Integrating micro CT indices,CT imaging and computational modelling to assess the mechanical performance of fluoride treated bone

In this study we evaluate the influence of low-dose fluoride treatment on 23 patient biopsies. Computational finite element (FE) models of each biopsy were subjected to a range of loads including compression, shear and torsion. The modelling framework was validated against three 3D printed models with known material properties subjected to compression till failure using an Instron machine. The primary outcomes from this study were that mechanical strength was not significantly correlated to low-dose (<10 mg/day) of fluoride levels (one-way ANOVA, P-values of 0.78, 0.69 and 0.62 for compression, shear and torsion, respectively). However, when bulk bone material properties were derived from DXA bone mineral density (BMD) from each patient's proximal femur a non-significant linear decline in mechanical strength with increase in fluoride was predicted. When the same material property was used for all bones (to evaluate bone architecture influence) then mechanical strength showed a characteristic concave upwards trend, consistent with the variation of micro CT derived percentage bone volume (BV/TV). The secondary outcomes from this study were that in compression, BV/TV was observed to be a strong surrogate measure for mechanical strength (R² = 0.83), while bone surface density (R² = 0.6), trabecular thickness (R² = 0.5) and intersection surface (R² = 0.6) also explained the variation of mechanical strength well. However, trabecular separation and trabecular number were mildly correlated with mechanical strength (R² of 0.31 and 0.35, respectively). Compression was the loading mode most strongly correlated to micro CT indices. Material properties adapted from the proximal femur reduced the CT index correlations by up to 58% indicating that bulk density from a near proximity is a poor representation of specific localised density. Substituting the 3D micro CT indices with 2D histomorphometric data decreased correlations by at least 33% indicating that structural identification on a plane is not representative of the full 3D architecture necessary for a complete bone strength analysis. The presented computational framework may be used to assess the roles that bone architecture and loading modes play in bone quality, and which micro CT indices are good surrogate measures for mechanical strength.     

过量氟与软骨代谢

氟中毒与软骨组织代谢有着密切的联系，过量氟对软骨有明显的损害作用，可造成钙、磷等无机元素代谢异带．导致软骨蛋白多糖合成与分解失调，干扰软骨基质胶原代谢及改变软骨组织酶的活性。     

急性氟乙酰胺中毒性脑病一例报道并文献复习

氟乙酰胺是一种高效剧毒、残留性强的有机氟杀鼠剂,而氟乙酰胺中毒易导致多种脏器功能损伤,尤其是中枢神经系统损伤,并造成氟乙酰胺中毒性脑病等。本文报道了1例急性氟乙酰胺中毒性脑病患者并进行了文献复习,以期提高临床对氟乙酰胺中毒性脑病的认识。     

Defluoridation efficiency of a green composite reactive material derived from lateritic soil and gastropod shell

In the bid to exploit the synergy in mixed metal matrix that enhances substrate binding affinity, a composite reactive material (GLT) was prepared using lateritic soil and Gastropod shell as precursors. The defluoridation efficiency of the GLT was studied in laboratory grade fluoride contaminated water and groundwater matrix. Using experimental evidences, insight into the underlying defluoridation mechanisms of GLT was provided. The monolayer adsorption capacity (q_m, mg/g) of the GLT (43.7 mg/g) was higher than that of any of the precursors (i.e. lateritic soil (q_{m =} 2.8 mg/g) and Gastropod shell (q_m = 19.8 mg/g)), which confirmed the synergistic effect of the constituents of the composite. Premised on the results of kinetic analysis, the Gibbs (?G) free energy value of formation of insoluble metal fluoride and the results of the evaluation of the effects of water chemistry on the fluoride removal efficiency of the GLT, mechanism of the defluoridation process was found to be a combination of adsorption (via ion exchange or outer sphere complexation) and precipitation reaction. Relative to the performance of the GLT in laboratory grade water, the GLT was also effective in groundwater but the value of the Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity (q_m mg/g) was lower in the groundwater system (29.76 mg/g) than in the laboratory grade water system (43.7 mg/g). The leached constituents of the GLT enhanced the values of the pH, electrical conductivity and the total dissolved solids of the treated water.     

