School adjustment of adolescents with sequential bilateral cochlear implants in mainstream school.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the school adjustment of adolescents with sequential bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) in mainstream educational settings. This study aims to investigate the school adjustment of adolescents with sequential bilateral CIs, in comparison to those of age-matched adolescents with typical hearing (TH), to explore the relationships between individual variables and school adjustment in the bilateral CI group, and to assess the factors leading to strong school adjustment in the bilateral CI group. METHODS: Twenty-five adolescents with sequential bilateral CIs and 30 adolescents with TH, aged 13-19 years, participated in this study. The adolescents completed the school adjustment scale (SAS). RESULTS: The two groups were not significantly different on overall SAS scores. However, the TH group scored higher on the SAS than the sequential bilateral CI group with regard to communication skills and relationships with peers. In the bilateral CI group, SAS scores significantly correlated with open-set sentence and receptive vocabulary scores. Receptive vocabulary scores were a significant predictive factor for the level of school adjustment for the bilateral CI group. CONCLUSION: Adolescents who received sequential bilateral CIs adapted well to mainstream schools. However, they did experience barriers to communication and to make friends in mainstream schools, and their level of school adjustment was affected by their receptive vocabulary skills.

Factors Related to the Number of Existing Teeth among Korean Adults Aged 55-79 Years.

This study aimed to determine the association between the number of existing teeth (NET) and socioeconomic status (SES), oral health-related behaviours, and metabolic syndrome in Korean adults aged 55-79 years. The study included 3255 adults who underwent oral health examinations and answered questionnaires regarding SES, oral health-related behaviours, and metabolic diseases in the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2015). The dependent variable was the binary status based on the median NET in each age group. The independent variables were based on SES, oral health-related behaviours, and the presence of metabolic syndrome. The study findings showed that the factors associated with the NET were sex, household income, education level, region of residence, daily toothbrushing frequency, dental visit within 1 year, smoking, and metabolic syndrome. NET was lower in males (adjusted OR: 0.74), in low household income group (adjusted OR: 0.77), in primary school graduates (adjusted OR: 0.53), in rural residents (adjusted OR: 0.78), and in medicaid beneficiaries (adjusted OR: 0.78). The interventions aimed at preserving existing teeth in elderly population should consider their SES, oral health-related behaviours, and metabolic syndrome and overhauling current oral healthcare system and redefining the roles of oral health professionals.

Association between Periodontitis and Metabolic Syndrome in a Korean Nationally Representative Sample of Adults Aged 35-79 Years.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between periodontitis and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to investigate risk factors associated with MetS in Korean adults aged 35 to 79 years. Among individuals aged 35-79 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2015, 8314 participants who completed the required examinations and questionnaires were included. Confounding variables related to demographic and socioeconomic status and systemic and oral health-related behaviors were age, gender, household income, education level, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, and frequency of daily toothbrushing. Of the 8314 participants, 32.2% were diagnosed with MetS. The prevalence of MetS was 26.6% and 41.6% in those without and with periodontitis, respectively. Among individuals with periodontitis, the prevalence of MetS was 44.3% in males and 36.9% in females. Compared to non-periodontitis, periodontitis was associated with MetS (adjusted OR = 1.422, 95% CI: 1.26-1.61). Age, frequency of daily toothbrushing, and periodontitis were associated with MetS in both males and females. While current smoking and alcohol intake more than twice a week were significantly associated with MetS in males, household income and education level were significantly associated with MetS in females. The findings suggest that periodontitis can be associated with MetS.

Fluorescence change of Fusobacterium nucleatum due to Porphyromonas gingivalis.

