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Biomedical subjects

R Di Felice

Publications and source records attributed to R Di Felice.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Focal epithelial hyperplasia].

Five cases of "focal epithelial hyperplasia" (FEH) of the oral mucosa observed in Switzerland are reported. The patients were of Turkish and North African extraction. The lesions of FEH were multiple, painless, located at various sites of the oral mucosa including the tongue in the form of either soft papules or hard nodules. Evidence of a human papilloma virus origin was ascertained. Among the 1067 cases reported in the literature and reviewed for this study, this condition has been described to occur among American Indians, Eskimos and North African, also in Israeli and European cases the disorder was often reported in individuals of Turkish or North African extraction.

Adult↗

Analysis of pH variation of various calcium hydroxide compounds in vitro.

Among the reasons for the use of calcium hydroxide products, there is their alkalinity. Variations in the alkalinity of six commonly used calcium hydroxide compounds were studied in vitro at different time intervals. All these compounds rendered the saline solution strongly alkaline. Dycal, Life, Nucap and Reocap, had a weaker effect as compared with Contrasil and to Pulpdent paste. Such differences in the pH values were accompanied by differences in calcium loss, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Differences in the alkaline pH values and calcium losses among these calcium hydroxide compounds may account for their different clinical effectiveness in vivo.

Calcium Hydroxide↗

[Myxoma of the jaws].

A review of the literature and two observations made by the Authors regarding maxillary myxoma allow a closer analysis to be made of this rare benign tumour which is, however, often recurrent in young adults. Maxillary myxoma is identified by the appearance of a non-inflammatory and often painless swelling which, in radiological terms, appears to have a zone of multilocular and sometimes unilocular osteolysis. In histological terms, this globular whitish-greyish gelatine-like tumour is made up of an abundant stroma which encloses star-shaped or fusiform cells and rare collagen fibres. Treatment should be conservative where possible since radical surgery does not preclude recurrence; follow-up should be regular and long in order to ensure an early diagnosis of recividation. Although it is considered an odontogenic tumour, the odontogenic nature of maxillary myxoma has not been undisputably ascertained. The term maxillary myxoma is therefore preferable to that of odontogenic myxoma.

Adult↗

Synthesis of alpha 2-macroglobulin in human gingiva: a study of the concentration of macroglobulin and albumin in gingival fluid and serum.

Albumin and alpha 2-macroglobulin were analysed in gingival fluid collected by filter paper strips from 6 volunteers before, during and after 10 days of dental plaque accumulation. The two proteins were also determined in samples of venous blood at the beginning of abstention from tooth brushing and 10 days later. A nephelometric technique was used for the analysis of albumin, but alpha 2-macroglobulin was determined by ELISA. The plaque and gingival indices, as well as the flow of gingival fluid, increased significantly during the period of plaque accumulation and then returned to baseline values. The concentrations of the two proteins in blood remained within normal limits. In gingival fluid, however, the concentration of albumin increased about two-fold at the peak of inflammation, while that of alpha 2-macroglobulin increased as much as 6 times. The enhanced passage of alpha 2-macroglobulin into the gingival sulcus in comparison to the entirely plasma-derived albumin was consistent with the concept that the greater excretion of globulin during inflammation must be due to an increased local synthesis.

Adult↗

[Amalgam fillings and T-lymphocyte changes].

Dental amalgam and nickel alloys have been considered quite safe. Previous authors reported the effect of dental amalgam and nickel alloys on human T-lymphocytes modifications after amalgam dental fillings, into dose-dependence of any modifications and into possible temporary. Eight patients were subjected to dental care with amalgam dental fillings. Drawings of blood were executed at start, fifteen days after late fillings and two months later. The results about modifications of T-lymphocytes were not univocal. We believe, at now, that temporary modifications of the immunity seem to be related to a cytotoxic mechanism.

Adolescent↗

[Intramandibular inclusions of salivary gland tissue].

Salivary gland tissue inclusions in the mandible appear as well delimited radiolucency areas, asymptomatic, usually located in the mandibular angle and sometimes in the premolar canine and symphysis regions. The examination of 8,500 radiographs has demonstrated an incidence of one radiolucent area at the mandibular angle every 500 radiographs. Our result is slightly inferior to the mean reported in the literature. Seven cases were examined. Six of them have been treated surgically and histologically. At exploration a defect in the lingual cortical plate was found. The cavities were filled by salivary gland tissue. The contents of the cavities were attached via the lingual cortical defect to the near salivary gland. The cause of such radiolucency situated in the mandibular angle seems to be an altered resorption and apposition process of the bone triggered by a modification of the salivary glands elasticity; on the contrary, the salivary inclusions in the symphysis region is referred to as embryonic origin. In the literature different terms are used often in relation with a pathogenetical hypothesis; in this paper we suggest rather a description terminology such as intramandibular salivary tissue.

Adult↗

[Psychogenic oral paresthesia].

Psychogenic oral paresthesia represent a proteiform condition, more and more frequent. The failure to recognize it can lead to unjustified investigations or/and procedures. These manifestations are secondary to a psychic problem which varies in severity. In most cases, the establishment of a trust relationship, explanations to the patient and eventually a psychotherapy are sufficient to eliminate the symptoms. In severe cases, a psychotherapy or a psychiatric treatment are almost always necessary.

Adult↗