Showing papers by "University of Gothenburg published in 1984"

Elevated concentrations of CSF corticotropin-releasing factor-like immunoreactivity in depressed patients

Abstract: The possibility that hypersecretion of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) contributes to the hyperactivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis observed in patients with major depression was investigated by measuring the concentration of this peptide in cerebrospinal fluid of normal healthy volunteers and in drug-free patients with DSM-III diagnoses of major depression, schizophrenia, or dementia. When compared to the controls and the other diagnostic groups, the patients with major depression showed significantly increased cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of CRF-like immunoreactivity; in 11 of the 23 depressed patients this immunoreactivity was greater than the highest value in the normal controls. These findings are concordant with the hypothesis that CRF hypersecretion is, at least in part, responsible for the hyperactivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis characteristic of major depression.

New concepts of destructive periodontal disease.

Abstract: The most common forms of destructive periodontal disease have been thought to slowly and continuously progress until treatment or tooth loss. Recently, data have become available which are inconsistent with this "continuous disease" hypothesis. Data from longitudinal monitoring of periodontal attachment levels and alveolar bone in humans and in animals suggest that periodontal disease progresses by recurrent acute episodes. In addition, rates of attachment loss have been measured in individual sites which are faster than those consistent with the continuous disease hypothesis or slower than those expected from estimates of prior loss rates. To account for these observations, a model of destructive periodontal disease is described in which bursts of activity occur for short periods of time in individual sites. These bursts appear to occur randomly at periodontal sites throughout the mouth. Some sites demonstrate a brief active burst of destructive periodontal disease (which could take a few days to a few months) before going into a period of remission. Other sites appear to be free of destructive periodontal disease throughout the individual's life. The sites which demonstrate destructive periodontal activity may show no further activity or could be subject to one or more bursts of activity at later time periods. Comparison of monitored loss rates for a year with mean loss rates prior to monitoring suggested that there may be relatively short periods in an individual's life in which many sites undergo periodontal destruction followed by periods of extended remission. An extension of the random disease model is also suggested in which bursts of destructive periodontal disease activity occur with higher frequency during certain periods of an individual's life.

New attachment formation as the result of controlled tissue regeneration

Abstract: The present study was designed to examine whether new attachment forms on root surfaces previously exposed to plaque by preventing the oral epithelium and the gingival connective tissue from participating in the process of healing following treatment. 4 roots in each of 3 monkeys were used as test units while the roots of contralateral teeth served as controls. A surgical procedure was first used to expose the coronal half of the buccal root surfaces. Plaque was allowed to accumulate on the exposed surfaces for a period of 6 months. Subsequently, soft tissue flaps were raised and the root surfaces were carefully scaled and planed. The crowns of the test and control teeth were resected and the mucosal Haps were repositioned and sutured in such a way that the roots were properly covered. Immediately prior to suturing, membranes (Millipore® filter or Gore-tex® membrane) were placed over the denuded root surfaces of the test teeth in order to prevent granulation tissue from the soft tissue flaps from reaching the roots during healing. The monkeys were sacrificed 3 months later. The jaws were removed and histological sections of test and control roots including their periodontal tissues were produced. New cementum with inserting collagen fibers was observed on the previously exposed surfaces of both test and control roots. However, the test surfaces exhibited considerably more new attachment than the control surfaces, indicating that the placement of the membrane favoured repopulation of the wound area adjacent to the roots by cells originating from the periodontal ligament.

Pathoanatomy and pathophysiology of nerve root compression.

Abstract: The anatomy and physiology of the nerve root complex in the lumbar spine are reviewed, with special reference to the effects of mechanical deformation of nerve roots in association with intervertebral disc herniation and spinal stenosis. Biomechanical aspects of nerve root deformation induced by compression are discussed. The functional changes induced by compression can be caused by mechanical nerve fiber deformation but also may be a consequence of changes in nerve root microcirculation, leading to ischemia and formation of intraneural edema. Nerve root compression can, by different neurophysiologic mechanisms, induce motor weakness and altered sensibility or pain. Intraneural edema and demyelination seem to be critical factors for the production of pain in association with nerve root compression.

