Comparative Toxicological In Vitro and In Ovo Screening of Different Orthodontic Implants Currently Used in Dentistry.

Selecting the most biocompatible orthodontic implant available on the market may be a major challenge, given the wide array of orthodontic devices currently available on the market. The latest scientific data have suggested that in vitro evaluations using oral cell lines provide reliable data regarding the toxicity of residual particles released by different types of orthodontic devices. In this regard, the in vitro biocompatibility of three different commercially available implants (stainless steel and titanium-based implants) was assessed. METHODS: As an in vitro model, human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were employed to evaluate the cellular morphology, cell viability, and cytotoxicity by means of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays at 24 h and 72 h post-exposure to test implants. RESULTS: The results correlate the composition and topography of the implant surface with biological experimental evaluations related to directly affected cells (gingival fibroblasts) and toxicological results on blood vessels (hen's egg test-chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) assay). The stainless steel implant exhibits a relative cytotoxicity against HGF cells, while the other two samples induced no significant alterations of HGF cells. CONCLUSION: Among the three test orthodontic implants, the stainless steel implant induced slight cytotoxic effects, thus increased vigilance is required in their clinical use, especially in patients with high sensitivity to nickel.

Estudio epidemiológico del dolor en la comunidad autónoma de Andalucía / No disponible

Objetivos: se ha realizado un estudio sobre el dolor crónico en una muestra de población de Andalucía para explorar su prevalencia, características, forma de diagnóstico, tratamiento e impacto. Material y métodos: se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal con muestreo aleatorio estratificado, con 1.200 entrevistas telefónicas mediante el sistema CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing), diseñado por el IMC (Instituto de Investigación, Marketing y Comunicación, Sevilla), a sujetos residentes en Andalucía, mayores de 18 años a los que se les realizaron diferentes preguntas sobre el dolor. Resultados: de los 1.200 entrevistados se obtuvo una muestra de 405 pacientes con dolor reciente (30% del total de entrevistados con dolor actual y 3,8% con dolor en el último mes, pero no en este momento). El 15,5% de la población sufre un dolor de tipo crónico. La puntuación media de la intensidad del dolor es de 5,4 (escala 1-10). El dolor afecta sobre todo a espalda, piernas y rodillas; y domina el de tipo reumatológico. El impacto sobre la calidad de vida es notable. El 77,5% de la población con dolor toma medicación oral de prescripción. Casi la mitad de la población ha oído hablar de las unidades del dolor, y la opinión al respecto es favorable. Conclusiones: los datos del estudio aportan información sobre la presencia del dolor en la población andaluza y servirán de base para diseñar estrategias para hacerle frente (AU)

Aims: a study on chronic pain has been performed in a sample of people in Andalusia, in order to assess its prevalence, features, diagnosis, treatment, and impact. Material and methods: a cross-sectional survey with stratified randomised sampling, including 1,200 phone interviews on pain was performed in people aged > 18 years in Andalusia, by means of the CATI system (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) designed by IMC (Instituto de Investigación, Marketing y Comunicación, Sevilla). Results: from 1,200 interviewees, a sample of 405 patients with recent pain was obtained (30% of participants with current pain; 3.8% with pain in previous month but not currently). 15.5% of participants have chronic pain. Mean intensity is 5.4 (on a 1-10 scale). Most common sites are back, legs and knees; and rheumatologic pain is the most common type. Impact on quality of life is high. 77.5% of people with pain use prescribed oral drugs. About half of participants have heard about pain units, and have a positive opinion on them. Conclusions: current data provide information on the presence of pain in Andalusian population, and will be useful to build up strategies to deal with it (AU)

[Intestinal bacterial colonisation and translocation in C3H/HeJ conventional mice fed a unique dose of live or dead Bifidobacterium breve C50]. / Colonisation intestinale et translocation bactérienne chez la souris conventionnelle C3H/HeJ apres ingestion d'une dose unique de Bifidobacterium breve C50 vivantes ou mortes.

