Oral health, dental care and mouthwash associated with upper aerodigestive tract cancer risk in Europe: the ARCAGE study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the association of oral health (OH), dental care (DC) and mouthwash with upper-aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer risk, and to examine the extent that enzymes involved in the metabolism of alcohol modify the effect of mouthwash. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 1963 patients with incident cancer of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx or esophagus and 1993 controls. Subjects were interviewed about their oral health and dental care behaviors (which were converted to scores of OH and DC respectively), as well as smoking, alcohol drinking, diet, occupations, medical conditions and socio-economic status. Blood samples were taken for genetic analyses. Mouthwash use was analyzed in relation to the presence of polymorphisms of alcohol-metabolizing genes known to be associated with UADT. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95%-confidence intervals [CI] were estimated with multiple logistic regression models adjusting for multiple confounders. RESULTS: Fully adjusted ORs of low versus high scores of DC and OH were 2.36[CI=1.51-3.67] and 2.22[CI=1.45-3.41], respectively, for all UADT sites combined. The OR for frequent use of mouthwash use (3 or more times/day) was 3.23[CI=1.68-6.19]. The OR for the rare variant ADH7 (coding for fast ethanol metabolism) was lower in mouthwash-users (OR=0.53[CI=0.35-0.81]) as compared to never-users (OR=0.97[CI=0.73-1.29]) indicating effect modification (pheterogeneity=0.065) while no relevant differences were observed between users and non-users for the variant alleles of ADH1B, ADH1C or ALDH2. CONCLUSIONS: Poor OH and DC seem to be independent risk factors for UADT because corresponding risk estimates remain substantially elevated after detailed adjustment for multiple confounders. Whether mouthwash use may entail some risk through the alcohol content in most formulations on the market remains to be fully clarified.

Perinatal outcome associated with nuchal umbilical cord.

INTRODUCTION: Nuchal umbilical cord (NUC) is a possible complication of pregnancy which can be associated with adverse perinatal outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was done at the County Emergency Hospital Timisoara, Romania, between January 2009 and December 2010 and included cases with NUC at the time of delivery. Outcome variable related to the mothers and newborns were studied. RESULTS: The incidence of NUC in the studied period was 8%. Most were primiparous. There were no significant statistical differences between vaginal births and cesarean section with one minute Apgar scores higher than 8. Five percent of the studied group presented intrauterine fetal death. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of NUC implies more attention but are not associated with increased rate of operative vaginal or cesarean delivery. One minute Apgar scores in these cases are comparable. NUC can be a cause of IUFD.

Epidemiological modelling of risk factors of human papilloma virus in women with positive cytology in the county of Csongrád.

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and risk factors of genital HPV infection in women diagnosed with non-negative cytology in Southeastern Hungary. Cervical samples were collected for cytology and HPV testing from women seen at gynaecological outpatient clinics and diagnosed with non-negative cytology. The observed overall average HPV infection rate was found to be 61%. A smoking habit was the only risk factor in the logistic regression analysis that related significantly to exposure to HPV infection. Thus, prevention strategies should focus on the regular clinical cytological screening of HPV-infected patients and on the reduction of smoking.

Database for gynecological laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy is a wonderful tool for performing gynecologic surgery. Whether or not laparoscopic surgery is advisable to diagnose or treat a particular gynecologic problem requires a careful consultation with an experienced gynecologist, who can help the patient weight the pros and cons of laparoscopy versus other options. For the management of this kind of surgical intervention we realise a computer based patient record.

WEB-MO--a computer aided learning on WWW.

The paper presents an electronic textbook on World Wide Web (WWW), which present theoretical notions about the eyes' movements. It also contains clinical cases as example for the described notions. The application is being tested at the County Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Timisoara, Romania. The reaction of the educators and learners is quite positive. We think there will be a great learning tool for the future.

Educational program on neurosurgery.

The paper presents the application of a hypertext and an Electronic Patient Record to assist the pathology of the eye's motility teaching. It is a combination of a theoretical and practical training in this kind of pathology. The application is being tested at the County Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery from Timisoara, Romania.