Primate neostriatal neurons containing tyrosine hydroxylase: immunohistochemical evidence

We have detected, in monkey caudate nucleus and putamen, neuronal cell bodies containing tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity, as revealed by peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunohistochemistry. Many of these cells are distributed in an outer rim of 1-2 mm throughout the anterior-posterior extent of the neostriatum near its borders with the corona radiata; others are embedded in the adjacent white matter, especially near the ventral putamen and nucleus accumbens. Light and electron microscopy indicate that they are small (8-12 micron), bipolar cells with large nuclei. Such neostriatal neurons, containing tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity, number in the tens of thousands.     

Influence of mouse prolactin‐inducible protein in saliva on the aggregation of oral bacteria

Introduction: Mouse prolactin‐inducible protein (mPIP) is secreted in mouse saliva and has been found to bind oral bacteria, showing the highest affinity for streptococci. Comparisons between the oral flora of mPIP knockout mice and their wild‐type controls showed differences in the genera colonizing the two groups of mice. These findings suggested a role for mPIP in the colonization of the mouse oral cavity, possibly modulating the oral flora. In this in vitro study, we focused on the contribution of this protein to aggregation of oral bacteria, a process thought to promote the clearance of bacteria from the oral cavity, and one that could influence the composition of the oral bacterial community. Methods: The aggregation of selected human and mouse oral streptococci was measured spectrophotometrically. The aggregation of oral bacteria by saliva from mPIP knockout mice, which lack mPIP, was compared with that of saliva from wild‐type mice. Results: Both wild‐type saliva and mPIP knockout mouse saliva induced aggregation of human strain Streptococcus gordonii SK120 and mouse streptococci strains M105/6 and M106/2. Bacterial aggregation induced by the saliva of wild‐type mice was significantly higher than the aggregation induced by saliva from mPIP knockout mice for all the bacterial strains. Conclusion: In this study it was confirmed that mPIP plays a role in the aggregation of oral bacteria. The salivary components promoting aggregation of oral bacteria are considered to be part of the oral defense mechanisms so these findings provide insight into a possible function of mPIP in host defense by promoting aggregation of oral bacteria.     

Pulp revascularization for immature replanted teeth: a case report

Immature avulsed teeth are not usually treated with pulp revascularization because of the possibility of complications. However, this therapy has shown success in the treatment of immature teeth with periapical lesions. This report describes the case of an immature replanted tooth that was successfully treated by pulp revascularization. An 8‐year‐old boy suffered avulsion on his maxillary left lateral incisor. The tooth showed incomplete root development and was replanted after 30 minutes. After diagnosis, revascularization therapy was performed by irrigating the root canal and applying a calcium hydroxide paste and 2% chlorhexidine gel for 21 days. In the second session, the intracanal dressing was removed and a blood clot was stimulated up to the cervical third of the root canal. Mineral trioxide aggregate was placed as a cervical barrier at the entrance of the root canal and the crown was restored. During the follow‐up period, periapical repair, apical closure and calcification in the apical 4 mm of the root canal was observed. An avulsed immature tooth replanted after a brief extra‐alveolar period and maintained in a viable storage medium may be treated with revascularization.     

Cross-infection control: attitudes of patients toward the wearing of gloves and masks by dentists in the United Kingdom in 1987

Dental patients in the United Kingdom were surveyed in February 1987 with respect to their views on whether dentists should wear gloves and/or masks. Most patients believed that gloves should be worn and few saw no need for either. Patients receiving care in a dental hospital were more enthusiastic than those seen in general practice in the belief that dentists should wear gloves and/or a mask.     

Neonatal airway obstruction caused by rapidly growing nasopharyngeal teratoma

A case report is presented of a rapidly growing congenital nasopharyngeal teratoma (epignathus) in a preterm infant, leading to severe upper airway obstruction. Prenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography did not reveal the condition because the tumour masses were initially small and there was no polyhydramnios. Epignathus is a rare cause of upper airway obstruction of the newborn that can grow rapidly in the neonatal period and should be treated surgically.
Conclusion:  Epignathus is a rare cause of upper airway obstruction of the newborn that can grow rapidly in the neonatal period.     

