Cytotoxic effects of cobalt-chromium alloys on fibroblasts derived from human gingiva

Abstract – The in vitro toxicity of 15 different cobalt-chromium alloys used in removable partial dentures and dental implants was studied. The composition of the alloys was determined by X-ray spectrometry. Alloys were tested on human oral fibroblasts in low density, semiconfluent or confluent cultures. The cultures were observed in a phase contrast microscope over a period of 3 wk. The alloys could be divided into three groups depending upon the degree of cell injury evoked. Group I alloys caused no cell injury. Group II alloys caused slight to moderate cell injury seen first after 3–7 days of exposure. Group III alloys caused severe cell injury with signs of cell damage detected after 12 h and total ceil death after 3–14 days. The alloys' composition varied considerably with regard to cobalt, chromium and nickel as well as other components. Nevertheless, group II and III alloys had a higher nickel content than group I alloys in general.     

Short term fasting and lactovegetarian diet does not affect human saliva

Abstract – Forty-two adults, visiting a Swedish health home, participated in the investigation, which included a 6-day period of fasting, followed by a 6-day period with a lactovegetarian diet. The results obtained indicated only a minor and mostly not significant influence on secretion rate, buffer effect, concentration of various electrolytes, and number of lactobacilli and S. mutans of whole saliva.     

Prenalterol as Long-term Therapy for Chronic Congestive Heart Failure

Abstract Ten patients with severe chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) due to ischaemic heart disease treated with digitalis and diuretics were randomly allocated to oral treatment with prenalterol (100–200 mg daily in addition to their basal treatment) or to intensified treatment with diuretics in a cross-over trial. A wash-out period of 1–4 weeks was allowed between the two modes of treatment. Most of the patients demonstrated subjective improvement during prenalterol therapy, but this improvement could not be verified objectively by exercise test, echocardiography, chest X-ray or weight measurements. No serious side-effects of either mode of treatment were observed. Heart rate was significantly lower during exercise when the patients were treated with prenalterol than during the control periods or during intensified conventional treatment, indicating that prenalterol acts as a β-adrenergic receptor blocker during exercise in this patient group. The results indicate that prenalterol is a partial β-receptor agonist without superior beneficial effects compared to those of intensified conventional treatment in patients with chronic, severe CHF.     

Behavioural and biochemical interaction between caffeine and L-dopa

The modification by caffeine of the effects of different doses of l -dopa on locomotor activity and catecholamine levels in brain was investigated in mice. Caffeine, which in the dose used caused moderate locomotor stimulation by itself, did not alter the depressant effect on motility of medium doses of l -dopa. The hyperkinetic effect of higher doses of l -dopa was, however, potentiated by caffeine. Biochemically the increase in dopamine levels seen after a dose of l -dopa was enhanced by caffeine. It is suggested that at least part of the potentiating effect of caffeine on the l -dopa induced hypermotility is related to the increased cerebral levels of dopamine.     

Dental behaviour management problems: the role of child personal characteristics

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2010; 20: 242–253 Aim. This study aimed to investigate the role of dental fear (DF) and other personal characteristics in relation to dental behaviour management problems (DBMP). Design. A study group of 230 patients (7.5–19 years old; 118 girls), referred because of DBMP, was compared to a reference group of 248 same‐aged patients (142 girls) in ordinary dental care. Patients and their parents independently filled in questionnaires including measures of fear and anxiety, behavioural symptoms, temperamental reactivity, and emotion regulation. Results. Study group patients referred because of DBMP differed from the reference group in all investigated aspects of personal characteristics. In the multivariate analyses, DF was the only variable with consistent discriminatory capacity through all age and gender subgroups. Aspects of anxiety, temperament, and behavioural symptoms contributed, but differently for different subgroups and at different levels of dental fear. Conclusions. Among older children and adolescents, DF deserves to be re‐established as the single most important discriminating variable for DBMP at clearly lower scores than commonly used. Further research should focus on the different patterns of DBMP development, considering various personal characteristics that may trigger, maintain, or exacerbate young patients’ vulnerability to DF and DBMP.     

