The cost-of-illness for invasive meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis (MenB) in Germany

Introduction

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a severe disease mainly affecting infants and young children. The most common serogroup causing IMD in Germany is the serogroup type B Neisseria meningitidis (MenB). The aim of the present study is to estimate the economic burden of MenB-related IMD in Germany.

Reconstruction of parietal bone defects with adiposederived mesenchymal stem cells. Experimental study

Purpose:This study assessed the regeneration potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from adipose tissue associated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in bone regeneration.Methods:Thirty Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinos) were divided into five groups (according to the grafting material and time to euthanasia): (1) autograft - 14 days (control), (2) autograft - 28 days (control), (3) MSC + PRP - 14 days, (4) MSC + PRP + papaverine - 14 days and (5) MSC + PRP + papaverine - 28 days. After euthanasia, the graft was removed and histological slides were prepared. They were assessed by a blinded pathologist using a previously published histological scale as parameter.Results:There was some degree of neoformed bone trabeculae (NBT) in 93.3% of the samples, as well as osteoblastic activity (OA). The autograft groups (14 and 28 days) had higher levels in the formation of bone trabeculae. Nonparametric data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and proved not to be statistically significant at p < 0.05.Conclusions:Experimental parietal bone reconstruction, combining MSC, PRP and papaverine presented regeneration in all groups with no significant difference among them.Key words: Bone Regeneration, Platelet-Rich Plasma, Tissue Engineering, Rats     

Zinc sulfate addition to glass-ionomer-based cements: influence on physical and antibacterial properties, zinc and fluoride release.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of ZnSO(4) addition to a conventional glass ionomer and a resin-modified glass ionomer on solubility, flexural strength, zinc and fluoride (F) release, and Streptococcus mutans growth inhibition. METHODS: 5 or 10% ZnSO(4) was added to Vitremer and Ketac-Fil powders. Solubility test was performed based on ISO 7489. Flexural strength was determined by 3-point bending test based on ISO 4049. Zn release/uptake was determined by atomic emission spectrometry; F release/uptake was measured using a F-specific electrode. Both release measurements were performed for 15 d before and 15 d after recharging. Antibacterial test was conducted according to agar plate methods against S. mutans, by measuring the inhibition halos in 1-h and 15-d specimens. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. RESULTS: Solubility increased with higher ZnSO(4) content, but remained below the ISO 7489 limit. Flexural strength was not affected by ZnSO(4) addition, and Vitremer performed better than Ketac-Fil. The control materials released no zinc. Vitremer with 10% ZnSO(4) released the highest amount of zinc. Fluoride release was similar for Ketac-Fil and Vitremer. In both cases, the highest amounts were released in the first 24 h. The growth inhibition halo of S. mutans was similar for both materials with highest content of ZnSO(4) and occurred only with 1-h specimens. SIGNIFICANCE: Zinc addition decreased microorganisms growth and improved fluoride release, without significantly affecting the materials' flexural strength and solubility.