The aim of this study was to measure changes in the fluorescence of Fusobacterium nucleatum interacting with Porphyromonas gingivalis for excitation with blue light at 405-nm. P. gingivalis was mono- and co-cultivated in close proximity with F. nucleatum. The fluorescence of the bacterial colonies was photographed using a QLF-D (Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence-Digital) Biluminator camera system with a 405 nm light source and a specific filter. The red, green and blue intensities of fluorescence images were analyzed using the image analysis software. A fluorescence spectrometer was used to detect porphyrin synthesized by each bacterium. F. nucleatum, which emitted green fluorescence in single cultures, showed intense red fluorescence when it was grown in close proximity with P. gingivalis. F. nucleatum co-cultivated with P. gingivalis showed the same pattern of fluorescence peaks as for protoporphyrin IX in the red part of the spectrum. We conclude that the green fluorescence of F. nucleatum can change to red fluorescence in the presence of adjacent co-cultured with P. gingivalis, indicating that the fluorescence character of each bacterium might depend on the presence of other bacteria.

The Flavonoid Jaceosidin from Artemisia princeps Induces Apoptotic Cell Death and Inhibits the Akt Pathway in Oral Cancer Cells.

Jaceosidin is a single compound from the Japanese mugwort Artemisia princeps, which is used as a food and a traditional medicinal herb. A. princeps extracts and flavonoid components have been shown to have antihyperglycaemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Although the anticancer properties of these extracts were recently demonstrated, the related mechanisms have not been characterised. In this study, we investigated the effects of jaceosidin in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells and initially showed selective suppression of proliferation (IC50 = 82.1 µM in HSC-3 cells and 97.5 µM in Ca9.22 cells) and accumulation of cells at the sub-G1 stage of the cell cycle. In addition, jaceosidin increased cleavage of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in OSCC cells, although caspase-8 was not detected. In further experiments, jaceosidin downregulated Akt phosphorylation and ectopic activation of Akt blocked the antiproliferative effects of jaceosidin. Finally, we showed that jaceosidin has no effects on HaCaT normal epithelial cell viability, indicating selective chemotherapeutic potential of jaceosidin and that tumour-specific downregulation of Akt increases apoptosis and inhibits growth in OSCC cells.

Caries detection and quantification around stained pits and fissures in occlusal tooth surfaces with fluorescence.

Occlusal discoloration due to staining frequently occurs on the pits and fissures of teeth. Noncariogenic discoloration (non-CD) refers to the attachment of staining chromogens to sound surfaces, whereas cariogenic discoloration (CD) represents the discoloration of porous structures due to bacterial metabolites and mineral loss from the enamel surface. This study evaluated whether it is possible to distinguish between non-CD and CD on stained occlusal surfaces with fluorescence assessed by the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology. Sixty-two extracted human permanent teeth with suspected discolorations on the pit and fissure were examined. The maximum values of fluorescence loss (ΔFmax) and red fluorescence gain (ΔRmax) were calculated using QLF images. Using histology as the gold standard, it was found that 12 teeth were sound (non-CD), while 50 teeth had enamel and dentine caries (CD). The validity tests at the enamel histological caries level, ΔRmax (ρ = 0.80) were strongly correlated with the histology (P < 0.001). At the optimum threshold (105.0) of ΔRmax, it showed high levels of sensitivity and specificity (0.96 and 0.83, respectively). Therefore, QLF can be used to distinguish non-CD from CD on occlusal surfaces using red fluorescence values with high validity.

