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Two cases of cutaneous myiasis diagnosed in 2018 in Emilia‐Romagna region (northern Italy) were reported. The first one, described in a domestic cat Felis silvestris catus L. (Carnivora: Felidae) and caused by Calliphora vicina Robineau‐Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae), was the first one of this type ever reported in Italy in cats. The second one was described in a domestic dog Canis lupus familiaris L. (Carnivora: Canidae) and caused by Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and was unusual because it occurred in absence of lesions. An extensive literature search on cutaneous myiasis in these two domestic animal species was performed in order to draw attention to predisposing conditions and risk factors., The first case of cutaneous myiasis by Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in a domestic cat Felis silvestris catus (Carnivora: Felidae) in Italy was reported. An unusual case of cutaneous myiasis in a domestic dog Canis lupus familiaris (Carnivora: Canidae) caused by Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) was also reported. The predisposing conditions and risk factors of the cutaneous myiasis in cats and dogs were also discussed.

Differences between sexes contribute to variation in the levels of fasting glucose and insulin. Epidemiological studies established a higher prevalence of impaired fasting glucose in men and impaired glucose tolerance in women, however, the genetic component underlying this phenomenon is not established. We assess sex-dimorphic (73,089/50,404 women and 67,506/47,806 men) and sex-combined (151,188/105,056 individuals) fasting glucose/fasting insulin genetic effects via genome-wide association study meta-analyses in individuals of European descent without diabetes. Here we report sex dimorphism in allelic effects on fasting insulin at IRS1 and ZNF12 loci, the latter showing higher RNA expression in whole blood in women compared to men. We also observe sex-homogeneous effects on fasting glucose at seven novel loci. Fasting insulin in women shows stronger genetic correlations than in men with waist-to-hip ratio and anorexia nervosa. Furthermore, waist-to-hip ratio is causally related to insulin resistance in women, but not in men. These results position dissection of metabolic and glycemic health sex dimorphism as a steppingstone for understanding differences in genetic effects between women and men in related phenotypes., Sex differences in fasting glucose and insulin have been identified, but the genetic loci underlying these differences have not. Here, the authors perform a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies to detect sex-specific and sex-dimorphic loci associated with fasting glucose and insulin.

A relevant species in waste management but also in forensic, medical, and veterinary sciences is the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus; Diptera: Stratiomyidae). An ultrastructural study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted for the first time on maxillary palps of both sexes, describing in detail the morphology and distribution of sensilla and microtrichia. The maxillary palps, composed of two segments, show sexual dimorphism in length and shape. In both sexes, the first segment is covered only by microtrichia, but the second one is divided into two parts: the proximal one, covered only by microtrichia, and the distal one containing both microtrichia and sensory structures. These structures include two types of sensory pits and one of chaetic sensilla. Due to sexual dimorphism in palp size, females have a higher number of sensory pits. The sexual dimorphism of palps and the presence and role of sensilla in H. illucens was discussed in comparison to other species of the family Stratiomyidae and of other Diptera. This study may represent a base for further investigations on mouthpart structures of this species, involved in key physiological activities, such as feeding, mating and oviposition.

Objective The in vitro evaluation of SPF is still a problem due to the lack of repeatability and correlation between the in vitro and in vivo data and many authors are currently working to develop an internationally harmonized method.(1) Very recently, the use of several “adjuvant” ingredients such as boosters, antioxidants, immuno-modulators, solvents and film forming ingredients have further complicated the pattern for product developers, that should frequently run in vivo test. The aim of this study is to understand if a simple and cheap in vitro method could be optimized in order to provide both statistically repeatable and predictive SPF measurement. Methods In vitro SPF assessments were carried out on 75 commercial products. The SPF was measured according to two laboratory methods (A and B), using different substrates (PMMA and surgical tape Transpore™), quantity of product, spectrophotometers. In order to evaluate if a standard technique of spreading could lead to a statistically reliable result, we applied different spreading pressure (100 g and 200 g). Furthermore, we investigate if other parameters characterizing the product (SPF Category, Filter and Texture) might represent statically significant variables affecting the measures. We then compared the results obtained from in vitro SPF measure of 11 products to in vivo SPF, in order to assess the predictivity of in vitro methods. Results Several problems were encountered in confirming the weakness of the in vitro procedures. Pressure, SPF Category, Filter and Texture did not affect significantly the results. Overall best results were obtained with the B2 method that in terms of repeatability and predictivity provided statistically better results. Method A with Transpore™ tape showed better in vitro-in vivo correlation than Method B with PMMA plates. Conclusion In our investigation we demonstrated that it is possible for a single laboratory to optimize internal methods and protocols to achieve repeatable and predictive in vitro results, but it is extremely difficult to develop methods reproducible and equally reliable in different laboratories, probably due to “external variables” (eg. environmental, operator), which are difficult to control. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects the health of millions of people worldwide. The identification of genetic determinants associated with changes in glycemia over time might illuminate biological features that precede the development of T2D. Here we conducted a genome-wide association study of longitudinal fasting glucose changes in up to 13,807 non-diabetic individuals of European descent from nine cohorts. Fasting glucose change over time was defined as the slope of the line defined by multiple fasting glucose measurements obtained over up to 14 years of observation. We tested for associations of genetic variants with inverse-normal transformed fasting glucose change over time adjusting for age at baseline, sex, and principal components of genetic variation. We found no genome-wide significant association (P −8) with fasting glucose change over time. Seven loci previously associated with T2D, fasting glucose or HbA1c were nominally (P

Serotonin is involved in several central nervous system functions including pain threshold, mood regulation and drug reward. Overuse of acute medications is commonly identified as a causative factor for medication overuse headache (MOH). Apparently, MOH shares with other kinds of drug addiction some common neurobiological pathways. The objective of this study is to assess the role of serotonin metabolism genes in the genetic liability to MOH. We performed a genetic association study using polymorphisms of five serotonin metabolism-related genes: serotonin transporter (5HTT), serotonin receptor 1A (5-HT1A), serotonin receptor 1B (5-HT1B), serotonin receptor 2A (5-HT2A) and serotonin receptor 6 (5HT6) genes. We compared 138 patients with MOH with a control sample of 117 individuals without headache and without drug overuse, and with 101 patients with migraine without aura but without drug overuse (MO). The genotypic and allelic distributions of all polymorphisms investigated did not differ among the three groups. In conclusion, our study does not provide evidence that the 5HTT, 5-HT1A, 5HT1B, 5HT2A and 5HT6 gene polymorphisms play a role in the genetic predisposition to MOH.

