Salivary IgA, lysozyme and β-microglobulin in periodontal disease

Abstract — The concentrations of IgA, lysozyme and β-microglobulin (β₂-m) were quantitated in wax-stimulated mixed saliva from 28 patients with severe periodontitis and from 28 healthy controls. The mutual correlations between IgA, lysozyme and β₂-rn were determined. In patients with periodontitis decreased lysozyme concentrations were detected when compared with controls (P<0.05). The correlation between IgA and β₂-m concentrations was highly significant in both groups studied (P<0.0001, and P <0.002), whereas β₂-m and lysozyme concentrations were positively correlated in patients but not in controls. In addition, a significant correlation between IgA and lysozyme was found only in periodontal patients ( P <0.001).     

Objectively-measured and self-reported physical activity and fitness in relation to inflammatory markers in European adolescents: the HELENA Study

ObjectiveAtherogenesis involves an inflammatory process that occurs early in life even though clinical symptoms are not observed until adulthood. Two important protective factors for low-grade inflammation may be physical activity (PA) and fitness. We examined the independent associations of objective and subjective measurements of PA and fitness with low-grade inflammation in European adolescents.MethodsA total of 1045 adolescents, aged from 12.5 to 17.5 years old from 10 European cities, were selected from the HELENA-Cross-Sectional Study. Objectively-measured and self-reported PA variables were obtained by accelerometry and the International PA Questionnaire for Adolescents, respectively. Overall, cardiorespiratory, muscular and motor fitness variables were assessed by standardized field-based fitness tests and the International Fitness Scale. C-reactive protein (CRP), complement factors 3 (C3) and 4 (C4), interleukin-6 and TNF-α inflammatory markers were measured.ResultsObjectively-measured vigorous PA was inversely associated with C3 (β = ?0.094, P = 0.021) but it did not remain significant after any objective fitness indicator was included in the model. Other objectively measured or self-reported assessments of PA were not significantly associated with inflammatory markers. All objective measures of fitness were inversely associated with CRP, C3 and C4, whereas only self-reported motor fitness remained significantly associated with C3, C4 and TNF-α. All these observations were independent of age, sex, city and body mass index or waist circumference.ConclusionHigh PA in adolescence may play an indirect role on lessening low-grade inflammation through improvements in fitness.     

Traumatic Amputation of a Supernumerary Digit: A 16-Year-Old Boy's Perspective of Suture Ligation

Abstract:   Traditionally, the duplicated digit in an infant with polydactyly is managed by suture ligation and the digit is allowed to auto-amputate. However, painful neuromas may result from this commonly used technique and sharp excision has been suggested as a superior alternative. We present a case of a 16-year-old male who requested revascularization after a traumatic partial amputation of a supernumerary digit on his left hand. He requested revascularization because suture ligation of a duplicated digit on his right hand as an infant had resulted in a neuroma and considerable pain.     

Treatment of Encainide Proarrhythmia with Hypertonic Saline

We report a case of successful treatment of encainide-induced ventricular tachycardia with 3% hypertonic saline. To our knowledge, no other report exists in the literature of this treatment for proarrhythmic ventricular tachycardia from a type 1C agent. Metabolic consequences of the treatment included severe hypernatremia, hyperosmolarity, hypocalcemia, and hypophosphatemia, which were reversible over 24 hours. In spite of the risks, treatment of incessant ventricular tachycardia induced by type 1C agents with hypertonic saline may be life saving.     

Transmission electron microscopic appearance of dentin matrix in type II dentin dysplasia

Abstract— Dentin matrix of demineralized primary and permanent teeth with type II dentin dysplasia was studied by transmission electron microscopy. The coronal dentin of a maxillary third molar exhibited a normal structure. In the radicular dentin, tubules were few in number; the major part of the dentin was composed of thick, curvy bundles of cross-striated collagen fibers. In the most aberrant areas of the radicular dentin, coarse collagen fibers measuring up to 140 nm in thickness were observed. The dentin of the primary tooth showed a similar, but somewhat less irregular, structure.     

Binding of nickel to the mononuclear cells and in the serum of nickel-sensitive and healthy subjects

Nickel antigen (⁶³Ni) binding by serum components and uptake by mononuclear cells were studied in 16 healthy and nickel-sensitive subjects, respectively. Ftaorography of serum proteins revealed five main ⁶³Ni-bindmg tractions with molecular weights of 60–70 kd, 50 kd, 41–42 kd, 38–39 kd, and 24 kd. Only quantitative differences were seen between individuals. Autoradiography studies of cells incubated 5 h with nickel revealed ⁶³Ni uptake by adherent monocytes. T-cells did no bind ⁶³Ni in this early phase. ⁶³Ni uptake In mononuclear cells was followed during a 7-day nickel-induced blast transformation. The uptake peak was reached within 1 h and there was another peak of ⁶³Ni hinding on Day 7 of the culture, when the nickel blast transformation was in an exponential growth phase. Cells collected at this stage were analysed in SDS-page electrophoresis followed by fluorography. This revealed two ⁶³Ni-binding protein fractions with molecular weights of 27 kd and 11 kd, respectively, in both nickel-sensitive and healthy subjects. Nickel-binding proteins obtained in serum and cells did not reveal differences between healthy and nickel-sensitive subjects in the handling of nickel antigen.     

European adolescents' level of perceived stress is inversely related to their diet quality: the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study

As stress is hypothesised to influence dietary behaviour, the relationship between perceived stress and diet quality in European adolescents was investigated. Within the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study, adolescents (n 704, aged 12-17 years) from schools in five European cities (Ghent, Stockholm, Zaragoza, Athens and Vienna) completed a 2 d 24 h dietary recall assessment and an Adolescent Stress Questionnaire. Measurements and information were taken on height, weight, pubertal stage, parental education level, the level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sleep duration. The Diet Quality Index for Adolescents (DQI-A) was calculated from the dietary data, which comprised three components reflecting dietary diversity, quality and equilibrium. Hierarchical linear models were performed to investigate the relationship between the adolescents' level of perceived stress and the DQI-A and its components, adjusting for relevant covariates (age, BMI z-score, pubertal stage and parental education). These models were additionally adjusted for MVPA or sleep duration. In both boys and girls, perceived stress was a significant independent negative predictor for their overall DQI-A. This inverse relationship was observed for all dietary components, except for dietary diversity in boys, and it was unaltered when additionally adjusted for MVPA or sleep duration. The observed inverse relationship between stress and diet quality within these European adolescents supports the hypothesis that stress influences dietary behaviour, thus emphasising the need for preventive stress-coping strategies for adolescents.