Electrical Characterization of Epoxy Nanocomposite under High DC Voltage.

This work studies the direct current breakdown characteristics of unfilled epoxy and epoxy nonconductive nanocomposites (SiO2,MgO and Al2O3). It also examines the variation of electrical properties in epoxy nanocomposites. The novel aspect of this study is that the samples of Epoxy nanocomposite were exposed to high voltages of up to six kilo volts for three hours using field electron microscopy under high vacuum conditions (10-5 mbar). The current emitted from these samples was measured at three different intervals of time. In addition, the influence of high voltage on the permittivity, loss factor (tan(δ)), and conductivity of the epoxy nanocomposite was studied. This evaluation was conducted before and after applying the voltage at room temperature, The frequency range extends from 10-2-10-7 Hz using the Novo Control Alpha-A analyzer. Current-voltage characterization was performed through field electron microscopy. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The unfilled epoxy exhibited structural degradation, resulting in the formation of holes when exposed to high voltages of up to six kilo volts, leading to a reduction in electrical properties. Nevertheless, the addition of nanoparticles shows a significant increase in the operational lifetime of the epoxy nanocomposite. The degree of increase in the lifetime of epoxy composite varied depending on several factors such as the type of NPs introduced and their respective sizes. The epoxy/Al2O3 nanocomposite comparing with epoxy/MgO and epoxy/SiO2 nanocomposite showed elevated resistance to direct current breakdown strength and maintaining its dielectric.

MS imaging and absorption methods visualizing sun filter skin spatial distribution and penetration.

Sunscreens must now be effective in protecting skin from ultraviolet, as well as visible/infrared radiation. Here, TriAsorB, a new broad-spectrum sun filter, was formulated with three other sunscreens and their distribution on human skin was studied using a standard penetration protocol and two novel mass spectrometry imaging techniques: atmospheric pressure matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (AP-MALDI) coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry and time of flight - secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The standard penetration protocol showed that sun filters absorption was very low, with most of the dose recovered at the surface (none entered the receptor fluid). Absorption was not increased in damaged skin. The results were confirmed by AP-MALDI and ToF-SIMS imaging of the spatial distribution of molecular species in cross-section samples of human skin. Each sun filter was detected on or in the stratum corneum, with a good homogenous coverage over the valleys and peaks of the skin, and correlated well with the distribution of endogenous biomarkers. In conclusion, conventional and novel imaging analysis methods showed that the sun filters remained mainly on the skin surface after topical application. Mass spectrometry imaging is a promising complementary approach to traditional skin penetration studies to visualize penetration of compounds.

Singultus as an Unusual Debut of Plasmodium vivax Malaria.

Singultus is a common symptom with usually benign consequences. Although some rare associations with severe diseases have been described, no previous relationship between singultus and Plasmodium vivax malaria has been reported. The aim of this report is to detail the case of a 25-year-old male who had an unusual presentation for both singultus and laboratory-confirmed vivax malaria. We describe this previously unreported association, hypothesize on the potential mechanism and review the literature on singultus and unusual presentations of Plasmodium infections.

Construction, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of an in-house conductance meter for measurement of skin hydration.

Different probes are used in dermato-cosmetic research to measure the electrical properties of the skin. The principle governing the choice of the geometry and material of the measuring probe is not well defined in the literature and some device's measuring principles are not accessible for the scientific community. The purpose of this work was to develop a simple inexpensive conductance meter for the objective in vivo evaluation of skin hydration. The conductance meter probe was designed using the basic equation governing wave propagation along Transverse Electromagnetic transmission lines. It consisted of two concentric copper circular electrodes printed on FR4 dielectric material. The performance of the probe was validated by evaluating its measurement depth, its ability to monitor in vitro water sorption-desorption and in vivo skin hydration effect in comparison to that of the Corneometer CM 825. The measurement depth of the probe, 15 µm, was comparable to that of CM 825. The in vitro readings of the probe correlated strongly with the amount of water adsorbed on filter paper. Skin hydration after application of a moisturizer was monitored effectively by the new probe with good correlation to the results of CM 825. In conclusion, a simple probe for evaluating skin hydration was made from off-the-shelf materials and its performance was validated in comparison to a commercially available probe.