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to assess the association of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-A) and lymphotoxin alpha (LT-A) gene polymorphisms with the clinical parameters of gingivitis in a large experimental gingivitis trial and with each of two subgroups, "high responder" (HR, n = 24) and "low responder" (LR, n = 24), with distinct susceptibility to gingivitis. Material and Methods: Ninety-six systemically and periodontally healthy non-smokers, 46 males (mean age: 23.9 ± 1.7) and 50 females (mean age: 23.3 ± 1.6), were included in a randomized split-mouth localized 21-day experimental gingivitis trial. Plaque index, gingival index, gingival crevicular fluid volume and angulated bleeding score were recorded. HR and LR subgroups were characterized by substantially different severities of gingival inflammation despite a similar plaque accumulation rate. All subjects were genetically characterized for IL-6 - 174 , IL-6 -597 , TNF-A -308 and LT-A +252 polymorphisms. Results: None of the variants analysed, either as single polymorphisms or as a combined genotype, was associated with the clinical parameters in the overall population. For the polymorphisms studied, genotypic distributions in HR and LR subjects were not significantly different. Conclusions: The present results suggest an absence of association between IL-6, TNF-A and LT-A polymorphisms and subject-based clinical behaviour of the gingiva in response to de novo plaque accumulation.

To assess the role of dopamine metabolism-related genes in the genetic liability to chronic headache with drug abuse (DA). We performed a genetic association study using four functional polymorphisms of the dopamine receptor 4 (DRD4), dopamine transporter (DAT), mono-amino-oxidase A (MAOA) and cathecol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) genes in 103 patients with chronic daily headache associated with DA (CDHDA). Control samples were 117 individuals without headache or DA (controls) and 101 patients with episodic migraine without aura and without DA (MO). No differences were found at the COMT and MAOA genes among the three groups investigated. Allele 4 of DRD4 was significantly overrepresented in patients with MO compared with both controls and CDHDA. Allele 10 of the DAT gene was significantly underrepresented in patients with CDHDA when compared with the MO group. Genetic variability at the DRD4 gene is involved in the predisposition to episodic MO but not to DA, while liability to CDHDA may involve genetic variability at the DAT gene in comparison with episodic MO.

Objectives: The objective of the present randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a mouthrinse containing a combination of AmF/SnF 2 in controlling supragingival plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation during a 12-week period in patients affected by generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP). Methods: Eighteen subjects, six males and 12 females, mean age: 32.2 years, were evaluated. One-half of the patients was either prescribed an AmF/SnF 2 -containing mouthrinse (test mouthrinse) or a control mouthrinse in addition to mechanical plaque control for 12 weeks. After a 2-week wash-out period, the patients received the alternative mouthrinse. Before and after treatment plaque index (PII), gingival index (GI), angulated bleeding index (AngBI), tooth stain (GMSI), and tongue stain were recorded. Results: Test mouthrinse resulted in a statistically significant decrease in PII (p = 0.029) and GI (p = 0.017). After treatment, PII was significantly lower in test compared to control mouthrinse (p = 0.027). GMSI significantly increased posttreatment for both mouthrinse regimens (p

Objectives: The purpose of the present parallel-design, controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the treatment outcome of periodontal furcation defects following flap debridement surgery (FDS) procedure in cigarette smokers compared to non-smokers. Materials and Methods: After initial therapy, 31 systemically healthy subjects with moderate to advanced periodontitis, who presented at least one Class I or II molar furcation defect, were selected. Nineteen patients (mean age: 40.3 years, 15 males) were smokers (≥10 cigarettes/day) and 12 patients (mean age: 44.8 years, 3 males) were non-smokers. Full-mouth plaque score (FMPS) and full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS), probing pocket depth (PPD), vertical clinical attachment level (v-CAL), and horizontal clinical attachment level (h-CAL) were assessed immediately before and 6 months following surgery. Results: Overall, statistically significant v-CAL gain was observed in smokers (1.0 ± 1.3 mm) and non-smokers (1.3±1.1 mm), the difference between groups being statistically significant (p=0.0003). In proximal furcation defects, v-CAL gain amounted to 2.3±0.7 mm in non-smokers as compared to 1.0±1.1 mm in smokers (p=0.0013). At 6 months postsurgery, non-smokers presented a greater h-CAL gain (1.3±1.1 mm) than smokers (0.6±1.0 mm), with a statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.0089). This trend was confirmed in both facial/lingual (1.4±1.0 versus 0.8±0.8 mm) and proximal furcation defects (1.2±1.3 versus 0.5±1.2 mm). The proportion of Class II furcations showing improvement to postsurgery Class I was 27.6% in smokers and 38.5% in non-smokers. After 6 months, 3.4% of presurgery Class I furcation defects in smokers showed complete closure, as compared to 27.8% in non-smokers. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicated that (1) FDS produced clinically and statistically significant PPD reduction, v-CAL gain, and h-CAL gain in Class I/II molar furcation defects, and (2) cigarette smokers exhibited a less favorable healing outcome following surgery in terms of both v-CAL and h-CAL gain.

International audience; The isonymy structure of the Netherlands was studied using the surname distribution of 2.4 million private telephone users selected from a 1996 commercial CD-ROM containing the names of 6.3 million users in the country. The users were distributed in 226 towns selected on a geographic basis to form an approximately regular grid throughout the Netherlands. Names of telephone users in each town were downloaded from the CD-ROM, with private users being selected for inclusion in the analysis. The shortest linear distance between several nearest neighboring towns was less than 2 km (e.g., Kampen and Ijsselmuiden, Krommen and Zaandijk, Hendrikdo and Papendrecht) and the longest distance was 326 km (Delfzijl and Oostburg ZL). The number of different surnames revealed by the analysis was 126,485. Lasker's distance, the negative value of the logarithm of isonymy between localities, was found to be significantly correlated with linear geographic distance, with r = 0.47 +/- 0.006. A dendrogram built using the matrix of isonymy distances, using the nearest neighbor-joining method, separates the Dutch towns into several clusters, most of them correlated with traditional Dutch regions. Comparisons with the results of previous analyses of the structure of other European countries are given. From the present analysis, isolation by distance emerges clearly, and it is relevant, although much weaker than in Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Germany. The random component of inbreeding estimated from isonymy indicates a considerable degree of homogeneity in the Netherlands.

