Comparison of fibre optic transillumination with clinical and radiographic caries diagnosis

Fibre optic transillumination (FOTI) has been employed during the course of a 3-yr clinical dentifrice trial which initially involved 3003 children. At the initial examination, a subgroup of 813 13-yr-olds, and at the following annual visit, 2247 14-yr-olds, were examined using a 150 W lamp and 0.5 mm diameter probe. Routine clinical and radiographic examinations were performed separately. Compared to the clinical scores for anterior teeth, FOTI detected an additional 64% of interproximal lesions at the first visit while, for the larger number of children at the second visit, the increase in lesion detection level using FOTI was 37%. For the posterior teeth the comparable figure at the second examination was 92%. When FOTI data were compared to radiographic data for more than 52,000 posterior interproximal surfaces, FOTI could only detect 17% of radiographic Grade 2 lesions and 48% Grade 3 lesions. Thus any assumption that FOTI diagnoses may be a substitute for bitewing radiography appears premature.     

Prevalence of traumatic injuries to the permanent incisors in candidates for orthodontic treatment

Abstract  – The dental records made on presentation of 1367 consecutive patients (731 females and 636 males) for orthodontic treatment at a private orthodontic practice between 1998 and 2002 were examined for data relating to trauma to the permanent incisors. The results showed that 10.3% of these patients had suffered from dental trauma before the onset of orthodontic treatment. The highest prevalence of dental trauma was determined in the 11–15 years age group, corresponding to the dental developmental stage of the late mixed dentition. The most frequently affected teeth were the maxillary central incisors (79.6%), and the most common types of trauma were fracture of enamel–dentin without pulpal involvement (42.7%) and fracture of enamel (33.8%). Compared to patients with normal overjet and adequate lip coverage, the frequency of dental trauma was significantly higher in patients with increased overjet and adequate lip coverage ( P  = 0.028) or with increased overjet and inadequate lip coverage ( P  = 0.003). The results of the present study indicate that a significant percentage of candidates for orthodontic treatment, and especially those with increased overjet and inadequate lip coverage, suffer trauma to their permanent incisors before the onset of orthodontic treatment. It might also be concluded that preventive orthodontic treatment of such patients should be initiated and completed before the age of 11, i.e. in the early to middle mixed dentition.     

Intracranial Non-Hodgkin’s MALT lymphoma mimicking a large convexity meningioma

Summary Primary presentation of an intradural Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is rare. Recently these B cell lymphomas of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) have gained acceptance as an important pathological subtype and are distinguishable from other primary CNS lymphomas that exhibit aggressive behaviour. Over the past decade a number of these lesions have been reported to resemble a meningioma both intra-operatively and radiologically. The authors outline such a case of marginal zone B cell lymphoma that clinically and radiologically resembled a meningioma. This case illustrates the rare occurrence of low grade dural B cell lymphoma and the need to consider this entity in the differential diagnosis of CNS lesions, if appropriate targeted therapy is to be administered.     

The immunohistology of CD40 in human oral epithelium in health and disease

BACKGROUND: CD40 has a role in the regulation of immune responses, cell proliferation and migration, and apoptosis. Little is known of its distribution in oral mucosal pathology. METHODS: Oral keratinocyte lines were tested for CD40 protein by Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was used to stain paraffin sections of oral mucosa in health and in inflammatory, reactive, dysplastic and malignant disease. RESULTS: Western blotting confirmed the presence of CD40 in oral keratinocytes. CD40 was generally expressed by keratinocytes in the basal layer, with variable parabasal expression. Langerhans cells also stained positively. Expression was lost in nine of 33 (27%) epithelial dysplasias, seven of which were severe. Eighty-one percent of well, 69% of moderately and 50% of poorly differentiated oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) expressed CD40. Overall, 45 of 65 (69%) OSCC were positive. The pattern of expression was unrelated to tumour differentiation. CONCLUSION: CD40 expression by basal and parabasal oral keratinocytes is physiological. Expression is lost in approximately one-third of oral epithelial dysplasias and OSCC. The significance of such loss remains unknown, but may be related to immunological or other abnormalities of keratinocyte homeostasis.     

Role of intestinal bifidobacteria in the pathogenesis of gut-derived bacteria/endotoxin translocation and the effect of bifidobacterial supplement on gut barrier function following burns

Early multiple organ dysfunction syndrome appears to be facilitated with bacterial translocation in severely burn injury, yet the mechanisms of bacterial translocation remains in dispute. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of intestinal bifidobacteria in the pathogenesis of gut-derived bacteria/endotoxin translocation following burns and the effects of bifidobacterial supplement on gut barrier. Methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into burn group (Burn, n=60),sham burn group (SB, n=10) in experiment Ⅰ , and burn + saline group (BS, n=30), burn + bifidobacteria group (BB, n=30), and sham-burn + saline group (SS, n= 10) in experiment Ⅱ. Animals in BB group were fed bifidobacterial preparation (5 × 109 CFU/ml) after burns, 1.5ml,twice daily. Animals in BS and SS were fed saline. Samples were taken on days 1, 3, and 5 in burn groups, and on day 3 in sham-burn groups. The incidence of bacteria/endotoxin translocation and counts of Bifidobacterium, Fungi and Escherichia coli in gut mucosa were determined with standard methods. The levels of sIgA in mucus of small intestine were measured by RIA. The positive sIgA expression in lamina propria and ileum mucosal injury was evaluated light microscopically by blinded examiners. Results: Our results showed that the incidence of bacterial translocation was increased after burns, which was accompanied by significant decrease in number of bifidobacteria but significant increase in E. coli and fungi in gut mucosa, and elevation of levels of plasma endotoxin and IL-6 (P<0. 001).The incidence of bacterial translocation was markedly reduced after 3- and 5-day supplementation of bifidobacteria compared with control group (P<0.05). The counts of mucosal bifidobacteria were increased by 4- to 40-fold,while E. coli and fungi were decreased by 2- to 30-fold and 10- to 150-fold, respectively, after bifidobacterial supplementation in contrast to control group. The damage of mucosa tended to be less pronounced after 3-day bifidobacteria-supplemented formula compared with control group [grade 2(0-6) vs. grade 4(3-6), P<0.05]. Moreover, the expression and release of sIgA was markedly augmented after 3-day bifidobacteria-supplementation formula and it returned to normal range on day 5. Conclusion: The decrease in counts and proportion of bifidobacteria in mucous membrane flora may play an important role in the development of bacteria/endotoxin translocation following thermal injury. The supplement of exogenous bifidobacteria could per se improve gut barriers, and attenuate bacteria/endotoxin translocation secondary to major burns.     

