Evaluation of Nutritional Status and Eating Pattern in First and Second-Time Denture Wearers: A Prospective 60 Days (2 Months) Pilot Study

Elderly individuals with extensive tooth loss preferentially consume soft, easier to chew foods which have a low nutrient density. The purpose of this study was to suggest that every complete denture wearer has to be periodically counseled by a registered Dietician and Dentist for check up to avoid malnutrition and disease. Fourteen patients were selected for this study. Seven of them with four or five teeth remaining without any functional units and seven patients who were known cases of complete denture wearers with ill-fitting or worn out dentures. The results of the study analyzed the change in eating pattern and hence the nutritional status of two groups of edentulous subjects; Group I (patients who underwent a recent transition from partially edentulous state to a completely edentulous state), and Group II (known complete denture wearers for five to ten years). Clinical examination of Group I showed an improvement, by, the decrease in percentages in both the paleness of the conjunctiva and nails of the selected patients. In Group II, there was a significant change in anthropometry and iron intake and the clinical examination showed positive changes in the patient's normal appearance, eyes and nails. Paired sample statistics between both the groups evaluated significant changes in energy, iron and vitamin C intakes in the dietary assessment chart. The general questionnaire assessment showed an improvement in the eating pattern of both the groups, which, may definitely account for a positive change in the nutritional status of the participants later. This study emphasizes that every complete denture wearer needs to be periodically counseled by a registered dietician and dentist for checkup to avoid malnutrition and disease.     

Pharmacokinetic Interaction of the Direct Renin Inhibitor Aliskiren with Furosemide and Extended‐Release Isosorbide‐5‐Mononitrate in Healthy Subjects

This study investigated the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of aliskiren administered alone or in combination with either the loop diuretic furosemide or an oral extended‐release formulation of isosorbide‐5‐mononitrate (ISMN). In separate studies, 22 healthy subjects (ages 18–45 years) received either ISMN 40 mg or furosemide 20 mg once‐daily for 3 days followed by a 3‐day washout. Subjects then received aliskiren 300 mg once‐daily for 7 days followed by combination therapy for 3 days. Pharmacokinetic assessments were taken at regular intervals over 24 h after dosing on the last day of each treatment period. At steady state, aliskiren AUC_τ was decreased by 7% (geometric mean ratio [90% CI], 0.93 [0.84, 1.04]), and C_max by 20% (0.80 [0.65, 0.97]) with furosemide coadministration compared with aliskiren administration alone. Aliskiren coadministration reduced furosemide AUC_τ by 28% (0.72 [0.64, 0.81]) and C_max by 49% (0.51 [0.39, 0.66]) compared with furosemide alone. Coadministration of aliskiren and ISMN was associated with only minor changes in the pharmacokinetic parameters of aliskiren (AUC_τ 1.03 [0.90, 1.18]; C_max 0.94 [0.69, 1.29]) and ISMN (AUC_τ 0.88 [0.71, 1.10]; C_max 0.94 [0.79, 1.13]). Headache and dizziness were the most common adverse events in both studies; dizziness and BP values below normal (SBP <90 and/or DBP <50 mmHg) were more frequent with aliskiren and ISMN coadministration than with either agent alone. Coadministration of aliskiren and ISMN had no clinically relevant effect on either aliskiren or ISMN pharmacokinetics. In conclusion, coadministration of aliskiren and furosemide reduced furosemide exposure and had a minor effect on aliskiren pharmacokinetics. The clinical significance of reduced systemic exposure to furosemide during coadministration of aliskiren is uncertain.     

Annual risk of tuberculous infection in four defined zones of India: a comparative picture.

SETTING: Twenty-six selected districts in India. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the average annual risk of tuberculous infection (ARTI) in four defined zones in the country. STUDY DESIGN: A tuberculin survey was conducted in selected clusters of 26 districts in four defined zones of India. Children 1-9 years of age were subjected to tuberculin testing with ITU PPD RT23 with Tween 80, and the maximum transverse diameter of induration was measured 72 h later. Prevalence of infection was estimated using the cut-off point method (Method I) and the mirror-image technique (Method II) among children without bacille Calmette-Guérin scar. Results from individual zones have been reported earlier, and the results from all four zones are presented here as a consolidated summary. RESULTS: The ARTI computed from estimated prevalence was found to be lowest in the southern zone (Method I: 1.1%, Method II: 1.0%). It was higher in the eastern zone (1.3% by both methods) and highest in the western (Method I: 1.8%, Method II: 1.6%) and northern zones (1.9% by both methods). The proportion of infected children was found to be significantly higher in urban than in rural areas in all zones. CONCLUSION: The intensified tuberculosis control efforts need to be sustained for many years.     

Startle reflex potentiation during aversive picture viewing as an indicator of trait fear

Measures of fearfulness and measures of psychopathy show positive and negative associations, respectively, with startle reflex potentiation during unpleasant picture viewing. We tested the hypothesis that a common bipolar trait dimension underlies these differing associations. Blink responses to noise probes were recorded during pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant pictures in 88 undergraduates assessed with a battery of self-report scales indexing fear and psychopathy/fearlessness. A significant positive association was found between an omnibus index of fear, consisting of scores on the first component from a principal components analysis of these various scales, and startle potentiation during aversive picture viewing. This association was most robust, across participants overall and within gender subgroups, for scenes that were most directly threatening. Implications for psychophysiological research on individual differences and psychopathology are discussed.