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PubMed1999

Risk factors for hip fracture in men from southern Europe: the MEDOS study. Mediterranean Osteoporosis Study.

The aims of this study were to identify risk factors for hip fracture in men aged 50 years or more. We identified 730 men with hip fracture from 14 centers from Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey during the course of a prospective study of hip fracture incidence and 1132 age-stratified controls selected from the neighborhood or population registers. The questionnaire examined aspects of work, physical activity past and present, diseases and drugs, height, weight, indices of co-morbidity and consumption of tobacco, alcohol, calcium, coffee and tea. Significant risk factors identified by univariate analysis included low body mass index (BMI), low sunlight exposure, a low degree of recreational physical activity, low consumption of milk and cheese, and a poor mental score. Co-morbidity including sleep disturbances, loss of weight, impaired mental status and poor appetite were also significant risk factors. Previous stroke with hemiplegia, prior fragility fractures, senile dementia, alcoholism and gastrectomy were associated with significant risk, whereas osteoarthrosis, nephrolithiasis and myocardial infarction were associated with lower risks. Taking medications was not associated with a difference in risk apart from a protective effect with the use of analgesics independent of co-existing osteoarthrosis and an increased risk with the use of anti-epileptic agents. Of the potentially 'reversible' risk factors, BMI, leisure exercise, exposure to sunlight and consumption of tea and alcohol and tobacco remained independent risk factors after multivariate analysis, accounting for 54% of hip fractures. Excluding BMI, 46% of fractures could be explained on the basis of the risk factors sought. Of the remaining factors low exposure to sunlight and decreased physical activity accounted for the highest attributable risks (14% and 9% respectively). The use of risk factors to predict hip fractures had relatively low sensitivity and specificity (59.6% and 61.0% respectively). We conclude that lifestyle factors are associated with significant differences in the risk of hip fracture. Potentially remediable factors including a low degree of physical exercise and a low BMI account for a large component of the total risk.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

[Brain stem auditory evoked potentials and chronic alcoholism].

Brain-stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were obtained from 25 chronic alcoholic patients. The patients had been drinking heavily for an average of 15 years and a minimum of 5 years. All patients were totally abstinent for a minimum of 3 weeks. The morphology of waves were often altered. All presented prolonged I-III, III-V, inter-peak latencies (IPLs) and a loss of amplitude of wave V. The I-III, III-V and I-VIPLs were increased between 30 and 40 years, and III-V and I-VIPLs between 40 and 50 years. The incidence of abnormal BAEPs in patients with alcoholic epilepsy was not different from that of patients without a history of alcoholic seizures. Patients with clinical manifestations of alcoholic polyneuropathy had the highest incidence of abnormal BAEPs. BAEPs are more reliable in chronic alcoholic patients than EEG. The mechanisms of the increase in neural transmission time within the auditory brain-stem are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Wake up and smell the coffee. Caffeine, coffee, and the medical consequences.

Caffeine is a methylxanthine whose primary biologic effect is antagonism of the adenosine receptor. Its presence in coffee, tea, soda beverages, chocolate, and many prescription and over-the-counter drugs makes it the most commonly consumed stimulant drug. Initially caffeine increases blood pressure, plasma catecholamine levels, plasma renin activity, serum free fatty acid levels, urine production, and gastric acid secretion. Its long-term effects have been more difficult to substantiate. Most of the caffeine consumed in the United States is in coffee, which contains many other chemicals that may have other biologic actions. The consumption of coffee is a self-reinforcing behavior, and caffeine dependence and addiction are common. Coffee and caffeine intake have been linked to many illnesses, but definitive correlations have been difficult to substantiate. Initial trials showing coffee's association with coronary disease and myocardial infarction have been difficult to reproduce and have many confounding variables. Recent studies showing a larger effect over long follow-up periods and with heavy coffee consumption have again brought the question of the role of coffee in disease states to the fore. Caffeine in average dosages does not seem to increase the risk of arrhythmia. At present there is no convincing evidence that caffeine or coffee consumption increases the risk for any solid tumor. The intake of coffee and caffeine has clearly been decreasing in this country over the past two decades, largely brought about by the increasing health consciousness of Americans. Although there have been many studies that hint that the fears of increased disease with coffee drinking may be warranted, many questions have yet to be answered about the health effects of coffee and caffeine use.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1998

In vivo adulteration: excess fluid ingestion causes false-negative marijuana and cocaine urine test results.

