Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Lifestyle Habits of Pregnant Women Smokers

The aim of this study was to describe anthropometric, clinical, socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle habits of pregnant smokers in comparison to pregnant nonsmokers. During years 1999–2003, 1,435 pregnant smokers and 4,772 pregnant nonsmokers were interviewed after delivery with a questionnaire. They were recorded clinical, anthropometric and socio-demographic data, smoking status, labor outcome, maternal and fetal hemoglobin concentrations for each patient. The two groups were comparable in anthropometric and clinical characteristics, duration of pregnancy and mode of delivery, except for birth weights, which were significantly lower in newborns of smokers. Maternal hemoglobin concentrations were significantly lower in smokers, but fetal hemoglobin concentrations were significantly higher in babies of smokers. The proportion of pregnant women who smoked during pregnancy was higher among urban women, among women with lower educational level and among unemployed subjects in comparison with nonsmokers. The pregnant women who smoked during pregnancy were more often caffeine and alcohol consumers. To further reduce smoking during pregnancy it is important to continue to promote smoking cessation among teenagers

Comparison of Fetal Plasma Cortisol Level between Eutrophic and Hypotrophic Newborns

We tested two groups of singletons born at term: fifty-six eutrophic newborns and 56 hypotrophic subjects. They randomly from all newborns delivered by vaginal route between 8 and 14 hours. Excluded were preeclampsia, diabetes, labours longer than 12 hours and newborns with malformations. Written informed consent was obtained from all women and data were collected before and after labour. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained immediately following the delivery and plasma cortisol concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. The groups did not differ significantly regarding maternal age, parity, gestational age and Apgar score, but birth weight was significant differed (p<0.001). In addition, eutrophic newborns had significantly elevated cortisol levels (457.7 nmol/L, 321.8–696.6 nmol/L) compared with hypotrophic newborns (320.5 nmol/L, 215.1–578.7 nmol/L, p<0.001). The role of fetal cortisol in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) pregnancy and labour is uncertain, but fetal plasma cortisol levels may be lower in IUGR newborns

Uloga salivarnog i serumskog CA125 i rutinskih nalaza krvi kod bolesnica sa zloćudnim tumorima jajnika

The use of routine blood tests has recently been shown to be promising in determining disease-free and overall survival in patients with various malignancies, and also in gynecologic malignancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether salivary and serum CA125 levels correlate and whether salivary and serum CA125, C-reactive protein and routine blood tests might serve as a prognostic factor in malignant ovarian tumors, and whether they might differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian tumors. A total of 98 women were included (48 with benign ovarian tumors and 50 with malignant ovarian tumors), in whom routine blood tests were made and salivary and serum CA125 levels were determined by use of ELISA. Increase in serum CA125 and amylase decreased overall survival, whereas increase in salivary CA125, potassium levels and hemoglobin increased overall survival. Significant correlation of serum CA125 and C-reactive protein was found in the group with malignant tumors. In conclusion, significant increase in the levels of serum CA125 and amylase correlated with decreased survival, whereas increased salivary CA125, hemoglobin and potassium levels significantly correlated with increased survival.U posljednje vrijeme pokazalo se da su rutinski testovi krvi obećavajući u određivanju razdoblja bez bolesti i ukupnog preživljenja bolesnika s različitim zloćudnim bolestima, uključujući i ginekološke malignitete. Cilj ovoga istraživanja bio je procijeniti koreliraju li razine CA125 u slini i serumu te mogu li CA125, C-reaktivni protein u slini i serumu i rutinske pretrage krvi poslužiti kao prognostički čimbenik u malignim tumorima jajnika te mogu li razlikovati dobroćudne i zloćudne tumore jajnika. U istraživanje je uključeno 98 žena (48 s dobroćudnim tumorima jajnika i 50 sa zloćudnim tumorima jajnika), kod kojih su izvedene rutinske analize krvi i razine CA125 u slini i serumu primjenom testa ELISA. Povećanje serumskog CA125 i amilaze smanjuje ukupno preživljavanje, dok povećanje salivarnog CA125, razine kalija i hemoglobina povećava ukupno preživljavanje. U skupini sa zloćudnim tumorima zabilježena je značajna korelacija serumskog CA125 s C-reaktivnim proteinom. Može se zaključiti da su značajno povišene razine CA125 i amilaze u serumu bile u korelaciji sa smanjenim preživljenjem, dok je povišena razina CA125, hemoglobina i kalija značajno povezana s povećanim preživljenjem

