bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
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.
DIFFERENCES IN KNOWLEDGE ON ORAL CANCER AMONG PATIENTS WITH PRECANCEROUS DISEASES AND HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS
Authors: Rimkevicius A. , Kscenaviciute V. , Rasteniene R. , Puriene A. 
Published: February 2025

Aim: To compare differences in knowledge about oral cancer primary prevention between patients with oral precancerous diseases and healthy controls. Methods: All patients were asked to participate in the study and fill 20-item pretested questionnaire during Oral Cancer Week events in Lithuania. Questionnaire included items about background characteristics, addictions (smoking, alcohol intake) and knowledge about risk factors. The study was approved by Lithuanian Bioethics Committee (2R- 2149). Data were analysed using SPSS v21.0, statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: 803 people participated in Oral Cancer Week events in Lithuania and 83 patients were diagnosed with oral precancerous diseases. Of these 76 completed the questionnaire, a response rate 91.2&#x00025;. The controls (n=78) were randomly selected from the healthy patient group by age and gender. Overall 154 were included into study. Among respondents, average age was 54.4&#x000B1;16.9. Male to female ratio 1: 3.3. Almost half of patients had a university level education (n=69, 44.8&#x00025;) and were workers (n=74, 48.1&#x00025;). In relation to risk factors, 70 (92.1&#x00025;) patients with precancerous diseases were aware that smoking causes oral cancer and 6 (7.9&#x00025;) were smokers, in the control group 69 (87.3&#x00025;) were aware of smoking risks and 10 (12.7&#x00025;) were smokers (p>0.05). The mean knowledge score (maximum score 11) was 5.3&#x000B1;2.9 among patients and 6.9&#x000B1;2.3 in controls (p<0.05). Questionnaire responses showed 39 (51.3&#x00025;) patients with precancerous disease were aware oral cancer could be treated and 26 (34.2&#x00025;) indicated oral cancer could be contagious. In controls 28 (35.9&#x00025;) were aware oral cancer could be treated and 50 (64.1&#x00025;) indicated oral cancer could be contagious (p<0.05). A total of 31 (40.8&#x00025;) patients considered oral cancer could be prevented while in the control group only 12 (15.4&#x00025;) supported this opinion (p<0.05). Conclusions: The present study showed that a lack of knowledge is common between patients with oral precancerous diseases and healthy individuals. We suggest an increase of oral cancer primary prevention awareness is necessary to reduce the prevalence of oral precancerous diseases and oral malignancies.
Blood conservation strategies in complex aortic surgery for a Jehovah’s Witness: A case report
Authors: Lewis Hannah , Devlin Joseph 
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Complex aortic surgery involving Jehovah’s Witness patients presents a significant challenge due to their refusal of blood products. Case report: This case report details the management of a 50-year-old female Jehovah’s Witness with anaemia and a low body surface area, undergoing an urgent ascending aorta and hemi-arch replacement for a type A dissection. A broad range of blood conservation strategies were utilised in order to preserve haematocrit and clotting factors. Conclusions: This report highlights the importance of careful planning, team collaboration, and the meticulous application of blood conservation techniques in achieving a favourable postoperative outcome.
Perceived infection risk, infection exposure, and compliance to infection control measures among the first COVID-19 patients in Norway
Authors: Sætrevik Bjørn , Cox Rebecca J. , Linchausen Dagrun W. , Bjørkheim Sebastian B. 
Published: February 2025

Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to assess how infected patients viewed risk. We investigated whether cases infected early in the pandemic had assessed the risk to be lower, been more exposed and took fewer precautions to prevent infection. Methods: We asked first-wave Norwegian COVID-19 patients ( n = 88) to recall how they had thought about risk of infection, exposure in potential infectious situations and their compliance to infection control measures early in the pandemic. Answers from this group were compared WITH emergency room patients with non-pulmonary complaints ( n = 75) and with a nationally representative sample ( n = 4083). Results: Both patient groups saw the risk as lower than did the representative sample. Contact with infected people was more frequent for the COVID-19 patients than for the other patients. More of the COVID-19 patients had travelled abroad immediately before the outbreak. COVID-19 patients complied less with the infection control measures than did the representative sample. The COVID-19 patients agreed less than the other patients with a statement that they had ‘complied in general’. Conclusions: Risk-behaviour was overrepresented among the first COVID-19 patients. Potential memory artefacts should be considered when interpreting the results.
Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis is Associated With Mobility Dysfunction: Results From the InChianti Study
Authors: Desikan Sarasijhaa K. , Borrelli James , Gray Vicki L. , Kankaria Aman A. , Terrin Michael , Lal Brajesh K. 
Published: February 2025

Background Older adults with mobility dysfunction are at risk for falls, hospitalization, and death. In an earlier pilot study, individuals with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) demonstrated mobility dysfunction when compared to individuals without ACAS. We tested whether carotid stenosis affected mobility function in a larger community-dwelling cohort using the Invecchaire in Chianti (InCHIANTI) database. Methods We analyzed data from participants in the InCHIANTI study who completed a medical history, carotid duplex testing, and mobility function testing (Short Physical Performance Battery- SPPB). Participants with a history of stroke, transient ischemic attack, or carotid endarterectomy were excluded. 709 participants met inclusion criteria (116 ACAS, 593 no ACAS). Our analytic approach sought to evaluate the impact of stenosis on mobility after accounting for age, sex and cardiovascular risk factors. Age was stratified into 2 age-groups (65-74 and 75-84 years). Two-way ANOVA was used to test the effect of stenosis-group, age-group, and their interactions on SPPB score with sex as a covariate. Results Stenosis-group ( P = 0.0002), age-group ( P < 0.0001), and the interaction between stenosis-group and age-group ( P = 0.0008) significantly affected SPPB. Post-hoc testing showed that participants with ACAS demonstrated worse performance on the SPPB (9.81 ± 0.37) compared to those with no ACAS (11.10 ± 0.11) in the 65-74 years age-group ( P < 0.0001). Conclusions 65-74-year-old adults with ACAS performed significantly worse on the SPPB than those without ACAS. These results lend further support that ACAS may be associated with mobility dysfunction in older adults.