29 research outputs found
Oral hygiene knowledge versus behavior in children: A questionnaire-based, interview-style analysis and on-site assessment of toothbrushing practices
Objectives: Oral hygiene plays an important role in eliminating biofilms and
preventing dental caries. However, the implementation of oral health knowledge
that children learn from their parents and through school dental health programmes
remains poorly studied. This study aimed to investigate oral hygiene knowledge and
its practical utilization in children and young adolescents (CYAs) aged 2â15 years.
Material and methods: This was a questionnaireâbased, interviewâstyle community
survey and onâsite practical assessment of CYAs' toothbrushing skills conducted during
two 1âday public scienceâpromoting events held at a major German university hospital
in consecutive years. CYAs first answered questions on toothbrushing frequency, dental
aids used, and dental care. They subsequently underwent diagnostic staining and
demonstrated their brushing technique and method. CYAs' responses (percentages) to
questionnaire items addressing oral hygiene knowledge and practice, and onâsite
assessment of toothbrushing skills served as the main outcome measures.
Results: Of 244 participating CYAs, 178 (73%) CYAs had no caries experience, the
percentage increasing with age from 5% in 2â5âyearâolds to 40% in those aged > 10
years. Of 117/244 (48%) indicating that teeth should be brushed three times daily, 80/
117 (68%) selfâreported twiceâdaily brushing, 32/117 (27%) reported brushing three
times, and 4/117 (3%) stated doing so only once. Although 131/244 (54%) considered
that teeth should be brushed for 3 min, 77/131 (59%) selfâreported actually doing so
and 41/131 (31%) reported brushing for 2min. Seventeen of 42 (40%) participants
aged > 10 years showed no systematic brushing method, with 21/42 (50%) failing to
clean their teeth completely. Participants aged 6â10 years exhibited the highest
proportion (97/134, 72%) of complete cleaning. One hundred and fortyâsix of 244
(60%) of CYAs knew about floss; 63/134 (43%) reported using it. Good adherence to
oral health recommendations (i.e., brushing â„ 2/day for â„2min) was observed in 212/
244 (87%) CYAs, the remaining 32/244 (13%) exhibiting poor adherence.
Conclusion: CYAs knew about the importance of oral hygiene and cleaned their
teeth frequently. However, translation of their knowledge into practice showed
deficiencies. Repeated encouragement to put oral health knowledge into practice is
important
MicroRNA-126-3p/5p and Aortic Stiffness in Patients with Turner Syndrome
Background: Turner Syndrome (TS) is a relatively rare X-chromosomal disease with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify whether the circulating
miR-126-3p/5p are involved in the pathophysiology of vascular dysfunction in TS. Methods: Using
the RT-qPCR, the abundance levels of miR-126-3p and miR-126-5p were determined in 33 TS patients
and 33 age-matched healthy volunteers (HVs). Vascular screening, including the assessment of blood
pressure, pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, aortic deformation, arterial distensibility, and arterial elastance, was conducted in TS patients and HVs. Results: The abundance levels of miR-126-3p
and miR-126-5p were significantly higher in TS patients compared to HVs (p < 0.0001). Within the TS
cohort, miR-126-3p/5p correlated significantly with aortic deformation (r = 0.47, p = 0.01; r = 0.48,
p < 0.01) and arterial distensibility (r = 0.55, p < 0.01; r = 0.48, p < 0.01). In addition, a significant
negative correlation was demonstrated between miR-126-3p and arterial elastance (r = â0.48, p = 0.01).
The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that miR-126-3p and miR-126-5p separated the
tested groups with high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions: The abundance levels of miR-126-3p
and miR-126-5p were significantly higher in TS patients compared to HVs. Within the TS cohort, a lower
abundance level of miR-126-3p and miR-126-5p was linked with a significantly higher aortic stiffness
Type 1 diabetes mellitus and SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric and adult patients - Data from the DPV network.
BACKGROUND
Data on patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections are sparse. This study aimed to investigate the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and T1DM.
METHODS
Data from the Prospective Diabetes Follow-up (DPV) Registry were analyzed for diabetes patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg during January 2020-June 2021, using Wilcoxon rank-sum and chi-square tests for continuous and dichotomous variables, adjusted for multiple testing.
