Association between pregnancy loss and urinary phthalate levels around the time of conception.

Background: Animal studies indicate that some phthalate metabolites may harm female reproductive function.

Objectives: We assessed the associations between exposure to phthalate metabolites and pregnancy loss.

Methods: Using a previously established cohort of couples planning their first pregnancy, we analyzed four primary and two oxidized secondary phthalate metabolites in urine samples collected on day 10 after the first day of the last menstrual period before conception occurred (n = 128) and during the previous cycle (if any, n = 111).

Searching for early breast cancer biomarkers by serum protein profiling of pre-diagnostic serum; a nested case-control study.

Background: Serum protein profiles have been investigated frequently to discover early biomarkers for breast cancer. So far, these studies used biological samples collected at or after diagnosis. This may limit these studies' value in the search for cancer biomarkers because of the often advanced tumor stage, and consequently risk of reverse causality.

Diagnostic yield of conventional radiographic and cone-beam computed tomographic images in patients with atypical odontalgia.

Aim: To investigate whether the additional diagnostic yield of a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination over conventional radiographs in patients primarily suspected of having atypical odontalgia (AO) improves differentiation between AO and symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP) in patients with severe chronic intraoral pain.

Methodology: In this clinical study, 25 patients (mean age 54 ± 11 years, range 34-72) participated; 20 were diagnosed with AO and 5 with SAP. All patients were recruited from the clinics of the Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University.

Curriculum structure, content, learning and assessment in European undergraduate dental education - update 2010.

This paper presents an updated statement on behalf of the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE) in relation to proposals for undergraduate Curriculum Structure, Content, Learning, Assessment and Student / Staff Exchange for dental education in Europe. A task force was constituted to consider these issues and the two previous, related publications produced by the Association (Plasschaert et al 2006 and 2007) were revised. The broad European dental community was circulated and contributed to the revisions.

Assessment of long-term and recent pesticide exposure among rural school children in Nicaragua.

Objective: This study assessed pesticide exposure of children in rural Nicaragua in relation to parental pesticide use, from around conception to current school age, as part of an epidemiological evaluation of neurodevelopment effects.

Methods: We included 132 children whose parents were subsistence farmers or plantation workers, or had an agricultural history. As proxies for children's long-term exposures, we constructed cumulative parental pesticide-specific use indices for periods before and after the child's birth from data obtained using an icon-calendar-based questionnaire, of application hours (h) for plantation workers and subsistence farmers, and of kilograms of active ingredients (ai) only for subsistence farmers.

Bone tissue microarchitectural characteristics at dental implant sites. Part 1: identification of clinical-related parameters.

Objective: To identify the characteristics of bone tissue microarchitecture by microCT at dental implant bone sites, describing them in terms of clinical parameters.

Material And Methods: Forty-six bone implant sites of the maxilla and mandible from 32 volunteers were evaluated by conventional radiographs and CT scans. During the installation of each implant, bone biopsies were removed using a trephine bur at the first drilling to prepare the socket implant.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and periodontitis, a pilot study.

The aim of this study was to investigate if periodontal parameters and elastase in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) are different in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficient (AATD) subjects compared to subjects with normal AAT level. Thirty subjects were included, 20 of whom with severe AATD, phenotype PiZZ. Ten AATD subjects suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, group 1) and 10 were asymptomatic (group 2).

Analysis of chlormequat in human urine as a biomarker of exposure using liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.

In this study, a method using liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) is described for the analysis of the plant growth regulator chlormequat (CCC) in human urine. Analysis was carried out using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) in the positive ion mode. [(2)H(4)] labeled CCC as internal standard (IS) was used for quantification of CCC.

Detection of smoothelin expression in the urinary bladder is strongly dependent on pretreatment conditions: a critical analysis with possible consequences for cancer staging.

Distinguishing urinary bladder muscularis propria (MP) from muscularis mucosae (MM) is crucial in bladder cancer staging. Immunohistochemical staining for the smooth muscle-specific protein smoothelin has been reported to be a robust marker for MP. The aim of this study was to investigate how smoothelin immunostaining in the bladder varies with pretreatment techniques and if it can be used to discriminate between MM and MP.

N-nitrosamines are associated with shorter telomere length.

Objectives: Telomeres are critical to maintain the integrity of the chromosomes, and telomere abnormalities are important features of carcinogenesis. Telomere length differs among individuals due to genetic and environmental factors. Aiming to examine the relationship between DNA-damaging agents and average telomere length in peripheral blood, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 157 workers working in the rubber industry in Sweden.

Strategy for identification and detection of multiple oxidative modifications within proteins applied on persulfate-oxidized hemoglobin and human serum albumin.

Oxidative stress has been suggested as an underlying mechanism of many human diseases. However, definitive evidence for this association has not been presented due to different shortcomings of the methods used to measure biomarkers of oxidative stress. Persulfates are oxidizing agents known to elicit hypersensitive reactions from the airways and skin.

Ambiguity in bone tissue characteristics as presented in studies on dental implant planning and placement: a systematic review.

Objectives: To survey definitions of bone tissue characteristics and methods of assessing them in studies of dental implant planning and placement.

Material And Methodology: Three databases were searched using specified indexing terms. Three reviewers selected from the titles and retrieved abstracts in accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Time-dependent proteomic iTRAQ analysis of nasal lavage of hairdressers challenged by persulfate.

