Amelogenesis imperfecta in a Chinese family resulting from a FAM83H variation and the effect of FAM83H on the secretion of enamel matrix proteins.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the variant of an amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) family and to explore the function of the FAM83H (family with sequence similarity 83 member H) in the enamel formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated a five-generation Chinese family diagnosed with AI; clinical data was collected, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was conducted to explore the pathogenic gene and variants and Sanger sequencing was used to verify the variants. The three-dimensional protein structures of wild-type and mutant FAM83H were predicted using alpha fold 2. To study the possible regulatory function of Fam83h on amelogenesis, immunolocalization was performed to observe the expression of Fam83h protein in Sprague-Dawley rat postnatal incisors. The mRNA and protein level of amelogenin, enamelin, kallikrein-related peptidase-4 and ameloblastin were also detected after the Fam83h was knocked down by small interfering RNA (siRNA) in HAT-7 cells. RESULTS: A known nonsense variant (c.973 C > T) in exon 5 of FAM83H gene was found in this family, causing a truncated protein (p.R325X). Immunolocalization of Fam83h in Sprague-Dawley rat postnatal incisors showed that Fam83h protein expression was detected in presecretory and secretory stages. When Fam83h expression was reduced by siRNA, the expression of amelogenin, enamelin, kallikrein-related peptidase-4 decreased. However, the expression of ameloblastin increased. CONCLUSIONS: FAM83H gene variant (c.973 C > T) causes AI. FAM83H regulates the secretion of enamel matrix proteins and affects ameloblast differentiation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provided that FAM83H variants could influence enamel formation and provided new insights into the pathogenesis of AI.

Identification of DSPP novel variants and phenotype analysis in dentinogenesis dysplasia Shields type II patients.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the genetic causes and teeth characteristics of dentin dysplasia Shields type II(DD-II) in three Chinese families. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from three Chinese families affected with DD-II were collected. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) were conducted to screen for variations, and Sanger sequencing was used to verify mutation sites. The physical and chemical characteristics of the affected teeth including tooth structure, hardness, mineral content, and ultrastructure were investigated. RESULTS: A novel frameshift deletion mutation c.1871_1874del(p.Ser624fs) in DSPP was found in families A and B, while no pathogenic mutation was found in family C. The affected teeth's pulp cavities were obliterated, and the root canals were smaller than normal teeth and irregularly distributed comprising a network. The patients' teeth also had reduced dentin hardness and highly irregular dentinal tubules. The Mg content of the teeth was significantly lower than that of the controls, but the Na content was obviously higher than that of the controls. CONCLUSIONS: A novel frameshift deletion mutation, c.1871_1874del (p.Ser624fs), in the DPP region of the DSPP gene causes DD-II. The DD-II teeth demonstrated compromised mechanical properties and changed ultrastructure, suggesting an impaired function of DPP. Our findings expand the mutational spectrum of the DSPP gene and strengthen the understanding of clinical phenotypes related to the frameshift deletion in the DPP region of the DSPP gene. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A DSPP mutation can alter the characteristics of the affected teeth, including tooth structure, hardness, mineral content, and ultrastructure.

Genetic Profiles and Three-year Follow-up Study of Chinese Males With Congenital Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism.

