Nutrient intake and dental health in school children

Diet refers to the customary allowance of food and drink taken by a person from day to day. The diet may affect dental caries by reacting with the enamel surface and by serving as a substrate for cariogenic microorganisms. This study examined the role of specific nutrients in the caries experience of elementary school children. 120 children aged between 6-11, who attended the Pedodontics Department of Marmara University, Faculty of Dentistry for routine dental treatment received a dental examination, parent interview, and a 3-day diet diary. The diary was completed adequately for 100 children (83%). The average daily intake of nutrients were computed and total sugar consumption and Ca/P ratio were calculated. Each child's gender, age, fluoride history, socio-economic state of the family, previous dental experience, brushing habit, and nutrient intake were examined as independent variables. No association was apparent between dental caries and the intake of specific nutrients or Ca/P ratio, except with total sugar consumption.     

Dental recall status and unscheduled dental attendances in British warships

When deployed away from base, men and women aboard seagoing vessels have restricted access to dental care. Situations may arise in which untreated disease, acute infections, failing restorations, or trauma result in pain or discomfort. Military dental health care delivery systems seek to minimize episodes of dental pain through routine screening by recall and delivery of treatment. A 12-month survey of all unscheduled attendances aboard British warships was conducted to establish the frequency and nature of cases, particularly with respect to recall status. One thousand three hundred forty-one reports were received from 66 ships and shore-based clinics, equivalent to approximately 52 occurrences per 1,000 personnel per year. The nature of the causes was widely varied. Significant relationships were apparent for recall status (treatment required) and the reported causes of dental caries (odds ratio [OR] 4.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-13.8), periapical abscess (OR 3.19, CI 1.06-10.03), and failed restorations (OR 4.22, CI 1.31-15.01). In terms of mean time elapsed since last dental visit, those cases in the Fit/Fleet Ready group went 154 days, whereas those in the Treatment Required dental recall group went a mean of only 95 days.     

The status of aggressive children and victims of aggression in school

A series of analogues of pentoxifylline metabolites were prepared in the purine, pteridine, [1,2,5]-thiadiazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine, and quinazoline ring systems and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) in human peripheral blood monocytes stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The more active compounds were also tested for inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase type IV (PDE IV) from human neutrophils in order to help determine their mechanism of action. Selected compounds which showed good activity in the in vitro TNF alpha assay were evaluated in an in vivo LPS-induced leukopenia model in mice. The most potent compounds in the TNF alpha assay, 6, 31, and 58, inhibited TNF alpha production at an IC50 of approximately 5 microM for each. Compound 58 was a very poor inhibitor of PDE IV but was the most active at preventing the leukopenia induced by TNF alpha in mice, providing more than 60% protection at 50 mg/kg. Thus, compounds such as 58, which are good inhibitors of TNF alpha production but are devoid of PDE IV inhibitory properties, may have potential as new antiinflammatory agents.     

Declining prevalence of dental caries in school children in Singapore

Slime layers and capsules are common amongst medically relevant bacteria. We herein report that Treponema denticola, which has been associated with periodontitis, synthesizes or acquires an extracellular polysaccharide layer that we have observed through electron microscopy using the polysaccharide-specific dye Alcian blue and phosphotungstate. We have also visualized this extracellular layer by dark-field microscopy of Alcian blue-stained spirochete cells. A representative strain of each of the oral spirochete species T. denticola, Treponema vincentii and Treponema socranskii were differentiated by concanavalin A, phaseolus, lotus A and arachis lectins in a microtiter plate immunoassay for the detection of surface sugars.     

Minimal criteria of epidemiologic studies of dental health of school children]

OBJECTIVE: To understand the developmental psychopathology of eating disorders, it is crucial to explain the large gender discrepancy in the rates of these disorders, especially anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In this paper, meta-analysis was used to examine the relationship between gender role adherence and the existence of eating problems. METHOD: Of the 69 studies examined, 22 contained data deemed valid for the analyses. Measures of difference (d) and homogeneity were calculated. These studies used the Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ) or the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) to measure gender role adherence. RESULTS: Findings indicated a small, heterogeneous positive relationship between femininity and eating problems and a small, heterogeneous negative relationship between masculinity and eating problems. Studies that used a clinical sample showed a larger discrepancy in masculinity scores between the eating-disordered and the control groups than did studies using surveys to identify eating problems. Six studies measured gender role traditionalism. The eating-disordered groups did not differ significantly on these measures compared to the control groups. DISCUSSION: Despite construct validity problems with the use of the PAQ and the BSRI in this area of study, data suggest that gender role is related to eating problems. Crucial aspects of femininity likely to be related to eating problems need to be operationalized and their link to eating disorders examined.     

