An assessment of oral self-care in the student population of a Turkish university

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the oral health behavior of Turkish non-dental university students. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A sample of 610 non-dental university students attending the University of Ondokuz Mayis in Samsun were randomly selected from the whole student population (n=12604) via the random number method. The students were asked to fill out a standardized self-completion questionnaire about daily frequency of toothbrushing, kind of toothbrush, frequency of toothbrush replacement, frequency of dental flossing, use of antibacterial rinse, or any other oral hygiene aid, receiving of oral hygiene instruction and frequency of oral check-up. The data were analysed using the SPSS version 12.0.1 statistical software package. RESULTS: Sixty-eight per cent of the students brushed their teeth two or more times per day. Two or more times a day toothbrushing was more common among females than males (P<0.001). Few subjects (3%) used dental floss daily. Forty per cent of students used only the toothpick as an interdental oral hygiene device. Thirty per cent of the students visited a dentist for preventive treatment at least once a year. There was no significant difference in regularity of visits to the dentist between females and males (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study indicated that self-preventive oral behaviour of the Turkish university student is at a lower level than in industrialized countries.     

Pattern of primary care clinic visits of adult asthmatics

BACKGROUND: Although asthma in adult patients is responsible for a large proportion of the morbidity in primary care, there has been little research on the pattern of visits among adult patients with asthma. The objective of this study was to compare the pattern of visits by adult patients with asthma with that by non-asthmatics over one year. METHODS: A case-control study was conduced on a population of 4341 men and women, aged 18 years or older, registered with a primary care clinic. The study group consisted of 141 asthmatics, and the control group, of 423 non-asthmatic subjects. The pattern of visits was examined for asthmatics and compared with non-asthmatic subjects. RESULTS: Respiratory, circulatory, musculoskeletal, and digestive disease categories were the most common reasons for visits for both asthmatics and non-asthmatics, with visits for pregnancy and family planning, trauma, and neoplasm being the least common. The rate of visits was significantly higher in asthmatics than non-asthmatics for respiratory diseases, including asthma, upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), and acute bronchitis, while non-asthmatics had a higher rate of visits for endocrine and metabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus, low back pain, trauma, urogenital disorders, and pregnancy and family planning. The mean number of visits per patient per year was significantly higher for asthmatic than non-asthmatic subjects. CONCLUSIONS: A different pattern of consultations was observed. Asthmatics visited their doctors more frequently than patients without asthma, mainly consulting for various respiratory problems.     

Depressed plasma pyridoxal phosphate concentrations in adult asthmatics

In 15 adult patients with bronchial asthma, plasma and erythrocyte pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) concentrations were significantly lower than in 16 controls (P less than 0.0001 and P less than 0.005, respectively). Oral supplementation of seven asthmatics with 50 mg pyridoxine as pyridoxine X HC1 twice daily failed to produce a sustained elevation of PLP in either the plasma or erythrocytes. However, all subjects reported a dramatic decrease in frequency and severity of wheezing or asthmatic attacks while taking the supplement. The reasons for the failure of a uniform elevation in plasma and erythrocyte PLP concentration and for the apparent beneficial effects of pyridoxine supplementation on the asthmatic symptoms of the patients are unknown at present.     

Antioxidant status of adult Nigerian asthmatics: implications for prognosis

Serum antioxidant status of 50 (19M, 31F) adult asthmatic patients, aged 40 to 50 yr and attending the medical outpatient clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, has been assessed, by measurement of serum ascorbic acid, copper, zinc, albumin, uric acid and magnesium levels, to determine the relationship between antioxidant status and severity of bronchial asthma. Twenty-five (25) age matched adults (10M, 15F) served as controls. The test subjects were classified into two groups (1&2) based on the degree of respiratory distress. Questionnaires were also used to obtain data on subjects' fruit and vegetable intake. Fruit and vegetable intake was similar in patients and controls, 96% and 100% respectively reporting adequate intake. Copper (Cu) level was not significantly different between patients and control subjects, but was significantly higher in female asthmatics than in males (p < 0.05). Magnesium (Mg) level was also lower in asthmatics than in control subject (p < 0.001). Plasma Zinc level was not different between patients and control (p > 0.05). The levels of the other antioxidants, vitamin C, uric acid and albumin were all lower in asthmatics than in controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) respectively. The magnesium level of group 2 (severe asthmatics) was lower than in controls (p < 0.05) unlike moderate asthmatics (group 1) which do not differ significantly from controls. These findings support the emerging concept that antioxidants are consumed in this inflammatory disease and that a corresponding increase in antioxidant supply may improve prognosis for bronchial asthma.     

