Population-based study of glutathione S-transferase mu gene deletion in adult glioma cases and controls

Gene deletion at the glutathione S-transferase mu locus (GSTM1) has previously been associated with increased risk for environmentally- induced cancers (e.g. smoking-related lung cancer). In the present study we examined the hypothesis that GSTM1 deletion is a risk factor for malignant brain tumors in adults. We compared the prevalence of the GSTM1 homozygous deletion polymorphism in 158 Caucasian adults with gliomas with 157 controls. Cases and controls were drawn from a large population-based case-control study of brain cancers in six San Francisco Bay area counties. Overall, the prevalence of the GSTM1 deletion was similar in cases (83/158; 53%) and controls (78/157; 50%). Among brain tumor cases, analysis of variance modeling indicated a significant interaction of GSTM1 genotype and gender associated with age at diagnosis (P = 0.02). This effect was due to the fact that women with GSTM1 deletion were younger on average at diagnosis than women who were GSTM1 positive (43.9 years versus 52.4 years, respectively). Age at diagnosis among men was similar for those who were GSTM1 deleted and GSTM1 positive (49.4 years and 47.2 years, respectively). The younger age at diagnosis of GSTM1 null female cases compared with GSTM1 positive cases was observed in astrocytoma as well as the higher grade tumors (e.g. glioblastoma multiforme). There was no association of GSTM1 deletion with age or gender in controls. These studies suggest that among female cases, GSTM1 deletion may be associated with earlier age at onset. Confirmation of these findings could provide important clues to gene-environment interactions in the etiology of malignant brain tumors.      

Oral hygiene and associated factors among frail older assisted living residents

The aim of this study was to determine the associations of older assisted living residents’ tooth brushing habits with health and nutritional status. We assessed the tooth brushing habits, nutritional status, oral health, use of dental services, and morbidity of 1,447 assisted living residents in the Helsinki metropolitan area of Finland. Of the residents, 17% did not clean or had not cleaned their teeth and/or dentures daily. Those not cleaning their teeth and/or dentures daily were more often male, less educated and had a mean length of stay in assisted living longer than those who cleaned their teeth and/or dentures daily. They were more often malnourished and dependent in ADLs. In addition they more often had poorer oral health and used fewer dental services. Poor tooth brushing habits indicate poor oral and subjective health. More attention should focus on the oral hygiene of frail older assisted living residents.     

Oral health education in schools: promoting health agents

Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this study was to verify the influence of preschool children participating in an oral health education programme on daily health practices of their families, through parent’s perception. Methods: A sample of 119 parents of 5‐ to 6‐year‐old preschool children were selected. Data were collected using a structured open–closed questionnaire, self‐administered. The questions focused on parents’ knowledge about activities of oral health education conducted in school, the importance given by them to these activities, learning from their offspring and the presence of habit change at home. Results: In total, 63 (52.9%) parents agreed to participate. Ninety‐eight per cent knew about educative and preventive activities developed at school and all of them affirmed that these activities were important, mainly because of knowledge, motivation and improvement in children’s health. Ninety and half per cent of parents reported that they learned something about oral health from their children and, among these, almost half (47.8%) cited toothbrushing as the indicator for better learning. Besides this, 87.3% of participants revealed the change in oral health habits of their family members. Conclusion: Preschool children were able to transmit knowledge acquired at school to their parents that included change in oral health routine of their family members.     

MANAGEMENT OF BRANCH PULMONARY ARTERY STENOSIS: BALLOON ANGIOPLASTY OR ENDOVASCULAR STENTING

1. The surgical outcome of congenital heart diseases may be adversely affected by residual branch pulmonary artery stenosis, which is difficult to treat surgically. 2. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and follow-up results of two transcatheter procedures, balloon angioplasty and endovascular stenting, for treatment of branch pulmonary arter. stenosis. 3. From December 1988 to March 1997, 22 children (group 1) underwent 30 balloon angioplasties and 12 children (group 2) underwent 14 endovascular stent implantations. The overall success rates for groups 1 and 2 were 67 (20/30) and 93% (13/14), respectively, with significant increases in vessel diameter (P < 0.001, t-test, 29d.f.; P= 0.0001, Mest, 12d.f., respectively) and decreases in pressure gradient (P < 0.0001, Mest, 29d.f.; P= 0.001; t-test, 12 d.f., respectively). One death (3.3%) in group 1 was due to post-dilation reactive pulmonary hypertension. No mortality occurred in group 2 children, but two migrated stents required re-implantation of another stent. Mean follow-up periods were 28.2 and 26.3 months for groups 1 and 2, respectively. For group 1, no significant change in vessel diameter or pressure gradient was noted on recatheterization in 12 patients. Restenosis occurred in four of 16 (25%) initial successes. Balloon redilation in four vessels were all successful. For group 2 children, although vessel diameter remained unchanged, a significant increase in pressure gradient (P= 0.02; t-test, 11 d.f.) was noted on recatheterization. Balloon dilations on two narrowed stents caused by intimal proliferation showed only partial improvements. 4. In conclusion, both balloon angioplasty and endovascular stent implantation are effective and safe, with satisfactory intermediate-term results, for the treatment of branch pulmonary artery stenosis. Balloon angioplasty is the choice for initial treatment, whereas stent implantation, the long-term outcome of which remains to be determined, should be reserved for older children after repeated failures with balloon dilation.