Effects of oral contraceptives on the treatment for internal derangements in temporomandibular joints in women.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is the highest among women of reproductive age. Estrogens are the major contributor to the regulation of bone growth and development. They also influence peripheral and central mechanism of pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangements in regular cycling women with and without use of oral contraceptives (OCs). MATERIAL & METHODS: The study included 229 women with TMJ disk displacement with and without reduction (DDwR and DDw/oR). The study group consisted of 191 normally cycling women and 38 women using combined OCs (COCs). The conservative TMD treatment was applied and its efficacy was rated during check-up visits. RESULTS: The decreased odds of obtaining any or sufficient improvement during control visits were observed in women treated for DDwR and taking COCs for less than 3 years (p=0.01). There was a 2.7-fold higher risk for the failure of treatment in women taking COCs for less than 3 years during control visits in both diagnoses, DDwR or DDw/oR (p=0.082). There was investigated an increase in the risk for the lack of sufficient post-treatment improvement in diagnosed DDwR or DDw/oR in women with co-occurrence general osteoarticular lesions (p=0.07, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: A worse TMJ internal derangements treatment efficacy was observed in women taking COCs for rather short time (less than 3 years) and in women with disorders in the osteoarticular system, what indicates modification of therapeutic procedures in that groups of patients.

The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the N-back test in mild cognitive impairment and elderly depression.

The aim of this study was to assess cognitive functions in 30 non-depressed patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), compared with 30 age-, gender- and education-matched patients with acute depressive episode, and with 30 healthy subjects. Neuropsychological assessment included the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), memory tests as well as the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the N-back test. Patients with MCI obtained significantly worse results on all domains of the WCST and the N-back test compared to both depressed and healthy subjects. Depressed patients showed significantly worse performance than controls on most scores. In the MCI group, no association with MMSE was found with any of WCST domains, or with reaction time in the N-back test. Three tests, WCST-P, N-back %CORR and WCST 1st CAT obtained highest ranks (>90) as predictors for differentiating between groups. The results suggest a usefulness of employing WCST and N-back tests for a neuropsychological evaluation of patients with MCI.

Effect on peripheral blood natural killer cytotoxic cell activity in rats after intraperitoneal implantation of double veloured polyester (Dacron) prosthesis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the changes affecting natural killer cytotoxic cell (NKCC) activity following intraperitoneal implantation of a double veloured polyester prosthesis in a rat model. MATERIAL/METHODS: Blood samples were taken by cardiac puncture 1 h before (base line) and 14, 28, 100 and 180 days post-implantation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated from heparinized blood by density centrifugation. A standard, 4 h (51)Cr-release assay against YAC-1 target cells at effector to target ratios of 12:1; 25:1 and 50:1 was performed and the number of total leukocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, and large granular lymphocytes (LGLs), as well as serum corticosterone levels (radioimmunoassay method) were determined. RESULTS: Comparative analysis of the results obtained from animals with implants, baseline samples, and a control group (laparotomy only) revealed lower NKCC, LGL, leukocyte and lymphocyte counts and elevated plasma corticosterone levels in animals receiving the implant on the 14th day post-implantation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the polyester implant can transiently modulate immune system activities. Since NK cells are important in the control of viral infection and carcinogenesis in humans, it is possible that the stress generated by polyester prostheses can exacerbate the surgical stress and put patients at a higher risk for viral infection and/or metastases.

[Endothelial parameters in blood plasma of patients suffering from ischaemic heart disease and undergoing surgery with extracorporeal circulation]. / Wskazniki sródblonkowe w osoczu chorych na chorobe wienicowa operowanych w krazeniu pozaustrojowym.

INTRODUCTION: The participation of disturbances of the vascular endothelial function in the pathogenesis of post perfusion syndrome is controversial. AIM: The aim of the study was the evaluation of the parameters of vascular endothelial injury in the blood plasma of patients undergoing surgery with extracorporeal circulation. METHODS: The study was performed in the group of 32 patients (M/F 23/9) with ischaemic heart disease, undergoing coronary artery bypass with extracorporeal circulation. In the blood plasma obtained in the couple of time points in the perioperative period the determinations were done as followed: the concentrations of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf Ag), tissue plasminogen activator antigen (t-PA Ag), antigen of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1 Ag) and fibrinogen. The control group consisted of 29 healthy volunteers sex and age matched. RESULTS: In blood of patients suffering from ischaemic heart disease before surgery the increased concentrations of vWF Ag, t-PA Ag and fibrinogen were observed. The concentrations of t-PA Ag and vWf Ag hesitated in the perioperative period but always were significantly higher than observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: (1) In the blood of patients suffering from the ischemic heart disease undergoing bypass surgery with an extracorporeal circulation the increased concentrations of t-PA Ag and vWf Ag were observed what is the evidence of stimulation/ damage of the vascular endothelium. (2) High levels of t-PA and vWf is seemed to be connected with injury of vessels during coronary artery bypass.