The effect of home bleaching agents on the surface roughness of tooth-colored restoratives with time

This study evaluated the effects of home bleaching agents on the surface roughness of composite restoratives. Two home bleaching gels (10% and 15% carbamide peroxide, Opalescence) and five different tooth-colored restorative materials from the same manufacturer (3M-ESPE) were selected. They included microfill (Filtek A110 [FO]), flowable (Filtek Flow [FF]), polyacid-acid modified (F2000 [FT]) and minifill (Z100 [ZO]; Filtek Z250 [ZT]) composites. Thirty-six specimens of each material were fabricated, randomly divided into three groups (n=12) and treated as follows: Group 1-Stored in distilled water, Group 2-Bleached with 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) eight hours/day; Group 3-Bleached with 15% CP eight hours/day. All treatment was conducted at 37 degrees C and fresh gel applied and rinsed off daily for eight weeks. For the bleached groups, the specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C during the hiatus periods. All the specimens were subjected to roughness testing (Ra) at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 using a profilometer. The results were analyzed using general linear model with Scheffe's post-hoc tests at significance level 0.05. The results showed that the effect of bleaching on surface roughness was material and time dependent. ZT was not affected by bleaching treatment, while FT was significantly roughened after one week of bleaching with 15% CP compared to the control group. FO, FF and ZO were not significantly roughened until eight weeks of bleaching. Repolishing or replacement of tooth-colored restorations may be required after bleaching procedures.     

Cerebellar ataxia and central nervous system whipple disease

BACKGROUND: Whipple disease (WD) is an infectious disease, which may affect the central nervous system. Central nervous system symptoms are eventually present in as many as 43% of the cases. To our knowledge, cerebellar ataxia in WD has never been formally studied in any large series. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of cerebellar ataxia in central nervous system WD. RESULTS: Between January 1974 and December 2003, we identified 11 patients who met criteria for definite central nervous system WD, the second largest series to date. Surprisingly, while oculomasticatory myorrhythmia was recorded in only 1 patient (9%), cerebellar ataxia had been documented in 5 cases (45%). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that cerebellar ataxia should be considered a more common feature of central nervous system WD.     

Abnormal elevation of FMR1 mRNA is associated with psychological symptoms in individuals with the fragile X premutation.

Until recently, individuals with premutation alleles (55-200 CGG repeats) of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene were believed to be psychologically unaffected. However, the recent documentation of abnormal elevation of FMR1 mRNA, discovery of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), and reports of psychiatric disorders in children and adults with the premutation have suggested a pathogenic gene-brain-behavior mechanism. In a large collaborative study, 68 men and 144 women with the FMR1 premutation completed a psychological symptoms checklist and FMR1 genetic testing, including determination of CGG repeat size, percentage of FMR1 protein (FMRP)-positive lymphocytes, and FMR1 mRNA levels. Relative to published norms, men and women with FXTAS symptoms reported higher levels of several types of psychological symptoms. In addition, men and women with the premutation and no overt evidence of FXTAS reported higher levels of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Elevated FMR1 mRNA, but not CGG repeat size or reduced FMRP (as measured by immunocytochemistry), was significantly associated with increased psychological symptoms, predominantly obsessive-compulsive symptoms and psychoticism, in premutation men with and without FXTAS symptoms. There was no relationship between CGG repeat size, FMR1 mRNA or FMRP and psychological symptoms in premutation women unless the sample was restricted to those with skewed X-activation ratio toward >50% active premutation alleles. The results of this study support the hypothesis that FMR1 function is associated with psychological difficulties in individuals with the premutation, and provide evidence concordant with an RNA toxic gain-of-function model in a neuropsychiatric phenotype.     

Minimal surgery for the twisted ischaemic adnexa can preserve ovarian function

BACKGROUND: Recently detorsion has replaced salpingo-oophorectomy as treatment for the twisted ischaemic adnexa. This paper asssess whether the ovary resumes normal function after preservation by detorsion. METHODS: The results of detorsion performed between January 1988 and December 2001 were retrospectively analysed. Post-operative complications and subsequent ovarian function were assessed including: ultrasound monitoring of follicular development, adnexal appearance during subsequent surgery, and the outcome of IVF. RESULTS: A total of 102 detorsions were performed; 67 by laparoscopy, 35 by laparotomy. No patient developed thromboembolism. Post-operative fever occurred in 15% of patients after laparoscopy and 29% after laparotomy (P < 0.01). Patients were hospitalized for a mean (+/- SD) of 2.1 +/- 1.2 and 7.4 +/- 1.5 days after laparoscopy and laparotomy respectively (P < 0.001). Ultrasound showed normal follicular development in 93 and 91% of patients after detorsion by laparoscopy and laparotomy respectively. At subsequent surgery, the adnexa appeared normal in nine out of nine patients after laparoscopy and in four out of five patients after laparotomy. Four patients of the laparoscopy group and two patients of the laparotomy group underwent subsequent IVF. In all six patients oocytes retrieved from the previously ischaemic ovary were fertilized. CONCLUSIONS: Detorsion with adnexal sparing is the treatment of choice for twisted ischaemic adnexa, and preferably performed by laparoscopy.     

Association of Autism with Maternal Infections,Perinatal and Other Risk Factors: A Case-Control Study

This case-control study explores the association between pregnancy/birth complications and other factors with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Lebanese subjects aged 2–18 years. Researchers interviewed 136 ASD cases from the American University of Beirut Medical Center Special Kids Clinic, and 178 controls selected by systematic digit dialing in the Greater-Beirut area. Male gender (Adjusted Odds Ratio [95% CI]: 3.9 [2.2–7.0]); postpartum feeding difficulties (2.5 [1.2–5.4]); maternal infections/complications during pregnancy (2.9 [1.5–5.5], 2.1 [1.1–3.9]); consanguinity (2.5 [1.0–6.0]); family history of psychiatric disorders (2.2 [1.1–4.4]) were risk factors for ASD. Being born first/second (0.52 [0.28–0.95]) and maternal psychological support during pregnancy (0.49 [0.27–0.89]) were negatively associated with ASD. Identifying ASD correlates is crucial for instigating timely screening and subsequent early intervention.