BACKGROUND: The correlation between long-term treatment outcomes with genotypes in congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) males is rarely reported. AIM: To investigate the correlations among genotypes, phenotypes, and treatment outcomes for CHH male patients. METHODS: Whole exome sequencing was performed for 73 Chinese CHH males from one academic center. Patients self-selected one of the 4 treatments: pulsatile Gonadorelin pump (PGP), cyclical gonadotropins therapy (CGT), human menopausal gonadotropin monotherapy, or testosterone replacement treatment. Clinical assessments were performed every 3 months for 3 years. OUTCOMES: The pathogenicity of variants was determined. Baseline clinical features, spermatogenesis outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: 62 variants were identified in 51 patients (69.9%), 17 of which were novel. Among these mutations, variants on FGFR1, PROKR2, CHD7, ANOS1 and NSMF gene were 16.1%, 16.1%, 11.3%, 8.1% and 8.1% respectively. 11 patients followed the oligogenic pattern (21.6%). All CHD7 patients had hearing impairment or structural deformities of external/inner ear, and were diagnosed as CHARGE syndrome. 24.7% of CHH patients manifested with ear/hearing anomalies. KS patients had higher rates of cryptorchidism history and ear/hearing anomalies than normosmic CHH subjects. Male patients with PROKR2 mutations showed relatively better testicular development, less dental deformity when compared with FGFR1 mutations. About 30% normosmic patients defined by simple olfactory assessment showed olfactory nerve center (ONC) dysplasia under nasal sinus MRI examination. Among the CHH males treated with CGT or PGP, 70.2% reached spermatogenesis within 3 years of treatment. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: No direct correlation was observed between certain responsible genes and spermatogenic outcomes. When CHH patients were identified with CHD7 variants, ear/hearing evaluation should be carefully performed. The precise assessment of ONC development was advised for normosmic CHH subjects. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This study provided informative long-term treatment data of CHH male patients screened with whole exome sequencing. The limitations included small number of subgroups with multifaceted gene variants, clinical heterogeneity, and uncontrolled sperm-inducing treatment method. The seventeen novel mutations worth experimental validation in the future. CONCLUSION: The clinical severity is partially related with specific gene variants, and detailed individualized data and outcomes were provided. Ear/hearing anomalies were closely connected with CHD7 variants, and were common problems for CHH patients. Simple olfactory assessment underestimated the true olfactory deficit. L. Zhang, Y. Gao, Q. Du, et al. Genetic Profiles and Three-year Follow-up Study of Chinese Males With Congenital Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism. J Sex Med 2021;18:1500-1510.

[Analysis of Periodontal Status and Salivary Microbial Diversity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the periodontal status and salivary microbial diversity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and to analyze the relationship between the composition of oral microflora in patients with RA and the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: 24 patients who were diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis were enrolled in the experimental group, and 20 healthy persons were enrolled in the control group. The periodontal index was recorded and non-irritating saliva was collected. DNA was extracted and high-throughput sequencing was performed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in periodontal indices between the RA group and the control group. After analysis of salivary microorganisms in RA patients and control group, there was no significant difference in salivary microbial diversity between RA patients and control group. At the phylum level, 13 phyla were found, including Firmicutes (30.2%), Proteobacteria (29.3%), Bacteroidetes (23.8%), Fusobacteria (7.3%), Actinobacteria (5.6%) as dominant bacteria. Bacteroidetes (P=0.04) and spirochoetes (P=0.01) were significantly higher in the RA group. A total of 144 genus were found, and 12 dominant genus were found. 11 genuses were found to have significant difference between the RA group and the control. At the genus level, Prevotella (P=0.03), Porphyromonas (P=0.005 7), Tannerella (P=0.001 9) and Treponema (P=0.010) were significantly higher in the RA group. Salivary microbial community similarity in the RA group was significantly higher than that in the control group. CONCLUSION: Compared with healthy people, RA patients had higher periodontal inflammation indices, but there was no statistical difference. The oral saliva of patients with rheumatoid arthritis has a unique microbial diversity structure. This result provides a new insight for understanding the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

A comprehensive profiling of supragingival bacterial composition in Chinese twin children and their mothers.