The secondary electron emission yield for 24 solid elements excited by primary electrons in the range 250-5000 ev: a theory/experiment comparison.

The secondary electron (SE) yield, delta, was measured from 24 different elements at low primary beam energy (250-5,000 eV). Surface contamination affects the intensity of delta but not its variation with primary electron energy. The experiments suggest that the mean free path of SEs varies across the d bands of transition metals in agreement with theory. Monte Carlo simulations suggest that surface plasmons may need to be included for improved agreement with experiment.

Theory experiment comparison of the electron backscattering factor from solids at low electron energy (250-5,000 eV).

The electron backscattering factor was measured from 24 different elements at low primary beam energy (250-5,000 eV). The results were compared with Monte Carlo simulations from a variety of freely available programs and an in-house developed program. The results suggest that a thin film of oxide can modify the backscattering factor at low primary energy. In addition, a number of problems have been identified with the freely available programs.

Hip fractures in lebanese patients: determinants and prognosis.

Hip fractures are the most costly of osteoporotic fractures, but little is known about their epidemiology in the Middle East. Hip fracture patients and controls with osteoarthritis admitted to our institution from 1992 to 2002 were studied. Information on gender, age, type of fracture, comorbid conditions, and medications use was obtained. The mean age for hip fracture patients (n = 274) was 72.1(8.5) yr, and for controls (n = 112), it was 71.1(4.4) yr, two-thirds of fractures occurred in women. Fractures were 59% intertrochanteric, 34% femoral neck, and 7% subtrochanteric, with no gender differences. Hip fracture patients were more likely to have had a prior fracture and to suffer from neurological, gastrointestinal, or renal comorbidities, as compared to controls. Less than 10% of hip fracture patients received any therapy for osteoporosis, either on admission or discharge. In a subset of patients with follow-up, the mortality rate was 47% in subjects with hip fracture, and most deaths occurred within the first year postoperatively. Gender but not fracture type affected mortality. Lebanese patients with hip fractures are younger, more likely to sustain intertrochanteric fractures, and experience higher mortality than Western counterparts. Few subjects received osteoporosis therapy. This study carries important public health implications on the management of hip fracture in subjects from Lebanon and, possibly, the Middle East.

Evaluación de un programa de educación de tratamiento intensivo en adolescentes con diabetes tipo 1. Seguimiento por dos años / Evaluation of an intensive treatment education program for type 1 diabetes in a group of adolescents. A two year follow up

During the past decade several reports were published showing that intensive treatment of type 1 diabetes can prevent and delay disease-related microvascular complications. However, several problems were reported in children and adolescents such as frequent hypoglycemic episodes and weight gain. The aim of this study was to describe the results of intensified treatment for type 1 diabetes in a group of Argentinean adolescents after a follow-up of two years. Twenty five adolescents with type 1 diabetes older than 10 years with at least one year from diagnosis were selected. All patients received a one-week teaching program during admission to our center. All patients were followed-up monthly during two years. Treatment schedule included 4-5 controls in fasting conditions, two doses of NPH insulin and four doses of regular insulin according to glycemia and the amount of calculated carbohydrate intake. Median age was 13.5 years (range 10 to 19 years). Mean time from diagnosis to inclusion in the study was 3.8 years (range 1.25 to 9 years). Mean total dose of NPH insulin decreased significantly when measured at the inclusion in the study (0.9 IU/kg) and after a year of follow-up 0.8 IU/kg (p 0.04). However, there were no changes in NPH insulin dose after two years follow-up (0.85 IU/kg). On the contrary, the dose of regular insulin administered on fasting conditions with normal glycemia increased from 0 to 0.21/kg after a year (p 0.0001) and to 0.69 after two years (non significant). Median HbA1C showed a significant reduction from 10 +/- 1.62% to 8.53 +/- 1.04% after a year (p 0.03) and to 8.72 +/- 0.81% after two years. BMI Z score increased from significantly from 0.7 +/- 0.9 to 1.06 +/- 1.15 after a year (p 0.03) with a further reduction without a significant difference from the basal value after two years. We found no significant differences in the frequency of hypoglycemia or other metabolic features. Our results show that intensive treatment of type 1 diab...

