Evaluation of the product based on Recaldent technology in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of GC Tooth Mousse in the treatment of patients with dentin hypersensitivity caused by various factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The evaluation was carried out on 101 teeth with dentin hypersensitivity in 13 patients. Patients with gingival recession and exposed dental necks and those with non-carious lesions at the initial stage were selected. The initial examination was to evaluate the intensity of pain inducted by a stream of the air syringe and by probing the tooth surface. It was repeated directly after the preparation application, after 15 minutes, after 1 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: After the medicine application, the number of teeth reacting with strong or extremely strong pain decreased (from almost 80% to 37.62%). The percentage of teeth reacting with mild pain increased by 15% and the number of teeth which did not react to the cold air stream also increased by 27.72%. The values after 15 minutes were similar. A week later, the percentage of teeth with very strong pain was elevated and so was the percentage of medium pain. On the other hand, the number of teeth without pain and with mild pain decreased twice. After one month the percentage distribution was close to the results obtained after 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: 1. GC Tooth Mousse preparation, based on Recaldent technology reveals insufficient effectiveness and short-term therapeutic effect in treating hypersensitivity of dentine. 2. It seems that soothing the pain by GC Tooth Mousse should be regarded rather as an additional remineralizing effect of the medicine.

The effect of temperature, acidification, and alkalization changes as well as ethanol on salivary cathepsin D activity.

The activity of salivary cathepsin D undergoes inactivation at the temperature of 50-60 degrees C and at pH of 2.0 and pH of 8.0-10.0. The enzyme activity is also decreased by high concentrations of ethanol and high-proof alcoholic beverages. The factors should be taken into consideration in the evaluation of salivary cathepsin D activity.

Effect of sodium fluoride on the morphological picture of the rat liver exposed to NaF in drinking water.

PURPOSE: Due to its efficacy in caries prophylaxis and easy application, sodium fluoride (NaF) is still used for caries prevention in the form of fluoridated drinking water, fluoride tablets, fluoridated salt or milk. Effect of fluorides on various metabolic levels in hard and soft tissues, namely respiration as well as carbohydrate, protein, enzymatic and vascular metabolism, can disturb detoxication of fluorine compounds administered orally. The study objective was morphological examination of the liver of young and mature rats exposed to NaF in drinking water from conception till maturity, as well as after its withdrawal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the initial stage of the experiment, 30 female Wistar rats, 180-200 g body weight, were divided into 3 groups: one control and two experimental groups (I, II). Female rats in the experimental groups received fluorine in aqueous solutions of sodium fluoride (NaF) at a concentration of 10.6 mg NaF/dm3 (group I) and 32.0 mg NaF/dm3 (group II). RESULTS: The pathomorphological changes observed in the liver, particularly of young rats exposed,to fluorides at superoptimal doses can help determine to what degree oral fluoride caries prevention is safe and whether it should be implemented. The transitory nature of pathomorphological changes in hepatocytes indicates adaptive potentials or defence mechanisms against orally administered sodium fluoride.

Effect of chlorhexidine mouthrinse on cathepsin C activity in human saliva.

UNLABELLED: Chlorhexidine is an active agent commonly used against dental plaque in the mouth apart from fluorides applied to prevent caries. It is contained in toothpastes and mouthrinses. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of mouthrinses containing chlorhexidine digluconate on the activity of cathepsin C in human saliva. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Material for analyses contained mixed saliva samples collected at rest, directly into test tubes (Z PS type, Medlab) at least 2 hours after meal from 40 subjects (dentistry students; 30 women and 10 men), aged 19-24. Saliva was collected before the preparations were applied after rinsing the mouth with distilled water and following a single use of the preparations according to the producer's instructions, 8 samples for each preparation. RESULTS: The decrease of cathepsin C was observed for each preparation, but was the greatest after mouth rinsing with Kin Gingival (65.08%) and Corsodyl (58.00%). CONCLUSIONS: The current study confirms this assumption by finding a decrease in cathepsin C activity after the use of chlorhexidine mouth rinses.