Cutaneous postural vasoconstriction is modified by exogenous but not endogenous female hormones in young women

Previously reported attenuation of skin postural vasoconstriction in women during the luteal menstrual cycle phase may be due to a progesterone-mediated decrease in myogenic or veno-arteriolar (VAR) mechanisms. Skin perfusion was measured in the shin and foot dorsum by Laser Doppler Fluxometry during leg dependency that increased vascular transmural pressure below (myogenic constriction only) and above (myogenic and VAR) the 25 mmHg threshold for activation of the VAR, and during venous distension to activate the VAR alone (cuff inflation to 50 mmHg). In six young women with normal menstrual cycles, vasoconstrictor responses to all interventions did not differ between days 7–13 (follicular) and 18–23 (luteal) of the normal menstrual cycle when progesterone levels were low and at their peak respectively. In eight women taking combined oral contraceptives (OC) and tested during pill consumption days, reductions in foot skin perfusion were smaller (P = 0.05) than in the luteal phase of the normal cycle for leg dependency below (−36.9 ± 5.2% OC vs. −52.5 ± 7.8% luteal, mean ± S.E.M.) and above (−43.7 ± 3.4% OC vs. −55.1 ± 4.8% luteal) the VAR threshold, and for venous distension (−53.1 ± 2.6% OC vs. 66.4 ± 5.5% luteal). In women with normal menstrual cycles, impaired postural vasoconstriction may be confined to those who experience pre-menstrual symptoms rather than a direct effect of endogenous hormones. Reduced vasoconstriction in the dependent foot during OC use is consistent with the known vasodilator action of exogenous hormones and its long-term effects     

Correction by oral adsorbent of abnormal digestive tract milieu in rats with chronic renal failure

In order to examine the mechanism by which the oral carbonaceousadsorbent, AST-120 delays the appearance of glomerular sclerosis,experiments were carried out in 120 male Sprague-Dawley ratsweighing 285–320 g. The rats were first subjected to 2/3,3/4, and 4/5 nephrectomy (n=40). The experiments were begunat 2 weeks after the surgery, and were performed over an 8-weekperiod. Half of each group (n=20) was administered 1 g/day ofliquid AST-120, and the other half received liquid vehicle solutionwith pair feeding in each group. In the 2/3 nephrectomized groupthe administration of AST-120 delayed the occurrence of glomerularhypertrophy and prevented the appearance of glomerular sclerosiswithout any significant differences in renal function, systemicblood pressure (SBP), and urinary protein excretion (U-P). Inthe 3/4 nephrectomized group the administration of AST-120 delayedthe appearance of glomerular hypertrophy and sclerosis withsignificant decreases in SBP and U-P. In the 4/5 nephrectomizedgroup the administration of AST-120 delayed the appearance ofglomerular sclerosis and prevented a decrease in renal function.It is concluded that administration of the oral adsorbent AST-120delays the occurrence of glomerular sclerosis by delaying theappearance of glomerular hypertrophy, systemic hypertension,and the increase in proteinuria. It can be therefore mentionedthat the accumulating substances in the digestive tract worsenthe abnormal milieu of chronic renal failure.     

中药复方对辐射损伤小鼠脾细胞凋亡及mRNA表达的影响

目的探讨中药复方地甘口服液(DGOL)对辐射损伤小鼠脾细胞凋亡及凋亡相关基因bcl-2和bax mRNA表达的作用.方法建立辐射损伤模型(一次性7.0Gy的X射线照射),喂饲100%地甘口服液每次0.2 ml/10 g小鼠,每日2次.第10天用原位末端标记的TUNEL技术检测脾组织细胞凋亡和原位杂交法检测凋亡相关基因bcl-2和bax mRNA的表达.结果地甘口服液组与对照组比脾脏的细胞凋亡率和bax mRNA表达显著减少(P＜0.01),bcl-2 mRNA的表达显著增强(P＜0.01).结论中药复方地甘口服液可能通过促进bcl-2和降低bax mRNA的表达,促进造血细胞的增生,提高机体免疫力.     

Referral pattern of patients with oral mucosal lesions in The Netherlands

The referral pattern of 140 Dutch patients with oral mucosal lesions, who had been referred to a Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Pathology, shows that patients with oral mucosal lesions consult the dentist as often as the family doctor as the first source of help or information. Furthermore, family doctors were much more used to refer patients with oral mucosal disease to medical specialists rather than to the dentist or the oral and maxillofacial surgeon.     

Amyloidaceous ulcerated gingival hyperplasia: a newly described entity related to ligneous conjunctivitis

Gingival hyperplasia may be genetic, may be acquired as a consequence of exposure to drugs and other agents or may appear as part of a more widespread disorder. Five patients who acquired gingival hyperplasia due to amyloidaceous deposits staining only for fibrin are presented. This appears to be a new entity related to ligneous conjunctivitis.