Caries risk assessment in school children using a reduced Cariogram model without saliva tests

Background  

To investigate the caries predictive ability of a reduced Cariogram model without salivary tests in schoolchildren.     

Age-dependent regulation of lipogenesis in human and rat adipocytes

The regulation of adipocyte metabolism is of importance for adipose tissue growth and therefore also for the development of obesity. This study was designed to investigate the regulation of basal and insulin-induced lipogenesis, glucose transport, and glucose transporter protein expression in human and rat adipocytes from different age groups. The study included 21 infants, 21 children, nine adults, and 80 male weaned and 20 male adult Fischer rats. The lipogenesis experiments were performed under conditions at which glucose transport is rate limiting. Basal lipogenesis was approximately three times higher in infants and children than in adults, whereas insulin-induced lipogenesis was two times higher in infants than in children and adults. In rats, basal lipogenesis, insulin-induced lipogenesis, and insulin sensitivity were two times higher in weaned than in adult animals. Moreover, basal and insulin-induced glucose transport were two times higher in weaned than in adult rats. No differences were detected in GLUT1 or GLUT4 content between any of the age groups in human or in rat adipocytes. In conclusion, basal and insulin-stimulated lipogenesis are increased in adipocytes early in life. This may promote adipose tissue growth in early age. The data indicate that age-dependent variation in basal and insulin-stimulated lipogenesis is differently regulated.     

Probiotic supplements and debridement of peri-implant mucositis: A randomized controlled trial

Objective. The aim of this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplements in adjunct to conventional management of peri-implant mucositis. Materials and methods. Forty-nine adult patients with peri-implant mucositis were consecutively recruited after informed consent. After initial mechanical debridement and oral hygiene instructions, the patients received a topical oil application (active or placebo) followed by twice-daily intake of lozenges (active or placebo) for 3 months. The active products contained a mix of two strains of Lactobacillus reuteri. Patients were clinically monitored and sampled at baseline and after 1, 2, 4, 12 and 26 weeks. The clinical end-points were pocket-probing depth (PPD), plaque index (PI) and bleeding on probing (BOP). In addition, the subgingival microbiota was processed with checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization and samples of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were analyzed for selected cytokines with the aid of multiplex immunoassays. Results. After 4 and 12 weeks, all clinical parameters were improved in both the test and the placebo group. PPD and BOP were significantly reduced compared with baseline (p < 0.05), but no significant differences were displayed between the groups. The clinical improvements persisted 3 months after the intervention. No major alterations of the subgingival microflora were disclosed and the levels of inflammatory mediators in GCF did not differ between the groups. Conclusions. Mechanical debridement and oral hygiene reinforcement resulted in clinical improvement of peri-implant mucositis and a reduction in cytokine levels. Probiotic supplements did not provide added benefit to placebo.     

Lack of phylogeography in European mammals before the last glaciation

In many extant animal and plant species in Europe and North America a correlation exists between the geographical location of individuals and the genetic relatedness of the mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences that they carry. Here, we analyze mtDNA sequences from cave bears, brown bears, cave hyenas, and Neandertals in Europe before the last glacial maximum and fail to detect any phylogeographic patterns similar to those observed in extant species. We suggest that at the beginning of the last glacial maximum, little phylogeographic patterns existed in European mammals over most of their geographical ranges and that current phylogeographic patterns are transient relics of the last glaciation. Cycles of retreat of species in refugia during glacial periods followed by incomplete dispersal from one refugium into other refugia during interglacial periods is likely to be responsible for the deep genetic divergences between phylogeographic clusters of mtDNA seen today.     

Creating research and development awareness among dental care professionals by use of strategic communication: a 12-year intervention study

Background

Despite the availability of contemporary research advances, only a limited fraction is implemented into dental practice. One possible way to facilitate this process is to stimulate the research and development (R&D) awareness and interest with aid of strategic communication.

Methods

The aim of the study was to analyse the role of a strategic communication in R&D awareness and interest among dental care professionals (DCP) over a 12-year period. A second aim was to compare the findings with those from primary care professionals (PCP). The project had a prospective design and the intervention was conducted through established oral, written and digital channels. The outcome was captured by two validated questionnaires submitted after 7 and 12 years, respectively. An additional Questionnaire file shows the details [see Additional file 1]. The material consisted of 599 health care professionals (205 DCP; 394 PCP) that responded to the first questionnaire and 526 individuals (195 DCP; 331 PCP) who responded to the second. All were employed by the primary care organization of Region Halland located in southwest of Sweden. The majority were women (≥?85%) and the mean age at the first questionnaire was 49 years (SD 8.5). Longitudinal analyses were applied to those individuals that responded to both surveys after 7 and 12 years (n?=?248). Comparisons between DCP’s and PCP’s were processed with Chi-square and Fischer’s exact tests.

Results

Strategic communication contributed to increase the R&D awareness and interest among the dental personnel. The created interest was reported stronger among the DCP when compared with PCP at both surveys (p?<?0.05). The longitudinal findings confirmed a long-term interest among the DCP’s. Direct and indirect communication facilitated R&D interest in both groups. The most powerful channels were the written “Research bulletin” and peer inspiration.

Conclusion

Strategic communication can be employed as a scientific tool that may contribute to the creation of a long-term R&D awareness and interest among dental care professionals.

     

Treatment of severe peripheral arterial and vasospastic disease of the upper extremity by spinal cord stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been successfully introduced for treatment of severe peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs. However, the effect of SCS for treatment of severe vasospastic disease (VD) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the upper extremities remains uncertain. Therefore, the efficacy of SCS for pain reduction and increase of blood supply was studied in four patients with severe PAD and in six patients with VD of the upper limbs. Transcutaneous oxygen tension index (chest TcpO₂/hand TcpO₂), Doppler wrist pressure index (WPI), capillary microscopy (CM), and a patients pain score (PS) graded from 1 to 10 (1=no pain) were used as follow-up parameters. Pain reduction after SCS was excellent in all patients and remained significant throughout the follow-up period. TcpO₂ index decreased significantly (2.01±0.79 prae-OP vs 1.57±0.62 at 18 months). Capillary microscopy improved regarding red blood cell velocity and capillary density. Doppler WPI remained unchanged throughout the course. The results demonstrate that treatment of severe PAD and VD by use of thoracic SCS reduces pain significantly in these patients and increases blood supply. SCS provides a successful method of treatment for refractory VD and PAD of the upper extremity.Presented at the 36th Annual World Congress of the International College of Angiology, New York City, New York, July 1994     

Development of severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy in a patient with disseminated thyroid cancer treated with recombinant human thyrotropin/radioiodine and retinoic acid.

We present a case in which a patient with disseminated well-differentiated papillary thyroid cancer developed severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. Eight years after initial surgery and ablative radioiodine therapy the patient was found to have multiple pulmonary metastases. The metastases showed poor uptake of radioiodine. An attempt was made to use 13-cis-retinoic acid in order to achieve a redifferentiation of the thyroid cancer cells before recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) stimulated radioiodine therapy. The treatment did not improve the uptake of radioiodine. However, approximately 2 weeks after completion of the treatment the patient experienced discomfort in her eyes and then over the next months she developed a severe ophthalmopathy. The analyses of TSH receptor antibodies and S-thyroglobulin simultaneously showed a pronounced increase. An association between therapy given and severe ophthalmopathy cannot be excluded.