Assessment of dental status and oral hygiene in the study population of cystic fibrosis patients in the Podlasie province.

PURPOSE: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common genetic diseases worldwide. It is caused by mutations of the gene situated on the long-arm of the 7th chromosome coding Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTCR) which is responsible for the synthesis of cAMP-dependent membrane chloride channel located on the top surface of epithelial cells of exocrine glands. Accumulation of the secretion in the outlet ducts caused by a dysfunction or lack of CFTR proteins leads to abnormal activity of exocrine glands, especially in the respiratory and alimentary tracts. Carbohydrates, the main dietary component, supply energy to the body, but at the same time are the major cariogenic agent. The aim of the current study was to assess dental caries disease and oral hygiene in CF patients in the region of Podlasie. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 23 patients with cystic fibrosis, aged 2.5-24 years, from the Podlasie Province treated in the Outpatient Cystic Fibrosis Department of the Children's University Hospital in Bialystok. Three age groups were distinguished: 1-5, 6-12, 13-24 years. The following were evaluated: caries incidence (percentage of patients with caries CI), caries intensity--based on the mean dmf/DMF score, oral hygiene--based on the dental plaque index (OHI-pl). RESULTS: The incidence rate of caries was found to be very high both in the CF population and in the control group. In children with mixed dentition it was 100%. For permanent teeth, mean DMF score was 3.55 in group II and 10.9 in group III. In CF patients, dental plaque index was the highest in group III. CONCLUSIONS: In CF patients, there is a serious risk of caries due to severe course of the disease, long-term administration of medications and high carbohydrate diet. CF patients should remain under constant dental care according to the individually designed programmes of oral health promotion and caries prophylaxis.

Assessment of dentition status and oral hygiene in first year dental students, Medical University of Bialystok.

PURPOSE: Caries, a social ailment, is one of the diseases of civilization of the 20th century. In Poland, the incidence rate of caries is very high both in the young and adults. The major etiological factors of caries are: improper oral hygiene, diet based on carbohydrate-rich and highly processed food products, neglect of prophylaxis and dental check-up. The aim of the study was to assess dental status and oral hygiene of the first year dental students, Medical University of Bialystok, through the analysis of the chosen caries and dental plaque indices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 70 first year dentistry students, including 50 women and 20 men, aged 19-23 years. Dentition status and oral hygiene were assessed using basic dental instruments, in artificial light, in clinical settings of the Department of Social Dentistry and Prophylaxis, Medical University of Bialystok. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The record analysis showed a very high caries frequency index and a low treatment index. However, proper oral hygiene was observed, which may indicate greater health-promoting awareness among future dentists. Poor dentition status found in the study group of dental students may be due to neglect of oral hygiene, prophylaxis and lack of systematic dental control in the earlier age periods.

Comparative analysis of the effect of preparations used in professional fluoride prophylaxis on the chosen parameters of human saliva.

UNLABELLED: Regular supply of fluoride ions to the oral environment is one of the prophylactic actions against dental caries. Fluorides, whose exogenous action combines with saliva properties, condition the anticariogenic effect. Fluoride ions exhibit high chemical activity, can alter the oral environment parameters and inhibit the activity of enzymes. PURPOSE: In the current study, the effect of fluoride preparations used in professional caries prophylaxis on chosen saliva parameters was studied. The levels of pH and fluoride ions, and the activity of cathepsin D in human saliva were determined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Material for analysis contained resting mixed saliva collected before and 1, 4 and 24 hours after the application of Duraphat, Elmex Gel, Fluor Protector, Fluormex Gel and Fluoro-Gel. RESULTS: The fluoride-containing preparations inhibited the activity of cathepsin D in the way depending on the time that had passed since the application and altered the pH level of human saliva.

The choice of conditions for cathepsin D activity determination in human saliva.

The aim of the study was the demonstration and choice of conditions for the determination of cathepsin D activity in human mixed saliva. The 6% solution of hemoglobin, denatured with hydrochloric acid, was used as the substrate. The ratio of saliva volume to hemoglobin was 4:1 w/v. The reaction was interrupted by adding 10% trichloroacetic acid, after 6 hours of incubation at 37 degrees C. The increase in degradation products was determined with the use of Folina and Ciocalteau method with copper modification.

