Injured cardiomyocytes promote dental pulp mesenchymal stem cell homing.

BACKGROUND: The heart is unable to regenerate its tissues after severe injuries. Stem cell therapy appears to be one of the most promising approaches, though preclinical results are hitherto contradictory and clinical trials scanty and/or limited to phase-I. The limited knowledge about stem cell early homing in infarcted cardiac tissues can concur to this scenario. METHODS: The stem cell migration was assessed in in-vitro and ex-vivo models of heart ischemia, employing a rat dental pulp stem cell line (MUR-1) that shares the same ontogenic progenitors with portions of the heart, expresses markers typical of cardiac/vascular-like progenitors and is able to differentiate into cardiomyocytes in-vitro. RESULTS: Here, we demonstrated that the MUR-1 can reach the injured cells/tissue and make contacts with the damaged cardiomyocytes, likely through Connexin 43, N-cadherin and von Willebrand Factor mediated cell-cell interactions, both in in-vitro and ex-vivo models. Furthermore, we found that SDF-1, FGF-2 and HGF, but not VEGF are involved as chemotactic factors in MUR-1 migration, notifying a similarity with neural crest cell behavior during the organogenesis of both the splanchnocranium and the heart. CONCLUSIONS: Herein we found a similarity between what happens during the heart organogenesis and the early migration and homing of MUR-1 cells in ischemic models. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The comprehension of molecular aspects underlying the early phases of stem cell migration and interaction with damaged organ contributes to the future achievement of the coveted stem cell-mediated organ regeneration and function preservation in-vivo.

Step-by-step surgical technique for mandibular reconstruction with fibular free flap: application of digital technology in virtual surgical planning.

At present, mandibular reconstruction with a fibular free flap is the gold standard for functional and esthetic rehabilitation after oncological surgery. The purpose of this study was to describe the computer-assisted mandibular reconstruction procedure adopting the customized solution Synthes ProPlan CMF. The study reports five consecutive patients with benign or malignant disease requiring mandibular reconstruction using a microvascular fibular free flap, pre-operative virtual planning, construction of cutting guides and customized laser pre-bent titanium plates. The surgical technique is discussed in a step-by-step fashion. The average post-operative hospital stay was 18 ± 3 days. Ischemia time was recorded in all five cases, with an average of 75 ± 8 min. No problems were encountered in any surgical step and there were no major complications. Excellent precision of cutting guides and a good fit of pre-bent plates were found on both the mandible and fibula. There was excellent precision in bone to bone contact and position between mandible and fibula graft. Measurement data from the pre-operative and post-operative CT scans were compared. The average difference (Δ) between programed segment lengths and CT control segment lengths was 0.098 ± 0.077 cm. Microsurgical mandibular reconstruction using a virtual surgical planning yields significantly shorter ischemia times and allows more precise osteotomies. The technology is becoming increasingly recognized for its ability to optimize surgical outcomes and minimize operating time. Considering that the extent of resection can be wider than predicted, this results in safer modeling of the fibula only after frozen sections have demonstrated the radicality of resection.

Odontogenic tumors in childhood: a retrospective study of 86 treated cases. Importance of a correct histopathologic diagnosis.

The odontogenic tumors are an unusual group of lesions of the jaws derived from embryologic tooth-forming tissues and presenting in a large number of histologic patterns. More common in pediatric age and adolescence than in adult age, the odontogenic tumors can be observed casually or after the appearance of nonspecific symptoms. Because of their slow-growth tendency, usually they do not cause pain. The odontogenic tumors grow in the jaw, through the haversian system, without metastasis but with and high probability of relapse. A retrospective study of 86 cases treated between 1997 and 2005 is reported. The percent of diagnosed cases that were benign was 98.8%, and just one case of malign neoplasm is reported. The most frequent tumor accounted for in the reported sample was odontoma (39.5%) followed by odontogenic fibroma (12.8%). Ameloblastoma and myxoma showed the same incidence (11.6%). Early diagnosis, together with a correct histologic diagnosis, allows a preservative and effective surgical treatment and is necessary to reduce the risk of relapse.

Monolateral sinonasal complications of dental disease or treatment: when does endoscopic endonasal surgery require an intraoral approach?

The widespread use of dental implants and reconstructive procedures for their positioning has led to an increase in sinonasal complications of dental disease and treatment (SCDDT). Diagnosis requires accurate dental and rhinological evaluation, including computed tomography (CT). The aim of this study is to investigate a multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of SCDDT by combining endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) and an intraoral approach on the basis of a preliminary classification system already proposed by other authors. Moreover, we analysed the percentage of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis extending to the anterior ethmoidal sinuses and bacteria involved in the pathogenesis of SCDDT. Between January 2012 and August 2015, in our series of 31 patients, 16/31 patients (51.6%) were treated with EES, 3/31 patients (9.7%) with an intraoral approach and 12/31 patients (38.7%) with a combined approach. All patients reported improvement in sinusitis symptoms confirmed by clinical examinations and CT scan. No significant complications were recorded and revision surgery was not required. Finally, the results of this preliminary study suggest that a multidisciplinary approach to SCDDT from diagnosis to therapy allows more precise diagnosis and comprehensive therapy to achieve a rapid recovery and minimise the risk of recurrence.

Fibular osteofasciocutaneous flap in computer-assisted mandibular reconstruction: technical aspects in oral malignancies.

