Morphological measurements of anatomic landmarks in pulp chambers of human anterior teeth

This in vitro study measured key morphological features of pulp chambers in anterior teeth and tested the hypothesis that the distance from the lingual surface (midpoint from the cusp tip to the lingual CEJ) to the pulp chamber (the midpoint from the buccal to the lingual CEJ) was similar for different tooth types. Extracted human teeth were sorted and 100 samples of each of the following tooth types were chosen: maxillary central incisor (UCI), lateral incisor (ULI), and canine (UC), as well as mandibular central incisor (LCI), lateral incisor (LLI), and canine (LC). All teeth were digitally radiographed on a 1-mm X-ray grid. The mean values of measurement C, the distance from the lingual surface to the pulp chamber, varied significantly between tooth types (p<0.001). The mean values and SNK rankings were as follows: LC (5.9+/-0.5 mm)>UC (5.5+/-0.5)=UCI (5.4+/-0.4)>ULI (5.0+/-0.4)>LLI (4.8+/-0.5)>LCI (4.4+/-0.4).     

The effects of three nonoxynol-9 preparations on vaginal flora and epithelium.

To evaluate the effects of nonoxynol-9 (N-9) on the vaginal flora and epithelium, 48 women (16 in each group) were evaluated by use of quantitative vaginal cultures and colposcopy. at baseline and at 0.5, 4, 24, 48, and 72 h after insertion of one of three N-9 preparations (4% gel [Conceptrol], 3.5% gel [Advantage-24], or a 28% vaginal contraceptive film). The proportion positive for H2O2+ or H2O2- lactobacilli did not change significantly with any of the preparations, but lactobacilli concentrations decreased transiently. Both the proportion of women with Gardnerella vaginalis and the concentration of G. vaginalis decreased transiently. The proportion of women with Escherichia coli increased with the 4% gel, and the concentration increased with all preparations. The number with anaerobic gram-negative rods increased, although the concentrations decreased. Symptoms and colposcopic abnormalities were rare. Changes in levels of vaginal bacteria were transient after single applications of N-9, but adverse effects may be enhanced with frequent, chronic use.     

Hepatitis C virus genotypes in injecting drug users from Romania

Due to the increasing number of infections related to injecting drug use, both the pattern of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission, and the circulating genotypes in Europe have changed. As there are little available data in this respect for Romania, the aim of our study was a preliminary analysis of the distribution of HCV genotypes circulating among injecting drug users (IDUs). Of the 45 IDUs evaluated (86.7% men, mean age − 27.6 ± 3.7 years, mean age at first drug use − 17.5 ± 3.9 years), 88.9% presented anti-HCV antibodies, with higher rates in those with an injecting history of more than 10 years; 57.8% of the subjects had detectable HCV viral load. Only 6.7% had markers of chronic hepatitis B infection, and none had anti-HIV antibodies. While HCV subtype 1b is still prevalent (in 50% of the viraemic subjects), other subtypes begin to emerge, especially in younger patients (1a — in 23.1%, 4 — in 11.5%, 3a — in 7.7% of the cases). These data indicate the possibility of major shifts in the distribution of the dominant subtype, underlining the need for close surveillance of HCV infections in IDUs, who can act as a bridging group toward the general population.     

Microvascular function is impaired in children with morbid obesity

Children's obesity is a growing problem in Western societies. We hypothesized that morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 99.5th percentile) might affect microvascular function at an early stage. Therefore, we assessed the microvascular function of 41 obese children (13.2 ± 2.8 years, BMI 32.9 ± 6.6) in comparison to 91 healthy controls (12.7 ± 2.1 years, BMI 18.2 ± 2.5) by post-occlusive reactive hyperemia measured by a laser Doppler: baseline perfusion, biological zero (defined as 'no-flow' laser Doppler signal during supracystolic occlusion), peak perfusion (following occlusion), time to peak perfusion and recovery time (time until resuming baseline perfusion) were recorded and compared between both groups. Peak perfusion was higher in children with morbid obesity than in controls (1.67 ± 0.76 AU [arbitrary units] vs 1.26 ± 0.5 AU, p < 0.001). Consecutively, recovery time was longer in children with morbid obesity (118.21 ± 34.64 seconds) than in healthy children (83.18 ± 35.08 seconds, p < 0.001). In conclusion, higher peak perfusion and prolonged recovery time in children with morbid obesity seem to reflect microvascular dysfunction due to an impaired vasoconstrictive ability of precapillary sphincters.     

Spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia associated with craniosynostosis, cleft palate and mental retardation. A case report

Skeletal dysplasias are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by an alteration of the organization of osseous tissue causing a distortion on the growth and development pattern of bones. In 1998, four Japanese sibs were described by the first time, three males and one female who presented a previously undescribed spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia associated with craniosynostosis, cataracts, cleft palate and different grades of mental retardation. A probable autosomic recessive inheritance was suggested, but a germinal mosaicism could not be discarded. This is a case report of a patient with clinical and radiological findings similar to the ones previously described, born to second degree consanguineous parents. This supports the postulated presumption of a mutation with an autosomic recessive inheritance. The present communication represents the fifth case reported in the literature and the second familiar group affected.     

Molecular targets for the protodynamic action of cis-urocanic acid in human bladder carcinoma cells

Background  

cis-urocanic acid (cis-UCA) is an endogenous amino acid metabolite capable of transporting protons from the mildly acidic extracellular medium into the cell cytosol. The resulting intracellular acidification suppresses many cellular activities. The current study was aimed at characterizing the molecular mechanisms underlying cis-UCA-mediated cytotoxicity in cultured cancer cells.