Oral Candida albicans carriage in healthy preschool and school children.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to detect Candida albicans carriage in the oral cavity of healthy preschool and school children. The second aim was the determination of correlation between C. albicans occurrence and dental caries in children population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The samples for mycological examinations were collected from the pharynx and supragingival plaque, and carious lesions in 102 children, aged 4-7 years (preschool children) and 104 children and adolescents, aged 12 and 18 (school children). All samples were cultured directly on Sabouraud agar medium. Isolated yeasts were identified based on API 20C AUX (bioMérieux). RESULTS: A total of 123 C. albicans strains were isolated, in which 61 (49.6%) derived from supragingival plaque, 48 (39%)--from carious lesions, and 14 (11.4%)--from pharyngeal swabs. C. albicans was isolated from the samples of single material in 61 children (35--school children, 26 --preschool children) while from the rest of 29 children, C. albicans was isolated from two (25x) or three materials (4x). C. albicans was detected in 48/75 (64%) children with dental caries; the rate was statistically significantly higher as compared to the overall number of children with C. albicans carriage (90/206; 43.7%) (p = 0.0026). Similar results was obtained in preschool children (38/61; 62.3% and 47/102; 46.1%, respectively) (p = 0.0449), as in school children (10/14; 71.4% and 43/104; 41.3%, respectively) (p = 0.0336). CONCLUSIONS: 1) Candida albicans was observed in the oral cavity of healthy children with high (approximately 40%)--comparable rate in school and preschool children (p > 0.05). 2) C. albicans was isolated with high comparable rate from carious lesions in preschool and school children. The statistically significant differences between the rate of C. albicans in carious lesions in preschool children (62.3%) and school children (71.4%) and the overall number of children with C. albicans carriage in the oral cavity of children in both age groups (p < 0.05) were showed.

Incidence rate of Candida species in the oral cavity of middle-aged and elderly subjects.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence rate of oral Candida species in middle-aged and elderly subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study carried out in 103 adults aged 35-92 years, in which 32 (31.1%) used complet or partial acrylic dentures. Mycological tests were performed by using culture (Sabouraud agar) and API 20C AUX (bioMérieux) for identification of the species level. Material for analysis included swabs taken from the palate mucosa and mucosal part of denture surfaces in denture wearers, as well as, from tooth surface and/or dentine carious lesions. The dental caries status of each patients was evaluated using DMF index (WHO 1986 criteria). RESULTS: Yeasts of Candida genus were isolated in 65/103 (63.1%) adults. The incidence rate of Candida spp. was higher in adults without dentures (46/71; 64.8%) compared to denture wearers (19/32; 59.4%); however, the differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.59 > p = 0.05). Candida albicans were the most frequently isolated species, and with a comparable rate (p = 0.06), both in adults with and without dentures (17/32; 53.1% and 38/71; 53.5%, respectively). In 3 individuals without dentures, two other species were found apart from C. albicans, namely C. glabrata (2x) and C. krusei (1x). In a total of 11/49 (22.5%) strains belonging to 5 non-C. albicans species were detected in adults without dentures, while in denture wearers only 2/19 (10.5%) other species were found (C. krusei and C. oralis) (p = 0.26 > p = 0.05). Strains of C. glabrata species were isolated only from the elderly. No significant differences were noted in the incidence of Candida spp. between middle-aged subjects (35-44 years) (35/52; 67.3%) and the elderly (> 55 years) (30/51; 58.8%) (p > 0.05), both in denture wearers and non-denture wearing subjects. However, the frequency of oral Candida spp. strains was increased in advanced age subgroup 71-92 years (74.2%) compared with 56-70 years (35.0%) of elderly subjects (p < 0.05), only in denture wearers (30.0% vs 5.0%) (p < 0.05). The sex and DMF index distribution of both subject groups had no significant influence on the numbers of Candida spp. detected. CONCLUSIONS: Yeasts of the genus Candida were isolated at a comparable rate (p > 0.05) from the oral cavity of adults with and without dentures, as well as in middle-aged (35-44 years) and elderly subjects (56-92 years). However, a significant difference was observed only between elderly subgroups aged 56-70 (35%) and advanced age subgroup 71-92 years (74%).

