Complement components C3b and C4b as potential reliable site-specific diagnostic biomarkers for periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the expression levels of C3b and C4b in human gingival tissue (GT) and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and disease severity in human periodontitis and to determine whether C3b and C4b are significant site-specific complementary diagnostic markers for periodontitis. BACKGROUND: A variety of biomarkers that have potential for informing diagnoses of periodontitis have been proposed. The complement components C3b and C4b were found to be positively correlated with disease severity. The therapeutic effect of targeting C3b and C4b on inflammatory bone loss in experimental periodontitis models has been studied. However, studies on the diagnostic potential of the gingival C3b and C4b expression levels for periodontitis are scarce. METHODS: The expression levels of C3b and C4b in the GT and GCF were investigated via immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The correlation between the expression levels of C3b and C4b and disease severity with probing depth as well as the clinical attachment level were determined. To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the C3b and C4b expression levels at the periodontitis sites, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, cut-off point, area under the ROC curve, sensitivity, and specificity were analyzed. RESULTS: The expression levels of C3b and C4b in human GT and GCF were significantly positively correlated with periodontitis severity. The expression levels of combined C3b + C4b in the GT can significantly differentiate the disease status at the tissue level (p < .0001). Similarly, the expression levels of C3b + C4b in GCF can statistically distinguish periodontitis sites from healthy ones (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Locally deposited C3b and C4b were positively correlated with periodontitis severity and recognized as site-specific diagnostic biomarkers for clinicopathological features in periodontitis. The association between the C3b and C4b network and periodontitis may be further understood and provide a basis for the development of novel screening as well as diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for periodontitis.

Targeting therapeutic agent against C3b/C4b, SB002, on the inflammation-induced bone loss in experimental periodontitis.

AIMS: To use experimental periodontitis models in rats to investigate the correlation between local expression of the complement components C3b and C4b in periodontal tissues and disease severity, and to assess the therapeutic effects of targeting C3b/C4b on inflammatory bone loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The gingival expression of C3, C3b, and C4b in animal experimental periodontitis models were analysed immunohistochemically. The therapeutic effects of the C3b/C4b inhibitor (SB002) on ligation-induced experimental periodontitis was examined using biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: The gingival expression levels of C3, C3b, and C4b were positively correlated with the severity of periodontitis. Moreover, both single and multiple injections of the C3b/C4b inhibitor had preventive and therapeutic effects on alveolar bone loss in ligation-induced experimental periodontitis with no associated adverse consequences. CONCLUSIONS: The association between C3b/C4b and periodontitis may provide a basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for periodontitis and other inflammatory diseases.

Media alcohol advertising with drinking behaviors among young adolescents in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate potential effects of alcohol ads in six major marketing channels on drinking behaviors among young adolescents in Taiwan. METHODS: The data were derived from the Alcohol-Related Experiences among Children study. The baseline sample was comprised of 1926 seventh-eighth graders from 11 public middle schools in Taipei in 2010; follow-up was conducted one year later (follow-up rate=97%). Information concerning individual sociodemographics, family characteristics, exposure to media portrayals of drinking and alcohol ads on major marketing channels, and drinking experience was collected through web-based self-administered questionnaires. Complex survey analyses were used to evaluate the association estimates, with stratification by prior drinking experiences in childhood. RESULTS: Television, in-store displays, and websites are the three most common marketing channels for young adolescents to report past-month alcohol advertising exposure. With statistical adjustment for potential confounders and six market channels, exposure to alcohol ads on television was associated with subsequent increased drinking initiation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.62; 95% CI=1.14-6.02). For those who have initiated alcohol use in childhood, the exposure to ads on the web (aOR=1.50; 95% CI=1.04-2.15) and radio (aOR=2.58; 95% CI=1.60-4.15) may elevate subsequent risk of occasional drinking. Exposure to media drinking portrayals was not related to subsequent drinking behaviors in this sample. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that the effects of alcohol advertising on drinking behaviors in early adolescence may differ by marketing channels. Preventive strategies targeting underage drinking should consider restraining marketing channels (e.g., websites and radio) from certain advertising content and placement.

