71 research outputs found
Distribution and developmental expression of the AQP7 and AQP8 water channels in rat testis and epididymis
No full textCOVID-19: dalle indicazioni ministeriali per la fase 2 alla nuova visione di odontoiatria sicura, sostenibile e centrata sul paziente
No full textLa pandemia COVID-19, originaria di Wuhan in Cina, è diventata una grande sfida per la salute pubblica globale, modificando radicalmente la vita di tutti i giorni e le attività lavorative, specialmente quelle di ambito sanitario tra cui l’attività odontoiatrica.
È stato necessario attuare delle misure di controllo delle infezioni per prevenire ulteriori diffusioni del virus. L’alto livello di attenzione che si è riusciti a raggiungere nella fase acuta della pandemia stessa ha determinato un efficiente bio-contenimento.
Si impone, sin dalla fase 2, un ragionato e idoneo adeguamento di protocolli operativi di prevenzione e protezione. Prudenza, perizia e diligenza devono essere i punti cardine per l’odontoiatra (e tutto il team), atti a garantire sicurezza durante l’attività lavorativa per sé stessi e per i pazienti.
Questi ultimi, in particolare, necessitano di rassicurazioni esteriori (e.g. un ambiente sicuro e attento al bio-contenimento) e sub-liminali (e.g. workflow standardizzati da parte degli operatori), soprattutto dopo questo periodo buio per la salute mondiale che può aver amplificato la diffidenza verso tutte quelle prestazioni che trasmettono loro paura per il contagio. Un paziente spaventato evita le cure, mettendo a rischio la sua salute orale: l’odontoiatra deve essere capace di instaurare un rapporto empatico con tutti i suoi pazienti, soprattutto con quelli di difficile gestione, informandoli e rassicurandoli.
Questo articolo, basato sull’esperienza degli autori, sulle linee guida ministeriali e sulla letteratura pertinente, introduce elementi di novità sulla gestione odontoiatrica nel post COVID-19 e fornisce utili suggerimenti nella gestione odontoiatrica sia tecnica sia comportamentale
COVID-19 and periodontitis: reflecting on a possible association
No full textRecent studies have demonstrated a relationship between the severe clinical course of COVID-19 and other chronic diseases such as: cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity and chronic renal disease. It may be possible to extend this association to a common and chronic oral disease in adults: periodontitis. Alternatively, the latter could be simply related to the systemic chronic diseases cited above, as already observed in the non-COVID-19 literature. In order to provide an overview and their opinion, the authors in this perspective article will report and discuss the most recent references of interest relating to COVID-19 and periodontitis pathophysiology. Within such a narrative review, the authors will hypothesize that the association between chronic periodontitis and COVID-19 could exist via two pathways: a direct link, through the ACEII and CD147 receptors used by the virus to infect the cells, which would occur in greater numbers in cases of periodontitis (thereby favoring a SARS-CoV-2 infection); and/or an indirect pathway involving the overexpression of inflammatory molecules, especially IL-6 and IL-17. An expression of the latter has been found to play a role in periodontitis, in addition to severe cases of COVID-19, although it is still unclear if it plays a direct role in the worsening of the clinical course
Possible involvement of aquaporin-7 and -8 in rat testis development and spermatogenesis
No full textFluid secretion and reabsorption are of central importance in male reproductive (MR) physiology. However, the related molecular mechanisms are poorly known. Here, potential roles for AQP7 and AQP8, two aquaporin water channels abundantly expressed in the MR tract, were investigated by studying their expression and distribution in the developing testis of the Wistar rat. By semiquantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting, first expression of AQP7 was noted at postnatal day 45 (P45), with levels increasing substantially at P90 and remaining at high levels thereafter. AQP8 began to be expressed at P15, rapidly increased until P20, and remained fairly stable thereafter. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated AQP7 in elongated spermatids, testicular spermatozoa, and residual bodies at P45 with increased signal intensity thereafter. AQP8 was observed in primary spermatocytes from P20 to P30 and, in elongated spermatids, residual bodies and Sertoli cells at P30 and thereafter. The ontogeny and distribution of AQP7 and AQP8 in rat testis suggest involvement in major physiologic changes in testis development and spermatogenesis
Expression and localization of the aquaporin-8 water channel in rat gastrointestinal tract
