Screening of edentulous patients in a dental school population using the prosthodontic diagnostic index

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00317.x
Screening of edentulous patients in a dental school population using the prosthodontic diagnostic index Purpose: The aim of this study was to classify a number of completely or partially edentulous patients who attended undergraduate clinics at the Dental School of Athens using the prosthodontic diagnostic index (PDI) to identify the complexity of the cases treated by the students. Background: There is a scarcity of studies, concerning prosthodontic patients and screening them according to a classification system such as the PDI. Material and methods: The survey was conducted on 181 patients who attended the clinics for treatment. The PDI categorised the patients into four classes (Class I–IV) according to the severity of certain diagnostic findings. Results: From the 110 completely edentulous patients, 27 patients were in Class I, 21 in Class II, 15 in Class III and 47 in Class IV. From the 71 partially edentulous patients, two were in Class I, 17 in Class II, 29 in Class III and 23 in Class IV. Conclusion: Our results showed that the majority of patients were categorised in Class III (partially edentulous) and IV (completely edentulous). This indicates the need to introduce a proper screening tool, such as the PDIs, during the initial examination, to achieve a successful treatment.     

The significance of persistent newly developed autoantibodies in JIA patients under long-term anti-TNF treatment

Objective: To study the significance of persistent (12 months) new autoantibodies, in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) patients treated with either Infliximab (INFL) or Etanercept (ET) for 2 years. Patients-methods: 26 children under INFL (n = 12) or ET (n = 14) were prospectively studied. A large panel of autoantibodies was tested using indirect immunofluorescence (ANA, anti-dsDNA, anti-ENA, SMA, LKM, AMA, PCA, anti-R1, ATA), ELISA (ANA, anti-ENA, anti-cardiolipin, ANCA), immunoblotting assay (anti-ENA: anti-Ro, anti-La, anti-Sm, anti-URNP, anti-Jo, anti-Scl70, anti-centromere, anti-ribosomal and anti-histone) and rate nephelometry (RF). Results: Apart from the positive patients for ANA (13/26) and RF (2/26) prior to anti-TNF treatment, 6/26 patients (23%) developed new autoantibodies (SMA, anti-R1, ATA) which persisted for 12–50 months. None developed antibodies to nuclear antigens. In only one case, ATA was associated with the development of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Conclusions: These findings indicate that in JIA patients in contrast to adult RA patients, development of new autoantibodies to various nuclear antigens is rare. Other non relevant to rheumatic diseases autoantibodies, may appear and persist for >12 months, but very rarely they may be related to clinical entities, especially in the presence of a positive family history of autoimmunity.     

Design and synthesis of N-(3,5-difluoro-4-hydroxyphenyl)benzenesulfonamides as aldose reductase inhibitors

N-(3,5-Difluoro-4-hydroxyphenyl)benzenesulfonamide (4) and its derivatives 5-7 were prepared as putative bioisosteres of the previously reported aldose reductase inhibitors, which are the N-benzenesulfonylglycine derivatives I-IV. The in vitro aldose reductase inhibitory activity of the prepared compounds is higher than that of the respective glycine derivatives. Furthermore, the parent compound 4 reveals high antioxidant potential. Additionally, the intestine permeability of 4 is determined, and there is initial evidence that there is an operating influx mechanism. Overall, the data indicate that the presented chemotype could serve as a core structure for the design of putative pharmacotherapeutic agents, aiming to the long-term complications of diabetes mellitus.     

Towards a polymeric binding mimic for cytochrome CYP2D6

A series of fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymers has been prepared with a view to generating material capable of mimicking the binding characteristics of the metabolically important cytochrome isoform CYP2D6. Such polymers would have the possibility to form the sensing element in a high-throughput assay for the prediction of CYP2D6 affinity. The imprinted polymers possessed binding-dependent fluorescence. They re-bound their templates and various cross-reactivities were encountered for test compound/drug recognition. One polymer in particular exhibited a rational discrimination amongst the related synthetic templates and was reasonably successful in recognising CYP2D6 substrates from a drug panel.     

Monitoring of ozone pollution and the physiological activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus halepensis</Emphasis> (Mill.) by electron paramagnetic resonance and other parameters

An investigation of selected Aleppo pines in the forests of Mt Hymettus and Mt Parnis near Athens (Greece) was undertaken at three different sites in the period 1999–2003, because a considerable proportion of pine trees showed visible signs of chlorotic mottle. This condition is characteristic of high and prolonged levels of ozone exposure. Needles from Aleppo pine trees (Pinus halepensis Mill.) were analyzed for their manganese content in combination with Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectra of Mn²⁺, involved in photosystem II. Manganese is considered as an important bioindicator for the vitality of trees. Also, we investigated the EPR spectrum of the needles in the region of g=2.0045 for healthy and diseased trees. The antioxidant capacity of the needles extract was measured from trees by the DPPH method. Finally, seasonal changes in chlorophyll concentration in the needles were measured to evaluate the effects of ozone. Measurements of ozone concentrations at the three sites showed that there were elevated levels during the summer months. Our experimental results suggest that the concentration of manganese in the needles was lower in the area with higher ozone concentrations, supported by EPR measurements. Higher ozone concentrations also affected the antioxidant potential of the needles and their chlorophyll content during summer months. Our findings also confirmed the resilience of Aleppo pines under stressful conditions and recovery in winter months. Despite the experimental problems, EPR spectra of Mn²⁺ in combination with other methods can be used as a sensitive bioindicator for ozone pollution, and is the result of oxidative stress affecting the growth cycle of the pine trees and their photosynthetic mechanisms.