Periodontal Status as Mediator of the Association between Socioeconomic Status and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Pregnant Women.

OBJECTIVE: To test periodontal status as a mediator between socioeconomic status (SES) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in pregnant women. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: Secondary cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomised clinical trial with 303 pregnant women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic variables, SES, smoking, interproximal hygiene, and self-reported gingival bleeding were collected as independent variables. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 was used to assess OHRQoL. The relationship between SES, periodontal status and OHRQoL was investigated in structural equation modelling. RESULTS: There was a moderate association of SES with periodontal status (standardised coefficient SC = -0.26, p⟨0.01) and number of teeth (SC = 0.24, p⟨0.01). Periodontal status and the number of teeth were also associated with OHRQoL (respectively, SC = 0.25, p⟨0.01 and SC = -0.31, p⟨0.01), but SES was only indirectly related to OHRQoL (SC = -0.17, p⟨0.01). Socioeconomic inequalities in quality of life were mainly explained by the remaining number of teeth, contributing to about 47%, and periodontal status, contributing to about 41%. CONCLUSIONS: There was no direct effect of SES on OHRQoL in pregnant women. Periodontal status and missing teeth each explained almost half of the total indirect association.

Correction of nonlinear lateral distortions of scanning probe microscopy images.

A methodology for the correction of scanning probe microscopy image distortions is demonstrated. It is based on the determination of displacement vectors from the measurement of a calibration sample. By moving the pixels of the distorted scanning probe microscopy image along the displacement vectors an almost complete correction of the nonlinear, time independent distortions is achieved.

Effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on serum and gingival crevicular fluid cytokine levels during pregnancy and postpartum.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A low-grade systemic inflammatory status originating from periodontal infection has been proposed to explain the association between periodontal disease and systemic conditions, including adverse obstetric outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of periodontal therapy during pregnancy on the gingival crevicular fluid and serum levels of six cytokines associated with periodontal disease and preterm birth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A subsample of 60 women (18-35 years of age) up to 20 gestational weeks, previously enrolled in a larger randomized clinical trial, was recruited for the present study. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either comprehensive nonsurgical periodontal therapy before 24 gestational weeks (n = 30, test group) or only one appointment for supragingival calculus removal (n = 30, control group). Clinical data, and samples of blood and gingival crevicular fluid, were collected at baseline, at 26-28 gestational weeks and 30 d after delivery. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and tumor necrosis factor-α were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: After treatment, a major reduction in periodontal inflammation was observed in the test group, with bleeding on probing decreasing from 49.62% of sites to 11.66% of sites (p < 0.001). Periodontal therapy significantly reduced the levels of IL-1ß and IL-8 in gingival crevicular fluid (p < 0.001). However, no significant effect of therapy was observed on serum cytokine levels. After delivery, the levels of IL-1ß in the gingival crevicular fluid of the test group were significantly lower than were those in the control group (p < 0.001), but there were no significant differences between test and control groups regarding serum cytokine levels. CONCLUSION: Although periodontal therapy during pregnancy successfully reduced periodontal inflammation and gingival crevicular fluid cytokine levels, it did not have a significant impact on serum biomarkers.

Efficacy of retrograde ureteropyeloscopic holmium laser lithotripsy for intrarenal calculi >2 cm.

The objectives of this study are to assess the efficacy and safety of retrograde ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy for intrarenal calculi greater than 2 cm in diameter. A total of 24 patients with a stone burden >2 cm were treated with retrograde ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy. Primary study endpoints were number of treatments until the patient was stone free and perioperative complications with a follow-up of at least 3 months after intervention. In 24 patients (11 women and 13 men, 20-78 years of age), a total of 40 intrarenal calculi were treated with retrograde endoscopic procedures. At the time of the initial procedure, calculi had an average total linear diameter of 29.75 ± 1.57 mm and an average stone volume of 739.52 ± 82.12 mm(3). The mean number of procedures per patient was 1.7 ± 0.8 (range 1-3 procedures). The overall stone-free rate was 92%. After 1, 2 and 3 procedures 54, 79 and 92% of patients were stone free, respectively. There were no major complications. Minor postoperative complications included pyelonephritis in three cases (7.5%), of whom all responded immediately to parenteral antibiotics. In one patient the development of steinstrasse in the distal ureter required ureteroscopic fragment disruption and basketing. Ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy represents an efficient treatment option and allows the treatment of large intrarenal calculi of all compositions and throughout the whole collecting system even for patients with a stone burden of more than 2 cm size.

[Benign prostatic hyperplasia: background and diagnosis]. / Probleme beim Wasserlassen, Harndrang, Restharngefühl. So gehen Sie diagnostisch vor.

