Fine structure of the 7 postnatal days Calomys callosus palatine salivary glands.

The aim of this study has been to determine the ultrastructural characteristics of the minor palatine salivary glands on the seventh day of development and to demonstrate wether their secretion is mucous, serous or seromucous by light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. This study has shown that the palatine gland acinar cells are predominantly mucous with some serous units. These cells contain electron dense (serous) and low electron dense (mucous) granules in the apical portions. The cytoplasmatic organelles like mitochondria, Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum are localized in a supranuclear portion. We could also observe the flattened myoepithelial cells surrounding the basal part of the acini with myofilaments, Golgi apparatus and mitochondria. Desmosomal junctions and membrane interdigitations are present between the acinar and the myoepithelial cells. A basal lamina, divided in two layers, an electron dense and an electron lucent is present between the glandular stroma which is composed of dense connective tissue and the endpieces.     

Downward percentile crossing as an indicator of an adverse prenatal environment

Background: Postnatal health sequelae of low birth weight have been attributed to ‘poor fetal growth’ from inferred adverse prenatal environments; risks augmented by infant growth rates. Identifying prenatal growth-restricting events is essential to clarify pathways and mechanisms of fetal growth.

Aim: The specific aim of this investigation was to examine whether an episode of preterm labor may compromise fetal growth.

Subjects and methods: Fetal size at the end of the second trimester and birth were compared among women with uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 3167) and those who experienced an episode of preterm labor (<37 weeks) and subsequently delivered at term (≥37 weeks, n = 147). Fetal weight estimated from ultrasound measures, and changes in weight standard scores across the third trimester investigated significant centile crossing (>0.67 standard deviation score change).

Results: Fetuses delivered at term after an episode of preterm labor were smaller at birth relative to their peers than at the end of the second trimester, and were 47% more likely to experience clinically significant downward centile crossing (p < 0.05) than their peers (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.04–2.07).

Conclusion: An episode of preterm labor may signal an adverse prenatal environment for term-delivered neonates. Epidemiologically silent events in the natural history of pregnancy are an understudied source of fetal growth compromise as inferred by small birth size among peers.     

Researching the impact of oral health on diet and nutritional status: Methodological issues

Objectives

Assessment of the impact of dental function on diet and nutritional status requires robust methodologies and a standardised approach to increase accuracy of results and to facilitate cross study comparisons. The objectives of this paper are: to report the outcomes of a consensus workshop that critically reviewed publications reporting on dietary methodologies in relation to the impact of oral health on nutrition; to highlight future directions for research and; to make recommendations for appropriate use of methodologies for future research.

Data

Data relevant to nutrition and dental status published from 1980 to 2005 in English were presented at the consensus workshop for discussion and appraisal.

Sources

Relevant papers were retrieved through PubMed. Relevant texts were obtained from the library at Newcastle University, UK.

Study selection

A purposive sample of original articles that illustrated the application of a range of nutritional methodologies to the study of oral health impacts was identified. Original flagship texts on nutritional methodologies were reviewed.

Conclusions

Numerous studies have shown an association between loss of teeth and inferior diet. Further research is required to elucidate the impact of novel approaches to prosthetic rehabilitation and the impact of contemporaneous dietary and dental intervention on diet, nutritional status, disease progression and quality of life.The recommendation of the consensus workshop was that future studies should adopt a comprehensive approach to the assessment of nutrition that encompasses measurement of diet, body composition, biochemical indices of intake and levels of nutrients, and functional biomarkers of disease.     

