The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on oral health, at age 9 years, of daily oral supplementation with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri, strain ATCC 55730, to mothers during the last ...month of gestation and to children through the first year of life. The study was a single-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial involving 113 children: 60 in the probiotic and 53 in the placebo group. The subjects underwent clinical and radiographic examination of the primary dentition and carious lesions, plaque and gingivitis were recorded. Saliva and plaque were sampled for determination of mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB) in saliva and plaque as well as salivary secretory IgA (SIgA). Forty-nine (82%) children in the probiotic group and 31 (58%) in the placebo group were caries-free (p < 0.01). The prevalence of approximal caries lesions was lower in the probiotic group (0.67 ± 1.61 vs. 1.53 ± 2.64; p < 0.05) and there were fewer sites with gingivitis compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to frequency of toothbrushing, plaque and dietary habits, but to intake of fluoride supplements (p < 0.05). There were no intergroup differences with respect to L. reuteri, MS, LB or SIgA in saliva. Within the limitation of this study it seems that daily supplementation with L. reuteri from birth and during the first year of life is associated with reduced caries prevalence and gingivitis score in the primary dentition at 9 years of age.
Breast cancer 1 (BRCA1)-associated breast cancers are mostly basal-like high-grade ductal carcinomas that frequently overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Aberrant EGFR expression is ...correlated with disease progression, resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, and poor clinical prognosis. Although BRCA1 is involved in multiple cellular processes, its functional role in EGFR regulation remains enigmatic. Here, we report a previously unrecognized posttranscriptional mechanism by which BRCA1 regulates EGFR expression through the induction of miR-146a. We demonstrate that EGFR expression correlates negatively with BRCA1, whereas miR-146a levels increase with BRCA1. We show that BRCA1 binds to MIR146A promoter and activates transcription, which in turn attenuates EGFR expression. Knockdown of miR-146a in BRCA1-overexpressing cells negated this effect and suppressed its ability to inhibit proliferation and transformation. In archived triple-negative breast cancer samples, we show a strong positive correlation between BRCA1 and miR-146a expression. We also show that low expression of miR-146a strongly predicts positive lymph node status and is associated with distinctively poor overall survival of patients. Together, these observations provide an insight into a novel BRCA1miR-146aEGFR paradigm by which BRCA1 carries out an aspect of tumor suppressor function that is potentially amenable to therapeutic intervention.
The aim of the present case-control study was to investigate dental caries, various caries-related factors as well as gingival condition, in 12- to 16-year-olds with long-term asthma (n = 20) and a ...matched healthy control group (n = 20). Data on dietary and oral hygiene habits, numbers of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in saliva were also obtained. The plaque pH drop after a sucrose rinse was measured up to 40 min at 2 approximal tooth sites. A lower salivary flow rate was found in the asthma group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The mean (± SD) of DFS, including manifest and initial caries, was 4.9 ± 5.5 in the asthma and 1.4 ± 2.3 (p < 0.01) in the control group. Only 1 adolescent in the asthma group was caries free compared to 13 in the control group. Concerning pH in plaque, adolescents with asthma had a lower initial value (p < 0.01) and final pH (p < 0.05) than the control group. The Cariogram data showed that 55% of the subjects in the control group had ‘a high chance of avoiding caries’ compared to 10% in the asthma group (p < 0.01). The asthmatic adolescents had higher numbers of sites with gingival bleeding (p < 0.01). To conclude, adolescents with long-term asthma had a higher total DFS and caries risk (according to Cariogram), decreased salivary rate, more gingival bleeding and lower plaque pH than adolescents without asthma.
We describe two cases of donor‐derived methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia that developed after transplantation of organs from a common donor who died from acute MRSA ...endocarditis. Both recipients developed recurrent MRSA infection despite appropriate antibiotic therapy, and required prolonged hospitalization and hospital readmission. Comparison of S. aureus whole genome sequence of DNA extracted from fixed donor tissue and recipients' isolates confirmed donor‐derived transmission. Current guidelines emphasize the risk posed by donors with bacteremia from multidrug‐resistant organisms. This investigation suggests that, particularly in the setting of donor endocarditis, even a standard course of prophylactic antibiotics may not be sufficient to prevent donor‐derived infection.
This manuscript describes two cases of donor‐derived methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia, confirmed through comparison of S. aureus whole genome sequence of DNA extracted from fixed donor tissue and recipients' isolates, that developed after transplantation of organs from a common donor who died from acute MRSA endocarditis. Also see case report by Altman et al on page 2640.
Background/Aim: There are few studies of caries development and caries-related factors from early age to young adulthood. The aim of the present study is to analyse caries prevalence in 20-year-olds ...in relation to their previous caries experience. Method: Oral health from 3 to 20 years of age was followed longitudinally in a cohort of 499 individuals. The clinical and radiographic incidence of caries and restorations in 494 20-year-olds was related to caries data at 3, 6 and 15 years of age. Results: Twenty-six per cent of the 20-year-olds were caries-free. The mean number of initial and manifest lesions and restorations (Di + mFS) was 5.8. Initial lesions comprised 40% of the Di + mFS. Of the occlusal surfaces of molars and premolars, 12 and 4%, respectively, had manifest caries or restorations. Compared with individuals who had been caries-free during childhood (primary dentition) and adolescence, those with a history of caries activity while growing up had statistically significantly more approximal lesions at the age of 20 (DmFSa 0.6 vs. DmFSa 4.6, respectively). Those with manifest caries during childhood but caries-free at 15 years had a low caries prevalence at 20 years of age (DmFSa 1.3). Few new lesions developed after age 15. However, 50% of initial lesions at this age had progressed to manifest lesions at age 20. Conclusion: There is a relationship between caries prevalence at age 20 and early caries experience.