Drug users can be highly motivated to obtain negative results on urine drug tests and may attempt to subvert the process by in vivo adulteration. The use of herbal products for "flushing" and "detoxification" is frequently advertised as an effective means of passing drug tests. Accordingly, a study was designed to determine the effects of ingestion of two herbal products, Naturally Klean Herbal Tea and Golden Seal root, and a diuretic medication, hydrochlorothiazide. The herbal tea was prepared in 1 gal of water as specified by the manufacturer. All other products were consumed with 1 gal of water. Two control conditions in which the subject consumed only water (1 gal; 12 oz) were included. The 1-gal liquid treatments were divided into 4-qt aliquots, and 1-qt was consumed each hour for 4 h. All treatments were begun approximately 22 h after smoking of a marijuana cigarette (3.58% THC) and 22 h after intranasal administration of cocaine hydrochloride. Following all treatments with excess fluid, creatinine and specific gravity dropped in 1.5-2.0 h to levels indicative of diluted specimens (<20 mg/dL creatinine, <1.003 specific gravity). Marijuana and cocaine metabolite concentrations by immunoassay (EMIT and TDx) also dropped rapidly, and the results frequently switched from positive to negative. By the time subjects had consumed 2 qt of any fluid, they were generally producing false-negative results. For example, ingestion of excess water produced dilute specimens (<20 mg/dL creatinine; <1.003 specific gravity) in an average time plus or minus the standard error of the mean of 1.47 +/- 0.17 h (N = 5) and 1.45 +/- 0.2 h (N = 5) following smoked marijuana and intranasal cocaine, respectively. In comparison, ingestion of Klean Tea produced dilute specimens in 1.36 +/- 0.07 h (N = 4) and 1.39 +/- 0.11 h (N = 4) following marijuana and cocaine administration. Recovery of urine test measures to pre-treatment levels occurred over a period of 8-10 h. Average detection times for marijuana metabolite appeared to be slightly shorter following ingestion of 1 gal of fluids compared with ingestion of 12 oz of water as a result of the time of testing being near the end of the cannabinoid metabolite excretion phase. Consequently, negative cannabinoid results induced by fluid ingestion rarely returned to positive after excess water was eliminated. In contrast, negative cocaine results reverted to positive quickly after the dilution effects disappeared. It was concluded that excess water ingestion can produce false-negative test results, but the claims of herbal products to be an aid in passing a urine test appear to be unfounded.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nursing-bottle syndrome caused by prolonged drinking from vessels with bill-shaped extensions.

Our investigating 186 infants between the ages of one and six with carious destruction of the maxillary primary incisors, it was learned which risk factors were responsible for the condition known as nursing bottle syndrome. One hundred and twenty-eight infants (68.8 percent) were given a nursing bottle, twelve (6.5 percent) a feeding cup or other bottles with bill- shaped extensions, and forty-one (22.0 percent) both a nursing bottle and vessels with bill-shaped extensions; in all cases the feeding was excessive and prolonged beyond the first year of life. An additional five infants (2.7 percent) were breast-fed excessively beyond the first year. The results confirm the risk of tooth destruction, typical of nursing bottle syndrome, by prolonged and frequent consumption of cariogenic beverages from vessels with bill-shaped extensions. It is important, therefore, that a warning regarding dental health hazards of such feeding methods be issued.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Caffeine consumption and anxiety and depressive symptomatology among medical students.

Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances in the world and is ingested in a variety of favorites, such as coffee, tea, cola and so on. Although it has been suggested that high dose caffeine users have more anxiety and depressive symptoms than low users, this relationship is not clear in Japan, where caffeine consumption is considered to be less than in Western countries. A questionnaire survey was conducted among medical students and 291 out of 423 initial subjects completed it. Among males, caffeine consumption was significantly and positively correlated with anxiety symptoms, when alcohol use and smoking habit were adjusted. However, there was no relationship between caffeine consumption and depressive symptoms. Among females, although there was no association between caffeine consumption and anxiety symptoms, high dose caffeine users showed less depressive symptoms than moderate and low users, when alcohol use was adjusted. It is suggested that caffeine use is one of the important factors, in researching psychological health among the general population. We need further epidemiological studies to determine whether there is a causal relationship between caffeine and psychological ill health or not.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Change from mixed diet to lactovegetarian diet: influence on IgA levels in blood and saliva.

