Chemistry of the sulfate groups in a sulfated glycoprotein from rabbit submandibular gland.

A 35S-labeled sulfated glycoprotein was isolated from rabbit submandibular glands. Acid stability studies on the 35sulfate groupings present in the intact glycoprotein gave a half-life of 45 min. Partial acid hydrolysis of the 35S-labeled glycoprotein in 0.1 M HC1 for 90 min at 100 degrees C liberated a radioactive fraction which was free from peptide and fractionated in the monosaccharide range of a Sephadex G-15 column. Examination of this fraction by paper chromatography revealed the presence of a major component having the characteristics of N-acetylglucosamine 6-0-sulfate and a minor component having the properties of N-acetylgalactosamine 6-0-sulfate. The presence of ester sulfate groups in the intact glycoprotein was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy.     

Chemistry of the sulfate groups in a sulfated glycoprotein from rabbit submandibular gland

abstract – A ³⁵S-labeled sulfated glycoprotein was isolated from rabbit submandibular glands. Acid stability studies on the ³⁵sulfate groupings present in the intact glycoprotein gave a half-life of 45 min. Partial acid hydrolysis of the ³⁵S-labeled glycoprotein in 0.1 M HCl for 90 min at 100°C liberated a radioactive fraction which was free from peptide and fractionated in the monosaccharide range of a Sephadex G-15 column. Examination of this fraction by paper chromatography revealed the presence of a major component having the characteristics of N-acetylglucosaminc 6-0-sulfate and a minor component having the properties of N-acetylgalactosaminc 6-0-sulfate. The presence of ester sulfate groups in the intact glycoprotein was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy.     

Identification of calprotectin, a calcium binding leukocyte protein, in human dental calculus matrix

Calprotectin is a calcium binding protein produced by leukocytes, macrophages and epithelial cells, and its levels in several tissues increase during infections and in many inflamed areas, suggesting that it may be an indicator of inflammatory activity. Osteopontin is a prominent phosphorylated glycoprotein in bone matrix, having calcium binding capacity. Recently, it has been reported that calprotectin and osteopontin are present in urinary stones (pathological mineralized masses in the body), and that these proteins may be involved in their formation. Dental calculus formed by mineralization of dental plaque is an inflammatory factor which may contribute to periodontal disease. It contains many organic components involved in mineralization. We recently found osteopontin molecules in human dental calculus and suggested that the components of its matrix may be similar to those of urinary stones. In this study, we investigated the presence of calprotectin in human dental calculus by immunohistochemical and immunoblotting analyses using a specific antibody for calprotectin. After fixation and demineralization of dental calculi adhered to tooth roots, sections embedded in paraffin were immunoreacted with the antibody for calprotectin and positive immunostaining for calprotectin was observed. Dental calculus proteins were then extracted with EDTA and separated by electrophoresis on 15% polyacrylamide gels. By immunoblotting analysis, 3 or 4 bands were observed at 11, 14.5, 22–25, 28 or 36.5 kDa and these patterns corresponded to those of calprotectin subunits. When non-immune rabbit serum was used instead of calprotectin-specific antibody as a negative control, no immunoreactivity was observed. These findings indicate that calprotectin is associated not only with antibacterial action but also with calcium binding capacity during dental calculus formation.     

Development of aggregating ability in cells of Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903 grown under glucose-limiting conditions in continuous culture

Abstract – Streptococcus mitis ATCC903 grown under glucose-limiting conditions in continuous culture did not aggregate upon incubation in 10_mM phosphate buffer at pH 5–7 unless a metabolizable sugar was added. aggregation started 45–50 min after the addition of glucose or sucrose whereas slowly metabolized sugars as gadlactose and lactose required several hours to cause aggregation. Active metabolism of the carbohydrate was a prerequisite for aggregation as indicated by acid formation. Chloramphenicol inhibited the development of aggregating ability in the presence of glucose or sucrose. The addition of a source of nitrogen (peptides and amino acids) enhanced aggregation and shortened the time for development of aggregating ability. No aggregation occurred at 0°C and the ability to aggregate was markedly delayed at 20°C as compared to 30°C. Trypsin treatment of the bacteria abolished aggregation, indicating that surface components of protein or glycoprotein nature contributed to the capacity to aggregate.     