Assessment of the association between periodontitis and idiopathic infertility in women by detection of salivary matrix metalloproteinase 8

Literaturni podaci upućuju na to da neplodne pacijentice imaju lošiji parodontni status, što može biti uzrok komplikacijama začeća. Matriksna metaloproteinaza 8 (MMP-8) je enzim u slini koji je izravno povezan s parodontnom upalom. Cilj ove studije bio je validacija ordinacijskog testa koji detektira aktivni oblik MMP8 (aMMP8) iz ispirka usne šupljine u populaciji žena s neobjašnjivom neplodnošću u usporedbi s plodnim ženama odgovarajuće dobi s i bez parodontitisa. Pretpostavljali smo da će neplodne žene imati lošiji parodontni status i veći broj pozitivnih aMMP-8 testova u usporedbi s plodnim ženama. Istraživanje je uključilo 50 zdravih žena s urednim ovulacijskim ciklusima u dobi od 25-45 godina i strogo definiranom neobjašnjivom (idiopatskom) neplodnošću i 50 zdravih žena s urednim ovulacijskim ciklusima iste dobi koje su zatrudnjele i rodile prirodnim putem. Svim sudionicama napravljen je klinički parodontološki pregled i ordinacijski test na aMMP-8 iz ispirka usne šupljine. Polovici pacijentica u svakoj skupini dijagnosticiran je parodontitis, dok je druga polovica bila bez parodontitisa. Osjetljivost i specifičnost testa za otkrivanje parodontitisa iznosila je 84% i 72% u skupini neplodnih, 88% i 68% u skupini plodnih pacijentica te 86% i 70% u ukupnoj populaciji pacijentica. Neplodne pacijentice s parodontitisom imale su manje uznapredovali parodontitis od kontrolne skupine, iako ta razlika nije bila statistički značajna. Rezultati su pokazali da su neplodne bolesnice imale bolji parodontni status i manje uznapredovali parodontitis od plodnih žena iste dobi te da osjetljivost i specifičnost testa rastu sa stupnjem uznapredovalosti parodontitisa. Testom se može razmjerno dobro identificirati pacijentice s parodontitisom, ali je, s obzirom na naše rezultate, korist od tog testiranja u obradi i liječenju idiopatske neplodnosti upitna.Aim: Literature data suggest that infertile patients present worse periodontal status, which may be a factor that complicates conception. Matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) is an enzyme in saliva that is directly related to periodontal inflammation. The aim of our study was to validate a chairside mouth rinse test for detection of active form of MMP8 (aMMP8) in a population of women with unexplained infertility compared to age-matched fertile women, with and without periodontitis. Our hypothesis was that infertile women will have worse periodontal health and more positive MMP8 tests, compared to fertile women. Materials and methods: The study included 50 healthy norm-ovulatory females ages 25-45 with strictly defined unexplained infertility, and 50 healthy norm-ovulatory women at the same age who have conceived and delivered naturally. All participants underwent clinical periodontal examination and a chairside aMMP-8 oral rinse test. One half of the participants in each group was diagnosed with periodontitis, while the other half was without periodontitis. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the test for the detection of periodontitis in the group of infertile patients was 88% and 68%, in the group of fertile patients 84% and 72% and 86% and 70% in the total patient population. Infertile patients with periodontitis had less advanced periodontitis than the control group, although the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our results have shown that infertile patients had better periodontal status and less advanced periodontitis than fertile women of the same age. Sensitivity and specificity of the test increase with the degree of progression of periodontitis. Patients with periodontitis can be relatively well identified, but based on our results, the benefit of this test in the treatment of idiopathic infertility is questionable

