Plaque and saliva fluoride levels after placement of fluoride releasing pit and fissure sealants

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to investigate the fluoride levels in plaque and saliva before and after applying fluoride-containing pit and fissure sealants, and compare the fluoride release of 2 types of sealants at the different time intervals. METHODS: Eighteen children ages 6 to 9 years were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group 1--sealant containing fluorosilicate glass (Helioseal-F); and group 2--sealant containing methacryloyl fluoride-methyl methacrylate copolymer (Teethmate-F). Saliva and plaque samples were collected before and after the sealants were placed on their 4 first permanent molars. Fluoride levels were determined using the microdiffusion method. Fluoride concentrations before and after placing the sealants were analyzed by paired t test, and the fluoride concentrations between the 2 sealants were compared by t test, with the level of significance at 0.05. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between salivary fluoride levels before and after sealant placement application in both groups. The plaque fluoride level of Helioseal-F group at 24 hours was significantly higher than the baseline level (P = .03), and was not different afterwards. The plaque fluoride levels after sealant with Teethmate-F were not significantly different when compared to the baseline. However, there were no significant differences between salivary and plaque fluoride levels of the 2 groups at different time intervals. CONCLUSIONS: The groups sealed with sealant containing fluorosilicate glass showed significant increase of plaque fluoride level only at 24 hours after sealant placement.     

The initial stages of adsorption of plasma derived proteins on artificial surfaces in a controlled flow environment

Surfaces of amorphous carbon, polystyrene, and polycarbonate were exposed to solutions of fibrinogen, a modified fibrinogen which lacked the alpha chain protuberance, and serum albumin. The results were studied by electron microscopy. The exposures occurred in a well characterized flow environment at a shear rate of 135/s. All three protein species formed a film when adsorbed to carbon films. When the proteins were adsorbed to polystyrene surfaces, formation of a network was observed. Polycarbonate surfaces adsorbed the proteins both as a network and as a continuous film. It was observed that the nature of the adsorption process depended upon the specific combination of molecule and material. For example, on carbon, individual fibrinogen molecules retain their trinodular structure and adsorb randomly until a monolayer forms. On polystyrene, the individual fibrinogen molecules appear as globules and a network forms before complete coverage occurs.     

Salivary oxidative stress biomarkers in chronic periodontitis and acute coronary syndrome

Clinical Oral Investigations - The study aimed at assessing oxidative stress (OS) biomarker levels in the saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and...     

The effect of high calcium milk and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate on enamel erosion caused by cholinated water

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of high calcium milk and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) on enamel erosion caused by chlorinated water. Thirty-six bovine enamel samples without wear or caries 3x4 mm in size were placed in acrylic blocks. All specimens were randomly allocated into 3 groups (n=12/group): CPP-ACP in the form of paste, Anlene concentrated milk and a control (no treatment). All specimens were soaked in chlorinated water (pH =5.0) at room temperature for 72 hours following by soaking in artificial saliva for 30 minutes. Then, microhardness was determined using a microhardness tester. Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and paired t-test. The microhardness value change in the control group was significantly higher than the other groups. No significant differences were seen between the 2 study groups. High calcium milk and CPP-ACP enhanced remineralization of enamel erosion caused by chlorinated water.     

The effect of different milk formulas on dental plaque pH

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were (1) to investigate the effect of different milk formulas on dental plaque pH after rinsing with these three categories, type of protein-based formulas (milk-based, soy-based, protein hydrolysate), type of sugar (only lactose, lactose and other sugars, only non-milk extrinsic sugars), and casein ratio (high and low casein), and (2) to observe organic acids formed by different milk formulas. METHODS: Baseline plaque pH and plaque pH at 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 60 min after rinsing with milk formulas were recorded by a combination electrode in 14 healthy subjects. Deionized water and 10% sucrose were used as a negative and positive control. The plaque sample was also analysed to identify and quantify the organic acids using a high-performance liquid chromatography. Parameters including minimum pH, maximum pH drop, and area under curve were compared by RMANOVA and paired t-test. RESULTS: The minimum pH was not significantly different among different protein-based formulas, whereas, the maximum plaque pH drop of soy-based and milk-based formula was significantly higher than that produced by protein hydrolysate formula (P=0.022 and 0.03, respectively). Area under curve produced by soy-based and milk-based formulas was significantly larger than that created by protein hydrolysate formula (P=0.025 and<0.001, respectively). Milk formulas containing only lactose caused significantly less plaque pH change in minimum pH (P<0.001), maximum pH drop (P=0.003), and area under curve (P<0.001) when compared with formulas containing lactose and other sugar but not with special formulas containing only non-milk extrinsic sugar. Similarly, special formulas containing non-milk extrinsic sugar produced significantly lower minimum pH and smaller area under curve than formulas containing lactose and other sugar did (P=0.044 and 0.009, respectively). No different results were found between high and low casein follow-on formulas. Lactic acid was produced more by rinsing with formulas containing lactose and other sugars than that produced by formulas containing only lactose. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that milk formulas containing added other sugars tend to cause a decrease in plaque pH.     

HMSH2 gene alterations associated with recurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral cancer, one of the ten most widespread cancers in Thailand, is a major public health problem. The aim of the study was to assess hMSH2 and hMLH1 gene mutations, microsatellite DNA alterations, and investigate the association between these alterations and clinicopathological features of oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in a sample of Thai patients. Microsatellite alterations at D2S391, D3S647, D17S513, and D17S520 were detected at a frequency of 40.6%. Among these alterations, 12.5% exhibited loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at D3S647 and D17S513, while 34.4% exhibited microsatellite instability (MI) at D2S391, D17S513, and D17S520. Polymorphic change in the intronic region of hMSH2 at IVS 1 nt 211+9, c-->g was observed in 50% of cases. Significant correlation was observed between IVS 1 nt 211+9 polymorphism and the recurrence status of the patients (p = 0.030, OR = 10.67). This study demonstrated that the polymorphism of hMSH2 at IVS 1 nt 211+9 (c-->g) was associated with oral cancer recurrence status and could be used as a biomarker for prognosis and follow-up treatment of oral cancer.     

Anti-metastatic effects of aqueous extract of Helixanthera parasitica

Metastasis, the spread of cancer in body, is a major cause of death. We have screened anti-metastatic activity of aqueous and dichloromethane extracts of several not previously studied Thai herbs, using an in vitro invasion test. This involves the in vitro invasion of HCC-S102, a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line derived from a Thai patient, through a reconstituted-basement membrane (Matrigel). The aqueous extract of a plant (Helixanthera parasitica) revealed a significant inhibitory effect on the cancer cell invasion, and showed antioxidant activity. The aqueous extract was partially purified by silica gel column chromatography, and the highest anti-metastatic activity fraction showed 83% inhibition of invasion with low cytotoxic effect. However, anti-metastatic activity was not associated with the antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract.     

The molecular basis of mucopolysaccharidosis type I in two Thai patients

Two Thai patients diagnosed with Hurler syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type 1, MPS I) were found to have no detectable alpha-iduronidase (E.C. 3.2.1.76) activity in leukocytes, while normal Thai children all had significant activity, with a mean of 135 +/- 30 nmol/mg/18h. One patient was heterozygous for A75T (311G>A) and S633L (1986C>T) mutation, previously reported to cause MPS I, together with 9 other heterozygous polymorphisms also found in normal controls. The other patient had the previously described frameshift mutation 252insert C and a new nonsense mutation E299X (983G>T).