Bone Regeneration in Extraction Sockets with Autologous Platelet Rich Fibrin Gel

Aim

To evaluate the effects of autologous platelet rich fibrin gel (PRF gel) on bone regeneration following extraction.

Materials and Methods

The study design was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee. Study sample consisting of a total of 22 patients requiring bilateral transalveolar third molar extractions were included after written informed consent. One side was randomly chosen as case and the other side was the control. Autologous PRF gel was prepared from Fresh blood obtained from the patient. The PRF gel was placed in the extraction site and primary closure was obtained. The patient was called for a follow up on the first post op day, 1st week, one month, three month and six months post op. Regeneration of bone was measured using serial radiographs (RVG) at immediate post op, one, three and six months. This was then compared with the bone regeneration seen in the control group, with the radiographs taken at same intervals, to estimate the difference in bone regeneration if any. RVGs were assessed for amount of radiologic bone filling by the method described by Matteo Chiapasco et al.

Results and Conclusion

Higher mean pixels was recorded in cases compared to controls at all the time intervals viz., immediate post op, 1 month post op, 3 months post op and 6 months post op. However, the difference in the mean pixels recorded between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). For complete analysis, further follow up of the present patients and a larger sample size is required to obtain a conclusive result of the Bone Regeneration in extraction sockets with PRF gel.     

Blastomycosis of the vocal folds with life-threatening upper airway obstruction: a case report

Blastomycosis is a chronic fungal disease that primarily affects the lower respiratory tract. The acute inflammatory phase of the primary pulmonary infection is characterized by a lymphohematogenous spread to extrapulmonary sites, especially the skin. The presence of disseminated infection with Blastomyces dermatitidis in the larynx is unusual. In areas of the United States where this fungus is endemic, failure to consider laryngeal involvement might lead to inappropriate therapy and thus worsening inflammation and airway compromise.     

Novel imatinib-sensitive PDGFRA-activating point mutations in hypereosinophilic syndrome induce growth factor independence and leukemia-like disease

The FIP1L1-PDGFRA fusion is seen in a fraction of cases with a presumptive diagnosis of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). However, because most HES patients lack FIP1L1-PDGFRA, we studied whether they harbor activating mutations of the PDGFRA gene. Sequencing of 87 FIP1L1-PDGFRA-negative HES patients revealed several novel PDGFRA point mutations (R481G, L507P, I562M, H570R, H650Q, N659S, L705P, R748G, and Y849S). When cloned into 32D cells, N659S and Y849S and-on selection for high expressors-also H650Q and R748G mutants induced growth factor-independent proliferation, clonogenic growth, and constitutive phosphorylation of PDGFRA and Stat5. Imatinib antagonized Stat5 phosphorylation. Mutations involving positions 659 and 849 had been shown previously to possess transforming potential in gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Because H650Q and R748G mutants possessed only weak transforming activity, we injected 32D cells harboring these mutants or FIP1L1-PDGFRA into mice and found that they induced a leukemia-like disease. Oral imatinib treatment significantly decreased leukemic growth in vivo and prolonged survival. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that imatinib-sensitive PDGFRA point mutations play an important role in the pathogenesis of HES and we propose that more research should be performed to further define the frequency and treatment response of PDGFRA mutations in FIP1L1-PDGFRA-negative HES patients.     

Complex nocturnal visual hallucinations

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To describe the clinical features and associations of complex nocturnal visual hallucinations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 12 patients seen between 1997 and 2004 with complex nocturnal visual hallucinations. Charts were reviewed and data analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 12 patients, 11 were women. Vivid, silent, often distorted images of people and animals occurred after waking, disappearing with increased light. Idiopathic hypersomnia, beta blocker use, dementia with Lewy bodies, macular degeneration and anxiety were associated factors. The hallucinations appeared to be a primary parasomnia in four patients with anxiety being the only associated feature. CONCLUSIONS: Complex nocturnal visual hallucinations represent a well-defined syndrome with diverse causes which should be differentiated from other parasomnias causing arousals.