An ambulatory approach to self-care of diabetes

Managing the insulin-requiring diabetic patient in an ambulatory setting includes metabolic regulation of the diabetes and education in its self-care. Means of achieving these goals include structured group or one-on-one individualized sessions. Third party policies relating to ambulatory care are challenged and their need for fiscal support emphasized. During the coming decade, diabetic patients should 1) have access to ambulatory care programs for metabolic regulation and education in self-care, 2) expect third party support of these programs, and 3) heighten their own priorities on diabetes care to ensure quality management of their diabetes.     

Workplace exposures and employment patterns in adult onset asthmatics and diabetics

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the impact of working conditions on employment decisions after the onset of chronic diseases in adult life. AIMS: To determine the effects of job characteristics on employment in patients attending asthma and diabetes clinics. METHODS: Patients aged 16-60 years were interviewed when attending outpatient clinics or undergoing day case surgery. The asthmatics (n=165) and diabetics (n=283) were taking regular prescribed medication for their condition, and were in paid employment at the time of diagnosis. Job titles at diagnosis were rated for exposures with the potential to cause or aggravate asthma or diabetes, and median ratings were used to assess the impact of exposures on the probability of changing the job held at diagnosis. RESULTS: Exposure to irritants or sensitizers at the time of diagnosis was more likely in asthmatics than in the comparison group (odds ratio = 7.09; 95% CI 3.12-16.17); physical activity was unrelated to diagnosis. At interview, on average 8.5 years after diagnosis, more asthmatics were unemployed (44%; mean age 47 years) than diabetics (31%; mean age 49 years) with ill-health being the most common reason given. No relation was found between exposure in the job held at diagnosis and subsequent job change. CONCLUSIONS: No evidence was found that changing jobs was used as a strategy to find more tolerable working conditions. The high proportion of unemployment due to ill-health among adult onset asthmatics deserves further investigation.     

The role of breakfast in diet adequacy of the U.S. adult population

Breakfast consumption patterns of the U.S. adult population were examined by using the U.S.D.A. Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. Results indicated that approximately one-quarter of the adult population skipped breakfast regularly. For those adults who consumed breakfast, the four most commonly consumed breakfasts were eggs, bread, and coffee; ready-to-eat cereal with milk; coffee and bread; and eggs, bread, and milk. The sample was partitioned by six age/sex classes and by four breakfast consumption patterns. Assessments of average intakes of seven frequently underconsumed nutrients showed that omission of the breakfast meal had a significant negative impact, particularly among adult females, on the diet quality. Findings indicated that for all age/sex classes, consumption of ready-to-eat cereal at breakfast, whether frequently or on a more limited basis, increased the average daily intake levels of the underconsumed nutrients. Further, groups of adults who regularly consumed ready-to-eat cereal at breakfast had, on average, lower average daily intakes of fat and cholesterol. It was concluded that regular breakfast consumption greatly enhanced the overall diet quality of the U.S. adult population.     

An Internet-based diabetes self-care intervention tailored to self-efficacy

The main objective of this study was to assess whether self-efficacy (SE) could function as a moderator of the effect of a tailored Internet-based intervention aimed at increasing self-reported diabetes self-care behaviours. In a two-group, 1-month interval pre-test-post-test randomized controlled trial, participants (N = 64) were assigned at random to either a group that received an intervention on the area of self-care (blood glucose monitoring, diet management or physical activity) for which the reported SE was lowest (LSE group) or to a group that received an intervention on area of self-care for which the reported SE was highest (HSE group). Improvements in self-care were observed for both groups, but the HSE group improved more. Self-care also increased for those areas that the intervention did not target. Furthermore, SE levels decreased from baseline to follow-up. This study suggests that SE can function as a moderator in a behavioural intervention for diabetes self-care, and hence that initial level of SE provides relevant information for tailoring such interventions.     

