Distribution of natural killer cells and lymphocyte subclasses in Jessner's lymphocytic infiltration of the skin and in cutaneous lesions of discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus

We studied the cell infiltrates in biopsies from lymphocytic infiltration of the skin (LIS), with six monoclonal T cell antigen-specific antibodies and compared the reactivity pattern with those in biopsies from discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus skin lesions and allergic contact skin reactions. A newly described antibody (NK₉) recognizing natural killer (NK) cells and activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes was included, and the numbers and activity of circulating NK cells was determined. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the numbers of NK₉-positive cells were highest in LIS. The distribution of T lymphocytes (OKTii + ve), helper T cells (OKT₄+ ve), suppressor T celts (OKT8 + ve), Langerhans cells (OKT6 + ve) and activated T cells (anti-Tac + ve) in LIS differed from those in DLE, SLE and allergic contact reactions. However, the number of circulating NK cells (large granular lymphocytes) and the NK activity in peripheral blood were normal in LIS. We conclude that in LIS a distinct type of T cell activation occurs; the cause of this remains to be determined.     

Effects of a chlorhexidine-fluoride-strontium rinsing program on caries, gingivitis and some salivary bacteria among Finnish school children

Abstract – In order to find out if it is possible to prevent caries and gingivitis by periodical use of chlorhexidine-fluoride mouthrinses with or without strontium, and to find out what effects they have on salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli counts, a total of 243 schoolchildren aged 11 yr with high DMFS scores were randomly divided into four groups. One group (C) served as a basic control. Subjects in the second group (GXF) rinsed their mouths twice a day every third week with a rinsing solution containing 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate and 0.04% NaF. In the third group (CXFS) the rinsing solution contained 500 ppm Sr during the first and second year and 15 ppm during the last 6 months, in addition to chlorhexidine and fluoride. In the fourth group (CX) the solution contained only 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate. All the rinsing solutions had pH 5.8 buffered with succinic acid-NaOH buffer. After 2 yr and 9 months, the mean DMFS (SD) increments in the C, GXF, GXFS, and GX groups were 3.8 (5.7), 2.5 (3.2), 3.5 (4.8), and 3.4 (5.5), respectively. The percentage of subjects with bleeding gingival units had decreased from initial to final values as follows: C, 81–38; GXF, 88–42; GXFS, 89–56; GX, 89–37. The number of lactobacilli and mutans streptococci in saliva remained virtually unchanged throughout the study. For caries increment and gingival bleeding, the differences between groups were not statistically significant. The chlorhexidine-fluoride combination tended to prevent caries, but the effect on gingival bleeding and salivary counts of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli was negligible.     

Streptococcus mutans establishment and dental caries experience in children from 2 to 4 years old

Abstract – 39 children were studied longitudinally at the age of 2, 3, and 4 yr for the colonization of S. mutans in plaque and saliva and for caries experience. S. mutans was found in 38% of the children, and the predominant serotype group was c/e/f. A total of 16 children got caries before the age of 4. Children who harbored S. mutans in their plaque at the age of 2, appeared to be the most caries-active individuals. Their caries index values (number of decayed, missed and filled surfaces, dmfs = 10.6±5.3) at the age of 4 differed significantly from the values of children who harbored S. mutans later (dmfs = 3.4±1.8,P<0.005) or remained free from S. mutans infection (dmfs = 0.3±1.1, P<0.0003). It was thus concluded that the early establishment of S. mutans in the plaque of primary incisors indicated early and extensive caries attack in young primary dentition.     