No full textRelationship between the healing rate of post-extraction sites and the quantity of platelets present in the blood: a retrospective observational study
No full textBackground: In daily surgical practice, the dentist deals with various types of oral surgery. At the first visit, the patient fills out a questionnaire about their state of health. If the questionnaire does not reveal any particular hematological problems, no special tests are usually required to determine the platelet count. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the healing process of patients and its correlation with platelet levels before surgery. Methods: A total of 50 patients were included in whom blood chemistry tests were performed with special attention to the platelet count and before their mandibular eights were extracted .The type of healing (EHI) and pain on the second day (VAS) were assessed using methods validated in the literature. Results: After the EHI and VAS scores were noted in the medical records, envelopes containing the platelet scores of the previously requested blood samples, which were not read at the time of observation, were opened. An increase in EHI scores and a decrease in VAS scores was observed that were statistically significantly correlated with increasing platelet scores. Conclusions: These results suggest that the dentist should request chemistry tests on preoperative blood, especially if the patient is to undergo a particularly demanding oral surgical procedure, such as implants, guided bone regeneration or complex extractions
Sex and Gender-Related Differences in the Outcome of Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Current Concepts Review
No full textBackground and Objectives: Sex and gender-related differences may influence the outcome of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). The present paper aims to depict the importance of sex and gender-related issues in the perioperative management of patients undergoing THA to improve clinical outcomes and prevent postoperative complications. Materials and Methods: From January 2002 to August 2022, OVID-MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPU S, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed were searched to identify relevant studies for further analysis. The search strategy included the following terms: ((“gender-related differences” [MeSH Terms] OR “sex-related differences” [All Fields]) OR (“gender indicators” [MeSH Terms] OR “sex” [All Fields])) AND (“total hip arthroplasty” [MeSH Terms] OR (total hip replacement [All Fields])). Results: Twenty-eight papers were included in this current concepts review. Sex and gender-related differences were analyzed with regard to the following points: (1) surgical approach, robotic surgery, scar cosmesis, and implant choice; (2) postoperative clinical outcome and complications; (3) sexual activity after THA; and (4) psychological status and daily functional requirements. The data analysis showed that female patients need more specific attention in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases to improve clinical and functional outcomes, reduce complications risk, and manage patient satisfaction. Conclusions: THA outcomes may be influenced by sex and gender-related factors which should be carefully assessed and addressed in patients undergoing surgery to improve the postoperative outcomes of patients’ satisfaction and reduce postoperative complications that can differ between the two sexes
Maria Adelaide brace in the management of Scheuermann’s Kyphosis
No full textPurpose: This prospective observational study aims to assess the MA brace effectiveness in hyperkyphosis correction, focusing also on patients’ compliance of bracing and its psychological impact. Methods: Patients referring to our spine outpatient department with Scheuermann’s kyphosis (SK) from January 2011 to January 2017 were prospectively recruited. Patients were divided into two groups, according to their global thoracic kyphosis (TK): Group-A TKT0 < 60°, Group-B TKT0 ≥ 60°. The MA brace was prescribed according to SRS criteria. Full spine X-rays were analyzed at conventional times: at the beginning of treatment (T0), at 6-months follow-up (T1, in-brace X-rays), at the end of treatment (T2) and at 2-year minimum follow-up from bracing removal (T3). At T0, T2 and T3 all the patients were assessed using the Italian Version of the SRS-22 Patient Questionnaire (I-SRS22). Variability between and within-groups was assessed; a p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: 192 adolescents (87 girls and 105 boys, mean age 13.1) were recruited. The mean global TK at recruitment was 61.9° ± 11.3°, the mean follow-up time was 57.4 months. A good patients’ reported compliance was observed: 84.9% of patients used the brace as scheduled. A mean in-brace correction (in-brace TK%) of 37.4% was observed and a mean final correction (TK%T3) of 31.6%. At final follow-up (T3), curve reduction (ΔTK ≤ − 5°) was observed in 60.4% of patients and curve stabilization (− 5° < ΔTK < 5) in 29.7% of patients. At baseline, worse SRS22-mental health (p = 0.023) and self-image mean scores (p = 0.001) were observed in Group-B, compared with Group-A. At the end of treatment (T2), an improvement of all items was observed, wit significantly better improvement of self-image domain in Group-B. Conclusion: The MA brace has shown to be effective in the management of SK; good patients’ reported compliance and a positive effect on the patients’ mental status were recorded