The role of breakfast in diet adequacy of the U.S. adult population.

Breakfast consumption patterns of the U.S. adult population were examined by using the U.S.D.A. Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. Results indicated that approximately one-quarter of the adult population skipped breakfast regularly. For those adults who consumed breakfast, the four most commonly consumed breakfasts were eggs, bread, and coffee; ready-to-eat cereal with milk; coffee and bread; and eggs, bread, and milk. The sample was partitioned by six age/sex classes and by four breakfast consumption patterns. Assessments of average intakes of seven frequently underconsumed nutrients showed that omission of the breakfast meal had a significant negative impact, particularly among adult females, on the diet quality. Findings indicated that for all age/sex classes, consumption of ready-to-eat cereal at breakfast, whether frequently or on a more limited basis, increased the average daily intake levels of the underconsumed nutrients. Further, groups of adults who regularly consumed ready-to-eat cereal at breakfast had, on average, lower average daily intakes of fat and cholesterol. It was concluded that regular breakfast consumption greatly enhanced the overall diet quality of the U.S. adult population.     

Respiratory responses of young adult asthmatics to sulfur dioxide exposure under simulated ambient conditions

Twenty-four young adult asthmatic volunteers were exposed to 0, 0.25, and 0.50 ppm SO₂ in random order at 1-week intervals. Exposures, conducted in a controlled-environment chamber at 23°C and 90+% relative humidity, lasted 1 hr and incorporated alternating 10-min periods of moderate exercise (mean exercise ventilation about 27 liters/min) and rest. Airway resistance was measured before exposure, after the first exercise period, and near the end of exposure. Forced expiratory performance was measured after the final airway resistance measurement. Exposure-relatable symptoms were recorded before, during, and after exposure periods. None of these measures of response showed statistically significant variation attributable to SO₂, although small significant increases in resistance attributable to exercise were found. These negative results contrast with previous positive findings in asthmatics exposed to SO₂ via mouthpiece. The differences may relate to effects of mouthpiece breathing on respiratory defenses, or to interindividual variations in bronchial reactivity to SO₂.     

Urinary 3-methylhistidine as an index of dietary protein adequacy in the adult rat: Short term testing

Urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine (3-MH) was evaluated as an indicator of dietary protein quality using adult rats with shortterm feeding. The effect of protein depletion and repletion on excretion of 3-MH was also studied. Four groups of 6 rats weighing between 250 and 300 grams were fed diets containing 10% protein from casein, wheat gluten, blood globin, or a complementary mixture of wheat gluten and globin. Daily variations of weight, 3-MH and creatinine, as well as 6-day means were observed. The correlation of PER with the 6-day means of urinary 3-MH was not high. Body weight changes and fractional rates of synthesis (based on estimated myofibrillar 3-MH pool size) appeared to be highly correlated to PER and sensitive to the influence of dietary protein and calorie deficiencies on body protein metabolism. 3-MH excretion, then, when used to determine fractional rates of catabolism and synthesis of myofibrillar protein, could be useful in short-term protein evaluation using adult rats.     

An assessment of quality of sleep and the use of drugs with sedating properties in hospitalized adult patients

Background  

Hospitalization can significantly disrupt sleeping patterns. In consideration of the previous reports of insomnia and apparent widespread use of benzodiazepines and other hypnotics in hospitalized patients, we conducted a study to assess quality of sleep and hypnotic drug use in our acute care adult patient population. The primary objectives of this study were to assess sleep disturbance and its determinants including the use of drugs with sedating properties.     

