bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Individuals Seeking Help for Substance Use Disorder Adjusted to Virtual 12-Step Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Hassett-Walker Connie
Published: February 2025

Technology-based online support services are emerging as a resource for people recovering from substance abuse. This study presents findings on how individuals seeking help for a substance use disorder through 12-step fellowship meetings (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous) adjusted to virtual rather than in-person meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fifty individuals (50) were interviewed, recruited primarily from 12-step meetings in 3 locations in a rural New England state in the United States. Subjects were asked about whether they had attended virtual meetings during the pandemic, how online meetings compare to in-person meetings, and if they encountered any obstacles when attending virtual meetings (eg, Internet connectivity). More individuals preferred in-person meetings for a variety of reasons, although many participants were willing to give virtual meetings a try. Some participants continued to attend virtual meetings, even after in-person meetings returned. Positives of virtual recovery meetings included convenience and the fact that they could be accessed from anywhere. Internet connectivity and technical difficulties presented a challenge for some. Some individuals were unable to focus in virtual meetings and got easily distracted. Digital recovery support services should continue to be offered as some recovering individuals find them helpful. Virtual meetings are a resource, particularly for those individuals living in rural areas without many in-person resources readily available, or access to adequate transportation. Treatment providers working in rural states may consider advocating to policymakers for quality Internet services (eg, high-speed broadband access), to sufficiently meet residents’ treatment and other healthcare needs.
On the colour of slavery and servitude in the literary imagination of the German–Polish borderlands
Authors: Kopp Kristin
Published: February 2025

This article seeks to challenge assumptions about the way in which slavery and enslavability are represented in literary texts of the high imperial era by examining representations of slavery, serfdom and captive labour in Heinrich Sienkiewicz’s Krzyżacy (1900, The Teutonic Knights) and Ernst Wichert’s Heinrich von Plauen (1881). These two novels were written during a period when many authors sought to present intensifying German–Polish conflict as the product of ‘racial’ difference, rendered visible in the asymmetric distribution of light and dark physical coloration patterns. Neither Sienkiewicz nor Wichert pursues such strategies. Their novels are set in the borderlands bridging Central Europe and the Eurasian steppe, a landscape where the Teutonic Order clashed with the unified Polish–Lithuanian forces and where both intrinsic and extrinsic slave-raiding was commonplace. The connections between war, enslavement and captive labour are actively thematised, and members of various ethnic groups (including not only Germans, Poles, Lithuanians and Bohemians but also Tatars, Turks and others) are discussed in terms of their enslavability and fitness for servitude. Here too, physical coloration patterns play no role.
King Alfred, Alfred King, the King Alfred, or Alfred the King: The Development of the Relative Order of Personal Names and Their Titles in Apposition Traced in the Peterborough Chronicle
Authors: Shinkawa Seiji
Published: February 2025

Proper names and titles in apposition can be joined with or without an accompanying definite article in any of the following arrangements: King Alfred, Alfred King, the King Alfred, and Alfred the King. Alfred King, which sounds unusual today, was the rule in the earliest period. King Alfred, the most favored by modern speakers, was virtually absent in Old English. The patterns with the definite article developed later and have been accepted to different degrees at different times. What must have been relevant to the choice among these patterns are meaning, emphasis, euphony, and rhythm, but their role cannot be established without native Old English informants. Anachronistic applications of modern linguistic intuition to old data must be avoided. However, if the data can be related linearly to the present-day usage with strong empirical backing, today’s intuition may be utilized for a more fine-grained analysis of the past data. In this article, such an attempt is shown to be effective in reconstructing the functions of different appositive patterns in the tradition of vernacular English historiography as represented by the Peterborough Chronicle.
Explained Variance in Two-Level Models: A New Approach
Authors: Holm Anders , Jann Ben , Karlson Kristian Bernt
Published: February 2025

The proportion of explained variance is well defined in linear models, but Snijders and Bosker demonstrated that this concept is ill defined in linear multilevel models. Whenever a researcher adds a level 1 predictor to the model, the level 2 variance may increase because the level 2 variance also depends on the level 1 variance. This problem is more pronounced when there are few observations per cluster. The authors present a solution that allows researchers to decompose variance components from null models into parts explained and unexplained by level 1 predictors. The authors also offer an extension that incorporates level 2 predictors. This approach is based on multivariate multilevel modeling and provides a complete decomposition of the gross (or null model) variance components. The approach is also implemented in the user-written Stata program twolevelr2, and the online supplement contains worked code for implementation in R. The authors illustrate this method with an example analyzing sibling similarities in lifetime income.
The Role of Immunotherapy in Salivary Gland Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kim Sul Gi , Tasoulas Jason , Sheth Siddharth , Yarbrough Wendell G. , Hackman Trevor , Amelio Antonio L. , Sullivan Christopher Blake
Published: February 2025

