Patterns of cell death and cell cycle profiles of cultured WEHI 13 var fibroblasts exposed to eluates of composite resins used for direct and indirect restorations

Previous studies have shown that in vitro exposure to single compounds released from composite resins may induce cell death. In the present study the effects of eluates from commercially available composite resins used for direct or indirect restorations were evaluated on the cell cycle progression and type of cell death of cultured WEHI 13 var fibroblasts. Cells exposed to eluates of the materials were assessed for cytotoxicity by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for cell death, for cell cycle profiles by flow cytometry, for caspase-3 biochemically and by immunocytochemistry, and for morphological changes by fluorescence microscopy with acridine orange. The direct composite resin eluates induced extensive apoptosis, followed by secondary necrosis. This was accompanied by cell enlargement, micromultinucleation, chromatin disintegration, cell cycle arrest at different phases, and caspase-3 activation. The composites for indirect restorations were much less cytotoxic at all biological end-points investigated. The findings suggest that composite resins used for direct and indirect dental restorations differ in their cytotoxic potential and their ability to affect basic cellular functions. This underlines the impact of improved polymerization with respect to their biologic behavior.     

Cement-retained versus screw-retained implant restorations: a critical review

This article presents a comparison of screw-retained and cement-retained implant prostheses based on the literature. The advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of the 2 different types of restorations are discussed, because it is important to understand the influence of the attachment mechanism on many clinical aspects of implant dentistry. Several factors essential to the long-term success of any implant prosthesis were reviewed with regard to both methods of fixation. These factors include: (1) ease of fabrication and cost, (2) passivity of the framework, (3) retention, (4) occlusion, (5) esthetics, (6) delivery, and (7) retrievability. (More than 50 references).     

Specialisation and specialist education in prosthetic dentistry in Europe

This presentation reports on the results of a meeting of prosthodontists from selected European countries. The aim of the meeting was to analyse and promote specialisation and specialist education in Prosthetic Dentistry in Europe. Representatives for Europe were selected from the European Prosthodontic Association (EPA) board, the Education and Research Committee of International College of Prosthodontists (ICP), countries with a legally recognised speciality, countries without a recognised speciality but organised training programmes and countries with neither of these situations. Data about specialisation and specialist training in Prosthodontics in Europe was scrutinised and discussed. The programmes for countries with specialist training had relatively similar content, mostly of three years duration. There was strong agreement that a recognised speciality raises the level of care within the discipline for both specialists and non-specialists. In several of the countries where a speciality had been introduced it had been initiated by pressure from public health planning authorities. The conclusions are that from a professional viewpoint an advancement of the speciality over Europe would develop the discipline, improve oral health planning and quality of patient care. A working group for harmonisation was recommended.     

Useful animal models for the research of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of suffering for millions of people. Investigating the disease directly on humans may be challenging. The aim of the present study is to investigate the advantages and limitations of the animal models currently used in OA research. The animal models are divided into induced and spontaneous. Induced models are further subdivided into surgical and chemical models, according to the procedure used to induce OA. Surgical induction of OA is the most commonly used procedure, which alters the exerted strain on the joint and/or alter load bearing leading to instability of the joint and induction of OA. Chemical models are generated by intra-articular injection of modifying factors or by systemically administering noxious agents, such as quinolones. Spontaneous models include naturally occurring and genetic models. Naturally occurring OA is described in certain species, while genetic models are developed by gene manipulation. Overall, there is no single animal model that is ideal for studying degenerative OA. However, in the present review, an attempt is made to clarify the most appropriate use of each model.     

Challenges in the treatment of angiosarcoma: a single institution experience

Background

Angiosarcomas are rare tumors that carry poor prognosis. Because of insidious growth rate, the diagnosis is often difficult and delayed.

Methods

Between 1990 and 2011, 72 (41 female, 31 male) patients were treated at our institution. Pathologic confirmation was obtained and multiple prognostic factors were evaluated for survival.

Results

Forty-four cases were sporadic and 28 cases were secondary. In the sporadic group, 16 (36%) patients had increased sun exposure, while in the secondary group, the majority (n = 23, 82%) of patients had prior exposure to radiation. The latent period between radiation exposure and diagnosis was predictive of survival (P = .037). Presentation was delayed by more than 3 months in 41% of patients. The majority of men developed head and neck angiosarcomas (n = 15, 48.5%), while women developed breast angiosarcomas (n = 21, 51%). Median survival was prolonged in patients treated initially with surgery.

Conclusions

A delay in the diagnosis of angiosarcoma can affect survival. Clinical suspicion and prompt diagnosis are essential for successful multimodal therapy. Initial surgical resection with adjuvant chemotherapy provides survival advantage.     

Endovascular reconstruction of extracranial traumatic internal carotid artery dissections: a systematic review

Neurosurgical Review - Extracranial internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) is a potential source of morbidity and mortality in trauma patients and requires high degree of suspicion for diagnosis...     

Prophylaxis of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism with low-molecular-weight heparin-tinzaparin: Real world evidence

Thromboprophylaxis, as a preventive measure for cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT), may be beneficial for patients with active cancer and high-risk for thrombosis. The present post hoc analysis include a total of 407 patients enrolled in the Greek Management of Thrombosis study, who received thromboprophylaxis with tinzaparin. The objectives of the present analysis were: i) To obtain sufficient evidence for the administration of prophylaxis in patients with active cancer, irrespective of Khorana risk assessment model score; ii) to identify the selection criteria for both dose and duration of tinzaparin; and iii) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tinzaparin administered for CAT prophylaxis. The main tumor types for the patients included in the present study were as follows: Lung (25.1%), pancreatic (14.3%), breast (9.1%), stomach (8.4%), colorectal (7.9%) and ovarian (7.6%). Furthermore, metastatic disease was observed in 69.5% of the patients. High thrombotic burden agents (HTBAs) were administered to 66.3% of the patients, and 17.4% received erythropoietin. A total of 43.7% of the patients exhibited a Khorana score <2. The results of the present study demonstrated that both the presence of metastatic disease and the use of HTBAs seemed to influence oncologists'' decisions for the use of thromboprophylaxis in patients with active cancer, regardless of Khorana score. Tinzaparin, in dose expressed in the standard notation for heparins, i.e., anti-Xa factor international units (Anti-Xa IU), was administered at an intermediate dose (InterD; 8,000-12,000 Anti-Xa IU; once daily) to 52.4% of patients, while the remaining patients received a prophylactic dose (ProD; ≤4,500 Anti-Xa IU; once daily). The average duration of thromoprophylaxis was 5 months. Furthermore, a total of 14 (3.4%) thrombotic events and 6 (1.5%) minor bleeding events were recorded. A total of four thrombotic events were observed following an InterD treatment of tinzaparin, while 10 thrombotic events were observed following ProD treatment. The present study also demonstrated that an InterD of tinzaparin was administered more frequently to patients with a body mass index >30 kg/m², a history of smoking and a history of metastatic disease, along with administration of erythropoietin. InterD tinzaparin treatment was found to be potentially more efficacious and without safety concerns. The present study is a registered clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov code, {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT03292107","term_id":"NCT03292107"}}NCT03292107; registration date, September 25, 2017).