Tongue-Coating Microbial and Metabolic Characteristics in Halitosis.

Halitosis is a common oral condition, which leads to social embarrassment and affects quality of life. Cumulative evidence has suggested the association of tongue-coating microbiome with the development of intraoral halitosis. The dynamic variations of tongue-coating microbiota and metabolites in halitosis have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the tongue-coating microbial and metabolic characteristics in halitosis subjects without other oral diseases using metagenomics and metabolomics analysis. The participants underwent oral examination, halitosis assessment, and tongue-coating sample collection for the microbiome and metabolome analysis. It was found that the microbiota richness and diversity were significantly elevated in the halitosis group. Furthermore, species from Actinomyces, Prevotella, Veillonella, and Solobacterium were significantly more abundant in the halitosis group. However, the Rothia and Streptococcus species exhibited opposite tendencies. Eleven Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were significantly enriched in the halitosis tongue coatings, including cysteine and methionine metabolism. Functional genes related to sulfur, indole, skatole, and cadaverine metabolic processes (such as serA, metH, metK and dsrAB) were identified to be more abundant in the halitosis samples. The metabolome analysis revealed that indole-3-acetic, ornithine, and L-tryptophan were significantly elevated in the halitosis samples. Furthermore, it was observed that the values of volatile sulfur compounds and indole-3-acetic abundances were positively correlated. The multiomics analysis identified the metagenomic and metabolomic characteristics to differentiate halitosis from healthy individuals using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression and random forest classifier. A total of 19 species and 39 metabolites were identified as features in halitosis patients, which included indole-3-acetic acid, Bacillus altitudinis, Candidatus Saccharibacteria, and Actinomyces species. In conclusion, an evident shift in microbiome and metabolome characteristics was observed in the halitosis tongue coating, which may have a potential etiological significance and provide novel insights into the mechanism for halitosis.

Ethnic Disparities in Dental Caries among Adolescents in China.

Comprehensive research on ethnic disparities in dental caries in China is limited. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to compare the levels of dental caries in adolescents between the Han ethnic group and ethnic minority groups in China and to explore the risk indicators for dental caries within ethnic subgroups. Data from the Fourth National Oral Health Survey in 2015, which covered all 31 province-level administrative divisions in mainland China, were used. The dental caries status in the permanent dentition of adolescents aged 12, 13, 14, and 15 y was measured using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DFMT) score, and sociodemographic characteristics and oral health-related behaviors were also collected. A total of 118,601 adolescents were included, with ethnic minority groups accounting for 13.15%. Of the Han and minority groups, the standardized prevalence of dental caries experience was 40.58% and 47.67%, and the mean DMFT scores were 0.97 and 1.28, respectively. According to the multivariate zero-inflated negative binomial regression analysis, the caries status of minorities was more severe than Han adolescents (adjusted prevalence rate ratio [PRR], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.18). This disparity was greater among adolescents who lived in rural areas, had mid-level economic status, and frequently consumed sugary beverages. After propensity score matchings, Uygur (PRR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.25-1.67), Tibetan (PRR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.3-1.48), and Yi (PRR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.04-1.48) adolescents were significantly more likely to have caries than Han adolescents. Subgroup analyses revealed that gender, age, location of residence, economic status, region, consumption of sweet snacks and sugary beverages, and dental visit pattern were significantly associated with dental caries within ethnic minorities.

Transcriptome analysis reveals corresponding genes and key pathways involved in heat stress in Hu sheep.

Heat stress (HS) seriously affects animal performance. In view of global warming, it is essential to understand the regulatory mechanisms by which animals adapt to heat stress. In this study, our aim was to explore the genes and pathways involved in heat stress in sheep. To this end, we used transcriptome analysis to understand the molecular responses to heat stress and thereby identify means to protect sheep from heat shock. To obtain an overview of the effects of heat stress on sheep, we used the hypothalamus for transcriptome sequencing and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs; false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.01; fold change > 2) during heat stress. A total of 1423 DEGs (1122 upregulated and 301 downregulated) were identified and classified into Gene Ontology (GO) categories and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Heat stress triggered dramatic and complex alterations in gene expression in the hypothalamus. We hypothesized that heat stress induced apoptosis and dysfunction in cells and vital organs and affected growth, development, reproduction, and circadian entrainment via the calcium signaling pathway, which influences ribosome assembly and function. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate the expression of the genes regulating important biological functions or whose expression profiles were significantly changed after acute heat stress (FDR < 0.01; fold change > 4), and the results showed that the expression patterns of these genes were consistent with the results of transcriptome sequencing, indicating that the credibility of the sequencing results. Our data indicated that heat stress induced calcium dyshomeostasis, blocked biogenesis, caused ROS accumulation, impaired the antioxidant system and innate defense, and induced apoptosis through the P53 signaling pathway activated by PEG3, decreased growth and development, and enhanced organ damage. These data is very important and helpful to elucidate the molecular mechanism of heat stress and finally to find ways to deal with heat stress damage in sheep.

