BACKGROUND: TRAIL is a transmembrane protein that induces apoptosis in various tissues including alveolar bone. Its in vitro expression can be activated by several methods, such as RANKL administration and cell scraping. Expression of TRAIL and its receptors DR5 and DcR2 was examined in osteoclast-like cells to analyze their effects on cell lifespan and to explore their role in orthodontic tooth movement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Osteoclast-like cells

OBJECTIVES: β-defensin-4 is a member of antimicrobial peptides (APs) of the immunity system. This molecule has antimicrobial activity but it seems to be involved in articular inflammatory processes too, as it happens during osteoarthritic disease (OA). Considering the possible relation existing between (OA) and temporomandibular disorders (TMD), the aim of our study was to evaluate immunohistochemically the presence of β- defensin-4 in pathological

Currently, much information is provided regarding the presence and the roles in tissue regeneration of stem cell niches residing in post-natal dental pulp. So far, three types of adult stem cells have been isolated from dental pulp. Correct evaluation of these cells is important in order to determine their potential use in clinical fields. The present study aims to review the origins and immunophenotype of these cells. The particularities of interstitial

PURPOSE: The intrinsic lingual neural interconnections are overlooked. It was hypothesized that intralingual anatomically well defined anastomoses interconnect the somatic and autonomic neural systems of the tongue. It was thus aimed to evaluate the intralingual neural scaffold in human tongues. METHODS: Human tongue samples (ten adult and one pediatric) were microdissected (4.5 magnification). RESULTS: In the interstitium between the genioglossus

This study aimed to evaluate by immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) the morphological features of the oral mucosa endothelial tip cells (ETCs) and to determine the immune and ultrastructural patterns of the stromal nonimmune cells which could influence healing processes. Immune labeling was performed on bioptic samples obtained from six edentulous patients undergoing surgery for dental implants placement; three normal

There has been a keen interest in assessing the neurovascular anatomy of the rostral ventrolateral medulla oblongata (RVLM). The present study was aimed at documenting the complete neurovascular anatomy of the RVLM, in order to offer a general picture of the possible offending vessels of this area, which seems to be involved in the pathogeny of the essential hypertension. Noteworthy, syndromes of the last cranial nerves could be due to vascular contacts

The cholinergic and nitrergic phenotypes in human fetal ganglia (inferior) of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves were overlooked in basic research. Lack of a positive neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) phenotype in the inferior vagal fetal ganglion was recently suggested to be an individually variable phenotype. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was not evaluated previously in ontogenesis. We aimed to evaluate these phenotypes in human midterm fetuses.