Profiling of Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders: Experience of One Tertiary Care Center

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess typical and most prevalent characteristics of patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders (TMD) by a retrospective assessment of their medical records.Material and MethodsDemographic data and data on the characteristics of TMD were collected from the existing medical documentation of 304 TMD patients (250 females and 54 males) who had been referred to the Department of Dentistry, Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb from October 2016 to October 2020 due to temporomandibular pain. For the purpose of analysis, three age groups were formed: i) “children and adolescents” (up to 19 years of age); ii) “middle age” (from 20 to 50 years of age); iii) “older age” (>50 year- olds). A two-step cluster analysis was performed with the aim of classifying TMD patients into homogenous groups.ResultsThe mean age of patients whose data were included in the study was 33.8 ± 16.66, with a significantly higher age in the group of women (p<0.001). Most of the patients had chronic pain (67.4%), with the ratio in favor of chronic patients being significantly higher in women than in men (p=0.001). Data on parafunctional behavior were confirmed in 14.5% of patients. Data on the onset of symptoms during/just after orthodontic treatment were present in 14.5% of patients. Data on spontaneous pain, assessed with a visual analogue scale, were recorded in 87 patients, with a mean of 6.14 ± 1.79 and with the highest pain in the “older age” group. Physical therapy was the most common therapeutic modality (56.3%) followed by an occlusal splint (40.5%). The analysis revealed 5 different clusters in the TMD patient data set.ConclusionsOur results are largely in line with current epidemiological knowledge on TMD. Women predominated in all age groups and most of the patients experienced chronic pain. Classifying patients into homogeneous groups using the clustering method could provide better identification of subgroups of conditions that mainly occur together in these patients, thus providing the basis for more specific management.     

Genetic epidemiology and genome-wide linkage analysis of carotid artery ultrasound traits in multigenerational African ancestry families

Objective

Intima-media thickness, adventitial diameter and lumen diameter are indicators of cardiovascular disease risk. The influence of genetic factors on these measures in African ancestry populations is not well defined. Therefore, we estimated heritability and performed genome-wide linkage analysis of carotid ultrasound traits in 7 multigenerational families of African ancestry.

Methods

A total of 395 individuals (7 pedigrees; mean family size = 56; 2392 relative pairs) aged ≥18 years had a common carotid artery ultrasound scan. Statistical analyses were conducted using pedigree-based maximum likelihood methods.

Results

Significant covariates included age, sex, body mass index or height and waist, and systolic blood pressure. Residual heritabilities ranged from 0.35 ± 0.10 to 0.64 ± 0.12 (P < 0.0001). We identified a novel quantitative trait locus for adventitial and lumen diameters on chromosome 11 (max LOD = 4.09, 133 cm).

Conclusion

Further fine mapping of this region may identify specific mutations predisposing to subclinical vascular disease among African ancestry individuals.     

Pelvic Floor Muscle Problems Mediate Sexual Problems in Young Adult Rape Victims

IntroductionPrior studies have addressed sexual abuse and sexual function in adult women. No studies have focused on the effect of adolescence rape on sexual functioning.AimTo investigate the effect of rape on sexual problems and on pelvic floor problems, as well as the mediating role of pelvic floor problems on sexual problems, in a homogenous group of victims of adolescence rape without a history of childhood sexual, physical, and/or emotional abuse.Main Outcome MeasuresSexual functioning and pelvic floor functioning were assessed using self‐report questionnaires.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, a group of 89 young women aged 18–25 years who were victimized by rape in adolescence was compared with a group of 114 nonvictimized controls. The rape victims were treated for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 3 years prior to participation in the study.ResultsThree years posttreatment, rape victims were 2.4 times more likely to have a sexual dysfunction (lubrication problems and pain) and 2.7 times more likely to have pelvic floor dysfunction (symptoms of provoked vulvodynia, general stress, lower urinary tract, and irritable bowel syndrome) than nonvictimized controls. The relationship between rape and sexual problems was partially mediated by the presence of pelvic floor problems. Rape victims and controls did not differ with regard to sexual activities.ConclusionsRape victims suffer significantly more from sexual dysfunction and pelvic floor dysfunction when compared with nontraumatized controls, despite the provision of treatment for PTSD. Possibly, physical manifestations of PTSD have been left unaddressed in treatment. Future treatment protocols should consider incorporating (physical or psychological) treatment strategies for sexual dysfunction and/or pelvic floor dysfunction into trauma exposure treatments. Postma R, Bicanic I, van der Vaart H, and Laan E. Pelvic floor muscle problems mediate sexual problems in young adult rape victims. J Sex Med 2013;10:1978–1987.     