Background: Salivary gland cancer (SGC) comprises a very heterogeneous group of rare neoplasms, accounting for approximately 2% to 6% of head and neck malignancies. Surgery with or without adjuvant radiotherapy is the main treatment regimen. However, patients who are ineligible for surgery, including late-stage, recurrent, or metastatic disease, have very limited options. Chemotherapeutic schemes have failed to offer meaningful survival benefit, while the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) like anti-PD1, anti-PDL1, and anti-CTLA4 is largely unknown. Methods: A systematic database search of clinical trials evaluating the role of anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 immunotherapy in the survival of patients with SGC was conducted in EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases. Primary outcomes were overall survival, progression-free survival, complete responses (CRs), partial responses (PRs), stable disease (SD), and objective response rates. Results: We identified 770 relevant studies. Nine clinical trials and 4 retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for further analysis. A total of 473 patients were studied, with an average age of 61 ± 4 years old for prospective trials and 60 ± 11 years old for retrospective studies. For studies that provided gender, the male-to-female ratio was 1.2:1 for prospective trials versus 4:1 for retrospective studies. All patients in the clinical trials had recurrent or metastatic disease. All patients received anti-PD1 ICI with either pembrolizumab or nivolumab, 7 study arms administering pembrolizumab, 10 study arms administering nivolumab. For prospective trials, 6/9 studies also reported an additional intervention. Most prevalent histology was adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 230). Outcome of prospective trial were 1 CR, 19 PRs 145 SD, and 80% of patients reporting an adverse event (AE) of any grade. For retrospective studies, 1 patient reported CR, 3 patients reported PR, 11 patients reported SD, and 92% of patients reported an AE of any grade. Conclusion: Anti-PD1 immunotherapeutic modalities can be a safe and potentially-beneficial option for patients with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic SGC. However, the literature suffers from small cohorts, lack of randomization, and heterogeneity among different histologies of SGC. Prospective trials evaluating the role of anti-PD1 in patients with SGC, stratified by histology are warranted to determine the potential role of immunotherapy in the treatment of this disease.
Women’s and Men’s Authorship Experiences: A Prospective Meta-Analysis
Authors: Banks George C. , Rasmussen Lisa M. , Tonidandel Scott , Pollack Jeffrey M. , Hausfeld Mary M. , Williams Courtney , Albritton Betsy H. , Allen Joseph A. , Bastardoz Nicolas , Batchelor John H. , Bennett Andrew A. , Briker Roman , Castille Christopher M. , De Jong Bart A. , Demeter Elise , DeSimone Justin A. , Field James G. , Figueroa-Armijos Maria , Fernanda Garcia M. , Gardner William L. , Gish J. Jeffrey , Giurge Laura M. , Gonzalez-Brambila Claudia N. , González-Morales M. Gloria , Graf-Vlachy Lorenz , Kumar Gupta Roopak , Hinojosa Amanda S. , Howard Zion , Kepes Sven , Köhler Tine , Kong Dejun Tony , Langer Markus , Loi Teng lat , Maher Liam P. , Miao Chao , Mithani Murad A. , Balachandran Nair Lakshmi , Obenauer William G. , O’Boyle Ernest H. , Pierce Jason R. , Powell Deborah M. , Reiter-Palmon Roni , Rupp Deborah E. , Tatachari Srinivasan , Thomas Jane S. , Vissak Tiia , Volschenk Jako , Wang Chen , Whelpley Christopher E. , Wolff Hans-Georg , Woznyj Haley M. , Yang Tao
Published: February 2025

The opaqueness of author naming and ordering, when coupled with power dynamics, can lead to a number of disadvantages in academic careers. In this commentary, we investigate gender differences in authorship experiences in a large prospective meta-analytic study (k = 46; n = 3,565; 12 countries). We find that women’s and men’s authorship experiences differ significantly with women reporting greater prevalence of problematic behaviors. We present seven actionable recommendations for improving the receipt and reporting of intellectual credit. Such actions are needed to ensure fairness in authorship, which is one of the most powerful factors in academics’ career outcomes.
Affective Valence in Posts on X (Formerly Twitter) and Evaluation of a Politician’s Image
Authors: Obrębska Monika , Konat Barbara , Gajewska Ewelina , Dembska Nadia , Dobrowolska Marcelina
Published: February 2025

The aim of this study was to examine whether the use of affective language by politicians impacts the social evaluation of their image, as measured by the semantic differential method developed by Cwalina et al.. In the study, Polish participants ( N = 958) evaluated the profiles of three well-known Polish politicians from different parties: Bosak (right-wing), Trzaskowski (center), and Biedroń (left-wing). Participants made evaluations before and after reading hateful, kind or neutral tweets about refugees from Ukraine. We controlled for participants’ political views and demographic variables. The results confirmed changes in evaluations of the image of politicians depending on the language they used. The ‘positivity bias’ identified in the study provides encouragement to use kindness speech in public discourse, showing that this type of communication can improve a politician's ratings.
Psychological Perspectives on Language, Identity, and Intergroup Dynamics
Authors: Zabrodskaja Anastassia
Published: February 2025