[Acquisition and the immunogenicity of the outer membrane FomA protein of Fusobacterium nucleatum].

Objective: To express and purify outer membrane protein FomA of Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) through gene recombination technique with Escherichia coli (Ec) expression system, and to detect the immunogenicity and the immune effects of the recombinant protein on gingival tissues. Methods: The gene recombination technique and Ec expression system were used to express and purified the FomA protein. Totally 20 C57 mice were immuned with the protein or the phosphate buffer solution (PBS) buffer by subcutaneous injection (each 10 mice), and the specific FomA antibody was detection in mice serum. The immunogenicity of FomA protein was assessed by comparing the differences between groups. Furthermore, the model of mice gum abscess was constructed with Fn or Fn and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) mixed suspension used the above mice. The score of the gingival abscess was recorded and the interleukin (IL)-1ß in gum tissue and mice serum was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, and the differences of the indexes between groups were compared to evaluate the effect of the FomA protein immunization. Results: Totally 1.0-1.5 g FomA protein were successfully obtained and the protein purity was over 90%. The FomA specific antibody was detected in the serum of mice by subcutaneous injection of the protein, and the antibody titer reached the highest level in 2 weeks after secondary immunization. The model of submaxillary gingival abscess was successfully constructed. In the Fn model, the score of the FomA protein immune group was (1.82±0.35), and the PBS control group was (2.62±0.71), with statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.049). In the Fn+Pg mixture model, the score of gingival abscess in the FomA immune group (2.31±0.55) was lower than that in PBS group (3.63±0.45), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.003). Both in Fn and Fn+Pg injection group, the concentration of IL-1ß in the serum of FomA immune mice and gingival tissues was lower than that of PBS control mice (P<0.001). Conclusions: The recombinant FomA protein can be acquired by Ec expression system, and it can produce a certain level antibodies in the mice serum. The way of mice subcutaneously injected with the recombinant FomA protein can reduce the severity of periodontal infections caused by Fn and Pg.

Correlation between serum melatonin and aMT6S level for age-related macular degeneration patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the levels of serum melatonin (MLT) and assay of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6S) of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients and study their correlation with AMD risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 58 AMD cases were selected and 58 healthy cases of the same time period were selected according to 1:1 closest matching method. ELISA method was used to test serum MLT and aMT6S level. RESULTS: Levels of MLT and aMT6S in AMD group were lower than those in the control group, and differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Based on analysis of AMD subgroup, differences on gender had no statistical significance compared with AMD type. For cases with smoking, cardiovascular disease and corrected visual acuity lower than 0.1, MLT and aMT6S levels were reduced at 0.05). Through the regression analysis, we concluded that smoking history, cardiovascular disease history, best corrected visual acuity, MLT and aMT6S level were independent risk factors, among which MLT [OR = 3.624 (odds ratio: OR)] and aMT6S (OR = 3.201). CONCLUSIONS: MLT and aMT6S may be related to the incidence of AMD.

The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity in Chinese adults.