Ultrastructural study of the submandibular gland of the rat after 6-month exposure to cadmium and zinc in drinking water.

PURPOSE: Cadmium toxicity in the exposure of the general, professional and cigarette smoking populations has been well known. From the dental point of view, it is important to find out whether and how separate and joint exposures to cadmium and zinc affect the structure and function of the submandibular gland, which is the major saliva-releasing gland. Cadmium, a particularly active xenobiotic, damages cellular metabolism at the level of various enzymatic systems of the cell, which may disturb functioning of the salivary glands. Mutual interactions of cadmium and zinc suggest a protective role of zinc through the induction of metallothionein which inactivates cadmium effect. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The aim of the study was to assess the ultrastructural picture of chosen cell organelles of the submandibular salivary gland of the rat exposed to cadmium and zinc. The study used 90 male Wistar rats, of the initial b.w. 150-180 g. The animals were exposed to cadmium and/or zinc for 6 months. Cadmium was received in aqueous solutions of cadmium chloride with drinking water at a concentration of 5 mg Cd/dm3 or 50 mg Cd/dm3. Zinc was also given in aqueous solutions of zinc chloride ad libitum at concentrations of 30 mg Zn/dm3 and 60 mg Zn/dm3. RESULTS: The ultrastructural changes in the mucous and serous cells of the submandibular salivary gland were most pronounced at cadmium concentration of 50 mg Cd/dm3 and were mainly observed in the cell nucleus, Golgi Apparatus and secretory granules of the salivary gland cells. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Exposure to cadmium induces ultrastructural changes in the submandibular gland, which are dose and time of exposure. 2. Exposure to zinc did not affect significantly the ultrastructural picture of cells of the submandibular gland. 3. Zinc administered together with cadmium reduces the intensity of ultrastructural changes in the submandibular gland.

Effect of fluoride preparations on the activity of human salivary cathepsin C.

Preparations containing organic and inorganic fluorine compounds are used for oral hygiene. Fluoride ions contained in these preparations display high bioactivity and can alter the environment of the mouth. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of preparations containing aminofluorides, commonly used in oral hygiene, on the activity of salivary cathepsin C (EC 3.4.14.1). The research material included mixed saliva, collected at rest before and after the application of the following preparations: Elmex gelee, Elmex red fluid, Elmex green fluid, Fluormex rinse. The salivary pH, concentration of fluoride ions and activity of cathepsin C were determined. Fluoride preparations inhibit the activity of cathepsin C and cause changes in human salivary pH. Saliva can serve as a diagnostic material in the examination of the environmental exposure to fluorides.

Ultrastructural study of the mitochondria in the submandibular gland, the pancreas and the liver of young rats, exposed to NaF in drinking water.

The aim of the experiment was to determine the effect of fluoride on ultrastructural changes in the submandibular gland, the pancreas and the liver. The experimental rats received fluoride in aqueous solutions of sodium fluoride at concentrations of 10.6 NaF/dm3 and 32.0 NaF/dm3. In the ultrastructural examination, mitochondria were most damaged.

Images of health technology in national and local strategies.

OBJECTIVES: This paper examines the potential of various models relating technology to society and institutional structures to inform health policy. Among the models discussed are various versions of technological determinism, social constructivism, actor network theory and critical theory. METHODS: The paper considers recent developments in policy and strategy that aim to shape the way the UK's National Health Service (NHS) integrates Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) into health care and considers what these alternative models highlight or emphasise, and how they might influence the activities of setting local implementation strategies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary ICTs are often presented as having a particular relevance and power in reforming or transforming the delivery of health care. Understanding how such technologies might be conceived of, implemented and become an integral part of some future health care system is an important and challenging task that requires innovative theoretical treatments.

Telehealth technology: consequences for structure through use.