Virtual surgical planning technology in head and neck surgery is witnessing strong growth. In the literature, the validity of the method from the point of view of accuracy and clinical utility has been widely documented, especially for bone modelling. To date, however, with its increased use in head and neck oncology, and consequently the increased need for bone and soft tissue reconstruction, is important to carry out the virtual programme considering not only bone reconstruction but also all aspects related to the reconstruction of soft tissue using composite flaps. We describe our approach to virtual planning in the case of composite flaps. The study reports six consecutive patients with malignant disease requiring mandibular bone and soft tissue reconstruction using fibular osteocutaneous flaps. In all six patients, the resection and reconstruction were planned virtually focusing on the position of cutaneous perforator vessels in order to schedule fibula cutting guides. There were no complications in all six cases. The technique described allowed us to schedule composite fibula flaps in mandibular reconstruction virtually with good accuracy of the position of the bone segment in relation to the cutaneous paddle, important for soft tissue reconstruction. Despite the limited number of cases, the preliminary results of the study suggest that this protocol is useful in virtual programmes using composite flaps in mandibular reconstruction. Further investigations are needed.

Correction of a mandibular asymmetry after fibula reconstruction using a custom-made polyetheretherketone (PEEK) onlay after implant supported occlusal rehabilitation.

This study describes an unusual case of mandibular asymmetry after fibula free flap reconstruction in a young man following major facial trauma that was corrected using a custom-made polyetheretherketone prosthesis. There is little information in the literature on the use of alloplasts to correct mandibular asymmetry as interest in 'aesthetic re-modelling' has traditionally focused on nasal, zygomatic and chin regions. This report demonstrates that this technique can be used successfully to address selected cases of mandibular asymmetry.

Respective roles of immune and nutritional factors in the priming of the immune response in the elderly.

Ninety-six institutionalized elderly (greater than 70 years old) (mean age: 82 +/- 7 years) subjects, negative for tetanus toxoid antibodies were primed with tetanus toxoid vaccination and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). Correlations were studied between some immunological parameters, nutritional parameters prior to immunization and the immune response intensity after it. Levels of tetanus toxoid specific IgG (ELISA assay) were positively correlated with monocyte phagocytosis, DNCB response and prealbumin levels, and negatively correlated with total IgG, monocyte immune degradation and tetanus toxoid lymphocyte stimulation. No correlation was observed with IgA, IgM, PHA stimulation. Tetanus toxoid lymphocyte stimulation correlated positively with response to DNCB, and negatively with tetanus toxoid IgG as well as total IgG. DNCB response correlated with prealbumin, tetanus toxoid IgG and tetanus toxoid lymphocyte stimulation. Therefore, it appears that malnutrition, as measured by prealbumin level, is one of the main factors contributing to the inconstant senile immunodeficiency. Monocyte antigenic degradation function unaltered with age can impair immune response while conserved or increased phagocytosis enhances immune response in the elderly. High total IgG levels were linked with low specific responses to priming antigens. High specific antibody levels also correlated negatively with cellular specific response. It is assumed that regulatory IgG antibody accumulation, likely anti-idiotypic antibodies, play an important role in senile immunological depletion.

Repositioning template for mandibular reconstruction with fibular free flaps: an alternative technique to pre-plating and virtual surgical planning.

Oral malignancies involving the mandibular bone require a complex reconstructive plan. Mandibular reconstruction with a fibular free flap is currently considered the best choice for functional and aesthetic rehabilitation after oncological surgery. This flap can be modelled with multiple osteotomies and can provide bone, muscle and skin for composite reconstruction. One of the most delicate aspects of mandibular reconstruction is the technique of bone modelling; the risk of prolonging the period of ischaemia and not restoring the correct maxillomandibular and occlusal relationships can ultimately lead to a higher rate of complications as well as poor aesthetic and functional results. Recently, there has been rising interest in virtual surgical planning and computer-assisted mandibular reconstruction in pre-operative planning; however, this is not always possible because of the costs involved and the set-up time for the entire procedure. In this paper, we present a simple and inexpensive technique for fibular free flap modelling and repositioning after segmental resection of the mandible; the technique entails the pre-operative preparation of a resin repositioning template on a stereolithographic model. This technique has been successfully applied in four cases: two cases underwent resection involving only the mandibular body, one case involving the mandibular body and symphysis and one case in which a ramus to ramus resection was performed. In this preliminary report, we show that the resin repositioning template is an easy, safe and useful tool for mandibular reconstruction with a fibular free flap.

[Retrospective study of 290 cases of hyperthyroidism after 55 years of age without previously documented thyroid disorders]. / Etude rétrospective de 290 observations d'hyperthyroïdie après 55 ans sans antécédent thyroïdien connu.

Previous studies having shown differences in the clinical presentation of hyperthyroidism in the young and in the over sixty-years old patients, we studied the presentation of hyperthyroidism of late onset without previous thyroid disorder to determine if it continued to change with age after 55 years. Two hundred and ninety cases of hyperthyroidism presenting after the age of 55 years without a previous history of goitre, collected in the Department of Nuclear Medicine of the Pitié Hospital between January 1976 and May 1980, were analysed retrospectively. There was no significant correlation between age and heart rate or total circulating thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentration. A positive correlation with weight loss and a negative correlation with I 131 fixation were observed. It was higher in cases of atrial fibrillation and hyperthyroidism with normal thyroid scintigraphy. Graves' disease with goitre was associated with the most overt signs of thyrotoxicosis and the highest hormonal concentrations, contrarily to toxic adenoma. The T3 but not T4 concentration correlated positively with heart rate. T3 and T4 were positively correlated with weight loss, and this correlation remained significant at constant T4 and T3 concentrations.