Anti-inflammatory activity of citrus pectin on chicken monocytes' immune response.

Pectin is a dietary fibre composed of galacturonic acid, primarily found in the citrus fruits' cell walls. Citrus pectin (CP) has demonstrated antioxidative, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties in humans and animals. In broilers, CP supplementation improves energy utilization and nutrient digestibility, but limited information on its effects on chicken immunity is available so far. This study aimed to assess the in vitro impact of CP on chicken monocytes' immune response. Cells were purified from whole blood of healthy chickens and incubated with increasing concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 mg/mL) of CP to determine CP working concentration. The effects of different CP concentrations on cells' apoptosis and viability were assessed by measuring caspase-3 and -7 and the cells' metabolic activity (MTT assay), respectively. CP had no dose-dependent effect on monocyte apoptosis and viability.Then, the effects of CP (0.5 mg/mL) on chicken monocytes' chemotaxis and phagocytosis were assessed by measuring transwell migration and fluorescein-labelled E. coli incorporation, respectively. CP inhibited both monocytes' chemotaxis and phagocytosis.These data demonstrate that CP exerts an immunomodulatory role in chicken monocytes, supporting its integration in nutrition strategies that might be beneficial for the animal's immunity and health.

Aging and source monitoring: cognitive processes and neuropsychological correlates.

This study shows that relative to younger adults, older adults are more adversely influenced by similar items when judging a memory's source, and the phenomenal features of their correctly and incorrectly attributed memories have greater overlap. The authors argue in accordance with the source monitoring framework that this age-related impairment in source accuracy is related to processes involved in binding features into complex memories and those involved in accessing and evaluating contextual features of memories. These processes are linked to medial temporal and frontal brain regions, respectively, as evidenced by correlations in older adults between source accuracy and neuropsychological tests often used to assess medial temporal and frontal function. The results suggest that adequate feature binding is particularly important when items from different source share similar features and access-evaluation processes are particularly important after a delay.

Aging and single versus multiple cues in source monitoring.

Participants heard words said by 2 speakers and later decided who said each word. The authors varied the perceptual distinctiveness of the speakers and the distinctiveness of the cognitive operations participants performed on the words. Relative to younger adults, older adults had significantly lower source monitoring scores when perceptual or cognitive operations conditions were similar but not when either cue was more distinctive. Combining cues did not affect source monitoring of younger adults but hurt older adults' performance relative to the distinctive perceptual condition. Evidently, older adults generate cognitive cues at the expense of encoding perceptual cues; any deficit in binding perceptual and semantic information disadvantages them more in source monitoring than in old/new recognition. There was no correlation between neuropsychological tests assessing frontal function and source monitoring in older adults.

Prospective study on the augmentation of the maxillary sinus with calcium sulfate: histological results.

BACKGROUND: The main goal of the sinus elevation procedure is the formation of vital bone to allow the tissue integration of endosseous implants to support prosthetic restorations in the edentulous posterior maxilla. The ideal graft material is yet to be found. The present study investigated the histologic results of a sinus augmentation procedure performed with calcium sulfate as the grafting material. METHODS: The clinical trial consisted of 2 groups: a first (control) group of 12 patients (15 sinuses) in which the material was carefully placed but not stratified. In the second (test) group, 45 patients (50 sinuses) were treated by modifying the application. The calcium sulfate was putty-like in consistency and placed as it hardened in layers, avoiding fluid contamination. The histologic samples were collected, either at 9 months, at the uncovering procedure (for implants placed simultaneously with grafting material), or at 6 months at the time of implant insertion (for implants placed at a later stage). RESULTS: The augmentation procedure resulted in good, new tissue formation within the sinuses when clinically and radiographically evaluated. The technique used in the test group produced a reduction in the graft shrinkage during healing, therefore slowing down the material resorption rate. Histologically, new bone formation with progressive lamellar maturation was found in both groups. Some particles produced by calcium sulfate resorption were still present after 6 months in the test group specimens, but no longer detectable after 9 months. Samples from the control group showed a mean histomorphometric bone density of 34.25% +/- 10.02, while samples from the test group showed a mean value of 55.54% +/- 19.82. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that calcium sulfate appears to be an effective material for sinus augmentation, yielding vital bone suitable for implant integration. In addition, the technique used in the test group seemed to improve the quality and quantity of bone formation.