To investigate the factors influencing the oral microbiome, 16 twin pairs and their mothers were enrolled in this study. There were 7 monozygotic (MZ) twins and 9 dizygotic (DZ) twins, with an average age of 6.18 ± 3.5. Supragingival plaques and caries tissues were collected and the 16S rDNA was analyzed by 454 pyrosequencing. A total of 18 phyla and 179 genuses were found. Caries children harbored a higher portion of Actinobacteria than caries-free ones, and one lineage was found to be less abundant in the caries tissues compared to the supragingival plaque at each level from the phylum down to the genus level, which was Fusobacteria at Phylum, Fusobacteriia at Class, Fusobacteriales at Order, Leptotrichiaceae at Family and Leptotrichia at genus level. The adults harbored a significantly higher portion of Treponema, which may be related to adult periodontitis. The phylogenetic tree showed that there was a high similarity of oral microbiota within co-twins, but no significant difference was detected between MZ and DZ twins. Also, the similarity level of primary dentition children to their mother was significantly higher than that of mixed dentition children, suggesting that environmental factors may have a stronger impact than the genetic factors on the constitution of the oral microbiome.

Multiple effects of dose-related GM-CSF on periodontal resorption in deep-frozen grafted teeth: A reverse study.

Autologous tooth grafting is a dental restorative modality based on periodontal ligament healing.Human periodontal ligament stem cells(PDLSCs) are involved in the formation and remodeling of periodontal tissue.Based on previous findings, the proliferation and differentiation of processing cryopreserved periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) exhibit similarities to those of fresh cells. However, there is evident absorption in the transplanted frozen tooth's roots and bones, with the underlying cause remaining unknown. Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF) is named for its produce granulocyte and macrophage precursors from bone marrow precursors, and it also serves as one of the regulatory factors in inflammatory and osteoclast formation. This study aimed to investigate changes in GM-CSF expression in frozen PDLSCs (fhPDLSCs) and evaluate the impact of GM-CSF on PDLSCs with respect to cellular activity and osteogenic ability. The role of GM-CSF in periodontal absorption was further speculated by comparing with IL-1ß. The results revealed a significant increase in GM-CSF levels from fhPDLSCs compared to fresh cells, which exhibited an equivalent inflammatory stimulation effect as 1 ng/ml IL-1ß. Cell viability also increased with increasing concentrations of GM-CSF; however, the GM-CSF from fhPDLSCs was not sufficient to significantly trigger osteoclastic factors. Considering its interaction with IL-1ß and positive feedback mechanism, environments with high doses of GM-CSF derived from fhPDLSCs are more likely to activate osteoclastic responses.Therefore, for frozen tooth replantation, great attention should be paid to anti-inflammation and anti-infection.GM-CSF may serve as a potential therapeutic target for inhibiting periodontal resorption in delayed grafts.

Host insulin resistance caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis-review of recent progresses.

Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a Gram-negative oral anaerobic bacterium that plays a key role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. P. gingivalis expresses a variety of virulence factors that disrupt innate and adaptive immunity, allowing P. gingivalis to survive and multiply in the host and destroy periodontal tissue. In addition to periodontal disease, P.gingivalis is also associated with systemic diseases, of which insulin resistance is an important pathological basis. P. gingivalis causes a systemic inflammatory response, disrupts insulin signaling pathways, induces pancreatic ß-cell hypofunction and reduced numbers, and causes decreased insulin sensitivity leading to insulin resistance (IR). In this paper, we systematically review the studies on the mechanism of insulin resistance induced by P. gingivalis, discuss the association between P. gingivalis and systemic diseases based on insulin resistance, and finally propose relevant therapeutic approaches. Overall, through a systematic review of the mechanisms related to systemic diseases caused by P. gingivalis through insulin resistance, we hope to provide new insights for future basic research and clinical interventions for related systemic diseases.

Copper-containing nanoparticles: Mechanism of antimicrobial effect and application in dentistry-a narrative review.

Copper has been used as an antimicrobial agent long time ago. Nowadays, copper-containing nanoparticles (NPs) with antimicrobial properties have been widely used in all aspects of our daily life. Copper-containing NPs may also be incorporated or coated on the surface of dental materials to inhibit oral pathogenic microorganisms. This review aims to detail copper-containing NPs' antimicrobial mechanism, cytotoxic effect and their application in dentistry.

