The results support the reliability and validity of SCIM III in a multi-cultural setup. Despite several limitations of the study, the results indicate that SCIM III is an efficient measure for functional assessment of SCL patients and can be safely used for clinical and research trials, including international multi-center studies.

Previous studies have established that hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans are the primary components of halitosis (bad breath). In the present investigation, we report a simple, rapid technique for measurement of halitosis-related sulphides. The technique is based on a portable instrument generally used for environmental safety applications. Seventy-five volunteers were measured using this technique, and the results (in peak ppb hydrogen sulphide equivalents) compared with organoleptic assessment by 7 judges. A highly significant overall correlation (r = 0.603; P less than 0.001) was obtained between these 2 methods. Moreover, in most cases, the organoleptic ratings of the individual judges correlated more highly with sulphide monitor values than with one another. The simplicity of the technique suggests its use in clinical studies as well as in diagnosis and treatment of patients with this complaint.

Chisholin (GD. Benign prostatic hyperplasia: the best treatment. 1BMI7 1989;299:2 15-6. 2 Neal DE. Irostatectom\-an open or shut case. Br7 Urol 1990;66:449-54. 3 Wrennburg J E, Roos N, Sola L, Schori A, Jalfe R. Use of claims data s\stcms to cvaluatc he:alth care ouitcomes. Mortality and re-operation aftcr prostatectormr. J.1IA 1987;257:933-6. Design-Comparison of extended fetal echocardiography with the standard four chamber view in detecting abnormalities. Extended echocardiography comprised the four chamber view and visualisation of the left ventricular outflow tract, the right ventricular outflow tract, and the main pulmonary artery and its branches. In cases with abnormal results complete echocardiographic studies were performed by a paediatric cardiologist using M mode, Doppler, and colourflow mapping techniques.25 Matthews JNS, Altman DG, Campbell NIJ, Royston P. AnalNsis otf serial mcasturcmcnt in medical rescarch. HBl] 1990300:230-5. 26 Perkins JB, Miller HC. Blood loss diuring transurethral prostatctotny. LUrol 1969;101:93-7. 27 Flechnlcr SM, Williams RD. Continuotis flow anid cotiventiontal resectoscope mcthods in tranisuretliral prostatectomy;Setting-Obstetric ultrasonographic unit at Shaare-Zedek Medical Centre, Jerusalem.Subjects-5400 fetuses in low risk pregnancies between 18 and 24 weeks' gestation (mean 21 weeks); 53 were lost to follow up.Main outcome measures-Detection of abnormality before and after birth.

Whereas previous studies have shown correlations between volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) and bad breath levels, it is probable that other compounds found in the oral cavity may contribute to oral malodor. In the present investigation, the possibility that diamines (cadaverine and putrescine) are associated with oral malodor parameters was assessed. Saliva samples from 52 subjects were analyzed for cadaverine and putrescine by HPLC. Oral malodor of whole mouth, tongue, and saliva of the subjects was recorded by an experienced judge on a continuous 10-cm scale; peak and steady-state VSC intraoral levels were measured by the Interscan 1170 sulphide monitor. Log-transformed VSC and diamine levels were compared with odor judge measurements by Pearson analysis and stepwise forward multiple regression. Putrescine scores were not significantly associated with odor judge parameters or with VSC levels (p > 0.1). However, highly significant correlations (p < or = 0.003) were found between cadaverine levels and all three odor judge assessments. In contrast, associations between cadaverine and VSC measurements were non-significant. In an attempt to correlate odor judge results in terms of both VSC and diamines, we carried out stepwise forward multiple regression. Results showed that VSC and cadaverine both factor significantly in explaining each of the odor judge measurements, with multiple r values ranging from 0.545 (p = 0.0002) to 0.604 (p < 0.0001). The results suggest that cadaverine levels are associated with oral malodor, and that this association may be independent of VSC.

In the present pregnancy, LBP during pregnancy was associated with a history of LBP various socioanthropometric measures, as well as several ultrasonographic and obstetrical data. Back care advice offered to pregnant women who are prone to develop LBP during pregnancy, as early in their pregnancy as possible, may prevent or result in less 'troublesome' and 'severe' LBP during pregnancy.

