PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether patients with long-standing nocturnal bruxing behavior present different body movement activity during sleep compared with healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven bruxers and 8 nonbruxers were studied in the sleep laboratory, and motor activity was detected with sensor pads placed under the mattress. Movements simultaneously recorded on videotapes were classified according to their duration and grouped in different types according to their characteristics. RESULTS: Subjects with bruxism had significantly more movements during sleep compared with controls; the difference was especially obvious for movements of short duration (< 5 seconds). The differences became significant from the fourth hour of sleep. These short movements were twitches, jerks, or any sudden, brusque movements of the extremities, but without the periodicity encountered in, for example, periodic limb movements during sleep. No significant relationship was found between the occurrence of masseter activity and movements. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that subjects with nocturnal bruxism have movement disorders that are expressed not only as grinding or clenching of the teeth, but also as an increase of short-duration body movements during sleep. This reinforces the hypothesis of a central etiology common to both bruxism and short movements during sleep.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Serum and erythrocyte levels of magnesium in microcytosis: comparison between heterozygous beta-thalassemia and sideropenic anemia.

In thalassemia erythrocyte cation permeability is increased, but the increment in ATPase-dependent cation pumps maintains normal concentrations of Ca++, Na+ and K+. In this study we investigated erythrocyte concentrations of Mg++ in heterozygous beta-thalassemia and in microcytic sideropenic anemia. Twenty-five healthy controls, 40 heterozygous beta-thalassemics and 25 patients with sideropenic anemia were studied. Erythrocyte Mg++ was assayed either by atomic absorption or by standard laboratory methods. Erythrocyte Mg++ was significantly lower in the beta-thalassemia group than in the other two groups (p less than 0.001). Serum magnesium was significantly lower in sideropenic anemia patients than in beta-thalassemics and in controls (p less than 0.01), whereas these latter two groups showed similar values. Our results suggest that the increment in ATPase-dependent cation pumps is not sufficient to maintain normal erythrocyte Mg++ concentrations in heterozygous beta-thalassemia. In sideropenic anemia cation permeability is not increased, therefore erythrocyte Mg++ is normal. Low serum Mg++ levels in sideropenic anemia could be explained by a primary Mg++ deficit associated with sideropenia.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Problems in diagnosis of necrotic angiitis of the tongue].

Cutaneous and mucous lesions are uncommon and very often confusing in Horton's disease. In this case report, adding to this confusing aspect, the patient's medical history and clinical signs led the investigations in a totally different direction. Facing this isolated lesion of the tongue and the negative biopsy of the temporal superficial artery, the diagnosis of Horton's disease was finally confirmed by the good reaction following corticoid therapy.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Survey of focal infection in a hospital environment].

To make their study the authors inquired in the different departments of the University Hospital in Rennes, concerned by the problem of focal infection. This study aims at helping practitioners to take the right therapeutic decision in case of high, low or non existent infection risks. The results of the study show new pathologies involving focal infection risks. The evaluation of the patient's examination will be made by the service the patient comes from, and the Odonto-Stomatologist; the decision will be taken in common and according to the severity, the evolution, and the possible recurring of the disease.

Cross Infection↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Aspergillus sinusitis of dental origin].

Aspergillus sinusitis are not uncommon. A multiplicity of etiologic factors are involved since any foreign body introduced in the sinus can be the starting point to an aspergillus cloud. The endodontic origin is difficult to establish. The authors will review this topic through a case report.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied