Neurobehavioral estimation of children with life-long increased lead exposure

A battery of neurobehavioral examinations was carried out on 30 children who were 6-11 yr of age and who had resided near a lead smelter all their lives. Their blood lead levels were 35-60 micrograms/100 ml and erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels were greater than 100 micrograms/100 ml. Neurological examination revealed that they had a significantly higher incidence of pathological findings (e.g., muscle hypotonia, increased tendon reflexes, dysarthria, and dysdiadochokinesia) than children from an unpolluted area who were matched for age, sex, family size, and educational and socioeconomic status of the parents, but who had normal erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels. The children with elevated blood lead levels showed, after assessment by the Oseretsky test, retardation of motor maturation; they also scored higher on the minimal brain damage scale of the Rutter behavioral questionnaire. These differences persisted at a 4-yr follow-up, and their school performance was consistently poorer than that of the controls.     

Contamination of interdental brushes by periodontopathogens

Experimental studies have shown that intraoral transmission of bacteria can occur. Of course, the question arises as to how this transmission may happen. In this study, the contamination of interdental brushes by periodontopathogens is examined and compared to the microbial load of the periodontal pockets. In ten untreated chronic periodontitis patients, four interdental sites were professionally brushed with one interdental brush per patient. Subsequently, samples from the depths of the pockets (of the specific interdental sites) were obtained with paper-points. The interdental brush samples and the samples of the subgingival plaque, obtained by the pooled paper-points, were processed for dark-field microscopy examination as well as anaerobic culturing. The results showed that, although significant differences could be found between the brushes and paper-points with direct microscopy, the culturing did not uncover many differences. On the contrary, the detection frequencies of specific bacterial species were almost the same between the two. The total anaerobic colony-forming units (CFU), P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, and E. corrodens found on the brushes showed a significant correlation with the subgingival plaque samples (P<0.005). These results suggest that, in untreated situations, interdental brushes are contaminated relatively easily by putative periodontopathogens in numbers comparable to their presence in periodontal pockets. This contamination could be a factor in the intraoral spread of bacteria.     

The effects of severe mixed environmental pollution on human chromosomes.

Cytogenetic studies were conducted on healthy young mothers, shortly after child birth, in two residential areas each with an approximate population of 20,000, situated about 25 km from Athens, Greece. One of the areas, Elefsis, is subject to severe mixed industrial pollution, and the other, Koropi, is relatively free of pollution. Chromosomal aberrations were investigated in 16 women from each area in 72 hour lymphocyte cultures treated with gentian violet to enhance any chromosomal instability induced by the pollution. The women were of a comparable socioeconomic level, aged between 20 and 31 years, and with no history of factors associated with mutagenesis. Venous blood samples were taken from the two groups and processed concurrently. The slides were coded and examined independently by two observers, who were unaware of the source of the samples. A total of 100 cells was examined on each sample. The two observers obtained highly comparable results. Women from Elefsis had an average of 0.42 anomalies per cell and those from Koropi had 0.39. The absence of a statistically significant difference between the two groups clearly shows that the severe mixed environmental pollution of Elefsis has no significant visible effect on human chromosomes in most residents. However, two Elefsis women had abnormal results and could be at risk. Their presence is not sufficient to raise significantly their group's average, but the induction by pollution of an increased rate of chromosomal anomalies in only a few people at risk could account for the known association between urban residence and cancer mortality.     

The role of C-reactive protein in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: an overview

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein, which has been used in clinical practice as a non specific marker of inflammation. Many studies have shown that CRP is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It is currently unknown if CRP plays an active role as an etiologic factor in cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms by which CRP may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease are poorly understood. The effect of CRP on atherogenesis may include interactions with other factors of immunity and inflammation, such as the complement system, as well as a direct effect of CRP on the cells involved in atherosclerotic lesions. We review the literature concerning the mechanisms by which CRP may influence the development of cardiovascular disease and discuss the findings of clinical studies assessing the association between CRP and cardiovascular disease.     

Microbiologic evaluation of compromised periodontal sites before and after immediate intrasocket implant placement

This study aimed to elucidate the changes in subgingival microflora before the extraction of severely periodontally involved teeth and 1 year after immediate implant placement and provisionalization without flap elevation. Clinical parameters were recorded for 20 maxillary anterior teeth from 10 individuals before and after implant treatment. The clinically observed improvement in the soft tissues was found to be compatible with a less pathogenic flora. Concentrations of periodontopathogens in the periodontal sites were heavily reduced when transformed into peri-implant sites, whereas the relevant counts of the beneficial microorganisms were increased.     