Assessment of the association between periodontitis and idiopathic infertility in women by detection of salivary matrix metalloproteinase 8

Literaturni podaci upućuju na to da neplodne pacijentice imaju lošiji parodontni status, što može biti uzrok komplikacijama začeća. Matriksna metaloproteinaza 8 (MMP-8) je enzim u slini koji je izravno povezan s parodontnom upalom. Cilj ove studije bio je validacija ordinacijskog testa koji detektira aktivni oblik MMP8 (aMMP8) iz ispirka usne šupljine u populaciji žena s neobjašnjivom neplodnošću u usporedbi s plodnim ženama odgovarajuće dobi s i bez parodontitisa. Pretpostavljali smo da će neplodne žene imati lošiji parodontni status i veći broj pozitivnih aMMP-8 testova u usporedbi s plodnim ženama. Istraživanje je uključilo 50 zdravih žena s urednim ovulacijskim ciklusima u dobi od 25-45 godina i strogo definiranom neobjašnjivom (idiopatskom) neplodnošću i 50 zdravih žena s urednim ovulacijskim ciklusima iste dobi koje su zatrudnjele i rodile prirodnim putem. Svim sudionicama napravljen je klinički parodontološki pregled i ordinacijski test na aMMP-8 iz ispirka usne šupljine. Polovici pacijentica u svakoj skupini dijagnosticiran je parodontitis, dok je druga polovica bila bez parodontitisa. Osjetljivost i specifičnost testa za otkrivanje parodontitisa iznosila je 84% i 72% u skupini neplodnih, 88% i 68% u skupini plodnih pacijentica te 86% i 70% u ukupnoj populaciji pacijentica. Neplodne pacijentice s parodontitisom imale su manje uznapredovali parodontitis od kontrolne skupine, iako ta razlika nije bila statistički značajna. Rezultati su pokazali da su neplodne bolesnice imale bolji parodontni status i manje uznapredovali parodontitis od plodnih žena iste dobi te da osjetljivost i specifičnost testa rastu sa stupnjem uznapredovalosti parodontitisa. Testom se može razmjerno dobro identificirati pacijentice s parodontitisom, ali je, s obzirom na naše rezultate, korist od tog testiranja u obradi i liječenju idiopatske neplodnosti upitna.Aim: Literature data suggest that infertile patients present worse periodontal status, which may be a factor that complicates conception. Matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) is an enzyme in saliva that is directly related to periodontal inflammation. The aim of our study was to validate a chairside mouth rinse test for detection of active form of MMP8 (aMMP8) in a population of women with unexplained infertility compared to age-matched fertile women, with and without periodontitis. Our hypothesis was that infertile women will have worse periodontal health and more positive MMP8 tests, compared to fertile women. Materials and methods: The study included 50 healthy norm-ovulatory females ages 25-45 with strictly defined unexplained infertility, and 50 healthy norm-ovulatory women at the same age who have conceived and delivered naturally. All participants underwent clinical periodontal examination and a chairside aMMP-8 oral rinse test. One half of the participants in each group was diagnosed with periodontitis, while the other half was without periodontitis. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the test for the detection of periodontitis in the group of infertile patients was 88% and 68%, in the group of fertile patients 84% and 72% and 86% and 70% in the total patient population. Infertile patients with periodontitis had less advanced periodontitis than the control group, although the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our results have shown that infertile patients had better periodontal status and less advanced periodontitis than fertile women of the same age. Sensitivity and specificity of the test increase with the degree of progression of periodontitis. Patients with periodontitis can be relatively well identified, but based on our results, the benefit of this test in the treatment of idiopathic infertility is questionable