Remineralization effects when using different methods to apply fluoride varnish in vitro.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Remineralization efficacy for early caries lesion may change when fluoride varnish (FV) is applied directly or indirectly to the lesion. This in vitro study compared direct and indirect remineralization efficacies of FV on artificial caries lesions and evaluated acid-resistance of lesion remineralized by FV and artificial saliva. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six bovine demineralized specimens were allocated to four varnish groups (Duraphat®, EnamelPro®, MI™, and ClinproWhite™, n = 28 each) and a negative-control group (n = 14). Half of specimens from each varnish group had the FV applied and the other specimens didn't. The specimens treated and not treated with the FV were immersed together in 20 mL of artificial saliva at 37 °C for 24 h. Then the applied FV was removed carefully from the specimen, and immersion process was continued in fresh artificial saliva for 48 h. The negative-control group was immersed in artificial saliva for same time as in varnish groups. The acid resistance of remineralized specimens from varnish groups was compared to negative-control group. Vickers microhardness number (VHN) was measured to evaluate re-demineralization effect. RESULTS: The ΔVHN was significantly higher for indirect remineralization (134.4 ±â€¯31.5, mean ±â€¯SD) than for direct remineralization (66.8 ±â€¯27.9). All varnish groups showed significant differences between the direct and indirect application methods. The acid resistance of remineralized specimens was higher in the all FV groups than in the negative-control. CONCLUSION: This in vitro study confirmed that the remineralization effect of fluoride varnishes would be higher in the vicinity than the underneath of the varnish treated surface.

Antibacterial photodynamic therapy with curcumin and Curcuma xanthorrhiza extract against Streptococcus mutans.

BACKGROUND: Bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to conventional antibacterial chemotherapy. This has prompted the application of antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in bacteria-related diseases due to its excellent biocide effects. However, few studies have attempted to develop a novel photosensitizer based on natural components. The aim of the present study was to compare the aPDT effects of curcumin and Curcuma xanthorrhiza extract (CXE) against Streptococcus mutans. METHODS: A planktonic suspension containing an S. mutans strain was treated in three separate groups: aPDT with curcumin, CXE, and a mixture of curcumin and CXE (ratio= 1:1) at concentrations of 0, 10, 102, 103, and 104ng/ml. Light irradiation with a center wavelength of 405nm was applied using an LED (power density of 84.5mW for 300s at an energy density of 25.3J/cm2). The phototoxicity of photosensitizers against S. mutans was investigated using a colony-forming-unit assay. Percentage logarithmic reductions [log10(CFU/ml) values] were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey test (p<0.05) and Student's independent t-test. RESULTS: The viability of S. mutans in the presence of curcumin, CXE, and a mixture of these two components was substantially reduced during irradiation with 405nm light. The phototoxicity of the photosensitizer varied with its solubility and concentration. CONCLUSION: These preliminary in vitro findings imply that combining curcumin and CXE with a 405nm LED may be a novel method of applying aPDT. This could be advantageous in preventing and treating dental caries using devices that are readily available in clinics.

Photodiagnosis of White Spot Lesions after Orthodontic Treatment with a Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence-Digital System: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: To confirm that the quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D) system is an adequate tool for monitoring changes in the mineral contents of white spot lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three anterior teeth from five orthodontic patients were selected for the samples. Initial fluorescent images were taken with the QLF-D system immediately after removing the fixed orthodontic appliances, and the white spot lesions were visualised in the fluorescent images that were selected. Subsequently, a fluoride varnish containing 0.1% fluoride was applied to all white spot lesions, and the final QLF-D images were taken two weeks after fluoride treatment. Finally, the following four parameters were compared between the images taken at baseline and two weeks after the treatment with paired t-tests: the mean fluorescence loss (∆F), maximum fluorescence loss (∆Fmax), lesion area (area), and lesion volume (∆Q). RESULTS: All the parameters obtained by QLF-D after two weeks had improved significantly when compared with baseline (p < 0.01). The recovery rates of the ∆F, ∆Fmax, area, and ∆Q were 11.4%, 17.1%, -37.5%, and 42.1%, respectively. Shallow lesions (∆Fi ≥ -15%) were better remineralized than deep lesions (∆Fi < -15%). The ratios of the ∆F, ∆Fmax, area, and ∆Q parameters between the shallow and deep lesions were 2.86, 3.30, 2.20, and 1.88, respectively. CONCLUSION: The QLF-D system is a sensitive tool for the assessment of small levels of mineral changes in carious lesions after the removal of orthodontic appliances.

Salivary bisphenol A levels and their association with composite resin restoration.