Clinical evaluation of the treatment of class II furcation involvements with bioabsorbable barriers alone or associated with demineralized freeze-dried bone allografts.

BACKGROUND: Class II furcation lesions are a challenging scenario for periodontal therapy and a serious threat for tooth prognosis. Guided tissue regeneration represents a viable treatment option, but some aspects remain to be clarified as to the efficacy of bone substitutes used in GTR procedures. The clinical efficacy of demineralized freeze-dried bone allografts (DFDBA) for regenerative procedures is presently under scrutiny. METHODS: This study evaluated the adjunctive clinical effects of DFDBA associated with a bioabsorbable (polylactic acid) barrier membrane in the regenerative treatment of human Class II furcation lesions as compared to the same type of barrier alone. Twelve patients with bilateral Class II furcation defects on lower first molars participated in the study. In each patient, one tooth was randomly assigned to treatment consisting of open surgical debridement followed by the placement of DFDBA (GTR+DFDBA, or test group) and a bioabsorbable barrier, while the contralateral side received the same flap surgery followed by use of the bioabsorbable membrane alone (GTR, or control group). The clinical efficacy of the 2 treatment modalities was evaluated at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Measurements included vertical probing depth (VPD), horizontal probing depth (HPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), amount of gingival recession (GR), and change in class of clinically detectable furcation involvement (FC). RESULTS: Both treatments yielded significant improvements for all clinical parameters between baseline and 6 and 12 months (P<0.05). The comparison between test and control groups revealed significantly greater reduction in HPD (P=0.01) and higher values of GR (P=0.008) for the test group. The mean gain in HPD for test sites was 2.3 mm, while it amounted to 1.7 mm for controls. A significantly greater proportion of test sites could be classified postoperatively as Class I defects compared to controls (91% versus 50%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that significant improvements from baseline occurred in VPD, HPD, CAL, and clinically detectable furcation involvement after the treatment of Class II furcation lesions with a bioabsorbable membrane with or without the adjunctive use of DFDBA. In addition, the placement of DFDBA in the furcation defect under the bioabsorbable membrane resulted in a greater mean reduction of horizontal probing depth when compared to the regenerative therapy alone.

New directions in surgical endodontics; immediate implantation into an extraction site.

Endodontic surgical procedures may reveal compromising factors that indicate a modification of the treatment (e.g. tooth extraction, root amputation, etc.). To take advantage of the osseous height and width, as well as the natural tooth angulation, immediate placement of implants after extraction is a reasonable alternative treatment. In this study, 32 titanium alloy implants were inserted immediately after extraction of teeth diagnosed during endodontic surgery as having root fractures, perforations, or endodontic-periodontal complications. After 4 to 6 months of osseointegration, only one implant failed to integrate, and the remaining implants were prosthetically restored. Sixteen months after occlusal loading, bone loss was approximately 1.5 mm for the 31 implants remaining. It seems that the immediate placement of implants following tooth extraction due to endodontic complications is a reliable procedure.

Relationship of parent driving records to the driving records of their children.

Many studies have shown that young driver crash rates can be influenced by such factors as lifestyle characteristics and licensing systems. However, the influence of parents on their teenage children's crash and violation rates has not received much attention. The present study used data from the North Carolina driver history file to match the crash and violation records of young drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 with those of their parents. Results indicate that children's driving records in the first few years of licensure are related to the driving records of their parents. Children whose parents had three or more crashes on their record were 22% more likely to have had at least one crash compared with children whose parents had no crashes. Likewise, children whose parents had three or more violations were 38% more likely to have had a violation compared with children whose parents had none. Logistic regression models showed that these relationships held when controlling for household type and child gender.

Augmentation of the maxillary sinus with calcium sulfate: one-year clinical report from a prospective longitudinal study.

