An observational study of dental abnormalities in the primary teeth

Introduction: Pregnancy and early childhood are the most critical phases with regard to biological, cognitive, emotional, and social development. Adverse events in these periods of life may be related to alterations in dental development, including alterations in size, shape and mineralization. Objective: To evaluate the frequency of dental abnormalities and the factors associated with the developmental defects of the enamel in primary teeth. Material and methods: Information about family income, maternal education level, pretermbirth, and hospitalization history up to 11 months of age were collected from the dental records of 544 children. Clinical examination of the children was performed to investigate abnormalities of tooth number, form, size, and developmental defects of the enamel (DDE). Data were analyzed using χ2 test and Poisson regression. Results: In all, 544 children were evaluated. Sixty children (11.0%) presented some alterations in the primary teeth; and 7.5% showed DDE. Children born preterm were 3.17 times more likely to develop DDE in primary teeth (prevalence ratio – PR = 3.17, 95% confidence interval– 95%CI 1.26–7.98, p = 0.014). Among the alterations of number, 1.7% was hypodontia, and among the abnormalities of shape, 1.7% was fused teeth. Conclusion: The prevalence of dental anomalies in this sample was, in general, expressive. Children born preterm were more vulnerable to present developmental defects of the enamel.Introduction: Pregnancy and early childhood are the most critical phases with regard to biological, cognitive, emotional, and social development. Adverse events in these periods of life may be related to alterations in dental development, including alterations in size, shape and mineralization. Objective: To evaluate the frequency of dental abnormalities and the factors associated with the developmental defects of the enamel in primary teeth. Material and methods: Information about family income, maternal education level, pretermbirth, and hospitalization history up to 11 months of age were collected from the dental records of 544 children. Clinical examination of the children was performed to investigate abnormalities of tooth number, form, size, and developmental defects of the enamel (DDE). Data were analyzed using χ2 test and Poisson regression. Results: In all, 544 children were evaluated. Sixty children (11.0%) presented some alterations in the primary teeth; and 7.5% showed DDE. Children born preterm were 3.17 times more likely to develop DDE in primary teeth (prevalence ratio – PR = 3.17, 95% confidence interval– 95%CI 1.26–7.98, p = 0.014). Among the alterations of number, 1.7% was hypodontia, and among the abnormalities of shape, 1.7% was fused teeth. Conclusion: The prevalence of dental anomalies in this sample was, in general, expressive. Children born preterm were more vulnerable to present developmental defects of the enamel

Bovine Tooth Discoloration Induced by Endodontic Filling Materials for Primary Teeth

Objective. This study evaluated the discoloration potential of endodontic materials used in primary teeth. Material and Methods. Dentine-enamel blocks were prepared from 75 bovine teeth, assorted in five experimental groups (n=15). The tested materials included an MTA-based material; zinc oxide and eugenol cement (ZOE); Vitapex; and calcium hydroxide thickened with zinc oxide (Calen + ZO). The color measurements were performed using a spectrophotometer at the following intervals: prior to (T0) and after placement of the filling (T1) and after 1 week (T2), 1 month (T3), 3 months (T4), 6 months (T5), and 9 months (T6). Data were submitted to ANOVA with repeated measures and Tukey’s test. Results. The time had a significant effect on the color variation (ΔE00⁎) (p<0.0001). The effect of the materials on the color variation (ΔE00⁎) was statistically significant (p=0.004). Interactions between time and materials demonstrated a significant effect on the values (ΔE00⁎) (p<0.0001). The ZOE cement showed the highest darkening effect (p=0.018). Conclusion. The MTA-based material showed the smallest discoloration during the experimental time; however, it was similar to the other materials and to the control group. Zinc oxide and eugenol showed higher discoloration

Autosomal-dominant hypotrichosis with woolly hair : novel gene locus on chromosome 4q35.1-q35.2

Hypotrichosis simplex (HS) with and without woolly hair (WH) comprises a group of rare, monogenic disorders of hair loss. Patients present with a diffuse loss of scalp and/or body hair, which usually begins in early childhood and progresses into adulthood. Some of the patients also show hair that is tightly curled. Approximately 10 genes for autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant forms of HS have been identified in the last decade, among them five genes for the dominant form. We collected blood and buccal samples from 17 individuals of a large British family with HS and WH. After having sequenced all known dominant genes for HS in this family without the identification of any disease causing mutation, we performed a genome-wide scan, using the HumanLinkage-24 BeadChip, followed by a classical linkage analysis; and whole exome-sequencing (WES). Evidence for linkage was found for a region on chromosome 4q35.1-q35.2 with a maximum LOD score of 3.61. WES led to the identification of a mutation in the gene SORBS2, encoding sorbin and SH3 domain containing 2. Unfortunately, we could not find an additional mutation in any other patient/family with HS; and in cell culture, we could not observe any difference between cloned wildtype and mutant SORBS2 using western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses. Therefore, at present, SORBS2 cannot be considered a definite disease gene for this phenotype. However, the locus on chromosome 4q is a robust and novel finding for hypotrichosis with woolly hair. Further fine mapping and sequencing efforts are therefore warranted in order to confirm SORBS2 as a plausible HS disease gene

Differentiation of COVID-19 signs and symptoms from allergic rhinitis and common cold : An ARIA-EAACI-GA(2)LEN consensus

Background Although there are many asymptomatic patients, one of the problems of COVID-19 is early recognition of the disease. COVID-19 symptoms are polymorphic and may include upper respiratory symptoms. However, COVID-19 symptoms may be mistaken with the common cold or allergic rhinitis. An ARIA-EAACI study group attempted to differentiate upper respiratory symptoms between the three diseases. Methods A modified Delphi process was used. The ARIA members who were seeing COVID-19 patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire on the upper airway symptoms of COVID-19, common cold and allergic rhinitis. Results Among the 192 ARIA members who were invited to respond to the questionnaire, 89 responded and 87 questionnaires were analysed. The consensus was then reported. A two-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in the symptom intensity between the three diseases (p < .001). Conclusions This modified Delphi approach enabled the differentiation of upper respiratory symptoms between COVID-19, the common cold and allergic rhinitis. An electronic algorithm will be devised using the questionnaire.Peer reviewe

Management of anaphylaxis due to COVID-19 vaccines in the elderly

Older adults, especially men and/or those with diabetes, hypertension, and/or obesity, are prone to severe COVID-19. In some countries, older adults, particularly those residing in nursing homes, have been prioritized to receive COVID-19 vaccines due to high risk of death. In very rare instances, the COVID-19 vaccines can induce anaphylaxis, and the management of anaphylaxis in older people should be considered carefully. An ARIA-EAACI-EuGMS (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma, European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and European Geriatric Medicine Society) Working Group has proposed some recommendations for older adults receiving the COVID-19 vaccines. Anaphylaxis to COVID-19 vaccines is extremely rare (from 1 per 100,000 to 5 per million injections). Symptoms are similar in younger and older adults but they tend to be more severe in the older patients. Adrenaline is the mainstay treatment and should be readily available. A flowchart is proposed to manage anaphylaxis in the older patients.Peer reviewe

ARIA digital anamorphosis : Digital transformation of health and care in airway diseases from research to practice

Digital anamorphosis is used to define a distorted image of health and care that may be viewed correctly using digital tools and strategies. MASK digital anamorphosis represents the process used by MASK to develop the digital transformation of health and care in rhinitis. It strengthens the ARIA change management strategy in the prevention and management of airway disease. The MASK strategy is based on validated digital tools. Using the MASK digital tool and the CARAT online enhanced clinical framework, solutions for practical steps of digital enhancement of care are proposed.Peer reviewe

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe