PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Tomassini

Publications and source records attributed to E Tomassini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Use of a microwave device for dental instrument sterilization: possibilities and limitations].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the effectiveness as sterilizer of a modified version of a microwave device, which was previously tested by the same authors and found unsatisfactory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dental mirrors were contaminated by 10(4)-10(9) microorganisms of Stapbylococcus aureus and spores of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus stearothermophilus. The inocula used were both wet and dry. The duration of the treatment was 4 minutes. Three series of tests were made: 1) microwaves and "adjuvant" solution (as suggested by the producer of the device); 2) microwaves only (in place of the "adjuvant" solution, a Na Cl 0.9% was used); 3) "adjuvant" solution only (into an oven at 25 degrees C). RESULTS: In the 1st and 3rd series of tests all the microorganisms and the spores were killed. In the 2nd series of tests a bactericidal effect against some, not all, microorganisms of the S. aureus species and against spores of B. subtilis and B. stearothermophilus was found. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the device tested has a sterilizing activity, which, however, is not due to the activity of microwaves only; but to the combined activity of microwaves, "adjuvant" solution and temperature (since inside the device, at the end of the treatment the temperature on the mirrors was 94 degrees C).

Dental Instruments↗
PubMed1996

[The prevalence of anterior tooth trauma in children 6 to 11 years old].

The aim of the present paper was the study of prevalence of traumatic dental injuries to the anterior teeth of Italian schoolchildren. 519, 6- to 11-year-old children from two primary schools in Rome were examined, in order to evaluate dental injuries on canines and incisors. Traumatic injuries were classified according to Garcia-Godoy et al.; this classification is the most appropriate for retrospective studies. Dental injury prevalence was 21.0%, this value was higher than values shown by surveys made in the emergency services, but similar to those of other retrospective studies made in other countries. Male/female ratio was 1.69, statistically significant at 99% level. The age distribution showed that the higher prevalence was among the 9 year-old children (26.9%), the lower among the 8-year-old children (14.3%); the 9 year-old incidence value was the highest. 74.6% of the teeth involved were maxillary central incisors. Enamel fractures were the most frequent trauma type (67.0%), followed by enamel-dentine fractures (19.3%) and concussions (8.3%). No serious fracture was found. Play was the major dental trauma cause (64.2%), followed by sports (17.4%). 16.5% of traumatized children and their parents did not report the cause. Traffic accidents were not reported as causes. In conclusion, the high prevalence of dental traumas in schoolchildren, involving more than one fifth of subjects, is emphasized. Most of traumas were, however, slight, so that sometimes the cause was not reported. Serious dental injuries were more uncommon. Traffic accidents and violent impacts, which often cause these traumas, were also uncommon.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1994

[3 different methods for evaluating Streptococcus mutans in the saliva].

Three different methods for detection and count of Streptococcus mutans in saliva have been compared with a microbiological method in order to estimate their efficacy and practicality. The study has been carried out on fifty children of six-eleven years old. The first method (stamp method) derives from that of Kohler and Bratthall, improved on the sampling, without saliva stimulation and, hence, more rapid. Furthermore, using a tongue depressor with a shovel-like extremity, we can either restrict the area where the grown colonies must be counted, avoiding any mistake, and stamp the spatula in the centre of the plate, not in the border, as the original method described, pressing it with the same force in every part, so that almost all the saliva collected can be plated on the Streptococcus mutans selective medium. As stated by this method, a tongue depressor is pressed first on the subject's tongue, then on a plate containing the medium. After incubation, the Streptococcus mutans colonies are counted on the plate's area limited by the stamp of the extremity of the spatula. According to Emilson we can also discriminate Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus colonies. The second method is a "strip mutans test" (Dentocult): saliva is stimulated making the subject chew a piece of paraffin and then it is collected passing a plastic spatula for ten times on the child's tongue. The spatula is introduced into a tube containing a liquid medium selective for Streptococcus mutans and then incubated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1993

[SARO: a system for irradiating small intracranial tumors under the guidance of magnetic resonance imaging].

An MR-based system for the accurate irradiation of small intracranial tumors, not less than 5 cm in diameter, is described. The system uses a home-made device (a support base with millimeter scales) and a series of thin individual wood moulds. A full size-enlargement of the central sagittal and of the tumor-containing transverse MR sections is the first operative step. On these enlarged sections the intracranial isocentre, the entry position of the orthogonal laser beams and the flexion-extension degree of the patient's head are chosen. Subsequently, from the sagittal full-size section the fronto-naso-labial outline is cut-out and accurately transferred on to a thin wood plank, which is finally cut with a fine saw. On the plank two orthogonal lines are drawn, crossing at the target-volume centre and matching with both laser beams during the treatment set-up. The millimeter scale on the support base allows the accurate lateral displacements of the treatment couch, when eccentric tumors most be irradiated. By this system, called with the Italian acronym SARO, the patient needs neither to be shaved, nor to be marked on his head skin. No special shell is necessary any more. Though intrinsically simple, the system needs skillful accuracy during all its procedure steps in order to reach the desired reliability when treating small intracranial tumors (not less than 5 cm in diameter).

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

Intraluminal high dose rate brachytherapy combined with external radiotherapy in the treatment of oesophageal cancer.

