Log reduction of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria by the neutrophil-derived recombinant bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacterial infections are a serious and ever-increasing threat for which limited therapeutic options exist. The bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) is a cationic, neutrophil-derived, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein that binds to Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) and LPS via its lipid A region. A recombinant fragment, rBPI-21, was studied extensively in clinical trials for meningococcal disease in the 1990s and exhibited no significant safety issues. In this report, a dose-dependent 1-2 log reduction of MDR Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter after 1h incubation with rBPI-21 using clinically achievable doses is described. Given the dearth of novel antimicrobials expected to emerge from the pharmaceutical pipeline in the near future, exploration of rBPI-21 to combat MDR GNB is now warranted.

Fluoride content in plaque solids and fluid after ingestion of fluoridated milk.

This study explored differences in dental biofilm solids and fluid fluoride after ingestion of NaF or Na2FPO3 in milk or non-fluoridated milk. Eighteen volunteers ingested 1 mg fluoride in 200 mL of milk or 200 mL of non-fluoridated milk. Biofilm samples were collected at baseline, 30, 60, and 240 min and biofilm solids and fluid were micro-analyzed for fluoride. Analysis of variance was performed and the total delivery, retention, and clearance of fluoride to biofilm solids and fluid were estimated as the area under the curve between 0 and 240 min. No statistically significant differences were found for baseline values. Biofilm fluid fluoride values ranged from 0.11 ± 0.05 to 0.21 ± 0.08 µg F/mL while biofilm solid values ranged from 0.62 ± 0.39 to 1.75 ± 1.16 µg F/g. Biofilm fluid values were significantly lower at 60 min for Na2FPO3 in milk. Clearance profiles for biofilm fluid diverged after the initial 60 min. Na2FPO3 had a smaller area under the curve from 60 to 240 min than NaF. Results of this study indicate that the release and clearance of fluoride in biofilm vary among fluoridation compounds and that the concentrations in biofilm solids and fluid also vary and are not correlated to each other in many cases.

Prevalence of fluorosis in children aged 6-9 years-old who participated in a milk fluoridation programme in Codegua, Chile.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and severity of enamel fluorosis in the permanent dentition of children aged 6-9 years old exposed to fluoride through a milk fluoridation programme in Codegua, Chile. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: A survey was conducted in 2002 of a sample of school children living in Codegua (n = 215) and La Punta, the control community (n = 206) to compare enamel fluorosis data with those obtained in 1994. Dean's criteria were followed to assess enamel fluorosis. RESULTS: It was found that 16.4% of the children aged 6-9 years from Codegua had questionable fluorosis in 2002, while in 1999 10.3% were classified in this category. In addition, 7.9% and 1.3% of the children in 2002 and 1994, respectively, had at least very mild fluorosis. These increments were not observed in the control community. Comparison of mean community fluorosis indices (CFI) between the children in 2002 (CFI = 0.18) and those in 1994 (CFI = 0.06) was found to be significant (p < 0.001). For La Punta, no statistically significant results were observed (CFI 0.16 vs. 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Present results indicate that, although there was an expected increase in the prevalence and severity of enamel fluorosis after four years of fluoride exposure, the CFI for Codegua in 2002 is well below the upper limit of the CFI range associated with a public health concern. Therefore, if the average daily fluoride ingestion was adjusted to more appropriate doses at the time of mineralisation of anterior permanent teeth, this would minimise the increase in the prevalence of enamel fluorosis without loosing the dental caries preventive effect of F.

Caries prevalence in a rural Chilean community after cessation of a powdered milk fluoridation program.

OBJECTIVE: The milk fluoridation scheme established in Codegua, Chile, between 1994 and 1999 demonstrated the effectiveness of powdered milk as a community-based vehicle for fluoride to prevent dental caries. The present study aimed to compare caries prevalence in both the Codeguan control and test communities, three years after ending fluoride distribution through the powdered milk fluoridation scheme, to assess whether the benefits of such milk fluoridation were still present in the test community. METHODS: Children 3-6 years old living in Codegua (test community) and La Punta (control community) were examined for dental caries at their educational facilities by three trained and calibrated examiners using natural light, dental mirrors, and sickle probes. Differences in caries prevalence (dmfs) by year of the study were tested for statistically significant differences using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Findings from Codegua (1999-2002) indicate that the dental caries experience increased in all age groups following the termination of powdered milk fluoridation. These differences reached levels of statistical significance in the 3-, 4-, and 5- year old group (P < .03). Comparing results from Codegua and La Punta (2002), no statistically significant differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: Termination of the powdered milk fluoridation scheme resulted in a deterioration of the dental health of children. After three years, dental caries prevalence was higher than that reached at the end of the scheme and equivalent to that of the control community without fluoride exposure. These results emphasize the need to establish and maintain an alternative mechanism of community-based fluoridation of proven effectiveness for the prevention of dental caries in communities where water fluoridation is not available.

Fibroma cemento-osificante: estudio retrospectivo de 91 casos para determinar sus características clínicas y radiológica / Cemento-ossifying fibroma. A retrospective study of 91 cases to establish clinical and radiological characteristics

Actualmente se define el fibroma cemento-osificante como una sola lesión, uniendo a las pre-existentes fibroma osificante y fibroma cementificante, ya que no se encuentran diferencias de comportamiento y de origen entre ellas. Se revisaron los casos diagnósticados como fibromas osificantes, fibroma cementificante y fibroma cemento-osificante del Instituto de Referencia de Patología Oral de la Facultad de Odontología, Unniversidad de Chile, para determinar sus características clínicas, obteniéndose una muestra de 91 casos. Se observó mayor frecuencia en mujeres de la 4ta. década de vida, siendo el maxilar inferior la zona más afectada. Las características clínicas se resumen como una lesión con aumento de volumen de crecimiento lento, asintomático y con porcentaje de recidiva. Radiográficamente lo más frecuente es encontrar una lesión de densidad radiopaca con límites netos.