Expression and immunolocalization of the aquaporin-8 water channel in rat gastrointestinal tract
No full textA remarkable amount of water is transported in the gastrointestinal (GI) organs to fulfil the secretory and absorptive functions of the GI tract. However, the molecular basis of water movement in the GI epithelial barriers is still poorly known. Important cities about the mechanisms by which water is transported in the GI tract were provided by the recent identification of multiple aquaporin water channels expressed in GI tissues. Here we define the mRNA and protein expression and the cellular and subcellular distribution of aquaporin-8 (AQP8) in the rat GI tract. By semi-quantitative RT-PCR the A QP8 mRNA was detected in duodenum, proximal jejunum, proximal colon, rectum, pancreas and liver and, to a lesser extent, in stomach and distal colon. Immunohistochemistry using affinity-purified antibodies revealed AQP8 staining in the absorptive epithelial cells of duodenum, proximal jejunum, proximal colon and rectum where labeling was largely intracellular and confined to the subapical cytoplasm. Confirming previous results, AQP8 staining was seen at the apical pole of pancreatic acinar cells. Interestingly, both light and immuno-electron microscopy analyses showed AQP8 reactivity in liver where labeling was associated to hepatocyte intracellular vesicles and over the plasma membrane delimiting the bile canaliculi. A complex pattern was observed by immunoblotting with total membranes of the above GI organs incubated with affinity-purified anti-AQP8 antibodies which revealed multiple bands with molecular masses ranging between 28 and 45 kDa. This immunoblotting pattern was not modified after deglycosylation with N-glycosidase F except the 34-kDa band of liver that, as already reported, was partially down-shifted to 28 kDa. No bands were detected after preadsorption of the anti-AQP8 antibodies with the immunizing peptide. The cellular and subcellular distribution of AQP8 suggest physiological roles for this aquaporin in the absorption of water in the intestine and the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice in liver and pancreas, respectively. The large intracellular expression of AQP8 may indicate its recycling between the cytoplasmic compartment and the plasma membrane. The cytoplasmic localization observed may also relate to the involvement of AQP8 in processes of intracellular osmoregulation
Gestational all-trans retinoic acid treatment in the rat: Neurofunctional changes and cerebellar phenotype
No full textNeurofunctional effects produced by gestational all-trans retinoic acid
(all-trans RA) treatment were investigated in the offspring of Sprague-Dawley
rats. Reproduction data, onset of reflexive behavior, locomotor activity, motor
coordination and motor learning were examined. Moreover, possible changes in size
and morphology of the cerebellum were evaluated. The results show that all-trans
RA treatment (2.5 mg/kg, by gavage) on gestational days (GD) 11-13 significantly
increased postnatal mortality and decreased pup weight gain. Moreover, all-trans
RA-treated rats showed a significant delay in eyes opening, hair growth as well
as in the maturation of righting reflex, cliff aversion and pole grasping.
All-trans RA treatment significantly impaired the ambulatory activity in adult
rats without altering the number of rearings. All-trans RA-treated rats subjected
to the rotarod/accelerod task showed significant impairment in both motor
coordination and motor learning ability. The morphological analysis revealed a
significant reduction in the cerebellar size and impairment in foliation profile,
at PND 3 with subsequent recovery at PNDs 8 and 40. The evidence that functional
alterations increase with age and persist in adulthood whereas the morphological
changes decline with age, strongly supports the view that, besides the cerebellum
morphology, the organization of the cerebellar circuitry, and in particular of
cortico-cerebellar connections, are also affected by all-trans RA treatment
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