Abstract Objectives This study compared the effect of three flavonoids: proanthocyanidin, naringin and quercetin on the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of ...demineralised dentine. Methods Thirty teeth were sectioned into 0.5 mm × 1.7 mm × 7 mm beams for MOE measurement. Another 30 non-carious molars were sectioned into 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm thick dentine beams for UTS testing. Demineralised specimens were divided into three groups according to treatments: 6.5% proanthocyanidin, 6.5% quercetin and 6.5% naringin. Specimens were kept in their respective solutions and tested at baseline, 10 min, 30 min, 1 h and 4 h. The MOE of each specimen was determined using a three-point bending test at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. For UTS evaluation, each specimen was tested in tension until failure using a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Means and standard deviation were calculated. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey test were used to evaluate the effect of flavonoid treatment and treatment duration on MOE and UTS. Results Both MOE and UTS were significantly affected by flavonoid treatment ( p < 0.001) and treatment duration ( p < 0.001). Interaction of the two factors was significant for MOE ( p < 0.001), but not for UTS ( p > 0.05). Flavonoid treatment improved the mechanical properties of demineralised dentine in the order: proanthocyanidin > quercetin > naringin. It took a longer time for the flavonoids to produce a significant change in UTS, when compared to MOE. Conclusion Proanthocyanidin was more effective than quercetin and naringin in improving biomechanical properties of dentine matrix, thereby enhancing preventive and reparative dental therapies. Clinical Significance Despite its larger molecular size, proanthocyanidin was more effective than quercetin and naringin, in enhancing the biomechanical properties of demineralised dentine.
During the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, dental education and training requiring face-to-face interaction must prioritize infection prevention and the safety of students, ...staff, and patients. In July 2020, the Association for Dental Education, Asia Pacific (ADEAP) published safety guidelines for safe dental education during the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines summarize ADEAP recommendations for classroom-based courses, reopening of simulated training courses and dental clinics, and provision of clinical skills training courses in dentistry during the COIVID-19 pandemic. They have been formulated to ensure the safety of students and teaching staff, dental auxiliary staff, and patients. However, the present guidelines are considered appropriate only when the number of COVID-19 epidemic cases has been significantly reduced, i.e. when the epidemiological curve has flattened in the area concerned. The criteria for lifting restrictions on activities should be consistent with relevant jurisdictional guidelines.
Much attention has been paid to advocate proper oral care/hygiene provision by healthcare providers in long-term care institutions (LTCIs). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an oral health ...education (OHE) programme (intervention) on knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of healthcare providers in providing oral care/hygiene to older residents in LTCIs.
A case control study was conducted at two LTCIs, with one assigned as the intervention group and the other as the control group. A KAP survey was administered before and after the intervention, and oral status was assessed by standardized clinical photographs taken before and after oral hygiene provision on three older residents.
A total of 40 healthcare providers (20 in intervention and 20 in control groups) participated, with the attitudes and overall KAP significantly improved in the intervention group after the OHE programme. Interestingly, the knowledge of those in the control LTCI was significantly declined at re-evaluation (mean scores were from 17.25 to 14.30), indicating inadequate oral health and care training despite having more experience in taking care of older people. Significant differences in practice were observed between the two groups after the OHE programme (
= 0.006). The three older residents exhibited poor oral health and multiple oral problems.
This study revealed that the OHE programme effectively improved attitudes of the healthcare providers and provided a sustaining effect on attitude towards oral health and oral care. However, there were still inadequacies in oral hygiene provision by some healthcare providers, possibly due to unattended oral diseases and hygiene needs, as well as personal and environmental barriers that merit further investigation. Regular evaluation and enforcement of oral care/hygiene provision in LTCIs are necessary to maintain oral health and prevent dental and gum diseases in older residents. Immediate referral for dental treatment is recommended for older people with signs of dental/oral disease(s).
Single-cell technologies have become essential to driving discovery in both basic and translational investigative dermatology. Despite the multitude of available datasets, a central reference atlas ...of normal human skin, which can serve as a reference resource for skin cell types, cell states, and their molecular signatures, is still lacking. For any such atlas to receive broad acceptance, participation by many investigators during atlas construction is an essential prerequisite. As part of the Human Cell Atlas project, we have assembled a Skin Biological Network to build a consensus Human Skin Cell Atlas and outline a roadmap toward that goal. We define the drivers of skin diversity to be considered when selecting sequencing datasets for the atlas and list practical hurdles during skin sampling that can result in data gaps and impede comprehensive representation and technical considerations for tissue processing and computational analysis, the accounting for which should minimize biases in cell type enrichments and exclusions and decrease batch effects. By outlining our goals for Atlas 1.0, we discuss how it will uncover new aspects of skin biology.