Dentine hypersensitivity is a common oral problem. This study investigated the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity in the adult population of Shanghai, China. A multi-stage, stratified, random sampling method was used to investigate the study population. A total of 2120 subjects were examined at 10 investigation points in Shanghai City. Subjects were divided into age groups (10 years per age group) and included the same number of male and female subjects in each group. Participants completed a dentine hypersensitivity questionnaire and underwent clinical examination. The diagnosis of dentine hypersensitivity was confirmed clinically as a sharp well-localised pain in response to administration of a blast of cold air from a triple syringe. Gingival recession of sensitive teeth was measured by a Williams periodontal probe. Among 2120 participants, 723 were diagnosed as having dentine hypersensitivity, indicating a prevalence of 34·1%. The male to female ratio of dentine hypersensitivity was 1:1·5. The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity was highest in the 40- to 49-year age group at 43·9%. The number of teeth with dentine hypersensitivity was 3·2 per patient. Dentine hypersensitivity occurred predominantly in the premolars (49·6%), followed by the anterior teeth (30·5%). A total of 84·3% of dentine hypersensitive patients had gingival recession. The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity in Shanghai adults was 34·1%, indicating that it is a common condition. Therefore, public education about the condition and effective treatment of dentine hypersensitivity are required.

The impact of dental appearance on perceptions of personal characteristics among Chinese people in the United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether dental appearance affects perceptions of personal characteristics among Chinese people living in the UK. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analytic interview study. SETTING: Public places frequented by Chinese people. PARTICIPANTS: Quota sample of 165 Chinese adults living in the UK. METHODS: Each participant was asked to make judgements about the personal characteristics of the subject of a single colour photograph. Fifteen photographs were used of five different men each with three degrees of dental disease. MAIN OUTCOMES: Judgements of the adjustment and social and intellectual competence of the subjects of the photographs. RESULTS: Participants judged subjects with less dental disease to be better adjusted and more intellectually competent. CONCLUSION: Dental appearance affected the judgements about some personal characteristics made by the Chinese people studied. Dental appearance may influence social interactions and contribute to social selection and the associations between health and socio-economic status.

[An epidemiological study of risk factors of rampant caries in Shanghai children].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors of rampant caries in order to provide suggestion to prevention and clinical treatment. METHODS: A case control study and logistic regression were performed to observe some variables that possibly related to rampant caries in children on the base of a field survey. RESULTS: The risk factors of rampant caries were incepting cariogenic foods too much and bottle feeding with sugar containing bovine milk. The risk of suffering from rampant caries also increased with duration of breast feeding. CONCLUSION: Incepting cariogenic foods too much and unappropriate patterns of infant feeding were the important risk factors of rampant caries.

[Survey of caries status of 5-year-old children in Shanghai in 1995].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the caries status of 5-year-old children in Shanghai. METHODS: Use multistage sampling method,stratified sampling and simple random sampling methods. 2 132 5-year-old children were chosen and their DMFTs were examined. Two thirds were done in three downtown districts and the rest in three suburb counties. Each gender occupies half. RESULTS: DMFT in downtown and suburb was 3.46 and 7.37, respectively. Caries prevalence was 71.13% and 92.56%, respectively.The percentage of filling in DMFT was 14.79% and 3.24%, respectively. All this three indices proved to be significantly different between downtown and suburb. CONCLUSION: It is indicated that caries prevalence of deciduous teeth should be lowered both in downtown and suburb areas. Filling percentage should be improved urgently, especially in suburbs. The preventive means should focus on suburbs as well.

[Investigation of deciduous teeth caries in children under 14-year-old].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the caries prevalence of children under 14-year-old in three districts (Nanshi,Luwan,Xuhui) of Shanghai. To provide the first-hand data for prevention of children caries. METHODS: The standard of second whole national investigation regime of oral epidemic disease was used. RESULTS: When the children grow up,the caries incidence and dft increased. In 7-year-old group the values were 83.33% and 3.78,respectively. After that the values decreased for the alternation of deciduous teeth and permanent teeth. The caries incidence was almost the same in boys and girls. The caries incidence in lower jaw was higher than that in upper jaw. The caries incidence was highest in lower jaw D and E. The lowest caries incidence was found in lower jaw A and B. The incidence and dft decreased compared with before. At the same time, the filling rate of deciduous teeth also decreased. CONCLUSION: The oral hygiene knowledge for children is disseminated. It is important for children to find a solution to improve the filling rate of deciduous caries.

