Sucrose substitutes affect the cariogenic potential of Streptococcus mutans biofilms.

Streptococcus mutans is considered the primary etiologic agent of dental caries and contributes significantly to the virulence of dental plaque, especially in the presence of sucrose. To avoid the role of sucrose on the virulence factors of S. mutans, sugar substitutes are commonly consumed because they lead to lower or no production of acids and interfere with biofilm formation. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of sugar substitutes in the cariogenic potential of S. mutans biofilms. Thus, in the presence of sucrose, glucose, sucralose and sorbitol, the biofilm mass was quantified up to 96 h, the pH of the spent culture media was measured, the expression of biofilm-related genes was determined, and demineralization challenge experiments were conduct in enamel fragments. The presence of sugars or sugar substitutes profoundly affected the expression of spaP, gtfB, gtfC, gbpB, ftf, vicR and vicX in either biofilm or planktonic cells. The substitution of sucrose induced a down-regulation of most genes involved in sucrose-dependent colonization in biofilm cells. When the ratio between the expression of biofilm and planktonic cells was considered, most of those genes were down-regulated in biofilm cells in the presence of sugars and up-regulated in the presence of sugar substitutes. However, sucralose but not sorbitol fulfilled the purpose of reducing the cariogenic potential of the diet since it induced the biofilm formation with the lowest biomass, did not change the pH of the medium and led to the lowest lesion depth in the cariogenic challenge.

Psychopharmacological treatment of non-comorbid and comorbid pervasive developmental disorder and pediatric bipolar disorder.

There is little information on the treatment of comorbid bipolar disorder and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) in youth. This paper will provide a review of the literature on appropriate psychopharmacological treatment strategies for bipolar disorder and PDD in children and adolescents and make recommendations for psychopharmacological treatment and monitoring of the comorbid presentation of these two disorders. The purpose of this paper is to provide clinicians with evidence-based research findings of treatment strategies used by the experts in the field of pediatric bipolar disorder and PDD. Sources for the study have been published reviews and research articles. Studies addressing the complex treatment issues of comorbid pediatric bipolar disorder and PDD are limited. Research studies have demonstrated improvement in psychiatric functioning of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder and PDDs who took atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. Children with bipolar disorder have benefited the most from the combination of a mood stabilizer plus an antipsychotic. However, there are no studies looking at combined medication treatments for PDD. Children who manifest both disorders could possibly benefit from this combination. While selective serotonin reuptake and tricyclic antidepressants inhibitors have demonstrated improvement in PDD symptoms, they should be used with caution in children who have comorbid bipolar symptoms as they can cause agitation, mania or, in a limited number of cases, serotonin reuptake inhibitors have increased suicidal behavior. More extensive, long-term research is needed to find better treatments to improve quality of life and outcomes in this difficulty to treat population.

Timely diagnosis of comorbid pervasive developmental disorder and bipolar disorder.

Little is known about the overlapping symptoms and comorbidity of pediatric bipolar disorder (BD) and pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) in youth. The aim of this study was to clearly differentiate the symptoms, understand the prevalence and patterns of comorbid presentations, as well as to provide a summary of evidence-based research findings to improve timely diagnosis and treatment for comorbid PDD and BD in children and adolescents, and to provide clinicians with evidence-based research findings of the similarity and differences in symptom presentation, the epidemiology, and diagnostic strategies used by experts in the fields of PDD and pediatric BD. The sources for this study were published review and research articles. According to the results obtained, it can be observed that studies evaluating the epidemiology, symptom presentation and diagnosis of comorbid BD and PDD are limited. However, research studies identified a clear overlap in symptoms between the two disorders and the existence of comorbid PDD and BD. Children with PDD and comorbid BD may be significantly impaired. More extensive research is needed to facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment to improve quality of life and outcomes in this population.

Studying coronary artery disease in the retirement community.

A study was conducted to identify the prevalence of heart disease and associated health-related behaviors among continuing care retirement community (CCRC) residents; researchers also sought to identify management strategies for heart disease. Study results indicated that self-reported heart disease is prevalent among CCRC residents: 60% reported three or more health risk behaviors. The CCRC environment lends itself to providing various management advantages, including access to on-site clinicians, group education, and exercise and dining facilities to promote adherence to exercise, nutrition, and medical management plans.

Hanging in an automobile: a report on a unique case history.

A "real" case of suicidal hanging in an automobile is presented and discussed. To the best of our knowledge, there does not exist in the medical literature another case history meeting the exact pathological-forensic criteria of a hanging inside an automobile.

[Simulated powder tattooing in gunshots through glass plates]. / Vortäuschung von Pulvereinsprengungen bei Schüssen durch Glasscheiben.

A case of homicide (two shots through a sheet of glass) is reported with regard to "pseudo-powder-tattooing" (irregular stippling of skin due to fragments of glass). The findings are compared with real powder-tattooing as seen in cases of intermediate-range gunshot wounds.

Mosquito and arbovirus ecology in southeastern California, 1986-1990.

Mosquito abundance and western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) and St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus activity were monitored in five valleys in southeastern California from June 1986 through April 1990 to study virus overwintering and possible dissemination from south to north along geographically defined corridors. Culex tarsalis Coquillett predominated in CO2 trap collections and was the only species repeatedly infected with WEE and SLE viruses. Abundance peaked during April-May and August-October. WEE virus infections in Cx. tarsalis generally were detected after the spring peak and were followed approximately 1 mo later by seroconversions in sentinel chickens. SLE virus infections occurred later in the summer but before the fall peak in Cx. tarsalis abundance. Peak Cx. tarsalis abundance occurred when monthly temperatures averaged 25 degrees C, whereas virus infections generally were detected most frequently when temperatures exceeded 29 degrees C. Although the spring increase in Cx. tarsalis abundance occurred earlier in southern valleys, the onset of virus activity was variable among valleys and did not follow a south to north progression.

Frequency stability of a tunable diode laser mounted in a compact Stirling cycle cooler.

A tunable diode laser (TDL) has been operated with a compact lightweight closed-cycle Stirling cooler. The laser linewidth has been measured near 80 K and found to be about half of that when using more massive closed-cycle coolers. Novel applications include balloon-borne and aircraft- adapted instruments, where size, weight, and power requirements place stringent demands on necessary TDL cooling systems.