Communication for the Internet of things (IoT) currently is predominantly narrowband and cannot always guarantee low latency and high reliability. Future IoT applications such as flexible ...manufacturing, augmented reality and self-driving vehicles rely on sophisticated real-time processing in the cloud to which mobile IoT devices are connected. High-capacity links that meet the requirements of the upcoming 6G systems cannot easily be provided by the current radio-based communication infrastructure. Light communication, which is also denoted as LiFi, offers huge amounts of spectrum, extra security and low-latency transmission free of interference even in dense reuse settings. We present the current state-of-the-art of LiFi systems and introduce new features needed for future IoT applications. We discuss results from a distributed multiple-input multiple-output topology with a fronthaul using plastic optical fibre. We evaluate seamless mobility between the light access points and also handovers to 5G, besides low-power transmission and integrated positioning. Future LiFi development, implementation and efforts towards standardization are addressed in the EU ELIoT project which is presented here.
The U.S. is experiencing an alarming opioid epidemic, and although American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) are especially hard hit, there is a paucity of opioid-related treatment research with ...these communities. AI/ANs are second only to Whites in the U.S. for overdose mortality. Thus, the National Institute on Drug Abuse convened a meeting of key stakeholders to elicit feedback on the acceptability and uptake of medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders (OUDs) among AI/ANs. Five themes from this one-day meeting emerged: 1) the mismatch between Western secular and reductionistic medicine and the AI/AN holistic healing tradition; 2) the need to integrate MAT into AI/AN traditional healing; 3) the conflict between standardized MAT delivery and the traditional AI/AN desire for healing to include being medicine free; 4) systemic barriers; and 5) the need to improve research with AI/ANs using culturally relevant methods. Discussion is organized around key implementation strategies informed by these themes and necessary for the successful adoption of MAT in AI/AN communities: 1) type of medication; 2) educational interventions; 3) coordination of care; and 4) adjunctive psychosocial counseling. Using a community-based participatory research approach is consistent with a “two eyed seeing” approach that integrates Western and Indigenous worldviews. Such an approach is needed to develop impactful research in collaboration with AI/AN communities to address OUD health disparities.
•AI/ANs exhibit alarming opioid use disorder (OUD) related health disparities.•MAT implementation with AI/ANs requires integrating MAT into traditional healing.•Some barriers to MAT implementation involve unique cultural considerations.•A “two-eyed seeing” approach uses both Western and indigenous worldviews.•Collaborative research is needed to address the AI/AN OUD health disparities.
The aim of the present investigation was to study the prevalence of approximal caries lesions and fillings in posterior teeth at 15 years of age in a prospectively followed Swedish population (n = ...568), with special reference to their caries experience at the age of 3 years. Only approximal surfaces were recorded, since all children in the Community of Jönköping have had fissure sealing performed on all caries-free permanent molars. At 15 years of age, the mean number of approximal tooth surfaces with initial caries lesions (Dia), manifest caries lesions and fillings (DmFa) and total caries experience and fillings (Di + mFa) – recorded on bitewing radiographs – was 2.78 , 0.45 and 3.23, respectively. One third of the adolescents had no approximal caries or fillings; the Dia constituted 86% of the Di + mFa. Children with manifest caries at 3 years of age had a higher risk of developing approximal caries in their permanent teeth than caries-free children at the same age (41 vs. 17%). Furthermore, children who were caries-free at 3 years of age were more likely to remain caries-free at 15 years of age compared to children with manifest caries (37 vs. 17%). All these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Additionally, early childhood caries experience (developed before 3 years of age) had a greater predictive value than late childhood caries experience (developed between 3 and 6 years of age) concerning approximal caries at 15 years of age.
The aim was to investigate whether oral hygiene habits and parent-related factors, recorded in early childhood, have a predictive value in relation to approximal caries experience (including initial ...caries lesions) at the age of 15 years (n = 568). Data were selected from examinations, interviews and questionnaires at 1 and 3 years and bitewing radiographs at 15 years. Four levels of cut-off points for the statistical analysis were used: DFa = 0, > 0, ≧4 and ≧8. In the final logistic regression analyses, mother’s self-estimation of her oral health care being less good remained statistically significant and predicted a caries experience of DFa > 0 at 15 years. The following four variables predicted DFa ≧4: (1) female gender, (2) plaque on maxillary incisors at 1 year, (3) mother’s self-estimation of her oral health care being less good and (4) father being less satisfied with his social situation. Two variables predicted DFa ≧8: (1) toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste just once a day, and (2) father being less satisfied with his social situation. Furthermore, children who failed to attend the examination at 1 year of age had 6.95 ± 5.36 (mean ± SD) DFa at 15 years compared with 3.10 ± 3.85 for children who were examined at 1 year of age (p < 0.01). To conclude, factors explaining good dental health at 15 years of age pertained to both children and parents. Thus, it seems that good oral hygiene habits, established in early childhood, provide a foundation for a low experience of approximal caries in adolescents.
PDF