AimMany studies investigated the role of genetic variants in periodontitis, but few were established as risk factors. We aimed to validate the associations of recent candidate genes in aggressive periodontitis (AgP).Material and MethodsWe analysed 23 genes in 600 German AgP patients and 1441 controls on the Illumina custom genotyping array Immunochip. We tested a suggestive association in a Dutch and German/Austrian AgP case-control sample, and a German chronic periodontitis (CP) case-control sample using Sequenom iPlex assays. We additionally tested the common known risk variant rs1333048 of the gene ANRIL for its association in a Turkish and Italian population.ResultsNone of the analysed genes gave statistical evidence for association. Upon covariate adjustment for smoking and gender, in the pooled German-Austrian AgP sample, IL10 SNP rs6667202 was associated with p = 0.016, OR = 0.77 (95% CI = 0.6-0.95), and in the Dutch AgP sample, adjacent IL10 SNP rs61815643 was associated with p = 0.0009, OR = 2.31 (95% CI = 1.4-3.8). At rs61815643, binding of the transcription factor PPARG was predicted. ANRIL rs1333048 was associated in the Turkish sample (pallelic = 0.026, OR = 1.67 [95% CI = 1.11-2.60]).ConclusionsPrevious candidate genes carry no susceptibility factors for AgP. Association of IL-10 rs61815643 with AgP is suggested. ANRIL is associated with periodontitis across different populations.

OBJECTIVE —To evaluate whether people who have committed parasuicide have low serum cholesterol concentrations. DESIGN —Results of blood tests in subjects admitted to hospital for parasuicide compared with those of a control group of non-suicidal subjects; comparison in subgroup of parasuicide subjects of two sets of blood test results (one set from admission for parasuicide and the other from admission for some other illness). SETTING —General hospital, Ferrara, Italy. SUBJECTS —331parasuicide subjects aged 44 (SD 21) years (109 with two sets of blood test results) and 331 controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES —Serum cholesterol concentrations and possible association with parasuicide, considering sex, violence of method of parasuicide, and underlying psychiatric disorder. RESULTS —Lower serum cholesterol concentrations (4.96 (SD 1.16) mmol/l) were found in the parasuicide subjects than in the controls (5.43 (1.30); P CONCLUSION —The study showed low cholesterol concentrations after parasuicide. This finding agrees with previous studies, which suggest an association between low cholesterol concentration and suicide. Key messages Trials of cholesterol lowering have shown an increased mortality from violent deaths and suicide No studies of cholesterol concentrations in parasuicide subjects are available This study shows lower cholesterol concentrations in parasuicide subjects than in controls The association between low cholesterol concentration and parasuicide, however, does not allow definite conclusions to be drawn Further prospective trials are needed to focus on the possible effects of abrupt variation in cholesterol concentration on behaviour

In order to describe the isonymic structure of Paraguay, the distribution of 4,843,868 surnames of 2,882,163 persons was studied in the 18 departments and 237 districts of the nation. The correlations between isonymic and geographic distances for departments were r = 0.713 ± 0.052 for Euclidean distance, 0.597 ± 0.074 for Nei's and 0.582 ± 0.076 for Lasker's, and for districts r = 0.320 ± 0.007, 0.235 ± 0.009 and 0.422 ± 0.008, respectively. Average α was 151 for the entire country, 140.6 ± 6.5 for departments and 108.2 ± 2.7 for districts. The geographical distribution of districts'α is compatible with the settlement of subsequent groups of migrants moving from South towards the Centre and North of Paraguay. The geographical analysis of the first three components of Lasker's isonymy distance matrix is in agreement with such a process. The prevalence of Spanish-Amerindian ethnic groups and the relative absence of indigenous surnames (absence due mainly to the forced surname change of 1848) is in agreement with the diffusion of Spanish speaking males over a low-density area populated by indigenous groups. The present distribution of Y-markers and mt-markers in the available studies in most Latin American populations is compatible with this process.

In Chile, the Hispanic dual surname system is used. To describe the isonymic structure of this country, the distribution of 16,277,255 surnames of 8,178,209 persons was studied in the 15 regions, the 54 provinces, and the 346 communes of the nation. The number of different surnames found was 72,667. Effective surname number (Fisher's α) for the entire country was 309.0, the average for regions was 240.8 ± 17.6, for provinces 209.2 ± 8.9, and for communes 178.7 ± 4.7. These values display a variation of inbreeding between administrative levels in the Chilean population, which can be attributed to the ‘Prefecture effect’ of Nei and Imaizumi. Matrices of isonymic distances between units within administrative levels were tested for correlation with geographic distance. The correlations were highest for provinces (r = 0.630 ± 0.019 for Euclidean distance) and lowest for communes (r = 0.366 ± 0.009 for Lasker's). The geographical distribution of the first three-dimensions of the Euclidean distance matrix suggests that population diffusion may have taken place from the north of the country toward the center and south. The prevalence of European plus European-Amerindian (95.4%) over Amerindian ethnicity (4.6%, CIA World Factbook) is compatible with diffusion of Caucasian groups over a low-density area populated by indigenous groups. The significant excess of maternal over paternal indigenous surnames indicates some asymmetric mating between nonAmerindian and Amerindian Chileans. The available studies of Y-markers and mt-markers are in agreement with this asymmetry. In the present work, we investigate the Chilean population with the aim of detecting its structure through the study of isonymy (Crow and Mange,1965) in the three administrative levels of the nation, namely 15 regions, 54 provinces, and 346 communes. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aggressive periodontitis (AgP) is a multifactorial disease. The distinctive aspect of periodontitis is that this disease must deal with a large number of genes interacting with one another and forming complex networks. Thus, it is reasonable to expect that gene-gene interaction may have a crucial role. Therefore, we carried out a pilot case-control study to identify the association of candidate epistatic interactions between genetic risk factors and susceptibility to AgP, by using both conventional parametric analyses and a higher order interactions model, based on the nonparametric Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction algorithm. We analyzed 122 AgP patients and 246 appropriate periodontally healthy individuals, and genotyped 28 polymorphisms, located within 14 candidate genes, chosen among the principal genetic variants pointed out from literature and having a role in inflammation and immunity. Our analyses provided significant evidence for gene--gene interactions in the development of AgP, in particular, present results: (a) indicate a possible role of two new polymorphisms, within SEPS1 and TNFRSF1B genes, in determining host individual susceptibility to AgP; (b) confirm the potential association between of IL-6 and Fc γ- receptor polymorphisms and the disease; (c) exclude an essential contribution of IL-1 cluster gene polymorphisms to AgP in our Caucasian-Italian population.