Surgical treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

The results of surgical treatment of 365 patients with the WPW syndrome are analysed. They underwent operation at the surgical department of the Kanazawa University Medical School in the period between 1973 and 1989. In 1969 T. Iva suggested an endocardial approach from the direction of the atrium for removal of the additional pathways, which the authors use at present also. The anomalies were congenital in 47 and acquired in 12 patients and were corrected in one stage during removal of the additional pathways. Multiple additional pathways were found in 33 patients. The additional pathways were completely removed in 33 patients. Paroxysms of tachycardia do not occur after the operation in 364 patients among the 365 who were operated on.     

Temperature related mortality and ambulance service interventions during the heat waves of 2003 in Ticino (Switzerland)

Summary. Objectives This study investigates a potential increase in mortality and in the demand for ambulance emergency services among the elderly in particular, in Ticino in the summer of 2003. Methods Mortality rates and emergency ambulance interventions rates were compared with records from the previous years. We considered the whole population, aged 65 and over, as well as 75 and over. Results The 2003 mortality in the population was not signifi cantly different from the previous years. The number of deaths among the elderly showed a small but significant deviation from the expected values during the first heat wave in June 2003, with no significant impact on the seasonal results. The number of ambulance service interventions was larger than during the previous years. Conclusion These results are consistent with findings in other studies. The heat waves (especially in June), were correlated with a higher number of ambulance callouts. In addition to some geographic, climatic, and social factors that had a protective impact, the response of the emergency services is likely to have contributed to a certain reduction in mortality. Submitted: 29 October 2004; Accepted: 29 August 2005     

Determination of quality of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate enzyme preparations by spectroscopic methods

The present study evaluates purified aspartate transaminase (AST, EC 2.6.1.1) preparations from three commercial sources. The enzyme molecule contains pyridoxal-5′-phosphate coenzyme (PLP), which provides AST characteristic absorption spectra in the wavelength range of 300–500 nm. The coenzyme bound in the active site also shows circular dichroism (CD) spectra in the same range. Besides, AST like other proteins may be modified in vitro or in vivo by reactions with other molecules, e.g. reactive sugars, and may form fluorescent products (advanced glycation end products, AGE). Spectroscopic methods were used to assess the quality of AST preparations from three different sources, Serva, Roche, and Sigma. Absorption spectra showed that the peak 360 nm characteristic of the active PLP form of AST prevailed in the Serva and Sigma preparations, while 330 nm was the major peak in the Roche preparation. CD spectra demonstrated the major maximum at 360 nm in the Serva and Roche samples, thus suggesting the predominance of the active PLP form in both preparations. The Sigma sample showed a CD profile less characteristic of AST. Fluorescence measurements revealed formation of AGE in the case of the Roche preparation, while fluorescence of the other two preparations was low. In general, the Serva sample presented the most convenient properties of purified AST among the preparations tested. The results will be used for the selection of a commercial enzyme preparation applicable in our future spectroscopic studies of glycation of AST as a model protein and in our research of the influence of antioxidants on this process.     

Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori in pediatric patients — 10 years’ experience

The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of evolution of resistance to antibiotics in Helicobacter pylori isolated from children who underwent upper endoscopy with antral biopsy during a 10-year period (2001-2010). We retrospectively analyzed data of all children (n?=?3,008) who underwent upper endoscopy during the observed period at the Children's Hospital Zagreb, a university tertiary medical center. We calculated the rate, antibiotic susceptibility and risk factors for the H. pylori infection in our cohort. Antral biopsy was performed in 2,313 (76.89%) patients. Altogether, 382 (16.51%) children had positive biopsy for H. pylori (histology and/or culture). There was no significant difference in the incidence of H. pylori during 10 years of observation (p?=?0.21). Infected children compared to non-infected group were older (p?=?0.005), and had more often antral nodularity (p?相似文献   

Prolongation of skin allograft survival in rats by the transplantation of microencapsulated xenogeneic neonatal porcine Sertoli cells

Skin rejection remains a major hurdle in skin reconstructive transplantation surgery. In fact, 85% of the grafted patients experience at least one episode of acute skin rejection in the first year. It has been observed that Sertoli cells (SC), when co-transplanted with allo- or xenogeneic cell/tissues, can induce graft acceptance in the absence of systemic immunosuppression. A method aimed at significantly prolonging skin allografts in rats transplanted with barium alginate-based microencapsulated xenogeneic porcine SC (SC-MCs) is described. Results demonstrated that intraperitoneal (IP) transplantation of SC-MCs with high cellular viability and function can significantly prolong allogeneic skin grafts when compared to transplantation controls receiving only empty alginate capsules (E-MCs). Lymphocytic infiltration at the skin graft site was not observed in 80% of the SC-MCs transplanted rats and these recipient animals showed a significant increased expression of T regulatory (Tregs) cells when compared to E-MCs transplantation controls. The findings of this report further substantiate the positive therapeutic effects of SC on transplantation technology mediated by Sertoli cell-induced alterations of the host's immune system and indicate new perspectives and new strategies for successful skin tissue allografts.