Fibronectin levels in stimulated whole-saliva and their relationship with cariogenic oral bacteria

AIM: Fibronectin is a multifunctional glycoprotein that plays a fundamental role in mechanism of cellular union and in bacterial adhesion in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to test the clinical relationship between fibronectin concentration in stimulated whole-saliva and the number of Mutans streptococci bacteria. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 167 children aged 12 years. METHODS: Saliva samples were collected from the subjects. Bacterial quantification was carried out using a semiquantitative method (Dentocult SM, Vivadent). Fibronectin was measured by the ELISA method with modifications. RESULTS: An inverse clinical relation was found between the levels of soluble fibronectin and the number of SM colony forming units. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial counts sufficiently high to destroy the protein films increase bacterial binding to dental surfaces, thereby contributing to the regulation of bacterial plaque composition and its pathogenic potential. This capacity of glycoproteins to reduce the adhesion of microorganisms to the oral tissues and favour macrophage action supports the hypothesis that such proteins contribute to the first line of immune defence together with secretory antibodies.     

A dental survey of Tibetan children in Dharamsala

Since their exodus in 1959 about 100,000 Tibetans have settled in disparate communities in northern India and Nepal. This study describes the dental health of 243 Tibetan children in Dharamsala, in the State of Himachal Pradesh, India. Only 20% of 6-yr-olds were caries-free in the primary dentition while 96.9, 53.3, and 22.4% of 6, 12, and 15-yr-olds were caries-free in the permanent dentition respectively. The DMFT of 12-yr-old children was 1.1, while 15-yr-old children had a DMFT of 3.1. While plaque and calculus were present in many sextants, there was little intense gingivitis and signs of advanced periodontal diseases were rarely present. Almost no dental care had been received. Appropriate dental health promotion activities are discussed.     

Plaque-removing effect of dental floss and toothpicks in children 12–13 years of age

The aim of the present study was to assess the cleaning effect of dental floss and toothpicks on interproximal surfaces. The plaque situation was assessed in a group of children 12-13 years of age by the Patient Hygiene Performance Index (PHPI). It was found that dental floss has a greater plaque-removing effect of the interproximal areas than toothpicks, predominantly on the mesial surfaces of the teeth.     

Direct ratings of acceptance of dental treatment in Swedish children

The aim of the present study was to bring forward data of acceptance of dental treatment for 3-16-yr-old children in a population with good dental health and annual dental care, and to evaluate the influence on acceptance of age, sex, residential area, and previous experience and present need of dental treatment. The material consisted of 2773 children. Direct ratings of behavior were made at each of 10 different treatment steps passed during dental appointments. The majority of children needed no more than one dental visit and 79% showed positive acceptance at all steps of treatment passed during dental visits. Eight percent of all children sometimes reacted in such a way that treatment could not be carried out without restraint or undue delay. Dental fear was diagnosed in 3% of all children.     

The effect of professional toothcleansing on gingivitis and dental caries in children after 1 year

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of professional mechanical toothcleansing on plaque, gingivitis, and dental caries in young children with a high caries experience. Seventy-eight children, 7 years of age, were stratified according to presence or absence of smooth surface lesions on the permanent teeth and subsequently randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was given a thorough mechanical toothcleansing every 2 weeks. After 12 months a statistically significant difference in plaque accumulation and a minor difference in level of gingival inflammation could be demonstrated between the two groups. The incidence of dental caries in permanent teeth present at both examinations was 70% lower in the experimental group. The effect on permanent teeth erupting during the study and on primary teeth present at both examinations was not statistically significant.     

Inhibition of attachment of human gingival fibroblast-like cells in vitro by saliva and salivary-sulfated glycoprotein in the presence of serum

We have previously shown that human whole saliva and a high molecular weight sulfated glycoprotein (SGP) salivary component inhibits attachment of human gingival fibroblast-like cells to plastic substrata in serum-free conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of saliva on attachment of these cells to tissue culture plastic in the presence of serum. Individual wells of multiwell dishes were coated with either sterile whole saliva or SGP, sequentially with fetal bovine serum followed by saliva or SGP, sequentially with the latter agents applied in the reverse order, with mixtures of saliva and serum or SGP and serum. Washed wells were seeded with 1.0 x 10(5) fibroblasts in alpha-MEM and numbers of adhering cells determined after 30 minutes. Saliva or SGP inhibited cell adherence as previously reported. Cell adherence in wells treated sequentially with saliva or SGP followed by serum, or with the latter followed by the salivary agents, was reduced significantly compared with that in untreated control wells. Wells treated with mixtures of serum and saliva or SGP exhibited progressive reduction in numbers of adhering cells as the concentration of the salivary agents increased. Significant suppression of attachment compared with controls also occurred when cells in alpha-MEM containing 15% serum were plated onto saliva- or SGP-treated wells. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that adsorbed salivary glycoprotein may bring about periodontal wound healing by repair rather than by regeneration by inhibiting fibroblast attachment to root surfaces in vivo.     