IgA concentrations in human plasma, and whole and parotid saliva were measured before and 3 months after a shift to a lactovegetarian diet in 20 volunteers (four men and 16 women mean age 44 yr, range 27-61). The major dietary trends observed were an increased intake of berries and other fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, and a decreased intake of fish, eggs, and meat; biscuits and buns; sweets; alcoholic beverages; coffee; and tea. The consumption of meat, fish, and eggs decreased to zero, showing that the participants had adopted a lacto-vegetarian diet. There was a decrease in fat, protein, sucrose, and alcohol intake and an increase in total carbohydrate and fiber intake. There was no significant change in energy, retinol equivalent, or zinc intake. Despite this change in diet, no significant changes were observed between the mixed diet period and the vegetarian diet period in IgA in plasma, 253 +/- 52 and 264 +/- 55; whole saliva, 2.5 +/- 0.4 and 2.4 +/- 0.4; or parotid saliva, 0.88 +/- 0.22 and 0.90 +/- 0.20 (mg/100 ml, mean values, 95% confidence interval). Moreover, the diet change did not alter the secretion rate in whole and parotid saliva, the secretion rate of IgA in whole and parotid saliva, or the protein content of whole saliva. However, the protein content of parotid saliva increased significantly. Thus, this major diet change was apparently not drastic enough or sustained long enough to cause a change in IgA levels.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Risk factors for lung cancer among Canadian women who have never smoked.

Risk factors for lung cancer among women who had never smoked were assessed in a case-control study of 161 newly diagnosed histologically confirmed cases and 483 population controls between 1994 and 1997 in eight Canadian provinces. Measurement included socio-economic status, smoking habits, alcohol use, diet, residential and occupational histories and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Dose-response associations were observed for consumption of tea, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) 0.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.3-0.9) for 1-7 cups per week and 0.4 (95% CI = 0.2-0.7) for > or = 8 cups per week (P = 0.0008), and smoked meat, adjusted ORs 1.3 (95% CI = 0.8-2.3) for 0.5 slice per week and 2.1 (95% CI = 1.1-4.0) for >0.5 slice per week (P = 0.02). Regular use of shortening in cooking was also related to lung cancer. Increased ORs with borderline significance were found for total consumption of meat, eggs or French fries and fried potatoes. Passive exposure to ETS at home (or at work) may be associated with lung cancer risk among never-smoker women; the adjusted ORs were 0.7 (95% CI = 0.2-2.3), 1.2 (95% CI = 0.4-3.2), 1.5 (95% CI = 0.5-4.0) for 1-16, 17-30, and 31 or more years of combined residential and/or occupational ETS exposure, respectively, with a similar pattern for smoker-years of ETS exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Diet, nutritional status and food related traditions of Oraon tribes of New Mal (West Bengal), India.

