Masticatory performance in older subjects with varying degrees of tooth loss

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to establish the factors influencing the masticatory performance of older subjects with varying degrees of tooth loss and associated numbers of posterior occlusal contacts.

Methods

The subjects consisted of 1274 independently living people aged 60 years and over. Individuals with partially or fully edentulous arches without a denture replacement or those having any symptoms related to an oral problem were excluded from the study participants. Masticatory performance, maximal occlusal force and stimulated whole saliva were measured. Subjects were grouped into three categories by posterior occlusal contact, according to the Eichner Index. Group A had contacts in four support zones; group B had one to three zones of contact or contact in the anterior region only; and group C had no support zones at all, although a few teeth could still remain.

Results

The masticatory performance in groups B and C was found to be 81% and 50% of that of group A, respectively. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that in all the groups, occlusal force was significantly associated with masticatory performance. In groups A and B, the number of residual teeth was significantly associated with masticatory performance, whereas in group C, it had no significant relationship with masticatory performance. Salivary flow rate had a significant correlation with masticatory performance only in group C.

Conclusions

Declines in occlusal contact, occlusal force and salivary flow appear to be associated with reduction of masticatory performance in older adults. However, the crucial factors for masticatory performance varied, depending on the phase of occlusal collapse.     

Genetic Analysis of UGT1A1 Polymorphisms Using Preserved Dried Umbilical Cord for Assessing the Potential of Neonatal Jaundice as a Risk Factor for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - Neonatal jaundice has been suggested as a perinatal risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We examined UGT1A1 polymorphisms to assess the...     

The efficacy and safety of mizoribine for maintenance therapy in patients with myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA)-associated vasculitis: the usefulness of serum mizoribine monitoring

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology - The life prognosis of elderly patients with myeloperoxidase–anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis (MPO-AAV) has been improved by...     

Correction to: Association of initial prednisolone dose with remission,relapse, and infectious complications in adult‑onset minimal change disease

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology - In the original publication, the author has found few errors. The corrections are given below.     

Altered DNA methylation in kidney disease: useful markers and therapeutic targets

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology - Recent studies have demonstrated the association of altered epigenomes with lifestyle-related diseases. Epigenetic regulation promotes biological plasticity...     

The impact of elevated thyroid stimulating hormone on female subfertility

Purpose

Hypothyroidism is known to have a negative impact on female reproduction even in subclinical form, subclinical hypothyroidism (SH). This study aimed to investigate the association between elevated TSH level and reproductive outcome.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated a total of 203 infertile women who first visited our infertility treatment division from January 1, 2009 to August 31, 2012, including 13 patients with TSH above 4.5 mIU/l (elevated-TSH patients), 11 of whom were diagnosed as SH, and 190 patients with normal TSH (normo-TSH patients). We evaluated them according to reproductive outcome, including clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth until April 31, 2014. We also aimed to redefine the upper limit of normal serum TSH level.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed significant influence of elevated TSH on clinical pregnancy, although miscarriage and live birth were not affected. In addition, we revealed that the rate of decreased ovarian reserve and unexplained infertility was increased in patients with elevated TSH levels.

Conclusions

We found an association between elevated TSH and the decreased rate of clinical pregnancy. This might be related to an ovulatory disorder and pathophysiology of unexplained infertility. These results may reinforce the usefulness of TSH screening in infertility population.

     

Antibody‐mediated rejection after ABO‐incompatible pediatric living donor liver transplantation for propionic acidemia: A case report

We herein present the case of a four‐yr‐old boy with PA who developed AMR after ABO‐incompatible LDLT despite undergoing B cell desensitization using rituximab. Although the CD19+ lymphocyte count decreased to 0.1% nine days after the administration of rituximab, he developed a high fever which was accompanied by arthralgia due to a streptococcal infection 13 days after rituximab prophylaxis. After the clearance of the infection, he underwent ABO‐incompatible LDLT 36 days after the administration of rituximab. The CD19+ lymphocyte count just prior to LDLT was 1.2%. He developed AMR five days after LDLT, and the antidonor‐type IgM and IgG antibody titers increased to 1:1024 and 1:1024, respectively. He was treated by plasma exchange, IVIG, steroid pulse therapy, and rituximab re‐administration; however, his liver dysfunction continued. Despite intensive treatment, he died due to complicated abdominal hernia, acute renal failure, and ARDS. This case suggests that a streptococcal infection may induce the activation of innate immune responses; thus, additional desensitization therapy should be considered prior to ABO‐incompatible LDLT if B cell reactivation is suspected.     

Contraindications and image-defined risk factors in laparoscopic resection of abdominal neuroblastoma

Purpose

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has become widely accepted as a technique for abdominal neuroblastoma resection. However, the indications for MIS are still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate image-defined risk factors (IDRFs), complications, and oncologic outcomes in patients with abdominal neuroblastomas treated with MIS.

Methods

Between August 1998 and February 2016, MIS was planned for 20 children with abdominal neuroblastomas. Clinical data were retrospectively reviewed and compared between the IDRF-negative and IDRF-positive patients.

Results

On the basis of the latest IDRF guidelines, five patients were classified as IDRF-positive and four of them had operative complications; namely, partial infarction of the ipsilateral kidney or open conversion. Concerning the two patients who needed open conversion, the primary reason for open conversion was difficulty in dissection of the tumor from the vena cava. Preoperative images of these cases showed either deformation or subtotal encasement of the vena cava. Relapse occurred in three high-risk patients and in none of the low/intermediate-risk patients. No complication occurred in the IDRF-negative cases.

Conclusions

IDRF-negative might be a good indication for MIS for abdominal neuroblastoma. However, deformation or subtotal encasement of the vena cava should be considered as IDRF-positive for MIS.