Predictors of oral health quality of life in older adults

There is limited information regarding oral health status and other predictors of oral health‐related quality of life. An association between oral health status and perceived oral health‐related quality of life (OHQOL) might help clinicians motivate patients to prevent oral diseases and improve the outcome of some dental public health programs. This study evaluated the relationship between older persons' OHQOL and their functional dentition, caries, periodontal status, chronic diseases, and some demographic characteristics. A group of 733 low‐income elders (mean age 72.7 ISD=4.71, 55.6% women, 55.1% members of ethnic minority groups in the U.S. and Canada) enrolled in the TEETH clinical trial were interviewed and examined as part of their fifth annual visit for the trial. OHQOL was measured by the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI); oral health and occlusal status by clinical exams and the Eichner Index; and demographics via interviews. Elders who completed the four‐year assessment had an average of 21.5 teeth (SD=6.9). with 8.5 occluding pairs (SD=4.6), and 32% with occlusal contacts in all four occluding zones. Stepwise multiple regressions were conducted to predict total GOHAI and its subscores (Physical, Social, and Worry). Functional dentition was a less significant predictor than ethnicity and being foreign‐bom. These variables, together with gender, years since immigrating, number of carious roots, and periodontal status, could predict 32% of the variance in total GOHAI, 24% in Physical, 27% in Social, and 21 % in the Worry subscales. These findings suggest that functional dentition and caries influence older adults' OHQOL, but that ethnicity and immigrant status play a larger role.     

Measurement of Carboxyhemoglobin and Methemoglobin by Pulse Oximetry: A Human Volunteer Study

Background: A new eight-wavelength pulse oximeter is designed to measure methemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin, in addition to the usual measurements of hemoglobin oxygen saturation and pulse rate. This study examines this device's ability to measure dyshemoglobins in human volunteers in whom controlled levels of methemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin are induced.

Methods: Ten volunteers breathed 500 ppm carbon monoxide until their carboxyhemoglobin levels reached 15%, and 10 different volunteers received intravenous sodium nitrite, 300 mg, to induce methemoglobin. All were instrumented with arterial cannulas and six Masimo Rad-57 (Masimo Inc., Irvine, CA) pulse oximeter sensors. Arterial blood was analyzed by three laboratory CO-oximeters, and the resulting carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin measurements were compared with the corresponding pulse oximeter readings.

Results: The Rad-57 measured carboxyhemoglobin with an uncertainty of +/-2% within the range of 0-15%, and it measured methemoglobin with an uncertainty of 0.5% within the range of 0-12%.     

Modulation of cytokine production from an EpiOcular corneal cell culture model in response to Staphylococcus aureus superantigen

The present study investigated the hypothesis that Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEE) produces epithelial cell death and releases inflammatory cytokines that produce stromal infiltration during contact lens induced peripheral ulceration. Epithelial cells were incubated with different doses of SEB for various time periods. Culture supernatants were assayed for cytokines IL- lo, IL-6 and chemotactic agents IL-8 and LTB,. SEE induced the production of IL- I p and IL-8. Epithelial cells exposed for longer periods (48 h) with low concentrations of SEB produced significantly higher levels (N0.02) of IL-Ip and IL-8 (P<0.05) compared t o a 24 h exposure. SEB did not induce the production o f IL-6 and     

Transplantation of horseshoe kidneyinto single recipient

A case of successful en bloc transplantation of a horseshoe kidney into a single recipient is reported. The literature is briefly reviewed. The use of horseshoe kidneys in transplantation is recommended in selected cases.     

Apolipoprotein E—associated risk for Alzheimer's disease in the African-American population is genotype dependent

As a part of our ongoing study on Alzheimer's disease (AD) in elderly African Americans, we obtained clinical assessment and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype data on 288 individuals (including 60 with AD). The ApoE σ4 allele frequency was significantly increased in AD patients compared with controls. The age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for AD in σ4 homozygotes was 4.83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.71–13.64) compared with the σ3/σ3 genotype, but the OR for AD with the σ3/σ4 genotype did not reach significance (1.20; 95% CI, 0.58–2.45). These findings suggest that the association between ApoE σ4 and AD is weaker in African Americans than in whites.     

A Worksite Program for Overweight Middle-Aged Men Achieves Lesser Weight Loss With Exercise Than With Dietary Change

Objective To compare changes in total and regional body composition using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) after subjects lost weight through change in diet or exercise.Design A 12-month, randomized, controlled study of two weight-loss interventions — low-fat diet ad libitum or moderate, unsupervised exercise — in free-living, middle-aged men. Compliance was determined at monthly measurement sessions through food records and activity logs; DEXA scans were performed every 3 months.Subjects/setting Fifty-eight overweight men (mean body mass INDEX=29.0±2.6; mean AGE=43.4±5.7 years) recruited from a national corporation were assigned randomly to diet, exercise, or control groups.Interventions One group reduced dietary fat to 26.4% of energy intake but kept activity unchanged; another group self-selected aerobic exercise (three sessions per week at 65% to 75% maximum heart rate) but kept diet unchanged. A control group maintained weight.Main outcome measures At 12 months, measurements of weight, total and regional fat mass and lean mass, energy intake, and percentage dietary fat; physical activity indexes. Statistical analyses Results were analyzed using paired t tests and analysis of variance.Results Mean weight loss was 6.4±3.3 kg in dieters and 2.6+3.0 kg in exercisers; control subjects maintained weight. DEXA scans revealed that 40% of dieters’ weight loss was lean tissue; more than 80% of weight lost by exercisers was fat. Exercisers maintained limb lean tissue and lost fat mass.Conclusions Greater total weight and lean tissue loss occurred when subjects lost weight through a low-fat diet consumed ad libitum than when subjects participated in unsupervised aerobic exercise. Use of DEXA enabled identification of progressive total and regional changes in fat and lean tissue. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997; 97:37–42.     

A study to explore the role of a community oncology nurse specialist

Cancer patients are increasingly being cared for in the community. However, the role of the community oncology nurse specialist (CONS) remains a rare appointment in the United Kingdom. There is little research evidence to substantiate the view that this is a worthwhile and effective role. This study aimed to explore the role of one CONS using a qualitative case study approach. The sample consisted of the CONS, seven patients, no relatives and five community nurses. Semi-structured interviews were used to elicit the view of these participants. In addition, documents containing details of the CONS's work to date were reviewed. A number of the CONS's role components were identified by the different respondent groups. Five themes were identified within the data collected: functions of the CONS, communication between the CONS and other health care professionals, structural and organizational factors, characteristics of the service and benefits to patients and their families. Furthermore, all respondent groups were positive about the service offered by the CONS, and felt that the role was valuable. Some negative features were identified and these were concerned with organizational aspects of the service. The findings suggest the need for further research and evaluation in this area.