[Studies on the sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to pyronaridine/sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To develop an in vitro method for the assessment of drug response in P. falciparum to pyronaridine/sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (PND/S/P). METHODS: The PND/S/P microtest plate was designed, Rieckmann in vitro microtest(WHO standard kit) was used to test the sensitivity of P falciparum in continuous culture (FCC1/HN strain), and the data obtained were analyzed using a computer programme. Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) was calculated to test the possible synergy between PND and S/P. RESULTS: The effect of the PND/S/P plates was fairly stable and the ED50 values of pyronaridine, sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine were 0.11, 215.12 and 2.9 pmol, respectively. The FIC obtained confirmed the synergism between PND and S/P. CONCLUSION: The in vitro method can be used to assess the sensitivity of P. falciparum to pyronaridine/sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine.

Epidemiological study of the risk factors of rampant caries in Shanghai children.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors associated with rampant caries and to provide suggestions for prevention and clinical treatment. METHODS: On the basis of a field survey, case-control study was performed to isolate variables possibly related to rampant caries in children. Data analysis was performed with individual analysis and multiple unconditional logistic regression. Four logistic models were developed. RESULTS: The risk factors of rampant caries were cariogenic foods and bottle-feeding with sugar containing bovine milk; an increased risk of caries was also associated with duration of breast-feeding. CONCLUSION: Overuse of cariogenic foods and unsuitable patterns of infant feeding were the most important risk factors associated with rampant caries.

[The investigation of accidental swallowing of Fluoride toothpaste in young children]

OBJECTIVE:This study was to investigate the accidental swallowing of fluoride toothpastes in young children during their toothbrushing and then to discuss the security of fluoride toothpastes used by young children.METHODS:The accidental ingesting of fluoride toothpastes in 180 young children aged 3-6 years old was assayed with fluoride-specific electrode.RESULTS:Among the 180 children invited to join the test,the average amount of the ingestion of fluoride toothpastes was 0.053g.The average swallowing ratio was 26.163%.The maximums presented in the group aged 3.0 to 3.9years old were 0.082g and 30.348%;respectively.CONCLUSION:Young children swallow a quantity of toothpaste on the brush during toothbrushing inevitably.It may result in the excessive daily fluoride ingestion which includes the fluoride ingestion from toothpaste,food and surroundings.So the incidence of fluorosis will increase certainly.

A genetic marker in the growth hormone receptor gene associated with body weight in chickens.

A genomic clone spanning 16 kb of the GH receptor gene was mapped and used as a probe for identifying restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in chickens. Several strains of meat-type and egg laying chickens were found to segregate for an HindIII RFLP located in the intron preceding exon 4. The polymorphic HindIII site overlapped with a poly(A) signal. Association of the HindIII RFLP with traits was analyzed in a random-bred White Leghorn strain in three generations using either selective or random genotyping. Both methods revealed significant association of the HindIII+ allele (presence of the poly(A) signal) with an increased juvenile body weight (130 days of age). In two meat-type strains divergently selected for size of the abdominal fat pad, the HindIII+ allele was coselected with leanness. The results indicate the presence of a genetic variant of the GH receptor gene which affects growth and abdominal fat deposition and which is relatively frequent in egg laying as well as in meat-type chickens.

[A caries survey in Shanghai Penglai district]

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the oral epidemic disease occurance to get the essential data and provide the standard for supervising the result of education of oral health and the measures of oral epidemic disease probation.METHODS:Random sample by equal proportion and divide into groups.The standard of second whole national investigation of oral epidemic disease is accepted in this investigation.RESULTS:The caries prevalence rate are:5 year old group 63.1% 12 year-old group 28.6% 15 year-old group 31.8%,18 year-old group 43.6%,35-44 year-old group 41.3%,65-74 year-old group 61.8%.CONCLUSION:This statistics states:(1)The rates of caries have distinguish differences between different age groups.(2)The caries prevalence rate and the DMFT is rather less than the result of Shanghai area which join the second whole national investigation of oral epidemic disease.

[A comparative study for the permanent teeth decay between Shanghai and Osaka citizens]

OBJECTIVE:The aim of present research is observing and comparing the incidence of the permanent teeth decay between Shanghai and Osaka citizens.The representative samples of 3819 people in Shanghai and 484 people in Osaka received dental examination in 1996 and in 1993.The ages range of the subjects were form 5 to 74 years old in the research.The subject's caries experience was gained from average DMFT and the incidence of the permanent teeth decay.The condition of the caries,treatment of the subjects was also recorded by examiners.The result showed that the caries incidence of the permanent teeth is 59.82% in Shanghai people and 92.77% in Osaka people.The mean DMFT of Shanghai people are much lower than that of Osaka people.The research also indicated that the mean sound teeth of the citizens between Shanghai and Osaka people is different. It is 21.74% in Shanghai people and 12.21% in Osaka people.The statistical results showed that the condition of the caries treatment in Shanghai people differs greatly from that in Osaka people.32.61% of the patients whose caries have been filled are found in Shanghai,but 52.99% of the patients are found in Osaka.It is indicated that the oral health must be raising in over 50 years old patients,especially in Shanghai city.

