Gabriella Kovalecz

Publications of Gabriella Kovalecz

• Vestibulotrigeminal pathways in the frog, Rana esculenta.

  Authors: Clara Matesz, Gabriella Kovalecz, Gábor Veress, Adám Deák, Eva Rácz, Tímea Bácskai

  Brain research bulletin. 04/2008; 75(2-4):371-4.

  The aim of this study was to investigate whether primary vestibular afferent fibers establish direct connections with the motor and sensory trigeminal system in the brainstem of the frog. TheThe aim of this study was to investigate whether primary vestibular afferent fibers establish direct connections with the motor and sensory trigeminal system in the brainstem of the frog. The experiments were carried out on Rana esculenta. In anaesthetized animals the trigeminal and vestibular nerves were prepared, and their proximal stumps were labeled either with fluorescein binding dextran amine (trigeminal nerve) or tetramethylrhodamine dextran amine (vestibulocochlear nerve). With a confocal laser scanning microscope we could detect close connections between the vestibular fibers and branches of the dorsal dendritic array of the jaw-closing motoneurons, suggestive of monosynaptic contacts. In the other parts of the brainstem, vestibular terminals were detected in the termination areas of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus and of the Gasserian (Vth) ganglion and they were probably involved in polysynaptic connections. In agreement with the results obtained in mammalian species, the present findings suggest that the vestibulotrigeminal relationship is quite complex and uses multiple pathways to connect the vestibular apparatus with the motor and sensory nuclei of the trigeminal nerve in the anurans as well.

• [Prevalence of hypodontia in 4-18-year-old children in Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Debrecen from 1999 to 2003]

  Authors: Márta Szepesi, Judit Nemes, Gabriella Kovalecz, Márta Alberth

  Fogorvosi szemle. 07/2006; 99(3):115-9.

  Hypodontia is one of the most common human dental anomalies. Its management is often complicated. This survey was carried out to study the prevalence, localisation and combination of congenitalHypodontia is one of the most common human dental anomalies. Its management is often complicated. This survey was carried out to study the prevalence, localisation and combination of congenital aplasia in Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Debrecen. The study group consisted of 669 children, 283 boys and 386 girls, aged 4-18 years. Orthopantomograms and clinical examinations were used for the retrospective study. The prevalence of hypodontia was found to be 7.76 percent, excluding the third molars. Most of the congenitally absent teeth were the upper lateral incisors and the lower second premolars. The most frequent combinations were the 12-22 and the 35-45 ones. We found that our data were very similar to the different international results.

• Significance of oral Candida infections in children with cancer.

  Authors: Márta Alberth, László Majoros, Gabriella Kovalecz, Emese Borbás, István Szegedi, Ildikó J Márton, Csongor Kiss

  Pathology oncology research : POR. 02/2006; 12(4):237-41.

  Candidiasis is common in children with cancer, particularly during periods of severe immunosuppression and neutropenia. Our aim was to study the microbiological changes in the oral cavity of childrenCandidiasis is common in children with cancer, particularly during periods of severe immunosuppression and neutropenia. Our aim was to study the microbiological changes in the oral cavity of children with newly diagnosed cancer. The study group consisted of 30 consecutive children and adolescents, 16 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 14 with solid tumors. Oral cultures to detect fungi and bacteria were conducted for all patients before treatment, during and after neutropenic episodes. In 23 patients developing fever simultaneous throat, urine and blood sampling was carried out. No pathogens were found in the cultures taken before the outset (30 cultures) or after recovery from (30 cultures) the neutropenic episodes. In the 45 oral cultures taken during the neutropenic episodes 38 (84.4%) proved positive. Fungi were the most frequently isolated oral pathogens: 33/38 yeast and 6/38 bacterial infections were identified. There was no association between the underlying malignancy and the occurrence of the positive cultures. Of the 30 patients, all 23 (76.7%) who have developed moderate-to-severe neutropenia, developed oral fungal colonization or clinically obvious fungal infection at least on one occasion during the study. In addition to oral samples, fungi were identified in 9/23 pharyngeal swabs, 6/23 urine and 1/23 blood cultures. The initial fungal pathogen was exclusively (33/33) Candida albicans. In extended severe neutropenic states, C. albicans was replaced by non-albicans species (C. kefyr, C. lusitaniae, C. sake, C. tropicalis) in 5 patients between 4 to 6 days of the neutropenic episodes. Four of the nonalbicans Candida strains were resistant to azole-type antifungal agents. Neutropenic episodes of children with cancer are associated with an increased risk of developing oral and even systemic infections with C. albicans that can be replaced by azole-resistant nonalbicans strains in prolonged neutropenia contributing to morbidity of these patients.

• [Treatment of young permanent teeth following luxation based on two clinical cases]

  Authors: Gabriella Kovalecz, Márta Alberth, Judit Nemes

  Fogorvosi szemle. 03/2005; 98(1):31-6.

  Treatment of young permanent teeth following luxation based on two clinical cases The most problematic field of pediatric dentistry is the treatment of dental trauma. There has been a remarkableTreatment of young permanent teeth following luxation based on two clinical cases The most problematic field of pediatric dentistry is the treatment of dental trauma. There has been a remarkable increase in the number of dental injuries resulting in damaged periodontal tissues at the pediatric dentistry department of the University of Debrecen. The aim of the authors' present study was to call attention to the most common problems emerging during the treatment of dental trauma of young permanent teeth following luxation based on two clinical cases. Furthermore, the article offers guidance for the more effective therapy of traumatized teeth according the IADT protocols in Hungarian.

• Oral health of long-term childhood cancer survivors.

  Authors: Márta Alberth, Gabriella Kovalecz, Judit Nemes, János Máth, Csongor Kiss, Ildikó J Márton

  Pediatric blood & cancer. 08/2004; 43(1):88-90.