Effect of topical application of doxycycline on pulp revascularization and periodontal healing in reimplanted monkey incisors

Abstract Maxillary incisors in 47 monkeys, 54 in the experimental group (I) and 117 in the control group (II), were extracted and reimplanted, either immediately or after 30 or 60 min wet or dry storage. Incisors in the experimental group I were additionally kept 5 min in a suspension of 1 mg doxycycline in 20 ml physiologic saline, freshly prepared for each of the 15 animals before reimplantation. The observation time varied from 6 to 8 weeks. The teeth were removed in tissue blocks, histologically processed and evaluated for occurrence of complete pulp revascularization (CPR), presence of the micro-organisms in the pulpal lumen and ankylosis or inflammatory root resorption. Then the results were statistically evaluated, using log-linear analyses and chi-square tests (SAS, 1985) for the comparisons between group I and group II. These analyses revealed that topical application of doxycycline increased the frequency of complete pulp revascularization (P < 0.002) and decreased the frequency of micro-organisms in the pulpal lumen (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the frequencies of ankylosis (P < 0.05) and inflammatory root resorption (P < 0.001) were also decreased compared with the control group of teeth. It was concluded that the effect of topical treatment with doxycycline was most probably exerted on the micro-organisms that contaminated root surface during the extra-alveolar time; contamination of necrotic pulp tissue from the mechanical damage in the cervical part of the root surface was not affected.     

Decreased blood pressure response to infused noradrenaline in normotensive as compared to hypertensive patients with primary hypothyroidism

OBJECTIVE AND PATIENTS To further explore the difference in plasma noradrenaline in normotensive and hypertensive hypothyroid patients we have investigated the pressor response to exogenous noradrenaline in 11 normotensive and five hypertensive patients with primary hypothyroidism before and after thyroxine replacement. Seven healthy subjects served as controls. DESIGN The patients were studied under metabolic ward conditions and received a Na⁺ and K⁺ defined diet for 4 days. The controls received the same diet on an ambulatory basis for 3 days and were admitted to the ward in the evening on the third day. In the morning of day 4 a graded noradrenaline infusion was given. When the increase in systolic blood pressure in two consecutive registrations was at least 20 mmHg as compared to basal values the noradrenaline infusion was stopped. The dose required to increase systolic blood pressure by 20 mmHg (I₂₀) was determined. RESULTS During hypothyroidism the I₂₀ was 120 ng/kg BW/min in normotensive patients and 39 in hypertensive patients as compared to 62 in controls. The I₂₀ was higher in normotensives as compared to hypertensives (P = 0.041). The I₂₀ was not different in hypertensives as compared to controls. When the patients had become euthyroid I₂₀ decreased to 51 ng/kg BW/min (P=0.04) in the normotensives, but remained unchanged in the hypertensives. There was no difference in I₂₀ between normotensive and hypertensive patients in the euthyroid state, or when compared to controls. CONCLUSION The pressor response to noradrenaline was decreased in normotensive hypothyroid as compared to hypertensive hypothyroid patients, indicating a decreased peripheral sensitivity to noradrenaline in normotensive hypothyroid patients. Following thyroxine replacement the decreased response became normal.     

Central ventriculography with Dimer-X

Summary The intraventricular injection of methyl glucamine iocarmate (Dimer-X) does not lead to permanent histological changes of the ependyma or the meninges in animal experiments. Our own investigations in cats revealed discrete infiltrations of leucocytes and lymphocytes in the region of the basal meninges between 3 and 24 hours after the intraventricular injection of the contrast medium. The histological changes are reversible and no longer visible after a period of 3 days. Even 5 weeks after the injection no histological alterations due to the contrast medium could be found.After the favourable results of the animal experiments, 109 clinical examinations were carried out with Dimer-X since 1971. Our technique of central ventriculography is based on that of Azambuja et al. which was first described in 1956. The indication for central ventriculography with water-soluble contrast media is set by space-occupying lesions in the region of the unpaired ventricles especially in the midbrain or the posterior fossa. The great advantage of this method lies in the good contrast achieved in the radiological visualization of the ventricles which are often narrowed by tumours. The possible side effects are similar to those occurring with pneumoencephalography, chiefly nausea and vomiting immediately after the examination. The most serious complication with resorbable contrast media is the occurrence of seizures. However, these can only appear if the contrast medium comes in contact with the surface of the brain during the examination. If the correct technique is used—i.e. a thin catheter is placed in the third ventricle—such a complication may be avoided.     