Composite resin has been increasingly used in an effort to remove minimal amount of tooth structure and are used for restoring not just carious cavities but also cervical abrasion. To synthesize composite resin, bisphenol A (BPA) is used. The aim of the study was to measure the changes in salivary BPA level related with composite resin restoration. ELISA was used to examine the BPA levels in the saliva collected from 30 volunteers whose teeth were filled with composite resin. Salivary samples were collected immediately before filling and 5 min and 7 d after filling. Wilcoxon signed-ranks test and linear regression were performed to test the significant differences of the changes in BPA levels in saliva. Before a new composite resin filling, there was no significant difference between with and without existing filling of composite resin and BPA level in the saliva was not correlated to the number of filled surfaces with composite resin. However, BPA level in the saliva increased to average 3.64 µg/L from average 0.15 µg/L after filling 5 min. BPA level increased in proportion with the number of filled surfaces. BPA level decreased to average 0.59 after filling 7 d. However it was higher than the BPA level before a new composite resin filling. Considering 50 µg/kg/day as the Tolerable Daily Intake of BPA suggested by European Food Safety Authority, the amount of BPA eluted in saliva after the composite resin filling is considered a safe level that is not a hazard to health at all.

Kochia scoparia induces apoptosis of oral cancer cells in vitro and in heterotopic tumors.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Kochia scoparia grows commonly in China, Japan, and Korea and its mature fruit has been used throughout the area in traditional medicine to treat diseases including skin problems and inflammatory and allergic disease. More importantly, Kochia scoparia has been prescribed to treat the malignant tumor of head and neck region and breast mass. Although it has been proposed as an anti-cancer agent for several cancers, its exact in vivo anti-cancer properties and the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects are poorly understood. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the anti-cancer activity of the methanol extract of K. scoparia, mature fruit (MEKS) on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to explore its mode of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction by MEKS, MTT assays, cell analysis, ANNEXIN V and PI double staining, and Hoechst 33342 staining were performed. The activation of caspases and the MAP kinase p38 was evaluated using Western blot analysis. The anti-cancer properties of MEKS in vivo were elucidated in a heterotopic OSCC animal model. RESULTS: After OSCC cells were treated with MEKS, the numbers of sub-G1 accumulated cells and apoptotic bodies increased, indicating that MEKS inhibited OSCC cell proliferation selectively through induction of apoptosis. Apoptosis of MEKS-treated OSCC cells was induced in a dose-dependent manner by caspase-3 and -9 activation. In addition, pretreatment with p38 inhibitor SB203580 in combination with MEKS significantly prevented MEKS-induced apoptosis in OSCC cells and also decreased cleaved capase 3, 9, and cleaved PARP activity in western blotting. MEKS treatment significantly increased the apoptosis of OSCC and inhibited tumour growth in our animal model. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results indicated that MEKS induced apoptosis of OSCC cells through caspase activation involving the p38 MAPK pathway. MEKS could be a promising anti-cancer candidate for OSCC treatment.

The decline in dental caries among Korean children aged 8 and 12 years from 2000 to 2012 focusing SiC Index and DMFT.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence and severity of dental caries among Korean children aged 8 and 12 years over a period of 12 years by determining the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) and the Significant Caries index (SiC index). METHODS: Stratified cluster-sampled data from the National Oral Health Survey conducted from 2000 to 2012 were analysed. In 2000, 2006, and 2012, a total of 2397, 2650, and 9601 children aged 8 and 12 years were examined, respectively. The children's oral health status, including the number of DMFT and fissures sealed teeth, was examined and recorded. The SiC index was calculated according to the child's residential district. RESULTS: Over the 12-year period, the percentages of caries-free children aged 8 and 12 years increased from 26.0 to 42.7 % and from 53.4 to 69.6 %, respectively. The percentages of children aged 8 and 12 years with sealed teeth in 2012 were 62.1 and 62.5 %, respectively, more than triple the rates in 2000. The mean DMFT values of children aged 8 and 12 years decreased from1.04 to 0.67 and from 2.86 to 1.84, respectively. The SiC index of children aged 8 and 12 years also decreased from 2.73 to 1.97 and from 6.13 to 4.51, respectively. The rate of reduction in DMFT among 8- and 12-year-old children in the second 6 years of the observation period was lower than that in the first 6 years. CONCLUSIONS: A remarkable decline in dental caries of 8- and 12-year-old Korean children was observed over the 12-year study period. The mean DMFT values and SiC index of children aged 8 and 12 years decreased. The reduction rate between 2000 and 2006 was higher than that between 2006 and 2012.

