Evidence-based recommendation on toothpaste use

Toothpaste can be used as a vehicle for substances to improve the oral health of individuals and populations. Therefore, it should be recommended based on the best scientific evidence available, and not on the opinion of authorities or specialists. Fluoride is the most important therapeutic substance used in toothpastes, adding to the effect of mechanical toothbrushing on dental caries control. The use of fluoride toothpaste to reduce caries in children and adults is strongly based on evidence, and is dependent on the concentration (minimum of 1000 ppm F) and frequency of fluoride toothpaste use (2×/day or higher). The risk of dental fluorosis due to toothpaste ingestion by children has been overestimated, since there is no evidence that: 1) fluoride toothpaste use should be postponed until the age of 3-4 or older, 2) low-fluoride toothpaste avoids fluorosis and 3) fluorosis has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of individuals exposed to fluoridated water and toothpaste. Among other therapeutic substances used in toothpastes, there is evidence that triclosan/copolymer reduce dental biofilm, gingivitis, periodontitis, calculus and halitosis, and that toothpastes containing stannous fluoride reduce biofilm and gingivitis.Toothpaste can be used as a vehicle for substances to improve the oral health of individuals and populations. Therefore, it should be recommended based on the best scientific evidence available, and not on the opinion of authorities or specialists. Fluoride is the most important therapeutic substance used in toothpastes, adding to the effect of mechanical toothbrushing on dental caries control. The use of fluoride toothpaste to reduce caries in children and adults is strongly based on evidence, and is dependent on the concentration (minimum of 1000 ppm F) and frequency of fluoride toothpaste use (2×/day or higher). The risk of dental fluorosis due to toothpaste ingestion by children has been overestimated, since there is no evidence that: 1) fluoride toothpaste use should be postponed until the age of 3-4 or older, 2) low-fluoride toothpaste avoids fluorosis and 3) fluorosis has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of individuals exposed to fluoridated water and toothpaste. Among other therapeutic substances used in toothpastes, there is evidence that triclosan/copolymer reduce dental biofilm, gingivitis, periodontitis, calculus and halitosis, and that toothpastes containing stannous fluoride reduce biofilm and gingivitis28111

Phosphorus and zinc fertilization: beneficial management practices for corn in Manitoba

Non-Peer ReviewedYear 1 and 2 results of a research project are presented for two P fertilization studies, one with crop rotation and the other with residue management. The objectives of the two studies were to evaluate i) corn response to spring side-banded P and Zn fertilizer when corn follows canola versus soybeans, ii) corn response to fall banded and spring side-banded P fertilizer in strip tillage and conventional tillage. Each study was established at two locations in 2014 and 2015 with canola and soybeans grown as preceding crops for the rotation study, and fall conventional and strip tillage for the residue management study. The rotation study included a control (no P) and two rates of P (27 and 54 lb P2O5/ac) in the form of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) (11-54-0) or Microessentials MESZn (12-40-0-10-1) side-banded (2” to the side and 1” below the seed) during corn planting in the spring of 2015 and 2016. The residue management study treatments included a control (no P), two rates of P (27 and 54 lb P2O5/ac) in the form of MAP, applied either in the fall as a deep band (4 – 5”) with the strip till unit or in the spring as a side-band with the corn planter. Preliminary results for the rotation study showed a substantial early season vegetative response to all fertilizer P treatments, resulting in an 85-110% increase in biomass compared to the control, especially in corn following canola. Silking date was advanced by 3-7 days with application of starter P. At harvest, all starter P treatments reduced kernel moisture by 2-3% in corn following canola only, and there was a 10% yield increase in grain yield with the high rate of MAP compared to the control, regardless of preceding crop. Preliminary results for the residue management study showed that spring side-banded P treatments increased early season biomass by 77-81% and silking date was advanced by 3 days at 2 site-years, compared to the control. At harvest, fertilizer P reduced kernel moisture by 1-2% at both sites in 2016, and spring side-banded P out-yielded the control and fall applied treatments by 5%, regardless of tillage system

