Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity in multiple sclerosis patients: a historically controlled study.

Background: Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is widely used in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in multiple sclerosis (MS); however, controlled studies are still lacking.Objective:: To assess effectiveness of PTNS in MS patients with NDO unresponsive to pharmacological and behavioural therapies. Methods: MS patients with NDO were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were NDO not responding to pharmacological and behavioural therapies. Exclusion criteria were the presence of relevant comorbidities and urinary tract infections. Patients were evaluated using 3-day bladder diaries and validated questionnaires at baseline, after 4 weeks of educational therapy and after 12 PTNS sessions. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of patients considered responders after the behavioural therapy and after the PTNS in a historical controlled fashion (definition of 'responder' was reduction ⩾50% of urgency episodes). Results: A total of 33 patients (26 women, 7 men) were enrolled. Two patients dropped out for reasons not related to the protocol. Two out of 31 patients (6.5%) and 21/29 (72.4%) were considered responders at visits 1 and 2, respectively. In PTNS responders, a statistically significant improvement in both bladder diary results and standardized questionnaire scores was recorded, compared with that obtained with behavioural therapy alone. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: This historically controlled study suggests that PTNS may be effective in improving NDO in MS patients.

Dental health in asthmatic children: a South Italy study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the oral health status of children with mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma compared to healthy children. METHODS: A group of 124 asthmatic children was compared to 156 age-matched healthy children. Bitewing radiographs were taken and clinical examinations were carried out to record caries prevalence, caries experience in both dentitions, periodontal health and dental enamel defects. RESULTS: Caries prevalence for asthmatic patients was 39% in the permanent dentition and 32% in the primary dentition. Healthy subjects presented 36% caries prevalence in the permanent dentition and 26% in the primary dentition. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in caries experience. The differences between asthmatic subjects and healthy subjects for periodontal health and enamel defects were not statistically significant either. CONCLUSIONS: Children affected by mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma do not seem to be more susceptible to oral diseases than healthy children.

In vivo remineralising effect of GC tooth mousse on early dental enamel lesions: SEM analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate nanocomplexes (CPP-ACP) exhibit anticariogenic potential in laboratory, animal and human experiments. The remineralising potential of synthetic CPPs on early enamel caries was investigated. DESIGN: In vivo study. SETTING: University of Naples 'Federico II', School of Dentistry, Department of Paediatric Dentistry, 2010, Italy. PARTICIPANTS: 40 volunteers (age range 10-16 years) were recruited and divided in two groups of 20 (Group A and B). INTERVENTIONS: In Group A subjects two demineralised enamel specimens were placed on the buccal surfaces of the first molars and subjects were instructed to apply a commercial product containing CPPs (GC Tooth Mousse) only on the right-sided specimen and a placebo mousse on the left, for 1 month. In Group B subjects two enamel specimens were similarly placed into the mouth and used as controls. RESULTS: SEM analysis revealed a diffuse and homogeneous mineral coating, reducing the surface alterations only in the demineralised specimens treated with synthetic CPPs into the mouth. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate that CPPs are able to promote remineralisation of early enamel lesions.

Antimicrobial properties of green tea extract against cariogenic microflora: an in vivo study.

The aim of the present study was to test in vivo the effectiveness of an experimental green tea extract in reducing levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in saliva by means of selective culture medium. Sixty-six healthy patients ranging in age from 12 to 18 years were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: Group A (n=33) and group B (n=33). Group A subjects were asked to rinse their mouths with 40 mL of an experimental green tea extract, for 1 minute, three times a day for a week, whereas Group B subjects were asked to rinse with 40 mL of a placebo mouth rinse. Saliva samples were obtained at baseline, 4 days, and 7 days. The counts of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were investigated by chair-side kits. Data were statistically processed. A regression binary logistic analysis was done. The statistical significance level was established at P<.05. The experimental group showed a statistically significant reduction in colony counts of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli relative to the control group. These findings showed the efficacy of a green tea extract against cariogenic oral flora, opening a promising avenue of clinical applications in the preparation of specific and natural anticariogenic remedies.

Plant polyphenols and their anti-cariogenic properties: a review.

Polyphenols constitute one of the most common groups of substances in plants. Polyphenolic compounds have been reported to have a wide range of biological activities, many of which are related to their conventional antioxidant action; however, increasing scientific knowledge has highlighted their potential activity in preventing oral disease, including the prevention of tooth decay. The aim of this review is to show the emerging findings on the anti-cariogenic properties of polyphenols, which have been obtained from several in vitro studies investigating the effects of these bioactive molecules against Streptococcus mutans, as well as in vivo studies. The analysis of the literature supports the anti-bacterial role of polyphenols on cariogenic streptococci, suggesting (1) a direct effect against S. mutans; (2) an interaction with microbial membrane proteins inhibiting the adherence of bacterial cells to the tooth surface; and (3) the inhibition of glucosyl transferase and amylase. However, more studies, particularly in vivo and in situ, are necessary to establish conclusive evidence for the effectiveness and the clinical applications of these compounds in the prevention of dental caries. It is essential to better determine the nature and distribution of these compounds in our diet and to identify which of the hundreds of existing polyphenols are likely to provide the greatest effects.

Anti-cariogenic effects of polyphenols from plant stimulant beverages (cocoa, coffee, tea).

Polyphenols occurring in cocoa, coffee and tea can have a role in the prevention of cariogenic processes, due to their antibacterial action. Cocoa polyphenol pentamers significantly reduce biofilm formation and acid production by Streptococcus mutans and S. sanguinis. In the same way, trigonelline, caffeine and chlorogenic acid occurring in green and roasted coffee interfere with S. mutans adsorption to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite beads. Studies carried out on green, oolong and black tea indicate that tea polyphenols exert an anti-caries effect via an anti-microbial mode-of-action, and galloyl esters of (-)-epicatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin and (-)-gallocatechin show increasing antibacterial activities. The anti-cariogenic effects against alpha-haemolytic streptococci showed by polyphenols from cocoa, coffee, and tea suggest further studies to a possible application of these beverages in the prevention of pathogenesis of dental caries.