Twenty eight patients with previously untreated oesophageal carcinoma without distant metastases were divided into two groups: Group A consisted of 18 pts. treated with conventional external radiotherapy only. Another group of 10 pts. (Group B) received treatment with external beam irradiation with further high dose rate intraluminal brachytherapy up to a dose of 4-12 Gy delivered in 2-3 sessions of 4 Gy (one session a week). All pts. were evaluated clinically, radiologically and endoscopically every 3 months. At the end of treatment there was a marked difference in relief of dysphagia (39% in Group A vs. 90% in Group B), local control (56.7% in Group A vs. 100% in Group B) and time to progression of dysphagia (20.8 weeks in Group A vs. 67.7 weeks in Group B). No marked difference was observed in overall survival. The complication rate was low in both groups and major complications were observed in pts. treated with external radiotherapy alone (two fistulas). The association of external beam and intraluminal radiotherapy can give a better local control of the disease, improving the quality of life.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

[The clinical and microbiological evaluation of the efficacy of oral irrigation on the periodontal tissues of patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances].

The aim of the present study has been the evaluation of the effectiveness of oral irrigation with or without toothbrushing and dental flossing, in individuals treated with fixed orthodontic appliances, on controlling the development of dental plaque and, hence, of gingivitis. Eight individuals with a good general and oral status have been chosen. Before the experimental period, they received instructions about oral hygiene with toothbrushing and dental flossing and then they have been monitored to verify they were doing well. At the time T0, the upper tooth have been banded, three Periodontal Indexes (Plaque Index according to Silness and Loe, Modified Gingival Index according to Lobene and Gingival Bleeding Index according to Ainamo and Bay) registered and subgingival plaque samples from the premolars' gingival sulcus collected in order to point out the total anaerobes bacterial counts, the rates of motile bacteria, spirochetes, Gram positive and Gram negative cocci and bacteria, by means of optical and dark field microscopy and of cultural methods. For their oral hygiene, the patients had to use, in the right side toothbrush and dental floss (Control 1), in the left side the oral irrigator alone (Test 1). One month later (time T1), the lower teeth have been banded, too. In the right side the patients had to use toothbrush and dental floss (Control 2), while in the left one they used the same devices as Control 2 plus the oral irrigator (Test 2). At the time T1 Periodontal Indexes and Microbiological analyses have been extended to all the four quadrants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[High-dose gynecologic endocavitary brachytherapy. Technical and dosimetric aspects].

The technical and dosimetric aspects are presented of high-dose intracavitary brachytherapy in gynecology. Fifty-five patients (203 insertions) were examined over two years with a remote loading Selectron HDR 60Co unit installed in a dedicated bunker. The dose to the rectal and bladder markers on AP and LL films was calculated before every irradiation, in order to allow the necessary corrections to be made. Uniform irradiation conditions were obtained at each treatment set-up for both tumoral target and bladder and rectal doses. High-dose intracavitary brachytherapy proved to be a safe, reliable and versatile method from the technical and dosimetric point of view both in the treatment of unoperated gynecological malignancies and in postoperative therapy.

Brachytherapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Total body irradiation in the preparation of leukemic patients for bone marrow transplantation].

Total body irradiation is today the main conditioning method for patients who have bone marrow transplantation. The most diffuse procedure, as proposed at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center of Seattle, has been employed in this study. Our clinical material comprises 16 patients; 5 with acute lymphoid leukemia; 5 with acute myeloid leukemia; 4 with chronic myeloid leukemia in accelerated fase; and 2 in blastic crisis. Clinical results and toxicity are discussed, with emphasis to interstitial pneumonia.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The multidisciplinary treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma in childhood. A 10-year multicenter experience (1978-1988) in Liguria].

The authors retrospectively analyzed the therapy results in a large group of children affected by rhabdomyosarcoma and treated from 1978 to 1988 with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. 39/58 patients (67%) achieved a complete response and 25/39 maintained the NED status. An individualized treatment was given to 13 patients who relapsed, but only 3 of them obtained a second response. Those with primary tumor in the orbit or in the genito-urinary tract had lower recurrence rate than patients with head and neck, extremities, pelvis and trunk diseases. Patients in clinical group I and II (according with I.R.S. stadiation) had a significantly better survival than those with more advanced disease (clinical groups III and IV). Relatively to the primary site of the disease, the late effects of combined treatment are mentioned.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A new device for the disinfection of handpieces and turbines].

Dental handpieces are often difficult to disinfect. This is one of the main reasons for the considerable risk of cross-infections in dental offices. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the disinfectant property of a recent, commercially available, automatic instrument, described as capable to clean, disinfect and lubricate dental handpieces. The following experimental evaluations were made: 1) antimicrobial activity of the disinfectant (glyoxalaldehyde) used. The method described by the European Committee for Standardization was followed. Test microorganisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. 2) disinfection of dental handpieces (69 contra-angles and 97 turbines of different marks). They were naturally infected using them on patients for 30 minutes at least. 3) disinfection of dental handpieces infected with bacterial suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes (beta-haemolyticus, group A), Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results of the first experiment showed a strong bactericidal power of the disinfectant with both the tested strains, after a contact time of only 1 minute. A great proportion of the dental handpieces tested during the second experiment were found disinfected: from 84% through 89% out of the various models of turbine handpieces; from 89% through 100% out of the models of contra-angle handpieces. Even though bacterial contamination level was low (about 10(3) microorganisms per handpiece), a satisfactory disinfectant ability in natural conditions was found. The results of the third experiment were unclear. The tested instrument reduced 10(5)-10(8) times the original bacterial count when the gram positive microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes) were used. On the other hand, when Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were used, the results were different: the bacterial count was reduced 10(6)-10(7) times in some cases, and only 10(2) times in other cases. This difference was found in the tests made using the same attachment and in those made using various attachments. In conclusion, the tested instrument showed, in most cases, a good disinfectant property, but the presence of unclear results suggests that some technical modifications are required.

Cross Infection↗