Shelf Life Extension and Nutritional Quality Preservation of Sour Cherries through High Pressure Processing

The present study assessed the effectiveness of high pressure processing (HPP) for the quality maintenance of pitted sour cherries, with special regard to microbial stabilization and the maintenance of color and of chemical–nutritional properties. The HPP treatment (600 MPa for 3 min at 4 °C) was effective at minimizing the initial microbial load, which remained at negligible levels throughout 5 months of refrigerated storage. The color and total phytochemical content of sour cherries were not influenced by the HPP treatment and were maintained at levels comparable with the fresh product for 3 months of refrigerated storage. For longer storage periods, the typical red color decreased, in agreement with the content of total anthocyanins, which showed a significant decrease (up to 65% after 5 months). The antioxidant activity, measured by the ABTS and DPPH assays, was not affected by the HPP treatment, but slightly reduced during refrigerated storage. The study suggests that HPP may be exploited to extend the shelf life, while maintaining the fresh-like features of sour cherries, thus offering an alternative option to current preservation techniques (based on freezing or heating) commonly applied to this product

Quality Of Drinking Water Fluoridation Of Capão Bonito, S P, Brazil, Evaluated By Operational And External Controls

Purpose: To evaluate the quality of drinking water fluoridation of Capão Bonito, S P, Brazil, whose optimal fluoride concentration should be between 0.6 to 0.8 ppm F, considering the balance benefits/risks. Methods: Historical records (n=1,964) from 2005 to 2009 of the water treatment plant (operational control) were evaluated. Also, from July 2009 to June 2010, 120 samples of the network water were collected for analysis and the fluoride concentrations found (external control) were compared with records of operational control of the same period. Results: According to the historical records, 76.3% of the samples had acceptable fluoride concentration and this value was confirmed by the external control done during one year, which found that 80.8% of samples were within the optimal range. However, considering the samples out the optimal range, while the records of the operational control showed values below the minimum, the results of the external control found higher percentage of samples above the maximum. Conclusion: The data show the relevance to have a quality control of drinking water fluoridation because at same time the operational control analysis suggests that certain percentage of the population would not be receiving anticaries benefits, the external control indicates that it would be in increased risk of fluorosis. Copyright: © 2011 Olivati et al.;.264285290McDonagh, M.S., Whiting, P.F., Wilson, P.M., Sutton, A.J., Chestnutt, I., Cooper, J.X., Systematic review of water fluoridation (2000) BMJ, 321, pp. 855-859Galagan, D.J., Vermillion, J.R., Determining optimum fluoride concentrations (1957) Public Health Rep, 72, pp. 491-493Frazão, P., Peres, M.A., Cury, J.A., Drinking water quality and fluoride concentration (2011) Rev Saude Publica, 45, pp. 964-973Brasil. Lei Federal n°6.050, de 24/05/1974 (1974) Coleção Das Leis de 1974: Atos do Poder Legislativo: Leis de Abril a Junho, 3, p. 107. , Brasília, DF: Departamento de Imprensa NacionalCatani, D.B., Amaral, R.C., Oliveira, C., Souza, M.L.R., Cury, J.A., Ten years of external control of the fluoride level in public drinking water by Brazilian cities, Brazil, 1996-2006 (in Portuguese) (2008) RGO x, 56, pp. 145-149Panizzi, M., Peres, M.A., Ten years of external control over water fluoridation in Chapecó, Santa Catarina State, Brazil (in Portuguese) (2008) Cad Saúde Pública, 24, pp. 2021-2031Portaria 635 de 26 de Dezembro de 1975. Aprova Normas e Padrões Sobre a Fluoretação da Água de Sistemas Públicos de Abastecimento. Diario Oficial União, , http://189.28.128.100/dab/docs/legislacao/portaria635_26_12_75.pdf, 30 jan. 1976 cited 2006 Jan. 18(2006) National Guideline on Sampling Plan of the Environment Health Vigilance for Assessment of Quality of Water for Human use, , Brazil. Ministry of Health, Brasília, in PortugueseMartínez-Mier, E.A., Cury, J.A., Heilman, J.R., Katz, B.P., Levy, S.M., Li, Y., Maguire, A., Development of gold standard ion-selective electrode-based methods for fluoride analysis (2011) Caries Res, 45, pp. 3-12Moura, M.S., Silva, J.S., Simplício, A.H.M., Cury, J.A., Long-Term Assessment of Fuoride Level of Public Water Supply in Teresina-Piauí (in Portuguese) (2005) Rev Odonto Ciênc, 20, pp. 132-136Ramires, I., Maia, L.P., Rigolizzo, D.S., Lauris, J.L.P., Buzalaf, M.A.R., External control of water supply in Bauru, S P, Brazil (2006) Rev Saúde Pública, 40, pp. 883-889Amaral, R.C., Sousa, M.L.R., Eight months of external control of fluoride levels in the public water supply in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil (2007) Revista de Odontologia da Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (in Portuguese), 19, pp. 131-136Cury, J.A., Tenuta, L.M., Enamel remineralization: Controlling the caries disease or treating early caries lesions? (2009) Braz Oral Res, 23 (1 SUPPL.), pp. 23-30Bardsen, A., "Risk periods" associated with the development of dental fluorosis in maxillary permanent central incisors: A meta-analysis (1999) Acta Odontol Scand, 57, pp. 247-256Catani, D.B., Hugo, F.N., Cypriano, S., Sousa Mda, L., Cury, J.A., Relationship between fluoride levels in the public water supply and dental fluorosis (2007) Rev Saude Publica, 41, pp. 732-739Catani, D.B., Tenuta, L.M., Andaló, F.A., Cury, J.A., Fluorosis in rats exposed to oscillating chronic fluoride doses (2010) Braz Dent J, 21, pp. 32-37Documento de Consenso Técnico, , http://www.cecol.fsp.usp.br/dcms/fck/file/SeminarioVigifluor2011/ CECOL-USP-ClassificacaoAguasSegundoTeorFluor-DocumentoConsensoTecnico-2011(2). pdf, Classificação de águas de abastecimento público, Acesso em Nov. 1

