Hyaluronan Export through Plasma Membranes Depends on Concurrent K+ Efflux by Kir Channels

Hyaluronan is synthesized within the cytoplasm and exported into the extracellular matrix through the cell membrane of fibroblasts by the MRP5 transporter. In order to meet the law of electroneutrality, a cation is required to neutralize the emerging negative hyaluronan charges. As we previously observed an inhibiting of hyaluronan export by inhibitors of K+ channels, hyaluronan export was now analysed by simultaneously measuring membrane potential in the presence of drugs. This was done by both hyaluronan import into inside-out vesicles and by inhibition with antisense siRNA. Hyaluronan export from fibroblast was particularly inhibited by glibenclamide, ropivacain and BaCl2 which all belong to ATP-sensitive inwardly-rectifying Kir channel inhibitors. Import of hyaluronan into vesicles was activated by 150 mM KCl and this activation was abolished by ATP. siRNA for the K+ channels Kir3.4 and Kir6.2 inhibited hyaluronan export. Collectively, these results indicated that hyaluronan export depends on concurrent K+ efflux

Design und Qualitätskontrolle der zahnmedizinischen Untersuchung in der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie [Design and quality control of the oral health status examination in the German National Cohort (GNC)]

BACKGROUND: Caries and periodontitis are highly prevalent worldwide. Because detailed data on these oral diseases were collected within the framework of the German National Cohort (GNC), associations between oral and systemic diseases and conditions can be investigated. OBJECTIVES: The study protocol for the oral examination was designed to ensure a comprehensive collection of dental findings by trained non-dental staff within a limited examination time. At the mid-term of the GNC baseline examination, a first quality evaluation was performed to check the plausibility of results and to propose measures to improve the data quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A dental interview, saliva sampling and oral diagnostics were conducted. As part of the level‑1 examination, the number of teeth and prostheses were recorded. As part of the level‑2 examination, detailed periodontal, cariological and functional aspects were examined. All examinations were conducted by trained non-dental personnel. Parameters were checked for plausibility and variable distributions were descriptively analysed. RESULTS: Analyses included data of 57,967 interview participants, 56,913 level‑1 participants and 6295 level‑2 participants. Percentages of missing values for individual clinical parameters assessed in level 1 and level 2 ranged between 0.02 and 3.9%. Results showed a plausible distribution of the data; rarely, implausible values were observed, e.g. for measurements of horizontal and vertical overbite (overjet and overbite). Intra-class correlation coefficients indicated differences in individual parameters between regional clusters, study centres and across different examiners. CONCLUSIONS: he results confirm the feasibility of the study protocol by non-dental personnel and its successful integration into the GNC's overall assessment program. However, rigorous dental support of the study centres is required for quality management

Compliance mit Hygienerichtlinien in der zahnmedizinischen Praxis eines Universitätskrankenhauses

Aim: Compliance with infection control practices is the key to quality care and excellence in dentistry. Infection control remains one of the most cost-beneficial interventions available. However, implementing control procedures requires full compliance of the whole dental team. The aim of our study was to measure the compliance in daily clinical practice.Methods: The compliance with infection control practices in dentistry by dental health care personnel (DHCP) in a German university dental clinic was observed during clinical work. In addition, a survey was conducted to assess the individual knowledge about infection control procedures. Contamination of the workplace during invasive dental procedures was tested, as well.Results: A total of 58 invasive dental treatments implying close contacts between HCWs and patients were scrutinized. All HCWs (100%) wore gloves during dental work, but in some cases (female dentists: 14.3%; dental assistants: 28.6%) gloves were neither changed nor hands were disinfected between different activities or patient contacts (female dentists: 68.6%; male dentists: 60.9%; dental assistants: 93%). Only 31.4% of female and 39.1% of male dentists carried out adequate hygienic hand disinfection after removing gloves. Male dentists wore significantly more often (100%) protective eyewear compared to 77.1% of female dentists (p<0.05). In addition, most of female dentists (62.9%) and dental assistants (80.7%) wore jewelry during dental procedures. Conclusion: Despite the knowledge of distinct hygiene procedures only a small percentage of dental staff performs hygiene practices according to recommended guidelines. Strict audit is clearly needed in the dental setting to ensure compliance with infection control guidelines to prevent transmission of pathogens. Our results provide insights for the development of a targeted education and training strategy to enhance compliance of dental staff especially of dental assistants with infection control procedures.Ziel: Die Einhaltung von Hygienerichtlinien ist der Schlüssel zur Gewährleistung einer hohen Qualität und exzellenten Patientenversorgung in der Zahnheilkunde. Infektionskontrolle bleibt eine der kosteneffektivsten Interventionen die zur Verfügung stehen. Allerdings erfordert die erfolgreiche Implementierung von Hygienerichtlinien die vollständige Compliance des gesamten Praxisteams. Das Ziel unserer Studie war es, diese Compliance im täglichen klinischen Alltag zu messen.Methoden: Die Compliance mit Hygienerichtlinien in der Zahnmedizin durch das zahnmedizinische Personal (ZP) in einer deutschen Universitätszahnklinik wurde während der klinischen Arbeit beobachtet. Zusätzlich wurde eine Umfrage durchgeführt, um das individuelle Wissen über Maßnahmen zur Infektionskontrolle zu erfassen. Des Weiteren wurde die mikrobiologische Umgebungskontamination des Arbeitsplatzes während der Durchführung von invasiven zahnärztlichen Eingriffen getestet.Ergebnisse: Insgesamt wurden 58 invasive zahnärztliche Behandlungen, welche engen Kontakt zwischen ZP und Patienten erfordern, ausgewertet. Alle des ZP (100%) trugen Handschuhe während der zahnärztlichen Arbeit, aber in einigen Fällen (Zahnärztinnen: 14,3%; Zahnarzthelferinnen: 28,6%) wurden die Handschuhe weder gewechselt, noch die Hände zwischen den verschiedenen Tätigkeiten oder Patientenkontakten desinfiziert (Zahnärztinnen: 68,6%; Zahnärzte: 60,9%; Zahnarzthelferinnen: 93%). Nur 31,4% der weiblichen und 39,1% der männlichen Zahnärzte führten eine korrekte hygienische Händedesinfektion nach dem Ausziehen der Handschuhe durch. Männliche Zahnärzte trugen signifikant häufiger (100%) Schutzbrillen im Vergleich zu 77,1% der weiblichen Zahnärzte (p<0,05). Zudem trugen die meisten der weiblichen Zahnärzte (62,9%) und der Zahnarzthelferinnen (80,7%) Schmuck.Fazit: Trotz Kenntnis von Hygienerichtlinien befolgt nur ein kleiner Prozentsatz des ZP die empfohlenen Richtlinien. Eine strenge Auditierung und fachliche Weiterbildung des ZP ist notwendig, um die Einhaltung von Hygienerichtlinien in der Zahnheilkunde zu gewährleisten und um die Übertragung von Krankheitserregern sicher zu verhindern. Unsere Ergebnisse liefern Erkenntnisse zur Entwicklung einer gezielten Fortbildungsstrategie, um die Compliance des ZP mit Hygienerichtlinien, vor allem von Zahnarzthelferinnen, zu verbessern

