The association between individual and contextual factors and functional dentition status among adults in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil: a multilevel study

Functional dentition plays an important role in maintaining masticatory function, which is closely related to the number of teeth present in the mouth. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between individual and contextual factors and functional dentition (defined as the presence of at least 20 teeth) in Brazilian adults. This was a multilevel cross-sectional population-based study with a two-level structure and a total sample of 10,407 adults from 84 municipalities (counties). The exposures at both levels were demographic, socioeconomic, and oral health treatment-related. Multivariate analyses showed that higher prevalence rates of functional dentition were associated (p < 0.01) with municipalities having higher mean income and fluoridated water supply and with individuals living in urban areas, younger adults, males, those with more schooling and higher income, those that reported having visited the dentist in the previous 12 months, and those with access to information on prevention. The findings suggest that research on tooth loss and functional dentition should take different socioeconomic factors into account.     

Benefits,challenges, and needs of people living with cancer and their companion dogs: An exploratory study

Purpose/Objectives: The study examined whether the bond with a companion dog is associated with well-being among people with cancer, and described the perceived benefits, challenges, and needs accompanying the relationship with the dog.

Design: The design was cross-sectional.

Sample: Participants were 140 people recently diagnosed with cancer with at least one dog in their household.

Methods: The online survey included measures of the human–pet bond, depressive symptoms, positive affect, and health-related quality of life, as well as open-ended questions about the experience of having a dog since being diagnosed with cancer.

Findings: Although the bond with a companion dog was not directly linked with well-being, the association between the human–pet bond and depressive symptoms depended in part on treatment status.

Conclusions: Companion dogs may play an important role in the lives of people recently diagnosed with cancer.

Implications for psychosocial providers: Health care providers can help to support the bond with a companion dog.     

Brief Report: Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure, Considering Acculturation Among Hispanics (Project URECAH)

Very few studies have examined acculturation of Hispanics as it relates to skin cancer prevention attitudes and behaviors. This pilot study used the Abbreviated Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans-II to classify 14-25-year-old Hispanics as traditional, bicultural, or acculturated. More acculturated individuals reported significantly higher perceived benefits of ultraviolet radiation exposure and lower worry about skin damage than traditional individuals. Bicultural individuals reported using sunscreen significantly more often than acculturated individuals. These preliminary data suggest that more acculturated Hispanic young adults may demonstrate riskier skin cancer-related attitudes and behaviors than others.     

Combination treatment for nicotine dependence: state of the science

Both nicotine replacement and sustained-release buproprion double the odds of achieving short- and moderate-term abstinence from nicotine. However, questions remain about the efficacy of combining pharmacotherapies. Our purposes were to review the evidence for (1) combined pharmacotherapy and (2) multimodal treatment combining pharmacotherapy and behavioral treatment and to recommend combinations of treatments to reduce nicotine dependence. Combining first-line pharmacotherapies with each other or with investigational drugs shows little benefit. In contrast, trials combining specific behavioral treatments with first-line pharmacotherapies show enhanced smoking cessation rates, but benefits are not seen in all populations. We recommend future directions for research, including better specification of behavioral components and further examination of the length and timing of treatment.     

Psychosocial correlates of sunburn among young adult women

Skin cancer is an increasingly common disease, particularly among young adult women. Sunburn early in life is a risk factor for skin cancer. Few studies have reported on psychosocial correlates of sunburn. The current study consisted of an online survey of undergraduate women from a university in the northeastern part of the USA. A logistic regression demonstrated that young women who reported a history of four or more sunburns were significantly more likely to report fair skin, higher perceived susceptibility to skin cancer, greater perceived benefits of tanning (e.g., appearance enhancement), lower perceived control over skin protection, and more frequent sunscreen use. Sunbathing was not associated with a greater number of sunburns. These results suggest that young women who sunburn more often possess other skin cancer risk factors, are aware of their susceptibility to skin cancer, and try to use sunscreen, but feel limited control over their skin protection behavior and are not less likely to sunbathe than others. Therefore, interventions are needed to assist high risk young women in asserting more control over their sun protection behavior and perhaps improve the effectiveness of the sunscreen or other skin protection methods they do employ.     