Bad breath (halitosis, oral malodor) is a common condition, usually the result of microbial putrefaction within the oral cavity. Often, people suffering from bad breath remain unaware of it, whereas others remain convinced that they suffer from foul oral malodor, although there is no evidence for such. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether objective self-measurement of oral malodors is possible. Each of 52 volunteers was asked to sample the odor from his/her mouth, tongue, and saliva. Results were compared with (i) self-assessments prior to (preconception) and following (post-measurement) self-measurements; (ii) odor judge scores; (iii) dental-measurements (plaque index, gingival index, and probing depth); (iv) volatile sulphide levels; (v) salivary cadaverine levels; and (vi) intra-oral trypsin-like activity. Among the self-measurements, only saliva self-scores yielded significant correlations with objective parameters. Despite the partial objectivity of saliva self-estimates, subsequent post-measurement self-assessments failed to correlate with objective parameters. The results suggest that (i) preconceived notions confound the ability to score one's own oral malodors in an objective fashion; and (ii) partial objectivity can be obtained in the case of saliva self-measurement, presumably because the stimulus is removed from the body proper.

The purpose of the present investigation was to test the association between the BANA test (Perioscan, Oral-B), and oral malodor parameters. The subject population consisted of 52 Israeli adults, 43 of whom complained of oral malodor. Oral malodor measurements consisted of peak and steady-state volatile sulphide measurement by a portable sulphide monitor (Interscan Corp., model 1170), as well as organoleptic measurements of malodor from whole mouth, tongue, and saliva. Samples for the BANA test were obtained from four loci (shallow pocket, deep pocket, tongue dorsum, saliva); results were scored as negative (0), weak (1), or strong (2). BANA scores were significantly associated with odor-judge ratings, with the highest association obtained when BANA saliva scores and odor-judge saliva assessment were compared (r = 0.500; p < 0.001). BANA tests from the different loci were not significantly associated with sulphide monitor levels. Stepwise multiple-regression analysis of odor-judge measurements in terms of sulphide levels and average BANA scores showed that both log peak sulphide levels as well as BANA scores were significantly factored into the equations, yielding, in all cases, highly significant correlations (multiple r = 0.57, 0.50, and 0.59, respectively, with significance levels of 0.0001, 0.001, and < 0.0001, for whole mouth, tongue, and saliva malodor, respectively). The results suggest that the BANA scores are associated with a component of oral malodor which is independent of volatile sulphide measurements and suggest its use as an adjunct test to volatile sulphide measurement.

Few scientific investigations have addressed the ability of mouthrinses to reduce oral malodor for periods longer than 3 hours. In the present report, we have employed simple, recently described techniques to assess the day‐long reduction in oral malodor of a novel 2‐phase oil:water mouthrinse (TPM), as compared to a corresponding placebo rinse, and to a commercial 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse. Sixty dental students were divided randomly into 3 groups, and instructed to use one of the rinses prior to bedtime and the following morning. Measurements carried out in the late afternoon, about 8 to 10 hours following rinsing, were compared with baseline measurements carried out in the late afternoon of the previous day. Volatile sulphide levels were measured using a portable industrial sulphide monitor. Microbial levels were estimated using a simple rinsing technique employing sterilized milk. These quantitative techniques were corroborated by organoleptic (hedonic) ratings of a single odor judge. Both TPM and Chlorhexidine brought about significant decreases in volatile sulphides (P < 0.05) as compared to the placebo group. These results were corroborated by the organoleptic data. Similarly, both chlorhexidine and TPM were highly effective in reducing microbial levels as measured by the rinsing technique, in comparison to the placebo group. Chlorhexidine appeared to be more effective than TPM in all measurement categories, although only in the case of microbial activity was there a significant (P < 0.05) difference between the two groups. The data showing daylong reduction of malodorous sulphides and microbial levels by TPM extend previous in vitro studies demonstrating its potent microbial desorption properties, and provide the first evidence for its potential clinical efficacy. J Periodontol 1992;63:39–43.