Interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-8 and interferon-alpha levels in gingival crevicular fluid

Cytokines play an important role in the pathology associated with chronic inflammatory diseases. We measured the total amounts [picograms (pg)] and concentrations (pg/μl) of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-lα), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interferonalpha (IFN-α) in 20 s gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples obtained from 2 diseased and 2 healthy sites in 20 subjects with periodontitis, and from 2 healthy sites in 20 subjects without disease. Both the mean amount and concentration of IL-lα were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in diseased sites compared to healthy sites in subjects with disease. The results for IL-8 and IFN-α differed depending on the method of reporting. Whereas the amount of IL-8 was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in diseased sites, the mean concentration of IL-8 was lower compared to healthy sites. The mean amount of IFN-α was similar in health and disease; however, the concentration of IFN-alpha was significantly lower in diseased sites (p < 0.001) corresponding to the significant increase in crevicular fluid volume (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the amount or concentrations of the 3 cytokines between healthy sites from subjects with disease and healthy sites from healthy controls. The total amounts of both IFN-α and IL-8 were correlated between healthy and diseased sites in subjects. These data suggest that, while the disease status of a site is the major determinant of the levels of these cytokines locally, subjects with high levels of IL-8 and IFN-α in healthy sites also tend to have high levels of these cytokines in diseased sites. Finally, both the concentrations and total amounts of IL-8 and IFN-α were significantly correlated in diseased sites, suggesting that levels of these two cytokines rise or fall in tandem. The combination of decreased IL-8 and decreased IFN-α concentrations at diseased sites may reflect the reduced anti-bacterial host defense activity at that site.     

Use and perceived effectiveness of student support services in a first-year dental student population

The purpose of this study was to determine the severity of problems common to the first year of dental school and to assess the use and perceived effectiveness of formal and informal peer and professional support programs in addressing those problems. First-year students at one California dental school were surveyed on the severity of problems encountered, support services used, and perceived effectiveness of services. Results indicated that the problems perceived as most serious by students in this sample were of an emotional nature relating to academic performance. Findings showed that students relied heavily on themselves and on informal advice from peers to handle problems and that they perceived these resources to be very effective. Findings also showed that low-ranking students used both formal and informal resources to resolve problems and that females used resources outside of the school more than males did. Results of the study offer some evidence to support providing both formal and informal peer and faculty support programs for first-year dental students. Results also provide insight into the use of peers and "self" to resolve problems common to the first year of dental education.     

Photopromotion of sister chromatid exchanges by psoralen derivatives

Summary Several derivatives of 8-methoxypsoralen and 4,58-trimethylpsoralen were compared with respect to their photopromotion of sister chromatid exchanges. Peripheral blood leukocytes from heparinized blood of human volunteers were cultivated for 24 h. Selected flasks received psoralens (6.5×10^–8 M) and/or were irradiated (UV-A, 365 nm, 0.9 J/cm²). Bromodeoxyuridine (20 g/ml) was added and flasks were further incubated for 48 h when colchicine was added. Spreads of mitotic chromosomes were prepared, stained with Hoechst 33258 and Giemsa, and scored for the number of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) per 100 chromosomes. Results were: Control (16.5); 8-methoxypsoralen (23.9); 5-methyl-8-methoxypsoralen (25.7); 4-methyl-8-methoxypsoralen (27.8); 4,5-dimethyl-8-methoxypsoralen (31.9); 4-methoxymethyl, 4,58-trimethylpsoralen (42.9); 4aminomethyl, 4,58-trimethylpsoralen-hydrochloride (59.1); 4hydroxymethyl,4,58-trimethylpsoralen (75). In general, the psoralens with strong affinity for DNA as determined by K _D values promoted more SCEs than did those with lower affinity. Trimethylpsoralen and its derivatives promoted more SCEs than did 8-methoxypsoralen and its derivatives, which may be indicative of relative DNA cross-linking potential.     

Parents' Perceptions of Their Children's Weight, Eating Habits, and Physical Activities at Home and at School

Introduction

Parental perceptions of their young children's weight and habits may play an important role in determining whether children develop and maintain healthy lifestyles. This study was conducted to determine perceptions of parents of third-grade children in an urban school setting regarding their children's weight, eating habits, and physical activities.

Methods

Parents anonymously completed surveys about their child's weight, eating habits, and daily activities. The survey also asked about how schools could encourage healthy eating and increased physical activity.

Results

Overall, 26% of the parents perceived their child to be overweight and expressed concern, but 40% of these parents believed that overweight is a condition that will be outgrown. Parents who reported eating more than eight meals per week with their child were less likely to report their child as overweight and more likely to believe that their child's physical activity level was appropriate.

Discussion

Most parents of third-grade students demonstrated concern regarding their child's weight and perceive obesity as a problem. Parents support school interventions such as nutrition education and fitness classes.     

Early amplitude integrated electroencephalography and outcome of very low birth weight infants

Objective: Amplitude integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) has been used in neonates in various clinical and research applications. We hypothesized that an abnormal aEEG score could be used as a predictor of short‐term adverse outcome. Methods: Very low birth weight infants were enrolled in a prospective observational cohort study. Two channel 12‐hour continuous aEEG recordings were performed within 48 h of life and at 1 week of age. Recordings were classified as abnormal if they correspond to a 2 point difference in score. Short‐term adverse outcome was defined as either death or Bayley scales ≤70 at 4 months corrected age. Results: One hundred infants were enrolled. Their average gestational age was 27.9 ± 2.6 weeks and average birth weight was 997 ± 299 gram. Fifteen enrolled infants died, one was withdrawn, 29 lost to follow up, and 55 examined at 4 months. Those with adverse outcome had significantly increased percentages of abnormal EEG at 1 week of life (31% vs. 8%), severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (27% vs. 4.5%), intubation in the delivery room (45% vs. 16%), and increased average days of mechanical ventilation (16 days vs. 4 days). Combining abnormal aEEG at 1 week of life to severe IVH on early head ultrasound increased the sensitivity of ultrasound to detect short‐term adverse outcome from 27% to 50%. Conclusion: aEEG is feasible in premature infants and when its data at 1 week of life are combined with early head ultrasound, sensitivity for detecting short‐term adverse outcomes was increased.