Comparing the young asthmatics running fitness

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, doctors strongly recommend physical activity for asthmatic children, since the resulting improved physical fitness and psychological change also raise the quality of life. AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the physical fitness of asthmatic children who regularly participate in therapeutic swimming, with asthmatic children who do not participate in this training and with non-swimming, healthy children using the 12 minute free running, Cooper test. METHOD: The children from the swimmer asthmatic group (n= 51, age = 9-22 yrs) took part in a special, long term, swimming exercise program (Gyene method). Whereas, the non-swimmer asthmatics (n = 28, age = 8-22 yrs) and the healthy children (n: 179, age: 9-22 yrs) only took part in the normal school physical education classes. Fitness was measured using the Cooper test. RESULTS: Data was collected from 258 subjects and showed that the fitness of swimmer asthmatics is significantly better than that of the non-swimmer asthmatics and even better than that of the healthy subjects (swimmer/ non swimmer asthmatic p = 0.01; swimmer asthmatic/ healthy p < 0.0001 Chi(2) test). The difference in the fitness acquired from swimming was the most pronounced for the 8-11 years old asthmatics, presumably because of greater motivational factors. No differences were found between genders for the two asthmatic groups, whereas healthy boys were found to have significantly greater levels of fitness than healthy girls. CONCLUSIONS: Fitness is substantially increased with regular swimming. The favourable effects of swimming are expressed not only in comparison with the non-swimmer asthmatics but with the healthy subjects too. The regular therapeutic swimming program helps the formation of running fitness too.     

An assessment of psychological noise reduction by landscape plants

The emphasis in the term 'Green Transportation' is on the word 'green'. Green transportation focuses on the construction of a slow transport system with a visually pleasing, easy and secure trip environment composed of urban parks, green roadside spaces and some other space that is full of landscape plants. This trip environment encourages residents to make trip choices that reduce fuel consumption and pollution and is one of the most important ways of popularizing green transportation. To study the psychological benefits provided by urban parks and other landscape environments, we combined a subjective approach (a questionnaire) with an objective quantitative approach (emotional tests using an electroencephalogram; EEG). Using a questionnaire survey, we found that 90% of the subjects believed that landscape plants contribute to noise reduction and that 55% overrated the plants' actual ability to attenuate noise. Two videos (showing a traffic scene and a plant scene) were shown to 40 participants on video glasses. We detected and recorded EEG values with a portable electroencephalograph, and a comparison between the results of the two groups revealed that there was a highly significant asymmetry between the EEG activity of the vegetation scene and traffic scene groups. The results suggest that the emotions aroused by noise and visual stimuli are manifested in the synchronization of beta frequency band and the desynchronization of alpha frequency band, indicating that landscape plants can moderate or buffer the effects of noise. These findings indicate that landscape plants provide excess noise attenuating effects through subjects' emotional processing, which we term 'psychological noise reduction'.     

血浆N末端脑利钠肽对维持性血液透析患者透析充分性的评估价值

目的 探讨血浆N末端脑利钠肽(NT-BNP)对维持性血液透析(MHD)患者透析充分性的评估价值.方法 选取行MHD的患者112例,根据心胸比值分为血液透析充分组(A组,63例,心胸比值＜0.5)及血液透析不充分组(B组,49例,心胸比值≥0.5),比较两组透析前、透析结束时、透析后4h、透析后24h血浆NT-BNP水平的变化,检查透析前后校正后下腔静脉宽度(VCD),并对透析后的血浆NT-BNP水平与心胸比值、校正后VCD进行相关性分析.结果 A、B组透析前NT-BNP分别为(13 808±7611)、(25 573±8444) ng/L,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),透析结束时两组NT-BNP均升高,但差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),透析后4h两组NT-BNP均显著下降(P＜0.01),透析后4h两组NT-BNP分别为(8256±6611)、(21 320±6828) ng/L,B组NT-BNP显著高于A组(P＜0.01).透析后24 h,A组NT-BNP仍处于较低水平,但B组NT-BNP再次呈上升趋势.透析前,两组校正后VCD比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),透析后,两组校正后VCD均较透析前下降,但A组透析前后比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),B组透析前后比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).血浆NT-BNP水平与心胸比值、校正后VCD均呈显著正相关(r=0.462,P＜ 0.01;r =0.513,P＜0.01).结论 血浆NT-BNP可在一定程度上反映MHD患者的容量负荷及尿素清除指数,可更为全面地评价透析的充分性.