Background Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of clinically and genetically diverse and autosomal-dominant disorders characterised by neurological deficits in the cerebellum. At present, ...there is no cure for SCAs. Of the different distinct subtypes of autosomal-dominant SCAs identified to date, causative genes for only a fraction of them are currently known. In this study, we investigated the cause of an autosomal-dominant SCA phenotype in a family that exhibits cerebellar ataxia and pontocerebellar atrophy along with a global reduction in brain volume. Methods and results Whole-exome analysis revealed a missense mutation c.G1391A (p.R464H) in the coding region of the coiled-coil domain containing 88C (CCDC88C) gene in all affected individuals. Functional studies showed that the mutant form of CCDC88C activates the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, induces caspase 3 cleavage and triggers apoptosis. Conclusions This study expands our understanding of the cause of autosomal-dominant SCAs, a group of heterogeneous congenital neurological conditions in humans, and unveils a link between the JNK stress pathway and cerebellar atrophy.
To achieve a balanced composition of the product in terms of nutritive value, many researchers recommend combining meat raw materials with vegetable components. The paper presents a technique to ...optimize the formulation of minced meat semi-finished products developed by mathematical modeling. The main components of semi-finished products are broiler chicken meat, egg melange, and onion, protein-fat emulsion made of chickpea flour, sunflower oil and water. Optimization was aimed at obtaining the ratio of the components to meet the requirements established for nutritive values. At the same time, the recommended amount of vitamin and mineral for adults and the requirements of normative documentation for the quality of semi-finished meat products were taken into account. The target function was the protein content to obtain its maximum value. The optimized formulation obtained was used to make samples of meat semi-finished products, and sensory indicators were evaluated. The results showed that addition of chickpea flour affected the product color. Thus, we can conclude that mathematical modeling is an efficient tool to fabricate a product with desired properties. A combination of raw materials of vegetable and animal origin allows development of nutritionally balanced formulation.
Abstract
Background
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors presaging the development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It is a risk factor for severe coronavirus disease 2019 ...(COVID-19).
Purpose
To estimate the prevalence of MetS in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018.
Methods
This cohort study included 22370 eligible participants aged ≥20 years from the NHANES 2011–2018. MetS was defined as the presence of at least three of these components: central obesity, reduced high-density lipoprotein, elevated triglycerides, elevated blood pressure and elevated fasting blood glucose. The prevalence of MetS was estimated taking into account the complex sampling. The time trend was evaluated using logistic regression. Annual percentage changes (APC) were measured trend in MetS prevalence.
Results
The prevalence of MetS was 36.2% (95% CI, 32.3–40.3), 34.8% (95% CI, 32.3–37.4), 39.9% (95% CI, 36.6–43.2) and 38.3% (95% CI, 35.3–41.3) in 2011–2, 2013–4, 2015–6, 2017–8, respectively (P for trend = 0.08). Among the MetS components, the prevalence of elevated glucose increased from 48.7% (95% CI, 45.9–51.5) in 2011–2 to 64.3% (95% CI, 61.0–67.4) in 2017–8 P for trend <0.001; APC=11.7, (95% CI, 3.5–21.0). The prevalence of MetS in non-Hispanic Asian increased from 21.8% (95% CI, 16.7–28.0) in 2011–2 to 31.2% (95% CI, 27.4–35.3) in 2017–8 P for trend <0.001; APC=14.6, (95% CI, 2.5–34.8).
Conclusions
The prevalence of MetS remained stable during 2011 to 2018. Lifestyle modification is needed, especially among non-Hispanic Asians to prevent the metabolic syndrome and the associated risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Abstract
Introduction
Diuretics are commonly used for the treatment of hypertension. Yet, hypokalaemia is a well-recognized adverse effect.
Purpose
To evaluate the proportion of patients taking ...indapamide who developed severe hypokalaemia, defined as requiring hospitalisation. Indapamide was by far the most commonly used diuretic for hypertension in Hong Kong.
Methods
We searched the Hong Kong Hospital Authority Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System, which is a territory-wide database of computerised medical records. All hypertensive patients prescribed indapamide monotherapy in 2007–2016 and all admissions due to hypokalaemia in 2007–2018 were traced. Factors associated with hospitalisation were studied using multivariable logistic regression.
Results
During the study period, 62,881 patients were started on indapamide and 509 (0.81%) were hospitalised for hypokalaemia. 59% of these hospitalisations occurred within 16 weeks. Female sex (OR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.43–2.09) and immediate-release formulation (OR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.16–1.78) were associated with hospitalisation. In the multivariable model, advanced age was not a significant predictor. There were no deaths during hospitalisation and the median length of hospital stay was one day.
Conclusions
In this large population-based study with 147614 person-years of follow-up, severe hypokalaemia requiring hospitalisation was uncommon among hypertensive patients on indapamide. Half of these occurred during the first 16 weeks. Female sex and the immediate release formulation increased the risk. We conclude that using indapamide to treat hypertension is safe, even in the elderly, especially if the sustained release formulation is used and electrolytes are monitored periodically.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
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