A 0.05% cetyl pyridinium chloride/0.05% chlorhexidine mouth rinse during maintenance phase after initial periodontal therapy

BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine (CHX) mouth rinse/spray can still be considered the gold standard in the chemical prevention of plaque formation and development of gingivitis. The product unfortunately has some side effects, such as extrinsic tooth staining, poor taste, taste disturbance, sensitivity changes in tongue, pain and irritation because of the alcohol content. These side effects led to the search of new formulations. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized, long-term, parallel study, 48 moderate periodontitis patients rinsed for 6 months (starting immediately after a "one-stage, full-mouth" disinfection) with one of the following products: CHX 0.2%+alcohol (Corsodyl), CHX 0.05%+ cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC) 0.05% and no alcohol (Perio-Aid Maintenance, a new formulation), or the placebo of the latter. After 1, 3 and 6 months a series of clinical and microbiological parameters were recorded for the supra- and subgingival area as well as for saliva. RESULTS: Although there was a significant treatment impact (mechanical debridement) in all groups, both CHX solutions further decreased both plaque and gingivitis indices (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively), when compared with placebo. This was also reflected by additional reductions in the number of CFU/ml of aerobic and especially anaerobic species and by a suppression of Streptococcus mutans (versus an overgrowth for the placebo), in all niches. Differences between both CHX solutions were never encountered. The subjective ratings were slightly in favour of the new CHX-CPC formulation when compared with the other CHX-alcohol formulation, especially for taste of the product (p<0.05), but less impressive for the staining of teeth and tongue. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated the potential of a new CHX 0.05%+CPC 0.05% non-alcoholic formulation as an effective antiplaque agent for long-term use with reduced subjective side effects.     

Understanding Camouflaging as a Response to Autism-Related Stigma: A Social Identity Theory Approach

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - Camouflaging refers to strategies used by autistic people to mask or hide social difficulties. The current study draws on Social Identity Theory to...     

Comparison between men and women admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit after cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are differences in several factors between men and women who undergo inpatient post-cardiac surgery rehabilitation. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review. Information was collected on a variety of factors: age; previous myocardial infarction; number of days from surgery to admission to rehabilitation; postsurgery, prerehabilitation complications; length of stay on the rehabilitation unit; living arrangements before surgery; disposition; and postdischarge recommendations. SETTING: Community hospital rehabilitation unit associated with a university hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-eight patients (54 men, 84 women) admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit after cardiac surgery. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between sex and preadmission living arrangements; 56% of women lived alone versus 26% of men (p < .01). There was a statistically significant difference in length of stay on the rehabilitation unit (p < .02). Men stayed longer, with a median stay of 16 days (95% confidence interval, 15 to 20) versus 15 days for women (95% confidence interval, 14 to 15). Ninety-three percent of men were discharged from rehabilitation at 30 days versus 98% of women. No relationship was noted between men and women in age, previous myocardial infarction, number of days from surgery to rehabilitation admission, length of stay on the rehabilitation unit, postsurgery-prerehabilitation complications, complications on the rehabilitation unit, presurgery living arrangements, disposition, and postdischarge therapy recommendations. CONCLUSION: Men and women showed comparable courses after cardiac surgery. Before surgery, women lived alone more frequently than men.     

Effectiveness of a lifestyle modification programme in weight maintenance in obese subjects after cessation of treatment with Orlistat

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of a lifestyle modification programme in weight maintenance for obese subjects after cessation of treatment with Orlistat. METHODS: Fifty-five subjects with and without diabetes mellitus were randomized to a lifestyle modification programme or to usual care at the end of 6 months' treatment with Orlistat. The intervention programme was nutritionist led, consisting of components of dietary management, physical activity, peer group support and discussion using techniques of self-monitoring, stimulus control and cognitive restructuring. Anthropometric indices, body composition, basal metabolic rate, blood pressure, fasting glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, lipid profile, 24-hour urinary albumin excretion, dietary intake, physical activity level, and quality of life were assessed before and after the intervention period. Results Subjects in the intervention group maintained their weight loss and favourable anthropometric, metabolic, dietary intake, physical activity and quality of life profiles, while most parameters deteriorated in the usual care group, being more marked in subjects with diabetes. The magnitude of weight gain was comparable to that lost during Orlistat treatment. CONCLUSION: A specially designed nutritionist-led lifestyle modification programme for obese subjects is effective in weight maintenance after treatment with Orlistat, in the absence of which the benefits of drug treatment were lost. The magnitude of the effect of lifestyle modification is comparable to that observed with Orlistat.     

Seroprevalence of anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibodies in women with ovarian teratoma

Recently antibodies against neuronal receptors have been identified as cause of a new type of encephalitis. The anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDA-R) encephalitis is the prototype of these disorders. Patients have a high incidence of teratomata. Removal of teratoma is considered the essential treatment of anti-NMDA-R encephalitis. Here, we aimed to investigate whether neurologically asymptomatic individuals suffering from ovarian teratomata may have positive anti-NMDA-R antibodies to be detected by an established assay. Over a time period of 15 months, all patients suffering from ovarian teratomata without neurological symptoms were included in this prospective study. Twenty consecutive patients were pair matched to patients with other benign ovarian disease and healthy controls. Preoperatively, patients had a gynaecological examination, transvaginal ultrasound, neurological examination and determination of anti-NMDA-R antibodies. None of the patients or controls presented with neurological symptoms. All tumours could be removed completely by laparoscopy. Anti-NMDA-R antibodies were absent in the group of patients with teratomata as well as in patients with benign ovarian tumours and healthy controls. Testing for anti-NMDA-R antibodies revealed negative findings in well-characterised patients with ovarian teratomata lacking neurological symptoms. Our data support the current clinical practice that a systematic screening for anti-NMDA-R antibodies in teratoma patients is not indicated.