A comparison of remediation techniques on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in schizophrenia

A wealth of evidence has revealed that deficits on a commonly used measure of executive-function, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), can be improved through a variety of methods of instruction in patients with schizophrenia. Relatively little is known however, which of these remediation methods produce strongest and most durable effects and whether these effects generalize to other, untrained executive-function measures. Two of the most commonly studied methods for remediation on the WCST, step-by-step didactic instruction on the task and utilization of self-monitoring strategies, have both been shown to improve WCST performance, yet have never been directly compared. Thirty-four participants with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: Condition A consisted of didactic training which incorporated a detailed account of changing sorting principles throughout the test; Condition B consisted of a self-monitoring strategy that required that participants verbalize their strategies out loud after each card sort; Condition C was a non-trained control group that received the same outcome assessments as the two training groups at identical time intervals without intervening training. Patients were assessed with the WCST and two other executive-function tests immediately prior to training, immediately after training and at a 1-month follow-up. Results revealed: (1) participants assigned to the didactic and self-monitoring conditions made significant gains on the WCST relative to a no-intervention control condition; (2) the effects of self-monitoring, but not didactic training, were evident at a one-month follow-up; and (3) only participants assigned to the self-monitoring condition showed generalization to a second, non-trained measure of executive-function. The significance of these results for implementation of strategies for comprehensive and sustained programs of remediation are discussed.     

Adjunctive levetiracetam in infants and young children with refractory partial-onset seizures

Purpose:   To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive levetiracetam in very young children (aged 1 month to <4 years) with partial-onset seizures inadequately controlled with one or two antiepileptic drugs.
Methods:   This multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study consisted of a 48-h inpatient baseline video-EEG (electroencephalography) and a 5-day inpatient treatment period (1-day up-titration; 48-h evaluation video-EEG in the last 2 days). Children who experienced at least two partial-onset seizures during the 48-h baseline video-EEG were randomized to either levetiracetam [40 mg/kg/day (age 1 to <6 months); 50 mg/kg/day (age ≥6 months to <4 years] or placebo.
Results:   Of 175 patients screened, 116 patients were randomized [60 levetiracetam; 56 placebo; intent-to-treat (ITT) population], and 111 completed the study. The responder rate in average daily partial-onset seizures frequency (48-h video-EEG monitoring; primary efficacy variable) was 43.1% for levetiracetam [modified ITT (mITT) = 58] versus 19.6% for placebo (mITT = 51; p=0.013), with odds ratio for response 3.11 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.22–8.26]. The median percent reduction from baseline in average daily partial-onset seizure frequency was 43.6% for levetiracetam and 7.1% for placebo with a median difference between treatment groups of 39.2% (95% CI, 17.5–62.2; p   <   0.001). In general, levetiracetam was well tolerated. Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported by 55.0% levetiracetam- and 44.6% placebo-treated patients (ITT population). The most frequently reported adverse events were somnolence (13.3% levetiracetam, 1.8% placebo) and irritability (11.7% levetiracetam, 0% placebo).
Discussion:   Adjunctive levetiracetam is an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment for partial-onset seizures in infants and young children.     

Normal pregnancy is characterized by systemic activation of the complement system

Background.?The complement system, a major component of innate immunity, has recently been implicated in the mechanisms of fetal loss and placental inflammation in the anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome. Inhibition of complement has been proposed as an absolute requirement for normal pregnancy. Yet, pregnancy is characterized by a generalized activation of the innate immune system. This study was conducted to determine whether or not normal pregnancy is associated with complement activation in the maternal circulation.

Methods.?Anaphylatoxins (C3a, C4a and C5a) were determined in the plasma of normal pregnant (20–42 wks; n?=?134) and non-pregnant women (n?=?40). These complement split products (C3a, C4a and C5a) were measured using specific immunoassays. Non-parametric statistics were used for analysis.

Results.?1) The median plasma concentrations of C3a, C4a and C5a were significantly higher in normal pregnant women than in non-pregnant women (all p?<?0.001); 2) the concentration of C3a, C4a and C5a did not change with gestational age (p?>?0.05); and 3) the median plasma concentration of C3a had a positive correlation with the plasma C4a and C5a concentrations (r?=?0.36, p?<?0.001 and r?=?0.35, p?<?0.001, respectively).

Conclusion.?1) Normal human pregnancy is associated with evidence of complement activation, as determined by higher concentrations of the anaphylatoxins C3a, C4a and C5a in the maternal circulation; and 2) we propose that physiologic activation of the complement system during pregnancy is a compensatory mechanism aimed at protecting the host against infection.