The status of indirect restorative dental materials

The ideal restorative material should enable restoration of teeth that have either suffered trauma or have been prepared during the removal of caries to their original function and appearance. At the same time a seal should develop between the material and the tooth to prevent bacteria-laden fluids from permeating the dentine and reaching the pulp. Few, if any, of the available materials fulfil these requirements. This, the second of a short series, considers the status of indirect restorative materials as the millennium approaches. In this review indirect restorative materials are regarded as those which call not only upon the dexterity and judgement of the dental practitioner, but also upon the skills of the dental technician and techniques of construction that are suitable for use only in a laboratory. Included in this group are the dental casting and bonding alloys, dental ceramics and those resin composites that are shaped, cured and finished in the laboratory.     

Hygienic assessment of indicators of the nutritional status of Monchegorsk school children

Diets, energy expenditures, physical and mental performance, anthropometric indices, ascorbic acid excretion, and morbidity rates were studied in 7-9-year-old schoolchildren of Monchegorsk, Murmansk Region. The alimentary features found served as the basis for developing sanitary recommendations to optimize diets and to promote children's health.     

Changes in dental caries prevalence of school children in Araraquara, SP, Brazil

Previous reports indicate that venous thrombosis is an infrequent problem in patients with HIV infection. Despite this, various HIV-related factors have been proposed as potentially thrombogenic and an HIV-related hypercoagulability has been suggested. At the present time, there exists no consensus of opinion regarding prophylaxis against venous thrombosis for hospitalized patients with HIV. This article aims to provide an overview of venous thrombosis in HIV infection with particular reference to published and personal evidence for possible risk factors and their implications for prophylaxis.     

The asthmatic dental and oral surgery patient. A review of management considerations

Asthmatic dental patients are common and require special care. Management strategies are becoming less empirical as our understanding of the disease increases. Prevention, early detection and treatment of acute asthmatic exacerbations are the cornerstones of safe treatment.     

The effect of ascorbate on cellular humoral immunity in asthmatic children

Ten White children with bronchial asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction were assessed immunologically before and 1, 3 and 6 months after the commencement of standard therapy supplemented with ascorbate 1 g/d. The tests of cellular immune function were neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis and resting and stimulated nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, and lymphocyte mitogen-induced transformation. Humoral functions measured were secretory IgA, serum immunoglobulins, alpha 1-antitrypsin, C3, C4 and total haemolytic complement, antistreptolysin O (ASO) and C-reactive protein. Radio-allergosorbent testing to the common allergens Cynodon dactylon (grass), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (mite), house dust and cat epithelium was performed on each child before and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Two children had depressed neutrophil motility, 4 had depressed lymphocyte transformation, and 7 had elevated levels of ASO. These functions normalized after 6 months of ascorbate-supplemented therapy. Serum total IgE levels but not specific IgE levels were likewise reduced after 6 months of therapy. Reduced levels of serum alpha 1-antitrypsin were observed in 2 children, and remained unchanged throughout the study.     

Are asthmatic children educationally handicapped?

Discusses the impact of asthma on children's educational experiences. Respiratory arrest or hypoxia may lead to neuropsychological changes in a few cases, and some medications may produce mild, temporary changes, affecting learning and classroom performance. For most asthmatic children, their illness does not result in permanent brain function changes that compromise their educational adaptation and performance. Increased school absence, stress of chronic illness, isolation from peers, diminished physical activities, reduced adult expectations and self esteem, and depression can compromise children's academic adaptation and progress. Co-occurrence of factors like severe illness, poverty, and family dysfunction may increase the risk for educational and psychosocial impairment. Systematic and comprehensive education of asthmatic patients, their parents, and school personnel is crucial to improving the control of asthma and activity level. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Spontaneous IgE production in asthmatic children

In this study, we demonstrated spontaneous IgE production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of asthmatic children. In 26 asthmatic children, the level of spontaneous IgE ranged 0.1-15.0 IU/ml and in 5 healthy normal children showed under 0.051 IU/ml. In 5 of asthmatic children, specific antibody of Dermatophagoides farinae was detected from PBMC by CAP RAST. In healthy normal children, specific antibody of Df was not detected. Spontaneous IgE production by PBMC and serum IgE level showed well correlation (gamma = 0.835, p < 0.001). Spontaneous IgE production and specific antibody of Df by PBMC also showed well correlation (gamma = 0.717, p < 0.001) IgE production of asthmatic children was inhibited by IFN-gamma.     