Radiofrequency-assisted partial splenectomy: Histopathological and immunological assessment of the splenic remnant in a porcine model

Background Radiofrequency (RF) ablation has recently been expanded from palliative treatment into tissue-preserving surgery with controversial results. RF has been accused of septic complications and dysfunction of the target organ due to uncontrolled energy distribution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term implications of RF energy to the remaining splenic tissue after laparoscopic and open RF-assisted partial splenectomy. Methods Thirty pigs randomly underwent laparoscopic RF partial splenectomy (n = 10), open RF partial splenectomy (n = 10) using the Radionics Cooltip radiofrequency system (Tyco Hellas), while a third group (n = 10) underwent the conventional procedure. Intraoperative parameters were recorded. Complete blood counts, along with splenic function tests, were estimated preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at 1 and 6 months after the procedure. Histology was also evaluated. A separate group of five animals randomly undergo conventional resection (n = 2) and open RF resection (n = 3). These animals were sacrificed 1 month postoperatively and were used for histology only. Results The blood loss was minimal in both RF groups. No septic complications were observed throughout the follow-up period. Laboratory values at 1 month postoperatively showed decreased splenic function in both RF groups. Histology at 1 month was indicative of a chronic inflammatory reaction to the RF groups whereas, in the control group, prominent hypervascular granulated tissue was observed. Six months postoperatively, the platelet count remained elevated in the RF groups. Histology revealed intense fibrosis at the ablation site, as opposed to friable granulated tissue in the conventional group. Conclusions Radiofrequency energy acts as an excellent haemostatic tool. The healing process shifts from the thermal injury to chronic inflammatory reaction and, 6 months later, to intense fibrosis as opposed to the hypervascular granulated tissue presented in the nonablated spleen. However, the longer the RF energy is applied, the more the splenic function is transiently affected.     

New therapeutic options in heart failure. What's on the horizon? An overview

Heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome responsible for high morbidity and mortality in the world. Despite advances in the management of heart failure, the prognosis of these patients remains poor and there is a critical need for new treatment strategies improving the clinical outcomes. New approaches in heart failure therapies target cellular mechanisms, as well as mechanical and structural aspects of heart failure that are not addressed by recent therapies. These include abnormalities in molecular mechanisms, electrical conduction and ventricular remodeling. This review presents the pathophysiological basis, mechanisms of action and available clinical efficacy and safety data of drugs and mechanical therapies that are currently under development.     

Greek adolescents, fitness, fatness, fat intake, activity, and coronary heart disease risk.

BACKGROUND: A dramatic increase in adult mortality rates from coronary heart disease (CHD) in Greece, accompanied by increased prevalence of CHD risk factors in children, has been documented. However, there is controversy about the independent effects of certain lifestyle parameters on primary CHD risk factors. AIMS AND METHODS: To examine the association between CHD risk factors (HDL-C, LDL-C, HDL-C/TC, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) and lifestyle parameters (fitness, fatness, fat intake, and physical activity) in 210 12-year old Greek pupils. RESULTS: Correcting for the fixed factors of gender and maturation, analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) with backward elimination of the lifestyle covariates revealed significant associations between three CHD risk factors (HDL-C, HDL-C/TC, systolic blood pressure) and physical activity levels. In contrast, the covariates aerobic fitness, fatness and fat intake failed to reach significance with any of the CHD risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In Greek schoolchildren, primary CHD risk factors are mainly associated with physical activity levels, independently of fitness, fatness, and/or fat intake. Prevention strategies should concentrate on enhancing physical activity early in life, if the increased prevalence of Greek adult CHD mortality is to be diminished.     

Statin-Induced Immunomodulation Alters Peripheral Invariant Natural Killer T-cell Prevalence in Hyperlipidemic Patients

Purpose

To assess the difference in the prevalence of invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) lymphocytes between hyperlipidemic and control individuals and to evaluate changes in iNKT cell levels after 6?months lipid lowering therapy.

Methods

A total of 77 hyperlipidemic individuals (54?±?5?years) were assigned to simvastatin 40?mg or ezetimibe 10?mg daily for 6?months. Fifty individuals with normal cholesterol levels were used as control. iNKT cells were measured by flow cytometry in peripheral blood.

Results

Patients with hypercholesterolemia had significantly lower iNKT cell levels (percentage on the lymphocyte population) compared to control group (0.16?±?0.04% vs 0.39?±?0.08%, p?=?0.03). iNKT cells significantly increased after 6?months treatment with simvastatin (from 0.15?±?0.04% to 0.28?±?0.11%, p?=?0.03) but not with ezetimibe (from 0.16?±?0.05% to 0.17?±?0.06%, p?=?0.55). Simvastatin treatment did not alter the activation status of iNKT cells as measured by HLA-DR expression. Changes of iNKT cells were independent from changes in total (r ²?=?0.009, p?=?0.76) or LDL cholesterol (r ²?=?0.008, p?=?0.78) reached by simvastatin.

Conclusions

Hyperlipidemic patients have reduced numbers of iNKT in peripheral circulation compared to individuals with normal cholesterol levels. Their number is increasing after long term administration of simvastatin 40?mg but not after ezetimibe.