to assess the prevalence and distribution of bleeding on probing (BoP) in a cohort of periodontally diseased patients, evaluate the influence of patient-related predictors on BoP variability, and characterize two subgroups of patients with a significantly different BoP score.six hundred and one patients were retrospectively included. The percentage of BoP-positive sites was calculated for the entire dentition (%BoPtotal) and within different areas of the dentition. The influence of patient-related predictors on intersubject variability in %BoPtotal was evaluated. Two subgroups of patients, belonging to the lowest (LB, low bleeding) and highest (high bleeding, HB) quartile of patient distribution according to %BoPtotal, were identified.median %BoPtotal was 26.4%, with 99% of the population showing at least one BoP-positive site. %BoPtotal was positively correlated with patient age and number of sites with pocket probing depth (PPD) ⋝ 5 mm, and significantly more prevalent in mandibular vs maxillary sites, posterior vs anterior sites, interproximal vs oral/buccal sites, and sites with PPD ⋝ 5 mm vs PPD ⋜ 4 mm. LB and HB patients were significantly different for %BoPtotal, as well as in sites with PPD ⋜ 4 mm and PPD ⋝ 5 mm, but not for sex, age, smoking status, daily cigarette consumption, diabetic status, and number of sites with PPD ⋝ 5 mm.BoP was highly prevalent and variable in both patients and different areas of the dentition; patient-related factors and site-specific characteristics (such as age, number of periodontal pockets, probing depth, tooth type, and aspects) seem to be partly responsible for the individual variation in BoP; and HB and LB were not significantly different with respect to the investigated predictors.

The cytogenetic effects of three benzimidazoles, i.e., benomyl, methyl thiophanate and methyl 2-benzimidazolecarbamate (MBC), were studied in mouse bone marrow cells by analyzing three genetic endpoints: micronuclei, structural chromosome aberrations plus or minus gaps, and aneugenic effects (hyperdiploidy or polyploidy). In general, the effects were small, but it was observed that benomyl and MBC significantly induced micronuclei as well as aneugenic effects, hyperdiploidy (no metaphases with more than one or two extra chromosomes, 2n + 1 or 2n + 2, were observed) and polyploidy (4n). The induction of chromosome gaps and breaks was less evident. Methyl thiophanate significantly induced micronuclei, but it was less effective than benomyl and MBC. Our results showed that micronuclei are a good indicator of aneugenic effects in mouse bone marrow cells. A curvilinear trend test has been devised to fit the curves originating from the time-dependent responses.

Trombelli L, Rizzi A, Simonelli A, Scapoli C, Carrieri A, Farina R. Age-related treatment response following non-surgical periodontal therapy. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 346–352. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2010.01541.x. Abstract Background: To date, no studies have evaluated the effect of patient age on the treatment response following non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). Aim: To evaluate the outcomes of NSPT in two cohorts of patients with a substantial age difference. Materials and Methods: Two groups of periodontitis patients with a substantial age difference (younger group, Y, and older group, O) were retrospectively selected. The effectiveness of NSPT was assessed by evaluating the changes in the prevalence of sites with different pocket probing depths (PPD) as well as the changes in patient- and site-specific bleeding on probing (BoP) scores. Results: Y group comprised 57 patients, mean age: 34.7 ± 4.4 years, and O group comprised 60 patients, mean age: 58.9 ± 5.3 years (p

In Bolivia, the Hispanic dual surname system is used. To describe the isonymic structure of Bolivia, the surname distribution of 12,139,448 persons registered in the 2006 census data was studied in 9 districts and 112 provinces of the nation, for a total of 23,244,064 surnames. The number of different surnames found was 174,922. Matrices of isonymic distances between the administrative units (districts and provinces) were constructed and tested for correlation with geographic distance. In the 112 provinces, isonymic distances were correlated with geographic distance (r = 0.545 ± 0.011 for Euclidean, 0.501 ± 0.012 for Nei's, and 0.556 ± 0.010 for Lasker's distance). The multiple regression of the surname effective number (α), equivalent to the allele effective number in a genetic system, was nonsignificant on latitude and longitude; however, it was highly significant and negative on altitude (r = -0.72). Because the Andes extend from north to south in west-central Bolivia, random inbreeding was lowest in the eastern districts, and highest in mountainous western Bolivia. Average α for the provinces was 122 ± 2; for the districts, it was 216 ± 29, and for the whole of Bolivia it was 213. The geographical distribution of α in the provinces is compatible with the settlement of subsequent groups of migrants moving from east and north toward the center and south of Bolivia. The relative frequency of indigenous surnames is correlated positively with altitude. This suggests that the country was populated by recent low-density demic diffusion over a low-density indigenous population. This may have been a common phenomenon in the immigration to tropical South America.

A split-mouth study was conducted to compare dental implants with either machined or titanium oxide (TiO) surfaces immediately loaded with fixed partial dentures in the posterior mandible.Ten patients with bilateral partial edentulism in the posterior mandible received 42 implants; 20 on the test (TiO) and 22 on the control (machined) side. The implants were loaded within 24 hours postsurgery. At implant placement the maximum insertion torque (IT) was recorded. Implant stability quotient (ISQ) was also evaluated at baseline (day 0) and 1, 2, 4, 12, 24, and 52 weeks following implant placement. The radiographic bone level (RBL) change was measured on periapical radiographs at baseline and 12 months after loading. Means for the 2 groups were compared by paired t test.The overall implant success rate was 95%. No implants were lost in the test group; 2 failed in the control group. The difference between the groups in RBL change after 1 year of function was not statistically significant (P = .224). However, average RBL change for machined implants in distal positions was significantly higher than for TiO surface implants in the same position (post-hoc comparison; P = .048). ISQ and peak IT values did not differ between the groups (P = .414 and P = .762, respectively). The high IT necessary to insert the implants did not seem to affect the RBL change (P = .203).No significant difference was observed between machined and TiO implant surface in terms of RBL change or ISQ, although TiO implants may provide a lower RBL change compared to machined implants when utilized in the distal position. Immediate loading of implants using fixed partial dentures in posterior mandible may be considered as a treatment option if implants are inserted with ITor = 20 Ncm and ISQor = 60 into nonaugmented bone and loaded with light centric occlusal contact.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess whether identification of subjects with different susceptibility to plaque-induced gingival inflammation is dependent on the length of time of de novo plaque accumulation. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data obtained from a recently reported (J Clin Periodontol 31, 239, 2004) randomized split-mouth localized experimental gingivitis trial involving 96 healthy non-smokers. Gingival and plaque index, gingival crevicular fluid volume (GCF), angulated bleeding score, and the derived parameter cumulative plaque exposure (CPE) were recorded at days 0, 7, 14, and 21. The primary outcome variable to express severity of inflammation was GCF and each subject was a statistical unit. Based on subject distribution of GCF-day 21 residuals after standardization for CPE-day 21, two sub-populations (upper and lower distribution quartiles) were selected. They were, respectively, defined as "high responders" (HR) (n = 24) and "low responders" (LR) (n = 24) and characterized by significantly different severity of gingivitis to similar amounts of plaque deposits. The same analysis was repeated at days 7 and 14. Prevalence of HR and LR was compared between days using the Χ 2 [ML] test. Results: For both day 7 and day 14, the quartile distribution of LR and HR was statistically significant (p = 0.02). Fifty percent of LR and 71% of HR presented a consistent level of susceptibility to plaque-induced gingival inflammation even after only 7 and/or 14 days of plaque accumulation. Conclusions: These findings support the concept that the subject-based susceptibility to plaque-induced gingival inflammation is an individual trait, only partly related to the length of time of exposure to plaque.

