The antimicrobial propeptide hCAP-18 plasma levels in neutropenia of various aetiologies: a prospective study.

The underlying cause of neutropenia may be difficult to determine due to similar clinical presentation in many neutropenic conditions. The neutrophil protein hCAP-18 (pro-LL-37) is a major component of neutrophil secondary granules and in this prospective study we assessed the use of hCAP-18 levels in blood plasma for differential diagnosis of neutropenic patients (n = 133) of various aetiologies. Plasma levels of hCAP-18 were determined using immunoblot and ELISA.

Pathological periodontal pockets are associated with raised diastolic blood pressure in obese adolescents.

Background: Obesity, a well-known risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), is associated with chronic periodontitis in adults. This cross-sectional pilot study on obese adolescents was designed to investigate whether periodontal disease in terms of pathological periodontal pockets is associated with raised blood pressure and other risk markers for CVD.

Methods: The study included 75 obese subjects between 12 to 18 years of age, mean 14.

The relationship between matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, -8, -9) in serum and peripheral lymphocytes (CD8+ , CD56+ ) in Down syndrome children with gingivitis.

Background And Objective: Altered immune response may be a major contributor to periodontal disease in Down syndrome. This study investigated the relationship between peripheral lymphocytes and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in serum in Down syndrome children with gingivitis.

Material And Methods: Children with Down syndrome (n = 10) and healthy controls (n = 10) were clinically and radiographically examined during dental treatment under general anaesthesia.

Oral bacterial community dynamics in paediatric patients with malignancies in relation to chemotherapy-related oral mucositis: a prospective study.

The role of oral bacteria in the development of chemotherapy-related oral mucositis has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate oral bacterial community diversity and dynamics in paediatric patients with malignancies in relation to the occurrence of oral mucositis. Patients with malignancies (n = 37) and reference individuals without known systemic disorders (n = 38) were recruited.

Pretherapeutic plasma pro- and anti- inflammatory mediators are related to high risk of oral mucositis in pediatric patients with acute leukemia: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: This prospective study evaluated clinical risk indicators as well as pro- and anti- inflammatory mediators at the time of malignancy diagnosis in relation to chemotherapy-related oral mucositis in pediatric population.

Methods: Patients (n = 104) under 18 years of age with primary malignancies and undergoing chemotherapy were included. Potential risk indicators were analyzed using binary logistic regression with oral mucositis as the outcome.