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Biomedical subjects

G Calura

Publications and source records attributed to G Calura.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Cyclosporin-A increases type I procollagen production and mRNA level in human gingival fibroblasts in vitro.

In order to study the pathogenesis of gingival overgrowth induced by the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine-A (CyA), we investigated its effect on 3H thymidine incorporation and on collagen production and mRNA levels in fibroblast cultures obtained from normal human gingiva. At concentrations of 100, 500 and 1000 ng/ml, CyA did not modify thymidine incorporation after 24 and 72 h of incubation. However, after 24 h it significantly increased the level of 3H proline-containing proteins in the medium. In addition, CyA increased alpha-procollagen chains by up to three times. This CyA-induced change was related to a rise in the level of type I procollagen. The CyA effect on fibroblasts was markedly reduced by cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, and it correlated well with an increase of type I procollagen mRNA. Overall, our data indicate a direct stimulatory action of CyA on collagen synthesis, but not on DNA synthesis, in human gingival fibroblasts.

Collagen↗
PubMed1992

[Oral symptoms in the climacteric. A prevalence study].

The female climacteric is attributed to physiological ovarian failure with the consequent decrease in the secretions of oestrogen, progestones and androgens. Numerous metabolic, psychological and physical changes have been associated with this event. Oral discomfort, including the burning mouth syndrome and the dry mouth syndrome, has been described as a menopausal symptom. However, the relationship between the hormonal changes related to climacteric and the onset of oral discomfort is still controversial. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of oral symptoms, with particular regard to burning sensation, xerostomia, altered taste and recurrent oral ulcerations. The relationship between oral and climacteric symptoms and psychological status of the patients was also evaluated. A questionnaire was administered to 136 women (mean age: 51.2 years, range 40-62) being consecutively referred to the University Hospital Menopause Clinic from October 1991 to March 1992. The questionnaire included informations regarding menopausal state, oral symptoms, drug assumption, wearing of partial or total dentures, parafunctions (lip and cheek biting, bruxism, tongue thrusting). Climacteric symptoms including flushes/sweats, palpitations, headache, arthralgia/myalgia, vaginal dryness, decreased concentration, tiredness, decreased libido, insomnia, vertigo were evaluated. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used where appropriate. Information regarding the alteration of the psychological status was collected by means of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Statistical analysis was performed by chi 2 test or Fisher's Exact Probability Test and Mann-Whitney U-test. The level of significance accepted was 5%. The subjects in this study were divided into two groups on the basis of their answers to the questionnaire: group I (no. 39), premenopausal women; group II (no. 97), menopausal women.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Mixed odontogenic tumors. Studies on the significance of correlations between ameloblastic fibroma, ameloblastic fibro-odontoma and odontoma].

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the interrelationship between the mixed odontogenic tumors. A population of 292 cases--9 cases from our own files, 283 cases taken from the literature--was considered. Data concerning age, sex distribution and site of occurrence of the different lesions were statistically analyzed. The results showed a significant prevalence of odontomas in the anterior region and a highly significant correlation for age and site distribution in relation to the various lesions. It is supposed that ameloblastic fibroma, ameloblastic fibro-odontoma and odontoma represent different maturational stages of the same lesion whose histogenesis is linked to the odontogenic process.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

[Radiodiagnosis of orthodontic and dysfunctional anomalies of the stomatognathic system: analysis of a sample of 204 patients].

Two hundred and four subjects (86 males and 118 females), aged 8 to 35 years, with different types of malocclusion, underwent panoramic dental radiography and skull teleradiography. This study was aimed at investigating advantages and limitations of the two radiographic techniques, in view of their use as screening methods. On orthopantomography, inferior interincisive point, menthon (Me), and, bilaterally, gonion (Go) and condilion (Co), were localized so as to allow a model of the right and left jaws to be made. On teleradiography of the skull, in lateral view, Steiner's cephalometric analysis allowed skeletal classes to be evaluated according to ANB angle values. Moreover, major postural parameters relative to the relationship between skull and cervical spine were analyzed: atlanto-occipital distance, cranio-vertebral angle, cervical lordosis, and hyoid triangle. Orthopantomography, though not a reproducible technique, can be considered as a valuable screening method for it allows right and left hemi-jaws to be comparatively measured. Cephalometric analysis of postural data confirmed the frequency of wrong postures in orthodontic patients. From the correlation of mandibular asymmetries and cranio-cervical parameters, the authors observed that asymmetrical patients have many postural problems, just like class II skeletal and dolico-facial types. This finding seems to confirm the mixed (functional and skeletal) etiopathogenesis of mandibular asymmetries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Involvement of the temporomandibular joint in rheumatoid arthritis].

A tomographic investigation was performed on 51 randomly-selected rheumatic patients, according to American Rheumatism Association criteria. Fourteen males and 37 females, aged 26 to 73 (mean age 50.9) were examined in order to identify the prevalence of temporo-mandibular joint involvement. By means of a special examination form, a contemporary clinical survey of both signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction was also conducted: the data were used for calculating the Helkimo anamnestic and clinical dysfunction indices. As for X-ray diagnosis, and original linear and angular analysis was proposed to measure the relationship between condyle and fossa in intercuspal position and during opening: the anterior joint space often increased and protrusive condylar path was reduced in more than 41% of patients. Structural changes were also evaluated by classifying the shape of both the condyle and the glenoid fossa (rounded, wedge-shaped and flattened). A special score was used to quantify these morphological features: only 4% of the whole of joints resulted uninjured. The most involved joint portions were the articular tubercle and the anterior condylar pole. Many cases were demonstrated of marked resorption and remodelling of the condyle, of increased joint space and erosion of the fossa; in other instances, reduced joint spaces and sclerosis were observed, depending on associated degenerative arthritis (usually more painful). Sex and age differences were not significant. Severity of clinical dysfunction and seriousness of the lesions coincided, whereas subjective symptoms were relatively independent. At any rate, the survey demonstrated a clear prevalence of structural, as well as functional, involvement of the temporo-mandibular joint in rheumatoid arthritis and suggested a more careful and multimodal therapeutic approach.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Effect of laser light on polymerization of composite materials].

The purpose of this study is to verify the advantages of light Laser Argon Technique on composite resin polymerization. These results have been compared to the normal halogen light technique, used in daily practice the only advantage of Laser Argon Technique is the faster polymerization, compared to the normally employed technique, due to the brightness and monocromaticy of the laser bean.

Composite Resins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prevalence of caries and malocclusion in Ferrara school children].

The Authors examined 459 children for caries and malocclusion in Argenta. 77% of the whole sample had caries and 65% of children had malocclusion. Dental health education and public preventive programs should be organized to prevent caries and malocclusion. An extension and improvement of local epidemiological studies are needed to achieve this purpose.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Gow-Gates block for beginners].

The study was carried out with two groups of 49 patients to evaluate the incidence of failures and re-injections when the blockade of the mandibular nerve was carried out according to Gow-Gates by untrained young dentists. Such an incidence was compared to that of the blockade of the inferior alveolar nerve by the same dentists trained for this specific task. Both the observed failures and re-injections in the Gow-Gates blockade progressively decrease and disappear, theoretically, after 50 blockades, while they remain almost constant in the inferior alveolar nerve blockade. The induction of the blockade was more prolonged after the Gow-Gates blockade (9 minutes) compared to the inferior alveolar nerve blockade (7 minutes). The pain induced by the injection, that due to the anesthetic and that experienced during the subsequent surgery were lower after the Gow-Gates blockade.

Adult↗