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)—Treatment with Verbal and Written Information, B Vitamins, Probiotics, and Low-Level Laser Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the most effective treatment option for burning mouth syndrome. Methods: Informative treatment alone, B vitamin injections, oral cavity probiotics, and low-level laser therapy were evaluated and compared. The study included new patients diagnosed with burning mouth syndrome, who were randomly allocated into one of four treatment groups. The primary outcome was improvement in patient’s quality of life as determined by a self-perceived Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) quality of life questionnaire before and after therapy. The secondary outcome was determination of mucosal symptom intensity according to visual analog scale (VAS) grading from 0 to 10. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. Results: A total of 62 patients completed the study. Oral cavity probiotics and LLLT scores for OHIP-14 resulted in a statistically significant difference before and after therapy. Standardized effect sizes between OHIP scores before and after treatment were the greatest for patients who had received oral cavity probiotics. Conclusions: Oral cavity probiotics and LLLT were the most effective treatment for improvement in quality of life. Further investigation on a larger group of patients is required

Dijagnostička točnost sline neplodnih žena dobivena testom aMMP-8 i analiza nalaza krvi

Introduction: The literature reviewed in this paper suggests that infertile patients present worse periodontal status, which may be causative to conception complications. This study aimed to validate an aMMP-8 point-of-care mouth rinse test in the population of women with unexplained infertility and compare it to age-matched fertile women with and without periodontitis. Furthermore, blood sampled inflammatory parameters were analyzed and compared between the two groups. It was hypothesized that the infertile women would present worse periodontal status and a greater number of positive aMMP-8 tests than fertile women, and they would have increased inflammatory blood parameters. Material and methods: The study included 50 healthy norm-ovulatory females aged 25-45 years with strictly defined unexplained (idiopathic) infertility, and 50 healthy norm-ovulatory women of the same age who had conceived and delivered naturally. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the test for detecting periodontitis was 84% and 72% in the group of infertile patients, 88% and 68% in the group of fertile patients and 86% and 70% in the overall patient population. Infertile patients with periodontitis had less advanced periodontitis than the control group although this difference was not statistically significant. Blood inflammatory markers were significantly higher in infertile than in fertile women. Conclusion: This study has shown that infertile patients had better periodontal status and less advanced periodontitis than fertile women of the same age. Therefore, when interpreting the results of aMMP-8 tests for diagnosis of periodontitis, one should keep in mind the periodontal status of the examined population.Uvod: Literaturni podatci upućuju na to da neplodne pacijentice imaju lošiji parodontni status, što može biti uzrok komplikacijama tijekom začeća. Cilj ove studije bio je validacija aMMP-8 point-of-ca-re testa iz ispirka usne šupljine u populaciji žena s neobjašnjivom neplodnošću u usporedbi s plodnim ženama odgovarajuće dobi s parodontitisom i bez njega. Nadalje, analizirani su upalni parametri uzorkovane krvi i uspoređeni između dviju skupina. Pretpostavljali smo da će neplodne žene imati lošiji parodontni status i veći broj pozitivnih testova aMMP-8 u usporedbi s plodnima te da će im biti povišeni upalni parametri iz krvi. Materijal i metode: U istraživanje je bilo uključeno 50 zdravih žena s urednim ovulacijskim ciklusima u dobi od 25 do 45 godina i strogo definiranom neobjašnjivom (idiopatskom) neplodnošću i 50 zdravih žena iste dobi s urednim ovulacijskim ciklusima koje su zatrudnjele i rodile prirodnim putem. Rezultati: Osjetljivost i specifičnost testa za otkrivanje parodontitisa iznosila je 84 i 72 % u skupini neplodnih pacijentica, 88 i 68 % u skupini plodnih te 86 i 70 % u ukupnoj populaciji pacijentica. Neplodne pacijentice s parodontitisom imale su manje uznapredovali parodontitis od kontrolne skupine, iako ta razlika statistički nije bila značajna. Upalni parametri u krvi bili su značajno viši u neplodnih žena nego u plodnih. Zaključak: Ovo istraživanje pokazalo je da su neplodne žene imale bolji parodontni status i manje uznapredovali parodontitis od plodnih žena iste dobi. Dakle, pri tumačenju rezultata dobivenih testovima aMMP-8 za dijagnostiku parodontitisa treba imati na umu parodontni status ispitivane populacije