Significance of Lipid Profile Parameters in Predicting Pre-Diabetes.

In prediabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal; however, they remain below the diabetes threshold. Studies conducted on biomarkers for this disease result in controlling diabetes mellitus (DM) or reducing the risk of developing complications. Lipid profile parameters are considered important predictors of DM. Therefore, this study was conducted on three groups of normoglycemic (n=30), pre-diabetics (n=125), and diabetics (n=30) to recognize the predictive role of lipid parameters in the transition from pre-diabetes to diabetes. In this experiment, in addition to total cholesterol and triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride/HDL ratio, and fasting triglyceride-fasting blood glucose (FBG) index were measured. Based on the results, medians for total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, LDL/HDL ratio, cholesterol/HDL ratio, and LDL/HDL ratio did not differ significantly across the groups of normoglycemia, prediabetes, and diabetes. For triglyceride, the medians were significantly higher in pre-diabetes and also diabetes, compared to normoglycemia (i.e., 127.9 and 129.1 vs. 94.5 mg/dL, respectively [P<0.001]). Moreover, the same results were observed in the case of VLDL (i.e., 25.6 and 30.9 vs. 18.9 mg/dL, respectively). The triglyceride/HDL ratio significantly increased pre-diabetics and diabetics, compared to normoglycemic (2.72 and 2.67 vs. 2.18, respectively). Moreover, the median of the triglyceride-FBG index significantly had an increase in pre-diabetics and diabetics, compared to normoglycemic (8.89 and 9.38 vs. 8.22, respectively). The importance of triglyceride, VLDL, triglyceride/HDL ratio, and triglyceride-FBG index in distinguishing between pre-diabetes and normoglycemia was verified by a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the results. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the risk effects of the four parameters on pre-diabetes and diabetes. Therefore, triglyceride, VLDL, triglyceride-FBG index, and triglyceride/HDL ratio are considered promising biomarkers used to predict pre-diabetes and DM in the general population.

Tomographic imaging of the distal extremities using cone-beam collimation.

UNLABELLED: We evaluated the feasibility of cone-beam tomography (SPECT with a converging collimator) for detecting bone pathology of the distal extremities. METHODS: We examined 11 patients: seven with hand or wrist pain, three with ankle pain and one with tibial pain. Cone-beam tomography was performed using a high-resolution converging collimator with a 45-cm focal length. Tomograms were then compared to high-resolution planar images. RESULTS: Cone-beam tomography was successfully performed in all patients and tomograms were reconstructed in time for inclusion in the clinical report. In five patients, cone-beam tomography identified abnormalities that were equivocal or poorly defined on planar images. All other cone-beam studies provided the same information as the planar images. CONCLUSIONS: Tomographic imaging of the distal extremities can be successfully performed by using cone-beam tomography which has been found to be feasible and potentially useful in the clinical setting.

A new technique for the in vitro measurement of nucleus pulposus swelling pressure.

Swelling of the intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus may be a contributing factor in lower back pain syndromes. We have designed and tested a new osmometer for in vitro determination of nucleus pulposus swelling pressure. The functional principle of the osmometer involves compressing a sample of nucleus pulposus with nitrogen gas until saline pressure gradients across a 0.45-micron Millipore filter are eliminated. Swelling pressures of both pooled dog and pooled pig lumbar disc nucleus pulposus were measured on the new osmometer and were compared with swelling pressure determined using the equilibrium dialysis technique. The osmometer measured swelling pressures comparable to those obtained by the dialysis technique. This osmometer provides a rapid, direct, and accurate measurement of swelling pressure of the nucleus pulposus.

The value of systemically administered metronidazole in the modified Widman flap procedure.

This double-blind cross-over study was undertaken to assess the effect of systemically administered metronidazole when used as an adjunct to periodontal surgery for the treatment of moderate and advanced periodontitis. The effect of metronidazole was compared with that of placebo in patients undergoing modified Widman flap procedures in two areas of the same jaw which could be matched for type of tooth and severity of the periodontal disease. Clinical and microbiological parameters were examined prior to surgery and then 7 days, 1 month, and 3 to 6 months, postoperatively. The clinical parameters recorded were pocket depth (PD), Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI), probing attachment level (PAL), and patients' preference and pain score. Subgingival plaque samples were studied with dark-field microscopy for differential bacterial count. Pocket depths and SBIs were reduced significantly at all stages, in both groups. Probing attachment levels increased at 7 days, to significant levels only in the metronidazole group, subsequently PALs decreased in both groups with no significant differences between the groups. Although the differential bacterial count altered markedly in both groups at all times, only the straight rod count at 1 month was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in the metronidazole group. Metronidazole with surgery did not exert a significantly greater beneficial effect than placebo with surgery.