The impact of medication regimen factors on adherence to chronic treatment: a review of literature

This article reviews recent literature in chronic illness or long-term health management including asthma, contraception, diabetes, HIV disease, and hypertension/cardiovascular disease, mental disorders, pain, and other diseases to determine the relationship between regimen factors and adherence to medications. The authors conducted an electronic literature search to detect articles published between 1998 and 2007. Articles were included if they pertained to a chronic illness or to contraception, included a clear definition of how adherence was measured, and included regimen factors as primary or secondary explanatory variables. Methodology of the studies varied greatly, as did methods of measuring adherence and regimen factors. Surprisingly few of these articles concerned (1) chronic treatment, (2) regimen factors such as dosing, pill burden, and regimen complexity, and (3) adherence measured in a clear manner. Most studies failed to use state-of-the-art methods of measuring adherence. Despite these flaws, a suggestive pattern of the importance of regimen factors, specifically dose frequency and regimen complexity, emerged from this review.     

Expression and regulation of kit ligand in the ovary of the hen

The Kit system, composed of Kit ligand (KL) and its tyrosine kinase receptor, cKit, has been well characterized in mammals. Studies have shown that it is involved in signaling between the oocyte and somatic cells during the process of follicle maturation. We characterized KL mRNA expression during follicle maturation in the domestic hen, examined regulation of KL and a possible function of the Kit system. KL mRNA expression was assessed using quantitative PCR (n=4 replicates) in follicles of various sizes (1, 3, 5, 6-12mm, F1). Expression of KL mRNA decreased significantly (p<0.01) with follicle development and was highest in <1mm follicles, which contained the theca as well as granulosa layers, with high levels also found in the granulosa layer of 3mm follicles and ovarian stroma. To study regulation of KL mRNA, granulosa cells from 6-8mm follicles (n=4 replicates) were plated in M199 plus 0.1% BSA in the presence of various treatments including: oocyte conditioned medium (OCM), Vitamin D(3), FSH, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone. OCM caused a dose-related increase (p<0.05) in expression of KL mRNA; Vitamin D(3) increased and FSH decreased expression of KL mRNA. cKit was detected (at the expected size) in the theca layer of 3-5mm follicles and in a lysate of whole <1mm follicles. Culture of granulosa cells in the presence of OCM resulted in a decrease of P4 secretion, an effect blocked by pre-incubation of OCM with cKit antibody. Although OCM caused a dose-related increase in E2 secretion from theca, this was not blocked by cKit antibody.     

Inequalities in prosthetic rehabilitation among elderly people: the importance of context

Giordani JMA, de Slavutzky SMB, Koltermann AP, Pattussi MP. Inequalities in prosthetic rehabilitation among elderly people: the importance of context. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2011; 39: 230–238. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Objective: It has been demonstrated that social, economic, and environmental factors may influence individuals’ oral health conditions, particularly among vulnerable groups such as elderly people. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between contextual factors and the need for full dental prosthesis among elderly people. Methods: This was a cross‐sectional population‐based epidemiological study of multilevel nature, with two levels of analysis: individual and contextual (municipal). Data at the individual level were obtained from oral clinical examinations (WHO criteria) in 5349 individuals aged 65–74. Data at the contextual level were obtained from the United Nations Development Program for the 250 Brazilian municipalities participating in the survey. The outcome was the need for a full dental prosthesis for at least one arch. Exposures at the contextual level included socioeconomic, demographic, and dental service data. Data analysis used multilevel logistic regression. Results: After controlling for individual socioeconomic, demographic, and dental service variables, the chance of needing full prosthesis was higher in municipalities with lower educational levels than in better‐off ones (OR 1.57; 95% CI: 1.09–2.27) and lower in municipalities with fewer dentists (per capita) (OR 0.71; 95% CI: 0.52–0.97), compared to those with more dentists. Conclusion: This study can contribute to the identification of priority municipalities, helping healthcare authorities and communities to formulate equitable public oral healthcare policies that improve the quality of life for this population.