RESULTS
Data analysis of 1855 pediatric T1DM patients revealed no differences between asymptomatic/symptomatic infected and SARS-CoV-2 negative/positive patients regarding age, new-onset diabetes, diabetes duration, and body mass index. Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) rate were not elevated in SARS-CoV-2-positive vs. -negative patients. The COVID-19 manifestation index was 37.5% in individuals with known T1DM, but 57.1% in individuals with new-onset diabetes. 68.8% of positively tested patients were managed as outpatients/telemedically. Data analysis of 240 adult T1MD patients revealed no differences between positively and negatively tested patients except lower HbA1c. Of these patients, 83.3% had symptomatic infections; 35.7% of positively tested patients were hospitalized.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate low morbidity in SARS-CoV-2-infected pediatric T1DM patients. Most patients with known T1DM and SARS-CoV-2 infections could be managed as outpatients. However, SARS-CoV-2 infection was usually symptomatic if it coincided with new-onset diabetes. In adult patients, symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization were associated with age
Insights from circulating microRNAs in cardiovascular entities in turner syndrome patients
Background
Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder, in which a female is partially or entirely missing one of the two X chromosomes, with a prevalence of 1:2500 live female births. The present study aims to identify a circulating microRNA (miRNA) signature for TS patients with and without congenital heart disease (CHD).
Methods
Microarray platform interrogating 2549 miRNAs were used to detect the miRNA abundance levels in the blood of 33 TS patients and 14 age-matched healthy volunteer controls (HVs). The differentially abundant miRNAs between the two groups were further validated by RT-qPCR.
Results
We identified 60 differentially abundant miRNA in the blood of TS patients compared to HVs, from which, 41 and 19 miRNAs showed a higher and a lower abundance levels in TS patients compared to HVs, respectively. RT-qPCR confirmed the significantly higher abundance levels of eight miRNAs namely miR-374b-5p, miR-199a-5p, miR-340-3p, miR-125b-5p, miR-30e-3p, miR-126-3p, miR-5695, and miR-26b-5p in TS patients as compared with the HVs. The abundance level of miR-5695 was higher in TS patients displaying CHD as compared to TS patients without CHD (p = 0.0265; log2-fold change 1.99); whereas, the abundance level of miR-126-3p was lower in TS patients with congenital aortic valve disease (AVD) compared to TS patients without BAV (p = 0.0139, log2-fold change 1.52). The clinical feature statistics revealed that miR-126-3p had a significant correlation with sinotubular junction Z-score (r = 0.42; p = 0.0154).
Conclusion
The identified circulating miRNAs signature for TS patients with manifestations associated with cardiovascular diseases provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of TS that may guide the development of novel diagnostic approaches
Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Childhood Growth Hormone Treatment in Noonan Syndrome
Introduction: Few data exist on long-term growth hormone (GH) treatment in patients with Noonan syndrome (NS). Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of GH treatment in NS in clinical practice. Methods: Height gain, near-adult height (NAH), and safety were assessed in 2 complementary non-interventional studies: NordiNetÂź IOS and ANSWER. The safety analysis included 412 patients, and the effectiveness analysis included 84 GH-treated patients (male, n = 67) with â„4 yearsâ height standard deviation score (HSDS) data. HSDS was determined using national reference (NR) and NS-specific (NSS) data. Results: The mean (SD) baseline age was 8.38 (3.57) years; HSDS, â2.76 (1.03); GH dose, 41.6 (11.1) ”g/kg/day. The mean (SD) HSDS increase from baseline (ÎHSDS) was 0.49 (0.37) (first year), 0.79 (0.58) (second year), and 1.01 (0.60) (third year) (NR). The mean (SD) HSDS at year 3 was â1.66 (1.00) (NR; 1.06 [1.12] [NSS]). Twenty-four patients achieved NAH. The mean (SD) NAH SDS (NR) was â1.51 (0.60) (154.90 [3.21] cm) in females and â1.79 (1.09) (165.61 [7.19] cm) in males; 70.8% (17/24) had NAH SDS â„ â2. Adverse drug reactions and GH-unrelated serious adverse events (n = 34) were reported in 22/412 (5.3%) patients. Four neoplasms and 3 cases of scoliosis were reported; no cardiovascular adverse events occurred. Conclusions: GH-treated children with NS achieved substantial height gain during the first 3 years of follow-up. Overall, 24 patients achieved NAH, with 70.8% having NAH SDS â„ â2. There was no evidence to support a higher prevalence of neoplasm, or cardiac or other comorbidities.publishedVersio
Factors Associated With Response to Growth Hormone in Pediatric Growth Disorders: Results of a 5-year Registry Analysis
Context: Growth hormone (GH) therapy can increase linear growth in patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), Turner syndrome (TS), Noonan syndrome (NS), and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), although outcomes vary by disease state.