Long-term maintenance of patients treated for advanced periodontal disease*

Abstract: The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the periodontal conditions of a group of patients who, following active treatment of extremely advanced periodontal disease, had been maintained for 14 years in a well-supervised maintenance care program. The present sample included 61 subjects out of an initial group of 75 individuals who in 1969 were referred to and treated by the authors. Following an initial examination, the patients were given detailed instructions in proper plaque control measures and were subjected to scaling and root planing and surgical elimination of pathologically deepened pockets. After the termination of the active treatment phase, the patients were placed in a maintenance care program including recall appointments every 3–6 months. At the initial examination, immediately after the completion of the active treatment phase and then once a year, all patients were examined regarding oral hygiene, gingival conditions, probing depths and clinical attachment levels. In addition, the interproximal alveolar bone height was determined from full mouth radiographs obtained before active treatment, at the completion of active therapy and 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 and 14 years after treatment. The results from the repeated examinations demonstrated that treatment of advanced forms of periodontal disease resulted in clinically healthy periodontal conditions and that this state of “periodontal health” could be maintained in most patients and sites over a period of 14 years. It was also demonstrated that the treatment and maintenance programs described were equally effective in young and older patients. The individual mean values describing probing depths, attachment levels, and bone heights did not vary significantly over the 14 years of observation. A more detailed analysis of the data revealed, however, that a small number of sites in a few patients lost a substantial amount of attachment. This attachment loss occurred at different time intervals during the course of the maintenance period. Thus, 43 surfaces in 15 different patients were exposed to recurrent periodontal disease of a significant magnitude. This recurrent inflammatory periodontal disease caused the loss of 16 teeth in 7 different patients during the maintenance period. The data reported question the validity of using individual mean values to describe alterations of the periodontal conditions during maintenance following active periodontal therapy.

Long‐term effect of surgical/non‐surgical treatment of periodontal disease

Abstract: The present investigation describes the effect of periodontal therapy in a group of patients who, following active treatment, were monitored over a 5-year period One aim of the study was to analyze the role played by the patients' self-performed plaque control in preventing recurrent periodontitis In addition, probing depth and attachment level alterations were studied separately for sites with initial probing depths of greater than or equal to 4 mm which were treated initially by either surgical or non-surgical procedures Following active treatment (surgical/non-surgical), the patients were maintained on a plaque control regimen for 6 months, which included professional tooth cleaning once every 2 weeks During the subsequent 18 months, the interval between the recall appointments was extended to 12 weeks and included prophylaxis as well as oral hygiene instruction Following the 24-month examination, the interval between the recall appointments was further extended, now to 4-6 months In addition, the maintenance program was restricted to oral hygiene instruction and professional, supragingival tooth cleaning, but further subgingival instrumentation was avoided Clinical examinations including assessments of the oral hygiene, the gingival conditions, the probing depths and the attachment levels were performed at Baseline and after 24 and 60 months after completion of active therapy Assessments of plaque and gingivitis were repeated annually The results of the examinations showed that the patients' standard of self-maintained oral hygiene had a decisive influence on the long-term effect of treatment Patients who during the 5 years of monitoring consistently had a high frequency of plaque-free tooth surfaces showed little evidence of recurrent periodontal disease, while patients who had a low frequency of plaque-free tooth surfaces had a high frequency of sites showing additional loss of attachment The present findings demonstrated that sites with an initial pocket depth exceeding 3 mm responded equally well to non-surgical and surgical treatments This statement is based on probing depth and attachment level data from sites which were free of plaque at the 6-, 12-, 24-, 36-, 48-, and 60-month reexaminations It is suggested that the critical determinant in periodontal therapy is not the technique (surgical or non-surgical) that is used for the elimination of the subgingival infection, but the quality of the debridement of the root surface

