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Single ventricle represents less than 1% of all congenital heart diseases. We present the case of a 48 years patient, diagnosed after birth with double inlet single left ventricle, transposition of great arteries and pulmonary artery hypoplasia. Due to social and medical reasons, the malformation was not corrected during childhood. The patient was relatively paucisymptomatic until the age of 25 when he became intensely symptomatic, a central aortopulmonary surgical shunt being performed at that time. 20 years after the palliative intervention, the patient presents with impaired exercise tolerance and hemoptysis. Echocardiography revealed dilated single ventricle of left morphology with moderate systolic dysfunction, hypoplastic pulmonary artery at the origin, but with distal dilatation and turbulent flow in the pulmonary artery shunt. CT angiography examination described a central aortopulmonary shunt of 14 mm, dilated distal trunk and branches of the pulmonary artery, with multiple systemic-pulmonary artery anastomoses in periphery and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. The suspicion of pulmonary hypertension was raised, but then it was infirmed by cardiac catheterization. The symptoms were interpreted as having a mixed cause, secondary to ventricular dysfunction and respiratory dysfunction. We considered that a standardized multistage palliative surgery as a preparation of the Fontane procedure would not improve prognosis, given the ventricular systolic dysfunction. The cardiac transplantation remains the ultimate option for this patient. The case is particularly interesting through the long favorable evolution in the absence of complete surgical correction and the absence of pulmonary hypertension despite the aortopulmonary shunt and the significant systemic-pulmonary arterial collateral network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently the carp (Cyprinus carpio) is the most widespread reared fish species in our country's farms, so that almost all water basins exploit this species, only exceptions being the salmon breeding units. Being a less demanding species to oxygen content of the water and with a remarkable plasticity, presents a permanently growing spread, including areas where was not possible until recently. As more and more wishful breeder, calls for growing technologies in colder areas, in this paper we have approached the growth of this species in the sub-mountainous area, using beside classic forages, forage additives as well, in several versions, to see which one of this seems to be the optimal. In this regard, we used BIO-MOS and NU-PRO probiotics in different concentrations, from Alltech U.S. firm. Basic feed was the SAPROFISH 25/12, and additive supplied variants were: group I - 0.2% BIO-MOS and 2%NU- PRO; group II - 0.4% BlO-MOS and 4% NU-PRO and group III - 0.6% BIO-MOS and 6% NU-PRO. The experiment was performed in four basins, of which one control and three experimental. Following investigations it was found that variant II, with 0.4% BIO-MOS and 4% NU-PRO was the only effective, under a reduced period of production cycle, and lower water temperatures. Our research demonstrated the possibility of carp growth in sub-mountain areas if forage additive supplies are given following the proportions of the variant II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present prospective study, bone augmentation by guided bone regeneration (GBR) in combination with bovine hydroxyapatite (BHA) as filling material was evaluated with regard to soft and hard tissue stability over time. Implant survival, radiologic bone level (marginal bone level [MBL]), and clinical soft tissue parameters (marginal soft tissue level [MSTL]) were observed. Twenty patients received a total of 41 implants (Brånemark System, Nobel Biocare, Göteborg, Sweden) in conjunction with GBR treatment. The end point of the study was after 5 years following implant placement. The cumulative implant survival rate was 97.5% corresponding to one implant failure. The radiologic evaluation of the MBL demonstrated a crestal bone height above the level of the fixture head. The bone height decreased from −3.51 to −2.38 mm ( p < .001). The MSTL was −1.52 mm at baseline and −1.15 mm at the 5-year follow-up ( p < .04) demonstrating a stable submucosal crown margin throughout the study period. GBR treatment in combination with a xenogeneic filling material (BHA) is a viable treatment option in order to maintain stable hard and soft tissue levels in conjunction with augmentative procedure related to oral implant treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Porous silicon (PS) substrate was performed and investigated as a substrate for protein attachment. Two porous silicon substrates were fabricated by anodic dissolution of the silicon wafers p type, (111) and (100) crystalline orientation in hydrofluoric acid (HF). Different pore sizes and depths were accomplished by varying the current and