Bartłomiej Loster

Relationship between Occlusal Force Distribution and the Activity of Masseter and Anterior Temporalis Muscles in Asymptomatic Young Adults

Healthy subjects have a prevalent side on which they display higher-muscle activity during clenching. The relationship between symmetry of masseter muscle (MM) and anterior temporalis (TA) muscle activities and occlusion has been evaluated on the basis of physiological parameters. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the symmetry of surface EMG (sEMG) activity in asymptomatic young adults is related to symmetry of occlusal contacts. Material. The study population consisted of seventy-two 18-year-old subjects with no temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms. Method. All the participants underwent an sEMG recording with an 8-channel electromyograph (BioEMG III). A T-Scan III evolution 7.01 device was used to analyze the occlusal contact points. Results. The correlation between the activity of right (R) and left (L) TA and the percentage of occlusal contacts was assessed, but no significant differences were found between the RMM and LMM muscles. The differences in the medium values of sEMG between males and females were not statistically significant. Equilibrated muscular activity between RTA and LTA occurred when occlusal contacts reached the percentage of 65% on the left side. Conclusion. The symmetry of sEMG activity in asymptomatic young adults is not related to symmetry of occlusal contacts.

Periodontitis affects neurological deficit in acute stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Periodontitis is an independent risk factor for ischaemic stroke, but its influence on stroke severity has not been investigated yet. We studied the association of advanced periodontitis or edentulousness with neurological deficit on admission and short-term outcome of stroke patients. METHODS The study included 169 patients with ischaemic stroke. The neurological deficit on admission was evaluated using the NIH stroke scale (NIHSS). The outcome at discharge was assessed using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) and the Barthel Index (BI). The clinical attachement level (CAL), the distance between cemento-enamel junction and the probed base of periodontal pocket, was recorded for each tooth at six sites. Advanced periodontitis was defined as CAL≥6mm in at least one measured site. RESULTS Patients with advanced periodontitis or edentulousness were older than those with no or mild periodontitis (71.4years vs. 60.1; p<0.001), had greater neurological deficit on admission (8.9 vs. 5.7; p=0.01) and worse outcome at hospital discharge measured in the mRS (2.2 vs. 1.4; p=0.009). The presence of advanced periodontitis or edentulousness was independent risk factor for greater NIHSS on admission (p=0.025), after adjusting for age, gender and the studied risk factors. The logistic regression model, however, showed that stroke severity on admission but not advanced periodontitis or edentulousness, affected the outcome of stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS Advanced periodontitis or edentulousness in patients with ischaemic stroke is associated with greater neurological deficit on admission.

Knowledge of a patient-dependant phase of acute myocardial infarction in Polish adults: the role of physician's advice.

BACKGROUND Effective management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is limited by patient delay in calling an ambulance. We aimed to assess knowledge related to a patient-dependant phase of AMI and its determinants in adults. METHODS Questionnaire survey was conducted among a random sample of 942 men (48%) and women (52%) aged 63.50 ± 6.50 selected from population registers in Cracow (Poland). Questions from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to assess knowledge of AMI symptoms. The respondents were further asked about the first thing they would do in response to AMI symptoms, the emergency phone number and whether a doctor advised them about AMI. RESULTS All suggested AMI symptoms were recognized by 51 (5.4%) respondents. More persons would call an ambulance in response to AMI symptoms in another person than if they appear in themselves (87.4% vs. 74.4%, P = 0.02). Only 644 (68%) participants knew the emergency phone number and 104 (11%) were advised about AMI by their doctors. Such advice was associated with higher rates of knowledge of AMI symptoms and the emergency phone number but not with a declaration of the appropriate reaction to AMI symptoms. Participants after AMI did not represent better knowledge of a patient-dependant phase of AMI but paradoxically less frequently than other persons declared calling an ambulance in response to AMI symptoms. CONCLUSION Improvement in knowledge and attitudes related to a patient-dependant phase of AMI is needed in adults even if they experienced AMI before. A routine advice from a doctor may contribute significantly to this improvement.

