Improved General and Oral Health in Diabetic Patients by an Okinawan-Based Nordic Diet:A Pilot Study

Periodontal disease, periodontitis as well as the preceding gingivitis, has been associated with both obesity and diabetes. Studies have shown that diet changes can lead to a lower incidence of such inflammation. The aim of the present case series over four weeks was to study the effects on medical and dental conditions in patients with type 2 diabetes of the consumption of the Okinawan-based Nordic Diet (OBND®). Medical and dental examinations were performed to estimate the general health and gingivitis/periodontitis. Serum cytokine levels were assessed using Luminex technology. Eight of ten study participants completed the study. All participants lost weight (p = 0.012). Six out of seven that were treated with insulin could reduce their insulin intake after two weeks with OBND®. The reduction was about 16 units which corresponds to a 34% relative reduction compared to the starting point (range 15–63%). Fasting blood glucose values fell (p = 0.035). Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (p = 0.01), triglycerides (p = 0.05), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p = 0.05) were also reduced. Bleeding on probing changed from ~28% before any dietary changes to ~13% after two weeks with OBND® (p = 0.01). The reduction in gingival bleeding was as substantial as might be expected from one session of professional tooth cleaning. Markers of inflammation were also reduced. The OBND® thus showed significant promise in alleviating the impact of diabetes on dental as well as general health

Seasonality of reproduction in an ever-wet lowland tropical forest in Amazonian Ecuador

We thank Pablo Alvia, Alvaro Pérez, Zornitza Aguilar, Paola Barriga, Matt Priest, Caroline Whitefoord, and Gorky Villa for assistance in collecting data or identifying species; Elina Gomez for entry of trap data; Hugo Navarrete, Katya Romoleroux and the QCA herbarium staff, and David Lasso and the ECY staff for help with logistics and needed permitting; Rick Condit, Elizabeth Losos, Robin Foster, and Henrik Balslev for initial encouragement to work within the Yasuní Forest Dynamics Plot; Hugo Romero for initially summarizing the YFDP and SSP weather data sets; Pablo Jarrin for setting up the TEAM weather station, and David Lasso and Carlos Padilla for maintaining that equipment and making the data available; and the Ecuadorian Ministerio del Ambiente for permission to work in Yasuní National Park [No 014-2019-IC-PNY-DPAO/AVS, No 012-2018-IC-PNY593-DPAO/AVS, No 008-2017-IC-PNY-DPAO/AVS, No 012-2016-IC-FAU-FLO-DPAO-PNY, No 594-014-2015-FLO-MAE-DPAO-PNY, and earlier permits]. The Forest Dynamics Plot of Yasuní National Park has been made possible through the generous support of the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE) funds of donaciones del impuesto a la renta, the Government of Ecuador, the US National Science Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, and the University of Aarhus of Denmark. The phenology project began while NCG was at the Natural History Museum, London, with funding (2000–2004) from the Department of Botany (NHM), the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, British Airways, and the Natural Environment Research Council (GR9/04037). It continued with NCG at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (2005–2023). We thank the Center for Tropical Forest Science for transitional funding (2006–2008, 2017–2018) and the National Science Foundation LTREB program for long-term funding (2006–2020; DEB-0614525, DEB-1122634, DEB-1754632, DEB-1754668).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Intellectual disability and sexual health : A qualitative study on staff's attitudes and views on users' sexual expressions

