Zeynep Burçin Gönen

Effect of platelet-rich plasma on fibrocartilage, cartilage, and bone repair in temporomandibular joint.

PURPOSE The purpose of the present study was to explore the potential use of platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) in the treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Surgical defects were created bilaterally on the condylar fibrocartilage, hyaline cartilage, and bone to induce an osteoarthritic TMJ in rabbits. PRP was applied to the right joints of the rabbits (PRP group), and the left joints received physiologic saline (control group). After 4 weeks, the rabbits were sacrificed for histologic and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examinations. The data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS The new bone regeneration was significantly greater in the PRP group (P < .011). Although the regeneration of the fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage was greater in the PRP group, no statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups. SEM showed better ultrastructural architecture of the collagen fibrils in the PRP group. CONCLUSIONS PRP might enhance the regeneration of bone in TMJ-OA.

Anterior Mandibular Zone Safe for Implants

AbstractDuring implantology procedures, one of the most serious complications is damage of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN). The mandibular incisive nerve is described as a terminal branch of the IAN and provides innervation to the lower anterior teeth and canines. The incisive nerve and canal are located in the interforaminal area. Although numerous studies report IAN damage during implant placement, few reports in the literature describes sensory disturbances, such as neuropathic pain, related to mandibular incisive nerve damage.The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to evaluate the risk of neuropathic pain caused by implant placement in the interforaminal region of the mandible.Panaromic radiographs of patients who were treated with dental implants in the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry at Erciyes University, between 2007 and 2012, were examined. Fifty-five patients with suspected relationship between mandibular incisive canal and dental implant were included into this study. Computed tomography scans were obtained from 10 patients who have postoperative neuropathic pain. Relationship between dental implant and mandibular incisive nerve was evaluated using a three-dimensional software program. Mandibular incisive nerve perforation by at least 1 implant was observed in all 10 patients. Descriptive analyses were also provided.Neuropathic pain may occur after implant placement in the interforaminal region due to the perforation of the incisive canal and nerve. According to the results of this retrospective study, the incisive canal and nerve perforation should be considered as a complication of implant surgery in the mandibular anterior area.

TcRαβ-depleted haploidentical transplantation results in adult acute leukemia patients

ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of αβ+ T-cell-depleted grafts is a novel approach to prevent graft failure, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and non-relapse mortality (NRM) in patients undergoing haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Patient and method: Thirty-four patients with acute leukemia and lacking a match donor were treated with αβ T-cell-depleted allografts from haploidentical family donors. A total of 24 patients had acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 10 had acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 84.4% of patients were in the high-risk group, and 55.9% were not in remission. The preparative regimen included thiotepa, melphalan, fludarabine, and anti-thymocyte globulin-Fresenius. Grafts were peripheral blood stem cells engineered by TcR-alpha/beta depletion. Results: Neutrophil and platelet engraftment was achieved on days +12 (range, 10.5–15) and +11 (range, 10–12). All but three patients were engrafted with full donor chimerism. Grade III-IV acute GVHD occurred in two (5.9%) patients and chronic GVHD in two (6.1%). Disease-free survival and overall survival were 42 and 54% at 1 year, respectively. AML as disease type (HR: 4.87, 95% CI: 1.50–15.87) and mother as donor (HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00–1.11) were found to be independent risk factors on patient survival. Mortality and NRM in the first 100 days were 5 of 34 (14.7%) and 4 of 34 (11.7%). Relapse was the main cause of death (56.3%). T-cell reconstitution appears to be faster than that reported in published data with CD3/CD19-depleted grafts. Conclusion: αβ T-cell-depleted haploidentical transplantation may be a good alternative for high-risk patients if there are no human leukocyte antigen matched donors.

Maxillary sinus floor augmentation in patients with maxillary sinus pseudocyst: case report

The maxillary sinus floor elevation procedure has gained popularity with predictable results, and is a safe, acceptable technique for bone augmentation, providing a base for dental implant treatment. Faint radiopaque lesions at the base of the maxillary sinus are frequent diagnoses on radiographs and must be identified during dental implant planning. Pseudocysts classically appear hemispheric, homogeneously opaque, and well delineated in panoramic and periapical radiographs. The great majority of these lesions are asymptomatic and do not require surgical treatment. In this case report, we present 4 patients who had a maxillary sinus floor elevation procedure using either crestal or lateral approaches in the presence of antral pseudocysts. No complications were encountered during follow-up periods in these patients and all implants are functioning successfully.

Adipose-derived Stem Cells Enhance Axonal Regeneration through Cross-facial Nerve Grafting in a Rat Model of Facial Paralysis

Background: Cross-face nerve grafting combined with functional muscle transplantation has become the standard in reconstructing an emotionally controlled smile in complete irreversible facial palsy. However, the efficacy of this procedure depends on the ability of regenerating axons to breach two nerve coaptations and reinnervate endplates in denervated muscle. The current study tested the hypothesis that adipose-derived stem cells would enhance axonal regeneration through a cross-facial nerve graft and thereby enhance recovery of the facial nerve function. Methods: Twelve rats underwent transection of the right facial nerve, and cross-facial nerve grafting using the sciatic nerve as an interpositional graft, with coaptations to the ipsilateral and contralateral buccal branches, was carried out. Rats were divided equally into two groups: a grafted but nontreated control group and a grafted and adipose-derived stem cell–treated group. Three months after surgery, biometric and electrophysiologic assessments of vibrissae movements were performed. Histologically, the spectra of fiber density, myelin sheath thickness, fiber diameter, and g ratio of the nerve were analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for the evaluation of acetylcholine in the neuromuscular junctions. Results: The data from the biometric and electrophysiologic analysis of vibrissae movements, immunohistochemical analysis, and histologic assessment of the nerve showed that adipose-derived stem cells significantly enhanced axonal regeneration through the graft. Conclusion: These observations suggest that adipose-derived stem cells could be a clinically translatable route toward new methods to enhance recovery after cross-facial nerve grafting.