Objective: To assess growth and identify factors associated with growth response with long-term GH therapy.
Methods: Data from pediatric patients with GHD, TS, NS, and PWS obtained at GH treatment initiation (baseline) and annually for 5 years in the ANSWER Program and NordiNetÂź IOS were analyzed retrospectively. Height standard deviation score (HSDS) was assessed over time, and multivariate analyses determined variables with significant positive effects on growth outcomes in each patient cohort.
Results: Data from patients with GHD (n = 12 683), TS (n = 1307), NS (n = 203), and PWS (n = 102) were analyzed. HSDS increased over time during GH treatment in all cohorts. Factors with significant positive effects on ÎHSDS were younger age at GH initiation and lower HSDS at baseline (all cohorts) and higher GH dose (GHD and TS only); sex had no effect in any cohort. The modeling analysis showed that ÎHSDS was greatest in year 1 and attenuated over consecutive years through year 5. Estimated least-squares mean ÎHSDS values at year 5 by cohort were 1.702 (females) and 1.586 (males) in GHD, 1.033 in TS, 1.153 in NS, and 1.392 in PWS.
Conclusion: Long-term GH therapy results in large increases in HSDS in patients with GHD, TS, NS, and PWS. Greater gains in HSDS can be obtained with higher GH doses and earlier initiation of treatment
COVID-19 Vaccination of Individuals with Down SyndromeâData from the Trisomy 21 Research Society Survey on Safety, Efficacy, and Factors Associated with the Decision to Be Vaccinated
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are among the groups with the highest risk for severe COVID-19. Better understanding of the efficacy and risks of COVID-19 vaccines for individuals with DS may help improve uptake of vaccination. The T21RS COVID-19 Initiative launched an international survey to obtain information on safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines for individuals with DS. De-identified survey data collected between March and December 2021 were analyzed. Of 2172 individuals with DS, 1973 (91%) had received at least one vaccine dose (57% BNT162b2), 107 (5%) were unvaccinated by choice, and 92 (4%) were unvaccinated for other reasons. Most participants had either no side effects (54%) or mild ones such as pain at the injection site (29%), fatigue (12%), and fever (7%). Severe side effects occurred in <0.5% of participants. About 1% of the vaccinated individuals with DS contracted COVID-19 after vaccination, and all recovered. Individuals with DS who were unvaccinated by choice were more likely to be younger, previously recovered from COVID-19, and also unvaccinated against other recommended vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be safe for individuals with DS and effective in terms of resulting in minimal breakthrough infections and milder disease outcomes among fully vaccinated individuals with DS
COVID-19 Vaccination of Individuals with Down SyndromeâData from the Trisomy 21 Research Society Survey on Safety, Efficacy, and Factors Associated with the Decision to Be Vaccinated
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are among the groups with the highest risk for
severe COVID-19. Better understanding of the efficacy and risks of COVID-19 vaccines for individuals
with DS may help improve uptake of vaccination. The T21RS COVID-19 Initiative launched an
international survey to obtain information on safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines for individuals
with DS. De-identified survey data collected between March and December 2021 were analyzed.
Of 2172 individuals with DS, 1973 (91%) had received at least one vaccine dose (57% BNT162b2),
107 (5%) were unvaccinated by choice, and 92 (4%) were unvaccinated for other reasons. Most
participants had either no side effects (54%) or mild ones such as pain at the injection site (29%),
fatigue (12%), and fever (7%). Severe side effects occurred in <0.5% of participants. About 1% of the
vaccinated individuals with DS contracted COVID-19 after vaccination, and all recovered. Individuals
with DS who were unvaccinated by choice were more likely to be younger, previously recovered
from COVID-19, and also unvaccinated against other recommended vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines
have been shown to be safe for individuals with DS and effective in terms of resulting in minimal
breakthrough infections and milder disease outcomes among fully vaccinated individuals with DS