Do soft drinks affect metal ions release from orthodontic appliances

OBJECTIVE The effect of orange juice and Coca Cola(®) on the release of metal ions from fixed orthodontic appliances. MATERIALS AND METHODS A continuous flow system designed for in vitro testing of orthodontic appliances was used. Orange juice/Coca Cola(®) was flowing through the system alternately with artificial saliva for 5.5 and 18.5h, respectively. The collected samples underwent a multielemental ICP-OES analysis in order to determine the metal ions release pattern in time. RESULTS The total mass of ions released from the appliance into orange juice and Coca Cola(®) (respectively) during the experiment was calculated (μg): Ni (15.33; 37.75), Cr (3.604; 1.052), Fe (48.42; ≥ 156.1), Cu (57.87, 32.91), Mn (9.164; 41.16), Mo (9.999; 30.12), and Cd (0.5967; 2.173). CONCLUSIONS It was found that orange juice did not intensify the release of metal ions from orthodontic appliances, whereas Coca Cola(®) caused increased release of Ni ions.

Mycological Analysis of the Oral Cavity of Patients Using Acrylic Removable Dentures

Background. The problems of fungal infections in edentulous have been discussed in literature. Findings show that oral mycosis has an influence on the mycosis of oesophageal mucosa. Based on this we started to follow from 2007 in patients who wear dentures mycological examination, to evaluate changes of yeasts numbers, the sensitivity to antibiotics and determine the impact of types of prosthesis, time of using, gender and age of patients. 1230 patients who were wearing dentures participated in the retrospective study. The material for mycological examination was sampled as a smear from the palate. After the mycological identification of Candida species and assessment of growth, the susceptibility testing with Fluconazole and Nystatin was made. The number of 23 Candida species was diagnosed microbiologically in five years. C. albicans and C. glabrata were increasing in number—from 33,7% to 46,9% and 6,7% to 14,0%, respectively. There was a significant statistical difference between yeasts growth and gender (P = 0, 017 < 0.05). The conclusion is that a large percentage of persons wearing removable denture has been affected by Candida species and that could lead to the mycosis of farther gastrointestinal tract sections. The mycological examination before treatment, especially in patients using acrylic denture, appears to be necessary.

Correlation between age and gender in Candida species infections of complete denture wearers: a retrospective analysis

Aim Denture-related stomatitis is a disorder that often affects denture wearers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intensity, genera, and frequency of yeasts in the oral cavity of complete denture wearers in terms of subject gender and age. Materials and methods Nine hundred twenty patients (307 males and 613 females) with complete upper dentures were selected for the study and divided into four age groups: ≤50 years, 51–60, 61–70, and >70 years. Yeast samples were taken as a smear from the palate. The data were collected from January 15, 2007 to January 15, 2012. Results The distribution of the number of yeast colonies by gender was statistically significant (P=0.02). Across all subjects, there was a statistically significant relationship between the intensity of yeast growth and the gender (P=0.01). In every age group, the number of infection-free individuals was greater among males than females. Intermediate, intense, and abundant growth of yeast occurred most frequently in the youngest group of females. Conclusion The genera of Candida species and the frequency of yeast infection in denture wearers appear to be influenced by both age and gender. The complete denture wearers ≤50 years of age appeared to have the greatest proclivity to oral Candida infections.

Frequency of temporomandibular disorders diagnoses based on RDC/TMD in a Polish patient population

Abstract Objective: To assess the frequency and age distribution of Axis I and Axis II diagnoses among Polish patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Method: One hundred sixty-three (n = 163) consecutive adult patients seeking TMD treatment were assessed based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) guidelines. Descriptive statistics on the frequency of diagnoses and mean age of the diagnostic groups was performed. Result: Frequency of muscle disorders, disc displacements, and other joint disorders was 56.9, 48.9, and 31%, respectively. Disc displacement was the most common diagnosis in younger patients. Severe somatization and depression were shown in 11.9 and 15.8% of patients, respectively. Only 10.5% of the patients showed severe pain-related impairment. Females tended to have higher psychosocial scores than males. Discussion: The frequency of Axis I TMD diagnoses in Polish patients is similar to other populations, whereas Axis II findings slightly differ from previous reports from other countries.