Proline-rich protein from S. mutans can perform a competitive mineralization function to enhance bacterial adhesion to teeth.

A proline-rich region was found in Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) surface antigen I/II (Ag I/II). The functions of this region were explored to determine its role in the cariogenic abilities of S. mutans; specifically, the proline-rich region was compared with human amelogenin. The full-length amelogenin genes were cloned from human (AmH) and surface antigen I/II genes from S. mutans. Then, the genes expressed and purified. We analyzed the structure and self-assembly ability of AmH and Ag I/II, compared their capacities to induce mineralization, and assessed the adhesion ability of S. mutans to AmH- and Ag I/II-coated tooth slices. AmH formed ordered chains and net frames in the early stage of protein self-assembly, while Ag I/II formed irregular and overlapping structures. AmH induced mineralization possessed a parallel rosary structure, while Ag I/II-induced mineralization is rougher and more irregular. The S. mutans adhesion assay indicated that the adhesion ability S. mutans on the Ag I/II-induced crystal layer was significantly higher than that on the AmH-induced crystal layer. S. mutans' Ag I/II may have evolved to resemble human amelogenin and form a rougher crystal layer on teeth, which play a competitive mineralization role and promotes better bacterial adhesion and colonization. Thus, the cariogenic ability of S. mutans Ag I/II is increased.

A digital intervention using virtual reality helmets to reduce dental anxiety of children under local anesthesia and primary teeth extraction: A randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Behavior management of children during dental treatment is an important but challenging issue. As a new technique, VR has been applied in pediatric dental anxiety. But there is no final conclusion whether VR reduces children's dental anxiety. METHODS: The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of a digital intervention using virtual reality (VR) helmets on dental anxiety, pain perception, and behavior triggered for children, as well as occurrence of simulator sickness in local anesthesia and primary teeth extraction. A total of 128 children, who needed primary teeth extraction under local anesthesia, were randomly allocated into two groups: use VR helmets and traditional behavior guidance procedures (control). Modified Child Fear Survey Schedule Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS), Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale, Houpt Scale, and Simulator sickness questionnaire (SSQ) were used to assess children's dental anxiety, pain perception, and behavior triggered and occurrence of simulator sickness. RESULTS: CFSS-DS score in the VR group was significantly decreased after dental treatment (34.58±6.90 before operation and 32.32±15.58 after operation, p = .02). The score of Wong Baker Scale in the VR group (3.47±0.76) was significantly lower than that in the control group (5.56±1.13, p = .015). There was no significant difference in the Houpt Behavior Scale score and the SSQ score between the VR group and the control group (p = .35, p = .305). CONCLUSION: The use of VR helmets in primary teeth extraction can significantly reduce dental anxiety and pain perception in children without occurrence of simulator sickness.

Expert consensus on early childhood caries management.

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant chronic disease of childhood and a rising public health burden worldwide. ECC may cause a higher risk of new caries lesions in both primary and permanent dentition, affecting lifelong oral health. The occurrence of ECC has been closely related to the core microbiome change in the oral cavity, which may be influenced by diet habits, oral health management, fluoride use, and dental manipulations. So, it is essential to improve parental oral health and awareness of health care, to establish a dental home at the early stage of childhood, and make an individualized caries management plan. Dental interventions according to the minimally invasive concept should be carried out to treat dental caries. This expert consensus mainly discusses the etiology of ECC, caries-risk assessment of children, prevention and treatment plan of ECC, aiming to achieve lifelong oral health.