Durante la década pasada, se publicaron numerosos trabajos demostrando que el tratamiento intensivo de la diabetes tipo 1 puede prevenir y retrasar el desarrollo de las complicaciones microvasculares asociadas a la misma. Sin embargo en el grupo de niños y adolescentes se hallaron algunos problemas como el incremento de la frecuencia de los episodios de hipoglucemia y el excesivo aumento de peso. El propósito del presente estudio fue describir los resultados del tratamiento intensificado llevado a cabo durante 2 años en una población de niños y adolescentes argentinos con diabetes tipo 1. Fueron seleccionados 25 pacientes mayores de 10 años de edad con diabetes de más de 1 año de evolución. Todos ellos realizaron un programa de educación durante una semana de internación. El seguimiento posterior fue mensual durante los siguientes dos años. El esquema de tratamiento insulínico consistió en 4 a 5 controles preprandiales diarios, dos dosis de insulina NPH cubriendo requerimientos basales y cuatro dosis de insulina regular preprandial ajustadas de acuerdo al cálculode hidratos de carbono a ingerir, la actividad física y el valor de glucemia. La media de edad fue de 13.5años (r: 10-19 años). El tiempo medio transcurrido desde el diagnóstico hasta la intensificación del tratamientofue de 3.8 años ( r: 1.2 –9 años). La dosis media total de NPH disminuyó significativamente desde 0.9 U/kg en elinicio a 0.8 U/kg al año de seguimiento (p = 0.04), sin diferencias al segundo año de seguimiento (0.85 U/kg). Porel contrario, la dosis de insulina regular administrada en forma preprandial en normoglucemia aumentó de 0 a0.21 U/kg en el primer año (p 0.0001) y a 0.69 U/kg a los dos años (p NS). La media de HbA1C mostró unasignificativa reducción desde 10±1.62% a 8.53±1.04% en el primer año (p = 0.03) y 8.72± 0.81% a los dos años.El Z score de IMC aumentó significativamente de 0.7 ± 0.9 a 1.06 ± 1.15 luego de un año (p = 0.03) descendiendo a valores no...

Evaluación de un programa de educación de tratamiento intensivo en adolescentes con diabetes tipo 1. Seguimiento por dos años / Evaluation of an intensive treatment education program for type 1 diabetes in a group of adolescents. A two year follow up

During the past decade several reports were published showing that intensive treatment of type 1 diabetes can prevent and delay disease-related microvascular complications. However, several problems were reported in children and adolescents such as frequent hypoglycemic episodes and weight gain. The aim of this study was to describe the results of intensified treatment for type 1 diabetes in a group of Argentinean adolescents after a follow-up of two years. Twenty five adolescents with type 1 diabetes older than 10 years with at least one year from diagnosis were selected. All patients received a one-week teaching program during admission to our center. All patients were followed-up monthly during two years. Treatment schedule included 4-5 controls in fasting conditions, two doses of NPH insulin and four doses of regular insulin according to glycemia and the amount of calculated carbohydrate intake. Median age was 13.5 years (range 10 to 19 years). Mean time from diagnosis to inclusion in the study was 3.8 years (range 1.25 to 9 years). Mean total dose of NPH insulin decreased significantly when measured at the inclusion in the study (0.9 IU/kg) and after a year of follow-up 0.8 IU/kg (p 0.04). However, there were no changes in NPH insulin dose after two years follow-up (0.85 IU/kg). On the contrary, the dose of regular insulin administered on fasting conditions with normal glycemia increased from 0 to 0.21/kg after a year (p 0.0001) and to 0.69 after two years (non significant). Median HbA1C showed a significant reduction from 10 +/- 1.62% to 8.53 +/- 1.04% after a year (p 0.03) and to 8.72 +/- 0.81% after two years. BMI Z score increased from significantly from 0.7 +/- 0.9 to 1.06 +/- 1.15 after a year (p 0.03) with a further reduction without a significant difference from the basal value after two years. We found no significant differences in the frequency of hypoglycemia or other metabolic features. Our results show that intensive treatment of type 1 diab...(AU)