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the clinical and histologic results of a sinus augmentation procedure performed using calcium sulfate as the grafting material. A group of 12 patients (15 sinuses) formed the pilot group. Based on the experience of the pilot group, the technique of calcium sulfate application was modified, and a second group of 45 patients (50 sinuses) was subsequently treated (test group). In the pilot group, a total of 30 implants (Biolock) was placed. In the test group, a total of 100 implants (Biolock and Biohorizons) was placed. The clinical data reported in the present study are related to the 1-year follow-up for both groups. Clinical evaluations, including assessment of implant mobility and probing pocket depth, were recorded on a monthly basis following implant uncovering until final prosthesis placement, and every 6 months thereafter. Radiographs were taken prior to sinus augmentation, monthly until 6 months postoperatively, 9 and 12 months after implantation, and at yearly intervals thereafter. One implant in the pilot group was not integrated at second-stage surgery, and 1 in the test group failed to maintain osseointegration after the abutment connection (at the 1-year evaluation). Based on defined criteria, the overall success rate for the 130 placed implants 1 year postimplantation was 98.5%. Clinical and radiographic evaluation revealed that the augmentation procedure resulted in new tissue formation within the sinuses. The technique used in the test group suggested a slowdown in material resorption and a reduction in graft shrinkage during healing. Bone biopsies were harvested for histologic evaluation. The application of a resorbable barrier membrane to the access window reduced the invagination of soft tissue at that level. The results of this study support the hypothesis that calcium sulfate may be a suitable material for sinus augmentation.

Osseointegration of rough acid-etched titanium implants: 5-year follow-up of 100 minimatic implants.

During 1992, 100 Minimatic screw implants made of titanium alloy (titanium-aluminum-vanadium) with a machined rough acid-etched surface were placed in 63 consecutive partially edentulous patients. At second-stage surgery, which was performed after a 4- to 6-month healing period, none of the implants showed signs of mobility, peri-implant infection, or bone loss from the crest of the ridge. Each patient was restored with a fixed prosthesis and reexamined every 3 months during the first year. Periapical radiographs were taken annually up to 5 years. These revealed no signs of peri-implant radiolucencies involving any of the implants, and mean alveolar bone loss was less than 1 mm at the 5-year examination. One implant was considered a late failure because of a peri-implant infection that developed during the first year, although the implant was still functional at year 5. Another patient with 2 implants dropped out during the fifth year of the study, although both implants had been considered successful up to that point. Based on annual measurements of Plaque Index, Sulcular Bleeding index, pocket probing depth, attachment level, width of keratinized mucosa, and hand-tested mobility, 97 of the remaining 98 implants were considered successful, resulting in a 98% success rate. This 5-year study confirms that Minimatic machined acid-etched implants provide predictable osseointegration results and supports the conclusion of other reports that titanium implants with a rough surface can fulfill the requirements of Albrektsson et al (1986) for implant success.

Osseointegration of rough acid-etched implants: one-year follow-up of placement of 100 minimatic implants.

Between January 1992 and October 1992, 100 Minimatic screw implants made of titanium alloy with rough acid-etched surfaces were placed in 63 consecutive partially edentulous patients. At second-stage (uncovering) surgery performed after a 4- to 6-month healing period, none of the implants showed any signs of mobility, peri-implant infection, or bone loss. After an additional healing phase averaging 2 weeks, the patients were restored with fixed prostheses. Patients were reexamined every 3 months for 1 year, with all 63 patients available for evaluation during this period. Periapical radiographs were taken preoperatively, immediately after surgery, and at 6 and 12 months after implantation. There were no signs of peri-implant radiolucencies in any of the implants, and alveolar bone loss was less than 1 mm on average 1 year after implantation. Based on Plaque Index, sulcular bleeding index, pocket probing depth, attachment level, width of keratinized mucosa, and hand-tested mobility, 99 implants were considered successful and 1 (which developed peri-implant infection) was considered a failure. Study results substantiate other reports that implants with a rough surface can yield predictable good results.

Short-term healing following the use of calcium sulfate as a grafting material for sinus augmentation: a clinical report.

Because of the frequent lack of bone in the posterior maxilla, sinus augmentation has become a commonly practiced treatment modality. Many different materials have been used for augmenting the sinus, and the ideal graft is yet to be found. The present article reports the results of sinuses grafted with calcium sulfate in 2 patients. Bone biopsies were harvested 9 months after the augmentation procedure. In the first patient, 3 titanium threaded-cylinder implants were placed in the grafted area after 9 months, while in the second, 1 acid-etched, screw-shaped titanium implant was placed simultaneously with the graft. Light microscopic evaluation revealed new bone formation with ongoing remodeling and progressive lamellar maturation in the specimens. No remnants of the alloplastic material were detectable in any section, either within the bone or in the medullary tissue. When reevaluated at the uncovering procedure, the implants were radiographically and clinically judged to be osseointegrated. These observations suggest that, when used in the appropriate form and with the proper technique, calcium sulfate is a promising graft material for sinus augmentation, producing adequate quantity and quality of new bone for implant placement.