INTRODUCTION: According to the 2001 census conducted by the Government of India, India has more than 84 million tribals who constitute 8.2% of India's population. The Oraons are an agricultural tribe found mainly in Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. The present study was undertaken on a group of Oraon tribals working in a tea gardens of New Mal in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. The children attended the local primary school. The Oraons are covered by the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) of the Government of India, which is concerned with the health, nutrition and development of children and their mothers. To evaluate the effect of ICDS, the practices of adults towards hygiene, medication, addictive substances and diet were also recorded. METHODS: 500 Oraon tribals, including 200 men and 150 women aged 20-45 years, and 150 children aged 6-12 years, were surveyed for their dietary intake by 24-hour recall and semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire methodology and anthropometry, and a description of food-related traditions. RESULTS: The diet of all Oraon groups was deficient in all food groups. Cereal intake was least deficient, while the intake of milk and fruit was almost negligible. Their diet was supplemented by a locally grown green leafy vegetable dheki saag, and fermented leftover rice. The energy available from the diet for all age groups was only 52-53% of the recommended dietary allowances of the Indian Council of Medical Research. Children were enrolled in a midday meal program at the local primary school; however, their energy intake was severely deficient, and of the same order as their parents. The mean basal mass index (BMI) of adult Oraons was not low, but children were severely undernourished. Men were less undernourished than were women. Some potentially useful traditions practiced included wiping washed utensils with leaves of a local plant mirchaiya, preparing herbal tablets called ranoodava to make an alcoholic and a medicinal drink called hadiya. The Oraons' knowledge of contraception, vaccinations, proper diet and supplements needed for successful pregnancy was severely deficient. CONCLUSIONS: A remarkable finding of this study on the Oraon tribals is that the BMI of children was substantially below that of adult men and women. This deficiency cannot be attributed to energy intake because energy intake of children, as percentage of recommended dietary allowance, was about the same as adults. The study shows that the midday meal program provided only approximately 25% of the energy requirements of the children; moreover, it was qualitatively deficient. It also seems that the midday meal replaced rather than supplemented home meals. Despite ICDS coverage, knowledge with regard to contraception, vaccinations, proper diet and supplements needed for successful pregnancy was very low. Interesting traditional practices concerned with methods of preparing food and use of local plants as medicines were observed and documented. Rural health professionals should ensure adequate quantity and quality of food supplementation. They should strive to disseminate health related knowledge. Traditional tribal practices should be studied for their nutritional and medicinal value. They could be responsible for the adequate BMI of adult Oraon, despite severe deficiency in energy intake.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Caries experience and caries predictors--a study of Tanzanian children consuming drinking water with different fluoride concentrations.

The aim of this investigation was to assess the role of predictors of caries experience among children in urban and rural areas of northern Tanzania. Children of the different communities had varying dietary habits and consumed water with varying fluoride (F) concentration. Subjects (n=256) aged 9-14 years were examined in high-F areas (3.6 mg F/l, Arusha and Arusha Meru, n=101) and low-F areas (<0.4 mg F/l, Moshi and Kibosho, n=155). Dental caries was assessed under field conditions using the decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index and the WHO criteria. The prevalence of caries was 14%. The mean DMFT score was 0.22 (n=256), the range between areas 0.07-0.66. Carious lesions were mainly observed in mandibular first molars. Logistic regression analyses indicated that subjects in the high-F and urban Arusha municipality were at a significantly higher risk of dental caries than children in the low-F areas (odds ratio [OR] 2.6). Controlling for ethnicity, children in urban areas were at higher risk for caries (OR 5.4) than children living in low-F rural Kibosho.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

The relationship of blood pressure to diet and lifestyle in two religious populations.

The association between blood pressure and a vegetarian diet was studied in relation to obesity, sex, age and lifestyle in 98 Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) lacto-ovo vegetarians, 82 SDA omnivores and 113 Mormon omnivores aged 25 to 44 years. Mean blood pressures adjusted for age, height and weight were significantly lower in SDA vegetarians than in Mormon omnivores (115.6/68.7 and 121.2/72.2, respectively, in males and 109.1/66.7 and 114.9/72.6, respectively, in females) and were not related to past or current use of alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee, physical activity, personality or religious observance. Mean blood pressures in SDA omnivore males (121.7/71.7) were similar to those in Mormon males, while those in SDA omnivore females (109.9/67.4) were similar to SDA vegetarian females. Quetelet's Index in these subgroups demonstrated the same pattern as blood pressure and may reflect, in part, the high level of physical activity in female SDA omnivores. The prevalence of mild hypertension (greater than or equal to 140 mmHg systolic or greater than or equal to 90 mmHg diastolic) was 10 and 8.5% in Mormon and SDA omnivores, respectively, compared with 1 to 2% in SDA vegetarians. Analysis of diet records showed that vegetarians ate significantly more dietary fibre, polyunsaturated fat, magnesium and potassium and significantly less total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol than did Mormon omnivores. SDA omnivores had a dietary pattern which was less homogeneous, and which lay between those of the other groups. Which, if any, of these dietary differences were responsible for the blood pressure differences could not be determined in this study.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Caffeine consumption in hospitalized psychiatric patients.

