Periodontitis, a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases?

Exist a statistically significant association between a diagnosis of coronary heart disease and certain oral health parameters. These parameters are independent and more strongly associated with coronary heart disease than were recognized risk factors, such as serum cholesterol levels, body mass index, diabetes and smoking status. The correlation between serum and salivary cholesterol concentration and the role of salivary lipids in oral health have been poorly characterized. Lipids in saliva are mostly glandular in origin, through some may diffuse diffuse directly from the serum. The surface of the enamel (in case of dietary fat which have an cariostatic effect) is protected against demineralization by a mixture of salivary lipids and proteins. Salivary lipids may have anucleating role in the early mineralization of the dental plaque. The prevalence of periodontal disease may be increased in patients with atherosclerosis, and dental and periodontal infections have been shown to be associated with occurrence of acute and chronic coronary heart disease. Among the known risk factors of atherosclerosis, high serum lipid levels, especially cholesterol may be important with regard to periodontal health.     

Changes in the craniomandibular relations of acromegaly patients

The dishomeostazical theory (etiopathogenic integrative concept) allows an ample and complex vue on the stomatognathic system dysfunctional syndrome, because it begins from the perception of the stomatognathic system (SS) as a whole in which the alteration of each element can induce the disfunction of the entire system. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the neuroendocrine suprasystemic factor (STH hypersecretion on adult organism) disturbs every element of the SS and induces an important alteration of the fundamental cranio-mandibular relations.     

Clinical Significance of Nuclear p53 Protein Accumulation in Bladder Cancer

Objectives: To investigate the correlation of nuclear p53 accumulation with disease outcome in a cohort of patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Methods: A total of 90 patients (11 female, 79 male) with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were included in this study. Tumour samples from the primary tumour were analysed by immunohistochemistry for nuclear accumulation of p53 protein. Outcome of each patient was recorded and investigated for a possible relation with p53 status. Results: Nuclear p53 deposition was determined in 22 specimens. The nuclear p53 deposition was seen in less than 20% of the nuclei examined in 13 and more than 20% in 9 cases. No stromal staining was observed. Nuclear p53 deposition was present in 15.2% (7/46) of grade 2 tumours, and 34% (15/44) of grade 3 tumours (p=0.037). Stage distribution revealed 15.5% (5/33) positivity in stage pTa, 25.8% (8/31) in pT1 and 34% (9/26) in stage pT2–3 tumours. Tumours with p53 nuclear accumulation had a higher rate of recurrence and progression and shorter survival. Conclusion: Results of the current study indicate p53 as an important factor in determination of biological behaviour of bladder cancer.     

Clostridium difficile acquisition rate and its role in nosocomial diarrhoea at a university hospital in Turkey

Infection with Clostridium difficile can present with various clinical pictures ranging from an asymptomatic carrier state to pseudomembranous colitis and plays an important part in the etiology of nosocomial diarrhoea. To identify risk factors for C. difficile colonization and diarrhoea in hospitalized subjects, patients admitted to a general medicine ward at Marmara University hospital during a one year period were entered into the study. Of the 202 patients, nosocomial diarrhoea developed in 45 (22.3%). Fourteen patients (6.9%) were colonized with C. difficile during their hospitalization period. Ten of the colonized patients (71.4%) developed diarrhoea and were found to be positive by toxin assay. Pseudomembranous colitis was confirmed endoscopically in 3 of the patients with diarrhoea. Administration of beta lactam agents such as ampicillin and cephalosporins; gastrointestinal manipulations and admission to the intensive care unit were found as major risk factors for C. difficile colonization.     

Huge colloid cyst of the third ventricle associated with calcification in the cyst wall

Giant or huge colloid cysts of the third ventricle up to of more than 3 cm in diameter are extremely rare. The patient presented with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, including headache, vomiting, and papilledema. Computerized tomographic (CT) scan revealed a hypodense, huge colloid cyst of the third ventricle associated with calcification in the cyst wall. Both hypodensity and calcification are uncommon roentgenological findings for colloid cysts of the third ventricle. The patient was operated on by the transcortical/transventricular approach and the colloid cyst was completely excised.     

Bilateral traumatic abducens nerve paralysis with cervical spine flexion injury

Bilateral traumatic abducens nerve palsy is a rare condition. We report a case associated with cervical spine flexion injury. This may be the first such case report, as no similar case was found in our review of the literature. The mechanisms of injury in this case are relevant to theories that explain hyperextension injuries.     

Exceptional performance in heart preservation with an amino acid—Containing perfusion fluid

This is a report of a study aimed at putting into practice a new theory for hypothermic preservation of viable organs. A perfusion fluid elaborated according to this theory was applied in preservation of the heart, and resulted in storage of the heart for up to 72 hours with preservation of its functions (rhythm, presystolic ventricular pressure, systolic ventricular pressure, cardiac work, coronary blood pressure, sensitivity to drugs) and its morphology. An important finding was that repeated heart storage for 24 hours alternating with functional testing for 5–7 hours could be performed without irreversible alterations of cardiac function and fine structure. Furthermore, during functional testing following storage the hearts consistently demonstrated improvement of function in time, suggesting that the preserved myocardial tissues were able to rapidly achieve metabolic reequilibration. The results of this study provide the possibility of developing a system for efficient ex vivo heart conditioning before transplantation.

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Résumé Nous avons testé la valeur d'une nouvelle théorie sur la préservation d'organes en hypothermie. Un liquide de perfusion conforme à cette théorie a été utilisé pour la préservation cardiaque. Il permet de conserver le coeur pendant 72 heures, sans altérations de ses fonctions (rythme, pression ventriculaire pré-systolique et systolique, travail cardiaque, pression coronaire, sensibilité aux médicaments) ni de sa morphologie. De plus, le coeur peut-être, à plusieurs reprises, conservé pendant 24 heures, avec des intervalles de reprise fonctionnelle de 5–7 heures, sans que sa fonction ni sa structure fine ne soient altérées de façon irréversible. Enfin, l'étude fonctionnelle montre qu'après conservation la fonction cardiaque s'améliore avec le temps, suggérant donc une rééquilibration métabolique rapide du tissu myocardique. Les résultats de cette étude permettront la mise au point d'un système efficace de conservation cardiaque ex-vivo en vue de la transplantation.

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Supported by the German Heart Center, Munich, and the German Academy Department for Foreign Scientific Relationships, Bonn.