Anti‐biofilm Effects of Honey Against Wound Pathogens Proteus mirabilis and Enterobacter cloacae

Biofilm growth and its persistence within wounds have recently been suggested as contributing factors to impaired healing. The goal of this study was to investigate the anti‐biofilm effects of several honey samples of different botanical origin, including manuka honey against Proteus mirabilis and Enterobacter cloacae wound isolates. Quantification of biofilm formation was carried out using a microtiter plate assay. All honeys at a sub‐inhibitory concentration of 10% (w/v) significantly reduced the biofilm development of both isolates. Similarly, at a concentration of 50% (w/v), each of the honeys caused significant partial detachment of Pr. mirabilis biofilm after 24 h. On the other hand, no honey was able to significantly detach Ent. cloacae biofilm. In addition, treatment of Ent. cloacae and Pr. mirabilis biofilms with all honeys resulted in a significant decrease in colony‐forming units per well values in a range of 0.35–1.16 and 1.2–7.5 log units, respectively. Of the tested honeys, manuka honey possessed the most potent anti‐biofilm properties. Furthermore, methylglyoxal, an antibacterial compound of manuka honey, was shown to be responsible for killing biofilm‐embedded wound bacteria. These findings suggest that manuka honey could be used as a potential therapy for the treatment of wounds containing Pr. mirabilis or Ent. cloacae. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Orofacial esthetics and dental anxiety: Associations with oral and psychological health

Objective. Severe dental anxiety (DA) is associated with both oral health and psychosocial consequences in what has been described as a vicious circle of DA. The aim of this study was to investigate self-rated orofacial esthetics in patients with DA and its relationship to psychological and oral health. Materials and methods. A consecutive sample of 152 adult patients who were referred or self-referred to a specialized dental anxiety clinic filled out the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES) as well as measurements on DA, self-rated oral health and general anxiety and depression. Clinical measures of dental status were also obtained. Results. Compared with the general population, patients with DA had lower ratings of satisfaction on all aspects of their orofacial esthetics, which included the teeth, gingiva, mouth and face, as well as a global orofacial assessment. Furthermore, the perception of the orofacial appearance was related both to dental status and self-rated oral health, as well as to general anxiety and depression. The level of dissatisfaction with the orofacial appearance was similar for both genders, but women reported more regular dental care and better dental status. Conclusions. The results of this study clearly show less satisfaction with dental and facial appearance in patients with DA, and that the self-rating of orofacial esthetics is related to both oral and psychological health. The OES can be used to assess orofacial esthetics in patients with DA.     

Insights into Severe 5,10‐Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Deficiency: Molecular Genetic and Enzymatic Characterization of 76 Patients

5,10‐Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is the most common inherited disorder of folate metabolism and causes severe hyperhomocysteinaemia. To better understand the relationship between mutation and function, we performed molecular genetic analysis of 76 MTHFR deficient patients, followed by extensive enzymatic characterization of fibroblasts from 72 of these. A deleterious mutation was detected on each of the 152 patient alleles, with one allele harboring two mutations. Sixty five different mutations (42 novel) were detected, including a common splicing mutation (c.1542G>A) found in 21 alleles. Using an enzyme assay in the physiological direction, we found residual activity (1.7%–42% of control) in 42 cell lines, of which 28 showed reduced affinity for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), one reduced affinity for methylenetetrahydrofolate, five flavin adenine dinucleotide‐responsiveness, and 24 abnormal kinetics of S‐adenosylmethionine inhibition. Missense mutations causing virtually absent activity were found exclusively in the N‐terminal catalytic domain, whereas missense mutations in the C‐terminal regulatory domain caused decreased NADPH binding and disturbed inhibition by S‐adenosylmethionine. Characterization of patients in this way provides a basis for improved diagnosis using expanded enzymatic criteria, increases understanding of the molecular basis of MTHFR dysfunction, and points to the possible role of cofactor or substrate in the treatment of patients with specific mutations.     