Clinical presentation, management and follow-up of 83 patients with Leydig cell tumors of the testis: a prospective case-cohort study

LCTs are more frequent than generally believed, are associated with male infertility, cryptorchidism and gynecomastia, and should be treated conservatively (in compliant patients) with active surveillance, which appears to be a safe alternative to surgical enucleation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Increasing referrals for testicular imaging have led to an increase in findings of LCTs. The features and natural history of these tumors remain largely unknown, as the available studies are small and heterogeneous. LCTs were previously treated aggressively and follow-up data are lacking. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A case-cohort study of consecutive patients diagnosed with LCTs over a 10-year period was prospectively enrolled from 2009 to 2018 and compared to matched cohorts of patients with seminomas or no testicular lesions screened in the same timeframe. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Of the 9949 inpatients and outpatients referred for scrotal ultrasound, a total of 83 men with LCTs were included. Enrolled subjects underwent medical history and clinical examination and were asked to undergo routine blood tests, hormone investigations (FSH, LH, total testosterone, estradiol, inhibin B, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), prolactin), and semen analysis. Patients who consented also underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound, elastography, gadolinium-enhanced scrotal magnetic resonance imaging, and hCG stimulation test (5000 IU i.m.) with serum total testosterone and estradiol measured at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In total, 83 patients diagnosed with LCTs were compared against 90 patients diagnosed with seminoma and 2683 patients without testicular lesions (NoL). LCTs were diagnosed by enucleation (48.2%), orchiectomy (13.3%), or clinical surveillance (38.5%). Testicular volume, sperm concentration, and morphology were lower (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively) in patients with LCTs than in the NoL group. FSH, LH, and SHBG were higher and the testosterone/LH ratio was lower in LCTs than in the NoL group (P < 0.001). The LCT group showed higher SHBG (P = 0.018), lower sperm concentration (P = 0.029), and lower motility (P = 0.049) than the seminoma group. Risk factors for LCTs were cryptorchidism (χ2 = 28.27, P < 0.001), gynecomastia (χ2 = 54.22, P < 0.001), and low testicular volume (χ2 = 11.13, P = 0.001). Five cases were recurrences or bilateral lesions; none developed metastases during follow-up (median, 66 months). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study has some limitations. First, hCG and second-line diagnostic investigations were not available for all tumor patients. Second, ours is a referral center for infertility, thus a selection bias may have altered the baseline features of the LCT population. However, given that the comparison cohorts were also from the same center and had been managed with a similar protocol, we do not expect a significant effect. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS LCTs are strongly associated with male infertility, cryptorchidism, and gynecomastia, supporting the hypothesis that testicular dysgenesis syndrome plays a role in their development. Patients with LCTs are at a greater risk of endocrine and spermatogenesis abnormalities even when the tumor is resected, and thus require long-term follow-up and prompt efforts to preserve fertility after diagnosis. LCTs have a good oncological prognosis when recognized early, as tissue-sparing enucleation is curative and should replace orchiectomy. Conservative surgery and, in compliant patients, active surveillance through clinical and radiological follow-up are safe options, but require monitoring of testicular failure and recurrence

