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Key Clinical Message: Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) remains an enigmatic pathology due to an unknown etiology. Our report, of a 69‐year‐old man with MRS misdiagnosed for about 40 years, underlines the diagnostic difficulty of this condition. A holistic view of the patient, with a correct medical history investigation, are often decisive in the diagnosis of MRS. Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a rare disorder with a still unknown etiology. It is defined by three main symptoms, which are orofacial granulomatosis (OFG), facial palsy, and fissured tongue. It generally presents in young people, during the second or third decade, and its incidence in the entire population is about 1%. We focus our attention on a 69‐year‐old man who came to us with an important swelling of the upper lip. His anamnesis revealed that he suffered from a facial palsy four times in his life and at the physical examination we attested the presence of scrotal tongue. We suspected a misdiagnosed MRS and we searched the web in order to give him a diagnosis and a therapy. We found that OFG is the most common symptom of MRS and that it can show as a non complete form, where the three main symptoms cannot occur simultaneously. We also prescribed a therapy based on the use of topic steroids and antiviral, according to literature. After the positive response to the therapy and according to data found in the most recent literature, we can assume that our patient suffers from a misdiagnosed MRS for about 40 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate ocular surface changes associated with face mask (FMs) use of healthcare personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. We prospectively evaluated 200 eyes of 100 individuals during working hours and 40 eyes of 20 individuals during their rest days as a control group. Dry eye symptoms were assessed with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and McMonnies questionnaire. The clinical investigation included the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal fluorescein staining (FS), break-up time (BUT), and Schirmer test I before and after a 7-h work shift with a continuative use of surgical or N95 masks. The control group was evaluated similarly twice a day, at 8:00 a.m. and at 3:00 p.m.. In the study group, BCVA, FS, BUT, and Schirmer test were investigated and there was a significant negative variation at the end of the shift. On the contrary, the control group did not show significant variations of any clinical feature. Furthermore, no significant changes in clinical parameters were observed during the use of surgical or N95 masks. In conclusion, FMs continuative use resulted in daily ocular surface modifications specifically in healthcare personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is the evaluation of the safety and the efficacy of long-term combination therapy deferasirox plus desferrioxamine and deferasirox plus deferiprone in a large group of transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients with high values of serum ferritin and/or magnetic resonance, indicative of severe liver and cardiac iron accumulation. Sixteen adults with transfusion-dependent thalassemia were treated simultaneously with deferasirox plus desferrioxamine, while another 42 patients (seven children) were treated with deferasirox plus deferiprone. The hepatic and cardiac iron overload was assessed prior to treatment and then annually with magnetic resonance imaging, and the serum ferritin was measured monthly. Adverse events were checked at each transfusion visit. The safety of both the combinations was consistent with established monotherapies. Both treatments were able to decrease the serum ferritin and liver iron concentration over time, depending on the level of compliance with therapy. Cardiac iron measured as R2* did not significantly change in patients treated with deferasirox plus desferrioxamine. Most patients with MRI indicative of myocardial siderosis at the beginning of treatment reached normal values of cardiac iron at the last determination if treated with deferasirox plus desferrioxamine. The greatest limitation of these therapies was low patient adherence to the two drugs, which is not surprising considering that the need for an intensive chelation is generally linked to previous issues of compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human saliva from a healthy donor was subjected to fractionation by gel chromatography and six pools were collected and analysed by MALDI-TOF-MS and HPLC-ESI-MS. Three peptides, corresponding to 888.3, 687.3, and 524.1 amu and SNYLYDN, YLYDN, and LYDN sequences (determined by automated Edman sequencing), were isolated from pool 4. YLYDN was not previously described in human saliva. The peptides show the common C-terminal sequence of histatin 3 and histatin 1. To exclude the possibility that the three peptides were an artifact of the purification procedure, nine samples of human saliva were collected from healthy donors, immediately acidified with 0.2% TFA, and