Electrogastrography in patients with Roux-en-Y reconstruction after previous Billroth gastrectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this prospective study was to characterize gastric myoelectrical activity in patients with Roux-en-Y reconstruction after previous Billroth gastrectomy. METHODOLOGY: Thirteen patients entered the study (6 men and 7 women, aged 35-57). The mean time from Roux-en-Y reconstruction to electrogastrography (EGG) recording was 5 years. Surface cutaneous EGG was recorded using a Digitrapper EGG in the morning both fasting and after a standard solid test meal. All patients assessed their dyspeptic symptoms at the time of EGG in a semi-quantitative subjective scale. RESULTS: EGG was abnormal in all studied patients (but one postprandial recording). Dyspepsia was not meal-related and was not more severe in Helicobacter pylori positive patients. There was a significant negative correlation between time from Roux-en-Y reconstruction to EGG recording and bradygastria percent activity, both fasted and postprandial (r = -0.576; p = 0.0022). There was an inverse trend between severity of dyspepsia and normal slow-wave rhythm percent activity. Older patients tended to have more severe dyspepsia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that abnormal EGG recording is associated with dyspepsia in patients after Roux-en-Y reconstruction.     

A lifespan comparison of the reliability,test‐retest stability,and signal‐to‐noise ratio of event‐related potentials assessed during performance monitoring

The reliability, stability, and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of event‐related potentials (ERPs) were investigated in children, adolescents, younger adults, and older adults in performance monitoring tasks. P2, N2, P3, and P2‐N2 peak‐to‐peak amplitude showed high odd‐even split reliabilities in all age groups, ranging from.70 to.90. Multigroup analyses showed that test‐retest stabilities (across 2 weeks) of ERP amplitudes did not differ among the four age groups. In contrast, relative to adolescents and younger adults, SNRs were lower in children and older adults, with higher noise levels in children and lower signal power in older adults. We conclude that age differences in the SNR of stimulus‐locked ERPs can be successfully compensated by the averaging procedure with about 40 trials in the average. However, age differences in baseline noise and split‐half reliability should be considered when comparing age groups in single trial measures or time‐varying processes with ERPs.     

Development of the Gambling Disorder Identification Test: Results from an international Delphi and consensus process

ObjectivesDiverse instruments are used to measure problem gambling and Gambling Disorder intervention outcomes. The 2004 Banff consensus agreement proposed necessary features for reporting gambling treatment efficacy. To address the challenge of including these features in a single instrument, a process was initiated to develop the Gambling Disorder Identification Test (GDIT), as an instrument analogous to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test.MethodsGambling experts from 10 countries participated in an international two‐round Delphi (n = 61; n = 30), rating 30 items proposed for inclusion in the GDIT. Gambling researchers and clinicians from several countries participated in three consensus meetings (n = 10; n = 4; n = 3). User feedback was obtained from individuals with experience of problem gambling (n = 12) and from treatment‐seekers with Gambling Disorder (n = 8).ResultsTen items fulfilled Delphi consensus criteria for inclusion in the GDIT (M ≥ 7 on a scale of 1–9 in the second round). Item‐related issues were addressed, and four more items were added to conform to the Banff agreement recommendations, yielding a final draft version of the GDIT with 14 items in three domains: gambling behavior, gambling symptoms and negative consequences.ConclusionsThis study established preliminary construct and face validity for the GDIT.     

Suicidal Behaviors Among Ukrainian College Students: the Role of Substance Use,Religion, and Depression

Early adulthood is a critical life period associated with increased suicide risk. The present study used a sample of students from ten Ukrainian public universities (N = 1005). Participants were 17 to 24 years of age (M = 19.19, SD = 1.99). The prevalence of lifetime suicidal ideation was 26.13% and 5.45% of participants reported a lifetime suicide attempt. Participants were more likely to report higher lifetime suicidal ideation if they had higher rates of alcohol and marijuana use, have met a clinical cutoff point for depression and were older, females, and not affiliated with any religion. The lifetime suicide attempt was associated with clinical levels of depression, increased marijuana use, and non-religious affiliation. These results suggest that mental health, alcohol and cannabis use can increase the risk of suicidality while religious affiliation might be an important protective mechanism for Ukrainian young adults at risk for suicidal behaviors.