Treatment of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw using platelet-rich fibrin

Background: Bisphosphonates are commonly prescribed antiresorptive agents for the management of patients with osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, multiple myeloma, and metastatic tumors. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a second generation platelet concentrate, and has the ability of regulating the inflammation and stimulation of chemotactic agents. The aim of this report is to present the treatment of Stage-3 bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) by PRF. Clinical Presentation: A 77-year-old male patient with Stage-3 BRONJ was treated with minimal surgical operations and PRF membrane. The patient was followed up for 18 months, and there was no recurrence or exposure. Conclusion: PRF may promote the healing of both bone and soft tissues even in Stage-3 patients. This technique is an alternative treatment modality for the closure of bone exposure and tissue healing in BRONJ patients.

Are there any differences in mandibular morphology of patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of jaws?: a case-control study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the morphological differences in the mandible between patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) and healthy individuals and to detect the correlation between these parameters on panoramic radiography and CBCT. METHODS: The CBCT and panoramic images of patients with BRONJ (n = 32) and control groups (n = 32) were included in the study. All the comparisons were analyzed between the osteonecrosed and healthy sides of patients with BRONJ and control group. The panoramic radiographs were used to measure the values of the condyle angle, gonial angle, antegonial angle, antegonial depth, condylar height and ramal height. The mandibular cortical index (MCI) and bone quality index (BQI) were also examined on cross-sectional scans of CBCT images. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the MCI (p = 0.014) and BQI (p = 0.021) between the left and right side of the BRONJ group and also between the osteonecrosed side of the BRONJ and control group (p < 0.0001). No significant difference was found in other comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of the present study indicate that bisphosphonates influenced some internal morphological changes in the mandible. These changes may be a reason of BRONJ. But, these changes are not reflective of the measured values obtained using panoramic radiographs on the external morphology of the mandible.

The Effects of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Drugs on Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Culture

Objectives: To assess the effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs on retinal pigment epithelium cell culture. Materials and Methods: Aflibercept (0.5 mg/mL), bevacizumab (0.3125 mg/mL), and ranibizumab (0.125 mg/mL) were applied to retinal pigment epithelium cell cultures isolated from the enucleated eyes of New Zealand white rabbits. Viability, apoptosis, proliferation, and senescence of the cells were evaluated in control and drug-treated cultures at the end of 72 hours. Results: Cells treated with aflibercept showed increased viability and decreased apoptosis compared to the control culture and both the bevacizumab- and ranibizumab-treated groups (p<0.05). Statistically increased apoptosis and decreased viability were found in the bevacizumab and ranibizumab-treated groups compared with the control group (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in cell proliferation and senescence between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Anti-VEGF drugs did not affect senescence or proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium cells. Aflibercept was found to decrease apoptosis and increase cell viability, while ranibizumab and bevacizumab increased apoptosis and reduced cell viability in retinal pigment epithelium culture.

Osseous changes in patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws

OBJECTIVES Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a severe side effect of antiresorptive agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the osseous changes in patients with MRONJ. METHODS Cone beam CT (CBCT) images of 25 patients with MRONJ and controls were retrospectively evaluated. Buccal, lingual, apical cortical bone thicknesses; buccal, lingual, apical intracortical and cancellous bone density; diameter of mental foramen and incisive canal, and width of mental foramen were measured. RESULTS Buccal and apical cortical bone thicknesses were increased; however intracortical radiodensity values decreased in the Study Group when compared with the Control Group (p = 0.007, p = 0.001). Narrowing of incisive canal was observed in patients with MRONJ (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS Clinician should have awareness about narrowing of incisive canal, apical and buccal cortical bone thickening, decreasing in cancellous bone radiodensity, and the lingual cortex destruction in patients with MRONJ.

The role of platelet count, mean platelet volume, and the mean platelet volume/platelet count ratio in predicting postoperative vomiting in children after deep sedation

Objectives: To determine the role of hemogram parameters such as platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), and the MPV/PLT ratio in predicting the risk of postoperative vomiting (POV) in children after tooth extraction under deep sedation. Methods: A total of 100 American Society of Anesthesiology Classification I and II pediatric patients who underwent tooth extraction procedures under a standard anesthetic method were included in the study between 2012 and 2014. The study took place at the Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Erciyes University, Erciyes, Turkey Fifty patients without POV (group 1) and 50 patients with POV (group 2) were retrospectively selected randomly from the records of 885 consecutive patients. Age, gender, duration of the operation, and preoperative hemogram findings were recorded. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of MPV (p<0.001), PLT (p=0.006), and MPV/PLT (p<0.001) ratio. Mean platelet volume and MPV/PLT ratio were higher in group 2, whereas PLT was higher in group 1. Conclusion: The PLT count, MPV, and MPV/PLT ratio may be used to predict POV in children.