Effective dynamics for particles coupled to a quantized scalar field

We consider a system of N non-relativistic spinless quantum particles (``electrons'') interacting with a quantized scalar Bose field (whose excitations we call ``photons''). We examine the case when the velocity v of the electrons is small with respect to the one of the photons, denoted by c (v/c= epsilon << 1). We show that dressed particle states exist (particles surrounded by ``virtual photons''), which, up to terms of order (v/c)^3, follow Hamiltonian dynamics. The effective N-particle Hamiltonian contains the kinetic energies of the particles and Coulomb-like pair potentials at order (v/c)^0 and the velocity dependent Darwin interaction and a mass renormalization at order (v/c)^{2}. Beyond that order the effective dynamics are expected to be dissipative. The main mathematical tool we use is adiabatic perturbation theory. However, in the present case there is no eigenvalue which is separated by a gap from the rest of the spectrum, but its role is taken by the bottom of the absolutely continuous spectrum, which is not an eigenvalue. Nevertheless we construct approximate dressed electrons subspaces, which are adiabatically invariant for the dynamics up to order (v/c)\sqrt{\ln (v/c)^{-1}}. We also give an explicit expression for the non adiabatic transitions corresponding to emission of free photons. For the radiated energy we obtain the quantum analogue of the Larmor formula of classical electrodynamics.Comment: 67 pages, 2 figures, version accepted for publication in Communications in Mathematical Physic

cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase 8A and 8B isoforms are differentially expressed in human testis and Leydig cell tumor

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate/Protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) signaling pathway is the master regulator of endocrine tissue function. The level, compartmentalization and amplitude of cAMP response are finely regulated by phosphodiesterases (PDEs). PDE8 is responsible of cAMP hydrolysis and its expression has been characterized in all steroidogenic cell types in rodents including adrenal and Leydig cells in rodents however scarce data are currently available in humans. Here we demonstrate that human Leydig cells express both PDE8A and PDE8B isoforms. Interestingly, we found that the expression of PDE8B but not of PDE8A is increased in transformed Leydig cells (Leydig cell tumors-LCTs) compared to non-tumoral cells. Immunofluorescence analyses further reveals that PDE8A is also highly expressed in specific spermatogenic stages. While the protein is not detected in spermatogonia it accumulates nearby the forming acrosome, in the trans-Golgi apparatus of spermatocytes and spermatids and it follows the fate of this organelle in the later stages translocating to the caudal part of the cell. Taken together our findings suggest that 1) a specific pool(s) of cAMP is/are regulated by PDE8A during spermiogenesis pointing out a possible new role of this PDE8 isoform in key events governing the differentiation and maturation of human sperm and 2) PDE8B can be involved in Leydig cell transformation