Recolonization of a subgingival microbiota following scaling in deep pockets

Abstract: The present investigation was carried out to study some aspects of the recolonization of a subgingival microbiota following subgingival instrumentation in sites with deep pockets. 16 patients were recruited for the study. From each patient 4 inflamed gingival sites with deep pockets were selected. These sites were examined for plaque, overt gingivitis, bleeding on probing and probing depth. Samples of the subgingival microbiota were obtained and examined in the darkfield microscope and in a Neubauer chamber. Following the Baseline examination the teeth of all 4 jaw quadrants were carefully scaled and planed. Subgingival instrumentation was carried out under local anesthesia and required between 2-4 appointments. The patients were subsequently divided into 2 groups (Groups A and B) consisting of 9 and 7 subjects, respectively. During the first 16 weeks of maintenance the patients of Group A were not supervised regarding their self-performed plaque control measures and they accumulated supragingival plaque. The patients of Group B, however, were during these 16 weeks recalled once every 2 weeks for professional tooth cleaning. In addition they rinsed twice daily with a 0.2% solution of chlorhexidine digluconate. Reexaminations including assessments of the same parameters as those studied at Baseline were performed after 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks. After the 16-week examination the patients of Group A received a new sequence of subgingival scaling and root planing. During the subsequent 16 weeks the patients of Group A were also recalled for professional tooth cleaning. They were reexamined 18, 20, 24, 28 and 32 weeks after the Baseline examination. Subgingival scaling followed by carefully supervised oral hygiene measures resulted in a marked improvement of periodontal conditions. This improvement was accompanied by a pronounced and sustained reduction in the motile segments of the subgingival microbiota. In the presence of supragingival plaque (Group A), however, a subgingival microbiota containing large numbers of spirochetes and motile rods was soon (4-8 weeks) reestablished. A small number of sites with deep pockets (greater than or equal to 8 mm) was not substantially reduced in depth following subgingival instrumentation. In these sites which were kept free from supragingival deposits a subgingival microbiota with a large proportion of motile bacteria soon recurred.

Heat caused by drilling cortical bone. Temperature measured in vivo in patients and animals.

Abstract: In vivo temperature measurements were performed at drilling in the femoral cortex of the rabbit, dog and man In the clinical study the bone temperature was measured at fixation of a Richards plate to stabilize a pertrochanteric fracture With a drill speed of around 20 000 rpm and saline cooling, temperatures of 40 degrees C in rabbits, 56 degrees C in dogs and 89 degrees C in patients were recorded at a distance of 05 mm from the periphery of the drill hole The difference in temperature between the animal and clinical studies was mainly attributed to the difference in cortical thickness between the species When drilling straight through the canine femur from the lateral to the medial side, a 9 degrees C higher temperature was measured in the remote, medial cortex compared to that recorded in the lateral cortex This difference arose because it is difficult for the cooling agent to reach the medial cortex The results of the present study indicate that temperatures measured in animal experiments are not applicable to the clinical situation where very high temperatures may arise on drilling in cortical bone, even if saline cooling is used

Mucosal Antitoxic and Antibacterial Immunity after Cholera Disease and after Immunization with a Combined B Subunit-Whole Cell Vaccine

Abstract: Mucosal and systemic immune responses to a new oral cholera vaccine, consisting of the B subunit plus killed vibrios, were studied in Bangladeshi volunteers and compared with those to clinical cholera. A single peroral dose of vaccine induced a local IgA antitoxin response in intestinal-lavage fluid of seven of eight vaccinees; the response closely mimicked that of patients convalescing from cholera, and evidence of the induction of local immunologic memory was found as well. Two peroral doses were needed for stimulation of an intestinal IgA immune response to the lipopolysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae that was comparable to the response obtained after clinical cholera. This response to peroral immunization was considerably stronger than that to parenteral vaccination, although the intramuscular route gave rise to the strongest IgG antitoxin and antilipolysaccharide responses in serum. The results suggest that B subunit-whole cell vaccine, when given in at least two oral doses, may be a good candidate for use in cholera prophylaxis.