Lower UrinaryTracts Symptoms (LUTS) due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) represent an increasing prevalent condition in ageing men. Patients often seek primarily consultation at their general practitioner. Aetiology and natural history of LUTS due to BPH have not been completely clarified. The development of symptomatic LUTS is age-dependent and determined to varying degrees by the presence of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPE) as well as Bladder Outlet Obstruction (BOO). A causal relationship does not always exist. Basis for a specific medical or surgical treatment in the individual patient with LUTS due to BPH is an exact diagnosis by the practising urologist.

[Benign prostatic hyperplasia: medical therapy]. / Prostatagrösse, PSA-Wert, Leidensdruck. Die Wegweiser für die medikamentöse Therapie.

Primary aims of the medical therapy for BPH are improvement of subjective symptoms and quality of life as well as the prevention of long-term complications such as acute urinary retention and renal failure. Secondary goal is inhibition of disease progression. The medical therapy should be tailored to each patient according to the individual complaints and risk of progression. Plant extracts, alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors represent the most common prescribed substances. Recent data suggest beneficial effects for the use of antimuscarinic agents and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.

[Low-dose rate brachytherapy with locally integrated beta emitters after internal urethrotomy. A pilot project using an animal model]. / Low-dose-rate-Brachytherapie durch lokal integrierte Betastrahler nach Urethrotomia interna. Ein Pilotprojekt im Tierversuch.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of urethral strictures represents an unsolved urological problem. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The effect of a (32)P-coated urethral catheter in the sense of low-dose rate brachytherapy to modulate wound healing will be analyzed in an animal experiment. RESULTS: Unfortunately it is not possible to present any results because this is being studied for the first time and there are no experiences with low-dose rate brachytherapy and this form of application in the lower urinary tract. Furthermore the animal experiment will only start in the near future. Both decade-long experiences with radiotherapy to treat benign diseases and our own results of previous studies in otolaryngology and ophthalmology let us expect a significantly lower formation of urethral strictures after internal urethrotomy. CONCLUSION: This study will contribute to improving the treatment of urethral strictures as demanded in previous papers.

[Standards for the punch biopsy of the prostate]. / Prostatakrebsvorsorge: Vom PSA-Wert zur Stanzbiopsie. Was gehört zur Aufklärung?

If, within the framework of screening examinations for the early detection of cancer of the prostate, the patient wishes a PSA test, the physician should accommodate him, but only after providing comprehensive information about the possible consequences and complications. If a certain threshold value is exceeded, a punch biopsy of the prostate is recommended. This procedure must be performed in accordance with accepted standards to enable, within the diagnostic chain, the reliable detection of a carcinoma of the prostate

Evaluation of the dentogingival area during early plaque formation.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this investigation were to evaluate the pattern of supragingival plaque formation in the dentogingival area within 96 hours after abstinence from mechanical plaque control and to clinically analyze the gingival inflammatory response observed. METHODS: Six male volunteers, 20 to 23 years of age, had their upper incisors and cuspids polished. Four independent periods of no mechanical plaque control--24, 48, 72, and 96 hours--were instituted. In each period, plaque was disclosed and standardized individual photographs were taken. Impressions were taken and replicas were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected at baseline and 96 hours. The height of the gingival papilla was measured at baseline, 24, and 96 hours. RESULTS: Results showed the presence of a plaque-free zone (PFZ) along the gingival margin up to 72 hours. After 96 hours, there was a significant reduction in the presence of PFZ in the proximal thirds of the buccal surface when compared to the other experimental periods. At the end of the study, there was a significant increase in the GCF flow as well as edema of the interdental papilla, when compared to baseline values. CONCLUSIONS: The PFZ observed during the initial phase was less apparent at the 96-hour period. At this time, there was an increase in the gingival inflammatory response, represented clinically by increased GCF flow and edema.

Fluoride release and uptake from glass ionomer cements and composite resins.

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate fluoride release and uptake from 4 glass ionomer cements (GICs)--Vitremer (VIT), Fuji II LC (FII LC), Fuji IX (FIX), Chelon Fill (CHE)--and 2 composite resins (CRs)--Heliomolar (H) and Zeta-100 (Z-100). Eight discs (8 mm x 2 mm) were made of each material and were stored in plastic vials containing artificial saliva at 37 degrees C. In group 1 (N = 3), the specimens were immersed in artificial saliva which was changed daily for 25 days. In group 2 (N = 5), besides receiving the same treatment as group 1, the specimens were immersed, after 24 hours, in a fluoride solution (1% NaF) for 1 min before daily saliva change. An ion-specific electrode (9609 BN-Orion) connected to an ion analyzer (SA-720 Procyon) was used to determine the amount of fluoride released at days 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25. Data were analyzed using two way ANOVA and Friedman's test. GICs released more fluoride during the first day and after this period the mean fluoride released decreased. Composite resin H released fluoride during the first day only and Z-100 did not release fluoride. In terms of NaF treatment, CRs did not show fluoride uptake, whereas the GICs showed fluoride uptake (VIT = FII LC = CHE > FIX).