Poncirus trifoliata Rafin. induces the apoptosis of triple-negative breast cancer cells via activation of the c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways.

BACKGROUND: Poncirus trifoliata Rafin. is a traditional medicine with known anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Traditionally, it is used to control chronic inflammation, allergy and gastrointestinal diseases such as digestive ulcers gastritis in China, Japan, and Korea. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the apoptosis-inducing activity of a P. trifoliata methanol extract (MEPT) and elucidate the molecular mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-cancer effect of MEPT and its underlying mechanisms were investigated in breast cancer cells using 3,4,5-dimethyl N-methylthiazol-2-yl-2, 5-d-phenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, cell cycle analysis, and western blotting. RESULTS: MEPT suppressed the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells with inhibition dose 50% value of 119.44 µg/mL at 24 h, which have features typical of triple-negative breast cancer cells. MEPT also altered the characteristic features of the MDA-MB-231 cells and increased the proportion of cells undergoing sub-G1 arrest. In addition, MEPT increased levels of caspase 8 and 3 in MDA-MB-231 cells, whereas caspase 9 was not detected. In addition, MEPT-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) and TNFR type 1-associated death domain (TRADD) protein and the activations of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that MEPT has chemotherapeutic potential in triple-negative breast cancer and that at the molecular level its effects are derived from the activations of TNFR and of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Autophagic Cell Death by Poncirus trifoliata Rafin., a Traditional Oriental Medicine, in Human Oral Cancer HSC-4 Cells.

Poncirus trifoliata Rafin. has long been used as anti-inflammatory and antiallergic agent to treat gastrointestinal disorders and pulmonary diseases such as indigestion, constipation, chest fullness, chest pain, bronchitis, and sputum in Korea. P. trifoliata extract has recently been reported to possess anticancer properties; however, its mechanisms of action remain unclear. In this study, its antiproliferative effects and possible mechanisms were investigated in HSC-4 cells. The methanol extract of P. trifoliata (MEPT) significantly decreased the proliferation of HSC-4 cells (inhibitory concentration (IC)50 = 142.7 µg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner. While there were no significant changes observed upon cell cycle analysis and ANNEXIN V and 7-AAD double staining in the MEPT-treated groups, the intensity of acidic vesicular organelle (AVO) staining and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain (LC) 3-II protein expression increased in response to MEPT treatment. Furthermore, 3-methyladenine (3-MA, autophagy inhibitor) effectively blocked the MEPT-induced cytotoxicity of HSC-4 cells and triggered the activation of p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) proteins. Taken together, our results indicate that MEPT is a potent autophagy agonist in oral cancer cells with antitumor therapeutic potential that acts through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.

Comparison of the Masticatory Functions of Complete Dentures and Implant-Retained Overdentures.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the masticatory functions of complete dentures before and after the insertion of a LOCATOR attachment. The mixing ability index with a two-colored paraffin wax cube was used to quantify masticatory performance. In addition, degree of satisfaction with the treatment was assessed using a visual analog scale. The mixing ability index for the implant-retained overdentures and the complete dentures were calculated (-0.03±1.38 and -2.10±1.57, respectively), as were the visual analog scales of the implant-retained overdentures and the complete dentures (8.9±1.5 and 4.3±1.7, respectively). The paired t test revealed significant improvements (P<.001).

