Peronosporomycete (oomycete) communities inhabiting the rhizospheres of three plant species were characterized and compared to determine whether communities obtained by direct soil DNA extractions (soil communities) differ from those obtained using baiting techniques (bait communities). Using two sets of Peronosporomycete-specific primers, a portion of the 5' region of the large subunit (28S) rRNA gene was amplified from DNA extracted either directly from rhizosphere soil or from hempseed baits floated for 48 h over rhizosphere soil. Amplicons were cloned, sequenced, and then subjected to phylogenetic and diversity analyses. Both soil and bait communities arising from DNA amplified with a Peronosporomycetidae-biased primer set (Oom1) were dominated by Pythium species. In contrast, communities arising from DNA amplified with a Saprolegniomycetidae-biased primer set (Sap2) were dominated by Aphanomyces species. Neighbor-joining analyses revealed the presence of additional taxa that could not be identified with known Peronosporomycete species represented in GenBank. Sequence diversity and mean sequence divergence (Theta pi) within bait communities were lower than the diversity within soil communities. Furthermore, the composition of Peronosporomycete communities differed among the three fields sampled and between bait and soil communities based on F(st) and parsimony tests. The results of our study represent a significant advance in the study of Peronosporomycetes in terrestrial habitats. Our work has shown the utility of culture-independent approaches using 28S rRNA genes to assess the diversity of Peronosporomycete communities in association with plants. It also reveals the presence of potentially new species of Peronosporomycetes in soils and plant rhizospheres.

This method is based on the photographic reproduction of plaster models of dental arches, having previously identified reference points at a canine, molar and inter-incisor level. Subsequent measurement, using a digitizer, of the distances between the above points allows a precise bidimensional measurement to be easily obtained. By selecting plaster models for the different stages of treatment, the method can also be used to monitor changes in the dimensions of the alveolodental arch induced by therapy, or the possible presence of long-term recidivation.

The study evaluates the long-term postsurgical stability of segmentary osteotomy and compares it to the orthodontic expansion of the jaw which is well known for its tendency to relapse following contraction. The study of the postsurgical changes of the transversal and longitudinal diameters of the dental arches and of the area covered was carried out in a group of 15 patients using rigorously standardised methods. Heterogeneous variations were observed and although there was a prevalent tendency towards contractions these were small in size and of minor clinical importance. Even if only major postsurgical changes were taken into account, usually following considerable expansion of the jaw, especially if associated with the jaw's advance, it is clear that there is a greater clinical stability in comparison to orthodontic expansions. This confirms the therapeutic value of segmentary osteotomy.

This work deals with a quality control of the dental arch reconstructing software developed for T-Scan. We have developed an original system that employs computer controlled optical acquisition of data. This system behaves satisfactorily following our metodology.

The mutilations of the dental arches for agenesia, extractions or trauma and because of ankylosis, caries can be the cause of the disorders of the stomatognatic system. These problems are in relation with the time of the disfunction, the skeletal type and the interarches relationship. The pathogenetic factors are secondary to the amount and the direction of the dislocations or the entrapment of the lower jaw. The treatment planning can provide the closure of the spaces or the reopening. These procedures are demonstrated by two treated cases with TMJ disorders.

The paper describes the aetiopathogenetic causes of the persistence of deciduous teeth in the arch with a report on nine clinical cases of ankylosis. It is important to evaluate the overall problem because malocclusion damage may require lengthy orthodontic treatment.

The trans-diaphragmatic approach of the supra-celiac aorta can be performed in two different ways, according to the indications of this approach: The approach through a restrictive way, by simple dissociation of the muscular fibers of the posterior angle of the oesophagal hiatus allows an high and fast aortic clamping, especially helpful when a serious sub-diaphragmatic bleeding is encountered. It can also be used at the time of reintervention on the sub-renal aorta, in case of juxta-renal aortic thrombosis or in case of abdominal aortic aneurysm involving renal arteries. The approach through an extensive way, by saggital section of the muscular fibers of the posterior angle of the oesophagal hiatus and of the arcate ligament increases considerably the length of the exposed aortic segment and allows the implant of a by-pass graft on the lower thoracic aorta; this graft can be used to revascularize the underlying aortic step; it can also be used to shunt a lesion of the thoracic aorta.

The surgical anatomy and the practical modalities of the trans-peritoneal-diaphragmatic approach of the low thoracic aorta have been studied on the basis of 40 consecutive dissections. The trans-diaphragmatic approach of the supra-celiac aorta can be performed: either through a restrictive way, by dissociation of the muscular fibers of the posterior angle of the oesophagal hiatus, thus allowing the access to a mean 30 mm long part of supra-celiac aorta, large enough to perform a complete aortic clamping; either through an extensive way, by medial sagittal section, in front of the aorta of the muscular fibers of the posterior angle of the oesophagal hiatus and of the arcate ligament, thus permetting this exposure of a longer aortic part (60 mm on a average) and the realization of more important aortic procedures. These may be performed with a lateral aortic clamp, on account of the large diameter of the aorta at this level (30 mm on an average).

Initial and final documentation of a malocclusion case, treated in thirteen months with active therapy by Edgewise technique, is reported.