Durante la década pasada, se publicaron numerosos trabajos demostrando que el tratamiento intensivo de la diabetes tipo 1 puede prevenir y retrasar el desarrollo de las complicaciones microvasculares asociadas a la misma. Sin embargo en el grupo de niños y adolescentes se hallaron algunos problemas como el incremento de la frecuencia de los episodios de hipoglucemia y el excesivo aumento de peso. El propósito del presente estudio fue describir los resultados del tratamiento intensificado llevado a cabo durante 2 años en una población de niños y adolescentes argentinos con diabetes tipo 1. Fueron seleccionados 25 pacientes mayores de 10 años de edad con diabetes de más de 1 año de evolución. Todos ellos realizaron un programa de educación durante una semana de internación. El seguimiento posterior fue mensual durante los siguientes dos años. El esquema de tratamiento insulínico consistió en 4 a 5 controles preprandiales diarios, dos dosis de insulina NPH cubriendo requerimientos basales y cuatro dosis de insulina regular preprandial ajustadas de acuerdo al cálculode hidratos de carbono a ingerir, la actividad física y el valor de glucemia. La media de edad fue de 13.5años (r: 10-19 años). El tiempo medio transcurrido desde el diagnóstico hasta la intensificación del tratamientofue de 3.8 años ( r: 1.2 ¹9 años). La dosis media total de NPH disminuyó significativamente desde 0.9 U/kg en elinicio a 0.8 U/kg al año de seguimiento (p = 0.04), sin diferencias al segundo año de seguimiento (0.85 U/kg). Porel contrario, la dosis de insulina regular administrada en forma preprandial en normoglucemia aumentó de 0 a0.21 U/kg en el primer año (p 0.0001) y a 0.69 U/kg a los dos años (p NS). La media de HbA1C mostró unasignificativa reducción desde 10±1.62% a 8.53±1.04% en el primer año (p = 0.03) y 8.72± 0.81% a los dos años.El Z score de IMC aumentó significativamente de 0.7 ± 0.9 a 1.06 ± 1.15 luego de un año (p = 0.03) descendiendo a valores no...(AU)

Periodontal plastic surgery in a dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa patient: review and case report.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of genetic disorders in which patients frequently present with fragile skin and mucosal surfaces that blister following minor trauma; 23 subtypes have been recognized, but their precise pathogenesis and etiology remain obscure. There is no treatment for EB, only palliative therapy. Oral bullae are the most common oral finding and affect all surfaces. Patients with EB present a unique challenge in terms of periodontal therapy. The following article reviews this disorder and describes the complications encountered when providing periodontal plastic surgery to a patient exhibiting this condition. A 36-year-old female with dystrophic EB presented for treatment of a 3 mm recession area with minimal attached gingiva on the facial of #24 and 25. Oral evaluation revealed multiple ulcers. The treatment consisted of a subepithelial connective tissue graft in conjunction with a coronally positioned flap and buccal frenectomy. Most of the epithelium associated with the surgical area and buccal vestibule sloughed. During the postoperative course, the frenum had regenerated at a more coronal level and was applying tension on the gingival tissues. It appeared that a connective tissue union had formed between the de-epithelialized surface of the facial flap and the buccal mucosa of the vestibule. A second frenectomy was performed, and a clear acrylic stent was fabricated to prevent the union of the connective tissue of the facial flap to the buccal mucosa. The stent prevented the fusion of both connective tissue layers and allowed time for epithelium migration.

Frecuencia y características de las infecciones urinarias en personas con diabetes mellitus / Frequency and characteristics of urinary infections in people with diabetes

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la frecuencia y características clínicas y microbiológicas de las infecciones del tracto urinario (ITU) en pacientes diabéticos (DM) y no diabéticos (NoDM) ambulatorios. Los pacientes se evaluaron a través del análisis de urocultivos (UC) y de una encuesta individual relevada en el momento del análisis. Los UC se efectuaron en tres laboratorios microbiológicos con metodología estandarizada y la encuesta se registró en un formulario ad hoc. Se incluyeron 2.379 pacientes, de los cuales 208 eran DM(8.7). El porcentaje de UC positivos fue significativamente mayor en los DM (34.1) que en los NoDM (20.7; X² p=0.000001). La presencia de UC positivo fue mayor en mujeres DM (35.7) que en las NoDM (20.4;X²p=0.002). En pacientes con UC positivo el antecedente de ITU fue mas frecuente en los DM (62) que en los NoDM(44). No hubo diferencias significativas con respecto a la presencia de síntomas en ambos grupos, siendo la disuria el síntoma más frecuente. No hubo diferencias significativas en la frecuencia y tipo de microorganismos aislados en ambos grupos. El análisis de la sensibilidad de los antimicrobianos mostró alta resistencia a aminopenicilina (AMN) y trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol(TMS) y una actividad aceptable de la cefalexina(CEF). Estos resultados confirman la mayor frecuencia de ITU en los DM, especialmente en mujeres,y su mayor recurrencia. La AMN y la TMS no deberían utilizarse como tratamiento empírico de las ITU ambulatorias por su baja actividad, siendo la CEF una buena elección. Las fluorquinolonas presentaron el menor índice de resistencia, aunque mayor al descripto

Frecuencia y características de las infecciones urinarias en personas con diabetes mellitus / Frequency and characteristics of urinary infections in people with diabetes

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la frecuencia y características clínicas y microbiológicas de las infecciones del tracto urinario (ITU) en pacientes diabéticos (DM) y no diabéticos (NoDM) ambulatorios. Los pacientes se evaluaron a través del análisis de urocultivos (UC) y de una encuesta individual relevada en el momento del análisis. Los UC se efectuaron en tres laboratorios microbiológicos con metodología estandarizada y la encuesta se registró en un formulario ad hoc. Se incluyeron 2.379 pacientes, de los cuales 208 eran DM(8.7). El porcentaje de UC positivos fue significativamente mayor en los DM (34.1) que en los NoDM (20.7; X² p=0.000001). La presencia de UC positivo fue mayor en mujeres DM (35.7) que en las NoDM (20.4;X²p=0.002). En pacientes con UC positivo el antecedente de ITU fue mas frecuente en los DM (62) que en los NoDM(44). No hubo diferencias significativas con respecto a la presencia de síntomas en ambos grupos, siendo la disuria el síntoma más frecuente. No hubo diferencias significativas en la frecuencia y tipo de microorganismos aislados en ambos grupos. El análisis de la sensibilidad de los antimicrobianos mostró alta resistencia a aminopenicilina (AMN) y trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol(TMS) y una actividad aceptable de la cefalexina(CEF). Estos resultados confirman la mayor frecuencia de ITU en los DM, especialmente en mujeres,y su mayor recurrencia. La AMN y la TMS no deberían utilizarse como tratamiento empírico de las ITU ambulatorias por su baja actividad, siendo la CEF una buena elección. Las fluorquinolonas presentaron el menor índice de resistencia, aunque mayor al descripto(AU)

Comparison of bioabsorbable laminar bone membrane and non-resorbable ePTFE membrane in mandibular furcations.

