Disease severity in respiratory syncytial virus infection: Role of host genetic variation

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in the pediatric population worldwide. The immunopathology of RSV infection varies considerably and severe disease occurs only in a minority of the population. There are many factors (host, viral, and environmental) that contribute to the complicated disease phenotype. In this regard, host factors are decisive for pulmonary susceptibility to RSV infection. Host genetic diversity certainly affects the balance between control of viral replication and tissue damage during RSV infection, consequently impacting on diseases outcome. In this review, we discuss the role of host genetic variation in disease caused by RSV aiming to highlight genetic risk factors for one of the most common diseases in early childhood. Our findings clearly indicate that the response of each individual to infection is influenced by genetic diversity mainly linked to the regulation of host immune responses. Future genetic association and functional studies using more powerful and consistently reproducible approaches will likely be able to confirm, refine, and expand our developing concept of RSV disease pathogenesis.     

Validation of biometric study of fetal mandibles by 3D tomodensitometric images

We carried out a biometric study of the mandible during the last two trimesters of fetal life using three-dimensional tomodensitometric images. We first validated the method of fetal mandible measurement from three-dimensional reconstructions, and then compared these measurements with direct measurements on dissected mandibles. Thanks to the biometric technique on three-dimensional images, dissection of mandibles is no longer necessary, allowing the material to be conserved for later studies. Tomodensitometric images of the whole fetal skull can be obtained in 10 minutes, a much shorter time than that required for dissection of the fetal mandible. Another major advantage is the possibility of computerized image storage, which allows subsequent studies on the same material, its observation and manipulation as well as exchange of findings with the research community, with no risk of damage to the original material.     

Personalized Cell Therapy for Pulpitis Using Autologous Dental Pulp Stem Cells and Leukocyte Platelet-rich Fibrin: A Case Report

Introduction

Regenerative endodontic procedures have emerged as a new treatment. The aim of this case report was to describe a regenerative autologous cellular therapy using mesenchymal stem cells from inflamed dental pulp and leukocyte platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) in a mature tooth.

CASE STUDIES for Dentistry: development of a tool to author interactive, multimedia, computer-based patient simulations

Computer-based patient simulations have been used to enhance the dental curriculum since the 1980s. This article describes the development of CASE STUDIES for Dentistry (CSD), a patient case simulation building template, developed at Virginia Commonwealth University, with which authors who have no programming expertise can create realistic, effective, interactive multimedia patient simulations by entering their own information and images into a straightforward, fill in the blanks interface. This program was written with Authorware, by Macromedia Inc. Design considerations included emphasis on information collection and analysis, synthesis of collected information, hypothesis proposal and testing, diagnosis, and treatment planning. The program consists of easily accessible interfaces for both authors and students. Authors build simulated patients using typed-in text and their own images. Faculty can build computer-based simulated patients so that students can immediately practice what they learn in class within a simulated doctor-patient relationship. CSD allows building simulations ranging from simple to complex patients in multiple disciplines. Robust feedback and other features allow students to learn both process and content in a self-directed, interactive environment.     

Proboscis lateralis: a rare craniofacial anomaly, reconstruction, and long-term evaluation

Proboscis lateralis is a rare spontaneous congenital anomaly that results from a failure of normal embryological nasal development. The ensuing deformity consists of imbrication of the nasal soft tissues into a tubelike proboscis and can be associated with ipsilateral heminasal aplasia, choanal atresia, and multiple other abnormalities. A case report of a patient with proboscis lateralis is presented, with a 27-year follow-up detailing the complexities of long-term surgical management. After 15 major surgical interventions, there is relatively normal facial symmetry, but abnormalities remain with the underlying craniofacial skeleton and nasopharyngeal airway. Proboscis lateralis is not an isolated soft tissue abnormality but is a craniofacial defect that requires a long-term multidisciplinary approach to the surgical timing and treatment with lifelong follow-up.     

Low-level laser effect on neural regeneration in Gore-Tex tubes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of low-level laser (LLL) irradiation on neural regeneration in surgically created defects in the rabbit inferior alveolar nerve. STUDY DESIGN: Five adult female New Zealand White rabbits underwent bilateral exposure of the inferior alveolar nerve. A 6-mm segment of nerve was resected, and the nerve gap was repaired via entubulation by using a Gore-Tex conduit. The experimental side received 10 postoperative LLL treatments with a 70-mW gallium-aluminum-arsenide diode at 4 sites per treatment. At 15 weeks after surgery, the nerve segments were harvested bilaterally and prepared for light microscopy. Basic fuchsin and toluidine blue were used to highlight myelinated axons. The segments were examined histomorphometrically by using computer analysis to determine mean axonal diameter, total fascicular surface area, and axonal density along the repair sites. RESULTS: Gross examination of all nerves showed intact neural bundles with variable degrees of osseous remodeling. Light microscopic evaluation revealed organized regenerated neural tissue in both groups with more intrafascicular perineural tissue in the control group. Histomorphometric evaluation revealed increased axonal density in the laser treated group as compared with the control. CONCLUSIONS: LLL irradiation may be a useful noninvasive adjunct to promote neuronal wound healing in surgically created defects repaired with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene entubulation.     

Effect of magnification on locating the MB2 canal in maxillary molars

The purpose of this study was to determine if the surgical operating microscope and/or dental loupes could enhance the practitioner's ability to locate the second mesiobuccal canal (MB2) canal of maxillary molars in an in vivo, clinical setting. The participating endodontists documented 312 cases of root canal therapy on maxillary first and second molars. Participants that used the microscope or dental loupes located the MB2 canal with a frequency of 57.4% and 55.3%, respectively. Those using no magnification located the MB2 canal with a frequency of 18.2%. When no magnification was used, significantly fewer MB2 canals were located based by Chi-square analysis at p < 0.01. There was no significant difference between the use of the microscope and dental loupes in the frequency of locating the MB2 canal. When the maxillary first molars were considered separately, the frequency of MB2 canal detection for the microscope, dental loupes, and no magnification groups was 71.1%, 62.5%, and 17.2%, respectively. The results of this study show that the use of magnification in combined groups leads to a MB2 detection rate approximately three times that of the nonmagnification group and that the use of no magnification results in the location of significantly fewer MB2 canals. Based on these results, more emphasis should be placed on the importance of using magnification for locating the MB2 canal.