Whites and African-Americans in headache specialty clinics respond equally well to treatment

This study sought to determine if Whites and African-Americans respond similarly to headache treatment administered in 'real-world' headache specialty treatment clinics. Using a naturalistic, longitudinal design, 284 patients receiving treatment for headache disorders completed 30-day daily diaries that assessed headache frequency and severity at pretreatment and 6-month follow-up and also provided data on their headache disability and quality of life at pretreatment and 1-, 2- and 6-month follow-up. Controlling for socioeconomic status and psychiatric comorbidity, hierarchical linear models found that African-Americans and Whites reported significant reductions in headache frequency and disability and improvements in life quality over the 6-month treatment period. African-Americans, unlike Whites, also reported significant decreases in headache severity. Nevertheless, Africans-Americans had significantly more frequent and disabling headaches and lower quality of life after treatment relative to Whites. Although Whites and African Americans responded favourably to headache treatments, more efficacious treatments are needed given the elevated level of headache frequency that remained in both racial groups following treatment.     

Age-related changes in cutaneous sensation in the healthy human hand

Cutaneous sensation deteriorates with age. It is not known if this change is consistent over the entire hand or if sensation is affected by changes in skin mechanics. Cutaneous perceptual thresholds were tested at eight sites in the glabrous skin and two in the hairy skin of both hands in 70 subjects (20–88 years), five male and five female per decade, using calibrated von Frey filaments, two-point discrimination, and texture discrimination. Venous occlusion at the wrist (40 ± 10 mmHg) and moisturizer were used to alter skin mechanics. Cutaneous thresholds increased significantly with age (p < 0.001); von Frey thresholds were 0.04 g [0.02–0.07] (median and interquartile range) in the 20s and 0.16 g [0.04–0.4] in the 80s, with differences between hands for older females (p = 0.044) but not males. The pattern of changes in cutaneous sensation varied according to the site tested with smaller changes on the fingers compared to the palm. Two-point discrimination deteriorated with age (p = 0.046), but with no interaction between sex, handedness, or changes in skin mechanics. There were no significant differences for texture discrimination. Changes in skin mechanics improved cutaneous thresholds in the oldest males after moisturizing (p = 0.001) but not otherwise. These results emphasize the complex pattern of age-related deterioration in cutaneous sensation with differences between sexes, the hands, sites on the hand, and the mode of testing. As the index fingertip is not a sensitive indicator of sensory decline, the minimum assessment of age-related changes in cutaneous sensation should include both hands, and sites on the palm.     

The influence of locomotor rehabilitation on module quality and post-stroke hemiparetic walking performance

Recent studies have suggested the biomechanical subtasks of walking can be produced by a reduced set of co-excited muscles or modules. Individuals post-stroke often exhibit poor inter-muscular coordination characterized by poor timing and merging of modules that are normally independent in healthy individuals. However, whether locomotor therapy can influence module composition and timing and whether these improvements lead to improved walking performance is unclear. The goal of this study was to examine the influence of a locomotor rehabilitation therapy on module composition and timing and post-stroke hemiparetic walking performance.Twenty-seven post-stroke hemiparetic subjects participated in a 12-week locomotor intervention incorporating treadmill training with body weight support and manual trainers accompanied by training overground walking. Electromyography (EMG), kinematic and ground reaction force data were collected from subjects both pre- and post-therapy and from 19 age-matched healthy controls walking on an instrumented treadmill at their self-selected speed. Non-negative matrix factorization was used to identify the module composition and timing from the EMG data. Module timing and composition, and various measures of walking performance were compared pre- and post-therapy.In subjects with four modules pre- and post-therapy, locomotor training resulted in improved timing of the ankle plantarflexor module and a more extended paretic leg angle that allowed the subjects to walk faster and with more symmetrical propulsion. In addition, subjects with three modules pre-therapy increased their number of modules and improved walking performance post-therapy. Thus, locomotor training has the potential to influence module composition and timing, which can lead to improvements walking performance.