Oral glucose clearance in subjects with high or low salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli

The ability to eliminate sugar from the oral cavity was studied in subjects with high or low numbers of salivary Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli. The glucose concentration in saliva was determined after consumption of biscuits using the Gloxtest, and the logarithms of the glucose values were plotted against time. The sugar clearance time was measured where the slope of the plot intersected with a glucose level of 1 mg/ml. Subjects with a high level of S. mutans had a significantly longer clearance time than subjects with a low level. More salivary lactobacilli were found in a subject group with a long sugar clearance time than in a group with a fast clearance rate.     

Treatment of climacteric complaints with ORG OD 14: A comparative study with oestradiol valerate and placebo

Org OD 14 (7,17-17-hydroxy-7-methyl-19-norpregn-5(10)-en-20-yn-3-one) is a steroid possessing mixed hormonal activity, which in earlier studies has been shown to alleviate climacteric complaints and to prevent post-menopausal osteoporosis without affecting the endometrium. The effects of Org OD 14 on climacteric complaints were compared with those of oestradiol valerate (E2V) and placebo in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study in 20 women who had been oophorectomized and hysterectomized 3–6 yr earlier as part of their treatment for cervical cancer. Each patient was treated orally for a total period of 18 wk, comprising 6 wk on each preparation. Capsules of identical appearance were given; these contained either 2.5 mg Org OD 14, 2 mg E2V or placebo. The patients' scores for symptoms and mood items on standardized rating scales were recorded at the end of each 6-wk treatment period (i.e. on days 43, 85 and 127). There were no differences between the effects of Org OD 14 and E2V on symptoms and mood items, while both compounds were more effective than placebo. Our findings confirmed that Org OD 14 is effective in ameliorating oestrogen deficiency symptoms in climacteric women.     

Sequelae of chorioamnionitis

Chorioamnionitis correlates to preterm delivery prior to 30 weeks of gestation. In most studies, proxies of intrauterine infection (clinical chorioamnionitis, histological chorioamnionitis, intra-amniotic increase in cytokines) are associated with acute neonatal morbidity and mortality and, at least to some degree, with neurological impairments (periventricular leukomalacia, intraventricular hemorrhage, cerebral palsy, polymicrogyria), chronic lung disease, and involution of the thymus in the preterm infant. The connection to visual impairment and cognitive deficits is uncertain or unknown. Full-term babies exposed to intrauterine infection often present with depressed Apgar scores and neonatal encephalopathy, and are at markedly increased risk of developing cerebral palsy. The infectious/inflammatory mechanisms involved are incompletely understood, and the types of microbes, as well as the genetic characteristics of the host adaptive and innate immune response, need to be better characterized.     

Voiding pattern and acquisition of bladder control from birth to age 6 years--a longitudinal study

PURPOSE: We describe the voiding pattern and acquisition of bladder control in healthy children up to age 6 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We determined age for daytime and nighttime dryness, voiding patterns, voiding volumes and post-void residual volume per 4 hours individually and noninvasively every 3 months up to age 3 years and every 6 months up to age 6 years in 36 female and 23 male patients using 4-hour voiding observation and uroflowmetry/ultrasound. RESULTS: Median age for attaining daytime and nighttime dryness was 3.5 and 4 years, respectively. No significant difference was found between girls and boys. All but 1 child attained daytime dryness an average of 10 months before attaining nighttime dryness. Bladder sensation was reported in 31%, 79% and 100% of patients at ages 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively. Median bladder capacity was 67 ml, 123 ml and 140 ml at years 1, 3 and 6, respectively. Median post-void residual volume was 5.5 ml, 0 ml and 2 ml at ages 1, 3 and 6 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Today bladder control is acquired at a later stage despite earlier awareness of bladder function. The occurrence of bladder sensation from age 1.5 years motivates an earlier start with toilet training. Infants with small post-void residual volume at age 6 months or large bladder capacity will probably attain daytime dryness earlier than those with large post-void residual volume at age 6 months or small bladder capacity.     

Interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in cervical fluid in a population of Swedish women in preterm labor: relationship to microbial invasion of the amniotic fluid, intra-amniotic inflammation, and preterm delivery

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine infection and inflammation in women with preterm labor are related to adverse perinatal outcome. Due to its subclinical nature, a correct diagnosis depends on retrieval of amniotic fluid. Amniocentesis is, however, not performed as a clinical routine because of its invasiveness. Hypothetically, cytokines in the cervical fluid may represent an alternative diagnostic approach. The aim was to examine cervical interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in relation to microbial invasion of the amniotic fluid, intra-amniotic inflammation, and preterm birth in women in preterm labor. METHODS: Women with singleton pregnancies in preterm labor (<34 weeks of gestation) and intact membranes were included. Cervical (n = 91) and amniotic fluids (n = 56) were collected. Polymerase chain reaction for Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis and culture for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were performed. IL-6 and IL-8 were analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Non-lactobacillus-dominated biota was detected in cervical secretion in 25% (22/89) and the presence of micro-organisms in the amniotic fluid in 16% (9/56) of the patients. The presence of U. urealyticum in the cervical fluid (21/46) was associated with significantly higher levels of IL-6 in the secretion. IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly higher in cervical fluid of women with intra-amniotic infection and inflammation and in women who delivered < or =7 days and/or before 34 weeks of gestation. Cervical IL-6 > or = 1.7 ng/ml was related to intra-amniotic inflammation (relative risk: 2.67; range: 1.50-4.74) and had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 58, 83, 75, and 69%, respectively, in the identification of intra-amniotic inflammation. Similar data were obtained for IL-8 > or = 6.7 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of cervical IL-6 and IL-8 are moderately predictive of intrauterine infection/inflammation and preterm delivery.     

Expression of cytokines and chemokines in cervical and amniotic fluid: relationship to histological chorioamnionitis.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate cervical and amniotic fluid cytokines and macrophage-related chemokines to the development of histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) in patients with preterm labor (PTL) and preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM). STUDY DESIGN: Cervical and amniotic fluid interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-18, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, MCP-2, and MCP-3 from pregnant women (at 相似文献   

Periodontitis from the patient's perspective, a qualitative study

Abstract:  Periodontitis is an infectious disease that impacts people's oral health and can lead to the loss of teeth. There are several factors that explain why some people develop this disease. Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe patients' perceptions of living with periodontitis. Method: A qualitative method inspired by phenomenography was chosen, because the focal point was the patients' perceptions of this phenomenon. A total of 10 patients, all of whom were being treated at a specialist clinic for periodontology in the south of Sweden, were interviewed. Results: Two main categories were identified: perceptions of disease and perceptions of having the disease under control, together with subcategories. The first category highlights the patients' perception of what causes periodontitis, being given the diagnosis, after the diagnosis and the consequences of periodontitis. The other main category highlights the patients' perception of their own responsibility and the professionals' responsibility. The patients' oral health-related quality of life had been influenced by periodontitis. There is no guarantee that the patient has understood what is actually required of him/her during treatment, despite information about the diagnosis. It can often take some time for patients to understand the nature of their disease. Conclusion: Acceptance and control of the disease result in less inconvenience in the patients' daily lives. It creates an optimistic future perspective, despite feelings of anxiety about facing consequences such as tooth loss.