The inability of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus to form a biofilm in vitro on dentine pretreated with ozone

Background: The use of ozone therapy in the treatment of dental caries is equivocal. The aim of this study was to use an in vitro model to determine the effects of prior ozone application to dentine on biofilm formation and to measure any associated reduction in bacteria viability. Methods: Twenty dentine discs were bonded to the bases of 5 mL polycarbonate screw top vials. Ten dentine discs were infused with ozone for 40 seconds, 10 samples remained untreated as a control. The vials were filled with nutrient medium, sterilized and placed into the outflow from a continuous chemostat culture of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus for four weeks. At the conclusion of the experiment bacterial growth was monitored by taking optical density readings of the growth medium in each vial and the outer surface of the dentine specimens were examined by scanning electron microscopy as shown by SEM analysis. Results: Ozone infusion prevented biofilm formation on all the treated samples while there was substantial biofilm present on the control specimens. While the average optical density of the control specimens was almost twice that of the ozone infused dentine (0.710 for the control with a SD of 0.288 and 0.446 for the ozonated samples with a SD of 0.371), the results were not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This preliminary study has shown that the infusion of ozone into non‐carious dentine prevented biofilm formation in vitro from S. mutans and L. acidophilus over a four‐week period. The possibility exists that ozone treatment may alter the surface wettability of dentine through reaction with organic constituents.     

The Gynaecologic Leiden Questionnaire: psychometric properties of a self-report questionnaire of sexual function and vaginal changes for gynaecological cancer patients

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the items concerning sexual functioning of the Gynaecologic Leiden Questionnaire (LQ), which consists of items for post operative morbidity for women with cancer. Methods: The total study sample consisted of 198 subjects: 66 patients treated for cervical cancer, 66 patients with sexual complaints and 66 subjects from the general population. Results: By means of factor analysis three subscales were derived: Female Sexual Complaints, Female Sexual Function and Female Orgasm. The reliability of the subscales appeared to be satisfactory. The scores on the three subscales differentiated well between the patients treated for cervical cancer, patients with sexual complaints and the subjects from the general population. Furthermore, the subscales were sensitive to changes within the patients treated for cervical cancer. The convergent and divergent construct validities of the LQ were investigated using other instruments measuring sexual functioning, sexual dissatisfaction, marital distress, general life distress and psychological distress. The LQ subscales were found to represent relatively independent constructs. Conclusion: The results support the reliability and psychometric validity of the LQ in the assessment of sexual functioning and vaginal changes in gynaecological cancer patients. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Human papilloma virus specific T cells infiltrating cervical cancer and draining lymph nodes show remarkably frequent use of HLA-DQ and -DP as a restriction element

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced malignancies are frequently infiltrated by lymphocytes. To comprehend the contribution of HPV-specific T cells in this anti-tumor response we developed a method that allowed the analysis of the presence and specificity of cervix-infiltrating and draining lymph node resident T cells in a group of 74 patients with cervical malignancies, 54 of which were induced by HPV16 or HPV18. We detected the presence of HPV16 or HPV18-specific T cells in at least 23 of the 54 HPV-16 or -18 positive patients, and not in the 20 controls. Detailed studies resulted in the identification of 17 novel CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes and their HLA-restriction elements, and also revealed that the HPV-specific immune response was aimed at both E6 and E7 and showed no preferential recognition of immunodominant regions. Unexpectedly, the vast majority of the CD4+ T cell epitopes were presented in the context of the less abundantly expressed HLA-DQ and HLA-DP molecules. Since the identified T cell epitopes constitute physiological targets in the immune response to HPV16 and HPV18 positive tumors they will be valuable for detailed studies on the interactions between the tumor and the immune system. This is crucial for the optimization of cancer immunotherapy in patients with pre-existing tumor-immunity.     