analysed by RP-HPLC-ESI-MS. The three peptides were detected in all the analyzed samples. SNYLYDN was always found at a concentration higher than that of YLYDN and LYDN. A correlation analysis performed on quantitative data indicated that the three peptides derive only from histatin 3. Other already known histatins also were searched for in the chromatogram. Histatins 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 were observed, although not in all samples analyzed, whereas other minor histatins were not detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circadian rhythms of histatins 1, 3, 5, of statherin and uric acidwere investigated in whole human saliva. Histatins showed a rhythm approximatelysynchronous with salivary flow rate (acrophase around 5 pm), the higher amplitudepertaining to histatin 1 (about 50% of the mesor). Uric acid showed a largerhythm asynchronous with flow rate and histatin concentrations (4.4 ±1.4 am). Statherin did not show a significant circadian rhythm on five ofsix volunteers. This finding confirms that the secretion route of statherinis different from that of histatins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Picosecond nonlinear absorption dynamics of neutral metal-dithiolenes belonging to the general class [M(R,R'timdt)[sub 2]] (M=Ni, Pd, Pt; R,R' timdt=monoreduced form of disubstituted imidazolidine-2,4,5-trithione) has been investigated at λ=1064 nm using the pump-probe technique. Both central metal ion M and substituents R,R' have been found to strongly influence the temporal evolution of the absorption saturation. In particular, it has been observed that the intersystem crossing rate always increases by a factor ∼1.5 when changing the central metal from Pd to Pt. The mechanisms leading to the measured dynamics have been explained using a multilevel rate equation analysis, based on the results of relativistic time-dependent density functional calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited information is available on the hematological characterization of the α-thalassemia carrier in pediatric age. The objective of this report was to evaluate the red cell indices according to the α-globin genotype in a cohort of children evaluated in Sardinia. Moreover, we verified the frequency of different α-globin genotypes in this cohort. A total of 453 subjects were investigated for hematological indices and for the most common α-globin defects present in Sardinia. Of them, 352 with HbA2 ≤ 3.2%, and no iron deficiency anemia were taken into consideration to evaluate the red cell indices according to the α-globin genotype in pediatric age. A total of 11 different α-genotypes were detected, confirming the wide heterogeneity of α-thalassemia in Sardinia. Moreover, our results showed that the hematological parameters in normal children may be conditioned by the clinically occult coinheritance of mild α-thalassemia alleles as already described in the adult population while microcytosis and hypocromia in children without iron deficiency should suggest the coexistence of two α-globin defects. We concluded that recognizing the α-globin gene mutations for a particular population with their particular red cell indices may help pediatricians to perform a correct diagnosis distinguishing among physiological and pathological types of microcytosis and hypocromia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irradiation of the molten eutectic BiSn alloy with ultrasonic energy produced different bismuthtin phases that were not reported in the equilibrium binary phase diagram. The X-ray powder diffraction data, refined using the Rietveld method, allowed the identification of these metastable phases and their crystal structure. The BiSn and β′-Sn phases, with distorted β-Sn type structure, were obtained in the sample which was rapidly quenched after ultrasonication. On the other hand, the equiatomic phase BiSn was obtained in the quenched sample when the ultrasonication was continued during the rapid cooling below the eutectic point. The ultrasonicated samples were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. The results suggested that the metastable phases, which were kinetically stable at RT, decomposed into equilibrium components during the heating treatment at 320 °C, and that this conversion is an irreversible process. Observations by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis complete the characterization of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Effects of ultrasound on bacterial biofilms are dependent on several factors. [•] To define the relationship between ultrasonic and bacteria, the literature from 1927 was analyzed. [•] An analysis of the literature it was possible to highlight a dual effect of “life or death”. [•] In conclusion, it was assessed what characteristics of ultrasound and bacterial biofilms could explain this dual effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Microbial neonatal infections are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality and for this reason there is a growing interest for new approaches in the clinical government of this human