Fluoride concentration in the top-selling brazilian toothpastes purchased at different regions

To be relevant in terms of public health, widely-used toothpastes should have at least 1,000 ppm of soluble fluoride (F) concentration. Thus, the concentrations of total fluoride (TF) and total soluble fluoride (TSF) in the top-selling Brazilian toothpastes were evaluated. Samples (n=3) from toothpastes Colgate Anti-cáries®, Colgate Total 12 Clean Mint®, Colgate Tripla Ação Menta Original®, Colgate Tripla Ação Menta Suave® and Sorriso Dentes Brancos® were obtained from each of the five regions of the country. The concentrations of TF and TSF were analyzed with ion-specific electrode calibrated with F standards and the results were expressed in ppm (μg F/g). All toothpastes showed TF concentration lower than 1,500 ppm F (1,388.2 ± 25.8 to 1,483.2 ± 98.2). The TSF values were higher than 1,000 ppm F and ranged from 1,035.5 ± 61.5 to 1,221.8 ± 35.2 for calcium carbonate/monofluorophosphate-based toothpastes and from 1,455.6 ± 12.5 to 1,543.0 ± 147.3 for silica/sodium fluoride-based toothpaste. Top-selling Brazilian toothpastes presented available fluoride concentration to control caries regardless of the region where they are purchased.To be relevant in terms of public health, widely-used toothpastes should have at least 1,000 ppm of soluble fluoride (F) concentration. Thus, the concentrations of total fluoride (TF) and total soluble fluoride (TSF) in the top-selling Brazilian toothpastes were evaluated. Samples (n=3) from toothpastes Colgate Anti-cáries®, Colgate Total 12 Clean Mint®, Colgate Tripla Ação Menta Original®, Colgate Tripla Ação Menta Suave® and Sorriso Dentes Brancos® were obtained from each of the five regions of the country. The concentrations of TF and TSF were analyzed with ion-specific electrode calibrated with F standards and the results were expressed in ppm (μg F/g). All toothpastes showed TF concentration lower than 1,500 ppm F (1,388.2 ± 25.8 to 1,483.2 ± 98.2). The TSF values were higher than 1,000 ppm F and ranged from 1,035.5 ± 61.5 to 1,221.8 ± 35.2 for calcium carbonate/monofluorophosphate-based toothpastes and from 1,455.6 ± 12.5 to 1,543.0 ± 147.3 for silica/sodium fluoride-based toothpaste. Top-selling Brazilian toothpastes presented available fluoride concentration to control caries regardless of the region where they are purchased2314548Para ter relevância em termos de saúde pública, os cremes dentais amplamente utilizados pela população devem ter fluoreto (F) solúvel numa concentração mínima de 1.000 ppm F. Assim, as concentrações de fluoreto total (FT) e flureto solúvel total (FST) nos cremes dentais mais vendidos no Brasil foram avaliados. Os cremes dentais (n=3) Colgate Anti-cáries®, Colgate Total 12 Clean Mint®, Colgate Tripla Ação Menta Original®, Colgate Tripla Ação Menta Suave® e Sorriso Dentes Brancos® foram obtidos nas cinco regiões do país. As concentrações de FT e FST foram analisadas com eletrodo íon-específico calibrado com padrões de F e os resultados foram expressos em ppm (µg F/g). Todos os cremes dentais apresentaram concentração de FT inferior a 1.500 ppm F (1.388,2 ± 25,8 a 1.483,2 ± 98,2). Os valores de FST foram superiores a 1.000 ppm F e variaram de 1.035,5 ± 61,5 a 1.221,8 ± 35,2 para cremes dentais a base de carbonato de cálcio/monofluorfosfato e de 1.455,6 ± 12,5 a 1.543,0 ± 147,3 para o creme dental à base de sílica/fluoreto de sódio. Os cremes dentais mais vendidos no Brasil apresentaram concentração de fluoreto solúvel para controlar cárie, independentemente da região onde foram comprado