Prevalence and influence on liver disease of HCV and HGV infections, and HCV genotypes were studied in 28 HCV-Ab positive multitransfused thalassaemia patients with persistently normal ALT levels (group A) matched by sex and age with 28 patients with increased ALT levels (group B). Laboratory and virologic tests (all patients), liver biopsy (28 patients) and LIC by SQUID (30 patients) were performed. In group A, HCV-RNA was positive in 39%, genotype 2a was detected in 91%. In Group B, HCV-RNA was positive in 89%, prevalence of genotype 1b and 2a was 52% and 48% respectively; compared with group A, they had significantly increased values of gammaGT, AF, BA, TP, IgG, IgA, LIC (group B: 2,142 -/+ 1,524 microg/g liver; group A: 1,084 -/+ 610 microg/g liver). Overall prevalence of HGV-RNA was low (12.5%) and not significantly different between groups. Liver biopsies revealed no cirrhosis and severe fibrosis was found in 3 HCV viremic patients in group B. In 14 viremic patients examined both for LIC and liver histology, mild fibrosis was observed in 71%, in which iron overload was below 5 times the normal value. In conclusion, in patients with normal ALT levels, active HCV infection must be excluded by evaluation of HCV-RNA. Liver biopsy is indicated in HCV viremic patients, independent of ALT levels; in non-viremic patients, increased ALT levels may be due to iron overload and LIC measurement is indicated. Our data emphasise the crucial role of chelation therapy to maintain low LIC levels in order to prevent progression of fibrosis to cirrhosis in patients with HCV chronic hepatitis.

AIM The aim of this study was to characterize the gingival inflammatory response to de novo plaque accumulation in subjects treated for aggressive periodontitis (AP). The gingival inflammatory response of the AP subjects was retrospectively compared with that of periodontally healthy individuals (PH) matched for exposure to plaque and of periodontally healthy subjects previously identified as "high responders" (HR) and "low responders" (LR). MATERIALS AND METHODS 13 AP subjects and 26 matched PH subjects participated in a 21-day experimental gingivitis trial. Plaque index (PlI), Gingival index (GI), gingival crevicular fluid volume (GCF) and angulated bleeding score (AngBS) were recorded at days 0, 7, 14 and 21. Cumulative plaque exposure (CPE), i.e. PlI over time, was also calculated. RESULTS GCF was significantly higher in AP compared with PH group at each observation interval (p< or =0.001). In addition, GCF was significantly higher in AP group compared with either LR or HR groups at each observation interval (p

Background: Studies have shown an association between an acute stressful event and gingivitis. However, the possible effects of personality traits associated with stress resistance/susceptibility and current level of stress on the clinical expression of plaque-induced inflammation remain to be examined. The aim of this study was to characterize the subject-based clinical behaviour of the gingiva during experimental gingivitis in relation to personality profile, psychological stress and coping behaviour. Methods: Ninety-six systemically and periodontally healthy subjects (mean age: 23.6±1.7 years), 46 males and 50 females, non-smokers, participated in a randomized, split-mouth, localized experimental gingivitis trial. Prior to the trial, subjects were asked to complete self-administered questionnaires evaluating personality traits (Hardiness scale and Courtauld Emotional Control Scale), subjective stress (Visual Analogue Scale – Total Distress), social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, MSPSS) and life events (Life Experiences Survey (LES)). The influence of psychosocial factors was investigated in the overall population as well as in two sub-populations with different inflammatory response to plaque accumulation. Results: No significant relationships were found between gingival inflammation variables and psychological measures. No significant differences were detected between subjects with different susceptibilties to plaque-associated gingivitis for any considered psychological variable. A significant association between plaque variables and LES (negative) or MSPSS (positive) was found; however, the variance explained by the model was low. Conclusions: Differences in the current level of stress and psychosocial variables indicative of stress susceptibility do not account for variability in plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation during experimental gingivitis in young adults.

In order to study the isonymic structure of Argentina, the surname distributions of 22.6 million electors registered for the year 2001 were analyzed in the 24 districts (distritos) and 541 municipalities (municipios) of the country. The number of different surnames found was 414,441. Matrices of isonymic distances between districts were constructed and tested for correlation with the geographic distance between the capital towns of the districts. We found that, for the whole of Argentina, Euclidean distance was correlated with the log of geographic distance (r = 0.480 ± 0.067). A dendrogram of the 24 regions was built from the matrix of Euclidean distances, using the UPGMA method. The clusters identified by the dendrogram are coincident with conterminous geographical regions of the country. Random inbreeding calculated from isonymy, FST, was highest in La Rioja, Corrientes, and Santiago del Estero. It was lowest in the area of Buenos Aires and in the north-central region of Santa Fe. Average Fisher's α for municipalities was 358; for districts, it was 422; and for Argentina as a unit, it was 602. The geographical distribution of α in 541 municipalities, high in the east and lower in the west of the country, is compatible with the settlement in the 20th century of subsequent waves of immigrants moving from the North Atlantic coast toward the foot of the Andes and toward the south. The present structure of Argentina indicates that migration dominates over drift. Am J Phys Anthropol 128:199-209, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to characterize the subject-based clinical behavior of the gingiva in response to a tooth-cleaning regimen in two subpopulations, “high-responder” (HR) and “low-responder” (LR) groups, presenting a different inflammatory response to plaque accumulation. Material and Methods: The study population comprised of 96 systemically and periodontally healthy subjects, 46 males and 50 females, non-smokers, enrolled in an experimental gingivitis trial. At completion of the experimental gingivitis period (day 21), all subjects were prescribed the same 21-day treatment regimen of amine/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF2)-containing toothpaste and mouthrinse. Plaque index (PlI), gingival index (GI), gingival crevicular fluid volume (GCF), and angulated bleeding score (AngBS) were recorded on three selected teeth. Treatment efficacy was evaluated in the overall population as well as in HR and LR groups, separately. Results: A statistically significant decrease of PlI was observed after treatment (p

We investigated the role of frequent fibrinogen polymorphisms in venous thromboembolic disease in conjunction with inherited thrombophilia. Two hundred unrelated subjects, all carriers of the factor V R506Q mutation (FV Leiden), were genotyped at the fibrinogen gene cluster. Among these subjects, 100 had experienced previous venous thromboembolism (VTE) and 100 were still asymptomatic for VTE. Significant differences were observed between the groups for the BclI polymorphism (P = 0.004). Scanning, by sequencing the DNA regions flanking the BclI marker, revealed new polymorphisms, a C to T transition and a G to T transversion at 1520 and 3369 base pairs 3' to the beta gene stop codon respectively. These markers showed less association with the clinical phenotype than BclI itself. A combined genotype including 10 markers was more frequent among the asymptomatic subjects (17%) than among patients (3%), and was associated with a reduction in fibrinogen antigen level (2.42 +/- 0.35 vs 2.69 +/- 0.41 g/l, P = 0.028) among the asymptomatic subjects. Our data suggest that, in the presence of inherited thrombophilia, frequent fibrinogen polymorphisms may interact to modulate the risk of venous thromboembolism.

