Interleukin 4 induces rapid mucin transport, increases mucus thickness and quality and decreases colitis and Citrobacter rodentium in contact with epithelial cells.

Citrobacter rodentium infection is a murine model for pathogenic intestinal Escherichia coli infection. C. rodentium infection causes an initial decrease in mucus layer thickness, followed by an increase during clearance. We aimed to identify the cause of these changes and to utilize this naturally occurring mucus stimulus to decrease pathogen impact and inflammation. We identified that mucin production and speed of transport from Golgi to secretory vesicles at the apical surface increased concomitantly with increased mucus thickness. Of the cytokines differentially expressed during increased mucus thickness, IFN-γ and TNF-α decreased the mucin production and transport speed, whereas IL-4, IL-13, C. rodentium and E. coli enhanced these aspects. IFN-γ and TNF-α treatment in combination with C. rodentium and pathogenic E. coli infection negatively affected mucus parameters in vitro, which was relieved by IL-4 treatment. The effect of IL-4 was more pronounced than that of IL-13, and in wild type mice, only IL-4 was present. Increased expression of Il-4, Il-4-receptor α, Stat6 and Spdef during clearance indicate that this pathway contributes to the increase in mucin production. In vivo IL-4 administration initiated 10 days after infection increased mucus thickness and quality and decreased colitis and pathogen contact with the epithelium. Thus, during clearance of infection, the concomitant increase in IL-4 protects and maintains goblet cell function against the increasing levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ. Furthermore, IL-4 affects intestinal mucus production, pathogen contact with the epithelium and colitis. IL-4 treatment may thus have therapeutic benefits for mucosal healing.

Orthodontic treatment and the oral health-related quality of life of patients.

OBJECTIVE: Malocclusion is a common oral disorder, can cause negative impacts on oral conditions, social life and patients' self confidence. The objective of this study was to determine whether orthodontic treatment influence oral health related quality of life (OHQoL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional design with self-reported data were collected from 302 participants attended at professional orthodontic office (62% female; mean age, 21.71 years) in two "treatment" and "no treatment" groups. The measure namely (oral health impact profile) OHIP-14 was used to assess the patient's OHQol. Linear regression model was used in the data analysis. RESULTS: A significant relationship was found in one question and one domain of OHIP-14 between the two groups (P<0.05) which showed difference in physical limitation. Linear regression model showed that in the treatment group, this domain of OHQoL was 1.86 times less likely complicated than in the "no treatment" group. CONCLUSION: Patients who had completed orthodontic treatment had a better OHQoL in physical aspects than those who never had treatment.

Validation of a Persian Version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14).

BACKGROUND: The oral health-related quality of life indicators are increasingly used to measure the impact of the oral conditions on quality of life. One of the most used indicators is the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), but it has never been applied in Iran. The aim of this study was to validate the usage of OHIP-14 among Iranians. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in Kerman (Iran). A consecutive sample (n= 400) of the Kerman Dental School Clinics attending patients participated in this study. All participants self-completed the translated OHIP-14. Reliability analyses, validity tests, and responsiveness were carried out to evaluate the psychometric properties of the OHIP-14. RESULTS: The reliability coefficient (Cronbach's alpha) of the OHIP-14 was above the recommended 0.7 threshold and considered excellent (alpha: 0.85). The coefficient of the test-retest reliability measured by ICC was 0.88 (CI 95%: 0.80-0.93). Poorer oral condition was strongly associated with OHIP scores of the patients, supporting construct validity. Moreover, for evaluation of responsiveness, the ES was measured to be 0.43 and the SRM was 0.67. CONCLUSIONS: The Persian version of OHIP-14 is a precise, valid and reliable instrument for assessing oral health-related quality of life among Persian population.