A clinical investigation of the efficacy of three commercially available dentifrices for controlling established gingivitis and supragingival plaque.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy ofa dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan/2.0% PVM/MA copolymer/0.243% sodium fluoride for controlling established gingivitis and supragingival plaque relative to that of a dentifrice containing 0.454% stannous fluoride, sodium hexametaphosphate, and zinc lactate, and a dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride as a negative control. METHODS: Following a baseline examination for gingivitis and supragingival plaque, qualifying adult male and female subjects from the Piscataway, NJ, USA area were randomized into three dentifrice groups. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for one minute with their assigned dentifrice and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Examinations for gingivitis and supragingival plaque were repeated after six weeks of product use. RESULTS: One-hundred and seventy-one (171) subjects complied with the protocol and completed the study. Relative to the group using the dentifrice with 0.243% sodium fluoride alone, the 0.3% triclosan/2.0% PVM/MA copolymer/0.243% sodium fluoride group exhibited statistically significant reductions in gingival index and supragingival plaque index scores of 25.3% and 33.0%, respectively, after six weeks of product use. Similarly, relative to the group using the 0.243% sodium fluoride dentifrice, the 0.454% stannous fluoride, sodium hexametaphosphate, and zinc lactate dentifrice group exhibited statistically significant reductions in gingival index and plaque index scores of 8.1% and 14.1% after six weeks of product use. Further, relative to the 0.454% stannous fluoride, sodium hexametaphosphate, and zinc lactate dentifrice group, the 0.3% triclosan/2.0% PVM/MA copolymer/0.243% sodium fluoride dentifrice group exhibited statistically significant reductions in gingival index and plaque index scores of 18.7% and 22%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The overall results of this double-blind clinical study support the conclusion that a dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan/2.0% PVM/MA copolymer/0.243% sodium fluoride is efficacious for the control of established gingivitis and supragingival plaque as compared to a regular fluoride dentifrice, and that it provides a greater level of efficacy for the control of gingivitis and supragingival plaque than does a dentifrice containing 0.454% stannous fluoride, sodium hexametaphosphate, and zinc lactate.

Pharmacological interventions for prevention of depression in high risk conditions: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Background Depressive disorders account for almost half of all Disability Adjusted Life Years caused by psychiatric disorders but efficacy of pharmacological interventions to prevent depressive disorders is not known. We aimed to assess efficacy of pharmacological treatments in prevention of depression. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Psych Info, EMBASE, and CINHAL from 1980 to January 2020 and bibliographies of relevant systematic reviews. We selected randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that used a pharmacological intervention to prevent the onset of the new depressive episode in adult population. Study selection, data extraction and reporting was done following PRISMA guidelines. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: 28 trials (2745 participants) were included in meta-analysis. Antidepressants (22 studies), Selenium, Hormone Replacement Therapy Omega-3 fatty acids and Melatonin were used to prevent depression, mostly in physical conditions associated with high risk of depression. All pharmacological interventions [pooled Odds Ratios (OR) 0.37 CI (0.25-0.54)], and antidepressants (OR 0.29, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.46) were significantly more effective than placebo in preventing depression. Antidepressants were significantly better than placebo in trials that had low risk of bias (n = 16; OR 0.43 [0.30, 0.60]), in preventing post stroke depression (OR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.55) and depression associated with Hepatitis C (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.31, 1.02). Limitations include small number of studies focussed only on high risk conditions and short follow up in most studies. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention of depression may be possible in patients who have high-risk conditions such as stroke but the strategy requires complete risk and benefits analysis before it can be considered for clinical practice.

Catalase deletion promotes prediabetic phenotype in mice.

Hydrogen peroxide is produced endogenously and can be toxic to living organisms by inducing oxidative stress and cell damage. However, it has also been identified as a signal transduction molecule. By metabolizing hydrogen peroxide, catalase protects cells and tissues against oxidative damage and may also influence signal transduction mechanisms. Studies suggest that acatalasemic individuals (i.e., those with very low catalase activity) have a higher risk for the development of diabetes. We now report catalase knockout (Cat-/-) mice, when fed a normal (6.5% lipid) chow, exhibit an obese phenotype that manifests as an increase in body weight that becomes more pronounced with age. The mice demonstrate altered hepatic and muscle lipid deposition, as well as increases in serum and hepatic triglycerides (TGs), and increased hepatic transcription and protein expression of PPARγ. Liver morphology revealed steatosis with inflammation. Cat-/- mice also exhibited pancreatic morphological changes that correlated with impaired glucose tolerance and increased fasting serum insulin levels, conditions consistent with pre-diabetic status. RNA-seq analyses revealed a differential expression of pathways and genes in Cat-/- mice, many of which are related to metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and obesity, such as Pparg and Cidec. In conclusion, the results of the present study show mice devoid of catalase develop an obese, pre-diabetic phenotype and provide compelling evidence for catalase (or its products) being integral in metabolic regulation.