The clinical variability in the rate of progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) has been attributed to genetic heterogeneity, though environmental factors and modifying genes very likely play an important role as well. We examined the association between clinical outcome, defined by age at onset of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in 46 ADPKD patients, and a polymorphism in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, a candidate modifying gene. EGFR is a key element in renal tubular proliferation.This study comprised 46 unrelated patients with ADPKD and ESRD, and 58 healthy controls. The patients had prevalently PKD 1 mutations. The EGFR microsatellite polymorphism was genotyped according to Gebhardt et al (11).The allele frequencies of the EGFR polymorphism were different in the ADPKD sample and the control population (G2=17.19; P=0.009). In particular, the frequencies of the 122 and 118bp length alleles had a different distribution (P=0.010 and P=0.047 respectively). Patients with the 122bp length polymorphism had ESRD at an earlier age,but this finding was not statistically significant.These findings suggest an association between the EGFR microsatellite polymorphism and ADPKD. However, it is difficult to establish which alleles are protective and which harmful. A larger, multicenter study may help clarify these results and is also required to replicate our preliminary finding of an association between ADPKD and the EGFR polymorphism.

In order to estimate the isonymy structure of Spain, we studied surname distribution in 283 Spanish towns based on 3.625 million telephone users selected from 6.328 million users, downloaded from a commercial CD-ROM which contains all 13 million users in the country. Since in Spain the surname is made by the paternal and the maternal surname, it was possible to classify surnames according to parental origin. Two matrices of isonymy distances, one for paternal and one for maternal surnames, were constructed and tested for correlation with geographic distance. For the whole of Spain, Euclidean distance was significantly but weakly correlated with geographic distance both for paternal and maternal surnames, with r = 0.205 ± 0.013 and r = 0.263 ± 0.012, respectively. Two dendrograms of the 283 sampled towns were built from the two matrices of Euclidean distance. They are largely colinear. Four main clusters identified by the dendrograms are correlated with geography. Given the surname structure of Spain, we were able to calculate from isonymy and for each town 1) total or expressed inbreeding, 2) random or expected inbreeding, and 3) local inbreeding. Total inbreeding, FIT, was highest in the North Atlantic regions and lowest along the Mediterranean Coast. The lowest levels were found in Andalusia, Catalunyia, Valencia, and Navarra. Random inbreeding, FST, had a similar geographical pattern. Local inbreeding, FIS, was relatively uniform in the whole of Spain. In towns, random inbreeding dominates over local inbreeding. From the analysis, it emerges that the northwestern area of Spain is the most inbred. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

We performed a genetic association study with the LDL receptor gene (LDLR) on chromosome 19p13.2 in 360 migraine patients, 220 with migraine without aura (MO) and 140 with migraine with aura (MA), and 200 controls, by analysing two polymorphic markers, a G142A transition in exon 10 and a triallelic (TA)n repeat in exon 18. The allelic distribution of the (TA)n polymorphism was significantly different between migraine without aura (MO) and both controls and migraine with aura (MA). We suggest a possible predisposition to MO in the studied population through this polymorphism or another polymorphism in linkage disequilibrium with (TA)n. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate which CD34 + cell subset contained in leukapheresis products could be regarded as the most predictive of long-term hematopoietic recovery after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT). Materials and Methods Based on data from 34 patients with hematologic malignancies, doses of CD34 + cells and CD34 + cell subsets, defined by the expression of HLA-DR, CD38, CD117 (c-kit/R), CD123 (α subunit of IL-3/R), CD133 (AC133), and CD90 (Thy-1) antigens, were correlated with the number of short-term (i.e., colony-forming cells [CFC]) and long-term culture CFC (LTC-CFC) (generated at week 5 of culture) and with the kinetics of hematopoietic engraftment following auto-PBSCT. The capacity of autologous stroma (AS), normal human bone marrow stroma, and M2-10B4 murine cell line to sustain CD34 + cell growth was comparatively evaluated in the LTC assay. Results Our data demonstrated that some of the most primitive progenitor subsets (CD34 + CD117 − HLA-DR − , and CD34 + CD38 + HLA-DR − ) showed the strongest correlation with LTC-CFC numbers generated within the AS, whereas no significant correlation was noted using normal bone marrow stroma. Multivariate analysis showed that the only CD34 cell subset independently associated with long-term (3 to 6 months) platelet engraftment after auto-bone marrow transplantation was the CD34 + CD117 − HLA-DR − phenotype; long-term erythrocyte engraftment was correlated with CD34 + CD38 + HLA-DR − cell content. The latter further influenced platelet engraftment in the first 3 months after auto-PBSCT. The most predictive parameters for neutrophil engraftment were CD34 + CD38 + HLA-DR − cell subtype and the total LTC-CFC quantity infused. Conclusions These data further support the hypothesis that the type of stromal feeders influences the frequency of LTC-CFC, possibly because they differ in their ability to interact with distinct subsets of hematopoietic stem cells. Furthermore, as the use of AS in LTC assay can mimic in vitro the human bone marrow microenvironment, it can be speculated that this culture system could be a useful means to study the kinetics of recovery of bone marrow stroma following chemotherapy and PBSCT. From these results, it can be concluded that some CD34 + cell subsets appear to be more reliable predictors of long-term hematopoietic recovery rates than total CD34 + cell quantity.

Complex segregation analysis was conducted in a sample of 171 pedigrees collected through probands affected by non-syndromic dysplasia of the hip (CDH) treated in Ferrara's CDH Centre in the period 1991-6. The analysis favoured a two-locus model, in which the accepted segregation model at the major locus was compatible with recessive transmission, with a gene frequency of the deleterious allele of around 0.20. For the other locus, among the Mendelian hypotheses tested, the recessive model turned out to be the most parsimonious. When ultrasonographic level was examined as an indication of severity, a significant improvement in the fit of the model was observed, giving clear evidence that information on the severity of CDH is important for a better definition of the hereditary transmission model.

