The prevalence of scrotal tongue and geographic tongue in 70,359 Israeli schoolchildren

abstract The prevalence of scrotal and geographic tongue among 70,359 Israeli schoolchildren was examined according to age, sex and father's country of birth. Scrotal tongue was observed in 1.96 % of the population, but increased with age from 0.60 % at 7 years to 3.76 % at 12–18 years. Males had a significantly higher prevalence. There were significant differences in the prevalence among the different population groups examined, in that the Ashkenazi had a higher prevalence (2.17 %) than both the non-Ashkenazi (1.93 %) and the Israeli (1.70%). Prevalence of geographic tongue was 1.14% and was not associated with age. Males had a significantly higher prevalence. The differences between the population groups were significant. A highly significant association was found in the occurrence of scrotal and geographic tongue.     

Partial pulpotomy as a treatment alternative for exposed pulps in crown-fractured permanent incisors

Abstract Sixty-three vital permanent incisors with complicated crown fractures were treated by partial pulpotomy and assessed clinically and radiographically for healing. Healing of the pulp was considered to have taken place when the following criteria were fulfilled: absence of clinical symptoms, radiographic evidence of dentin bridge formation, no intrapulpal or periapical pathosis, continued root development in immature teeth, and a positive response to electrical pulp testing. The treatment was successful in 59 teeth (94%). In the remaining 4 teeth, necrosis of the pulp was diagnosed clinically and radiographically 3 weeks to 6 months after treatment. The high frequency of healing in both the present and previous studies seems to justify recommending partial pulpotomy as the treatment of choice in crown-fractured teeth with pulp exposure.     

Variation in the LRP-associated protein gene (LRPAP1) is associated with late-onset Alzheimer disease.

The LRP-associated protein is involved in the amount of mature LRP expressed on liver and brain. LRP is the main ApoE receptor and also binds alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha2M), a protein that associates with the beta-amyloid protein (betaA). By binding to alpha2M, LRP is responsible for the clearance of secreted betaA, thus preventing fibril formation. Genetic variation at the APOE, A2M, and LRP genes has been associated with the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD). We genotyped 373 patients, 300 controls, and 100 healthy elderly controls for a common DNA-polymorphism at the LRPAP1 gene (Insertion/Deletion, intron 5). Homozygotes for the rare Insertion (I) allele were at a significantly lower frequency in patients compared with controls (P = 0.002; OR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.13, 0.68), and in patients compared with healthy elderly controls (P = 0.0002; OR = 0.18; 95% CI = 0.07, 0.46). No patient with an age at the onset below 75 years was II (0 of 214) compared with 8 in the group above 75 years (8 of 159) (P = 0.0044), suggesting that this genotype delays the onset of the disease. According to our data, the variation at the LRPAP1 gene is associated with the risk of developing LOAD. This is in agreement with the role of the LRPAP1 protein in the amyloidogenic pathway.     

Therapeutic potential of melatonin related to its role as an autophagy regulator: A review

There are several pathologies, syndromes, and physiological processes in which autophagy is involved. This process of self‐digestion that cells trigger as a survival mechanism is complex and tightly regulated, according to the homeostatic conditions of the organ. However, in all cases, its relationship with oxidative stress alterations is evident, following a pathway that suggests endoplasmic reticulum stress and/or mitochondrial changes. There is accumulating evidence of the beneficial role that melatonin has in the regulation and restoration of damaged autophagic processes. In this review, we focus on major physiological changes such as aging and essential pathologies including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, viral infections and obesity, and document the essential role of melatonin in the regulation of autophagy in each of these different situations.     

Administration of antithymocyte serum modifies the response of Calomys musculinus to junin virus infection

Approximately 80% of Calomys musculinus inoculated with an attenuated strain of Junin virus (JV) developed a lethal encephalitis. Antithymocyte serum, a potent suppressor of T-cell-mediated immunity, was studied for its effect on JV pathogenicity. Early administration of an anti-C. musculinus thymocyte serum (ACTS) to neonatal animals significantly diminished clinical disease and death and abrogated brain damage, which is usually associated with viral presence in the brain. Late ACTS administration did not modify the pattern of JV infection. These results suggest that immune mechanisms participate in the pathogenesis of JV infection for its main natural host.     

Mouthguard: a new technique for the partially edentulous patient

Over the last decades, several articles have corroborated the need of using mouthguards in sports activities, manufactured with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) as their main material. There are different mouthguards techniques used by dentists worldwide to prevent injuries. A technique has been developed to help athletes, especially the partially edentulous patients, who were not getting the proper protection. The mouthguard technique consists in making EVA fillings to improve the adjustment and esthetics of mouthguard used by athletes. It is the authors′ conviction that the technique may prevent injuries in sports activities without impairing the athletes′ safety and esthetics.