In this introductory article to the Special Issue on Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Language, Society, and Psychology: Advances from ICLASP18, I provide an overview of the conference's key themes, contributions, and scholarly significance. The issue features diverse research exploring how language shapes social interactions, identity formation, and behavioral dynamics across various socio-cultural contexts. By synthesizing the presented studies, I highlight emerging trends and methodological innovations, including computational analyses of linguistic bias, qualitative insights into social exclusion, and novel approaches to intergroup communication. This introduction outlines the organization of the Special Issue, presents the thematic groupings of the articles, and discusses their theoretical and practical implications. Through these efforts, this Special Issue aims to contribute to academic scholarship and offer practical insights for policymakers, practitioners, and educators seeking to understand the evolving intersections of language, society, and psychology.
DEVELOPING ORAL HYGIENE SKILLS IN VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN IN ROMANIA
Authors: Jumanca D. , Galuscan A. , Matichescu A. , Oancea R. , Podariu A.C.
Published: February 2025

Aim: The purpose of this study was to improve oral hygiene, to prevent dental cavities and periodontal disease in visually impaired children.

Methods: With project partners: University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” - Faculty of Dental Medicine; Timis County Council and “IRIS” High School, Timisoara. Ethics approval was given by The University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Victor Babes” ethics committee and informed consent was provided by the School. For the development of this project we received the support of Timis County School Inspectorate. From the children enrolled at IRIS School (aged 6 to 18 years), 20 children were totally blind and 83 children had moderate visual impairment, some with varying degrees of mental disabilities. The programme started with the dental team of the Faculty going to the high school, where, dental education lessons were held by age groups and interactive discussion took place with children. Secondly, during the baseline evaluation, the target group traveled by minibus, under the supervision of teachers, to the headquarters of Preventive Dentistry, Community and Oral Health Discipline. There, the baseline Silness and Loe plaque index was recorded (using Miraton disclosing solution) and the children received practical demonstrations of correct toothbrushing and preventive treatment. According to need care included scaling, professional cleaning, fissure sealing and topical fluoride applications, accompanied by explanations and discussions designed to educate and motivate patients. After 6 months a second Silness and Loe plaque index record was taken, along with further training of the children.

Results: At baseline, 14 (70% of the total) completely blind children and 34 (40.9%) children with a partial visual defect took part. The second Silness and Loe recording saw 9 (64.2% of those at baseline) totally blind children and 28 (82.3% baseline) children with partial visual deficit. The plaque index decreased from an average of 2.4 in those blind to an average of 1.8 and from an average of 2.5 in those with visual defects to an average of 1.8. However, this is still higher than in non-impaired Romanian children (1.2).

Conclusions: Total or partial visual impairment is linked to poorer dental hygiene in Romanian children. Through education lessons and through practical sustained repetitive education, oral hygiene can be improved by the joint efforts of relatives, educators and dentists.
GAIN AND LOSS FRAMED ORAL HEALTH PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS IN CHILDHOOD
Authors: Alberth M.*. , Liptak A. , MÁth J.
Published: February 2025

Prevention of diseases and provision of a satisfactory quality of life for the population should be a primary aim of all societies. Knowledge, attitude and beliefs have been considered important factors in oral health care. Oral health behaviours such as brushing, flossing, regular dental visits and receiving the primary preventive measures are necessary to avoid caries and periodontitis. School based oral health education has been found effective in improving oral heath knowledge. Heath massages can be framed in positive (gain- framed) and in negative (loss-frame) methods. How information is presented can influence oral health behaviours.

Aim: To compare these two oral health education methods in elementary school children.

Methods: Between September and December 2015, all 205 children aged from 6- 12 years from the only junior school in a small town near Debrecen and their parents were invited to take part in this study. Data regarding socio- economic status, educational level, oral health knowledge, attitude and regular dental care were collected by questionnaire from children and from parents before an oral examination. Children were randomly divided into two groups, and oral health education was given in one of the two the baseline assessment of DMF-T and plaque index. Two months later the effectiveness of the oral health education program was assessed when the plaque index was taken and a questionnaire was completed by the children. Ethics approval was given by the Ethics Committee of Debrecen University and the parents of all children who participated gave their consent.

Results: Of those invited questionnaires were completed in full and clinical examinations performed on 160 children, of whom 83 were female and 77 male (mean age 9 years, SD±1.94). The average DMF-T was 5.44 with D=5.27, M=0.02, F=0.15 components. The baseline plaque index was 46.4% (±22.4). After two months, the mean plaque index was reduced 10.3% (±14.6), there was no statistical difference between the two oral health education groups. There was a significant association between parental education level and their children’s plaque index decrease (p>0.0001. The highest reduction in plaque level was found in children whose parents had a high educational level and the least in those whose parents had a low educational level.

