Detection of selected bacterial species in intraoral sites of patients with chronic periodontitis using multiplex polymerase chain reaction

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of selected bacterial species in intraoral sites of patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODOLOGY: Samples were collected from the tongue dorsum, buccal mucosa, supragingival and subgingival plaque and saliva of 30 patients with untreated CP. Multiplex PCR was used to determine prevalence rates, which were then compared using a chi-square test. Significance level was set at p<0.05. Mean and standard deviation values were used to evaluate variations in prevalence according to site. RESULTS: The prevalence of S. mutans was 70% in saliva; 60% in samples collected from the tongue dorsum; 50% in samples collected from the buccal mucosa; 56.5% in the supragingival plaque; and 53.5% in the subgingival plaque. The prevalence of E. faecalis ranged from 3.5% to 13.5% in all intraoral microenvironment. The highest prevalence of P. gingivalis was found in subgingival plaque (53.5%), and of P. intermedia in supragingival plaque (33.5%), subgingival plaque (30%) and tongue dorsum (33.5%). The prevalence of bacteria did not vary significantly among the intraoral sites. CONCLUSIONS: All studied bacteria were identified in intraoral sites. S. mutans, P. gingivalis and P. intermedia had high prevalence rates, but the prevalence of E. faecalis was low. Multiplex PCR proved to be an adequate method for epidemiological studies

An exploration of Swedish companies' offshoring of R&D activities to China

A trend among manufacturing companies is offshoring of R & D. The aim of this study is to investigate Swedish companies\u27 offshoring of R & D activities to China, utilizing both a survey and explorative case studies. The survey results show that 9% of the companies have offshored R & D to China, that performance in China is satisfactory, primarily in terms of costs, and that there is a need for strong integration mechanisms to handle coordination and information sharing. Based on the case studies, a categorization of firms offshoring R & D into Market- & Talent-driven firms and Low-cost & Supplydriven firms is proposed, as these have different challenges and require different managerial solutions. Finally, a dilemma concerning information sharing and innovation is identified and discussed. \ua9 2010 IEEE

Treatment of malignant melanoma with dacarbazin (DTIC‐DOME) with special reference to urinary excretion of 5‐S‐cysteinyldopa

Seventeen patients were given DTIC, 200 mg/m2/day in five‐day courses every four to six weeks. In four patients (stage II) treated on an adjuvant basis, tumor recurrence has been verified in three. Four of the palliatively treated patients were also given DTIC by regional intra‐arterial infusion with minimal positive tumor effect and minimal toxicity. 5‐S‐cysteinyldopa excretion in urine was checked continuously in all patients. Tumor recurrence was revealed in two patients given DTIC on an adjuvant basis three and four months before clinical signs of tumor. In the palliatively treated patients, 5‐S‐cysteinyldopa excretion increased in 5/6 patients judged to have stable disease, before tumor progression was clinically detectable. The use of 5‐S‐cysteinyldopa examination is a valuable adjunct to the follow‐up of the effect of DTIC therapy in melanoma patients

Total body hyperthermia induced by a computerized microwave technique : studies in normal rats and in rats with liver tumors.

A computerized system for inducing total body hyperthermia by microwave irradiation was tested in rats. The tolerance to hyperthermia at different temperatures and fractions was studied as well as its effect on the growth of transplanted adenocarcinomas in the liver. Survival results indicated that 41.5 degrees C was maximum tolerated temperature both after single and repeated one hour exposures. Besides the high mortality with a greater temperature (42 degrees C) there was a significant rise in S-aspartate-amino-transferase (S-ASAT) and S-beta-hexosaminidase (beta-nagas) indicating damage of normal cells. No significant reduction of tumor volume could be registered after treatment with total body hyperthermia (41.5 degrees C) for one hour three times during a 24 hour period

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ABSTRACT. Objective. We have reported that the prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques and their echolucency was increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We here study antibodies against oxidized cardiolipin (anti-OxCL) and phosphatidylserine (anti-OxPS) in SLE and in relation to atherosclerosis measures. Methods. Patients with SLE (n = 114) were compared with age-and sex-matched population-based controls (n = 122). Common carotid intima-media thickness and plaque occurrence were determined by B-mode ultrasonography. Plaques were graded according to echogenicity as 1-4, with 1 being echolucent. Antibodies were determined by ELISA. Results. In the SLE group, the prevalence of low IgM anti-OxPS and low total IgM levels (below 33rd percentile) was increased compared to controls (p = 0.045 and p = 0.0079, respectively). Among SLE patients with atherosclerotic plaques, the prevalence of low IgM anti-OxPS (p = 0.0019) and anti-OxCL (p = 0.031) was increased. Only IgM anti-OxPS remained significant (p = 0.019) after adjusting for other significant factors. Echolucent plaques (total, or left side) were more prevalent among SLE patients with low IgM anti-OxCL and anti-OxPS when controlled for other significant factors (p &lt; 0.05). Low total IgM was independently associated with echolucent plaque on left side (p &lt; 0.05), but not other atherosclerosis measures. IgM anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and antiphosphatidylserine antibodies (anti-PS) were higher among SLE patients with cardiopulmonary disease, including arterial, valvular, and venous disease (p &lt; 0.05). There were no associations between antibodies and other disease manifestations or activity. Both anti-OxCL and anti-OxPS, in contrast to aCL, and anti-PS, were cofactor-β 2 -glycoprotein I (β 2 -GPI)-independent. Conclusion. The prevalence of low levels of IgM anti-OxCL and anti-OxPS (both cofactor-β 2 -GPI-independent) is associated with the presence of plaques and echolucent plaques i