emm typing and validation of provisional M types for group A streptococci

This report discusses the following issues related to typing of group A streptococci (GAS): The development and use of the 5' emm variable region sequencing (emm typing) in relation to the existing serologic typing system; the designation of emm types in relation to M types; a system for validation of new emm types; criteria for validation of provisional M types to new M-types; a list of reference type cultures for each of the M-type or emm-type strains of GAS; the results of the first culture exchange program for a quality control testing system among the national and World Health Organization collaborating centers for streptococci; and dissemination of new approaches to typing of GAS to the international streptococcal community.     

Size at birth and blood pressure at 3 years of age. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ALSPAC)

The relations between size at birth and blood pressure were examined in a population-based longitudinal study of pregnancy and childbirth in the English county of Avon (the Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ALSPAC)) in 1994-1996. A total of 1,860 singleton children aged 3 years (response rate = 74%) were studied. Both height and body mass index were strongly related to blood pressure. After adjustment for current height and body mass index, birth weight showed a graded inverse relation with both systolic (-1.91 mmHg/kg, 95% CI -2.61 to -1.21 mmHg/kg, p < 0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure (-1.42 mmHg/kg, 95% CI -1.96 to -0.88 mmHg/kg, p < 0.0001) which was similar in boys and girls. Although birth length, head circumference, and ponderal index at birth were also inversely related to blood pressure, these relations disappeared after adjustment for birth weight. The strength of the birth weight-blood pressure relation was not strongly influenced by maternal height or by weight gain in the first year after birth, but was particularly strong in children who were shortest at 3 years of age. While the association between birth weight and blood pressure is consistent with reports from many earlier studies, the absence of independent relations between other measures of size at birth (particularly length:head circumference and ponderal index) and blood pressure does not suggest that undernutrition at a critical period of fetal growth plays an important role. Moreover, accelerated postnatal growth does not seem to underlie the birth weight-blood pressure association.     

Mortality and morbidity related to injuries from falls in British Columbia

Falls are a major health problem for persons aged 65 years and over. This study examined differences in patterns of fall-related injuries and deaths between age groups, sexes, and among Health Regions of BC. For those under the age of 65 years, fall-related injuries are highest among males, whereas for those 65 and over, falls among females exceed those among males by 2:1. For persons aged 65 and over, 84% of hospital days for unintentional injuries involve falls, with transportation and "other" unintentional injuries contributing 16%. While older women are hospitalized more often for fall-related injuries, more older men die from fall-related injuries. Hospitalization rates due to injuries from falls are highest in the Northern Regions of BC. Policy implications of the findings are discussed.     

Improved efficacy of calculus removal in furcations using ultrasonic diamond-coated inserts

Dentsply Cavitron Diamond Inserts provide improved efficacy in removing calculus from furcations. A total of 60 extracted human mandibular molar teeth had artificial calculus applied to the furcations, then were randomly treated with either sharp universal Gracey curettes (HAND), a plain ultrasonic TFI-10 tip in a cavitron instrument (CAV), or one of 2 diamond-coated cavitron instruments (TFI-10 fine-grit (FIN) and TFI-10 medium-grit (MED)) When the time needed to completely clean the furcations was evaluated, MED was the fastest, followed by FIN, CAV, and HAND, respectively. All of the powered instruments were faster than hand curettes with regard to effective in vitro calculus removal in furcations. The use of these types of instruments would reduce the time required to perform periodontal surgery and might improve regenerative therapy.