The effect of early interceptive treatment in children with posterior cross-bite.

Abstract: To evaluate the results of interceptive treatment in the deciduous and early mixed dentition in children with posterior cross-bite in contrast to non-treatment, 86 four-year-old children with posterior cross-bite were selected from a total of 1046 children (9.6%). Half of the children with posterior cross-bite were treated early, starting at 5 years of age with grinding and, in the event of unsatisfactory results, expansion plates. The other half of the children were not treated until the age of 13. Another 25 children with excellent occlusion were included in the study as controls. All the children were followed to the age of 13 with five registrations at different ages. The registrations comprised clinical examination, impressions for dental casts, radio-graphic examination and photographs. Due to removal from the town or lack of interest some children were lost to follow-up. Thus, 61 children and 25 controls were included in the 8-year longitudinal follow-up. Of the 33 children treated early, only 9 showed correction of the cross-bite after grinding treatment. The subsequent interceptive treatment with expansion plates resulted in correction of the cross-bite in a further 17 children. Of the 28 children where no corrective treatment had been performed during the observation period, 6 showed spontaneous correction of the cross-bite. Four children in the control group developed cross-bite. It is, therefore, recommended to start treatment of posterior cross-bite by grinding in the deciduous dentition. If there is no effect, an orthodontic appliance, preferably fixed, should be applied in the early mixed dentition.

Infantile autism and other childhood psychoses in a swedish urban region. epidemiologiccal aspects

Abstract: A total population screening of children born during 1962-1976 and living in the Gothenburg region at the end of 1980 was carried out in order to obtain prevalence figures for infantile autism and other childhood psychoses. It was found that the prevalence figure for infantile autism was 2.0 per 10,000 and for other childhood psychoses 1.9 per 10,000. Boys were much more often affected by infantile autism than girls. In the case of other psychoses, no such over-representation was seen. A majority of the children were mentally retarded, and only 4% had tested IQs exceeding 100. The results are in good agreement with the three earlier epidemiological studies concerned with childhood psychosis.

Personality traits related to monoamine oxidase activity in platelets

Abstract: Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and intellectual level were examined in a large series of 1,129 18-year-old boys, selected from the general population. Personality traits were determined by means of selected subscales from several personality inventories such as the Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale, the Eysenck Personality Inventory, and the Karolinska Hospital Personality Inventory. Information was also gathered concerning alcohol consumption habits, signs of alcohol dependence, and use and abuse of tobacco, cannabis, glue, opiates, and amphetamine. Low MAO subjects were found to be more sensation seeking and to have higher scores on impulsivity and monotony avoidance. They also had higher use of tobacco and alcohol, showed more signs of possible alcohol dependence, and showed more drug abuse. When low MAO subjects were subdivided according to intellectual level, low MAO subjects with high intellectual level were found to have higher psychological functioning as judged by a psychologist after a clinical interview. Low MAO subjects with low intellectual level were found to have more use and abuse of alcohol and drugs, i.e., less accepted forms of sensation seeking, and they had a significantly lower level of psychological functioning. This subgroup seems to be the real “high risk” group that according to the high risk paradigm could be expected to show more alcohol abuse and higher tendencies to suicidal behavior.

Endodontic Complications Following Periodontal and Prosthetic Treatment of Patients With Advanced Periodontal Disease

Abstract: A retrospective analysis was carried out to determine the frequency and onset of endodontic complications occurring in 52 patients treated for advanced periodontal disease. Comparisons were made between teeth which, following periodontal treatment, were used as abutments in fixed prosthetic reconstructions and nonabutment teeth. The study included 672 teeth with initially vital pulps (255 abutment teeth and 417 nonabutment teeth). The observation period varied from 4 to 13 years with a mean of 8.7 years. Pulpal necrosis including periapical lesions developed with a significantly higher frequency in abutment teeth than in nonabutment teeth (15% vs. 3%). The majority of these lesions did not appear until several years following the completion of active treatment. Conceivable reasons for the development of pulpal necrosis in teeth subjected to combined periodontal and prosthetic treatment are discussed.

