Protein Profiles of Individuals with Erosive Tooth Wear

Abstract Objective: To determine if protein profiles identified in saliva could be used to determine risk and severity of erosive tooth wear. Material and Methods: Three types of saliva sampling were performed to obtain saliva from 34 18-year old individuals that received regular dental check-ups, along with clinical status of the dentition and risk factor related to erosive tooth wear using the VEDE scale. Protein profiles in saliva were determined using electrophoresis and the calculation of the percentage of a specific band at a specific molecular weight in relationship to the total protein in that sample (% of total) using molecular weight standards. This quantification was repeated for each protein band across a range of molecular weights for each sample to test for association with erosive tooth wear status. Results: There were no differences in the number of detectable proteins sourced from the parotid gland, nor the unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva. Five out of the 34 individuals had no signs of erosive tooth wear despite an acidic diet and were more likely to have proteins with molecular weight smaller than 1 KDa (p=0.03). Conclusion: There is potential for the use of protein profiling to determine risks for erosive tooth wear.

Lessons to learn with the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus control in Norway

The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Norway is low, compared to other European and American countries. The health system includes mandatory case reporting and has written guidelines for prevention and control. This communication describes the national public policies related to MRSA obtained from documents and academic experience gained during a doctoral fellowship in Oslo, Norway. The painstaking procedures used for investigating suspected cases, including health professionals, decolonization and case monitoring, could be important tools to be used by countries with a high prevalence of MRSA.

The Nord-Trøndelag Norway Audiometric Survey 1996-98: unscreened thresholds and prevalence of hearing impairment for adults > 20 years.

As supplement to a general health screening examination (HUNT-II), we conducted a puretone audiometry study in 1996-98 on adults (>20 years) in 17 of 23 municipalities in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway, including questionnaires on occupational and leisure noise exposure, medical history, and symptoms of hearing impairment. The study aims to contribute to updated normative hearing thresholds for age and gender, while evaluating the effects of noise exposure, medical history, and familial or genetic influences on hearing. This paper presents the unscreened hearing threshold data and prevalence of hearing impairment for different age groups and by gender. Valid audiometric data were collected from 62% (n=50,723) of 82,141 unscreened invited subjects (age-range 20-101 years, mean=50.2 years, SD=17.0 years). Two ambulant audiometric teams each conducted 5 parallel self-administered, pure-tone hearing threshold examinations with the standard test frequencies 0.25-0.5-1-2-3-4-6-8 kHz (manual procedure when needed). Tracking audiometers were used in dismountable booths with in-booth noise levels well within ISO criteria, except being at the criterion around 200 Hz. The data were electronically transferred to a personal computer. Test-retest correlations for 99 randomly drawn subjects examined twice were high. The mean thresholds recorded were some dB elevated from "audiometric zero" even for age group 20-24 years. As also found in other studies, this might indicate too restrictive audiometric reference thresholds. Males had slightly better hearing < or =0.5 kHz for all age groups. Mean thresholds were poorer in males > or = 30 years from > or =2 kHz, with maximal gender differences of approximately 20 dB at 3-4 kHz for subjects aged 55-74 years. Weighted prevalence data averaged over 0.5-1-2-4 kHz showed hearing impairment >25 dB hearing threshold level of 18.8% (better ear) and 27.2% (worse ear) for the total population--for males 22.2% and 32.0%, for females 15.9% and 23.0%, respectively. Mean hearing loss > or =10 dB at 6 kHz registered for both genders even in age groups 20-24 years may be partly due to calibration artefacts, but might possibly also reflect noise-related socio-acusis.

On food and nutrition policy activities in the USA, Australia, and Norway.

Formulation and implementation of a national food and nutrition policy is important for ensuring good health and quality of life. This study examined the formulation and implementation of food and nutrition policies in the USA, Australia, and Norway. Library searches, MEDLINE and POPLINE searches, and personal communications were used for collecting information and data on nutrition activities and policy formulation and implementation in each country. These countries were selected because policy activities have been ongoing since the 1930s with a clear improvement in the nutritional status of the people. Multisectoral participation, conflicts of interest, strategies to alter diet, and attempts to deal with new problems have been highlighted and compared. Findings of the study may be useful to policy-makers in less-developed countries during future policy-making processes.