Conclusion: In the case of children whose parents had a low level of education, the school based oral health education programs was not effective. In their case parental education and individual motivation or peer learning in small groups may be more beneficial.
HISTORICAL TRENDS OF A NATIONAL ORAL HEALTH PROGRAM IN IRAN
Authors: Yazdani A. , Gheisari S.
Published: February 2025

In the Islamic Republic of Iran the Ministry of Health and Medical Education is responsible for the levels of health service provision and to improve equitable access within a national economic, social and cultural development program. Within this program health service resources and facilities should be distributed in a way that no one seeking oral care within this public program should pay more than 30% of the costs (fee) and low-income people’s share of the costs (fee) should be reduced to 1%. Oral health services are part of the national primary health care (PHC) network and are part of the national public health services, which are accessible in health centres all over Iran. In this program 0-12-year- old children and pregnant women have been priority groups since 1995. They can enjoy the oral health care, including oral health education, fissure sealants, fluoride therapy, fillings, scaling, extraction of infected teeth, for the same costs (fees) as those paid by others in the public sector. National surveys carried out in 1998, 2009, and 2013 have indicated the failure of this plan and a need to review and make substantial changes to it. Dental costs make up a large proportion of total health payments in Iran. Unofficial estimates have reported that patients must pay about 90% of costs out of their own pockets. In order to modify this existing oral health care system, the government developed a new plan for dentistry and implemented rural insurance in 2015. This program provides new opportunities to improve oral health and helps maintain health equity in terms of access to services and financial protection, based on universal insurance coverage. The necessary costs of the priority groups are paid per capita from health insurance credits (7% of all credits). For others, they are paid in the form of a fee for service. Studies carried out one year after implementation of the program showed an increase of 38%, 91% and 175% for tooth restoration, fissure sealants, and fluoride therapy, respectively. There has also been an 11% reduction in tooth extraction. In addition to enhancement of service coverage, the earnings of public sector dentists increased, as compared with those who deliver services in the private sector. For the public sector dentists, their salary increased from 1000 Euro to nearly 4000 Euro per month.
CHILD DENTAL CARE PROGRAM (PADI) IN THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AFTER 11 YEARS
Authors: Trullols M.C. , Quintana J.M. , Casals E.
Published: February 2025

The Balearic Islands Government Decree 87/2005, of 29 July, gave the right to free dental care to people aged 6 to 15 years residing in the Balearic Islands. This gives the population prevention and treatment of oral diseases in order to reduce differences of the population through care and maintenance of oral health. Care is provided through a large list of dentists, to ensure access and acceptability. This study aimed to evaluate the data from 11 annual reports of the Programa de Atencion Dental Infantil (Children’s dental care program) PADI, in the Balearic Islands public health service IbSalut. PADI uses the public healthcare network and private dentists through capitation payments. PADI is in eight Autonomous Regions in Spain: Andalusia, Aragon, the Balearic Islands, Extremadura, Murcia, Navarra and the Basque Country.

Method: By 2015 development of PADI had taken 11 years and for the first time 16-year-olds had completed the program. Analysis of activity and economic data from 11 PADI annual reports was undertaken. Monthly data is reported by dentists using excel files sent to the PADI Office, Ibsalut.

Results: A total of 160 dentists are in PADI. Population coverage has stabilized around 33% with a peak in 2011 of almost 37% of the population. The care provided by dentists is adequate, with a predominance of preventive activities. Children in the units of oral health in primary care have required a larger number of extractions and pulp treatments, reflecting the use of this public network by children with greater medical and social complexity. In 2015 private dentists saw 73%, of children, with a total of 27,829 (out of a population of 114,007 children between 6 and 15 years old). This cost €1,306,084, of which €1,279,766 was made in capitation payments: €46 / child, and €26,318 for special treatments. In 2015 this represented 0.1% of Balearic Health Service expenditure.
A RESPONSE TO ORAL HEALTH INEQUALITIES: A FRENCH HOSPITAL-BASED ORAL CONSULTATION
Authors: Radoi L. , Folliguet M. , El Hammoumi O. , Seguier S.
Published: February 2025

Background: The French welfare system covers basic oral care except for prosthetic rehabilitation. As a result, underserved people can’t access such care. To limit oral health inequalities, in France, the Ministry of Health has established general and dental consultations in some public hospitals, in a program called PASS (health-care access points). Aims The aim of this poster is to explain how a dental-care access point in a Parisian hospital, which opened in 2013 for adults operates and to list its clinical activity for 2015.

Methods: A patient who wishes to be treated at a PASS is interviewed by a social worker, who then refers the patient to the dental service if they can benefit from this program. During the first appointment, a clinical and radiological examination is performed. A committee, which meets once a month, accepts or not the recommendations of the dental team and authorises payment. The dental care provided is evidence-based and ethical.