Source memory and eyewitness suggestibility in older adults.

The authors investigated the influence of test format on the source-memory performance of older adults (N = 128). Each participant viewed a picture and wrote a description of the scene. Then half of the participants (control group) read a text that accurately described the scene; the other half (misled group) read a text that contained misinformation. After writing another scene description, the participants were given a surprise memory test. Half were given a yes/no recognition test, and half were given a source-monitoring test. The misled yes/no participants mistakenly indicated more often than the control yes/no participants that misleading-text items were in the picture (suggestibility effect). There was no suggestibility effect for source-monitoring participants. The data are discussed in terms of the source monitoring framework.

[The reliability of different groups of sample teeth in assessing the status of periodontal disease in epidemiological studies]. / Attendibilità di diversi gruppi di denti campione nel valutare lo stato di malattia parodontale negli studi epidemiologici.

The possibility of evaluating periodontal disease status in a given population by examining a limited number of sample teeth is of undoubted value in epidemiological studies. To this end, a cross-section study was performed to assess whether the dental sample proposed by Ramfjord effectively reflects the entire dentition status in terms of the main Clinical Indices of Periodontal Disease, in particular pocket depth. In addition, two randomly selected samples of six teeth were also evaluated using the same criteria. On the basis of their findings, the Authors confirm the epidemiological validity of Ramfjord's dental sample and stress that different groups of sample teeth may be efficaciously used to assess the periodontal disease status of the entire dentition in epidemiological studies.

[Methodological possibilities for in vitro evaluation of the antibiotic sensitivity of bacterial plaque from periodontal pockets]. / Possibilità metodologiche per valutare in vitro la sensibilità agli antibiotici della placca batterica proveniente da tasche parodontali.

Two different methods for making the subuletic bacterial antibiogram were compared, namely, the inhibition halo technique and that of percentage reduction. The first, of the more classical nature, is based on the introduction of the antibiotic inside a small cavity made in the culture medium, which leads to the formation of circular haloes around the cavity itself. The magnitude of the hales is all the greater, the more effective the antibiotic. The percentage-reduction technique calculates the reduction, expressed as a percentage, of the total number of colonies grown in the cultural medium containing the antibiotic, with respect to the number of colonies grown on a control culture-plate without antibiotic. Both techniques gave unambiguous results in 92.8% of the cases, both showing satisfactory validity; however, the percentage reduction technique proved to be more complex, to require fuller investigation and to be more expensive than the other. In fact, to make the antibiogram of a bacterial plaque concerning the seven antibiotics tested, 24 plates of agar-culture were necessary with the "r" method, whereas, with that of "inhibition haloes" only two sufficed. In addition, in the case of plaques with scarce microbial density or in the presence of highly invasive germs, by using the "inhibition haloes" method, it is always possible to have some information, which is impossible with the other method.

The use of calcium sulphate in the surgical treatment of a 'through and through' periradicular lesion.

AIM: This randomized, controlled, clinical study was designed to evaluate the adjunctive effect of calcium sulphate grafts on the surgical treatment of through and through periradicular lesions. METHODOLOGY: Twenty patients each with one tooth showing evidence radiologically of a periradicular lesion wider than 10 mm, with lack of both buccal and lingual cortical bony plates and an indication for surgery were selected for the study. Ten teeth were treated with apicectomy, root-end filling and grafting of the bone defect with calcium sulphate prior to suturing (test group). The other 10 teeth received the same surgical therapy but no grafting with calcium sulphate (control group). The outcome of the healing process was evaluated at 6 and 12 months radiographically following the criteria reported by Rud and Andreasen. RESULTS: At the six- and 12-month evaluation the test group had seven teeth with complete healing and two with incomplete healing, whilst the control group showed three teeth with complete healing, five with incomplete healing and one with unsatisfactory healing. One tooth in each group had to be extracted because of a vertical fracture that occurred during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study demonstrate that the addition of calcium sulphate as a bone graft during the conventional surgical treatment of through and through lesions improves the clinical outcome. Histological analysis is desirable to investigate the quality of tissues formed using the two surgical procedures.