A total of 98 consecutively admitted psychiatric inpatients were asked for their daily consumption of coffee, tea and other products containing caffeine. Calculation of the corresponding daily caffeine intake was performed using data from the literature and from caffeine measurements carried out in different coffee and tea preparations in the hospital. Of the patients 13% presented a high (> or = 750 mg daily) caffeine consumption before hospitalization. The average caffeine consumption per day decreased from 405 mg before to 332 mg during hospitalization (P < 0.04), but the before and during hospitalization caffeine consumptions were highly correlated (rho = 0.651; P < 0.00001). The decrease in caffeine consumption seems to be influenced by a lower availability of caffeine at hospital. Among the diagnostic groups (DSM-III-R criteria), the caffeine intake was highest in schizophrenia and lowest in anxiety and major depression patients. Patients under a neuroleptic treatment before admission presented a higher caffeine intake. At hospital the high caffeine users showed the highest score on the factor depression (Hopkins Symptom Checklist; HSCL-58). However, the influence of other factors, such as weight and cigarette consumption, which correlated also with the caffeine intake (rho = 0.359; P < 0.001; and rho = 0.83; P < 0.00001, respectively), have also to be considered. Our data suggest that inquiry into caffeine consumption should be included routinely for psychiatric patients, e.g. at admission, because patients with a psychotic disorder undergo a higher risk for an excessive caffeine consumption.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

A prospective study of the effects of female and male caffeine consumption on the reproductive endpoints of IVF and gamete intra-Fallopian transfer.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the timing and amount of caffeine intake by women and men undergoing IVF and gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) on oocyte retrieval, sperm parameters, fertilization, multiple gestations, miscarriage, and live births. METHODS: A prospective study of 221 couples was conducted in Southern California between 1993 and 1998. "Usual" caffeine intake during lifetime and 1 year prior to attempt, caffeine intake during the week of the initial clinic visit, as well as intake during the week of the procedure, was evaluated from beverages (coffee, soda, tea) and chocolates. RESULTS: Not achieving a live birth was significantly associated with "usual" female caffeine consumption [adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals): 3.1 (1.1, 9.7) and 3.9 (1.3, 11.6) for intake of >2-50 and 50 mg/day, compared with 0-2 mg/day] and consumption during the week of the initial visit [2.9 (1.1, 7.5) and 3.8 (1.4, 10.7)] female compared with 0-2 mg/day, although caffeine use was low. Infant gestational age decreased by 3.8 (-6.9, -0.7) or 3.5 (-6.7, -0.3) weeks for women who consumed >50 mg/day of caffeine "usually" or during the week of the initial visit. The odds of having multiple gestations increased by 2.2 (1.1, 4.4) and 3.0 (1.2, 7.4) for men who increased their "usual" intake or intake during the week of the initial visit by an extra 100 mg/day. Caffeine intake was not significantly associated with other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first IVF/GIFT study to report any effect of caffeine on live births, gestational age, and multiple gestations. If these findings are replicated, caffeine use should be minimized prior to and while undergoing IVF/GIFT.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2002

Chemoprevention of bladder cancer.

