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Biomedical subjects

Antonio Carrassi

Publications and source records attributed to Antonio Carrassi.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Characterization of induced mucosal connective tissue separation--a comparison of six different techniques.

BACKGROUND: Artificial separation of oral mucosa into epithelium and connective tissue represents the first step in investigating both the basement membrane zone and its two components (epithelium and connective tissue) separately. It is a useful tool in analysing the possible role of hepatitis C virus in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP). The aim of the present study was to test different methods to separate the epithelium from the connective tissue of oral mucosa affected by OLP as a preliminary step for further immunohistochemical or molecular investigations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen tissue biopsies of the oral mucosa of clinically and histopathologically confirmed OLP lesions underwent epithelial connective separation (ECS) using six different reagents. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Among the separation methods tested, CaCl2 1 M at 37 degrees C for 30 min, NaCl 1 M at 4 degrees C for 26 h and elastase at 4 degrees C for 22 h allowed good ECS without structural alteration or tissue loss. The present study provides useful information regarding techniques to separate the epithelium from the connective tissue as a preliminary step to investigate oral mucosa affected by OLP from an immunohistochemical or molecular viewpoint.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Causative or precipitating aspects of burning mouth syndrome: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: On causative or precipitating causes of burning mouth syndrome (BMS), there is a lack of consensus. In this prospective case-control study, we compared clinical features and laboratory aspects to evaluate the association of the proposed causative/precipitating factors of BMS. METHODS: A total of 61 BMS patients and 54 control subjects underwent several evaluations: rest and stimulated salivary flow rates measurements, laboratory tests, isolation of Candida species, assessment of parafunctional activities, detection of anxiety and depression by means of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated to compare the variables. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found with regard to the tested variables except for anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study seem not to support a role for the usually reported causative or precipitating factors of BMS and efforts should be addressed towards different aetiologies including possible neuropathic mechanisms of BMS.

Anxiety↗
PubMed2005

Oral malignancies following HSCT: graft versus host disease and other risk factors.

Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), a procedure that is widely used in the treatment of a large number of malignant and non-malignant hematological diseases, is still associated with a wide range of complications, one of the most important of which is graft versus host disease (GVHD). The patients undergoing allogenic HSCT are also at high risk of developing secondary neoplasms, particularly leukemias and lymphomas. Solid tumors are less frequent, and the incidence appears to increase over time; the most frequent solid tumors are squamous cell carcinomas. We found that almost all studies of solid cancers occurring after transplantation are based on relatively small numbers of cases which have been monitored for short periods, and little information is available on individual cancers. In particular, reports of oral cancers in HSCT are very few. Potential risk factors associated with the development of secondary solid cancers after HSCT have been well described. They include graft versus host disease (GVHD), preoperative regimens, with either radio-chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone, conditioning regimes, immunosuppressive GVHD prophylaxis, viral infection and chronic stimulation as a result of viral antigens, antigenic stimulation from histocompatibility differences between recipient and donor, primary diagnosis, interaction of any of these factors with genetic predisposition, and other factors such as sex and age. All patients treated with HSCT should therefore be closely followed over the long term with the aim of identifying the onset of secondary tumors as early as possible.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed2005

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity associated with graft versus host disease: report of a case and review of the literature.

Allogenic peripheral stem cell transplantation (HSCT), a procedure that is widely used in the treatment of a large number of malignant and nonmalignant hematological diseases, is still associated with a wide range of complications, one of the most important of which is graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT are at high risk of developing secondary neoplasms, particularly leukemias and lymphomas. Solid tumors are less frequent, but their incidence seems to be higher in the patients who develop GVHD; the most frequent solid tumors are squamous cell carcinomas. We here describe the clinical course and histopathologic aspects of a squamous cell carcinoma arising on GVHD-induced oral lesions in a 53-year-old woman with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma undergoing allogeneic HSCT. Immediately after the transplantation, the patient developed GVHD involving the gastroenteric tract, skin, joints, and oral cavity, which was treated with cyclosporin, prednisone, azathioprine, colchicine, and photophereses. In addition to the sporadic reports of similar pictures published in the literature (16 cases of squamous cell carcinoma owing to oral GVHD in patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT), our case underlines the susceptibility of HSCT patients with oral GVHD to carcinoma of the oral cavity. All patients treated with allogeneic HSCT (particularly those who have developed GVHD) should therefore undergo a careful examination of the oral mucosa and be closely followed up over the long term with the aim of identifying the onset of secondary tumors as early as possible.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗
PubMed2005

Tissue healing in implants immediately placed into postextraction sockets: a pilot study in a mini-pig model.

OBJECTIVE: A pilot in vivo study was conducted to evaluate (1) the rate of osseointegration at apical, middle, and coronal levels of oral implants immediately installed into fresh extraction sockets; (2) the maturation of the newly formed bone surrounding implants during 60 days of healing; and (3) the epithelium seal development. STUDY DESIGN: The premolars of 8 male adult mini-pigs were extracted at each mandibular site under general anesthesia. In the experimental side, Frialit-2 implants were immediately inserted. The gap between bone and implants ranged between 3 and 6 mm circumferencially. Bone specimens were obtained at 7, 15, 30, and 60 days after surgery for histologic and histomorphometric studies. Bone-to-implant contact (BIC), bone volume, trabecular thickness, number, and separation were recorded. Nonparametric exact tests were used to evaluate data. RESULTS: BIC at the coronal level was observed close to 0% at day 7 and increased up to 60% at day 60 after surgery on an average. BIC increased from 11.7% to 47.38% at middle level and from 53.4% to 67.38% at apical level from day 7 to day 60. With respect to bone maturation, in the earlier stages of healing, many thin trabeculae were observed, which, particularly at coronal level, became significantly fewer and thicker in more advanced stages. At day 60, the features of the bone were similar to those of baseline. The epithelium never migrated more than 1.8 mm apically to the top of the alveolar bone level. CONCLUSION: When implants are placed immediately into fresh extraction sockets, in minipig models osseointegration also occurs without initial bone contact.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2003