processing time and also electrolyte composition. Serum Bovine Albumin (BSA) labels with CY3 was printed on commercial glass for microarray and PS samples in controlled conditions of humidity and temperature. After a standard incubation time (12 h) the morphology of microarray substrates were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) Analysis. The uniformity of spot and linearity of the signal intensity was investigated by florescent laser scanning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Premature exposure of membrane in the oral cavity is considered the most common complication as well as a reason for failure or incomplete success of guided tissue regeneration, as the exposed membrane undergoes plaque accumulation. A method to control, or at least to reduce the bacterial invasion of the membrane allowing a delay in the membrane removal, could be of clinical interest. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of treating, with topical chlorhexidine application, the bacterial colonization of exposed membranes. A special device was developed in order to evaluate, under an experimental environment, the bacterial colonization. This device was made from a removable acrylic denture base to which 5 gold cups were attached. The cups consisted of an internal compartment, isolated from the oral cavity by a GTAM membrane, and an external compartment exposed to the oral environment. 3 healthy subjects had this device fitted, bilaterally, in the molar-premolar region of the upper jaw. The cups of one side of each subject had 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate gel applied 2× a day for 1 mm, whereas those of the other side served as controls. 12 cups were removed after 2 weeks and the remainder removed after 1 month. The non-treated control specimens were characterized by greater amounts of plaque accumulation. In all the test sites, plaque deposits increased in thickness and quantity during the 4 weeks of the experiment. Complete invasion of the membrane and initial colonization of its internal surface were observed only in 4-week specimens. A relatively simple flora consisting mainly of cocci and short rods, was found in bacterial deposits forming under the influence of chlorhexidine, whereas in non-treated specimens, it was possible to observe a more mature and complex plaque, composed mostly of filamentous bacteria. In conclusion, topical application of chlorhexidine gel is an effective method of reducing plaque and calculus formation on the surface of GTAM membranes exposed to the oral cavity for up to 4 weeks. This study has, however, failed to demonstrate the capacity of chlorhexidine to prevent or to retard bacterial penetration through the thickness of the inner portion of the membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This review addressed the focused question of what is the predictability of vertical ridge augmentation techniques for patients, who were diagnosed with insufficient alveolar bone volume for the placement of dental implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic online review of three main databases was performed between 1966 and 1 November 2007. Four groups of vertical bone augmentation techniques have been identified and evaluated: (1) guided bone regeneration, (2) distraction osteogenesis, (3) onlay bone grafting, and (4) an array of different techniques. Data extraction was based on the following outcomes: (a) success and failure rate of the procedure (vertical bone gain/loss), (b) complication rate of the procedure, and (c) implant survival, success and failure rate. RESULTS: The initial search identified 189 papers from the electronic database. The review produced seven papers for GBR, 13 reporting distraction osteogenesis, five for onlay bone grafting and three describing different techniques. CONCLUSIONS: For the concept of vertical ridge augmentation to enable dental implant placement, there are clinical and histological data supporting its potential use. Given the confined number of investigators using these techniques and the low number of patient treatments reported in the literature, the generalizability of this approach is limited at this time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Porous silicon (PS) is a nanostructured material based on silicon, fabricated using an electrochemical process that can be used for a broad spectrum of applications, from optoelectronic to biomedicine. In this paper there are presented the fabrication processes of microelement monolithic reservoirs using PS matrix; two impregnation processes of porous structure with iron ions or iron oxides have been studied: iron electrochemical deposition and iron salts deposition and melting, both followed by thermal treatments. The test structures were analyzed from morphological and compositional point of view and the measurements reveal that the iron compounds are distributed both inside the pores network and in the Si skeleton. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]