Growth hormone therapy in pre-pubertal children with Noonan syndrome: first year growth response and comparison with Turner syndrome

We studied the growth-promoting effect of treatment with recombinant human growth hormone in 23 prepubertal children with Noonan syndrome, aged between 5. 4 and 14. 3 y, and all with a height < 1. 4 SD for Tanner standards. The growth response and skeletal maturation after 1 y of recombinant human growth hormone treatment (0. 15 U/kg/day given by daily injection) in the Noonan syndrome patients was compared with the auxological changes observed in a group of 17 girls with Turner syndrome with a comparable age and height deficit who were treated with recombinant human growth hormone in a similar way. During 1 y of treatment, the mean ± SD height velocity increased by 4. 0 ± 1. 6 cm/y in the Noonan syndrome group and by 3. 6 ± 1. 3 cm/y in the Turner syndrome group. Height SDS for chronological age in the Noonan syndrome group increased by 0. 53 ± 0. 46 ( p < 0. 001). In the Noonan syndrome patients the changes in height velocity were positively related to birthweight ( r = 0. 48, p < 0. 05). The changes in height velocity or height SDS were not related to the age, height deficit or a delay in bone age maturation at start of treatment. In neither the patients with Noonan syndrome nor Turner syndrome was an acceleration of bone maturation found. We conclude that treatment with recombinant human growth hormone in pre-pubertal NS patients induces an increase in height velocity and height SDS comparable to that observed in Turner syndrome girls.     

Glucocorticoid receptors in cord blood lymphocytes of healthy neonates and of preterms suffering from respiratory distress syndrome

We measured the number of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in cord blood lymphocytes and the binding affinity (K_d) in 15 term and in 20 preterm babies. Thirteen preterms of the latter group received prenatal steroid treatment. Seven preterms developed neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). The number of GR and the K_d were similar in the term and preterm (with and without NRDS) babies. The maximum thymidine incorporation into DNA of cord blood lymphocytes from all preterms, with or without NRDS was suppressed when compared to that from term babies or adults. This could partly be explained by the antenatal steroid treatment. Sensitivity (ID₅₀) of the lymphocytes for the inhibitory effect of dexamefhasone was the same in all groups. In this study on the number and function of GR in lymphocytes, we were unable to find a relation between the functionality of the GR and the development of NRDS.     

Acute elbow injuries in the National Football League

We performed a retrospective review to evaluate acute medial collateral ligament injuries of the elbow in professional football players from 1991 to 1996 (5 seasons). There were 5 acute medial collateral ligament injuries in 4 players (1 player with bilateral involvement). All injuries occurred with the hand planted on the playing surface while a valgus or hyperextension force was applied to the elbow. There were 2 centers, both involved with long-snapping situations, 1 running back, and 1 quarterback. All elbows had valgus instability on physical examination. Despite this instability, all players were able to function without operative reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament. No evidence of valgus instability was seen at the time of follow-up (average, 3.4 years). Next, we reviewed all acute elbow injuries in the National Football League from the same 5-season period. Ninety-one acute elbow injuries were reviewed. Overall, there were 70 (76.9%) elbow sprains, 16 (17.6%) dislocation/subluxation patterns, 4 (4.4%) fractures, and 1 (1.1%) miscellaneous injury. Review of the acute elbow sprains revealed 39 (55.7%) hyperextension injuries, 14 (20%) medial collateral ligament injuries, 2 (2.9%) lateral collateral ligament sprains, and 15 (21.4%) nonspecific sprains. The epidemiology of the 14 medial collateral ligament injuries was studied in more detail. The 2 most common mechanisms of injury were blocking at the line of scrimmage (50%) and the application of a valgus force with the hand planted on the playing surface (29%). There were 8 linemen, 4 receivers, 1 running back, and 1 quarterback. All injuries were managed with nonoperative treatment. The average time lost was 0.64 games (range, 0 to 4). We report 19 acute medial collateral ligament injuries of the elbow in elite football players, 2 of whom are considered overhead throwing athletes, who were able to function at a competitive level without surgical repair or reconstruction, in contrast to baseball players, in whom the mechanics and demands may differ.