School District Variation in Parental Influence on Underage Drinking Behaviors.

PURPOSE: We examined the relationship between alcohol-specific and nonalcohol-specific parental characteristics with occasional alcohol drinking in early adolescence and probed potential school district variation. METHODS: A total of 1,581 fourth and sixth graders (age range: 10-12 years) were ascertained from 17 elementary schools in a cohort study conducted in northern Taiwan in 2006, with three waves of follow-up between 2007 and 2009. Information on alcohol-specific and nonalcohol-specific parental attributes was obtained from the first two waves of self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaires; occasional drinking, defined by having drunk on three or more occasions in the past year, was assessed at fourth wave. School district characteristics were retrieved from official statistics and self-report. Multilevel analyses were used to evaluate strength of association, with stratification by disadvantaged status of school districts. RESULTS: Thirteen percent (95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.1%-15.8%) of young adolescents reported to drink occasionally; higher grade level, childhood drinking experience, lower parental education, maternal drinking, and positive parental attitude toward drinking were significant predictors. Nonalcohol parental predictors, including not living with both parents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.21-4.53) and parental involvement/reinforcement (aOR = .44; 95% CI = .22-.87), were only significant for the children of socioeconomically disadvantaged school districts. As to alcohol-specific parental characteristics, the effects of maternal drinking appear more salient in socioeconomically advantaged school districts (aOR = 2.63; 95% CI = 1.66-4.18). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol-specific and nonalcohol-specific parental influence may operate differentially across school districts sub-grouped by socioeconomic attributes. Preventive strategies raising the awareness of underage drinking and strengthening parenting skills should be devised and implemented in the perspective of social context.

Peers and social network on alcohol drinking through early adolescence in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify peers and social network characteristics associated with drinking occasions through early adolescence. METHODS: The study sample of 1808 middle school students (aged 13-15 years) in northern Taiwan was collected via a two-wave longitudinal study of the Alcohol-Related Experiences among Children (AREC). Data concerning individual sociodemographics, family characteristics, peer influence, and alcohol drinking behaviors were collected via web-based self-administered questionnaire. Building upon the maximum of five friends nominated by young respondents at 7th grade, class-based social network was first constructed via the UCINET and Pajek; the network position (i.e., member, bridge, and isolate) for each student was subsequently ascertained. Complex surveys analyses and negative binominal regression models were used to evaluate concurrent and prospective relationship estimates. RESULTS: Effects of peers and social network were found to operate differentially by childhood alcohol experience. For the alcohol naïve youngsters, receiving higher peer's nomination at baseline was linked with subsequent increased drinking occasions (adjusted Incidence Rate Ratio [aIRR]=1.06; 95% CI=1.01-1.10), whereas having peers against alcohol drinking may reduce drinking occasions at 9th grade (aIRR=0.59; 95% CI=0.41-0.87). For the alcohol experienced youngsters, having parental alcohol offer, drinking peers, and attending classes of higher drinking norms may increase future drinking occasions by 90%, 80% and 44%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that parental alcohol offer, peer norms, and social network may affect adolescent drinking occasions differentially depending on childhood drinking experience. The findings have implications for the interventions to reduce alcohol consumption in underage population.

Internet use and web communication networks, sources of social support, and forms of suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents: different patterns between genders.

The relationships of Internet use, web communication, and sources of social support with adolescent self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) in Taiwan were investigated. The study sample of 391 12 to 18-year-olds was selected from nine public high schools. Findings show that girls are more likely to have SITBs, except for suicide gestures. Web communication is a risk factor for SITBs in boys but not in girls. Family support is protective in both genders. Support from friends is protective and support from significant others was a risk factor for suicide plans in girls. Support from virtual social communities can have both positive and negative effects on adolescent SITBs, with different effects by gender.