autograft or compared with an autograft alone. In light of questions about potency and safety of NBMPs, however, additional high-level evidence is needed for specific clinical indications and appropriate patient populations that would benefit from their use.

Peri-implant test is a proposal of a new procedure to prevent peri-implantitis and forensic claims.

Implant dentistry has become one of the most successful techniques for oral rehabilitation over the last 20 years. The success rate of implant oral rehabilitation is above 80% while peri-implant disease (PID) is the most important complication of implant dentistry. The main cause of PID is considered bacterial leakage at the implant-abutment connection of a two-piece implant system. Prevention and control of bacterial leakage at the implant-abutment connection is mandatory for reducing inflammation process around implants neck and achieving bone stability. Since bacteria leakage at implant-abutment connection level is the main cause of PID, a microbiological test should be important to identify bacteria that cause PID. According with the conclusion of workshop of the European Federation on Periodontology, a test that detects the most frequent bacterial species involved in the onset of PID (Actinobacillus actinomycetecomitans, Porphyromonas gengivalis, Tannnerella forsythia, Treponema denticola) should be used in clinical practice. In fact, PID progression depends on the typology, quantity and composition of bacterial flora in peri-implant pockets, so controlling PID onset and progression, is a keystone for preventing implant failures and consequently forensic conflicts. The effort to prevent PID and consequently assurance or forensic conflicts have become one of the main focal points of all dental professionals. Behind these efforts lie, above all, ethical but also economic reasons, as well as a desire to prevent PID, improving implant care quality and increasing the legal security of health care professionals themselves. Since the legal decisions in our society influence how we practice dentistry, especially in the fast-evolving field of implant dentistry, using diagnostic tools that will allow dentists to demonstrate that they have acted correctly in accordance with the knowledge of modern medicine, it is of great importance to defend themselves in the case of legal-legal disputes.

Mechanical, chemical and biological aspects of titanium and titanium alloys in implant dentistry.

Implant dentistry has become a popular restorative option in clinical practice. Titanium and titanium alloys are the gold standard for endo-osseus dental implants production, thanks to their biocompatibility, resistance to corrosion and mechanical properties. The characteristics of the titanium implant surface seem to be particularly relevant in the early phase of osseointegration. Furthermore, the microstructure of implant surface can largely influence the bone remodelling at the level of the bone-implant surface. Recently, research has stated on the long-term of both survival and success rates of osseointegrated implants and mainly on biomechanical aspects, such as load distribution and biochemical and histological processes at the bone-implant interface. This short review reports recent knowledge on chemical and mechanical properties, biological aspects, innovations in preventing peri-implantitis, describing clinical applications and recent improvements of titanium dental implants. In addition, it highlights current knowledge about a new implant coating that has been demonstrated to reduce the number of initially adhering bacteria and peri-implantitis.

Management of denture stomatitis: a narrative review.

Candida albicans is a typical commensal microorganism of the oral cavity that can become virulent in certain conditions and cause denture stomatitis (DS). Many conditions can predispose for DS, including local and systemic alterations. The therapeutical approach to DS is various and both topical and systemic alternatives can be considered. Azoles molecules are the most common used, both topically and systemically, but in recent years various alternatives have been proposed. This review aims to examine the scientific literature to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional therapies and the potential of the new ones.

Detection of endocarditis bacteria in tonsillar mucosa of Afghan population.

Endocarditis is a cardiovascular disease caused by the inflammation of the inner tissues of the heart, the endocardium, usually of the valves. Bacteraemia is essential in the development of endocarditis, and there are some findings that the main pathogens of endocarditis are viridans group streptococci: Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Enterococcus faecalis. There is strong evidence that endocarditis bacteria are present in the tonsillar microbiota, so that tonsillar infection is associated with an increased risk of endocarditis. The aim of this manuscript is to investigate the presence of the main pathogens of endocarditis in tonsillar microbiota of an Afghan population group. A sample of 80 tonsil swabs were analyzed by quantitative real time PCR to detect endocarditis pathogens and an estimation of the total bacterial load. The median bacterial load in PCR reaction was 1.4x106 (interquartile range 4,7x105 - 2,9x106). Three species, S. Oralis, S. Sanguinis, and E. Faecalis were found in large amounts in all specimens. On the other hand, S. Mitis was never detected. The S. Aureus was found in 3 samples with a prevalence of 0.04 (C.I. 0.01-0.10). The S. Mutans was found in 33 samples with a prevalence of 0.41 (C.I. 0.31-0.52). Endocarditis bacteria has been found into the tonsillar microbiota, so there is sufficient evidence to justify that the oral cavity is a reservoir of endocarditis bacteria that can have a significant impact on the cardiovascular function.

Human polyomavirus in tonsillar microbiota of an Afghan population group.

Some studies have evidenced the role of human polyomaviruses in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. BK, JC and SV40 human polyoma viruses are widely recognized as etiological agents associated with malignancies. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of BK, IC and SV40 in tonsillar microbiota in a group of Afghan volunteers. A sample of the tonsillar microbiota was taken from a single site using a sterile oral swab paper stick. A fixed volume of purified DNA from each sample was tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions to evaluate the number of human cells and the number of viral genomes in each sample. The cell number was evaluated via the quantification of a single copy genomic sequence, which is located in the HMBS locus. The median analyzed cell number in each reaction was 4343 (interquartile range 2074-8470). SV40 was never detected, while prevalence rate was 0.11 (C.I. 0.06-0.20) for BK and 0.10 (C.I. 0.05-0.19) for JC. Further studies are necessary to clarify whether polyomaviruses can be considered a risk factor of oral, oropharyngeal and laryngeal malignancies.

The role of zinc plus octenidine in the regulation of gene expression: an in vitro study.

Zinc was known in ancient times, and is diffused in the environment. The potential benefits offered by zinc supplementary therapy have been demonstrated in numerous clinical trials using oral or topical zinc products. The benefit of zinc can be in principle increased through association with other actives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect on primary human gingival fibroblast cell of a new formulation containing zinc and octenidine cations. Human gingival fibroblast cells were obtained from three healthy patients (14-year-old man, 15-year-old woman and 20-year-old man) during extraction of teeth. The gene expression of 14 genes (ELANE, FN1, FBN, ITGA1, HAS1, ELN, DSP, ITGB1, HYAL1,TGFB1, TGFB2, TGFB3, TGFBR1 and TGFBR2) was investigated in HGF cell culture treated with 80µm of Octenidine, 1000µm of Zinc, 80µm Octenidine + Zinc solution and the medium alone at 30 min. Prestoblue™ data showed that as the active concentration increases (Octenidine, Zinc and Octenidine + Zinc) the percentage of cell vitality compared to that of untreated cells decrease. In this study, no statistically significant gene expression was observed between cells, treated with difference substances, and control cells. Our results points out that zinc plus octenidine shows a positive potential in periodontal disease treatment.