The North Pacific: A Global-Scale Estuary

Abstract: The atmospheric net flow of water from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean is supposed to maintain the salinity difference between the two oceans. Assuming the existence of a subsurface level of no horizontal pressure gradient in the ocean, the mean sea level in the northern Pacific must be higher than in the Arctic Ocean. This mean sea level difference is supposed to drive the observed mean flow through the Bering Strait. The estimated flow of freshwater through the Bering Strait is approximately equal to the estimated atmospheric net flow of water from the North Atlantic to the North Pacific. This justifies the formulation of a simple estuary model for the North Pacific in which the “brackish” water exits through the Bering Strait. The salinity difference between the two oceans is shown to be controlled by the topography of the Bering Strait. The estuary model gives residence times for water in the upper layer (∼1000 m thick) of approximately 1000 years and in the lower layer of approximately 400...

Potentials for root resorption during periodontal wound healing.

Abstract: The present study was undertaken to examine whether (1) the process of resorption, which invariably affects periodontitis involved reimplanted roots facing bone or gingival connective tissue during healing, is a transient phenomenon and, (2) root resorption can be prevented by permitting downgrowth of epithelium along the root surface. A total of 24 teeth in 2 monkeys (Macaca cynomolgus) was subjected to experimental periodontal tissue breakdown by the placement of elastic ligatures around the teeth. The ligatures were left in situ until about 50% of the supporting tissues had been lost. Following removal of the ligatures, the teeth were extracted and the denuded portions of the roots were scaled and planed. The crowns of the teeth were resected and the root canals filled with guttapercha. The roots were subsequently implanted into sockets prepared in the jaw bone in such a way that each root was embedded in bone except for a portion which was in contact with gingival connective tissue. 1 month prior to sacrifice of the animals, the cut surface of the coronal part of the roots was exposed by removal of the covering soft tissue. The epithelium was thereby allowed to migrate into the wound. Implantation of the roots was scheduled to provide healing periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks before exposure of the roots. The histologic examination of the implant specimens disclosed that replacement resorption was a progressive process which eventually resulted in the elimination of the transplanted roots. It was possible to prevent root resorption in this model by permitting apical downgrowth of epithelium along the root surface during the initial phase of healing. The results are discussed in relation to procedures used in periodontal therapy.

Interconversion of verbenols and verbenone by identified yeasts isolated from the spruce bark beetleIps typographus

Abstract: Six yeast strains have been isolated and identified from the spruce bark beetle,Ips typographus. We have studied the ability of the yeasts to interconvertcis-verbenol,trans-verbenol, and verbenone. (1S)-cis-Verbenol is an active component in the aggregation pheromone ofIps typographus. The isolatedCandida molischiana/ Hansenula capsulata strain can convert both (1R)- and (1S)-cis-verbenol to verbenone. TheCandida nitratophila strain converts (1R)-cis-verbenol totrans-verbenol and (1S)-cis-verbenol to verbenone. Some of the yeast strains produce 3-methylbutanol, 2-methylpropanol, and 2-phenylethanol after growth in Sabouraud medium.