Gingival lesions in a patient with chronic oral graft-versus-host disease: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The patient reported in this study was diagnosed with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia and underwent an allogenic bone marrow transplantation. She was referred for persisting oral ulceration and pain associated with the transplant procedure. AIM: To present an unusual involvement of gingival tissues during a case of oral chronic graft-versus-host-disease. CONCLUSION: This is one of the very few reports in the dental literature of a case of oral chronic graft-versus-host disease that includes the unusual manifestation of prominent gingival lesions.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2002

Labial piercing resulting in gingival recession. A case series.

Several complications of oral piercing have been recently reported in the medical and dental literature. Even though few people have had problems related to oral piercing, dentists should familiarise themselves with the potential associated oral and dental problems. We present three cases of young people with gingival recession in the mandibular incisor area related to labial piercing. The clinical examination and the dental history of the three cases revealed the relationship between the gingival recession and the presence of labial piercing. In particular, a stud in the lower lip was held in place by a metal disk on the inner labial mucosa in each case. The metal disk was in close proximity to the mandibular front teeth and it would appear that it was responsible for local trauma and recession. This case series reinforces previously reported concerns regarding the practice of piercing and the role of the dentist, both in advising patients with oral or facial piercing and in the treatment of related oral, gingival and dental problems.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

2.3 Towards global convergence of education, training, quality, outcome and assessment.

The purpose of this section's report is to propose strategies which will help those committed to promoting and implementing higher standards in dental education. There is a wide variety of systems throughout the world. These systems are developed, governed, operated and applied differently. Their standards, whether they are controlled by governments (federal and/or state), councils, universities or professional organizations are frequently determined cooperatively with dental educators, so that there is often some agreement among interested constituencies as to the content and application of the standards. These standards, whether they be called 'accreditation standards"requirements' or 'guidelines' (formal or informal), or written as laws or statutes reflect a region's history, traditions, culture and socio-economic realities. The emphasis in this report will be on the development of an organic or growing electronic database containing worldwide information relating to standards in dental education. This database might contain or be linked with similar sources detailing, inter alia, best practices, innovations and core values as they relate to the convergence of standards in education, professional training, continuous quality analysis, assessment and outcome. The linking of such a database to others containing electronic curricular modules, clinical management and practice information needs to be further developed.

Accreditation↗
PubMed2002

Systematic review of randomized trials for the treatment of oral leukoplakia.

Oral leukoplakia is a relatively common oral lesion that, in a varying proportion of cases, undergoes malignant transformation. The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of treatments for leukoplakia. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling patients with a diagnosis of oral leukoplakia were identified by searching biomedical databases, hand-searching relevant oral medicine journals, and contacting oral medicine experts through a European mailing list. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed on the basis of the method of allocation concealment, blindness of the study, and loss of participants. Data were analyzed by calculating relative risk. Malignant transformation of leukoplakia, demonstrated by histopathological examination, was the main outcome considered. Secondary outcomes included clinical resolution of the lesion and variation in dysplasia severity. Six RCTs were included in the review. Vitamin A and retinoids were tested in four RCTs; the other agents tested were bleomycin, mixed tea, and beta carotene. Malignant transformation was recorded in just two studies: none of the treatments tested showed a benefit when compared with placebo. Treatment with beta carotene and vitamin A or retinoids was associated with better rates of clinical remission, compared with placebo or absence of treatment. Whenever reported, a high rate of relapse was a common finding. Side effects of variable severity were often described; however, interventions were well accepted by patients since drop-out rates were similar between treatment and control groups. It is noteworthy that the possible effectiveness of surgical interventions, including laser therapy and cryotherapy, has apparently never been studied by means of an RCT. To date, in conclusion, there is no evidence of effective treatment in preventing malignant transformation of leukoplakia. Treatments may be effective in the resolution of lesion; however, relapses and adverse effects are common.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bacterial colonization of zirconia ceramic surfaces: an in vitro and in vivo study.

PURPOSE: The microbial colonization of new ceramic materials developed for abutment manufacturing was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The materials used in these experiments were disks of 'as-fired' and 'rectified' ceramic material made of tetragonal zirconia polycrystals stabilized with yttrium (Y-TZP) and commercially pure grade 2 titanium (Ti) with corresponding eluates. They were tested in vitro with the following bacteria: Streptococcus mutans, S. sanguis, Actinomyces viscosus, A. naeslundii, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Proliferation was evaluated on plates by inhibitory halos around pits, previously inoculated with eluates obtained from the materials. Bacterial adhesion on materials was quantified by spectrophotometric evaluation of the slime production by the same bacteria. Moreover, early bacterial adhesion was evaluated in human volunteers and observed with SEM. RESULTS: No inhibition of bacterial proliferation using eluates was observed. In vitro as-fired and rectified Y-TZP showed significantly more adherent S. mutans than did Ti disks, while S. sanguis seemed to adhere easily to Ti specimens. No differences were noted for Actinomyces spp and P. gingivalis. In vivo Y-TZP accumulated fewer bacteria than Ti in terms of the total number of bacteria and presence of potential putative pathogens such as rods. No differences were observed between rectified and as-fired Y-TZP. DISCUSSION: Overall, Y-TZP accumulates fewer bacteria than Ti. CONCLUSION: Y-TZP may be considered as a promising material for abutment manufacturing.

Actinomyces↗