Possible origin of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in human dental calculus

Abstract— The sulfated glycosaminoglycans present in human dental calculus have been shown to be dermatan sulfate and chondroitin-4-sulfate. The composition suggests that the glycosaminoglycans present in calculus, particularly subgingival material, could originate as a result of associated periodontal disease since closely similar compounds have previously been identified in normal and inflamed human gingiva.     

Possible origin of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in human dental calculus.

The sulfated glycosaminoglycans present in human dental calculus have been shown to be dermatan sulfate and chondroitin-4-sulfate. The composition suggests that the glycosaminoglycans present in calculus, particularly subgingival material, could originate as a result of associated periodontal disease since closely similar compounds have previously been identified in normal and inflamed human gingiva.     

Five-year evaluation of a dental care delivery system for drug addicts in Denmark

The present study describes the experiences and results of the first 5-year period of a municipal dental clinic offering free dental care to drug addicts. One of the many problems was the instability of this socially deprived group whose erratic life style made it impossible to maintain regular dental care. The DMFS level of the drug addicts was 50.2 and mean caries increment per yr was 2.5 (1.3 new surfaces and 1.2 surfaces with recurrent decay). The caries increments among the present drug abusers and the individuals on methadone maintenance were higher than among the previous drug addicts, 3.1 and 1.3 surfaces per yr respectively, but this difference was not statistically significant. Only slight improvement in oral hygiene (VPI) could be demonstrated whereas gingivitis (BI) remained unaltered. Traumatic injuries of the orofacial region were frequent. The mean time expenditure concerning dental treatment was 5 hr per individual in the initial treatment phase but decreased to 1-2 h per individual per yr. Broken appointments and last minute cancellations were as a rule related to drug/alcohol abuse. The mean number of fillings was 8.2 per individual in the initial treatment phase and 1.7 per yr for individuals in a maintenance phase. The poor dental health of the drug addicts seems closely related to their life style habits and the clue to an improvement would probably follow the cure of the drug abuse and a concurrent resocialization.     

Radiographic interpretation and treatment decisions among dental therapists and dentists in Western Australia

All dentists and dental therapists employed in the Community Dental Services in Western Australia were invited to participate in a questionnaire study to find out about their use of radiographs and opinions and knowledge about the diagnosis of approximal caries. Replies were received from 45 dentists (95.1%) and 207 dental therapists (84.0%). Most dentists would not restore a lesion before it appeared on radiograph to have reached the dentine, while therapists were more likely to consider a restoration for a lesion just in enamel. Sixty percent of all respondents thought that a cavity was present when the radiographic lesion was confined to enamel. Fifty-seven percent of dentists thought that an average lesion took at least 12 months to progress from outer enamel to dentine, while a majority of dental therapists thought this would take less than 12 months. Radiographs were not frequently taken by the participants. Operators' opinions about cavity formation were the most important predictor of choice of treatment. In general, these participant's responses were similar to those provided by Norwegian and Dutch respondents in similar surveys conducted 5-6 yr ago, but the present participants worked in an optimally fluoridated area and might therefore have been expected to have adopted more cautious criteria for restorative treatment. Differences between dentists and dental therapists were generally not great. The results suggest that calibration of the operators in the service would offer benefits.     

Dental health in a group of drug addicts attending an addiction-clinic

The present study was undertaken to investigate the dental health of a group of parenteral drug addicts. The study population comprised 134 persons with a mean age of 25 yr (min. 18, max. 37) examined in 1977-81. Mean DMFT was 18.3 and mean DMFS was 50.2, approximately twice as much as found in comparable age groups in Denmark. Even free smooth surfaces were often involved. The oral hygiene was measured by the use of the Visible Plaque Index (VPI) and the Bleeding Index (BI). Both indices were high, mean VPI = 77.4 and mean BI = 71.3. 12-40% of the teeth selected had a loss of periodontal attachment of more than 4 mm. It is suggested that not only drug abuse, but also factors like low social status, low education and different barriers towards receiving dental treatment should be considered in a multifactorial cause-effect relationship. The effect of offering a free dental care system for this high-risk group will be dealt with in another paper.     