Ex vivo assessment of the buccal and oral bone by CBCT

Purpose!#!Identifying buccal and oral bone as an important supporting periodontal structure for teeth provides important information for treatment planning in periodontics and orthodontics. This study aims to add evidence to the knowledge of preciseness of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) measurements of the vertical dimension of buccal and oral bone. The hypothesis is that CBCT is an accurate and reliable method to measure vertical vestibular and oral bone loss.!##!Methods!#!The amount of vertical buccal and oral bone loss (bl) of 260 sites of 10 human cadavers was investigated clinically and radiographically by CBCT. Radiographic measurements were rated by two blinded raters. Measurements and the corresponding differences between clinical and radiological findings are described by medians and quartiles (Q1-Q3). For statistical analysis, Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Bland-Altman plots were calculated.!##!Results!#!The CCC between the raters was 0.994 (95% confidence interval 0.992-0.995). The median bone loss (bl) distance from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the bony defect (BD) was 3.5 mm (range 3-5 mm). The median bl measured in the CBCT was 3.8 mm (range 3.1-4.8 mm). The median difference of the 2 measurements for all sites included in the study (N = 260) was -0.2 mm (-0.7 to 0.3 mm).!##!Conclusions!#!CBCT seems to be an accurate and highly reliable method to detect and describe vertical buccal and oral bone loss. It could improve planning and prediction for successful combined periodontal and orthodontic therapies

Tobacco Smoke Occupational Exposure: Biomarkers of Biological Damage

Work perfomed by Instituto Nacional Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Laboratório de Análises de Dopagem, Instituto do Desporto de Portugal, Clínica Universitária Pneumologia, Faculdade Medicina Lisboa, Hospital Santa MariaHigh concentration of toxic substances emanated from tobacco smoke in entertainment places such as restaurants, bars and nightclubs may compromise indoor air quality (IAQ) generating environments of likelihood health risk. Their employees, particularly those exposed to second-hand smoke, are at increased risk for developing chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and lung cancer. Objectives In this work, we aimed at evaluating relationships between occupational ETS exposure, biological damage (DNA or proteome alterations) and putative respiratory dysfunctions. Materials and Methods A group of restaurants located in Lisbon has been studied, in which fine particles (smaller than 2.5µm; PM2.5), indicative of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) contamination, were measured. After informed consent, workers were evaluated for acute exposure to ETS based on cotinine levels in urine and clinically evaluated for their respiratory health by spirometry measurements and chestpiece auscultation. Effects of ETS exposure on genotoxic lesions were evaluated by measuring DNA/chromosomes breaks in peripheral blood lymphocytes and buccal mucosa cells. Effects of ETS exposure on plasma proteins is being studied using a 2D-DIGE-MALDI-TOF/TOF approach. To achieve that goal, global proteome characterization is being carried based on the same individual plasma samples collected for genotoxic studies and were pooled according to previous criteria. Results Results have confirmed higher respirable particle levels in smoking-designated areas of those entertainment places, indicating an ETS contamination. Leukocytes from ETS-exposed-workers presented lower levels of genotoxic-induced damage in comparison with non-exposed workers, suggesting an ETS-induced stress adaption response in exposed-workers. By proteomics, we are now to investigating those workers for putative alterations on their plasma proteome to provide additional insights on the adaptative response mechanisms that might be activated by ETS exposition. Conclusion Altogether, this study provides information on indoor air quality of Lisbon smoking entertainment places, in particular ETS contamination, and may provide biomarker candidates for occupational ETS-exposure which might precede respiratory diseases on their employees.Work supported by Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Administração Central do Sistema de Saúde, FCT/PolyAnnual Funding Program and FEDER/SaudeXXI Program, Portugal. VDM, SP,NC,BA and TS, are recipients of FCT fellowships