Influence of cementum on the demineralization and remineralization processes of root surface caries in vitro

The influence of the nature of the root surface on the demineralization and remineralization processes within artificial fluoride-treated caries lesions was investigated using microscopic and X-ray microanalytical methods. Traces of fluoride were detected in the outer parts (about 25 µm) of the lesions after the application of fluorides, and a high mineral content was proved for the same region by means of microanalytical calcium estimation. The location of this mineral-rich band in relation to the root surface was deeper into the root depending on the existence and thickness of a cementum layer. However, within the dentine the location and intensity of the mineral content were unaffected by the cementum. Investigation of artificial caries lesions without fluoride treatment showed the following: The degree of mineralization was kept at a higher level near the root surface in the presence of cementum. Consequently, a cementum layer gives some initial caries resistance of the root surface.     

氟致骨组织中细胞核转录因子-κB相关基因表达改变与破骨细胞凋亡的关系

目的 探讨慢性氟中毒大鼠骨骼损伤时细胞核转录因子-κB(NF-κB)相关基因表达改变与破骨细胞凋亡的关系,深入研究氟骨症的发病机制.方法 健康SD大鼠36只,体质量100 ～ 120 9,按体质量随机分为3组,每组12只.对照组饮用自来水(含氟量＜1 mg/L),低氟组和高氟组分别饮用含5、50 mg/L氟化钠的自来水.大鼠饲养8个月,建立慢性氟中毒模型,股动脉放血处死.取大鼠股骨干骺端,光镜观察骨组织形态学改变;采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶5b (TRACP 5b)水平;采用抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP)染色鉴定破骨细胞并计数;采用Real-time PCR和免疫组织化学方法检测骨组织中p50、IKBα和凋亡相关基因Bcl-2、Bax的mRNA和蛋白表达水平.结果 染氟大鼠股骨干骺端呈骨质硬化表现.低氟组血清TRACP 5b水平、破骨细胞数[(3.45±1.85)U/L、(6.75±1.29)个/切片]显著高于对照组[(1.26±0.23)U/L、(3.92±1.38)个/切片,P均＜0.05],高氟组[(2.74±1.85) U/L、(3.33±1.07)个/切片]较低氟组降低(P均＜0.05).低氟组p50、IκBα、Bcl-2、Bax mRNA表达水平(4.41±0.44、1.15±0.25、2.02±0.11、1.25±0.22)显著高于对照组(1.46±0.10、0.26±0.07、1.00±0.06、0.74±0.09,P均＜0.05),高氟组(0.69±0.09、0.14±0.03、0.95±0.08、0.62±0.08)较低氟组降低(P均＜0.05).低氟组p50、IκBα蛋白表达水平(152.96±7.87、156.20±9.75)显著高于对照组(125.63±9.85、118.97±6.94,P均＜0.05),高氟组(120.56±9.57、114.50±7.61)较低氟组降低(P均＜ 0.05);低氟组Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达水平(170.61±6.60、160.77±7.66)和Bcl-2/Bax比值(1.07±0.08)较对照组(110.73±5.27、114.64±5.83、0.96±0.04)升高(P均＜0.05),高氟组(81.70±8.00、99.93±3.83、0.81±0.08)较对照组和低氟组降低(P均＜0.05).p50、IκBα蛋白表达水平与Bcl-2/Bax比值呈正相关关系(r值分别为0.587、0.676,P均＜0.05).结论 慢性氟中毒可引起骨组织NF-KB相关基因表达改变以及破骨细胞凋亡,氟骨症的机制可能与NF-κB p50和IKBα表达改变引起的破骨细胞凋亡失常有关.     

Efficacy of the stannous ion and a biopolymer in toothpastes on enamel erosion/abrasion

Objectives

Sn²⁺ has promising erosion-inhibiting properties in solutions, but little is known about respective effects in toothpastes. In addition, biopolymers might have protecting potential. Aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Sn²⁺ in toothpastes and of a biopolymer (chitosan) added to a Sn²⁺ formulation on erosion/abrasion.