[The observation of the contained fluoride sealant on caries prevention for 3 years]

Pit and fissure sealant is an effective method for preventing pit and fissure caries,though it has less effect in smooth surface teeth.But the contained sealant is effective on caries prevention both in pit and fissure area and in smooth surface.The aim of the present search was observing the clinic results of the contained fluoride sealant on caries prevention.786 children aged 6-8 years old were divided into four groups.The first permanent molars in group 1 were sealed by the contained fluoride sealant and those in group 2 were used the conventional sealant.The same molars in group 3 were used the conventional sealant plus the APFI gel and those in group 4 were only used the APFI gel.APFI gel was used one time per half year.The results showed the caries preventive effect of the contained fluoride sealant was significant higher than the conventional sealant or the APFI gel in first molars which had been sealed for three years.The caries incidence of the unsealed teeth in group 1 was lower than that in the other groups.The results also indicated the caries preventive effect of all above methods was less in female than in male.

[The clinical effects of tea polyphenol varnish on caries prevention]

The aim of the present research is observing the effects of tea polyphenol varnish on caries prevention.107 children were in treated group,their first deciduous molars and deciduous incisors were treated by tea polyphenol varnish twice each.Other 110 children in control group did not receive any treatment.Two doctors examined their dental caries and recorded dmft and dmfs befoe treated and one year after treatment.The results indicate that the new caries incidence of the first deciduous molars and deciduous incisors in treatment group decreased 66% than that in control group.The results show that the new caries incidence of other untreated teethin treated group is lower significantly than that in control group.The effects of tea polyphenol varnish on preventing caries were more significant in deciduous molar than in deciduous incisor.The results also indicate that the effect of varnish is stronger in occlusal surface,and less in medial and distal surfaces of teeth.

Trait association of genetic markers in the growth hormone and the growth hormone receptor gene in a White Leghorn strain.

Alleles of the growth hormone (GH) gene and GH receptor (GHR) gene were analyzed for association with juvenile body weight (HBWT), age at first egg (AFE), the hen-day rate of egg production (HDR), egg specific gravity (SPG), and egg weight (EWT) in a strain of White Leghorns. The particular strain segregated at near equal frequencies for two GH alleles defined by differences at three restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) and for two GHR alleles defined by a single RFLP. The GH genotype was significantly associated with AFE (P < or = 0.04) as well as HDR from 274 to 385 d (P < or = 0.04) and 386 to 497 d (P < or = 0.0003). The GHR genotype (haploid in female chickens) had trends for association with HBW (P < or = 0.06) and HDR from AFE to 273 d (P < or = 0.07). The effects on the egg quality traits SPG and EWT were not significant. Regression analysis revealed that HDR was associated negatively with AFE and positively with HBWT. The slope of the regression line of HDR on AFE varied with the GH genotype, with the effect that the differences in HDR between GH genotypes was relatively small in chickens with early AFE and large in chickens with late AFE. Similarly, the slope of the regression of HDR on HBWT varied between GHR genotypes, with the result that the effect of the GHR genotype on HDR in chickens with low HBWT was opposite to its effect in chickens with high HBWT. The complex relationship between genotypes and traits may reflect gene interaction and indicates that simple models based on additive gene effects may not be adequate for the dissection of the genetic architecture of quantitative traits.

[Influence of green tea polyphenols varnish on saliva]

This study observed the inhibitory effect of green tea polyphenols varnish on the activity of humman saliva.We found 0.78 and 1.56mg/ml green tea polyphenols varnish is the best.We also observed the release of green tea polyphenols from liquid varnish is more than that from membraniform vanish.The release quantities of green tea polyphenols from membraniform is limited,suggest the influence of green tea polyphenols varnish on the activity of human saliva is small.