The efficiency and safety of use of Bifidobacterium breve C50 (BbC50), a potential probiotic, was assessed as regards intestinal microbial colonisation and bacterial translocation. A suspension of BbC50, containing 1-5 to 107-108 live bacteria, was fed to C3H/HeJ mice. The passage of live BbC50 was not demonstrated by culture either in the intestine or extra-intestinal organs. However, mice receiving the highest dose of live bacteria harbored more lactobacilli and less Bacteroides fragilis group in the cecum and colon when compared to control mice. Translocation of lactobacilli observed in the control group was not regulated by Bb50 feeding. Indeed, the spleen was significantly more frequently contaminated in mice fed BbC50, whatever the dose of live bacteria. The kidneys were also significantly more contaminated with lactobacilli in mice fed the highest dose of live Bb50. Moreover, higher dose of live BbC50 was associated with greater number of extra-intestinal contaminated organs. To conclude, BbC50 feeding induced a favorable balance in the mouse intestinal flora and was never found translocating, demonstrating its efficiency and safety of use. However, BbC50 seemed to interfere with the ability of lymphoid organs (e.g. the spleen) to eliminate translocating lactobacilli.

Polinosis en la región de Bahía Blanca / Pollinosis in the region of Bahía Blanca

El presente trabajo pretende mostrar una descripción actualizada de las polinosis en nuestra zona. Se efectuó el relevamiento profesional de las plantas conocidas y/o sospechadas como alergógenas en la región de Bahía Blanca. Se estudió el polen absoluto en el aire durante 3 años. Se realizó un calendario floral de 30 especies, controlando sus inflorescencias durante el mismo lapso. Fueron preparados extractos con los pólenes antecitadas y posteriormente testificados en cien pacientes afectados por polinosis. Ochenta y seis enfermos mostraron pruebas positivas a gramíneas compuestas y quenopodiáceas; sólo catorce fueron positivos a gramíneas únicamente. Los síntomas por estos últimos pólenes fueron particularmente frecuentes e intensos en el mes de noviembre, correspondiendose con la floración de aquella familia. Sin embargo, a pesar de las reacciones positivas - marcadas y frecuentes - para quenopodiáceas, las consultas durante el verano disminuyeron ostensiblemente. No fue demostrada una correlación clínica significativa entre la floración de las compuestas y la signosintomatología del grupo estudiado. Consideramos imprescindible el acabado conocimiento de la flora alergógena y su calendario floral para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la polinosis (AU)

Polinosis en la región de Bahía Blanca / Pollinosis in the region of Bahía Blanca

El presente trabajo pretende mostrar una descripción actualizada de las polinosis en nuestra zona. Se efectuó el relevamiento profesional de las plantas conocidas y/o sospechadas como alergógenas en la región de Bahía Blanca. Se estudió el polen absoluto en el aire durante 3 años. Se realizó un calendario floral de 30 especies, controlando sus inflorescencias durante el mismo lapso. Fueron preparados extractos con los pólenes antecitadas y posteriormente testificados en cien pacientes afectados por polinosis. Ochenta y seis enfermos mostraron pruebas positivas a gramíneas compuestas y quenopodiáceas; sólo catorce fueron positivos a gramíneas únicamente. Los síntomas por estos últimos pólenes fueron particularmente frecuentes e intensos en el mes de noviembre, correspondiendose con la floración de aquella familia. Sin embargo, a pesar de las reacciones positivas - marcadas y frecuentes - para quenopodiáceas, las consultas durante el verano disminuyeron ostensiblemente. No fue demostrada una correlación clínica significativa entre la floración de las compuestas y la signosintomatología del grupo estudiado. Consideramos imprescindible el acabado conocimiento de la flora alergógena y su calendario floral para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la polinosis

In vitro antibiotic susceptibilities of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in the Philippines.