Results: In 2015, 190 patients were treated, of whom 153 were seen for the first time: 111 men (58%) and 72 women (42%) (mean age 39 years). The type of housing where they lived was: in their own homes 70 (37%) accommodation in the family or with friends 68 (36%), in voluntary homes (government /charity funded accommodation) 29 (15%). Twenty three (12%) were homeless. Their financial situation was: 90 (52%) had no resources, 38 (20%) received basic welfare benefits, 27 (14%) were employed, and 26 (14%) were retired. The dental care which they received was: complete oral rehabilitation for 95 patients, of whom 90 patients are still receiving ongoing care and 5 gave up at the prosthetic stage. The dental procedures conducted were: 590 radiographic evaluations, 50 periodontal treatments, 38 endodontic treatments and 109 restorative treatments, 93 extractions and 77 fixed or removable prostheses.

Conclusion: This program improves the quality of health care and social services and ensures better integration of underserved people into their communities. Nevertheless, there are still obstacles to treatment for these persons, other than financial ones. They include: language, cultural habits, homelessness, length and difficulty of treatment. The social network helps to support underserved people in their medical and dental care. The positive assessment of this program encourages the hospital to develop the same initiative for children who need care as well as orthodontic treatments.
PATHOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH LICHEN PLANUS OF THE ORAL MUCOSA
Authors: Ekjanova O.E. , Shukurova U.A , Alimova R.G.
Published: February 2025

The aim of this project was to study the psychoemotional (anxiety) state of patients with the different clinical forms of oral lichen planus (OLP).

Methods: All 139 patients, who attended the Dental Therapeutics Department of the Tashkent State Dental Institute between September 2012 and September 2015, with the different clinical forms of OLP and who agreed to take part, were included in this study. Of the total, 36 patients had the typical form of OLP, 34 had the exudative-hyperemic form, 42 the erosive-ulcerous form and 27 the bullous form. A random selection of 40 patients without pathology of oral mucosa and skin were recruited as the control group. All patients gave informed written consent and the study was approved by the ethics committee of the Tashkent Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education. The anxiety of patients with OLP was estimated using self- appraisal scale of Spielberg and Khanin (2002). We estimated the state of reactive anxiety – RA and personal anxiety – PA (as stable personal characteristics). The appraisal scale includes 20 questions (10 of them characterize emotions, tension, anxiety, preoccupation, and 10 characterize absence of anxiety), which the patients evaluated themselves. Scores of 30 and lower are considered as low anxiety, 31-45 as moderate anxiety, 46 and higher as high anxiety. Differences between the control and OLP group were tested using the Student t test. The level for a statistically significant difference was set at p<0.05.

Results: In the control group RA was low in 26 patients (65±7.5%) and RA was moderate in 14 patients (35±7.5%). The mean RA for the control group was 36.6 ±2.7 and was considered as moderate anxiety. For patients with OLP, 39 had a low level (28±3.8), 88 (63.3±2.3) a moderate level RA and 12 (8.6±2.3) a high level. The mean PA for the control group was 37.8 (+1.8) and in the OLP group it was 62.3 (+ 2.8). The RA and PA for each form of OLP has not yet been calculated.

Conclusions: Patients with OLP reported higher rates of RA and PA than those in the control group. RA was 31.9% (p<0.05) higher and PA was 64.7% (p<0.05) higher. There was a progressive increase of RA and PA with increase severity of OLP suggesting the possible need for “soft” psychomotor medication in the treatment of such patients.
ORAL HEALTH AND USE OF DENTAL SERVICES AMONG ASYLUM SEEKERS AND IMMIGRANTS
Authors: Ghaderi P. , Tervonen L. , Mattila A. , Laitala M.L. , Anttonen V.
Published: February 2025

Recently, the number of asylum seekers and immigrants arriving in Finland as well as other European countries has explosively grown. Tens of millions people have been obliged to leave their home countries because of conflict and persecution. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate self-reported oral health, oral health habits and use of dental health care services among asylum seekers and immigrants in Finland.

Methods: All asylum seekers living in the Ruukki refugee reception center and immigrants studying at the Oulu Adult Education Centre and PSK-Adult Education Centre were asked to participate in the interview study carried out in Northern Finland, 2012. Participation was voluntary and by participation the respondents gave their consent. The study comprised 38 participants (18 males and 20 females) from 15 different countries. Nine of the participants were asylum seekers and 29 immigrants, the youngest being 17 and the oldest 53 years old (mean 31.6, SD 9.3). Each interview took approximately 30 minutes. The reported data was analyzed with SPPS Statistics 20.0 (IBM, Illinois, USA) and the differences between the groups were tested using Pearsons chi-square and Fishers exact tests.

Results: The participants reported high need for dental treatment, most often among the highly educated (90%, n=9) and among those with no education at all (89%, n=8). The asylum seekers (78%, n=7) reported more pain and other symptoms in the mouth than the immigrants (31%, n=9), p=0.02. The asylum seekers (100%, n=9) were significantly more unsatisfied with both access to dental treatment (p=0.003) and the quality of treatment (p=0.001) in Finland when compared to the immigrants (18%, n=5). The immigrants were more aware of good oral health habits than the asylum seekers. Brushing teeth at least twice a day was significantly more common among the immigrants than among the asylum seekers both in their home countries (immigrants 62%, n=18/asylum seekers 11%, n=1; p=0.019) and in Finland (immigrants 79%, n=23/asylum seekers 22%, n=2; p=0.003).

