Ethanol consumption enhances periodontal inflammatory markers in rats

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the short term effect of ethanol administration on periodontal disease in rats.DesignRats received either ethanol 2 g/kg or water by gastric gavage twice a day. On the fifth day ligatures were tied around the molars of half of the rats to induce periodontitis. After 7 days gingival tissue was removed and assayed for inflammatory markers. Finally, hemi-mandibles were extracted to evaluate bone loss by histomorphometrical techniques.ResultsThe experimental periodontitis increased significantly the mRNA expression (p < 0.001) and activity (p < 0.001) of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the gingival tissue, whilst short time ethanol administration increased iNOS activity (p < 0.05) and produced an additive effect on iNOS mRNA expression augmented by periodontitis (p < 0.01). The short time ethanol administration also potentiated the periodontitis stimulatory effect on the mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1β (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, in semi-quantitative and real time PCR, respectively) and on the height of periodontal ligament (p < 0.05). However, the ligature-induced periodontitis, but not ethanol administration, increased the prostaglandin E₂ content (p < 0.05) and, diminished the alveolar bone volume (p < 0.05), as compared to sham rats.ConclusionThe present results suggest that ethanol consumption could represent a risk indicator for periodontal disease since augments the expression of inflammatory markers, in healthy rats, and increases them, at short term, during the illness. However, scale longitudinal investigation and more case–control studies are needed to confirm this statement.     

Minimally invasive intervention of acute trauma in the primary dentition: Successful five-year follow-up

The main objectives of diagnosis and treatment of traumatic injuries affecting children in the primary dentition are pain management and prevention of damage to the developing tooth germ. Inappropriate approaches to treating dental trauma can cause more damage than the trauma itself; for this reason, minimal intervention presents a low risk of sequelae development in the permanent successor teeth. This case describes a five-year follow-up of acute trauma in the primary dentition. Conservative management with minimal intervention of the traumatized teeth was adopted. The traumatized teeth were followed until eruption of their permanent successors. The permanent teeth erupted in the correct order. The conservative management was a success and resulted in normal eruption of the permanent teeth with no sequelae.     

Identification of a basal-like subtype of breast ductal carcinoma in situ

Microarray profiling of invasive breast carcinomas has identified subtypes including luminal A, luminal B, HER2-overexpressing, and basal-like. The poor-prognosis, basal-like tumors have been immunohistochemically characterized as estrogen receptor (ER)-negative, HER2/neu-negative, and cytokeratin 5/6-positive and/or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of basal-like ductal carcinoma in situ in a population-based series of cases using immunohistochemical surrogates. A total of 245 pure ductal carcinoma in situ cases from a population-based, case-control study were evaluated for histologic characteristics and immunostained for ER, HER2/neu, EGFR, cytokeratin 5/6, p53, and Ki-67. The subtypes were defined as: luminal A (ER+, HER2-), luminal B (ER+, HER2+), HER2 positive (ER-, HER2+), and basal-like (ER-, HER2-, EGFR+, and/or cytokeratin 5/6+). The prevalence of breast cancer subtypes was basal-like (n = 19 [8%]); luminal A, n = 149 (61%); luminal B, n = 23 (9%); and HER2+/ER-, n = 38 (16%). Sixteen tumors (6%) were unclassified (negative for all 4 defining markers). The basal-like subtype was associated with unfavorable prognostic variables including high-grade nuclei (P < .0001), p53 overexpression (P < .0001), and elevated Ki-67 index (P < .0001). These studies demonstrate the presence of a basal-like in situ carcinoma, a potential precursor lesion to invasive basal-like carcinoma.     

Self-inflicted oral trauma in a baby with Moebius syndrome

Moebius syndrome (MS) is a rare disorder mainly characterized by bi- or unilateral palsy of the facial and abducens nerves. Among the various orofacial characteristics related to this syndrome, the following are pointed out, difficulty with sucking, tongue malformation, mandibular hypoplasia, saliva drooling, arched palate and micrognathia. In spite of the diversity of oral features described for these patients, self-inflicted oral trauma has not yet been reported. Therefore, the purposes of the present report were to describe an unusual case of a baby with Moebius syndrome who had a parafunctional habit that resulted in a persistent traumatic lesion of the lower lip, and discuss the treatment performed.