Randomized clinical trial of the effects of azithromycin use in the treatment of peri-implantitis.

Background: The aim of this clinical trial was to establish a proof of concept that the adjunctive use of systemic azithromycin (AZM) in conjunction with mechanical debridement has an increased benefit in reducing soft tissue inflammation in the treatment of peri-implantitis.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial, the treatment group (nine patients) received AZM as well as mechanical debridement in a single course of treatment, whereas the control group (eight patients) received a placebo and mechanical debridement. The primary outcome variables studied were bleeding on probing, suppuration, pocket probing depth and gingival recession.

Data synthesis in community health assessment: practical examples from the field.

State and local health departments (LHDs) are increasingly conducting community health assessments, using models such as Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships. Within the peer-reviewed literature, relevant Web sites, and textbooks on health planning, there is limited practical guidance for bridging data collection and prioritization. The purpose of this article was to provide examples of how LHDs have bridged these steps through "data synthesis.

Integrating MAPP, APEXPH, PACE-EH, and other planning initiatives in Northern Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky is the first NACCHO demonstration site in the nation to utilize the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) tool as one element in the development of a comprehensive community health plan. The Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department utilized several strategies to integrate MAPP and a variety of assessment tools into a continuous and seamless planning process that resulted in the Master Health Plan for Northern Kentucky 2005. These strategies were developed from using many of the assessment and planning tools developed by the National Association of County and City Health Officials including MAPP, the Protocol for Assessing Community Excellence in Environmental Health, and the Assessment Protocol for Excellence in Public Health.

Serum protein markers (Hp, GC, C3) in patients with colon cancer.

The phenotypes and gene frequencies of three serum protein systems--Hp, GC and C3--were studied in 184 consecutive patients from all over Greece with colon cancer. Healthy Greeks studied previously in our department served as controls. No significant differences were found between patients and controls concerning GC and C3.

Study of platelet function in patients with sickle cell anemia during steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis.

Although there are many reports providing evidence for platelet hyperactivity during acute infarctive crisis in sickle cell disease, little attention has been paid to the study of platelet release reaction in steady state. Plasma levels of the alpha-granule constituents beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 were measured in patients with sickle cell anemia during steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis in order to determine in vivo platelet activity. Significantly higher plasma levels of both proteins were found in steady state and in crisis when compared with those of normal controls.

Adrenal hyperresponsiveness to ACTH stimulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: an adrenarchal type of response.

Adrenal responsiveness to ACTH stimulation (1 mg, i.m.) was assessed by measuring cortisol (Cort) and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) at 0, 30, 60, and 90 minutes and progesterone (P), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), delta 4-androstenedione (delta 4A), and testosterone (T) at 0, 60, and 90 minutes post-ACTH in 30 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO).

Paradoxical growth hormone response following thyroid-stimulating hormone administration in the polycystic ovary syndrome.

Growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) responses after TRH administration were studied in 31 women presenting with the clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic characteristics of the polycystic ovarian (PCO) syndrome; their results were compared with those of 20 normally menstruating women investigated during the early follicular phase of the cycle. Based on the GH responses two PCO subgroups were observed: (a) nonresponders (n = 16) who showed delta max GH responses (0.7 +/- 0.

Complement activation in atherosclerosis: effect of angiography and surgery.

Complement activation in the plasma of patients with severe atherosclerosis (arterial occlusive or aneurysmatic disease) was investigated in this study. The effects of angiography and reconstructive arterial surgery (RAS) were also assessed. Atherosclerosis was not found to be associated with systemic complement activation.

A computer automated study of the structure-mutagenicity relationships of non-fused-ring nitroarenes and related compounds.

A quantitative structure-activity analysis of the mutagenicity of non-fused-ring nitroaromatic compounds is reported. The analysis is performed on the basis of substructural fragment descriptors according to a recently developed methodology acronymed CASE (computer automated structure evaluation). The compounds of the data base were reclassified as mutagens or nonmutagens n the basis of probabilistic considerations.

Quantitative structure-activity relationships of beta-adrenergic agents. Application of the computer automated structure evaluation (CASE) technique of molecular fragment recognition.

A quantitative structure-activity analysis of adenylate cyclase-coupled beta-adrenergic receptor agonists and antagonists in the frog erythrocyte membrane was made. On the basis of molecular structural fragment descriptors, automatically generated by the CASE methodology, catecholamine derivatives were correctly classified as agonists or antagonists. The potency of these agents in each category, as well as their binding-affinity for the beta receptor was correlated through a multivariate regression analysis.

NPPD (spy dust) is predicted to be a mutagen.

With the aid of CASE, the Computer Automated Structure Evaluation system, a new artificial intelligence procedure to study structure-activity relationships and a data base consisting of 233 monocyclic nitroarenes, it is predicted that 5-(4-nitrophenyl)-2,4-pentadienal will be mutagenic for Salmonella typhimurium but that the activity will be very low.

Serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in Greek uremics.

Using a simplified competitive protein-binding assay, we measured serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) in 52 patients with chronic renal failure and in 21 normal subjects. Of the patients with chronic renal failure, 21 were undergoing hemodialysis. Low serum levels of 25-OH-D3 were found in nondialysis patients and normal levels in the dialysis group.

Reticuloendothelial phagocytosis in patients with chronic renal failure.

Using the clearance of microaggregated iodinated human serum albumin, the phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system was tested in 73 patients with chronic renal failure and in 30 normal subjects. Of the patients with chronic renal failure 26 were undergoing hemodialysis. Increased reticuloendothelial phagocytosis was shown in all patients with chronic renal failure.

Serum gastrin concentrations in healthy males and females of various ages.

We measured, by the RIA method, the concentrations of serum gastrin in a fasting state in 80 healthy volunteers of both sexes (M = 43, F = 37) aged 15-81 years. We did not find significant differences in the mean values of gastrin among them and the correlation of gastrin with the ages was insignificant. Further study of various age groups (15-29, 30-59, greater than 60 years) in both sexes and of two more age groups (18-45, 46-71) in the females, did not disclose any significant differences either.

The incidence of gallstones in Greece; an autopsy study.

In the fifty-year period, from 1925 to 1974, 6596 autopsies were performed at three departments of Pathology in Athens. The incidence of gallstones was 5.97% in the total material.

Functioning metastatic parathyroid carcinoma.

A case of 53-year-old woman with a parathyroid adenoma and a parathyroid carcinoma with functioning metastases to the lungs, mediastinum and pleura is reported. The administration of inorganic phosphate solution failed to control hypercalcemia. The therapeutic methods available to deal with metastases are discussed.

The red cell acid phosphatase polymorphism in Greek b-thalassemia patients.

Red cell acid phosphatase polymorphism was studied by starch gel electrophoresis in 70 b-thalassemia patients and in 310 healthy Greeks. Our results gave the following gene frequencies; b-thalassemia patients: pa 0.321, pb 0.