Ameloblastoma: a retrospective single institute study of 34 subjects

Objective: This study aims to clarify demographic and clinical aspects of patients with ameloblastoma treated at a single Finnish institute during 1985–2016. Associations between predictor variables (gender and age) and outcome variables (location, tumour type, growth patterns and average tumour size) were sought.

Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study was designed and implemented including 34 patients diagnosed with primary ameloblastoma and treated at the Helsinki University Central Hospital. Patient records were investigated, and tissue samples re-evaluated. The chi-square test was used on all categorized variables and t-test for continuous ones. A p value equal to or under .05 was considered significant.

Results: Males were slightly more predominant among the Finnish patients with ameloblastoma. Maxillary tumours were seen exclusively in male patients (p?=?.034). Additionally, these patients were older than patients with mandibular tumours (p?=?.007). A mixture in histological growth patterns was more common than originally anticipated. The study revealed a wide range of clinical signs and subjective symptoms, of which pain or other sensations were experienced most often.

Conclusions: This study of 34 subjects shows that southern Finnish patients with ameloblastoma do not substantially differ from patients in similar study designs.     

Cytologic and histologic samples from patients infected by the novel coronavirus 2019 SARS-CoV-2: An Italian institutional experience focusing on biosafety procedures

The 2019 coronavirus pandemic, which started in Wuhan, China, spread around the globe with dramatic and lethal effects. From the initial Chinese epicenter, the European diaspora taxed the resources of several countries and especially those of Italy, which was forced into a complete social and economic shutdown. Infection by droplets contaminating hands and surfaces represents the main vehicle of diffusion of the virus. The common and strong efforts to contain the pandemic have relevant effects on the management of samples from histopathology laboratories. The current commentary reports and focuses on the protocols and guidelines in use at a large tertiary Italian hospital that accordingly are proposed for adoption in Italian laboratories as a potential model for national guidelines for the coronavirus emergency.     

Juvenile mild traumatic brain injury elicits distinct spatiotemporal astrocyte responses

Mild-traumatic brain injury (mTBI) represents ~80% of all emergency room visits and increases the probability of developing long-term cognitive disorders in children. To date, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying post-mTBI cognitive dysfunction are unknown. Astrogliosis has been shown to significantly alter astrocytes' properties following brain injury, potentially leading to significant brain dysfunction. However, such alterations have never been investigated in the context of juvenile mTBI (jmTBI). A closed-head injury model was used to study jmTBI on postnatal-day 17 mice. Astrogliosis was evaluated using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin, and nestin immunolabeling in somatosensory cortex (SSC), dentate gyrus (DG), amygdala (AMY), and infralimbic area (ILA) of prefrontal cortex in both hemispheres from 1 to 30 days postinjury (dpi). In vivo T2-weighted-imaging (T2WI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed at 7 and 30 dpi to examine tissue level structural alterations. Increased GFAP-labeling was observed up to 30 dpi in the ipsilateral SSC, the initial site of the impact. However, vimentin and nestin expression was not perturbed by jmTBI. The morphology of GFAP positive cells was significantly altered in the SSC, DG, AMY, and ILA up to 7 dpi that some correlated with magnetic resonance imaging changes. T2WI and DTI values were significantly altered at 30 dpi within these brain regions most prominently in regions distant from the impact site. Our data show that jmTBI triggers changes in astrocytic phenotype with a distinct spatiotemporal pattern. We speculate that the presence and time course of astrogliosis may contribute to pathophysiological processes and long-term structural alterations following jmTBI.     

VoluDerm microneedle technology for skin treatments—In vivo histological evidence

Introduction: The growing demand for skin rejuvenation procedures with minimal down time and low risk has led to the development of fractional radiofrequency (RF) systems. The new VoluDerm? RF microneedle technology creates minute columns of tissue thermal microablation. Treatment triggers natural fractional healing, resulting in dermal volumizing and skin renewal. This preclinical research assessed the safety and efficacy of the VoluDerm through histological evaluation of morphological changes in the target tissue. Methods: Following approval of protocol by ethical committee, treatments were conducted on two domestic pigs using VoluDerm disposable tips. Histological samples of 14, 7, 4 days and immediately after treatment with various energy settings were analyzed. Results: Immediate VoluDerm epidermal and dermal effects, and progress of healing process, as function of time following treatment (days 4 and 7), were demonstrated. Histology analysis of samples of 14 days demonstrated complete healing for all energy levels. Summary: This in vivo histology confirmed the safe and effective performance of the VoluDerm treatment. A fractional pattern of affected areas, surrounded by healthy tissue, was demonstrated. Healing process proved natural dermal renewal and epidermal complete regeneration. Histology supports clinical advantages of the VoluDerm natural-looking skin enhancement, with none to minimal pain and no downtime.     

Viral infection in placenta relevant cells – a morphological and immunohistochemical cell culture study

Viral infections in pregnancy are known to cause fetal malformation, growth restriction, and even fetal death. Macroscopic placental examination usually shows slight and unspecific changes. Histology may show secondary, non‐specific tissue reaction, i.e. villitis with lymphocytic invasion. Primary specific morphology characteristics are known for some virus, like cytomegalovirus, parvovirus, and herpes simplex, however many viral infections show non‐specific changes. Placenta relevant cells as human first trimester trophoblasts HTR8/SVneo, primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and primary human embryonic fibroblasts were examined following infection with commonly occurring virus like adenovirus and enterovirus. Morphology in routine stained sections and virus‐specific immunostains were studied 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 h after infection. Nuclear enlargement was seen in the infected cells. A specific diagnosis of adenovirus or enterovirus infection, however, was not possible without specific immunostains.     

The clinical anatomy of accessory mental nerves and foramina

Since three‐dimensional computed tomography was developed, many researchers have described accessory mental foramina. The anatomical and radiological findings have been discussed, but details of accessory mental nerves (AMNs) have only been researched in a small number of anatomical and clinical cases. For this article, we reviewed the literature relating to accessory mental foramina (AMFs) and nerves to clarify aspects important for clinical situations. The review showed that the distribution pattern of the AMN can differ according to the position of the accessory mental foramen, and the reported incidence of AMFs differs among observation methods. A review of clinical cases also revealed that injury to large AMF can result in paresthesia. This investigation did not reveal all aspects of AMNs and AMFs, but will be useful for diagnosis and treatment by many dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Clin. Anat. 28:848–856, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.