Conclusion: Despite the small number of participants, our interview-based study indicates that asylum seekers and immigrants have need for acute and basic dental treatment and health education.
ORAL HEALTH MAY AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF MRNA-BASED SALIVA BIOMARKERS FOR OSCC
Authors: JÓzsef HorvÁth J. , Scholtz B. , Tar I.
Published: February 2025

Aim(s): Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a dismal 50% five-year survival rate, emphasizing the need to develop reliable and sensitive tools for early diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of 7 previously identified, potential mRNA biomarkers of OSCC in saliva samples of Hungarian patients.

Methods: Thirty one consecutive patients with recently diagnosed and untreated OSCC were recruited from the Department of Oral Surgery (Faculty of Dentistry, University of Debrecen, Hungary), between June 2011 and May 2012. Thirty age- and gender-matched subjects, and 29 young healthy subjects, consecutively admitted for dental check-up at the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Department of Periodontology (Faculty of Dentistry, University of Debrecen, Hungary), represented the control groups. Exclusion criteria were: a prior history of cancer, coexisting diabetes, autoimmune disorder or contagious diseases. RNA was isolated and reverse transcribed from filtered saliva samples. Expression of the putative OSCC biomarkers (DUSP1, OAZ1, H3F3A, IL1B, IL8, SAT and S100P), 2 biomarkers of inflammation (IL6 and TNFÎ±) and 8 putative normalizing genes were quantified from each sample using real-time quantitative PCR. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Debrecen The study participants were all invited, and gave their written, informed consent. Detailed characteristics of OSCC patients and controls are summarised in a poster.

Results: In contrast with previous studies, the expression pattern of the 7 mRNA biomarkers was similar between OSCC patients and age-matched control patients in the Hungarian patient population. On the other hand, 5 of the 7 mRNA biomarkers were present at significantly higher levels in saliva samples of OSCC patients when compared to young control patients. The best biomarker combination could distinguish only the OSCC vs. young control patients, but not the OSCC vs. age-matched control patients.

Conclusion: The significant differences between our results and previous studies, and the clinical characteristics of the patients suggest that inflammatory processes in the oral cavity may affect the performance of the 7 putative salivary mRNA biomarkers. Since IL6 mRNA was quantifiable in the majority of OSCC cases, but only in a few control samples, salivary IL6 mRNA may be utilized as part of a biomarker combination to detect OSCC.
LASER DOPPLER FLOWMETRY OF ORAL STRUCTURES: CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS
Authors: Keremi B. , Lohinai Z. , Varga G.
Published: February 2025

Preserving oral health is a crucially important area of medicine. One of the numerous functions of the oral cavity is that it serves as a first line of defence, forming a barrier between the internal and the external environment. Thus, an appropriate function of oral tissues is a pre-requisite for the healthy function of the entire organism. For the appropriate function of organs and tissues, a good supply of nutrients and oxygen is necessary. This is provided by the blood supply, and therefore knowledge of the microcirculation of particular organs is necessary for a proper understanding of their function. The first indicator of an injury is the change in microcirculation. Blood flow is regulated by local and systemic mechanisms. Vasoregulatory substances - three different small molecules (nitric oxide (NO), carbide monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S)) are known to be endogenous gaseous mediators in the circulation - have a key role in local regulatory mechanisms.

Aims: To investigate the effects of gaseous mediators CO and H2S on the submandibular gland (SMG) and gingival (GIN) microcirculation in rats.

Methods: Gingival circulation and microvessel function can be studied using different methods. A non- invasive technique to study tissue blood flow is laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), a sensitive, reproducible and harmless method that is widely used today. LDF can be used both in human studies and on experimental animals. Blood flow (BF) was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry on the exposed surface of right SMG and on the upper central papilla. BF changes were calculated as percentage of the baseline. In the first series of experiments a HO inhibitor (zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol, ip. 45mM/kg) was given. In the second local dripping of 50mM H2S donor sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) was applied directly on the SMG and GIN. The study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Semmelweis University.

Results: The HO inhibitor did not change the SMG BF (89±3% of baseline, NS), but significantly decreased the GIN BF (56±10% of baseline, p<0.05). NaHS application significantly increased SMG BF (214±26% of baseline, p<0.001), but did not change GIN BF (110±7% of baseline, NS).

Conclusion: These data clearly indicate that endogenous H2S is involved in the adequate maintenance of basal submandibular perfusion, but not in gingival blood flow. On the contrary endogenous CO is a vasodilator in the gingiva, but not in the submandibular gland.
THREE YEAR RESULTS OF ECC PREVENTION IN CHILDREN WITH STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS IN SALIVA
Authors: Shakavets N. , Tserakhava T.
Published: February 2025

The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of antimicrobial (chlorhexidine) and remineralising agents (fluoride varnish) applications for early childhood caries prevention in children with Streptococcus mutans (SM) in saliva.

