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Biomedical subjects

Michael Conte

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Conte.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Angiotensin II and tumor necrosis factor-alpha upregulate survivin and Kruppel-like factor 5 in smooth muscle cells: Potential relevance to vein graft hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: Survivin (SVV) is a unique inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) that regulates both apoptosis and mitosis. Recent work suggests that SVV plays a critical role in the vascular injury response, but the molecular pathways remain unclear. METHODS: We examined the expression of SVV and the transcription factor, KLF5, in human venous smooth muscle cells (VSMC) by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis after treatment with angiotensin II (Ang II) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). An adenoviral construct expressing SVV or GFP was also employed to assess effects on KLF5 expression. A rabbit carotid interposition vein graft model was used to assess the relevance of KLF5 to bypass graft healing. RESULTS: Stimulation of VSMC with Ang II and TNF-alpha led to a rapid upregulation of KLF5 expression, and a later increase in SVV, which was cell-cycle independent. Overexpression of SVV in VSMC led to an early and persistent induction of KLF5. KLF5 was upregulated in rabbit vein grafts early (1 day) after grafting. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that SVV is a central point of convergence of multiple signaling pathways in vascular injury, and that it regulates the local amplification of these pathways in the vessel wall.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed2006

Oral health, related behaviors and oral health impacts among homeless adults.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the oral health needs, related behavior and oral health impact among homeless persons in Newark, New Jersey. METHODS: Participants represented a convenience sample of adults (n=46) participating in Homeless Services Day, an annual event sponsored by the Homeless Services Division of the Newark, NJ Department of Health and Human Services. Their mean age was 40.4 yr (SD=10.0), and 51.1% were female. The majority (76%) reported African-American ethnicity; remaining participants self-identified as Hispanic, White or Asian. Participants reported being homeless for a median of 11 months, with a range of 1 to 108 months. RESULTS: The 46 participants had 745 teeth (averaged 16.2 per person) that were either missing, had fillings or had untreated decay. Diseased teeth averaged 3.8 per person; missing teeth averaged 8.6 per person; and filled teeth averaged 3.7 per person. Only 28.3% had a dental visit in the past year. Approximately 87% reported negative oral health impacts impact: over half (55.6%) had current oral facial pain and two-thirds of our participants reported having dental-related face pain during the past year. Additional oral health impacts included: eating (42%), smiling (33%), concentrating (18%) and talking (16%). CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with other studies, this homeless sample presented with considerable oral health needs. Newark's homeless, like other homeless cohorts, face access to care and negative oral health impacts. This study informs the need for future research that can provide substantive evidence for care providers and policy makers.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Placement and post-mortem retrieval of a 28-year-old implant: a clinical and histologic report.

BACKGROUND: The field of modern dental implantology is almost one century old. Its history reveals an evolution not only of implant design and placement techniques, but also of the definitions of clinical success and failure. The use of implants predates the universal concept of osseointegration as a benchmark for success. Some implants in clinical function today would not meet the commonly accepted standards of success currently used. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors present a case of a patient who received a blade implant and a subsequent restoration in her maxilla in 1971. They describe placement and restorative techniques that were typical of the time, and are of historical interest. On the patient's death in 1989, the implant and surrounding tissues were retrieved, and a histologic examination was performed. Osseointegration had not been achieved, yet the implant functioned successfully for 28 years, most likely because it was well-supported by fibrous connective tissue with associated bone support, as well as because of the design of the restoration. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The clinical outcome of an implant and associated restoration might not always be accurately predicted from a histologic perspective. An implant exhibiting biotolerance rather than classical osseointegration occasionally can exhibit a surprising degree of clinical success when looked at retrospectively.

Bicuspid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A supernumerary tooth fused to the distal surface of a mandibular third molar.

Fusion is a tooth anomaly considered to be the result of the union between two adjacent tooth buds. The incidence of fusion is less than 1 percent of the population. The following is a case report of a unique form of a supernumerary tooth fused to the distal surface of a mandibular third molar. Radiographic evaluation demonstrates the communication of the pupal tissues. A differential diagnosis of developmental anomalies is discussed.

Adult↗