Human Papillomavirus DNA Detection in Cervical Specimens by Hybrid Capture: Correlation with Cytologic and Histologic Diagnoses of Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix

Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection in cervical specimens was correlated with cytologic and histologic diagnoses for 151 women who were referred to the Johns Hopkins Hospital colposcopy clinic for evaluation of an abnormal Pap smear. HPVs were identified as “high-risk” or “low-risk” by Hybrid Capture. The final disease status was categorized as high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) by histology (n= 26), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) by histology (n= 43), equivocal [histology negative, cytology atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or higher,n= 42], and negative (both histology and cytology negative,n= 40). Thirty-five percent of disease-negative women and 84% of the women with biopsy-proven or equivocal disease were HPV-positive. Ninety-two percent of the HPV-positive women harbored high-risk HPVs, either high-risk HPVs alone (77%) or high-risk HPVs along with low-risk HPVs (15%). High-risk HPVs predominated in disease-negative as well as disease-positive women. Collection of specimens with a cytobrush was more efficient for HPV DNA detection than collection by cervicovaginal lavage. Large amounts of HPV DNA correlated with presence of HSIL or LSIL. For detection of HSIL, considering only brush samples, the sensitivities of abnormal cytology (ASCUS or higher), of high-risk HPVs, and of the two combined were, respectively, 87, 93, and 100%; the corresponding specificities were 30, 30, and 20%. HPV DNA detection may be most beneficial in populations with low HPV prevalence.     

Scanning electron microscopy study of dental enamel surface exposed to 35% hydrogen peroxide: alone,with saliva,and with 10% carbamide peroxide

Several vital bleaching systems have been introduced in response to the demand in esthetic dentistry. The active agents are commonly hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide used in at-home or in-office techniques. Although generally positive results have been reported concerning the whitening ability of these agents, concerns still remain as to their effects on dental tissues. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of these bleaching agents on the enamel surface morphology. Twelve extracted teeth were used according to three experimental protocols. In experimental protocol 1, specimens were treated with 35% hydrogen peroxide. In experimental protocol 2, after treatment with 35% hydrogen peroxide the specimens were immersed in natural saliva for 1 week. In experimental protocol 3, 35% hydrogen peroxide was applied once and 10% carbamide peroxide was applied for 1 week (12 h of 10% carbamide peroxide alternating with 12 h saliva). Scanning electron microscopy evaluation revealed that regional variation in tooth morphology surface sometimes exceeded the effects of the peroxide used according to experimental protocols. Thirty-five percent hydrogen peroxide had a tendency to promote an increase in density of pits. Precipitates were observed on specimen surfaces immersed in natural saliva according to protocol 2. A smooth and shiny surface was observed in specimens treated according to protocol 3. The potential relationship between surface alterations and differences in enamel permeability is currently under investigation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The differences in various articles written on the subject cannot be reconciled because of the lac of standardization of baseline data regarding factors such as location on the tooth, type of tooth eruption or noneruption, and age in the oral cavity. This article demonstrates that, despite changes observed in the enamel surface after bleaching, normal variation in tooth morphology may exceed the effects of 35% hydrogen peroxide and 10% carbamide peroxide on the teeth. Hence, considering the morphologic features of the tooth surface, bleaching, as described in thi study, can be considered safe for enamel.     

Serum leptin concentration, adiposity, and body fat distribution in Mexican-Americans