Världshälsoorganisationen (WHO) definierar sexuell hälsa som individens rätt till sitt eget sexuella uttryck och att njuta av sin sexualitet. Till detta räknas möjligheten att njuta av säkert sex fritt från tvång, diskriminering och våld. Alla människor behöver få möjlighet att uppleva sexualitet på flera sätt, både utifrån könsidentitet och roller, sexuell läggning, njutning och intimitet. Precis som alla andra har även personer med intellektuell funktionsnedsättning (IF) sexuella rättigheter, vilket förtydligas i FN konventionen om rättigheter för personer med funktionsnedsättning. Trots detta så finns det inte några formuleringar kring just sexuella rättigheter i LSS. För personer med IF blir på så vis personalens förhållningssätt och syn på sexualitet viktigt för de möjligheter som ges när det kommer till att uppleva sin sexualitet. Det är ur detta som denna studie har sin utgångspunkt. Studiens syfte är att belysa och identifiera förhållningssätt bland personal inom gruppbostäder enligt LSS, när det kommer till intellektuell funktionsnedsättning och sexuell hälsa. Materialet till studien har samlats in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med vinjettfrågor som sedan analyserats. Resultatet tyder överlag på normkritiska och tillåtande förhållningssätt. Personalen uttrycker en öppenhet som motsäger den tabu som annars kan antas omge ämnet. Av resultatet framkom även att fördomsfrihet förespråkas, allas rätt till sin egen sexualitet och att stöd ska ges utifrån varje individs behov. Vidare framkom även en osäkerhet angående verksamhetens riktlinjer kring sexuell hälsa, där personal menar att det snarare är det egna engagemanget som skapar öppenheten.The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual health as the individual's right to their own sexual expression and to enjoy their sexuality. This includes the possibility of enjoying safe sex free from coercion, discrimination and violence. All people need the opportunity to experience sexuality in several ways, both based on gender identity and roles, sexual orientation, pleasure and intimacy. Like everyone else, people with intellectual disabilities (ID) also have sexual rights, as clarified by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Despite this, there are no wordings on sexual rights in LSS. For people with ID, the staff's approach and view of sexuality becomes important for the opportunities that are given when it comes to experiencing their sexuality. This is where this study is based. The aim of the study is to highlight and identify attitudes among staff within group homes in accordance with LSS, when it comes to intellectual disability and sexual health. The material for the study has been collected through semi-structured interviews with case descriptions that have since been analyzed. The results indicate norm-critical and permissive approaches. The staff expresses an openness that contradicts the taboo that might otherwise be assumed to surround the subject. The results also showed that open-mindedness is advocated, everyone's right to their own sexuality and that support should be given based on each individual's needs. Furthermore, uncertainty arose concerning the guidelines regarding sexual health, where staff believe that it is rather their own commitment that creates transparency

Intellectual disability and sexual health : A qualitative study on staff's attitudes and views on users' sexual expressions

Världshälsoorganisationen (WHO) definierar sexuell hälsa som individens rätt till sitt eget sexuella uttryck och att njuta av sin sexualitet. Till detta räknas möjligheten att njuta av säkert sex fritt från tvång, diskriminering och våld. Alla människor behöver få möjlighet att uppleva sexualitet på flera sätt, både utifrån könsidentitet och roller, sexuell läggning, njutning och intimitet. Precis som alla andra har även personer med intellektuell funktionsnedsättning (IF) sexuella rättigheter, vilket förtydligas i FN konventionen om rättigheter för personer med funktionsnedsättning. Trots detta så finns det inte några formuleringar kring just sexuella rättigheter i LSS. För personer med IF blir på så vis personalens förhållningssätt och syn på sexualitet viktigt för de möjligheter som ges när det kommer till att uppleva sin sexualitet. Det är ur detta som denna studie har sin utgångspunkt. Studiens syfte är att belysa och identifiera förhållningssätt bland personal inom gruppbostäder enligt LSS, när det kommer till intellektuell funktionsnedsättning och sexuell hälsa. Materialet till studien har samlats in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med vinjettfrågor som sedan analyserats. Resultatet tyder överlag på normkritiska och tillåtande förhållningssätt. Personalen uttrycker en öppenhet som motsäger den tabu som annars kan antas omge ämnet. Av resultatet framkom även att fördomsfrihet förespråkas, allas rätt till sin egen sexualitet och att stöd ska ges utifrån varje individs behov. Vidare framkom även en osäkerhet angående verksamhetens riktlinjer kring sexuell hälsa, där personal menar att det snarare är det egna engagemanget som skapar öppenheten.The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual health as the individual's right to their own sexual expression and to enjoy their sexuality. This includes the possibility of enjoying safe sex free from coercion, discrimination and violence. All people need the opportunity to experience sexuality in several ways, both based on gender identity and roles, sexual orientation, pleasure and intimacy. Like everyone else, people with intellectual disabilities (ID) also have sexual rights, as clarified by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Despite this, there are no wordings on sexual rights in LSS. For people with ID, the staff's approach and view of sexuality becomes important for the opportunities that are given when it comes to experiencing their sexuality. This is where this study is based. The aim of the study is to highlight and identify attitudes among staff within group homes in accordance with LSS, when it comes to intellectual disability and sexual health. The material for the study has been collected through semi-structured interviews with case descriptions that have since been analyzed. The results indicate norm-critical and permissive approaches. The staff expresses an openness that contradicts the taboo that might otherwise be assumed to surround the subject. The results also showed that open-mindedness is advocated, everyone's right to their own sexuality and that support should be given based on each individual's needs. Furthermore, uncertainty arose concerning the guidelines regarding sexual health, where staff believe that it is rather their own commitment that creates transparency

