Teeth of the red fox Vulpes vulpes (L., 1758) as a bioindicator in studies on fluoride pollution

An examination was made of fluoride content in the mandibular first molars of the permanent teeth of the red fox Vulpes vulpes living in north-west (NW) Poland. The teeth were first dried to a constant weight at 105°C and then ashed. Fluorides were determined potentiometrically, and their concentrations were expressed in dry weight (DW) and ash. The results were used to perform an indirect estimation of fluoride pollution in the examined region of Poland. The collected specimens (n = 35) were classified into one of the three age categories: immature (im, 6–12 months), subadult (subad, from 12 to 20 months) and adult (ad, >20 months). The mean concentrations (geometric mean) of fluoride were similar in the im and subad groups (230 and 296 mg/kg DW and 297 and 385 mg/kg ash, respectively), and significantly smaller than in the ad group (504 and 654 mg/kg, respectively, in DW and ash). Basing on other reports that the ∼400 mg/kg DW concentration of fluoride in bones in the long-lived wild mammals generally reflects the geochemical background, it was found that 57% of the foxes in NW Poland exceeded this value by 9% to 170%. This indirectly reflects a moderate fluoride contamination in the tested region

New Bioactive Calcium Silicate Cement Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Repair High Plasticity (MTA HP)—A Systematic Review

Bioactive calcium silicate cement Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) has been used for years as a gold standard in intravital pulp treatment and specialist endodontic procedures. Owing to flaws of the material, the manufacturers have been trying to enhance and produce materials showing improved physical, chemical and biological parameters. One of the new calcium-silicate cements based on mineral trioxide aggregate, however without some flaws exhibited by the cement, is Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Repair High Plasticity (MTA HP). The aim of the present paper was a systematic literature review concerning the MTA HP material used nowadays in dentistry, as a review of its specific features. The present paper is the first article providing a systematic literature review on MTA HP. The aim of the present article is the better understanding of MTA HP properties, which can aid the decision-making process in endodontic treatment

The Influence of New Bioactive Materials on Pulp–Dentin Complex Regeneration in the Assessment of Cone Bone Computed Tomography (CBCT) and Computed Micro-Tomography (Micro-CT) from a Present and Future Perspective—A Systematic Review

The present paper is the first article providing a systematic literature review on the visualization of tertiary dentin influenced by modern bioactive materials in CBCT and micro-CT. Six database searches of studies on tertiary dentin visualization using CBCT produced 622 records in total, and the search of the studies on tertiary dentin using micro-CT produced 502 records in total. The results were thoroughly selected considering the inclusion criteria, and five research papers using CBCT and nine research papers using micro-CT for visualization of tertiary dentin were eventually qualified for the analysis. All the non-randomized and randomized studies presented good and high levels of quality evidence, respectively. Among the bioactive materials used, the most frequently analysed were: MTA, Biodentine dentin matrix hydrogel, Pro Root MTA, and EndoSequence root repair material. The highest thickness of the tertiary dentin was achieved after the use of MTA material in both imaging techniques. The remaining parameters had different results, taking into account the CBCT and micro-CT analysis. The possibilities of the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the particular parameters of tertiary dentin using CBCT and micro-CT techniques were presented and analysed. CBCT and micro-CT analyses can be useful in the assessment of tertiary dentin formed beneath the bioactive material applied during vital pulp treatment. The research argues that the presented results differ depending on the material applied to the pulp, the study duration (4–6 weeks), difference in teeth, species (rats, human), as well as the applied technique and differences in computer software used for the analysis

Oral health in elderly patients living in nursing homes and family homes

The aging of the population is the cause of many economic, sociological, psychological, political and health problems. In a general medical examination, oral health problems are ignored or regarded very superficially. However, the condition of human health is associated with the condition of oral cavity. Oral disorders can lead to many functional alterations of other organs, which finally affects the biological balance of the body. Dental caries and periodontal disease prevention is the major step that allows to keep own teeth and thus provides a proper function of the stomatognathic system for many years. Health behaviors of the elderly are varied and depend on many environmental factors, including self-reliance, physical and mental condition, the family status and living place, including nursing homes. Awareness of older patients increases, and their needs are not only associated with restoring the full functional capacity of the stomatognathic system, but also with the appearance and feeling of comfort. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of living environment, socioeconomic conditions and the psychosocial state on the oral cavity health of older people on the basis of the available literature.Starzenie się populacji jest powodem powstawania wielu problemów ekonomicznych, socjologicznych, psychologicznych, politycznych i zdrowotnych. W ogólnym badaniu lekarskim, często problem zdrowia jamy ustnej jest pomijany lub traktowany bardzo pobieżnie. Ogólny stan zdrowia człowieka koreluje ze zdrowiem jego jamy ustnej. W przypadku choroby jednego układu, często dochodzi do pogorszenia funkcji innych narządów i w konsekwencji dochodzi do zaburzenia równowagi biologicznej całego organizmu. Zapobieganie próchnicy i chorobom przyzębia pozwala na utrzymanie własnego uzębienia i tym samym zapewnia prawidłową funkcję układu stomatognatycznego przez wiele lat. Celem pracy było określenie jak środowisko życia, warunki socjoekonomiczne i stan psychospołeczny wpływają na stan jamy ustnej ludzi starszych na podstawie dostępnego piśmiennictwa. Zachowania zdrowotne osób w wieku podeszłym są zróżnicowane i zależą od wielu czynników środowiskowych m.in. czy pacjenci są samodzielni, sprawni fizycznie i umysłowo, pozostają w warunkach swojego domu i rodziny, czy też przy braku zdolności do samodzielnego życia znajdują się w domach pomocy społecznej(DPS).Najczęściej to sytuacja materialna najbliższych i obowiązki życia codziennego najbliższej rodziny wpływają na decyzję o konieczności umieszczenia osoby starszej w DPS. Świadomość starszych pacjentów wzrasta, a ich potrzeby dotyczą nie tylko przywrócenia pełnej wydolności czynnościowej układu stomatognatycznego, lecz także estetycznego wyglądu i poczucia komfortu