Recession in sites with inadequate width of the keratinized gingival An experimental study in the dog

Abstract: The present investigation was performed to assess the inflammatory response in gingival units subsequent to the placement of restorations with subgingivally located margins. 3 beagle dogs were used. Cotton floss ligatures were placed around the neck of the mandibular third and fourth premolars of all dogs. The ligatures were exchanged once a month during the first 6 months of experiment. When 40-50% of the height of the supporting tissues had been lost in an experimental periodontitis the ligatures were removed but the animals allowed to accumulate deposits for another 60 days. The inflamed periodontal tissues were subsequently excised using either an "apically placed flap" procedure or a "gingivectomy" procedure. In the flap procedure the main part of the keratinized gingiva was preserved while in the gingivectomy procedure the keratinized part of the gingiva was removed in toto. Following scaling and root planing the animals were during a maintenance period of 4 months placed on a program involving chlorhexidine application and mechanical tooth cleaning twice daily. On Day 0 a notch was prepared in the buccal surface of each root at the level of the gingival margin. Furthermore, steel bands were placed along the buccal surface of each root of the third and fourth premolars and secured with an apical margin at the level of 1 mm apical to the notch. The bands were cemented to the root surfaces by a cement. The dogs were allowed to accumulate plaque and calculus for 6 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Psychometric measures of dental fear

Abstract: Four psychometric scales: Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (CDAS), a modified version of the Geer Fear Scale (GFS), the Health Locus of Control Scale (HLCS), and a Mood Adjective Check List (MACL), were studied with regard to their implications for dental fear. Swedish versions given to groups of fearful and non-fearful dental patients as well as non-patients showed satisfactory metric properties. Mean scores obtained were in most cases similar to those reported for original American versions, even though some indications of cultural differences were observed. The scales seem to reflect important aspects of dental fear, and they represent a valuable methodology in research on etiology and treatment of dental fear.

Airborne endotoxins and humidifier disease

Abstract: The presence of humidifier disease in a printing factory was investigated with particular emphasis on airborne endotoxins The water in the humidifier was contaminated with Pseudomonas The amount of airborne endotoxin when the humidifier was operating was 013-039 microgram/m3 Twenty of the fifty workers investigated reported typical symptoms of fever, chills, and chest tightness when the humidifiers were operating Symptoms were more frequent among non-smokers The estimated inhaled dose of endotoxin was found to be sufficient to cause the observed symptoms The determination of airborne endotoxins in future episodes of humidifier disease is recommended

Treatment of localized juvenile periodontitis. Results after 5 years.

Abstract: The present investigation was performed to study the effect on localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) of a treatment program which included tetracycline administration, surgical elimination of inflamed tissues, scaling and root planing, and careful plaque control during healing. Treatment of LJP lesions was carried out on 16 individuals aged 14 to 18 years (JP group). Lesions in first molars and incisors in a group of patients with adult periodontal disease (AP) were treated in an identical manner and served as controls. The presence of angular bony defects adjacent to first molars and incisors was first documented in all patients. Thereafter, a clinical examination was carried out, including assessments of oral hygiene status, gingival conditions, probing depths and attachment levels. The patients were subjected to a treatment program involving administration of tetracycline (250 mg 4 times per day for 2 weeks), removal of granulation tissue after flap elevation, and root curettage. After surgery, the patients were instructed to rinse the mouth with 0.2% chlorhexidine for 2 min twice a day during the first 2 postsurgical weeks. Professional tooth cleaning was carried out once every 3 months during a 5-year period. At 6, 12, 24 and 60 months after surgical treatment, the patients were re-examined regarding oral hygiene, gingival conditions, probing depths and attachment levels. Treatment of LJP lesions resulted in resolution of gingival inflammation, gain of clinical attachment, and refill of bone in angular bony defects. The healing of the lesions of this patient sample was similar to healing observed in patients with AP.

Lead in finger-bone analysed in vivo in active and retired lead workers.

Abstract: In 75 active lead workers the median lead level in finger-bone (bone-Pb), as determined in vivo by an X-ray fluorescence method, was 43 micrograms/g (range less than 20-122). In 32 retired workers the median level was even higher, 59 micrograms/g (range less than 20-135), which indicates a slow turnover rate of lead in finger-bone. This was confirmed in 18 of the "active" workers, in whom bone-Pb was studied in connection with an exposure-free period. In spite of a significant decrease in blood-lead levels (B-Pb), no systematic change of bone-Pb occurred. There was an increase of bone-Pb with time of employment, but with a large interindividual variation. No association was found between bone-Pb and present B-Pb in the active lead workers. However, in the retired ones, B-Pb rose with increasing bone-Pb. The bone-lead pool thus causes an "internal" lead exposure.