Mechanical properties and polymerization shrinkage of composite resins light-cured using two different lasers.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of 457 and 473 nm lasers for the curing of composite resins during the restoration of damaged tooth cavity. BACKGROUND DATA: Monochromaticity and coherence are attractive features of laser compared with most other light sources. Better polymerization of composite resins can be expected. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight composite resins were light cured using these two lasers and a light-emitting diode (LED) light-curing unit (LCU). To evaluate the degrees of polymerization achieved, polymerization shrinkage and flexural and compressive properties were measured and compared. RESULTS: Polymerization shrinkage values by 457 and 473 nm laser, and LED ranged from 10.9 to 26.8, from 13.2 to 26.1, and from 11.5 to 26.3 µm, respectively. The values by 457 nm laser was significantly different from those by 473 and LED LCU (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between values by 473 and LED LCU. Before immersion in distilled water, flexural strength (FS) and compressive modulus (CM) of the specimens were inconsistently influenced by LCUs. On the other hand, flexural modulus (FM) and compressive strength (CS) were not significantly different for the three LCUs (p>0.05). For the tested LCUs, no specific LCU could consistently achieve highest strength and modulus from the specimens tested. CONCLUSIONS: Two lasers (457 and 473 nm) can polymerize composite resins to the level that LED LCU can achieve despite inconsistent trends of polymerization shrinkage and flexural and compressive properties of the tested specimens.

Gene-diet interactions in gastric cancer risk: a systematic review.

AIM: To conduct a systematic review of the published epidemiological studies investigating the association of the interactions between gene variants and dietary intake with gastric cancer risk. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE for articles published between January 2000 and July 2013, and 38 studies were identified. Previous studies included various dietary factors (e.g., fruits and vegetables, soybean products, salt, meat, and alcohol) and genetic variants that are involved in various metabolic pathways. RESULTS: Studies suggest that individuals who carry high-risk genetic variants and demonstrate particular dietary habits may have an increased risk of gastric cancer compared with those who do not carry high-risk genetic variants. Distinctive dietary patterns and variations in the frequency of genetic variants may explain the higher incidence of gastric cancer in a particular region. However, most previous studies have limitations, such as a small sample size and a retrospective case-control design. In addition, past studies have been unable to elucidate the specific mechanism in gene-diet interaction associated with gastric carcinogenesis. CONCLUSION: Additional large prospective epidemiological and experimental studies are required to identify the gene-diet metabolic pathways related to gastric cancer susceptibility.

The effects of physical activity on breast cancer survivors after diagnosis.

Adverse health outcomes are often seen in breast cancer survivors due to prolonged treatment with side effects such as loss of energy and lack of physical strength. Physical activity (PA) has been proposed as an adequate intervention for women with breast cancer. Therefore, this review summarizes the effects of physical activity on breast cancer survivors after diagnosis. We searched electronic databases including PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Google Scholar for articles published between January 1980 and May 2013. We included a variety of studies such as randomized controlled trials, pilot studies, and clinical trials. We reviewed these studies for three major outcomes: changes in breast cancer mortality, physiological functions, and metabolic biomarkers. Of 127 studies, 33 studies were selected as eligible studies. These studies included physical activities of varying type, duration, frequency, and intensity (e.g., aerobic and resistance training) and examined changes in three major outcomes among breast cancer survivors. Many of the studies suggest that breast cancer survivors benefit from engaging in physical activity, but some studies were limited in their ability to provide adequate evidence due to relatively small sample sizes, short intervention periods, or high attrition. Based on epidemiological evidence, recent studies demonstrated that those breast cancer survivors who engaged in physical activity significantly lowered their risk of breast cancer mortality and improved their physiological and immune functions. Some studies demonstrated changes in metabolic biomarkers such as insulin and insulin-like growth factors. However, further investigation is required to support these findings because these results are not consistent.