Methods: The study was conducted in the Belarusian State Medical University dental school. A total of 295 children up to 3 years old (average age 15.2 months) were examined by one dentist to assess quantitative salivary levels of SM, dental caries using d1-4mft index and oral hygiene practices (index of E.Kuzmina, 2000). Children with SM CFU >103 (n=134) were randomized in group 1 (n=52) with applications of “Cervitec” varnish (chlorhexidine) 4 times a year, group 2 (n=51) with applications of “Cervitec” varnish 2 times a year and 5% fluoride varnish applications 2 times a year and control group 3 (n=31) with semi-annual dental visits. The dentist who recorded dmft was blind to the treatment groups. The results were analyzed statistically (Wilcoxon test, Mann- Whitney U test, Spearman correlation analysis). Regional Ethics Committee approval and parental informed consents were obtained.

Results: There were no statistically significant proportional differences regarding age, gender or number of erupted teeth between the groups. At baseline the dental caries prevalence was 67.3% (n=35) in group 1, 64.7% (n=33) in group 2 and 67.7% (n=21) in group 3. Index d1-4mft was 3.23 (2.90), 3.18 (2.82) and 3.32 (3.41) accordingly (p1-3=0.88; p2-3=0.86). Oral hygiene index was 0.44 (0.26), 0.39 (0.26) and 0.43 (0.27) (p1-3=0.39; p2-3=0.76). The SM salivary level was 1.69 (0.61), 1.57 (0.64) and 1.74 (0.58) accordingly (p1-3=0.67; p2-3=0.21). After 3 years the increase in dental caries in group 1 was 2.04, in group 2 – 1.35 and in group 3 – 3.30 (р1-3=0.12; р2-3=0.001). Dental caries reduction was 38.2% in group 1 and 59.1% in group 2. The correlation between dental caries prevalence and oral hygiene index in each group was (ρ=0.66, ρ=0.46 and ρ=0.45; p<0.001). There was no significant effect of 4 “Cervitec” varnish applications on dental caries increment.

Conclusion: the antimicrobial and fluoride varnish should be used together for ECC prevention in children with SM in saliva.
PUFA INDEX RESULTS OF UNTREATED DENTAL CARIES AMONG 3-6 YEAR OLDS, TURKEY
Authors: Ozsin Ozler C. , Uzamis Tekcicek M. , Ozdemir P. , Guciz Dogan B.
Published: February 2025

The aim of this study was to determine the consequences of untreated dental caries in relation to some characteristics of 3-6 year-old children using the pufa index.

Methods: The data were obtained from a study in which the oral health, nutritional status, and anthropometric measurements of the preschool aged children were surveyed. Ethics approval for the study was obtained from the Hacettepe University Non-Interventional Clinical Researches Ethics Board. Permission was obtained from the parents of the children involved and from the relevant educational authorities. The target population was all preschool children, aged 36 - 71 months (n=1019) in a district of Ankara. However, due to some parents not giving consent and the absence of some children from school, 729 children participated in the study. A trained resident from the Paediatric Dentistry Department of Hacettepe University Faculty of Dentistry performed the oral examinations of the children. Intra-examiner variability was checked (Kappa value was 88%, p<0,001). The pufa index was used for evaluating the clinical oral mucosal consequences of untreated dental caries. Pulpal involvement (p), ulceration because of the dislocated tooth fragments (u), fistula existence (f), and abscess formation (a) were recorded. The data were analysed by using SPSS 16.0 programme. Results: Of the children, 12.9% (n=94) had pufa symptoms. The highest pufa score for one child was 6. The primary mandibular left second molar was the tooth most commonly found to have pulpal involvement (p). The primary maxillary right central incisor was the tooth most commonly to have a fistula (f). Having a pufa score of at least one was statistically significantly more likely in males (15.8%, n=64, p= 0.008) than females, and in children aged 60-71 months (17.7%, n= 69, p<0.001) than 36-47 and 48-59 months. Higher pufa scores were seen in children whose mothers and fathers had a lower educational level than Lycee (secondary education) (16.9%, n=50, p=0.010 for fathers and 17.7%, n=46, p=0.001 for mothers ) and in children whose mothers had self-assessed untreated caries (17.7%, n=56, p=0.001),who were of middle- and low socio-economical status (14.7%, n=79, p=0.013) were found to be significantly related to pufa experience.

Conclusions: In the group of 3-6-year-olds studied, a surprisingly high proportion of children with untreated dental caries had pufa symptoms. It is necessary to highlight the need for preventive dentistry and dental caries management in the primary dentition.
COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL CARE IN PRIMARY CARE DENTISTRY SERVICES IN BRAZIL
Authors: Baugarten A. , Neves Hugo F. , Bulgarelli A.F. , Hilgert J.B.*
Published: February 2025

In 2012, a Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Health Care (PMAQ-AB) was implemented in Brazil to expand access to Primary Health Care (PHC), including dental care (added in 2000), and improve quality standards nationwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the provision of comprehensive clinical dental care by PHC services.

