Correlation of Platelet Growth Factor Release in Jawbone Defect Repair – A Study in the Dog Mandible

Background: Platelet concentrate/platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) has been studied extensively in various experimental models and there is some agreement among workers to its early effect in bone regeneration and healing. We have earlier showed in vitro that titanium in whole blood activates the thrombogenic response to a higher degree than PRP and that a fluoridated test surface augmented the effect compared with control. Purpose: We designed this study to evaluate the effect of PRP and whole blood on bone regeneration in a dog implant defect model and, in addition, the effect of a test surface modified in hydrofluoric acid. A correlation attempt between platelet count, release of growth factors, and bone regeneration was made. Materials and Methods: Six dogs were used and simultaneously with the experimental surgery and implant installation, autologous PRP was prepared. Defects were prepared (6 mm in diameter and 5 mm deep), and implants were installed (TiO₂ gritblasted and hydrofluoric acid treated [test] or TiO₂ gritblasted [control], 5 mm in diameter and 9 mm long) in defects filled with either PRP or whole blood. Randomization of sides between PRP and whole blood, and sites for test and control implants were made. Blood samples were collected from PRP and whole blood. The dogs were killed after 5 weeks of healing, and samples with implants and surrounding bone were collected and processed for analysis. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were used for detection of growth factors in PRP. Results: The mean increase of platelet count was 424% in PRP. A correlation for platelet counts and transforming growth factor β was found in each dog (r² = 0.857). Approximately 50% of the region of interest (ROI) in the defects was filled with new bone after 5 weeks. No difference could be observed in ROI by using PRP or whole blood in the defects regarding new bone formation, bone in contact with implant, or distance to first bone contact. However, the fluoridated implants exhibited more new bone formation (p = .03) compared with control, regardless of comparing PRP or whole blood, and also displayed a shorter distance from first bone contact to the margin of the bone envelope (p = .05). Conclusions: Platelet concentrate/PRP failed to show more new bone regeneration in a peri‐implant defect model compared with whole blood. Implants treated with hydrofluoric acid displayed higher percentages of bone fill in the defect.     

Coronary bypass graft patency cannot be determined by multidetector spiral computed tomography

Objectives. Angiography by selective catheterization is the reference standard for coronary bypass graft patency assessment but carries a risk of serious complications. We have investigated whether 16-slice multidetector spiral computed tomography (MDCT) can substitute for selective angiography. Design. Two to three years after coronary artery bypass grafting, 45 patients with a total of 156 bypasses (100 single and 28 sequential grafts) were examined with both MDCT and conventional selective angiography on the same day. The bypasses were classified as patent, stenotic or occluded. Results. The likelihood ratio for MDCT-detected occlusion was 40, reflecting a fairly high combined sensitivity and specificity. However, 24% of the distal anastomoses could not be evaluated by MDCT, mainly because of respiratory movements, artifacts due to metal clips, and small vessel dimensions. Moreover, seven out of 117 bypasses (6%) deemed evaluable by MDCT were wrongly classified by this method. Conclusions. At present, 16-slice MDCT cannot replace selective angiography for assessment of coronary bypass graft patency since 24% of bypasses could not be evaluated by this method, and an error rate of 6% is unacceptable.     

Characterization of divergent and atypical canine coronaviruses from Sweden

Summary Field canine coronaviruses (CCVs) identified during a series of outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Swedish dogs were subjected to genetic analysis involving the open reading frame 1b (ORF1b) and the membrane (M) and spike (S) protein genes. Four field viruses originating from the Stockholm region presented identical sequences and segregated separately from other CCVs characterized so far and from GOT/05, the variant recovered in Western Sweden. A recombinant origin of the fifth virus identified in the Stockholm region is suggested. In addition, the five viruses originating from the same geographical area displayed atypical 5′ S gene sequences.     

Association between lung function decline and obstructive sleep apnoea: the ALEC study

Sleep and Breathing - To study changes in lung function among individuals with a risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and if asthma affected this relationship. We used data from the European...