Characteristics and influencing factors of the first dental visit among children in Bangkok, Thailand: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The first dental visit (FDV) is fundamental to good oral health. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of FDV, including the influencing factors, in children attending the government dental hospital in Bangkok. METHODS: This study included 289 pairs of new patients (aged 0-12 years) and their parents. The questionnaires, consisting of three parts: socio-demographic, reasons for the child's FDV and for not having FDV earlier, and the children's oral health knowledge and attitude, were completed by parents. The Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare variables among age groups. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the factors that influence the age at FDV. The variables included in the analysis were the child's characteristics, the family's socio-demographic background, the presence of symptoms, and the parents' knowledge and attitude towards their child's oral health. RESULTS: The mean ages of children at FDV were 5.57 ± 2.88 (age range of 0.58-11.92) years. There were 2.42% who had FDV ≤ 12 months of age, and 76.5% of all children already had dental caries. A low attitude score among parents was significantly found in the older age group of children (p = 0.001). The influencing factors with the age at FDV were the parental age (p < 0.001), the presence of symptoms or chief complaints (p = 0.016), and the presence of dental caries (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Children in Bangkok had seriously delayed FDV compared to the recommended guidelines. The parental age strongly influenced the proper age at FDV, together with the presence of symptoms or chief complaints, and the presence of dental caries. Thus, an effective campaign to raise awareness about FDV is still needed, especially in advanced maternal age.

Efficacy of Dental Barriers in Aerosols and Splatters Reduction During an Ultrasonic Scaling: An In-vitro Study.

Background: Barrier enclosure systems were suggested as the protective equipment for aerosol-generating procedures. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of dental barriers in aerosols and splatters reduction during an ultrasonic scaling. Materials and Methods: Two types of dental barriers: (1) metal frame with plastic wrap (MFPW) and (2) plastic shield chamber (PSC) were investigated. Ultrasonic scaling was performed on dental phantom head with and without the use of dental barriers. To detect the splatter contamination, the water system of the scaler was circulated with 0.1% fluorescein dye and filter papers were set at several parts of dental chair, body of an operator, and assistance. For bioaerosol production, water containing 107 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL of Lactobacillus acidophilus was used as a water coolant system of the scaler. Results: The total surface contamination found on the body of the operator was significantly decreased when using both MFPW and PSC barriers (P < 0.05). A significant reduction on the assistant's body and the dental chair was only observed when PSC was used (P < 0.05). For bacterial aerosols, both barriers significantly reduced the number of bacterial colonies when compared with no barrier used (P < 0.05). The percentages of total colonies reduction for MFPW and PSC were 78.13 (±1.69) and 69.24 (±2.49), respectively. However, no difference in the total number of bacterial colonies was observed between the two types of barriers. Conclusion: A dental barrier system was effective in aerosols and splatters reduction during an ultrasonic scaling.

Efficacy of extraoral suction devices in aerosol and splatter reduction during ultrasonic scaling: A laboratory investigation.

Background. Ultrasonic scaling generates aerosols and splatters contaminated with microorganisms, increasing the risk of disease transmission in the dental office. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of extraoral suction (EOS) units in aerosol and splatter reduction during ultrasonic scaling. Methods. Ultrasonic scaling was conducted on a dental manikin headset to simulate a scaling procedure. Water containing Lactobacillus acidophilus at a concentration of 107 colony-forming units per milliliter and 1% fluorescein solution was used as the water supply of the scaler. The scaling procedure was conducted with a high-volume evacuator (HVE) or the combination of HVE and an EOS unit. de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe agar plates were placed at different distances surrounding the dental chair. Filter papers were placed at various positions surrounding the oral cavity and on areas of the body. Results. Bioaerosols were detected at every sampling site and could travel as far as 150 cm from the oral cavity. The combination of HVE and EOS significantly reduced the total number of bacterial colonies in the air (P < 0.001). Dissemination of the stain was in the range of 20 cm from the oral cavity. The maximum contaminated surface area was at the 4 o'clock position from the oral cavity. The combination of EOS and HVE significantly reduced the contaminated area (P < 0.05). The stain was also found on the wrists, chest, abdomen, and lap of the operator and assistant. The lap was the most contaminated area of the body. Conclusion. EOS was effective in reducing the bioaerosols and splatters generated during ultrasonic scaling.

Up-regulation of interferon-stimulated gene 15 and its conjugation machinery, UbE1L and UbcH8 expression by tumor necrosis factor-α through p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathways in human lung carcinoma.

Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is a member of the family of ubiquitin-like proteins. Similar to ubiquitin, conjugation of ISG15 to cellular proteins requires cascade reactions catalyzed by at least 2 enzymes, UbE1L and UbcH8. Expression of ISG15 and its conjugates is up-regulated in many cancer cells, yet the underlying mechanism of up-regulation is still unclear. In this study, we showed that TNF-α, similar to the response by IFN-ß, could directly induce expression of ISG15 and its conjugation machinery, UbE1L and UbcH8, in human lung carcinoma, A549. The early response of their expression was effectively blocked by specific inhibitors of p38 MAPK (SB202190) and JNK (SP600125), but not by B18R, a soluble type-I IFN receptor. In addition, luciferase reporter assay together with serial deletions and site-directed mutagenesis identified a putative C/EBPß binding element in the ISG15 promoter, which is necessary to the response by TNF-α. Taken together, expression of ISG15 and ISG15 conjugation machinery in cancer cells is directly up-regulated by TNF-α via p38 MAPK and JNK pathways through the activation of C/EBPß binding element in the ISG15 promoter. This study provides a new insight toward understanding the molecular mechanism of ISG15 system and inflammatory response in cancer progression.

Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidatant activities of various isolated compounds from Cratoxylum species.

The objective of this study was to investigate the bioactivity of twenty-nine known isolated compounds from Cratoxylum species including three anthraquinones, four triterpenes, and twenty-two xanthones. All isolated compounds were subjected to antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. Cytotoxicity evaluations were performed by MTT assay. The anti-oxidatant activity was performed using DPPH assay. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated from the production of cytokines TNF-α and IL1-ß using ELISA assay. Human gingival fibroblasts and monocytes could tolerate both anthraquinones and triterpenes. All isolated anthraquinones showed moderate-to-high antibacterial efficacy while compound A3 also demonstrated moderate anti-inflammatory effect. None of the isolated triterpenes, except for T1, inhibited the expression of TNF-α. A number of isolated xanthones was toxic to HGFs and monocytes. Compound X5, X14 and a 1:1 mixture of X5 and X6 showed comparative anti-inflammatory activity to dexamethasone. Several triterpene and xanthone compounds also expressed antibacterial effect against P. gingivalis. Some isolated xanthones exerted anti-oxidant activity comparable to ascorbic acid. Accordingly, selected pure compounds from plants of Cratoxylum genus might be of benefit in developing medications that are important in treating periodontal diseases.