Tactile sensibility of single-tooth implants and natural teeth under local anesthesia of the natural antagonistic teeth

The term osseoperception describes the capability of developing a subtle tactile sensibility over dental implants. The present clinical study aims at clarifying the question of how far tactile sensibility is to be attributed to the periodontium of the natural opposing tooth of the implant.

Influence of Partial Lateral Corpectomy with and without Hemilaminectomy on Canine Thoracolumbar Stability: A Biomechanical Study

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the biomechanical changes induced by partial lateral corpectomy (PLC) and a combination of PLC and hemilaminectomy in a T13-L3 spinal segment in nonchondrodystrophic dogs. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro biomechanical cadaveric study. SAMPLE POPULATION: T13-L3 spinal segments (n = 10) of nonchondrodystrophic dogs (weighing, 25-38 kg). METHODS: A computed tomography (CT) scan of each T13-L3 spinal segment was performed. A loading simulator for flexibility analysis was used to determine the range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) during flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. A servohydraulic testing machine was used to determine the changes in stiffness during compression, dorsoventral, and lateral shear. All spines were tested intact, after PLC in the left intervertebral space of L1-L2, and after a combination of PLC and hemilaminectomy. RESULTS: Statistically significant increases in ROM and NZ (P < .05) were detected during flexion/extension and lateral bending when PLC was performed. A significant increase in ROM (P < .001) was noted during axial rotation and flexion after PLC and hemilaminectomy. Stiffness decreased significantly during compression and dorsoventral shear after each procedure. Decreased stiffness during lateral shear was only significant after a combination of both procedures. CONCLUSION: PLC might lead to some spinal instability; these changes are enhanced when a hemilaminectomy is added.

Molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Switzerland: sampling only invasive isolates does not allow a representative description of the local diversity of clones

We conducted a molecular study of MRSA isolated in Swiss hospitals, including the first five consecutive isolates recovered from blood cultures and the first ten isolates recovered from other sites in newly identified carriers. Among 73 MRSA isolates, 44 different double locus sequence typing (DLST) types and 32 spa types were observed. Most isolates belonged to the NewYork/Japan, the UK-EMRSA-15, the South German and the Berlin clones. In a country with a low to moderate MRSA incidence, inclusion of non-invasive isolates allowed a more accurate description of the diversity.

Local targeting of malignant gliomas by the diffusible peptidic vector 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1-glutaric acid-4,7,10-triacetic acid-substance p

PURPOSE: Malignant glial brain tumors consistently overexpress neurokinin type 1 receptors. In classic seed-based brachytherapy, one to several rigid (125)I seeds are inserted, mainly for the treatment of small low-grade gliomas. The complex geometry of rapidly proliferating high-grade gliomas requires a diffusible system targeting tumor-associated surface structures to saturate the tumor, including its margins. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We developed a new targeting vector by conjugating the chelator 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1-glutaric acid-4,7,10-triacetic acid to Arg(1) of substance P, generating a radiopharmaceutical with a molecular weight of 1,806 Da and an IC(50) of 0.88 +/- 0.34 nmol/L. Cell biological studies were done with glioblastoma cell lines. neurokinin type-1 receptor (NK1R) autoradiography was done with 58 tumor biopsies. For labeling, (90)Y was mostly used. To reduce the "cross-fire effect" in critically located tumors, (177)Lut and (213)Bi were used instead. In a pilot study, we assessed feasibility, biodistribution, and early and long-term toxicity following i.t. injection of radiolabeled 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1-glutaric acid-4,7,10-triacetic acid substance P in 14 glioblastoma and six glioma patients of WHO grades 2 to 3. RESULTS: Autoradiography disclosed overexpression of NK1R in 55 of 58 gliomas of WHO grades 2 to 4. Internalization of the peptidic vector was found to be specific. Clinically, the radiopharmeutical was distributed according to tumor geometry. Only transient toxicity was seen as symptomatic radiogenic edema in one patient (observation period, 7-66 months). Disease stabilization and/or improved neurologic status was observed in 13 of 20 patients. Secondary resection disclosed widespread radiation necrosis with improved demarcation. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted radiotherapy using diffusible peptidic vectors represents an innovative strategy for local control of malignant gliomas, which will be further assessed as a neoadjuvant approach.

Global, regional, and local measures of complexity of multichannel electroencephalography in acute, neuroleptic-naive, first-break schizophrenics

Background: Schizophrenic symptoms commonly are felt to indicate a loosened coordination, i.e. a decreased connectivity of brain processes. Methods: To address this hypothesis directly, global and regional multichannel electroencephalographic (EEG) complexities (omega complexity and dimensional complexity) and single channel EEG dimensional complexities were calculated from 19-channel EEG data from 9 neuroleptic-naive, first-break, acute schizophrenics and 9 age- and sex-matched controls. Twenty artifact-free 2 second EEG epochs during resting with closed eyes were analyzed (2–30 Hz bandpass, average reference for global and regional complexities, local EEG gradient time series for single channels). Results: Anterior regional Omega-Complexity was significantly increased in schizophrenics compared with controls (p < 0.001) and anterior regional Dimensional Complexity showed a trend for increase. Single channel Dimensional Complexity of local gradient waveshapes was prominently increased in the schizophrenics at the right precentral location (p = 0.003). Conclusions: The results indicate a loosened cooperativity or coordination (vice versa: an increased independence) of the active brain processes in the anterior brain regions of the schizophrenics.

Clinical and microbiological results following nonsurgical periodontal therapy with or without local administration of piperacillin/tazobactam

OBJECTIVES We assessed if adjunct administration of piperacillin/tazobactam added clinical and microbiological treatment benefits. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-six subjects (mean age 52.1 years (SD ± 10.3)) (NS by group) with chronic periodontitis were randomly enrolled receiving subgingival debridement and the local administration of piperacillin/tazobactam (test group) or debridement alone (control group). Bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and microbiological counts of 74 species were studied by checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization up to month 6 after treatment. RESULTS Mean PPD changes between baseline and month 6 in the test and control groups were 1.5 and 1.8 mm, respectively (NS between groups). BOP in both groups decreased from about 80 to 40 %. At 4 and 12 weeks, lower counts of the following bacteria were found in the test group (site level): Fusobacterium species, Parvimonas micra, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and a composite load of nine pathogens (p < 0.001). At week 26, subjects receiving local antibiotics had a lower prevalence at tested sites for Fusobacterium nucleatum sp. polymorphum, Fusobacterium periodonticum, P. micra, and T. denticola. CONCLUSIONS At 26 weeks, treatment with or without piperacillin/tazobactam resulted in similar BOP and PPD improvements. At week 26 and at the subject level, the prevalence of 4/74 pathogens was found at lower counts in the group receiving local antibiotics. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Administration of piperacillin/tazobactam reduces the prevalence of Fusobacterium, P. micra, and T. denticola to a greater extent than debridement alone but with no short-term differences in PPD or BOP.