UMBILICAL ARTERY CATHETERIZATION IN NEWBORNS: IV. Strain-Gauge Plethysmography for the Diagnosis of Catheter-Related Thrombo-Embolism in the Legs

Abstract. Wesström, G. and Lassvik, C. (Departments of Paediatrics and Clinical Physiology, University Hospital, Linkoping, Sweden). Umbilical artery catheterization in newborns. IV. Strain-gauge plethysmography for the diagnosis of catheter-related thromboembolism in the legs. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69:365, 1980.—Strain-gauge plethysmography was performed shortly after withdrawal of the catheter in 48 of 49 newborn infants who had undergone umbilical artery catheterization. Plethysmography was used to find a non-invasive method for diagnosing catheter-related thrombo-embolism in neonates. The results were compared with the findings at angiography. The method permits simultaneous measurements of the systolic blood pressure and of the resting and submaximal blood flow in both legs. Nine infants showed angiographic signs of total or partial occlusion in one leg, and 8 of them were investigated with plethysmography. The systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced in infants with total and/or partial occlusion, but the blood flow was reduced only in infants with total occlusion. The peak now after suprasystolic occlusion was significantly oftener delayed in infants with thrombo-embolism in the leg.     

A clinical study of the distribution of occlusal tooth contacts in the intercuspal position at light and hard pressure in adults

Young adults (Md 24) and Adults (Md 41) were examined with respect to the distribution of occlusal contacts in molars, premolars and anterior teeth when exerting light and hard pressure respectively in the habitual intercuspal position. There was no difference between the right and left side and the number of contacts per tooth was low. In all groups of teeth there was a smaller number of contacts at light pressure. The lower number of contacts at light pressure in Adults when comparing with Young adults was related only to the anterior teeth. The increase of the number of contacts at hard pressure was greater for the anterior teeth than for the molars. In cases where there was a greater number of contacts present on one side, the distribution did not alter significantly when changing from light to hard pressure. Neither did the articulator-adjusted intercuspal position differ significantly in this respect from the clinically recorded intercuspal position at hard pressure. A further result was that about 50% of the individuals had 60% or more contacts on one side at light pressure. These findings stress the importance of meticulous care when performing occlusal adjustment, as the number of contacts per tooth is low and indicates the need for observing the difference between light and hard pressure.     

Prevalence of Streptococcus mutans with different colonial morphologies in human plaque and saliva

Abstract – Plaque and saliva samples were obtained twice from 58 children at an interval of 1 year and examined for the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans on Mitis salivarius (MS) and Mitis salivarius bacitracin (MSB) agar. Two types of S. mutans colonies with different colonial morphologies were seen on both media. They were serologically identified as serotypes c/e/f and d/g respectively. The first type, morphogroup c/e/f, had the typical "frosted-glass" appearance. It was the most prevalent and was found in 97% of the children. The second type, morphogroup d/g, had a creamy marzipan consistency with a dull, granular surface, gray to brown in color and often with some liquid around or on top of the colony. Group d/g was detected in 21 children (36%) and then together with colonies of group c/e/f. Children infected with single or multiple morphogroups of S. mutans generally harbored the same groups 1 year later. There was a significant positive correlation between the proportion of S. mutans in plaque and their numbers in saliva.