Antibiotic susceptibility surveillance testing was performed on clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae collected in September 1989 in the Philippines. beta-Lactamase was produced by 77 (55%) of 140 isolates. In vitro MIC testing revealed significant resistance to penicillin (MIC for 90% of isolates [MIC90], greater than 64 micrograms/ml), tetracycline (MIC90, 4 micrograms/ml), and cefmetazole (MIC90, 8 micrograms/ml). Spectinomycin resistance was rare (10 of 117), but the MIC90 was 32 micrograms/ml. Isolates were susceptible to fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins at the time of this survey, as evidenced by the MIC90s of ciprofloxacin (0.25 microgram/ml), norfloxacin (2.0 micrograms/ml), ofloxacin (0.625 microgram/ml), cefpodoxime (2.0 micrograms/ml), cefotaxime (1.0 microgram/ml), ceftazidime (0.25 microgram/ml), ceftizoxime (0.25 microgram/ml), and ceftriaxone (0.06 microgram/ml). To date, ceftriaxone resistance has not emerged, despite the widespread use of this antibiotic in the Philippines.

HIV-1 seropositive women in the Philippines: pregnancy outcome and perinatal transmission of HIV-1.

Annual surveillance studies were initiated in 1985 to determine the incidence and prevalence of HIV-1 infection in female prostitutes registered through the Social Hygiene Clinic System of the Philippine Department of Health. All of the confirmed HIV-1 seropositive women detected in the above surveys who could be contacted were followed up about every three months to monitor their clinical and immunological status. Since we regularly interviewed and examined these HIV-1 seropositive women, we were able to note the occurrence of pregnancies following HIV diagnosis. By September 1990, 54 HIV-1 seropositive women (aged 18-35) detected from the above surveys had been interviewed and examined. Twenty-six of these HIV-1 positive women had a total of 37 pregnancies. Eight were pregnant at the time of HIV diagnosis: three term deliveries, one premature delivery (PD) at eight months, three abortions, and one lost to follow-up while still pregnant. Five of these eight had repeat pregnancies: two term deliveries, two abortions, and one lost to follow-up while pregnant. Eighteen other women became pregnant one or more times after HIV diagnosis: seven term deliveries, 13 abortions, two PDs, one ectopic pregnancy terminated, one currently pregnant, and one lost to follow-up during pregnancy. There was no clear indication from clinical examinations and CD4+ cell counts that pregnancy exacerbated the course of HIV-1 related disease in these women. One of the 12 term infants has died and eight have developed non-specific findings that are suggestive but not diagnostic of HIV infection.2+ strongly seropositive by both ELISA and Western blot assay at 16 months.

Sexual behavior of Filipino female prostitutes after diagnosis of HIV infection.

A study of female prostitutes in Manila who tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody ascertained demographic and sexual behavior information following diagnosis. Counselling alone did not appear to have a major impact on the sexual behavior of the HIV positive women since most continued to work as prostitutes. Switching from high risk to low risk jobs in bars is not effective in preventing HIV positive women from engaging in prostitution. Revoking work permits is only effective if enforced with adequate follow up. Alternative job training programs may offer a viable approach.

Epidemiology of HIV infection among prostitutes in the Philippines.

Between 1985 and 1987, examinations for human immune deficiency virus (HIV) antibody were done on 25,392 prostitutes working in 64 cities throughout the Philippines. The country-wide seropositivity rate among prostitutes based on this sample was 0.8/1,000. Of the HIV cases, 85% were working in just two cities whose prostitute populations comprised 50% of the total sample. The average incidence rate for the same two cities after 1 year was 2.3/1,000. HIV antibody-positive women were enrolled in a case-control study to determine demographic and epidemiologic risk factors. This study involving 34 HIV-positive prostitutes and 61 randomly selected negative control prostitutes did not reveal any risk factors related to sexual or other types of behavior. A history of genital warts, a history of abnormal vaginal discharge, and cytomegalovirus antibody were significantly more frequent in the HIV-positive cases than in the controls; however, by logistic regression analysis, only an abnormal vaginal discharge was independently associated with HIV infection. Absence of any evidence of transmission by blood transfusion or i.v. drug abuse suggests that HIV was introduced by the heterosexual route.