Longitudinal study of salivary IgA in children from 1 to 4 years old with reference to dental caries

Abstract – The concentration of salivary IgA was measured and clinical examinations performed annually in 39 children over a period of 36 months. The age of the children ranged from 1 to 4 yr during the observation period. The geometric mean value of salivary IgA increased rapidly between the age of 1 and 2, from 0.021 g/l (log mean −1.68±0.33) to 0.052 g/l (log mean −1.28±0.24). After this age the mean level of salivary IgA remained fairly constant during the observation period. When the study population was divided into two groups: the caries-free group and the caries-susceptible group, it was found that in the caries-free group the mean salivary IgA value increased rapidly during the second year of life, then more slowly after the age of 2. In the caries-susceptible group the increase in the mean value between the ages of 1 and 2 was marked and at the age of 2 the values were significantly higher compared to those of the caries-free group. The concentrations did not, however, remain high, but fell to lower level and at the age of 4 there was a marked overlap in the values of the groups.     

Mechanism of Protection by Diethyldithiocarbamate against Cisplatin Ototoxicity: Antioxidant System

This investigation was undertaken to explain the possible mechanism(s)of protection by diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) against cisplatinototoxicity. Male Wistar rats (250–275 g) underwent pretreatmentauditory brain stem-evoked responses (ABRs). The different groupsof rats were injected as follows: (1) cisplatin (16 mg/kg ip),(2) cisplatin plus DDTC (16 mg/kg ip + 600 mg/kg, sc), and (3)control rats. Post-treatment ABRs were performed after 3 daysand the rats were euthanized and cochleae were harvested. Thecochleae were analyzed for glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione,by HPLC, and for the activities of the antioxidant enzymes,and malondialdehyde levels, by spectrophotometry. The cisplatin-injectedrats showed a threshold elevation of 36 ± 3.05 dB abovethe pretreatment thresholds using click stimulus. Rats treatedwith cisplatin and then DDTC did not show a significant elevationof hearing threshold. DDTC-mediated protection was associatedwith higher levels of GSH (0.81 ± 0.11 nmol/mg tissue),compared to 0.45 ± 0.02 nmol/mg tissue following administrationof cisplatin alone. Administration of cisplatin + DDTC restoredthe cochlear GSH-Px activity to control level. Cisplatin-treatedrats were found to have decreased GSH-Px activity (75% of control).Cochlear SOD and CAT activities and MDA levels showed a decreasingtrend in the animals injected with cisplatin + DDTC, comparedto cisplatin-alone-treated rats. These data suggest that theprotection conferred by DDTC against cisplatin ototoxicity isassociated with sparing of the cochlear GSH/GSH-Px.     

Prevalence of caries and salivary levels of mutans streptococci in 5-year-old children in relation to duration of breast feeding

Abstract – 144 children with a known breast feeding history were studied for their caries prevalence and level of salivary mutans streptococci. 19% of the children were exclusively breastfed for more than 9 months and 38% of the children were weaned after the age of 12 months (max. 34 months). The results of the study showed an equal caries prevalence at the age of 5 among children with a longer or shorter period of exclusive breast-feeding (x²= 3.68, 9 df, NS). Exclusive breast-feeding also did not affect the levels of salivary mutans streptococci (x²= 4.87, 9 df, NS). Children who were weaned late did not differ from those who were weaned early with respect to caries experience (x²= 6.12, 9 df, NS), level of salivary mutans streptococci (x²= 5.49, 9 df, NS) or presence of mutans streptococci (x²= 1.53, 4 df, NS). On the basis of our sample we concluded that breast feeding alone cannot be connected with an increased or lowered caries prevalence.     

Slide-scoring method for estimation of Streptococcus mutans levels in saliva

Abstract – A method was developed to facilitate the estimation of S. mutans levels in saliva. Paraffin-stimulated saliva was poured on a special slide coated with mitis-salivarius-sucrose agar. Two discs containing bacitracin (5 μg) were placed on the inoculated slide and the growth density of S. mutans around the bacitracin discs was scored after incubation in candle jars at 37°C for 48h. The obtained score values correlated well with the numbers of CFU of S. mutans per 1 ml of saliva estimated by a conventional method using mitis-salivarius-bacitracin agar. The experimental method was further tested by incubating the slides in an atmosphere created by CO₂ generating tables that were placed into the cover tubes of the slides. These score values were similar to those after conventional incubation. The method is suggested for epidemiologic studies and in selecting persons at high risk for caries and in controlling the effectiveness of prophylactic measures of these patients.     