Methods

Enamel samples were subjected to cyclic erosion procedures (10 days; 0.50% citric acid, pH 2.5; 6× 2 min/day), and brushing (2× 15 s/day, load 200 g) during immersion in slurries (2 min). The toothpastes were NaF formulations (NaF/1, NaF/2, NaF/3) and Sn²⁺ formulations (NaF/SnCl₂, AmF/SnF₂, AmF/NaF/SnCl₂) and AmF/NaF/SnCl₂ + 0.5% chitosan.Declared concentrations of active ingredients in toothpastes were 1400–1450 μg/g F⁻ and 3280–3500 μg/g Sn²⁺. Negative controls were erosion only and placebo, positive control was a SnF₂ gel. Tissue loss was quantified profilometrically, Sn on enamel surfaces was measured by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Results

Loss values (μm) for erosion only and placebo were 14.4 ± 4.5 and 20.2 ± 3.8, respectively, and 4.6 ± 1.9 for the positive control (p ≤ 0.001 each compared to erosion only). The other loss values were: NaF/1 16.5 ± 3.0, NaF/2 14.0 ± 2.7, NaF/3 12.6 ± 3.9, NaF/SnCl₂ 14.7 ± 5.1, AmF/SnF₂ 13.5 ± 4.8, AmF/NaF/SnCl₂ 12.4 ± 4.2, AmF/NaF/SnCl₂ + chitosan 6.6 ± 3.5 (except NaF/1 all p ≤ 0.01 compared to placebo). AmF/NaF/SnCl₂/chitosan was more effective than all other toothpastes (p ≤ 0.01 each). Sn on the enamel surface ranged between 1.3 ± 0.3 and 2.8 ± 0.04 wt.% with no obvious relationship with efficacy.

Conclusions

The NaF and Sn²⁺ toothpastes without chitosan exhibited similar anti-erosion and abrasion-prevention effects. The experimental Sn²⁺ formulation with chitosan revealed promising results similar to those of the positive control.

Clinical significance

NaF toothpastes offer a degree of protection against erosion/abrasion, which is likely sufficient for most subjects with average acid exposures. For patients with initial erosive lesions, however, more effective toothpaste is desirable. The combination of Sn²⁺ and a biopolymer appears promising in this context.     

Association between caregiver opposition to topical fluoride and COVID-19 vaccines

PurposeCaregivers who oppose topical fluoride in dental settings may be opposed to other preventive health treatments, including COVID-19 vaccines. The study objective was to examine the association between caregiver opposition to topical fluoride and COVID-19 vaccines.MethodsThe study took place at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. English-speaking caregivers of children aged < 18 years were eligible to participate. An 85-item REDCap survey was administered from February to September 2021. The predictor variable was topical fluoride opposition (no/yes). The outcome was COVID-19 vaccine opposition (no/yes). The models included the following covariates: child and caregiver age; caregiver race and ethnicity, education level, dental insurance type, parenting style, political ideology, and religiosity; and household income. Logistic regression models generated odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (α = 0.05).ResultsSix-hundred-fifty-one caregivers participated, and 403 caregivers with complete data were included in the final regression model. Mean child age was 8.5 years (SD 4.2), mean caregiver age was 42.1 years (SD 9.1), 53.0 % of caregivers were female, 57.3 % self-reported as white, and 65.5 % were insured by Medicaid. There was a significant positive association between topical fluoride and COVID-19 vaccine opposition (OR = 3.13; 95 % CI: 1.87, 5.25; p < 0.001). Other factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine opposition included conservative political views (OR = 2.77; 95 % CI: 1.26, 6.08; p < 0.011) and lower education (OR = 3.47; 95 % CI: 1.44, 8.38; p < 0.006).ConclusionsCaregivers opposed to topical fluoride in dental settings were significantly more likely to oppose COVID-19 vaccines for their child. Future research should identify ways to address both topical fluoride and vaccine opposition to prevent diseases in children.