Denture disinfection by microwave irradiation: A randomized clinical study

Objective

This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of two exposure times of microwave irradiation on the disinfection of complete dentures.

Methods

Biofilm samples were collected from dentures of 30 patients, who were randomly divided into two experimental groups of 15 subjects each: Group 1—patients had their maxillary denture microwaved for 3 min (650 W); Group 2—patients had their maxillary denture microwaved for 2 min (650 W). Denture biofilm samples were taken with swabs, before (left side surfaces) and after (right side surfaces) microwave irradiation. All microbial material was plated on selective media for Candida spp., Staphylococcus spp., mutans streptococci and a non-selective media. After incubation (48 h/37 °C), the number of colony-forming units (cfu/mL) was counted. Microorganisms which grew on selective media were identified using biochemical methods. The data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by Dunn's post-test (α = 0.05).

Results

Microwave irradiation for 3 min (Group 1) resulted in sterilization of all dentures evaluated. After microwave irradiation for 2 min (Group 2), a significant decrease in Candida spp. (P = 0.0062), Staphylococcus spp. (P = 0.0178), mutans streptococci (P = 0.0047) and non-identified species (P < 0.0001) was achieved in comparison with the cfu/mL obtained before irradiation. The colonies grown after 2 min of microwave irradiation were identified as Candida albicans, non-aureus Staphylococci and Streptococcus mutans.

Conclusion

Microwave irradiation for 3 min may be a potential treatment to prevent cross-contamination.     

Identification of Candida species in the clinical laboratory: a review of conventional,commercial, and molecular techniques

In healthy individuals, Candida species are considered commensal yeasts of the oral cavity. However, these microorganisms can also act as opportunist pathogens, particularly the so‐called non‐albicans Candida species that are increasingly recognized as important agents of human infection. Several surveys have documented increased rates of C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, C. dubliniensis, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei in local and systemic fungal infections. Some of these species are resistant to antifungal agents. Consequently, rapid and correct identification of species can play an important role in the management of candidiasis. Conventional methods for identification of Candida species are based on morphological and physiological attributes. However, accurate identification of all isolates from clinical samples is often complex and time‐consuming. Hence, several manual and automated rapid commercial systems for identifying these organisms have been developed, some of which may have significant sensitivity issues. To overcome these limitations, newer molecular typing techniques have been developed that allow accurate and rapid identification of Candida species. This study reviewed the current state of identification methods for yeasts, particularly Candida species.     

Inhibition of neutrophil responses by cyclosporin A. An insight into molecular mechanisms

OBJECTIVE: Cyclosporin A (CsA) is an effective agent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), slowing joint damage progression. Its therapeutic effect on T lymphocytes has been studied extensively, but there is little information available about neutrophils, the cells responsible for a substantial proportion of inflammation. A study was performed to investigate the in vitro effects of CsA on neutrophil functions triggered by several agonists and determine whether the drug could counteract the binding of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) to its receptor and/or modulate changes in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i). METHODS: CsA was added to neutrophils 5-50 min before the incubation steps for neutrophil function assays (chemotaxis, superoxide anion production, lysozyme release), calcium measurements and receptor binding experiments. RESULTS: CsA appeared to be particularly effective in lowering chemotaxis, superoxide anion production and lysozyme release induced by different agonists. However, it did not significantly affect either basal or agonist-stimulated neutrophil [Ca(2+)]i and the interaction between fMLP and its receptor. CONCLUSIONS: Because of its in vitro inhibition of neutrophil functions, CsA appears to have considerable potential as an anti-inflammatory drug. Moreover, as it is also a potent immunosuppressive agent, it may reduce the progression of joint damage in RA. More work remains to be done to clarify the molecular mechanism of CsA action on neutrophils.     