Creation of a head and face protection device for children undergoing procedures in prone position

Background:  Positioning the head of patients undergoing procedures in lateral or prone position remains a difficult task for the anesthesiologists. Associated risks have attracted increasing attention because they range from minor facial soft tissue injuries to catastrophic complications such as stroke or postoperative blindness. Earlier, we reported on the use of a boxing sports helmet for simple and easy positioning of the head. However, as available helmets are limited in sizes and materials, that system is not easily transferable to children. Therefore, we sought to create a face and head protection device for children undergoing procedures in prone position.
Methods/Materials:  We re-engineered a standard boxing sports helmet making it suitable as an on-head support cushion. By using WHO standard growth charts, various sizes were calculated and prototypes of different foam materials produced. Facial surface pressures were measured in 15 volunteers.
Results:  A lightweight foam-based face mask was created. Minimum necessary foam thickness was 2.5 cm. Different materials were tested and pressure in different facial zones never exceeded 30 mmHg.
Conclusion:  Bringing a face protection device onto the patient's face instead of placing the face into support cushions is an elegant way of keeping control over airway devices and providing support for facial structures in various positions simultaneously. Skin surface pressure on facial structures remained low due to the specific mask design and choice of foam materials, which could lead to decreased incidences of undesired sequelae of prone position such as skin damage or even more devastating complications.     

PRECIPITATING ANTIBODIES TO E. COLI O ANTIGENS: A SUGGESTED DIFFERENCE IN THE ANTIBODY RESPONSE OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN WITH FIRST AND RECURRENT ATTACKS OF PYELONEPHRITIS

The presence of precipitating antibodies to E. coli O antigens in consecutive serum samples from infants and children with pyelonephritis without obstructions in the urinary tract was studied using an immunodiffusion method. Precipitating antibodies were found in only five of 20 patients clinically diagnosed as having their first attack of pyelonephritis, but in all of 13 patients with a recurrent infection. Such antibodies were not found in any of 93 controls without symptoms or signs of urinary tract infection. The reason for the appearance of IgG precipitins to E. coli mainly in patients with recurrent pyelonephritis is discussed with regard to three possibilities: a secondary antibody response induced by the recurrent infection, an adjuvant effect of endotoxin remaining from an earlier infection and finally more severe infections causing stronger antigenic stimuli in patients with tendency toward recurrencies. The detection of precipitating antibodies to E. coli O antigens might be useful for early recognition of patients with recurrent pyelonephritis, who are at risk to develop progressive renal scarring.     

Impaired Counter Regulation of Hypoglycemia in a Group of Insulin-dependent Diabetics with Recurrent Episodes of Severe Hypoglycemia

Abstract The counterregulatory response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia was investigated in 22 insulin-dependent diabetics (IDD) with recurrent hypoglycemia and in 6 healthy volunteers. Hypoglycemia was induced by a constant rate infusion of insulin (2.4 U/h) up to four hours. Conventional insulin therapy was changed to an i.v. infusion of regular insulin 24 hours prior to the experiment. The presence of diabetic autonomic neuropathy was evaluated by respiratory sinus arrhythmia and Valsalva maneuver. In healthy subjects, blood glucose was decreased to 2.5 mmol, here reaching steady state level and giving rise to marked glucagon and growth hormone (GH) responses. The majority of IDD (group A) reached a slightly lower steady state glucose level and exhibited similar glucagon and GH responses while the epinephrine response was augmented. Six IDD (group B) showed a continuous decrease in blood glucose to 1.2+0.1 mmol/l at which level the infusion of insulin was discontinued due to neuroglucopenic symptoms. These subjects had no glucagon and epinephrine responses while their GH and cortisol responses were normal. A comparison of the diabetic groups revealed a longer duration of diabetes and a more impaired autonomic nervous function in group B while glycosylated hemoglobin was similar. It is concluded that most IDD have normal hormonal responses (epinephrine, glucagon, GH, cortisol) and normal counterregulartory capacity to hypoglycemia induced by a prolonged infusion of a moderate dose of insulin. Some patients with long-term diabetes and impaired capacity to counteract hypoglycemia exhibit deficient glucagon and epinephrine responses to hypoglycemia.