Structure of experimental in vitro and in vivo lesions around composite (Addent XV®) fillings

abstract — In the in vitro experiments of the present study Class V Addent XV® fillings were inserted on buccal surfaces of 32 permanent human teeth. Lesions were produced by placing acidified gelatin around the fillings. In the corresponding in vivo experiments, caries was produced around similar fillings in 17 permanent teeth. In both series, sections of the teeth with the fillings in situ were studied by polarized light microscopy and microradiography. All teeth showed "outer lesions", but the tendency to development of "cavity wall lesions" was negligible. A comparison with lesions produced previously in corresponding experiments with silver amalgam and silicate fillings has been done.     

Active-involvement principle in dental health education

A basic problem in dental health education (DHE) is that the effect usually disappears shortly after the termination of a program. The purpose of the present study was to obtain long-term effect of a DHE-program by emphasizing the active involvement of the participants. The sample comprised an experimental and a control group, each of 68 unskilled workers, aged 18-64. Active participation was obtained by various means: Teaching was carried out in pre-existing peer groups, the participants' own goals and needs were included, the traditional dentist-patient barriers were excluded, the traditional dentist-patient roles were changed, and the sessions were repeated. No dental treatment was included. The control group did not participate in the DHE-programme. Plaque (PII) and gingivitis (GI) were scored before the program, immediately after, and 6 months and 31/2 yr after the last session. In the experimental group PII and GI decreased significantly from 1.30 and 1.42 at baseline to 0.39 and 0.97 6 months after the program, and 0.45 and 0.79 31/2 yr after the termination of the program. It is suggested that the reason for the long-term effect obtained in the present study was the use of the principle of active involvement of the participants in the DHE-program.     

Dental caries in a group of 20-year-olds after previous participation in public child dental health services in Copenhagen, Denmark

The present study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of dental caries in a group of 20-year-olds who had previously participated in Public Child Dental Health Services. Dental caries was related to social status and preventive vists to the private dentist after termination of school. The study population comprised 389 persons aged 20, out of which 313 (80.5%) were examined clinically and radiographically by one dentist according to standardized criteria. Mean DMFT was 10.4 and mean DMFS 16.7. Differences in relation to sex were not significant. The distribution of subjects according to DMFS was uneven. The 20% with the highest DMFS accounted for about 45% of the total amounts of DS. A consistent pattern with higher mean DMFS in the low social groups was found. Attendance to Regular Youth Dental Service was higher the longer the subjects had been students and higher mean DMFS was found in nonregular attenders. The presence of a high caries risk group is discussed in relation to the dental care system received by the study population.     

Changes in epidemiologic pattern of dental caries in cohorts of schoolchildren in Espoo, Finland, during a 3-year period

The purpose of the present study was to establish the distribution of need for treatment of dental caries and also to evaluate the changes in the distribution of DMFT scores in cohorts of schoolchildren aged 7-15 yr. There was a decrease in the proportion of children with high DMFT scores during the study period. The difference was most pronounced at the age of 13 yr. Polarization of the DMFT scores was most obvious at 10 yr, but was also seen at 13 yr. The proportion of patients at risk of caries differs from one age group to another.     

Streptococcus mutans and dental caries in urban and rural schoolchildren in Thailand

Two groups of Thai schoolchildren aged 11-13 yr were examined for dental caries, dental fluorosis and Streptococcus mutans. One hundred children lived in an urban district, Bangkok, and 71 children in a rural district, Petchaboon. Saliva samples were analyzed for S. mutans by the spatula method. The fluoride content of the drinking waters was also determined. The prevalence of caries, diagnosed according to WHO, was 89% in Bangkok and 18% in the rural district. Mean DMFT was 3.46 and 0.38 respectively. S. mutans was found in 98% of the urban children and in 82% of the rural. The differences in distribution between S. mutans and DMFT classes were statistically significant for the total sample. Mild fluorosis was present in some of the rural children.