A Phylogenetic Conspectus of the Tribe Juanulloeae (Solanaceae)

Volume: 84Start Page: 67End Page: 8

Assessment of carotid calcifications on panoramic radiographs in relation to other used methods and relationship to periodontitis and stroke: a literature review

OBJECTIVES To assess the literature on carotid calcifications defined from panoramic radiographs (PMX) and concurrent diagnosis of stroke and periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search screening for publications using search terms such as PMX and carotid calcification, stroke and periodontitis was performed in November 2012. RESULTS A total of 189 articles were retrieved, among which 30 were included in the review. The sensitivity for PMX findings of carotid calcifications (CC) compared to a diagnosis by Doppler sonography varied between 31.1-100%. The specificity for PMX findings of carotid calcifications compared to a diagnosis by Doppler sonography varied between 21.4-87.5%. Individuals with CC findings from PMX have more periodontitis and risk for stroke. CONCLUSIONS There is a shortage of well-designed studies in older dentate individuals assessing the associations between periodontitis and radiographic evidence of CC and in relation to stroke or other cardiovascular diseases. STATEMENT OF CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Carotid calcifications are prevalent in patients with periodontitis and such individuals may have an increased risk for stroke. The absence of signs of carotid calcification on panoramic radiographs is indicative of no calcification of carotid arteries

Carotid calcifications in panoramic radiographs are associated with future stroke or ischemic heart diseases : a long-term follow-up study

OBJECTIVE: To assess if carotid calcifications detected in panoramic radiographs are associated with future events of stroke, and/or ischemic heart diseases over 10-13 years in individuals between 60 and 96 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Baseline (2001-2004) panoramic radiographs were assessed for evidence of carotid calcifications from individuals with no previous history of stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases. A radiopaque nodular mass adjacent to the cervical vertebrae, at or below the intervertebral space C3-C4, was interpreted as carotid calcification. Annual medical records were searched for ICD 10 codes through 2014. RESULTS: Signs of carotid calcification was demonstrated in 238/635 (37.5%) of the study individuals. Signs of carotid calcification was associated with future stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases (χ2 = 9.1, OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2, 2.2, p < 0.002). In individuals 60-72 years, a significant association between radiographic signs of carotid calcification and stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases (χ2 = 12.4, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.5, 4.0, p < 0.000) (adjusted for high blood pressure, diabetes type 2, BMI; OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1, 3.5, p = 0.03). Individuals (60-72 years) with radiographic evidence of carotid calcifications had a mean cumulative stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases survival time of 12.1 years compared to those without such evidence (13.0 years) (log rank Mantel-Cox χ2 = 10.7, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of carotid calcifications in panoramic radiographs is associated with an event of stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases in 60-96-year-old individuals. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Radiographic evidence of carotid calcifications is associated with stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases. Patients with signs of carotid calcifications should therefore be referred for medical examination

Carotid calcifications in panoramic radiographs are associated with future stroke or ischemic heart diseases : a long-term follow-up study

OBJECTIVE: To assess if carotid calcifications detected in panoramic radiographs are associated with future events of stroke, and/or ischemic heart diseases over 10-13 years in individuals between 60 and 96 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Baseline (2001-2004) panoramic radiographs were assessed for evidence of carotid calcifications from individuals with no previous history of stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases. A radiopaque nodular mass adjacent to the cervical vertebrae, at or below the intervertebral space C3-C4, was interpreted as carotid calcification. Annual medical records were searched for ICD 10 codes through 2014. RESULTS: Signs of carotid calcification was demonstrated in 238/635 (37.5%) of the study individuals. Signs of carotid calcification was associated with future stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases (χ2 = 9.1, OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2, 2.2, p &lt; 0.002). In individuals 60-72 years, a significant association between radiographic signs of carotid calcification and stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases (χ2 = 12.4, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.5, 4.0, p &lt; 0.000) (adjusted for high blood pressure, diabetes type 2, BMI; OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1, 3.5, p = 0.03). Individuals (60-72 years) with radiographic evidence of carotid calcifications had a mean cumulative stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases survival time of 12.1 years compared to those without such evidence (13.0 years) (log rank Mantel-Cox χ2 = 10.7, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of carotid calcifications in panoramic radiographs is associated with an event of stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases in 60-96-year-old individuals. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Radiographic evidence of carotid calcifications is associated with stroke and/or ischemic heart diseases. Patients with signs of carotid calcifications should therefore be referred for medical examination