Incidence of severe dementia in an urban sample followed from 70 to 79 years of age

Abstract: The incidence of severe dementia between the age of 70 and 79 years was studied in a representative urban sample. The study comprised 385 subjects at 70 and sufficient information was obtained in 94.5% in the age interval 70-75 and in 89.2% in the age interval 75-79. A case was defined by absence of symptoms of severe dementia at the beginning of the interval and by disorientation and/or severe memory impairment in psychiatric interviews at the age of 75 or 79, or the same signs noted in case records from the intervals studied. In all, 43 subjects developed severe dementia. When mortality was taken into account the annual incidence rates were 17.7 +/- 10.7/1,000 in the 5-year interval between 70 and 75 and 32.3 +/- 16.9/1,000 in the 4-year interval between 75 and 79 in men compared with 5.0 +/- 4.9/1,000 and 25.3 +/- 11.3/1,000 respectively in women. There were no significant differences between men and women with regard to the incidence rates of all severe dementias or of etiological subgroups. There was a high degree of institutionalization. Most studies from Scandinavian countries have reported lower incidence figures.

Validation of Questionnaire Reported Miscarriage, Malformation and Birth Weight

Abstract: A questionnaire on pregnancy outcome was distributed to 782 women engaged in laboratory work at some time between 1968 and 1979. The response rate was 95%. Reported data on miscarriages, malformations and birth weights were compared to data in hospital records and central registers. Twelve per cent of the reported miscarriages could not be verified. Work with solvents was more frequently reported for these miscarriages as compared to those which could be verified or those which were anamnestically recorded. Fifty per cent of the malformations reported in the questionnaires were also found in registers or hospital records. Regarding birth weights, 28% of the infants had different birth weights reported in questionnaires than were found recorded in the Swedish Medical Birth Register. It is suggested that questionnaire data should be completed with information from sources having a higher validity when the influence of environmental factors on pregnancy outcome is studied.

Relationship between occlusal factors and signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction: A clinical study of 48 dental students

Abstract: Forty-eight young adults answered a questionnaire and were examined clinically for determination of symptoms and signs of mandibular dysfunction in accordance with the Helkimo indices Occlusal conditions recorded included contacts in centric and excentric mandibular positions in accordance with specified criteria for registration of 'ideal occlusion', various occlusal patterns, occlusal interferences, and dental attrition Relatively frequent but mainly mild signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction were found The occlusal conditions were extremely varied and did not show any significant correlations with signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction

Effectiveness of braces in mild idiopathic scoliosis.

Abstract: Despite the wide use of bracing for the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis, controlled studies apparently have not been performed to examine whether bracing, in fact, alters the natural history of spine lateral curves. We studied 255 female patients, ages 8-17 years, with idiopathic scoliosis who had curves with initial Cobb measures from 15-30 degrees. They were divided into two groups: one group consisted of 144 patients who had received a Milwaukee or Boston brace; and the other, a control group, consisted of 111 patients who remained untreated through a mean period of 1.9 years. The groups had similar mean ages, ages of menarche and curve severities. The results showed a slight but nonsignificant trend, suggesting that bracing reduced the overall probability of progression in the braced curves. However, noting that nearly 75% of the control group curves were nonprogressive, it is possible that a similar proportion of the braced curves need not have been braced. Moreover, bracing failed to prevent eight curves in seven patients (5%) from progressing. These curves progressed at a mean rate of 8 degrees per year. Our retrospective results suggest that bracing probably is not necessary in a large proportion of patients who meet current, clinical criteria for bracing. Given the limitations of retrospective studies like this one, a controlled prospective trial of bracing effectiveness in idiopathic scoliosis seems warranted.