In recent years the focus of ICTs in healthcare has changed from the â back office' to the front end of patient care. These changes have been brought about by a number of factors including the potential of technologies, pressures for modernisation and administrative reforms, including blurring of the boundaries between different organisations (within and beyond the health sector), and which break down traditional barriers between administration of health services and the practice of medicine In this paper we explore in particular how technology is implicated in such changes, focussing on the consequences of the use of the new telehealth technologies, as seen in a set of linked case studies from an inner city borough in London. The paper addresses the way these technologies, through routine use, become (or not) resources and rules that embody new structures for health care.

Histochemical and ultrastructural study of the effect of natrium fluoride on glycogen content in rat hepatocytes.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of natrium fluoride (NaF) on glycogen content in hepatocytes of the offspring rats receiving fluoridated water, basing on histochemical (PAS reaction) and ultrastructural examinations. The experiment used 90 rats obtained from 30 mothers. The animals were given fluoridated water in two different concentrations: 10.6 mg NaF/l and 32.0 mg NaF/l. Material for analysis consisted of liver specimens collected on day 4, 14, 30, 60, 90 and 120 of rats' life. The rats were exposed to fluoride from the intrauterine life, during lactation, till full maturity. The experiment revealed the effect of super-optimal concentrations of natrium fluoride on carbohydrate metabolism of the rat.

Learning a morphological system without a default: the Polish genitive.

The acquisition of the English past tense inflection is the paradigm example of rule learning in the child language literature and has become something of a test case for theories of language development. This is unfortunate, as the idiosyncratic properties of the English system of marking tense make it a rather unrepresentative example of morphological development. In this paper, I contrast this familiar inflection with a much more complex morphological subsystem, the Polish genitive. The genitive case has three different markers, each restricted to a different subset of nouns, in both the singular and the plural. Analysis of the spontaneous speech of three children between the ages of 1;4 and 4;11 showed that they generalized, and overgeneralized, all three singular endings. However, error rates were extremely low and there is no evidence that they treated any one ending as the 'default'. The genitive plural, on the other hand, showed a strikingly different pattern of acquisition, similar to that seen in English-speaking children learning the past tense. It is argued that in the latter two cases, the default-like character of one of the affixes is attributable to the properties of the relevant inflectional subsystems, not to the predispositions that children bring to the language-learning task.

Porphyria cutanea tarda, hepatitis C virus and selected symptoms of cholestasis.

BACKGROUND: The influence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on the development of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) was recently detected, but the status of trace elements in etiology of the diseases is relatively poorly recognized. Individually observed symptoms of cholestasis do not seem to be related to the above conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 22 PCT patients (37-73 years old, mean 54.9 years), including 10 cases (45.5%) of serum HCV-RNA positive, as evaluated by automatic Cobas AmplicorTM Hepatitis C ver. 2.0 assay (Roche Diagnostics), was assessed. None of the patients have recently abused alcohol. Serum levels of copper and bilirubin, activity of gammaglutamyltranspeptidase (GGTP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured in all patients. RESULTS: We have found statistically significant differences between both mean serum activity of GGTP (145.9 U/l vs. 58.3 U/l, p = 0.004) and mean serum copper levels (131.9 mg/dl vs. 79 mg/dl, p = 0.003) in patients infected with HCV compared to the other PCT patients, respectively. Mean serum ALP activity was also higher, but the difference was not of statistical importance (106.9 U/l vs. 90.9 U/l, p = 0.24); mean serum bilirubin concentration was significantly lower in HCV-infected patients (0.55 mg/dl vs. 0.85 mg/dl, respectively, p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: In our group of PCT patients we have noticed a higher serum copper level and higher activity of both GGTP and alkaline phosphatase, but lower level of serum bilirubin in patients infected with HCV as compared with those not infected. This observation does not confirm suggestions concerning the role of HCV in promotion of cholestatic liver disease in PCT patients. The influence of HCV infection on the metabolism of copper and GGTP activity is connected rather with the inflammatory lesions in the liver of PCT patients infected with HCV. Bilirubin metabolism in PCT patients requires further studies for its elucidation.