affection. Using an integrated statistical model, this work investigated the role of the C-reactive protein (CRP) in the diagnosis of sepsis and therapy assessment in newborns admitted in neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: 386 newborns admitted in neonatal intensive care unit were enrolled in this work. Different clinical-laboratory parameters, such as: CRP level, blood culture, complete blood cell count, urine and other blood tests were assessed for the first 7 days after birth. Several statistical methods have been used to estimate the correlation CRP-septicaemia, using Chi-squared, Pearson, analysis of the variance and Poisson distribution. Results: a statistical positive correlation (CRP value vs. septicaemia status) was observed to integrate the analysis of the variance and Poisson distribution methods, especially in the first days after birth. Conclusion: A correct statistical evaluation of CRP values could be significant for risk prediction and subsequent prompt therapy in neonatal sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to value efficacy of anti microbic propriety of silver ligatures Orthoshield Safe-T-Tie® on periodontal tissues in orthodontic patients. Materials and methods: 50 orthodontic patients between 11 and 20 years old with permanent teeth were selected in this study. We evaluated periodontal health of maxillary and mandibular lateral incisors and canines at TO before the substitution of elastomeric ligatures with Orthoshield Safe-T-Tie® ligatures and at T1 (one month after substitution of ligatures). We used PI (Periodontal Index), GI (Gingival Index) and PRC-real-time to analyze periodontal health. Results: there was an improvement of gingival inflammation and a reduction of periodontal pathogens. Conclusions: Orthoshield Safe-T-Tie® ligatures improve periodontal health in orthodontic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main cause for the development of periodontitis is the accumulation of subgingival microbial deposits organized tightly to the porous surface of the tooth cementuni. The growth of the microbial populations and the immunological reaction of the host organism are responsible for the destruction of periodontal ligament apparatus. The primary goal in the treatment of periodontitis is the complete removal of subgingival bacterial deposits. The large amount of evidence establishing a microbial etiology for periodontitis (has been the basis for the development of antimicrobial treatment approaches. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) employs a non-toxic dye, termed a photosensitizer (PS), and low intensity visible light which, in the presence of oxygen, combine to produce cytotoxic species. In this in vitro protocol study it was tested the bactericidal efficacy of Diode laser (Oralia), of Hydrogen Peroxyde and the association Diode Laser-Peroxyd Hydrogen (PDT) on Prevotella intermedia, Peptostreptococcus micros and Fusobacterium nucleatum, three of the most aggressive bacteria envolved on periodontal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

24 patients are selected and 30 teeth in vestibular mucosae, without keratinized gingiva. No active periodontal disease (no BOP and gingival recessions). No BOP and CAL loss at the start of the orthodontic treatment. Every patient was treated with self ligating appliances (Time2/Time3, American Orthodontics). In every orthodontic session (each 30 days as average) the patient was treated with Nd: Yag laser biostimulation, for 90 seconds, with 320 micron fiber section, on utilizing the Biostimulating machine paremeters. No termical effects were produced by lasers applications. At the moment of debonding, 30 teeth involved in the research were evaluated in terms of quality and quantity of attached gingiva. BOP and CAL loss were also investigated. Every tooth considerated, at the end of orthodontic treatment showed a attached gingiva around the crown: the average of keratinized gingiva at the end of the study was 2,7 mm and the mean increasing at each month was 0,45 mm. The combination between self ligating appliances and laser's biostimulation could improve the differentiation of periodontal ligaments stem cells in fibroblasts, able to promote attached gingiva around the crown of the teeth erupted in oral vestibular mucosae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repetitive collapse of the upper airway during obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea (OSA) exposes the brain of sufferers to frequent, transient, hypoxic episodes. The loss of cerebrovascular reactivity in sleep, and particularly in OSA, means that physiologic compensatory mechanisms may not ensure adequate brain oxygen levels. This 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy study, of 13 males with severe, untreated OSA undertaken after overnight sleep deprivation, represents the first, seconds time-scale analysis of human brain bioenergetics during transient hypoxia and demonstrates that a moderate degree of oxygen desaturation during sleep has significant effects on brain bioenergetic status. Oxygen desaturation >10% of sleeping baseline resulted in decreases in brain adenosine triphosphate levels (P<0.01), and increases in inorganic phosphate (P<0.0001) with no concomitant changes in phosphocreatine or brain pH. This indicates that the mechanism of adenosine triphosphate depletion in these patients is different to that observed in normoxic, awake working brain. These data show that the buffering capacity of phosphocreatine and the creatine kinase system is not active in mild transient hypoxia and that cerebrovascular compensatory mechanisms are not adequate to prevent decrements in brain high-energy phosphates in OSA. Transient hypoxia experienced during sleep may impair brain function more than previously thought.Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism (2009) 29, 1421–1428; doi:10.1038/jcbfm.2009.57; published online 13 May 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is involved in the development of different benign and malignant lesions that include in particular squamous tumours of the cervix, skin and the respiratory tracts. In particular, the ‘high risk’ HPV type 16 (HPV 16) causes genito-rectal epithelial cancers and is suspected of causing epithelial cancers of the head and neck. To determine the presence and genotypes of HPV was determined in saliva samples from 164 subjects recruited from the Department of Surgery and Odontostomatological Sciences (University of Cagliari). For this study a sensitive seminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to detect HPV-DNA; moreover in all positive samples, HPV genotyping was based on sequencing of the HPV genome L1 region. The results obtained with these patients (who were ethnically homogeneous), showed an interesting percentage of positive samples for HPV-DNA (30 samples out of 164–18.3%). Only two HPV genotypes have been identified in these patients, HPV 16 and HPV 31 with 76.7% and 23.3% of the positive specimens, respectively, both correlating with high carcinogenic risk. This preliminary result leads us to reflect on the presence of HPV in saliva, in particular in young asymptomatic subjects (15.38%), and its prognostic value for the possible incidence in Sardinia of oral carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report on the detection of near infrared (NIR) radiation in the range 900–1600nm by means of coordination complexes such as [M(RtR’timdt)2]x− (M=Ni, Pd, Pt; R,R’timdt=formally monoreduced disubstituted imidazolidine-2,4,5-trithione; x=0, 1), and [{Ru(bipy)2}2(μ-L)]x+ (H3L=9-phenyl-2,3,7-trihydroxy-6-fluorone; x=1, 3). By exploiting these stable coordination complexes absorbing in the visible and NIR region, the poor stability to air and light usually found in low band-gap organic semiconductors can be overcome. [M(R,R’timdt)2] and [{Ru(bipy)2}2(μ-L)]1+ complexes show π-π* transitions in the range 700-1000nm, which can be bathochromically shifted by changing their oxidation state. Taking profit of this feature, we prepared photodetecting devices operating in the NIR region up to 1600nm, thus reaching the appealing spectral range of telecommunications. NIR quantum efficiencies of these preliminary photodetectors, made by simple casting from solution, are comparable to those in the visible of most devices based on pristine organic materials. We succeeded in detecting train pulses with a repetition frequency of about 200kHz at 960nm and 80kHz at 1450nm, to our knowledge an unprecedented result that demonstrates the possibility to enter the NIR region by organic molecular-based devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nonrelativistic and relativistic time-dependent density functional calculations have been performed on the excited states of the [M(H2timdt)2] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) compounds. These complexes are characterized by an absorption at about λ = 1000 nm of rarely encountered intensity (ε ≉ 8000 M-1 cm-1) compared to those of similar compounds, attributed to a π → π* electronic transition between the HOMO and the LUMO. The comparison of the calculated spectra with the experimental data allows a possible assignment of the spectra. Our results confirm that, in all members of the series, the excited state at the lowest energy corresponds to a HOMO → LUMO excitation and indicate that a large number of the transitions have an intraligand character. No relevant direct relativistic effects can be observed on the pattern of the excited states and on energy differences between them as well. The main relativistic effect is due to the metal-sulfur bond contraction, which in contrast has considerable effect on the electronic structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unusual NIR-photoconducting properties of [M(Et,Pent-timdt)2] neutral dithiolenes (M=Ni, Pd, Pt; Et,Pent-timdt=monoreduced N-ethyl,N′-pentylimidazolidine-2,4,5-trithione) have been investigated with the aim of developing wavelength-selective air-stable photodetectors. In addition, the ps time-resolved dynamics of the absorption saturation has been studied on the Pd-complex by means of pump–probe experiments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]