The occlusal status of disabled children

The occlusal status of children in 6 schools for the handicapped was determined using the Occlusal Index (O.I.) of Summers (1966). Two dentists examined 381 children who had not previously received orthodontic treatment. An additional questionnaire investigating treatment interests and habits was also completed for each child. The study showed that 74,5 per cent required treatment, 10,5 per cent had good occlusions and 15 per cent had slight malocclusions where treatment was not considered essential. The mean O.I. was 7,92 +/- 4,33. Schools with mainly cerebral and mentally disabled children had a slightly higher O.I. but the difference in values was not statistically significant. The analysis also showed that 40,6 per cent of children were interested in receiving orthodontic treatment, but only 0,5 per cent were planning to seek it. There is a need for orthodontic treatment amongst disabled children and this should be taken into account in future oral health care planning.     

The effect of intervention methods on nutritional status and cognitive function of primary school children infected with Ascaris lumbricoides

OBJECT: The blood supply of the lower spinal cord is heavily dependent on the artery of Adamkiewicz, which characteristically originates from one of the thoracolumbar segmental arteries. The aforementioned artery is of enormous clinical, surgical, and radiological importance, and the goal of this study was to elucidate the course and branches of the segmental artery that gives rise to this important vessel. METHODS: In this cadaveric, microsurgical anatomical study, the authors investigate and describe the course and branches of the artery of Adamkiewicz and the segmental branch from which it ultimately originates. A review of the literature is provided. CONCLUSIONS: By documenting the microsurgical anatomy of these important vessels, this study facilitates an understanding of the anatomy that will aid in treatment planning for surgery of various lesions in this area.     

The impact of a mobile dental system on a school community. Part III--Teachers and parents response to a mobile dental system at school

According to the principles of the Primary Health Care Approach, planning and implementation of community health programmes should be carried out with the full participation of the community concerned (WHO, 1978). The introduction of the Mobile Dental System to the school environment is an example of a "Community health care/technology approach" where the programme was determined by the professionals for the community and not by the community for itself. Teachers play an important role in the implementation of oral health care programmes in the school, while parents provide the vital and appropriate context and continuity for the success of such programmes. This paper, therefore, deals with the responses of teachers and parents to an introduction of a mobile dental system at their school. A self-administered mostly open-ended questionnaire was distributed to all teachers in the four schools that participated in preventive programmes and were served by the Mobile Dental System. Based on the results it seems that both the teachers and the parents were apathetic in their commitment to the programme although they were quite willing to participate. Their participation was confined to compliance with instructions or suggestions given by the health professionals. It is clear that under these conditions the potential to sustain the momentum created by the introduction of the MDS is limited. It seems that only if the community is involved in the determination of their preferential needs, planning of the appropriate programme and playing an active role in its implementation, will the programme have a chance of long term success.     

Moral reasoning, classroom behavior, and sociometric status among elementary school children.

Relations among moral reasoning, classroom behavior, and sociometric status were investigated in a sample of 133 2nd and 3rd graders. It was hypothesized that hedonistic and needs-oriented moral reasoning, 2 forms of L. Kohlberg's (1984) Stage 2 moral reasoning, would be differentially related to teachers' ratings of classroom behavior and to sociometric status. Among boys, hedonistic moral reasoning was associated with the lack of social competencies, acting-out behavior, and low social preference. In addition to influencing sociometric status indirectly through social behavior, moral reasoning was found to explain variance in sociometric status not accounted for by either acting out or social competencies. Results support N. Eisenberg's (1986) claim that hedonistic and needs-oriented reasoning are qualitatively distinct. Although both forms of reasoning characterize Kohlberg's Stage 2, it is hedonistic reasoning, not needs-oriented reasoning, that appears to be associated with poor social behavior and, in turn, low sociometric status. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)