常见妇科疾病引起的雌激素水平变化与骨转换的关系

女性常见的妇科疾病如子宫内膜异位症、子宫内膜癌、乳腺癌、Sheehan综合征等,其病程中体内雌激素水平变化,直接或间接地影响骨转换水平,导致骨量变化。本文研究不同疾病状态下,疾病本身因素或手术及药物治疗对女性卵巢功能和雌激素水平的影响,从而影响骨转换率,导致继发性骨质疏松。有助于预防和治疗女性激素相关性骨量下降和骨质疏松,提高女性患者的生活质量。     

退行性腰椎侧凸与骨质疏松症的关系探讨

目的探讨退行性腰椎侧凸（degenerativelumbarscoliosis,DIS）与骨质疏松症（osteoporosis,OP）两者之间的关系。方法选取2006年6月-2010年6月来我院就诊的DIS患者58例及对照组（非腰椎侧凸的腰痛患者）58例,对DIS组Cobb’s角进行测量,并采用双能x线吸收法检测两组患者腰椎（k～L4）、股骨颈、股骨粗隆和Ward’s三角区骨密度T值,分析患者年龄、Cobb’s角与骨密度T值的相关性。结果DIS组平均骨密度T值为-2．7±1．8,合并OP45例,发病率为77．59％;对照组平均骨密度T值为-1．3±1．0,合并OP8例,发病率为13．79％,两组比较有显著性差异（P〈0．05）。相关分析显示,DIS患者T值与年龄呈正相关（r=-0．318,P〈0．01）,与侧凸Cobb’s角无关。结论OP是DLS发病的危险因素,同时年龄越大OP程度越重,但与DLS进展程度无关。临床DLS治疗时要考虑到OP的影响。     

α-干扰素加软坚散结汤抗慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化及早期肝硬化的临床研究

目的:探讨慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化及早期肝硬化的中西医结合疗法。方法:采用α-干扰素加中药软坚散结汤联合治疗经病理确诊的慢性乙型肝炎患者62例,并以同期64例慢性乙肝患者作对照,疗程均为6个月。结果:治疗组临床症状及体征明显改善,血清ALT、TBil、A/G、γ球蛋白(γ-GT)和肝纤维化指标水平明显降低,血清白蛋白(A)水平有不同程度升高(P<0.01或0.05);B超示肝内光点粗、Ⅲ级血管走行欠清和分布不均等异常声像图明显改善,与对照组比较差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。此外,治疗组HBeAg转阴率为61.0％,明显优于对照组36.3％(P<0.01)。结论:α-扰素和中药软坚散结汤联合应用,对改善慢性乙型肝炎患者临床症状体征,促进肝功能复常,抗肝纤维增生和抑制乙肝病复制等有显著疗效。     

β-catenin，c-myc和Cyclin D1在胰腺癌组织中的表达及意义

目的研究β-catenin异常表达、c-myc和Cyclin D1的高表达与胰腺癌发生、浸润、转移的关系。方法应用免疫组织化学方法检测5例正常胰腺组织和40例胰腺癌及13例相应癌旁组织中β-catenm、c-myc和Cyclin D1的表达。结果 5例正常胰腺组织及13例胰腺癌旁组织中β-catenin为正常表达,c-myc和Cyclin D1阴性表达,40例胰腺癌组织中25例有β-catenin的异常表达(25／40,62．5％),20例(20／40,50％)有c-myc的高表达,23例(23／40,57．5％)有Cyclin D1的高表达。β-catenin的异常表达率与淋巴结转移、浸润及病理分级相关(P<0.05),c-myc和Cyclin D1的高表达与分化程度,浸润,转移及病理分级无关,β-catenin的异常表达与c-myc的阳性表达不相关,而与Cyclin D1的阳性表达相关。结论β-catenin的异常表达可能主要是通过激活Cyclin D1引起细胞增殖,导致肿瘤的发生。     