BACKGROUND: Leptin is strongly associated with adiposity and few studies have investigated its role in Mexican-Americans. The aims of this study were to examine the association of serum leptin concentration with adiposity and body fat distribution in Mexican-Americans and to develop a predictive model of serum leptin concentration for this ethnic group. METHODS: Three hundred fifty-two college students (242 women, 110 men; age 18-30 years) were evaluated in this cross-sectional study. Body fat content was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Correlation between serum leptin levels and several markers of adiposity and body fat distribution were examined in both men and women. Multiple regression analysis was performed to create the predictive model. RESULTS: Women had higher serum leptin concentrations than men for the same levels of adiposity. After controlling for gender and body fat, only fat mass (FM) expressed in kg, was significantly correlated with serum leptin concentration in men (partial rho = 0.811, p <0.001), whereas body mass index (BMI), hip circumference (HC), and FM expressed in kg, were significantly correlated with serum leptin concentration in women (partial rho = 0.214, p <0.001; partial rho = 0.201, p <0.01; and partial rho = 0.818, p <0.001, respectively). Percent body fat (PBF) was the only significant predictor of serum leptin concentration among men, explaining 42% of the variance in serum leptin concentration. In addition to PBF, waist circumference (WC) and HC were significant predictors of serum leptin concentration among women explaining 65% of the variance in serum leptin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Serum leptin concentration is a function of adiposity as determined by PBF in both Mexican-American men and women. HC and WC are associated with serum leptin concentration in Mexican-American women but not in men. BMI alone should not be used in evaluating the association of serum leptin concentration with body fatness in Mexican-Americans.     

Lifetime prediction of veneered versus monolithic lithium disilicate crowns loaded on marginal ridges

Objective

To evaluate the probability of survival of monolithic and porcelain veneered lithium disilicate crowns comprised by a conventional or modified core when loaded on marginal ridges.

Prevalence of movement disorders in an elderly nursing home population

We studied the prevalence of movement disorders in a large nursing home population (397 patients, mean age 86 years) in New York City. Patients were first evaluated by specially trained research coordinators and final clinical diagnoses were confirmed by a movement disorder specialist. A movement disorder was identified in 21% of patients (83/397). The most frequent movement disorders were essential tremor (ET) (8.8%) and parkinsonism (7.1%). Only half of those admitted with a diagnosis of parkinsonism were confirmed in their diagnosis by the movement disorder specialists. Three percent of patients exhibited drug-induced tremor, 1.3% had dystonia, 0.5% had myoclonus and 0.3% had generalized dyskinesias. Overall, our findings underline the high frequency of movement disorders in a nursing home population. The discrepancy between our findings and the prevalence rates for parkinsonism reported on the initial transfer diagnosis emphasizes the difficulty of accurate diagnosis of movement disorders and in particular parkinsonism.     

Time esophageal pH < 4 overestimates the prevalence of pathologic esophageal reflux in subjects with gastroesophageal reflux disease treated with proton pump inhibitors

Background  

A Stanford University study reported that in asymptomatic GERD patients who were being treated with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), 50% had pathologic esophageal acid exposure.     

Genetic diversity and antifungal susceptibility of Fusarium isolates in onychomycosis

Fusarium species have emerged as an important human pathogen in skin disease, onychomycosis, keratitis and invasive disease. Onychomycosis caused by Fusarium spp. The infection has been increasingly described in the immunocompetent and immunosuppressed hosts. Considering onychomycosis is a difficult to treat infection, and little is known about the genetic variability and susceptibility pattern of Fusarium spp., further studies are necessary to understand the pathogenesis and better to define the appropriate antifungal treatment for this infection. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to describe the in vitro susceptibility to different antifungal agents and the genetic diversity of 35 Fusarium isolated from patients with onychomycosis. Fusarium spp. were isolated predominantly from female Caucasians, and the most frequent anatomical location was the nail of the hallux. Results revealed that 25 (71.4%) of isolates belonged to the Fusarium solani species complex, followed by 10 (28.5%) isolates from the Fusarium oxysporum species complex. Noteworthy, the authors report the first case of Neocosmospora rubicola isolated from a patient with onychomycosis. Amphotericin B was the most effective antifungal agent against the majority of isolates (60%, MIC ≤4 μg/mL), followed by voriconazole (34.2%, MIC ≤4 μg/mL). In general, Fusarium species presented MIC values >64 μg/mL for fluconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine. Accurate pathogen identification, characterisation and susceptibility testing provide a better understanding of pathogenesis of Fusarium in onychomycosis.