The prevalence of abnormal echocardiographic findings in a sample of urban adult population

BACKGROUND Echocardiography has emerged as the test of choice for the evaluation of cardiac diseases. AIM To assess the prevalence of a spectrum of cardiac abnormalities detected by echocardiography in a representative sample of an urban adult population. METHODS Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in a random sample of 511 men (47%) and women (53%) aged 48-76 years selected from population registers in Krakow. Body surface area (BSA) was used to adjust echocardiographic parameters for variations in body size. Disease history and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in all patients. RESULTS Men smoked more frequently than women and had higher blood pressure and triglycerides and lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol. The most common finding was increased left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter (EDd) (37%), followed by mitral (32%), aortic (24%), or tricuspid (17%) regurgitations, LV posterior wall (24.1%) and interventricular septum (17.5%) thickening, increased indexed LVEDd (23%), increased left atrial diameter (LAd; 15.7%), reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF; 15.3%), segmental wall motion abnormalities (13.9%), increased indexed LAd (8.8%), dilation of the ascending aorta (8%), enlargement of the right ventricle (RV) (2%) and elevation of RV systolic pressure (0.6%). When adjusted for main cardiovascular risk factors and the presence of coronary artery disease, male sex was associated with a higher prevalence of enlargement of LV (LVEDd/BSA): OR = 1.8 (1.1-2.9), dilation of ascending aorta (aortic diameter/BSA): OR = 2.7 (1.3-5.8), and LA (LA/BSA) = OR 2.7 (1.3-5.6), as well as a decrease of LVEF: OR = 3.6 (1.9-6.5). CONCLUSIONS Approximately a quarter of urban adults aged 48 to 76 can be expected to have some abnormalities on echocardiographic examination. Some of these abnormalities such as aortic dilation, LA enlargement, LV enlargement and decreased LVEF are more frequently found in males than in females, even after adjustment for BSA, main cardiovascular disease risk factors, and the presence of coronary artery disease. The use of raw instead of indexed LAd and LVEDd over estimates the prevalence of LA and LV enlargement.

Relationship between occlusion and dental attrition in a group of young Polish adults

Aim of the study. To identify dental attrition in a group of young adults selected irrespective of occlusion. Classification of dental attrition was proposed and used to relate attrition to the type of occlusion observed simultaneously considering the subjective indication for orthodontic treatment as estimated by the evidence-based method derived by the Danish Ministry of Health. Materials and methods. The study material consisted of 250 plaster casts (69 males, and 181 females, average age 18y 9m, max 20y 9m, min 16y 10m), included in the study irrespective of the type of occlusion they exhibited. All models were examined by one author (K.G.) recording molar and canine relationship, Angle’s classification, maximum overjet and overbite, cingulum contact, midline shift, cross bite, scissors bite and open bite. Attrition was recorded using a classification assessing six tooth groups (maxillary/mandibular incisors, maxillary/mandibular canines, maxillary/mandibular buccal teeth) and three surfaces (incisal or occlusal, facial or buccal, palatal or lingual). A score system was developed and the tooth in each group seen to be most worn was selected to represent the segment. Results. 129 individuals (51.6%) manifested dental attrition (38 males, 91

Variations in orthodontic bracket retention related to base design. Comparison of foil mesh and anchor pylons brackets

Aim of the study. To compare the shear bond strength of metal brackets with foil mesh (3M, Victory Series), one piece metal brackets (Cannon Ultra) and aesthetic plastic brackets (Cannon Ultra) and to evaluate the sandblasting effect on previously used metal bracket bases regarding their bonding ability. Materials and Methods.A total of seventy human third molars were divided into four groups, and brackets were bonded to the enamel using Transbond XT. After 24 hours of storage, brackets were debonded with Instron Universal Testing Machine® and shear bond strength was recorded. Metal brackets were sandblasted until all visible bonding material was removed from the bracket base and then the bonding procedure and shear bond testing were repeated. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check normal distribution. Student’s t-test was used to compare the shear bond strength. Results. The shear bond strength of one-piece metal brackets is significantly bigger (18.93MPa) than metal brackets with foil mesh (12.53MPa). Metal brackets in general demonstrate better bonding properties than aesthetic plastic brackets (8.61MPa). There is no statistically significant difference in shear bond strength between