Oral Health, Caries Risk Profiles, and Oral Microbiome of Pediatric Patients with Leukemia Submitted to Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy is the primary treatment modality used for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but inevitably causes microbiota-related oral complications. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of chemotherapy on oral health status, caries risk, and oral microbiome in pediatric patients with ALL. METHODS: Thirty-nine children with ALL receiving chemotherapy were enrolled, and a gender-, age-, dentition stage, and socioeconomic class matched healthy counterpart were recruited. Demographic information and overall health condition were obtained through the questionnaire and medical records. Oral examination was performed to assess caries and salivary status, plaque index, and other oral manifestations. Cariogram was used to assess the overall caries risk. Supragingival samples of thirteen ALL subjects and their counterparts were randomly selected to perform a 16S ribosomal RNA gene 454 pyrosequencing. Raw sequence data were screened, trimmed, and filtered using Seqcln and MOTHUR. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries, gingivitis, oral mucositis, xerostomia, and candidiasis in ALL groups was higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Children with ALL demonstrated higher caries risk compared to healthy controls (HC) based upon Cariogram (p < 0.05). The oral microbial structure of ALL patients receiving chemotherapy is different from that of healthy controls. Oral microbiota of ALL groups showed less alpha diversity and significant differences in the composition of the oral microbiome compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: ALL patients receiving chemotherapy demonstrated compromised oral health, high caries risk, alteration of caries-related factors, and dysbiosis of oral microbiota. These findings may be of clinical importance in developing better strategies for personalized preventive management of oral diseases for pediatric children with ALL.

Phenotype and molecular characterizations of a family with dentinogenesis imperfecta shields type II with a novel DSPP mutation.

BACKGROUND: Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DGI), Shields type-II is an autosomal dominant genetic disease which severely affects the function of the patients' teeth. The dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) gene is considered to be the pathogenic gene of DGI-II. In this study, a DGI-II family with a novel DSPP mutation were collected, functional characteristics of DGI cells and clinical features were analyzed to better understand the genotype-phenotype relationship of this disease. METHODS: Clinical data were collected, whole exome sequencing (WES) was conducted, and Sanger sequencing was used to verify the mutation sites. Physical characteristics of the patient's teeth were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The localization of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fused wild-type (WT) dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and its variant were evaluated via an immunocytochemistry (ICC) assay. The behaviors of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) were investigated by flow cytometry, osteogenic differentiation, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: A novel heterozygous mutation c.53T > G (p. Val18Gly) in DSPP was found in this family. The SEM results showed that the participants' teeth had reduced and irregular dentinal tubes. The EDS results showed that the Ca/P ratio of the patients' teeth was significantly higher than that of the control group. The ICC assay showed that the mutant DSP was entrapped in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), while the WT DSP located mainly in the Golgi apparatus. In comparison with normal cells, the patient's cells exhibited significantly decreased mineralization ability and lower expression levels of DSPP and RUNX2. CONCLUSIONS: The c.53T > G (p. Val18Gly) DSPP variant was shown to present with rare hypoplastic enamel defects. Functional analysis revealed that this novel variant disturbs dentinal characteristics and pulp cell behavior.

[Research progress of correlation between periodontal pathogens and systemic diseases].

Periodontal pathogens are the main pathogenic factor of periodontitis. Periodontal pathogens have a large variety of virulence factors such as lipopolysaccharide, fimbriae and proteases, which enables the pathogens to infect periodontal tissues and stimulate the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, causing chronic systemic inflammation. Periodontal pathogens may invade multiple systems such as the circulatory system, immune system, respiratory system and digestive system to cause systematic diseases. Recent studies have shown that periodontal pathogens may have close relations with systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. Among the periodontal pathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis can be found in atherosclerotic plaques to impairing the function of the vascular endothelium; Porphyromonas gingivalis may also increase the level of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α to promote insulin resistance and diabetes. Many of the periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia and Prevotella intermedia can be detected in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients, suggesting their involvement in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Fusobacterium nucleatum may cause alterations in the intestinal microbiome in mice and promote the occurrence of intestinal tumors. Herein we review the recent progresses in the relationship between periodontal pathogens and systemic diseases.