The purpose of the study was to compare clinical parameter changes and osseous regeneration in 12 pairs of comparable Class II mandibular molar furcation invasion defects using either a bioabsorbable demineralized laminar bone allograft membrane or a non-resorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane as a barrier in guided tissue regeneration. Measurements with calibrated periodontal probes were made to determine soft tissue recession, probing depth, and attachment levels. Defects within each pair were randomly selected for treatment with either bioabsorbable demineralized bone allograft membrane or ePTFE membrane. All defects were concurrently grafted with particulate demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA). Additional measurements were made at surgery to determine crestal resorption and the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the osseous defects. The temporal course and extent of membrane exposures were also recorded. The non-resorbable membrane was retrieved 6 weeks following placement. Six months following initial surgical treatment, each site was surgically re-entered and all soft and hard tissue measurements repeated. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed that both treatments resulted in significant within-group mean vertical and horizontal osseous fill, but no statistical difference emerged between the groups. As based on this pilot study, laminar bone membrane may be as effective as ePTFE when used in conjunction with DFDBA for treatment of Class II mandibular molar furcation bone defects. This pilot study of low power suggests that these two materials may be equivalent when used in conjunction with DFDBA. Further studies of much higher power and of the laminar bone alone as compared to positive and negative controls are required. Laminar bone does not require a secondary surgical procedure for removal and may undergo less frequent instances and degrees of exposure during healing.

Characteristics, clinical course, and in-hospital mortality of non-insulin-dependent diabetic and nondiabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction in Argentina.

The characteristics and clinical course of 1040 cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among non-insulin-dependent diabetics (146) and nondiabetics (894) were compared. Patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) historically showed a greater percentage of AMI, angina, and risk factors than nondiabetic patients. Although the degree of left-ventricular function upon admission (according to the Killip and Kimball scores) was similar in both the diabetic and nondiabetic groups, the prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was significantly higher in the NIDDM patients. All told, NIDDM cases were 1.73 [relative risk (RR)] times more likely to die of AMI than nondiabetic patients. The age factor and the presence of shock of any type also significantly increased the case-fatality rate. Diabetic patients showed signs of successful reperfusion less often than control subjects, an event that was closely associated with their case-fatality rate. In the NIDDM group, both the age and gender factor as well as a history of either casual or in-hospital clinical events such as cardiogenic shock, reinfarction, unsuccessful reperfusion, and incidence of anterior AMI along with either pain or previous angina were clear prognosticators of poor outcome from AMI. In the nondiabetic group, cardiogenic shock and hypertension were indicators of poor prognosis. These results would suggest that an improvement in the incidence of successful reperfusion in NIDDM patients, particularly in the face of clinical indicators of poor AMI prognosis, could decrease the high AMI mortality currently observed in these patients.

Effect of flap design on healing and osseointegration of dental implants.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate soft tissue healing and osseointegration of dental implants after the use of vestibular incision or crestal incision flap designs during placement of the dental implant fixture. A split-mouth design was used in 10 patients. The vestibular flap technique was used for half the implant fixtures and the crestal incision for the other half. Postsurgical healing was monitored for 30 days, and osseointegration at second-stage surgery was evaluated. The short-term results suggest that the use of either the vestibular incision or the crestal incision technique did not affect overall clinical healing or osseointegration.

[Current situation of diabetic patients in hemodialysis in Buenos Aires]. / Estado actual de los pacientes diabéticos en hemodiálisis en Buenos Aires.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and biochemical characteristics and the different types of treatment of diabetic patients in hemodialysis (HD) due to their end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The protocol was organized as a multicentric, case-control study and comprised twenty-nine HD centres from the city and province of Buenos Aires (PRODIHEM). The population sample included all diabetic patients in HD (n = 103) and the non diabetic patients hemodialyzed in the morning hours (n = 230) as controls. In this sample, the recorded prevalence for diabetes mellitus was 12%. Among diabetic patients, 61% were non insulin dependent, 23% were insulin dependent and 16% were of the non insulin dependent type treated with insulin (Fig. 1). The results obtained in this study show that the current situation of diabetic patients in HD is far from being satisfactory: they require HD treatment at an early age; the disease is commonly associated with various comorbid factors not always appropriately treated; they show a fast deleterious progress towards ESRD, and they have a short halflife period in HD. The results also showed that there are no defined and common criteria for the treatment and control of these patients; thus, due to their poor clinical performance, only a small percentage reach a priority for a renal transplant.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of an ambulatory teaching/treatment programme for non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a structured teaching/treatment programme on the clinical and metabolic control of non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetic patients. The programme was aimed at improving the overall treatment quality in these patients through measures involving self-care, diet, exercise and weight reduction. Four theoretical-practical teaching units were given once a week to group of 5-8 ambulatory patients by previously trained general practitioners. Clinical and biochemical parameters were recorded at the beginning of the course and 1 year after its completion in 40 patients attending the programme and in 39 patients of similar clinical characteristics under conventional diabetes treatment, but receiving no structured teaching before or during the survey period (control group). The drop-out percentage in the intervention group (25%) was significantly lower than in the control group (45%, P < 0.05), suggesting an incentive toward greater compliance in the former. At the end of the 1-year follow-up, the mean differences observed in the control and in the intervention groups were: body weight loss -2.4 +/- 0.5 kg vs -0.4 +/- 0.5 (P < 0.001); haemoglobin HbA1 -0.2% +/- 0.4% vs +0.8% +/- 0.4% (NS); number of daily oral hypoglycaemic agent intake -1.4 +/- 0.2 vs +0.9 +/- 0.2 tablets (P < 0.001). Our results strongly suggest that this programme, applied through family doctors, may constitute an efficient tool to improve the compliance and clinico-metabolic control of type 2 patients at the primary health care level.