The possible effects of environmental and genetic factors on spontaneous frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and cells with chromosome aberrations (CAs) in human lymphocytes were investigated by analysing 177 completed families (mother, father and at least one child). After removing the effects of methodological, biological and life-style factors by the use of multifactor analysis of variance (MANOVA), SCEs and CAs residuals were analysed by simple correlation analysis and principal component analysis. SCEs and CAs inter-familiar variability was higher than that found within families. A significant correlation was found between the average SCE frequencies shared by parents (the so-called 'midpoint parents', or 'midparent') and offspring (linear slope b=0.26+/-0.07, p0.05), but also between mother and father (b=0.23+/-0.11, p0.05) suggesting the presence of an effective environmental factor. The midparent-offspring correlation was found to be sustained by the mother-offspring relationship (b=0.28+/-0.08, p0.05), being the father-offspring correlation not significant (b=0.16+/-0.11, p0.05). Concerning CAs, no statistically significant correlation between parents was found, but the strong relationship between mother and offspring was confirmed (b=0.468+/-0.11, p0.001). The SCEs correlation between mother vs. offspring disappeared for older offspring (over 23 years old). The obtained findings strongly showed that the genetic make-up is barely detectable in the presence of domestic environment factors which are shown to play the major role in determining the interfamilial variability of SCE and CA in a general population. These results strengthen the suitability of the use of SCEs and CAs analysis in human cytogenetic surveillance for the detection of effective environmental factors.

A double-blind, randomized, single-dose clinical trial to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of preoperative ketorolac tromethamine administration on periodontal postoperative pain was designed. One group received 20 mg ketorolac immediately before periodontal flap surgery, and the other group received placebo. Naproxen sodium was allowed post operatively as rescue medication. The visual analog scale was used to estimate pain. Postoperative pain was assessed hourly for the first 10 h on the day of surgery, and 4× daily on the 1st and 2nd postsurgical days. Timing and dose of rescue analgesic remedication were also recorded. Results indicated that preoperative treatment with ketorolac significantly reduced initial pain intensity and delayed the onset of postoperative pain as compared to placebo. Incidence and amount of naproxen consumption was similarly small in both ketorolac- and placebo-treated groups. No adverse reactions related to preoperative medication were observed.

SUMMARY Complex segregation analysis was conducted in a series of patients with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) ascertained through probands registered in the Cancer Registry of the Health Care District of Modena in Northern Italy. Altogether there were 71 nuclear families segregating for HNPCC in 28 pedigrees. The analysis favoured the two-loci model, in which the segregation at the major locus is compatible with codominant transmission with a frequency of 0·0044 for the high-risk allele for HNPCC and a lifetime penetrance of 0·728 for heterozygotes.

Classical segregation analysis was conducted on 605 families of probands with colorectal carcinoma ascertained through the Cancer Registry of the Province of Modena in Italy. The families were classified as 28 suspected hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndromes and 577 presumed non-HNPCC. In 11 of these, both parents had colorectal carcinoma, in 130 one parent was affected, and in 436 both parents were normal. In the suspected HNPCC families, segregation was compatible with dominant transmission of susceptibility to carcinoma. In families with one parent affected, the segregation frequency was almost exactly equal to the frequency of segregation in families where both parents were normal. The model of dominant transmission of susceptibility through a major gene with greatly reduced penetrance in heterozygotes fitted the data acceptably.

A method for assessing the effect of clastogens on mouse skin epidermal cells was devised and applied. Toxic and mutagenic responses in epidermal cells were tested using two known mutagens and carcinogens, urethane (URE) and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). Cell generation time, sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) and chromosomal aberrations (CA) after topical and intraperitoneal (i.p.) treatment were measured in epidermal and bone marrow cells. After topical administration both tissues responded similarly, whereas after i.p. treatment skin cells were less responsive than bone marrow cells. However, the results indicate the validity of this new cytogenetic approach for the assessment of the genotoxicity of compounds applied directly to skin.

The distribution of surnames in the population of the town of Ferrara, as it existed in the memory banks of the Municipality Computer in June 1990, was studied by sex, age and place of birth of residents. Random isonymy was studied separately in persons born before 1901, and in persons born in the nine decades thereafter, ending with the period 1981-90. Isonymy was higher in the older age groups studied. Also other indicators of the abundance of surnames in the distribution, the common ecological indexes derived from entropy, were calculated and compared between age groups. It was found that redundancy, as isonymy, is larger in older age classes than in younger classes. Surname effective number was defined as the inverse of isonymy corrected for sample size, and it was observed that it is practically identical with Fisher's alpha. It was then possible to separate random isonymy into two components, so that for sample size N its formulation becomes Ir = 1/alpha + 1/N It was found that in Ferrara alpha increased significantly in time, indicating enrichment of surnames in the population in the century 1890-1990.

Surname distributions were studied in records of male and female births in Ferrara in the period 1982-89, and in records of male and female deaths in the same period. Average year of birth and standard deviation was 1985 +/- 2.3 for the birth series, and 1912 +/- 14.4 for the death series. Then the surname distributions, in two independent samples at an average distance of 73 years, were compared. It was observed that random isonymy within series, which depends on the shape of the distribution, stays fairly constant at three generations of distance, indicating near-equilibrium of surname turnover. The migrational contribution is indicated by the significant decrease of random isonymy between series, measured with the method of Lasker. It was also observed that immigrants to Ferrara have a life-span significantly longer than people born in the town.In the study of surname distribution in population structure, there are 2 lines of inquiry: surnames as alleles at a haploid locus with models of neutral evolution, and surnames in a diploid state with estimation of marital and random isonymy in males and females. Both approaches are used in the analysis of surname distribution among births and deaths in Ferrara, Italy, in the period 1982-89. The purposes were to determine whether surname distribution had changed perceptibly in the population in the course of an average human life span and to report on the variation of isonymy in deaths and births. A comparison was made of the shape of the surname distributions and of isonomy within and between samples. The assumption was that a random sample of people born at an average of 73 years ago are representative of surname distributions existing at the time of their birth in Ferrara. The data were classified by sex and place of birth for death and sex only for births. There were 7509 deaths of those born in Ferrara with 1894 surnames among the deaths and 14,572 deaths total with 3896 surnames among the total deaths. There were 6066 births with 2561 surnames among births. Surnames were studied fitting a regression to the log-log transformation to the number of surnames which were represented "k" times. Entropy and the equivalent surname number were also calculated. Random isonymy was calculated within series and between series using the method of Lasker, and standardized isonymy between 2 series was calculated according to Chen and Cavalli-Sforza. Estimates of abundance of surnames and migration rates were calculated according to the method of Fisher, and Karlin and McGregor. The results revealed that the distribution of surnames in Ferrara in 19185 maintain a shape very similar to the shape in 1912. The slopes of the log-log regressions for migration show a significant affect, but migration affects the shape only slightly. Isonymy remains almost the same during the 73 years. The reason random isonymy did not change significantly over the years may be due to only recent growth of birth rates and the immigration of entire family groups. It would appear that the genetic structure of the population stayed almost constant, as described by isonymy. An interesting characteristic was that immigrants were the most long-lived, even after infant deaths are excluded.