[Expression of high mobility group protein B1 in periodontal tissues and its association with hepatic lipid metabolism in diabetic rats with periodontitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) and its downstream products, receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), in periodontal tissues of diabetic rats with periodontitis, and explore the association of HMGB1 with hepatic lipid metabolism. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of HMGB1, RAGE and TNF-α in the periodontal tissues in rat models of diabetes mellitus (DM), periodontitis (CP), and diabetic periodontitis (DM + CP). The serum levels of the indicators of lipid metabolism and biochemical indexes of liver damage were detected by spectroscopy. RESULTS: The expressions of HMGB1 and RAGE in the periodontal tissues were significantly higher in DM group than in the control group, but the expression of TNF-α showed no significant difference among the groups. In CP group, the expressions of HMGB1 and TNF-α were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the expression of RAGE was comparable with that in the control group but significantly lower than that in DM and DM+CP group. The expressions of HMGB1, RAGE and TNF-α were all significantly higher in DM+CP group than in the control group. Compared with the control rats, the rats in DM, CP, DM+CP group all showed abnormal hepatic lipid metabolism with significantly elevated serum ALT levels. CONCLUSIONS: HMGB1 and RAGE participate in the inflammation of the periodontal tissues in diabetic rats. Diabetes leads to elevated expression of HMGB1 in the periodontal tissues. Both periodontitis and hyperglycemia contribute to liver metabolic dysfunction. HMGB1- RAGE provides clues in the study of signaling pathways underlying the mutual susceptibility of diabetes and periodontitis.

[Management and prevention of dental emergency during corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic].

The outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has developed rapidly and the situation of prevention and control is severe. During the epidemic period of COVID-19, due to the particularity of diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases, there is great challenges for how to deal with various types of dental emergency. In order to prevent and control the epidemic situation strictly, and to perform a scientific and orderly clinical diagnosis and treatment of dental emergency, this article provided suggestions on personnel management training, procedures and treatment, protection and disinfection of dental emergency during COVID-19 epidemic, and reference for dental institutions and medical staff.

Glassy carbon electrode modified with G­MoS2­Nafion acts as an electrochemical biosensor to determine uric acid in human serum.

At present, the majority of methods used for uric acid (UA) detection are not able to meet the detection requirements with speed, accuracy, high sensitivity, high specificity, a wide linear range or a low cost. Compared with other methods, the electrochemical method has a high sensitivity and fast detection. The present study aimed to identify an electrochemical sensor with high sensitivity, fast detection and a wide linear range for the detection of UA. A glassy carbon electrode modified with graphene­molybdenum disulfide­Nafion (G­MoS2­Nafion) composites was prepared for use as the working electrode. The morphologies and elemental compositions of the G­MoS2 composites were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, elemental distribution spectrometry and X­ray diffraction, respectively. The electrochemical behaviors were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and the amperometric i­t curve (i­t). The interference of glucose, ascorbic acid and dopamine, and the accuracy and precision of the electrochemical method were subsequently evaluated. The present study identified the following: (1) Only the reduction peak of UA was detected in human serum, indicating that the method established in the present study has a high specificity for the determination of UA in human serum; (2) UA concentration has a linear correlation with current intensity (y=0.012x+0.998; R2=0.998), wide linear range and high sensitivity (minimum detectability=13.91 µM; signal­to­noise ratio=3); (3) the values of UA content in human serum were positively proportional to the clinical results (y=0.9802x+11.494; R2=0.978); (4) the average recovery rate of UA (95.28%) and the replicability assay of the i­t electrochemical method (coefficient of variation=2.04%), suggest that the method had a high accuracy and good precision for UA detection. Due to its characteristics of good accuracy, high sensitivity, wide linear range, good anti­interference ability and replicability, G­MoS2­Nafion has good prospects for UA detection in the clinical setting.