Bone grafting and guided bone regeneration for immediate dental implants in humans.

This study evaluated bone regeneration and osseointegration of hydroxyapatite (HA) coated and titanium plasma sprayed (TPS) implants placed in sockets immediately after extraction in 36 adults, mean age 55.2 years (range 26 to 81 years). Twelve TPS and 10 HA-coated implants in 20 patients were grafted with demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA), covered with a barrier material, and the facial flap coronally positioned to attain primary closure (experimental). The remaining 11 TPS and 10 HA-coated implants were placed similarly, except that no DFDBA was used (control). Osseous structures were measured at the initial placement and 6-month re-entry surgeries. At the 6-month re-entry, all implants placed were clinically osseointegrated. Bone resorption at the most coronal socket crest was -1.53 mm for the grafted group and -1.59 mm for the control group. Crestal bone apposition of 1.39 mm was noted at the most apical socket crest (ASC) for the grafted group, whereas crestal resorption of -0.11 mm was noted in the ungrafted control group (P < 0.02). Bone fill from the base of the deepest osseous defect was 5.68 mm for the grafted group and 3.18 mm for the control group (P < 0.04). Complete resolution of osseous defects occurred at 15 of 22 sites in the grafted group and at 9 of 21 sites in the control group. Clinical exposure of the barrier material and a subsequent inflammatory response at 27 of 43 sites, requires removal of the material prior to the 6-month re-entry and was associated with significantly more bone loss at the ASC sites (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference for any of the parameters when comparing the TPS with the HA-coated implants.

Comparison of DNA probe and ELISA microbial analysis methods and their association with adult periodontitis.

The purposes of this study were two-fold: to compare the DNA probe and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) microbial identification tests and correlate the levels of microorganisms with adult periodontitis. A single plaque sample were taken from each of 2 sites in 52 patients. Twelve of these patients were also sampled during and after treatment. The experimental site had clinical indicators of disease (bleeding on probing, probing and attachment loss of > or = 6 mm) and the contralateral site (control) was clinically healthy. A total of 176 plaque samples were collected, divided, processed, and sent for both types of quantitative microbial analyses. All of these samples were used to compare the DNA probe and ELISA methods while only the initial 104 pretreatment sites were used to correlate microorganisms/method with clinical indicators of adult periodontitis. DNA probes were used to assay for A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, E. corrodens, F. nucleatum, T. denticola, and C. rectus. An ELISA utilizing monoclonal antibodies was used to assay for P. gingivalis, E. corrodens, T. denticola, and C. rectus. Comparison of the two methods revealed that the ELISA test identified P. gingivalis and C. rectus significantly more often than the DNA probe method and that T. denticola was detected more frequently with the DNA probe. The sensitivities and specificities varied widely among organisms and by test. P. gingivalis, as identified by ELISA, had the highest degree of sensitivity and specificity (0.90 and 0.82 respectively) to clinical indicators of adult periodontitis.