Hairdressers are frequently exposed to bleaching powder containing persulfates, a group of compounds that may induce hypersensitivity in the airways. The mechanism causing this reaction is not clear. The aim of this study was to identify changes in the nasal lavage fluid proteome after challenge with potassium persulfate in hairdressers with bleaching powder-associated rhinitis.

Protruding and non-protruding colon carcinomas originating in gut-associated lymphoid tissue.

Background: Colon carcinomas arising in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALTC) are termed dome carcinomas (DC) because of their protruding phenotype. Only 8 GALTC cases have been reported in the literature.

Case Report: A female patient, aged 53, having a familial pedigree of colon cancer, uterine cervix cancer and brain tumour developed a signet-ring carcinoma in the cecum and 10 years later endometrial cancer.

The relationship between the OSTEODENT index and hip fracture risk assessment using FRAX.

Objectives: The OSTEODENT index is a predicted probability of osteoporosis derived from a combination of an automated analysis of a dental panoramic radiograph and clinical information. This index has been proposed as a suitable case-finding tool for identification of subjects with osteoporosis in primary dental care; however, no data exist on the relationship between OSTEODENT index and fracture risk. The aims of this study were to assess the relationship between the OSTEODENT index and hip fracture risk as determined by FRAX and to compare the performance of the OSTEODENT index and FRAX (without femoral BMD data), in determining the need for intervention as recommended in UK national treatment guidance.

Bone regeneration using a hollow hydroxyapatite space-maintaining device for maxillary sinus floor augmentation--a clinical pilot study.

Background: The mere lifting of the maxillary sinus membrane by implants protruding into the sinus cavity allows the establishment of a void space for blood clot and new bone formation.

Purpose: To evaluate bone formation by using a spherical, hollow, and perforated hydroxyapatite space-maintaining device (HSMD) in a two-stage sinus lift procedure where residual alveolar bone height was ≤2 mm.

Material And Methods: Spherical, hollow, and perforated HSMDs with a diameter of 12 mm were manufactured for this pilot study.

A nested case-control study of intrauterine exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants in relation to risk of type 1 diabetes.

Background: The incidence of type 1 diabetes in Europe is increasing at a rate of about 3% per year and there is also an increasing incidence throughout the world. Type 1 diabetes is a complex disease caused by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) have been suggested as a triggering factor for developing childhood type 1 diabetes.

An exploratory survey of diagnostic methods for bone quality assessment used by Brazilian dental implant specialists.

Bone quality (BQ) has been described as an important predictor for the outcome of dental implant treatment. It is, however, unclear how this factor is assessed in the dental practice routine. The aim of this study was to investigate what Brazilian dental implant specialists know and understand about BQ, if they include BQ assessments in their treatment planning and which methods they use to assess BQ.

Identification of covalent binding sites of ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate, methyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate in human hemoglobin using LC/MS/MS techniques.

Acrylates are used in vast quantities, for instance in paints, adhesive glues, molding. They are potent contact allergens and known to cause respiratory hypersensitivity and asthma. Here we study ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate (ECA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA).

Bone density at implant sites and its relationship to assessment of bone quality and treatment outcome.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) before implant placement, implant stability measures at implant placement, and marginal bone loss of immediately loaded implants after 1 year in situ.

Materials And Methods: Consecutively recruited patients received Straumann SLActive implants loaded with fixed provisional prostheses within 24 hours. BMD was measured from computed tomographic images before implant placement.

Maxillary sinus floor augmentation and simultaneous implant placement using locally harvested autogenous bone chips and bone debris: a prospective clinical study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the status of implants, marginal bone loss, and outcome of maxillary sinus floor augmentation in patients undergoing maxillary sinus lift and simultaneous implant placement with the use of bone grafts harvested adjacent to the actual surgical site.

Materials And Methods: Patients in need of maxillary sinus floor augmentation to enable implant placement were enrolled in 2 different groups. In group A, a "bone trap" was used to harvest bone debris during implant preparation with additional bone collected by further drilling adjacent to the implant sites.

Chronic exposure to cadmium and arsenic strongly influences concentrations of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine in urine.

Exposure to arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) may generate oxidative stress, which can be assessed by 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) in urine, a sensitive marker of oxidatively damaged DNA. We have evaluated oxidative stress induced by chronic mixed exposure to As, Cd, and Pb, as well as the influence of As metabolism and nutritional status, i.e.

Low 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine levels and influence of genetic background in an Andean population exposed to high levels of arsenic.

Background: Arsenic (As) causes oxidative stress through generation of reactive oxygen species. 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), a sensitive marker of oxidative DNA damage, has been associated with As exposure in some studies, but not in others, possibly due to population-specific genetic factors.

Objectives: To evaluate the association between As and 8-oxodG in urine in a population with a low urinary monomethylated As (%MMA) and high dimethylated As (%DMA), as well as the genetic impact on (a) 8-oxodG concentrations and (b) the association between As and 8-oxodG.

Methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride adducted albumin tryptic peptides in nasal lavage fluid.

Methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA) is a reactive, low molecular weight chemical used in products such as plastics, paints, and electronic components. Exposure to MHHPA may lead to work-related airway diseases such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. Twelve subjects employed at a plant manufacturing electrical capacitors using MHHPA were included in this study.

Prediction of osteoporosis with dental radiographs and age.

Objectives: In this study age and the trabecular pattern present on dental radiographs were used to predict the presence of osteoporosis. The objective was to evaluate the contribution of the trabecular pattern to the prediction.

Methods: In this project, 671 women between 45 and 71 years of age were recruited.