白藜芦醇对动物离体心房收缩力和心率作用的种属差异性比较

目的:观察白藜芦醇对豚鼠、小鼠和家兔离体心肌收缩力和心率的影响。方法:实验于2005-08/2006-12在河北医科大学西校区实验中心完成。①实验分组:离体豚鼠、小鼠和家兔心肌各分为9组:空白对照组、溶剂对照组、递增累积浓度白藜芦醇组(浓度为10-6,3×10-6,10-5,3×10-5,10-4,3×10-4mol/L),白藜芦醇对照组(5×10-5mol/L),ATP敏感性钾通道阻断剂格列苯脲(5×10-5mol/L)预孵育 白藜芦醇组,钙激活钾通道阻断剂四乙胺(10-3mol/L)预孵育 白藜芦醇组,电压依赖性钾通道阻断剂4-氨基吡啶(10-3mol/L)预孵育 白藜芦醇组,内向整流钾通道阻断剂氯化钡(10-4mol/L)预孵育 白藜芦醇组,乙酰胆碱调节钾通道阻断剂阿托品(10-5mol/L)预孵育 白藜芦醇组。②实验方法:不同类型的钾通道阻断剂均预孵育15min后,分别加入白藜芦醇(终浓度为5×10-5mol/L),连续记录30min,与相应动物白藜芦醇对照组相比较。③评估指标:分析不同阻断剂与白藜芦醇联用对心房收缩力下降率及心率抑制率的影响。结果:①白藜芦醇可降低豚鼠和小鼠离体心肌收缩力和心率(P<0.05),并被ATP敏感性钾通道阻断剂格列苯脲和钙激活钾通道阻断剂四乙胺部分阻断。②白藜芦醇可降低家兔离体心肌心率,格列苯脲可阻断白藜芦醇的负性变时作用。③电压依赖性钾通道阻断剂4-氨基吡啶、内向整流钾通道阻断剂氯化钡、乙酰胆碱调节钾通道阻断剂阿托品均不能阻断白藜芦醇对3种不同动物离体心房收缩力和心率的作用(P>0.05)。结论:白藜芦醇可呈剂量依赖性减慢豚鼠、小鼠和家兔的心率,白藜芦醇可减弱豚鼠心肌收缩力,其作用是与开放ATP敏感性钾通道有关,而与电压依赖性钾通道、内向整流钾通道和乙酰胆碱调节钾通道无关。同时,钙激活钾通道也参与了白藜芦醇对豚鼠和小鼠离体心房收缩力和/或心率的抑制作用。白藜芦醇对离体心肌收缩力和心率的作用有种属差异性。     

Need for instruction and support of the wives of patients with myocardial infarction

The study investigates the need for instruction and support among wives of patients with myocardial infarction, applying the 'stress' theory. The data were gathered by questionnaires completed by 59 wives of patients with myocardial infarction. Feelings and symptoms indicative of stress did occur among wives of the patients. They assessed instruction especially concerning home care, as being inadequate. They stated that the support they received had come largely from their own relatives; more than one third of the respondents said they had received support from a nurse; one fifth said they had not received it from anyone. The 'instruction' model for wives and other relatives of patients with myocardial infarction, introduced at the end of the article, emphasizes the importance of relevant information and support to the close relatives of patients with myocardial infarction.     

The long-term effectiveness of generic adult fixed-dose combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected Ugandan children

Background

Access to pediatric antiretroviral formulations is increasing in resource-limited countries, however adult FDCs are still commonly used by antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs.

Objective

To describe long-term effectiveness of using adult FDC of d4T+3TC+NVP (Triomune) in children for HIV treatment.

Methods

Clinical, immunologic, and virologic outcomes of HIV-infected ART-naïve children aged six months to 12 years, were evaluated up to 96 weeks post-ART initiation.

Results

From March 2004 to June 2006, 104 children were followed with a median age of 5.4 years, median CD4 cell percent and HIV-1 RNA were 11.0% (IQR 6.7–13.9) and 348,846copies/mL (IQR 160,941–681,313) respectively at baseline. Using Kaplan-Meir estimates, 75% of children had undetectable viral loads (<400copies/mL) at 96weeks of ART. Children with a baseline CD4 cell percent >15% were 3 times more likely to achieve viral load <400copies/mL than those with baseline CD4 cell percent <5% after adjusting for baseline age {aHR = 3.03 (1.10–8.32), p=0.03}; no difference was found among those with CD4 cell percent >5–14.9% and <5%.

Conclusion

Treatment with generic adult FDC for HIV-infected Ugandan children led to sustained clinical, immunologic and virologic response during 96 weeks of ART. Early initiation of ART is key to achieving virological success.