Airborne particulate matter has been monitored 4 times a month for 1 year (1988) in the city of La Spezia (Italy). The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) fractions were extracted, purified and characterized for the content of 15 individual PAH. In general when concentrations of individual PAH were compared statistical correlation was obtained. Mutagenicity studies were performed by the use of the Ames plate test with the Salmonella strains TA98, TA100, TA98NR and TA98DNP 6 with and without metabolic activation (S9 mix). The TA98 strain was by far the most responsive and the S9 mix was absolutely required as expected when PAH are assayed. Besides mutagenicity, toxicity was also considered and it proved to be correlated with mutagenicity in TA98, +S9. The TA98NR and TA98DNP 6 strains showed no appreciable differences from the parental strain TA98 indicating the absence of significant amounts of direct-acting nitro derivatives in our PAH samples. Of the 15 PAH considered in this study the amounts of cyclopenta[ c , d ]pyrene (CPP) correlated best with mutagenicity. The role of CPP in contributing to the indirect mutagenicity of urban air PAH samples is discussed.

The distribution of surnames in the emigrants from the population of the town of Ferrara in the period 1981-88 was studied by sex and place of birth, namely Ferrara versus other places. Emigrants born in Ferrara were defined as first time emigrants and those who had previously immigrated to Ferrara were defined second time emigrants. It was found that random isonymy is smaller in second time emigrants. Sex ratio is not different in the two types of emigrants. As indicators of the abundance of surnames in a distribution, the common ecological indexes derived from entropy were used and compared between types of emigrants. It was found that redundancy, as isonymy, is larger in the first time emigrants than in second time emigrants. It was observed that second time emigrants were consistently and significantly older than first time emigrants, and that a considerable fraction of them, (22.4%) returned to their place of birth. A sexual dimorphism in age at emigration was observed in second time emigrants, females emigrating at an older age than males.

International audience; The VNTR 3'APOB and D1S80 loci were studied in a sample of 179 individuals living in the Recanati Area (Central Italy). For 3'APOB, we found 34 genotypes and 11 alleles. The system was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.788 and 0.798 respectively. The discrimination power was 0.96, the a-priori paternity exclusion power was 0.619 and the polymorphism information content was 0.773. For D1S80, we found 45 genotypes and 18 alleles. The system deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.696 and 0.790 respectively. The discrimination power was 0.96, the a-priori paternity exclusion power was 0.617 and PIC was 0.767. The Recanati sample was compared with the general Italian frequencies for the 3'APOB locus. A difference of borderline significance was detected (P = 0.04). For D1S80, the sample was compared with a sample from Southern Italy and no significant difference was detected.

The aim of this controlled clinical trial was to assess the effect on healing following tetracycline (TTC) conditioning and fibrin-fibronectin sealing system (FFSS) application in association with flap debridement surgery (FDS) in 11 patients under treatment for moderate to severe periodontitis. Selection criteria included the presence of two bilateral, homologous, non-molar, interproximal sites with probing depth > or = 5 mm. The areas bilateral to the trial sites were matched for number and type of the teeth, and similar periodontal involvement. After initial therapy, a split-mouth design was used in which one area was treated by flap debridement surgery alone (control), and the contralateral area was treated following surgery with a 4-minute burnishing application of 100 mg/ml TTC solution and FFSS (test). Fibrin glue was applied with a syringe on the demineralized root surfaces and surrounding bone margins. Healing by primary intention was encouraged by flap repositioning with interrupted sutures left in place for 14 days. A monthly maintenance recall program was followed. Patients were clinically evaluated at baseline and 6 months and the following measurements were taken: gingival index, plaque control record, clinical attachment level, probing depth, recession, bleeding on probing. Statistical evaluation indicated that both approaches resulted in significant probing depth reduction and clinical attachment gain. However, the differences in healing between the test and control groups were not clinically nor statistically significant. These results suggest there is no additional benefit with TTC demineralization and topical FFSS application in conjunction with flap debridement surgery.

Twenty-four (24) deep wide buccal gingival recessions were treated with ePTFE membrane according to guided tissue regeneration principles (GTR). Factors affecting the surgical outcome of the regenerative procedure were retrospectively analyzed. In 16 cases, the barrier membrane was used in conjunction with tetracycline root conditioning and fibrin-fibronectin system application, and 8 cases were treated with the membrane alone. Healing response was evaluated 12 months after surgery. Since no difference was observed between the two treatment protocols, all available data were grouped. Mean recession depth was reduced from 4.6 mm to 1.3 mm postoperatively, which represents an average root coverage of 71.7%. Fifty percent (50%) of the cases showed clinical attachment gain greater than or equal to 4 mm and a mean increase of keratinized tissue of 1.0 mm was observed. Baseline recession depth and extent of membrane exposure at the reentry procedure significantly influenced the amount of newly-formed tissue under the membrane. Recession reduction positively correlated with the preoperative recession depth and the regenerated tissue gain. Treatment was also affected by tooth location, recession reduction, and attachment gain, being significantly greater in upper than lower archs. Results suggest that GTR technique represents a predictable procedure to improve the soft tissue conditions of deep mucogingival defects. Randomized controlled trials of other forms of management of mucogingival defects as compared to the GTR technique will be necessary to fully evaluate the utility of the GTR technique.

We applied a complex segregation analysis to 46 pedigrees with a total of 121 nuclear families and 660 individuals, to verify hypotheses regarding the inheritance of OFC and linkage with markers on chromosomes 6 and 2. The POINTER program for segregation analysis strongly rejected the hypothesis of no familial transmission of OFC in these families. When the hypothesis of a two-locus model was tested with COMDS, the analysis showed the presence of at least two loci and the model assuming a dominant major gene and a recessive modifier locus was statistically accepted. Given the fitted two-locus model, we tested for a possible linkage between the major OFC locus and the two markers studied. For D6S259, the estimate of the recombination fraction was theta = 0.098, corresponding to a LOD score around 2.1. On the contrary, the data analysis concerning the D2S378 marker showed an estimate of the recombination fraction not significantly different from the independence hypothesis.