Methods: A national census of the 18,114 PHC dental services that took part in PMAQ-AB. Co- variates included characteristics of the service and primary care dentists. The outcome, provision of comprehensive clinical dental care, was deemed present if a PHC dental service provided the following: scaling, composite and amalgam restorations, tooth extractions and pulpectomy. In addition, the presence of minimum equipment and materials to perform the above mentioned clinical care was evaluated. All services were evaluated by researchers trained for this purpose by research institutions all over Brazil under guidance of the Ministry of Health. Tablet computers were used for data input. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Prevalence ratios were calculated by means of Poisson regression with robust variance.

Results: 1190 PHCs did not have minimum equipment and were excluded from the analysis. Only 5% (N=840) of the PHC dental services provided comprehensive care and had the minimum set of materials and equipment. With regards of the PHC services, high quality was found in services with the most dentists (Prevalence Ratio (PR) 1.16 [95%CI 1.14-1.19]), greater workload (PR 1.63 [95%CI 1.74-1.84]), where management provided information for health situation analysis (PR 1.14 [95%CI 1.11-1.17]), which carried out monitoring of indicators of oral health (PR 1.12 [95%CI 1.10-1.15]) and which planned and programmed the oral health actions monthly with primary care teams (PR 1.03 [95%CI 1.01-1.05]). With regards of the dentist, higher quality was found in those who showed better employment ties (PR 1.27 [95%CI 1.23-1.32]), who had a career plan (PR 1.10 [95%CI 1.08-1.13]), had a post graduate qualification in public health (PR 1.06 [95%CI 1.05-1.09]) and undertook continuing education (PR 1.23 [95%CI 1.19-1.27]).

Conclusion: It is suggested that improvements are needed in the infrastructure of the dental offices of primary health care, as well as incentives for implementing changes in the health centers and incentives for the SUS (Unified Health System) for health professionals, so that changes reflect improving quality of care.
PREVENTIVE EDUCATION FOR INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS
Authors: Szanto I. , Sandor B. , Nagy A.
Published: February 2025

The aim of the study was to compare the early diagnostic and school based screening possibilities of healthy and intellectually challenged children (ICC) in Hungary.

Methods: Ethical approval of the survey was given by the Regional Research Ethic Committee of Medical Center, University of Pecs, No. 6308. In the first part of our study institutes and foundations (for ICC) were selected randomly from the list available on the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration website for a survey on their oral screening opportunities. In the second part the data of 50 previously treated ICC were collected and compared to 50 age/gender related healthy patients according to their initial diagnoses at the University of Pecs, Paediatric Dentistry Department. For statistical analysis we used the chi-square, and Mann-Whitney tests.

Results: 1. Oral screening is only available in 50% of the ICC institutes, particularly located in the capitol. There is high inequality between the early diagnostics and school based programs of the ICC and healthy children. 2. The analysis of the treated patients showed that the basic dental status of ICC at the first examination was significantly worse than for healthy patients. The time required for examination is also significantly longer for ICC. We found a great inequality of waiting time for treatment: this is significantly longer for ICC (special circumstances are needed, and also the organisation is slower).

Conclusions: ICC and their families or caregivers need intensive, individual and special preventive health education. We created a protocol for these patients to try to maintain oral health and to stabilise oral health status.
ETIOLOGY AND INCIDENCE OF MAXILLOFACIAL TRAUMA AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PÉCS BETWEEN 2011 AND 2015
Authors: Rajnics Z. , HorvÁth O. , Marada G. , Olasz L. , Radnai M.
Published: February 2025

The incidence of maxillofacial trauma varies widely between different countries and regions due to a variety of contributing factors, including environmental, cultural and social factors.

Aim: To investigate the etiology and incidence of maxillofacial injuries in all patients treated at the University of Pécs, Faculty of Dentistry between 2011 and 2015. The study included data on gender and age distribution of patients, as well as the cause, localisation and therapy of maxillofacial fractures.

Methods: Patient data were analyzed using the MedSol patient register system used at the University Clinics of Pécs during this 5-year period. Classification of data was performed using ICD-10 codes (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) classified by WHO.

Results: The study population of 509 consisted of 389 (76%) male and 120 (24%) female patients. The age group 20-29 years accounted for the largest subgroup. The most common cause of fractures was violence, followed by fall accidents. A total of 705 maxillofacial fractures were treated, 457 (65%) related to the upper 2/3 of the face, while 248 (35%) related to the mandible. The main fracture site of the face was the zygomatic bone (184, 40%) and corpus (body) (71, 29%) of the mandible. Related to therapy, 121 patients with mandible fractures were treated surgically (61%), while 180 maxillofacial injuries received conservative treatment (52%).

Conclusion: Number of patients treated with maxillofacial injuries at the University of Pécs has increased since 2012 with a peak value in 2014. Numbers of violence and fall related injuries significantly increased whereas other causes remained consistent.