The data presented herein, although highly supportive for a protective role of various nutrients against bladder cancer, are far from definitive. Many authorities question the validity of current recommendations for nutritional chemoprevention against bladder cancer. The reason for the wide variations reported in epidemiologic studies lies in the nature of observational studies. Dietary studies are limited in their conclusions because the protection afforded by the consumption of a particular nutrient may be multifactorial, with different components of the food exerting potential chemopreventive effects. Furthermore, measuring levels of nutrients in the food intake of populations is confounded by factors that might affect these levels and also the incidence of cancer. For example, vitamin A can come from animal or vegetarian sources. Because animal fat has been identified as a potential carcinogen in man, depending on the source of the vitamin, varying levels of protection might be deduced. In addition, chemoprevention studies using dietary supplements are expected to have mild effects, and large studies would be required to confirm statistical significance. Even with agents such as intravesical chemotherapy, only half the studies achieve statistical significance [29]. Prospective randomized trials with a large sample size, longer follow-up, and an extended duration of treatment are needed to clarify the association between micronutrients and cancer protection. With these caveats in mind, several recommendations can be made. Simple measures, such as drinking more fluids (especially water), can have a profound impact on the incidence of bladder cancer. Vitamins are being extensively studied in chemopreventive trials for different cancers. There is strong evidence for a chemoprotective effect of vitamin A in bladder cancer. The authors recommend 32,000 IU/day of vitamin A initially, with lower doses (24,000 IU) for persons less than 50 kg. Because liver toxicity is a possibility with long-term administration, the dose should be decreased to 16,000 IU after 3 years. High doses of beta-carotene should be avoided based on a large clinical trial reporting a 25% increase in the number of cases of prostate cancer and a statistically significant increase in the incidence of lung cancer. Vitamin B6 has been studied in several clinical trials in bladder cancer. The US-based Veterans Administration cooperative study found benefit for vitamin B6 when given as a single agent. Data for vitamins C and E are insufficient to recommend either agent as stand-alone treatment. Nonetheless, each of these vitamins is known to have beneficial effects, including improved function of the immune system. It is possible that only a small percentage of patients with bladder cancer respond to vitamins B6, C, or E, yet each is safe, nontoxic, and inexpensive. In an effort to pool the efficacy of individual agents and to increase the power of study, the authors evaluated the combination of vitamins A, B6, C, and E in a double-blind trial. The observed 50% 5-year reduction in tumor recurrence was highly significant and greater than would be expected for any of the individual ingredients and suggests that combinations of nutritional agents may be most appropriate. A large-volume study along similar lines is being conducted. Among the numerous other compounds and dietary substances purported to have chemopreventive effect, soybeans, garlic, and green tea stand out as having the greatest promise and can freely be recommended to patients. For synthetically synthesized agents such as celecoxib, piroxicam, or DFMO, recommendations must be deferred until the results of clinical trials are conclusively in favor of their use. Many of the dietary factors found to be protective against bladder cancer are being investigated in other cancers and are beneficial to general health. Although naturally occurring nutrients are ideal, especially because the delicate balance of various micronutrients might be impossible to synthesize in the laboratory, the general population finds it easier to take vitamin supplements. Unfortunately, dietary changes such as decreasing fat and increasing fruit and vegetable intake are more difficult to initiate. There is a mistaken notion that simply because an agent is naturally occurring, it cannot be as beneficial as taking a substance synthesized in the laboratory. Even in a high-risk group such as nuclear-bomb survivors in Japan, high consumption of vegetables and fruit is protective against bladder cancer [44]. Encouraging patients to follow an essentially healthy food habit lifestyle will be a significant contribution in the fight against cancer.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2001

Effects of a tartar control whitening dentifrice on tooth shade in a population with long-standing natural stain.

Changing and whitening tooth color in people with long-standing tooth stain without excessive hard tissue abrasion may represent one of the more difficult challenges for whitening dentifrices. An eight-week clinical trial was conducted to evaluate change in tooth color by a silica-based, enamel-safe tartar control whitening dentifrice compared to a marketed baking soda dentifrice control. First, a screening exercise was conducted to identify individuals with long-standing extrinsic dental stain. This exercise targeted adults who reported "stained teeth" and coffee/tea drinking or smoking, but who had no recent history of dental prophylaxis. Targeted subjects were examined for stain (Lobene Index) and tooth shade/color (Vita). A total of 291 adults having extrinsic stain and discolored teeth were enrolled in the study. Subjects were randomized to one of the two treatment groups, and all dentifrice use was unsupervised. Tooth color was measured at 4 and 8 weeks from shade values collected from the 8 incisors, and averages were determined from a linear ordering of the shade guide. A total of 278 evaluable subjects completed the 8-week study. Overall, the tartar control whitening dentifrice group experienced an improvement in color, differing statistically from baseline (p < 0.001) and from the marketed control (p < 0.05). Safety profiles for the two dentifrices were generally similar. Among patients with long-standing extrinsic stain, use of the tartar control whitening dentifrice resulted in superior overall tooth shade and reduced maximum or worst color compared to the marketed baking soda dentifrice control.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Study of aluminium and lead in some traditional Omani dishes.