Fluorosis in humans and animals

Fluorine compounds occur quite commonly in nature. They are exist in water, in soil, in geological decks, in living organisms. On human and animal bodies can influence moderately preferably or more often unfavorably. The deficiency or excess of this element results in undesirable effects in hard tissue, nervous tissue and other organs. Due to adverse effect of this element to a living organism it comes to fluorosis. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of the toxic effect of fluoride compounds on the human and other vertebrate animals depending on the time and dosage F- and the type of tissue and / or organ on the basis of the scientific literature. On the basis of the available publications, it was revealed that F- toxicity substantially depends on time and dose exposure on these element. Chronic fluorosis, more often than acute is observed in human and animals. Biological factors (including species differences) susceptibility, metabolic activity of tissue and environmental factors can accumulate, which increases probability of F- toxicity for living organisms.Związki fluoru w przyrodzie występują dość powszechnie. Obecne są w wodzie, w glebie, w głębokich pokładach geologicznych i żywych organizmach. Na człowieka i zwierzęta mogą oddziaływać w umiarkowany sposób korzystnie lub znacznie częściej niekorzystnie. Zarówno niedobór, jak i nadmiar fluorków powoduje niepożądane efekty w tkankach twardych, tkance nerwowej i innych narządach. W wyniku niekorzystnego oddziaływania tego pierwiastka na organizm żywy dochodzi do fluorozy. Celem pracy było określenie toksycznego efektu oddziaływania związków fluoru na organizm człowieka i innych zwierząt kręgowych w zależności od czasu i ilości dawki pobieranych F- oraz rodzaju tkanki i/lub narządu kumulującego F- na podstawie dostępnego piśmiennictwa naukowego. Na podstawie przeanalizowanych publikacji stwierdzono, że toksyczność F- w znacznym stopniu zależy od czasu ekspozycji i dawki narażenia na ten pierwiastek. U ludzi i zwierząt częściej obserwuje się fluorozę przewlekłą niż ostrą. Czynniki biologiczne (w tym różnice gatunkowe), wrażliwość i aktywność metaboliczna tkanek oraz czynniki środowiskowe mogą się kumulować, co zwiększa prawdopodobieństw

The Influence of New Silicate Cement Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA Repair HP) on Metalloproteinase MMP-2 and MMP-9 Expression in Cultured THP-1 Macrophages

The aim of the present study was to investigate the new silicate cement mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA Repair HP) with respect to its effect on the inflammation process involving the tooth and periodontal tissues. The composition of MTA Repair HP was supplemented with plasticizer agents which can have a negative effect on the modulation of tooth inflammation. The silicate-based material in question is widely used in regeneration of the pulp-dentin complex, treatment of perforations of various locations in the tooth, as well as in surgical treatment of the complications of periapical tissue. The improved bioceramic restorative cement can affect the expression of metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 in monocytes/macrophages involved in modulation of inflammation and regenerative processes of the tooth and periodontal tissues. The novel aspect of the present study lies in the application of the model of THP-1 monocyte/macrophage and applying the biomaterial in direct contact with the cells. Hence, it provides a representation of clinical conditions with respect to regenerative pulp and periodontal treatment with the use of MTA Repair HP. A lack of macrophage activation (as measured with flow cytometry) was found. Moreover, the study identified a lack of expression stimulation of the studied metalloproteinases (with the use of Western blotting and fluorescent microscopy). Similarly, no increase in MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentration was found (measured by ELISA method) in vitro when incubated with MTA Repair HP. Based on the results it can be concluded that new MTA Repair HP does not increase the inflammatory response in monocytes/macrophages associated with the activity of the described enzymes. It can also be speculated that they do not affect the process of dentin regeneration in which MMP-2 and MMP-9 play significant roles

Fluoride in the Bones of Foxes (Vulpes vulpes Linneaus, 1758) and Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray, 1834) from North-Western Poland

Assessment of exposure to fluoride (F(−)) is increasingly focused on mineralized tissues, mainly bones. Their periodic growth and continuous reconstruction make them a good material for studying long-term F(−) accumulation. In this study, F(−)concentrations were determined in the bones of foxes and raccoon dogs from north-western Poland and relationships between bone F(−) and the age categories of the animals were attempted to be identified. Bone samples were collected from femurs of 32 foxes (15 males and 17 females) and 18 raccoon dogs (10 males and 8 females) from polluted, medium-polluted, and unpolluted by F(−) areas. Bone F(−) was determined by potentiometric method, and results were expressed per dry weight (dw); they ranged from 176 to 3,668 mg/kg dw in foxes and from 84 to 1,190 mg/kg dw in raccoon dogs. Foxes from north-western Poland accumulated much more F(−) in their bones than raccoon dogs. Our study shows that the assessment of hazards created by industrial emitters can be conducted conveniently by the measurements of fluorine content in hard tissues of wild animals. Due to availability of such type of material for studies, it seems that the analysis of fluoride content in bones can be a good tool in the development of ecotoxicology