Permanent caries experience is associated with primary caries experience: a 7-year longitudinal study in China.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between caries experience in primary teeth and caries experience in permanent teeth in a longitudinal study. METHODS: Teeth were examined at 5 years of age and a follow-up examination was conducted 7 years later at 12 years of age in all children from Jiading District, Shanghai, China. A total of 1885 participants were recruited in the study; 1683 students were followed up and 202 students (10.7%) were lost to follow up. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, t-test and risk ratio. RESULTS: The followed-up samples comprised 883 boys (52.5%) and 800 girls (47.5%). At initial examination, the prevalence of dental caries was 67.4% in boys and 66.5% in girls (χ² = 0.2, P = 0.70), with mean decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) scores of 3.5 ± 0.1 and 3.4 ± 0.1, respectively (t = 0.1, P = 0.90). At follow-up, the prevalence of dental caries was 33.9% in boys and 37.9% in girls (χ² = 2.9, P = 0.11), with mean DMFT scores in permanent teeth of 0.7 ± 0.0 and 0.8 ± 0.1, respectively (t = 1.2, P = 0.24). The group of 5-year-olds with caries had a significantly higher prevalence of caries in permanent teeth (45.5%) at 12 years of age than the group of 5-year-olds without caries (16.0%) (χ2 = 141.1, P < 0.001, risk ratio = 1.5). Caries risk in permanent teeth was significantly higher with greater dmft scores (χ2 for trend = 31.1, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Caries in primary teeth is a major risk factor for caries in permanent teeth. The likelihood of caries in permanent teeth is higher with greater dmft scores in primary teeth.

[Optimize visiting sequence and time-interval appointment of re-visiting patients in stomatology].

PURPOSE: To optimize visiting sequence and time-interval appointment mode to reduce waiting time of re-visiting patients in department of stomatology based on clinical data repository. METHODS: Waiting time data of re-visiting patients in department of stomatology was collected and divided into 2 groups. A total of 70897 patients from July 2014 to September 2014 were enrolled as experimental group (group year-2014), while 63960 patients from July 2013 to September 2013 were used as control group (group year-2013).Measurement data was compared with two-tailed independent-samples t test using SPSS 22.0 software package. RESULTS: The waiting time of group year-2014 was 73.65 minutes while it was 106 minutes for group year-2013. P value was 0,which meant the waiting time of group year-2014 was significantly less than group year-2013. CONCLUSIONS: Optimizing visiting sequence and time-interval appointment mode can reduce the waiting time of re-visiting patients in department of stomatology greatly. Supported by Innovation Research Training Project of Humanities and Social Sciences from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine(wz1214).

[Analysis of the oral microbiota in twin children].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differences between the oral microbiota of monozygotic and dizygotic twins by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). METHODS: A total of 20 pairs of twin children were included in this study, in which 10 pairs were monozygotic (MZ) twins, and 10 pairs were dizygotic (DZ) twins. Of the 20 pairs, 10 pairs of twins had primary dentition, and 10 pairs had mixed dentition; 17 children had caries, and 23 children had no caries. Genomic DNA was extracted from saliva samples. The 16s rRNA was amplified and analyzed by PCR-DGGE. The PCR-DGGE band number and Shannon index were calculated. RESULTS: Cluster analysis showed high similarity in the oral bacterial community seen in co-twins. However, no significant difference was seen between MZ and DZ twins. In the primary dentition, the PCR-DGGE band number and Shannon index of children with caries (11.00 +/- 1.56, 1.05 +/- 0.36) were lower than those of children without caries (14.00 +/- 2.74, 1.44 +/- 0.37) (P < 0.05). In mixed dentition, the PCR-DGGE band number and Shannon index of children with caries (11.88 +/- 4.05, 1.18 +/- 0.36) were lower than those of children without caries (14.31 +/- 5.71, 1.28 +/- 0.47), but the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Environmental factors may have a stronger effect on the constitution of oral microbiota in children compared with genetic factors. Children without caries may have a richer microbial diversity compared with children with caries.