Salivary S treptococcus mutans count and gingivitis in children after rinsing with a chlorhexidine-fluoride solution with and without strontium

Abstract Thirty schoolchildren, 9–12 yr old with high DMF score, rinsed their mouths twice a day for 3 days with a chlorhexidine-fluoride (CXF) solution or a chlorhexidine-fiuoride-strontium (CXFSr) solution. Streptococcus mutans counts (CFU) were made from saliva incubated on MSB agar and the gingival bleeding was recorded both before and after the rinsing period. S. mutans count decreased significantly immediately after the rinsing with each of the solutions (from 650 × 10³ to 170 × 10³ CFU/ml by CXF and from 500 to 170 × 10³ CFU/ml by CXFSr). Within about 18 days after the rinsing with each solution the salivary S. mutans counts returned to the original level. Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) was significantly reduced by half through the CXF rinsing while the slight reduction by CXFSr was nonsignificant. Both of these changes were temporary. The results suggest that short rinsing periods with the CXF solution may be more advisable than daily rinses as a contribution to the maintenance of oral health in subjects or groups in need of such a prophylaxis. The weaker effect found with the CXFSr solution suggests that the cariostatic effect recently found in rats with the same solution may be due to other mechanisms than reduction of the oral S. mutans count.     

Oral-health-related quality of life among children with and without dental fear

Objectives.  This study aims to determine whether the oral-health-related quality of life (ORHQoL) and its dimensions differed among children with and without dental fear when different characteristics of fear were measured.
Material and methods.  The participants were 11- to 14-year-old Finnish child volunteers from the Oulu University Hospital cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) treatment register ( n  = 51) and schoolchildren ( n  = 82). Dental fear was measured with 'Treatment of dental decay' and 'Attending dentist' dimensions of the modified Children's Fear Survey Schedule–Dental Subscale and a single question. ORHQoL was measured with CPQ_11–14. Background variables were gender and the dental care experienced.
Results.  The response rates were 87% and 51% in the schoolchildren's and CLP groups, respectively. Those who were afraid of 'Treatment of dental decay' had higher mean CPQ_11–14 total scores (33.2) and higher scores for social (8.8) and emotional well-being (9.0) than those who were not fearful (24.0, 6.2, and 5.8, respectively, P  < 0.05), indicating poorer ORHQoL. Among those with experience of orthodontics, the association between dental fear and social and emotional well-being was weaker than among those with no experience of orthodontics.
Conclusion.  Dental fear may have a negative effect on a child's ORHQoL, especially on social and emotional well-being. Positive minor treatment experiences might weaken this effect.     

Distribution and Pharmacokinetics of Physostigmine in Rat after Intramuscular Administration

Distribution and Pharmacokinetics of Physostigmine in Rat afterIntramuscular Administration. SOMANI, S. M. AND KHALIQUE, A.(1986). Fundam Appl. Toxicol. 6, 327–334. The distributionand pharmacokinetics of [³H]physostigmine (Phy) and the relationshipbetween the time course of Phy concentration and butyrylcholinesterase(BuChE) inhibition in plasma was studied in rat after im administration(650 µg/kg). The concentrations of Phy and its metaboliteswere determined in plasma and brain by high-performance liquidchromatography and by counting the radioactivity in the chromatographicfractions. The half-life of Phy in plasma and brain was 17 and16 min, respectively. The brain-to-plasma ratio of Phy peaked(1.61) at 22 min. The time course of Phy and its metabolites(eseroline, M₁ and M₂ indicated that Phy was rapidly metabolizedand M₁ appeared to be the major metabolite. The distributionstudies showed that the concentration of radioactivity per gramof tissue was higher in kidney and liver than the other tissues.The time course of BuChE activity and plasma Phy concentrationshowed that the maximum enzymatic inhibition (47%) occurredat about the same time (7 min) as the peak plasma concentration(583 ng/ml at 5 min). The enzymatic activity recovered to 81%at 2 hr and 100% within 24 hr.