Isolation of viruses from sewage, with special regard to poliovirus: an evaluation of the sensitivity of three tissue culture methods.

This report concerns experiments to isolate different viruses from sewage. Using a special cell-line from Utrecht, derived from human amniotic cells, it was possible to isolate poliovirus selectively when antisera against six types of coxsackievirus B were added to the tissue culture. The method was tested in connexion with the epidemiological investigation of a case of poliomyelitis in Sweden in 1977. It rapidly demonstrated that the virus implicated was present in all neighbouring sewage plants, indicating a wide distribution of the virus in the area.     

Metrizamide ventriculography and computed tomography in infants and children

Summary Forty-three infants and children underwent conventional or CT ventriculography after instillation of metrizamide into the ventricular system. The procedure had few complications. Anatomic detail of intraventricular obstruction was good. With CT additional physiologic information can be obtained.     

Struggling for a tolerable existence: the meaning of men's lived experiences of living with pain of fibromyalgia type

Chronic pain is a major health problem in Sweden because of its consequences in daily life. Fourteen men with fibromyalgia-type pain were interviewed regarding their experiences. A phenomenological hermeneutic method was used to interpret the transcribed interviews. Three major themes emerged: experiencing the body as an obstruction, being a different man, and striving to endure. Overall, the meaning of men's lived experience of chronic pain was experienced as change in the body, self, and relationships. Striving to live life required achieving balance during both calm and difficult phases of the illness--struggling for a tolerable existence. Information from this study could provide guidelines for health care staff members to give empathic and supportive care to men living with a long-term illness.     

Association of comorbidity and outcome in episodes of nonspecific low back pain in occupational populations

We examined the relationship between comorbidity and first return to work after episodes of work-disabling, nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). An inception cohort of workers with new episodes of NSLBP was identified from administratively maintained occupational health records. We compared 6-month return-to-work rates between workers with one or more comorbid conditions with those without documented comorbidity. Workers with comorbidity were 1.31 times more likely to remain work disabled than those with uncomplicated NSLBP, after adjusting for age, gender, lifting demands, and company membership (adjusted hazards ratio [HR] = 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12 to 1.52). Concurrent injury (i.e., sprains or strains of the neck, upper extremity, and lower extremity; contusions; and lacerations) had the strongest association (adjusted HR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.83), followed by musculoskeletal disorders (adjusted HR = 1.13; 95% CI, 0.77 to 1.66). Comorbidities should be routinely evaluated at first visit by occupational health professionals to better manage disability associated with LBP.     

Reasons for pregnancy termination, contraceptive habits and contraceptive failure among Swedish women requesting an early pregnancy termination

BACKGROUND: More than 30 000 legal abortions are performed every year in Sweden despite sexual education in schools, widespread youth-clinics and family planning services that are free of charge. The aim of this study was to investigate reasons for induced abortion, contraceptive habits and reasons for contraceptive failure among women presenting for induced abortion. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to 591 Swedish-speaking women consecutively attending three different health care providers concerning an induced abortion during spring 2000. RESULTS: The response rate was 88% (n = 518). As many as 43%, among daily smokers 53%, had experienced one or more previous legal abortions. The majority of the women (97%) had discussed the decision about abortion with someone. The most cited reasons contributing to their decision were financial concerns, worries about the relationship and bad timing of the pregnancy. Though 85% had used contraception during the previous year, 36% of the women had not used any contraceptive method at the time of conception. The main reason given for not using contraception was the belief that they could not at that time become pregnant (35%). Ninety percent of the women planned to use contraception after the abortion. CONCLUSION: Women's decisions regarding induced abortion are multifactorial. One important reason was "poor economy". One out of three did not use any contraception, as they believed they could not become pregnant. Women presenting for induced abortion are a risk-group for further terminations. Counseling must include information about the fertile window, effective contraceptives and the emergency contraceptive pill.