Because of the recent interest on the aluminium content of foods cooked in aluminium saucepans and the association between aluminium and lead and many toxic symptoms and disease, information about the source of exposure of man to these metals specially from food and drinks are required. Thirty four of the most commonly consumed Omani dishes were analyzed for their aluminium and lead content, in order to determine the level of contamination and to estimate the approximate oral intake of each metal. The level of aluminium in the studied dishes was in the range between 0.98 and 16.53 mg/kg with a mean 5.4 mg/kg. The highest level of aluminium was found in fish dishes (9.03 mg/kg) and meat and poultry dishes (7.66 mg/kg). The effect of using aluminium pans on the metal level was also studied in some foods. The effect varies from slight increase in case of frying or cooking of fish to a significant increase in case of baking rakal bread on aluminium flat pan. The level of lead in the studied dishes ranged between 0.026 and 1.75 mg/kg with a mean of 0.32 mg/kg. Salted fish contained the highest level of lead (0.57 mg/kg). The approximate daily intake, calculated on the base of the serving quantities, was found to be within the acceptable daily or weekly intake recommended for each metal.

Aluminum↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prognostic factors influencing healing of reflux esophagitis. A controlled trial of omeprazole versus ranitidine. Study group Omega].

Four hundred and thirty patients with grade 2 or 3 esophagitis were treated after 2/1 randomization for 8 weeks with omeprazole 20 mg (n = 294) or ranitidine 150 mg bid (n = 136). Apart from treatment, 8 epidemiological factors (gender, age, occupation, obesity, smoking, alcohol, NSAID, and coffee or tea consumption), 5 clinical factors (day/night pain distribution, burning score, severity of regurgitation and of dysphagia, number of painful episodes requiring prescription of an antisecretory agent during the previous year, and onset of symptoms before age 30) and 3 endoscopic factors (grade and upward extension of esophagitis, and existence of hiatal hernia > or = 5 cm) were analysed. The influence of these factors on healing at 8 weeks and on changes in symptoms was evaluated by multivariate analysis. 92.1% of patients enrolled were analyzed. In comparison with ranitidine, omeprazole increased the percentage of healed patients (93% v. 67.5%, p < 0.001) and the rapidity of disappearance of symptoms (5 days v. 7 days, p < 0.001). Independent good prognostic factors associated with healing rate were treatment with omeprazole (p < 0.001) and grade 2 esophagitis (p < 0.001) while those associated with the disappearance of symptoms were a low burning score (p = 0.001), advanced age (p = 0.004), treatment with omeprazole (p = 0.005), the absence of any occupation (p = 0.01) and male gender (p = 0.017). The results of this study show that, apart from treatment, endoscopic factors are predictive of the healing of reflux esophagitis treated by antisecretory agents while clinical factors are more important with regard to the disappearance of symptoms.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2000

Reversal of caffeine withdrawal by ingestion of a soft beverage.

Followlng regular use, acute cessation of caffeine is associated with a characteristic withdrawal syndrome. Despite this, caffeine remains popular with its consumers. The aim of this study was to examine the physiologic and psychologic effects of small caffeine doses, administered in the form of a market-leading soft drink, on healthy women who were acutely withdrawn from caffeine. After 48-h abstinence and overnight fast, 11 healthy (22 to 40 years) female volunteers, all regular caffeine users (daily consumption 143 to 773 mg) consumed using a double-blind. randomized, controlled cross-over design either 2 tins of regular or caffeine-free Diet Coke. On both visits a Mars bar was eaten to prevent hypoglycaemia. Thus, the caffeine load was 76 or 10 mg respectively. Following ingestion of regular Diet Coke, there was a l0% fall in middle cerebral artery velocity (95% CI [6%-l4%], p < 0.005 versus caffeine free) and improvement in feelings of pleasure (p < 0.046) and energy (p < 0.037). Intellectual function (4-choice reaction time) was unaffected by caffeine status. On both visits, ingestion of Diet Coke induced a pressor response (maximum rise in systolic pressure +15+/- 2 mm Hg with caffeine and +l2 +/- 2 mm Hg with caffeine-free beverage, both p < 0.001 compared with baseline). In conclusion, in women acutely withdrawn from caffeine, ingestion of a popular soft beverage containing modest amounts of caffeine is associated with demonstrable physiologic and psychologic effects.

Adult↗