Is there an association between overweight/obesity and dental implant complications? A systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review was to test the following hypotheses: (1) that there is no difference in implant survival rate between individuals with overweight or obesity and those who are within the ideal weight range; (2) that there are no differences between these groups regarding indicators of peri-implant health. Two independent reviewers performed a literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases for studies published up to April 1, 2018. A meta-analysis was performed to determine the risk difference for implant failure and mean difference for marginal bone loss, probing depth, and bleeding on probing. Six studies were selected for review, involving a total of 746 patients with 986 implants: 609 in overweight or obese individuals and 377 in individuals within the ideal weight range. The findings of this systematic review indicate that the first hypothesis should be accepted, since no statistically significant difference in implant survival rate was found between individuals with overweight/obesity and those within the ideal weight range (P = 0.64). The second hypothesis was rejected, as the review indicated a difference in marginal bone loss (P < 0.00001), probing depth (P < 0.00001), and bleeding around dental implants (P < 0.00001).     

Evaluation of a collagen matrix in a mandible defect in rats submitted to the use of bisphosphonates

Purpose:To assess the effect of a collagen matrix (Mucograft^®) on the inflammatory process in a semi-critical experimental defect model in rats treated with bisphosphonates.Methods:Eighteen Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: saline (CG), alendronate (ALD) 5mg/kg (AG) or zoledronic acid (ZA) 0.2mg/kg (ZG). ALD was administered orally for 10 weeks and ZA was administered intravascularly on days 0, 7 and 14 and 49. On day 42, a 2mm defect was created and filled with Mucograft^® collagen matrix. The contralateral side was filled with a clot (control side). The animals were euthanized 70 days after the beginning of the experiment and the hemimandibles were radiographically and histologically (counting of empty osteocyte lacunae (%), apoptotic (%) and total osteoclasts, neutrophil and mononuclear inflammatory cells) analyzed. The variables were submitted to ANOVA/Bonferroni and t test (parametric data) (p <0.05, GraphPad Prism 5.0).Results:Significant bone repair occurred in the groups treated with Mucograft^®. High number of total inflammatory cells and neutrophils cells were showed in AG (p=0.026 and p=0.035) and AZ groups (p=0.005, p=0.034) on the control sides associated with delayed bone repair and the presence of devitalized bone tissue in AG and ZG on the Mucograft^® side.Conclusion:Mucograft^® collagen matrix attenuated the inflammatory process in a mandible defect in rats submitted to the use of bisphosphonates (AG and ZG).Key words: Collagen, Osteonecrosis, Biphosphonates, Bone and Bones, Rats     

Revisiting epilepsy and the electroencephalogram patterns in Angelman syndrome

Angelman syndrome is a neurogenetic disorder that severely affects global neurodevelopment due to modifications in the structure or functioning of UBE3A gene. Its prevalence ranges from 1:10,000 to 1:40,000. There are four main genetic types of AS transmission. A maternal deletion in 15q11.2-q13 is the most common type. There are three well-established electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns used as an ancillary tool for AS diagnosis. The main objectives are to scrutinize the EEG patterns in Angelman syndrome, their correlation to different types of seizures and to review the role of the EEG as an ancillary screening tool in the diagnosis of clinically suspected patients. Forty-three patients’ charts and their previously recorded EEGs were reviewed. A set of 34 patients with deletion type, paternal uniparental disomy type and imprint defect type AS were enrolled. AS diagnosis was confirmed either by fluorescent in situ hybridization test or Methylation Specific–Multiplex Ligation Probe Amplification test. Sequencing of UBE3A was not available. Frequencies and Chi-square tests were used for statistic analysis. Pattern I type EEG was observed in 22 (64.7 %) individuals. Pattern II accounted for 6 (17.6 %); Pattern III was evident in 11 (32.4 %). The three distinguished EEG patterns, more frequently Pattern I, when observed in the appropriate clinical setting, may heighten the index of suspicion for selecting patients who will need a molecular biology test to confirm the diagnosis of AS.     

Subtle improvement of seizure susceptibility by atorvastatin treatment during epileptogenesis

Background

The process by which a brain insult elicits epilepsy is termed epileptogenesis and it is characterized by numerous molecular and functional alterations. Statins are first-line drugs for hypercholesterolemia and related diseases, and display neuroprotective properties in clinical and experimental studies. Considering the importance in developing therapeutic strategies to prevent or modify epileptogenesis, we aimed the present study to test the hypothesis that atorvastatin modifies seizure susceptibility of mice after status epilepticus (SE).