Prevalence assessment of periodontal disease in 3-6 year old children through PSR--a pilot study

Increasing amounts of information emphasise the relevance of prevention, early diagnosis and early treatment of periodontal diseases in children. Children and adolescents affected by periodontal disease, mainly those who present a fast and severe attachment loss, are considered to be at risk of developing early or advanced periodontitis. Alternatively they may be presenting a reflex of systemic conditions affecting the periodontium. This study was aimed at verifying the acceptability of the use of the Simplified PSR (Periodontal Screening and Recording) Index in a very young population since a previous study in Bahia, Brazil, indicated a very high need for periodontal treatment in adolescents and young adults. A total of 200 children aged 3-6 years from private schools in Bahia, Brazil, were examined by four trained undergraduate students. The screening system was well accepted by the subjects and the fact that it is a fast tool was considered important for the successful examination of all sextants without behavioural disturbance. A high prevalence and a low severity of parameters related to periodontal disease were found in this population. A statistically higher prevalence of PSR code 2 (61.5%) [54.50-68.49] CI 95% when compared to PSR codes 0 (23.5%) 117.93-30.10] CI 95%, 1 (14.5%) 110.07-20.32] CI 95% and 3 (0.5%) 10.02-3.18] CI 95% were shown. There was no statistically significant difference between female and male children for any PSR code. The finding of more parameters related to periodontal health in S5 when compared to sextants S6 and S4 showed statistical significance (CI 95%).

Altered growth hormone response after growth hormone releasing hormone administration in chronic renal failure

Eleven chronic renal failure patients and 11 matched controls, received growth hormone GHRH (1 microgram/kg iv) or TRH (400 microgram iv) on separate occasions, immediately before undergoing hemodialysis. GHRH-induced GH peak in uremics (22.7 +/- 5.2 micrograms/l) was not different from that obtained in control subjects (16.0 +/- 4.3 micrograms/l). However, the uremic patients did not show the habitual post-peak fall, remaining GH levels over 10 micrograms/l till the end of the test. Differences between the two groups were significant (p less than 0.05). Uremic patients showed PRL values higher than in controls, however their TRH-induced PRL peak (20.6 +/- 6.6 micrograms/l) was not different from that of controls (26.5 +/- 3.0 micrograms/l). Again chronic renal failure patients showed PRL plasma values abnormally elevated till the end of the test. Differences between the two groups were significant (p less than 0.05). Administration of placebo to a different group of seven uremic patients did not alter GH and PRL plasma levels. This sustained secretion of both GH and PRL in uremia could be attributed to reduced kidney clearance. However, when subjects were examined individually both the GHRH- and the TRH-induced hormonal peaks and the subsequent fall were not different in both groups. Unlike with controls, in uremic patients GHRH-stimulated GH and TRH-stimulated PRL/GH peaks were dispersed throughout the 120 min period. In controls GH and PRL peaks clustered around 15-30 min. The peak dispersion created a false impression of flattened curves or sustained hypersecretion in uremia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Natural occurrence of aflatoxins and zearalenone in maize in Brazil. Part II

The levels of aflatoxins and zearalenone were determined in 328 samples of corn from the States of Santa Catarina, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Espírito Santo by thin-layer chromatography; the samples were obtained from April 1985 through to March 1986. In 12.3% of these samples aflatoxin B1 was detected in concentrations that varied from 10 to 900 micrograms/kg (ppb); 18 samples showed levels above those tolerated by Brazilian legislation. Zearalenone was found in 4.5% of the samples analysed in concentrations that varied from 653 to 9830 micrograms/kg (ppb). The limit of detection of the method for the determination of zearalenone was 260 micrograms/kg (ppb) and the recovery was 100%.